Traveling through Du He, Li Chengqian's rebellion begins

Wu Meiniang left on the official road to Lingzhou?

Could it be possible to go to Bingzhou?

Li Zhi's fiefdom was in Bingzhou. If Wu Meiniang wanted to go to Bingzhou, it would indeed be a good place for her.

Without this troublemaker, I won't have to be so cruel in the future.

As for whether she would harm Li Zhi's wives and concubines, it depended on how Li Zhi treated her.

A few breaths of silence.

Du He waved his hand and said, "Zhang Shizheng, send someone to follow Wu Meiniang and find out her final destination."

"promise!"

Zhang Shizheng bowed and quickly left the hall.

Thinking that he had successfully persuaded Wu Meiniang, Du He showed a faint smile, shook his head and continued to eat his meal.

It didn't take long.

Su Dingfang came in and reported, "Duke of Han, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince has sent officials from the Imperial Household Department and the Ministry of Revenue to take care of the livestock and the captives from the Western Turks."

"His Royal Highness the Crown Prince told us to ride back as fast as possible and try to get back to Chang'an before the New Year's Day to accept His Majesty's reward."

"His Highness also wrote you a letter."

As he said this, he handed the letter in his hand to Du He.

Du He took the letter and started reading it, skipping the long string of praise at the beginning. Du He finished reading the letter quickly.

It turned out that Li Shimin had previously summoned his ministers to discuss and temporarily settled the Western Turkic captives in Lingzhou, Yanzhou, Xiazhou and Qingzhuzhou.

As for livestock, they were also driven to the grasslands north of Lingzhou for breeding.

In addition, Li Chengqian also said that he would go 50 miles outside the city to welcome the triumphant army, which deeply moved Du He.

Last month, Niu Jinda and Xue Wanche led a large army back to Chang'an, and Li Chengqian only led his ministers 10 miles out of the city to welcome them.

The increased standard of welcoming the triumphant army outside the city showed that Li Shimin recognized their military achievements.

Not bad!

It seems that the reward this time will not be too low.

Du He smiled and said, "Dingfang, Your Majesty and the Crown Prince have truly considered the state roads. Without the burden of livestock and captives, we can return to Chang'an in a few days."

"You should contact the officials from the Imperial Household Department and the Ministry of Revenue. Once they take over, we will return quickly."

Even if millions of livestock were driven back to Chang'an, there might not be enough grass for them to eat.

Taking livestock to the grassland is indeed the best way to relocate them.

"As ordered!"

Su Dingfang responded respectfully, then turned and strode away.

In the next three days, Su Dingfang and Zhangsun Wuji were busy handing over the work to officials from the Imperial Household Department and the Ministry of Revenue.

Du He, who was free, took the beauty Su Liya for a stroll around Guazhou and Yumen Pass.

Looking at the narrow and bumpy official road, Du He wanted more and more to propose to Li Chengqian to order a major overhaul of the official road.

As long as the official roads are smooth, the time for the army to march and return can be greatly shortened, and the transportation of logistical loads can also be facilitated.

Chang'an is far away from the desert countries in Central Asia. If there were no smooth official roads, it would be inconvenient for the Tang Dynasty to manage these countries even if they were conquered.

Du He thought to himself as he sat in the bumpy carriage returning to the City Lord's Mansion.

"I don't know if we can make rubber tires with current technology."

"And the shock-absorbing springs!"

"We need to recruit a large number of craftsmen to do these two things!"

The wooden tires have no shock-absorbing effect at all. The people in the carriage can feel how much it shakes depending on how bumpy the ground is.

Moreover, the wooden wheels were difficult for horses to pull.

If there were rubber tires and the official roads were flat, horse-drawn carriages would not only be able to significantly increase their speed, but also be able to carry more cargo.

However, Du He didn’t have a deep understanding of rubber tires, so the craftsmen needed to try more.

As for the springs, as long as the mold is made, the blacksmith can hammer them out by hand.

After returning to the city lord's mansion.

Su Dingfang came again to report: "Duke Hanguo, I have already handed over the matter to the officials of the Imperial Household Department and the Ministry of Revenue, and will be able to set off for Chang'an tomorrow."

Looking at Su Dingfang's tired face, Du He frowned slightly.

Dealing with such trivial matters is sometimes more tiring than fighting a war.

"Thanks for your hard work!"

Du He patted Su Dingfang on the shoulder, then said softly, "After dinner tomorrow morning, the army will set off for Chang'an!"

It is already late November, and by the time they return to Chang'an, it will probably be almost the end of the month.

"As ordered!"

After Su Dingfang saluted, he went down to convey Du He's order.

...

Five days later.

Du He led an army of 100,000 into the territory of Chang'an and quickly approached Chang'an.

Looking at the large number of flags held high on the official road in the distance, the soldiers knew that it was His Royal Highness the Crown Prince leading the officials to welcome them.

Du He shouted, "Speed up, let's go back to Chang'an to receive the reward!"

"promise!"

The generals responded excitedly, then spurred their horses and advanced quickly.

The faces of these generals looked very excited and expectant. They were constantly imagining in their minds what kind of official positions they would be awarded.

Can the title be promoted to Duke?

Half a quarter of an hour later.

Generals Du He, Zhangsun Wuji, Su Dingfang, Xi Junmai and others came fifty steps in front of Li Chengqian's carriage, then dismounted and walked over to pay their respects.

Li Chengqian, who was originally standing on the dragon chariot, jumped off the carriage and walked quickly to meet him.

"See His Highness the Crown Prince!"

The unified shouts of a hundred thousand soldiers resounded through the sky.

Li Chengqian helped Du He up and shouted happily, "My dear ministers, please stand up quickly. You fought well in this battle. His Majesty and I are very satisfied with you!"

The soldiers shouted loudly again.

"Thank you for the compliment, Your Highness!"

The soldiers shouted for a long time before they gradually quieted down.

Li Chengqian patted Du He's arms and said excitedly, "Du He, you fought brilliantly in this battle. Father and the officials praised you highly!"

"You really bring honor to me and my father!"

Hearing that the prince only praised Du He and ignored himself, Changsun Wuji, who was standing aside, was filled with shame and anger.

As the deputy commander-in-chief of the march, he has no contribution at all?

Besides, he is the prince's uncle, so he should at least say hello, right?

Seeing Changsun Wuji's expression change, Li Chengqian's smile grew even wider.

He just deliberately ignored Changsun Wuji!

I hope this warning will make Changsun Wuji wake up and stop doing such stubborn things.

Say a few words.

Li Chengqian said loudly, "Generals, please follow me back to Taiji Hall. His Majesty is already waiting for you inside!"

"His Majesty has prepared a sumptuous banquet to celebrate your success. We will discuss your achievements and rewards you at court tomorrow!"

The generals shouted with joy again.

"Thank you, Your Majesty, Your Highness!"

After a while.

Li Chengqian whispered, "Du He, come ride with me on the dragon chariot. It's more comfortable than riding a horse."

What?

Sitting on the dragon chariot in public?

Isn't this going to cost him his life?

Du He quickly refused, "Your Highness, it's better to keep a low profile. If this gets out, it will be bad for my reputation."

He now has a very high prestige in the court and the army. It won't be long before he becomes too powerful to be recognized by the emperor. He cannot leave such a low-level handle behind.

Perhaps Li Chengqian didn't mind, but Li Shimin, the emperor with a lot of thoughts, might care.

"alright."

Li Chengqian frowned and nodded.

...

An hour later.

Inside the Tai Chi Hall.

Li Shimin, who looked sick, felt much better after seeing Du He, Zhangsun Wuji, Su Dingfang, Xue Rengui, Xi Junmai and others.

Li Shimin praised for a long time before slowly stopping.

And he praised for so long, and most of the time he was saying that Commander Du He had made great contributions.

"Cough cough."

Li Shimin coughed twice.

He waved at Du He and said with a smile, "Du He, you will have the celebration banquet today with me on the imperial stage."