Li Shimin faked his death? Then I will be powerful enough to conquer the world!

The night fell like thick black silk, covering the battlefield of the Western Expedition.

The Tang army's tents stretched for miles, and the bonfires flickered in the cold wind, like the weak breathing of a dying man.

Outside the gate, the sound of horse hooves came from far away, and the splashing mud and water mixed with dark red blood, shining strangely in the moonlight.

"Report!" A blood-soaked scout dismounted and stumbled into the central army tent. "The Constantinople defenders gained another 3,000 fresh troops today. The Arab cavalry attacked from the flank, costing us 300 elite soldiers at the cost of 3,000!"

Before he finished speaking, there were gasps in the tent.

Li Chongyi suddenly gripped the hilt of the knife at his waist, and his knuckles turned white from the force.

He looked at the small red flags sticking up on the sand table. Those flags marking the enemy were like densely packed tumors, eroding the westward territory of the Tang Dynasty.

"These barbarians are not afraid of death at all. They come in wave after wave. Even if each of our soldiers can fight ten of them, can we kill them all?"

His voice was low and hoarse, with fatigue that was hard to conceal.

The tent was as silent as death, with only the cold wind whistling across the tent roof, making a whimpering sound.

Wang Xuance unfolded a scroll of documents. Under the candlelight, the words were filled with anxiety: "According to the latest secret report from the Ministry of Revenue, since the Western Expedition, the national treasury has consumed 34 million taels of silver every month."

"It's already late autumn. If the war isn't over by next spring, we might run out of food, fodder, and weapons."

"What's worse," he paused, his brows knitted into a knot, "a large influx of silver has caused the price of rice in Chang'an to triple that of previous years. The people are complaining bitterly, and rumors are even circulating..."

He suddenly fell silent and glanced around vigilantly.

"What's going on? Just tell me." Li Chongyi raised his hand and rubbed his brow, his eyes bloodshot.

"It's rumored that Your Majesty is a warmongerer, willing to empty the national treasury for vain fame."

Wang Xuance lowered his voice and said, "If we cease fire now, the territory we have occupied will be enough for us to recuperate. Once the population grows and the foundation is solid, we will be able to march westward with unstoppable force."

Everyone in the tent looked at each other in bewilderment, knowing that these words spoke the truth. However, the Emperor's secret decree was still on the desk: "I will not return until Constantinople is destroyed."

As capable generals under General Wu Tianyan, they knew better than anyone that this war had gone beyond simple territorial expansion. It was about the prestige of the Tang Dynasty and even more about the Emperor's ambition to leave his name in history.

At the same time, in the city of Constantinople, the smell of blood permeated every inch of the air.

On the city wall, the defenders leaned against huge logs to catch their breath. These huge logs transported from the Black Sea coast were their last barrier against the Tang army's siege equipment.

"General! The Tang army is gathering again!" a soldier shouted, pointing outside the city.

Susuriya climbed up the city wall and saw through the telescope that the Tang army's siege tower was moving slowly, followed by a rain of arrows, as dense as a swarm of black locusts.

He subconsciously tightened his grip on the scimitar at his waist, his palms already soaked with sweat.

This scene has been played out every day since the outbreak of the war. Initially, the defenders would cheer every time they defeated the enemy, but now, facing the mountains of corpses, they have long been numb.

At the foot of the city, the water in the moat had long been dyed dark red by blood, and rotten corpses floated on it, attracting countless crows to circle around.

At this desperate moment, an unexpected person came from outside the city.

"A suspicious person was spotted at the South Gate!"

A messenger came running in breathlessly. When Susulia arrived at the city gate, she saw a man in a black robe leading a familiar army, standing alone outside the Tang army's encirclement. The moonlight shone on his face, outlining a resolute outline.

&34;Caliph?!&34;

Susulia rubbed her eyes, almost unable to believe her eyes.

Muawiyah, the leader of the Arab Empire, was rumored to have died in a surprise attack by the Tang army a few months ago, but now he was standing before him alive.

Not only him, but the captured Arab soldiers also gathered around him, their eyes full of ecstasy.

"How...how did you come back?" Susulia asked tremblingly.

At this moment, the Tang army camp was very close, and it was a miracle that Muawiyah could break through the siege and come here.

Muawiyah took off his hood with a smile, his eyes as calm as ever: "Long time no see, Susulia."

"You did a great job defending this city."

He looked around, his eyes sweeping over the exhausted soldiers, "Take me to see His Majesty Justinian. I have something important to discuss."

Susulia didn't ask any more questions and immediately ordered someone to prepare the carriage.

The return of the Caliph rekindled long-lost hope in his heart.

Although there had been conflicts between the Arab Empire and the Byzantine Empire in the past, at this moment, facing a powerful enemy, only unity could ensure their survival.

At this moment, Justinian was standing on the top floor of the castle, looking at the busy soldiers below.

Days of fighting had left him haggard. He no longer wore his once magnificent imperial robes, and his eyes were bloodshot.

When Muawiyah's footsteps sounded behind him, he thought it was an illusion.

"Your Majesty, I am back." Muawiyah's voice was deep and powerful.

Justinian slowly turned around, tears instantly blurring his vision. This once mortal enemy now appeared before him like a lifeline.

"You...you are really back?" His voice trembled, as if he had used up all his strength.

Muawiyah performed a standard Western gentleman's salute, "As you can see."

He took a few steps closer, his eyes determined, "It's time to fight back."

Justinian could no longer control his emotions and went forward to hug Muawiyah tightly.

"You came back just in time. I couldn't hold on any longer..." His voice was trembling. The pressure and fear of the past few months were finally released at this moment.

Late at night, in the council chamber of Constantinople, candlelight flickered as Muawiyah unfolded a map and detailed his battle plan.

"Although the Tang army is strong, its battle line is too long and its supply lines are fragile. We only need to cut off its food supply and then cooperate with the defenders in the city to attack from both inside and outside..."

Susulia's blood boiled when she heard this, "But the elite cavalry of the Tang army..."

"Leave it to me."

A cold glint flashed in Muawiyah's eyes. "I still have a Bedouin cavalry that's good at surprise attacks. We'll definitely be able to disrupt their formation."

Justinian stared at the map with mixed feelings.

Once upon a time, he and Muawiyah fought to the death for territory, but now they had to fight side by side.

But at this moment, he had no choice.

"Everything will proceed according to the Caliph's plan. If the Tang army can be repelled, Byzantium and Arabia will form an eternal alliance."

At the same time, in the Tang army camp, Li Chongyi received a piece of intelligence.

The letter read: "Allied reinforcements have arrived, and there may be an ambush."

He frowned, held the letter close to the candlelight, and watched it slowly turn into ashes.

"Pass the order down, strengthen the guard. Tomorrow morning, attack the city with all your strength!"

He clenched his fists, feeling vaguely uneasy.

This war may be far more complicated than imagined.

However, no matter what kind of reinforcements they received, the Tang army was invincible.

When they asked Muawiyah how he came back alive.

Muawiyah was silent for a moment, but then he slowly told everything.

When Justinian and Susulia heard what Muawiyah said about the Great Tang, they were silent.

How is this played?

"Susulia, take your men and poison all the food for the soldiers I brought tonight."

Hear what Muawiyah said.

Not only Susulia, but even Justinian was a little confused.

"why is that?"

"Caliph, these are the elite of our Arab Empire!"