“Big brother can indeed use this method to win this battle, but others will say you’re taking shortcuts and it’s not real skill. Those in the court and army still won’t submit to you and will still think you’re inferior to second brother. Not to mention the distant future – just here, I’ve already heard soldiers discussing this matter more than once. What’s most frightening is if even father thinks this way – that would be the worst.”

Li Jiancheng’s heart trembled, and he shook his head: “No, it won’t happen. Back at Yanmen Pass, when Shimin deceived the Turkic army of one hundred thousand into retreat, didn’t father praise him greatly?”

“Times change. Father was the Hedong Pacification Commissioner then, but now he’s the current emperor – how can they be spoken of in the same breath?” Seeing Li Jiancheng remain silent, he continued: “Big brother, think clearly. This opportunity was hard-won for you. If you miss it, I fear father will favor second brother again in the future. If it were just the current situation, that would be fine, but I fear second brother won’t be content with his position and will covet the Eastern Palace!”

This last sentence made Li Jiancheng’s eyelids twitch violently, and he scolded harshly: “Don’t speak nonsense!”

“If it truly were just my nonsense, that would be fine, but I fear it might come true. By then it’ll be too late for big brother to regret!” Saying this, he added: “As long as big brother permits me to fight, I swear I will cut off Xue Ju’s head and present it with both hands to big brother.”

Seeing that after all his words Li Jiancheng still hesitated, Li Yuanji said urgently: “Big brother, we even captured Chang’an City – we don’t need to fear Xue Ju at all!”

Li Yuanji’s repeated words finally moved Li Jiancheng, who gritted his teeth and said: “Fine, I’ll do as you say. You lead the troops to battle Xue Ju. Remember, this is the first battle since our Great Tang’s founding – victory is allowed, defeat is not!”

Hearing this, Li Yuanji was so happy he nearly jumped up, bowing and saying: “Yes, I will definitely fight the most beautiful victory for big brother.” Then he said impatiently: “I’ll go prepare right now.”

Watching Li Yuanji rush toward the military camp in great strides, Li Jiancheng smiled slightly and looked down at his hands. He would not lose to anyone, including Li Shimin!

The next morning, Li Yuanji led eighty thousand troops out of the city to battle, with Yin Kaishan, Liu Wenjing and others accompanying him.

For this battle, whether the generals like Yin Kaishan or ordinary soldiers, all were in high spirits. Before the battle even began, they seemed to already see the dawn of victory.

They firmly believed today was a great opportunity to achieve merit and establish careers, and they firmly believed they were tigers while Xue Ju’s army were merely lambs, not worth worrying about.

After the horn sounded, Li Yuanji drew his sword from his waist and shouted loudly: “All soldiers, follow me to charge through and flatten Xue Ju!”

“Charge!” The soldiers’ response was passionate and uplifting. A cavalry unit charged forward first, launching a fierce assault on Xue Ju’s army. Soon, Xue Ju couldn’t withstand it and kept retreating, ordering the rear camp to shoot arrows to delay the Tang army’s pursuit.

Seeing this good start, Li Yuanji became even more triumphant, waving his command flag and saying: “Pass my order – infantry follow closely behind the cavalry, advance with full force, pursue Xue Ju!”

The eighty thousand Tang soldiers heard the order and immediately surged forward together, pressing step by step, determined to suppress Xue Ju’s army so they couldn’t counterattack.

However, Li Yuanji never imagined he had unknowingly made a grave error – moving far from the city walls. He also forgot one thing: Xue Ju claimed to have five hundred thousand troops – how could he be suppressed like this without even a single cavalryman visible?

By the time Li Yuanji realized this, it was too late. They had reached Qianshui Plain, an open area eight li away from the city.

Before Li Yuanji could order a retreat, enemy attacks came from behind the army. Xue Ju’s cavalry came from the rear, cutting off Li Yuanji’s retreat route, making it impossible for him to return even if he wanted to.

Being attacked from front and rear was taboo in warfare. Though Li Yuanji deeply regretted his underestimation of the enemy, regret was useless now. The only way out was to break through!

But since Xue Ju had set this trap, how would he let Li Yuanji leave easily? The eighty thousand Tang troops were firmly pinned down by Xue Ju’s army, unable to retreat a single step.

Lin Xingcan died in battle!

Murong Luohou died in battle!

Li Anyuan was captured!

In a short time, of the eight generals, two had died in battle and one was captured. The remaining soldiers were dying one after another, putting Li Yuanji in an extremely disadvantageous position.

Watching Tang soldiers being cut down one by one, Liu Wenjing ordered his three thousand cavalry to carve out a bloody path to escort Li Yuanji’s escape.

Unfortunately, this three-thousand-man force quickly drew Xue Ju’s attention, who immediately sent several thousand elite cavalry in pursuit. Liu Wenjing retreated while using bows and arrows to prevent the enemy army’s pursuit. But arrows couldn’t be shot endlessly, and when the arrows were exhausted, Xue Ju’s several thousand iron cavalry immediately swarmed up, scattering the three thousand cavalry. Li Yuanji was also forced to retreat, falling back into enemy encirclement.

This battle lasted from dawn to dusk, finally breaking out after paying the price of exactly forty thousand lives and two of the eight generals killed and two captured.

In fact, Li Yuanji could break out not because Xue Ju lacked the strength to pursue, but because the person Xue Ju truly wanted was not Li Yuanji but Li Jiancheng, the Tang Crown Prince. So he didn’t pursue Li Yuanji but pressed toward the city, wanting to capture Li Jiancheng alive.

Vowing not to return until Tang was destroyed!

When Li Jiancheng heard news of Li Yuanji’s defeat, his face turned ashen!

Before the battle, Li Yuanji had beaten his chest guaranteeing he could definitely destroy Xue Ju, but instead was soundly defeated by the opponent. Of the eighty thousand troops, only forty thousand remained, and Murong Luohou and others had died. How would he explain this to father upon returning to Chang’an? It was truly infuriating!

While Li Jiancheng was furious, a soldier ran quickly to his side, knelt on one knee, and said loudly: “Report to Crown Prince! Scouts report that Prince Qi is retreating southward!”

“Retreating southward?” Li Jiancheng asked in surprise. Logically, after Li Yuanji’s defeat, he should immediately retreat back to the city. Why was he retreating south instead? South… south…

Chang’an City was to the south. Could Li Yuanji be trying to flee back to Chang’an?

Xue Wanche, who was following Li Jiancheng, also thought of this point and said: “Your Highness, Prince Qi’s southern retreat should be returning to Chang’an. As for why he’s not returning to the city, I fear it’s not that he doesn’t want to, but that he cannot.”

Li Jiancheng’s gaze turned icy as he spat out two words: “Xue Ju.”

Xue Wanche lowered his head and said: “Xue Ju’s target is not Prince Qi, but the Crown Prince, but the Great Tang. Though there are still two hundred thousand soldiers in the city, Prince Qi’s great defeat will surely affect the soldiers. Forgive this subordinate’s frankness – now is not the best time for battle. In this subordinate’s opinion…”

Li Jiancheng glanced at him and said coldly: “Speak!”

“Retreat to Chang’an.” Hearing these four words, Li Jiancheng’s expression changed dramatically. He had thought Xue Wanche’s suggestion would be to stay in the city without engaging, but he never expected it to be a direct retreat to Chang’an.