“The journey to Jiangdu may be dangerous, but your son believes that with Shimin’s intelligence and talent, he will surely return safely.” At this point, he chuckled lightly: “Father, don’t forget that back at Yanmen Pass, Shimin forced back a hundred thousand Turkic troops with merely ten thousand men. And at Mayi, with only two thousand men, he slaughtered countless Turkic soldiers, achieving the greatest victory since the Great Sui Dynasty’s founding – a record no one can surpass.”

Li Yuanji never imagined that Li Jiancheng would actually speak in favor of Li Shimin, and couldn’t help saying: “In the past, battles were fought outside the city – if you couldn’t win, you could just flee. But now it’s different – you’re entering the city to rescue someone. If you can’t escape, you’ll be trapped inside like a dog, and even if you’re not beaten to death, you’ll be trampled to death!”

Li Jiancheng patted his shoulder: “No one can beat Shimin to death, because he’s a tiger who grows stronger when facing the strong!” Saying this, he bowed to Li Yuan: “Please grant Shimin’s request, Father!”

Li Shimin looked at Li Jiancheng gratefully and knelt down: “Please fulfill this request, Father!”

Seeing this scene, Li Yuanji kept shaking his head and muttered in a low voice: “Simply two madmen!”

Under Li Jiancheng’s persuasion, Li Yuan’s originally firm heart began to waver: “Shimin, must you really go?”

“This debt of gratitude must be repaid.” Li Shimin said with firm resolve: “If Father doesn’t agree, your son will have to go alone.”

“You…” The rest of his words turned into a long sigh. Li Yuan nodded: “Very well, I agree. Tomorrow morning, you’ll take two thousand soldiers to Jiangdu, but you must promise me that you’ll return safely!”

Seeing Li Yuan agree, Li Shimin’s heart filled with joy, and he said solemnly: “Father, rest assured. Before helping you achieve great undertakings, your son will never let anything happen to himself.”

“Good.” Li Yuan nodded and said to Li Jiancheng: “Go select two thousand of the most elite soldiers for Shimin.”

“Your son receives the order.” After leaving the camp, Li Jiancheng personally went to select soldiers. Among the two thousand soldiers, there were those skilled in mounted archery, those adept at close combat, and even those proficient in reconnaissance and ambush tactics – truly one in a hundred.

By the time the soldiers were selected, it was already the third watch of the night. Li Jiancheng looked at the waxing moon hanging in the sky: “Do you remember what day we looked forward to most each year when we were young?”

Li Shimin followed his gaze and smiled: “I remember. The fifteenth of the eighth month, because on that day, no matter how busy Father was, he would spend the Mid-Autumn Festival with us, and Mother would bring out moon cakes she made herself. We’d admire the moon while eating moon cakes and listening to Mother tell stories about the moon palace.”

“Correct.” Li Jiancheng smiled: “The funniest was Third Sister, who seriously said she wanted to build a ladder to visit the moon palace to see if there really were Chang’e and the Jade Rabbit as Mother said. She even pulled us to help her build the ladder. After great effort, we built one several zhang long, but before anyone could climb up, it had already collapsed.”

“Third Sister was always like that – whenever she had doubts, she had to get to the bottom of things.” At this point, Li Shimin said worriedly: “I heard earlier that Third Sister went to Hu County to recruit soldiers. I wonder how she’s doing now? A daughter of a family really shouldn’t engage in such dangerous affairs.”

“Father once said that if Third Sister were a man, she would be no less capable than us. Now it seems that even as a woman, she’s enough to make us feel ashamed.” Saying this, he sighed: “Unfortunately, since Third Sister married and Mother passed away, our family has never gathered together as completely as before.”

“We will.” Li Shimin said firmly: “Once we help Father conquer this realm, our family can gather together again as before.”

“Remember these words. I’m the one who vouched for you to go to Jiangdu. If you dare not return, even if I must search the heavens above and the underworld below, I will drag you back for a sound beating.” Toward the end, Li Jiancheng’s eyes grew slightly red.

Li Shimin knew he was worried about the dangers of this journey and was deeply moved: “What I promise Big Brother, I will certainly accomplish.”

“Good.” Li Jiancheng nodded: “I have several trusted subordinates with decent martial skills. Take them along on this journey.”

“No, if I do that, wouldn’t Big Brother be…” Li Jiancheng smiled and interrupted him: “What, worried that I’ll have no one to protect me?”

After Li Shimin tacitly agreed, he said: “I’m not some weak scholar without the strength to tie up a chicken. Besides, with Father and over a hundred thousand troops at my side, what danger could there be? In any case, Big Brother’s mind is made up – you’re not allowed to refuse!”

Li Shimin was made to laugh by his words and stopped being polite, nodding: “Very well then, thank you, Big Brother.”

Li Jiancheng patted his shoulder: “It’s late. Rest early so you won’t delay tomorrow’s departure. I’m going back too.”

Watching Li Jiancheng’s departing figure, Li Shimin remembered what Liu Hongji had told him that day and shook his head with a light laugh. He and Big Brother had been brothers for decades – how could he not know Big Brother’s character? He would never harm his brothers. Master Liu must have been mistaken.

He didn’t see the cold smile that curved Li Jiancheng’s lips as he turned away…

The next morning, Li Shimin took Du Ruhui and the two thousand elite troops Li Yuan had given him and prepared to depart, rushing without stopping to Jiangdu. Because the matter was urgent, he didn’t even have time to say goodbye to others, and he didn’t even tell the Zhangsun family, fearing they would worry.

Traveling at full speed, they reached the outskirts of Jiangdu city in early September, making camp twenty li from the city, then sending scouts to gather intelligence.

When the scouts returned at evening to report: “Reporting to Second Young Master, Jiangdu city’s gates are open, with soldiers constantly entering and exiting, and boxes of goods being transported out. Additionally, this humble servant learned that Yuwen Huaji and others have installed Yang Guang’s nephew Yang Hao as the new emperor.”

Du Ruhui pondered for a moment: “From the looks of it, they’re probably planning to return to Guanzhong.”

Li Shimin had the same thought and asked the scout: “Did you discover how many troops they have in total? When do they plan to officially depart?”

“According to our reconnaissance and calculations, the forces inside and outside the city should number around a hundred thousand.” The scout’s words made Du Ruhui’s heart sink. A hundred thousand – exactly fifty times the number of troops Li Shimin commanded. He hoped… Li Shimin wouldn’t disappoint him.

The scout continued: “As for when they’ll depart, this humble servant hasn’t determined that yet, but from their appearance, it shouldn’t be too long.”

“Continue monitoring and report immediately if there’s any news.” After the scout left, Li Shimin said to Du Ruhui: “You once told me you have a brother who is Pei Qiantong’s younger brother, correct?”

After Du Ruhui nodded, he said: “To rescue the Princess, I need him to do something for me.”

“Second Young Master, please give your orders.” In response to Du Ruhui’s words, Li Shimin explained the plan he had just conceived, then said: “If we can get him to coordinate from within, our mission will be much smoother.”