Traveling through Du He, Li Chengqian's rebellion begins

Although Du He is somewhat conceited, he is not arrogant. He knows that Zhang Liang, who is a Duke, is not weaker than him in strength.

The reason why Zhang Liang was so humble to him just now was because he didn't want his rebellion to be affected.

It was precisely because Du He was aware of the power he and Zhang Liang held that he was unable to save Jia Dunyi's life while retaining his official position as the governor of Luozhou.

As for asking Crown Prince Li Chengqian to step in, it is useless. Would a person who wants to rebel be afraid of Li Chengqian?

By then, Zhang Liang might not even take Emperor Li Shimin seriously, let alone Li Chengqian.

The idea of letting Jia Dunyi make a mistake and be demoted was also inspired by Fang Xuanling's strategy of letting Fang Yiai defile himself.

A moment of silence.

Jia Dunyi said in a low voice: "Minister Du, I am not attached to the post of governor, but if I leave Luozhou, what will happen to the people of Luozhou?"

"Will the Duke of Yun and his adopted sons take revenge on the people who were given land?"

These days, the people of Luozhou City are preparing to plow the land for spring ploughing. Before this season's crops are harvested, I'm afraid Your Majesty and the Crown Prince will have to return to Chang'an.

At that time, the grain that the people have worked so hard to grow will surely fall back into the hands of Zhang Liang and his adopted son.

Jia Dunyi has seen too much of the evil of human nature.

Du He shook his head and said, "Governor Jia, Zhang Liang will not stay in Luozhou for too long. Let the people of Luozhou endure for another year or so."

"The people have endured it for so many years, so it doesn't matter if they endure it for a while now."

Although Du He has ways to deal with Zhang Liang's adopted sons, in order to make Zhang Liang join Li Tai in rebellion, Du He cannot act rashly now.

Otherwise, if he alerted the enemy, Zhang Liang would hide like a frightened bird, and Li Tai might not dare to rebel.

Jia Dunyi did not ask Zhang Liang why he left Luozhou. He knew that Du He said so and something big must be happening.

Since he no longer had any concerns about the people, he immediately clasped his fists towards Du He and said.

"Minister Du, how could a subordinate make a mistake and be demoted?"

"I am a stupid person, please give me some advice."

As a good official who worked hard for the country and the people, he had experience in governing the prefectures and counties, but it was difficult for him to make mistakes and be demoted.

Making mistakes is also a science. If the mistake is too small, you will not be demoted, but if the mistake is too big, your life may be in danger.

Although making mistakes does not require teaching, it is by no means easy to make mistakes with precise control.

Du He frowned and thought for a moment, then he said with a smile.

"How about storing evil and corrupt goods?"

The accumulation of corrupt officials is a crime clearly stated in the Tang Code, which means abusing one's power to embezzle and accept bribes, which is a type of offense punishable by demotion.

Du He continued, "It will only take about 300 strings of cash to embezzle."

For a governor like Jia Dunyi, embezzling hundreds of strings of cash was enough to demote him.

If he did not embezzle much, Li Shimin would only criticize him a few words. If he embezzled too much, he would be imprisoned and sentenced to prison, which would be detrimental to his future reinstatement.

Capable officials in the Tang Dynasty could have moral flaws, but they could not be too flawed, otherwise it would be too much.

"this..."

Jia Dunyi, who had been incorruptible all his life, immediately showed a hesitant expression on his face when he heard the charge Du He had come up with.

The people he hated most in his life were those who committed corruption and abused their power for personal gain.

Now that he is charged with such a crime, it is difficult for him to accept it for a while.

Du He smiled and said, "Jia Dunyi, this is just a way for you to get out of this situation. I'm not asking you to really embezzle 300 strings of cash. You don't need to feel any psychological burden."

"As long as you are honest and upright, and have a clear conscience, that's all."

It is quite interesting to think that an official known for his integrity is suddenly charged with corruption and abuse of power.

Jia Dunyi immediately responded: "Mr. Du, I will follow your advice and defile myself!"

He didn't expect that after living for most of his life, he still didn't see things as clearly as this young man Du He.

He has done everything uprightly and has been responsible to His Majesty and the people. He is just using this charge to get away with it. What's so hard to understand?

When Du He saw that Jia Dunyi agreed, he nodded and said.

"Governor Jia, you should do some work on your own during this period. When the Crown Prince returns to Chang'an, I will report you to him."

"During the time the prince was in Luoyang, Zhang Liang and his adopted sons did not dare to attack you."

If he had to help with even a small matter like corruption, then there was no need for him to rescue Jia Dunyi, the governor.

Jia Dunyi quickly responded, "Please rest assured, Minister Du, I will take care of it!"

Then he bowed respectfully to Du He and said with gratitude on his face.

"I will never forget the kindness of Minister Du in saving my life!"

Well...

Du He looked at Jia Dunyi's beard mixed with wisps of white hair, and the few teeth missing from his mouth, and felt an inexplicable sense of joy in his heart.

He waved his hand and said, "Governor Jia, this is just a small matter. Sit down and eat some meat and drink some wine."

People like Jia Dunyi don't need too much nonsense. They will be grateful if you do them a small favor.

Having resolved the matter of life and death, Jia Dunyi finally relaxed and ate meat and drank wine.

...

March 13, the 19th year of Zhenguan.

Mount Tai, the Eastern Peak.

In front of the Shannan Dai Temple.

On a towering round altar, Li Shimin, dressed in a large fur hat and sacrificial attire, held a handful of incense and candles in his hands, respectfully worshipped in the direction of Mount Tai, and then worshipped in the direction of the sky.

The "Fengsi Altar" built in front of the Dai Temple today is used to worship the mountain god of Mount Tai, as well as to worship the heavens and announce his achievements to the heavens.

We will climb to the top of Mount Tai early tomorrow morning and seal the jade tablet on the "Dengfeng Altar".

The next morning we went to the "Jiangchan Altar" on Sheshou Mountain to worship the earth god.

At that time, various gifts will be offered and the Fengshan ceremony will be complete.

Although the Fengshan ceremony only involves going to Mount Tai to offer sacrifices to the gods, the entire process is extremely complicated. Not to mention the group of elderly civil officials, even Li Shimin's body might not be able to handle it.

After Li Shimin finished worshiping the mountain god and announcing to heaven, the officials and soldiers below shouted.

"Your Majesty, Holy Might!"

"I wish your majesty good health and great respect!"

"I wish the Tang Dynasty good weather, abundant harvests, and a long-lasting prosperity!"

The officials in charge of the memorial ceremony for Li Shimin whispered nice things in the direction of Xiangtan after the voices of the ministers and soldiers became low.

All they said were good things like "May tomorrow's weather be clear," "May the Fengshan ceremony go smoothly," "May Li Shimin be healthy and the Tang Dynasty be forever strong."

Li Shimin looked at the Dai Temple below the round mound altar, and a look of indifference appeared on his face.

The Dai Temple was a temple for worship that was built by Emperor Wu of Han when he went to Mount Tai to offer sacrifices to the gods. It was also the place where Emperor Guangwu, Emperor Zhang of Han and Emperor An of Han held ceremonies and worshipped the gods of Mount Tai when they later came to Mount Tai to offer sacrifices to the gods.

Li Shimin believed that his achievements surpassed those of Emperor Wu of Han, so he did not go into the Dai Temple to worship the mountain god, but chose to worship on the round mound altar he had built.