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Chapter 103: Journey to Henan Road

"The general looks really good in this outfit." Yuan Ji squeezed over and looked at Su Qinchao, who was sitting on a Ferghana horse, wearing a silver cloud-feather soft armor, a purple robe, and a gold and jade belt with thirteen buckles around his waist.

"Really?" Su Qinchao stroked Yun Ling on his shoulder proudly. This was the third-rank general's court dress specially bestowed by the princess. Now, in the entire Henan Province, except for the commander-in-chief of the Longwu Army, he had the highest official position.

Well, although he has to return it to the princess when he gets back, it doesn’t stop him from being very beautiful now.

"Should we go to the Longwu Army camp first?"

"Yes." This trip's itinerary was decided as early as when he was in the princess's mansion. The first stop was the Longwu Army camp. He needed to unite with the Longwu Army commander and send troops to put pressure on the Dangxiang, so that the Dangxiang themselves could cause chaos.

At that time, he would be able to take the opportunity to lead his men to sneak into the royal court and find the Dangxiang King to have a direct negotiation during the chaos.

Once the negotiations between the two sides are successful, they will be able to work together to capture Prince Changning and the entire family of Wang Wan, the richest man in Henan Province, and bring them back to Beijing.

By that time, the internal rebellion of the Dangxiang people will be quelled and the Longwu Army will be able to withdraw to its original location, and his mission will be largely accomplished.

The current commander of the Longwu Army is Li Ben, the sixth son and fifth-generation grandson of Emperor Taizong of the previous dynasty.

According to rumors, all of their people are honest. Although they are not good at martial arts, they are loved by emperors of all dynasties. Since Emperor Gaozong of the previous dynasty, their family has been stationed in Henan Province for generations.

Before, Princess Changning secretly asked for his help so that someone could deliver the secret letter to Chang'an, and let the emperor know the evil ambitions of Prince Changning.

However, Su Qinchao felt that it was not that simple. Those who could enjoy favor for generations were either loyal ministers or they deliberately concealed their incompetence to reassure the emperor.

However, as long as they are truly loyal and guard the border for the country, the emperor naturally doesn't care.

...

"General Su, please come in!" Li Ben politely invited Su Qinchao into the tent, his red face, as red as Guan Gong's, filled with smiles.

"Please come in, Marshal!" Su Qinchao also moved aside, and then the two of them smiled at each other, entered the tent together, and sat down without any more politeness.

"I will not beat around the bush with you, Marshal. The higher-ups are keeping a close eye on this matter, so we have to resolve it as quickly as possible." Su Qin bowed and respectfully explained his intention to Li Ben in detail.

"If so, I will cooperate, but now is not the best time to send troops. It rained heavily two days ago, and the mountains and forests are slippery and not suitable for marching. We have to wait for the weather to clear up for another two days."

Li Ben did not refuse, but thought for a moment, and then reluctantly told the truth about what the scouts had reported in the past two days.

"Then wait for two more days. I have to visit several government offices in the fiefdom of Prince Changning."

The main thing is to punish some local officials who don't know how to live or die according to the evidence found by Qi Min, and then promote a few people to fill the gaps...

"That's good." Hearing Su Qinchao say this, Li Ben instantly relaxed his slightly frown, and with a smile he ordered his personal soldiers to prepare wine and food. He wanted to drink a few glasses with General Su to show his welcome.

During the banquet, Li Ben was very enthusiastic. He asked Su Qinchao about the situation in Chang'an from time to time, and also greeted the emperor, the empress dowager, Princess Yucheng and others one by one.

He said that he grew up under the empress dowager's lap and so on. He even shed a few tears when he was moved. He also said that he was getting older and had only one daughter. He didn't know when the emperor would allow him to retire and return to Chang'an...

Su Qinchao listened to it and responded enthusiastically on his face, but in his heart he thought that Li Ben was really a good talker.

This round of conversation was complete, whether it was expressing my loyalty to Your Majesty or expressing my own wishes in a roundabout way.

As the two were chatting and drinking, a cold and beautiful lady in red riding clothes with a face as cold as ice suddenly rushed in from outside the tent.

The beauty was about twenty years old. As soon as she entered the tent, she became arrogant and rushed towards Li Ben. This should be Li Ben's old girl who had been waiting to be married.

"Why doesn't my father send troops to deal with the Dangxiang? They provoke me every day. I'm really fed up with them." The beauty frowned, with a hint of anger on her face.

"Hey, hey, there are guests." Li Ben looked at Su Qinchao helplessly, and signaled to his daughter with his eyes again and again.

"I don't care." The beauty turned her head away capriciously.

"I'm sorry to have embarrassed you, General Su. This is my daughter, Li Wu, who has been spoiled since childhood." Li Ben smiled embarrassedly.

"Miss, you are a person of true nature. It is really annoying that the Tanguts come to provoke you from time to time." Su Qinchao smiled and shook his head, then said to Li Wu who was standing in the middle of the tent:

"However, His Majesty has not issued an order to send troops before, so the Marshal cannot act rashly."

"General Su is right." Li Ben nodded in agreement.

"It's just a small lesson. Your Majesty won't care." Li Wu looked at Su Qinchao proudly. This imperial envoy from Chang'an was quite handsome.

"That's what I said, but why should we let the censors find any evidence against us?" Su Qinchao explained, "I am here to ask the commander-in-chief to send troops. Miss, don't be too anxious."

"Really?" After hearing this, Li Wu immediately ran to Li Ben and hugged his arm to confirm.

"Really? We'll send out the troops after the forest dries up a bit in two days."

"Then you will be disappointed. When I came here just now, the military advisor said it would rain tomorrow!" Li Wu raised her eyebrows at her father.

"What about this?" Hearing this, Su Qinchao put down his wine glass and said, "Why not let the military advisor calculate when we can send out the troops?"

"Let me tell you right now. Over the past year or so, our soldiers have almost adapted to the mountain environment. Even if it rains, it shouldn't matter."

Li Wu ignored Li Ben's obstruction and blurted out the words quickly.

"Hahaha, I just want to be safer. Now the forest is slippery and there are insects and snakes inside. It's really not a good time." Li Ben smiled awkwardly.

"I understand what you mean, Marshal. The forest is slippery. If it is not conducive to our army's combat, the chances of casualties will be much greater. I'd better ask the military advisor to calculate it again."

Su Qinchao fully understood Li Ben's thoughts. The life of an ordinary soldier is also a life, and there is only one life. It is normal for a commander to consider his soldiers.

"But..." Li Wu didn't expect Su Qinchao to be so foolish. She thought that he would ask his father to send troops after she said that. Unexpectedly...

"Wei'er, don't talk nonsense." Li Ben stopped Li Wu from saying the next word.

The soldiers of the Longwu Army were recruited on the original site, and most of them have parents, wives and children with them. It would be best to minimize casualties in this expedition.

Otherwise, the little bit of pension money from the court would not be enough to compensate their families.