I Can Control My Ancestors

Chapter 423 - 15: The Irresistible Tide, Unification of the Realm (Double-Length, Please Vote)

The current situation made him no different from Yang Guang, who had completely lost his fighting spirit back then.

There was only a catalyst needed for the so-called mutiny to unfold.

Li Shimin naturally would not let this opportunity slip by. Under the advice of commanders like Gu Quan, Li Shimin stationed his troops by the riverbank without revealing any intention to cross the river.

He then had the relatives of the Xiao Guo Army brought there.

Simultaneously, he discreetly arranged for barrels to be placed in the Yangtze River, spreading prophecies like "The Celestial Mandate to the Li family, the arrival of a prosperous era" and many others.

—This was an absolute lethal move.

At many times, some seemingly gentle methods are far more effective than direct attacks.

In truth, Yuwen Huaji had indeed learned from Yang Guang’s lessons.

He had employed every possible means to appease the remnants of the Xiao Guo Army.

Not only had he improved their treatment.

He had also been publicly proclaiming his determination to lead them back to the Central Plains. Besides, he forcibly rooted them to the area by granting them widows and unmarried women in Jiangdu under the guise of rewards.

Yet these methods ultimately could not stop the prophecies.

Nor could they halt the soldiers’ longing for a prosperous era and their homesick yearning for family.

As the relatives of the Xiao Guo Army’s remnants gradually appeared by the riverbank, the situation within Jiangdu spiraled out of control.

Following this, Li Shimin further spread the message "The elders of Guanzhong await the return of their sons."

This was not a prophecy but a true reality.

After all, who wouldn’t miss their family?

Folk songs from various regions echoed continuously by the Yangtze River, the melodies stirred the Xiao Guo Army’s homesickness as if by magic.

In the end—

Li Shimin even arranged for the families to convey their heartfelt messages, then had them cast into the Yangtze River.

These contained detailed addresses and names.

This naturally could not reach everyone.

But that was not important.

If just one person received it, the impact would ripple through countless hearts.

Faced with Li Shimin’s maneuvers, Yuwen Huaji was truly dumbfounded.

By comparison, he would rather Li Shimin attack directly, as he had already prepared various defenses for a siege long before.

This soft approach was something he could not control at all!

He dared not restrict the soldiers’ actions.

If he did, it would certainly incite a mutiny, and by then, he, as the so-called Emperor, would surely die at the hands of his own people.

But what could he do?

Yuwen Huaji had considered surrendering.

For him, having been Emperor once was enough, but the Great Tang would not give him this opportunity. The guilt of regicide had already been borne by him alone.

He could only continue to fight.

To steady the morale, he could only distribute more rewards and enforce strict supervision.

But what difference did it make?

He could restrain the soldiers’ actions, but he couldn’t restrain their hearts.

Under the deep night sky.

Within the city of Jiangdu.

Captain Liu Kui received orders to scout the enemy camp, but no matter how he gathered his men, the usual fifty-man contingent was always short a few.

"Could it be more deserters?"

Liu Kui furrowed his brow immediately, a sense of unease rising in his heart.

Yuwen Huaji had mandated.

If there were deserters within the ranks, they would be punished level by level.

Thinking of this, Liu Kui did not dare to hesitate any further and hurriedly headed towards the tents of the missing men.

The atmosphere in the military camp was not good.

Liu Kui had completely adapted to this atmosphere, striding forward. As he opened the tent, he saw several figures sitting inside.

"What are you all doing?"

He immediately frowned, yet his heart calmed down at once.

As long as there were no deserters.

He wouldn’t be punished.

Yuwen Huaji had provided good treatment to the most basic officers in the army.

Take Liu Kui for example.

Even as a minor captain with only fifty men under him.

In Jiangdu, he already had three wives and was living a good life, something he never dared to dream of before.

This indeed greatly alleviated the homesickness felt by these military officers.

Similarly, this was the most crucial reason Yuwen Huaji could maintain his army.

The Xiao Guo Army had deep ties between superiors and subordinates.

Apart from being fellow villagers, years of battle had also forged strong bonds, managing them effectively avoided many troubles.

This was Yuwen Huaji’s smart move.

Liu Kui spoke as he approached the group, intending to give a few words of oral education as usual.

But at that moment.

The group turned to look at him.

In the firelight, their eyes were red, tears flowed incessantly.

They simply stared at Liu Kui.

The youngest man among them spoke, "Brother, I miss home."

In that instant, Liu Kui was stunned.

"My father died in the chaos, now only my mother and sister remain. If I don’t go back, they... they won’t survive either."

Tears flowed relentlessly as the young man’s hands trembled unceasingly.

This was a fellow villager of Liu Kui.

The two had known each other since childhood, hence he called him brother.

Liu Kui remembered his parents and sister, their faces and his hometown relatives flashed through his mind.

"Captain... Why are we still fighting? Didn’t we promise to go home? Isn’t it time to go home?"