Du Ruhui did not rise, only saying: “When the Princess and I were in Jiangdu, we often heard your name and knew that both you and Lord Li were divine in the use of troops. As long as you are willing to lead forces there, you will surely be able to rescue the Princess safely.”

Li Shimin remained silent, having learned too much at once, he needed time to digest it all. After a long while, a voice finally sounded, but it was not what Du Ruhui wished to hear: “I must assist my father in crossing the Yellow River and cannot go to Jiangdu.”

Du Ruhui’s face turned ugly as he said: “So you’re saying you refuse to rescue the Princess? If not for you, how would the Princess have been entangled with Cuiji? You are the instigator, yet you stand by with folded arms. You bastard!”

Li Shimin stood with his hands behind his back: “The reason Cuiji and the others rebelled against Yang Guang was because he acted perversely, thinking only of himself without regard for the lives of the people under heaven. Princess Jin Yang was implicated by him – how can you say I was the instigator?” After speaking, he added coldly: “That day I spared her, and later she saved my father and son – it was merely karmic retribution. I never owed her anything!”

“You!” Du Ruhui angrily rose and grabbed his collar: “In vain the Princess thinks of you day and night, never forgetting you, yet you are so cold-blooded and heartless. You… you don’t deserve to have the Princess do so much for you! Karmic retribution – you only remember that you let the Princess go, but how can you not remember that the Princess could have killed you but didn’t, how can you not remember that the Princess also saved Lord Li and saved your Li family’s old and young? If we really calculate it, you still owe the Princess!”

Faced with his rebuke, Li Shimin said nothing, only: “I’m sorry, but I truly have no power to help in this matter!”

Du Ruhui shook his head: “Li Shimin, in vain I once respected you, but I never thought you would be so heartless and ungrateful. If not to save you, why would the Princess agree to Her Majesty the Empress’s matchmaking, and how would she have provoked Cuiji? She wholeheartedly devoted herself to you; now that she’s in trouble, you turn your back on her. Are you even human?!” At this point, a small, delicate dagger suddenly sprang from his sleeve, pressing against Li Shimin’s throat: “Today, you’ll save her whether you want to or not!” This dagger was Du Ruhui’s worst contingency plan, originally intended just in case, but unexpectedly, it had actually come to this.

Li Shimin did not look at the dagger pressed against his throat, but silently gazed at some unknown distance. Perhaps… it was truly as Du Ruhui said – he owed Yunyi something, but he still could not go.

Seeing him remain silent, Du Ruhui tightened his grip on the dagger: “Will you go or not?”

Li Shimin sighed: “If you wish to kill me, then do it, but to ask me to disregard the life and death of my father and even tens of thousands of soldiers – I’m sorry, I cannot do it.”

“I never said to take the hundred thousand troops to Jiangdu. With your military talent, I believe you would need only a few thousand soldiers to enter the city and rescue her.” At this point, he gritted his teeth: “I, Du Ruhui, have never begged anyone in my life, but this time, I’m willing to stake my life on this request. As long as you can save the Princess, through mountains of knives and seas of fire, as long as you Li Shimin command it, I will never refuse.” If this were not Yunyi’s only hope for rescue, with his temperament, he would never bow and scrape here.

Li Shimin shook his head with deep helplessness: “You’re determined to have me lead troops to rescue the Princess, but you don’t know that tens of thousands of troops are currently facing a predicament. Before resolving the current situation, rashly taking away several thousand soldiers would be a fatal blow to them, and moreover, my father would never agree.” Before Du Ruhui could speak, he took a deep breath as if making some resolution: “But you’re right – calculating it all, I do indeed still owe the Princess a life. I promise you, as long as I resolve the current predicament, I will go with you to Jiangdu. Even if my father disagrees, even if I must go alone, I will go with you to repay this debt.”

Seeing Li Shimin say this, Du Ruhui gradually calmed down and put away the dagger: “I hope you remember what you’ve said and don’t go back on your word!” After a pause, he said: “You mentioned that the tens of thousands of troops face a predicament – is it related to Qu Tutong?”

Li Shimin looked at Du Ruhui in surprise. This person was truly extraordinary, having guessed the crux of the matter so quickly. He nodded and explained the situation, then said: “No matter which path we choose, there are risks, but in my view, directly taking Chang’an is a risk more worth taking, though my elder brother leans more toward first dealing with Qu Tutong.”

Du Ruhui was silent for a moment, then said: “If this problem is resolved, will Second Young Master go with me to Jiangdu?”

“Correct. Since I’ve promised, I will certainly do it.” Faced with Li Shimin’s words, Du Ruhui said: “Actually, what lies before the hundred thousand troops is not just two paths.”

Li Shimin asked in confusion: “Could there be a third path?”

“Correct.” Under Li Shimin’s gaze, Du Ruhui said slowly: “Have the main force cross the river, leaving behind a flanking force to besiege and contain Qu Tutong’s army!”

Li Shimin was first stunned, then showed a look of sudden realization and excitement. He paced back and forth in the tent several times, excitedly saying: “Yes, how could I have forgotten this! Indeed, this is the best method!” After calming down somewhat, he said gratefully: “I didn’t expect Master Du to also be skilled in military strategy. Shimin admires you.”

“Actually, this method is quite simple. It’s just that Second Young Master and the General are in the midst of it, inevitably suffering from the blindness of those involved, subconsciously thinking there were only two paths available. But I, standing outside, can naturally observe the overall situation clearly.”

“No matter what, I must thank Master Du for this.” After Li Shimin spoke, Du Ruhui added: “Besides the method I mentioned, there’s one more matter Second Young Master can make good use of.”

Li Shimin thought briefly: “You mean Yang Guang’s death?”

“Correct. With Yang Guang’s death, the Sui Dynasty is practically finished. This is a tremendous blow to Qu Tutong, who was loyal to the Sui Dynasty. As for Prince Dai Yang You, though he still resides peacefully in Chang’an, he’s just an inexperienced child who cannot accomplish anything significant. As long as news of Yang Guang’s assassination is spread, before this battle is even fought, you’ll already be in an invincible position.”

Li Shimin deeply agreed with his words. After thinking carefully for a while, he said: “Wait here for me. I’ll go speak with my father now.”

After Du Ruhui agreed, Li Shimin hurriedly left the tent and went to Li Yuan’s tent not far away. Li Jiancheng and his brothers were also there. Seeing him approach, they quickly asked: “What did that person tell you?”

Li Shimin had no time to answer other questions and bowed to Li Yuan: “Father, this person comes from Jiangdu. He told your son that Yang Guang is dead!”

Li Yuan stood up in alarm, unable to believe it: “What did you say? Say it again!”

“Pei Qiantong, Grand Tutor Sima Dekan and others, dissatisfied with His Majesty’s intention to relocate the capital to Danyang, conspired to rebel, killed Yang Guang, and promoted Yuwen Huaji as Chancellor.”