“Sir, just give your orders.” After listening to Liu Hongji’s words, Du Ruhui nodded and said, “Good, I’ll go right now. Riding fast both ways, I should be able to return by dawn tomorrow. Until then, I’ll trouble you with everything, especially matters concerning His Majesty.”

After Liu Hongji nodded in agreement, Du Ruhui immediately had someone bring his mount, took some provisions, and immediately departed the military camp, disappearing into the distance amid flying dust.

That night, Lao Si and his companion returned to Luoyang City. Following Liu Hongji’s instructions, they recounted everything in detail before Li Jiancheng. Li Yuanji was most delighted, clapping his hands and saying, “Elder brother, everything is exactly as you predicted!”

Li Jiancheng also revealed a slight smile, staring at Lao Si and his companion as he asked, “Are the Tang troops truly so disorganized?”

“Absolutely true. Those soldiers, upon learning it was a plague, immediately panicked and surrounded Liu Hongji and the others demanding explanations. But how could they possibly explain? They could only stammer and evade, and with us secretly inciting them, they became increasingly dissatisfied. From the looks of it, someone will likely flee tonight!” Lao Si spoke with vivid detail, as if it were truly the case.

Li Yuanji excitedly said, “Elder brother, let me dispatch troops to leave the city and attack immediately, capturing Li Shimin alive!”

“No hurry!” Saying this, Li Jiancheng’s gaze shifted, once again falling upon Lao Si and his companion. “Did anyone suspect your identities?”

Lao Si had anticipated this question and had already prepared his answer. “Your Highness, rest assured. We hid very carefully and left no traces!” While speaking, Li Jiancheng’s gaze remained fixed on his face. Lao Si forced himself not to look away, lest he arouse Li Jiancheng’s suspicion.

Seeing nothing suspicious, Li Jiancheng withdrew his gaze and asked, “Did you see Li Shimin?”

Lao Liu took over the conversation, saying, “No, with such a serious incident today, he never appeared. It seems he’s truly contracted the plague and is in mortal danger. However…”

Li Jiancheng frowned and asked, “However what?”

“Before we left, we heard news that the reinforcements led by Zhangsun Wuji are only two days’ journey from Luoyang.”

“So they’ll arrive the day after tomorrow?” After receiving a positive answer, Li Yuanji urged, “Elder brother, once they join with the reinforcements, it will be greatly disadvantageous to us. We must counterattack the Tang army beforehand.”

Lao Si seized the opportunity, saying, “Your Highness, I also believe this opportunity cannot be missed!”

Under their successive urgings, Li Jiancheng finally nodded. “Correct, opportunity lost will not come again!” Having made up his mind, there was nothing to hesitate about. He immediately said, “Yuanji, go immediately and assemble twenty thousand soldiers. Once the third watch passes, launch a night attack on the Tang military camp and capture Li Shimin and his subordinates alive!”

“Yes, Your Highness!” As Li Yuanji prepared to depart, Lao Si and his companion said, “Your Highness, we have some understanding of the Tang military camp and can assist Prince Qi.”

Li Jiancheng suspected nothing and nodded, saying, “Good, you’ll accompany Prince Qi in the counterattack!”

Lao Si and his companion agreed and departed with Li Yuanji. They weren’t truly going to assist Li Yuanji in attacking the Tang army, but rather taking the opportunity to escape Luoyang City, including their families. Even if Li Jiancheng hadn’t agreed, they would have secretly followed and left. Remaining in Luoyang City, once Li Yuanji was defeated, they would certainly die!

However, with time so tight, the final task Liu Hongji had entrusted to them couldn’t be accomplished.

Li Jiancheng was unaware he had walked into Liu Hongji’s scheme, wholeheartedly believing his own strategy had succeeded.

Twenty thousand troops assembled as scheduled and departed the city at the third watch under cover of night to launch a surprise attack on the Tang military camp. The result was predictable – Li Yuanji suffered a crushing defeat and returned with fewer than ten thousand survivors. Had the Tang army not been wary of the catapults and crossbows on the city walls, they would have attacked the city that very night.

Looking at the defeated remnants returning, Li Jiancheng flew into a rage and realized he had fallen for Lao Si and his companion’s trick. Unfortunately, it was too late – they and their families had already escaped outside the city.

Having suffered such a devastating defeat, Li Jiancheng naturally dared not rashly counterattack again. He could only defend Luoyang City first, then gradually plan his next move. However, he believed that with that row of catapults and crossbow carts, he could definitely hold Luoyang. After all, there were still many stones and crossbow bolts smeared with plague poison – the more the Tang soldiers attacked the city, the more would contract the plague!

Li Yuanji entered the hall with his left arm wrapped in thick bandages. In the battle outside the city, he had been struck by a blade on his left arm, the wound deep enough to see bone. Looking at the preoccupied Li Jiancheng, he said painfully, “It’s all because of Yuanji’s incompetence, failing to meet elder brother’s expectations!”

Li Jiancheng let out a long sigh. “This matter was due to my carelessness and has nothing to do with you. I never expected Liu Hongji and the others would have the ability to turn those two men, making them deceive us instead!”

Mentioning Lao Si and his companion, Li Yuanji immediately became furious. “If I hadn’t been ambushed by the Tang army and panicked, I would have killed those two! Truly detestable!”

“Don’t worry, this debt will definitely be collected!” Li Jiancheng spoke these words through gritted teeth, forcefully crushing the teacup in his hand, crimson blood flowing in a shocking sight.

He had always been the one to betray the world; never had the world betrayed him. Whoever dared to betray him, he would collect the debt a hundredfold!

After suppressing the hatred in his heart, he said, “When the reinforcements arrive, the Tang army shouldn’t attack the city. Go back and rest well!”

“Mm.” Upon reaching the hall entrance, Li Yuanji suddenly stopped and turned around. “Elder brother.”

“What is it? Is there something else?”

Li Yuanji bit his lip hard and said softly, “If… we truly cannot hold Luoyang, elder brother, you…”

“Impossible!” Li Jiancheng coldly interrupted him. “Luoyang can definitely be held!”

“We must guard against the unexpected. After all, the current situation is very unfavorable to us.” Seeing Li Jiancheng remain silent, he stepped forward and said, “Elder brother, promise me that if we truly cannot hold it, you’ll immediately leave Luoyang and retreat elsewhere. Where there are green hills, there’s no fear of lacking firewood.”

“Retreat elsewhere?” Li Jiancheng released his palm, letting the porcelain shards fall to the ground, and sneered, “Do you think we have anywhere else to retreat to? They will certainly pursue us to the bitter end!”

Li Yuanji immediately said, “I’ll block the pursuing troops for elder brother and absolutely won’t let them harm you!”

Li Jiancheng stared at him for a moment, then sighed, “I know your intentions. We’ll discuss this matter when the time comes. Although those two deceived us, Li Shimin contracting the plague is inevitable. As long as he dies from this plague, we still have a chance. Though Liu Hongji is cunning and scheming, for him to think he can stabilize the Great Tang is laughable!”

Reminded of this by his words, Li Yuanji’s expression improved considerably. “Elder brother said the plague poison has no cure – Li Shimin will certainly die!”