Zhenguan: I, Dou Fengjie, will not be the first cuckold.

Unfortunately, that favorable situation came a little too late.

The imperial court can easily mobilize one army, but mobilizing three armies requires time to prepare.

Besides involving the mobilization of local soldiers and the time required for recruitment, the coordination of funds, provisions, military equipment, and laborers is essential.

We'll need another month or two to get used to it, and then autumn and winter will be here soon.

At that time, the howling cold wind will be conducive to Murong Paopao's use of his famous special skills.

Therefore, the earliest we can destroy Tuyuhun is next year.

Upon seeing Dou Fengjie at Sifangguan, Fei Tingdanji's eyes darted around, and he couldn't help but rub his fingers together.

Dou Fengjie laughed: "What's the rush? I'll guarantee Fei Ting's share of wheat for three years."

The normal storage life for wheat is three years, unless some grain warehouses are exceptionally well-built.

Fei Tingdanji, however, understood Dou Fengjie's implication: whether Maizi would continue to trade with the Fei Ting family in three years depended not only on the Fei Ting family's inclinations but also on whether Fei Tingdanji was still in power.

Even if Fei Ting Danji cannot succeed as chief, surely a key position must be guaranteed?

Hey, Shangguan is doing pretty well!

Dou Fengjie certainly didn't mean he was entirely going to listen to Danji about the insurance premium; three years was just the effective period he anticipated for his statement.

What if he is transferred to a post outside the capital in three years?

Tuoba Xidou awkwardly crossed his hands and said, "Tuoba Xidou has come to surrender to the Great Tang Dynasty on the orders of the Great Chieftain Tuoba Sitou, and is willing to become a tributary state of the Great Tang."

"In addition, the Tuoba clan also hoped to exchange livestock for wheat, like the seven clans, so that their people and horses could survive the winter."

The Tuoba clan lived in a colder climate, so even if they received wheat, they had to ensure that their people and livestock could survive the winter before they could brew their beloved barley wine.

Strictly speaking, the new chieftain Tuoba Sitou was much more pragmatic than his uncle Tuoba Chici.

Dou Fengjie glanced at Tuoba Xidou: "Wherever the banners of the Great Tang point, the Seven Clans will follow!"

This refers to the event of the seven tribes of the Dangxiang Qiang attacking the Tuoba clan.

A tributary state cannot simply accept benefits without contributing anything; even if it doesn't exert its full strength, it must at least make symbolic gestures.

"If the Tang Dynasty wants to attack Tuyuhun, my Tuoba clan is willing to send 10,000 cavalry."

Tuoba Xidou spoke solemnly.

Dou Fengjie narrowed his eyes.

If they could easily promise 10,000 cavalry, then the Tuoba clan must have several thousand more cavalrymen remaining, or they could easily pull out several thousand reserve troops from among the young men.

The leader of the eight clans of the Dangxiang Qiang is indeed not to be underestimated.

Fortunately, the strategy of isolating and isolating Damomen City and Shudun City was successful; it's just that the main Tuyuhun clan did not suffer as much harm as the Tuoba clan.

"Has the Great Chieftain gotten married yet?" Dou Fengjie asked meaningfully.

"His child is old enough to buy wine. The Tuoba clan suffers from hardship; if they don't have children soon, who knows if they'll even have the chance to watch their children grow up?" Tuoba Xidou muttered.

The ancients were not entirely unaware of the dangers of early birth and childbirth; it's just that in many cases, it was out of necessity.

Besides, in the harsh Tuoba clan, there wasn't much entertainment at night except for making babies, was there?

Dou Fengjie sighed softly, another place to trick Princess Yongjia was gone.

Seriously, couldn't Tuoba Sitou be an unmarried young man with a child?

Otherwise, the thought of him galloping on horseback with Princess Yongjia in Ruoergai is incredibly beautiful, and it might even cleanse Princess Yongjia's soul.

Then, accompanied by music: "The fragrance along the way and the gentle ripples..."

How wonderful!

If the chieftain changes, she can marry the successor chieftain.

This is no joke. The Old Book of Tang states that the Tanguts had the custom of sambar marriage, while the Turks only had the custom of sambar marriage.

Tuoba Xidou muttered, "If only the Tang Dynasty could allow the eight Dangxiang Qiang tribes to send a contingent of servants to join the army when it goes on a campaign."

Dou Fengjie's heart skipped a beat: "I can only try my best to negotiate with the court on this matter; I cannot guarantee success."

The Dangxiang Qiang are warlike. Even if they don't fight against external enemies, they will fight against their own people. If they are defeated, they will be very angry and will live a life of unkempt hair, bare feet, and poverty.

It can guide them to serve in the army, give the Dangxiang Qiang more income, and reduce friction in places like Diezhou.

Moreover, in the future, it will be much easier for the Qiang people to counterbalance Tibet than for the Tang Dynasty.

Fei Tingdanji and Tuoba Xidou both looked delighted. It was better to join forces and plunder outside than to stay confined to their own little plot of land.

-----------------

Princess Yongjia, nestled against Zhang Xizang's chest, ate a chilled melon made with well water, her fingertips brushing against Zhang Xizang's handsome face, her eyes filled with doting affection.

"I have already reported to my elder brother, the Emperor, that next year, Wei Shishi, the Prefect of Tongzhou, will use your status as a candidate for the Imperial Examination in the Classics to enter the Ministry of Personnel, starting from the ninth rank."

Princess Yongjia spoke softly.

Putting aside her questionable private life, Princess Yongjia treated her subordinates fairly well, rarely taking her anger out on them, and certainly wouldn't kill anyone on a whim.

She has basically kept all the promises she made.

"I remember, the Duke of Zan also started at the ninth rank."

A look of resentment flashed in Zhang Xizang's eyes.

He knew that he was merely a lower-tier version of Dou Fengjie, a substitute he desperately wanted.

However, he believed that his talent, if not groundbreaking, was at least worthy of recognition in his time, so how could he possibly be inferior to Dou Fengjie?

Given time, I, Zhang Xizang, should rise to prominence and leave a glorious name in the imperial court.

"Do you really think you're comparable to Dou Fengjie?"

"He wields a powerful bow with a strength of three stones and harbors grand plans to annihilate the enemy. As a lowly official, he has been able to influence the political landscape between the Tang Dynasty and the Tuyuhun Kingdom. You can only barely match him in terms of appearance."

Princess Yongjia stood up, a hint of disdain flashing in her eyes.

If Dou Fengjie were utterly useless and only had a stinky appearance, he wouldn't be worth Princess Yongjia's constant longing for him.

How dare Zhang Xizang, a nobody, be mentioned in the same breath?

Commander Daxi Yongchang strode over, panting heavily through his flared nostrils: "Your Highness, under the scheme of Duke Zan, the Dangxiang Qiang Tuoba clan has submitted to us!"

Princess Yongjia glanced at Zhang Xizang with the white of her eye.

Come on, let's see you try to come up with this plan.

Zhang Xizang smiled bitterly, feeling helpless. The gap between them was too big; he couldn't even be jealous!

A hint of annoyance flashed in Da Xi Yongchang's eyes: "The Duke of Zan also asked whether the chieftain of the Tuoba clan was married."

Princess Yongjia was stunned for a moment, then realized that Dou Fengjie, that fool, still couldn't forget about sending her to a marriage alliance!

Princess Yongjia kicked over the armchair with her embroidered shoes, her pretty face contorted with anger: "What grudge do I hold against him! Does he insist on marrying me off to a foreign land before he's satisfied?"

Zhang Xizang thought to himself, "If it weren't for your constant lust for the Duke of Zan's looks, would they even consider sending you to marry him?"

"The Empress's urticaria is now only being kept alive by the small pills given by the Duke of Zan. It's no longer realistic for the Eldest Princess to ask His Majesty to force her to stop."

Da Xi Yongchang analyzed the situation calmly.

Princess, give up this unrealistic dream. Even making generals like Zhishi Sili into imperial consorts would be better than focusing on the unrealistic Dou Fengjie.

If she doesn't get married soon, given Princess Yongjia's current appearance and charm, it will be even harder for her to find a suitable husband.