In my dream of returning to the Tang Dynasty, I snatched Wu Zetian from my lap.

Li Shimin fell ill and was unable to leave the Hall of Supreme Harmony.

However, the entire Imperial Guard system was put into operation, and the palace was placed under complete martial law.

After Li Yuanchang and Changsun Wuji were dispatched, Li Yuanchang learned the whole story from Changsun Wuji on their way to the East Palace.

Not long ago, through its ongoing investigation into the Li You case, the Dali Temple uncovered a large number of suspects.

One of them was named Hegan Chengji, who was implicated in the Li You case and brought to the Dali Temple.

At the same time, he was also a confidant of Li Chengqian.

This was nothing in itself; it was just an entanglement, not an association.

But because he was afraid of dying, he actually confessed that Li Chengqian, Hou Junji, and Du He were also plotting a rebellion in order to save his own life.

The matter was so serious that even the Vice Minister of the Court of Judicial Review dared not investigate it and reported it to Li Shimin overnight.

Li Shimin was furious on the spot!

But he didn't believe it completely and planned to observe it further.

As a result, Li Chengqian couldn't hold back that night. Not only were all his actions monitored by Li Yuanchang in advance, but he was also exposed as if he were running naked in front of Li Shimin!

When the news of his serious illness and request for an audience arrived, Li Shimin knew it was almost certainly true.

Immediately following this, Li Yuanchang led his troops into the palace late at night.

In other words, this historically famous rebellion was actually passive, influenced by the butterfly effect of the Li You case.

Moreover, this rebellion never even began before it was exposed by the First Emperor of All Time.

When Changsun Wuji and Li Yuanchang, one a civil official and the other a military leader, arrived with their troops, the Eastern Palace was shaken!

When that brightly lit imperial edict was unveiled with the words "I have personally arrived," imperial might tore through the darkness, piercing the gloomy Eastern Palace like beams of light.

All the guards of the Eastern Palace knelt down in unison to welcome him.

"We respectfully welcome Your Majesty! We respectfully welcome Your Majesty!!"

The enormous sound resounded throughout Weigu. Although they were Li Chengqian's guards, the influence of the First Emperor of All Time was undeniable.

Even if Li Shimin had come, Li Chengqian might not have been able to control the armed forces within the Eastern Palace.

No one wanted to rebel against Li Shimin; historically, those who rebelled against Li Shimin were basically all captured by his subordinates.

Was it really just 800 men who were able to storm Xuanwu Gate back then?

Even a fool knows this is impossible. Although Li Jiancheng lost, Li Yuan, who was in charge of the palace, had the entire Imperial Guard system. If it really came down to a fight, Li Shimin's eight hundred men would have no chance of breaking in unless they had AKs.

So what is the real reason?

In reality, the entire Tang Dynasty's imperial guard system turned a blind eye at the time, including people like Li Jing, neither helping nor sending troops to suppress the rebellion.

In a close relationship, if the other person is neutral, that is betrayal.

If it's an opponent, and the other party is neutral, then it's helping.

This relies on prestige.

Following Li Shimin meant enjoying a life of luxury and winning every battle; he was the popular choice!

Clang! Clang! Clang!

The heavy, dense clanging of armor echoed continuously as a large number of imperial guards poured into the central palace.

Wherever they went, no one dared to stop them, as if they were in an empty land.

Leading the way were Li Yuanchang and Changsun Wuji.

Li Yuanchang's face was grim, he was on high alert, and he was thinking about how to deal with the situation.

Entering the palace to rescue the emperor should clear him of all suspicion.

But the Crown Princess is a thorny issue.

Changsun Wuji's usually calm and composed expression turned even more unpleasant.

Over the years, the legitimate Tang dynasty he had wholeheartedly supported had actually embarked on such a path of no return.

This is his own nephew!

Moreover, King Li Ke of Wu has recently returned.

Whether from a public or private perspective, this is a terrible thing for Changsun Wuji and the entire group behind him!

creak...

The majestic gate of the main hall of the East Palace, weathered by the passage of time, was slowly pushed open.

As the firelight shone inside, a strong, pungent smell of alcohol wafted out.

Li Chengqian, whose rebellion had died in the womb, slumped to the ground, leaning against the incense burner, his hair disheveled, in a daze, no longer showing any signs of being the crown prince.

Neither Li Yuanchang nor Changsun Wuji spoke.

"Ha ha ha ha!!"

Looking at the two men and a large number of imperial guards, Li Chengqian suddenly burst into laughter, extremely manic, to the point that his body was convulsing.

It was as if I had encountered the funniest thing in the world.

He seemed to be mocking himself, and also mocking Li Shimin.

"Greetings, Your Highness!"

Li Yuanchang and Changsun Wuji still bowed to each other; after all, he was still the Crown Prince of the Tang Dynasty.

Li Chengqian stood up unsteadily; due to the worsening of his leg ailment, he was already walking with a limp.

With his handsome and dignified appearance, inheriting the exceptional good looks of Li Shimin and Empress Zhangsun, he now walked forward, pale and dejected.

His pupils were first filled with despair, like the helplessness of a mortal facing a god.

He knew he had lost completely.

Li Shimin didn't come; instead, Li Yuanchang, Changsun Wuji, and a large number of imperial guards arrived. He then understood.

Immediately afterwards, his eyes showed a mixture of emotions, including regret, fear, and guilt.

Finally, it's about acceptance!

"uncle."

"Seventh Uncle".

"I've let you down."

"This is the military tally."

Changsun Wuji felt as if he had been struck by a thunderbolt!

The subtext of this statement is an admission.

"Your Highness, you..." Changsun Wuji gritted his teeth, feeling a pang of heartache at this moment.

"I'm tired. Take it. The Six Guards of the Eastern Palace are unaware of this; it has nothing to do with them. One person's actions should be taken into account!"

Li Chengqian stood his ground for once and refused to even pretend anymore.

Just like Li You, who also had the opportunity to beg for mercy and shirk responsibility, but chose to take the path of no return.

However, Li Chengqian's rebellion had a thousand times greater impact than the former!

Changsun Wuji flicked his sleeve, turned away, his old face contorted with pain, unwilling to personally arrest Li Chengqian.

Even a powerful minister like him could not remain calm. He thought of his sister and her dying wish.

How did things get to this point?!

Having no other choice, Li Yuanchang could only reach out and accept the military tally.

This was perhaps the only correct choice Li Chengqian made after a series of disastrous decisions; knowing that his plans had been exposed, he did not forcefully raise an army.

Because it's no longer useful.

Even with the military tally, he might not be able to mobilize all the troops; the end result would only be more corpses.

Crown Prince Fusu had soldiers but no courage.

Crown Prince Liu Ju had courage but no soldiers.

Crown Prince Chengqian is brave and skilled in military affairs, but he has a father who is terrifyingly powerful.

at the same time.

Suppression was also being carried out in various parts of Chang'an.

Hou Junji, Du Ruhui's son Du He, Zuo Tunwei Zhonglang General Li Anyan, and Qianniuwei Helan Chushi were all captured one after another.

This group of people had enormous power on paper, but they didn't even make a ripple before being crushed.