Traveling through Du He, Li Chengqian's rebellion begins

The three most capable of hiding themselves in the court are none other than Changsun Wuji, Li Jing and Li Ji.

As the royal relative with the greatest contribution, Changsun Wuji had not held an official position with real power for more than ten years, but he did not express any complaints to Li Shimin.

Even after Changsun Wuji's death, Li Shimin wanted him to serve as Shangshu You Pushe many times, but was rejected by Changsun Wuji.

It was precisely because of Changsun Wuji's tolerant character and his loyalty to Li Shimin that Li Shimin fully trusted him.

Although Changsun Wuji did not hold an official position with real power, he served as Si Tu for many years and had the power to participate in state affairs.

Therefore, Changsun Wuji has never left the power center of the Tang Dynasty for so many years.

It can be said that Changsun Wuji was the smartest and most tolerant person during the Zhenguan period.

Needless to say, Li Jing's prestige in the army far exceeded that of other generals, and was even comparable to that of Li Shimin.

How could Li Shimin not be afraid of such a person?

Although Li Jing was very old and looked sickly, Li Shimin could not guarantee that he would not suddenly become as energetic as Sima Yi.

It is not impossible that Li Jing would mistake Li Shimin for Cao Shuang and destroy his Li Dynasty.

As for Li Ji, who was also good at fighting and had a high prestige in the army, Li Shimin was also wary of him.

Because Li Ji was too young, and he had served as the governor of Bingzhou for sixteen years and had a large number of old subordinates who were loyal to him.

Du He waved his hands and said with a smile: "You worry too much, Duke of England. I don't have anyone to recommend."

"I came to you this time just to raise the demands of our Ministry of Industry with the Ministry of Personnel."

Li Ji nodded and said, "Please rest assured, Minister Du, we will definitely select a few suitable officials for the Ministry of Works."

When he was the Minister of War, he was responsible for the assessment and promotion of military generals, so he had rich experience in presiding over the selection of officials.

The Tang Dynasty's official selection system was very ingenious. The Ministry of Personnel was responsible for the appointment, dismissal, promotion and demotion of civil officials, while the Ministry of War was responsible for the appointment, dismissal, promotion and demotion of military officials.

However, the Minister of War is a civil servant, who is evaluated by the Ministry of Personnel and is under the control of the Secretariat.

This system of selecting officials can prevent people in the Ministry of Personnel from having too much power, and can also prevent military officers from harboring rebellious intentions.

After all, when there are no external enemies, military generals are the biggest danger.

Du He stood up and said, "Duke Ying, now that we have finished talking, I will not disturb you any further. I will take my leave now."

People with different ideas cannot work together. Since Du He has already tested Li Ji's attitude towards him, he has no intention of establishing a relationship with him.

If you force yourself to hang out with someone with this kind of personality, you might end up getting into a lot of unnecessary trouble if you accidentally say something you shouldn't.

When Li Ji saw Du He said goodbye without even taking a sip of tea, his pupils shrank slightly.

Then he stood up as well, and said with a smile on his face: "Minister Du, the Ministry of Personnel and the Ministry of Works are not far from each other. You can come and have tea more often when you have free time."

"it is good."

Du He responded softly, then left the Ministry of Personnel with a calm expression.

At the office door.

Li Ji looked at Du He's leaving back, and his brows furrowed slightly.

He didn't know whether Du He came to see him this time on his own initiative or at the behest of Crown Prince Li Chengqian.

Thinking back, Li Ji found that what he had just said was too straightforward, and he was afraid that Du He might misunderstand what he meant.

But he had his own principles in life, so he had to draw a line between himself and the prince.

"Hey!"

Li Ji sighed lightly, then returned to the office with a worried look on his face.

the other side.

After Du He walked out of the Ministry of Personnel, he did not immediately go back to the Ministry of Works, but walked towards the Ministry of Chancellery.

When he walked into the solemn gate of the Shangshu Province, Du He found that the officials in the lobby were very busy and everyone was concentrating on their work.

"As expected of the Ministry of Chancellery, the atmosphere is different from other ministries!"

Standing in the office lobby of the Chancellery, Du He could feel a strong sense of oppression coming towards him.

Unlike the Ministry of Works he heads, which seems so relaxed.

Just as Du He looked around, a tall young official came towards him with a slightly stiff expression.

"Meetings, Mr. Du."

"I don't know what important matter Minister Du has, but please tell me what to do!"

Du He glanced at the young official in the light green official robe, then smiled and clasped his fists at him.

"I have something to ask the Right Sergeant, please go and inform him."

"Yes, sir!" the young official responded, then ran towards the corridor on the right.

The little commotion here also attracted the attention of surrounding officials.

They all raised their heads and looked towards Du He. When they saw that the person coming was the Minister of Works, they all stood up and saluted.

"Meetings, Mr. Du."

Du He waved his hand at them: "You are welcome."

At this time, the young official who ran in to report to Hou Junji came back panting.

He clasped his fists respectfully and said, "Minister Du, the Right Prime Minister invites you."

As he said this, he personally led the way and brought Du He to Hou Junji's exclusive office.

The layout of the Shangshu Province was different from that of the Six Ministries, because the Shangshu Province had Shangshu Zuo Pushe and Zuo Pushe, so the Shangshu Province was divided into left and right sides for office.

Shangshu Zuo Pushe Changsun Wuji, Shangshu Zuo Cheng Du Gou, Zuosi Langzhong Cui Yixuan, Zuozhujue Langzhong Yan Liben and others worked in the building complex on the left.

In addition to being in charge of the affairs of their own provinces, they were also responsible for supervising the Ministry of Personnel, the Ministry of Revenue and the Ministry of Personnel.

The Shangshu You Pushe Hou Junji, Shangshu Youcheng Yuwenjie, Youzhujue Langzhong Wang Chongji and others worked in the building complex on the right.

In addition to cooperating and assisting in the affairs of the province, it is also responsible for the management of the Ministry of War, the Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Works.

Although the Shangshu Province was a whole, it was actually divided into two relatively independent departments, the Left and Right Provinces, and it also separated the Ministry of Personnel and the Ministry of War, which had the power to appoint and dismiss personnel.

From the official configuration of the Shangshu Province, it can be seen that the left and right provinces are in a relationship of mutual checks and balances.

"Du Shangshu, we're here."

The young official who led the way pointed to the office with its door open. After Du He walked in, he carefully closed the door.

inside the room.

Hou Junji, who was sitting on a Hu chair reviewing government affairs, raised his head and glanced at Du He who walked in, then said in a sarcastic tone.

"Du He, you are such a busy man. It took you so long to come see me, your superior."

"Is it because you don't take me seriously in your heart?"

Hearing Hou Junji's teasing and somewhat resentful words, Du He's mouth twitched slightly, and he did not answer him immediately.

Du He first took a look at the layout of the office, then walked to the cushion on the side and sat cross-legged, then replied with a smile.

"Uncle Hou, isn't my nephew busy doing meritorious deeds recently to bring honor to you?"

"Our Ministry of Works was able to achieve great success because of the guidance of you, the Shangshu You Pushe!"