Traveling through Du He, Li Chengqian's rebellion begins

Hearing what Changsun Wuji said, all the generals frowned and looked unhappy.

Du He turned to look at Changsun Wuji with a sneer on his face.

Ha ha!

This guy is such a spoiler and troublemaker!

Du He said in a deep voice, "Deputy Chief Steward Changsun, since you are so abiding by the rules, I, the Chief Steward, order you to lead the troops to garrison Suiye City!"

"Besides leaving enough food for you, I will take all the captives and livestock back to Chang'an."

this...

Changsun Wuji's expression was stunned.

When he saw Du He's serious expression, he suddenly felt a little embarrassed.

Before Changsun Wuji could speak, Su Dingfang, Xi Junmai and other generals stood up and responded.

"I support the order of General Du!"

When Changsun Wuji saw that he was being ostracized by this group of people, his face darkened.

Once upon a time, all the officials in the court supported him, but he didn't expect that in just a few years, he would become the one being marginalized.

Thirty years in Hedong, thirty years in Hexi!

Zhang Sun Wuji relented and said, "General Manager Du, I am just saying this, but considering the soldiers' true situation, I also agree to keep 2 Western Turkic women."

When the generals saw Changsun Wuji change his words, they immediately showed sneers on their faces.

He is really looking for trouble and has to throw his face on the ground.

Du He's expression softened as he said, "Deputy Chief Steward Zhang Sun, please draft a military report later. I will sign and seal it with you. This matter is settled."

"promise!"

Changsun Wuji responded helplessly.

After deciding to stay in Western Turkestan, Du He discussed with the generals the time of the army's return and the specific arrangements for the return trip.

After two hours of discussion, Du He decided to lead the army back to the capital in five days.

...

In the next few days, Changsun Wuji and a group of generals were busy with the preparations for the triumphal return, while Du He was free.

Under Lidya Su's guidance, he visited some famous places in Western Turkestan.

These days he has also been looking for some good things from Western Turkestan. In addition to cotton, he also found a lot of spices that are not available in the Tang Dynasty.

As for the chili peppers he was longing for, he didn't find them.

However, Du He's search also yielded significant results.

He discovered that several Western Turkic craftsmen knew how to make sugar from sugarcane, which was great news.

In addition, there are many Western Turkic women who know how to plant and use cotton.

With these skilled craftsmen, the Tang Dynasty would certainly have avoided many detours in making sugar from sugarcane and using cotton.

Five days flew by.

Suiye City.

In the main hall of the city lord's mansion.

Su Dingfang reported: "Master Du, we have loaded all the gold, silver and valuables onto the carriage and are ready to set off at any time!"

"Half an hour ago, I also sent someone to bring the battle report and the news of the army's triumphant return back to Chang'an at full speed."

Immediately afterwards, Changsun Wuji, Guo Daquan and others also reported to Du He what they had accomplished.

After listening.

Du He stood up and ordered: "The army will return immediately!"

All the generals stood up and responded.

"As ordered!"

The return journey was thousands of miles away, and with snowflakes floating outside, Du He did not ride a horse, but planned to go back in a carriage with Lidya Su.

Just as Du He took Lidya Su out of the bedroom, he found that Changsun Wuji also came out with a beautiful middle-aged woman.

Looking at their expressions, they seem to be very affectionate.

This beautiful woman is a concubine of Ashina Helu. She is about 40 years old. Apart from her slightly rough skin, she still looks charming overall.

Du He teased, "Duke Zhao, are you going to bring your lovely wife back to the Tang Dynasty?"

When these words were spoken, everyone was stunned.

A few breaths of silence.

Zhang Sun Wuji said sarcastically with a straight face: "Duke Hanguo, aren't you the same?"

"You, the consort of Princess Shang, are quite unrestrained. Not only do you bring beauties back to the princess's residence, but you also give birth to so many children."

Thinking that his eldest son Changsun Chong and his daughter-in-law Li Lizhi were unable to give birth to children, Changsun Wuji's heart was shrouded in a shadow.

I'm afraid that the lineage of his eldest son will be cut off!

Du He smiled and did not continue to talk with Zhangsun Wuji. Instead, he took Lidya Su's hand and walked into the luxurious carriage.

...

Time flies, and it is early December in a blink of an eye.

Cuiwei Palace.

Inside the Hanfeng Hall.

Li Shimin sat high on the imperial platform, and Li Chengqian sat in the deputy chief position.

At the bottom of the hall, Fang Xuanling, Li Ji, Hou Junji, Ma Zhou, Li Jing, Xu Jingzong, Lu Chengqing and other ministers stood on the left and right sides with excited expressions.

In Li Shimin's hand was a thick war report.

Half a quarter of an hour passed.

Li Shimin praised excitedly, "Du He, this bastard, is truly capable. He actually defeated the Western Turks so quickly!"

"Not bad!"

There was a pause.

Li Shimin continued, "My dear ministers, Du He has already led the army to defeat the Western Turks and will return to Chang'an in half a month!"

"In addition to carrying a large amount of gold and silver, they also brought back 55 Western Turkic men and 91 Western Turkic women!"

In previous wars, the Tang army killed hundreds of thousands of Western Turkic people.

Otherwise, the number of prisoners could have doubled.

For the current Tang Dynasty, population is a huge wealth.

With hundreds of thousands of Western Turkic men, there is no need to conscript Tang civilians for labor service in the future. These people can be sent to do hard labor.

As for the more than 200,000 young women of Western Turkic origin, they can give birth to children for the people of the Tang Dynasty and increase the population of the Tang Dynasty.

The ministers stood up and shouted.

"Your Majesty is wise, and His Royal Highness the Crown Prince is wise!"

"Korean Duke is mighty!"

When they praised Du He, it was completely from the heart.

Because it took Du He less than two months from the time he set out to attack the Western Turks in August to the time he completely conquered the Western Turks.

Especially with the contrast of Hou Junji and Cheng Yaojin, Du He's ability is further highlighted.

Xu Jingzong flattered him and said, "Your Majesty, you are a master at governing people. You immediately decided to send the Duke of Han to Western Turkestan. Otherwise, Western Turkestan would not be conquered now."

"Your Majesty's arrangements for this battle are truly brilliant!"

As soon as these words came out, two pairs of tiger eyes glared at him angrily.

Feeling the murderous look on Hou Junji and Cheng Yaojin's faces, Xu Jingzong's face suddenly froze.

Well...

It seems like I have offended someone!

In order to flatter Li Shimin and Du He, he forgot about these two tough guys who kept losing battles.

Just when the atmosphere became awkward.

Li Shimin gave the order in a deep voice: "Li Ji, Hou Junji, you, the Secretariat, must compile a tally of the military achievements as quickly as possible, and strive to announce the rewards for the soldiers on the day the army returns to the capital."

"In addition, arrangements must be made for receiving livestock, gold, silver, valuables, and captives."

This time there are nearly 150 million prisoners. It is not easy to arrange for such a large number of people, and if not handled properly, there may be a big chaos.

Li Ji and Hou Junji stood up and accepted the order.

"The minister obeys the order!"

The Minister of Personnel Zhangsun Wuji and the Minister of Revenue Du He were not in Chang'an, so these specific tasks could only be completed by them and the assistant ministers of the two departments.

In the next few months, they will definitely be very busy.

Let’s get down to business.

Li Shimin gave a clear order: "On the day Du He leads his army back, the Crown Prince will personally lead officials of the fifth rank and above to go fifty miles outside the city to greet him!"