But some people didn’t think so. They felt that since words had been spoken, they must be honored, otherwise wouldn’t they become treacherous villains? Moreover, after Li Mi entered the court, his subordinate generals would also serve as officials in the court, allowing them to be gradually broken apart and dissolved. In this way, Li Mi would be alone and isolated – what waves could he possibly stir up? Eliminating Li Mi without deploying a single soldier would be far better than resorting to violence. After all, besides Li Mi, there were still Li Yuan, Dou Jiande, and others watching like tigers – these military forces couldn’t be wasted. This faction was led by Yuan Wendu.

Wang Shichong naturally disagreed with this approach. Li Mi was like a wolf – once you invited the wolf into the house, it would be difficult to drive it out again. Moreover… whether Yuan Wendu truly wanted to use this conciliatory policy to deal with Li Mi, or was seeking an opportunity to collude with Li Mi against him, remained unknown.

Although both he and Yuan Wendu were assisting Yang Tong, they were not aligned with each other. If not for his control of military power and the fact that Luoyang City needed his defense, Yuan Wendu would have moved against him long ago. Once Li Mi entered the city, Yuan Wendu would effectively have an additional two hundred thousand troops. By then, his own position would probably not be as secure as it currently was. Based on all these considerations, Wang Shichong firmly opposed letting Li Mi enter the city.

In this stalemate, one person sided with Yuan Wendu, causing the situation to tip in his favor. This person was Yang Tong.

Although the latter was merely an emperor without much real power, he was still the emperor. Since he supported Yuan Wendu, even Wang Shichong found it difficult to openly oppose him.

Just when everyone thought Li Mi’s entry into the city was a foregone conclusion, Wang Shichong launched a military coup in Luoyang, executing Yuan Wendu and others. In this way, what fell into his hands was not merely military power – with political power as well, even Yang Tong was placed under house arrest in the palace. The entire city of Luoyang was grasped in his hands, and Li Mi’s entry into the city was completely cut off from hope.

After continuous major battles, Li Mi’s army was extremely exhausted and urgently needed to enter the city to rest and recuperate. But Wang Shichong simply refused to open the gates. So both sides returned to their original situation – one side besieging Luoyang, the other defending it to the death.

While Wang Shichong and Li Mi were at an impasse, Li Shimin also returned to Chang’an. When he departed, he had a hundred thousand troops, but upon return only over seventy thousand remained. As for Luoyang, it had not been captured either.

After reporting to Li Yuan about the situation throughout this campaign, Li Shimin knelt and said: “Your son not only failed to capture Luoyang City for Father, but also fell into Wang Shichong’s trap due to carelessness, causing many soldiers who had followed us all the way from Taiyuan to perish outside Luoyang City. Your son truly deserves ten thousand deaths. Please, Father, impose punishment.”

Liu Wenjing had also come and, upon hearing this, quickly knelt and said: “Reporting to the Tang King, all of this was due to Wenjing’s carelessness. I was recognized by Wang Shichong but remained oblivious to it. If the Tang King wishes to punish someone, punish Wenjing. Don’t blame the Second Young Master. If not for the Second Young Master’s composed response this time, the casualties would have been even more severe.”

Li Yuan looked at the two men kneeling before him without speaking. Li Jiancheng, standing beside him, said: “Father, this matter really cannot be blamed on Second Brother and Master Liu. No one could have anticipated that the Luoyang side would actually ally with Li Mi and use Li Mi to deal with Yuwen Huaji. The soldiers recognizing Master Liu was an accident within an accident – it truly cannot be blamed on Shimin.”

Li Yuan also knew that Li Shimin’s journey had not been easy. He had no intention of investigating deeply, and with Li Jiancheng’s intercession, he lightly reprimanded them before ordering both men to rise. He then sighed: “Now that Luoyang City has Li Mi’s assistance, it’s like adding wings to a tiger. It seems we have no chance of capturing Luoyang in the short term.”

Li Jiancheng respectfully said: “Reporting to Father, your son has just received urgent news that Li Mi has not entered the city.”

Li Yuan was unaware of this development and looked at Li Jiancheng in surprise. After hearing the latter’s complete explanation, the surprise in his eyes grew even more intense. “You’re saying… he has placed the Prince of Yue under house arrest?” Although Wang Shichong and others had installed Yang Tong as emperor, Li Yuan and his group still referred to him as Prince of Yue, since the emperor in Chang’an was Yang You.

“Not only that, this was transmitted back by a spy your son planted in Luoyang. It should be accurate.” After a pause, Li Jiancheng continued: “Forgive your son’s directness, but from Wang Shichong’s behavior, he probably wants to declare himself emperor. After all, Yang Guang is already dead, and now even Yuan Wendu, who could restrain him, is dead. Deposing the Prince of Yue would be an easy matter for him.”

Li Yuan nodded: “Given Wang Shichong’s mentality, this is not impossible.” After pondering for a moment, he said: “From now on, keep close watch on Luoyang. Report any news to me immediately without delay.”

After Li Jiancheng agreed, Li Yuan looked at Li Shimin and the other and said: “You’ve worked hard on this journey back. Both of you go and rest. We’ll discuss what comes next in a couple of days.”

After Li Shimin and the other departed, Li Jiancheng’s eyes flickered slightly as he moved closer: “Father, actually, now that Yang Guang is dead and Yang You understands nothing and cannot bear the responsibility for the rise and fall of the realm, why don’t you… replace Yang You!”

“Outrageous!” Li Yuan sternly rebuked: “The Li family has received imperial favor for generations. How could we commit such an act?”

“Forgive your son’s directness, but although the Yang clan has shown favor to our Li family, Father has reached this point today and has repaid whatever kindness existed – we owe the Yang clan nothing. On the contrary, since Yang Guang took the throne, he has acted perversely and committed countless great crimes. The Yang family has long since lost the qualification to be masters of the realm. Father replacing them would be following the mandate of Heaven!”

“Currently, no one outside the Yang clan has declared themselves emperor. Once I replace His Majesty, I would become the target of all arrows – bringing us nothing but harm and no benefit.” Actually, Li Yuan was not unwilling to become emperor, but… the emperor’s position was not so easy to occupy. To sit securely required careful consideration upon careful consideration.

“But Wang Shichong, he…” Li Jiancheng had only spoken a few words before being interrupted by Li Yuan: “I know what you want to say. Yes, Wang Shichong has placed the Prince of Yue under house arrest, but he hasn’t declared himself emperor after all. So let’s observe for now. In any case, we absolutely cannot be the first bird to stick its head out. Do you understand?”

Although Li Jiancheng was still somewhat unwilling, he also knew Li Yuan spoke the truth and could only say: “Your son understands.”

Li Yuan nodded: “Go comfort those wounded soldiers. Give each person three dou of rice and two guan of money. As for the dead soldiers, if their families can be found, give them five dou of rice and three guan of money each. We may need to deploy troops at any time now – we absolutely cannot let the soldiers lose heart.”

“Your son knows. If Father has no other instructions, your son will withdraw.” After Li Yuan nodded, Li Jiancheng left the study. Once outside, he immediately saw Li Shimin standing there and said in surprise: “Second Brother, why are you still here? Is there something you need?”

Li Shimin approached and said: “Thank you for speaking up for me just now, Big Brother.”