After hesitating for a long time, Jiang Yuan finally took the porcelain bottle from Li Jiancheng’s hand, gritting his teeth: “This subordinate understands!”

Li Jiancheng nodded: “Good. Besides the ten thousand troops outside the city, I’ll assign another ten thousand soldiers to you. If this succeeds, you’ll be my first meritorious subject. After I ascend the throne, I certainly won’t treat you poorly!”

Jiang Yuan cupped his hands in agreement: “This subordinate receives the order!”

The next day, Jiang Yuan took the ten thousand soldiers Li Jiancheng had assigned him to the encampment of the troops outside the city, joining forces with them, then sent people to investigate Li Shimin’s party’s whereabouts day and night.

Five days later, the hundred thousand Tang troops arrived at the banks of the Qi River. At this point they were less than twenty li from Luoyang. Li Shimin ordered that since it was getting late, they would make camp and rest on the spot, waiting until early the next morning to march refreshed straight to Luoyang.

After setting up camp, the soldiers went to the banks of the Qi River to fetch water and make fires. Soon enticing rice fragrance drifted from the tents.

Li Shimin was carefully studying maps with Liu Hongji and others, discussing methods for attacking the city after reaching Luoyang. This battle concerned not only Li Shimin’s honor but also the Tang’s foundation, so victory was required and defeat was not permitted!

Whether Li Jiancheng or Li Shimin, both understood this battle’s importance and both wanted to win. But when two armies clash, there can only be one victor. In the end… who would lose?

“Your Majesty, if you ask this subordinate, I should just lead the great army and attack directly. It’s merely Luoyang city—with a hundred thousand troops pressing against it, how could there be any reason we can’t take it?” Yin Kaishan was the most impatient one, becoming restless after listening for a short time.

“Merely Luoyang?” Liu Hongji laughed lightly: “If Luoyang were so easy to attack, Li Mi wouldn’t have been defeated by Wang Shichong and forced to join the Tang with his remaining troops. Even Your Majesty once suffered a setback at Luoyang.”

Yin Kaishan said dismissively: “Sir, how can you boost others’ morale while dampening our own? True, we expended much effort taking Luoyang, but now our Great Tang has strong soldiers and horses—how can it be compared to then?”

“When Li Mi was at his peak, didn’t he also have strong soldiers and horses? At his height, he even had a million troops. What was the result? Wasn’t he still worn to death outside Luoyang city?”

Yin Kaishan was blocked from speaking for a long while before finally saying: “That was because Li Mi was stupid and lacked the ability!”

“Perhaps, but now defending the city is not Wang Shichong. Luoyang is Li Jiancheng’s final chess piece, so he will certainly think of every possible way to prevent us from victory.”

Yin Kaishan’s eyes widened as he said loudly: “Then we’ll fight him head-on! I refuse to believe we can’t break through this Luoyang city!”

Li Jing patted his shoulder: “Open spears are easy to dodge, hidden arrows are hard to guard against. Relying on hot blood alone won’t capture Luoyang. Besides, all this killing—aren’t you still killing our Great Tang’s people?”

Yin Kaishan thought this made sense and said helplessly: “Then what do you suggest we do?”

“Sit down first and listen to His Majesty and Master Liu discuss slowly.” After the tent quieted down, Li Shimin withdrew his gaze from the map and looked at Liu Hongji: “We can reach Luoyang tomorrow. Has Sir thought of any clever strategies to help us capture the city while avoiding casualties as much as possible?”

Liu Hongji turned the jade thumb ring in his hand, saying slowly: “Attacking the city will take until the day after tomorrow at the earliest. We still have two days to think. The urgent matter is tonight!”

His words startled everyone. Zhangsun Wuji was the first to recover, raising his eyebrows and saying gravely: “Sir means… Li Jiancheng will send people to ambush us?”

Before Liu Hongji could speak, Yuchi Jingde was already shaking his head repeatedly: “Impossible. Li Jiancheng doesn’t have many soldiers. Right now he should be sealing the city gates tight and arranging troops for defense. How could he have spare strength to ambush us!”

“Li Jiancheng knows clearly that following normal strategy, holding Luoyang city without defeat is already the limit—there’s no way he can beat us. But for him, not winning equals losing, so he will certainly act contrary to expectations!”

Yuchi Jingde said half-believingly: “Really?”

Before Liu Hongji could speak, Li Shimin had already said: “When has Sir ever been wrong? Go out immediately and assign people to take turns standing guard with careful vigilance.”

After Yuchi Jingde left with the order, Liu Hongji looked at Li Shimin with a serious expression: “Your Majesty, have you truly made up your mind this time?”

Li Shimin knew what he meant and said with firm expression: “Yes, in this battle, I will absolutely show no mercy. I will certainly make those two pay the blood debt they owe. Sir can rest assured!”

“That’s good!” Liu Hongji breathed a sigh of relief, then said: “When two armies clash, casualties are inevitable. But before that, Your Majesty can try to shout to the soldiers in the city, letting them know what Li Jiancheng and his brother have done. If we can make them give up resistance and surrender, that would be best. Even if not, it can at least shake their morale and help us capture Luoyang quickly. The longer it drags on, the more casualties there will be!”

“This is the only way!” As they spoke, a soldier said from outside: “Your Majesty, the meal has been prepared. Should we serve it now?”

“Bring it in.” Saying this, Li Shimin said to Liu Hongji and the others: “You all stay here to eat as well.”

These several people had all fought their way through the realm alongside Li Shimin, so their relationship was extremely close, and they nodded in agreement.

Before long, soldiers brought in the meal. Since they were on campaign and not in the palace, there were only a few home-style dishes, plus a small wooden bucket containing rice.

After he set down the meal, Li Shimin said: “Master Liu and the others are all eating here. Go get a few more sets of bowls and chopsticks.”

“Yes.” Soon the soldier brought clean bowls and chopsticks, but his expression was somewhat strange, his brow tightly furrowed as if something was troubling him.

Du Ruhui noticed his abnormality and said: “Is there something wrong?”

Hearing this, the soldier quickly shook his head: “Nothing, this humble one just suddenly felt some stomach discomfort, probably from drinking some cold water earlier.” As he spoke, his face suddenly changed, and he said urgently: “This humble one will go out first. Your Majesty and the generals please take your time eating.”

When the soldier left in haste, he brushed past Yuchi Jingde, who looked back at him and muttered: “Another one, really useless.”

Du Ruhui was closest to him and heard this, asking curiously: “What do you mean by that, General Yuchi?”

Yuchi Jingde said honestly: “When I went out to arrange defenses just now, I saw several soldiers hurrying toward the forest. I was afraid something was wrong, so I asked. Turns out they all had upset stomachs and were rushing to relieve themselves. Looking at that soldier’s face all scrunched up just now, it must be the same thing.”

Liu Hongji’s heart stirred: “Oh, many soldiers are all having stomach pain at the same time?”

“Yes, probably because the weather’s turned cold these past few days. Really useless.” Saying this, Yuchi Jingde saw the meal laid out on the table and rubbed his hands with a smile: “The meal’s already been brought? After walking most of the day, I’m truly famished.”