Traveling through Du He, Li Chengqian's rebellion begins

If Li Tai took the opportunity to raise an army and cause trouble when Li Shimin went to Mount Tai to offer sacrifices to heaven and earth, Du He felt that Li Chengqian would definitely not be able to sit still.

If he rebelled at this golden opportunity, he could ascend the throne and become the ruler of the world 10 or 20 years earlier. How could he stay still?

Otherwise, if you miss this opportunity, many unexpected things may happen during the long wait of more than ten years.

After hearing Du He's explanation, Li Chengqian's solemn expression finally relaxed.

"You're almost right if you think so!"

"Li Tai is making constant moves, big and small, and Father sent me, the Crown Prince, to guard against him. This is Father's ultimate intention!"

"Everyone in the world may not understand me, but you, the number one aide of the East Palace, must understand me!"

Just when Du He thought that the topic was over, Li Chengqian's next words almost made his jaw drop to the ground.

Li Chengqian said quietly, "Du He, if my father was killed by Li Tai during the Fengshan ceremony, what should I do?"

What the hell!

Long live!

It turned out that Li Chengqian had some evil thoughts in his heart. No one knew what was going on in his mind, and he could even say such outrageous words.

Du He said quickly: "Your Highness, you can think about these things in your mind, but you can't say them out loud!"

"What would happen if this got to your Majesty's ears?"

Fortunately, there was no one else in Mingde Hall, otherwise there would be disaster if this matter got out.

Since ancient times, treasonous words and witchcraft have always been the two most taboo things in the imperial palace, and they are also the easiest ways to bring down the prince.

Li Chengqian said angrily: "Du He, I just said it casually."

Then he walked back to his seat and sat down, waved to Du He and said.

"Du He, I have finished what I want to tell you, you should go back quickly."

Du He did not stay in the East Palace for long. He saluted Li Chengqian again.

"Your Highness, I'm going back first."

After completing the ceremony, Du He's feet seemed to be greased and he quickly left Mingde Hall.

Li Chengqian suddenly thought of something he hadn't said yet, so he shouted towards Du He's back.

"Du He, remember to go to Tonghuafang tomorrow and buy a few people for Su Dingfang and Xi Jun!"

Although Du He did not look back, he raised his hand as he walked, indicating that he had received the task.

After seeing Du He walking away, Li Chengqian shook his head and muttered.

"This guy runs so fast!"

Li Chengqian was the only one left in the originally bustling Mingde Hall. He tapped the table gently with his hand and murmured with a hint of regret on his face.

"What a pity! It would have been great if Xue Rengui and Hou Junji had not been arranged to go to Mount Tai to offer sacrifices to the gods!"

Among all the staff members of the Eastern Palace, they are the only two who hold military power in Chang'an.

By then, my father will bring all the civil and military officials to Mount Tai to offer sacrifices to heaven and earth, and he will take away tens of thousands of imperial guards, and the defense of Chang'an will become extremely empty.

If planned well, it might be possible to ascend the throne early.

This thought only flashed through Li Chengqian's mind and was quickly put behind him.

...

The next day.

The first court meeting of all officials in the 19th year of Zhenguan.

Nothing important was discussed at today's court meeting, and each department only reported on the major projects to be undertaken this year.

As the court meeting was about to end, Li Shimin also announced the arrangements for the Fengshan ceremony.

"My dear ministers, I have decided to lead all civil and military officials to Mount Tai, the Eastern Peak, to offer sacrifices to the gods on February 11th, the 19th year of the Zhenguan reign."

"When I go to Mount Tai, the Crown Prince will accompany me to Luozhou to supervise the country, and Chang'an will be handed over to Fang Xuanling and Cheng Yaojin to guard it!"

wow~

There was a sudden noise in the Taiji Hall.

The vast majority of officials of the fourth and fifth ranks did not feel anything when they heard that His Majesty had sent the Crown Prince to Luozhou as regent. After all, it was normal for His Majesty to be on guard against the Crown Prince.

But Your Majesty actually let Fang Xuanling and Cheng Yaojin stay in Chang'an, instead of keeping Changsun Wuji, a relative of the emperor, and Li Daozon, a member of the royal family.

You should know that Fang Xuanling was dismissed from his post as Shangshu Zuo Pushe by His Majesty last year, and these officials thought that Fang Xuanling was no longer trusted by His Majesty.

Unexpectedly, the result was the opposite. Fang Xuanling's position in His Majesty's heart remains unshakable!

Li Shimin saw that the civil and military officials had different expressions on their faces. He then waved to the eunuch standing behind him and asked him to read out the imperial edict regarding personnel arrangements.

The arrangements and appointments for Li Shimin's personnel were exactly the same as what Li Chengqian said yesterday.

Except for the officials who stayed in Chang'an and followed Li Chengqian to Luoyang, all officials above the fourth rank followed Li Shimin to the Fengshan ceremony, and he also led an army of 10.

The only difference was that in addition to taking Li Zhi to the Fengshan ceremony, Li Shimin also called Li Tai over.

"interesting!"

Du He shook his head slightly, and then thought to himself.

"It seems that Li Shimin still can't bear to see his son Li Tai make a mistake."

Now Li Shimin kept Li Tai by his side, not because he favored him, but to prevent Li Tai from causing trouble when he went to Fengshan.

If Li Shimin wanted to test whether his son had any rebellious intentions, he could set up a trap to lure him out and then dispatch a large force to capture him in one fell swoop.

After the eunuchs went back, Li Shimin continued.

"During the next period of time, the Ministry of Shangshu must make all preparations for the Fengshan ceremony, and we must avoid disturbing the people during this trip."

Zhang Sun Wuji and Gao Shilian, the two Shangshu Zuo Pushe, quickly stood up and responded.

"As ordered!"

This time, the Fengshan Ceremony at Mount Tai was held with great fanfare, and more than 200,000 civilians were recruited to repair official roads and pave mountain roads. It was just empty talk to say that the civilians would not be disturbed.

Fortunately, people are now well-off and there is no farming work before the spring, so there is no need to worry about causing public resentment.

Next, Li Shimin discussed some things with everyone before announcing the end of the court meeting.

After Li Shimin and Li Chengqian left Taiji Hall, Hou Junji walked up to Du He and said.

"Minister Du, you will go with me to the Ministry of Chancellery later. Some tasks in the Ministry of Chancellery need the cooperation of people from the Ministry of Works to complete."

"Okay!" Du He nodded, then waved to Yu Chang and said, "Minister Yu, go back and arrange the tasks with the people in the Ministry of Works first."

Each department in the Ministry of Industry has fixed things to do at a specific time, so Du He doesn't need to worry about everything.

Unless there is a new task issued by the court, the Ministry of Works will need to dispatch personnel to complete it.

...

Shangshu Yousheng.

In the office of the Right Prime Minister.

Hou Junji said to Du He, "My dear nephew Du, your majesty is going to Mount Tai to offer sacrifices to the gods. He will pass through Luozhou, Xiangzhou, and Qizhou, and finally arrive at Mount Tai to offer sacrifices to the gods."

"Your Ministry of Works needs to be responsible for repairing the official road along this route, as well as building a mountain path that is easy to walk on inside Mount Tai."

"After discussion, the Ministry of Shangshu has decided that your Ministry of Works may impose labor service on the prefectures and counties along the way, and all prefecture and county officials must fully cooperate."

When Du He heard this task, he couldn't help but frown.

The official road from Chang'an to Luoyang is relatively flat, but the official roads in other states and counties are mostly bumpy, and it is not an easy task to repair them.

I'm afraid that this time at least hundreds of thousands of people will have to be conscripted for labor in order to get the job done within a month.