In the Crown Prince's Eastern Palace, Li Chengqian sat at the top. The Han King, Li Yuanchang, the Eastern Palace guard, Helan Chushi, the Imperial Army general, Li Anyan, the Duke of Kaihua, Zhao Jie, Chai Shao, and the son of Princess Pingyang, Chai Lingwu, were all gathered in the hall, looking at Li Chengqian with burning eyes.
Although Li Chengqian was arrogant and arrogant, at this moment, he was also excited, nervous, afraid, and worried. His emotions were very complicated. His gaze could not help but look at Helan Chushi.
? Helan Chushi understood and stepped forward." Your Highness, don't worry. Father-in-law is already prepared. At the appointed time, when the rooster crows, open the palace gates and charge into the Great Ming Palace.”
Han King Li Yuanchang also stepped forward and said," Your Highness, don't worry. The assassins have already been released. Some of them will definitely succeed."”
Li Chengqian clenched his fists and nodded. Then, he sighed at everyone."Sigh, thank you all for your trouble. However, once this Queen ascends to the throne, everyone will be subjects of the dragon. Ten thousand mu of fertile land, and you will be conferred the title of Marquis.”
Chai Lingwu was overjoyed and went forward to kneel down. No, thank you for your Majesty's kindness. Long live your Majesty.”
The others also seemed to have woken up from a dream and hurriedly went forward to kowtow.
Looking at the people kneeling down and the cheers in his ears, Li Chengqian no longer hesitated, and even the panic in his heart dissipated by more than half.
"Rise, rise. After today, you will all be rewarded.”With his mouth wide open, Li Chengqian laughed out loud. The satisfaction and pride in his voice were overflowing with words.
Night fell. The snow finally stopped after a full day. The entire Chang family was covered in thick snow. Everyone ran out to laugh, make a fuss, and play. For a moment, the streets and alleys were filled with family laughter and anticipation for the new year that was coming in a few days.
Auspicious snow heralded a bumper year. This was the first snow in the 16th year of Zhenguan in Tang. However, no one expected that in a few hours, the entire political situation of Tang would be shaken. Countless people would step down and many people would be beheaded. Hot blood would melt the thick snow in Chang 'an before the morning sun.
When the rooster crowed, it was two o'clock in the morning. Li Zhi and Wu Meiniang wore white fur robes and stood on the steps of the pavilion beside the lotus pond. A faint fragrance floated in the plum blossom forest beside the pavilion. The bright moon hung high in the sky, reflecting the white snow on the ground. It was as if it was daytime. The bright red plum blossoms were also visible, but the two of them were not in the mood to appreciate it.
The sound of small footsteps stepping on the soft snow was very soft, but in the silent snowy night, the two people's minds were tense again, but they could hear everything clearly." Your Highness, Princess Consort, it has begun.”Li He didn't speak much, but the words he said shook Li Zhi and Wu Meiniang's hearts.
"It's still time to start, Big Brother."
"It has finally begun, Crown Prince."
The lovely dividing line.
"Soldiers, wealth is right in front of you. Whether you die without a burial place or be conferred a title of marquis and honor your ancestors, everything will be decided tonight. "Now, soldiers, follow me into the Great Ming Palace. Gold, silver, jewelry, palace maids, and concubines are at your disposal. Soldiers, kill!"”The one who spoke was a burly man with an eagle's nose and tiger's eyes. He was wearing a well-made Mingguang Kai and holding a radiant horizontal saber. He was 1.9 meters tall and had a domineering aura.
This person was none other than one of the twenty-four meritorious officials of the Lingyan Pavilion, Hou Junji. Although there was no Lingyan Pavilion, Hou Junji's ability was at the peak.
" Kill, kill, kill, kill!" The soldiers roared towards the sky. The killing intent and greed in their eyes complemented each other, making them even more afraid.
Ever since the Five Revolutions, the dynasties of the Central Plains had changed once every three years and once every five years. Sons killing fathers, brothers killing each other, generals betraying and killing monarchs were everywhere.
Even the powerful Great Sui perished in the second generation, and no one knew if the Great Tang was just a flash in the pan. The rebel genes in the hearts of the soldiers of the Great Tang were still in effect.
Power, wealth, beauties, and honor were enough to drive Hou Junji's trusted soldiers crazy. After tonight, he would have all of them.
The blood of the soldiers boiled, boiled, and burned. No one thought about what to do if they failed. No one thought about whether there would be people who would rebel like this in the future. The expedition to Gaochang and the massacre of the city had made these soldiers believe in Hou Junji. They believed that their general would bring them victory and everything.
He had been, he was, and he would be in the future, just as Hou Junji had trusted Li Shimin.
Hou Junji's eyes narrowed as he pointed his saber in the direction of the Great Ming Palace."Kill them." Pulma was the first to rush out.
" Kill!" The shouts of killing rose and fell like a thunderbolt in the silent snowy night. It shocked Chang 'an and the whole world.
After the 'kill' was extinguished, he officially announced to the world," Crown Prince Li Chengqian had rebelled.
The lovely dividing line.
The wind grew stronger, and the snow began to grow cold. Zhangsun Wuji, Fang Xuanling, Xiao Yu, Li Shiji, Li Jing, and Li Shimin were watching the snow.
The snow in front of him stopped, but the snow in Li Shiming's heart started to fall. It was as cold as ice, as painful as a knife, and as angry as a fire. His father must have felt the same way after the incident at Xuanwu Sect. Now it was his turn. Retribution, retribution.
Junji, Junji, you deserve to die
The lovely dividing line.
Daming Palace was located on Longshou Plain, northeast of Chang 'an Palace City in Tang Dynasty. It used the natural terrain to build a palace and formed a relatively independent castle. The southern part of the palace city was rectangular, while the northern part was shaped like a ladder, wide in the south and narrow in the north.
The southern section of the city wall coincided with the eastern section of the northern wall of Chang 'an. There were three parallel walls in the north, which divided the palace into three areas. All the walls were built with rammed earth slabs. The corners of the city and the gates were covered with bricks and widened outwards. On them were city buildings, corner buildings, etc.
There were nine gates in the palace city. In the middle of the south was the Red Phoenix Gate, and in the east and west were the Wangxian Gate and the Jianfu Gate. In the middle of the north was the Xuanwu Gate, and to the east and west were the Yinhan Gate and the Qingxiao Gate. To the east is the left Yintai Gate, and to the west, north and south are the right Yintai Gate and the Nine Immortals Gate respectively.
Other than the main gate, the Red Phoenix Gate, which had five gates, the other gates had three gates. On the east, west, and north sides of the palace city were built parallel to the city wall. In the middle of the north was a heavy mysterious gate, facing the Xuanwu Gate. The Imperial Army was stationed on the east and west sides of the palace, and the command organ of the Imperial Army was set up in the north gate, the North Yamen.
Black Tortoise Gate had been Li Shimin's last resort, and it had brought him good luck. It seemed that he feared Black Tortoise Gate, so Hou Junji's army had attacked the southern branch of the sect, Red Phoenix Sect.
The Imperial Court's defenses had exceeded Hou Junji's expectations. The palace gates had long since been closed, and the soldiers on the walls were like a forest, arrows raining down as they desperately harvested the growing number of Hou Junji's trusted soldiers. Hou Junji had already realized that things had changed, but there was no turning back.
The spy in the city was in danger, so he could only roar and lead the army forward to attack the city early.
At this moment, in the Eastern Palace, Li Chengqian, Li Yuanchang, Helan Chushi and the others also started to move. However, a large number of imperial guards came to suppress and attack.
Only at this time did Li Chengqian know that the matter was completely exposed.
"Your Highness, the assassin who tried to assassinate His Majesty is dead.”
"The assassination attempt on the King of Wei is also dead."
"Prince Jin also failed."
"Don't say anymore, don't say anymore.”Li Chengqian pushed everyone away and staggered a few steps forward. His expression was ferocious, but there was a trace of fear in his brows.
Everyone looked at each other in panic. The assassination had failed, and coupled with the sudden appearance of a large number of Yulin Royal Guards, everyone's hearts sank.
After the founding of the Tang Dynasty, Gaozu used 30,000 soldiers from Taiyuan as the palace guards, known as the Yuan Cong Imperial Army. They were the emperor's personal guards for life and were well treated.
Overall, the Imperial Army could be divided into five systems.
The first was Li Shimin's 100 riders who were good at archery. Later, they were renamed as the 1,000 riders, 10,000 riders, and the Left and Right Dragon Martial Army.
The second was the Seventh Battalion of the North Yamen, which was formed by Li Shimin's handpicked warriors. Later, it was renamed as the Left and Right Tunying and the Left and Right Yulin Royal Guards. The Left and Right Dragon Martial Army and the Left and Right Yulin Royal Guards were collectively called the Yulin Royal Guards. The Yulin Royal General was the emperor's most trusted aide, and his status was much higher than the General of the Guards.
The third was the left and right Shenwu Army formed by the children of the forbidden soldiers who followed him back to Chang 'an in the second year of Suzong's Zhide.
The fourth was the left and right chambers in front of the palace that Suzong added to strengthen the guards in front of the palace. At that time, there were about 1,000 people. Later, it was expanded and renamed as the left and right Yingwu Army and Baoying Army.
The fifth was the most important imperial army in the middle and late Tang Dynasty, the God's Will Army.
The imperial guards of the imperial palace were under the control of the imperial eunuchs. The imperial guards of the imperial palace were usually the emperor's and the crown prince's personal guards. Now that a large number of the imperial guards had appeared in the Eastern Palace, everyone knew that the matter had been exposed. For a moment, the sounds of killing outside the Eastern Palace soared to the sky. The soldiers of sacrifice of the Eastern Palace desperately resisted the imperial guards, but the Eastern Palace was so quiet that one could hear each other's heartbeats.
Bang! The Eastern Palace men of sacrifice were unable to resist and were forced into the palace by the Imperial Forest Guards. Li Chengqian stared blankly at the Imperial Forest Guards who were just inches away from him. At this moment, an unprecedented fear overwhelmed him. With a swoosh, Li Chengqian fell heavily to the ground. He was so weak that he could not get up. The others were the same.
It was over. Everything was over.
The lovely dividing line.
Hou Junji's army was still assaulting the gates, and Hou Junji's heart was burning with anxiety. He wanted to charge in personally, but his personal guards were forcefully pulling him back. Arrows rained down from the walls, and even if Hou Junji charged up, it would be difficult for him to get down.
"Hiss!"
A beautiful firework shot into the air, and Hou Junji's heart sank as he held his breath.
Countless torches suddenly lit up in all directions. They were on the left, right, and back. They surrounded them from three sides. In front of them was the high and unattainable Red Phoenix Sect. Long spears, halberds, horizontal sabers, and pagoda shields. Layers of copper walls and iron walls could swallow thousands of miles.
Behind them, countless armored soldiers had appeared at the top of the Red Phoenix Sect. They held crossbows in their hands, and their sharp arrowheads shone with a cold light. They were ready for battle.
A figure slowly appeared in Hou Junji's eyes. It was none other than Li Shimin, followed by Zhangsun Wuji, Fang Xuanling, Xiao Yu, Li Shiji, Li Jing, and the other ministers.
Hou Junji suddenly felt bitterness in his heart, and his breathing became much more labored. He had lost seventy percent of his strength.
"Your Majesty!" Hou Junji felt his throat go dry and his voice grew hoarse.
"Junji, surrender." Li Shi Min looked at his trusted general who had risked his life with a complicated expression. For a moment, he could only say this.
"Your Majesty, Junji knows that they will die, but I hope that Your Majesty can let these soldiers go. They were coerced by me.”Hou Junji looked expectantly at Li Shimin. He knew that he was dead, but he only wanted these soldiers who had fought with him to live.
"General!" The soldiers all looked at Hou Junji, somewhat speechless.
Li Shiming was silent, but Zhangsun Wuji was anxious. After Li Shiming turned his body, he said in a low voice,""Your Majesty, we can't let these people off.”
Sighing heavily, Li Shimin turned to Hou Junji's expectant face."If you knew this would happen, why did you do that, Junji?”
With that, he turned to leave, disappearing into the Red Phoenix Tower under Hou Junji and the other soldiers 'despairing gazes.
Someone shouted,"Fire!" Immediately, ballista bolts rained down on Hou Junji's army.
In the rain of arrows, soldiers fell one after another, but no one retreated because there was no way out in the surroundings. They were cut off in all directions and were surrounded by Yuanzi.
There were enemies everywhere. Everyone's eyes were red as they charged forward. Armor, shields, martial arts techniques, and killing techniques were all useless in this situation. At this moment, in such a big battle, the one who attacked more ruthlessly, the one who attacked faster, and the one who could withstand the attacks would have a chance of survival.
With their escape route cut off, Hou Junji's army was like a cornered beast fighting. They had been through hundreds of battles, and now they were even more skilled than before. For a moment, they were in a stalemate.
" Tong " a drum sounded. The Yulin Royal Guards, who were in a stalemate with the soldiers, all left the battlefield and raised their tower shields to defend.
"Not good!"
Hou Junji's heart trembled.
"Bang!" "Bang!" "Bang!"
"Bang!" "Bang!" "Bang!"
"Bang!" "Bang!" "Bang!"
"Bang!" "Bang!" "Bang!"
This voice was like the most melodious music in the world, its rhythm swift and heavy. But for Hou Junji, who had been in the military for more than twenty years, it was the horn of death.
The Feathered Forest Guards who had been disobeying Hou Junji's army dispersed, and the tightly shut Red Phoenix Gate opened. The tower shields were finally removed, and when the crowd looked around, their hearts trembled.
The densely packed army formed a tight formation, like a moving city wall. Each person was more than 1.8 meters tall and as strong as Mount Tai. They wore heavy silver armor and pressed forward from the front, back, left, and right. Their sharp sabers were raised high and gave off a cold light.
" Mo Saber Formation!"
Hou Junji's pupils constricted like a snake's, and his body suddenly bent a little.
The Mo Sword was a double-edged long sword that weighed about 50 pounds. It was considered a rather heavy combat weapon and was equipped in large quantities by the Tang army. It was a great killing weapon used against cavalry. Now, it was used against infantry.
"Everyone, follow me and charge out!" Hou Junji roared in madness and despair.
"Bang!" "Bang!" "Bang!"
This was the only response Hou Junji had, the Mo Saber raised high in the air, reflecting a terrifying death ray under the moonlight, snow, and fire.
They were approaching in large strides from all directions.
"Kill…Kill!" The heavy pressure made a soldier charge towards the Mo Saber Formation.
He screamed in despair, brandishing his bloody iron halberd and charging forward.
"Bang!" "Bang!" "Bang!"
The approaching wall of blades did not stop, ignoring him. His iron halberd stabbed into the abdomen of a Mo Swordsman. The heavy and sturdy armor completely withstood the force of the halberd. The Mo Swordsman who was hit by him did not even stop for a moment. Five or six sharp Mo Swords slashed down from above his head. Blood spurted out as his body was split in half from the middle. His intestines and blood flowed all over the ground. The two sabers on his left and right even cut off his arms from his shoulders.
"Ah!"
A shrill scream was heard before it disappeared from the world. The soldiers who had been split into three fell to the ground, while the Mo Swordsmen, who were in a dense formation, stepped on his broken body and continued to move forward at a steady pace.
When they donned the heavy armor, put on their masks, and raised their Mo Sabers, their emotions seemed to be sealed within the armor. Their hearts were as cold and heartless as the Mo Sabers in their hands.
Blood rained down as the " meat grinder " approached. The rebel soldiers who were squeezed into the middle were sliced into mush layer by layer. Their resistance had also caused some casualties among the Mo Swordsmen, but the casualties between the two were completely disproportionate.
An infantry sword formation that could resist the charge of the cavalrymen in a head-on battle was on the flat and wide bluestone square outside the city. On both sides of the square were tall palace walls. There was no need to consider the impact on their backs and wings. Their lethality was fully displayed.
The massacre was unbearable to witness, but the Mo Saber Formation soldiers, who had been through thousands of battles, did not even blink. The knife was swung faster and faster.
The Mo Saber was enough to shatter a horse and a horse. Killing people was as easy as chopping melons and vegetables. Looking at the nimble movements of the blades, killing people was much easier than killing chickens.
Every Mo Swordsman here had the arm strength of a mad cow. Their brute strength coupled with their cold and fast blades made killing people as easy as cutting wheat. Every moment, they could kill one after another.
Zhangsun Wuji and Fang Xuanling turned around after taking a glance at the scene below. It was too bloody.
When the massacre was coming to an end and the voices of resistance were getting softer and softer, Zhangsun Wuji turned around again. His round and fat face was a little pale, but it was as cold as frost.
Below the gate, the number of survivors could be counted with one hand. Minced meat and blood were all over the ground. The Mo Swordsman's movements had also slowed down. He swung the nearly 50-pound Mo Sword. After killing so many people, it would be a lie to say that he was not tired. Blood flowed down from the armor on his face, making him look like an Asura who had escaped from hell.
"Other than Hou Junji…As for the rest, he would kill them all.”Zhangsun Wuji's tone was very calm, but his words were vicious and cruel. Don't forget, Zhangsun Wuji was also a ruthless person who followed Li Shiming to sweep the world.
Xiao Yu, Li Shiji, and Li Jing all silently nodded. Not long ago, Hou Junji had been their comrade, a minister of the same dynasty, but now, the world had changed. How great was this?
In silence, there was no more fighting at the gate. Hou Junji was the only one kneeling on one knee, holding his half-broken saber to support his body. He was like a defeated general facing a dead end, helpless, desperate, and desolate.
All of Hou Junji's soldiers had been wiped out. Aside from him, only broken limbs remained. Blood had seeped into the soil between the stones and into the ground. Presumably, next year, weeds would grow in these cracks. What difference was there between human lives and those lowly grass? At times, she was astonishingly strong, but at other times, she was extremely fragile.
The lovely dividing line.
Li Zhi reached out his palm and caught a snowflake. He looked at the night sky and sighed."The family property of an official has withered, and the wealth and gold have been scattered. The merciful escaped death, the merciless retribution. The life owed was returned, the tears owed were all gone: Revenge is not light, separation and reunion have been decided in advance. If you want to know that life is short, ask your previous life. It is really lucky to be rich and noble in old age. Those who saw through it entered the empty door, and those who were obsessed lost their lives. It was like a bird that had run out of food throwing itself into the forest, leaving behind a vast expanse of white and clean land! Mei Niang, it's snowing again. This year's snow seems to be much more than in previous years.”
Wu Meiniang quietly savored Li Zhi's words. After a long time, she sighed slightly and went forward to hold Li Zhi's hand."Husband, don't be so pessimistic. Everything will be fine, right?”
"Don't worry... Don't worry, it's just a moment of emotion."
The snow was still falling from the sky, slowly covering the blood in front of the door. The palace servants naturally came to clean up the corpses.
After a night, the sky was bright. White snow covered the front of the Red Phoenix Sect. The corpses and blood had disappeared, as if nothing had happened last night.
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