Traveling through Du He, Li Chengqian's rebellion begins

Propose marriage?

Hearing the envoy's words, Li Chengqian's face suddenly became somewhat displeased.

In the ninth year of the Zhenguan reign (635), Dilish Khan of the Western Turks presented 500 horses and submitted a petition for marriage.

My father disliked Western Turkestan as a barbaric land and did not agree to their request for marriage.

Moreover, Li Chengqian also felt that the kings of barbarians like the Western Turks were not worthy of the princess of the Tang Dynasty.

Du He's expression changed slightly, and an idea suddenly came to his mind.

He winked at Li Chengqian, signaling him not to refuse yet.

Li Chengqian didn't know what Du He was thinking, so he waved to the Western Turkic envoy.

"I will have you take me down to rest. I will respond to your request after I have discussed this with the court officials."

"Thank you, Your Highness."

The two Western Turkic envoys saluted respectfully.

Led by Qin Huaidao, they left with complicated expressions.

A moment of silence.

Li Chengqian frowned and asked, "Du He, what do you think?"

Du He smiled and said, "Your Highness, we can pretend to agree to the Western Turkic people's request, and then put forward some conditions to them."

"What are the conditions?"

"How about ceding a few of the small countries they occupy, and then asking them to send troops to cooperate with us in attacking the Xueyantuo and Eastern Turks?"

"this..."

Li Chengqian's expression suddenly froze.

He asked in astonishment, "Du He, isn't this request a bit excessive?"

"Although the Western Turks are a bunch of barbarians, they are not fools. Can they agree to this excessive request?"

No normal person would agree to this request, let alone a smart person who could become the king of Western Turkic Khaganate.

Du He said softly, "Your Highness, the Western Turks chose this time to propose marriage because they must have received news that we are going to attack them!"

"And this news was most likely spread by the Eastern Turks and Xueyantuo, who wanted to form an alliance with the Western Turks!"

"Besides this, we cannot rule out the possibility that civil unrest is taking place in Western Turkestan!"

Compared with the Eastern Turks, the Western Turks' regime was very unstable.

In just ten years, two Khans have been replaced.

Moreover, there are two powerful forces in the current Western Turkestan, and they jointly control the vast territory of Western Turkestan.

If Yibi Shekui Khan wanted to maintain his rule, getting the support of the Tang Dynasty was the best option.

Li Chengqian put his hands behind his back and began to think.

It’s time for a cup of tea.

Li Chengqian asked in a low voice, "Du He, do you think it would be more appropriate to ask the Western Turks to cede those small vassal states?"

The situation in Western Turkestan was similar to that in India. It was ruled by several large regimes and was divided into many small vassal states.

Although the territories of these small vassal states were not large, their regimes were relatively independent.

It is precisely because of this reason that the Western Turks were prone to disintegration and frequently replaced new kings.

Du He smiled and said, "Let the Western Turks give the five countries along the Silk Road, namely Kucha, Khotan, Shule, Zhujupo, and Pamirs, as betrothal gifts."

"As long as we conquer these five countries, we will have a foothold whether we are fighting against the Western Regions or against the Western Turks."

When Li Chengqian heard Du He's suggestion, his eyes lit up.

"This is such a sinister move!"

"But he likes it!"

Du He is indeed his trusted adviser, and the suggestions he makes always touch his heart.

If it were hypocritical people like Changsun Wuji and Chu Suiliang, they would definitely not agree to do this.

Typical of both acting and standing!

Li Chengqian patted Du He's shoulder and said with a smile.

"Du He, go and deal with Yin Yushan's matter first. I will gather the ministers to discuss this matter."

"Once we have made our decision, we will report it to Father."

Du He raised his eyebrows and said, "Your Highness, my participation is really unnecessary."

Li Chengqian shook his head: "You have already stated the conditions. I just need to get the approval of the court officials. Don't worry about it and go about your own business."

Seeing Li Chengqian's confident look, Du He didn't say anything more.

The two chatted for a while, and then Du He left the East Palace.

Du He did not return to the Ministry of Works, but went directly to see Yin Yushan.

,,,

Chang'an County.

Korean government.

In the lobby.

Under Yin Yushan's expectant gaze, Du He touched his lower back and said.

"Yushan, Princess Chengyang has agreed to let me take you as my concubine."

"My old waist is almost broken trying to convince her."

Upon hearing this good news, Yin Yushan's cold face was immediately filled with smiles.

She walked over to Du He and rubbed his waist, smiling and whispering, "Du Lang, you've worked hard. How about I serve you well today?"

"Don't!"

"Don't!"

"You can't repay kindness with enmity!"

Du He's reaction was very strong.

Although Yin Yushan was a great beauty, she had already entered a state of emptiness when he was out of ammunition and food.

He now just wants to eat a few more kidneys to restore his strength and doesn't want to be exploited any further.

Du He continued, "You are pregnant now, so you can't act recklessly like before. You have to take good care of yourself."

"Yeah." Yin Yushan smiled and nodded.

Du He glanced at the deserted hall, then spoke to Yin Yushan.

"I will go back and discuss the timing of taking a concubine with Princess Chengyang. You can live in the princess's mansion then."

"The Duke of Han's mansion is too deserted, with few servants."

Li Yi didn’t know about Yin Yushan’s existence before, so he had to keep her secret.

Now that the topic has been made clear, there is no need for him to leave the pregnant Yin Yushan in such a deserted place.

"Du Lang, I will listen to you." Yin Yushan said sweetly.

...

Half an hour later.

Du He returned to the princess's mansion and discussed the timing of taking a concubine with Li Yi.

What he didn't expect was that Li Yi had already dealt with it.

"My dear, I went to the palace this morning and asked the Grand Historian Yuan Tiangang to calculate an auspicious date."

"Three days from now is a great day. Let's have a simple banquet at the Princess's residence to celebrate."

Although Li Yi was a little jealous of her husband taking a concubine, she didn't want to make her husband unhappy.

In addition, Yin Yushan's aunt is Concubine Yin, not someone without support like Linglong, so she has to invite some guests.

Du He held her hand and said tenderly, "Yier, you are so kind."

"Hmph." Li Yi snorted lightly, then pouted and said, "Husband, I'm so good to you, how are you going to repay me?"

what?

Want to repay?

Before Du He could say anything, Li Yi hooked his finger at him and walked towards the dormitory with a smile on his face.

Du He suddenly felt a pain in his waist.

He gritted his teeth and followed.

...

three days later.

The banquet was quietly set up at Princess Chengyang's mansion.

In addition to Du He's family, Hou Junji, Ma Zhou, Xue Rengui, Pei Xingjian, Cui Shenji, Wang Jingzhi, Xiao Kai and others were all invited.

Even Fang Yiai and Chai Lingwu came to the door with generous gifts.

Fang Yiai said admiringly: "Brother Du, it has to be you!"

"Brother Du, please give me some advice and pointers."

The Western Region woman Gunali, whom he raised, still lived in the Jiaohuafang in Wannian County.

If he could take Gunalina as his concubine, his life would be complete.