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In the ninth year of Wu De, June, dawn broke over Chang'an City with an unusual silence. The faint morning light had yet to pierce through the darkness of night, and the entire city seemed to be still immersed in dreams. However, beneath this surface tranquility, dark currents surged; a shocking coup concerning the imperial power had quietly begun to unfold.
Li Shimin stood firmly by the Xuanwu Gate, clad in heavy armor. His gaze swept around like a cold flash of lightning, sharp and profound, as if he could perceive all potential crises. Beside him, five hundred elite warriors were already prepared for action, each wielding sharp blades and exuding an intimidating aura of murderous intent, standing ready as if facing a formidable enemy. These carefully selected fighters were the finest he had honed on the battlefield over the years; they were willing to go through fire and water at his command.
"Second Young Master, the teams from the Eastern Palace and Prince Qi's Residence are on their way and should arrive at Xuanwu Gate within half an hour," a scout emerged from the shadows, kneeling on one knee with a low but clear voice.
Li Shimin nodded slightly, a glint of cold light flashing in his eyes. In that moment, he seemed to transform into the ruler of darkness, emanating an oppressive aura that was suffocating. He understood that this battle was about life and death; there could be no mistakes. He had meticulously prepared for this day for a long time, scrutinizing every detail and carefully planning each step.
"Pass down the order: everyone stay hidden and wait for instructions; do not act recklessly," Li Shimin's voice was deep and powerful, like that of a king from the heavens, commanding unquestionable authority. He slowly drew his sword from his waist, its blade gleaming coldly in the dim morning light, reflecting his resolute face.
Meanwhile, Li Jiancheng was quietly approaching Xuanwu Gate under the close protection of Hua Ying and Yu Minjie. His expression remained calm, a slight confident smile playing at the corners of his mouth as if he were unbothered by the impending crisis. In truth, his heart was tumultuous; his knowledge of history from before his crossing allowed him to see through Li Shimin's plot clearly. He had already laid plans in secret to deliver a fatal blow.
"Your Highness, I feel something is off; the atmosphere ahead is too strange. Shall we take a detour to avoid Xuanwu Gate?" Hua Ying whispered, gripping his sword tightly, knuckles whitening from the strain as worry flickered in his eyes.
Li Jiancheng waved his hand lightly to dismiss Hua Ying's concerns: "No need. I have my arrangements; just follow the plan. That brat Li Shimin is merely struggling like a trapped beast."
He felt assured; although the powder keg of rebellion had been ignited, he had already prepared means to extinguish it. Jia Jian disguised as him would go with Li Yuanji to draw attention away from him while he himself would remain protected by Hua Ying and Yu Minjie, ready to appear at a critical moment to disrupt Li Shimin's plans.
In Tai Chi Palace, Li Yuan was anxiously waiting for court to begin under the service of trusted eunuchs. He sensed an unusual atmosphere but did not anticipate that clouds of rebellion were already looming overhead.
As court time approached, officials gathered outside Tai Chi Hall also began to notice something amiss. Some ministers closely associated with Li Jiancheng showed worried expressions and whispered among themselves while Li Shimin's confidants concealed their murderous intent behind glinting eyes.
The entire Chang'an City seemed to hold its breath in anticipation of that fateful moment. This moment would become a turning point in Tang history, ushering in a new era or plunging it into endless turmoil. The wheels of history rolled slowly onward; no one could predict the outcome.
Time ticked away second by second as tension thickened in the air near Xuanwu Gate. Li Shimin stood high above, surveying the road below with eyes gleaming with expectation and anxiety. His fingers unconsciously rubbed against the hilt of his sword as if feeling for the impending battle.
"Second Young Master, the teams from Eastern Palace and Prince Qi's Residence have entered the ambush range at Xuanwu Gate," another scout rushed in breathlessly and knelt down.
Li Shimin took a deep breath to suppress his excitement and commanded in a low voice: "Prepare everyone; once our targets are in position, strike with full force! Remember, we must ensure a single fatal blow; we cannot allow Li Jiancheng or Li Yuanji any chance to retaliate!"
"Yes!" The warriors responded in unison, their voices deep yet filled with power like thunder rumbling from beneath the earth echoing above Xuanwu Gate.
At that moment, Li Jiancheng and Li Yuanji’s team slowly approached Xuanwu Gate. Li Yuanji seemed to sense something was off; his gaze wandered around nervously searching for potential danger.
"Big Brother, today’s atmosphere feels strange; I can’t shake off this unease," Li Yuanji whispered to Li Jiancheng with an unmistakable hint of tension in his tone.
Li Jiancheng smiled slightly and patted Li Yuanji on the shoulder reassuringly: "Fourth Brother, you’re overthinking it. It’s just court; what danger could there be?"
Li Yuanji wanted to say more but was interrupted by Li Jiancheng: "Alright, stop worrying. Let’s keep moving."
As their team gradually neared Xuanwu Gate, Li Shimin’s heartbeat quickened involuntarily. He knew that success or failure hinged on this moment. Taking a deep breath to maintain his composure, he signaled to his warriors.
The warriors understood immediately and swiftly dispersed into advantageous positions surrounding Xuanwu Gate tightly. Their movements were quick and discreet; hardly anyone noticed anything unusual.
When Li Jiancheng and Li Yuanji’s team entered Xuanwu Gate's threshold, Li Shimin suddenly shouted: "Attack!"
In an instant, Xuanwu Gate transformed into a battlefield. Warriors surged forth from hiding places; their blades flashed coldly in the morning light as they aimed for Li Jiancheng and Li Yuanji's lives. The guards around Li Jiancheng reacted instantly, drawing their weapons in an attempt to fend off the fierce assault.
However, the onslaught from Li Shimin’s warriors came like an unstoppable tide. They were well-trained and coordinated perfectly; they quickly suppressed Li Jiancheng’s guards completely. Seeing this unfold before them caused both Li Jiancheng and Li Yuanji’s expressions to change drastically as they turned their horses around trying to escape this deadly place.
"Want to leave? Not so easily!" Li Shimin sneered as he charged toward Li Jiancheng first; his sword struck out like a venomous snake aiming straight for Li Jiancheng's back.
Li Jiancheng managed to sidestep just in time on horseback narrowly avoiding what could have been a fatal blow but felt his clothes rip open from the sword tip grazing him. Without relent, Li Shimin pursued relentlessly with continuous strikes forcing Li Jiancheng into retreat after retreat.
At that moment, Jia Jian seized the opportunity rushing up before Li Jiancheng shouting loudly: "Your Highness! Quickly change into my clothes! I’ll draw them away!"
Li Jiancheng felt joy at this suggestion and quickly exchanged garments with Jia Jian. After donning royal attire, Jia Jian deliberately shouted loudly attracting attention away from him while Li Jiancheng blended into his guards stealthily retreating backward.
Seeing this unfold made Li Shimin pause momentarily but quickly regained focus commanding loudly: "Capture Li Jiancheng!"
The warriors all turned towards Jia Jian at once unleashing their weapons upon him like rain. Though Jia Jian possessed decent martial skills he gradually found himself overwhelmed by so many attackers. His clothing was torn in multiple places as blood stained his garments.
Li Yuanji saw that his elder brother had temporarily escaped danger which eased him slightly but he himself became ensnared within layers of attackers closing in around him. He fought desperately left and right but could not shake off their relentless pursuit.
As battles raged on fiercely around him, Li Shimin grew more invigorated with each clash; his swordsmanship was exquisite delivering powerful strikes causing many warriors under him to suffer injuries beneath its might. However just when he prepared for what would be a decisive strike against Li Jiancheng he suddenly realized that this target bore an unfamiliar face.
"This is a decoy!" Li Shimin thought in shock, but it was too late. Jia Jian seized the opportunity to counterattack, stabbing Li Shimin in the shoulder and forcing him to retreat a few steps.
At the same time, Li Jiancheng, under the protection of his guards, finally broke free from the encirclement at Xuanwu Gate. He looked back and saw Jia Jian still fighting fiercely against the assassins, a wave of guilt washing over him.
"Jia Jian, you must hold on!" Li Jiancheng silently prayed.
Seeing Li Jiancheng escape, Li Shimin was filled with rage. Gritting his teeth, he commanded, "Pursue him with all your strength! We cannot let him get away!"
The assassins responded to the order, abandoning their assault on Jia Jian and turning to chase after Li Jiancheng's fleeing figure. Taking advantage of the chaos, Li Yuanji also managed to escape, but Jia Jian succumbed to his injuries and fell into a pool of blood.
Li Shimin relentlessly pursued the assassins while Li Jiancheng desperately ran toward Tai Chi Palace under the protection of his guards. He knew that as long as he could see Li Yuan, there was hope for a turnaround.
Just as Li Shimin was about to catch up with Li Jiancheng, a group of Imperial Guards suddenly charged in from the side. They descended like divine soldiers, instantly scattering Li Shimin's assassins. Startled, Li Shimin focused his gaze and realized it was Yuwen Shiji leading the Imperial Guards.
"Li Shimin, how dare you stage a coup! You will not escape your death sentence!" Yuwen Shiji shouted loudly, aiming his spear directly at Li Shimin.
Li Shimin was both shocked and furious; he never expected Yuwen Shiji to turn against him at such a critical moment. In desperation, he had no choice but to engage Yuwen Shiji in battle. However, weakened by his injuries, he quickly found himself at a disadvantage.
"Traitor Li Shimin, today is your day of reckoning!" Yuwen Shiji thrust his spear into Li Shimin's warhorse, causing it to collapse.
Seizing the opportunity, Li Shimin rolled aside and drew his sword to engage Yuwen Shiji in close combat. The two rolled amidst the chaos, swords flashing until finally Yuwen Shiji pierced Li Shimin's thigh with a blade, leaving him bleeding on the ground.
Meanwhile, Li Jiancheng had finally reached the entrance of Tai Chi Palace. The guards at the palace gates recognized the Crown Prince and hurriedly opened the doors. Stumbling inside Tai Chi Palace, he rushed toward Li Yuan's chamber.
"Father! Li Shimin has staged a coup!" Li Jiancheng shouted hoarsely.
Li Yuan was anxiously awaiting news in his chamber when he heard Li Jiancheng's voice and quickly rose to greet him. Seeing his son's disheveled appearance, Li Yuan exclaimed in shock, "Jiancheng, what happened?"
Without wasting time on pleasantries, Li Jiancheng hurriedly reported every detail of the coup to Li Yuan. Upon hearing this, Li Yuan's face darkened with fury: "Unfilial son! How dare you stage a coup right before my palace! This is utterly lawless!"
"Father! Li Shimin has already been captured by Yuwen Shiji and is being brought here now. Please issue an order to execute this traitor!" Li Jiancheng seized the moment to advise.
Li Yuan paused for a moment before nodding: "Very well! Issue an order to imprison Li Shimin and await judgment!"
Soon after, Yuwen Shiji arrived at Tai Chi Palace with the injured Li Shimin in custody. Upon seeing Li Yuan, Li Shimin gritted his teeth against the pain and shouted defensively: "Father! I did not conspire against you; this is all Jia Jian's scheme against me!"
Li Yuan sneered: "Shiming, I am fully aware of your actions. Today's events are irrefutable evidence! Guards! Take Li Shimin away to prison!"
"Yes!" The guards stepped forward to escort Li Shimin away.
Seeing this unfold, Li Jiancheng felt a surge of satisfaction within him. He knew that Li Shimin's fate was sealed and that the throne was now within his grasp.
After dealing with matters concerning Li Shimin, Li Yuan wearily sat on the dragon throne. He looked at Li Jiancheng and said earnestly: "Jiancheng, you handled this situation well. However, as Crown Prince, you need to be more prudent to avoid similar crises in the future."
Li Jiancheng quickly knelt in gratitude: "Your humble son understands; Father’s teachings are wise. Your humble son will remember this lesson and prioritize state affairs henceforth so that you need not worry."
Li Yuan nodded slightly and gestured for him to rise. As Li Jiancheng stood up and left Tai Chi Hall with his guards, he felt a sense of accomplishment.
Back at Eastern Palace, Li Jiancheng immediately summoned his advisors to discuss post-coup matters. He understood that while the coup had been quelled, the power dynamics within the court had shifted significantly and needed stabilization.
"Your Highness," Wei Zheng suggested, "now that Li Shimin has been captured and Prince Qin's mansion is leaderless, it is an excellent opportunity for us to expand our influence."
Li Jiancheng nodded in agreement: "I think so too. However, we must not act too hastily lest we provoke backlash from other factions in court. Wei Zheng, draft an edict reassuring Prince Qin's generals and advisors that if they submit to me as Crown Prince, past grievances will be forgiven."
"Yes, Your Highness!" Wei Zheng accepted the task.
Next, Li Jiancheng turned to General Feng: "General Feng, lead the Changlin Army to take control of Prince Qin's mansion but be cautious; do not harm innocents—just secure key figures."
General Feng cupped his hands: "I understand; I will proceed with caution!"
After giving these orders, he instructed Niu Fu and Ma Qiang: "You two take guards to retrieve Jia Jian’s body and bring it back to Eastern Palace for a proper burial as a tribute to his loyalty."
"Yes, Your Highness!" Niu Fu and Ma Qiang replied before departing.
Once these matters were settled, fatigue washed over Li Jiancheng. Returning to his inner chamber, he found Zheng Guanyin and Lu Lingling waiting for him and briefly recounted what had transpired.
After hearing this, Zheng Guanyin couldn't help but feel anxious for Li Jiancheng's safety, while Lu Lingling praised Li Jiancheng's clever response. Li Jiancheng smiled slightly and reassured them, "Everything is fine now; there is no need to worry too much. What we need to do next is stabilize the court and clear the obstacles on my path to the throne."
"Husband, how do you plan to deal with Li Shimin?" Zheng Guanyin asked.
Li Jiancheng fell silent for a moment before slowly replying, "Li Shimin is my younger brother. Although he has committed treason, I still hope to spare his life. However, I need to further explore our father's intentions."
Both Zheng Guanyin and Lu Lingling understood his feelings. Li Jiancheng was well aware that in this world where power reigns supreme, familial ties often cannot withstand the tests of political struggles, yet he still hoped to retain a shred of warmth.
At that moment, a guard hurried in and reported, "Your Highness, His Majesty has summoned you to Tai Chi Hall immediately!"
Li Jiancheng was taken aback but quickly responded, "I understand. I will set off right away!"
He gave a few brief instructions and then headed towards Tai Chi Hall with Niu Fu and Ma Qiang.
Li Yuan had been waiting in Tai Chi Hall for some time. Upon seeing Li Jiancheng, he got straight to the point: "Jiancheng, after careful consideration, I have decided to strip Li Shimin of his title as Prince of Qin and sentence him to death. What are your thoughts?"
Li Jiancheng was shocked; he hadn't expected Li Yuan to make such a severe decision. However, he quickly composed himself and knelt down, saying, "Father, Li Shimin's treason is unforgivable. Your humble son will follow your arrangements."
Li Yuan nodded and said, "Jiancheng, go prepare a decree for his execution. I will have someone deliver it to Li Shimin's prison cell shortly."
"Your humble son obeys!" Although Li Jiancheng felt a pang of reluctance in his heart, he had no choice but to accept this harsh reality for the greater good.
Back at the Eastern Palace, Li Jiancheng drafted the execution decree with a heavy heart. He knew that this document would seal Li Shimin's fate, but for the stability of the Tang dynasty and his own claim to the throne, he had no other option.
Meanwhile, in his prison cell, Li Shimin received the news of his impending execution with feelings of sorrow and resentment. He could hardly believe that the empire he had fought so hard for would end like this. Yet faced with the whims of fate, he could only accept it with resignation.
When the execution decree arrived at his cell, Li Shimin took the poison wine and gazed out at the sky with a deep sigh: "Tang dynasty, farewell forever!"
He drank it all in one gulp; soon after, he breathed his last. The news of Li Shimin's death sent shockwaves through the court and beyond. Some mourned him while others rejoiced; meanwhile, Li Jiancheng silently prayed that Li Shimin's death would bring true peace and prosperity to the Tang dynasty.
With Li Shimin's passing, Li Yuan found it increasingly difficult to manage state affairs. He realized that his health was deteriorating and that he could no longer bear the heavy responsibilities of imperial power. Thus, at Li Jiancheng's suggestion, Li Yuan decided to abdicate and pass the throne to him.
On June 21st of the ninth year of Wu De, Li Yuan held a grand ceremony at Tai Chi Hall to announce his abdication formally. Amidst shouts of "Long live His Majesty" from the ministers, Li Jiancheng ascended to the throne and changed the era name to Xinglong, becoming known as Xinglong Emperor in history.
After ascending the throne, Xinglong Emperor implemented a series of measures to pacify both court officials and commoners. He ordered a grand burial for Li Shimin and granted privileges to his children while promising not to implicate innocents due to their father's crimes. This move won him widespread acclaim among ministers and citizens alike and laid a solid foundation for his rule.
Under Xinglong Emperor's governance, the Tang dynasty gradually prospered. He vigorously developed the economy by reducing taxes and encouraging agricultural production so that people could live in peace and contentment. At the same time, he actively reformed officialdom by severely punishing corruption and promoting capable individuals, resulting in a clear and efficient government.
On foreign fronts, Xinglong Emperor adopted a hardline policy by personally leading troops against neighboring Turkic tribes and Tuyuhun nomads. He achieved numerous victories that completely eliminated threats along Tang's borders. His military actions not only expanded Tang's territory but also significantly enhanced its prestige among neighboring nations.
The reign of Xinglong Emperor was later praised as the "Xinglong Era," becoming one of the most glorious chapters in Tang history. He himself was revered by future generations as "Xinglong Shengjun" due to his wise decisions and benevolent nature.
However, Xinglong Emperor knew well that all these honors and achievements were built upon bloodshed and power struggles. In quiet moments during late nights, he often thought of those relatives and ministers who lost their lives in the whirlpool of power struggles; an indescribable bitterness and sorrow would swell within him.
Yet he also understood that as a ruler of a nation, he must continue steadfastly on this thorny path for the future of Tang. Only by doing so could he fulfill the late emperor's expectations and live up to the trust placed in him by the people—creating a true golden age belonging to Tang dynasty.
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