Chapter 7: Reporting the Case (First Update, Seeking Votes)

  Due to the sudden appearance of Princess Xiangyong, Du He and Li Chengqian wisely chose to put aside their grudges in order not to lose face for the Great Tang, and did not continue to pursue the matter.

  Learning that the visitor was the Princess of Xiangxiong, Du He's mind became even more active. Looking at the entire Tang Dynasty, the only powerful enemy was Tubo.

  The key reasons why Tubo can be called a king are two: First, Songtsen Gampo, he is indeed an excellent monarch, laying a solid foundation for the prosperity of Tubo; Second, it is also the geographical advantage that Duhe and Li Shimin said.

  The Xiongnu and the Tubo live together on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, with the same environment and climate, making them the most suitable country to support against the Tubo. Now that they have arrived, it is a good opportunity to discuss this matter in detail.

  The Princess of the Jade Pool was delighted with herself for killing Mu-ri Yongdan, and had already seen that there were no small frictions between Xiangxiong and Tibet. She smiled and asked: "It's just a pity that it was Mu-ri Yongdan who died, not Songtsen Gampo!"

  "What a pity! However, Songtsen Gampo didn't get any benefits either. Disguising himself as one of your Tang people and escaping back to Tibet has already become a joke!" Perhaps it was because Du He killed Lang Ri Jiangcun, but it could be seen that Princess Yaochi had a good impression of Du He, smiling as she explained.

  So that's how it is!

  Du He was stunned and finally understood why Song Zan Gan Bu disappeared out of thin air.

  Li Ji was certain that not one of them would escape, so there would be no deception. Song Zan Gan Bu did not disappear out of thin air. He must have known he would die, and used the Mang Chisan Yangdun to attract the attention of the main army, while he himself took advantage of the chaos to change into Tang military attire, disguising himself as a wounded soldier.

  On a chaotic battlefield, who would care about one of their own wounded soldiers retreating from the front line?

  The military doctor might even bandage his wound!

  Li Chengqian saw Du He and Princess Yaochi chatting and laughing, neither of them taking the Crown Prince of Tang seriously. Secretly annoyed, he stepped forward and said: "Princess Yaochi, you're new here, why don't I take you to meet my father, the Emperor?"

  The Princess of Yaochi looked at Li Chengqian, hesitated for a moment and smiled: "Thank you so much!" She was not a fool, how could she let him see that it was a real fight just now?

  Li Chengqian was originally ashamed of bullying the weak, and Du He was a hero who killed Niang Zisan Yangtong.

  Li Chengqian, although the crown prince of the Great Tang Dynasty, was not impressive to Princess Yaochi at all. In fact, she had an even worse impression of him, but out of courtesy, she had no choice but to agree.

  Du He pretended to be affectionate and patted Li Chengqian's shoulder, laughing: "Prince brother, today's matter is settled like this. I still have things to do, so I'll take my leave!"

  Li Chengqian felt uneasy about Du He's sudden intimacy, but he couldn't lose his temper in front of Princess Yaochi, so he just forced a smile.

  "Aren't you going with us? I'd like to hear more about how you killed the bandit, Niangzi Sang Yangdun!" Princess Yaochi had a hint of persuasion in her words.

  But Du He shook his head and smiled: "Next time... I have an urgent matter now!"

  He smiled and led Ling Chenbing and Zhao Bo away.

  When they arrived in Wannian County, Du He gave them some loose silver and let them go to the fief of Ruyang to settle down.

  Zhao and his father were overwhelmed with gratitude, they knelt down together and kowtowed.

  Du He hurriedly helped them up and at the same time persuaded Zhao Bo to keep the matter of the crown prince stealing cows in his heart.

  Zhao Bo nodded in understanding.

  Ling Chenbing refused to accept it, instead hoping to stay and help him out.

  Du He sneered and said: "Aren't you afraid of the Crown Prince's revenge?"

  Ling Chenbing smiled calmly: "Don't be afraid to say, that's fake! But the adults can stand up for us common people who are recognized for the first time, and even dare to be enemies with the prince. I believe that under the adult's straightforward justice, not to mention others, but safety can at least be guaranteed!"

  "You're clever!" Du He also nodded with interest, what he said was true, if he really became his subordinate, he would be even less likely to sit idly by.

  "A lifetime, what is sought after, is merely to achieve something. If one drifts through life without purpose, just barely existing, then what significance does their existence hold? Today, I have become an enemy of the Crown Prince and almost completely cut off my path for advancement. Only by serving under someone like you, Your Highness, do I have hope for promotion. Therefore, Ling Chen Bing is willing to serve Your Highness!"

  Du He Dao said: "Alright, I've been busy with recent affairs and have no time to manage the 300 households in Wannian County. I'll appoint you as a proxy manager for now, let's see how it goes later!"

  For Ling Chenbing, Du He still has some appreciation. Not to mention his stable and intelligent performance, just because he can stand up for Zhao Bo's father and son without immediately running away, it is enough to show that he is a straightforward person with courage.

  But to become one of his men, it's not an easy thing, you must have real talent and learning. Let's take a look at his skills first, if he can't even manage a mere 300 households, then taking him in would be useless.

  Ling Chenbing understood that Du He had intentionally tested himself and nodded in agreement.

  Du He Tao said: "After a year, I'll take office. As for now, you should avoid being in the spotlight first. Otherwise, the Crown Prince will be like a dog jumping over the wall and it won't be good for you!"

  "Could it be that Young Master is thinking of...?" Ling Chenbing understood Du He's thoughts and was somewhat shocked!

  Du He sneered and said, "As the crown prince of a country, you're acting so recklessly. Do you think I'll just sit back and do nothing? Alright, let's not talk about it anymore. You'd better be careful yourself!" He rode his horse back to the Du Manor, entered the study, and saw that there was no one around. From his sleeve, he pulled out a yellow silk wrapped brocade box.

  "What is it?" Du He muttered to himself, this was something he had picked up from Li Chengqian, that intimate gesture was just an opportunity for him to create a chance.

  He opened the brocade box and found that inside the brocade box was a seal, on which were engraved in vermilion four large characters: "Guo Chu Cheng Qian".

  It's actually the imperial seal of the crown prince!

  Du He was taken aback at first, then burst out laughing: Li Chengqian is in trouble now. The Eastern Palace of the Crown Prince's mansion was a miniature imperial court with all five organs intact. In order to train the Crown Prince's abilities, every day Emperor Taizong would select some unimportant government affairs from the memorials submitted from various places and send them to the Eastern Palace for Li Chengqian to review first, before passing them on to Emperor Taizong for re-examination.

  So every day, Li Chengqian had to use the crown prince's seal. The crown prince's seal was given by Li Shimin to Li Chengqian, and there was only one copy. As the crown prince, he lost the seal that symbolized his identity, which is really interesting!

  Du He hid the imperial seal and rushed to the palace without stopping his horse.

  He wanted to maintain the dignity of the Tang Dynasty and did not want to make things difficult for Li Chengqian, but that does not mean he intended to let him off so easily. For causing trouble to the people, he must be punished, and having Li Shimin punish him would be a thousand times better than punishing him himself.

  Although it will thoroughly offend Li Chengqian, what can be done about it?

  He only sought peace of mind and reason in his dealings with others, never caring how others viewed him, and even less concerned about what despicable and sinister means Li Chengqian would use to retaliate.

  More despicable and more sinister, those two moves may not be better than Du He's.

  In Ganlu Temple, Du He found Li Shimin, who was reviewing memorials in the temple. Seeing Du He arrive, he smiled and said: "What kind of mischief are you up to again, young man?"

  Du He sank his voice and told Li Chengqian about the events that led to him stealing the cow.

  Li Shimin's face changed, becoming very frightening and terrifying!