A thousand-year-old family begins with one fighting against ten thousand.

"It's too late to say all this now."

Li Bai stopped Du Fu, saying, "Brother Dafu, you must immediately reorganize the defenses of Luoyang to prevent An Lushan and Shi Siming from launching a desperate attack on the city."

"At the same time, contact Zong Shen. He sided with us last time, so His Majesty will definitely take action against the Imperial Guards this time."

"He must make sure that the palace is defended to the death."

"An Lushan and Shi Siming commanded nearly 20 elite troops, but the imperial court also had 5 imperial guards and nearly 30 central government troops in Luoyang. Did An Lushan and Shi Siming have such audacity?"

Cen Shen asked, puzzled.

Li Bai shook his head. "They certainly don't have the guts, but His Majesty is inviting trouble. He's already ordered them to lead their troops directly into Luoyang. Of course they're not afraid."

"Moreover, I estimate that after they enter the capital, His Majesty will quickly disband the Imperial Guards, the Commander of the Imperial Guards, and the central army outside the city."

"At that time, they will not only have 20 elite troops, but also His Majesty's righteousness. They only need to fool His Majesty and show that they are obedient to His Majesty. His Majesty will naturally find a way to let them take control of Luoyang."

"By then, they will have absorbed the Central Army and the Imperial Guard, and their strength will have increased dramatically. Even if they turn against each other, there will be no force in Luoyang that can restrain them."

Li Bai said solemnly.

He had never worried about foreign troops before, because with the city's defenses and army, it would take several months to take Luoyang without a million-strong army.

A mere 20 elite troops are simply not enough; with the current strength of the imperial court, they could be wiped out with a flick of the wrist.

What's truly frightening is if our leader is a traitor, personally welcoming in these foreign troops and handing over the city's defenses. No matter how capable Li Bai is, can he still fight against an army of 20?

Couldn't Your Majesty just behave for a while and let him have some peace and quiet?

Li Bai felt that his 10 years of hard work could shorten his lifespan by 30 years.

It's too exhausting.

"Brother Taibai, if An Lushan and Shi Siming lead their troops into the palace, His Majesty will definitely target you first."

"Unless we raise an army in rebellion, otherwise..."

Wang Wei spoke up, not going into details, but everyone knew what he meant.

Li Bai was deeply troubled by this news. How did he end up with such an emperor?

If only he had been married to Emperor Taizong of Tang, Li Shimin! He might still be that carefree wanderer, traveling all over the country, writing poems and enjoying life to the fullest!

"Brother Cen, you will stay in the military camp and remain there for the next few days. If there is any unrest in the capital, or if you receive my signal flare, immediately lead your troops into the city."

"Don't worry, Taibai, I understand."

Cen Shen clasped his hands in acceptance of the order.

"Brother Duff, I'm leaving the Imperial Guards to you."

Li Bai turned to look at Gao Shi and said seriously.

Gao Shi nodded slightly, "Brother Taibai, rest assured, An Lushan and Shi Siming's armies will absolutely not set foot in the palace!"

Li Bai nodded, looking at the somewhat gloomy sky, feeling immense pressure.

"A storm is brewing!"

The troop movements could not be kept secret from high-ranking officials and dignitaries; a little inquiry was all it took to find out what had happened.

In order to protect their lives and property, they were all making their own preparations.

A somber atmosphere permeated the entire city of Luoyang, as if everyone was on edge, and even the restaurants in Luoyang were experiencing a significant drop in business.

……

On this day, outside Luoyang, 20 elite border troops stood guard outside the city gates, exuding a murderous aura, confronting the imperial guards defending the city gates.

"This military governor has come on the emperor's orders; how dare you stop me?"

An Lushan rode a tall horse, exuding a murderous aura, his black armor making him appear even more chilling.

His gaze toward Luoyang held a hint of greed and desire.

There was not a trace of submissiveness in his eyes, only arrogance and ambition.

It'll be here soon.

An Lushan tried his best to suppress his desires and possessiveness, and turned his gaze to the bustling Chang'an.

He lightly kicked the horse's belly, and his prized horse, which had been his companion for many years and was extremely compatible with him, immediately rode forward a few steps. An Lushan walked out of the army and stood in front of the Luoyang city gate alone.

"If Governor An and Governor Shi wish to enter the city, that is perfectly acceptable."

"But the army cannot enter the city. Please understand, Governor An."

Gao Shi was not in the court; after receiving a signal from Li Bai, he remained at the city gate.

The purpose was to stop An Lushan and Shi Siming's army outside the city and prevent them from entering the capital.

"I am acting on His Majesty's orders to lead troops into Luoyang. Why is Minister Gao obstructing me? Are you disobeying even His Majesty's commands?"

An Lushan sneered, "His Majesty wrote in his letter that there are treacherous officials in the court, and he ordered me to lead troops into the capital to protect His Majesty's safety. Could it be that Minister Gao is that treacherous official?"

"presumptuous!"

Gao Shi angrily said, "The treacherous officials Yang Guozhong and Gao Lishi have been executed. The court is now stable, and there is no need for you to bring troops into the palace."

"How dare you interfere in matters of state?!"

An Lushan was furious upon hearing this. He was a local tyrant in Pinglu, and no one dared to disobey him. Now, Gao Shi dared to look down on him like this, which made An Lushan feel insulted.

"Gao Shi, I'm giving you face by calling you Minister Gao, so don't be ungrateful."

"If you don't let my army enter the city, then don't blame me for being impolite. If my army does enter the city, then the situation will be very different now."

Gao Shi's eyes flickered. It seemed that Li Bai's guess was correct; An Lushan indeed harbored rebellious intentions.

He actually wants to march directly into Luoyang!

That's incredibly audacious.

"Attack Luoyang is tantamount to rebellion. An Lushan, you should think this through carefully."

Gao Shi said in a deep voice that he did not want to start a war unless absolutely necessary.

"I have come on the Emperor's orders; what is wrong with that?"

An Lushan snorted coldly.

"Is there an imperial edict?"

Gao Shi asked.

"His Majesty's secret decree is here; open the door immediately!"

As An Lushan spoke, he took out the secret letter that Li Longji had given him from his bosom.

Gao Shi scoffed.

"Imperial edicts must be drafted by the Secretariat, reviewed by the Chancellery, and issued by the Ministry of Personnel before they are valid."

"This secret letter in your hand means nothing."

An Lushan's expression remained unchanged upon hearing this. After all, he was a high-ranking official like a military governor; how could he possibly be unaware of such a trivial matter?!

But with this letter, he had a sense of righteousness. Even if he attacked Luoyang, as long as he won in the end, he would not be a traitor, because he had Li Longji's secret edict to back him up.

"snort!"

An Lushan snorted coldly. The city walls of Luoyang were high and thick, making it extremely difficult to attack.

If he could just go in directly, he wouldn't want to put in so much effort to besiege the city.

Li Longji should have received the message by now; all that's left is to wait.

If Li Longji could successfully bring him into Luoyang, that would be even better.

But if we fail, it won't be too late to attack Luoyang later.

The imperial court is currently in session inside the Luoyang palace.

Where is Gao Shi, the Minister of War?

Li Longji glanced around the court and discovered that a very important figure from the Li faction had disappeared. This person was Gao Shi, one of Li Bai's right-hand men.

Considering An Lushan's marching speed, he's probably already at the gates of Luoyang!

A smile crept onto Li Longji's lips. Soon, he would be able to regain all power!