Liu Hongji slowly nodded. “If that’s the case, I won’t ask. Someone, take him down and guard him well. Also, apply medicine and bandage his wounds – don’t let him weaken.”
Du Ruhui hadn’t expected him to truly stop asking questions entirely, and hastily said: “Sir, what are you doing?”
Liu Hongji watched Li Yuanji’s figure being escorted away and said calmly: “Li Yuanji is a hard nut to crack. Even under severe torture, he wouldn’t say a word. Moreover, looking at his wounds, he’d probably die before we could properly interrogate him, and then we’d have no way to explain to His Majesty.”
“But Li Jiancheng…”
Liu Hongji raised his hand to interrupt: “I understand General Du’s meaning. Don’t worry – with General Zhangsun there, Li Jiancheng definitely won’t escape.”
Seeing him say this, Du Ruhui could only nod: “Let’s hope so!”
After a night of busyness, by early morning of the next day, the Tang army had completely taken over Luoyang city. Li Shimin was also moved from the camp outside the city to the Ziwei Palace, but his condition had never improved, nor had he awakened, causing everyone great worry. According to Imperial Physician Jiang, the longer it dragged on, the more remote Li Shimin’s chances of awakening became.
As for Yunyi, since arriving, she had stayed sleeplessly by Li Shimin’s side, persistently talking to the unconscious man about past events.
As for those soldiers who had contracted the plague, and those who had been wounded by stones and arrows in yesterday’s siege battle and might have contracted the plague, they firmly refused to enter the city, saying they didn’t want to burden their former comrades-in-arms. If they truly couldn’t escape death’s shadow, then let them die quietly!
Though Imperial Physicians Jiang and Qi had been constantly researching prescriptions to treat the plague, time was always too tight. Apart from that prescription of fighting poison with poison, they couldn’t think of a second one. With little time left, they decided to try this prescription – anything was better than just waiting to die.
After taking Luoyang, medicinal materials greatly increased, so the herbal medicine was quickly prepared and sent outside the city. Each person drank one bowl, and the remaining medicine would be sent at regular intervals. This was all they could do – whether they could save their lives would depend on each person’s fate.
Until midday, there was no news from Zhangsun Wuji’s side. Instead, Li Shimin’s condition worsened, with his heartbeat stopping again. Though it eventually resumed beating, it was extremely weak and could stop at any moment. Imperial Physicians Jiang and Qi were helpless about this!
Yuchi Jingde said excitedly: “Didn’t you say you could save His Majesty? Why has it become like this?!”
Imperial Physician Jiang said bitterly: “This humble servant said from the beginning that the method of fighting poison with poison only had a twenty percent chance of success. Now…” He lowered his head and didn’t continue.
Yuchi Jingde grabbed his collar and gritted his teeth: “I’m telling you, if something happens to His Majesty, I…”
“His Majesty will be fine!” Yunyi stroked Li Shimin’s pale, bloodless face and said word by word: “His Majesty has survived days more difficult than today before. This time will be no exception.”
Liu Hongji and the others sighed without speaking. How could they not hope for Li Shimin to survive this ordeal? But the longer it dragged on, the more remote the hope became.
Just then, a soldier entered and whispered a few words in Liu Hongji’s ear. The latter’s eyes brightened slightly as he said: “Understood. You may go!”
After the soldier withdrew, Yunyi looked sideways: “Has Li Jiancheng been captured?”
Though she had been constantly by Li Shimin’s side, she hadn’t missed news from outside, so she knew that when they broke into Luoyang, Li Jiancheng had already vanished without a trace, with only Li Yuanji captured.
Liu Hongji bowed: “Yes, General Zhangsun captured Li Jiancheng a hundred li outside Luoyang city. He’s now being escorted back. With both of them captured this time, the Great Tang should be peaceful.” Though he said this, his face showed no relief.
Though Li Jiancheng and Li Yuanji had been captured, if Li Shimin couldn’t survive this ordeal and died young, the Great Tang, whose foundation was not yet deep enough, would surely erupt in internal chaos. Especially with Li Yuan still in Chang’an – he had always been dissatisfied with His Majesty becoming emperor, and once His Majesty died, he would immediately restore the imperial throne!
“Very good!” Yunyi nodded and whispered to the unconscious Li Shimin: “Your Majesty, did you hear? Li Jiancheng has been captured and brought back. No one can shake your realm and throne anymore.”
Yes, as long as Li Shimin awakened, the Great Tang would truly be completely under his control. But what if he didn’t wake up?
As soon as this thought emerged, Yunyi forcefully killed it. He would wake up – His Majesty would never abandon her and their son, never abandon the Great Tang he had built with his own hands!
Though she kept telling herself this, her eyes still stung painfully, requiring tremendous effort to hold back the tears climbing into her eyes.
She… was ultimately still afraid!
In the prison, Li Yuanji was looking ashen-faced at Li Jiancheng being escorted in. After the escorting soldiers locked the opposite cell door and left, he finally came to his senses, grabbing the bars and saying urgently: “How can this be? Big brother, didn’t you leave? Why…”
Li Jiancheng said with bloodshot eyes: “That old scoundrel Liu Hongji arranged for Zhangsun Wuji to ambush outside all the city gates of Luoyang early on. Shortly after I left the city gate, I was attacked by Zhangsun Wuji’s men. Though I fought bitterly several times, I was ultimately outnumbered and fell into his hands!”
“Damn it!” Li Yuanji fiercely struck the bars, saying hatefully: “I wondered why I never saw their reinforcements – so this is why!” After pausing a moment, he said somewhat helplessly: “What do we do now?”
He had previously made up his mind that even if he died, he wouldn’t reveal Li Jiancheng’s whereabouts. But now… with Li Jiancheng captured, all of this had lost its meaning.
Li Jiancheng had no solution either, only saying: “For now we can only take it one step at a time!” After saying this, he seemed to have lost all strength, stepping back several paces to lean against the cold, damp wall, staring blankly at the dimly lit oil lamp outside the cell.
Was it truly impossible to make a comeback?
No, he wouldn’t admit defeat like this. Even if he had to bow and scrape, lower his head and show weakness, he must survive. Only by living was there hope!
Thinking thus, he said: “Do you know Li Shimin’s condition?”
Li Yuanji shook his head: “I haven’t seen him, but judging from Liu Hongji’s attitude, Li Shimin should be seriously ill. He might not even survive today!”
“Good!” Li Jiancheng slowly nodded. With his and Yuanji’s status, only Li Shimin was qualified to deal with them. Liu Hongji – hmph, though he looked impressive, he was ultimately just an outside minister. To dispose of them – hmph, he was far from qualified! As long as Li Shimin died, he and Yuanji would have hope of returning to Chang’an alive. And when Father Emperor learned of this, he would surely intervene to save their lives, even reclaim the Great Tang’s realm!
Rong’er, your spirit in heaven must bless Li Shimin to die from the plague poison!