Traveling through Du He, Li Chengqian's rebellion begins

Hou Junji stared at Du He with his tiger eyes for more than ten breaths. Then he shook his head and spoke.

"Nephew Du, your current state is somewhat similar to Fang Xuanling and Zhangsun Wuji!"

"You are so young, why do you think so much?"

"Now that you three brothers are all highly regarded and have important positions, you must not do anything stupid for the sake of the crown prince!"

For a general like Hou Junji who fought on the battlefield, what he hated most was intrigue and he was more straightforward.

Besides, he is now the Shangshu You Pushe, his lifelong pursuit has been completed, and he does not want to provoke people from other forces.

He now just wanted to serve as Shangshu You Pushe peacefully for ten or eight years, and then promote his sons, sons-in-law and old subordinates, and that would be enough.

If this kid Du He still wants to confront Changsun Wuji head-on, he will be dragged into the water, which will affect his interests.

As Hou Junji spoke, he held up the wine jar filled with wine and gestured to Du He.

"Nephew Du, let's not talk about business now, let's just focus on drinking and eating meat!"

"To entertain you today, I asked the chef to kill a whole fat sheep. You must eat and drink enough before you go back."

After hearing what Hou Junji said, Du He put aside the mess in his mind and a faint smile appeared on his face.

He also raised the wine bottle and gestured, "Uncle Hou, please."

Currently, only the chefs in Princess Chengyang's Mansion, Duke Lai's Mansion and the Imperial Palace use iron pans to cook, while the chef in Hou Junji's Mansion still boils mutton in water.

Without the dipping sauce, the food tasted just so-so to Du He, who has a picky taste.

Fortunately, the mutton has no strong smell, so it doesn’t taste disgusting.

The two of them drank several glasses of wine in succession, and then Hou Junji said with envy on his face.

"My dear nephew Du, today His Majesty has rewarded you with a seven-square-and-six-yuan Khotan jade belt. I have performed meritorious services for His Majesty and shed blood, but I have not received this reward!"

"Do you think your majesty is being unfair in rewarding and punishing people?"

Hou Junji was quite convinced that Li Jing, Zhangsun Wuji and Fang Xuanling were awarded 13 jade belts. After all, the contributions they made were not small.

But Du He, a junior, actually received such a reward, while he, a great contributor, only had an 11-section jade belt. How could he feel balanced?

Du He smiled and said, "Uncle Hou, I gave your Majesty a plump grandson. Do you have one?"

this...

Hou Junji, who was originally full of resentment, was stunned after hearing Du He's explanation.

What this brat said does make some sense!

Thinking that Li Ji and Cheng Yaojin also did not have a 13-section jade belt, Hou Junji's depression disappeared without a trace.

The two of them drank for more than half an hour, until they had finished the wine in the jug. Only then did Du He leave Duke Chen's Mansion.

...

Two days later.

After the daily court meeting.

Du Gou, with a smile on his face, quickly walked to Du He's side and whispered.

"Second brother, the third brother sent someone to deliver a letter home last night. He has already completed the work of meritorious service."

"The third brother has already set off with the horseshoes and the arithmetic books. He is expected to return to Chang'an tomorrow afternoon!"

Du Aitong could not submit such important things as horseshoes and arithmetic to the governor of Jiangzhou. It would be safer if he presented them to Li Shimin in person.

Especially for a magical weapon like the horseshoe that has an immediate effect, it can only impact Li Shimin's mind if it is presented to him in person.

"What a coincidence?"

There was a look of surprise on Du He's face.

The day before yesterday, when he was drinking and eating with Hou Junji, he happened to talk about Du Aitong's matter. He didn't expect the news to come so timely.

Du He saw Hou Junji just walked out of the Taiji Hall, so he spoke to Du Gou.

"Brother, I will take care of the follow-up matters. I will go and tell Hou You Pushe now!"

Du Gou nodded and said, "Okay!"

Looking at his second brother walking out of the Taiji Hall quickly, Du Gou's face was filled with pride.

His second brother was becoming more and more capable. Now he could not only settle his brothers, but also get rid of all the officials from the Jingzhao Du family who were serving in Chang'an.

Yesterday, when the Jingzhao Du family sent their uncle Du Jingyong to beg for mercy, hoping that their second brother would not continue to exterminate the family, Du Gou felt mixed emotions.

The power that the family had worked hard to build up for decades was eventually wiped out because of the rift with the second brother.

Although Du Gou said that as long as the family did not do anything to harm the three brothers, the matter would end here, but the second brother would not necessarily let the family members go.

Moreover, as long as my second brother holds real power, it is impossible for him to allow members of the Jingzhao Du family to come to Chang'an to take up positions.

Outside Tai Chi Hall.

Du He caught up with Hou Junji and told him the news that the third brother Du Aitong had returned to Chang'an with the things he had done in return.

Seeing that there was no one within ten steps around him, Hou Junji nodded and spoke in a low voice.

"Don't worry, nephew Du. I will say hello to Cui Xu today and also mention the person you mentioned yesterday."

Because there were many officials coming and going outside the Taiji Hall, the two of them just had a brief conversation and then hurriedly parted.

When Du He walked into the lobby of the Ministry of Industry, all the officials stood up and shouted loudly.

“Meetings, Mr. Du!”

Because they received a large reward the day before, their greetings over the past two days have been much louder than usual.

Especially the people from Yubu Si. Yesterday Xiao Kai invited them to Tingyuxuan Tavern for a big meal. They have been reminiscing about the delicious food there these past two days.

Moreover, the officials of the Ministry of Works now looked at Du He with eyes full of respect.

Du He waved at them, then walked back to his office with his hands behind his back.

Before Du He could sit down, Li Chengqian's personal guards arrived at the door of the office.

"Prince Consort Du, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince asks you to go to the East Palace now."

Du He guessed that Li Chengqian asked him to go to the East Palace to discuss the promotion of the curved plow, so he nodded and said.

"Let's go!"

Before leaving the Ministry of Works, Du He first went to say hello to Yu Chang, and then hurried to the East Palace wearing the fox fur coat.

Not long after Du He arrived at Mingde Hall, Hou Junji and Qiu Xingyan also hurried over.

Li Chengqian pointed to the cushions on both sides and said, "Everyone please sit down. I invited the three of you here today to discuss the promotion of the curved plow."

After Du He, Hou Junji and Qiu Xingyan sat down, the palace maids from the East Palace brought them steaming tea and exquisitely made pastries.

Li Chengqian smiled and asked, "My three lords, after two days of thinking, do you have any ideas?"

After hearing Li Chengqian's question, Qiu Xingyan lowered his head immediately, and it was obvious that he had no good ideas in his mind.