While Yuwen Huaji was busy mustering troops to fight Li Mi to the death, Yuwen Zhiji examined with great interest this person who had come to seek refuge with them at such a critical moment. “What is your name?”

The man respectfully replied: “In response to the general, this humble officer is Liu Jing.”

Yuwen Zhiji nodded and asked: “What crime did you commit that made Li Mi unable to tolerate you?” This person was extremely suspicious by nature. Although Liu Jing appeared to have nothing questionable about him, he still didn’t fully believe him.

The man calling himself Liu Jing said: “I was one of Chief Zhai’s men. Ever since Li Mi killed Chief Zhai, I’ve been thinking about avenging him. Just last night, I infiltrated Li Mi’s camp to assassinate him, but unfortunately I was discovered by him and imprisoned. Fortunately, a group of old brothers freed me.”

Yuwen Zhiji knew about the Chief Zhai that Liu Jing mentioned. The Wagang Army had originally been Zhai Rang’s territory. After Yang Xuangan’s military defeat, Li Mi sought refuge with the Wagang Army. Because of his skill in strategy and military command, he gained Zhai Rang’s recognition and heavy reliance, becoming the second-in-command of the Wagang Army. But Li Mi was not satisfied with this – he killed Zhai Rang and became the leader of the Wagang Army.

After saying this, Liu Jing angrily declared: “Li Mi, this traitor! The chief promoted him greatly and even entrusted the entire Wagang Army to his command, yet he repaid kindness with enmity. As long as I, Liu Jing, live for one day, I will not let him go for even one day!” As he spoke, he cupped his hands: “Please, General, you must kill Li Mi, this dog thief!”

Yuwen Zhiji carefully observed his expression. Seeing that he had no intention of deceiving him, his heart settled, and he said: “He dared to deceive my brother – he must be executed!”

Hearing this, Liu Jing continued: “Please allow this last general to join the battle. I want to personally cut off Li Mi’s head to comfort the chief’s spirit in heaven.”

“Of course you can.” As he spoke, Yuwen Zhiji smiled again: “Brother Liu, with such loyalty, Chief Zhai’s spirit in heaven can rest in peace.”

“Thank you, General.” Little did Yuwen Zhiji imagine that this so-called Liu Jing was not one of Li Mi’s men at all, but someone sent by Li Shimin. Liu Jing was actually Liu Wenjing.

As soon as Li Shimin learned of Li Mi’s peace overture, he determined it was a deception. Unfortunately, Yuwen Huaji seemed to believe this clumsy lie and remained inactive. If Yuwen Huaji continued to be fooled, in a few days his fighting strength would be greatly weakened, or he might even be defeated without a fight. In that case, his plan would fail to materialize.

Therefore, after urgent deliberation, Liu Wenjing assumed the false name Liu Jing and pretended to be someone who had escaped from Li Mi to report the news. He arranged a background story about seeking revenge for Zhai Rang, and indeed not only did Yuwen Huaji believe it to be true, but even Yuwen Zhiji harbored no suspicions.

Yuwen Huaji led his army across the Jishui Canal to fight Li Mi decisively at Tong Mountain. For Yuwen Huaji, this battle had to be won – otherwise, it would be a dead end.

The two sides combined totaled nearly two hundred thousand men, and the battle was extremely brutal. Although Li Mi’s men were all capable and slightly superior in numbers, those under Yuwen Huaji knew that their side had no food left. Once they lost this battle, they would all starve to death, so each one exerted all their strength, fighting two enemies at once.

This battle lasted from the hour of the rabbit to the hour of the horse. Both armies were exhausted. As time passed, signs of decline gradually appeared on Yuwen Huaji’s side. After all, before the battle began, those soldiers had only eaten half their fill, and after fighting for so long, they were so hungry their chests were pressed against their backs, naturally weakening their limbs.

Seeing his side at a disadvantage, Yuwen Huaji frantically asked Yuwen Zhiji beside him: “Second brother, this… what can we do? We cannot be defeated!”

“We won’t be defeated.” Yuwen Zhiji said calmly, then ordered men to push several carts covered with layers of hemp cloth to higher ground. Then all the hemp cloth was pulled away at once, revealing bags of something on the carts. Yuwen Zhiji took out a dagger and inserted it into one of the bags. As the dagger was withdrawn, white rice flowed out from the opening. “All you soldiers, as long as you kill Li Mi and his soldiers now, you can immediately eat white rice cooked from this rice.”

Seeing the rice continuously flowing down, the soldiers’ eyes turned green. For them, hungry as they were, nothing could be better motivation. They immediately swung their swords and charged toward the enemy army, all for the sake of filling their bellies sooner.

Li Mi’s forces hadn’t expected Yuwen Zhiji to have such a trick. They were caught off guard and retreated repeatedly. On the other side, Yuwen Huaji looked at Yuwen Zhiji who had returned to his side, both excited and puzzled: “Second brother, how do you still have so much rice?”

“When elder brother believed Li Mi’s lies earlier and had all the soldiers eat up the remaining provisions, I felt it was inappropriate, so I secretly had those responsible for provisions save half, to prepare for unexpected needs. It’s really come in handy now.”

Yuwen Huaji said bitterly: “It’s all because I was confused and actually believed that thief Li Mi’s honeyed words.”

“Let’s not talk about this now. The important thing is to quickly defeat Li Mi’s army.” While they were talking, the soldiers motivated by the white rice burst forth with unprecedented fighting power, pressing Li Mi’s forces all the way, causing the latter’s hundred thousand troops to retreat steadily.

While Yuwen Huaji was beaming with joy, Li Mi was troubled in his heart. Not only was his army retreating, but he himself was also retreating. He didn’t know where Yuwen Huaji had found such a fierce warrior who had been entangling him relentlessly since the beginning of the battle.

The person causing Li Mi endless trouble was precisely Liu Wenjing. On this mission, besides reminding Yuwen Huaji to make him fight with Li Mi, he also had to try to take Li Mi’s life. Only by presenting Li Mi’s head would Wang Shichong believe that Li Mi had suffered a great defeat and thus lead his army out of the city.

But Li Mi was also no easy opponent. Although he used all his skills, he still couldn’t take his life. Instead, he himself had suffered several wounds. Damn it, if this continued, it would be difficult to complete the task assigned by the Second Young Master.

For the Second Young Master’s victory, for the Tang King’s great cause, Li Mi… must die!

Just then, Liu Wenjing heard a sharp whistling sound behind his head. He instinctively crouched on his horse’s back. The next moment, a cold air brushed past his scalp. Then he heard a “ding” sound from ahead, followed by a muffled groan. Looking up, he saw an arrow shaft protruding from Li Mi’s right chest. Before he could react to what had happened, Li Mi had already fallen from his horse. Surprisingly, those who had been at his left and right sides scattered and fled – no one went to rescue him!

“Good opportunity!” Liu Wenjing said to himself, spurring his horse toward Li Mi who had fallen unconscious on the ground. As long as he could deliver another blow to Li Mi’s chest, the latter would surely die.

Before this thought was complete, his horse had already reached Li Mi. Just as Liu Wenjing raised his sword to strike down, an eight-ridged mace blocked Li Mi’s front. After a piercing collision sound, the steel blade that could have taken Li Mi’s life was forced to stop one foot from his chest.