The officer traveling to Youzhou quickly returned.

Li Shimin did not waste any time. After reading the letter, he led his troops towards Yingzhou City.

Worried that An Lushan might use the entire city’s residents as hostages, Li Shimin sent all the remaining officers of the Inspectorate to Yingzhou ahead of time. They were to join forces with those already lying in ambush inside the city to prevent An Lushan from committing any heinous acts.

At this point, An Lushan was on the brink of complete madness, although he hadn't yet considered using the residents as pawns.

But when he learned that the army was at the city gates and that the emperor had come with the troops, he had a delusion, thinking that with his abilities, as long as he was cautious enough, he might really be able to bring down the emperor.

By then, wouldn't it be as easy as pocketing an item to take over the throne?

Clinging to this unrealistic fantasy,

An Lushan

armed himself and decided to take the initiative, giving no chance to the other side.

Of course, this idea couldn't please Li Shimin more.

Outside Yingzhou City, the two armies faced off.

An Lushan, driven mad by his delusions, felt an untimely fear rise up when he saw the calm and composed Li Shimin seated on his horse.

The emperor before him was entirely different from the one he remembered.

Although the emperor said nothing and did nothing, just his presence was enough to instill fear.

In battle, a person who is afraid at heart has already lost half.

Seeing An Lushan's hesitation, Li Shimin immediately spurred his horse forward. He swung his long lance, knocking down several stray arrows, and thrust it straight at An Lushan.

"Clang!"

The clash of weapons caused both their warhorses to take a few steps back simultaneously.

Li Shimin's eyes brightened.

Not bad, this journey was not in vain. An Lushan indeed had some skills.

"Clang!"

"Clang!"

"Clang!"

On the battlefield filled with the sounds of killing, the two fought fiercely.

Even though the rebel army in Yingzhou was already in disarray, even though An Lushan was retreating continuously under Li Shimin's fierce attacks,

to Li Shimin, this was a rare opportunity to have a thorough fight.

"You are not Li Longji!"

Falling off his horse, An Lushan glared at Li Shimin with bloodshot eyes.

Li Shimin looked down at him, full of disdain.

"Rebellious traitor, stop your nonsense."

With these words, Li Shimin threw aside his long lance, drew the Tang sword at his waist, and slashed at An Lushan.

Unable to defend himself, An Lushan fled wretchedly, but even so, he continued to shout, "You are definitely not Li Longji, he could never be my match. Who, who are you really!"

Indeed, he chased while An Lushan fled, with no escape in sight for An Lushan.

An Lushan's words were partly out of genuine doubt but also aimed at shaking the morale of the imperial troops.

Unfortunately, the imperial troops had already been driven into a killing frenzy, and no one could hear his ramblings.

With no way out, An Lushan, eyes bloodshot, reluctantly turned back and shouted.

"Who are you really——"

"Swish!"

The Tang sword gleamed coldly as it slashed down towards An Lushan's head.

"Thud."

The sound was dull, like a watermelon hitting the ground, echoing across the battlefield.

The headless body swayed a few times before collapsing heavily.

The head that rolled far away still had its eyes wide open, bloodshot, as if even in death, he could not believe who had killed him.

The villain and traitor who would plunge the Tang dynasty into chaos and peril in a few years

had his life ended before it truly began.

"An Lushan is dead!"

"An Lushan is dead!"

"An Lushan is dead!!!"

The imperial troops shouted loudly at the sight, and the rebel soldiers, on seeing An Lushan's severed head hoisted by soldiers, finally lost all hope.

The dead are gone, and the living clearly did not want to fight for a dead man.

Li Shimin remained seated on his horse.

He looked around; everywhere he saw were the joyous faces of his soldiers.

Indeed, the kingdom he had conquered had to be defended by himself.