Traveling through Du He, Li Chengqian's rebellion begins

Building Xiangcheng Palace for summer retreat was just one of Li Shimin's masterpieces.

When the army was conquering Goguryeo this year, Li Shimin also ordered General Jiang Que of the Left Tunwei Guard to build the Tangquan Palace in Mount Li and conscripted hundreds of thousands of laborers.

The amount of corvée labor levied to build the Daming Palace reached several million.

It is no exaggeration to say that although the labor conscripted by Li Shimin was not as much as that imposed by Emperor Yang of Sui, it was not much different.

It was only because the world was now stable and all the civil and military officials and aristocratic families were loyal to Li Shimin that there was no major public resentment.

Du He smiled and said, "Uncle Hou, are the examples I listed shocking?"

Seeing the bold and fearless Du He, Hou Junji couldn't help but twitch the corner of his mouth.

He thought again of last year's plan for a palace coup, when Du He suggested that the Crown Prince murder His Majesty.

"If there is a change in the sky, we should act quickly to respond to it. Your Highness, just say that you are seriously ill, and the Lord will come to see you in person, so you can achieve your goal."

I guess this brat doesn't even take His Majesty seriously.

Hou Junji was silent for a moment and then said, "Du He, I will submit your memorial to His Majesty later, and I will also fight for it."

"As for whether Your Majesty will adopt it or not, I cannot give you any guarantee."

"If His Majesty does not agree, don't make things worse. Wait until the Crown Prince ascends the throne and then realize your ideals and ambitions!"

Hou Junji is also tired of having a subordinate like Du He who cares about the country and the people.

Even though he usually doesn't need to trouble me and can manage the Ministry of Industry in an orderly manner, when he acts foolishly, he can scare people to death.

Du He nodded with a smile on his face, then stood up, clasped his fists and said to Hou Junji.

"Thank you for your concern, Uncle Hou. We have done our best. Now it all depends on your Majesty's order."

"If this decree can be passed, it will be for the benefit of the people of the world!"

"I will not bother Uncle Hou any longer. I will take my leave now."

After seeing Hou Junji waving his hand helplessly, Du He did not stay with Hou Junji for long, but walked out with big strides.

The reason why Du He did not involve Li Chengqian and let him advise Li Shimin was that he did not want Li Chengqian to follow Fusu's old path.

After all, sometimes the suggestions made by ministers may be inconsistent with those of the emperor, and it will not have much impact.

As the crown prince, his governing philosophy must be highly consistent with the emperor's, and the suggestions he makes must not put the emperor in an awkward position.

"This unfortunate child..."

Hou Junji looked at Du He's high-spirited back, then looked at the influential memorial in his hand, and his tiger eyes frowned tightly.

He thought seriously for a long time, then took the memorial to Ganlu Palace to meet Li Shimin.

...

In the afternoon.

When Du He was taking a nap in the office of the Ministry of Industry, Xiao Kai suddenly knocked on the door and reported quietly.

"Minister Du, the Minister of the Honglu Temple Pei Xingjian is here. He said he wants to see you for something."

Although Pei Xingjian was also a good friend of Xiao Kai, in places like the Ministry of Works, Xiao Kai still addressed him by his official title.

When Du He heard Pei Xingjian, whom he hadn't seen for many days, coming over, he quickly turned over and sat up from the chair and called out softly towards the door of the room.

"Doctor Xiao, please let Pei Sicheng come in by himself."

"promise!"

Xiao Kai responded and then trotted out.

Thinking that Pei Xingjian came this time to report to him on the development of the Eastern Palace spy team, Du He also started to make tea.

There is a stove in the room. All you have to do is add a few pieces of firewood and charcoal into it, and then put the pot of tea on the table on it to boil.

Not long after, Pei Xingjian, with his sharp eyebrows and bright eyes, walked in quickly. He respectfully saluted Du He with his fists clasped.

"Meetings, Mr. Du."

Du He looked back at Pei Xingjian, a smile appeared on his face, then he waved his hand and said.

"Keep your promise and close the door. We'll talk over tea later."

As he spoke, Du He turned around and started fiddling with the firewood in the stove.

"promise!"

Pei Xingjian responded, then turned around and closed the door.

He looked at Du He's office and found that the layout had not changed at all, still as simple as when he took office. He nodded secretly.

When the Honglu Temple and many officials in the court talked about these ministers behind their backs, they thought that Du He was a dandy who loved to enjoy himself.

However, by observing the offices of several ministers, Pei Xingjian discovered that Zhang Liang, the Minister of Justice, was the most extravagant person. He decorated his entire office.

In contrast, Du He's office still maintains a simple and low-key layout.

After Du He had started the charcoal fire, he pointed to the cushion on one side of the stove and said.

"Keep your promise, sit down and talk."

"Are you coming to the Ministry of Industry this time to report on the spies?"

Pei Xingjian nodded, then quickly walked to the cushion, sat cross-legged, and spoke in a low voice.

"Replying to Minister Du, I want to report on the development of the spy!"

He first took out a roster and handed it to Du He, then took out a booklet recording other miscellaneous matters, and then reported in a low voice.

"Currently, Qinglong Hall has recruited two spies, one of whom is the chief clerk of the Han Palace, and the other is the secretary of the Teng Palace."

"White Tiger Hall has recruited 79 people, Suzaku Hall has recruited 36 people, Suzaku Hall has recruited 108 people in total."

"I purchased a manor in Qinglongfang, Wannian County, as an external contact point for the East Palace spies."

In addition to reporting these important matters, Pei Xingjian also gave a detailed account of how many war horses he had purchased and how much money he had given to the spies to buy bedding and clothes.

After listening to Pei Xingjian's report, Du He asked in confusion.

"Shou Yue, why is there no progress at the Prince Wei's Mansion?"

Li Tai is the focus that the Eastern Palace should pay close attention to, while King of Han Li Yuanchang can only be regarded as a vicious dog, and as for King of Teng Li Yuanying, he is at most a small fry.

Pei Xingjian whispered back, "Replying to Minister Du, the security of the Prince of Wei's Palace is extremely strict, and their spies are also very powerful."

"We sent three waves of people to try to bribe the East Pavilion Priest of the Prince of Wei's Palace, but they were all caught by the spies of the Prince of Wei's Palace."

"In order to avoid alerting the enemy, we dare not be too aggressive."

At the Mid-Autumn Poetry Festival last year, the East Pavilion Chief Priest of the Prince of Wei's Palace was ostracized in the Palace because he did not prepare adequate meals.

Upon receiving the news, Pei Xingjian immediately sent someone to contact him, but unexpectedly, he was discovered first by the spies from the Prince of Wei's Palace.

Du He asked in astonishment, "Are the spies in Prince Wei's Palace so powerful?"

Suddenly, two people flashed through Du He's mind, the siblings Yin Yushan and Yin Yuhe!

If the brothers and sisters add the power in their hands to the Prince of Wei's Palace, then their strength cannot be underestimated.

Thinking of this, Du He said in a deep voice.

"Keep your promise. Since we can't infiltrate the Prince of Wei's Mansion for the time being, you should first place people in the governor's mansions of Xiangzhou, Weizhou, and Mingzhou!"