Man Tang Huacai

Chapter 580 Gathering
In the Purple Palace, the soldiers who had reported various urgent intelligence withdrew, and all the officials and relatives of honor were in a panic.

"This kid." Li Longji disagreed and said, "Call the prince to see you. By the way, if you want to enter the palace, you don't have to wear armor."

Everyone was stunned by such a simple order, thinking that the prince had already killed people and rebelled, so why would he come?

"go."

Gao Lishi waved his sleeves and sent a young eunuch to announce the order.

"The Emperor is protecting the Crown Prince, so the Crown Prince will naturally listen. Why don't you go quickly?"

"Here."

Li Longji seemed calmer and more composed. He sat there waiting and suddenly asked, "Is there no music?"

The others looked at each other in bewilderment. Only Gao Lishi hesitated slightly and asked, "The Supreme Emperor is referring to... mourning music?"

After all, Li Cong has just passed away, so it is not appropriate to celebrate and dance now.

Li Longji was silent for a while, nodded without comment, and groaned, "Well, mourning music."

"Let the musicians from the Taichang Temple guarding the Hanliang Palace continue to play the funeral music." Gao Lishi then turned around and instructed the young eunuch.

Then, Li Longji said to him, "From now on, you should still call me 'Sanlang'."

"Yes, Saburo."

Gao Lishi called out, as if he was calling Li Longji younger.

Li Longji finally regained power, but he did not hear any music, which made him feel bored. Fortunately, he soon thought of a way to enjoy himself, and ordered people to bring wine and his 羯鼓. He drank half a pot of wine, and played the drum casually, looking contented.

Soon, Du Youlin arrived.

"Du Youlin pays his respects to the Emperor, asking for His Majesty's condolences."

"Give me some wine." Li Longji said, "Why don't you hide? Aren't you afraid of death?"

"I am the prime minister. How can I hide away when the emperor dies?"

"You look a bit like a prime minister." Li Longji seemed to look at Du Youlin differently and said, "Remember, as a prime minister, you should be loyal to the country, not to anyone else."

Du Youlin said: "I will follow your instructions."

"Li Qian will be here soon, wait for him, we can have a few drinks together and chat about old times."

Then a eunuch brought a small table and wine utensils and placed them in front of Du Youlin. When Du Youlin saw the clear wine, he was worried that it was poison to kill him, so he did not dare to drink it.

Li Longji looked down on him and asked, "You want to resist my order?"

"The sage has passed away, and I dare not drink and have fun."

"In the fifth year of Tianbao, you almost lost your life. Do you know why?"

"I shouldn't curry favor with the powerful." Du Youlin responded with great difficulty, and his answers became shorter and shorter.

Li Longji said: "The truth is, Li Heng found out that you took in Li Qian, and he wanted to marry Zhang, so he deliberately let Liu Ji sue you. The so-called 'conspiracy with the East Palace' originally referred to Li Ying, and it was Li Linfu who changed his confession."

Du Youlin was stunned and completely confused, not understanding why this was suddenly brought up.

"That's why I pardoned you." Li Longji said, "I have known everything all along. Nothing can be hidden from my eyes and ears."

"The Supreme Emperor is wise." Du Youlin couldn't tell for a moment, but he just responded with flattery.

He had no idea of ​​Li Longji's thoughts, and didn't know whether they were true or false, so he couldn't help but feel awe in his heart.

"Among my grandsons, Li Qian is the most like me. I have been testing him over the past few years. Now the time has come to entrust the country to him. Go and bring him here."

Hearing this, Du Youlin looked up and saw Li Longji sitting barefoot on the soft carpet, casually playing with a drumstick in one hand. He looked very relaxed and at ease, and did not look like he was facing a serious enemy at all.

It seems that this palace coup will be resolved by peaceful means?

~~
Led by several eunuchs, Du Youlin passed through the Daming Palace. In fact, he had not walked for long before he saw the defeated guards in front of him retreating to Guangshun Gate, while Xue Bai was leading his troops approaching step by step.

The imperial guards who were in charge of guarding Li Longji did not dare to engage in battle and kept shouting.

"Your Highness is wearing armor and entering the palace. Are you planning a rebellion?"

"Your Highness, please lay down your weapons and go to see the Emperor."

Du Youlin took a look and realized that as long as Xue Bai broke through the Xuanwu Gate, no one would be able to stop him from entering the various halls.

The only difference is whether one enters the palace in the name of rebellion or in the name of suppressing a rebellion.

He then hurriedly said in a loud voice: "Du Youlin, on the orders of the Supreme Emperor, summoned the Crown Prince to an audience."

As he shouted, he pushed through the crowd and rushed to the front of Guangshun Gate, saying, "Why don't you open the palace gate quickly?"

The soldiers around hesitated and did not dare to open the door rashly.

Du Youlin asked loudly, "Can you hold on? Are you going to fight in the palace?"

Finally, the Guangshun Gate was slowly opened. Du Youlin stood there and saw neatly arranged arrows pointing at him.

"I want to see His Highness."

After all, it was their own people who were bolder. The eunuch who was sent by Li Longji to convey the imperial edict had disappeared, but Du Youlin still dared to stride forward and ask to see Xue Bai.

Xue Bai's armor was covered in blood. He was not surprised to see him and asked, "Is Li Heng in the palace?"

"He's not here." Du Youlin reminded quietly, "Since the emperor supports your highness, killing him further will only give people something to blame. Why don't you pay tribute to the saint first and settle the accounts after you ascend the throne?"

"Li Longji is still here?"

"Yes, in the Purple Palace."

"Why hasn't he fled yet?" Xue Bai pondered for a while, then nodded and said, "Then let's go to the Purple Palace first."

He did not take off his armor, but he did not lead any soldiers either. He just walked through Guangshun Gate like that.

When the guards at the door saw Xue Bai coming forward, they all pointed their swords and arrows at him, which immediately caused Fan Lao and his soldiers to shout in anger and raise their bows and arrows again.

There was a rustling sound caused by the friction between armor.

Xue Bai raised his hand without saying a word, walked through the rows of guards and headed towards the Zichen Hall. Du Youlin hurriedly followed.

Behind them, the guards did not dare to follow, nor did they dare to take action. They continued to guard the Guangshun Gate and confront each other.

After walking for a while, Xue Bai said, "I guess it was like this back then."

"what?"

"The three commoners entered the palace in armor, but in the end they obeyed the imperial edict and laid down their weapons." Xue Bai said, "What do you think would have happened if they had continued to charge in?"

Du Youlin felt a shadow in his heart after hearing this, and said, "If this is the case, I am afraid that it is this mediocre person like me who has harmed His Highness."

"No." Xue Bai smiled and said, "I was just kidding."

Walking forward, the Daming Palace seemed exceptionally empty. The Purple Palace stood alone under the moonlight. Two rows of guards were lined up on the white stone steps, with about a hundred people. They were the last defense force around and were loyal to Li Longji.

Xue Bai walked among them and entered the Zichen Hall.

The first thing you hear is the sound of drums, which comes with a melody that easily makes you want to sing along: "The river flows east, the waves wash away all the heroes of the ages."

Li Longji was playing the newly composed tune of "Nian Nu Jiao" on the drum.

When he saw Xue Bai, he did not stop immediately, but immersed himself in the drum music until the song was completely finished.

After savoring the drumbeat for a moment, he asked without even looking up.

"How can the prince enter the palace wearing armor?"

"Li Heng murdered the emperor and rebelled, and I led my troops to suppress the rebellion." Xue Bai said.

Li Longji waved his hand, and Gao Lishi took a box and placed it in front of Xue Bai.

"This is the evidence that Li Heng contacted Li Yan and Li Qu to poison the elixir. It contains the confession of the Taoist alchemist, the palace maids, and a highly poisonous elixir."

Li Longji said: "I wanted to spend my old age in peace, but now that I know that Li Heng is plotting to usurp the throne, I have no choice but to step in and defend your position. Fortunately, you came back early. If you were later, I am afraid that my lingering body would not be able to endure."

There was a sigh in his tone, but it was also kind and approachable, like a grandfather who doted on his grandson.

Xue Bai said: "I just killed Li Lu, Li Zhen, and Yang Hui."

"They deserve to be killed." Li Longji said, "These evil creatures, for their own selfish interests, disregarded the royal family and the country, and supported Li Heng's rebellion. You killed them well."

Xue Bai said: "I'm afraid I killed the wrong person."

Li Longji shook his head and said, "Back then, it was Li Lu who colluded with Li Heng and falsely accused your grandfather of asking him for two thousand armors. As a result, I was confused for a moment and made a big mistake. Li Zhen and Yang Hui were also accomplices. These people were the root cause of the Tang Dynasty's troubles more than 20 years ago. It's a pity that I was soft-hearted and failed to get rid of them sooner."

"But Li Lu said that he was instructed by you to test Zhang Jiuling."

"Why should I test anyone?" Li Longji waved his hand calmly. "It's useless to talk about these things. The most urgent matter is Li Heng's rebellion. This is my imperial decree. You are to lead the Chang'an guards to suppress the rebellion... and take those attendants outside the palace with you. Compared with my safety, the foundation of the country is more important."

Gao Lishi picked up another box from the imperial desk and placed it in front of Xue Bai.

When he opened it, there were imperial edicts and military tokens inside.

Xue Bai took a look and included Li Tan, the commander-in-chief of the palace guards. Li Longji also ordered him to obey his orders.

"Let Your Highness know." Gao Lishi said, "Chang'an City is now under the control of Prince Zhong, and Prince Yu is leading his troops to kill you, Your Highness."

As soon as he finished speaking, new news came.

Li Heng and Li Chu have led their troops to the Danfeng Gate, claiming that Xue Bai is in rebellion and that they must come to protect the emperor. They are forcing the guards at the Danfeng Gate to open the palace gate.

Before one message was finished, another one came in, saying that Li Tan was worried that he could not win and asked the emperor to take shelter temporarily.

The situation was urgent, so Gao Lishi said: "Your Highness, the Tang Dynasty depends on you."

Xue Bai was not in a hurry at all. He calmly looked at the order that asked Li Tan to accept his transfer and said, "My trusted troops were tied up in Qinlong by Tubo. I had no choice but to fight against Li Heng and his son together with Li Tan. If Li Tan suddenly changed sides at this time, he could get rid of me, right?"

~~
Danfeng Gate.

Looking from the gate tower, the faint light divides Chang'anfang neatly.

"In terms of strength, Li Qian is much stronger than Li Chu. Therefore, what you need to do is to kill Li Qian while they are fighting." Zhang Ting was standing beside Li Tan and whispered.

Li Tan asked, "Why do you call him Li Qian?"

"It's confirmed, but it doesn't matter anymore." Zhang Ting said, "Just kill him, who cares about his name?"

"He may not trust me." Li Tan said.

"Li Heng has another trick up his sleeve. I haven't figured it out yet, but it should be able to threaten Li Qian." Zhang Ting said, "He has no one else to work with, so he can only use you."

"Got it. I'll play it by ear."

Zhang Ting continued: "After getting rid of Li Qian, do you know what to do?"

Li Tan said: "Of course we should support Prince Zhong."

Zhang Ting shook his head, hooked his finger, asked him to lean closer to his ear, and whispered: "Kill Li Chu first, then get rid of Li Heng."

Li Tan was stunned for a moment, but when he saw Zhang Ting's burning gaze, he reacted and nodded.

Their goal was to let Li Qi ascend the throne, and they had to get rid of Li Chu at all costs. Helping Li Longji was the best way.

After a while, outside the Danyang Gate, Li Chu's troops became more and more clamorous.

But Xue Bai hasn't come yet.

Li Tan couldn't help but wonder, "Could there be an accident? What if Li Qian..."

Not long after, the person sent to deliver the message came back. Li Tan made some inquiries and learned that the retired emperor had surrounded Xue Bai with more than a hundred people. Only then did he feel relieved.

"How about just killing Li Qian?"

“I’m just afraid his people will get out of control.”

"He said that Li Heng killed him." "Okay." Zhang Ting said, "Arrange a team for me, I will go to the Purple Palace."

"You are a woman, and Li Heng's wife, what can you do?"

"I'll let you arrange it."

Li Tan had no choice but to call over his deputy general, whispered a few words to him, and asked him to accompany Zhang Ting to the Zichen Palace.

Soon after Zhang Ting left, a guard said to Li Tan, "General, the envoy from Prince Zhong has arrived. Should we lower the hanging basket down?"

"Again?"

On the surface, Li Tan and Li Heng were brothers-in-law, and now was the time for close cooperation. Li Heng didn't know that he had completely turned to Li Longji, so he must have sent someone to persuade him to open the palace gate.

He walked to the parapet of the palace wall and looked out, but did not see anyone coming within an arrow's reach.

"Where is the messenger?"

"here!"

"puff."

Following the sound, the guards behind Li Tan raised their swords and chopped Li Tan to death.

"Brothers! The palace has changed. It is time for us to accomplish our unparalleled feat. Follow me to open the city gates and welcome Prince Zhong and Prince Yu into the palace. We will gain tremendous wealth and honor, and everyone will be made a marquis!"

~~
There is a Taiye Lake in the Daming Palace, and there is an island in the lake, named "Penglai Mountain", which expresses Li Longji's wish for immortality. The water of Taiye Lake is connected to the Cao Canal. Since Wei Jian dug the Cao Canal, the treasures of the world can be directly transported to Taiye Lake and sent to the Zuozangku.

During those years, Li Longji did not have to leave the palace. He could just sit in the Wangchun Tower and see the tributes from all over the country.

Tonight, the palace changed, and the water gates had been tightly closed. However, in the darkness, someone climbed onto the boat moored at Mount Penglai.

Then the oars rocked and the boat glided across the sparkling water.

The big man sitting on the boat was humming a song leisurely, as if he had returned to the grand occasion of offering treasures during the Kaiyuan and Tianbao years.

"The treasure is found in Hongnong, the treasure is found in Hongnong. The boats and cars are noisy in the pond, and there are many bronze wares in Yangzhou. Sanlang is sitting in the hall, watching and singing the song of finding the treasure..."

Gradually, the rippling waves also reflected the shimmering light of armor by the Taiye Lake.

After more than a hundred warriors were equipped, someone came over carrying a eunuch as if he was carrying a chicken.

"Tell me, where are the Emperor and the Crown Prince?"

"They are all in the Purple Palace."

The eunuch had just finished speaking when his throat was cut and he was thrown into the Taiye Lake with a plop.

A large man in armor raised his hand, pointed in all directions, and laughed crazily.

"What do you think is going on? The imperial guards are all guarding the four walls of the palace. It's such a big palace, but we can run rampant without any hindrance. Hahaha."

"go!"

The group then quickly rushed to the Zichen Palace.

~~
Zichen Palace.

"At my age, I only care about the stability of the country. You are the most outstanding one among my descendants, how could I get rid of you?"

Li Longji sighed and said sadly, "My fault is that I was deceived and killed your grandfather by mistake, which made you no longer willing to believe in me."

Xue Bai said: "You secretly made an alliance with Dazalugong, using Tubo to contain my troops; then you won over Zhang Ting and asked her to bribe Tian Shengong to get rid of me; unexpectedly, I didn't die in Tian Shengong's army, so you let Li Chu and I kill each other; unfortunately, you miscalculated again, and I entered the palace from the forbidden garden, so you had to pretend to appease me and let me kill Li Chu, didn't you?"

Li Longji said: "If I wanted to kill you, I could have ordered you to be killed when you came here alone."

"I still have a high prestige in the imperial army. You are not sure that you can kill me with just one order. You think you can get rid of me by playing with people's hearts." Xue Bai said: "It's a pity that you misjudged An Lushan back then, and now you have misjudged me too."

Li Longji shook his head and sighed, then said dejectedly: "Since you don't believe me, forget it, forget it."

He said no more, hung up the 羯鼓 again, walked barefoot on the carpet, paced and beat the drum, enjoying himself.

"Boom boom boom, boom boom boom..."

Drum music sounded, accompanied by the sound of footsteps and the clanging of armor, and a team of guards filed out from the back of the hall and lined up in front of Li Longji.

Li Longji seemed not to notice and was still immersed in his 羯鼓.

In front of him, the armored guards surrounded Xue Bai step by step without saying a word.

Du Youlin was horrified and said, "Grand Emperor, how could you do this?!"

The only response he got was the sound of drums.

Xue Bai took a few steps back calmly and glanced at the moonlight outside the palace. There were already two rows of guards outside the palace, and they were now surrounding him.

Du Youlin was extremely sad when he saw this, and said, "Your Highness, I have made a mistake for you! I have always been a mediocre and stupid person, and I actually let Your Highness follow in the footsteps of Emperor Fengtian. It's unfair!"

History always repeats itself.

Xue Bai, standing in armor, seems to have merged into one image with Li Ying, who entered the palace in armor that year. Only Li Longji is still as heartless and ruthless as before.

"Crown Prince Li Qian has violated human ethics and committed heinous crimes. He even wore armor and entered the palace to commit crimes. Capture him!"

Gao Lishi shouted loudly.

The guards in front and behind Xue Bai drew their swords and strode towards him.

While beating the drum, Li Longji opened his mouth and scolded: "Evil beast, do you know that you are really my grandson?! That's right, you deserve to die!"

His voice was like thunder, declaring his immense anger and also declaring Xue Bai's sin.

"kill!"

The drums beat vigorously and the air was filled with murderous intent.

Several guards had rushed to Xue Bai, showing their ferocious faces.

Behind Xue Bai, there were also guards raising their swords.

Swing the sword on both sides at the same time.

A cold light flashed.

"Ding!"

The blades collided, but it was the guards behind Xue Bai who swung their swords to block the blade coming from the front of him.

Then, the knife turned and swung.

"puff."

Blood splattered all over the Purple Palace, and the first people to fall to the ground were the personal guards arranged by Li Longji behind the palace.

At the same time, more than ten people quickly protected Xue Bai and Du Youlin.

"Boom, boom."

The drum beat twice more vigorously before it stopped.

Li Longji looked at him in astonishment and murmured, "Your people?"

"The emperor is being held hostage by the rebels!" Xue Bai shouted, "Save the emperor!"

"Here!"

Following this loud shout, the leading general who was protecting Xue Bai raised his head, and it was Lao Liang.

He was originally stationed in Huazhou and rushed to the capital in a hurry. He did not have time to bring too many troops with him, so Xue Bai arranged him in an inconspicuous position in the imperial guards. As soon as Li Cong died, he was the first to defect.

But being able to stay by Li Longji's side is by no means easy to do.

"how is this possible?"

Li Longji was also extremely surprised. He couldn't figure out why he had used Xue Bai's people, but now was not the time to think about these things.

"Stop them!" he shouted and turned and ran.

"Save the Emperor."

Xue Bai said, picked up a knife, and chopped down a guard who dared to stop him. As soon as he made a move, the guards' mentality collapsed.

At this moment, shouts came from behind again.

"Li Qian has rebelled! Kill him!"

"Kill him quickly!"

Mixed in with the shouts were the mad screams of a woman. A group of men and horses rushed towards the Purple Palace, climbing the stone steps clumsily in their armor.

Xue Bai was not worried at all that Li Longji would escape. He quickly defeated the enemy soldiers in the Zichen Hall and stood at the top of the stone steps with Lao Liang and others, looking down at those people.

Amidst the sound of clattering, they took out bows and crossbows.

"kill!"

"Swish, swish, swish..."

Arrows poured down, and some people fell down the stone steps with screams.

"No retreat!"

Another woman's scream was heard.

Zhang Ting stood at the bottom of the stone steps, raised his head and looked up at Xue Bai.

He only brought a small number of troops to guard the Zichen Palace. This was the best chance to kill him, and she must do it.

Although she is a woman, she also has a heart that is eager to make progress.

It’s time for the Tang Dynasty to produce another Wu Zetian.

"Go and tell Li Tan to bring more troops over!" Zhang Ting pulled a soldier over and gave an order. He reacted faster than some generals.

She also observed for a while and realized that although Xue Bai's soldiers were few in number, they were powerful, well-equipped, and occupied a high position. Her own people had just arrived and were exhausted. They had to climb up the stairs to fight again, which was a great disadvantage.

She then pulled the deputy general over and said, "Send people to block both sides and don't let him escape. Li Tan will be here soon."

"Ma'am, you can command..."

"listen to me!"

Without waiting for the deputy general to finish his words, Zhang Ting screamed at the top of her lungs, using her aura to suppress the other party.

The scream seemed to pierce the sky, and before the echo faded away, more soldiers arrived.

This time, it was not just a few people who came, but more than a thousand people led by Li Chu.

Li Chu was a brave and courageous man, and he had previously enjoyed considerable reputation in the imperial guards. In addition, he had been planning secretly all along, so in just a few years, he had reorganized a very powerful army, which was now the second strongest force in the palace.

As for the strongest, they were the troops left by Xue Bai at Guangshun Gate.

"kill!"

"Xue Ni entered the palace in armor, intending to kill the emperor and save him!"

"He who follows Prince Yu to suppress the rebellion and kills the traitor Xue will be crowned king!"

When the loud shouting reached Zhang Ting's ears, she was stunned for a moment. She thought it was Li Tan who came, but how come it became Li Chu?

But she quickly calmed down and thought that the situation had actually returned to what Li Longji had planned, with Li Chu and Xue Bai killing each other.

What she should do is to protect herself and wait and see what happens when she gets to Li Heng's side.

Zhang Ting then hurriedly fled to the bathing hall in the east. Looking back, he saw another group of people rushing over from afar. It must be Li Heng who had also arrived...

(End of this chapter)