Chapter 82

Last time, we mentioned that Li Er had brought back the fire oil and handed it over to Li Kuan, which aroused Li Chenggan's jealousy, so he stepped forward to demand a share. However, Li Er remained silent, seemingly watching the spectacle.

Changsun Wujì stood behind Li Er, his expression uncertain. He was also pondering the deeper meaning behind Li Er's actions. No matter how much he thought about it, he couldn't figure out Li Er's purpose. Could it be that he just wanted to watch the two young ones fight over this thing? Li Er couldn't be that trivial, so what other deeper meaning could there be? He couldn't figure it out. He didn't know that Li Kuan had long been used by Li Er as a whetstone for his other brothers. After learning that Li Kuan had a mysterious school behind him, Li Er made this decision.

Because the scientists were too mysterious, even after two and a half years, Li Er still hadn't found out anything. He only knew that Li Kuan's teacher was Chen Tuan the Old Ancestor. Such a mysterious school couldn't let Li Er feel at ease, so he decided to let Li Chenggan and the others test Li Kuan's depth, thereby deducing the weight of the mysterious scientists. Why didn't he do it himself? It was because if he did, he feared that the hidden scientists would take extreme actions. The competition among the younger generation could be explained as a matter for the young, with the elders not allowed to interfere.

If Li Kuan knew Li Er's thoughts, he would definitely spit out three pints of blood. It was just a lie, yet it made him fall out with almost all the princes, making him an outlier in the Tang royal family. Of course, this is a side note for now.

Now, Li Kuan ignored Li Chenggan's shouting. He was too lazy to argue with this little boy, as it was indeed a bit childish. This thing was bought with his money; why would he share it? So he silently let the system absorb the energy, watching the progress bar slowly rise.

Perhaps the amount was small, and the progress bar rose quickly. In less than the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, the three large barrels of fire oil were completely absorbed. During this time, Li Kuan just stood there, facing off with Li Chenggan without saying a word. Li Chenggan glared at Li Kuan, feeling that his father favored this guy. Li Kuan's performance over the years had made him feel threatened, so he ignored his mother's warning not to conflict with Li Kuan.

"Why don't you speak? Are you feeling guilty?" Li Chenggan demanded.

"Say whatever you want, this thing is mine. Even if I throw it away, I won't give it to you! Now, I'll throw these three barrels away. If you want it, go pick it up! Since I don't want it, if you pick it up, it's yours!" Li Kuan said, then bid farewell to Li Er and returned to his tent.

Li Chenggan's face turned ashen. How could this guy be so despicable? Does he think I'm a scavenger? A mere second son, how dare you compete with me, the legitimate eldest son? Next time, I'll make you pay! Li Chenggan didn't argue further; if he did, he would be seen as a scavenger.

So he obediently retreated behind Li Er, lowering his head, not knowing what to think. He didn't tell his uncle about the scientists behind Li Kuan, thinking Li Er had warned him, Li Ke, and Li Tai. But now, it seemed he should inform Changsun Wujì.

Li Er found it strange that Li Kuan had come for the fire oil but then didn't want it. Was there some secret?

"Bring the barrels over!" Li Er ordered.

"Yes!" The soldier driving the cart bowed and then drew his saber to pry open the barrel lids.

"This..." When the barrels were opened, Li Er saw that the fire oil, which had been full, had vanished without a trace, leaving only empty barrels, as clean as new. This meant that Li Kuan had somehow taken the three full barrels of fire oil right under everyone's noses in just a short time. If so, the scientists' methods needed to be reassessed.

Time passed quickly. As Sun Simiao treated Li Yuan, Li Er trained his troops, the crown prince was uneasy, and Li Kuan practiced his boxing, it was already the fourth day of the sixth month of Wude 6, the day of the historical Xuanwu Gate Incident.

During this period, Li Kuan secretly slipped out of the camp once. No one knew where he went, and even the guards Li Er had secretly sent to protect him were shaken off. In the darkness, Li Kuan moved like a nimble cat, darting from treetops to grass, disappearing from the guards' sight after less than three miles.

On the morning of the fourth day of the sixth month, at the camp of the Black Armor Guard, the noise broke the morning's tranquility. Li Er stood on the platform, looking at the assembled Black Armor Guard: "Today is the most important day. Today will determine the final outcome. I, Li Shimin, entrust all of you. For the sake of the people and your comrades, I ask you to give it your all! With this cup of wine, I wish you all a great victory!"

Li Er spoke with great passion. In short, today he would decide the outcome with the crown prince. Everyone should use all their skills and strength for future glory and wealth. Li Er hoped everyone would help him win this battle. Once he sat on the throne, there would be great glory and wealth!

"I will die for the Prince of Qin!" Changsun Wujì led the call, followed by a group of civil and military officials, and then all the soldiers in the camp began to shout with enthusiasm: "I will die for the Prince of Qin!"

Li Chenggan stood in the crowd, his face flushed with excitement. He was also infected by the atmosphere, shouting with passion: "I will die for my father!"

Besides him, Li Ke was also very excited, his small fists clenched, waving and shouting.

Li Kuan, however, watched coldly. In his past life, he had heard many speeches, mostly from company executives and department heads. These people were no less skilled at stirring emotions than Li Er from 1,400 years ago. So, after hearing so many, he had become accustomed to it. Moreover, he knew the final outcome, so he lacked the subtle enjoyment of the process. Because Li Er and the others were unaware of the outcome, they felt they were fighting and striving, but Li Kuan, knowing the result, only felt like he was watching a good show.

Although not moved by Li Er's rough speech, Li Kuan was still looking forward to it. Not only to witness history, but also to see if his preparations would change history. This was what Li Kuan most wanted to know.

Changsun stood at the camp gate, listening to the loud shouts inside, also very excited. This day had come. Regardless of the final outcome, good or bad, it was what they had long awaited. She, a woman, had struggled in Chang'an for nearly ten years, and it was too tiring. Now, it was finally the last moment, even if it meant death, she would witness it with her husband.

On the official road fifteen miles outside Chang'an, a lone rider was galloping on a yellow-black horse. The rider, with a broad back and strong waist, had dark skin that gleamed like metal in the early morning sun.

The horsewhip struck again, and the horse sped up. Chang'an was in sight, and the rider opened his mouth and shouted: "Prince of Qin, I, Yuchi Jingde, am here!" The voice echoed across the fields, startling a flock of birds.

This rider was Yuchi Jingde, who had left Li Jing's command, carrying only his two steel whips. He didn't even wear the Mingguang armor Li Er had made for him. Riding a Da Yuan horse, he had traveled nearly two thousand miles in just one day and two nights.

Li Er was already in armor, ready to set out, but hearing this voice, he turned to look. In the distance, a lone rider was coming down the road, raising a cloud of dust. Yuchi Jingde's clothes were wet with morning dew, tightly clinging to his body, revealing his steel-like muscles. He held two steel whips and laughed as he galloped forward.

"Yuchi! Ha... I didn't expect you to make it! I thought you, the black coal head, would be absent!" Cheng Yaojin's loud voice was no less impressive.

"How could I miss the Prince of Qin's final battle! I will clear the last obstacle for the Prince of Qin and help him ascend the throne!" Yuchi Jingde dismounted five paces in front of Li Er and strode forward, kneeling on one knee.

"Good. With Yuchi's help, our chances are even better! Yuchi, mount up, and follow me!" Li Er was visibly moved, and even Changsun, sitting in the carriage, wiped her eyes.

Li Kuan and the other two young ones sat in the carriage with Changsun, surrounded by a group of black-armored knights. The sound of hooves filled their ears, and the neighing of horses and the sound of horns signaled their advance to the palace.

This was also to show Li Jiancheng and the others that Li Er was still here, to put their minds at ease and lead them into their trap.

On the other side, at Xuanwu Gate, soldiers stood on the city walls, their bodies straight as spears, their eyes fixed forward. Chang He's face was sweating as he patrolled, but only he knew what he was thinking. Today, to enter the palace, one could only go through the Zhuque Gate at the front or the Xuanwu Gate at the north. The eastern Jingfeng Gate and the western Anfu Gate were all closed. The crown prince had left the city last night with only three hundred soldiers from the Six Rates. He had lost contact with the people in the Sixteen Guards who had secretly pledged allegiance to him.

Not only did Li Er know today was the most critical moment, but Li Jiancheng also knew. So he had to prepare, and his preparation was to argue with Li Er at the court assembly, not to engage directly. After the assembly, when Li Er left the palace, the Sixteen Guards and his Six Rates would attack, surrounding and killing Li Er. The reason he didn't act before the assembly was to avoid the other armies, who hadn't pledged allegiance, from intervening if Li Yuan learned of the news, giving Li Er a chance to escape. If Li Er escaped, with his military power, he could overthrow the Tang dynasty.

So, for Li Jiancheng to return to the palace, he could only go through Xuanwu Gate, as going through Zhuque Gate would be a long detour. This was Chang He's greatest concern. He was in a difficult position, and others might say he was betraying the crown prince or seeking glory by betraying his master. In any case, Chang He knew his reputation was ruined. But what could he do? To repay the life-saving grace of Yin Kaishan or to save his own life, the matter was already decided. If Li Jiancheng returned to the palace from here, he would have to face the consequences, whether captured alive or killed.

PS: I didn't expect nearly 400 readers to subscribe in just ten hours, hehe...

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