Traveling through Du He, Li Chengqian's rebellion begins

Du He had no intention of resisting Li Shimin's order.

More than ten years ago, when his father Du Ruhui died of illness, Li Shimin simply suspended court for three days.

Moreover, Li Shimin ordered all civil and military officials in the court to come to the Duke of Lai's mansion to pay their respects.

The eunuch then said, "Prince Consort Du, you will need to wear the sacrificial attire tomorrow, so don't forget it."

Du He clasped his fists towards the eunuch and said, "Thank you for reminding me. I have learned about it."

The eunuch nodded kindly, bowed respectfully to Li Yi, and then took his leave.

It was quiet for a moment.

Li Yi asked in confusion: "My husband, Li Daliang was a brave general, and I have never heard of him having any health problems before. How could he suddenly die of illness?"

Du He shook his head: "I just heard about it from other people, I don't know the specific reason."

For the generals who have been fighting for years, they have experienced countless battles, big and small, and suffered many injuries.

These hidden diseases usually have no symptoms, but they are extremely terrifying once they break out.

Li Yi said with emotion: "Li Daliang's death caused the court to lose a good general. Father must be very sad!"

In recent years, as a number of important officials died of illness one after another, my father cried bitterly every time and was unable to handle the affairs of state.

Several times, my father felt dizzy and his body became numb due to excessive grief.

Du He said softly: "Yier, birth, aging, illness and death are the normal state of life, just let it go."

After learning the news of Li Daliang's death from illness, although it had nothing to do with Li Yi, her mood still became extremely depressed.

...

The next day.

Du He wore sacrificial attire and arrived at Li Daliang's residence half an hour in advance.

Originally Du He thought he had arrived early, but he didn't expect that Changsun Wuji, Fang Xuanling, Li Jing, Hou Junji and others had already been waiting inside.

Moreover, almost all the officials of the fourth and fifth ranks were present.

Li Daliang's eldest son Li Fengjie, dressed in plain clothes, came to greet them and personally invited Du He to sit down and rest in the corresponding position.

Du He clasped his fists towards him and said, "My condolences."

Li Fengjie returned the greeting respectfully and then continued to greet other guests.

It didn't take long.

Li Shimin, Li Chengqian and Li Zhi came here on the dragon carriage. They were also wearing sacrificial costumes today.

With the arrival of Li Shimin, all of Li Daliang's family members came forward to welcome him.

After all the procedures, Li Daliang's family was preparing to dress him for burial.

His family did not put any pearls or jade in his mouth, but only put five hu of rice and thirty rolls of cloth in the coffin.

Li Shimin frowned and asked, "Why not put pearls and jade?"

Li Daliang's eldest son, Li Fengjie, replied, "Your Majesty, my late father was an honest official, and all the rewards he received were used to help the poor members of the clan, so our family cannot afford to give out pearls and jade!"

When Li Shimin heard this, he couldn't help but burst into tears.

"Daliang made great contributions to the country, but I didn't expect that he would live in such poverty and not even have a piece of pearl or jade after his death."

As he said this, he personally untied the pearls and jade buckled around his waist and handed them to Li Fengjie.

"I'm ordered to put this jade in Daliang's mouth!"

Li Fengjie was so moved that he burst into tears and thanked him, "Thank you, Your Majesty. My late husband will be able to smile in his grave after feeling the jade."

When the civil and military officials around saw what Li Shimin did, they all showed moved expressions on their faces and shouted loudly.

"Your Majesty, Holy Might!"

Du He also looked at Li Shimin with admiration. No wonder a large group of civil and military officials supported him so much. His personal charm was indeed powerful.

There was no trace of affectation in this action.

During the subsequent incense-burning and worshipping ceremony, in addition to Li Shimin crying bitterly, the deputy general of the Right Guard General Li Daliang, Xue Wanche, cried particularly sadly and even fainted at one point.

The ministers around him all comforted Xue Wanche, which made him calm down a little.

And his reaction was also recognized by Li Shimin.

"Good guy!"

"Xue Wanche is still acting!"

Du He couldn't help but twitch his lips when he saw the obvious signs of acting on Xue Wanche's part.

Now that his old boss has died of illness, Xue Wanche, who has already accumulated great military achievements, is a strong contender for the next Right Guard General.

After paying his respects, Li Shimin immediately announced.

"Li Daliang was determined to be upright and fair, and was given the posthumous title of Yi, and buried in Zhaoling Mausoleum!"

"Li Daliang was posthumously awarded the title of Minister of War and Governor of Qinzhou!"

Li Shimin's posthumous reward instantly excited Li Daliang's family members, and they knelt down to express their gratitude to Li Shimin.

"Thank you, Your Majesty, for your kindness!"

"Your Majesty, Holy Might!"

Posthumous awards are not only a sign of the emperor's appreciation and recognition of his subjects, but also have many benefits for future generations.

For example, for the descendants of those who received official positions as gifts, the higher the rank of the official positions, the higher their starting point for entering officialdom through family connections.

The New Tang Code clearly stipulates that anyone who enters officialdom through family connections.

The descendants of a first-rank official would start as a seventh-rank official.

The descendants of a second-rank official would start as a seventh-rank lower official.

The descendants of a third-rank official would start as an official of the seventh rank.

The descendants of a third-rank official would start as a seventh-rank lower official.

For example, Du Ruhui was posthumously awarded the title of Sikong, an official rank of the first rank, and Du He, who benefited from this, had a higher starting point than the descendants of other officials.

After Qin Shubao's death, he was posthumously awarded the title of Governor of Xuzhou, and his official position was the second rank, which was lower than that of Sikong. Therefore, Qin Huaidao's starting point for his official career through family connections was not high.

If it were not for the support of Li Chengqian and Du He, according to the original historical interpretation, Qin Huaidao would now be just a small military officer in Mianzhou.

Moreover, in the end, Qin Huaidao only served as the magistrate of Yixing County.

The descendants of those who were granted official positions, in addition to being able to enter officialdom through family connections, could also have the opportunity to obtain commutation of sentence or redemption of sentence if they committed a crime.

The New Tang Code stipulates that if an official who is posthumously awarded the rank of fifth rank or above commits exile, his relatives can have their sentence reduced by one level.

If an official of the seventh rank or above is posthumously awarded, his relatives who commit crimes punishable by exile or below can redeem their sentences with money or property.

However, there are certain restrictions on the number of times a sentence can be commuted or redeemed, and they cannot be used without limit.

When Li Shi led the civil and military officials back to the palace, he called Zhangsun Wuji, Hou Junji, Fang Xuanling, Li Ji and Li Daozon to the Liangyi Hall to discuss matters.

The rest of the officials returned to their respective departments to work.

When Du He, Yu Chang and the doctors of the Fourth Division were walking towards the Ministry of Works, Xiao Kai suddenly asked in a low voice.

"Minister Du, who do you think His Majesty will appoint to take up the vacant position of Right Guard General?"

Du He glanced at him and said, "Why would a civilian like you worry about the affairs of the military group?"

The civil service group and the military group usually have no conflicts of interest, so their promotions in official positions do not matter much.

Moreover, the struggle for power is very dangerous. Ordinary people would rather avoid it than get involved in it easily.

Xiao Kai curled his lips and did not continue asking.

Du He had just walked to the gate of the Ministry of Industry, and before he even stepped in, Qin Huaidao walked over and said.

"Minister Du, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince wants you to go to the East Palace. He said he has something important to discuss."