Traveling through Du He, Li Chengqian's rebellion begins

Wow!

When the onlookers heard that the heroic man was actually His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, there was a huge uproar in the crowd.

"So His Royal Highness is so heroic!"

"The prince not only created the Chinese Pinyin, the Chinese dictionary and movable type printing, but also personally led the army to conquer the three kingdoms of Goguryeo, Silla and Baekje, completely inheriting your majesty's wisdom and bravery!"

"The prince also tore down the Jingguan built by Goguryeo and brought the remains of the Han martyrs back to our Tang Dynasty!"

"Your Highness is wise!"

The people praised Li Chengqian's virtue loudly, and then they knelt on the ground and kowtowed to express their gratitude in the direction where Li Chengqian left.

The prince's reputation for virtue had already spread throughout Chang'an, especially the remains of many of the people's relatives, which were brought back by the prince after his conquest of Goguryeo.

Li Chengqian, who was sitting on the sedan chair, couldn't help but curl up a smile of joy when he heard the shouts of the people behind him.

He felt very happy about the people's heartfelt respect for him.

Du He, who was following behind Li Chengqian, muttered as he lay on the soft cushion in the carriage.

"Li Chengqian's reputation among the people is really good."

For the crown prince of the Tang Dynasty, his power is already above one person and below ten thousand people. The only thing he needs to accumulate is a good reputation.

For a crown prince who has a good reputation among the people, it is natural for him to take over.

After the cup of tea.

Li Chengqian, Du He and his party arrived at the gate of Duke Lu's mansion, while Cheng Yaojin, Xi Junmai and others had already been waiting at the gate.

"See His Highness the Crown Prince!"

Everyone saluted to Li Chengqian who was sitting on the sedan chair.

Li Chengqian waved his hand and said loudly: "No need to be so polite, everyone. I came here today just to ask for a glass of wedding wine, so don't be too reserved."

Then Li Chengqian pointed to the cart of gifts behind him, and said to Cheng Yaojin with a smile.

"Duke Lu, Junmai's parents are not here now. I, Du He and others will act as Junmai's relatives today."

"And I am not coming empty-handed. I have brought a cart of gifts with me. I wonder if Duke Lu can arrange a better seat for me?"

Hearing Li Chengqian's teasing words, Cheng Yaojin's expression changed slightly.

He didn't expect that Li Chengqian would give face to Xi Jun so much that he would come to the banquet in person. When the imperial guards from the East Palace came to inform him, he was a little bit unbelieving.

Because the crown prince Li Chengqian had never participated in the marriage of his ministers before.

Cheng Yaojin did not dare to speak in a flirtatious manner to Prince Li Chengqian in public, but spoke with a smile on his face.

"Your Highness the Crown Prince is a person of great wealth. Even if he comes empty-handed, he will sit at the main guest table."

"It's windy outside, please come in, Your Highness."

Then Cheng Yaojin instructed Xi Junmai and his descendants to continue welcoming guests outside the gate, while he personally took Li Chengqian in.

After Du He got off the carriage, he brought Xue Rengui, Cui Shenji and others to Xi Junmai and congratulated him.

"The groom is really in high spirits today!"

"I wish you a happy marriage and a baby soon!"

Hearing Du He's congratulations, Xi Junmai responded with a fist clasped in gratitude.

"Thank you, Prince Consort Du!"

In Xi Junmai's heart, Du He is the greatest benefactor in his life, so he is full of gratitude towards Du He.

Du He not only gave him the opportunity to demonstrate his abilities and took him to Goguryeo to achieve great military exploits, but he also personally helped him find a good wife.

Such a noble person is like his reborn parents.

Soon after, good friends such as Su Dingfang and Xue Rengui also sincerely congratulated Xi Junmai.

Cui Shenji, Wang Jingzhi, Xiao Kai and others were not familiar with Xi Junmai, so they just said a polite blessing.

Xi Junmai smiled and said to them, "Dear guests, please come in. I will take you to your seats."

Just as everyone was walking towards Duke Lu's mansion, Xi Junmai whispered to Su Dingfang and Xue Rengui beside him.

"Why don't you bring your family with you?"

"Duke Lu's mansion slaughtered a lot of pigs and sheep today. The dishes are very rich, and they have prepared aged fine wines."

Like him, his two good friends did not have many family members in Chang'an.

Especially Xue Rengui, there were only him and his wife in Chang'an City. Now his wife was staying alone in the mansion, looking a little lonely.

Xue Rengui shook his head and said, "All civil and military officials are here for the banquet today. It would be inappropriate to bring your family with you."

"Besides, my wife doesn't like crowds. She is at home with two maids accompanying her, so she feels relaxed and comfortable."

Su Dingfang's explanation was the same as Xue Rengui's. He also felt that those who came today were all civil and military officials, and it was inappropriate to bring their families to the banquet.

Moreover, his son, who was in his early teens, was very naughty. If he accidentally bumped into other important officials, it would probably bring him unnecessary trouble.

Xi Junmai nodded slightly and didn't say anything more.

After everyone handed the generous gifts to the old steward of Duke Lu's mansion, they went to a wing room closer to the main house under the leadership of Xi Junmai.

After settling Su Dingfang, Xue Rengui, Cui Shenji and others, Xi Junmai then respectfully clasped his fists and said to Du He.

"Prince Consort Du, your seat and the Crown Prince's and others are in the main room. I will take you there right away."

Cheng Yaojin divided the guests who came today into different rooms according to their status and closeness to Guan Xi.

People like Li Chengqian and the heads of the three provinces and six ministries were in the same wing with the head of the family.

The other officials were arranged according to their status, with the higher their status, the closer they were to the master's room.

Du He waved his hand and said, "Jun Mai, go and tell Duke Lu later. I'll sit here."

"It's a bit restrictive to go to the main room, but it's more comfortable to eat here."

Seeing that Du He was going to sit in this room, Xi Junmai said in a low voice with an embarrassed look on his face.

"Prince Consort Du, you are of noble status. Isn't it a bit condescending for you to sit here?"

Du He smiled and said, "It's not that complicated. Go and receive other distinguished guests now. We don't need you to entertain us any more."

Seeing Du He's firm attitude, Xi Junmai clasped his fists respectfully and said, even though he felt that this arrangement was inappropriate.

"promise."

Just half a quarter of an hour after Xi Junmai left, the burly Cheng Yaojin strode over and walked up to Du He and asked.

"Nephew Du, why don't you go sit in the main room?"

"Just now, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince was nagging you, asking if you had walked into the wrong room. It turns out you were hiding here!"

"Are you afraid that I will challenge you to a drinking contest?"

Other guests attending the banquet would like to sit next to the host to show their status in the host's heart.

But this kid Du He was so good that he took the initiative to condescend and sit in the middle compartment.

Du He smiled and said, "Uncle Cheng, the people in the main wing are all important officials. It's too rude to drink with them."

"It's better to hide here. It's more relaxing and comfortable."

Cheng Yaojin curled his lips and then spoke to Du He.

"As you wish, have a few more drinks later."

Then Cheng Yaojin greeted Su Dingfang, Xue Rengui, Cui Shenji and others, and then went downstairs to arrange for people to serve the dishes.

...

While the atmosphere in Duke Lu's mansion was filled with jubilation and the guests were toasting each other, the atmosphere in the lobby of the Luozhou Governor's mansion seemed unusually depressing.

Jia Dunyi, the governor of Luozhou, took out several charges and respectfully handed them to Zhang Liang, who was sitting high up in the hall.

"Minister Zhang, this is the indictment of two officials who committed murder. Please take a look."