Li Shimin sighed lightly and said, “What you speak of, how could father not know? It’s just that both he and Gao Junya are people sent by His Majesty – we cannot speak against them, nor can we act against them.”

Deputy General Fang shook his head repeatedly, lowering his voice as he said, “For His Majesty to actually trust such petty men, no wonder our dynasty grows weaker by the day!”

Speaking of this victory, though there were still sixty to seventy thousand troops remaining, the great general was dead, and none of Zhen Di’er’s subordinate generals would submit to the others. They fought amongst themselves for power like scattered sand. At this moment, Li Yuan regathered his forces, bringing five thousand reinforcements to attack the remaining seventy thousand troops with a force of ten thousand. Because there was no unified command, those armies quickly scattered and fled. Countless prisoners were taken, and after counting them together with those captured before, they had taken several tens of thousands of prisoners in total. This became another great victory, and Li Yuan pushed his reputation in the army to its highest point!

The remaining soldiers fled back to their stronghold in Hebei and told Wei Dao’er and Wang Xuba everything that had happened. When the two heard that Li Yuan had used only ten thousand troops to break through their hundred thousand strong army, they were both shocked and terrified. They no longer dared harbor designs on Guanzhong and sent this news by carrier pigeon to Shibi, telling him that there was a man named Li Yuan guarding Taiyuan who was not to be trifled with!

For Shibi, this was not the first time he had heard Li Yuan’s name. He had heard it frequently during the Battle of Yanmen Pass, and each time he heard it, it was never good news!

This Li Yuan… truly was a persistent ghost!

Speaking of Taiyuan, when Wang Wei returned to the Governor’s Office, he immediately told Gao Junya about what had happened on the battlefield. The latter said in surprise, “You’re saying it was Duan Zhihong who tried to kill you?”

“Though I didn’t see with my own eyes him shooting that arrow, from his position and expression, it must have been him who shot it without doubt. I wasn’t wrong in my earlier guess – Li Yuan had me accompany him just to take the opportunity to kill me in the chaos!”

Gao Junya said frantically, “If that’s the case, wouldn’t we be in mortal danger at any moment? What… what should we do?”

Wang Wei said in a heavy voice, “Now that we’re in the Governor’s Office, he wouldn’t dare act rashly. However, since murderous intent has arisen, taking action is only a matter of time.”

Gao Junya said anxiously, “Then does Brother Wang have any solution?”

Wang Wei stroked his bandaged arm and coldly uttered five words: “Strike first to gain the advantage!”

Gao Junya frowned and said, “I understand the meaning, but military authority is all in Li Yuan’s hands. At most we could gather a mere hundred men – we’re no match for that father and son!”

Wang Wei paced back and forth a few steps, then said coldly, “Doesn’t Li Yuan love using clever strategies? Then let’s use a clever strategy this time too.” After a pause, he said, “You should know who Wei Dao’er and Wang Xuba are connected to, right?”

“You mean the Turkic people?” Facing Gao Junya’s words, Wang Wei nodded, “Exactly. The Turks have never given up their treacherous designs on our Great Sui. This battle is the best proof. As long as we give them a little sweetener, I believe they’ll be like honey-obsessed bears, pursuing relentlessly.”

Gao Junya wasn’t stupid either and quickly understood Wang Wei’s meaning. He said in shock, “You want to lure the Turks to attack Taiyuan? But don’t forget, before Taiyuan, there are still several defensive positions. They may not be able to attack through, much less take Li Yuan’s life.”

During these days in Taiyuan, they had personally witnessed Li Yuan’s repeated victories against superior numbers and clearly recognized his ability in military formations and deployments. To kill such a person on the battlefield would be difficult!

The fat on Wang Wei’s cheeks trembled a few times as he said, “Who said I wanted to use Turkic hands to kill Li Yuan?”

Gao Junya was bewildered by his words, “Not using Turkic hands? Then how do we kill Li Yuan?”

Wang Wei narrowed his eyes and said, “From beginning to end, only one person can kill Li Yuan – and that’s His Majesty!”

“His Majesty can naturally take Li Yuan’s life, but currently Guanzhong depends on Li Yuan for defense. Unless absolutely necessary, His Majesty would never kill Li Yuan.”

“Then we’ll create that necessity!” Wang Wei said with a half-smile, “The Turks attack, Li Yuan suffers defeat – do you think this necessity carries enough weight?”

Gao Junya thought for a moment and nodded, “It would be enough, but you’ve also seen Li Yuan’s godlike military abilities. To make him lose – how easy would that be!”

“Just watch – there will always be a way.” With that, Wang Wei said, “What’s most urgent now is getting the Turks to send troops. Only then will we have an opportunity, otherwise everything is just empty talk.”

“But we’ve never had dealings with the Turks – how do we make them trust us?” This statement hit Wang Wei’s heart as well, and he said, “No hurry, let me think it through carefully.”

While they were plotting against Li Yuan, Duan Zhihong was kneeling before Li Shimin, saying guiltily, “This subordinate is useless, failing to take Wang Wei’s life and disappointing Second Young Master’s trust.”

Li Shimin helped him up, saying, “The battle situation was chaotic then, and Wang Wei was hiding in the grass. That you could wound him was already remarkable – I don’t blame you. Perhaps it simply wasn’t Wang Wei’s time to die.”

Duan Zhihong said, “Please give this subordinate another chance, and I will surely take his life!”

“Since there’s no warfare now, it’s inappropriate to act. Let’s wait for later.” Facing Li Shimin’s words, Duan Zhihong said worriedly, “From the way Wang Wei looked at this subordinate before, I’m concerned he’s already figured out that it was I who shot the arrow, and thus harbors resentment toward the Governor and Second Young Master.”

Li Shimin laughed, “From the moment they came here, they’ve already wanted us father and son dead – it’s not just now.” Before he could speak further, Li Shimin continued, “Alright, let’s set this matter aside for now. You just need to pay attention to what those two do in their daily activities.”

Seeing his decision was made, Duan Zhihong had no choice but to agree and secretly monitor Wang Wei and the other’s activities.

Every time Li Yuan won a battle, he would quietly send people to spread word of his achievements, so as to build momentum for his future uprising. On the other hand, even after coming to Taiyuan, he hadn’t forgotten to collect various rare treasures to please and lull Yang Guang, who was far away in Jiangdu.

These nearly miraculous military achievements were undoubtedly what common people most liked to discuss over tea and meals. Word spread from one to ten, ten to a hundred, and soon reached all parts of the country, including, of course, Jiangdu.

Since arriving in Jiangdu, what Yunyi loved most was leaving the palace to listen to storytellers. Every few days she would leave the palace, and what she loved hearing most were stories about the Li clan of Taiyuan. She never tired of listening and would even pay the storyteller after he finished to tell it again, all just to hear that familiar name once more.

This day, Yunyi came to the teahouse she usually frequented, accompanied by Ruyi and Jixiang as always. But this time when she arrived, she discovered that aside from the original shopkeeper, the teahouse was completely empty – no one drinking tea, no one telling stories. Strange, had she come at the wrong time? But she’d usually come around this same time before.