Traveling through Du He, Li Chengqian's rebellion begins

When Li Chengqian heard Du He's teasing words, his originally serious face showed a faint smile.

Just now when he was facing Zhining and Zhang Xuansu, his thoughts went back to several years ago, the unbearable time when he was always scolded and reported.

Moreover, that old scoundrel Zhang Xuansu actually started to give orders to me on the first day I took up my post in the Eastern Palace.

If Cen Wenben had not intervened, he might have fallen out with Zhang Xuansu.

Li Chengqian raised his eyebrows and said, "Du He, that old man Zhang Xuansu advised me that I should not bring you with me when I accept the lessons from Cen Wenben and Ma Zhou."

"He said that the crown prince and his subjects shouldn't get too close, and that subjects are not qualified to be taught by a minister who is as good as the crown prince!"

"That old man is so shameless that he said you don't hold any official position in the Eastern Palace, and that he will have to properly control your entry and exit to the Eastern Palace in the future."

Well...

Du He's expression was slightly stunned.

He really was eating the melon and ended up eating it himself. He didn't expect that the old guy Zhang Xuansu would point the finger at him shortly after returning to Chang'an.

This is only the first day, and no one knows what trouble Yu Zhining and Zhang Xuansu will cause in the future.

Du He pretended to be angry and said, "Zhang Xuansu, that old fellow, tried to sow discord between us, the emperor and his subjects, on his first day here. He really deserves death!"

"Later, I'll ask Pei Xingjian to check on this old guy to see if he has done anything illegal. Then I'll give him a hard time."

A dog will always eat shit. Zhang Xuansu and Yu Zhining's habit of finding fault with the prince is certainly not something they can easily change.

Moreover, both of their wealth and status belonged to Li Shimin, and the record of their advising Crown Prince Li Chengqian was the evidence for them to seek credit from Li Shimin.

The more things they give to persuade the prince, the happier Li Shimin will be when he sees them.

Li Chengqian nodded and said, "Du He, you have to ask Pei Xingjian to investigate Yu Zhining and Zhang Xuansu thoroughly. I will also let them taste the pain of being impeached!"

Pei Xingjian served as the Prince's Chief Justice in the Eastern Palace's Zhanshi Mansion, a position equivalent to the Censor, who had the power to impeach all officials serving in the Eastern Palace.

Even if it was the two chief officers, Yu Zhining and Zhang Xuansu, Pei Xingjian could impeach them as long as they committed illegal acts and made wrong statements.

After Du He's few words of advice, Li Chengqian felt much better.

Du He then talked about the content of his conversation with Ma Zhou just now, selecting some key points.

Upon learning that Ma Zhou did not want to get involved in the struggle for imperial power, Li Chengqian showed a regretful expression on his face.

He shook his head and said, "Ma Zhou is a capable minister. If he can be used by me, he may not do worse than Wei Zheng!"

After receiving instruction from Ma Zhou for this period of time, Li Chengqian discovered that Ma Zhou was not only knowledgeable, but also shared the same views with him on many issues.

What he needs most now is someone who shares the same ideas as him, not Yu Zhining and Zhang Xuansu, two people who are always looking for faults in him.

Du He said softly: "Although Ma Zhou has not completely stood behind the East Palace, his heart is with you, the Crown Prince, and he will speak for you in the court."

Li Chengqian shook his head solemnly. He had a more far-sighted and thorough view of this aspect than Du He.

Neutral ministers are no different from fence-sitters; they will lean towards whichever side benefits them.

Such as his uncle Zhangsun Wuji, Minister of Personnel Li Ji and Minister of Justice Zhang Liang and others, who currently look like neutral ministers, are actually his potential enemies.

If these people ever side with Li Zhi or Li Tai, the power of the Eastern Palace will be countered in an instant.

Li Chengqian put these worries behind him and then asked about placing spies in the Prince of Jin's Mansion.

"Du He, promoting the Censor Li Yifu to the position of Right Assistant Censor is a trivial matter."

"But Li Yifu is only a military officer in the Jin Palace. You only know him from Ma Zhou's few words. Can you trust him?"

"Do we need to spend a lot of money to persuade someone with a higher position in the Prince of Jin's mansion to rebel?"

The core official positions in the Prince of Jin's Palace are the Chief Clerk and the Sima. Since Ma Zhou, the Chief Clerk of the Prince of Jin's Palace, is unwilling to be a spy, the target can also be set on the Sima of the Prince of Jin's Palace.

Du He waved his hand and said, "Your Highness, this Li Yifu is a very versatile person and is very good at flattery."

"As long as we give him a little help, he will have no problem becoming King Jin's confidant."

"Besides, he is a low-ranking person like him, so he is considered as a confidant by King Jin, and it is easy for him to find out the core secrets."

For someone like Li Yifu who climbed up step by step from the bottom, there is no problem with his personal strength.

In addition, Li Zhi, whose ambition is growing, will gradually form his own team, and talented people like Li Yifu will be given important positions.

A minister as successful and famous as Ma Zhou might even be suspected by Li Zhi, but a small-time minister like Li Yifu would be cultivated as a confidant.

Seeing that Du He spoke with certainty, Li Chengqian felt relieved and did not continue to ask questions.

With a smile on his face, he said: "Du He, you are still reliable in doing things, so I don't have to worry too much!"

"When I become the ruler of a country, I will not only allow you to be the head of all officials, but I will also make you a king of a different surname!"

"Then I will make Du Ping'an a prince as well, and let him assist the useless Li Jue in the future!"

Du He just smiled and said nothing about Li Chengqian's promise.

Now there are two more variables in the Eastern Palace, Yu Zhining and Zhang Xuansu. Du He will be thankful as long as Li Chengqian doesn't do anything stupid behind his back.

Moreover, the benefits that Li Chengqian verbally promised now might be forgotten after he ascends the throne.

Just then, a crisp sound came from the direction of the hall entrance.

"Is Prince Consort Du here too?"

Du He looked back and found that the person coming was Crown Princess Su Wan, who was holding a small basket in her hand.

Ever since Li Chengqian returned to Chang'an, the person who changed the dressing on Li Chengqian's injured leg has always been the Crown Princess Su Wan, and Sun Simiao only came for follow-up visits every once in a while.

Du He stood up and bowed, saying, "Greetings to the Crown Princess."

After the ceremony, Du He felt that there was nothing else to do in the Eastern Palace, so he said hello to Li Chengqian and Su Wan and quickly left the Eastern Palace.

Several hours passed quickly, and soon it was time to get off duty.

Inside Princess Chengyang’s mansion.

Du He, who came back half a quarter of an hour earlier, showed Li Yi the imperial edict he received today and said with a smile.

"Yier, ask the chef to kill a few more sheep later. The princess's mansion is going to hold a banquet to celebrate today!"

Seeing her husband looking so proud, Li Yi curiously opened the imperial edict in her hand.

When Li Yi saw the reward written above, her eyes widened suddenly and she said in disbelief.

"The reward is so generous?"