The Flourishing Tang Dynasty: Beginning with Marrying Yang Yuhuan

Chapter 135 Coup
With the support of everyone, Li Ying said: "The reason why I killed Zuo Weili just now is because he was the spy of the treacherous minister Li Linfu. Li Linfu sent people to spy on me secretly, which is really hateful! But I am not someone who can be manipulated by others."

As soon as Li Ying finished speaking, another group of Li Ying's personal guards came over with seven people.

The guards brought the seven men before Li Ying, ordered them to kneel down, then drew their knives and chopped off their heads.

Li Ying continued, "Now that all the traitors have been eliminated, if you all work together with me, there will be no mistakes."

Everyone responded, "We will follow His Royal Highness the Crown Prince till death!"

The people killed by Li Ying were Li Linfu's accomplices, who were actually Li Longji's accomplices. He had noticed them long ago and had kept them until today, just because he wanted to take advantage of Li Longji's trick and catch him off guard.

In order to ensure the operation was thorough, after Li Ying killed the traitor, he did not allow anyone else to leave. He kept everyone where they were and only allowed Xue Xiu and a few others to go out for contact.

Li Ying called Li Yao aside and said, "Fifth brother, how likely do you think we are to succeed?"

Li Yao said: "30%."

"I thought it was only 10%." Li Ying's eyes were filled with mixed emotions. "Even if it's only 10%, I'll give it a try."

Li Yao said: "Man proposes, God disposes. It has come to this point today. There is not much point in talking about this anymore."

"That's right." Li Ying agreed.

At this time, the guard came to report, saying: "Your Highness, there is a handwritten letter from Concubine Mei."

As he spoke, he presented Li Ying with Jiang Caiping's handwritten letter.

Li Ying took it and looked at it. The handwritten note clearly stated that he should enter the palace to catch the thief.

Li Ying couldn't help but laugh, handed the letter to Li Yao, and said, "Fifth brother, what are the chances of winning now?"

Li Yao took the handwritten letter and glanced at it, then said, "At least 50%."

"Very good." Li Ying nodded with satisfaction. "As long as my father passes the throne to me, I will immediately summon Li Ying and Li Heng into the palace and take them down in one fell swoop."

……

……

……

Li Ying's Mansion.

Li Ying had just returned from mourning for Yuan Shi and had just sat down when Shen Zhongjian came to Li Ying's residence and delivered Li Longji's oral order, asking Li Ying to enter the palace immediately and to bring Li Siye with him.

Li Ying was shocked when he heard this. He was asked to enter the palace so late at night and bring people with him. It was very likely that Li Ying had already started to act.

But Li Ying was in action, so why did he summon him? And it was useless for him to bring Li Siye with him.

Unless, this time, Li Longji wanted to trick him in addition to Li Ying.

Thinking of this, Li Heng felt a chill in his heart.

Li Heng suppressed the turmoil in his heart and pretended to be ignorant and asked Shen Zhongjian: "Excuse me, Shen Zhongjian, what happened that made my father so anxious to let me enter the palace?"

"The Saint only summoned Your Highness to the palace, but did not specify what it was about." Shen Zhongjian first said what he should have said, and then, considering that he had received a lot of money from Li Heng, he added: "Your Highness, Prince Shou, just enter the palace and don't ask anything."

Li Ying said, "Thank you, Supervisor Shen."

"Your Highness is so polite." Shen Zhongjian smiled, "I will wait outside the door. Your Highness, please summon General Li Siye to enter the palace together."

After saying this, Shen Zhongjian walked out.

Li Heng called his personal guards and was about to ask them to call Li Siye, but he saw Li Siye running in hurriedly.

Li Siye came up to Li Ying and whispered, "Your Highness, there seems to be some movement in the East Palace. We only see people coming in, but no one leaving."

Li Siye's words confirmed Li Heng's previous guess that Li Ying was indeed going to do something big tonight.

Li Ying said, "My father ordered me to bring you to the palace immediately."

"Yes." Li Siye accepted the order and said, "Then let's go now."

Li Heng glanced at Li Siye and saw that he was still wearing armor. He said, "You cannot wear armor when you enter the palace to see the emperor. Change into court clothes."

"Yes."

Li Siye retreated, and soon returned wearing court robes.

Li Heng then said to Li Siye: "There are two points, General Li, you must remember."

Li Siye said: "Your Highness, please give your instructions."

Li Heng said: "First, no matter what you know, don't say anything once you enter the palace. Second, if you encounter sudden danger, you can't protect me first, you must protect my father first."

"This..." Li Siye thought that the Saint had so many guards around him, so he would not be needed. However, since Li Heng had given him this instruction, he still agreed and said, "I obey your command."

After Li Heng finished explaining, he went out with Li Siye and entered the palace with Shen Zhongjian.

……

……

……

Xingqing Palace.

Li Ying led the Eastern Palace Guards to the palace gate. As it was dark, General Sumen only saw a group of dark people and could not see Li Ying clearly, so he shouted, "Who are you? How dare you lead troops into the palace!"

Li Ying rode up to General Sumen and asked, "General, don't you recognize me?"

General Sumen used the firelight to see Li Ying clearly, and quickly saluted and said, "Your Highness, according to court regulations, the East Palace Guards are not allowed to enter Xingqing Palace. Your Highness, please return quickly."

Li Ying said, "I have been ordered to arrest a thief in the palace. Why don't you open the city gates immediately?"

General Sumen said, "Where is the edict? Please see me, Prince."

Li Ying took out Jiang Caiping's handwritten letter, unfolded it in front of General Sumen, and said, "Please take a closer look. This is the handwritten letter that my father ordered Concubine Mei to pass on."

General Sumen hesitated for a moment and said, "This is not an imperial decree. I'm afraid..."

"How dare you!" Li Ying interrupted General Sumen and said sternly, "There is a thief in the palace, it's all your fault. Now I've been ordered to catch the thief, but you keep stopping me. If I don't open the palace gate quickly, if my father blames me, you will be the sinner!"

"This..." General Sumen hesitated for a moment, and finally opened the palace gate.

However, as soon as the palace gate opened, Jiang Caiping's father Jiang Zhongsun appeared in front of Li Ying and others.

Thanks to Jiang Caiping's favor, Jiang Zhongsun has been promoted to the fourth-rank general of the Guard.

Jiang Zhongxun said, "The prince brought his troops into the palace in armor, which is a rebellion. Come, arrest the prince immediately."

This sudden change surprised Li Ying and his men. Without giving it any time to think, Li Ying ordered Xue Xiu and others nearby to kill General Su Men and his soldiers immediately.

Now it was Jiang Zhongxun's turn to be frightened.

According to his and Jiang Caiping's plan, the prince should only bring a few people with him, and then he can capture the prince with just one order.

But unexpectedly, the prince took a look at countless soldiers and killed the general of the guard without hesitation.

This is really a rebellion!

He might be able to withstand a fake rebellion, but facing a real rebellion that was well prepared was completely beyond his ability.

Jiang Zhongxun then ran away, shouting, "The crown prince is plotting rebellion! The crown prince is plotting rebellion!"

……

Nanxun Hall.

Li Longji sat in the hall, while Li Linfu, Niu Xianke and Chen Xuanli stood below.

Li Heng and Li Siye saluted Li Longji. Li Longji looked up at the two men and saw that Li Siye was not wearing armor. He was quite satisfied and said, "I summoned you two late at night because I want to hear your opinions on something."

Li Ying said, "Please give me your instructions, Father."

"I am determined to take Shibao City, but half of the officials and generals in the court disagree. Fortunately, Dong Yanguang asked for permission to conquer it. I overruled all opposition and let Dong Yanguang lead the troops to conquer it, but now Dong Yanguang has been defeated in battles." Li Longji sighed and continued, "Do you think I should take Shibao City?"

Li Heng did not expect Li Longji to suddenly ask such a question. He was slightly startled, thought for a moment, and said, "Father's civil and military skills are not inferior to Taizong. Taizong can expand the territory, and father can do the same. Therefore, I think Shibao City is worth taking."

Li Longji was delighted and looked at Li Siye.

Li Siye said: "I don't know whether I should take it or not, but as long as the saint allows me to take it, I will do it even if it means I will go to the raging fire."

"Okay." Li Longji nodded.

Li Longji was about to say something else when he suddenly heard the sound of thunderous drums. Then Gao Lishi ran in hurriedly and said, "Your Majesty, the Crown Prince has entered Xingqing Palace with the Eastern Palace Guards."

Li Longji was both happy and sad when he heard this.

He was happy because Li Ying finally fell into the trap, but he was sad because Li Ying was his son after all, and he felt a little sad to see their relationship end up like this.

Li Longji pondered for a moment and said, "Didn't the palace gate guards stop us?"

Gao Lishi said: "They stopped him, but the prince seemed to have taken the handwritten letter from Concubine Mei, saying that Concubine Mei asked him to enter the palace to catch the thief. But as soon as the guard opened the palace gate, Jiang Zhongxun said that it was a fake handwritten letter and called the prince a treason!"

Li Longji stood up and said, "Chen Xuanli."

"Here." Chen Xuanli stepped forward.

Li Longji said: "Quickly lead the Longwu Army to resist."

"Yes." Chen Xuanli took the order and retreated.

"Li Linfu, convey my order to immediately stop all Li Ying's seals. Niu Xianke, have the Imperial Guards stationed in Xingqing Palace. Guo Quan, summon all the princes to wait for my order outside the Purple Palace. Gao Lishi, lead the left and right guards to escort me and the others to the Purple Palace."

Li Longji arranged everything in one go and everyone took action immediately.

……

Inside the Zichen Hall.

Li Longji sat on the dragon throne with his head lowered.

Li Heng, Li Siye and several officials on duty stood under the palace.

Li Longji was silent for a while, then asked Li Heng, "Shiba Lang, you have won consecutive victories in the battle of Anxi. In your opinion, can your second brother really break in?"

Li Ying said, "My second brother is in a position of no doubt. He suddenly launched an attack and took advantage of the situation. However, our father is wise and powerful. My second brother is comparing the brightness of a firefly to the brightness of the sun and the moon. He is bound to fail. But if by any chance, my second brother really breaks in, I will swear to protect my father to the death."

Li Ying first said that Li Ying was in a position of no doubt, implying to Li Longji that he did not know about Li Longji's fishing. Then he said that he trusted Li Longji, and finally expressed his loyalty.

Li Longji was quite satisfied with Li Heng's answer and said, "Okay, you and General Li Siye go wait outside the palace first."

Li Heng and Li Siye withdrew.

The two stood outside the door for a while, and then the eldest brother Li Cong, the third brother Li Heng, the fourth brother Li Yan, the sixth brother Li Wan, the sixteenth brother Li Lin, the twentieth brother Li Yin, and Li Heng's younger brother Li Qi arrived outside the Purple Palace one after another.

On the January night, the wind was cold and the brothers shrank back in the chill.

Li Heng glanced at his brothers and analyzed the situation in his mind.

The eldest brother, Li Cong, missed the position of crown prince due to his disfigurement, but if Li Ying stepped down, he would still have a chance.

The fourth son, Li Yan, has a weak character and cannot handle a lot of troubles at home, but now he is the governor of Hexi.

The sixth son, Li Wan, was well versed in military affairs and was also deeply loved by Li Longji.

Li Lin, also known as Prince Yong, although he launched a rebellion against Li Heng in history, he is now Li Heng's man.

Because Li Lin's biological mother died early, he was basically raised by Li Heng.

Twenty Li Yin is quite talented in literature and a good guy.

As for his younger brother Li Qi, he was with him.

The princes were waiting outside the Zichen Palace, listening to the sounds of killing in the distance with different expressions.

Li Ying and Li Heng were the calmest. They stood on either side, lowered their heads and said nothing.

The eldest brother Li Cong paced back and forth anxiously.

The fourth brother, Li Yan, was so scared that he hid aside and said to Li Cong, "Brother, I don't know when this rebellion will be quelled."

The sixth brother, Li Wan, looked at the battle in the distance, and suddenly waved his sleeves and said, "If the rebellion cannot be quelled, I will go and meet him."

Li Wan said this and was about to leave.

Li Heng was overjoyed when he saw Li Wan was leaving.

Li Heng hesitated for a moment, then called Li Wan and said, "Sixth brother, our father's order is for us to stay here and not go anywhere."

"But." Li Wan stopped and said, "Are we just going to watch the rebels break into the palace?"

Li Heng said: "Sixth brother, your strength alone will not have much impact on the situation. Father is here, why don't you wait here and protect him."

Li Wan hesitated for a moment, but finally chose to come back.

Everyone waited for a while, but the sound of fighting not only did not subside, but it got closer and closer.

Then everyone panicked even more.

At this time, Li Longji walked out of the Purple Palace.

Li Cong immediately stepped forward and said, "Father, for your safety, let's go somewhere else to take shelter."

Li Longji did not answer Li Cong. He glanced at the princes and said, "I am your grandfather. If you are afraid, stand behind me and I will protect you."

The princes heard this and said with tears in their eyes, "Father! I swear to protect you till my death!"

Li Longji and the other princes looked like a loving father and filial sons.

After a while, a group of people slowly appeared in the eyes of Li Heng and others.

Because the light was not good at night, everyone couldn't tell whether they were enemies or friendly forces at first.

Li Siye, who was standing next to him, kept Li Heng's instructions in mind. Upon seeing this, he immediately came to Li Longji and protected him.

Li Longji was pleased to see that Li Siye's first reaction was not to protect Li Heng but to protect himself.

Because this shows that the soldiers of Anxi are most loyal to him, the ruler of the Tang Dynasty.

As the figures gradually moved forward, Li Longji and his men could see clearly that the soldiers approaching were from the Longwu Army and the Yulin Guard, while Li Ying, Li Yao, Li Ju and Xue Xiu had been captured.

Li Longji brought everyone back to the Purple Palace.

Li Longji glanced at Li Ying and the other two kneeling on the ground and asked Li Ying, "Why did you bring troops into the palace?"

Before Li Ying could answer, Li Ju kowtowed and said, "Father, your son, my second brother, fifth brother and I received a letter from Concubine Mei and entered the palace to catch the thief."

Li Longji slammed the table and angrily asked, "Do we need to bring so many soldiers to the palace to catch thieves?"

"Forget it." Li Ying laughed and said to Li Ju, "Winners are kings and losers are bandits. Eighth brother, now that things have come to this, if you lose, you lose. It's better to admit it."

"Hearing what you said, you think you are a hero?" Li Longji looked at Li Ying coldly, "Forcing the emperor to abdicate is a heinous crime!"

　I had a headache all day today, so the writing is a bit rough.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)