Chapter Thirty-Six: The Expedition is Imminent

  The Tibetans came with a mighty force, and the Great Tang was not easy to deal with.

  Li Shimin discussed with Du He and immediately convened all civil and military officials to discuss the matter of sending troops.

  All civil and military officials gathered in one hall.

  Li Shimin explained the reasons, and dozens of ministers all converged into one word: "War!"

  Even someone like Kong Yingda, a scholar-official, was so angry that he was stamping his feet and blowing his beard, wishing he could take to the battlefield himself.

  This is the Tang Dynasty, majestic Great Tang.

  Although civil officials dislike war, the majesty of the Great Tang prevails over everything.

  The Tibetans have the guts to pull out the tiger's whiskers and will naturally face the consequences of infuriating a fierce tiger.

  The whole court's civil and military officials discussed nothing but who would lead the troops.

  Zhangsun Wuji proposed Hou Junji, the Minister of War, and Wei Zheng also proposed Hou Junji. Many people's eyes were on Hou Junji.

  In the Great Tang Dynasty, apart from the Military God Li Jing, only his disciple had the qualifications to lead troops in battle.

  However, Li Shimin's eyebrows furrowed, he was known for his ability to understand people and use them well, and he had a thorough understanding of the character of all his ministers. Hou Junji was indeed a famous general, but he was good at fighting hard battles, defeating enemies, and often winning without fail. However, he was arrogant and self-important by nature, and it was unlikely that he would follow Du He's plan faithfully, making him not the best candidate.

  He turned his gaze to Li Ji, who was good at using troops, flexible and resourceful, and willing to listen to him, making him the most suitable candidate.

  Worrying about how to appoint Li Ji, Fang Xuanling, who had seen through Li Shimin's intentions, smiled and stepped forward: "Killing a chicken doesn't require using an ox knife. The great Tang dynasty is focused on the northern border; why bother using the Minister of War for this trivial matter with Tubo? Moreover, as the Minister of War, you can't easily leave your post. I recommend Left Weiwei General Li Ji, who has outstanding abilities and is good at judging situations, to take on this task."

  Du Ruhui also stood up and said: "I concur!"

  Fang Xuanling and Du Ruhui were both prominent as the Left and Right Prime Ministers, gathering a considerable amount of power within the court. As they took the lead, those who followed suit also emerged.

  Li Shimin nodded and smiled: "What Fang Xiang said is absolutely right!" He immediately appointed Li Ji, the left Weiwei General, as the commander-in-chief of the army on the Dami Road, with Xu Shili, the right Lengjun General, as the commander-in-chief of the army on the Bolan Road, Niu Jinda, the left Wuwei General, as the commander-in-chief of the army on the Kuoshui Road, and Liu Lan, the left Lengjun General, as the commander-in-chief of the army on the Taohe Road. The troops were divided into three routes, with 80,000 infantry and cavalry marching out to fight against Tubo that day.

  Du He and others, as members of the Left Weiwei, were also ordered to go out to battle.

  It's really a case of "a newborn calf not fearing a tiger". Du He, Luo Tong and Fang Yi'ai, the three mediocre officials, upon hearing this news, were all rubbing their fists and grinding their palms, eager to set off immediately. As for the lazy soldiers in the military camp, they too were filled with renewed fighting spirit.

  For them, this battle is an opportunity to make a name for themselves, as for what Tibet or not Tibet, it's completely out of their minds.

  "Yi Ai, you must strengthen your coordination with the Mo Dao team. I still expect this extraordinary army to achieve extraordinary results!" Du He seriously reminded Fang Yi Ai, among the generals, Luo Tong was intelligent and brave, no need to worry, Wang De Zheng had also experienced many battles and was trustworthy, only Fang Yi Ai made him worried.

  In terms of the ability to leave a legacy, there is no doubt that it is useless. However, marching and fighting are not one person's affairs. As a general leading troops, apart from being able to charge forward, they must also coordinate with the soldiers behind them to advance or retreat.

  At this point, Fang Yi'ai felt somewhat unfamiliar.

  "Big brother, I will work hard!" Fang Yi'ai nodded vigorously.

  Du He patted his shoulder, encouragingly smiled, Fang Yi'ai was indeed a bit foolish, but his efforts were evident to all. Even the proud Luo Tong was moved by his enthusiasm and occasionally took time to point out one or two things to him.

  As for Du He, it's even more unnecessary to mention him.

  Back home, Du He found Zhang Shi in the hall and went behind her to massage her shoulders.

  Du He's technique was not particularly impressive, but he knew the acupoints and could perform internal exercises. From time to time, he would input some genuine energy to massage the meridians, which was comparable to that of top-notch masseurs in later generations!

  Zhang closed his eyes and enjoyed it for a while, feeling so comfortable that he moaned.

  After a while, Madame Zhang finally opened her eyes, patted the hand on her shoulder, and pulled Du He to sit down beside her. "He'er, tell your mother, have you gotten into some kind of trouble?"

  "Uh..." Du He was somewhat at a loss for words, what's going on here?!

  "What's wrong with you? You always get into trouble when you're outside, tell me, what happened?" Zhang Shi lovingly pulled Du He.

  Du He was about to cry, but hastily explained: "The child has not made any mistakes, it's just that the Tubo people have come to offend, and the Emperor ordered Left Weiwei General Li to be the commander of the three armies, leading troops southward. The child is among those who will go on an expedition. Three days later, they will set out to welcome the enemy in Songzhou."

  Zhang's face turned pale, her hands holding Du He's hand felt cold, and she lost all color: "He'er, don't scare Mom, is this not a joke with your mom?"

  Du He deeply understands the principle of "a child travels a thousand miles, and his mother worries" - all the more so since he is going not just a thousand miles, but to the battlefield, where life and death are uncertain.

  "Mother, this is a settled matter, the imperial edict has been issued, how can it be false!" Du He comforted and gently stroked Zhang's hand.

  "But you're only fifteen!" Zhang's family became agitated, "How can a fifteen-year-old child be sent to the battlefield?"

  Du He shook his head and said: "Mother, this is not what His Majesty asked for, but rather the child's own wish to go to the battlefield!"

  "What?" Zhang's astonished gaze stared at him, his eyes filled with intense emotions that couldn't be dissipated. After a long while, he finally spoke up and said: "Is this really what you think?"

  Du He nodded and said, "A good son's ambition is in all directions! Mother, do you want to see your child being mediocre and idle every day? Now I have ideals and ambitions, mother should support me!"

  "Second Brother is absolutely right!" Du Ruhui stepped into the hall and said, "A young bird will eventually have a day to spread its wings and fly. Madam, Second Brother has grown up and become an adult, it's time for him to decide his own path."

  "Second Brother! You're now fully capable of soaring on your own, but remember not to be impatient for quick success. You're only fifteen years old, and there's still a long way to go!" Unlike the solicitous care of the Zhang family, Du Ruhui's sincere teachings also made one's heart feel stifled and eyes sting with tears.

  "Go!" Madame Zhang also compromised, seriously adjusting Du He's collar and showing a kind smile: "He has finally come to his senses and understands the great affairs of the country. Everyone has their responsibilities, I'm glad for him..." As she spoke, she wiped away tears with difficulty and forced herself to say: "Don't tarnish the reputation of my Du family, be careful in everything, and return safely..."

  Du He hastily made a powerful sailor's pose, with an expression of "I'm very strong", and said proudly: "Mother can rest assured, I'll be back without a single hair harmed. Otherwise, you count the hairs on my head first, and then count them again when I come back?"

  As he spoke, he really stretched his head over.

  Zhang's mother scolded and gave him a slap on the head, "Go away, go away, I'm not in the mood to fool around with you!" But she wasn't that sad anymore.

  Just then, a small person came to report that Li Xueyan had asked to see him.

  Du Ruhui and Zhang's wife exchanged a glance, their eyes turning lewd as they looked at Du He.

  The second generation created a QQ group, the group number is in the book review section, like-minded friends who like this book or have opinions and suggestions can join, and it's okay to chat casually!