After Tongyehu left, Du Qi did not pay any more attention to him. He only had his scouts keep an eye on him to prevent Tongyehu from raiding. He wasn't lying when he threatened Tongyehu. As long as Tongyehu dared to raid, Du Qi's army would have to destroy Tongyehu first to give the people an explanation.
Du Qi turned and returned to the palace. However, Du Qi did not waste any more time. After stopping at Yanqi Province, he set off for Quizi Province.
Quizi Province was the fourth province that Du Qi controlled.
From Yi Province to Gaochang Province, Yanqi Province, and Quizi Province, Du Qi's army spanned across the Western Regions. As long as he continued west, he would be able to open a path to the Western Regions.
With Du Qi's current strength, it would not be difficult for him to kill his way there.
In fact, it would not be difficult for him to kill his way there and destroy the various kingdoms of the Western Regions and Moheduo. The result would be that his foundation would be unstable, and it would be easy for problems to arise.
As such, Du Qi would rather slow down a bit. Although the speed at which he attacked the various regions would be slower, at least Du Qi's control of the various regions would be more stable. As soon as Tongyehu's army left Quizi Province, Du Qi arrived at Quizi City.
As soon as Du Qi entered, Jiang Changzong, Yi Fusheng, Ma Yuan, and Xue Rengui all arrived.
The host and guests took their seats in the palace.
Du Qi looked around at his subordinates and said, "We've already taken over Yi Province, Gaochang Province, Yanqi Province, and Quizi Province. These places are under this king's jurisdiction.
"It can be said that our strength has expanded again this year. At the same time, we've reached the limit of our expansion this year. If we expand again, it will be difficult to digest.
"What we need to do now is very simple. We need to reorganize the army and reorganize it into a stronger fighting force. Moreover, we now have four provinces, so we can expand our army's numbers again.
"Right now, we have thirty thousand infantrymen. Of course, it's definitely more than that. From 30,000 infantrymen to 100,000 men, our cavalry can also be expanded to 10,000 men. "
Du Qi looked at the three of them and asked, "I believe this matter won't be difficult, right?"
"Not at all!"
Ma Yuan and Xue Rengui agreed at the same time.
Because Xiao Yuan Qi was stationed in Yanqi Province, Xiao Yuan Qi didn't come for the time being.
The matter of expanding the army could only be handled by the two of them.
Du Qi's gaze turned to Jiang Changzong and said, "Jiang Changzong, heed my command!"
"Here!"
Jiang Changzong agreed immediately.
Du Qi said in a deep voice, "You're currently the Chief of Staff of the General Staff Department. However, the current position of Chief of Staff is of little use. Therefore, you have to step down from your position as Chief of Staff and become the Governor of Guzi Province. You will be in charge of the state affairs of Guzi Province. "
"Yes!"
Jiang Changzong agreed immediately.
Jiang Changzong didn't have the slightest hesitation about Du Qi's arrangement. Moreover, Guzi Province had a vast territory. Being in charge of Guzi Province was a big responsibility.
Du Qi changed the topic and continued, "What we need to do now is to develop ourselves and enhance our strength. Because what we're going to face next is not the pressure from the Western Regions but the pressure from the Tang Dynasty. "
Jiang Changzong asked, "What do you mean, Your Highness?"
Du Qi said, "I've opened up the situation in the Western Regions and occupied four provinces in a short time. As long as this news is sent back to the Tang Dynasty, it will definitely cause a great shock. Some people have been eyeing my territory and wanted to break the promise His Majesty made to me. Therefore, it's very likely that they will arrange people to take control of these places under the current circumstances. "
After pausing for a moment, Du Qi continued, "Therefore, we have to be prepared for this. According to my estimation, it's very likely that we will fight the Tang Dynasty. Only when the Tang Dynasty sees our strength can they develop steadily and not be coveted again. "
Du Qi was now the ruler of a country.
Between countries, there were only eternal interests. There was no such thing as friendship.
After Du Qi's strength was enhanced, the Tang Dynasty would definitely adjust its strategy. This situation would not change because of Li Shimin's personal feelings for Du Qi. It would inevitably cause a conflict with Du Qi.
This was caused by the interests of the two countries.
After Du Qi finished speaking, Xue Rengui looked excited and said, "Your Highness, even if the Tang Dynasty sends troops to kill us, we won't be afraid. We have enough strength now. "
He had never lost a battle in the Western Regions. However, many generals of the Tang Dynasty in the Central Plains had tyrannical strength. Xue Rengui wanted to fight them.
Ma Yuan echoed, "The Tang Dynasty thinks that we can be bullied as they wish. In fact, with our strength, we can't be bullied as we wish. After this battle, we can prove ourselves. At that time, the Tang Dynasty will know that we can't be bullied as they wish. "
Ma Yuan and Xue Rengui were the two who advocated for war because only a battle could prove everything. In fact, whether it was Ma Yuan or Xue Rengui, the other civil officials like Liu Zhengxi, Guo Xiaozheng, Yuan Yin, Yi Fusheng, and the other generals, they were also the ones who advocated for war.
To everyone, only by winning a battle could they establish their own strength.
Du Qi nodded and said, "Since we all have an idea, everything will be easy. Train the soldiers according to the ideology of the main battle."
"Yes!"
Everyone responded in unison.
At this time, Du Qi's subordinates made adjustments and focused on managing Yizhou and the other four regions. In September, Moheduo did not send troops from the west. Instead, Tongyehu, who had returned, led the army and started a civil war with Moheduo.
Du Qi did not pay attention to it anymore.
The current Du Qi mainly focused on managing his own business. By the ninth month, all the grain had been collected. Cotton was also gradually harvested. Originally, cotton was not used much in the west, but Du Qi had copied many cotton production techniques from his brain and increased the use of cotton. Especially with the emergence of cotton, cotton clothes were warmer and more popular than down jackets.
Cotton was eventually made into quilts, which made it easier to keep warm. The purchase, production, and sale of cotton were all carried out by Du Qi's subordinates. Soon, it became a profitable industry.
The entire production chain was extremely profitable.
In October, Du Qi returned to Gaochang City. At this time, the people in the four regions had been replaced by his own people. The army had also expanded to 100,000 people, quickly forming a fighting force.
The main army had all returned to Gaochang City.
Although there were some standing troops stationed in each region, they were not many. Even so, no one in the west dared to casually attack. Everyone knew that Du Qi was not to be trifled with. If they provoked Du Qi, they could easily face the destruction of their country.
Moreover, the Turkic army had already been crippled by Du Qi. This was a lesson learned from the mistakes of the past. Even though there were many smaller countries in the surroundings, after the lesson of the Turks, these countries would be grateful if Du Qi did not attack them, let alone attack Du Qi.
While the west was peacefully developing, the debate in the Chang 'an Imperial Court was getting more and more intense.
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