Traveling through Du He, Li Chengqian's rebellion begins

Pei Xingjian grew up in the Pei family of Hedong. He knew that women from large families were born with a sense of superiority and looked down on many men from families with less influence.

Not to mention Princess Gaoyang, a royal lady, who was young and beautiful.

A high and mighty princess was having an affair with a Buddhist monk. If Du He hadn't told him the news, he would never have believed it.

The swan took the initiative to find the toad. Isn't this ridiculous?

These questions flashed quickly through Pei Xingjian's mind, and then he quickly came to his senses and answered without any hesitation.

"Don't worry, Mr. Du, I will definitely send someone to keep a close eye on them!"

Du He nodded with a smile on his face.

The two chatted for a while. Pei Xingjian had to go back to the Honglu Temple to do some work, so he drank a few cups of tea and left quickly.

There are always some clever moments in the world. Pei Xingjian had just left the Ministry of Works when Hou Junji walked in.

When the officials from the Ministry of Works saw Hou Junji suddenly walk in, their expressions changed.

Then they stood up one after another, saluted and shouted to Hou Junji.

"Meet the Right Prime Minister!"

In several office rooms inside the lobby, Yu Chang, the Vice Minister of Works, and the Doctors of the Fourth Department heard the noise outside and hurriedly walked out while straightening their official robes.

They walked quickly up to Hou Junji and bowed respectfully.

"Meet the Right Prime Minister!"

Yu Chang and Si Silang's eyes were filled with confusion. They didn't know why Hou Junji came to the Ministry of Works without any warning.

Is it to check if everyone is doing anything, or is there some other reason?

Hou Junji waved his hand and said, "You can go about your business. I am here to see Du He today."

Under Du He's orders, people from the Ministry of Works have been working hard to reform the direct plow system these days, and they are being closely watched by people from the six ministries, nine temples and five academies.

If the Ministry of Industry does not gain anything in the end, I am afraid that the Ministry of Industry and Du He will become the laughing stock of everyone.

Although he was a direct superior of the Ministry of Industry, he and Du He were allies, so it was not easy for him to stop them.

Yu Chang said quickly, "Hou You Pushe, I will take you to Minister Du's office."

Hou Junji shook his head and said, "I can go there myself."

After saying this, Hou Junji, with a serious face, strode towards Du He's office.

When the officials in the lobby saw Hou Junji walk into Du He's office, they wanted to whisper to each other and talk.

Yu Chang immediately scolded in a low voice: "Minister Hou is still here, you all should keep your mouth shut and don't say anything you shouldn't say!"

"How can you speculate on what happened between the two adults?"

Normally, these officials like to nag, and he would not interfere. But how could he make random guesses about the affairs of the two adults, Hou Junji and Du He?

If you accidentally bump into Hou Junji, all he needs is a word and you will have to throw away your official robe.

The officials of the Ministry of Works touched their noses in dismay, then returned to their respective offices, where they worked with a serious attitude.

In Du He's office.

Hou Junji swaggered to Du He's seat and squinted his eyes as he watched Du He pour tea for him.

He curled his lips and said, "Du He, as your superior, I still have to run back and forth to work hard."

"How could you be so good? You didn't even go out to greet me when I came, but instead hid in the office and leisurely made tea and drank it?"

Looking at the layer of firewood and charcoal under the stove and the two empty teapots on the table next to it, Hou Junji guessed that Du He had been drinking tea for a long time.

Du He first poured Hou Junji a cup of tea, and then said with a smile on his face.

"Uncle Hou, he just came here as promised to report some things to my nephew, and he left just before you came in."

"The reason why I didn't go out to greet you was to make a pot of hot tea in advance so that you can have a cup of hot tea to warm yourself up when you come."

When Hou Junji heard that Pei Xingjian came to see Du He, he immediately raised his eyebrows and asked.

"Du He, have you told Shou Yue what I told you to do?"

His beloved daughter Hou Haitang would ask Shouyue every day what he was busy with and why he never came to see her.

Now, Hou Junji could still hear the woman's nagging words from time to time.

Du He said with a straight face: "How dare I not take Uncle Hou's instructions to heart?"

"I have already told Shouyue that he will return to Duke Chen's Mansion after his shift tomorrow."

Most fathers-in-law don't like their sons-in-law very much, but Hou Junji, a warrior, is different. He gives people the feeling that he is afraid that Pei Xingjian will run away.

Moreover, the investment in Pei Xingjian now is much greater than that in the former son-in-law Helan Chushi.

"That's good!" Hou Junji nodded with relief.

He then took out an imperial edict from his wide sleeves and handed it to Du He, saying with a smug expression on his face.

"Du He, I have already done what you asked me to do."

"Your Majesty has promised to pay 2 cents per person per day for the labor to repair the Wudi Canal, and the court will also provide a day's food!"

Got the deal?

How could Li Shimin agree so easily?

Du He was confused and quickly opened the imperial edict to read it carefully.

After the cup of tea.

Du He asked curiously, "Uncle Hou, Your Majesty only promised to pay for the labor of repairing Wudi Canal, but not for all the people who were doing heavy labor?"

Hearing Du He's greedy words, Hou Junji's mouth twitched.

He said angrily: "Du He, you have to eat one mouthful at a time. How can you reach the sky in one step?"

"Now that His Majesty is willing to give in and pay for the labor of repairing Wudi Canal, it is already a great thing."

"With this case of repairing the Wudi Ditch, we can also make suggestions to Your Majesty if there are similar cases of heavy corvee in the future."

Just to persuade His Majesty to pay for the labor of repairing the Wudi Canal, he had to persuade Li Shimin with both soft and hard means, not to mention the decree to change the labor service.

Important matters such as amending the corvee law required convening a group of ministers to discuss the matter for days or even months.

Hou Junji said seriously, "Du He, Your Majesty also wants to see what the labor money for repairing Wudi Canal will produce."

"If the result is beneficial to all parties, the court will gradually promulgate it in the future. If it causes too much expense to the court, this decree will not work."

Even though Du He boasts about the benefits of giving silver to the people who perform heavy corvee labor, Your Majesty is still taking a wait-and-see attitude.

Du He also knew that it was impossible to become fat in one bite, so he clasped his fists towards Hou Junji and expressed his gratitude.

"Thank you, Uncle Hou!"

"If the laborers repairing the Wudi Ditch knew that you were the one asking for orders on behalf of the people, they would definitely set up a longevity tablet for you at home and make devout offerings to you every day!"

In ancient times, people would set up longevity tablets for officials who pleaded for the people or people who made significant contributions.

They offer sacrifices to him every day and pray for his health and longevity.