Wang Wei turned his wine cup and said with a cold laugh, “When I first came to Taiyuan, I swore that I would make Li Yuan pay for what happened back then. No one can harm us and remain unscathed. His imprisonment is only the first step – I want him to watch the Li family’s destruction with his own eyes. And that Li Shimin – he’s the one who most deserves to die.”

Gao Junya nodded repeatedly, “His Majesty has already dismissed Li Yuan from office and imprisoned him. The next edict should be ordering his execution. Once he dies, even if His Majesty doesn’t blame us, the Li family won’t last long.”

Wang Wei raised his wine cup, “Well said. After the Li family is completely destroyed, you and I can celebrate properly!”

The two believed they could use this defeat to eliminate Li Yuan, little knowing that their actions had actually given Li Yuan an excuse to rebel. They were even less aware that Li Yuan was actively preparing at this very moment, and when he rose up, it would be their time to meet their maker. Today’s so-called celebration wine was actually their last drink.

Just as Li Yuan’s preparations were nearly complete, Heaven played a tremendous joke on him. A second edict arrived from Jiangdu, and no one could have expected that this edict would declare Li Yuan innocent and restore him to his original position.

Not only Wang Wei and his companion, but even Li Yuan was greatly shocked. From the previous edict, Yang Guang had clearly been greatly angered by his defeat. How could it suddenly become calm as if nothing had happened, without even a word of reproach? It was truly incomprehensible.

For anyone else, being acquitted and restored to office would be good news, but for Li Yuan, he couldn’t feel happy at all. Yang Guang’s pardon meant he no longer had a reason to rebel. Should he turn back now?

By now, the recruited soldiers and those who knew of his intention to rebel against Sui were growing numerous. Only those two fools Wang Wei and Gao Junya remained in the dark, completely unaware.

Turning back was impossible, but with no legitimate cause for rebellion, what should he do?

After gathering to discuss, Li Yuan decided to find a cause for rebellion while first gathering family members scattered in various places, including Li Jiancheng and his brothers in Hedong, and his daughter Princess Pingyang and son-in-law Chai Shao in Chang’an, urging them to come to Taiyuan quickly. Otherwise, the moment he rebelled here, they would lose their heads.

After days and nights of discussion, Liu Hongji and Liu Wenjing finally thought of a cause for rebellion and recruiting soldiers. Although Li Yuan didn’t entirely agree with their strategy, this was the only option available.

Several days later, an edict was posted on the streets of Taiyuan Prefecture. The content was about conscription – all citizens between twenty and fifty years old from Taiyuan, Xihe, Yanmen, and Mayi commanderies were to be conscripted. They were to gather in Zhuo Commandery by year’s end to attack Goguryeo.

When the people saw this edict, they immediately voiced their grievances. The previous three attacks on Goguryeo had already consumed countless human and financial resources, yet nothing had been achieved. Now conscripting troops to attack again was simply sending people to their deaths.

At the same time, some refugees appeared on the streets, seemingly having fled from distant places. They were in tattered clothes, gaunt and sallow. Upon inquiry, they were all refugees from the Jianghuai region. From their accounts, many Taiyuan citizens learned that the Jianghuai region they had once envied had now become a living hell. Beyond eating bark and soil, many people had begun killing their own kind to survive, living off human flesh and blood.

This news spread from person to person and quickly circulated among the Taiyuan people, making them even more disgusted with Yang Guang and unwilling to answer the conscription call.

At this time, Wang Wei and his companion were standing where the edict was posted. Gao Junya said in confusion, “Strange, I haven’t heard anything about His Majesty launching a fourth campaign against Goguryeo.”

Wang Wei shook his head, “I haven’t heard any news either. With many regions unstable and frequent warfare, why would His Majesty want to attack Goguryeo again? Something doesn’t feel right.” His eyes rolled as he said, “Do you think there might be something wrong with this edict?”

Gao Junya’s eyelids twitched as he said in shock, “You don’t think Li Yuan… forged the edict?” Before Wang Wei could speak, he was already shaking his head, “That’s impossible. No matter how bold Li Yuan is, he wouldn’t dare do such a thing. Besides, this wouldn’t benefit him at all. Moreover, the imperial seal is clearly stamped on it – it can’t be fake.”

“What you say makes sense, but I still feel something’s not right about this edict.” After pondering for a long time and still unable to understand the key point, he could only say, “Regardless, we’d better keep a closer eye on Li Yuan.” Gao Junya naturally nodded repeatedly at this suggestion. While the two sent their trusted men in Taiyuan city to watch Li Yuan closely, Li Shimin arrived at the Governor’s residence in Mayi. However, his visit wasn’t to see Governor Wang Rengong, but rather one of his subordinates, a Colonel of the Eagle Guard named Liu Wuzhou.

Seeing the Second Young Master of the Taiyuan Administrator come to his residence, Liu Wuzhou was extremely respectful and cautious. After some pleasantries, he carefully asked, “May I know what brings the Second Young Master to see this humble official?”

Li Shimin accepted the tea offered by a servant, took a sip, and nodded, “Colonel Liu, this tea is quite excellent. It seems you have someone skilled in tea preparation in your household. I must ask for instruction later.” As he spoke, his gaze swept over the servants standing nearby.

Liu Wuzhou was also a clever man. Seeing this, he immediately understood and said to the servants, “There’s nothing for you here. All of you may go.”

After the servants left, the first thing Li Shimin said was, “Does Colonel Liu know that your life hangs by a thread?”

Liu Wuzhou was greatly alarmed and hurriedly said, “Why does the Second Young Master say this? Has this humble official done something wrong to displease the Administrator?”

“Father often praises Colonel Liu as brave and resourceful, a rare talent.” Li Shimin’s words made Liu Wuzhou feel honored, and he hurriedly said, “I never imagined the Administrator would know of this humble official. It’s truly my great fortune.” Then he tentatively asked, “The Second Young Master’s earlier words…”

Li Shimin set down his teacup and said, “Though Colonel Liu has talent, unfortunately Governor Wang is not a broad-minded person. On the contrary, he has always been quite jealous of Colonel Liu’s abilities. Otherwise, how could you still be merely a colonel to this day?”

These words undoubtedly struck Liu Wuzhou’s heart. He had always felt he was a person with general’s talent, but Wang Rengong had never been willing to promote him, keeping him stuck at the colonel rank for years. However, before understanding Li Shimin’s intentions, he wouldn’t voice these thoughts, only saying, “Perhaps Governor Wang feels this humble official still lacks something and wants to train me for a while longer.”

Li Shimin smiled, “I’m afraid what Governor Wang is thinking about now is how to take Colonel Liu’s life.”

Liu Wuzhou said in shock, “This… this is impossible. Second Young Master, please don’t speak nonsense.”