Traveling through Du He, Li Chengqian's rebellion begins

Li Yi suddenly said, "Husband, why don't you acknowledge Wu Meiniang's daughter, Li Yinyin, as your goddaughter?"

What?

Did they recognize Li Yinyin as their goddaughter?

No!

Absolutely not!

He did like the clever and obedient little girl, Li Yinyin, but he absolutely could not get involved with Wu Zetian.

Stay as far away from Wu Zetian as you can.

Du He shook his head: "We'll see when the time comes. I just don't believe that 32 wives and concubines can't give birth to a baby girl."

"Madam, you need to work harder!"

Sensing her husband's mischief, Li Yi's face immediately flushed red.

...

Since the news of the army's annihilation of Africa and Oceania arrived, the people of the Tang Dynasty were overjoyed, while the court officials became extremely busy.

Having just conquered a vast territory spanning hundreds of thousands of miles, the imperial court had to send people to measure these lands in preparation for the rapid enfeoffment of princes and vassals in the future.

Fortunately, these tasks were mainly led by Ma Zhou, while Du He only needed to keep an eye on the progress.

Two and a half years later.

When the soldiers who had conquered Africa and Oceania returned to Chang'an, Li Chengqian dispatched Du He, Li Tai, Li Zhi, Li Ke, and others, along with civil and military officials, to welcome them 20 li outside the city.

Du He, Li Tai, and the others were filled with astonishment as they looked at the soldiers with their concubines and numerous offspring.

Good guy!

These soldiers didn't suffer any hardship on the African continent!

Du He chuckled and said, "You guys are quite picky. You all want fair-skinned, beautiful, long-legged white and brown people, but you don't want a single black beauty."

Upon hearing Du He's teasing words, the soldiers burst into hearty laughter.

"Hahaha~"

After some pleasantries.

Du He smiled and said, "Generals, His Majesty and the Emperor Emeritus have already held a banquet in the Hanyuan Hall of the Daming Palace. It's been so many years since we last met that we almost don't recognize you generals."

"Flowers may bloom again, but youth never returns!"

This year is March of the twelfth year of Hongmeng, a full eleven years since these generals set out on their expedition.

Yuchi Gong was only 66 years old when he went to war, but he is now 77 years old, and his beard and temples have long turned white.

The youngest, Qin Huaidao, is already 37 years old this year.

Yuchi Gong pointed to his white beard and said with deep emotion, "King Han, your poem truly touches our hearts."

"On my way back to the capital, I was completely exhausted. If it weren't for Li Ji and Su Dingfang taking care of my old bones and stopping frequently, I would have died of exhaustion on the way."

"But you, King Han, are already 41 years old this year, yet you still look like you were in your 20s."

"However, it has a touch more of the majesty of a superior."

Upon hearing Yuchi Gong's words, the other generals stared wide-eyed at Du He, as well as the princes and ministers behind him.

The more they looked, the more amazed they became.

Li Tai, Li Zhi, Li Ke, Pei Xingjian, and others were already middle-aged men, while Ma Zhou, Liu Ji, Gao Jifu, and others were already elderly.

The surrounding officials had all changed, but the King of Han remained largely the same.

How strange!

Du He chuckled and said, "I used to be the kind of person who could pee three feet into the wind, but now I get my hands wet even with the wind at my back. I'm not young anymore."

Hearing Du He's teasing words, everyone laughed again.

Chat for a while.

Du He pointed to a row of brand-new carriages and said, "Generals, the Institute of Physics has applied springs and rubber tires to the carriages. You can all ride in the new carriages and experience their comfort."

"please."

Without the slightest hesitation, the generals boarded the carriages without sidecars and, driven by the drivers, slowly made their way towards Chang'an.

After traveling for a while, they were surprised to find that the carriage was very smooth and not bumpy at all.

When they passed by the outer city of Chang'an, the generals were amazed by the rows of tall and magnificent buildings, the huge workshops, and the train carrying goods.

"Is this...is this still the Chang'an we know?"

"Could we have come to the wrong place?"

"I didn't expect the trains in Chang'an to be so long, some must be at least a hundred zhang long!"

Besides the luxurious buildings and trains, they also saw many women from the Western Regions among the welcoming crowds, as well as countless children who looked like both citizens of the Tang Dynasty and children from the Western Regions.

Back at Daming Palace.

Upon seeing the magnificent palace complex, the generals were once again filled with awe.

Enter Hanyuan Hall.

Dozens of generals with distinguished military achievements knelt down and paid their respects upon seeing His Majesty and the Emperor Emeritus on the imperial platform.

"Greetings, Your Majesty; greetings, Emperor Emeritus."

On the imperial platform.

Li Chengqian smiled and waved his hand, saying, "Generals, please excuse the formalities and take your seats."

After the generals expressed their gratitude once more, they were led by the eunuchs to sit on the chairs on either side of the main hall.

Yuchi Gong glanced at Li Jing beside him and said with a smile, "If I remember correctly, the Duke of Wei should be 91 years old this year, right?"

"I didn't expect you to be so healthy!"

All the generals' eyes were focused on Li Jing.

Li Jing smiled and stroked his beard, saying, "Duke of E, His Majesty and the Emperor Emeritus have given me a death order: I am not allowed to die before the world is unified."

"I dare not disobey Your Majesty's will."

As Li Jing finished speaking, Lai Ji rushed in from outside the main hall, holding a battle report in his hand.

After kneeling and bowing.

Lai Ji announced loudly, "Your Majesty, the Duke of Chen has sent back a battle report. They have already annihilated North America and South America!"

"The Tang Dynasty has unified the world!"

wow~

As Lai Ji finished speaking, a huge commotion erupted inside the Taiji Hall.

Everyone jumped to their feet, their faces filled with excitement.

"The Tang Dynasty has unified the world!"

"Okay!"

"Great!"

After everyone's initial excitement subsided.

Li Chengqian immediately ordered, "Gao Jifu, draft an imperial edict at once and announce the good news of the Tang Dynasty's unification of the world to the world as quickly as possible!"

"I wish to share joy with all my people!"

After receiving the order, Grand Secretary Gao Jifu immediately wrote an imperial edict in the main hall.

Subsequently, Attendant-in-Ordinary Liu Ji, Prince Han Du He, and Emperor Li Chengqian quickly signed and stamped the imperial edict, which was then promulgated by the Secretariat.

After the civil and military officials calmed down.

Li Shimin smiled and said, "Duke of Wei, the court has not yet enfeoffed the princes. You must continue to take care of your health during this time. I still need to go fishing with you at Qujiang Pool."

Li Jing, trembling, cupped his hands and said, "Your subject obeys!"

To be honest, the Tang Dynasty has changed too much. He hasn't even taken a hot air balloon ride or traveled with His Majesty and the Emperor Emeritus on a train tour of the world yet. He can't just die like this.

Even if it's just barely surviving, I'll have to endure it for a few more years!

On the imperial platform.

After reading the battle report sent back by Hou Junji, Li Chengqian said with a smile.

"Hou Junji and Xue Rengui, among others, left 70 troops to guard the new territory. They are currently traveling back to Chang'an by large ship and are expected to return in mid-September this year."

"Once the generals return to Chang'an, I will immediately bestow titles upon them!"