Traveling through Du He, Li Chengqian's rebellion begins

If Ma Zhou knew that Du He wanted to promote Li Yifu just to have him keep an eye on Li Zhi in the Prince of Jin's Mansion, no one knew what he would think.

Du He waved his hand and said, "Brother Ma, you are the noble of Li Yifu!"

"To promote Li Yifu this time, I can only say hello to the people in the Ministry of Personnel in private. It mainly depends on you, the chief official of the Censorate, to make a strong recommendation."

Since he wanted to develop Li Yifu into a secret agent, Du He could not greet the people in the Ministry of Personnel openly.

Perhaps Li Yifu, this chess piece, will be incorporated into Changsun Wuji's formation in the future.

Ma Zhou quickly said: "It should be so!"

As the chief official of the Censorate, he only needed to write about what he had done in a nicer way and then comment on his abilities and potential.

By then, once Du He has made arrangements and confirmed the specific position to which he will be promoted, Li Yifu's promotion can be easily accomplished.

After confirming Li Yifu's matter, both Du He and Ma Zhou were in a very good mood.

For Ma Zhou, this young man whom he holds high hopes for has now caught Du He's eye, and his future career will surely be smooth.

As for Du He, with Ma Zhou openly recommending Li Yifu to provide cover, no one else would think that Li Yifu was the prince's man.

Just as Du He and Ma Zhou were chatting and laughing, there was a knock on the door.

"Knock knock knock~"

Then a middle-aged man's voice sounded.

"Minister Du, the people from the Ministry of Internal Affairs are here, and they said they are going to issue an imperial decree to reward you!"

"They are waiting in the lobby now. Do we need to bring them to the office?"

In the office.

Du He said softly: "Please invite them over!"

"promise!"

The eunuch responded and left quickly.

Not long after, two officials from the Ministry of Internal Affairs who were responsible for announcing the imperial edict, led by an official from the Ministry of Works, quickly walked to Du He's office.

They first explained the content of the imperial edict to Du He, and then read the edict according to the procedure.

"The Emperor of the Great Tang ordered that the Minister of Works repeatedly offered good advice and made outstanding military achievements during the conquest of Goguryeo, and even led the troops to destroy Baekje!"

"A special reward of 500 strings of gold and silver, 500 acres of good farmland, and an increase of 300 households in the fiefdom!"

Upon hearing the huge reward Du He had received, Ma Zhou, who was standing aside, opened his mouth wide.

He didn't expect that His Majesty would be so generous. The reward given to Du He this time even exceeded that of many heroes who made great contributions to the founding of the Tang Dynasty!

Not to mention the huge benefit of increasing the fief by 300 households, the 500 strings of cash and 500 acres of fertile land alone were huge fortunes that Ma Zhou could never earn in his entire life as an official.

Du He was also a little surprised. He originally thought that he would only get some gold, silver and cloth as rewards, but he didn't expect Li Shimin to be so generous.

These 500 acres of fertile land are permanent land and belong to Du He's own personal property.

The increase of 300 households in the fiefdom meant that the taxes of 300 households would no longer need to be submitted to the court, but would instead go into Du He's pocket.

Du He clasped his fists towards the eunuch and said, "I obey your order!"

After the eunuch handed the imperial edict to Du He, he greeted Du He and Ma Zhou, then quickly walked out of the office.

Ma Zhou said with envy: "Brother Du, you were originally from a wealthy family, and now with this huge reward, you have become even richer!"

"I have been an official for more than ten years, but I haven't even earned a title, and the rewards I have received are less than a hundred officials."

Although he was the Imperial Censor, he did not make great contributions like Du He, so he did not receive a huge reward.

In addition, he was an honest official and could be described as incorruptible.

Ma Zhou now lives in a not-so-big house with his wife Wang Ai and their two sons.

Although the family usually has enough food and clothing, they are not a wealthy family.

Du He pointed in the direction of the East Palace and said, "Brother Ma, as long as you support the Crown Prince as wholeheartedly as I do, you will also receive such a reward within a year."

"When the time comes, I can buy a large house with a garden and a small lake, and take in eight or ten concubines. Wouldn't that make my life perfect?"

And you don't need to worry about your offspring's career in the future. When the time comes, let them live in the East Palace and accompany the new Crown Prince Li Jue."

Listening to the bright future described by Du He, Ma Zhou showed a trace of yearning in his heart, but it was quickly suppressed.

Participating in the struggle for imperial power is a very dangerous path, so he would rather seek progress while maintaining stability.

Ma Zhou shook his head and said, "Brother Du, I'd better stay with my wife and children and that small house. I'm not blessed with such wealth and splendor."

Everyone has their own aspirations, and Du He also respects Ma Zhou's own choice.

Not everyone is like Hou Junji and him, who have a strong obsession with power.

The two men stood and chatted for a few more words, and then Ma Zhou said goodbye to Du He and left the Ministry of Works.

After Ma Zhou left, Du He opened the imperial edict and read it carefully for a while before rolling it up with satisfaction.

Including the newly awarded 500 acres of land, the permanent farmland under Du He's name has reached 1500 acres, and his fief has reached 500 households.

Apart from the land under his name, which is still smaller than that of his elder brother Du Gou, his actual fiefdom has exceeded that of his elder brother by 400 households.

Thinking that Yu Zhining and Zhang Xuansu would go to the Eastern Palace to take up their posts today, Du He hurriedly finished reviewing today's memorials.

Then he said hello to Yu Chang and hurried to the East Palace.

Mingde Hall.

When Du He walked in, he found that in addition to Yu Zhining and Zhang Xuansu, Cen Benwen, Linghu Defeng and Zhao Hongzhi were also there.

The five of them were the chief officials of the Zhanshi Mansion, Zuochunfang and Youchunfang.

The two people who were speaking now were mainly Cen Wenben and Linghu Defeng, while the expressions of the others looked very solemn.

Especially Crown Prince Li Chengqian, his face was so solemn that it seemed like water was about to drip out of it.

Cen Wenben and Linghu Defeng were not talking about serious matters, but were chatting about some trivial matters to liven up the atmosphere.

Du He glanced at Yu Zhining and Zhang Xuansu, then bowed to Li Chengqian.

"Meet His Highness the Crown Prince."

Cen Wenben, Linghu Defeng and Zhao Hongzhi secretly breathed a sigh of relief when they saw Du He coming.

Now that His Royal Highness the Crown Prince neither spoke nor ordered them to leave, they had no idea what topic to talk about.

When Li Chengqian saw Du He come in, a smile finally broke out on his stern face.

He waved at Cen Wenben, Linghu Defeng and others and spoke in a neutral tone.

"You guys should step back first."

Among these people, except Cen Wenben who was slightly better, none of the other four people were on his side. Li Chengqian felt annoyed just looking at their old faces.

After receiving the order, several people quickly stood up and saluted to Li Chengqian.

"I'm waiting to retire."

After the five of them walked away, the atmosphere in the hall suddenly became relaxed.

Du He said jokingly, "Your Highness, when I first came in, I felt a strong imperial aura. When I got closer, I realized that it was coming from you!"