Control your ancestors and create an immortal family starting from the Eastern Han Dynasty

Chapter 142 I Will Control the Armies of the World! (Two Chapters Combined, Requesting Monthly Tickets)
Gu Yi had been silently watching all of this, and now a feeling he couldn't quite describe was rising in his heart.

To help someone even at the cost of one's reputation—

In the end, Gu Quan still made what he believed to be the right thing to do, balancing family and personal feelings.

However, the price paid was indeed too cruel.

Regardless of whether we win or lose this battle;
When Gu Quan took this step, Gu Quan of the Gu family was already completely dead; at least in public, he would never appear again.

This move is also contributing to the Gu family's prosperity.

Just like the generations of his descendants, he contributed to the Gu family in his own way.

Gu Yi's feelings were somewhat complicated.

In fact, he had considered using the Spirit Jade to interfere with the choices of his family members, directly leading them to bet everything on Li Shimin.

This move—

This will definitely allow the Gu family to quickly recover to its peak in the following dynasty.

But after a little more thought, he ultimately suppressed the idea.

The Gu family must absolutely not participate in disputes concerning the foundation of the nation.

Once a family participates in such a conflict, it will never again be the family that everyone can trust. It will inevitably become embroiled in endless struggles.

Even with Gu Yi's help, the Gu family still managed to win every time.

However, human nature is fickle, and even the emperor who supports the family might eliminate the Gu family after ascending the throne.

This is an unbearable burden for the Gu family.

The Gu family's current status is a direct result of the efforts and restraint of generations over hundreds of years.

He absolutely cannot allow temporary glory to affect the very foundation of the Gu family.

This night was destined to be extraordinary.

Whether it was Li Shimin, Li Jiancheng, or Li Yuanji, they were all preparing their own killing moves.

That's right, Li Jiancheng was no longer going to tolerate it.

Li Yuan's attitude;

Li Shimin's prestige in the army had become a nightmare for him, and he had to take action no matter what!

For both sides, all conflicts must be resolved completely in the near future.

No one left all night.

Li Shimin had made all the preparations and was just waiting for the final battle.

The next day.

Early morning hours.

Although Princess Consort Zhangsun never asked Li Shimin what he was going to do, she had some guesses when she saw those familiar faces.

Just as she had done for Li Shimin when he went to war years ago, she personally helped him put on his armor, her expression utterly calm.

"today--"

Looking at his wife, Li Shimin's expression was complicated, as if he wanted to talk to her.

But before he could say it...

Empress Zhangsun immediately covered Li Shimin's mouth with her hand and said solemnly, "Your Majesty, I will stand guard at Chengqian's gate with a blade, just as I did that day, waiting for Your Highness's return."

A simple sentence, yet it completely expresses the attitude.

Li Shimin's expression changed instantly, and he immediately pulled the woman in front of him into his arms.

His eyes were a little red.

At that moment, Li Shimin truly felt that he was still lucky.

Even at this point, there will still be people willing to die with him, and people willing to give up everything to support him.

His gaze grew increasingly resolute.

The invincible spirit I've cultivated over the years has become even more solidified at this moment.

He absolutely cannot lose!
He cannot let down those who have been waiting for him these past few days, nor can he let down the people who have placed their hopes in him.

Scenes from these past years keep flashing before my eyes.

A young man who set lofty goals at a young age;

At the beginning of the uprising, they were fearless and braved dangers, traveling thousands of miles to catch Julu.
The aspirations he set when he witnessed the rise and fall of the people;

The general who dared to boast with thousands of soldiers at Hulao Pass, "What can a million men do to me?"

A gentle breeze blew as thousands knelt and chanted "King Qin's Heavenly Grace" in front of the Yangtze River.
The fear in the eyes of the Turkic Khan;
Scenes from all these years kept replaying in Li Shimin's mind at this moment.

Until the very end;
This transformed into the unwavering support of the court officials, Gu Quan's disfigurement, and the loyalty of Princess Changsun.

Li Shimin took a deep breath, hugged Princess Changsun tightly, and said nothing more, only firmly stating, "Wait for me."

Say it.

He turned and headed out of the room.

——Boom!

It seemed that even the heavens sensed the extraordinary nature of the day, with thunder rumbling continuously under the gloomy sky. Although it didn't rain, it still gave people an exceptionally heavy feeling.

The soldiers had already made all the necessary preparations.

Seeing Li Shimin come out, they all stood up, each with an extremely firm look in their eyes.

Now that we've come to this point...

That's enough.

Without wasting any words, Li Shimin led everyone directly towards the palace.

He chose Xuanwu Gate as the location for this battle.

This is his only chance.

He currently only has eight hundred soldiers. Gu Quan has prepared some loyal followers for him, but even combined, they number less than a thousand.

It is completely impossible for them to compare with Li Jiancheng and Li Yuanji.

besides;

He also needs to consider the Imperial Guards of Chang'an.

Only by controlling the battlefield within the palace could he have a chance of survival.

Li Shimin must quickly end the battle and settle everything before Li Yuan can be forced to accept the reality.

His strategic vision is unparalleled.

Therefore, Li Shimin had already bribed Chang He, the general guarding Xuanwu Gate, and had his troops ambushed inside the gate.

But before that.

He also wanted to see Li Yuan.

This is also one of the core aspects of this plan.

Li Shimin had to keep Li Yuan calm, at least preventing him from quickly mobilizing the imperial guards.

As soon as the Imperial Guards move.

At that time, his small force would not be able to cause any major chaos.

The wind howled.

Accompanied by the rumble of thunder, it was as if the heavens themselves were watching over the entire land of Kyushu.

Even Gu Yi started to get nervous.

They watched everything intently, unwilling to miss any detail.

Tai Chi Hall.

When Li Yuan heard that Li Shimin had arrived, he didn't think much of it and simply waved his hand to have Li Shimin brought in.

But as Li Shimin entered the main hall, he immediately frowned.

Li Shimin was actually holding a weapon in his hand!

And look at the way he walks.

Li Yuan could tell instantly that Li Shimin was wearing armor today!

Why carry a weapon?

He stared intently at Li Shimin, frowning as he asked.

"Father," Li Shimin said, his face expressionless as he stared intently at Li Yuan, "I have come today to bid you farewell!"

—He did not address his father as the emperor.

After Li Yuan became emperor.

The relationships within this family seem to have changed.

Suspicion; contradiction;
So-called family ties are utterly insignificant in the face of the emperor's position.

"Saying goodbye?" Li Yuan was momentarily stunned, looking at Li Shimin in astonishment and asking, "Where are you going?"

"Could it be that they intend to fight against the Xiongnu?"

He instinctively assumed that Li Shimin had this thought, and immediately advised, "Second Brother, the Grand Tutor has already led the army there, and you..."

"Father!"

Li Shimin interrupted Li Yuan directly and knelt down before him: "I have heard that the Crown Prince and the Prince of Qi want to kill me. The Prince of Qi even boasted in the Eastern Palace that he would personally behead me."

"My son's death is imminent."

——Boom!

A thunderous sound suddenly erupted as Li Shimin finished speaking.

"What?" Li Yuan's expression changed instantly, his face filled with disbelief as he stared intently at Li Shimin: "How is this possible?"

"I have my own spies!"

moment--

A look of pain flashed across Li Yuan's face. He stared intently at Li Shimin, his body trembling slightly, and his eyes suddenly reddened.

"Have you brothers really come to this?"

His tone also carried a hint of pain.

Looking at the weapon in Li Shimin's hand and the armor on his body, he slowly stood up and said again, "Things have come to this, what do you want to do?"

"It's not about what the son wants, it's about what the Crown Prince and the Prince of Qi want!"

Li Shimin's gaze grew increasingly cold. "Since the Li family raised its army, have you ever done anything wrong? What have you done to wrong my Great Tang?"

"But what about the Crown Prince? What about the King of Qi?"

"I will return to Chang'an."

"The personal guards were successively dismissed, and the close attendants were successively removed from their posts."

"I would like to ask—"

"Is Father really so heartless as to watch his son die at the hands of the Crown Prince and the Prince of Qi? To be mocked in the afterlife by those he once killed?"

These questions were like needles piercing Li Yuan's heart.

Others might not know, but how could he not know?
How could he forget the promise he made to Li Shimin years ago?
"Erlang."

Li Yuan's eyes immediately reddened, and he quickly stepped forward to pull Li Shimin back: "Father will help you, quick! Summon the Crown Prince and the Prince of Qi to the palace immediately."

Perhaps it's a relationship that has truly reached a dead end.

At this moment.

Li Yuan finally decided to personally intervene in the relationship between his two sons.

But obviously, it's too late.

Li Shimin stated his chosen location without any hesitation.

—Sea Pool!
Using the pretext of fearing an ambush, he persuaded Li Yuan to choose a location on a ship.

Li Yuan, of course, wouldn't think much of it now.

Haichi is the core area of ​​Taiji Palace. He often rests in the lakeside hall on weekdays, so how could he possibly have any suspicions?
Not to mention that his mind is now completely in turmoil.

He naively thought that he could ease the conflict between Li Jiancheng and Li Shimin by acting as their father.

Everything is going according to plan!
Li Yuan led Li Shimin towards the sea, constantly comforting him along the way.

"With me here, Erlang has nothing to worry about."

"Once this matter is settled, I will appoint you as the Ten Directions Expeditionary Envoy of our Great Tang. At that time, you will be like the Marquis Zhaolie of yesteryear. Unless there is something important, you should not return to the capital."

"."

He kept babbling on and on, completely oblivious to anything unusual.

Under these circumstances, Li Shimin directly brought Li Yuan onto the ship.

Without the slightest hesitation, he ordered the boat to set sail.

Until this moment—

Li Yuan gradually noticed the abnormality. Looking at the unfamiliar imperial guards on the shore, he frowned and asked, "Who are these people? Why do I seem to have never seen them before?"

“Father, these are the guards of the Prince of Qin’s residence.” Li Shimin breathed a sigh of relief and answered calmly.

In an instant, Li Yuan's expression changed drastically.

Seeing the sharp blade in Li Shimin's hand, he seemed to finally realize what was happening, and pointed at Li Shimin, "Second Prince, are you going to rebel?"

"Father."

Li Shimin turned his head slightly to look at him, revealing a very complicated smile: "I don't want any more envoys for conquering all directions."

He slowly clenched his fist and raised the weapon in his hand:

"today--"

"Our Great Tang Dynasty can only have one crown prince!"

As he spoke, Li Shimin's eyes gradually reddened, but the determination in his gaze remained undiminished.

He has changed.

From the day he vomited blood and saw his wife and children by his side.

The Prince of Qin, who once wholeheartedly aspired to become the Envoy of the Ten Directions and to usher in a golden age for the Tang Dynasty, is now dead.

All he wants now is to be the emperor!

Li Yuan's expression changed drastically as he looked at his son.

It was so familiar.

But at this moment, it felt incredibly unfamiliar.

"Someone, someone, come!"

Without the slightest hesitation, he immediately shouted.

Unfortunately, from the moment he walked to Haichi and boarded the ship, he lost control of everything in the capital!

The men who had been hiding on the ship immediately came out.

A small boat followed.

Li Shimin glanced at Li Yuan again, and seeing the complicated expression on Li Yuan's face, he jumped onto the small boat without hesitation.

"His Majesty's decree—"

"The Taiji Palace Imperial Guards are not to move without authorization!"

A powerful shout quickly spread further and further as the messengers took turns relaying the message.

Meanwhile, in front of Taiji Palace.

Li Jiancheng and Li Yuanji were heading towards the palace.

Li Jiancheng appeared completely calm, but Li Yuanji carried a hint of worry.

“Brother, isn’t there news that Li Shimin is already making preparations? Why don’t we listen to me today and pretend to be sick and not go?”

He solemnly made the suggestion to Li Jiancheng.

"Why is Fourth Brother in such a panic?" Li Jiancheng sneered, "Now that the capital is completely under our control, what other methods can Li Shimin use?"

"Father summons me today."

"If we don't displease Father, that's the real trouble."

"And don't forget—"

"Is Chang He of Xuanwu Gate one of my men?"

Li Jiancheng didn't care at all.

Upon hearing this, Li Yuanji's eyes still held a hint of worry, but after thinking for a moment, he finally nodded.

——Boom!

Thunder rumbled incessantly. The two men, leading their retinue, continued their journey towards Xuanwu Gate.

There were also a group of ministers.

Li Yuan clearly intended to finalize the matter today, and he also sent them the message, but their speed was destined to be slower.

Xuanwu Gate.

As the northern core of Taiji Palace, it not only provides direct access to the Forbidden Garden, but also allows for the swift severing of the palace's connection with the outside world.

This is also one of the reasons why Li Shimin chose this location for this operation.

Li Jiancheng naturally intended to enter through the Xuanwu Gate.

He also had his own plans in mind. When he passed through Xuanwu Gate, he instructed Chang He to let anyone with his token pass.

This was also a failure of Emperor Li Yuan.

In fact, fundamentally.

His position as emperor has been somewhat usurped.

Whether it was Li Jiancheng or Li Shimin, both of them continuously infiltrated their own power into the palace.

Although Li Yuan was always the emperor.

However, his control as emperor had weakened considerably.

This is also a result of his personality.

His indulgence of his two sons has led to the current situation.

--boom!

As Li Jiancheng and Li Yuanji passed through Xuanwu Gate, the heavy and imposing city gate closed instantly.

The entire palace was eerily quiet, no different from usual.

But I don't know if it was because the sky was too gloomy.

Not only was Li Yuanji becoming increasingly nervous, but even Li Jiancheng had beads of cold sweat on his forehead.

The two headed towards the Lakeside Palace.

However, as Li Jiancheng approached the Linhu Palace, he suddenly felt something was amiss; the faces of the guards gave him a sense of familiarity.

But after just a few close glances, his expression changed instantly.

These are not the imperial guards, but the men of the Prince of Qin's residence!

The thought exploded in my mind like a thunderclap.

Without any hesitation, Li Jiancheng immediately tightened the reins and shouted, "Go!"

Say it.

He immediately turned his horse around and charged out of the palace.

But just then——

A familiar yet chilling shout suddenly rang out.

"Big brother!"

Li Shimin and Li Jiancheng turned their heads almost simultaneously, and instantly saw Li Shimin, who was holding a bow and arrow, leading a group of men to attack them!
And right behind them, another group of people appeared.

The two men glanced at him briefly, and instantly felt as if they had fallen into an ice cellar. They had seen Yuchi Jingde!
The key is--

There was still one person in front of Yuchi Jingde.

The man looked as if he had walked out of hell, his face covered with countless wounds, some of which were still bleeding. He looked like a demon!
"What are you going to do!"

Li Jiancheng immediately shouted, "I am the Crown Prince of the Great Tang Dynasty! How dare you lead troops into the palace? Are you plotting a rebellion?"

By this point, how could he not know that he had been ambushed?

But he had to do it.

As long as we can stall for time, it doesn't matter whether the palace guards become aware of it or our own troops arrive.

He has the ability to retaliate.

As the crown prince, he had the upper hand both in public and private matters!

"Prince?"

Li Shimin's voice rang out again, and a disdainful smile appeared on his face. Without saying a word, he directly gripped the bow and arrow in his hand.

"you dare!"

Upon seeing this, Li Yuanji, who had already made preparations, changed his expression drastically and, without hesitation, took the lead in drawing his bow and firing several arrows at Li Shimin.

Whoosh—whoosh—whoosh!

A series of whooshing sounds rang out, accompanied by bursts of thunder, instantly igniting the situation.

Li Shimin's expression remained unchanged, and he didn't even move an inch.

His archery skills far surpassed those of Li Yuanji.

How could they not see that Li Yuanji's arrows went astray because of panic?

He continued what he was doing.

Before Li Jiancheng could react, he shot an arrow at him.

——Whoosh!

The power of that arrow was truly unimaginable.

Li Jiancheng's body instantly fell from his warhorse, gushing out a torrent of blood. He tried to get up, but the pain was unbearable.

In the end, he simply raised his head and looked at Li Shimin.

His eyes held both regret for himself and resentment towards Li Shimin.

But ultimately, he couldn't change anything!
The situation is completely out of control.

At this point, Li Yuanji no longer cares about so many things.
Without uttering a single word, he immediately tried to escape.

"kill!"

Li Shimin stared intently at Li Yuanji, and without uttering a single word, he shouted and spurred his horse to chase after him!
——Boom!

The sounds of thunder will continue to resound.

This added a heavy atmosphere to the bloodshed that day.

Gu Quan did not pursue them, but led his troops back to Xuanwu Gate.

This is also one of the plans.

He had to hold off Li Jiancheng's troops and buy Li Shimin time to settle everything!

The great battle at Xuanwu Gate had already begun.

Xue Wanche of the Eastern Palace had already led Li Jiancheng's Changlin soldiers to attack Xuanwu Gate.

The situation is becoming increasingly dire.

When Gu Quan's devilish face appeared at Xuanwu Gate.

Not to mention the Changlin soldiers, even Chang He, who had already pledged allegiance to Li Shimin, was taken aback.

He was not one of Li Shimin's core confidants, so it was impossible for him to know Gu Quan's identity.

You don't even need to lift a finger.

Gu Quan's current appearance alone is enough to make many people feel panicked.

Gu Quan did not interfere with the defense of the city.

Throughout the entire ordeal, he never uttered a single word, only instructing his men to help defend the city.

A dense barrage of arrows rained down.

Both sides had nowhere left to retreat.

But it is, after all, the imperial city.

To think that such a small force could completely breach the imperial city is nothing short of wishful thinking.

Xue Wanche was no ordinary man either.

He quickly realized this and then made a decisive move to attack Li Shimin's Qin Prince's Mansion, aiming to undermine Li Shimin's power.

—This is absolutely a killer move!
But for Gu Quan, leaving so easily was not so simple.

Compared to the major battles he had faced in the past, this battle was actually much simpler.

There are only so many options available to both sides.

When he realized that Xue Wanche intended to retreat, he did not hesitate at all and immediately ordered Chang He to open the city gate!

He's going to lead his troops out to fight his way out!

—Crunch.

The heavy, imposing city gate suddenly opened.

Xue Wanche had not expected such a turn of events, but seeing that the city gates had already been opened, he naturally had to rush to rescue Li Jiancheng as soon as possible!

A fierce battle broke out between the two sides!

Gu Quan even changed his weapon.

He used to wield a long spear, which was the favorite weapon of the Gu family members after Gu Chen.

But now he has switched to a horse spear.

This is something only the Gu family members, who have been exposed to weapons since childhood, could do so naturally.

"kill!!!"

The shouts instantly resounded throughout the heavens and earth.

Compared to normal offensive and defensive battles, this kind of frontal assault is obviously much bloodier.

Gu Quan charged ahead.

As the lance in his hand continued to slash, blood instantly stained his entire body, making his already terrifying face even more horrifying!

"Those who advance will die, those who surrender will not be killed!"

He shouted in a hoarse voice.

He stood there with his men in front of Xuanwu Gate, and the imposing aura he exuded truly deterred the Changlin soldiers from taking another step forward.

Meanwhile, at the Linhu Palace.

Li Yuan had been brought down from the lake and was now sitting on the so-called dragon throne with a face full of grief.

Besides Li Shimin's confidants, he was accompanied by others.

That left him with only Pei Ji, the minister he usually relied on the most.

This minister, who had even advised Li Yuan to be wary of Li Shimin's rebellion, was now completely at a loss, his face ashen.

How could he not understand what would happen after this?
No matter who wins or loses.

His greatest reliance, Li Yuan, will become a mere figurehead; even if he doesn't die, the power in his hands will surely be taken away.

At that time-

Someone as adept at navigating social situations as him will likely never be able to maintain his current position.

Tread. Tread. Tread.
Just then, the sound of footsteps suddenly came from outside the hall.

The two of them looked over almost instantly.

Li Shimin, with his hair disheveled and covered in blood, was seen leading Yuchi Jingde slowly into the palace.

He looked complicated.

There was neither joy nor sorrow.

As soon as he entered the hall, he knelt down directly before Li Yuan and said without any emotion, "Your Majesty, the Crown Prince and the Prince of Qi plotted a rebellion and have been executed by your son!"

"The Crown Prince's troops are currently attacking the capital. I urge Father Emperor to immediately issue an order to halt the Crown Prince's forces!"

——Boom!

A series of thunderous sounds rang out at just the right moment.

Li Shimin's words resonated deeply in the hearts of Li Yuan and Pei Ji.

Pei Ji almost instantly collapsed.

Li Yuan's body also began to tremble.

He stared intently at Li Shimin, slowly rose, and shook his head repeatedly, finally repeating over and over again: "Impossible! Impossible!"

Li Yuan refused to believe it!

Li Shimin did not say anything more, and remained kneeling there without moving an inch. Tears welled up in his eyes, but he never let them fall.

Li Yuan's emotions became increasingly agitated.

Pei Ji seemed to finally realize what was happening. Seeing that Li Yuan was about to fall, he quickly got up and supported him, saying in a trembling voice, "Your Majesty, issue the decree."

He wanted to use this move to show goodwill to Li Shimin.

The situation has completely changed.

The fact that Li Shimin was able to return here again says it all.

Even if he cannot retain his current power, he needs to do everything possible to avoid being purged by Li Shimin.

These words finally brought Li Yuan back to his senses.

He slumped onto the dragon throne as if all his bones had been removed, his cloudy gaze sweeping over Pei Ji, his Adam's apple bobbing with difficulty, and finally he tremblingly waved his hand.

The moment the old prime minister brought out the yellow hemp paper, his withered fingers trembled as he gripped the wolf-hair brush and began to write.

"I request that the Prime Minister go and appease the soldiers of the Eastern Palace." Li Shimin's solemn voice pierced the stagnant air.

The imperial edict in Pei Ji's hand rustled as he looked up and met the cold, piercing gaze of Captain Chi Jingde.

The old minister's body trembled instantly.

Even he felt the threat of death.

He immediately accepted the order, got up and was about to go, and Yuchi Jingde followed directly behind him.

As the palace doors slammed shut, the scent of ambergris mixed with the smell of rust filled the air inside.

Li Yuan slammed his fist on the imperial desk as he looked at Li Shimin, causing the bronze candlestick on the desk to shake violently. He couldn't help but roar, "Of my four sons, only you are left. Is this the price of gaining the empire?"

Tears kept rolling down her cheeks.

He seemed to be blaming himself and regretting his actions.

I regretted watching all of this silently.

Li Shimin knelt on one knee, the blood scabs on his black armor glowing dark red in the candlelight, his knuckles digging deeply into his palms, yet he remained silent with his eyes lowered.

"What else do you want?!" Li Yuan's emotions suddenly surged again. He staggered down the steps, his crown tassels slapping Li Shimin's forehead. "The throne is already in your hands, what more do you want?!"

"I want to control all the armies in the land!" Li Shimin suddenly looked up, his eyes bloodshot as if ignited by the candlelight in the palace.

He slowly rose and stared straight at Li Yuan, letting tears stream down his face, his gaze unwavering.

Under Li Yuan's astonished gaze.

He took a deep breath, clenched his fists, and his voice grew louder:
"I will control all the armies in the land!!!"

"I want."

"Control the armies of the realm!"

——Boom!

Another clap of thunder sounded, as if announcing to the world.

From this day forward, the Tang Dynasty will be completely transformed!
------

"On the day of Gengshen in the sixth month of the ninth year, Emperor Taizong led Changsun Wuji, Yuchi Jingde, Hou Junji, Zhang Gongjin and others to ambush troops at Xuanwu Gate."

As dawn broke, Jiancheng and Yuanji rode side by side into the palace, but upon reaching the Linhu Hall, they sensed something amiss and immediately turned back.

Emperor Taizong spurred his horse and shouted, "The nation is in grave danger! The fate of the nation rests in the hands of you gentlemen!"

Soon after, two thousand elite troops from the Eastern Palace and the Qi residence rushed to attack Xuanwu Gate. The gate was just closed when the defenders fought fiercely.

Arrows rained down like rain, and the King of Qin's personal guards were nearly wiped out.

Suddenly, a burly man with a face full of scars led his troops out. His face was covered with knife marks, and his muscles were twisted like a demon, so no one could recognize his appearance.

Clad in heavy armor and wielding a lance, he single-handedly blocked the palace gates, fighting against dozens of men.

The soldiers of Changlin attacked with spears; wherever their spears passed, spears broke and men died, blood splattering three steps away.

A fierce soldier rushed forward and grabbed his armor. The scarred man roared and swung his halberd down, cutting the soldier and his armor in two. The crowd retreated in horror.

The battle raged from dawn until noon, leaving corpses strewn across the ground. The guards were greatly encouraged by his imposing presence.

Afterwards, officials petitioned to commend the man, but Emperor Taizong ignored them.

Those who privately inquired about the day's combat all replied, "They seem familiar, but their faces are completely different, and there's no way to verify it."

—From the Annals of Emperor Taizong of Tang (Book of Tang)

(End of this chapter)