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

It's clear that Li Shimin really went all out, sending not only Li Jing, but also Xue Wanche and Chai Shao.

Even Zhang Gongjin was sent out as his deputy.

This posture suggests they intend to pacify the Eastern Turks in one fell swoop.

However... as Li Shimin issued his order, many people whose names were not mentioned showed a hint of disappointment in their eyes.

Qin Qiong hesitated, but ultimately said nothing.

Li Shimin glanced at him, knowing what he was thinking, but he had his own considerations.

Qin Qiong was indeed formidable, but he fought countless battles, leaping into the fray on horseback countless times, sustaining numerous injuries, and his health deteriorated over time.

Li Shimin didn't not want the other party to go; rather, he was worried that something might happen to them.

"Court adjourned!"

Li Shimin waved his hand and strode away.

Many ministers emerged from the main hall, some of them inevitably visibly excited.

The Eastern Turks had caused the Tang Dynasty a great deal of trouble, and now they finally had a chance to wipe away their humiliation.

"Minister Chen".

Li Jing walked towards Chen Huai'an and cupped his hands in greeting.

Chen Huai'an returned the greeting and asked with a smile, "Does the Duke of Dai have something to discuss?"

Li Jing opened his mouth, unsure of what to say.

He knew very well that the Tang Dynasty was able to seize the opportunity to send troops so quickly, and most of the credit went to the other side. However, he was not in a position to say such things, so he changed his words and said, "I will trouble Minister Chen with the matter of supplies."

"Especially for supplies to keep warm, I hope Minister Chen will pay more attention to this."

"Rest assured," Chen Huai'an replied solemnly, "The Ministry of Revenue began preparations long ago, and your army can set out once His Majesty issues this order."

"As for supplies to keep warm... please rest assured, Duke Dai, we will certainly not let the soldiers go hungry or cold."

"Thank you." Li Jing clasped his hands in thanks and then left.

In war, especially in winter, in addition to food and fodder, supplies for keeping warm are of course important.

Otherwise, if our hands and feet are frozen stiff as soon as we go up there, how can we fight?

Li Jing understood the difference between this Minister of Revenue and others, and after receiving the other party's reply, he was completely relieved.

"Tsk, I never imagined that in just two years, our Great Tang Dynasty would have such a soaring momentum," Wei Zheng couldn't help but remark.

He did not believe that a nearly fragmented Eastern Turkic Khaganate could withstand the 100,000-strong army led by Li Jing.

We will win this battle.

The only questions are how to win and how many casualties to suffer.

Chen Huai'an grinned and said, "Actually, it's all thanks to you, old remonstrator. If you hadn't kept a close eye on His Majesty and prevented him from making mistakes, how could the Tang Dynasty have achieved such rapid development in just two years?"

Wei Zheng's face stiffened, and he broke down somewhat: "Damn it, you're picking a fight with that country bumpkin, aren't you?"

"You damn starving bastard, you have the nerve to talk back to me?"

"Why would I be embarrassed?" Chen Huai'an raised an eyebrow. "At least I won't cry like a child."

"Alas, Your Majesty, my friend is gone, my only friend is gone..."

"Shut up!!!" Wei Zheng jumped up and down in a panic, hurriedly covering Chen Huai'an's mouth, which made the latter burst into laughter.

Not far away, Fang Xuanling and Du Ruhui laughed when they saw this.

But in an instant, they seemed to remember something, and their gazes turned resentful again.

Du Ruhui walked over, his tone low and somber: "I heard that Mr. Chen is going back to his hometown?"

Seeing his expression, Chen Huai'an laughed and said, "Not bad, not bad. I've been away from my hometown for too long. It's time to go back."

"After I leave, I'll leave the Ministry of Revenue and the Ministry of Works to you two."

Fang Xuanling was exasperated: "So you do know how to trouble us?"

"Kemin and I are already busy enough, and then you pull this stunt. I don't care, you have to treat me to a drink when you get back."

Chen Huai'an chuckled and said, "As the saying goes, the capable are often burdened with more work. After I leave, there isn't anyone suitable to temporarily take my place besides the two of you."

"As for drinking... no problem, no problem."

"I'll send you a hundred or two hundred catties of wine and tea later, I guarantee you'll be satisfied."

The two of them immediately broke into smiles.

Wei Zheng did not show any surprise at Chen Huai'an's return to his hometown; he already knew about it.

"Gentlemen, I'll be leaving now. There are still quite a few things I need to explain before I go." Chen Huai'an cupped his hands in greeting to the three of them, then turned and left.

"Mr. Chen probably wanted to go back a long time ago, but... he had too many things to do in the past two years, so he didn't have much of an opportunity," Wei Zheng suddenly said.

"Yes..." Du Ruhui said with considerable emotion, "Who could have imagined that so many things would happen in the past two years?"

"From famine in Guanzhong to locusts all over the country, from reforming the imperial examination to unifying the classics, many responsibilities weighed on his shoulders."

Where are some good opportunities to go back to my hometown?

"Isn't everything better now?" Fang Xuanling said with a smile. "The famine is over, the imperial examination system has been reformed, the interpretation of the classics has been unified, and the locust plague has gradually disappeared."

"Today, the order to set off has been officially issued, and we've almost finished all the work for this year."

"That's why Mr. Chen finally had a good opportunity to go back to his hometown."

"By the time Mr. Chen returns, it will be around the third year of the Zhenguan era."

Time flies.

In the end, Fang Xuanling sighed inexplicably.

"I have a feeling that the third year of the Zhenguan era should mark the beginning of a golden age," Du Ruhui said earnestly.

"Oh?" Wei Zheng turned his head. "What makes you say that?"

After considering for a moment, Du Ruhui said, "This year, the imperial examination has been reformed, the interpretation of the classics has been unified, and the imperial examination is underway."

"Although the Confucian classics have just been unified and the effects are not yet visible, the imperial examinations next year will be different. Next year will be the year when children from poor families will rise to the top."

"Furthermore, with the implementation of various policies, especially the work-for-relief program, the results have been terrifying."

"As long as no natural disasters occur next year, it will surely be the beginning of a golden age."

"What if a natural disaster occurs?" Wei Zheng countered.

Du Ruhui was speechless, but still explained, "I feel that Mr. Chen seems to have foreseen this. Don't forget, Mr. Chen overcame all opposition to repair the Yellow River this year."

"They even brought out cement, something that can be considered a divine substance."

Fang Xuanling said thoughtfully, "You mean, Mr. Chen probably foresaw a major flood next year, so he overruled objections and repaired the Yellow River?"

"Otherwise, I wouldn't understand why he was in such a hurry." Du Ruhui shook his head. "Mr. Chen's way of doing things... is sometimes really unpredictable, and even incomprehensible to others."

"But you can only understand his good intentions when all his preparations have paid off."

"Don't forget that Mr. Chen secretly collected grain and insisted on building the charitable granary..."

Wei Zheng couldn't help but nod: "Indeed, 'If you are prepared, you will succeed; if you are not prepared, you will fail.' This saying almost became Xiao Yu's mental demon."

Fang Xuanling said with some surprise, "So, if the Yellow River is repaired, even if there is heavy rain next year, there is a good chance that there won't be a major flood?"

"Isn't that obvious?" Wei Zheng said irritably, "If the Yellow River doesn't collapse, even if there's heavy rain, the damage certainly won't be too severe."

"Everything else is a minor issue."

"..."