Traveling through Du He, Li Chengqian's rebellion begins

Now that Li Shimin has been emperor for nearly twenty years, his mentality has long since changed compared to the first few years after he ascended the throne.

In addition, ministers such as Xiao Yu and Fang Xuanling are now quite old and it is impossible for them to remain active as prime ministers for a long time.

"Hey!"

Xiao Kai sighed heavily again.

He shook his head and said, "Brother Du, you know my father's character. Except for what my aunt said, it's useless for anyone to persuade him."

"We brothers have let it go now. As long as my father doesn't rebel, he can do whatever he wants."

Although Xiao Yu seems to be conservative, he always obeys his sister Empress Xiao's orders.

After all, without the support of his sister Empress Xiao, Xiao Yu would not have achieved such great success.

When Du He saw Xiao Kai say this, he did not discuss the topic in depth, but turned to another one.

"Brother Xiao, I will teach you how to make a kang and honeycomb coal in a couple of days. When you have learned it, submit a petition to the court."

"Now that winter is approaching, if you make these two things, the royal family and the officials and noble families will probably remember you for your kindness."

"This kind of merit that benefits the people may allow you to move up a level or two."

Coal was very expensive these days, and ordinary people were reluctant to use it. They even had to use firewood sparingly.

Moreover, building a kang requires a lot of silver. Even if ordinary people want to make one, they do not have enough silver.

Unless the imperial court can increase coal mining and lower the price, it will not be possible for coal to be popularized among thousands of households.

Xiao Kai said excitedly: "Brother Du, I am very free now, I can come and learn from you anytime."

He had been in the Yu Department for several years, always doing things according to the rules and regulations, and had not made any obvious achievements.

Although the two things that Du He made for him would not make him famous for generations, they would definitely be recorded in history books.

Du He suddenly thought of what Li Chengqian had told him, with a sly smile on his face, and then he whispered to Xiao Kai.

"Brother Xiao, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince is doing something important, and currently lacks a large amount of silver."

"He asked me to ask you, Brother Cui, and Brother Wang if you are willing to provide this money?"

Then Du He explained to Xiao Kai in detail the approximate amount of money needed for each year and the duration of the funding.

At the same time, he also truthfully told them the promise that Li Chengqian had made to the three of them.

After a moment of silence.

Xiao Kai said with a little excitement: "Brother Du, for such a great thing, I will definitely support the prince with all my strength."

"But I still need to ask Cui Shenji and Wang Jingzhi tonight."

"I will tell you the final decision after the court meeting tomorrow."

The average annual expenditure per person was around 5,000 guan, which was not a huge expense for them.

But this is a long-term investment, and they estimate that they will have to invest nearly 100,000 strings of cash in total, which is a lot of money.

After he returns, he will discuss this with his elder brother Xiao Rui.

After all, his father has a very straightforward character. If he knew about it, he would definitely make a big fuss, so discussing it with his eldest brother is the best option.

Du He smiled and said, "Then I will wait for your good news."

He believed that the three musketeers would definitely agree because it was the only way to continue their family's power.

Xiao Kai's family was better off. His elder brother Xiao Rui served as the Minister of the Imperial Household and also married Princess Xiangcheng.

The performance of Wang Jingzhi and Cui Shenji's families in official circles was not very good, and they did not dare to openly take sides, so investing in Li Chengqian was the way out.

The two chatted for a few more sentences, and then Xiao Kai went out to do his work.

Du He did not continue to stay in the Ministry of Works, but went to the Eastern Palace and asked Li Chengqian for someone.

"Your Highness, I have made a lot of enemies now. Please send me a few elite guards from the East Palace."

"I have offended the King of Wei again this morning. I am afraid that the King of Wei will send assassins to kill me!"

Hearing what Du He said, Li Chengqian showed a look of doubt on his face.

Li Tai was in Xiangzhou, thousands of miles away, and apart from Fang Yiai and Chai Lingwu, there were no other aides in the court. How did Du He offend Li Tai?

With this doubt, Li Chengqian asked curiously.

"Du He, how did you offend Li Tai?"

Du He smiled and said, "Today, His Majesty summoned us to Liangyi Palace to discuss the matter of the King of Wei deposing the King of Hell's Consort and replacing her with Yin Yushan as the King's Consort."

"I had previously exchanged conditions with Yin Yushan. I helped her turn down this matter, and she revealed to me the rebellion of the King of Han and the King of Teng."

"Your Highness, I offended the King of Wei because I was working for you. You need to send more experts to protect me."

After hearing Du He's explanation, Li Chengqian nodded in sudden enlightenment.

Li Tai is narrow-minded. His great plan was ruined by Du He, so he must hate Du He to the core.

In addition, Du He is his number one think tank, so he will definitely find ways to get rid of Du He, his most trusted subordinate.

Besides, the relationship between Du He and the Jingzhao Du family is very tense now, and the Du family’s people will probably send their assassins to attack Du He.

Li Chengqian said without hesitation: "Du He, I will ask Feng Shijin, Zhang Shizheng and 10 others to serve as your guards!"

"From now on, they will be under your name and you can use them as you please!"

When Du He heard the names of these two people, a look of surprise appeared on his face.

Because Feng Shijin and Zhang Shizheng were the leaders of the assassins recruited by Li Chengqian, their mission was to assassinate political enemies for Li Chengqian.

In the early years, Feng Shijin and Zhang Shizheng were sent to assassinate Li Tai, but unfortunately the defense of the Prince of Wei's Palace was too tight and they failed.

Although the martial arts of these two people are not as good as Xue Rengui, Xi Junmai and others, compared with ordinary soldiers, they can fight ten people at once.

Du He smiled and said, "Thank you, Your Highness."

He originally had 7 guards, and now with the addition of these 10 elite killers, his defense capabilities were greatly enhanced.

Li Chengqian did not hesitate. He immediately sent someone to call Feng Shijin, Zhang Shizheng and several other assassins over.

"From now on, you will obey orders from Prince Du and protect his safety!"

"If anything happens to Prince Consort Du, you will be the ones to blame!"

When they heard that they were going to protect Du He, Feng Shijin, Zhang Shizheng and others instantly showed excitement on their faces.

During this time they stayed in the East Palace, they had nothing to do except practicing martial arts every day.

Now following the rising star of Prince Consort Du, they dare not say that they have a bright future, but at least they don’t have to waste their time in the Eastern Palace.

With joyful smiles on their faces, they all bowed respectfully to Li Chengqian with their fists clasped.

"As ordered!"