Traveling through Du He, Li Chengqian's rebellion begins

Since His Majesty fell seriously ill, the concubines in the harem have become restless.

Especially concubines like Wu Meiniang, who are young and have not yet given birth to a child for His Majesty, are more anxious than other concubines.

Because once His Majesty passes away, these concubines who have no children will have to shave their heads and become nuns in Ganye Temple.

From then on, he spent the rest of his life in loneliness, accompanied by the green lamp.

Wu Meiniang is only 23 years old this year, and she is unwilling to spend the rest of her life like this.

half a month later.

Just when Du He was leading the winemakers of Liangyun Office to develop alcohol, the eunuch Lai Ji suddenly came to him and conveyed Li Shimin's oral instructions.

"Duke Hanguo, His Majesty will go to Cuiwei Palace tomorrow, and he needs you to accompany him."

"Wait until your majesty and the concubines are settled, then you can return to Chang'an."

Du He stood up and responded with doubt in his eyes.

"The minister obeys the order."

After the Cuiwei Palace was rebuilt, the Ministry of Works handed it over to officials from the Ministry of Internal Affairs.

Unexpectedly, when Li Shimin went to Cuiwei Palace, he also called him over.

Lai Ji did not leave just like that. He continued to bow to Sun Simiao.

"Dr. Sun, His Majesty wants you to go to Cuiwei Palace with him and stay there for a while."

He did not say the specific reason, but both Sun Simiao and Du He understood it.

Li Shimin's health has not recovered yet, and he still needs Sun Simiao to treat and recuperate him.

As an emperor of all ages, Li Shimin was not afraid of life and death, but as an emperor, he must have wanted to live a few more years.

Sun Simiao clasped his fists and said, "Your Majesty, I obey your command."

Lai Ji explained the time and place again, then bowed to Du He and quickly left.

Seeing that it was almost time to go off duty, Du He whispered to Sun Simiao.

"Dr. Sun, please go back and prepare first."

"I'm afraid you'll have to stay at Cuiwei Palace for a long time."

Sun Simiao nodded, bowed slightly to Du He, and left.

He used to practice Taoism and write medical books in Mount Zhongnan, so he was very familiar with the environment there, so there was no problem of adaptation.

Du He stayed here for a while, gave some instructions to the winemakers in Liangyun Office, and then left.

The next day.

Du He did not attend the court meeting of officials, but followed Li Shimin's carriage to Zhongnan Mountain.

Looking at the densely packed team that seemed to have no end, Du He finally understood why it took ten days or half a month to prepare every time the emperor traveled.

Mount Zhongnan is only a few dozen miles away from Chang'an, and even if the convoy moves slowly, it can arrive there in one day.

When they arrived at Cuiwei Palace, Lai Ji ran over to report.

"Duke Hanguo, His Majesty requests an audience."

Led by Lai Ji, Du He met Li Shimin in the main hall of Cuiwei Palace.

At this moment, in addition to Li Shimin, there were two beautiful women in palace dresses in the hall.

The beautiful middle-aged woman in palace dress on the left is Concubine Yan Shufei, who is 38 years old this year, with a plump figure and outstanding demeanor. She is at the age of being as vigorous as a wolf and a tiger.

The young concubine in palace dress on the right is Wu Meiniang. She has an elegant appearance and a pair of almond eyes on her pretty face. She gives people a feeling of three parts charm and seven parts coolness and nobility.

Moreover, Concubine Yan Shufei and Wu Meiniang are aunts and cousins.

"Li Shimin is still good at playing."

"I brought them both out while I was recuperating."

Du He complained inwardly, then quickly walked to the center of the hall, bowed his head and saluted.

"Your Majesty, Consort Yan Shufei, Consort Wu."

In fact, Du He's title is higher than Wu Meiniang's, so there is no need to bow when meeting her.

But on this occasion, he could not be disrespectful to Wu Meiniang.

Li Shimin waved his hand, then smiled and said: "Du He, during this period of time, the crown prince is the regent, you have to spend more time and effort to assist the crown prince."

Du He quickly responded: "Your Majesty, I will work diligently, work hard, and work day and night..."

Before Du He could finish his words, Li Shimin interrupted him.

"Okay, I already know your determination."

Just know it now?

Du He smacked his lips slightly.

He hadn't uttered a few words yet.

On the imperial stage, Wu Meiniang stared at Du He with burning eyes, her face full of complicated expressions.

Although she lived in the harem, she still had some understanding of the situation in the court.

Now the prince's leg illness has recovered, and with Du He's assistance, he has become more and more wise.

As expected, the person who ascended the throne was undoubtedly the crown prince.

When she shaved her head to become a nun and went to Ganye Temple, the only people who could save her from the dire straits were the new emperor Li Chengqian and the bold man Du He.

Then what was the point of her trying so hard to contact Prince of Jin Li Zhi?

Just when Wu Meiniang was feeling complicated, Li Shimin continued.

"Du He, do you think that I am taking a big step by launching troops against the Western Regions and the Indian countries at the same time?"

Many ministers in the court privately discussed that the court was taking too big a step and would undermine the stability of the Tang Dynasty.

After thinking about it for a while, Li Shimin also realized that he was a little too hasty.

Du He thought for a moment and then replied.

"Your Majesty, our steps in this battle are indeed quite big, but this is also the best opportunity."

"Because Duke Ying, Duke Chen, Duke Lu and others are still able to fight. When these generals grow old, the Tang Dynasty will lose a large number of veterans who are good at fighting."

"It will be extremely difficult for generals like Su Dingfang, Xue Rengui, Xi Junmai, Cheng Huailiang and Yuchi Huan to expand into the Western Regions."

Among the second generation of generals, only a few people in the Eastern Palace were relatively capable, such as Cheng Huailiang, Yuchi Huan and Cheng Wuting, but they had not yet grown up.

Moreover, their command capabilities are completely not on the same level as Hou Junji, Li Ji and others.

Li Shimin nodded thoughtfully.

Originally, his mind was a little shaken, but Du He's words strengthened his confidence.

A moment of silence.

Li Shimin said in a deep voice: "Du He, this battle plan to open up the Western Regions was proposed by you. I will appoint you as one of the deputy commanders later."

"During this period of time, in addition to assisting the Crown Prince in eunuchs, you must also spend more time thinking about the details of the battle."

Du He didn't expect that Li Shimin had such high hopes for him, he quickly bowed in response.

"Thank you, Your Majesty, for your trust."

"Please rest assured, Your Majesty. I will do my best."

Li Shimin waved his hand.

He turned his head to look at Wu Meiniang, then spoke to Du He.

"Du He, Mei Niang admires your talent for poetry, and she happens to be particularly fond of poetry and songs."

"I asked you to accompany me this time because I wanted you to give some advice to Wu Cairen."

Well...

Du He's expression paused slightly.

Unexpectedly, Li Shimin asked him to come to Cuiwei Palace because of Wu Meiniang.

Du He quickly responded: "Your Majesty's poetry is unparalleled. I am stupid, how dare I give you advice?"

"But it is also a great honor for me to discuss poetry with you, Your Majesty."

I don’t know what Wu Meiniang wants to discuss with him.

Could it be that he wanted to use his connections to get close to Li Chengqian?

"Du He, you are too modest." After Li Shimin finished speaking, he stood up and said, "You can discuss poetry with Mei Niang. I am a little sleepy now, so I will go back and rest first."

Then, Li Shimin, supported by Concubine Yan Shufei, walked slowly towards the bedroom.

In the main hall.

Apart from Du He and Wu Meiniang, there were only a few serving palace maids.

Wu Meiniang walked down from the imperial platform, came up to Du He, and said softly with a smile.

"Duke Hanguo, please move to a secluded place."