The Zhongyuan Festival on Jinyang Street and Jinyang River is still continuing, but some small streets and alleys in the west of the city are very quiet. Although every household is lanterns and there is a Ullambana at the door, there are very few pedestrians. Most people in Taiyuan run to the main street and the riverside.

At this time, a carriage drove from afar, followed by more than a dozen followers. The carriage stopped in front of a mansion. The lantern at the door of the mansion read "Du Mansion". This is Du Ruhui's mansion.

A follower ran up the steps to call the door, and an old face appeared in the car window. It was Su Wei, the chief prime minister of the Sui Dynasty.

Su Wei was old and almost no longer involved in government affairs. His existence was more of a symbol, symbolizing the continuation of the Great Sui Dynasty.

Yang Yuanqing attaches great importance to this famous minister who has been prime minister since the founding of the Great Sui Dynasty. Although he is not as respected as Gao Yang and has many shortcomings, his stable role is incomparable to others.

It is an important thing that Su Wei comes to find Du Ruhui.

After a moment, the side door of Du's mansion opened and Du Ruhui greeted him in person. Generally, the owner did not go out to greet him in person. Most of them sent his sons, nephews, and brothers to go out to greet him. But Du Ruhui knew that Su Wei was very arrogant and cared about this kind of etiquette. He would feel much more comfortable when he went out to greet him.

When Su Wei saw Du Ruhui go out in person, his eyes narrowed. Du Ruhui really respects him very much. He came out of the carriage, and Du Ruhui hurriedly stepped forward to support him, "Be careful of the old prime minister!"

"Haha! It's time for Prime Minister Du."

Su Wei got off the carriage, straightened his waist, and said with a smile: "I'll disturb Prime Minister Du today to rest."

"Where! Where! It's probably the younger generation who went to the mansion."

Su Wei nodded, "Then let's go into the house and talk!"

"Please ask the Prime Minister Su!"

Du Ruhui led the way and took Su Wei to his outer study room. The two of them entered the room. Su Wei saw the lights in the room. There was a blue smoke curling from the incense burner in the corner of the room, and a memorial was placed on the table, which seemed to be only halfway through.

The two men took a seat with the guest and the host. A maid served tea. Su Wei pointed to the table, "Is the Prime Minister Du still writing a memorial?"

Du Ruhui nodded and sighed slightly, "The court lacks food. Now we have to conquer the Central Plains. We still need to spend a lot of money and grain to resettle the people. To be honest, I am very worried. Without food, it is hard for a good cook to cook without rice!"

Although Su Wei was nominally the head of the Five Prime Ministers, Du Ruhui was appointed as the Minister of Shangshu Zuo Pushe, and he was the real prime minister of real power. He was under great pressure.

This time when Yang Yuanqing attacked the Central Plains, although Du Ruhui was not an opponent, he did not support it and held a neutral position. He is now extremely worried about the food issue.

Su Wei could understand Du Ruhui's difficulties. He also responded with a smile, "Hebei's expenditure in the second half of the year was a little smaller. I originally thought I could take a breath, but the expenses in the Central Plains came again, but this year the food was not collected. I can understand Du Xiang's difficulties."

Both of them smiled bitterly, complaining, but the overall situation of seizing the Central Plains is indeed worth celebrating. Su Wei said again: "Although the days are tighter, as long as the upper and lower parts are saving routinely, they can still overcome this difficulty. However, the strategy of seizing the Central Plains is not small. This is the most critical step for us to seize the world."

Du Ruhui nodded, "I also know that this is a great event for the imperial court that captures the Central Plains. I heard that there is a lot of food in the spoils, which is as much as 300,000 stones. With this amount of food, it can be at least half a year for the Central Plains. There is also an army that can stock up on the fields and plant a little short-season millet. I guess I can overcome this difficulty."

Of course, Du Ruhui knew that Su Wei came to him so late, not just talking about food, but something big must come. After pondering for a while, Du Ruhui asked tentatively: "What does Su Xiang seem to be wrong?"

"Of course, you won't come to the door if you have nothing to do!"

Su Wei smiled mysteriously. After taking a sip of tea, he said calmly: "Actually, one thing I have been thinking about is about His Highness the King of Chu ascended the throne. The war in the Central Plains ended, and I think the time is ripe."

Du Ruhui did not say anything, lowered his head to drink tea, and heard Su Wei continue to say that when he saw Du Ruhui's expression was dull, Su Wei was slightly stunned, and said, "Actually, I was considering this matter when the Battle of Hebei ended. I also talked with the King of Chu, but the King of Chu did not express his opinion. Therefore, after the Battle of Hebei, the matter was left unresolved. I guess the King of Chu felt that the time was not ripe at that time, but now the Battle of Central Plains is over, we have already gained the upper hand. At this time, regardless of the prestige and achievements of the King of Chu have reached a new level. I think the time is ripe, so I came to see Prime Minister Du tonight...."

Speaking of this, Su Wei looked at Du Ruhui meaningfully, and his eyes meant to ask: 'What do you think?'

Du Ruhui was still thinking about it. He actually considered this matter, but he did not consider it mature. From his original intention, he felt that the conditions were a little short of it and had not come naturally. The key was that he had not taken over Luoyang and Chang'an, and the imperial aura had not been completely condensed.

Du Ruhui sighed and said, "I can understand the mood of Su Prime Minister. In fact, there are many people in the court talking about this matter, which shows that the ascension of the King of Chu is what everyone hopes for, but I think the real decision is still in the hands of His Highness the King of Chu. Su Wei doesn't think that His Highness is not very enthusiastic about this matter?"

Su Wei was stunned, "What do you say about Prime Minister Du? Why do you say that Your Highness is not keen?"

Du Ruhui said slowly: "Actually, I have been paying attention to the idea of ​​His Highness the King of Chu. If he really intends to ascend the throne, then he will definitely take Luoyang and move the capital south. After all, Taiyuan is just a subordinate capital, not as legitimate as Luoyang. However, he has no intention to take Luoyang. Perhaps he is just a strategic need, but I think that no strategy can match his desire to ascend the throne, which only means that his intention to ascend the throne is not strong."

Su Wei was also in deep thought. He had to admit that Du Ruhui's statement made sense. If the King of Chu really wanted to ascend the throne, then it would be inevitable to take down Luoyang, but the King of Chu did not...

"But just because His Highness the King of Chu did not take Luoyang, he decided that he did not ascend the throne. I think he was still a little too hasty. Du Xiang, we should confirm with His Highness the King of Chu face to face."

Du Ruhui nodded, "I will confirm this matter!"

After pausing, he added with a smile: "Of course, I will convey Su Prime Minister's strong desire to ascend the throne to the King of Chu."

Su Wei squinted his eyes and smiled. It was said that Du Ruhui was not very familiar with the world, and this was a false statement!

...........

Yang Yuanqing's army had ended the battle in the Central Plains. He appointed Xu Shiji as the general manager of the army in Xingying, led 50,000 troops to guard Yingchuan County. At the same time, Niu Jinda was appointed as the Central Plains regiment, recruiting 30,000 county troops in the Central Plains area. The remaining troops were stationed in Hedong and Hebei. Yang Yuanqing led 30,000 elite troops back to Taiyuan by land.

The tens of thousands of Tang troops captured were temporarily placed in Hanoi County for military farming. These troops were from Guanzhong and Shu. Yang Yuanqing would use these surrendered troops to exchange food for the Tang Dynasty to solve the problem of insufficient food in the Sui Dynasty.

That night, the Sui Dynasty army returned to Taiyuan County and camped on the Fenshui River thirty miles away from Taiyuan City to rest.

The moon was as round as a silver plate, sprinkling the bright light on the earth. The Sui soldiers also put down thousands of shade lamps in the Fen River to express their grief for the fallen soldiers.

Yang Yuanqing stood on the shore and silently made a wish for rest to a huge water lotus lamp. Then he took the torch and lit the turbulent oil plate in the water lotus lamp. The fire ignited, and several soldiers pushed the water lotus lamp into the river. As the waves rose and fell, the water lotus lamp gradually floated towards the center of the river.

At this time, a cavalry rushed from the camp and shouted loudly from a distance: "Master!"

"What's the matter?" Yang Yuanqing came up.

"Captain Du is here and is waiting for the general manager in the big tent."

Yang Yuanqing nodded, walked quickly to the war horse, turned over and urged the war horse, hundreds of personal guards followed him to the camp.

In the central army's tent, Du Ruhui stood in front of the sand table accompanied by Li Jing, enjoying the results of this Central Plains War.

Li Jing held a wooden pole in his hand and pointed to the south, "In this battle in the Central Plains, except for Nanyang County, Xiyang County and Runan County, the other Central Plains counties were taken into the trap by the Sui army, especially Liang County, Li Mi's Wei army is gradually evacuating. Once the Wei army completely evacuated, Liang County will also be incorporated into the Sui territory."

Du Ruhui pondered and asked, "Why are Nanyang County and Xiyang County not taken?"

At this time, Yang Yuanqing's laughter came from behind him, "Those two counties are used as buffers. The Tang army cannot station troops, and we do not station troops. This is a compromise reached by Li Xiaogong and I."

Du Ruhui turned around and saw Yang Yuanqing walking in from outside the tent. Du Ruhui hurriedly bowed and bowed, "The lower-ranking official Du Ruhui met His Highness the King of Chu!"

"It's been hard for Prime Minister Du to manage the government."

Yang Yuanqing walked forward with a smile, picked up the wooden pole and pointed it at the two counties of Nanyang and Xiyang, and continued to explain to him, "These two counties are actually like Hongnong County, both of which are surrounded by Funiu Mountain. There are many mountains, insufficient arable land, not much population, and not very strategic value. I don't want to directly border the Tang army, so I sent someone to reach a temporary agreement with Li Xiaogong."

After pausing, Yang Yuanqing said again: "Of course, if the Tang court refused to admit that these two counties were buffering, the Sui army would occupy them without hesitation."

Du Ruhui nodded, "I understand what Your Highness means, that is, I won't take Jing Xiang for the time being."

Yang Yuanqing smiled slightly, "Secretary Du's eyes are indeed like a torch. It is difficult for the court to bear large-scale battles now. I plan to rest for a while and accumulate my energy. When the court's strength gradually becomes sufficient and the vitality of the Central Plains is restored, I will consider sending troops to destroy Dou Jiande first."

Yang Yuanqing asked Du Ruhui to sit down and ordered his personal soldiers to serve tea. Li Jing knew that they had something important to discuss, so he took the excuse to retreat, and only Yang Yuanqing and Du Ruhui were left in the tent.

At this time, Du Ruhui pondered for a moment and said, "I came to find Your Highness tonight, and I want to discuss something with Your Highness."

Du Ruhui looked at Yang Yuanqing's eyes and said slowly: "The Battle of Central Plains has ended. Is Your Highness considering the ascension of the throne?"

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