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

Before the smoke of the disastrous defeat at Mangshan had dissipated over Luoyang City, Shi Siming's rebel army pounced back on the eastern capital like hungry wolves.

On the city wall, the Vermillion Bird flag of the Tang Dynasty had long been torn down, and in its place was the rebels' dark black battle flag embroidered with the word "Shi". It fluttered in the cold wind of late autumn, and every sound of its flutter seemed to crush the remaining hope of the people of Luoyang.

Shi Siming was wearing a suit of gilded armor, the edges of which were still stained with dark red blood stains from the Mangshan battlefield. He stood on the highest point of the city wall, overlooking the city of Luoyang below. The streets were sparsely populated, and the people either hid in their homes with doors and windows closed, or were driven by rebel soldiers to carry food and grass. Occasionally, the crying of children came from the depths of the alleys, but was quickly drowned out by the rebels' scolding.

"General, the food and fodder in Luoyang's treasury has been fully counted. It's enough to sustain our army for six months!"

A deputy general bowed and reported, his tone full of flattery.

Shi Siming nodded slightly, his fingertips stroking the jeweled scimitar at his waist, his eyes filled with arrogance. "Hmph, Li Heng can barely hold Chang'an, and you still want to fight me for Luoyang? Soon, I will lead my army westward and take Chang'an. When that happens, the Tang Dynasty will belong to me, Shi Siming!"

As soon as he finished speaking, the surrounding rebel generals echoed his words with flattery. Shi Siming became more and more proud and did not notice the worry that flashed in the eyes of his deputy general. Since the occupation of Luoyang, the traces of the activities of the secret guards in the city have become more and more frequent, but every time the people sent to track them down, they either returned empty-handed or disappeared mysteriously.

Meanwhile, deep beneath Luoyang City, the underground palace was ablaze with light. Carved on the stone walls were Tang Dynasty dragon reliefs. Though covered in dust, they still revealed their former grandeur.

In the center of the hall, dozens of people in dark suits stood around, looking intently at Mr. Qi who was sitting in the main seat.

Mr. Qi was wearing a plain long gown, his hair tied up with a wooden hairpin, his face was gaunt, and he had a transparent jade pendant between his fingers. His calm expression was in stark contrast to the anxiety of the people around him.

"Mr. Qi, the secret guards report that General Zhang and General Qin have led their troops thirty miles outside Luoyang City and are currently forming their battle array by the Luo River!"

A man in a tight suit stepped forward, his voice trembling slightly with excitement. "For the past six months, we've watched the rebels burn, kill, and loot in Luoyang. The people are suffering terribly. We've wanted to take action several times, but you stopped us."

"Now that the troops have arrived, it's time for you to give the order, right? We don't want to be cowards anymore and watch the land of the Tang Dynasty being trampled upon!"

As soon as these words came out, a chorus of agreement echoed from the surroundings. "Yes, Mr. Qi, if we wait any longer, the people of Luoyang will soon be unable to hold on!"

"The secret guards have already infiltrated the various rebel factions. With just one command from you, we can work together inside and outside to capture Luoyang!"

Everyone was talking at once, their eyes full of anticipation and anxiety.

Mr. Qi slowly raised his head and glanced at everyone. The jade pendant in his hand tapped lightly on the table, making a crisp sound, and the hall instantly became quiet.

"The time has come." Mr. Qi's voice was low, but it carried undeniable authority. "According to the plan—instruct the secret guards to immediately seize control of the garrisons at the four gates of Luoyang. Once the army outside the city beats the drums three times, then open the gates."

"Also, have the secret guards lurking in the inner city be prepared. Once the army enters the city, immediately seize the treasury and granary. Don't let the rebels destroy a single grain of food or weapon."

"Yes!" Everyone answered in unison, and finally a look of ecstasy appeared on their faces. They turned around and left quickly, leaving Mr. Qi standing alone in the hall.

He walked to a secret room deep in the underground palace, pushed open the heavy wooden door, and found a set of dark-colored Tai Shi court robes neatly folded in the wardrobe. The fabric was the finest brocade, with auspicious cloud patterns embroidered in gold thread on the collar and cuffs, and the jade belt around the waist was inlaid with seven jadeite pieces. Although it had not been worn for many years, it was still brand new.

Mr. Qi stretched out his hand and gently brushed the lines on his court robes, a complex look flashing in his eyes.

"Your Majesty, I, this old minister, will protect this world for you."

He carefully put on his court robes and tied his jade belt meticulously. The figure in the bronze mirror instantly became more solemn and majestic.

Mr. Qi took a deep breath.

On the top of Luoyang City, you can vaguely see the glaring "Shi" flag.

"Li Heng was incompetent, and the eunuchs were in power, but the Tang Dynasty could not be destroyed."

"Today, let me fight for a way out for the people of this world."

Outside the city of Luoyang, on the plain on the south bank of the Luo River, an army was lined up in an orderly manner.

This army was full of momentum - the heavy cavalry in the front row were all wearing black iron armor, the cold light on the armor sparkled in the sun, and the long spears in their hands were pointed at the ground, the spear tips were so sharp that they could reflect people's shadows.

The infantry in the back row held Mo Dao, the blade of which was more than ten feet long and the handle was wrapped with anti-slip hemp rope. The soldiers stood upright, like iron towers.

Zhang Yanci reined in his warhorse. He was wearing bright silver armor, the red tassel on his helmet fluttering in the wind, and his eyes looked sharply towards the top of Luoyang City.

Qin Shutong beside him was also wearing silver armor, with his long hair tied up in a helmet, revealing only a pair of bright eyes. The long sword in his hand was slung across his waist, with his fingertips lightly pressing on the hilt, ready to draw the sword at any time.

"General, the secret guards have sent word that Mr. Qi has given the order. Once we beat the drum three times, the city gates will open."

A personal soldier reported in a low voice.

Zhang Yanci nodded slightly.

"Are you all ready?" Zhang Yanci's voice came through the helmet.

"Ready!" the soldiers shouted in unison, their voices causing ripples on the surface of the Luo River.

On the top of the city wall, Shi Siming had already noticed the movement outside the city. He frowned and looked at the army below, his face becoming more and more gloomy.

This army came too suddenly - he had set up dozens of spy bases around Luoyang, and there were spies patrolling every path from Mangshan to Luoyang, but until this army arrived at the city gates, not a single spy sent back any news.

"Where are the spies? Are all our spies dead?" Shi Siming roared at the deputy general beside him, his tone full of disbelief.

The deputy general's face turned pale, and he replied in a trembling voice, "General, the spies we sent to the banks of the Luo River haven't returned yet. I'm afraid... I'm afraid they've met with an accident."

Shi Siming felt a chill in his heart when he heard this - the strength of this army should not be underestimated as it was able to eliminate all his spies silently.

He looked more closely and found that the army was divided into two columns. The heavy cavalry in the front row were armored and well-equipped, even better than the most elite border troops under his command.

"Where are their reserves? Where will their food and supplies come from?"

Shi Siming muttered to himself, the more he thought about it, the more frightened he became. If the imperial court had such an elite force, how could it have suffered a disastrous defeat at Mangshan? And how could it have allowed the Uighurs to plunder Chang'an?

"Which army are you from? Who is the leader?"

Shi Siming suppressed his fear and shouted towards the city, his voice echoing across the empty plain.

Qin Shutong heard Shi Siming's question and slowly raised his head. He looked directly at Shi Siming on the top of the city wall and said in a clear and firm voice: "After the third drum beat, if you don't open the city gates and surrender the city, you will bear the consequences!"

As soon as he finished speaking, before Shi Siming could respond, the deafening sound of drums rang out from the Tang army.

"Boom-boom-boom-" The first drum sounded steady and powerful, as if announcing the beginning of a counterattack.

The second drum sounded, the rhythm quickened, the breathing of the Tang soldiers gradually became rapid, and they gripped their weapons tighter.

The third drum sounded like thunder, which made the rebel soldiers on the city wall's eardrums hurt and their faces turn pale.

Shi Siming was enraged by Qin Shutong's attitude. He sneered and shouted to his soldiers, "Prepare to defend the city! Do they think they can take Luoyang? That's wishful thinking! Pass the order down, prepare the crossbows, rolling stones, and hot oil. If they dare to attack the city, beat them to death!"

Although the rebel soldiers were a little frightened, they took action under Shi Siming's rebuke, placing crossbows on the top of the city walls and piling rolling stones and hot oil on the city walls.

After three drum beats, the Tang army instantly became quiet.

Shi Siming stared closely at the army below, and cold sweat broke out on his palms unconsciously - he had a strong intuition that this army was definitely not something he could deal with.

But when he saw the tall and sturdy city walls of Luoyang and the border troops standing ready on the city walls, he felt more confident: "My border troops have fought for many years and are very experienced. Even if they have heavy cavalry, they can't break through the walls of Luoyang!"

At this moment, there was a sudden commotion at the city gate. A rebel soldier ran up to the top of the city wall in panic, shouting, "General! It's bad! The city gate... the city gate is open!"