Chapter 43

Luoshixin glared at Zheng Liwan and couldn't help but say, "Look at what you're saying, it's really unpleasant to hear."

"Isn't that just it! I didn't say anything wrong," Zheng Liwan responded without any courtesy, pouting her lips, her face full of displeasure, thinking of that old woman made her feel disgusted.

Luoshixin patted his forehead. Ever since he told Zheng Liwan about the incident where Yin Ashu was taken down a week ago, Zheng Liwan had been extremely harsh towards Pingyang. Whenever she was mentioned, Zheng Liwan couldn't help but mock her.

After all, as an observer, she had seen through her methods and preemptively stabilized the situation with her princess status. It wasn't a big deal, as if Pingyang owed her a million or so. This woman, her heart is just too small.

Zheng Liwan glanced at Luoshixin and said indignantly, "I'm not going to talk to you, I'm going to read a book!" As she left, she kept muttering, "Old woman, stinky old woman..." Thinking of Luoshixin's evaluation of Pingyang, she felt particularly uncomfortable: "What a heroine, what a wise and brave woman, what a valiant woman, she's just an old woman. I, Zheng Liwan, am much smarter than her, but no one praises me... That annoying guy can't be infatuated with that old woman... No way, no way, what's so good about that old woman."

Zheng Liwan's little head was filled with random thoughts, feeling chaotic, unable to untangle the mess.

The Turks launched a strong attack, and the entire Li Tang Dynasty's organization was forced into action. Troops from various regions gathered, and provisions and supplies were continuously prepared.

On September 11th, after several days of preparation, the ten thousand troops gathered in Chang'an, like ants in a cave, officially set out to meet the enemy.

Of course, the Li Tang Dynasty had more than just ten thousand troops. These ten thousand were the forces of the twelve armies near Chang'an. The remaining troops were already gathered at the front-line command posts and did not need to come to Chang'an to join the main force, saving the main force the time to wait for them.

On the eve of the departure, the people outside Chang'an gathered to see off their loved ones who were going to war.

Luoshixin unexpectedly saw Zheng Liwan in the crowd. She was dressed rather strictly, wrapped in a headscarf, looking like she was afraid of being recognized, hiding in the crowd with a worried look on her face. It was only thanks to Luoshixin that he could find her.

He waved his hand symbolically, making a reassuring gesture, and led more than two thousand right cavalry to the battlefield.

Li Shimin and Princess Pingyang walked side by side, leading the ten thousand troops in a grand procession towards the northeast.

As for Li Jiancheng, he was responsible for the Bianzhou route, which was located to the north of Chang'an. It was not on the same route as the Puzhou route, which Li Shimin was responsible for, and the Hebei route, which Pingyang was responsible for. At the gate of Chang'an, Li Shimin and Pingyang parted ways to head to their respective battlefields.

The army moved swiftly, as saving the day was like putting out a fire, and the speed of the march was extremely fast. Local officials fully cooperated, and officials along the way had already prepared cooked food at the agreed locations. When the army arrived, they rested, ate, and continued on their way. They did not set up camps at night but slept on the ground, not wasting any extra time or energy.

Until they reached the southern bank of the Yellow River, Li Shimin decided to camp and rest for a day to avoid being too exhausted when they reached the battlefield.

Even with his extraordinary physique, Luoshixin felt slightly tired after the long march. As soon as it got dark, he lay down on the bed and fell asleep with his clothes on.

In a daze, he heard Mo Hu'er call, "General, General, Princess Pingyang requests you to come for a meeting!"

Luoshixin rubbed his eyes, thinking, "Nothing bad has happened, right!" He got dressed and walked briskly to the central command tent.

Unlike a typical command tent, Princess Pingyang's central command tent was guarded by a team of all-female soldiers, a group of valiant and spirited women. Don't underestimate these women; most of them were older women, mostly veterans who had fought with Princess Pingyang in the Guanzhong region, with considerable combat experience.

He walked directly to the entrance of the command tent. Before he could announce himself, Princess Pingyang's voice came from inside, "Is it General Luoshixin? Come in quickly!"

Luoshixin strode into the command tent, which was very spacious, able to accommodate dozens of people sitting together. On both sides of the tent, eight huge torches were lit, making the inside warm and bright.

As he entered the tent, the first thing he saw was a large table in the center of the tent, with two thick candles on either side. Under the flickering red light, Li Shimin and Princess Pingyang sat at the head of the table, with a detailed map of the Tang Dynasty's territory in front of them.

On Li Shimin's right stood the famous strategists Fang Xuanling and Du Ruhui, and on Princess Pingyang's left stood a man with his head held high, looking up at the sky—Prince of Yan, Li Yi, also known as Luo Yi.

Seeing Luoshixin enter, he snorted rudely, his face showing dissatisfaction.

Luoshixin took a step forward, first bowing deeply to Li Shimin and Princess Pingyang, and said loudly, "Luoshixin pays respects to the Prince of Qin and the Princess!" Then he bowed to Fang Xuanling and Du Ruhui, "Mr. Fang, Mr. Du!" He then ignored Prince Li Yi and took his place.

For a moment, the only sound in the command tent was Li Yi's heavy breathing.

Luoshixin had always been the type to respect those who respected him. Li Shimin, Princess Pingyang, Fang Xuanling, and Du Ruhui had all treated him well, but Li Yi, for some reason, had never shown him a good face. Luoshixin didn't bother with him.

This scene was not strange to Li Shimin, Princess Pingyang, Fang Xuanling, and Du Ruhui. Interpersonal relationships are not always smooth, and there will always be people who don't get along. As long as it doesn't affect the big picture, most people turn a blind eye.

Li Shimin spoke first, "I have invited the two generals here tonight not because of any urgent military situation, but because the Turks have gathered twenty thousand elite cavalry to invade us, which is the greatest crisis our Tang Dynasty has faced since its establishment. It concerns the future of our Li Tang Dynasty, and I want to hear the two generals' opinions."

Li Yi said with great enthusiasm, "Your Highness, don't overestimate the Turks. Although the Turkish cavalry is fierce, they are not good at attacking cities. As long as our front-line troops fortify the cities and hold them firmly, making the Turks unable to plunder, they will be forced to attack the cities. By defending instead of attacking, we can surely defeat the enemy."

Li Shimin was not convinced. He didn't deny that Li Yi's strategy could defeat the enemy, but the cost of fortifying the cities and fields was too high.

All the troops and civilians would be confined to the cities, leaving tens of thousands of iron cavalry to ravage the towns and fields. What would be the cost? Would the people still be able to live? If the Li Tang Dynasty couldn't protect its people and let them suffer, it might as well surrender.

Without sparing Li Yi's face, Li Shimin nodded and said, "This is not a bad strategy!"

Li Yi retreated with a smug look.

Li Shimin looked at Luoshixin and said, "What is your opinion, General Luoshixin?"

Luoshixin thought for a moment and said, "I have a special idea. I don't think we need to consider it so complicated. Even if we are willing to fight, we still need to see if the Turks are willing."