Traveling through Du He, Li Chengqian's rebellion begins

Otherwise, it would take at least a year for the army to come and go.

Whether it's soldiers or those in charge of supplies and provisions, after traveling thousands of miles, their bodies are exhausted to the extreme, which also affects their combat effectiveness.

The civil and military officials and the princes stood up again, their faces solemn as they responded.

"The minister obeys the order!"

Previously, Minister of War Su Dingfang had summoned them together and explained to them in detail all the major and minor matters concerning the preparations for the great war.

The most important point is that wherever the army marches, they cultivate the land.

This tactic of establishing agricultural settlements during wartime can compensate for the crisis of using war to sustain war.

If the enemy also learns the scorched-earth policy, preventing the army from replenishing its supplies in time, the consequences would be unimaginable.

After all, the amount of food needed for a million-strong army and millions of warhorses is astronomical every day.

On the imperial platform.

Li Chengqian announced loudly, "This noon, I will host a farewell banquet for you in the Taiji Hall!"

"That concludes today's court assembly. Court is adjourned."

Amidst the respectful farewells of civil and military officials, Li Chengqian, accompanied by eunuchs, strode away from the Taiji Hall.

As soon as Du He stepped out of the main hall, Cheng Yaojin and Yuchi Gong, those two rascals, surrounded him with their ingratiating smiles.

"Hehe, King Han, please wait."

"Do you have some time, sir? The three of us brothers could have a chat?"

Upon hearing Cheng Yaojin's words, Du He staggered.

Good guy!

He is not yet thirty years old. These two old men in their early sixties call him "Old Man" or "the three brothers".

This generational hierarchy is really messed up.

Du He smiled and replied, "Uncle Cheng, Uncle Yuchi, you are both highly respected elders. You can just call me nephew in private."

"Since you two gentlemen have such leisure time, why don't you go to the Privy Council for a cup of hot tea?"

Upon hearing Du He's words, the two tough guys' faces immediately lit up with smiles.

However, although Du He spoke modestly, they would not actually call him their nephew, since Du He's status was far above theirs.

Putting aside the title of King of Han, just the titles of Grand Minister of State and Commander-in-Chief of the Heavenly Pivot are both extraordinary.

I don't know what His Majesty was thinking, but he came up with two such domineering official positions, which made the two of them envious for a long time.

Cheng Yaojin and Yuchi Gong smiled and cupped their hands in greeting.

"King Han, please."

Moreover, the two of them were very tactful when walking, deliberately lagging behind Du He by half a body length, and their actions were not as reckless as their words.

Upon entering the Privy Council, Du He immediately ordered people to prepare tea and pastries.

After making arrangements.

Du He smiled and asked, "Uncle Cheng, Uncle Yuchi, instead of accompanying the Emperor Emeritus on his fishing and Taoist practice, why do you two have time to come and visit your nephew?"

What?

Accompanying the retired emperor to fish and cultivate Taoism?

How can there be such a good thing!

Yuchi Gong said with a resentful look, "His Majesty appointed me as General of the Cavalry and Junior Guardian of the Crown Prince, promising me that I would attend court every half month, but now I have to report to the Ministry of War and the Crown Prince every day."

"There are so many things to do, big and small, that I don't even have time to drink or watch dances anymore."

"Hey!"

He had thought he could finally enjoy a leisurely retirement, but he never expected to be more tired than ever before.

Su Dingfang was also a scoundrel. When he encountered problems in the Ministry of War, he would not seek help from his master Li Jing, nor from Du He, the head of all officials, but only from him, the General of the Cavalry.

Isn't this just deliberately making things difficult for him?

Despite holding the title of General of the Cavalry, he had no real power whatsoever, and that brat Su Dingfang even pretended to humbly seek his advice.

This made him want to retaliate, but he couldn't bring himself to do it.

Cheng Yaojin also said, "Although I am the Grand General who assists the State, I still have to guard the defenses of Chang'an. Let's not talk about these hard days."

Hearing the two complain, Du He simply smiled slightly.

The military officers of the Tang Dynasty are now relatively relaxed, only needing to train soldiers. The civil officials, on the other hand, are each in charge of several major projects, and they are the ones who are extremely busy.

After venting his frustrations for a while...

Cheng Yaojin then cupped his hands and said, "King Han, we have come here today to inquire about the matter of bestowing titles upon the vassal kings."

"Could you speak to the Crown Prince and ask him to arrange our fiefdoms to be closer to him?"

Upon hearing Cheng Yaojin's words, Du He looked at the two of them with surprise.

Sensing Du He's strange gaze, Cheng Yaojin and Yuchi Gong's expressions changed slightly, and they quickly waved their hands to explain.

"King Han, please don't misunderstand. We are both grandfathers, and we are not homosexuals."

“We are both getting on in years, and the fiefdom will be handed over to Cheng Chumo and Yuchi Baolin for management. They can take care of each other then.”

"Even if a neighboring country invades in the future, our descendants will be able to look after each other."

It turned out to be the case.

It must be said that Cheng Yaojin and Yuchi Gong were very forward-thinking, knowing that after the Tang Dynasty unified the world, there was a high probability of civil war.

This was unavoidable, after all, the Han people had been fighting since the Xia Dynasty until the founding of the Tang Dynasty.

It is no exaggeration to say that the Han people are the most warlike people in this land.

However, when faced with invasions by foreign tribes, the Han people, no matter how much hatred they had for each other, would unite to resist the invaders.

After thinking about it for a while.

Du He smiled and said, "My two uncles, when the time comes to enfeoff the princes, I will definitely make suggestions to His Majesty."

You can rest assured.

After receiving Du He's assurance, Cheng Yaojin and Yuchi Gong finally breathed a sigh of relief.

The two men bowed and expressed their gratitude.

"Thank you, King Han."

After finishing their business, Cheng Yaojin and Yuchi Gong did not leave the Privy Council. Instead, they asked Du He about the steam engine that His Majesty had proposed at the court meeting.

At noon, the three of them went to the Taiji Hall for a banquet.

At this farewell banquet, Li Chengqian once again summoned the group of foreign dancers, who received rave reviews from everyone.

...

Over the next few days, a group of governors and prefects left Chang'an one after another to go to their fiefdoms to take up their posts.

The third son, Du Aitong, also took his wife and children to Bingzhou to serve as its governor.

As for the 30 soldiers, they returned to their hometowns after receiving their rewards.

The once bustling city of Chang'an has become much quieter.

As the imperial court got back on track, major national policies were officially implemented, and people from all departments performed their duties diligently.

Time flies, and it's already mid-March.

Ganlu Temple.

Du He was discussing state affairs with Li Chengqian when Lai Ji suddenly ran in with a joyful expression to report.

"Your Majesty, good news!"

"The retired emperor licked two male prostitutes!"

Upon hearing this, Li Chengqian and Du He exchanged bewildered glances, their faces filled with astonishment.

Wasn't it Consort Yan who was about to give birth?

Which concubine is the other little one?

Li Chengqian hurriedly asked, "Laiji, whose sons are these two young princes?"

Lai Ji respectfully replied, "Your Majesty, one is the offspring of Consort Yan, and the other is the offspring of Consort Xu. It is said that both young princes are robust and chubby."

After understanding it clearly.

Li Chengqian immediately ordered, "Come to Ji, immediately have twenty carts of generous gifts prepared, which will be taken to Yuhua Palace by the King of Han later."

"promise."

After receiving the order, Lai Ji quickly ran out of the main hall.

A moment of silence.

Li Chengqian instructed Du He, "Besides celebrating the birth of your son with the Emperor, you must also ask Li Yuanjing, Li Yuanxiang and others for 50 strings of cash!"

"If they can't pay, withhold the money they've spent on weapons and equipment."