Traveling through Du He, Li Chengqian's rebellion begins

To ensure the supply of 500 million people traveling tens of thousands of miles, large quantities of grain were stockpiled in advance in cities every 100 miles.

Because they couldn't ride at full speed on the return journey, their march was very slow.

In mid-June, the army returned to the Byzantine Empire and rested there for half a month.

In late October, the army returned to the Persian Empire and rested for another 10 days.

In late December, the army returned to Liangzhou. Many of the young women fell ill, so Du He had no choice but to order a halt and a rest.

After a nine-month journey, not to mention the delicate beauties, even Xue Rengui and Pei Xingjian were exhausted.

In the governor's mansion.

Du Wu, the governor of Liangzhou, said respectfully, "My lord, the New Year is just a few days away, and with the heavy snow falling these past few days, why don't you rest in Liangzhou for two months?"

"His Majesty ordered people to stockpile grain in Liangzhou in advance, enough to feed 500 million people for half a year."

Now, in addition to the territory of the Tang Dynasty, large quantities of grain are grown in Western Turkic Khaganate, India, Persia, and the Abbasid Caliphate.

Not to mention raising an army of 500 million, raising an army of 5000 million would not be difficult at all.

"it is good."

Du He nodded, then instructed, "Du Wu, I will write a personal edict and a letter home later. Send someone to deliver them back to Chang'an."

"At the current pace, we estimate that we won't be able to return to Chang'an until March next year."

According to his initial plan, he was to return to Chang'an in early May this year, but unexpectedly, with a bunch of burdens, it took him ten months to arrive.

The most fatal thing was that all 21 concubines he brought back from Europe were pregnant with his child.

His first wife, Balthirde, was already eight months pregnant, while his other 20 concubines were all five or six months pregnant.

After returning to Chang'an, I wonder if Li Yi will throw a tantrum.

Du Wu respectfully replied, "Yes, sir!"

After writing the imperial edict and family letter and handing them over to Du Wu, Du Wu immediately sent someone to escort them back to Chang'an.

After making arrangements.

Du Wu cupped his hands and said, "Master, this year's cotton harvest totaled 8 million catties. Next year, the cotton trees on another hill should also yield a harvest, and there should be no problem adding another million catties."

"After consulting with Your Highness, I also sent people to Khotan, Shanshan, Shache, Kucha, Yanqi and Gaochang to purchase a large amount of land. Next year, we will plant cotton there, and there should be no major problem with producing more than 30 million catties of cotton a year."

Would you like to visit the cotton plantation?

Not bad!

No wonder he's been with him for so many years!

Previously, Wang Xuance had simply followed the established procedures to train and plant cotton for him, while Du Wu was more quick-witted.

Du He smiled and waved: "Go take a look around."

Led by Du Wu, the two took a short stroll around the cotton plantation. Looking at the cotton trees covering the hillsides, Du He's face showed a faint smile.

In early spring of next year, a batch of thick cotton-padded coats will be sewn, and by midsummer the year after, the army will be able to take these coats to conquer North America.

on the way back.

Du He smiled and said, "Du Wu, go and pick a few women from the Western Regions these next few days and make them your concubines."

"As the governor of a prefecture, you cannot have only one wife."

Upon hearing the master's words, Du Wu's face immediately became extremely excited.

Those fair-skinned, high-nosed, and alluring beauties from the Western Regions had long made him drool.

However, without orders from the master and the imperial court, even as the governor, he dared not act rashly.

Du Wu bowed gratefully and said, "Thank you for your generous gift, sir!"

Du He patted him on the shoulder: "The war will end 5 years later than originally planned. You'll have to work hard these next few years, continue to take good care of cotton, and also cultivate a trusted confidant to succeed you."

Du Wu quickly cupped his hands and said, "Don't worry, sir, I will make the arrangements!"

The two chatted casually and soon returned to the governor's mansion in Liangzhou.

...

Amidst the crackling of firecrackers, another year has passed.

Since the completion of the Daming Palace last year, Li Chengqian moved his palace there, leaving the Taiji Palace to Crown Prince Li Jue to manage.

Daming Palace.

Inside the spacious Linde Hall.

Li Chengqian is hosting a grand banquet, and all the guests are members of the royal family.

For example, Li Chengqian and some of his concubines, Li Shimin and some of his concubines, a group of princes and princesses, and their children.

On the imperial platform.

Li Shimin remarked with emotion, "I never imagined that Du He would lead his army for a full four years to complete the first phase of the great war, a year later than originally planned."

"I don't know if we can conquer North America, South America and Oceania within 8 years."

According to Du He's initial plan, he would destroy the Western Regions within 3 years, unify the world within 10 years, and then spend another 5 years to complete the enfeoffment of princes and the relocation of people.

Judging from the current situation, it seems that it will be delayed for another ten or eight years.

Li Chengqian smiled and said, "Father, rest assured, according to Du He's prediction, the battle will definitely be resolved within 8 years."

"Now that most of Africa has been conquered, Li Daozong is leading 10 Zhennan troops to attack Oceania. Within three to five years, he will be able to completely wipe out those natives."

"There are only two continents left, it won't take much effort."

He knew what his father was worried about: he feared he wouldn't live to see the unification of the country.

However, Li Chengqian was also very clear that the current war was progressing very quickly. Ten years ago, who would have believed that the Tang Dynasty had conquered such a vast territory?

They expanded their territory by tens of thousands of miles, increasing their borders by more than seven times.

Moreover, every month now, several tribes and countries are wiped out, and the territory is expanded by hundreds or even thousands of miles.

Li Shimin smiled, stroked his beard, and nodded: "Chengqian, you are right. With the assistance of the Thunderclap Bomb, destroying the other two continents is a small matter."

"Du He is now leading millions of people to rest and recuperate in Liangzhou. They should be able to return to Chang'an next March."

"You'd better be prepared to receive this."

Thinking that Du He, Pei Xingjian, and the others would be returning soon, Li Chengqian was filled with anticipation.

Without Du He overseeing the overall situation, all the major and minor government affairs would fall on his shoulders.

If it weren't for the fact that Ma Zhou, Shangguan Yi, Gao Jifu, and Zhang Xingcheng were capable, he would have loved to invite his father back out of retirement to handle the mountain of government affairs.

After some emotion.

Li Chengqian cupped his hands and said, "Father, rest assured, on the day Du He leads the army in triumph, I will lead all the officials to Wugong County to welcome him!"

"Ah."

Li Shimin nodded slightly.

The princesses and princes inside the hall were filled with anticipation upon hearing that part of the army was about to return to Chang'an.

...

Mid-February of the fifth year of Hongmeng.

Seeing that the weather was getting a little warmer, and after repeated letters of urging from Li Chengqian, Li Yi, and others, Du He immediately ordered the army to return to Chang'an.

After traveling for more than half a month, they finally returned to Yongzhou in early March and met Li Chengqian and his civil and military officials in Wugong County.

When Li Chengqian saw that all the Western Region beauties around Du He were holding a child, and all of them were boys, he was stunned for a moment, and then laughed loudly.

"Hahaha, Du He, you're a real genius!"