Traveling through Du He, Li Chengqian's rebellion begins

Hearing what Cui Shenji said, Du He shook his head slightly and said.

"Brother Cui, let's put things in perspective. Last time we agreed that I would treat you, so how could I use your money?"

"If you have too much money and don't know where to spend it, you might as well give more money to the prince. He is worried about money right now."

Although Cui Shenji is a wealthy man with plenty of money, he can't spend his money every time. After all, he is not the head of the family yet.

When Cui Shenji becomes the head of Qinghe Cui family one day and has free rein over the family's money, Du He will no longer be so polite to him.

When Cui Shenji heard that he had to support Li Chengqian with silver, his eyebrows raised slightly, then he stared blankly at the burning charcoal fire and said.

"Brother Du, the prince needs too much money. How can I afford it alone?"

"We still have to bring Brother Xiao and Brother Wang along to barely meet the Crown Prince's current demand for silver. If we invest more silver, the elders in our family will have objections."

Now the three of them together support Li Chengqian with 1 strings of cash every year, which is already a huge investment. Adding more silver will be a heavy burden for them.

Moreover, the families behind them could not see the time when Li Chengqian would ascend the throne, so it was impossible for them to empty their family assets to support Li Chengqian.

Only when it comes to the final stage of the fight for the throne will people from these aristocratic families try their best.

Du He glanced at him and said, "Based on your current status and position, Master Cui, would the elders of your family dare not give you face?"

Cui Shenji paused and did not respond to Du He's teasing.

He was just a small Imperial Censor in the Palace and a junior in the family. When Yuanzheng returned to his hometown in Qinghe, he was not allowed to eat at the main table.

Silence for a few breaths.

Cui Shenji changed the subject and said, "Brother Du, when I came from the Censorate just now, I heard other officials talking about your people in the Ministry of Works."

"They said that the people from the Water Conservancy Department were testing a new plow in Beiyuan. People who saw it laughed at the Water Conservancy Department, saying that the new plow was not as good as the original straight-beam plow."

"This news has probably spread among the various departments, and now many officials have rushed over to watch the fun."

"Why don't you go over and take a look, so that the Ministry of Industry won't become a laughing stock."

What?

The new plow made by the people of the Water Department was ridiculed?

These days Du He has been ignoring the people from the Four Departments, letting them tinker with things on their own. Unexpectedly, people from other departments care more about Xinli than Du He.

By the end of the year, people from other departments were idle, and when they had free time, they also turned their attention to the people from the Ministry of Industry.

Moreover, most of the officials were just there to watch the joke.

Maybe they were still praying to God in their hearts, hoping that the people from the Ministry of Works would not make a new and better plow so that they would not get the reward money.

Du He said indifferently: "Don't worry about them, let them mess around on their own."

"The people from the four divisions compete fairly. Whoever makes the best new plow will get more rewards. If I go there, I will ruin the fair competition."

There are still five days left until the agreed time, and they still have enough time to improve the new plow.

If Du He went to the Water Department now and couldn't help but give them some advice, it would be extremely unfair to the people in the other three departments.

Cui Shenji saw that the Ministry of Works had become a laughing stock, but Du He, the Minister of Works, was still able to maintain such a calm attitude, and his face was full of admiration.

"Brother Du, then you continue to study the Qi Min Yao Shu, and I will go over and take a look for you."

"By the way, remind Brother Xiao to test the new plow in an unmanned field, so as not to embarrass us, the Four Swordsmen of Chang'an."

After saying that, Cui Shenji stood up, saluted towards Du He, then opened the door and rushed out anxiously.

"This guy..."

Du He looked at Cui Shenji who was watching a show, shook his head speechlessly, and then continued to read the book carefully.

...

Beiyuan.

In a large dry field covered with weeds, people from the Water Resources Department were plowing the field with a newly made plow. Next to them was an ox pulling a straight-beam plow for comparison.

Judging from the speed of the two oxen pulling the plow and the effect of turning the soil, it is obvious that the straight-beam plow is more effective.

The fields were surrounded by a large group of officials wearing robes of various colors.

When they saw the poor quality of the new plow, they not only felt relieved, but also pointed fingers and talked about the people from the Water Department.

"Is this the new plow that the Ministry of Industry spent nearly a month making?"

"It's easier for me to plow the soil with a hoe than with this broken plow!"

"It seems that Du Shangshu is not omniscient and omnipotent. This time, the innovation of the straight plow has finally failed."

Among the crowd of onlookers were Fang Yiai, who exuded a strong herbal scent, and his good brother Chai Lingwu.

When they saw the strange-shaped new plow, which was not as effective in turning the soil as a straight plow, they all showed mocking expressions on their faces.

Fang Yiai sneered and said, "You're still trying to innovate the straight plow, is that all?"

"The people in the Ministry of Industry should face reality now. They can't achieve any merit by following Du He. Instead, they will become the laughing stock of everyone!"

"These past few days, my father has been saying that Du He is studying the Qi Min Yao Shu and asked me to read the book and study it. Maybe Du He is pretending to be so in front of my father."

Ever since Fang Yiai was asked to move back to the Duke of Liang's mansion, he was not only subject to various restrictions from his parents, but was also forced by his father to read books.

Fang Yiai was secretly planning to do great things, so how could he waste time reading useless books?

"Brother Fang, what you said makes sense."

Chai Lingwu also nodded in approval. He agreed very much with Fang Yiai's point of view.

Not far behind the two of them, Cui Shenji heard everything they said and showed an unhappy look on his face.

However, there were ministers everywhere around them, and Choi Sun-ki was alone and weak, so he did not jump out to scold the two of them.

"Give way!"

Choi Sun-ki said as he pushed aside the official standing in front of him.

Under the murderous gazes of the officials, he swaggered to the front of the crowd and looked around with interest.

"Is this the new plow?"

“It does look a bit bad!”

Cui Shenji only took a look and had a clear understanding of the effect of the new plow made by the Ministry of Industry.

Hearing the mocking words from the officials around him and seeing the red faces of the people from the Water Department, Choi Shen-ki shook his head and muttered.

"We have to go check on Brother Xiao, or else we'll make him a laughing stock!"

After muttering, Cui Shenji quickly left the place and walked towards Xiao Kai and the others.

...

Compared with the lively atmosphere outside, the Ministry of Industry seemed unusually quiet at this moment.

In the office of the Minister of Works.

Du He sat by the stove with a book in his hands, reading with relish and sipping tea happily.

"Knock knock knock~"

There was a sudden knock on the door, followed by Yu Chang's slightly anxious voice.

"Minister Du, I have something urgent to report!"