The first day of February in the twelfth year of Zhenguan.
The hustle and bustle of the first month has passed, and the two weddings have ended in a harmonious and beautiful atmosphere.
After resting for several months, it’s time to do some serious things.
In the early morning, the first ray of sunlight shone into the Tai Chi Hall.
In the Tai Chi Hall, all the ministers gathered and the emperor sat majestically.
"Your Majesty, we have come to report from the front line of Shacheng. The Goguryeo army has been mobilized frequently recently. General Hye Jin under Yeon Gaesumun has stationed troops a hundred miles away from Shacheng. It seems that there is a tendency to mobilize troops."
"Back then, Yeon Gaesumun ceded territory to beg for peace, but now he is deploying troops. He may have the intention to disobey the contract."
"I ask your Majesty to send generals and lead the troops to defend." The tranquility of Taiji Hall was broken by Wei Zheng.
The emperor nodded.
This was what he had discussed with Wei Zheng.
Wei Zheng took the lead, and then Zhao Chen was selected to lead the troops to the border front.
It's February now, and the winter ice and snow are slowly beginning to melt.
The bet I made with my ministers can now be put into practice.
As long as Goguryeo is not destroyed and Yuan Gaisu Wen is not eliminated, the Tang Dynasty will have no hope of peace.
"My dear friends, what do you think?" The emperor glanced at the officials in the Tai Chi Hall.
All the officials frowned.
They thought of the bet between the emperor and the officials at that time.
"Your Majesty, since Yeon Gaesumun is determined to be a traitor, we in the Tang Dynasty will no longer tolerate it and apply to send generals to unite the troops to prepare for war." An official said.
"It's okay to send generals and unite the troops to prepare for war, but if Yeon Gaesumun doesn't take action against us, the Tang Dynasty, we must not take the initiative to attack."
"We, the Tang Dynasty, are a country of benevolence and righteousness. We should not follow the truth!" Another official stood up and said to the emperor.
The emperor was tired of hearing this.
There was no rebuttal.
"King Han, what do you think?" The emperor looked at Zhao Chen.
Today, Zhao Chen rarely went to court.
The officials knew very well that when the emperor asked Zhao Chen, he wanted to appoint Zhao Chen to lead the army.
But this is also consistent with their previous bet with the emperor.
"Since the thief Yuan Gaisu Wen won't die first, then let him die completely this time!" Zhao Chen's voice echoed in the Tai Chi Hall.
Although it was just a light word, all the officials felt a chill in their backs when they heard it.
"Your Majesty, this..."
"What you said makes sense. If Yeon Gaesoo Moon lives his own life well, then it will be fine. If he doesn't want to live his life, then don't keep him."
"It is my decree that King Zhao Chen of Han be in command of the three armies, with Su Dingfang as deputy commander. I am telling you that in the Northern Territory of the Tang Dynasty, the rest of the generals can only be dispatched at will by the King of Han."
"All states and counties must cooperate fully." Before the officials could express their objections, the emperor made the final decision and directly let Zhao Chen lead the army.
"I obey the decree." Zhao Chen bowed his hands to the emperor, then turned and left.
The ministers were not given a chance to object at all.
Zhao Chen was too lazy to argue with these officials.
The general was outside, and his military orders were somewhat compromised. When he left Chang'an, that's when Zhao Chen scolded Fang Qiu.
"Your Majesty, let His Highness the King of Han lead the army. If he takes the initiative to attack the Goguryeo army..."
"The King of Han will be measured." The emperor said with a look of displeasure on his face.
The other officials wanted to object, but Zhao Chen had already left the Tai Chi Hall.
They can't chase Zhao Chen back.
After all, they don't have the guts.
Taiji Hall fell into silence, and the emperor felt slightly satisfied.
Although the officials were opposed in their hearts, no one spoke openly.
"How are the preparations for the rations made by the Ministry of War last time?" The emperor asked about the Ministry of War again.
Ever since he got the method of frying flour from Zhao Chen, the emperor asked the Ministry of War to work overtime day and night.
The purpose is to make more rations.
"Reporting to your Majesty, in the past half month, everyone in the Ministry of War has worked hard and can support about 50,000 people with half a month's rations." Li Jing was not in Chang'an, and the person who spoke was the Minister of War.
Fifty thousand people, half a month.
It sounds like a lot, but if you actually eat it, you can finish it quickly.
But now that Zhao Chen is about to go on an expedition, the Ministry of War cannot make enough rations in time.
"It is my decree to order the army to go north to the counties along the way to prepare rations for the army." The emperor thought for a while and then said to the Minister of War.
The meeting dispersed quickly.
Zhao Chen is about to go on an expedition, and he doesn't know when he will be back.
The emperor was still a little worried, so he left the palace with Empress Changsun and went to Zhao Chen's house.
"Chen'er, when you go to the front line, you must pay attention to safety." Empress Changsun looked at Zhao Chen with some worry.
Even if you know Zhao Chen's abilities, you can't tell for sure on the battlefield.
No one knows what will happen next moment.
At this moment, she could only tell Zhao Chen again and again, hoping that Zhao Chen could return safely.
"Yes, don't worry!" Zhao Chen nodded with a smile.
Empress Changsun wanted to say something more, but found that she could not say anything anymore and just looked at Zhao Chen blankly.
"Okay, okay, it's not a separation of life and death. It's even more uncomfortable for me, boy Chen, to be like you."
"Go and see Ping An. She hasn't seen you for a long time." The emperor sent Empress Changsun away.
It was also to prevent her from affecting Zhao Chen's mood.
"Although after going to the front line, the army is in your hands, this also allows you to take the initiative to use troops against Goguryeo."
"But what I'm most worried about is your safety."
"No matter what, your life must come first. Even if the entire army is annihilated, you must save your life!"
"You don't believe me so much. You haven't even set off yet, and you're talking about the whole army being wiped out!" Zhao Chen said with a smile.
What does the emperor mean by this?
When he was about to explain to Zhao Chen, he saw him looking at him with a smile.
"Little bastard!" The emperor glared at Zhao Chen fiercely.
"Yuan Gaisuwen is not a vulgar person, and there is also Hou Junji. It is always good to be more careful." The emperor sighed again.
"Yes, remember!" Zhao Chen nodded.
This expedition must accomplish things that have not been accomplished before.
…
Zhao Chen wanted to leave early.
But the emperor said that Yuan Tiangang had made a fortune and said that the eighth day of February was a good time to leave.
This dragged on for seven or eight days.
On the eighth day of August, at the school grounds in the north of the city, the emperor came here in person and gave Zhao Chen the Emperor's sword.
The three armies gathered together and the war horses neighed.
Zhao Chen rode on the sweaty horse, followed by Cheng Chumo and Li Ke.
Under the reluctant eyes of everyone, he slowly disappeared around the corner of the official road.
The Xuanjia Army was also traveling with them along the way.
Zhao Chen originally didn't want to take them with him, but the emperor considered that with the protection of the Xuanjia Army, at least Zhao Chen would be safe no matter what happened.
He forcefully asked Zhao Chen to take away the Xuan Jia Army together.
The army marched along in a mighty manner, stretching for several miles.
Cheng Chumo seemed a little reluctant to part with it.
Think about it, after all, you have only been married for a few days. As for your wife being separated in two places, you are always a little reluctant to part with her.
"Cheng Er, are you reluctant to let go?"
"How about you stop following me this time? It's enough for me and the emperor to go together!" Li Ke said.
It is indeed obvious that he is making fun of Cheng Chumo.
"You fart, I just didn't see my old man coming to see me off. Besides, it's just a woman. Am I someone who covets gentleness?" Cheng Chumo said angrily.