Traveling through Du He, Li Chengqian's rebellion begins

Hou Junji frowned and said, "Duke Ying, Liucheng is hundreds of miles away from Tongding City in the north. If the army marches over such a long distance and then participates in continuous battles, will the soldiers' bodies be unable to bear it?"

Li Ji smiled and said, "I have already asked the infantry to secretly march ahead of time, pretending to attack Huaiyuan City with great fanfare, and let the cavalry complete it. A few hundred miles is not too difficult for the cavalry."

Hearing that Li Ji had already made arrangements, Hou Junji nodded and did not ask any further questions.

Every general has his own way of commanding troops, and Li Ji is a commander of great ability, so he must have been completely confident when he said this.

Hou Junji said in a deep voice: "Duke Ying, while you fight on the north and south wings, our central army will approach Huaiyuan City and contain the Goguryeo army in Huaiyuan City."

Li Ji nodded and said, "That's great!"

Then everyone discussed for more than two hours and finalized many details.

During the discussion of the specific battle plan, Du He and Su Dingfang remained silent throughout the entire process.

They were like two bystanders, just listening quietly to the discussion between Li Ji, Hou Junji and Li Daozon.

As for Li Chengqian, he was confused as he listened in the back of the crowd. In the end, he just gave up and made tea for himself.

Seeing that everyone had already discussed the war, Li Chengqian stood up and said with a smile.

"Prince Jiangxia, Duke Ying, please have a meal at the Governor's Mansion later before returning. I will treat it as my practice for you."

Li Daozon and Li Ji nodded.

Under Li Chengqian's arrangement, a sumptuous dinner was quickly prepared.

Du He said to Li Chengqian privately: "Your Highness, the King of Han must be full of resentment because he was asked to leave the palace today."

"Later at the banquet, please say something nice to the King of Han to dispel his resentment."

"So that he won't mess around behind our backs when we're conquering Goguryeo."

Li Chengqian nodded solemnly: "I understand."

He was also helpless. This imperial uncle was not only narrow-minded, but also vindictive.

A few years ago, when the emperor's uncle Li Yuanchang was the governor of Liangzhou, he often bullied men and women, causing resentment among the local people. He was finally impeached by the Censorate.

When my father summoned my uncle back to the palace, he scolded him mercilessly.

The humiliated emperor's uncle resolutely joined his rebellious camp.

Today, the emperor's uncle was called out of the hall by him and Hou Junji, and he must be feeling resentful again.

Half a quarter of an hour later.

Li Yuanchang, who was riding a horse outside, was personally invited back by Li Chengqian, who also arranged him to sit in the position below him.

It can be said that he was given enough face.

Although Li Chengqian treated him so courteously, Li Yuanchang did not appreciate it and his brows were tightly furrowed.

Li Chengqian shook his head, then raised his glass and apologized to Li Yuanchang.

"Uncle, I ask you to leave the palace today. It's not because I'm disrespectful to you, but the battle plan is confidential and non-combatants are not allowed to participate."

"I would like to offer you a glass of wine. Please bear with me."

Hou Junji, who was sitting at the bottom, also raised his glass and said to Li Yuanchang: "King of Han, I am just a warrior, and I speak directly. Please don't be offended."

"I'll also give you a toast to apologize."

Seeing that the Crown Prince and Hou Junji were so considerate of him, Li Yuanchang smiled again.

"please."

Li Yuanchang also raised his glass and drank with Li Chengqian and Hou Junji from a distance.

"Haha, the King of Han is so generous." Hou Junji laughed, then filled the glass with wine and gestured to him: "King of Han, I'll toast you another glass."

The servant standing by hurriedly filled Li Yuanchang's glass with wine.

Li Yuanchang picked up the wine glass and gestured to Hou Junji with a smile: "Please."

Next, Li Ji, Su Dingfang and others raised their glasses to toast Li Yuanchang, as if he was the protagonist of the banquet.

"Hahaha, I really enjoyed drinking today!"

Li Yuanchang's cheeks turned red from drinking and his face was full of happy smiles.

He really enjoys the feeling of being the center of attention.

Du He and Li Chengqian looked at each other, their faces full of helplessness.

At the banquet, Li Ji, Li Daozon and others also learned that Pei Xingjian was from the Hedong Pei family and that he studied military tactics with Weiguo Duke Li Jing.

When Li Ji learned that Hou Junji wanted to marry his daughter Hou Haitang to Pei Xingjian, a strange expression appeared on his face.

This old man Hou Junji finally found a son-in-law from a big family, and this son-in-law is so outstanding.

Unlike his son-in-law Du Huaigong, although he came from a large family, the Jingzhao Du clan, he himself did not have much ability.

Thinking of Du Huaigong, his son-in-law who was neither good at literature nor martial arts, Li Ji couldn't help but look at Du He a few more times.

They are both from the Jingzhao Du family, but Du Hecai is the best among them.

It’s a pity that Princess Du Heshang is your Majesty’s second daughter, Princess Chengyang.

After the banquet.

Li Ji and Li Daozon left Youzhou on fast horses, escorted by their personal guards.

At night, Li Chengqian, Du He and Pei Xingjian stayed in the city lord's mansion to rest, while Hou Junji took Su Dingfang back to the camp outside the city.

The army will set out tomorrow, and he, as the commander-in-chief of the central army, needs to be in charge of the overall command.

The prince is protected by 300 black-armored soldiers and thousands of soldiers led by Commander Xi Junmai, so his safety is not a problem.

Night falls.

Du He, Li Chengqian, Pei Xingjian and Xi Junmai did not rest, but made tea and drank it in the room.

The howling wind outside the window made the dry branches sway constantly, making a rustling sound.

Du He told Li Chengqian about the arrangement to transfer grain and fodder from Youzhou to Yingzhou.

Li Chengqian nodded immediately and said, "Du He, let's do as you say. The King of Han is unreliable and I'm afraid he will mess things up."

"Jun Mai, you leave 500 brothers behind to assist Cui's people in transporting the grain to Yingzhou."

Xi Junmai stood up and said, "Yes, sir!"

...

The next day.

Li Chengqian and Du He, dressed in military armor, arrived at the camp outside the city under the escort of Xi Junmai.

After some mobilization, the 2-strong army set out under the leadership of the various marching generals.

Li Chengqian and Du He still sat in the comfortable carriage and headed towards Yingzhou under the escort of the army.

Xue Rengui was wearing silver armor, holding a Fang Tian painted halberd, riding a tall horse and guarding him on both sides.

Du He lifted the curtain of the carriage and said to Xue Rengui with a smile: "Rengui, this battle against Goguryeo will be your battle of fame. The people of the world will definitely remember your name as the white-robed god of war!"

"Fight well, I'm rooting for you."

Hearing the words "White Robe God of War", Xue Rengui's heart was shocked.

He clasped his fists towards Du He with a resolute expression and said, "Prince Consort Du, I will fight well and will not bring shame to you and the Crown Prince!"

...

Goguryeo, Jian'an City.

Inside the luxurious city lord’s mansion.

A burly middle-aged general was lying lazily on a blanket made of animal skin.

He drank the warm wine while enjoying the dancing of the coolly dressed dancers.

There was a plump woman kneeling beside him, carefully massaging his shoulders and legs.

The middle-aged general's hands were also not honest, and they wandered around the woman's body from time to time.

"Something bad has happened, General!"

A young voice suddenly came from outside the hall.

As soon as he finished speaking, a young guard rushed in hurriedly.

The middle-aged general's interest was interrupted, his brows were tightly furrowed, and a look of displeasure appeared on his face.

Just as he was about to scold the guards, the young guard reported first.

"Reporting to General Gao, tens of thousands of Tang troops appeared at the foot of Huaiyuan City. They are now building a pontoon bridge and preparing to attack Huaiyuan City"!

"The garrison commander of Huaiyuan City sent a letter asking for help, requesting the general to send troops to support us!"

The middle-aged guard's face changed drastically. He pushed the woman next to him away and stood up.

"Give me the letter from the commander of Huaiyuan City!"