The Long Ballad Episode 20 Recap
> The Long Ballad Recap
Hao Dou arrived at the western weaving workshop in search of Leyan and revealed her identity as a princess. Upon learning she had already left with the southbound caravan, he hurried after her. Around the same time, Li Changge also arrived in Yunzhou and learned from Madam Chai that Leyan had gone south to Luoyang with enough money for the journey. She also saw Hao Dou searching for Leyan and, relieved, decided to return to the grasslands for now.
When Li Changge returned, she found the tent camp deserted. On Asher Sun’s desk, she saw a map of Jingzhou and learned that the prefecture had fallen and Luo Yi’s Heavenly Omen Army had been defeated. If Zezhou were to fall next, the northern frontier would be exposed, and Asher’s Tribe would flood in with a massive army, marching straight to Chang’an and into the heart of Tang territory.
Elsewhere, Li Shimin also received the front-line news and decided to station his forces at Jingyang. Though the Tang army was well prepared, he was reluctant to fight. The empire could not afford the loss, and the people even less so. Li Changge followed Asher Sun’s trail. He discovered she was tracking the Eagle Division’s route to report it to Tang. Li Changge did not deny it—though she was powerless against the entire army, she couldn’t stand idly by.
She asked why Asher Sun would lead the Eagle Division into this muddy conflict. He frankly admitted that the Great Khan had mobilized not just the Eagle Division, but another 100,000 troops. This was a battle the Great Khan was determined to win. He then ordered his men to escort Li Changge back to the Eagle Division, urging her not to cause more trouble.
Li Changge warned him: if he truly acted against Tang, she would never forgive him, and she did not want to one day stand on the battlefield against him. Su Yishe escorted Li Changge back, but she tricked him and escaped, determined to see Jingzhou with her own eyes. The Great Khan had sent Shixin Sili as an envoy to negotiate with Tang, but Li Shimin knew he was only probing for weakness and had him detained.
Such an act—arresting an envoy—was unprecedented, and it enraged Asher Sheer. He wanted to take Jingzhou by force, but Asher Sun suspected something was amiss with the Tang army and advised caution. The Great Khan heeded Asher Sun’s counsel and ordered the army to camp instead of making a move. That night, the Great Khan sent the Eagle Division to support the Wolf Army in a surprise night raid on the Tang camp.
Asher Sun, thinking of Li Changge, was suddenly interrupted by Su Yishe, who brought news of her. Asher Sun grew worried—unaware that Li Changge had already infiltrated the Tang camp. There, she ran straight into Li Shimin. Relieved to see her safe, Li Shimin brought her into his tent. When Li Changge brought up the loss of Shuozhou, she angrily rebuked Li Shimin for abandoning its people.
Li Shimin explained that Tang’s forces were stretched thin—he could only bide his time. Li Changge was skeptical, so he showed her the military defenses of Chang’an, revealing the wide power gap between the two sides. His “strategy” was merely a bluff. Li Shimin’s decision to personally station himself at Weishui was to boost morale. Li Changge was surprised by his courage. At that moment, Wei Shuyu arrived with news of the night raid.
Li Shimin ordered him to escort Li Changge to safety. As for himself, he had to reveal his identity and face Asher’s Tribe directly. The Tang army was no match for them, and even Fang Xuanling and Du Ruhui advised against him going into battle. But Li Shimin, for the sake of the nation and the people, insisted—only by leading personally could he steady the troops and reduce casualties.
Watching this ruler so devoted to his people, Li Changge felt a mix of emotions. Wei Shuyu wanted to take Li Changge back to Chang’an, but she believed that ever since the Crown Prince’s Mansion was purged, there was no going back for her. She left Wei Shuyu behind, determined to follow her own path. The Tang and Asher’s armies confronted each other on opposite sides of the Weishui River.
Facing the powerful force from the grasslands, Li Shimin showed no fear. He stepped forward to rally his troops, hoping Asher’s Tribe would reconsider. The Tang never sought war, but they did not fear it either. If the Great Khan insisted on battle, the Tang army would fight to the end.
