Shortly after engaging in battle with the long snake formation, the Tang soldiers at both ends began to collapse and flee. Seeing this scene, Song Jingang finally released the pent-up frustration he had harbored for half a month. Li Shimin, you have this day too! Hmph, this time, I will ensure you have no way back!

Thinking this, he immediately shouted: “Pass my order, advance the army forward ten li!”

Song Jingang had never imagined that the Tang army, which had chased him around like a stray dog, would suddenly become so weak at this moment. Or perhaps this question had appeared in his mind before, but he was too eager for victory, so he turned a blind eye to this doubt.

Ten li of distance meant that when something went wrong, Song Jingang’s twenty thousand troops would be unable to retreat back to Jiexiu City. This… was exactly what Li Shimin wanted to see.

When Song Jingang was fighting with the two thousand Tang troops at the front and rear ends, ten li away from Jiexiu City, Li Shimin led three thousand elite Tang troops from the northern end, circling around to Song Jingang’s rear. Until they launched their attack, not a single person had discovered their traces.

When Li Shimin beheaded Song Jingang from behind, the outcome of this battle was decided.

Song Jingang’s army suffered a crushing defeat, their main general was killed, three thousand soldiers were beheaded, and the rest scattered and fled.

After this battle, Liu Wuzhou no longer had much military strength in his hands, and he developed an extremely fearful mindset toward Li Shimin. After much deliberation, he decided to abandon Taiyuan first and seek refuge with the Turkic forces.

He had always relied on the Turkic forces to reach this point, so now that he was in trouble, the first thing he thought of was naturally the Turkic forces. He believed that as long as the Turkic forces were willing to send troops to help him, he would definitely be able to make a comeback and rise again.

Liu Wuzhou had imagined everything too beautifully. So when the Turkic forces raised their gleaming blades, he still didn’t know what was about to happen, and he… would never have the chance to know again. His head fell to the ground accompanied by splashing fresh blood.

Liu Wuzhou—completely became history.

On December 12th, Li Shimin led his main army to Jinyang, and Liu Wuzhou’s chancellor Yang Funian surrendered the city.

On December 17th, he annihilated Lü Chongmao and other remnant parties, recovering Xia County.

At this point, Shanxi once again became the territory of the Tang Dynasty, and Li Shimin’s feat of routing Liu Wuzhou with thirty thousand troops also spread far and wide, with common people calling him the “War God.”

Originally, it was just a small-scale spread among a group of people, but it spread wider and wider. By the time Li Shimin returned to Chang’an, his name as the War God had already spread throughout the streets and alleys of Chang’an.

On December 27th, the day Li Shimin returned to Chang’an, countless common people competed to catch a glimpse of his style. Cries of “War God” were endless.

Just as Li Shimin had anticipated, this battle won him illustrious fame and prestige. It would no longer be so easy for Li Yuan to keep him idle in his residence.

Although recovering Shanxi was the best possible thing for the Great Tang and laid a solid foundation for pacifying the world, Li Yuanji felt as uncomfortable as if he had swallowed a fly.

In the Prince Qi’s residence, Li Yuanji said with a face full of reluctance: “Big brother, can I not go?”

Li Jiancheng, dressed in Crown Prince court robes, said coldly: “Today is the day Shimin returns in triumph. Do you think we can not go? Hurry up and change into your robes.”

Following his words, a maid stepped forward and offered the court robes, but Li Yuanji knocked them to the ground with one hand, saying impatiently: “But I really don’t want to see his smug face. Just thinking about it makes me angry!”

Li Jiancheng said with a half-smile: “When did you become so petty?”

Hearing this, Li Yuanji immediately widened his eyes, then glared at Li Jiancheng angrily: “When did big brother become so close to him that you’re helping him scold me?”

“You!” Li Jiancheng picked up the court robes from the ground and said: “When did I help him? Today, Father Emperor wants to commend him in the Taiji Hall. If you don’t go, wouldn’t that be deliberately making Father Emperor unhappy?”

Li Yuanji huffed and puffed for a while, then shook his head: “In any case, I don’t want to see him. War God, hmph, it’s just winning one battle. What’s so great about that?”

“Three consecutive major defeats, and he recovered Shanxi with thirty thousand troops, personally beheading Song Jingang. That is indeed remarkable.”

Li Yuanji was already full of pent-up anger, and hearing these words made him even more furious: “Big brother, what benefits did you receive from him? You keep speaking up for him again and again. Be careful he doesn’t steal your position as Crown Prince.”

Li Jiancheng smiled slightly and suddenly said: “Yuanji, who is the one who decides the Crown Prince candidate?”

Li Yuanji answered without hesitation: “Do you even need to ask? Of course it’s Father Emperor.”

“That’s right, Father Emperor.” Li Jiancheng carefully folded the clothing and placed it on the nearby long table. “As long as Father Emperor’s sacred heart doesn’t change, the Crown Prince candidate naturally won’t change.”

“I naturally know this. I’m just afraid that Father Emperor might change his mind because of his victory.”

“He won’t.” Li Jiancheng said with certainty: “Ever since the Apricot Blossom Tower incident, Father Emperor has been disgusted with Shimin. Using him this time was purely out of necessity. He won, which naturally makes Father Emperor happy, but that’s all. As long as we don’t make any mistakes, he’ll never have a chance. Besides, don’t we still have Beauty Yin and Talented Lady Zhang? As long as those two are there, there’s nothing to worry about.”

Li Yuanji thought about it and realized it was indeed the case. Just as he was about to speak, Li Jiancheng had already handed over the court robes, saying: “Can you go change now?”

Li Yuanji said helplessly: “Big brother has given an order, how dare little brother not comply?”

On this day, the Taiji Palace was filled with an atmosphere of joy and celebration, and Li Shimin was undoubtedly the focus of everyone’s attention at this moment.

Besides following the usual protocol to reward Li Shimin, Li Yuan also had court musicians compose a grand song and dance piece called “The Music of the Prince of Qin Breaking Through Battle Lines” as soon as he learned of his victory, to be performed at the victory banquet that day.

“The Music of the Prince of Qin Breaking Through Battle Lines,” as the name suggests, was generous and stirring, magnificent and grand, perfectly recreating Li Shimin’s brave fighting spirit and unstoppable peerless demeanor.

“Shimin.” Hearing Li Yuan call him, Li Shimin set down his wine cup and bowed with hands clasped: “Your son is here.”

Li Yuan said with a smile: “Your great defeat of Liu Wuzhou this time not only recovered Shanxi but also enhanced our Great Tang’s national prestige. Your merit is extremely great. Tell me, what kind of reward do you want? I will definitely satisfy you!”

His words made Li Shimin’s mind wander, his thoughts flying to who knows where. It wasn’t until Liu Hongji, sitting beside him, reminded him that he came back to his senses and said: “The rewards Father Emperor has bestowed upon your son are already very generous. Your son dares not ask for more. Besides, sharing Father Emperor’s worries and protecting our Great Tang is what your son should do. I truly dare not claim merit.”

Li Yuan laughed: “You’re quite modest. But merit is merit. You have accomplished merit, and I have no reason not to reward you. You needn’t worry, just ask for whatever you want.”

Wan Shi was also present, saying with a smile: “His Majesty has given his golden word, and there’s no reason to take it back. The Prince of Qin need not be polite. Whatever wish you have, just tell His Majesty.” While speaking, her beautiful eyes inconspicuously swept over Li Yuanji sitting below.