After an unknown amount of time, a voice came from the crowd: “We don’t want to!”
This statement was like a drop of water falling into a lake, causing ripples that spread in circles. More and more people answered, and without exception, all replied with the same two words: “Don’t want to!” Some even shouted loudly: “Attack Luoyang and avenge our brothers!”
“Attack Luoyang!”
“Attack Luoyang!”
When eighty thousand soldiers shouted in unison, the scene was truly spectacular. The scattered military morale was once again tightly bound together!
Seeing this scene, Liu Hongji and others secretly breathed a sigh of relief. They had finally stabilized the situation. After signaling for the soldiers to quiet down, he said: “The two imperial physicians have been working day and night to research methods to treat the plague. They will surely find ways to save those afflicted soldiers!”
As soon as he finished speaking, a soldier hurried from the distance. Upon approaching, he cupped his hands and said: “Reporting to Master and the two generals—the medicinal supplies from Chang’an have arrived!”
These words lifted everyone’s spirits. Liu Hongji’s face showed a hint of joy: “Good! Have them immediately delivered to the two imperial physicians!”
Although this batch of medicinal supplies might not necessarily save the lives of the plague-stricken soldiers, it undoubtedly boosted everyone’s morale, especially with the soldier’s next words: “General Zhangsun has sent word that he has assembled troops and will arrive here within two days to join the main army!”
“Good! Good!” This time, Liu Hongji and the others finally felt their hearts settle. Once the main army arrived, they could attack Luoyang City again. The only troublesome issue was the two powerful weapons—catapults and crossbows. To be honest, even now he hadn’t thought of a way to counter them. If Li Jiancheng still had plague poison in his hands, the tragedy would be repeated. Even if the soldiers’ passionate blood remained unextinguished, they couldn’t just watch the soldiers march to their deaths and part from their families forever!
They must, absolutely must find a solution!
This was the oath Liu Hongji and Du Ruhui swore in their hearts!
When the eighty thousand soldiers dispersed, the two spies also wanted to take the opportunity to leave, but were stopped by Liu Hongji, making them panic. The tall, thin one said tremblingly: “You said that as long as we told the truth, you would spare us. Are you going back on your word?”
“If I intended to kill you, do you think you’d still be alive here to speak?” Liu Hongji’s words made them feel slightly relieved. “What exactly do you want?”
“You’ve betrayed Li Jiancheng. If you return to Luoyang City like this, he absolutely won’t spare you!” Liu Hongji’s words made the thin man swallow hard: “We know, so we never planned to return to Luoyang.”
“Leave Luoyang?” Liu Hongji raised an eyebrow: “If we win, naturally everything will be fine. But if Li Jiancheng wins, with his vengeful nature, he’ll dig three feet into the ground to find you two.” Before they could speak, Liu Hongji continued: “I know what you’re thinking—hiding your identities and going into hiding. Heh, this trick might work against ordinary enemies, but against Li Jiancheng, who seeks to seize the Great Tang, it’s like a three-year-old’s game—utterly useless. Moreover, what about your close relatives and friends in the city? Are you abandoning them all?!”
Each of Liu Hongji’s words struck like muffled thunder, viciously hitting the two men’s heads, shattering their hopes and plans. Their bodies trembled uncontrollably like autumn leaves in the wind.
After a long while, the thin man bit his tongue tip hard and stared at Liu Hongji: “What do you want us to do?” Anyone Li Jiancheng would send out was no fool—how could they not understand such obvious meaning!
“To preserve your own and your families’ lives, the only way is to help us deal with Li Jiancheng. Once successful, I guarantee you wealth and honor for life!”
“Li Jiancheng may be vicious, but are you necessarily better than him? Why should we brothers trust you?” Faced with the thin man’s words, Liu Hongji smiled slightly: “This is inherently a gamble. It depends on whether you have the courage to bet on this round. A lifetime of fleeing, living in fear day and night, or striving to win a worry-free second half of life—it’s all in your own hands. However, I remind you that there’s only one chance. Once missed, there’s no possibility of turning things around!”
Although the two men had no good feelings toward Liu Hongji, they also knew he was telling the truth. For a moment, their hearts battled internally, not knowing how to choose!
After a long while, the thin man gritted his teeth: “What do you want us to do?”
Before Liu Hongji could speak, the shorter man had already grabbed his clothes and said in a low voice: “Fourth Brother, are you really planning to listen to him? What if he’s deceiving us?”
The thin man called Fourth Brother gritted his teeth: “Sixth Brother, I don’t want to live in fear and flight for the rest of my life, and I don’t want to watch our parents and that woman die miserably!”
Seeing him say this, Sixth Brother said no more, lowering his head, apparently thinking about something. Liu Hongji said: “Very simple—I want you to go back and tell Li Jiancheng that the plan is proceeding smoothly.”
“Smoothly?” Fourth Brother thought for a moment, then probed: “You mean, pretend our identities haven’t been exposed by you?”
“Exactly. Only this way will Li Jiancheng relax his guard, and only then will we have a chance to win.” Since there was no way to deal with the catapults and crossbows, they could only make Li Jiancheng come out of the city to fight, catching him off guard.
Fourth Brother hesitated: “Will he believe it?”
“That depends on your skills. All I can guarantee is that no one will inform on you.” Faced with Liu Hongji’s words, Fourth Brother looked at Sixth Brother beside him: “What do you think?”
Sixth Brother clenched his fist hard: “Whatever Fourth Brother does, I’ll do!”
“Good!” Fourth Brother steeled his heart and stared at Liu Hongji: “I’ll do as you say. I hope you won’t go back on your word!”
“A gentleman’s word is his bond!” As long as they could capture Luoyang and stop Li Jiancheng from continuing to harm the people, what did it matter to promise these two men wealth and honor?
Fourth Brother nodded, pulled Sixth Brother to his feet: “We two will carefully remember Master Liu’s words. If Master goes back on his word, he will surely face divine retribution!”
“If you don’t want me to go back on my word, then when Li Jiancheng orders a counterattack, find a way to bring your families out of the city. Otherwise, I can’t help you.”
Before the two left, Liu Hongji called them back and whispered something in their ears, then said: “Handle this matter as you see fit. If it succeeds, naturally it’s best. If it doesn’t, don’t force it.”
After the two left, Du Ruhui, who had been silent all along, said: “Do you trust those two, Master?”
Liu Hongji looked at the departing figures and said slowly: “I wouldn’t say I trust them, but this is an opportunity that shouldn’t be missed.”
Du Ruhui nodded slightly, then asked: “What did you just tell them, Master?”
Liu Hongji smiled slightly: “You’ll know when the time comes. Before that, there’s one more thing I need General Du’s help with.”