Jiang Yuan said with a complicated expression: “I understand, but…”

Li Jiancheng patted his shoulder: “I know what you’re thinking. Rest assured, I’m not naturally vicious. I’m only forced to do this by Li Shimin’s pressure. I promise you, there will never be a second time.” Speaking to this point, he sighed deeply: “Actually, how could I not want to treat the people kindly? It’s just that in my current situation… I really don’t have that luxury. Jiang Yuan, I promise you that after this battle ends, I will give those common people who died from the Qi River water a proper burial, and the survivors will be generously compensated. As for the downstream people, you needn’t worry too much. Along the way, the poison in the river water will be repeatedly diluted and will no longer take lives. At most, people will be sick for a few days.”

Although Jiang Yuan didn’t feel this could compensate for those innocents who died unjustly, he understood this was already Li Jiancheng’s greatest concession. Any more words would be seeking his own death. Besides, the dead cannot be brought back to life, so this was all that could be done.

Thinking thus, he bowed to Li Jiancheng: “I thank Your Highness on behalf of those people!”

Li Jiancheng nodded and said gently: “You’ve worked hard all night and are tired. Li Shimin probably won’t attack the city so quickly. Go back and rest for a while.”

“Yes, I take my leave.” After Jiang Yuan disappeared from sight, Li Yuanji withdrew his gaze and said displeasedly: “Big brother, why be so polite to him? If you ask me, we should directly…”

Li Jiancheng glanced at him and said coldly: “Directly what? Kill him?”

Li Yuanji stiffened his neck and said dismissively: “Since he has developed treacherous thoughts, he should be killed. Don’t tell me big brother is reluctant? He even compared big brother to Emperor Yang of Sui!”

Li Jiancheng shook his head: “You, all day long you only know kill, kill, kill. Killing Jiang Yuan would be easy, but right now Chang’an is in need of capable people. Jiang Yuan is capable, otherwise Wang Zhengfeng wouldn’t have sent him to lead troops to Chang’an for rescue. Moreover, Jiang Yuan was the first person to pledge allegiance to me. If we kill him, what will others think? I’m afraid then more and more people will develop treacherous thoughts. Can you kill them all?”

Li Yuanji was rendered speechless by his words. After holding it in for a long time, he squeezed out a sentence: “So according to big brother’s meaning, we’ll just let this matter go?”

Li Jiancheng looked in the direction Jiang Yuan had gone and said lightly: “For some things, it’s enough to be clear about them in your heart. There’s no need to rush. Have you done what I asked you to do?”

Upon hearing this, Li Yuanji immediately said: “Big brother, rest assured. Everything has been prepared according to your instructions. Once Li Shimin attacks the city, we’ll definitely give him a good taste of what we have.” Speaking to this point, he said excitedly: “Speaking of which, where did big brother get all those things? I’ve never heard of them before.”

His words made Li Jiancheng show a sad expression as he caressed the porcelain bottle Jiang Yuan had returned, whispering: “This was given to me by Rong’er before the incident, telling me to keep it for protection. She read many ancient texts and also studied some medical books from the Western Regions before she could concoct these two bottles of medicine. But now… even this little bit is gone.”

Li Yuanji sighed: “This is unavoidable. As long as we kill Li Shimin, sister-in-law’s spirit in heaven will be able to rest in peace!”

His words made Li Jiancheng’s eyes flash with severity as he gripped the porcelain bottle tightly: “You’re right. This time I must kill Li Shimin and make him die without a burial place!”

Brothers who shared the same bloodline, now only hatred remained between them. How tragic…

After a moment of silence, Li Yuanji’s eyes lit up: “By the way, didn’t Jiang Yuan pour the medicine into the Qi River? Big brother, do you think Li Shimin might already be dead?”

Li Jiancheng had thought about this early on and immediately said: “I’d hope so, but… the possibility is slim.”

“Why?” Under Li Yuanji’s puzzled gaze, he said: “Li Shimin is both the emperor and the commander-in-chief of this expedition. If he died, the Tang army would have been in chaos last night. No one could have stabilized the situation, not even Liu Hongji. But you heard Jiang Yuan’s report just now, so I’m certain that Li Shimin is definitely still alive and well.”

Li Yuanji thought about it and agreed, saying irritably: “He’s really lucky!”

“Lucky, but this luck is about to run out. The day we attack the city will be his death day!” Li Jiancheng’s expression was as cold as a demon from hell, making people shudder.

A day quickly passed. At this moment, the death toll among the Tang army camped by the Qi River had reached over six thousand. Fortunately, after climbing to six thousand, the death rate had noticeably slowed down, with only ten-odd deaths per hour, no longer the hundreds of deaths at a time as before. Clearly, the toxicity in their bodies had begun to subside after erupting for a day and night. The remaining three thousand people were very likely to survive.

At the You hour, Du Ruhui came to Li Shimin’s tent and bowed: “Reporting to Your Majesty, according to statistics, the death toll this hour has dropped to seven people, and the remaining people have all improved to varying degrees, including General Yuchi. Imperial Physician Jiang says his life is no longer in danger.”

Upon hearing this, Li Shimin let out a long breath. This was the first time the death toll had dropped below double digits, and his tense nerves could finally relax somewhat.

Du Ruhui looked at the dark circles under Li Shimin’s eyes: “Your Majesty has not slept for two days and nights, nor eaten much of anything. You must be extremely exhausted. Why don’t I have someone bring some food, and after Your Majesty eats, you can rest for a while to restore your spirits.”

“I can hold on!” Li Shimin wiped his face: “Have all those soldiers who died been buried?”

“Most have already been interred, and the rest are being buried as quickly as possible.” After a pause, he said: “I had a large monument erected with all those soldiers’ names carved on it. Although they can’t be transported back, at least their families can come here to pay respects during Qingming and Hanshi festivals, so they won’t become lonely ghosts!”

Li Shimin nodded: “You’ve worked hard. Make another copy to take back to Chang’an so that compensation can be distributed to their families.”

Du Ruhui lowered his eyes: “Your Majesty, rest assured. I have already copied the roster and will not miss a single person!”

“Very good.” Li Shimin nodded with satisfaction: “If the remaining soldiers’ conditions stabilize, I plan to set out for Luoyang first thing tomorrow morning!”

Du Ruhui hesitated: “Your Majesty, although the situation has improved, wanting to set out and travel tomorrow is really too demanding for those poisoned soldiers. In my opinion, it would be better to rest for one more day.”

“I understand your meaning, but since last night, I’ve felt very uneasy, always feeling that Li Jiancheng won’t give up just like this. To prevent complications from arising, we should capture Luoyang as soon as possible. As for those poisoned soldiers, don’t worry. I don’t plan to have them come along. I’ll dispatch two thousand soldiers to stay here and protect them. Also, I’ve already sent Wuji with my military tally to rush back to Chang’an with eight-hundred-li urgency to mobilize troops!”