Chapter 31: General Du He

  "This second plan!" Du He smiled slyly and asked, "Does Uncle Li know that there is also a country called Xiangxiong on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau?"

  Li Shimin nodded, Xiangxiong was a great country on the ancient Qinghai-Tibet Plateau and an ancient state with a rich history compared to Tubo. In December of the fifth year of Zhenguan, the Xiangxiong tribute envoy arrived in Tang, and both sides initially established friendly relations. As for Xiangxiong, although he didn't know much about it, he still knew some things and replied: "I knew Xiangxiong before I knew Tubo."

  "Xiang Xiong Guo was originally the overlord of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. When Tubo rose to power, in order not to provoke this overlord, Songtsen Gampo married his sister, Princess Seyi Miga, to the king of Xiang Xiong, Li Mi Xia, and formed an alliance with them, using marriage to achieve mutual non-aggression. After stabilizing the king of Xiang Xiong, Songtsen Gampo began to pacify internal unrest, swallow up nearby small countries, and within a few decades, his power had already surpassed that of Xiang Xiong Guo. It can be certain that the king of Xiang Xiong must have been extremely regretful at this moment, regretting the alliance with Tubo, which allowed the weak Tubo to surpass them and become a threat to their existence."

  Li Shimin also nodded in agreement with Du He's words. As a monarch, he could understand the feelings of Xiong Wang. It was the most frustrating thing to support and nurture an opposing force that threatened one's own existence.

  Duhe continued: "It's just that things have come to this, and even the king of Xiangxiong can't do anything about it. After all, their strength is not as good as Tubo's, and openly fighting against Tubo would be of no benefit to Xiangxiong. So, my second strategy must be built on top of the first one. As long as our great Tang can give a strong and powerful blow to Tubo in this war, making Tubo suffer greatly and become weaker than Xiangxiong, King Xiangxiong will surely have other thoughts. At that time, if Uncle Li sends an envoy to Tibet to express support for Xiangxiong and provides them with military aid to help them fight against Tubo, it would be difficult for Songtsen Gampo to defeat Xiangxiong, especially since Xiangxiong has the support of our great Tang."

  "Let them fight it out, war is the most exhausting for a country. As long as they fight for three to five years, when their national strength is exhausted, Uncle Li can lead the army to invade. At that time, although they have the help of the plateau climate, but their national strength is far behind that of the great Tang Dynasty, and it will not be difficult to destroy them!"

  "What a great move to drive away wolves and swallow tigers! My young nephew is indeed talented, don't underestimate him!" Li Shimin was extremely satisfied with Du He's two strategies and changed his tone to praise his nephew. "Although these two strategies are not absolutely brilliant, the thinking is clear, every step is analyzed logically, I'm afraid my nephew has put in a lot of effort!"

  "It indeed took some effort, from the moment Ludong Zan was captured, I had expected that Tubo would definitely come to attack. So, with a bitter heart and sleepless nights, I spent over ten days investigating, finally thinking of these two strategies to defeat the enemy." Du He first complained about his hardships, then put on a righteous expression: "However, for the sake of our great Tang dynasty's prosperity for thousands of generations, even if it means sacrificing my life or shedding hot blood, I would not hesitate. The bit of suffering and hardship I've endured is really nothing." Saying this, he added another sentence at the end: "I only hope that Uncle Li can understand my patriotic heart and lend me a helping hand in that matter."

  "This is what you little brat wanted to say!" Got called a little brat again!

  Li Shimin originally listened to Du He's grievances and thought he should be rewarded, but after hearing the last sentence, he gave him a cold look, no reward was given, with a face full of disdain, as if saying: "With such a small contribution, you still have the nerve to say it out loud? Do you think being favored by both Princesses is that easy to enjoy?"

  Du He didn't think much of it either, after all, he had plenty of ways to move Li Shimin.

  Du Ruhui looked at them from the side, left and right, and didn't know what they were talking about.

  "Also!" Du He said, thinking of another thing, "Uncle Li, if we really decide to use the tactic of luring the enemy in deep, it can't be said that it's my plan. Just say it's Uncle's idea, or say it's Li Jing's plan."

  Duhe is after all a man of few words, if the general who commands the army knows that it was his plan, he will inevitably have doubts in his heart and dare not use it with confidence, which will lead to great mistakes. But Li Shimin or Li Jing are different.

  They led troops in battle and were almost invincible, earning the admiration of all Tang generals. The strategies they devised could also boost the confidence of the commanding generals a hundredfold.

  Li Shimin also understood this principle and secretly praised Du He for being meticulous and having the demeanor of a great general.

  Li Shimin left with satisfaction, but Du Ruhui pulled Du He and asked them in detail what kind of medicine they were selling in their gourd.

  Du He slipped away with a haha. Du Ruhui was not a rigid person, but in life, he had a Confucian style, attached great importance to etiquette, and if he knew about Du He's thoughts, he would definitely be scolded. It's better to persuade Li Shimin first, and then let Li Shimin persuade him.

  *

  The next day, Du He dressed up with a heroic spirit, wearing armor and robes under the service of little Lori Ling, matching his handsome face and extraordinary temperament, having a charming demeanor.

  The little loli was infatuated, her eyes were shining with tears, and Du He couldn't help but pinch her cheeks again and again, eating her tofu. If this girl weren't only thirteen years old, Du He would have devoured her already.

  "How's this! Doesn't this young master look like a great general!" He admired himself in the copper mirror, very satisfied with his new appearance.

  "More like a great general!" The little loli said shyly, her eyes full of admiration.

  "The little girl is also good at flattering, great, I like it!" He pinched the little loli's face again and walked out of the yard with a smile.

  Arriving at the main hall, he coincidentally met Du Ruhui and Du Gou, who were also attending court at the same time.

  The two of them were taken aback by Du He's outfit.

  Du Gou praised: "Second brother, this outfit of yours really has the demeanor of a commander-in-chief of the three armies!"

  Du Ruhui nodded in satisfaction, his eyes narrowing into a smile.

  Although he was only a small general from the fourth rank down, with Du He's body that leader-like demeanor and momentum, it truly had the attitude of a full-fledged general.

  Du He put on a triumphant pose like a mighty sailor, but before he could show off for ten seconds, his forehead was slapped by Du Ru Hui: "You stinky brat, so smug, without any general's demeanor? Do you know what position Zuo Wei Wei belongs to?"

  "I know something!" Du He touched his head and said seriously: "Zuo Weiyi is one of the twelve guards of my Great Tang, in charge of the Feather Forest Army. Whenever troops are divided to defend the main gate, they will assist with the eastern face of the Imperial City, as well as the gates of the capital city and the imperial gardens. At any time, they can be called upon to go out on a campaign or be dispatched. There is one senior general, one general, two lieutenant generals, and two deputy commanders."

  "Are you talking about something fake or real?" Du Ruhui's eyes widened as he saw through Du He's sophistry.

  "This...". He only knew the general tasks of Zuo Weiyi, but who was the great general and who was the general were all unknown. As for the supreme general, it had always been a nominal position with no one in charge.

  "You! Alright...” Du Ruhui shook his head in a headache, although it was the first day on the job, but not many people knew who their superiors were: "Zuo Weigong General Li Ji is the Duke of Ying, and he is a capable person. In our Great Tang, only Wei Gong Li Jing can be compared to him. Working under his command, you must learn from him."

  Du He heard that his direct supervisor was Li Ji, and immediately burst out laughing. What good luck, he had met a great boss!

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