Traveling through Du He, Li Chengqian's rebellion begins

What?

Li Chengqian called him to Shanglinyuan, intending to make him do hard labor?

What's more, he was the Minister of Works, a third-rank official. If word got out that he had to roast a whole lamb by himself while assisting the Crown Prince in regulating the country,

If this matter gets out, won't he lose face?

Just as Du He was about to refuse, Li Chengqian took off another jade pendant from his body, held it high and said to Du He.

"Du He, I don't want you to work in vain. This jade pendant is my reward to you."

Then Li Chengqian took the jade pendant in front of him and looked at it carefully, then smiled and whispered.

"This jade pendant was personally given to me by my grandfather the Emperor when I was crowned as a virgin in the eighth year of Zhenguan (634 AD). It is a rare and exquisite jade in the world."

"I am giving this to you as a reward because of your hard work and great contributions."

"As long as you roast this lamb for me, this piece of jade will be yours."

Good guy!

Is Li Chengqian addicted to giving gifts?

He even took out the jade pendant given by the retired Emperor Li Yuan and rewarded it to his minister.

Du He couldn't tell for a moment whether Li Chengqian wanted to win him over with such a beautiful jade, or was spending money lavishly just to eat the roasted lamb?

Beautiful jade these days is more expensive than gold, especially the jade pendant with words engraved on it in Li Chengqian's hand, which is priceless.

A few breaths of silence.

Du He walked forward, took the jade pendant, and hung it on his body skillfully. Then he smiled and clasped his fists to thank Li Chengqian.

"How dare I not accept the reward from His Royal Highness the Crown Prince?"

"But I left in a hurry today, and I didn't bring any sauce or grilling tools. I'm afraid..."

Before Du He finished speaking, Li Chengqian waved to the guards behind him.

I saw two guards carrying a large box over, which was filled with all kinds of seasonings and even kitchen utensils of various sizes.

Li Chengqian looked at the stunned Du He, smiled and whispered.

"Du He, I just happened to bring him out."

"Originally I hadn't thought of roasting a whole lamb, but Huai Dao happened to show off his horseback archery skills, so I had no choice but to follow suit!"

God damn, just go with the flow!

Anyone with a discerning eye could see that Li Chengqian had done this on purpose.

However, Du He had already accepted this priceless jade and did not refuse. Instead, he arranged for someone to take care of the sheep.

An hour later.

Du He ordered the soldiers to roll the whole lamb while smearing the dipping sauce on the golden lamb meat that was oozing with fat.

Under the blowing of spring breeze, waves of tempting fragrance suddenly spread.

"Gulu~"

Li Chengqian and the guards around him moved their throats and couldn't help swallowing a few times.

So fragrant!

Li Chengqian walked to Du He's side with a cane and asked impatiently.

"Du He, we've been roasting for more than half an hour, and this whole lamb is still not cooked?"

"I can smell the fragrance. Can we eat it now?"

Du He said helplessly when he saw that Li Chengqian was about to drool.

"Your Highness, let me try it first."

As he spoke, Du He picked up the small knife from the tray, cut a thin piece of mutton and put it into his mouth, then closed his eyes and shook his head slightly.

Li Chengqian frowned and asked, "Du He, the mutton has already been roasted golden, is it not cooked yet?"

Du He opened his eyes and replied with a smile: "Your Highness, the lamb is already roasted. I just feel that the roasted lamb lacks a little soul dipping sauce."

Hearing that the mutton was already roasted, Li Chengqian stopped paying attention to Du He and immediately asked his guards to take the whole lamb off the rack.

"Take down the whole sheep!"

"Prepare one portion each for me, Minister Du, General Qin, and Doctor Pei, and share the rest among you."

There are only a hundred Eastern Palace guards accompanying us today. Although each of them can't eat many pieces of mutton, it's still no problem to satisfy their craving.

When the Qianniu guards heard that they also had a share, they saluted excitedly.

"Thank you, Your Highness, for the reward!"

After the guards had placed the four tables in place, Li Chengqian asked someone to bring up a jar of fine wine.

Du He curled his lips and said, "Your Highness, you are really well prepared!"

"Hehe." Li Chengqian laughed twice, then said with a smile: "It's not fun to eat meat without drinking wine!"

Since he has prepared the dipping sauce, how could he not prepare some good wine?

As everyone devoured the food, the whole roasted lamb was quickly devoured.

On the way back, Li Chengqian sighed with some lingering feelings.

"Du He, how about we go to Shanglin Garden every two days?"

Du He, who was riding on a horse, leaned back slightly, and without paying any attention to Li Chengqian, he spurred his horse and walked forward.

"Du He, don't walk so fast!"

"If you think that visiting every two days is too frequent, you can come to Shanglinyuan every three days?"

Seeing Du He riding his horse faster and faster, Li Chengqian, who was riding on the sedan chair, leaned forward slightly and shouted loudly.

"Four days..."

Du He seemed not to have heard what Li Chengqian said. At this moment, he had already rushed to the front of the team.

What a joke!

If Li Shimin knew that Li Chengqian often came to Shanglinyuan for fun, he would definitely have other thoughts in his mind.

This is no small matter. On a larger scale, it may even shake Li Chengqian's position as crown prince.

Which emperor would hand over the country to a person who is addicted to fun?

...

As soon as everyone returned to Luoyang Palace, they saw Yu Zhining, Zhang Xuansu, Chu Suiliang and others waiting in the Mingtang Hall. When they saw Li Chengqian, they all surrounded him.

"Your Highness, where have you been this morning?"

"Your Highness, have you gone out to have fun?"

"Hey! Your Highness, you are now required to supervise the country. All important political affairs of the Tang Dynasty need your decision!"

"Your Highness, please put state affairs first and do not go out with questionable people!"

"I have a lot of things to do right now, and I still need your approval."

"..."

This group of people surrounded Li Chengqian and chattered non-stop, and in their words they condemned Li Chengqian for going out for fun.

This made Li Chengqian, who was originally in a happy mood, feel depressed.

When Du He saw Li Chengqian surrounded by a group of old men, a gloating expression appeared on his face.

It’s not easy to be a prince!

Li Chengqian's ears were buzzing from their noise, and he had no choice but to shout loudly.

"Quiet!"

After everyone quieted down, Li Chengqian frowned and said.

"All of you please follow me into the Mingtang Hall!"

"Whatever happens, I will take care of it for you!"

When everyone heard that Li Chengqian was going to deal with state affairs, they stopped verbally attacking Li Chengqian.

Li Chengqian glanced at Du He with a resentful look on his face, and then walked into the tall and majestic Mingtang Hall surrounded by a group of old men.

Du He and Pei Xingjian stood there for a moment, then Du He suggested.

"Keep your promise, let's go to Luoyang City for a walk."

"It is said that Luoyang, the Eastern Capital, is a prosperous city second only to Chang'an. There are countless scholars and beauties in it. I would like to see it with my own eyes."