Chapter Thirteen: Riding Alone to Jingyang

Li Kong had no clear concept of the Tang Dynasty’s efficiency in handling affairs, but he understood one thing: no matter what the matter was, once it reached the imperial court, it would be delayed for at least several hours. The Turks were only a hundred li from Jingyang, and in those hours, they could easily advance dozens of li.

Watching Li Shimin direct the proceedings, Li Kong stepped forward and said, “Your Majesty, there’s no time!” Li Shimin was startled, then saw Li Kong kneel before him. If memory served, this was the first time Li Kong had ever knelt to him.

“Your Majesty, I am deeply grateful for your favor and your enduring tolerance of my unruly ways. Now, the empire has just undergone a change of power and is at its most fragile. It cannot withstand a great war. Therefore, I implore Your Majesty to permit me to go to Jingyang.”

At these words, Li Shimin kicked Li Kong furiously, shouting, “What can you possibly do? That’s two hundred thousand Turkish soldiers—two hundred thousand!”

Li Kong brushed the dust from his garments, a fierce glint flashing in his eyes. He replied, “During war between nations, there are no rules. I have studied some special tactics in the past. This time, I want to try them.”

After a period of recovery and integration, Li Kong’s control over his body was nearly flawless; he could unleash ninety-five percent of his special combat skills without issue, and if he pushed himself, perhaps even more. In his previous life, he had carried out assassination missions amid raging armies. Facing cold steel now, he was confident of his chances; even if he failed, he could guarantee his safe retreat. Otherwise, he would never foolishly charge to his death.

Li Shimin squinted at Li Kong. “What do you intend to do?”

“Take the enemy’s chief, throw their army into chaos,” Li Kong replied, his gaze blazing.

“You reckless brat!” Li Shimin raised his foot again, ready to kick.

But Li Kong dodged just in time, prostrating himself and loudly pleading, “Your Majesty, grant me your blessing!”

Li Shimin’s foot hovered in the air, his eyes reddening. As he had said, two hundred thousand troops—even if they were pigs, killing their king would be nigh impossible. Li Kong’s mission was certain death. Yet, seeing Li Kong’s resolute gesture, he could not refuse. A part of him even wondered: if Li Kong went, might he succeed?

“How confident are you?” Perhaps to comfort himself or to break Li Kong’s resolve, Li Shimin asked coldly.

“Fifty percent chance to kill their leader, one hundred percent to escape alive. It’s a toss-up, Your Majesty. We have no time. Please grant permission!”

“Very well. I’ll give you three thousand Black Armored troops. No matter what, you must come back alive!”

“I accept your command… Thank you, Your Majesty!” Li Kong stood, brushed the dust from his clothes, and said, “Your Majesty, time is of the essence. I’ll go ahead; you can send the Black Armored troops after me. Have them prepare to assist me in Jingyang City.”

With that, Li Kong strode away, commandeering a soldier’s horse and riding off.

The soldier was bewildered. Who was that young man? How did he have such audacity?

As he stood in confusion, Li Shimin kicked him and roared, “What are you waiting for? Hurry and send orders to Jingyang! Tell them to be on high alert and, whatever happens, save Li Kong for me!”

“Yes… I’ll go at once!” The soldier, startled, ran off.

Li Shimin watched Li Kong’s disappearing figure, his heart tumultuous. He knew an emperor should not act on emotion, but he was moved by Li Kong’s spirit. If Li Kong succeeded, it would be the greatest achievement in Tang’s history—surpassing even his own.

“Summon Fang Xuanling, Du Ruhui, Gao Shilian, Changsun Wuji, Wei Zheng to the Sweet Dew Hall for council… And bring Li Ji!”

Half an hour later, in the Sweet Dew Hall.

All the ministers had arrived, but Li Shimin stood with his hands behind his back, gazing silently at the military map hanging behind him, eyes fixed on Jingyang.

The Tang officials exchanged uneasy glances. What was Li Shimin planning now—could he be contemplating war?

The thought made them shiver, and some resolved to oppose him if he suggested it.

Li Shimin turned, sweeping his gaze over them. “Two hundred thousand Turkish troops are approaching Jingyang, less than a hundred li away—no, not even eighty li.”

It was as if a thunderbolt had split the sky, striking them directly.

“Utterly shameless!” Fang Xuanling was the first to leap up, shouting in fury.

The Tang and Turks had a treaty, yet now the Turks had invaded with two hundred thousand men, breaking the pact unilaterally. The scholar was incensed.

“Do they even know the meaning of shamelessness?” Changsun Wuji remarked indifferently, then drew a deep breath. “Your Majesty, there are barely fifty thousand troops in Chang’an, including the Black Armored soldiers. This battle favors defeat over victory; we must prepare for the worst.”

Li Shimin looked at them, his gaze finally settling on Li Ji. “Yunfeng has gone to Jingyang alone.”

Li Ji was shaken, jumping up. “Your Majesty, why? He’s still a child!”

Fang Xuanling and the others were equally bewildered.

Li Shimin suddenly rose. Perhaps it was Li Kong’s boldness affecting him, or perhaps he simply was not an emperor willing to concede. He declared, “Yunfeng advised me—he seeks to kill the enemy’s chief and throw their ranks into chaos. If a child can possess such courage, how can we sit here planning for the worst?”

The ministers were astonished.

Li Shimin gave them no time to respond. He declared, “I will show the Turks that even though my empire is not yet secure, it is not theirs to covet. Send orders: Yuchi Jingde, Cheng Yaojin, Qin Qiong, Li Jing, Gao Shilian, Hou Junji—all generals in Chang’an are to assemble. Mobilize all troops in the city. In one hour, I will lead the army myself.

Xuanling, Kemin, you will accompany me. This time, I will ensure the Turks never again dare challenge our Tang!”

Though Li Shimin was usually approachable, in matters of war, once he made a decision, no one could change it.

So despite their worries, the ministers had no choice but to follow his command.

While Li Shimin gathered Chang’an’s forces for the campaign, Li Kong was already galloping swiftly along the banks of the Wei River, just ten li from Jingyang.

From a distance, gazing at the towering city walls, his resolve grew ever firmer. Silently, he encouraged himself: since I have vowed to let Tang suffer no more regrets, no one will stop me—whoever tries, I will cut them down!