Chapter 37: Arrival at the Front Lines (Third Update, Seeking Votes)

  Cai Guo Gong Fu was originally a royal mansion, with pavilions and towers inside, also considered to be prosperous and magnificent!

  Du He and Li Xueyan strolled along the small path in the Western Courtyard.

  The scenery is beautiful, but no one has the mood to appreciate it.

  "I heard you're going to war?" Li Xueyan raised her head, but couldn't see her expression.

  "Alright!" Du He responded, "The departure in three days has already been set."

  "Can't we just not go?" Li Xueyan stopped in her tracks, her shoulders shaking as she sobbed quietly.

  Du He Shun took her in his arms and comforted her softly.

  Li Xueyan didn't refuse, she just lay quietly on his chest and said: "In the fourth year of Zhenguan, my elder brother died in battle against the Turks. I'm afraid... you will too..."

  She couldn't say anything more, she just held him tightly, as if afraid he would leave.

  "I'll be back!" Du He lightly kissed her cheek, giving her a promise.

  Seeing the several bamboos by the pond in the courtyard, Du He Ling's mind moved and she personally took action to cut off one of them. She shaved the tough parts into bamboo slips, carefully sifted through them, and folded them up with care.

  Li Xueyan was perplexed, but she curiously looked at him.

  In about half an hour, Du He made a small and lovely grasshopper with the bamboo slips in his hand. When he was young, he often saw street performers making and selling similar things on the streets. He thought it was fun and learned from them for two days, and then he could also make some small and delicate things.

  He pulled up Li Xueyan's smooth small hand and carefully placed the bamboo cicada in her palm, saying: "This is for you."

  Li Xueyan looked at the cute grasshopper in her hand and smiled happily, putting her hand on her chest and chuckled: "I love it so much!"

  *****

  The next day, Du He arrived at the Xuanwu Gate and suddenly saw a beautiful figure standing near the gate in the distance.

  He walked up with a smile on his face.

  That is Princess Changle!

  She walked over with gentle steps.

  They faced each other, and Du He called out: "Chang Le!" But in his heart, he felt a little moved. Today was not a holiday, and Chang Le Gongzhu waiting for him at this time also meant that she would welcome her first unjustified tardiness.

  "I heard from the Emperor that you are going to war, so I begged for a peace charm all night, wishing you a safe return!" Princess Chang Le handed him a purple sandalwood peace charm.

  No extra words, but can feel that affection.

  Du He never believed in ghosts and gods, but for the sake of Chang Le Gong Zhu's sincerity, he solemnly accepted it and kept it close to his body in front of her.

  "Exactly, I have something for you too!" Du He took out the cicada she had spent all night weaving and pulled her hand over, placing it in hers: "I made this myself!"

  Princess Changle's face was filled with joy, holding the cicada-like treasure in her hands.

  A dragonfly touched the water's surface, and suddenly landed on Princess Chang Le's cheek, whispering: "Wait for me to come back!"

  With a swish, Yun Qinggong slipped away.

  Princess Changle was as if struck by lightning, standing still on the spot.

  When she came to her senses, Du He had already disappeared. With a hint of shyness, she touched her cheek, but in her heart, there was no resistance at all.

  Three days passed in the blink of an eye, and today is the day when the great army sets out.

  As early as yesterday, Fan Yuanchen had already led five hundred personal soldiers to report for duty.

  As a member of the aristocracy, he had the right to bring his own soldiers when going on an expedition. According to the rules, officials who held the rank of "Duwei" were allowed to lead 50 personal guards. However, the number of personal guards for meritorious sons far exceeded this number, and the court turned a blind eye to this, after all, having more soldiers did no harm, not to mention that personal guards did not require payment from the court.

  Like Du He, according to the rules, his personal soldiers were only allowed to bring one hundred people, but he brought a group of five hundred people, and no one said anything. After all, there was an old father of the prime minister covering him, and no one had nothing better to do than to go to Li Shimin's place to report on this small matter.

  Du He let them mix with their own troops, coordinating with Fang Yilove and Luo Tong's personal soldiers. More or less, the number of soldiers he commanded had reached nearly two thousand.

  A group of people came in a mighty and majestic manner.

  General Li Ji made a speech on the parade ground, and the gathered 40,000 troops, like a long dragon, marched towards the battlefield with firm steps.

  The people of Chang'an City were already familiar with such a war scene. Since the Zhenyuan years, the mighty army of the Tang Dynasty had repeatedly gone on expeditions, attacking without fail, destroying (Tujue), attacking Tuyuhun, and the military prestige was resounding. The people along the way who came to watch had already begun to shout victory.

  This is the glory of the Great Tang, a proud conviction that every citizen has in their heart: The Great Tang will never fall!

  Arriving at the city gate, Du He saw Zhang Shi and her elder brother Du Gou from afar. Even his eldest sister, who rarely left the house, was there to see them off with a three-year-old child in her arms.

  Du He didn't go forward to chat, fearing that the emotions of parting would make Zhang's family cry, she just waved her hand and made a reassuring gesture.

  In the crowd, he unexpectedly saw a familiar figure, Wu Zhao! She seemed to be looking for someone too, her eyes moving through the crowd.

  Their eyes met, and they looked at each other.

  Du He waved at her and smiled, greeting her.

  The other party also responded with a sweet smile, like a rose, very beautiful, very beautiful.

  Her eyes no longer wandered around, but were fixed on Du He's body.

  Was she looking for herself all along?

  Du He thought so, suddenly felt a chill behind him, a cold air rushed over, turned his head to see, and saw Princess Chang Le and Li Xueyan standing on the city wall with an unfriendly gaze at himself.

  When did these two chicks come?

  She stretched out her hand to greet them, but the two of them seemed to have reached a consensus, ignoring Du He's greeting.

  Won't be jealous, will it?!

  Du He secretly smiled in his heart as the army went far away.

  They had gone no more than ten li when Du He suddenly received a summons from Li Ji.

  Du He let Luo Tong and Wang Dezheng assist in leading the troops, urging his horse on.

  "Uncle!" Du He came from behind and arrived at Li Ji's side.

  Li Ji wore armor and stroked his mustache, smiling: "Xian nephew, are you accustomed to everything in the military camp? Do you have any ideas about this first expedition?"

  Du He replied calmly: "The young man is naturally carefree and uninhibited, to be honest, I don't have any feelings about it!"

  Li Ji burst out laughing and praised: "Good, a man with no feelings, one who can accomplish great things should be like this, as stable as Mount Tai, not moved by emotions. Are you interested in following me on the road?"

  Du He agreed, although he was suspicious in his heart.

  Li Ji led Du He to every place, and must discuss military affairs, where is suitable for camping, where is suitable for ambush, where is suitable for fire attack, and where is suitable for water attack.

  Du He was astonished, Li Jing was pointing out his method of using troops.

  Du He has been reading a lot of military books recently, but in terms of experience, he is still a rookie.

  Li Ji had gone through a hundred battles and was praised as the Great Wall of the Tang Dynasty, with talent second only to Li Jing. To be able to get his guidance was undoubtedly Du He's greatest honor.

  Du He listened to his explanation on the side, humbly accepting his teachings, but also spoke out straightforwardly in places where he didn't understand or disagreed. Li Ji either clarified for him or debated with him.

  The two sometimes even quarrelled with red faces and ears, neither of whom could persuade the other, and finally parted in displeasure.

  But in less than half a time, they will gather again in one place, expressing their opinions and thoughts about each other.

  More than ten days have passed under Li Ji's guidance, Du He has gained a deeper understanding of the way to use troops.

  Li Ji also sincerely admired him, although he was explaining his experience to Du He with an attitude of pointing fingers, but every time he fell asleep and sorted out his thoughts, he would find that Du He's strange ideas would bring him new feelings, and he would be even more tireless in "pointing" at Du He.

  The army rushed all the way, and when they arrived at Jiao Prefecture, they received news that the Tubo had breached Songzhou.

  At this moment they were less than a hundred miles away from the Tubo army.

  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, chatting is also okay! [bookid=1771445,bookname='The Great Zhou Dynasty']