Soon, Li Jiancheng entered with the soldiers. Upon seeing him, Jieli Khan immediately handed over the note in his hand: “This is a message from Taiji Palace. Crown Prince, please take a look.”

After reading the contents of the note, Li Jiancheng also showed a smile: “Good. With Father Emperor’s assistance, this matter will surely succeed.”

“This Khan has received word that the nearest reinforcements are five hundred li away from us and will arrive in two days. So this Khan is thinking we should act tomorrow. What does the Crown Prince think?”

Li Jiancheng also knew this matter should be done sooner rather than later: “Everything shall be according to the Khan’s wishes. I will cooperate fully!”

“Excellent!” Jieli Khan ordered wine to be brought and poured large bowls for himself and Li Jiancheng: “Come, let us toast to tomorrow’s success!”

“Bottoms up!” After the wine bowls clinked, both large bowls of wine went down their respective throats. This night was destined to be a sleepless night for Li Jiancheng.

Whether he would ride the wind and transform into a dragon from this point on, or completely become a pool of mud underground or even a corpse, would depend on tomorrow. He hoped… everything would go as he wished. May Buddha protect him.

Li Jiancheng had lived for over thirty years and never believed in ghosts and spirits. At this moment, however, he continuously prayed in his heart for the protection of gods and Buddha.

The next day, before dawn had broken, Turkic soldiers were clanging and banging as they worked. By the time the first ray of dawn appeared, a platform higher than Chang’an’s city walls had already been erected.

Li Yuanji stood nearby supervising. Seeing Li Jiancheng approach, he said: “Big Brother, why are you up so early? Why not sleep a bit more?”

“What about you?” Facing Li Jiancheng’s counter-question, Li Yuanji chuckled and scratched his head: “I couldn’t sleep, so I simply came here to supervise their work.”

“Same here.” Li Jiancheng looked at the city walls clearly visible in the dawn light with a complex expression: “Yuanji, do you think we’ll win?”

Li Yuanji replied without hesitation: “Of course. Besides, didn’t Big Brother say last night that Jieli Khan received a carrier pigeon message saying Father Emperor had agreed to assist us?”

Li Jiancheng said heavily: “Father Emperor did agree, but somehow I don’t feel at ease. If we lose, neither Li Shimin nor the Turks will spare us!”

Hearing this, Li Yuanji also fell silent. After a long while, he said: “We have no retreat left, so rather than worry here, we should give our all. I believe we can definitely carve out a bright path!”

Li Jiancheng tugged at the corner of his mouth: “When did you become so good at comforting people?”

Li Yuanji said word by word: “It’s not comfort, but truth. Big Brother, we will definitely win because you are the one blessed by the Mandate of Heaven!”

Li Jiancheng smiled but said nothing. At this moment, Zhishisili walked over. Upon seeing him, Li Yuanji said: “When my big brother stands alone on the platform later, will it be dangerous? After all, this range is still within hard bow shot.”

Zhishisili smiled: “The Crown Prince is of noble status—how could we let him stand alone on the platform? I’ve already arranged twenty heavily armored warriors who will hold shields in front of the Crown Prince. Even if the shields break, their bodies will still be there to protect the Crown Prince completely.”

Li Yuanji felt relieved: “That’s good. If something happens to Big Brother, your plan would be ruined.”

“Prince Qi speaks correctly.” Speaking thus, he said to Li Jiancheng: “The Khan has a few words to say to Your Highness the Crown Prince. Please!”

While Li Jiancheng went to Jieli Khan’s tent, reports about the Turkic army’s movements continuously reached Xiande Palace. After yet another report, Du Ruhui said gravely: “From their appearance, Li Jiancheng must have already reached the Turkic army. They’re preparing to act.”

Yuchi Jingde’s bull eyes widened as he said in a booming voice: “Let them act—who’s afraid of whom? Watch me slaughter them until not a single piece of armor remains.”

Zhangsun Wuji frowned: “We’re not afraid of actual sword combat. In one more day, our reinforcements will arrive. Even without reinforcements, relying on Chang’an’s defenses, we could hold out for half a year without problem. But now they want to attack our hearts… the outcome is truly unpredictable.” Speaking thus, he turned to Li Shimin: “Your Majesty, what does the Great Emperor say?”

Li Shimin said gravely: “Father Emperor refuses to agree.”

Hearing this, Yuchi Jingde immediately said with displeasure: “Has the Great Emperor become senile? At this point, he’s still protecting Li Jiancheng. Does he really want to see the realm won with countless people’s blood destroyed?”

Du Ruhui sighed: “Without the Great Emperor’s help, we’re at a disadvantage in this battle for hearts and minds.”

Li Shimin gripped his armrest tightly and said coldly: “No matter what, we must defend Chang’an before reinforcements arrive. We absolutely cannot let a single Turkic soldier enter the city!”

Yuchi Jingde pounded his chest and stood up: “Your Majesty, rest assured. As long as this general lives, I will never let those foreign peoples set foot in Chang’an!”

At this moment, a soldier rushed in with a look of shock: “Your Majesty, soldiers have seen the deposed Crown Prince Li Jiancheng, who should be exiled in Liangzhou, appear in the Turkic army.”

The news of Li Jiancheng’s escape from Liangzhou was known only to a few people, so when those soldiers saw Li Jiancheng appear on the high platform, they were extremely surprised.

“I understand. Withdraw.” After the soldier left Xiande Hall, Li Shimin also stood up. Liu Hongji’s eyes moved: “Is Your Majesty going to the city tower?”

“Correct.” Before he finished speaking, Zhangsun Wuji urgently stopped him: “No. The Turks are cunning and unpredictable, and we don’t know when they’ll attack the city. For Your Majesty to go to the city tower now is too dangerous. Let this minister go instead.”

Li Shimin’s eyes were cold: “I want to hear with my own ears what he has to say.” After saying this, he strode away. Zhangsun Wuji wanted to persuade him again but was stopped by Liu Hongji: “Forget it.”

Zhangsun Wuji said urgently: “How can we forget it? What if something happens at the city gate? What if… something happens to His Majesty? Then Chang’an would truly be in chaos!”

“But I know His Majesty won’t listen.” Before Zhangsun Wuji could speak, he continued: “Let’s go. We’ll follow His Majesty. We can act according to the situation then.”

Zhangsun Wuji had no better solution and could only agree. Just as they were taking the horse reins handed to them, preparing to go to Chunming Gate together, a carriage stopped at the Eastern Palace gate, and Gao Yang stepped out.

Gao Yang didn’t expect to see Li Shimin at the Eastern Palace gate. After a moment’s surprise, he bowed and asked in confusion: “Where is Your Majesty going?”

“I’m going to the city gate.” After this brief reply, Li Shimin said: “Eunuch Gao’s visit—does Father Emperor have some matter?”

Reminded of his purpose by this question, Gao Yang quickly said: “Your Majesty, regarding the matter you mentioned yesterday, the Great Emperor has agreed. He ordered this servant to inform Your Majesty.”