Traveling through Du He, Li Chengqian's rebellion begins

After hearing what Li Chengqian said, Su Dingfang, Xue Rengui, Hou Junji, Pei Xingjian and Qin Huaidao all picked up their wine jugs and walked up to Du He.

Xi Junmai was the first to speak excitedly: "Minister Du, if you hadn't given me a chance, I might still be guarding the gate now."

"I will never forget your kindness in giving me a new life. I will offer you a bottle of wine!"

As he spoke, he raised the wine jug high, tilted his head back and drank the wine in big gulps.

Su Dingfang also said excitedly: "Minister Du, my situation is the same as General Xi's. I will drink first as a sign of respect!"

He did the same as Xi Junmai and drank directly from the jug.

Du He quickly stood up and stopped them, saying, "Generals, I have sensed your intentions. Drink slowly."

The wine jugs in their hands were not small. After drinking it, the wine weighed at least two kilograms.

Although the alcohol content of alcohol these days is not high, after drinking so much, they had no room left for the meat on the table.

Su Dingfang and Xi Junmai were unmoved by Du He's persuasion. Not long after, they both drank up all the wine in the jug.

After they finished drinking, they shook the jug over and over twice to indicate that they had finished all the wine.

"Hahaha, the two generals are so heroic!"

"I'll have a drink with you guys too!"

Li Chengqian shouted excitedly, then tilted his head back and drank the wine in the jug.

When he secretly invited a group of Turkic officials into the palace, it was because he was attracted by the Turkic people's heroic spirit, and the way they drank and ate meat in big gulps, looking so unrestrained.

After Li Chengqian finished drinking, everyone shouted "good" loudly.

Then Xue Rengui also said gratefully: "Minister Du, without your recommendation and promotion of me as the deputy commander-in-chief of the march, I would not have had the opportunity to make military achievements."

"I don't need to express my gratitude for your kindness. I will drink first to show my respect!"

Pei Xingjian and Qin Huaidao also followed the example of Xue Rengui, Xi Junmai and others. After saying a few words of gratitude, they raised their wine jugs and started drinking.

"Hey!"

Watching them finish the wine in the jug, Du He sighed, then bent down and picked up the jug on the table and said.

"Then I'll show you one too!"

When everyone saw Du He holding the wine jug and about to pour it into his mouth, they hurriedly spoke out to dissuade him.

“Du Shangshu doesn’t have to do this!”

Xue Rengui, who was quick-witted and agile, quickly snatched the wine jug from Du He's hand and did not let him drink from it.

Li Chengqian also said with a smile: "Du He, can you drink well? If not, you'd better not show off!"

"Otherwise, if you are carried back drunk, I won't be able to explain to my sister."

Du He understood Li Chengqian's provocation and did not fall for it, but went along with what he said.

"Your Highness, what you said makes sense, so I will just try it for now."

As he spoke, Du He picked up the wine bottle on the table and drank the wine in it in one gulp.

When the others saw the conversation between the prince and Du He, they all had bright smiles on their faces.

Having the prince and such approachable superiors as Du He was their blessing for eight lifetimes, and they were even more determined to support the prince's ascension to the throne.

Du He glanced at Su Dingfang and Pei Xingjian, which also evoked the few memories in his mind.

In the original history, all of Pei Xingjian's military strategies came from Su Dingfang's teaching.

So Du He said softly: "Ding Fang, are you interested in recruiting a disciple?"

Su Dingfang asked curiously, "Shangshu Du, who would you like to recommend as my disciple?"

Like his mentor Li Jing, he also likes to teach young soldiers.

When he was the Lieutenant General of the Left Guard, he also instructed many recorders and warehouse assistants, but he did not accept them as his disciples.

Because these ordinary soldiers were mediocre in both talent and background, if Su Dingfang accepted them as apprentices, it might ruin the reputation of their master Li Jing.

"It's far away and yet it's right before our eyes." After Du He finished speaking, he pointed to Pei Xingjian and said, "How about accepting Shou Yue as your disciple?"

"Shou Yue was not only well-versed in classics and history, but also familiar with military books. Moreover, he performed bravely and strategically on the battlefield of Goguryeo."

Well...

Seeing that Du He wanted to recommend Pei Xingjian to Su Dingfang as an apprentice, everyone present was stunned.

Because Pei Xingjian and Su Dingfang were both followers of the prince, they had never thought that the person recommended by Du He would be Pei Xingjian.

Su Dingfang said hesitantly, "Minister Du, Shouyue has studied the art of war with my mentor for several months. Shouyue and I can only be considered brothers from the same school."

"Even if Shouyue is willing to become my disciple, my mentor may not be happy about it."

Although the master later only accepted Xue Rengui as his last disciple, Du Shangshu and Pei Xingjian both followed the master to learn the art of war for a period of time.

Now he is openly poaching his mentor's talents. If he gets to know about this, there's no telling how he will deal with him.

Du He smiled and said, "Duke Wei refused to accept Shou Yue as his disciple on the grounds that he was too old, and asked me to find another famous teacher for Shou Yue."

“Perhaps Duke Weiguo doesn’t want to be Shouyue’s master, but wants to be his great master!”

Just when Su Dingfang was hesitating, Pei Xingjian bowed and spoke directly to Su Dingfang.

"General Su, if you don't mind my dullness, please accept me as your apprentice."

Looking at the wars against Goguryeo and Baekje, Pei Xingjian believed that Su Dingfang's command ability was no less than that of his future father-in-law Hou Junji.

Even because he was not allowed to lead an army alone, his talents were delayed.

If he could become Su Dingfang's disciple, Pei Xingjian firmly believed that his achievements in military strategy would definitely exceed his imagination.

Su Dingfang nodded and said, "Shou Yue, if you don't feel wronged and want to worship me as your master, please offer me a cup of tea now!"

At that time, his mentor Li Jing accepted him as a disciple and only asked him to serve tea and kowtow.

Now that he has accepted Pei Xingjian as his disciple, he naturally has to carry on this tradition.

Pei Xingjian frowned and said, "Just offering tea to pay homage to the master would make it seem like the disciple is not sincere enough. How about letting the disciple prepare properly before performing the ceremony of paying homage to the master?"

Su Dingfang waved his hand and said, "Keep your promise. We don't care about those empty formalities. Just serve tea and kowtow!"

Seeing that Pei Xingjian still wanted to hold a grand ceremony to become his apprentice, Du He gently persuaded him.

"Keep your promise. When Rengui worshipped Duke Weiguo as his master, he also served tea to him. This is a good tradition of your sect."

Pei Xingjian was also not vague. He poured a cup of hot tea, then knelt on his knees in front of Su Dingfang and kowtowed several times.

Then he held up the tea in both hands and said, "Teacher, please have some tea."

"it is good!"

Su Dingfang took the tea and drank it in one gulp. Then he walked over, helped Pei Xingjian up and said.

"Keep your promise, from now on you will be my last disciple!"

"Rengui is your uncle, please say hello to him."

Although Xue Rengui is only a few years older than Pei Xingjian, he is Pei Xingjian's uncle.

"It's master!"

Pei Xingjian responded, then bowed respectfully to Xue Rengui.

"Meet Uncle Master!"

Xue Rengui was still a little confused. He helped Pei Xingjian up and said helplessly.

"Nephew, there is no need to be so polite."

Originally thought it was just a celebratory banquet, unexpectedly Prince Consort Du not only found a matchmaker for Xi Jun, but also asked Pei Xingjian to worship Su Dingfang as his teacher.

As an outsider, his mind is still in a mess.

When Li Chengqian saw Du He's nonchalant response, he strengthened the ties with his staff. He was most excited at this moment.

He stood up, propped up the table and said, "I'm in a good mood today, and everyone present will have a reward later!"