“If they die, Jiangdu will face being besieged by a great army. Does Master Cui truly intend to stubbornly pursue this course?” Facing Yuwen Zhiji’s words, Cui Guangde sneered: “General Yuwen, don’t forget that their commander is now in the city. As long as we capture him, even if there really are fifty thousand troops, they’ll be nothing but scattered sand, unable to threaten us.”
Li Shimin gripped Han Shan’s neck and said coldly: “Do you think I haven’t considered this? I’ve already handed military authority to my deputy general. If I don’t return to camp tonight, they’ll attack at dawn tomorrow, vowing not to return until Jiangdu is broken!”
Pei Qiantong said: “Master Cui has heard this all. If you don’t release them, everyone will suffer disaster. Please consider the bigger picture, Master Cui!”
Cui Guangde waved his hand forcefully and said hatefully: “I don’t care about any bigger picture. In any case, no one is permitted to open these city gates, or don’t blame me for showing no mercy!”
Yuwen Zhiji’s cheek twitched violently as he glanced at the soldiers with arrows drawn: “Master Cui truly won’t give any face at all?”
“Ji’er is my only heir. Killing him is equivalent to cutting off the Cui family’s lineage. This grievance cannot be forgiven by anyone!” Speaking thus, Cui Guangde said coldly: “For the sake of our past collaboration, I advise you both to leave quickly and not wade into these muddy waters.”
Pei Qiantong said expressionlessly: “So Master Cui is determined to be our enemy?”
“So what if I am? I know both generals command heavy troops, and my personal soldiers here are nothing compared to your tens of thousands, but right now… they’re not here. Distant water cannot put out a nearby fire!” As he spoke, everyone heard the sound of something cutting through the air, and a night-black arrow embedded itself in front of a soldier who had been trying to quietly slip away, its fletching still trembling.
Cui Guangde said menacingly: “Dare to take another step forward, and the arrow will strike your forehead!”
“Cui Guangde, don’t be shameless! Even if you kill them tonight, tomorrow your Cui family will face utter disaster, even complete annihilation. Do you really want the Cui family’s century-old foundation to be destroyed by your hands?!” Yuwen Zhiji was naturally someone with an arrogant temperament, and those earlier words had already tested his patience to the limit. But Cui Guangde was stubborn, refusing to listen to a single word, which infuriated him greatly.
“You needn’t threaten me with such words. With Ji’er dead and no heir to continue the lineage, the Cui family’s extinction is a matter of time. What do I have to fear!” He had only had a son near the age of forty, and Cui Ji was both literary and skilled in dance, exceptionally intelligent. He treasured him like a gem, wholeheartedly hoping that under his leadership, the Cui family would become first among the seven clans and five families. Cui Ji’s death had undoubtedly left him in despair, with only one thought remaining: to avenge Cui Ji.
Pei Qiantong said quietly: “Brother Yuwen, this old man won’t yield to either soft or hard approaches. What should we do?”
“Don’t worry. Before coming, I already had my trusted aide go summon troops. They should arrive soon. Then this old man will have no choice but to let them pass. For now, let’s just delay.” These words from Yuwen Zhiji greatly reassured Pei Qiantong: “Brother Yuwen is indeed thorough in his planning.”
Seeing the two of them whispering together, Cui Guangde suddenly revealed a strange smile: “Yuwen Zhiji, do you really think that person beside you shares the same heart as your Yuwen family?”
Pei Qiantong’s expression changed as he hastily shouted: “Cui Guangde, don’t try to sow discord between Brother Yuwen and me!”
Cui Guangde’s smile grew wider: “I haven’t even spoken yet—how do you know I’m trying to sow discord between you two? Or is it that… you have a guilty conscience?”
Yuwen Zhiji sensed something was wrong and asked: “What does Master Cui mean?”
Cui Guangde glanced at the anxious Pei Qiantong and said coldly: “I might as well tell you—this Pei Qiantong lusts after Empress Xiao’s beauty. After killing Yang Guang, he wanted to take Empress Xiao into his residence, but the Chancellor got there first. He harbors resentment over this and is unwilling to always be trampled underfoot by your Yuwen clan. Therefore, he wants to kill the Chancellor and take his place. He’s already contacted Sima Dekan and Chen Botu, and once they find the right opportunity, they’ll strike!”
Pei Qiantong’s face turned deathly pale: “Cui Guangde, don’t make baseless accusations! When have I ever harbored resentment or intended rebellion?” Speaking thus, he said to Yuwen Zhiji, whose expression was inscrutable: “Brother Yuwen, Cui Guangde is trying to drive a wedge between us. Don’t fall for his scheme!”
Yuwen Zhiji ignored his words, staring at Cui Guangde: “How do you know about such matters?”
Cui Guangde was silent for a moment, then said: “Because my Cui family is also part of it. When my Cui family helped you rebel against Yang Guang, it was agreed that Princess Jinyang and Du Ruhui would be handed over to us for disposal. As it turned out, Du Ruhui escaped, and the Chancellor, because of the Xiao matter, broke faith and protected Princess Jinyang, refusing to hand her over to Ji’er. In his anger, Ji’er decided to cooperate with Pei Qiantong to jointly oppose your Yuwen clan!”
As they spoke, a large company of soldiers came running from the distance, surrounding everyone. Their leader was precisely the trusted aide Yuwen Zhiji had sent, who dismounted and ran to Yuwen Zhiji, cupping his hands: “General, as you instructed, this subordinate has brought all the thousand-plus soldiers available in the city.”
In this short half-hour, three groups had arrived one after another, totaling nearly two thousand people, surrounding the city gate so tightly that not even water could leak through. Cui Guangde hadn’t expected Yuwen Zhiji to have this move in reserve. In an instant, they had changed from mantises catching cicadas to birds becoming food for others, and those soldiers all showed uneasy expressions.
After suppressing his inner shock, Cui Guangde clapped his hands: “Good! General Yuwen is indeed both wise and brave, to have kept such a move in reserve. I truly underestimated you. However… if you help Pei Qiantong today, in the future, Pei Qiantong will want the lives of your entire Yuwen clan!”
“Brother Yuwen, I can swear to Heaven that there’s absolutely no such thing, otherwise may I be struck by lightning and die a terrible death!” Pei Qiantong wished he could flay Cui Guangde alive. This old bastard was truly going to be the death of him this time. He hoped Yuwen Zhiji wouldn’t believe his words, otherwise… it would really be fatal.
“Look how frantically he swears oaths—you know I’m not wrong. Pei Qiantong is nothing but an ungrateful, despicable scoundrel!”
“Brother Yuwen, listen to me, I indeed…” Pei Qiantong was only halfway through when Yuwen Zhiji raised his hand: “Brother Pei needn’t say more. I believe you. Right now, the most important thing is dealing with Cui Guangde so they can leave the city.” These words were undoubtedly a reassuring pill for Pei Qiantong, greatly settling his mind.
Over there, Yuwen Zhiji stared at Cui Guangde: “Do you think with just a few words you can drive a wedge between us? Cui Guangde, I never imagined that at your age, you’d still be so naive!”
“Fool!” Cui Guangde cursed: “Must you wait until he has a blade at your and the Chancellor’s throats before you’ll believe I’m telling the truth? You…”