Elegy of Tang Dynasty

Chapter 602: The Street of Heaven Tramples on the Bones of the Nobles Again

Inside the Purple Palace of the Daming Palace, Li Ying looked at the empty hall. Only Cheng Yuanzhen was by his side.

Instead, I felt unusually calm inside.

The eunuchs and palace maids who were responsible for serving on daily basis all disappeared.

The Daming Palace was huge, and the Control Crane Army had already rushed in with a force of several hundred men. However, because they were not familiar with the terrain, they were still searching for Li Heng's whereabouts.

The imperial guards on duty were fighting against them, but it was obvious that there was a huge gap in strength between the two sides, and the imperial guards' blocking team was rapidly decreasing.

Then some died, some fled, and one after another, the defense lines were broken.

Many eunuchs and maids in the Daming Palace also fled. The target of the Crane Control Army was Li Heng. Even if they saw the beautiful maids running away, no one went up to capture and rape them. They had no interest in this at all.

"Your Majesty, let's go. I have prepared a horse for you. It is near Chongxuan Gate.

Let’s leave Chang’an first.”

Cheng Yuanzhen was so anxious that he was sweating profusely and his voice was trembling.

However, Li Heng still sat on the dragon throne without moving, looking nonchalant.

"You can go wherever you want. You don't have to stay by my side."

Li Heng waved his hand gently and continued, "I am a sinner, and it is fair that I died at the hands of the rebels. This is called tit for tat. I have lived to this day and have no regrets. It is good to let the rebels stab me, and there is nothing wrong with it."

His tone was calm, revealing no concern for anyone or anything.

In Li Heng's view, the moment he killed his father Li Longji with his own hands, everything was over, including his life.

Every day of his life now makes Li Heng feel an indescribable guilt, which torments his heart.

"Your Majesty, please leave quickly. If you don't leave now, it will be too late!"

Cheng Yuanzhen knelt on the ground and kowtowed to Li Heng frantically until blood flowed out.

He simply didn't understand why Li Heng was so stubborn. What was the point of being so stubborn?

"Don't say any more, it's meaningless."

Li Heng closed his eyes and no longer had any interest in talking to Cheng Yuanzhen.

It is fair that the man who killed his father and his king died at the hands of the rebels in the mutiny.

At this time, Guo Ziyi rushed into the Purple Palace with a dozen imperial guards officers, panting. Because he took a shortcut and did not encounter any obstacles, he moved faster than the rebel soldiers of the Control Crane Army who did not know the way.

Guo Ziyi breathed a sigh of relief when he saw Li Heng sitting on the dragon throne safe and sound.

After much haste, I finally caught up and it was all in vain.

"Your Majesty, please follow me to Xianyang County for temporary shelter. There is a stable near Chongxuan Gate, please go there quickly!"

Guo Ziyi clasped his fists and bowed to Li Heng.

Li Heng closed his eyes and said nothing, as if he had made up his mind.

"Someone come, His Majesty is physically unable to move, carry him to Chongxuan Gate!"

Guo Ziyi made a prompt decision and gave a decisive order. A burly imperial guard officer beside him directly carried Li Heng on his back and left.

Everyone in the hall headed towards the Chongxuan Gate not far north of the Zichen Hall without any pause.

The not very large Zichen Palace immediately became empty, without a single person in sight.

Half an hour later, Zhang Shao, covered in blood, rushed into the Zichen Hall with more than a hundred rebel soldiers of the Control Crane Army. When he found that there was no one here, his face immediately turned livid.

"General Zhang, the dog emperor Li Heng has escaped! Whether we chase him or not, he should go north!"

A guard said in a low voice.

They killed their way through the Daming Palace, killing many of the imperial guards who were in the way, as well as the eunuchs and palace maids who were blocking the way.

The blood from the sword in his hand dripped onto the ground along the blade, and the black military uniform was stained with blood everywhere.

"What the hell are you chasing? Go to Taifu Temple and look for money! There's no point chasing that damn emperor!"

Zhang Shao said with a cold face.

In fact, it doesn't matter whether Li Heng is arrested or not. If you kill an emperor who killed his father and his lord, many people may thank you. Li Heng doesn't have much appeal. The key is whether we can catch some close relatives of the Li Tang royal family, such as Ji Ge's descendants.

Just appoint a new emperor.

As for Yan Zhenqing, the right prime minister, he is the soul figure of all the officials in Chang'an and he must not be let go.

……

Card wipe!

The small door on the side of the Chang'an Imperial City was smashed open, and a team of elite soldiers of the Control Crane Army in black uniforms filed in. When the imperial guards deployed not far away saw them, they rushed over to stop them.

At this time, the difference between the battle-hardened soldiers and the newly recruited soldiers became apparent. In less than an incense stick of time, all the imperial guards in red uniforms fell to the ground, leaving a pool of blood.

"Take your men to open the Suzaku Gate and let the brothers outside in!"

"Order!"

"Take your men to control the Council Hall."

"Order!"

"Take your men to control the six ministries!"

"Order!"

"Take your men to block the Hanguang Palace and don't let those dog officials escape!"

"Order!"

"Take your men to control Xuanwu Gate. All the imperial guards in the Western Inner Courtyard must surrender their weapons!"

"Order!"

Li Huaiguang, who had already led his men into the imperial city, commanded the troops calmly and quickly distributed military orders, asking the officers around him to divide their troops to control the key places in the imperial city.

"Um……"

Li Huaiguang let out a long sigh, feeling an indescribable sense of relief and joy in his heart.

Before the mutiny, he was worried about the consequences of the mutiny. In fact, he had wanted to do this when Fang Youde was driven out of Chang'an.

I just don't have the courage.

There was a mutiny in Chang'an. What this means is self-evident.

But after the actual mutiny, Li Huaiguang discovered that it was nothing more than that!
There was indeed a mutiny, but so what?

Li Huaiguang found that the imperial court was much weaker than he had imagined. After they overturned the table, they found that nothing seemed to be wrong!
Just as he was standing there in a daze, his trusted confidant Zhang Shao hurriedly ran over from a distance, clasped his fists and reported to him: "Li Heng escaped from Chongxuan Gate. Should we chase him or not?"

"Are you crazy? Of course I have to chase you!
Quick, send the scouts to chase them!"

Li Huaiguang's face changed drastically and he scolded Zhang Shao.

"Order!"

Zhang Shao clasped his fists and saluted, but did not leave.

"Fuck away!"

Li Huaiguang said impatiently.

"General, the Taifu Temple is empty, and the treasury... is almost empty too, with only some grain."

Zhang Shao said with difficulty.

Yan Gaoqing didn't lie!
Li Huaiguang immediately realized that he had wrongly accused a good person.

But it's too late to say anything now. The mutiny has already happened. There is no turning back. There is no point in saying anything at this point.

Just do it and it’s done!
"and then?"

Li Huaiguang asked with an unhappy look on his face.

Zhang Shao swallowed his saliva, came over and whispered:

"General, the reason why our brothers mutinied is simply because the imperial court is unfair and wants us to march without giving us money.

Now I have not found any money in the Taifu Temple or the national treasury. I am afraid that the following...”

Zhang Shao was a little unable to continue speaking, but Li Huaiguang already understood what he meant.

Everyone was filled with passion and rushed into Chang'an, smashed open the gates of the imperial city, and arrested those central government officials who were usually high and mighty.

What happened next? After calming down, the soldiers did not find the money they needed, but instead participated in a mutiny that could have resulted in the confiscation of their property and the extermination of their clan.

Will they not panic? Will they not feel resentful?
Not only did they not get any benefits, but they also had to bear the blame. Don’t these people know how to trace the source of the incident?
Once morale collapses, there is no way to pick it up again.

What should I do?
Li Huaiguang was also a little panicked.

"So what do you say?"

He looked at Zhang Shao and asked in a deep voice.

"General Jie, the national treasury is out of money, but there are so many aristocratic families, royal relatives, and clan families in Chang'an City. Will they also be out of money?"

Zhang Shao asked in a low voice.

I have to say, there is some truth in this.

Li Huaiguang was a little hesitant. It was not that this kind of thing could not be done, but he had to consider the consequences after doing it.

You robbed the state treasury and the emperor's inner treasury in Chang'an City, but not many people would resent you. Maybe some people would even thank you for driving Li Heng away.

But if they robbed the mansions of aristocratic families and royal relatives, then... it would be basically impossible for them to gain a foothold in Chang'an.

Otherwise I have to close one eye when I sleep at night.

"Marshal Jie, can you please give me a definite answer? We can't keep delaying. If we delay, something bad will happen!"

Zhang Shao urged anxiously.

He didn't know whether Li Huaiguang would get into trouble, but he knew that as the instigator, something would definitely happen to him.

Zhang Shao now has selfish motives and knows that he has no way out.

But Li Huaiguang was still hesitant. This was a step that could not be reversed, and he was hesitant whether to proceed or not.

At this time, the general who was in charge of arresting people at the Tenth Prince's residence came back. When he saw Li Huaiguang, he came over and talked to him for a long time, and the latter's face became more and more ugly.

It turned out that the Ten Kings' Mansions were empty, and the princes who had not been sent out were also missing.

Maybe he ran out of town.

It is also possible that he was hiding in the home of a powerful person in Chang'an City. After all, Chang'an City is so big, there are 108 wards!
Catching people in this city is like looking for a needle in a haystack, but it is also like catching fish in a pond.

It might not be difficult to capture a member of the royal family, but who you can capture depends a lot on luck.

"You lead the troops to chase them from the east. They can't run far. It just snowed and there are footprints on the ground. Especially those houses of the post stations, you must look for them!

After the people are found, gather them all in Xingqing Palace!"

Li Huaiguang gave the order in a deep voice. He had already started to prepare for both situations.

After the general who was going to hunt down the fleeing royal family left, Li Huaiguang instructed Zhang Shao: "Use the south gate of the West Market as a line. It is said that all the neighborhoods to the north are either rich or noble. Take your men and start searching from the royal family's houses. Take whatever is good to you in the name of looking for someone. Gather all the wealth and goods in the imperial city!"

"Okay, General Jie!"

Zhang Shao became excited when he heard this.

Li Huaiguang was determined to go all out and was not afraid of offending anyone at all.

If a suitable puppet is found to be the emperor, then he will be established and the Control Crane Army will serve as the imperial guards.

If you can't find it, just take the stolen property and return to Fengxiang Prefecture.

It's nothing big.

"Go ahead. There's no need to reason with these powerful people. If they don't obey, just kill them."

Li Huaiguang said calmly, with a cold light flashing in his eyes. Since we have done it, then... let's do it on a large scale. There is no point in being timid.

"Order!"

Zhang Shao was overjoyed.

This is what a Jieshuai is!

"and many more!"

Li Huaiguang suddenly called Zhang Shao.

"General, do you have any other instructions?"

Zhang Shao's heart tightened, fearing that Li Huaiguang would revoke his previous order.

Unexpectedly, Li Huaiguang smiled and said, "The people of Chang'an have long been dissatisfied with those wealthy and powerful people who are well fed and well-drinking, but it is useless to speak out.

When you lead your troops to attack the homes of the rich and powerful, remember to shout "Carrying out Justice for Heaven" as you charge, and get the people of Chang'an to join in, understand?"

That's it!

Zhang Shao then understood Li Huaiguang's "hard work", which was the so-called "the law does not punish the masses". If the people of Chang'an also joined the ranks of robbing the rich and powerful, then the responsibility of the Crane Control Army would be reduced.

Anyway, there are so many wealth and goods that the Konghe Army cannot take them all, so why not be generous to others and let the ordinary people of Chang'an have some fun too?

I have to say, this move is really vicious.

"Please rest assured, General Jie, I will definitely get it done!"

Zhang Shao said excitedly, turned around and left.

Li Huaiguang stared at his back with a cold and distant look.

He secretly thought in his heart that Zhang Shao had done so many dirty things and the smell of blood on his hands could not be washed off. Keeping him around would only be a nuisance.

This person cannot be kept. I have to find a chance to get rid of him later.

Li Huaiguang came to the Council Hall, where several high-ranking officials who had no time to escape were sent back for custody, including the Minister of Revenue, Diwu Qi. As for the minor officials in the imperial city, they were gathered in the six ministries.

"Fifth Minister, the court is reluctant to give us that little reward. Since you won't give it to us, the soldiers of the Control Crane Army will have to take it ourselves."

Li Huaiguang looked down at Diwu Qi who was sitting on the ground and smiled, with a hint of recklessness on his face after having succeeded in doing something bad.

"Did you get it? If there is still silk in the treasury, how come I, the Minister of Revenue, don't know about it?"

Diwu Qi asked back calmly.

Li Huaiguang was speechless.

Yan Zhenqing and Diwu Qi were rare clean prime ministers and high-ranking officials in the six ministries in recent years. If they were forced out, it was easy to imagine what kind of people would take over.

……

Outside Chang'an City, heading north is the Wei River, where there is a bridge called "Zhongwei Bridge".

After crossing Zhongwei Bridge, you will reach Xianyang County. This city can be regarded as a "satellite city" of Chang'an. It is not large in scale, but has a high degree of urbanization. It is basically dependent on the huge industry and commerce in Chang'an City, providing Chang'an with various agricultural products and handicraft raw materials.

Beside the Zhongwei Bridge, on the north bank of the Wei River, Yan Zhenqing and others looked out at the city of Chang'an in the south, with mixed feelings in their hearts and speechless.

"You all should go to Xianyang City for shelter. I will stay here to stop the pursuers."

Li Heng dismounted from his horse and spoke to Guo Ziyi, Yan Zhenqing and others standing beside him.

"His Majesty!"

In an instant, people knelt on the ground and the emperor had to cover his subjects. There is no more ridiculous story in the world than this!
"I have made up my mind. If you disagree, I will jump into the Wei River and feed the fish."

Li Ying looked around at everyone and seemed to have made up his mind.

At the end of the field of vision, there were pursuers coming from the south, wearing black military uniforms and riding tall horses.

"If I don't leave now, my death will be in vain. Do you want to see this scene?"

Li Ying smiled helplessly. He had already walked to the center of Zhongwei Bridge, then drew out his ceremonial sword, intending to use his thin body to stop the pursuers.

Facing the surging cavalry of the Konghe Army, Li Heng showed no fear.

At this moment, he was finally a man who stood on his own feet and no longer needed protection from others.

(End of this chapter)