Li Shimin shook his head: “This battle is over, but if we don’t find Li Jiancheng, there will likely be more trouble in the future.”

Hearing him say this, Du Ruhui’s heart, which had just relaxed, tightened again. Indeed, Li Jiancheng was the key to all of this – this man must be caught as soon as possible!

After the Turkic withdrawal, Chang’an returned to tranquility. The fallen soldiers were all given proper burials and compensation, ensuring their families wouldn’t be left destitute and helpless.

As for the manhunt for Li Jiancheng and the other, it continued without interruption. To Li Shimin’s disappointment, there had been no news of them, as if they had vanished into thin air, or perhaps… they weren’t in the Chang’an area at all.

In fact, they indeed weren’t in Chang’an. Although in military matters Li Jiancheng was inferior to Li Shimin, this didn’t mean he lacked brains. On the contrary, Li Jiancheng was far more shrewd than ordinary people.

He knew that regardless of whether the Turks won or lost, it wouldn’t benefit him. So as soon as he escaped the military camp, he immediately took Li Yuanji and rushed to Luoyang, where he still had some former subordinates he had once used whom Li Shimin hadn’t yet purged. As long as he could contact them, he could control Luoyang, occupy the city as emperor, and even use it as a base to contend with Li Shimin.

“Big brother gave them such a good plan, yet they still lost – useless things!” On the way to Luoyang, news of the Turkic defeat arrived. Li Yuanji angrily slammed the table – it was an altar table that hadn’t been used for years. With one slap, countless dust particles rose, choking Li Yuanji into a coughing fit.

In contrast, Li Jiancheng appeared much calmer, saying indifferently: “Whether they win or lose has nothing to do with us. What about you – have you investigated the situation in Luoyang city?”

After stopping his coughing, Li Yuanji said seriously: “I’ve investigated clearly. Luoyang city currently has twenty thousand garrison troops, and the one responsible for commanding the army is Wang Zhengfeng.”

“Wang Zhengfeng…” Li Jiancheng murmured, tapping his index finger with a frown: “Although this person isn’t Li Shimin’s direct subordinate, he’s quite loyal to him. Getting him to serve us won’t be easy.”

Facing his words, Li Yuanji revealed a sinister smile: “Why go through the trouble of getting him to serve us? Wouldn’t it be better to just kill him directly?”

Li Jiancheng’s spirits lifted as he stared at him: “What, you have a way?”

“When Chang’an was in trouble, Luoyang sent thirty thousand troops, and the one leading them is Jiang Yuan!” At these words, Li Jiancheng’s face immediately brightened with joy: “You’ve confirmed this – it’s really Jiang Yuan?”

“Absolutely certain.” Hearing this, Li Jiancheng clapped his hands in uncontainable joy: “Good, truly good!”

Years ago, Jiang Yuan had served under him. Although he left after half a year, during that time he had saved Jiang Yuan’s life, and the latter was someone who repaid gratitude. Over the years, though he had moved around serving in various places, every festival he would send gifts to the Eastern Palace, never missing once.

“According to the information I gathered, Jiang Yuan will arrive in Luoyang tomorrow morning. We need to see him before then. As long as Jiang Yuan nods, Luoyang will be in our grasp!”

Li Jiancheng nodded in deep agreement, picked up a bamboo hat from nearby and put it on: “There’s no time to waste – let’s go now!”

Li Yuanji responded and left the broken temple where they had temporarily sheltered with him, making their way to an official road that Jiang Yuan would have to take to return to Luoyang.

About ten li away from them, a force of roughly thirty thousand men was slowly moving. Leading them was a general around thirty years old who looked scholarly and refined, currently frowning tightly. This person was Jiang Yuan.

He was Luoyang’s deputy commander, ordered by Wang Zhengfeng to lead thirty thousand troops to Chang’an to protect the emperor. When he arrived there, the Turks had already withdrawn, but he had received surprising news.

This Turkic invasion was actually related to Li Jiancheng. Although the latter had already escaped before the Turkic siege, His Majesty had ordered a city-wide manhunt. They would probably be found sooner or later, and when that happened… no matter how benevolent His Majesty was, Li Jiancheng and the other would surely die!

Although Li Jiancheng had indeed made a grave error this time, he had after all saved his life. He really couldn’t bear to watch Li Jiancheng die, so during his few days in Chang’an, he had secretly sent trusted men to search, hoping to find Li Jiancheng first so he might protect his safety. Unfortunately, they found nothing, and he had no choice but to set out on the road back to Luoyang.

“General, ten more li and we’ll be back in Luoyang.” The soldier’s words interrupted Jiang Yuan’s contemplation. Looking at the setting sun, he said: “Tell everyone to quicken their pace – return to Luoyang before dark!”

“Yes!” Just as the soldier left, a strong wind struck from the left. Jiang Yuan’s face changed as he reached out and caught the object accurately, simultaneously shouting sternly: “Who’s there?”

The deputy general following behind him saw this scene and quickly spurred his horse forward: “General, what happened?”

Jiang Yuan didn’t speak, opening his palm to reveal a stone with a paper strip tied to it. After unfolding and reading the strip, Jiang Yuan’s expression immediately became extremely strange. He clutched the paper tightly in his hand and said: “Pass this general’s order – all officers and men rest in place for half an hour.”

This sudden order left the deputy general bewildered, and he reminded: “General, if we rest for half an hour, I’m afraid we won’t make it back to Luoyang before dark.”

Jiang Yuan, usually quite reasonable, was unusually insistent this time, saying without room for doubt: “Being a day late returning to Luoyang isn’t a problem. Just do as I say.”

Seeing his resolute attitude, the deputy general had no choice but to relay the order for the thirty thousand officers and men to rest in place. When he turned back looking for Jiang Yuan, he was nowhere to be found.

While the deputy general searched for him everywhere, Jiang Yuan appeared in a small grove two li away from them. After calming his somewhat labored breathing from running, he called softly: “Crown Prince, where are you?”

After calling twice, a thin figure appeared in his line of sight. Upon seeing the newcomer, Jiang Yuan immediately showed a joyful expression and walked quickly over: “Seeing that Your Highness the Crown Prince is unharmed, this subordinate is relieved.”

The newcomer was indeed Li Jiancheng, who stared at Jiang Yuan with a complex expression: “You… still call me Crown Prince?”

Jiang Yuan said solemnly: “In this subordinate’s heart, you will forever be the Crown Prince of the Great Tang – no one can replace you!”

“It’s rare that your feelings remain constant and have never changed.” Li Jiancheng said with pleasure, then continued: “How is the situation in Chang’an?”

“When this subordinate arrived, the Turks had already withdrawn and Chang’an was safe. However, His Majesty has now sent many people to search the Chang’an area for Your Highness and the Prince of Qi!”

As he spoke, Li Yuanji also emerged, snorting coldly: “He’s naturally single-minded about capturing me and big brother.”

Jiang Yuan was silent for a while, then said: “Your Highness, what are your plans for the future?”