Traveling through Du He, Li Chengqian's rebellion begins

Gao Shilian, with his gray beard, first glanced at Du He opposite him with his deep eyes.

Then he shifted his gaze and glanced at Su Dingfang, Xi Junmai, Xue Rengui, Qin Huaidao and Pei Xingjian.

He stroked his beard and nodded with emotion, "The East Palace is really full of talented people!"

"Although it is still not as good as the Qin Palace back then, as long as we continue to train more young officials, we will be able to shoulder the responsibility of the country in the future."

As an important official who had followed Li Shimin for many years, Gao Shilian witnessed the growth of the Qin Palace and knew the importance of the crown prince cultivating his own confidants.

All the ministers who came from the Qin Palace in the court, whether they are civil officials or military generals, are over fifty years old, and more than half of them are over sixty years old.

The Eastern Palace had unknowingly cultivated three talents: Xue Rengui, Xi Junmai and Pei Xingjian.

Moreover, Su Dingfang, who had been hidden by the court for more than ten years, was rediscovered by the Eastern Palace, and he once again demonstrated his abilities in the war against Goguryeo.

Su Dingfang's performance in Goguryeo was even better than that of Zhang Liang, Zhang Jian and Chang He.

Li Chengqian smiled and said, "Uncle, these people are still young and have a lot to learn."

"You can't stay in the Duke of Shen's mansion forever. When you have time, you should come to the East Palace more often and give guidance to us young people."

Although Gao Shilian was removed from his post as Shangshu You Pushe, Li Shimin still allowed him to perform the duties of Zhongshu Sheng and Menxia Sheng as Kaifu Yitong Sansi.

That is, Gao Shilian did not need to deal with specific state affairs, but he could exercise the power of the Secretariat and the Ministry of Personnel, and had the right to participate in the decision-making of major state affairs and the recommendation of officials.

Others who shared this power included Fang Xuanling, Li Jing, Xiao Yu and others.

Gao Shilian waved his hand and said, "What I know is all old stuff, I can't teach you talented young people."

"And you are doing very well. If you keep doing what you are doing now, you will definitely achieve more than us old people in the future."

When he said this, his eyes were always on the silent Du He.

Gao Shilian seemed to see the younger versions of Fang Xuanling and Du Ruhui in Du He, a man with a keen eye for talent and outstanding abilities.

Even in the study of things and poetry, Du He's talent is unparalleled.

It's just that Du He's temperament is a bit impetuous, and he acts according to his own heart without any scruples. He is not as calm as Fang Xuanling and Du Ruhui.

Hearing Gao Shilian's humble words, Yu Zhining, Zhang Xuansu, Linghu Defeng and other officials all spoke in compliment.

"Duke Shen, you are too modest!"

"Duke Shen is well-versed in ancient and modern times, and has a far-sighted vision. He is the pillar of the country!"

"Even His Majesty said that you are loyal and exemplary, with great virtues, and you are highly respected and admired. You are our role model!"

"I have received your advice and have benefited greatly from it till now."

These officials had known Gao Shilian for more than 20 years and knew that Gao Shilian was a man of wise mind and had no cliques while in office. He would only recommend talented people to corresponding important tasks.

Unlike Du He, who is nepotistic, these iron-willed ministers are unwilling to go along with Du He.

So when they flattered Gao Shilian, they said all kinds of good things.

In particular, Yu Zhining was able to return to the position of Secretary of the Central Secretariat, and Zhang Xuansu was able to be promoted to Secretary of the Ministry of Personnel, which was also due to Gao Shilian's support behind the scenes, allowing them to make full use of their talents.

Du He looked at Yu Zhining and Zhang Xuansu's flattering behavior and a hint of mockery appeared on his face.

The two of them still can't tell the priority between the two. Instead of flattering the crown prince Li Chengqian, they blindly praise Gao Shilian, an old minister who is about to retire.

When Gao Shilian heard the flattery from these ministers, he did not accept it frankly, but humbly declined it.

The banquet lasted for nearly half an hour, and was basically centered around the conversation between Li Chengqian and Gao Shilian, with all the conversations being complimentary.

After the banquet.

Du He and Pei Xingjian traveled together. They both lived around the East Market and were not too far from each other.

Originally, Xue Rengui's residence was close to them, but tonight it was his turn to guard the Xuanwu Gate, so he went back to duty after the banquet.

Pei Xingjian said softly, "Prince Consort Du, my mother has been nagging me these days. She wants to meet you, my great benefactor."

"I wonder if you have time to come to my house after the New Year's Eve. I would like to invite you to my home for a simple meal."

A few days ago, when Pei Xingjian went back to his hometown to pick up his mother, his mother learned that with the support of Du He, she had been promoted to the fifth rank Langzhong of the Sifengsi.

They immediately took him back to the ancestral home to offer sacrifices, and told the elders of the clan and his deceased father about the matter.

Moreover, on the way back to Chang'an, his mother kept nagging him to invite the nobleman to their house as a guest and thank him properly.

Du He thought for a moment and said, "Maybe the fourth day of the first lunar month."

On the New Year's Day, as the Minister of Works, he also needed to participate in the grand court meeting and the grand display, and accompany Li Shimin to receive envoys from various vassal states.

On the second day of the first lunar month, he needed to return to the Duke of Lai's Mansion for a reunion, and on the third day of the first lunar month, he was invited by Cui Yixuan to attend a banquet at Cui's Mansion.

This was because Du He had to turn down many invitations in order to have enough time to spend with his wife and children.

Pei Xingjian said excitedly: "Thank you very much, Prince Consort, for your kindness!"

He was excited for a moment, then spoke with a somewhat embarrassed look on his face.

"Prince Consort Du, I have returned to Chang'an from my hometown this time. Under the request of the elders of my clan, I have brought two young and talented members of my clan to Chang'an."

"Although they are still young, they are calm and talented. Prince Consort Du, can you meet them?"

When Du He heard that the Hedong Pei family asked Pei Xingjian to recommend a member of the clan to be an official, there was no sign of surprise on his face.

After all, because Pei Ji stood on the wrong side, the talented people in the Hedong Pei family were suppressed, and even the former Shangshu Zuocheng Pei Xizai was demoted to a county magistrate.

Now that Pei Xingjian has become successful and has the support of the Eastern Palace and Hou Junji, the elders of the Hedong Pei family will certainly be ready to make a move.

Du He asked softly, "Shouyue, do these two have meritorious service from their ancestors? Or did they pass the imperial examinations?"

He is not the Minister or Vice Minister of Personnel, who can easily arrange the right people to come in by using his power.

The person who can make him take the trouble to recommend must not be an ordinary person, but must be a promising talent.

At that time, Du He could smooth over the relationship with the Ministry of Personnel, or place them in the Eastern Palace, so that these people's talents could be brought into play.

Pei Xingjian said quickly, "Prince Consort Du, one of my relatives is called Pei Yan. He passed the imperial examination last year with the title of Mingjing."

"Today, I privately consulted Yu Lizheng, the Minister of Examination, and learned that the Ministry of Personnel intends to appoint Pei Yan as the assistant military officer of Puzhou Sicang."

"Another member of the clan is named Pei Judao. He was born in the Eastern Branch of our Pei Clan and is the descendant of the former Minister of War Pei Xizai. He can enter the government through his family background."

When Du He heard these two unfamiliar names, he didn't feel much.

After all, there are too many talented people in the Tang Dynasty, and these two people are not well-known figures, so it is normal that Du He does not know them.