Traveling through Du He, Li Chengqian's rebellion begins

Du He screamed in surprise, then sat up straight away.

He rubbed his eyes in disbelief and found that the woman was really pregnant and had been pregnant for quite some time.

How outrageous!

If Du He remembered correctly, this beautiful pregnant woman was the 13th concubine of Sun Daiyin, the defender of Baiyan City.

When it came time to reward people for their contributions after capturing Baiyan City, Zhang Jian chose this woman.

Du He secretly complained in his heart: "Damn it, Zhang Jian is already 54 years old this year, I didn't expect that he is so energetic!"

"After fighting for half a year, he actually got the Goguryeo woman he was rewarded with pregnant!"

Li Chengqian was also stunned, with his mouth wide open.

Seeing the exaggerated reactions of the Crown Prince and Du He, Zhang Jian, with his graying temples, couldn't help but blush.

He bowed to Li Chengqian and said, "I, your humble servant Zhang Jian, pay my respects to His Royal Highness the Crown Prince."

The beautiful woman beside him also bowed slightly to Li Chengqian and Du He.

"General Zhang, there's no need to be so polite." Li Chengqian waved his hand and then said jokingly, "General Zhang is really still strong despite his age. It won't be long before he has another child!"

Zhang Jian blushed and whispered, "I hope you can give birth to a boy, so that I can carry on the family line!"

Although Zhang Jian had a romantic life in Goguryeo, he actually only had one wife and one daughter.

If he could not give birth to a son, he would have to find his younger brother Zhang Yanshi to adopt a son to inherit the family business.

Li Chengqian nodded, and asked with a slightly serious expression, "Commander-in-Chief Zhang, I wonder why you came to see me this time?"

Zhang Jian opened his mouth several times, as if he wanted to say something but hesitated.

When he saw the displeasure on Li Chengqian's face, he quickly bowed and said, "Your Highness, I know that during this expedition to Goguryeo, the casualties among my soldiers were quite severe."

"But I have done my best to help the Crown Prince conquer Goguryeo."

Having said that, Zhang Jian paused for a moment, and then he lowered his voice.

"Your Highness, I have an unwelcome request."

"After we return to the capital, please ask Your Highness the Crown Prince to speak a few good words for me in front of His Majesty."

Zhang Jian bowed deeply to Li Chengqian but did not stand up immediately.

Li Chengqian did not answer immediately.

While he was frowning and thinking, Zhang Jian also kept bending over and remained still.

The atmosphere at the scene also seemed a little solemn.

"Hey!"

Du He sighed secretly.

So many soldiers died in this battle. Even if Li Chengqian spoke well of Zhang Jian in front of Li Shimin, he would still be punished.

More than ten thousand soldiers died in the battle because of his faulty command. Demoting him was the lightest punishment. If Li Shimin really wanted to hold Zhang Jian accountable, he would definitely be thrown into prison.

Otherwise, how can we explain to the families of those tens of thousands of soldiers?

In such occasions, Du He did not say much, but just sat quietly on the side and listened.

After all, Zhang Jian was pleading with Crown Prince Li Chengqian, and as a person of equal status and position to Zhang Jian, it was not appropriate for him to make random suggestions at this time.

Dozens of breaths passed.

Li Chengqian said in a deep voice: "Commander-in-Chief Zhang, I can help you put in a good word in front of the emperor, but I can't guarantee that it will be useful."

"After all, the decision-making power is in the hands of my father, so you must be mentally prepared in advance!"

Hearing that Li Chengqian was willing to speak well of him, Zhang Jian's expression lit up and he quickly expressed his gratitude loudly.

"Thank you, Your Highness the Crown Prince!"

"No matter what the outcome is, this kindness has been remembered by me in my heart!"

After saying this, Zhang Jian bowed deeply to Li Chengqian.

Zhang Jian continued, "Your Highness, I will go and settle the women in Baiyan City first. I will take my leave now."

"it is good."

Li Chengqian nodded slightly and said.

After Zhang Jian and the charming woman left the City Lord's Mansion, Li Chengqian turned his head and asked Du He.

"Du He, do you think I should plead for Zhang Jian?"

Du He said softly, "Your Highness, please say a good word for Zhang Jian in front of His Majesty, and the rest will be left to His Majesty."

Saying too many good things about a guilty minister would make Li Shimin unhappy.

Li Chengqian said thoughtfully: "Du He, then I will do as you say."

After saying this, Li Chengqian lay on the bed again, squinting his eyes and enjoying the warm sunshine.

...

10 days flew by.

Hou Junji, Li Ji and Zhang Liang had led corresponding personnel to Anshi City, carrying a large amount of gold, silver and livestock.

The entire area within dozens of miles outside the city of Anshi is filled with all kinds of livestock.

Moreover, there were hundreds of horse-drawn carriages carrying the remains of former Sui soldiers.

Anshi City.

In the main hall of the city lord's mansion.

Liu Yingxing, the general commander of the army, reported to Li Chengqian:

"Your Highness, the deputy commander of the Canghai Road, Pei Xingjian, has led 2000 naval forces to escort 94005 children from Juba City!"

"If everything goes well, they will arrive in Laizhou in about 10 days."

"We are expected to reach Chang'an within a month!"

Hearing what Liu Yingxing said, Li Chengqian nodded slightly.

According to the predictions of Li Ji and Hou Junji, it would take them a month by land to return to Chang'an with a large amount of spoils.

Zhang Liang also reported to Li Chengqian: "Your Highness, I have arranged for soldiers to garrison Goguryeo, Baekje and Silla."

"The King of Baekje, his civil and military ministers, and their families have all been escorted here."

There are only a group of lonely old people left in the territory of Baekje, and there is no possibility of restoration of this country.

"it is good!"

Li Chengqian nodded slightly.

He ordered the generals in the hall: "Generals, the army will set off immediately. We will return to Chang'an to receive the reward!"

"As ordered!"

Inside the hall, a group of generals shouted with full energy.

After all the generals left the hall, Li Chengqian also sat on the sedan chair carried by his personal guards.

He turned to Du He and asked, "Du He, do you want to sit up with me?"

Du He shook his head and said, "Your Highness, I'd better ride a horse."

Now that he is returning to the capital, it would not be a good idea for him to ride in the same sedan chair with Li Chengqian.

Li Chengqian curled his lips and said, "Okay!"

Outside Anshi City.

Du He rode a tall warhorse and moved slowly forward with the army.

Looking at the endless spoils, Du He couldn't help but mutter in amazement.

"It's still better to rob other countries of their property, it's quicker to make money!"

"The Tang Dynasty's treasury is probably richer than ever before!"

With the inflow of tens of millions of taels of silver and millions of livestock, the wealth of the Tang Dynasty's treasury increased several times.

...

half a month later.

Just when Li Chengqian was leading his army to rest in Zhenzhou, four naval divisions came over in a panic.

"Reporting to His Royal Highness, we encountered a super storm and huge waves at sea, and a total of 218 large ships capsized!"

"Although some of the soldiers who fell into the water were rescued, all the Baekje children on the large ship were swallowed by the huge waves!"