Yuwen Zhiji barely suppressed the anger in his heart and said: “Who exactly are you, and why are you telling this general these things?”

The man smiled and said: “Who I am doesn’t matter. What matters is that my master and the general have a common enemy.”

Yuwen Zhiji narrowed his eyes: “You mean Li Shimin?”

“Correct. My master wants Li Shimin dead.” After a pause, he continued: “Now it depends on whether the general wants to avenge yesterday’s humiliation. If the general feels that being so toyed with by Li Shimin doesn’t matter, then consider that this subordinate never came here today.”

Yuwen Zhiji’s face darkened as he remained silent. He clearly understood that this person was using him to deal with Li Shimin, but he was unwilling to swallow this loss, making it difficult to decide for the moment.

Seeing that Yuwen Zhiji hadn’t responded for a long time, the man urged: “Li Shimin is now only about a hundred li from Jiangdu, and has already made camp. If the general takes troops there now, you can still catch them all in one net. If you wait for them to get farther away, it will take considerable effort for the general to surround and attack them again.”

Yuwen Zhiji said irritably: “I know what to do in my heart, no need for you to meddle!”

Being scolded like this, the man could only close his mouth awkwardly. After a while, Yuwen Zhiji said: “Do you know where they’ve made camp?”

The man’s spirits lifted and he quickly said: “This subordinate once heard Duan Zhihong, Li Shimin’s personal guard, mention that they planned to camp by Ruixi Creek.”

“Ruixi Creek…” Yuwen Zhiji knew this creek – it was a necessary route to Chang’an, indeed about a hundred li from here. He gritted his teeth: “Who exactly is your master? If you won’t even say this, this general really finds it difficult to cooperate with you.”

The man bowed: “Please forgive me, general. My master’s name is truly inconvenient to reveal. If the general truly has concerns, then consider that this subordinate never came here today.” Saying this, he cupped his hands toward Yuwen Zhiji and actually turned to leave.

Yuwen Zhiji stared at his retreating figure, his expression shifting between light and dark. When the latter had one foot over the threshold, he finally spoke: “Wait!”

The corner of the man’s mouth curved into a slight smile. He withdrew his extended foot, turned around and said: “It seems the general has made a decision.”

Yuwen Zhiji said grimly: “I want Li Shimin’s entire army annihilated, not one left!”

The man smiled: “This subordinate understands. This subordinate will certainly assist the general with all efforts to eliminate those rebellious subjects and traitors.”

“Good.” Having already made up his mind, Yuwen Zhiji didn’t hesitate. He immediately ordered troops to be assembled. Although the city gates were closed, for someone with his authority, opening the gates at night was a trivial matter.

After leaving the city, his trusted officers had already led twenty thousand soldiers waiting outside. Yuwen Zhiji changed horses and, bringing the messenger, rushed toward Ruixi Creek through the night.

The two thousand soldiers Li Shimin had brought didn’t know that danger was approaching. Having traveled for a full day and night, they were all exhausted. Except for the soldiers on patrol duty, the rest had gone to sleep early.

“Second Young Master.” Just as Li Shimin had finished arranging tomorrow’s march route and was preparing to extinguish the lamp and rest, Duan Zhihong’s voice suddenly came from outside. Strange – it was already the third watch, yet Zhihong still wasn’t asleep.

After Duan Zhihong entered, Li Shimin said: “Coming so late – has something happened in the camp?”

Duan Zhihong shook his head: “Nothing’s wrong in the camp, but… someone is missing.”

“Who?” Under Li Shimin’s puzzled gaze, Duan Zhihong spoke two words: “Liu Wen.”

“What exactly happened?” Li Shimin knew this person – he was one of several trusted men that Li Jiancheng had specifically assigned to him before coming to Jiangdu. He was literate and skilled in martial arts, quite capable.

Duan Zhihong reported truthfully: “This subordinate went to check just now and found everyone else was there, only Liu Wen was nowhere to be seen. When I asked the others, they said he had eaten something bad and went to relieve himself. Afterward, this subordinate went to count the horses and found one missing. Moreover, someone saw Liu Wen ride away from the camp, and he hasn’t been seen since. This subordinate is worried… that his going was to harm Second Young Master.”

Li Shimin shook his head: “Where are your thoughts going? Liu Wen is Big Brother’s trusted man – how could he do anything harmful to me?”

“If it weren’t something shameful, why would Liu Wen leave secretly? And it’s been half a day with no sign of return. Also, why would his tent-mate lie?” After a pause, Duan Zhihong said: “Forgive this subordinate’s presumption, but Second Young Master, you are kind-hearted, but others may not be so. One shouldn’t harbor intentions to harm others, but one must guard against being harmed.”

Li Shimin was silent for a moment, then stared at him: “Why were you watching Liu Wen? Who told you to do this?”

“It was Master Liu.” Duan Zhihong’s answer made Li Shimin’s eyelid twitch: “Liu Hongji?”

“Correct. Before leaving Longmen, Master Liu specifically came to see this subordinate, asking me to keep a close eye on Liu Wen and others along the way. He was worried that the eldest young master harbored ill intentions and would use this opportunity to harm Second Young Master.”

“Absurd!” Li Shimin’s expression was displeased: “I’ve said before that Big Brother and I are born of the same mother. Big Brother would absolutely never harm me. He just refuses to believe it, insisting that Big Brother wants to harm me. Now he’s even dragged you into this – it’s truly excessive.”

Duan Zhihong said gravely: “This subordinate also thought Master Liu was being overly suspicious, but looking at the current situation, I’m afraid Master Liu was right.”

“Impossible!” Li Shimin said firmly: “Big Brother would absolutely never harm me!”

Duan Zhihong said urgently: “But Liu Wen’s behavior is so suspicious – there must be a problem. What if… he went to Jiangdu to report information? The consequences would be unthinkable.”

“Enough!” Li Shimin said sternly: “I don’t want to hear any more words doubting Big Brother. Get out!”

Seeing Li Shimin refuse to listen to advice, Duan Zhihong became even more anxious and knelt down: “Whether this subordinate is judging a gentleman with a petty heart or whatever, being careful is always good. Second Young Master surely doesn’t want the two thousand soldiers who came with you to perish here? Please, Second Young Master, think thrice and think again.”

Looking at Duan Zhihong kneeling before him, Li Shimin clenched his fists tightly, remaining silent for a long time…

Meanwhile, on Yuwen Zhiji’s side, leading twenty thousand soldiers in a night march, after urgent travel, they finally reached Ruixi Creek at dawn. But there was no sign of Li Shimin’s group that Liu Wen had mentioned – there wasn’t even a single person.

Yuwen Zhiji glared at Liu Wen beside him with an ugly expression: “You have such audacity to actually dare deceive this general?”

Liu Wen was also full of confusion. They were clearly supposed to be here – how could there be no one? Could they have broken camp and left so early? Thinking of this, he quickly said: “General, please calm your anger. How could this subordinate deceive you? They must have been worried that the general would see through Li Shimin’s trick and pursue them, so they broke camp and traveled before dawn. As long as we follow this road and pursue them, I believe we can catch up to them soon.”