Traveling through Du He, Li Chengqian's rebellion begins

Then Wang Hongzhi introduced the historical status of Wudigou and the important role it played.

When Du He learned that Qin Shihuang had unified the six kingdoms, in order to find the elixir of immortality, he ordered the alchemist Xu Fu to sail east to the sea in search of the elixir.

Xu Fu took thousands of boys and girls with him, boarded a boat from Wudigou, went to the Gejin River, and went out to sea, and finally arrived in Japan.

Since then, Wudigou has gradually developed into an important waterway in all dynasties, bringing huge economic benefits to local officials and people.

Through this important waterway, Japan also acquired many important technologies and advanced cultures from the Tang Dynasty.

"Japanese country?"

Du He narrowed his eyes and silently recited these two words, with a hint of murderous intent in his eyes.

After Sishui Road and Jincheng Road have been operating for a few years, we can suggest to Li Shimin or Li Chengqian that we train the navy there and send troops to completely defeat Japan.

Although Japan is not large in area, it is a good place because it is surrounded by the sea and has rich marine resources.

Moreover, the Si Shui Road is only a hundred miles away from the nearest place of Japan. As long as there is no extreme typhoon weather, ordinary large ships can pass through safely.

Wang Hongzhi saw Du He was in a daze, and he asked in a low voice.

"Minister Du, what do you think of Governor Xue's request?"

Du He said directly: "It is a great thing to manage Wudi Ditch. After the ditch is repaired, it will benefit the local people nearby."

"Take Xue Dading's memorial to Minister Yu first. If there is no problem, then review it for me."

After Du He, the Minister of Works, reviewed this memorial, it would need to be submitted to the Secretariat for approval, and even to Li Shimin for an imperial edict.

After all, it involves the conscription of thousands of laborers, which is no small matter.

Yu Chang and Wang Hongzhi clasped their fists in response.

"As ordered!"

Du He then asked a few more questions, and when he saw that no one had any big issues that needed his help to solve, he stood up and spoke.

"I will go to the East Palace now. All matters of the Ministry of Works will be decided by Minister Yu."

"If there is an emergency, send someone to the East Palace to call me."

After saying that, Du He didn't say much to them, but walked out of the office quickly.

Outside the lobby.

The office that is usually full of people now has only a few people working there, while the others are working on the innovative direct plow.

Although it sounded absurd to innovate the straight plow within 5 days, the low-level officials of the Ministry of Works did not take it as a joke.

What happens once they have done it?

For non-officials such as Lingshi, Shulingshi and Zhanggu, even if they received a reward of 100 wen each, they could buy an extra 2 dan of grain.

This reward was nothing to the officials, and was not even enough for them to have a good meal and drink.

But for those officials whose salaries were already low and who had to support large families, if the court could reward them with an extra stone of rice, their lives would be better.

...

East Palace.

Mingde Hall.

When Li Chengqian saw Du He coming late and taking the whole plate of pastries on his table to eat, he curled his lips and said.

"Du He, why are you so slow?"

"The guard just came back to report that you would come later, and it's almost half an hour ago."

"You've delayed me for so long, and you still have the nerve to eat my cakes. Spit it out right now."

After hearing Li Chengqian's complaints, Du He's expression did not change at all.

He replied with a smile while eating a delicious steaming pastry.

"Your Highness, I said I would be here later. Why are you rushing here without stopping?"

Li Chengqian raised his eyebrows and asked, "Half an hour later means later?"

In Li Chengqian's understanding, "later" means coming over soon.

Unexpectedly, little Du He took nearly half an hour.

"Hehe." Du He chuckled twice, then said with a serious face: "Just now, the doctor of the Water Department reported to me that Xue Dading, the governor of Cangzhou, wanted to manage the Wudi Canal."

"Because of this important matter, there was a small delay."

Li Chengqian, who originally had no interest in the Ministry of Industry's affairs, paused slightly when he heard the name Cangzhou.

After thinking for a moment, he asked in a deep voice: "Du He, Cangzhou is connected to Youzhou in the north, and it is not far from Li Tai's fiefdom."

"At this critical moment, the idea of managing the canal was proposed. Could it be that Li Tai and Li Yuanchang were plotting something?"

Just a few years ago, Xue Dading was appointed as the Chief Secretary of Qi, assisting King Li You of Qi in governing his fiefdom.

Because the King of Qi was arrogant and domineering, and the Confucian official Xue Dading was unable to discipline him, Li Shimin eventually removed Xue Dading from his post as the Chief Clerk of Qi.

It's just that when Xue Dading was the chief officer of Qizhou, he led the people to open up new land and manage many small ditches, and achieved considerable political achievements.

In recognition of his contributions in flood control and people's well-being, Li Shimin transferred him to be the governor of Cangzhou to govern this prefecture that suffered from floods.

Du He frowned and thought for a moment, then slowly shook his head and said.

"Your Highness, Xue Dading followed the Emperor to raise an army in Jinyang, and he is also a fatherly official who loves his people like his own children. It is unlikely that he has ulterior motives."

"But to be on the safe side, I'll have Pei Xingjian send spies to investigate."

Now Li Tai has the support of the Yin brothers and sisters. These two brothers and sisters were able to cause a big incident of killing people by the ghost without being discovered by Li Shimin, which shows that they are very capable.

It is hard to say whether Xue Dading has been turned against the government or is being used by Li Tai.

Excluding possible conspiracies, Xue Dading's proposal to govern Wudigou was a great thing that would benefit both the country and the people.

As the Minister of Works, Du He had no reason to refuse.

If Li Tai and his men wanted to use this canal to cause trouble, they could only send more spies to gather information, or find out what Yin Yushan had to say.

Li Chengqian said sternly, "Du He, in addition to monitoring Li Tai, you must also be careful about Han Wang Li Yuanchang."

"The King of Han knows about our previous conspiracy. If he tells Li Tai about it, it will probably cause more trouble."

Li Chengqian didn't dare to send people to assassinate Li Yuanchang, nor could he do it at the moment.

Because once the matter is exposed, he, the crown prince, would be demoted to a commoner for murdering a member of the royal family.

If Li Yuanchang was kept, even if he wanted to fight to the death and tell the truth, he would not be able to do anything to him, because Li Yuanchang had no evidence of his crime of treason.

The worst outcome of this matter would be that his father would be wary of him, but at least he could still keep his position as crown prince.

Du He nodded and said, "Okay."

Li Chengqian continued, "Du He, I asked you to come here today to ask your opinion on your father's restoration of the three provinces and six ministries!"