Deposed? I couldn't be happier! I wouldn't even be a dog to the crown prince.

The northern border, outside Yanmen Pass.

The endless yurts stretched as far as the eye could see, like poisonous mushrooms growing on the grassland.

Three hundred thousand troops gathered here, and the billowing smoke almost turned the sky black.

Inside the central command tent, the atmosphere was somewhat strange.

Khagan Jieli sat on a throne covered with tiger skin, holding a golden bowl filled with mare's milk wine in his hand. His eyes were somewhat unfocused, glancing out of the tent from time to time, as if something terrible was lurking in the darkness.

"Report—"

A scout rushed into the main tent, knelt on one knee, and reported to the Great Khan: General Zhishisili has led 50,000 vanguard troops to the gates of Youzhou! They await only the Great Khan's order to breach the city!

Upon hearing this, the Turkic generals inside the tent let out a burst of excited howls.

"Bravo! General Zhishi Sili is truly awe-inspiring!"

"Youzhou is nothing but a piece of land; it can be conquered with a flick of the finger!"

"Once we've captured Youzhou, we'll march south all the way to Chang'an! We'll capture Li Shimin alive and plunder all their women and treasures!"

However, Jieli, sitting in the main seat, showed no joy on his face.

He put down his wine bowl, rubbed his throbbing temples, and asked in a hoarse voice:

"Have you ascertained... the movements of that white horse... white horse army?"

"The White Horse Army?"

The scout paused for a moment, then quickly replied, "Your Majesty, we found nothing. It is said that the army disappeared after the Battle of Wei River, and has never been seen in Chang'an. It seems... it seems to be some kind of illusion by Li Shimin, or perhaps a wandering sorcerer he hired, who disappeared after his usefulness was over."

Hearing this, Jieli's tense nerves relaxed a little.

Ever since he was terrified by those three thousand cavalrymen on the banks of the Wei River, the words "Great Snow Dragon Cavalry" have become a nightmare that he can't shake off.

Every night when he closes his eyes, he can see that overwhelming white wave, and the young white-robed general who can turn a person into a bloody mist with a single shot.

"Sorcery...that must be Han Chinese sorcery!"

Jieli suddenly stood up, as if trying to convince himself, or perhaps to encourage his generals.

"The Han people are the most cunning! Last time at the Wei River, it was their sorcery that bewitched our warhorses, causing us to suffer a loss!"

He pointed to the massive, dark army outside the tent, his voice suddenly rising in pitch, filled with frenzied inflammatory rhetoric.

"But can sorcery be used a second time, even if it can only be used once?"

"This time, we have an army of 300,000! We have the warriors of the Western Turks! We have our brothers of the Tiele!"

"Three hundred thousand people! If each of them spat on the ground, they could flood Chang'an!"

"The last failure was an accident! It was a disgrace!"

A bloodthirsty glint flashed in Jieli's eyes. "And the best way to wash away this shame is with the blood of our enemies!"

"Pass down the order!"

He drew the golden knife from his waist and pointed it south.

"All three armies march forth! Launch a fierce attack on Yanmen Pass!"

"I want Li Shimin to know that the wolves of the grasslands have returned!"

"This time, I want not only his money and his land, but also his life!"

At this point, a look of extreme resentment appeared on Jieli's fleshy face.

He remembered the eight-year-old kid who had made a fool of him like a monkey on the banks of the Wei River.

That troublemaker who almost got killed by citing "disturbing the peace".

"And that little bastard named Li Chengqian!"

Jieli gritted his teeth, the sound squeezed out from between his teeth like a demon's curse.

"Tell Zhishi Sili that after we conquer Youzhou, there's no need to rush south."

"Go and arrest them outside Chang'an City first!"

"Dig up that little beast's grave... no, capture him alive!"

"I will personally skin him alive and pull out his tendons!"

"Use his tiny skull to make my chamber pot!"

"Day and night, let him repent beneath my crotch!"

"Awooo—!!!"

Inside the golden tent, a pack of wolves howled.

The flames of revenge burned fiercely in the eyes of every Turkic general.

They seemed to have already seen the fall of Chang'an and the scene of Han women crying and wailing beneath them.

However, they did not know.

While they were indulging in their pipe dreams.

On the city tower of Youzhou.

A figure clad in dark red armor was quietly wiping the long spear in his hand.

The blade was as white as snow, reflecting in his lifeless eyes.

Bai Qi raised his head and glanced at the dark mass of 50,000 soldiers outside the city.

Feng Dajun's lips curled into a barely perceptible smile.

That wasn't excitement, nor was it cruelty.

Rather, it is a kind of...

It's similar to the joy a farmer feels when he sees his vegetable garden full of plump chives.

"Fifty thousand people..."

He murmured softly, his voice hoarse as if two stones were rubbing against each other.

"Not enough."

"Hopefully, the remaining 250,000 can withstand the killing."

……

Meanwhile, in Chang'an City, at the Zhuque Gate.

Banners obscured the sun, while armor gleamed in the sunlight.

Li Shimin, clad in golden armor, with the Emperor's sword at his waist, rode a warhorse, exuding confidence and high spirits.

Behind him were three thousand Xuanjia soldiers, also clad in heavy armor and wielding new-style swords.

"Soldiers!"

Li Shimin drew his sword, pointed it at the sky, and his voice was like rolling thunder, echoing throughout the entire city of Chang'an.

"These northern barbarians have invaded our territory and insulted our ruler and father!"

"Today, I will personally lead a large army north to quell the rebellion!"

"Those who offend the might of our Great Tang Dynasty—"

"No matter how far away they are, they will be punished!"

"Long live! Long live! Long live!"

Cheers erupted from the city gate tower and above.

Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, Li Shimin slowly turned his horse around, preparing to give the order to set off.

However, at that moment...

He subconsciously turned around and glanced at the heavily guarded Eastern Palace.

It was eerily quiet inside; there wasn't a soul in sight.

"Hmph, you unfilial son."

Li Shimin cursed inwardly, but for some reason, he felt empty inside.

"His Majesty!"

Fang Xuanling and Changsun Wuji caught up on horseback, their faces full of worry.

"The northern border is far and the war is perilous. You are of noble birth; how can you so easily risk your life?"

"Your Majesty, please reconsider! What if... what if something happens to you? What will become of the Tang Dynasty..."

"That's enough!"

Li Shimin abruptly pulled on the reins, interrupting the two prime ministers' earnest advice.

He looked at the distant, rolling green hills, a resolute determination flashing in his eyes.

"My mind is made up!"

"This battle, I must fight personally!"

"I want to show that rebellious son what to do, and I want the whole world to see!"

"Who is the true guardian of this Tang Dynasty!"

"Set off!"