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

"Han Ye... just how many secrets have you been hiding from me that you've never told me?"

She suddenly took a step and chased after him, clearly instructing the guards behind her, "I'm leaving first. When my father returns, please inform him for me."

"々!"

"Yes, sir!"

The guards clasped their hands in unison, watching the two walk away side by side, their expressions subtle.

A moment later, someone chuckled and said, "The general and her husband really are inseparable, wherever they go..."

"Hahaha, who would have thought that our iron-willed female warrior would have such a day?"

"However, Young Master Han Ye is indeed extraordinary. He single-handedly broke through the enemy's formation, turned the tide, and carved out a path to survival."

"That's right! And look, he didn't even see His Majesty in person. That composure, that confidence... tsk tsk, truly a hero!"

In their eyes, Han Ye's actions were not an act of escapism, but rather a display of detachment and disdain for the emperor's favor.

Little did they know, Han Ye at that moment only wanted to run away as fast as he could.

But Li Yingge stayed close to him, never leaving his side, like an inseparable shadow.

……

At the same time.

Dozens of miles outside Chang'an City, on the banks of a desolate river, the White Horse Cavalry set up camp.

Gongsun Zan led his troops to occupy this place, their horses' hooves treading on frost, their silver armor reflecting the moon.

They maintained a close, clandestine relationship with Han Ye, ensuring unimpeded communication.

After all, they were not far apart, and once the flames of war broke out, a fast horse could reach them in half a day.

A storm is brewing.

The smoke of battle had not yet dissipated along the banks of the Wei River, and the sound of war drums had long since faded away, leaving a rare moment of tranquility between heaven and earth.

Now that weapons are stored away and horses are grazing freely, it is the perfect time for rest and recuperation.

"drive!"

"drive!"

"drive!"

The crisp sound of horses' hooves suddenly shattered the tranquility, like a hammer striking bluestone, each sound striking the heart.

Gongsun Zan's eyebrows twitched, and his eyes suddenly turned cold.

The people behind him became alert and their hands were already on their weapons.

"Let's go take a look."

He gave a low shout, not loud, but carrying an undeniable air of authority.

The group quickly arrived at the village entrance, stood by the roadside, and scanned the distance with eyes like those of hawks—

Dust billowed as several riders galloped towards them!

At the very front, a lone rider galloped at breakneck speed, his armor tattered and his face covered in blood; he was clearly a scout desperately trying to break through the enemy lines!

Behind him, three riders pursued relentlessly, their blades flashing in the setting sun, exuding a chilling aura!

"Run!!"

The scout spotted a figure at the village entrance in the distance, almost roared out loud, and a last glimmer of hope ignited in his eyes.

But the pursuers, who were close behind, also spotted the group of "villagers," and a sinister grin immediately spread across their faces: "Oh? There are more people? Leave no one alive, kill them all!"

"kill--!"

Before he finished speaking, two of the riders suddenly turned around and charged straight at Gongsun Zan and his men!

The scout was terrified and turned his horse around, intending to take the group of "commoners" with him as they fled for their lives.

But just as he rushed close—

"Bang!"

A gust of wind swept in, and the reins were gripped tightly by an iron hand!

The warhorse neighed loudly and came to an abrupt halt!

Gongsun Zan's eyes flashed like knives as she stared coldly at him: "Speak, what happened?"

The scout, his eyes red with anxiety, nearly roared, "Are you all crazy?! Run! They kill without blinking an eye!"

Before he could finish speaking, the pursuers had already arrived!

A blade flashed down from mid-air, and the stench of blood filled the air!

But the next moment-

A sudden change has occurred!

The figures of those seemingly ordinary villagers flashed by like ghosts, their movements so fast that they left only afterimages!

Immediately afterwards, a cold light flashed from his sleeve!

"laugh--!"

"laugh--!"

"laugh--!"

The short blade was drawn swiftly and decisively, each strike precisely piercing the throat!

Blood gushed out, and the three pursuers fell from their horses before they could even scream, dying with their eyes wide open!

The earth fell into a deathly silence.

Only the wind, carrying the stench of blood, remained, slowly spreading through the air.

The scout stood frozen in place, his pupils contracting violently, his whole body trembling uncontrollably.

He stared intently at the group of people—

These aren't villagers at all!

He's clearly a demon who crawled out of the battlefield!

"Who...who are you?!" His voice trembled.

The last pursuer knelt on the ground, blood gushing from his mouth, his eyes filled with horror and disbelief.

How is that possible?!

A few country bumpkins were able to instantly kill elite cavalry?!

Gongsun Zan didn't even glance at him, only staring coldly at the scout, his tone as cold as ice: "Stop talking nonsense."

Who are you? Where do you come from? What happened on the frontier?

This question was like a bucket of cold water poured over my head.

The scout snapped back to reality, tumbling off his horse with a thud. He spoke rapidly, "I am a scout from the northern border! The remnants of Jiancheng are colluding with the Turkic army, plotting a counterattack on the border! It's extremely urgent! I must report to His Majesty immediately—!"

boom!

Like a thunderclap!

Gongsun Zan's pupils contracted, and his face instantly darkened.

With the borders unstable, how could there be internal traitors colluding with foreign invaders?!

He raised his hand and waved, no longer stopping him: "Let's go!"

The scout dared not linger, mounted his horse, whipped it, and galloped off towards Chang'an!

At the same time, one of the White Horse Cavalrymen crouched down and tore open the pursuers' armor—

A bronze plaque with a dark pattern suddenly appeared, along with a secret letter!

"The fact that the old troops were built up is beyond doubt."

Someone spoke in a low voice, their tone heavy as lead.

The air suddenly felt oppressive.

Although the Battle of Wei River was won, the Tang Dynasty did not truly recover the lost territory.

The court believed that the Turks had been defeated and the border defenses were temporarily secure, but little did they know that undercurrents were already surging!

Now that the remnants of Jiancheng have not been eliminated, they have secretly colluded with the Turks, working together from within and without...

Once the border falls, Chang'an will be in grave danger!

Gongsun Zan gripped the sword at his waist, his eyes flashing with a cold light.

"You shall remain here and not slacken your guard."

He mounted his horse, his voice cold and stern, "I'm going to Chang'an to meet the general and immediately report the military situation!"

Hooves flew, dust billowed, and a figure galloped out, heading straight for the imperial city.

—A storm is coming.

……

At this time, Han Ye was unaware that trouble was brewing again on the border.

As soon as he stepped out of the military camp, Li Yingge quietly followed him.

His steps were light and slow, yet he never strayed more than half a step.

Like a shadow following her husband, like a wife following her husband, her gentleness conceals an unyielding stubbornness.

She didn't speak, but walked quietly beside him, as if she wouldn't be afraid even if the sky fell down, as long as he was there.

Han Ye was at his wit's end and had no choice but to turn around and go back to his residence.

"Young Master! Young Master! Come and see! The auspicious rice you planted has sprouted! So many grains of rice, sparkling like pearls!" As soon as he stepped into the mansion, Xiao Tuan's voice exploded like a firecracker, jumping and waving at him.

Han Ye paused, his eyes suddenly lighting up: "Really?!"

Before he finished speaking, he had already shot off towards his own courtyard like an arrow, not even bothering to turn around and listen to Li Yingge's calls from behind.

In the courtyard—

A verdant expanse spreads out like ocean waves, swaying gently in the breeze.

The rice stalks, half a person's height, stand tall in the field, their ears drooping low. Each stalk is covered with densely packed, plump, and translucent grains of rice, gleaming with a jade-like luster. They shine brightly in the setting sun, like treasures offered up by the earth.

"It's done...it really is done!" Han Ye stood there stunned, his throat slightly choked, and a thin layer of red appeared in his eyes.

This is genetically modified rice, the first seed he planted since his transmigration!

Li Yingge followed closely behind, gazing at the lush green "strange flowers," and frowned: "These...are newly planted flowers? Why are there clusters of small granules?"

She looked bewildered, her eyes filled with question marks.

Han Ye almost burst out laughing, but managed to hold it in: "This isn't a flower, it's grain."

His tone turned serious, each word like a nail: "It's called rice, and it will become the staple food in the bowls of the people of the Tang Dynasty in the future."

He paused, his voice even softer yet carrying immense weight: "With it, we can feed half the people in the world."

Li Yingge's pupils suddenly contracted, her beautiful eyes widened as if she had heard a joke, yet she could also read seriousness in Han Ye's eyes.

She opened her mouth, but no words came out.

Han Ye said no more, turned to stare at Xiao Tuan, his expression solemn: "Listen, these 'auspicious omens' are your most important task right now. You must take care of them every step of the way. The water supply must not be cut off, insects must not breed, and there must be plenty of sunlight—"

"And one more thing!" He held up a finger, his face cold as he warned, "No stealing a single bite!"

Xiao Tuan stood with her hands on her hips, puffing out her cheeks: "I don't even know how to cook, what am I supposed to eat! Do you think I'm stupid?!"

Han Ye finally couldn't help himself, and a smile crept across his face.

Just then—

"Drip..."

"Drip..."

"Drip..."

Three short, low whistles came silently from outside the wall, like snakes slithering through the grass, leaving no trace.

Only Han Ye's expression changed instantly.

That was a secret signal set up by Gongsun Zan and his men, which would only be activated in an emergency.

His eyes flashed, and he quietly retreated, gliding silently out of the courtyard and disappearing into the twilight, as if he had never existed.

-

Meanwhile, at the military camp in the west of the city.

The Divine Might Army is in formation, their swords and halberds flashing, their steps thunderous.

Yellow sand swirled, battle flags fluttered, and figures shifted positions at the command, forming mysterious formations.

On the platform, Li Jing stood beside Li Shimin, his breathing slightly labored.

He was deeply shaken when he witnessed the formation taking shape. He immediately turned around and rushed to the palace to invite the emperor over.

At this moment, Li Shimin stood on the high platform, his gaze fixed on the battle formation below, his fists clenched so tightly that his knuckles turned white, and his eyes seemed to burn with fierce flames.

"Good! Good! Good!"

The three sounds of "好" (good) are each heavier than a mountain.

"This is a killing formation! A true killing formation!"

His voice trembled, carrying memories of blood and fire: "There is only a gate to death, no way out! Once you enter the formation, it's a dead end!"

The image of that battle on the banks of the Wei River flashed through his mind—the Tang cavalry suffered three thousand casualties, corpses littered the fields, and cries of anguish shook the heavens.

If we had this formation back then... we wouldn't have suffered such a devastating defeat!

"rush ahead!"

"Close the gate of life!"

"Open the Gate of Death!"

With a command, the formation suddenly tightened, encircling from all sides, and the killing intent soared to the sky!

Li Shimin shuddered, his back went numb, as if a thousand blades were pressed against his throat.

He gasped, muttering, "Such a demonic formation... was actually created by Han Ye?"

Shocked, his imperial ambitions were ignited.

He turned abruptly: "Li Jing! Where is Han Ye? Summon him to me immediately!"

Li Jing's face stiffened, his lips twitched, and he forced himself to say, "Your Majesty... Your Majesty, Han Ye... he's gone."

The air fell silent for a moment.

"Gone?" Li Shimin frowned, incredulous. "I haven't even seen him, and he's already gone?"

He wasn't the only one stunned.

Li Junxian, standing not far away, also nearly lost his spear.