Tang Dynasty: Starting with 3,000 elite cavalry, a bloody battle to retake the city.

Han Ye frowned and turned to look at him: "What's wrong?"

Xiahou Dun gritted his teeth, his voice hoarse like sandpaper rubbing against iron armor: "General... those who can wake up have all woken up."

Those who haven't woken up yet... will never wake up again.

boom--!

As if a thunderbolt had exploded in his mind, Han Ye's heart clenched, and his nose instantly stung with tears.

He got it.

Those three thousand Tiger and Leopard Iron Cavalry who followed him all the way and fought alongside him to break through the encirclement... in the end, some of them fell forever in the blood and mud.

They weren't asleep.

He will never get up again.

From the moment he fell, he could never stand up again!

"call……"

Han Ye took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing his surging emotions, and forced a smile: "It's okay, I should have been mentally prepared for this kind of thing."

He even patted Xiahou Dun on the shoulder, his tone as relaxed as if he were saying the weather was nice: "It's a miracle we came back alive."

He is laughing.

But those eyes—

It glowed red like burnt-out charcoal, so intense it sent a shiver down one's spine and caused a suffocating pain.

The next instant, he abruptly stood up, his gaze sweeping over the remaining soldiers, his voice rising sharply: "Come! Now, fulfill yesterday's promise!"

Xiahou Dun gritted his teeth and nodded emphatically.

Before long, the remaining troops regrouped.

The three thousand iron cavalry that once swept across the northern border and struck fear into the hearts of the enemy are now reduced to just over two hundred men.

Their armor was stained with blood, their blades were chipped, and everyone was wounded, yet not one of them retreated.

They are standing here not to survive.

It was to fulfill the vow made with his life on it!

……

Chang'an City.

Heavy rain.

Like the rain in Dingzhou, it migrated south and poured down on this imperial capital.

Dark clouds loomed overhead, the sky and earth were gloomy, and the entire city was shrouded in a deathly gray silence.

Inside the imperial study, candlelight flickered.

Li Shimin did not go to bed, but stood alone by the window, gazing at the torrential rain outside.

For some reason, the gloomy sky made his heart tighten inexplicably, as if an invisible hand was slowly choking his breath.

He thought of the urgent report from the border—

The Turks are moving south!

Turmoil on the frontier!

As for Dingzhou... it's likely already fallen!

Each and every one of these things weighed heavily on my shoulders.

He is tired.

I'm really tired.

The army of Khagan Jieli has approached the Wei River, and its advance is aimed directly at Chang'an.

He had no troops to command, no generals to send, the national treasury was empty, and the people were filled with anxiety.

beat?

What are we going to use to fight?!

There is only one path left—

Sum up.

Bow down.

To endure humiliation and live a life of ignominy.

Though it is shameful, we shall live; if we stubbornly resist, it will lead to the destruction of our nation and the extinction of our race!

Inside the imperial study, several high-ranking officials stood solemnly on either side.

The civil officials, including Changsun Wuji, Fang Xuanling, and Wei Zheng, all bowed their heads in silence.

They are not in favor of war.

Because they knew clearly that they couldn't afford to fight this battle.

Changsun Wuji gave a bitter smile and stepped forward: "Your Majesty, the only solution now is to negotiate peace."

Otherwise... the Tang Dynasty would be in grave danger.

A bitter smile tugged at the corner of Li Shimin's mouth.

Yes.

Peace talks might preserve this vast land; but if peace is not reached, everything will be lost, and the nation will collapse.

But just then—

Cheng Yaojin, Li Jing, Yuchi Gong, and other generals glared angrily, their fists clenched so tightly they cracked, their eyes practically spitting fire!

Peace talks?!

That sounds nice, but it doesn't!

To put it bluntly, isn't it just kneeling down and begging for mercy? Isn't it just ceding territory and paying reparations? Isn't it just groveling before barbarians?!

I, a proud son of the Han people, from the iron-willed Tang Dynasty, have never bowed my head to foreign tribes!

"Your Majesty!" Cheng Yaojin suddenly stepped forward, his voice booming like thunder, "You must not write this letter!"

"Your Majesty, this is an utter disgrace!" Yuchi Gong knelt on both knees, tears streaming down his face. "The backbone of the people of our Great Tang cannot be broken in this storm!"

"Better to die fighting than to live a life of dishonor!"

The courtiers wept bitterly, their cries echoing throughout the palace.

Li Shimin listened, but his face showed no anger, only deep weariness.

He slowly closed his eyes, a desolate smile playing on his lips: "Don't I know this is a disgrace?"

"But if I don't write this letter, I won't be the only one who dies."

"So be it... I will bear all the blame myself."

"Changsun Wuji—bring me pen and ink!"

He gave the order personally, his tone leaving no room for argument.

Cheng Yaojin and the others knelt on the ground and roared, but even their eyes burst and bled, to no avail.

Changsun Wuji silently ground the ink, the tip of his brush trembling as it hovered over the paper.

Li Shimin picked up his brush, and each character he wrote was extremely humble, each word like a knife, tearing at the heart and breaking the soul.

Right now—

"Report!!"

A sharp shout ripped through the rainy night!

"Zhong An, son of Zhong Fang, Prefect of Dingzhou, requests an audience with Your Majesty!!"

Outside the Imperial Study, a sudden announcement rang out—

"Urgent report from Dingzhou!"

Li Junxian's voice boomed like thunder into the hall, causing the candlelight to flicker.

Li Shimin suddenly looked up, his pupils shrinking sharply.

Dingzhou?!

These two words are like a knife, piercing straight into my heart!

At that moment, his fingertips paused, and the teacup almost slipped from his grasp.

Dingzhou... has been out of contact for a full thirty-seven days!

The beacon fires ceased, the post stations were completely destroyed, as if the entire city had been ripped from the map of the Tang Dynasty and never heard from again.

Now, finally, the news has arrived!

"Quickly! Let him in!" Li Shimin practically roared, his voice trembling.

Tap, tap, tap...

The footsteps approached from afar, heavy as if stepping on people's hearts.

The next moment, everyone held their breath.

A boy appeared unsteadily at the door.

His robes were torn, blood seeped from his shoulders, he was soaked, and his hair clung to his deathly pale face.

Rainwater dripped through his fingers, mixing with blood, leaving dark red streaks on the blue bricks.

He walked extremely slowly, each step feeling like he was stepping on a knife's edge, yet he didn't fall.

If you threw him into the streets of Chang'an, anyone who saw him would think he was a beggar whose body was lying in a ditch.

But who could have imagined—

He was the son of Zhong Fang and the only son of the Prefect of Dingzhou!

Chung On!

"This humble citizen... is Zhong An."

His knees slammed to the ground as he knelt, but his voice was eerily calm, so low it was almost inaudible: "Greetings, Your Majesty."

Li Shimin stared intently at him: "You're from Dingzhou?! Tell me! What's the situation in Dingzhou now?!"

Zhong An slowly shook his head.

Those eyes were empty, devoid of light and emotion, like a dry well that had swallowed up all life.

Such an expression should not appear on a teenager's face.

He raised his hand and took a letter out of his pocket.

His clothes were tattered and stained with blood, but the letter was kept close to his body, clean and without a single wrinkle.

"This humble citizen is unaware of the current situation in Dingzhou."

He spoke in a low voice, each word as cold as ice, "and it won't bring any military intelligence... only a letter, which my father ordered me to deliver to His Majesty personally."

Li Shimin frowned, feeling a tightness in his chest.

It's not a battle report, not a request for help, and not a secret intelligence report!

Just a letter?!

He practically snatched the envelope, tore it open, and glanced at the first line of text—

In an instant, a chill ran down my spine, and my whole body froze.

[Zhong Fang, Prefect of Dingzhou, presents his final letter to Your Majesty]

Suddenly, my mind exploded.

He looked down and continued reading, his expression changing rapidly.

At first, he was anxious, then serious, his brows furrowed; suddenly, the corners of his mouth lifted slightly, as if he was about to laugh out loud; but before the smile could appear, his eyes were already bloodshot, and his throat was churning violently.

Cheng Yaojin and the others looked at each other, completely bewildered.

This emperor... why is he crying one minute and laughing the next?

But what they didn't know was—

This letter wasn't about war, but about facing death.

Zhong Fang wrote in his own hand:

"The swords are dulled, the blades are broken! Out of ammunition and food, trapped in this isolated city, not a single person can escape, not a single person is willing to surrender!"

"Today, I will lead the people of Dingzhou in a fight to the death, until all of us perish for our country!"

"If one day Your Majesty recovers our lost territories, please look back at Dingzhou as the sun sets—that fading crimson will be our return, to gaze upon our land together with you!"

Each word is like a knife, tearing one's internal organs apart.

Li Shimin's hand trembled.

My fists were clenched so tightly they cracked, and I didn't feel any pain even as my nails dug into my palms.

But as you continue reading, the style suddenly changes.

Zhong Fang's writing softened, and he began to ramble on about trivial matters—

"Soldier Liu Chi, aged 28, is still unmarried."

If he is still alive, Your Majesty, please find him a good girl.

"Master Jiang taught for forty years, lived a life of poverty, and was upright and incorruptible."

He is old; I hope Your Majesty will bring him to Chang'an to care for him in his old age and see him off in his final days.

"Old Lu is the most valiant and the least afraid of death."

But his son is only six years old and has no one to take care of him.

Tomorrow is the decisive battle; he will most likely die… I beg Your Majesty to spare him.”

There are many other names, some familiar, some unfamiliar, some of lowly official rank, and some just ordinary people.

Behind each name lies a life, a heart full of concern.

These wishes, which should have been expressed slowly during peaceful times, are now all crammed into a final letter.

Li Shimin actually laughed out loud when he read the last part.

But before the laughter subsided, two streams of tears rolled down her cheeks.

He raised his hand and fiercely wiped his face, saying in a hoarse voice, "Zhongfang, oh Zhongfang... are you trying to make me remember everyone in Dingzhou for you...?"

The rain was pouring down outside the window.

Lightning flashed across the sky, illuminating the silence within the imperial study.

In that instant, it seemed as if a thousand armies were roaring silently, and countless souls stood in the rain, waiting for the king to turn his head.

But as he was laughing, he suddenly choked up, and tears silently streamed down his face—because he understood.

Those who could still meticulously write down these trivial daily details in such dire circumstances had no intention of returning alive.

Chung-fang, from beginning to end, never thought he would live to see the sun rise tomorrow!

"Report—!"

A sharp shout ripped through the silence, and Li Junxian's voice boomed again: "Urgent military intelligence from the scouts under the command of the Divine Might General!"

Li Shimin's voice was hoarse, like the grinding of gravel, as he said in a low voice, "Bring him in."

"Tap tap tap!"

The iron boots stomped on the ground, causing the hall to reverberate.

A dusty scout rushed in, knelt on one knee, and boomed, "Your Majesty! General Shenwei has decisively defeated the main force of the Turks outside Dingzhou City, capturing three enemy generals alive! The victory report has arrived!"

Before he could finish speaking, he paused, his Adam's apple bobbing, and his voice suddenly lowered:

"But... all the people of Dingzhou, along with the defending soldiers, perished; not a single one survived!"

"Of the three thousand iron cavalry led by the Ghost-Faced General, only a hundred remain, their fighting strength nearly wiped out! Dingzhou... is now a dead city!"

Good news?

Is this good news?!

No—this is not the horn of victory, but a knife plunged into my heart!

Dingzhou was recaptured, but Li Shimin's face showed no joy, only a deathly coldness.

The entire city's inhabitants...are dead?!

None of them survived?!

"Sizzle—!"

He suddenly stood up, bursting into wild laughter, but in the next instant, he violently tore the peace letter addressed to Khagan Jieli to shreds! The scraps of paper flew like snowflakes, scattering all over the ground.

"Your Majesty!" Changsun Wuji and the others exclaimed in unison.

Li Shimin's eyes were bloodshot, as if a raging fire had consumed his reason. His roar echoed throughout the palace: "From this day forward, the Tang Dynasty and the Turks—will be locked in a life-or-death struggle!"

"A blood debt must be repaid in blood!"

"Anyone who dares to speak of peace negotiations again—will be executed on the spot!"

……

Anyone who speaks of peace talks again will be executed immediately!

Li Shimin roared like thunder and personally destroyed the peace treaty he had gritted his teeth and written.

He almost bowed his head!

But now—he understands.

His people would rather die than surrender; the entire city was willing to die to defend the backbone of the Tang Dynasty!

And what about him? As the emperor, he actually dared to bow and beg for mercy?!

"My people have shed their last drop of blood. If I do not avenge them... how can I be a ruler?!" He stared at the pieces of paper falling from the sky, each word chilling and ruthless.

"A blood debt must be repaid in blood!"

……

Dingzhou, camp outside the city.

At this moment, Li Yingge paid no attention to Han Ye and stood in the center of the command tent, her gaze sweeping across the map like a knife.

"Unfold the map."

At a command, the cloth was slowly drawn back, revealing mountains and rivers.

A lieutenant clasped his hands and shouted, "General! According to intelligence, Khan Jieli is personally leading a large army straight towards the Wei River, with a clear objective—to approach Chang'an! His Majesty is currently mobilizing troops from all directions to prepare for battle!"

"If things go as expected..."

"The final battle will inevitably take place on the banks of the Wei River!"

Wei River.

All eyes were immediately drawn to the winding red line on the map.

Immediately afterwards, his brows furrowed deeply.

There... they've already penetrated deep into the heart of the Tang Dynasty!

"We can advance and take Chang'an directly, or retreat and defend the border." Li Yingge sneered, a mocking smile playing on her lips. "What a brilliant move to force a peace through war, gaining the upper hand in both advance and retreat."

She lightly touched the Wei River area with her fingertips, her eyes sharp: "Even if we are defeated, the Turks can take advantage of the situation to occupy key border areas and plunder endlessly."

They are not afraid of losing this battle at all.

Everyone fell silent, a chill running down their spines.

That's right—Jieli's move was ruthless, accurate, and steady, making him almost invincible!

If we win, we can conquer Tang in one fell swoop!

If defeated, cede territory to protect yourself!

But despite all his calculations, he overlooked one crucial point:

The frontiers of the Tang Dynasty were no longer ruins to be trampled upon.

Youzhou has been recovered.

Dingzhou has also been liberated.

Behind all this stands a name—Ghost-Faced General!

This man not only reclaimed Youzhou, but also joined forces with Li Yingge to take Dingzhou, tearing a fatal rift in the rear of the Turks!

Today, the Turks seem to be advancing with unstoppable momentum, but in reality, they are besieged on all sides.

Their escape route is no longer secure.

And this might be the only chance for the Tang Dynasty to turn the tide!

"Youzhou and Dingzhou are both in my hands and have not been occupied by the Turks." Li Yingge stared at the map, a cold glint suddenly flashing in the depths of her beautiful eyes, like a knife being drawn from its sheath.

She muttered to herself, each word sharp and menacing: "This means... we have a chance to pierce the heart of the Turkic army!"

She quickly analyzed the situation: "In the decisive battle at the Wei River, our army must achieve a great victory! Only in this way can we launch a surprise attack from You and Ding prefectures when the Turks are defeated, cut off their retreat, and sever their lifeline!"

This is the real killer move!

But then again—

The plan was brilliant, but its execution was incredibly difficult.

Leaving aside whether Youzhou and Dingzhou can hide a reinforcement army to launch a swift attack at a critical moment;

Let's just talk about the Battle of Wei River...

Could the Tang Dynasty truly defeat the Turks?

If we suffer a crushing defeat, all our plans will come to naught!