The immortal of the Tang Dynasty, but the game starts at Xuanwu Gate?

"Are you ready to announce it?"

Chen Huai'an thought for a moment and nodded to indicate that there was no problem.

The so-called announcement is nothing more than a formal announcement, followed by the selection and appointment of troops.

After all, it's almost August now. Making preparations and setting off in November would be the most suitable time.

That was when the weather was coldest, and the nomadic tribes suffered the most severe losses.

With his arrival, the Eastern Turks had not extorted anything from the Tang Dynasty last time, and in recent years they had been plagued by internal strife, and the Eastern Turks were almost disintegrating.

With Li Jing and others also present, even though the event occurred a year earlier than originally planned, Chen Huai'an truly couldn't have imagined the possibility of losing.

"Alright, when does Your Majesty plan to make the official announcement?"

Li Shimin pondered for a moment: "How about early August?"

"No problem." Chen Huai'an immediately agreed. He wasn't going back casually; of course, he had to prepare a lot of things.

Moreover, the journey is long, so how could we just leave on a whim?

By early August, he would be almost ready. Li Shimin looked at Chen Huai'an below and his heart softened: "You haven't been home for many years. This time, you can go back and rest for a while. This year, the Tang Dynasty has stabilized."

"Now that the major issues are resolved, we can delegate some of the minor tasks to others."

"These past two years... you've really had a tough time."

Chen Huai'an laughed and said, "This is just my duty. If we're talking about hard work, it's His Majesty who is truly working hard."

"Your Majesty, rest assured, I will definitely be back before the end of the year."

"Okay," Li Shimin readily agreed.

"..."

In early August, the weather was slightly cool.

Today's morning assembly was somewhat unusual, as everyone had received some information and knew exactly what was going to happen today.

Many military officers were excited, especially Yuchi Gong and others. Even the usually composed Qin Qiong was eager to try.

These military generals relied on their military achievements; without war, where would their military achievements come from?

Furthermore, in the ninth year of the Wude era, the Eastern Turks launched a major southward invasion, causing considerable losses to the people along the way. At that time, the Tang Dynasty was powerless to stop them and could only try to force them to leave. This was a disgrace to the Tang Dynasty.

So they were all holding their breath, waiting for this day to come.

Li Shimin strode confidently to the throne and sat down. The officials all said in unison, "Your Majesty, we pay our respects."

"My dear ministers, you may rise." Li Shimin gestured with his hand, then looked around at the assembled officials and said with a smile, "It seems that you are all in a good mood today."

"Could it be that there's something to be happy about?"

"Haha, Your Majesty!" Yuchi Gong's booming voice rang out, "Don't you know what happy thing has happened?"

"I've been waiting for this day for so long!"

The military officers chimed in, each one bursting with excitement.

Seeing this, Li Shimin's smile faded, and he went straight to the point: "Gentlemen, do you remember what happened in the ninth year of the Wude era?"

Du Ruhui said in a deep voice: "In the ninth year of Wude, the Turkic army marched south, causing countless killings to the Tang Dynasty. Many people were robbed, and many children and women were kidnapped."

"Indeed!" Li Shimin said sternly, "In the ninth year of Wude, the Eastern Turkic leader Jieli led an army of 200,000 southwards, burning, killing, and looting all the way, advancing with unstoppable momentum."

"If we hadn't been ambushed by Shubao at Wugong and forced back by Jingde's army, the Eastern Turks would have almost invaded Chang'an." "I have always remembered this matter, regarding it as a disgrace, a disgrace to the Tang Dynasty!"

Li Shimin narrowed his eyes and said, word by word, "For the past two years, I have thought about it day and night, wondering when my Great Tang Dynasty can recover its strength and when it can wash away its humiliation!"

"The people of the Great Tang are also wondering when I will be able to quell the Turks and avenge those who have been plundered!"

"Last year, the Eastern Turkic Khaganate was in turmoil, and the winter brought countless deaths and injuries, resulting in heavy losses. I almost couldn't contain myself and wished I could personally lead an expedition to avenge the past!"

"But I held back..." Li Shimin slowly walked down, his hands behind his back, "because my Minister of Revenue told me that the national treasury was empty and natural disasters were frequent, so it was really not a good opportunity."

"The best time to send troops will be when the national treasury is full and the people are united in their resolve!"

"At that time, capture Ashina Duobi (Jieli) alive and bring him to Chang'an, making him dance for the officials and the people!"

"I listened, so I tolerated it!"

"I've been waiting and waiting!"

"The day has finally come!"

Li Shimin spread his arms wide: "Gentlemen, the national treasury is now full, the food supplies are plentiful, and everyone is united in purpose."

"Tell me, what should I do?" "Capture Ashina Duobi alive and bring him to Chang'an, make him dance!!" Chen Huai'an shouted.

The officials were stunned for a moment, then burst into laughter.

The civil officials of the Tang Dynasty were not cowards. Given the right conditions, they were not afraid of anyone in war.

Therefore, no one refuted Chen Huai'an at all.

The military officers, in particular, were filled with enthusiasm and began to volunteer.

He boasted that he only needed 100,000 troops to pacify the Eastern Turks, but the next person said, "You want 100,000? Your Majesty, I only need 80,000!"

"What 80,000? Your Majesty, I only need 50,000!"

It was fine at first, but gradually things started to go wrong.

Seeing this, Li Shimin was filled with relief. He had to admit that the Tang Dynasty was truly not short of manpower for fighting wars, in every aspect.

However, we can't let them continue to act recklessly.

"Alright!" Li Shimin said, stopping them, and returned to his throne.

The court fell silent instantly. Everyone knew that Li Shimin was about to appoint commanders. "Draft the imperial edict!"

"Li Ji, the Governor of Bingzhou, is hereby appointed as the Commander-in-Chief of the Army Transport Route to the Desert!"

"Li Daozong, Grand General of Lingzhou and Prince of Rencheng, is hereby appointed Commander-in-Chief of the Datong Army!"

"Wei Xiaojie, the Governor-General of Youzhou, is hereby appointed as the Commander-in-Chief of the Heng'an Road Army!"

"Xue Wanche, the Governor of Yingzhou, is hereby appointed as the Commander-in-Chief of the Changwu Army!"

"Is appointed... Li Jing, Minister of Justice, as the Commander-in-Chief of the Dingxiang Road Army!"

"The army will be divided into six routes, totaling 100,000 troops, all under the command of Li Jing!"

"Furthermore, Zhang Gongjin, the Governor of Daizhou, is hereby appointed as Deputy Commander-in-Chief to assist Li Jing!"

As Li Shimin issued his orders, his voice echoed throughout the hall. One by one, the generals whose names were called stepped forward to receive the decrees, each one filled with excitement.

Li Jing was the last to step forward, bowed, and accepted the decree in a steady voice: "Your subject, Li Jing, accepts the decree!"

Although he was over fifty, he stood ramrod straight, exuding an imposing aura. Today, he appeared composed, but Chen Huai'an could still detect a slight tremor in his voice, clearly indicating that his inner self was not as calm as he appeared.

Li Shimin's gaze swept over the generals, finally landing on Chen Huai'an: "Chen Huai'an."

"Your subject is here!"

"When an army goes on a campaign, provisions are the first priority." Li Shimin's voice was cold: "Six armies, 100,000 soldiers, the daily cost of food and supplies for men and horses is countless."

"I hereby order you to immediately arrange the transfer of grain and supplies along the official roads to the front lines in Shuofang and Bingzhou."

"Your subject obeys the decree!" Chen Huai'an immediately replied.

Li Shimin roared, "Go to war!!!"

One sentence ignited the passion of everyone present, and the voices of civil and military officials converged, resounding throughout the hall and soaring into the sky!

"Move out to war!!!"

"..."