Traveling through Du He, Li Chengqian's rebellion begins

However, Du He had no obsession with the fiefdom. No matter whether Li Chengqian and Li Shimin were making empty promises or not, he did not feel much turmoil in his heart.

There must be a fiefdom, but I don’t know where it is.

Is it as big as a palm...

Du He smiled broadly and said, "Your Majesty, rest assured. After the Mid-Autumn Festival, I will lead my troops to attack Tubo and strive to conquer this vast territory before the arrival of the New Year's Day."

"If we have enough troops, I am confident that we can conquer 50% of the Western Regions within two years."

"Let your elder and the crown prince go to Mount Tai together to offer sacrifices to the gods."

The Western Regions does not refer to the thirty-six countries in the Western Regions, but to the vast territory west of the Western Regions.

The most powerful of these countries was the Arab Empire, but it only had about 10 soldiers and horses. As for the Eastern Roman Empire and Persia, their combined troops probably only had 10 soldiers and horses.

Among these countries, only Persia had heavy cavalry, but the number was only about 2,000.

In the 13th year of Zhenguan (639), Persia was defeated by the Arab Empire and sent envoys to the Tang Dynasty many times to ask for help.

As for the European continent, there was only one powerful country, the Eastern Roman Empire, but it could not be compared with the Tang Dynasty.

When he heard the words "Fengshan at Mount Tai", a look of surprise appeared on Li Shimin's face.

"Hey~"

Li Shimin sighed.

He said in a complicated tone, "I am already old, and even walking is a bit difficult. I don't have the energy to go to Mount Tai to offer sacrifices to the gods."

"After you conquer all of Tubo and Tianzhu, go with the Crown Prince to Mount Tai to offer sacrifices to the gods."

He fell ill on the way to Mount Tai to offer sacrifices to heaven and earth.

Moreover, Yang Shidao and Cen Wenben also fell seriously ill and died on their way back from Fengshan.

Given his current physical condition, even if he was carried up the mountain by soldiers, he probably wouldn't be able to participate in the Fengshan ceremony.

Moreover, even after he went to Mount Tai to offer sacrifices to heaven and earth, God did not favor him.

The pain in his body still didn't ease!

Before Du He could say anything, a eunuch ran in hurriedly.

"Your Majesty, Duke Song is dying!"

what!

Xiao Yu is dying!

Li Shimin quickly stood up and said, "Du He, come with me to see Xiao Yu."

"promise."

Du He responded, then quickly followed Li Shimin out of the hall.

Since Xiao Yu and Fang Xuanling's bedrooms were quite far from Ziwei Palace, Li Shimin did not walk but took a sedan chair to go there.

After a cup of tea.

The two walked into an ancient bedroom. In addition to Sun Simiao and two other imperial physicians, Fang Xuanling was also sitting on the side with a worried look on his face.

When everyone saw Li Shimin come in, they all bowed to him.

"See Your Majesty."

Li Shimin waved his hand and asked anxiously, "Divine Doctor Sun, how is Xiao Yu's health?"

Looking at Xiao Yu lying on the bed and breathing with difficulty, Li Shimin's heart tightened.

this...

This is the state of the lamp running out of oil!

Sun Simiao whispered, "I'm afraid that with what happened in the next two days, we'll have to let the descendants of Duke Song prepare for his funeral."

Upon hearing the news, Li Shimin staggered back.

He walked to the bedside and grabbed Xiao Yu's skinny hand: "Old friend, if you hold on for a while longer, in half a year, Du He will be able to lead his troops to conquer Tubo and Tianzhu!"

"You have to participate in this year's Mid-Autumn Festival reunion!"

Li Shimin knew that this year's Mid-Autumn Festival might be the last one for many ministers.

In addition to the ministers who died of illness, there was also a group of people who sought death.

After a long time.

Xiao Yu said in a weak voice: "Your Majesty, I can't accompany you..."

"You...you are still young, you will definitely recover from your illness..."

Hearing Xiao Yu's weak words, Li Shimin had already burst into tears.

Even Fang Xuanling, who was sitting next to him, couldn't help wiping away his tears.

Having worked together for over thirty years, they had already developed a deep bond with each other. They were not only ruler and subject, but also close friends.

Li Shimin and Xiao Yu talked for a while, and Xiao Yu's voice became weaker and weaker.

"Your Majesty, I have something to say to Duke Han..."

His voice was so low that Li Shimin had to put his ear close to hear it clearly.

Li Shimin nodded slightly, he slowly stood up and waved to Du He, then led the way out of the dormitory.

Du He walked to the bed and sat down, then lowered his head and asked softly.

"Uncle Xiao, do you have anything to tell me?"

More than ten breaths passed.

Xiao Yu spoke in a halting voice, "Du... My dear nephew Du, I hope you will take good care of my three useless sons."

Du He quickly said, "Don't worry, Uncle Xiao, I will support them!"

Hearing Du He's assurance, Xiao Yu also showed a smile on his face.

"Thank you so much..."

After saying this, Xiao Yu fell silent.

Du He walked out of the hall in a depressed mood. He bowed to Li Shimin and said.

"Your Majesty, Duke Song has passed away."

As Du He finished speaking, Li Shimin stumbled into the hall, and Fang Xuanling anxiously asked his servants to carry him in.

The other servants and imperial physicians also walked in quickly without hesitation.

Outside the empty hall, besides dozens of imperial guards, only Du He was left.

Half an hour later.

Li Shimin came out with red eyes and said in a hoarse voice, "Du He, go back and inform Xiao Yu's family and ask them to come and take care of the funeral."

"Tell the Crown Prince to lead all the ministers above the fifth rank in the court to pay their respects to the Duke of Song's mansion tomorrow."

He thought Xiao Yu could survive until Mid-Autumn Festival, but he didn't expect that he would still miss it by a few days.

There was a pause.

Li Shimin handed a handwritten letter to Du He and said, "Have the Crown Prince posthumously confer the title of Minister of Works and Governor of Jingzhou on Xiao Yu at the memorial service tomorrow, and give him the posthumous title of Zhen Guan."

"Then promote his second son, Xiao Kai, to be the Minister of the Central Secretariat!"

What?

Promote that Xiao Kai to be the Minister of the Secretariat?

When Du He heard the news, his face was slightly stunned.

However, thinking of the death of Zhongshu Shilang Chu Suiliang due to illness, Du He also guessed that Li Shimin's move was just to temporarily let Xiao Kai take over to show his favor to Xiao Yu.

Du He bowed and said, "I obey your command!"

...

The sun is westward.

Du He was escorted by the guards to the Duke of Song's mansion. When he told the news of Xiao Yu's death, a burst of sad crying was heard.

After leaving the Duke of Song's Mansion, Du He went to the Eastern Palace.

When Du He told Li Chengqian about Xiao Yu's death from illness and Li Shimin's instructions, Li Chengqian's face became a little gloomy.

A moment of silence.

Li Chengqian ordered, "Lai Ji, immediately notify the fifth-rank ministers in the court to adjourn court tomorrow and go to the Duke of Song's mansion to offer condolences."

"promise!"

Lai Ji received the order and left quickly.

When asked by Li Chengqian, Du He also told Li Chengqian roughly what he had talked about with Li Shimin.

After listening.

Li Chengqian said excitedly, "Du He, if you were to lead an army of 30, are you really confident that you can conquer Tubo and Tianzhu this year?"

Du He nodded: "No problem."

Seeing Du He's confident look, Li Chengqian immediately smiled.

OK!

If Du He can conquer Tubo and Tianzhu, after he ascends the throne, he can immediately go to Mount Tai to offer sacrifices to heaven and earth with his great achievements!

Not bad!

Li Chengqian stroked his short beard and said, "Du He, you don't have to expect the emperor to give you a fiefdom. He won't give you any good places."

"When I ascend the throne, I will personally appoint you as a vassal king and grant you a large and fertile territory!"