The immortal of the Tang Dynasty, but the game starts at Xuanwu Gate?

"Second brother! You dare!"

Li Yuanji's eyes were bloodshot, and he nocked an arrow and shot.

But whether it was out of panic or because of Li Jiancheng's miserable state, he missed all three of his shots!

"Fourth brother, your archery skills have declined somewhat!"

Li Shimin's gaze was cold. Li Jiancheng was dead, and the few remaining imperial guards would definitely not be able to stop his own forces from charging in.

Having dealt with Li Jiancheng, he no longer needed to risk his life. While keeping an eye on the situation, he pondered how to deal with the two thousand elite troops of the Eastern Palace and how to persuade Li Yuan to pass the throne to him.

"Hahaha, Your Highness, what excellent archery skills!"

Yuchi Gong was overjoyed and charged forward with his spear, intending to capture Li Yuanji in one fell swoop.

Looking at the people falling around him, Li Yuanji knew that the situation was hopeless and that he had no chance of surviving today.

Li Shimin, having fought a desperate battle and launched a mutiny, would not let him go simply because he begged for mercy.

And here, no one will come to save him.

Li Yuanji glanced one last time at his elder brother Li Jiancheng, whose eyes were wide open in death, and said with a bitter smile, "We used to be brothers who shared drinks and laughter together."

"Your elder brother had many opportunities to kill you, but he hesitated because of his soft heart and ultimately missed the chance."

"You also had the opportunity to get rid of the eldest brother, but in the end you still didn't do it."

"But we don't know when we got to this point, simply because we were born in a chaotic world, seized the throne, and became princes."

"We all had concerns about brotherhood."

"But I also know that, being born into royalty, there's nothing we can do..."

Li Yuanji chuckled self-deprecatingly, then suddenly drew his sword and charged madly toward Li Shimin.

He would never sit idly by and wait for his doom.

"Protect the Emperor!" Yuchi Gong shouted, raising his spear to meet the attack.

Li Shimin remained unmoved, only coldly watching the charging figure, his lips twitching slightly.

It's hard to tell whether it's mockery or sorrow.

Li Yuanji's eyes were bloodshot, and he looked like a mad tiger. He swung his sword and cleaved through two guards blocking his way, rushing straight to Li Shimin's horse.

Just as the blade was about to fall, a sharp arrow pierced the air and struck him squarely in the throat.

He was an archer behind Li Shimin.

Li Yuanji froze, and his sword clattered to the ground with a crisp sound.

"Your Highness, are you alright?" Yuchi Gong rode up and hurriedly asked.

Li Shimin shook his head slightly, gazing at Li Yuanji below.

The latter stared at him intently, making muffled sounds in his throat, and blood gushed from the corner of his mouth.

"You win..." He uttered these three words as a final gesture before collapsing to the ground, raising a cloud of dust.

Li Shimin slowly withdrew his gaze, expressionless, turned his horse around, and said in a deep voice towards Xuanwu Gate, "Pass on the order!"

"Li Jiancheng and Li Yuanji were executed for their rebellion; the rest will be spared. Those who lay down their arms and surrender will be pardoned for their past transgressions."

"Your Highness!" Du Ruhui rode forward from behind, his voice grave. "The commotion this time is too great. The news is probably impossible to contain. The Crown Prince's general, Feng Li, and the Qi Prince's generals, Xie Shufang and Xue Wanche, will likely not sit idly by and wait for their doom."

Yuchi Gong frowned: "Li Jiancheng is dead. Do you think they can still lead two thousand elite troops to fight us?"

Du Ruhui slowly shook his head: "Things cannot be viewed that way. First, Li Jiancheng has been kind to these people. If they do nothing, it would be unreasonable."

"Secondly, Li Jiancheng is dead. If they remain inactive, His Highness is very likely to ascend the throne."

"At that time, who can guarantee that His Highness will not massacre the Crown Prince's former subordinates?"

"These people must come if they want to live, to protect His Majesty, and to prevent His Highness's plan from succeeding."

Yuchi Gong sneered, "So many twists and turns! It seems I've been oversimplifying things. This battle is probably unavoidable!"

Li Shimin drew his sword and said, "What are you afraid of? Haven't we already prepared for the worst?"

"The plan is progressing smoothly. As long as we withstand the attack of the Crown Prince's two thousand elite troops, we are only one step away from success!"

"Soldiers!" Li Shimin proclaimed loudly, "The arrows have left the bowstring, the swords have been drawn; retreat means certain death!"

"If you stand guard at Xuanwu Gate with me, once reinforcements arrive, our mission will be accomplished! We'll then enjoy high positions, great wealth, and endless riches. Do you have the courage?"

"We are willing to die for Your Highness!" the soldiers shouted in unison, their morale soaring.

Why are we all risking our lives for this?

Isn't it all for the sake of gaining merit and titles, and having wealth and honor at one's doorstep from now on?

With Crown Prince Li Jiancheng dead, as long as Xuanwu Gate is held, all of this will no longer be just a verbal promise, but a reality.

No one seemed to fear death; they were only obsessed with high positions, generous salaries, and riches.

at the same time.

Xue Wanche, the deputy commander of the Prince Qi's mansion, also received news of Li Jiancheng's ambush and was immediately enraged.

He was nominally Li Yuanji's man, but in reality, he was a member of Li Jiancheng's princeling faction and had received great favors from Li Jiancheng.

"His Highness the Crown Prince has shown us immeasurable kindness. Now that he has been ambushed and his chances of survival are slim, and the Prince of Qin is plotting a rebellion!"

Xue Wanche slammed his hand on the table, abruptly stood up, his eyes almost spitting fire: "Issue my order! Gather all the elite troops of the Eastern Palace and follow me to Xuanwu Gate! Rescue His Majesty, kill the Prince of Qin, and avenge His Highness the Crown Prince!"

The lieutenant hesitated, then said, "Commander Xue, the Crown Prince and the Prince of Qi are probably... Should we investigate first?"

"Find out?" Xue Wanche grabbed his collar. "By the time you find out, the Prince of Qin will have already secured his throne, and we'll both be dead! The Crown Prince treats me like a brother; even if it costs me my life, I won't let the villains succeed!"

As he spoke, he looked at Xie Shufang, a general in the Qi Prince's mansion: "The King of Qin launched a coup, killing the Crown Prince and the King of Qi. Think about it, what will the King of Qin do next?"

Before Xie Shufang could respond, he gave his answer: "The next step is to force His Majesty to abdicate!"

Xie Shufang's expression changed slightly, and he seemed somewhat shaken.

Xue Wanche immediately added, "As former members of the Crown Prince's faction, if we stand idly by and do nothing, who will survive the Qin King's reckoning?"

"Why not join me in this gamble, storm Xuanwu Gate, defend the emperor, and after we succeed, we'll be rewarded with titles and honors for our wives and children, and our names will be etched in history!"

The soldiers, who shared the fate of the Crown Prince, were filled with righteous indignation upon hearing this and drew their swords in response.

Xue Wanche's words completely convinced Xie Shufang.

Immediately afterward, Xue Wanche did not hesitate at all. He urgently contacted Feng Li, the general of the Eastern Palace, explained the situation, and quickly assembled all the troops that the Eastern Palace and the Qi Prince's Mansion could mobilize.

Xue Wanche, along with Feng Li and Xie Shufang, led more than two thousand elite soldiers straight to Xuanwu Gate, their momentum deafening, drums beating loudly as they prepared to enter.

"Soldiers, charge with me!"

Xue Wanche, as the commander-in-chief, wearing heavy armor, took the lead and launched a tidal wave of attacks on Li Shimin and other forces who were lying in ambush at Xuanwu Gate.

"Attack! Attack!"

Xie Shufang was not to be outdone, and the moment the battle was ignited, it entered a fierce stage.

"..."