“More than that!” With these words, Jieli Khan, who should have been below, appeared on the tower. Behind him followed Zhishisili. Seeing his appearance, those Turkic soldiers hastily spread their formation somewhat to ensure his protection.

Jieli Khan spoke in fluent Chinese: “As long as Li Shimin declares his abdication and no longer serves as Emperor of Great Tang, this Khan can immediately withdraw troops and guarantee that I will absolutely never set foot on Great Tang territory again!”

Li Jiancheng seized the opportunity: “You all heard Jieli Khan’s words. As long as Li Shimin abdicates, we can avoid military confrontation between the two armies, with no casualties whatsoever.”

“How can the words of a foreign barbarian be trusted!” Du Ruhui’s voice had barely faded when Li Jiancheng’s voice came again: “Is it distrust, or is your Emperor reluctant to give up the throne? But he should be clear that this throne never belonged to him in the first place!” As he spoke, he raised his voice several degrees: “Soldiers, are you willing to lose your lives for such a person, or return home safely to reunite with your families? I am a subject of Great Tang, and if not absolutely necessary, I truly do not want to see any of you die under swords and blades, becoming cold corpses!”

It must be said that Li Jiancheng was skilled at manipulating hearts. Under his words, the hesitation on the faces of those soldiers atop the city walls became even more pronounced. They were human after all, and humans tend to fear death. No one would choose a path to death when there was clearly a chance to live.

“Clap, clap, clap!” The one applauding was none other than Li Shimin. He spoke sarcastically: “What a passionately stirring speech, but do you think this alone can shake military morale and open the gates of Chang’an City?”

Li Jiancheng said in a stern voice: “Justice lies in the hearts of the people. I believe these soldiers will make the most correct and best judgment. Li Shimin, though you obtained the throne, you may not be able to control everything!”

At this moment, a soldier hurried to Li Shimin’s side: “Your Majesty, the Grand Emperor has arrived!”

Li Shimin immediately said: “Quickly invite the Grand Emperor up!”

Following his words, Li Yuan, supported by Gaoyang, came to the city tower. Li Shimin cupped his hands: “I greet Father Emperor.”

Li Yuan paid him no attention. In fact, from the moment he ascended the city tower, Li Yuan’s gaze had been fixed on Li Jiancheng. Only after Gaoyang reminded him several times did he come back to his senses, saying with sorrowful expression: “I truly never imagined things would turn out like this.”

Li Shimin lowered his eyes: “Father Emperor, your son has repeatedly tried to persuade Li Jiancheng, but unfortunately he never listens. Your son truly has no other recourse.”

“I know.” Saying this, Li Yuan once again cast his gaze toward Li Jiancheng in the distance. After a long while, he said: “I never thought we father and son would meet again.”

Under the gaze of all, Li Jiancheng suddenly fell to his knees, saying hoarsely: “This unworthy son has caused Father Emperor to be usurped by Li Shimin and imprisoned in Taiji Palace. I beg Father Emperor’s forgiveness!”

Following his words, Li Yuanji also knelt down. Li Yuan gazed at them from afar, shaking his head: “I don’t blame you two. It was I who nurtured a tiger, thus bringing about today’s disaster!”

Du Ruhui frowned and walked to Li Yuan’s side, saying in a low voice: “Grand Emperor, what are you saying?”

“You didn’t hear clearly? Fine, I’ll say it again!” The next moment, Li Yuan used his loudest voice, saying word by word: “I, Li Yuan, nurtured a tiger and was forced to abdicate by my own son through usurpation, imprisoned in Taiji Palace like a dog!”

Unlike Li Jiancheng, Li Yuan stood right on the city tower. As soon as these words were spoken, not only the soldiers on the tower but also the neatly arrayed troops below heard them. For a moment, everyone was shocked.

Most shocked was Li Shimin, who looked at Li Yuan with disbelieving eyes: “Father Emperor, you… what are you saying?”

“I’m stating facts!” Li Yuan glared hatefully at Li Shimin: “You knew I was unwilling to pass the throne to you, so you fabricated the story of Jiancheng and Yuanji’s rebellion and coup, led troops into the palace, stained Xuanwu Gate with blood, then burst into Taiji Palace, using the lives of those two as threats to force me to name you Crown Prince, then abdicate! You call me Father Emperor with your lips, but which of your actions befits a son? The reason I was unwilling to pass you the throne was precisely because I saw your wolfish ambition!”

By this point, Li Shimin could clearly see that circumstances had changed. He hastily said: “Their intention to rebel and usurp was fact – how did I fabricate it!”

Li Yuan sneered: “Jiancheng was the Crown Prince I personally appointed. This throne would have been his sooner or later. Tell me, why would he need to rebel and usurp? What’s the reason?”

Li Yuan’s voice was very loud, every word clearly transmitted to the ears of soldiers above and below the city tower, causing a commotion. Du Ruhui, fearing the situation would become uncontrollable, quickly interrupted: “The former Crown Prince was jealous of His Majesty’s military achievements and repeatedly tried to harm him. This point, Grand Emperor, you are aware of – why distort the truth?”

Li Yuan’s eyes flickered slightly: “The ones distorting truth are you. Jiancheng has been loyal and honest since childhood, loving his brothers. Even knowing Li Shimin harbored ill intentions, he still protected him everywhere, which ultimately harmed himself. If I hadn’t threatened with abdication, those two would have lost their lives long ago. But I never imagined that Li Shimin, while outwardly sentencing them to exile, actually sent people to pursue and kill them along the way – he never truly intended to spare them!”

Du Ruhui and others who knew the truth understood he was speaking complete nonsense, but those soldiers didn’t know, and the unrest grew increasingly severe. Even though Yin Kaishan and others repeatedly shouted orders, it proved ineffective.

Liu Hongji said in a deep voice: “So when the Grand Emperor agreed to come to the city tower, this was his plan – truly beyond our expectations.”

“If I didn’t say I’d help you frame Jiancheng, how would you have allowed me to stand here!” Speaking thus, he looked at Li Shimin with a pained expression: “Shimin, heaven sees what men do – don’t continue making mistakes! And these soldiers, they all have wives and children. Are you really going to harm them and cause their deaths here for your personal gain?”

Looking at Li Yuan’s hypocritical face, Li Shimin slowly shook his head: “You truly disappoint me!” This time, he didn’t even say “Father Emperor” because Li Yuan’s actions no longer merited those two words.

A flash of guilt crossed Li Yuan’s face, but he quickly returned to normal, again feigning concern: “Shimin, give up! As long as you’re willing to give up, you’ll still be my son. I promise I won’t pursue past matters – you can still be Great Tang’s Prince of Qin!”

Li Shimin spoke sarcastically: “But I don’t want to be Prince of Qin, just as you don’t want to be Grand Emperor. What then?”

Li Yuan’s expression darkened: “Do you think that becoming Emperor means everyone will follow your commands? Emperor Yang was also an emperor back then – what was his fate? Shimin, don’t be so stubborn. Father Emperor doesn’t want you to become a second Emperor Yang of Sui.”

Meeting his gaze, Li Shimin said coldly: “Rest assured, I will absolutely never be him!”