Datang: Just been appointed as the crown prince, the counterattack system is here

Ten miles east of Baqiao.

Three huge bonfires roared into the night, their flames soaring into the sky and turning half of the night sky orange-red.

In the Baqiao camp, Cheng Yaojin and Yuchi Gong were both awakened by their personal guards.

"General! Lights have been spotted to the east! It seems a large army is gathering!"

Cheng Yaojin jumped off the bed, rushed out of the tent, and looked at the ominous firelight in the east, his thick eyebrows furrowed.

Yuchi Gong also rushed over and said in a deep voice, "This fire is suspicious. If the Crown Prince really intended to launch a night attack, why would he light a fire beforehand to expose his whereabouts?"

"bluff?"

Cheng Yaojin stroked his beard, a glint of shrewdness flashing in his eyes: "This little brat, trying to use a feint against me?"

He turned and ordered: "Send word! The vanguard is on alert, crossbows are ready, and cannons are loaded! But no one is to leave the camp without my order!"

"Old Cheng, what if it really is the main force?" Yuchi Gong asked with some concern.

"Main force my ass!"

Cheng Yaojin sneered: "That kid Li Chengqian is cunning. If he really wanted to launch a full-scale attack, would he set fire to warn us first? He's clearly trying to lure us out of the camp!"

He paused and then said:
"However... we must not be complacent. Jingde, take three thousand cavalry and scout five miles out of the camp. But remember, if the situation looks bad, retreat immediately and never linger in battle!"

"understand!"

Yuchi Gong accepted the order and left.

Meanwhile, on the northern slope of Mount Li.

Xi Junmai led two thousand cavalrymen, struggling to move forward on an ancient road that was almost completely overgrown with weeds.

This so-called 'path' is actually just a trail left by hunters and herb gatherers. At its narrowest point, it can only accommodate two horses side by side. On one side is a steep mountain wall, and on the other side is a bottomless canyon.

"General, is this road... really passable?"

A captain looked at the almost vertical slope ahead and swallowed hard.

“If His Highness says we can go, then we can go.”

Xi Junmai gritted his teeth, dismounted, and shouted: "Everyone, dismount and lead the horses! Wrap the horses' hooves in cloth and have them gagged as they go!"

Two thousand cavalrymen silently dismounted, wrapped their horses' hooves in thick cloth, put bridles on their horses, and then led their warhorses forward, groping their way in the darkness.

Every now and then, warhorses would stumble and fall into the canyon, leaving only a short scream before being swallowed by the night wind.

But no one backed down.

Because they knew that if they succeeded tonight, it would be an immense achievement; if they failed, their entire army would be wiped out.

Meanwhile, in Chang'an City.

An even more violent explosion than the one last night rang out again.

This time, the explosion hit the vital point even more directly—

Near the armory inside the imperial city, at the watchtower on Zhuque Avenue, and even at a barracks of the Qianniu Guard outside the imperial city...

The firelight illuminated half of Chang'an City.

Even more deadly was that, with the explosion, countless leaflets fell from the sky like snowflakes.

That was a "Letter to the People and Soldiers of Chang'an" sent out by a makeshift hot air balloon. It read in black ink on white paper:

"Purge the court of corrupt officials, rectify the government, the Crown Prince's benevolent army will not harm a single commoner..."

"Treacherous officials are in power, deceiving the emperor; Your Majesty is misled by wicked men..."

"Anyone who opens the city gates to welcome the king's army will be rewarded with a thousand pieces of gold and granted an official position..."

"Those who resist the heavenly army will be reduced to ashes on the day the city falls..."

Panic spread like wildfire.

Despite the defenders' best efforts to maintain order and confiscate leaflets, the words had already taken deep root in people's hearts.

Inside the Liangyi Hall, Li Shimin looked at the leaflet in his hand, his face ashen.

"Good...very good..."

He violently tore the flyer to shreds:

"My son, you've really made something of yourself! Winning hearts and minds? Does he think he can shake my throne with this?!"

"Your Majesty, calm down!"

Fang Xuanling said urgently, "The most urgent task is to stabilize the situation within the city. These leaflets are extremely persuasive; if they are allowed to circulate, the morale of the army may be destabilized!"

"Preach my will!"

Li Shimin took a deep breath, forcing himself to calm down:
"Anyone who finds a leaflet and fails to turn it in will be treated as a traitor!"

Anyone who spreads rumors will be executed on the spot!

"Also... in the cloud!"

"Chen is here!"

"You personally lead the men to 'invite' the families of those former officials of the Crown Prince's residence who are still in the city to the capital."

A cold glint flashed in Li Shimin's eyes:
“Tell them that their husbands and sons are plotting a rebellion outside the city. If they want to save their families' lives, they should write a letter urging them to surrender!”

"I want to see whether Li Chengqian's leaflets are more effective, or these family letters are more powerful!"

"I... obey your order."

Yun Duan felt a chill run down her spine, realizing that they were going to use hostages as leverage.

But he dared not disobey and accepted the order.

On the other side, the Lishan Path.

Xi Junmai was soaked in sweat, and his hands were cut and bleeding from the rocks and thorns.

But he finally saw what lay ahead—

The road began to level out, and lights appeared in the distance.

That was Chang'an.

They succeeded!
They bypassed the Baqiao defense line and appeared in the east of Chang'an without anyone noticing!

"General! Chunming Gate is just five li ahead!" the scout reported excitedly.

Xi Junmai's eyes flashed with a sharp light: "All troops, mount up! Prepare your equipment! I want to see the expressions on the faces of the Chunming Gate garrison in a quarter of an hour!"

Although the two thousand cavalrymen were exhausted, their morale was greatly boosted at this moment. They mounted their horses and checked their swords and bows.

They knew the most dangerous moment had arrived—

Next, they will put on a grand show with two thousand cavalrymen outside Chang'an.

A grand drama that could shake the will of the entire Chang'an garrison.

Chunming Gate, the gateway to Chang'an.

The defending general, Zhang Qianxu, paced anxiously on the city wall.

Although the explosions in the city had stopped, the oppressive feeling of impending doom grew stronger.

Suddenly, he heard a strange sound.

It sounded like... horses' hooves?

But Baqiao is thirty li to the east, guarded by General Cheng Yaojin's 40,000 troops. How could the Crown Prince's men possibly appear here?
"General! Look!"

A sentry suddenly pointed outside the city, his voice trembling.

Zhang Qianxu looked in the direction he was pointing—

As dawn broke, a cavalry unit appeared like a ghost three miles outside the city.

The black battle flag fluttered in the morning breeze, and the huge character 'Li' on it was clearly visible in the gradually brightening sky.

What's even more terrifying is that the troops are calmly arrayed, as if this were not beneath the capital of the Tang Dynasty, but their training ground.

"The...Crown Prince's banner..."

Zhang Qianxu's throat was dry, and he could barely speak.

How can it be?

What about Baqiao? What about General Cheng's 40,000 troops?

Where did this cavalry force come from?!
"Enemy attack! Enemy attack!"

The piercing sound of sirens shattered the dawn.

The entire Chunming Gate garrison was thrown into chaos instantly.

Two days later, at the Baqiao camp.

When Cheng Yaojin received the urgent report from Chunming Gate, he was completely stunned.

"What?! The Crown Prince's cavalry has appeared outside Chunming Gate?! Did they just fall from the sky?!"

"General, it's absolutely true! General Zhang saw it with his own eyes—at least two thousand cavalrymen, bearing the Crown Prince's banner!"

Cheng Yaojin's face turned ashen; he finally realized he had fallen into a trap.

Those three piles of fire and the explosions in the city were all a ruse.

Li Chengqian's real trump card was the surprise force that bypassed Ba Bridge and headed straight for Chang'an.

"Where's Jingde? Has Yuchi Gong returned yet?!"

"General Yuchi has just returned to camp and is outside the tent!"

"Let him in!"

Yuchi Gong rushed into the tent, his face equally grim: "Old Cheng, those three fires to the east are empty! There's no large army at all, just a few dozen feints!"

"What's the point of talking about this now!"

Cheng Yaojin slammed his fist on the table:
"Li Chengqian's two thousand cavalrymen are already at the gates of Chang'an! We've been tricked!"

He forced himself to calm down and quickly analyzed the situation:
"Two thousand cavalrymen may not be able to breach Chang'an, but the blow to morale will be devastating. The defenders will discover that Ba Bridge, which we are guarding with forty thousand troops, is nothing but a decoration!"

"What's even more terrifying is... what if Li Chengqian himself comes?"

Yuchi Gong was shocked: "You mean..."

"That kid is always cunning in his military tactics. Who knows if he's currently at Tongguan or already mixed in with those two thousand cavalry?"

Cheng Yaojin gritted his teeth and said, "Send the order! The entire army breaks camp and returns to reinforce Chang'an!" "What about the Baqiao defense line..."

"What kind of defense is this?!"

Cheng Yaojin roared, "What's the point of us guarding this place if Chang'an falls into chaos?!"

"But His Majesty has decreed..."

"A general is not bound by his sovereign's orders when he is away from home!"

A resolute glint flashed in Cheng Yaojin's eyes: "I can't just stand by and watch Chang'an fall into chaos! If anyone's to blame, I'll apologize to His Majesty myself after this battle!"

"All troops, listen to my command—break camp! Return to Chang'an!"

Three days later, at the gates of Chang'an.

The two thousand cavalrymen that Xi Jun bought have already formed ranks.

They did not attack the city, nor did they even come within a mile of the city walls.

They simply lined up quietly, raised their flags, and then... cooked their meals.

Wisps of smoke rose as two thousand cavalrymen dismounted to rest, feed their horses, and eat their rations, as if they were in their own backyard.

This composure is more terrifying than any fierce attack.

On the Chunming Gate tower, the defending soldiers watched this scene, and their morale plummeted to rock bottom.

"They...they aren't afraid of us at all..."

"Where are the 40,000 troops at Baqiao? Where is General Cheng?"

"Could it be... could it be that the imperial court is really doomed?"

Whispers spread among the defenders.

Although Zhang Qianxu tried his best to suppress it, his own palms were sweating.

Because he saw something even more terrifying—

Among that cavalry formation were several strange machines covered with black cloth.

Although he couldn't make out the exact shape, Zhang Qianxu had seen something similar during military exercises.

That's... a cannon.

The Crown Prince actually brought cannons here?!
Inside the Liangyi Hall.

When Li Shimin received news that Cheng Yaojin had returned to his army without authorization, he did not get angry.

He simply stood quietly by the window, gazing at the smoke rising from the direction of Chunming Gate, remaining silent for a long time.

"Your Majesty, Cheng Zhijie disobeyed military orders and returned to his camp without authorization. This trend must not be allowed to continue!" Changsun Wuji said urgently.

"He did the right thing."

Li Shimin suddenly spoke, his voice eerily calm:
"Li Chengqian's move has disrupted all my plans."

"Two thousand cavalrymen appeared below the city, and the morale of the defending army was already in chaos. If Cheng Yaojin does not return to reinforce, and something happens inside the city, Chang'an will be in danger."

He turned around, a hint of weariness flashing in his eyes:
"Issue the decree that Cheng Yaojin will not be punished for disobeying orders. Let him garrison outside Chunming Gate, forming a pincer movement with the city's garrison."

"Furthermore... Order Li Jing and Li Xiaogong to abandon their obstruction and return to provide full support."

"His Majesty?!"

Fang Xuanling was greatly alarmed: "If we abandon our efforts to obstruct them, Hilde and Xue Rengui's two rebel armies will advance unimpeded, and Su Dingfang's navy will land. Wouldn't Guanzhong be in utter chaos...?"

"I can't worry about that now."

Li Shimin shook his head: "Li Chengqian's knife was too ruthless."

"He now holds Tongguan Pass, and cavalry have appeared beneath Chang'an. If Xue Rengui and Hilde break through the defenses and encircle the city from three directions, Chang'an will truly become an isolated city."

"Rather than being defeated one by one, it is better to consolidate our forces, hold Chang'an, and wait for the reinforcements to come to the aid of the emperor."

He walked to the sand table and slowly pulled the two flags representing Li Jing and Li Xiaogong back to Chang'an:

"In this round... I concede defeat."

"But the outcome is still undecided."

The officials in the hall looked at each other, a chill creeping into their hearts.

Your Majesty... has actually admitted defeat?

The invincible General Tian Ce actually admitted defeat in front of his own son?

"Your Majesty, what about... the families of those former officials of the Crown Prince's residence..." Yun Duan asked cautiously.

"Let it go."

Li Shimin said calmly, "At this point, taking hostages is no longer meaningful."

"Since Li Chengqian dared to send cavalry to the city, he wouldn't care about the lives of these families."

“If I were to actually kill them, I would be putting myself in a bad position, making the world think that I am at my wit’s end and can only use women and children to threaten them.”

He paused, a complex emotion flashing in his eyes:
"Moreover... many of those people are my old ministers. Although their husbands and sons are guilty, their crimes do not extend to their wives and children."

"Your Majesty is benevolent..." Fang Xuanling said in a low voice.

"Benevolence?"

Li Shimin smiled wryly: "Xuanling, even now you're still talking to me about benevolence and virtue?"

He looked out the window, his voice low:

"All I want to know now is what that brat Chengqian is up to."

"He clearly had the opportunity to launch a strong attack, but instead he surrounded the city instead of attacking. He could have attacked from both inside and outside, but instead he only caused trouble within Chang'an City and even sent two thousand cavalrymen to demonstrate his power."

"So it seems he doesn't want to follow the same path as I did at Xuanwu Gate. What path does he want to take?"

This question has been on everyone's mind.

Tongguan, city gate tower.

Li Chengqian received the news that Xi Jun had successfully purchased the property, but his face did not show much joy.

"Your Highness, General Xi has succeeded! Cheng Yaojin has returned to reinforce, and Li Jing and Li Xiaogong are also closing in on both sides!"

Pei Xingjian said excitedly, "Chang'an is now an isolated city. As long as we wait for General Su, General Xue, and General Hilde to arrive, we can surround the city from four directions and Chang'an will surely fall!"

"and then?"

Li Chengqian suddenly asked.

"Then……"

Pei Xingjian was taken aback: "Then Your Highness can enter Chang'an, purge the court of corrupt officials, and rectify the government..."

"Rivers of blood? Fathers and sons killing each other? Turning the entire city of Chang'an into a battlefield?"

Li Chengqian shook his head:
"That's not what I want."

He walked to the edge of the city gate and looked towards Chang'an:

“I have been calculating every step of my journey, including troop strength, the hearts of the people, and time.”

"But now, everything that needed to be calculated has been calculated."

"Next... it's time to talk."

"Talk?" Pei Xingjian asked, puzzled. "Talk to whom?"

"Naturally, it's with my father, the Emperor."

Li Chengqian turned around, a strange light flashing in his eyes:
"Order Xi Junmai to cease all operations and remain in place."

"Order Xue Rengui, Hilde, and Su Dingfang to halt their advance and garrison their positions in place."

"in addition……"

He took out a pre-written letter from his pocket and handed it to Yang Nannan:
"Send this letter to Chang'an."

"Tell my father that I want to talk to him face to face."

Yang Nannan took the letter and was shocked when she saw the words on the envelope.

I saw it read:

Your son, Chengqian, respectfully presents this to Your Majesty the Emperor:

"I wish to meet with my father on the banks of the Wei River, just as we made our alliance on the Wei River back then."

Why must there be war between father and son?

Upon seeing this line of text, Pei Xingjian finally understood Li Chengqian's entire scheme.

He is not trying to usurp the throne.

He wants to... force a peaceful negotiation.

With overwhelming advantage, they forced Li Shimin to sit down and resolve the father-son conflict through negotiation.

After all, if the father and son were to actually fight each other, the world would be engulfed in war and the people would suffer.

In that case, what's the point of talking about expeditions overseas and exploring the stars?

"Your Highness, will His Majesty... agree?"

"He will."

Li Chengqian looked towards Chang'an, his tone resolute:

"Because Father Emperor and I both know this clearly—"

"The Tang Dynasty cannot withstand a civil war in which fathers and sons kill each other."

"And what I hold in my hands is the power to overthrow this empire."

"There is still room for negotiation."

"If we don't talk about it... then there really is no turning back."

As the morning light shone on Tongguan Pass, Li Chengqian's shadow stretched long in the rising sun.

He had already made his final move in this game of chess.

Next, let's see how the General of Heavenly Strategy, sitting in Chang'an, responds.

The fate of the Tang Dynasty will be decided in this meeting between father and son. (End of Chapter)