Waiting idly for death had never been Li Shimin’s style.
“If I were Xue Ju, I would lead elite troops to flank the Tang Army from behind and launch a surprise attack, catching them off guard. A formation that hasn’t been properly set up is easily scattered.”
Li Shimin murmured softly, as if talking to himself, but both Zheng Zai and Duan Zhixuan listened intently.
Whether he understood or not, Zheng Zai listened with great seriousness.
“The terrain of Shallow Water Plain is open. To the southwest, it is close to a tributary of the Jing River, with both low hills and river valleys, making it convenient for cavalry to maneuver…”
Li Shimin closed his eyes briefly. Without a map, he was the map himself.
“Xue Ju is warlike, fond of flaunting his military prowess, even to the point of building Jingguan. His main forces are in Longxi. Advancing east from Longxi, he would need to consider supply lines when maneuvering, so a surprise attack from the southwest is highly likely…”
Hearing this, Duan Zhixuan guessed, “Your Highness, are you planning to notify General Liu and General Yin?”
“If they were so obedient, they wouldn’t have gone to Shallow Water Plain without permission.” Li Shimin’s expression turned neutral.
“Then what about us?”
“We will go to meet Xue Ju.”
“What?” Duan Zhixuan was stunned. “But Your Highness, you’re still ill…”
“I suddenly feel much better.”
“Your Highness, please don’t joke about this.”
“I’m serious.” Li Shimin looked at him earnestly, with utmost sincerity.
He truly felt much better. In just these few moments of conversation, the heavy, aching drowsiness had dissipated significantly. At the very least, he could think clearly now and stand steadily.
Zheng Zai secretly breathed a sigh of relief and continued his role as a healer, like a small portable charger providing emergency power to a nearly dead phone, allowing all functions to operate normally.
He was still a bit unfamiliar with this task, but he was very enthusiastic.
“Speed is crucial in warfare. If we wait for Xue Ju to see through the Tang Army’s lax defenses and engage them before they are prepared, we will suffer a certain defeat. At worst, we could lose half our soldiers.”
Li Shimin quickly adjusted his attire and armor. Duan Zhixuan was somewhat dumbfounded, scrambling to hand him his helmet and weapons.
“Your Highness, are you really all right? You were unconscious all day today, without even a drop of water. The physician said it resembled malaria, but the onset was too sudden. Although medicine was administered, it won’t be cured in just a few days…”
“Don’t worry, I’ll take my medicine before we depart.” Li Shimin fastened his helmet calmly. “Gather everyone else. I have matters to discuss.”
“…” Duan Zhixuan couldn’t persuade him and could only comply.
Zheng Zai turned over in the limited space, feeling stifled.
Perhaps he was about to faint from hunger, or maybe he was exhausted to the point of numbness. No matter how he looked at it, this Danke (Egg Shell) seemed increasingly displeasing.
Li Shimin placed a hand on his chest and whispered, “Are you uncomfortable?”
Aren’t you the one who’s uncomfortable? Zheng Zai vaguely realized that his own perceptions were influenced by Li Shimin.
He wasn’t sure if it was active or passive, but perhaps because he was so eager to heal his father, their perceptions had partially connected, as if a bridge had been built between them.
Zheng Zai actually felt a bit awkward. He didn’t particularly like this, but with life and death at stake, there was no time to dwell on it.
They had to survive first, win this battle, and only then would there be time to consider other matters.
“I’m sorry for dragging you into this suffering with me.” Li Shimin spoke softly to the child.
Zheng Zai felt at peace again.
He was still easy to appease.
The cavalry unit left Gaozhi City overnight, racing against the moon.
Men held bits in their mouths, horses' hooves were muffled, as they galloped wildly under the moonlight, leaving the shadows of the city and trees far behind their hooves.
Zheng Zai was too worried to sleep, unable to stop thinking: How could any body withstand such strain without falling ill?
It would be a miracle if they didn't get sick.
He didn't want to become an orphan so early, so he had to keep a closer watch, lest someone accidentally perish.
The little Dragon Whelp, who had begun worrying for his father even before being born, felt his Spiritual Awareness rise like mist, breaking free from the confines of the Egg Shell. Originally intending to search for traces of Yaoshou, he was suddenly captivated by the moonlight.
The clouds parted, revealing the moon.
A drizzling light rain condensed into crystalline sugar-like particles, translucent with a platinum hue, shimmering faintly in the quicksilver-spilling moonlight.
This stuff seemed edible.
His Spiritual Awareness spread like a jellyfish, extending several tendrils to grab a handful of the light rain for a taste.
Where did this come from? (Munch munch) Not bad at all (munch munch), the round moon is edible!
Zheng Zai happily devoured all the nearby light rain, while a few creatures—whether foxes or weasels—glowered resentfully, removing bones from their heads, daring to be angry but not to speak out.
A dragon not yet born is still a dragon—got a problem with that? If you're not convinced, let's fight. Once you're eaten, you'll be convinced, and there'll be no more complaints.
As Zheng Zai ate, he suddenly realized, huh, why is it all gone?
Pah, what kind of thing is this, so dry and bland. He spat out a pale wisp of moonlight, focusing his gaze. That extraordinary platinum light rain had vanished without a trace.
Only the bleak moonlight remained, hazily enveloping Shallow Water Plain.
No more to eat, limited time and quantity. Zheng Zai grumbled and stood up inside his shell, only to bump his head against the top with a thud, bringing tears to his eyes and instantly fueling his frustration.
Instead of crouching back down, he continued to ram against the shell from all sides, including but not limited to punching with his fists, kicking with his legs, and slapping with his tail…
Like a noisy renovation, the clattering and banging echoed incessantly.
If this had been a quiet environment, Li Shimin would surely have noticed something amiss, but now was not such a time.
From afar, a chilling scent of blood accompanied by swirling dust spread wildly, thick enough to induce nausea.
Xue Ju had arrived, launching a surprise attack under cover of night, catching the Tang Army off guard.
In the chaos, Liu Wenjing and Yin Kaishan struggled to organize the troops into formation to resist, but there was simply no time. The terrifying enemy would not give them that chance.
The Tang Army was torn open, bleeding profusely.
Only then did the two feel regret for not heeding Li Shimin's warning against acting rashly.
Now, everything was in disarray, like an ant colony scorched by fire, with many perishing in an instant.
"What are you still dazing about? Fight!" Murong Luohou, one of the Eight Commanders on the Tang Army's side, roared at Liu Wenjing before charging forward on his horse, with Li Anyuan leading his troops close behind.
Liang Shi and Pang Yu gathered their forces, urgently asking, "Which direction should we head?"
"His Highness said we must use our strengths to attack the enemy's weaknesses. Only fools would engage in a head-on clash."
"You have a good memory! His Highness also said he could spot the enemy's weakness at a glance. Can you?"
"I cannot."
"Then why waste words?"
"Then why ask me?"
"Should we retreat to Gaozhi City? His Highness is there, and with the city as our stronghold, it's better than foolishly standing here to be slaughtered."
"Shouldn't we inform the other generals?"
"Who? We can't even see them."
"If only His Highness were here."
"Enough with the useless talk. If His Highness were here, would we be reduced to such a wretched state?"
Visibility at night was naturally far worse than during the day, and to make matters worse, the Tang Army had been scattered by the enemy's surprise attack, unable to reorganize in a short time and left to fend for themselves.
Some among them considered retreating to Gaozhi City.
The idea was sound, but unfortunately, while the Tang Army had thought of it, so had Xue Ju.
Thus, the retreating Tang forces encountered an interception, and the ensuing battle was particularly brutal.
Xue Ju was immensely pleased, boasting to his son Xue Rengao, "What did I tell you? I said the Tang Army was no match. A mere forty thousand troops, and they dared to put a young brat in command—they must have a death wish. Look at them, scattered like a pile of loose sand, aren't they?"
"Your Majesty is wise! It seems capturing Chang'an is within our grasp."
"The Li family merely had a better start, relying on their ancestors' reputation to build their fortune without lifting a finger. That useless old fool Li Yuan only knows how to bow and scrape. Has he ever fought a battle? Does he even know how? And he dares to occupy Chang'an and declare himself emperor—is he even worthy?"
In truth, Li Yuan had fought battles, but Xue Ju looked down on him.
Xue Ju had long been resentful. Who wouldn't covet a prize as great as Chang'an?
Although Yang Guang favored Luoyang, even to the point of moving the capital there, Chang'an was still Chang'an—the former capital. With such a vast region like Guanzhong, many, many people desired it.
Xue Ju wanted it too, and so he came to seize it.
Strike while the iron is hot—eliminate the troublesome Tang Army, and Chang'an would be within easy reach.
Morale on Xue Ju's side was soaring, their excitement bordering on overconfidence, almost certain that victory in this battle was assured.
No one could have imagined that a seemingly certain victory could be pried open, the nails forcefully pulled out.
The wind carried the thunderous beat of war drums, and the rumble of hooves shook the ground so violently that echoes reverberated.
Xue Ju's expression changed, and he exclaimed in alarm, "Where did these reinforcements come from? Aren't all the Tang forces already here?"
"Judging by the commotion, their numbers are significant. Could it be a trap set by the Tang Army, with us as the mantis stalking the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind?" Hao Yuan, Xue Ju's chief strategist, immediately considered the worst.
Strategists always tend to overthink.
Xue Ju sneered, "There's no one among the Tang forces I consider worthy. Numbers alone won't save them."
"Your Majesty! Our rear has been attacked by an elite cavalry unit. The enemy is fierce, and we may not hold them off." A scout reported in panic.
"Panic over nothing! Don't make a fuss. The advantage is mine. Mantis or oriole, I'll kill them all."
Xue Ju shouted angrily, taking Xue Rengao and his fierce general Zong Luohou, along with tens of thousands of troops, and turning to charge toward the reinforcements.
In this era, Buddhism was flourishing, and it was common to use Buddhist-related terms for names. In this battle alone, both sides had a "Rahu."
On the battlefield, it would be seen who truly symbolized Rahu—the "malefic star" and "beheaded demon god" capable of devouring the sun and moon.
Xue Ju's approach to warfare was straightforward—overwhelming force to overcome all tactics, relying on sheer brute force. His style somewhat resembled a lesser version of Xiang Yu.
On Li Shimin's side, there were only a little over a thousand elite troops, but under his command, they were as precise and sharp as a blade honed on a whetstone, targeting the enemy's weakest points and striking fiercely.
As for the war drums and the hoofbeats that sounded far greater than a thousand men—they were an illusion created by the defenders of Gaozhi City, who, after Li Shimin broke through the enemy's defenses, simulated the presence of a large force from all directions.
A large crowd boosts morale; without so many people, they took advantage of the night to feign a massive presence, imposing invisible psychological pressure on the enemy.
Shadows flickered, killing intent lurked everywhere.
Ghostly figures loomed thickly, life and death hung by a thread.
Zheng Zai had been busy for a long time but still hadn’t managed to crack a single fissure in the Egg Shell. Tired, he sat down to rest.
Countless Ghost Souls emerged from their respective corpses, like batches of bean sprouts, each fresher than the last.
Zheng Zai watched them curiously, poking one of the ghosts—cold, devoid of any warmth, uninteresting.
He really wanted to follow and see where these Ghost Souls were headed.
Probably the Netherworld, right?
It seemed the Netherworld was quite busy too.
Although the boundary between life and death was somewhat blurred for him—at a glance, it was even hard to distinguish which were alive and which were Ghost Souls—Zheng Zai was still deeply concerned about Li Shimin’s condition and didn’t want to see him turn into a fresh Ghost Soul.
Once dead, they’d be cold, hearts no longer beating, blood no longer flowing, just like the corpses on the ground—no longer lively and warm.
He didn’t like that.
Zheng Zai observed for a long while, confirming this thought.
He really wanted to break out of his shell sooner, to meet his parents, to help them.
To be faster, even faster.
At least not to just stand by helplessly, watching the enemy about to reach Li Shimin.
This man charged recklessly, fierce and brutal. On the flag behind him was written a large character.
It looked somewhat familiar.
Little Ying Zheng stared at that flag for a long, long time.
—It was a clerical script character for "Qin."
Author's Note:
Heiban: Xue Ju has already declared himself emperor, with the state name "Qin."