Volume One, Chapter Nine: Yang Guifei Must Be Rescued

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Li Heng, dressed in plain clothes, strode quickly into the courier inn, his face etched with worry, seemingly solely concerned for the safety of his sovereign father. Seeing that the imperial guards had extended their anger toward Yang Guifei, he knew the tension had reached its peak—it was time for him to act.

This Yang Guifei—he must save her. Not out of affection, but to make an exchange with Emperor Li Longji.

This was a pivotal exchange that could alter history, and he was fully prepared.

Noticing Li Heng wore no armor nor carried weapons, Li Longji felt much relieved.

“My son humbly greets the Emperor. Apologies for the late arrival; please punish me as you see fit,” Li Heng said, quickly advancing and kneeling deeply before Li Longji.

“There is no need for formalities at home, Third Prince, rise,” Li Longji replied softly.

Li Heng slowly stood. Gao Lishi, seeing the crown prince enter, signaled the eunuchs to hold their actions.

Chen Xuanli led the assembled generals in paying respects to the prince, all eyes fixed upon Li Heng.

“Chen Xuanli, what is the meaning of this?” Li Heng demanded sternly. “As commander of the imperial guards, you should protect the Emperor, yet you brought troops to breach the courier inn, disturbing His Majesty. What are your intentions? Are you plotting rebellion?”

Chen Xuanli’s face showed hesitation. Bowing again, he said, “Your Highness, Yang Guozhong and Wei Fangjin abused their power and conspired against the state. After we discovered their treason, they were executed on the spot. Now the soldiers’ anger is uncontrollable; the situation is volatile and may lead to mutiny. We earnestly ask His Majesty and Your Highness to decide the course.”

Li Heng frowned, studying Chen Xuanli with a grave tone: “General Chen, I ask you—are there concrete proofs that Yang Guozhong conspired in treason?”

Chen Xuanli was momentarily taken aback: “Your Highness, Yang the traitor deceived the Emperor, formed cliques, abused power, and harmed the nation—this is well-known.”

Li Heng pressed further: “Has Consort Guifei ever been involved in Yang Guozhong’s plots? Is there any evidence?”

Chen Xuanli faltered; the imperial guards exchanged glances.

Li Heng continued: “Generals, you are the pillars of the Great Tang, loyal beyond doubt, witnessed by sun and moon. This purge of Yang Guozhong and Wei Fangjin proves your unwavering loyalty, for which I am deeply grateful.

Now that the traitors are eliminated, this is truly a relief to the people. The realm faces many hardships; the Emperor’s western tour is a necessary measure to preserve the foundation of our dynasty.

In these difficult times, all of you must unite wholeheartedly to protect His Majesty.

When the skies clear and the bandits are vanquished, you shall accompany the Emperor back to Chang’an—a feat unparalleled in history.”

“Your Highness, Yang Guozhong is Consort Guifei’s elder brother. Without her backing, how could he have been so arrogant?” an imperial guard lieutenant spoke up.

A lieutenant, ranking just below a middle-ranking general, was akin to a deputy city mayor or brigade commander today.

Li Heng’s gaze sharpened like a blade as he stared at the lieutenant: “Absurd! To convict someone solely based on connections, how are we any different from Yang Guozhong or An Lushan?”

Seeing Li Heng’s fierce look, the lieutenant quickly bowed his head.

“Consort Guifei is gentle and kind, cherished deeply by His Majesty. For over a decade, she has eased the Emperor’s burdens and set an example in the palace, never meddling in politics. This is His Majesty’s own word—do you still doubt it?”

The generals lowered their heads in silence.

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“I know you all act out of concern for the Great Tang and His Majesty, fearing the soldiers might rebel,” Li Heng surveyed the generals and continued: “However, we must not be hasty in judgment.

The Longwu Guards are the Emperor’s personal troops; if harm befalls Consort Guifei, how will we face His Majesty? How will we answer the people of the realm?”

Chen Xuanli looked remorseful: “Your Highness speaks wisely. But now the soldiers’ anger is uncontrollable—what can be done?”

Li Heng was about to respond when suddenly, a cold arrow shot from the shadows outside the inn.

“Assassin!” a brigade commander instinctively shouted at the sound of the bowstring.

Chaos erupted instantly.

“Protect the Emperor and the Crown Prince!” Chen Xuanli, though aged, reacted swiftly. With a flourish of his scabbard, he deflected the arrow and commanded the generals to safeguard the imperial presence, his demeanor commanding, embodying the gravitas of a veteran general.

The imperial guard commanders drew their swords at once, blades gleaming coldly, forming a protective circle around Li Longji and his son.

Li Heng stepped forward abruptly, shielding the old emperor with his body. Witnessing this, Li Longji felt a surge of emotion: adversity reveals true loyalty, and in moments of crisis, his son was most dependable.

He had expected Li Heng to seize the opportunity to strike, but instead, the prince pleaded for Yang Guifei and even took an arrow meant for him. This seasoned emperor, who had navigated countless storms over decades, found himself unexpectedly moved.

Prince Shou Li Mao and Prince Yong Li Lin had arrived earlier; now they stood pale-faced, frozen in shock.

Several agile captains and brigade commanders rushed out immediately, shouting “Assassin!” while directing their soldiers to hunt down the attacker.

Li Longji roared in fury: “Capture the assassin at all costs and uncover the mastermind! I shall tear them limb from limb!”

Who was behind the plot? Chen Xuanli’s mind raced through several possibilities.

First were the remnants of Yang Guozhong’s faction.

Though Yang Guozhong and Wei Fangjin were dead, the chaotic situation prevented a thorough purge of their followers; some might have slipped through.

They could exploit the internal strife to sow further chaos, seeking revenge for Yang Guozhong.

The second suspect was Wei Jiansu.

With Yang Guozhong dead, he was now the most powerful behind the Emperor.

Might he have secretly ordered the assassination to consolidate power, then cleverly framed others to reap the benefits?

This possibility grew stronger in Chen Xuanli’s mind.

The Crown Prince himself could not be ruled out.

Though heir apparent, in such a complex situation, Chen Xuanli had ample reason to be suspicious.

The prince had just fervently pleaded for Yang Guifei, appearing loyal and sincere.

But one can never know another’s heart; having been suppressed for years, the prince might seize this chance to stir trouble and muddy the waters for personal gain.

Chen Xuanli recalled a recent report: the prince’s guards had effortlessly slain Yang Guozhong’s men attempting to seize his household.

Moreover, the prince had boldly shielded the Emperor from the arrow, seeming brave and loyal, but this struck Chen Xuanli as odd.

Without armor, a single arrow could have pierced him through.

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The only explanation was that the assassin was sent by the prince himself, which gave him the confidence to stand fearlessly before the Emperor.

Another thought flashed coldly through Chen Xuanli’s mind, chilling his spine.

What if it was all orchestrated by the Emperor himself, using the opportunity to reprimand Chen Xuanli and remind him that everything was under imperial control?

After all, it was his men who had killed Yang Guozhong—notwithstanding that they acted under orders, the deed was done by his command.

These tangled suspicions swirled in Chen Xuanli’s mind like a knotted skein, only growing more confusing the more he pondered.

At that moment, the captains and brigade commanders who had rushed out returned, leading soldiers to form an impenetrable cordon around the courier inn.

The searching soldiers, armed and alert, combed every corner for the assassin’s trace.

Meanwhile, other troops held their positions, their eyes fixed intently on the inn.

“Search thoroughly! Even if you must dig three feet deep, unearth that assassin!” the commanders shouted fiercely.

Li Longji sat upon a cushioned chair brought by Gao Lishi, his face dark as thunder.

Li Heng stood nearby, brow furrowed deeply. He too was uneasy; this sudden turn had clearly disrupted his original plan.

According to his design, once he persuaded the imperial generals and saved Yang Guifei, he would grasp the initiative.

In this grand performance, he would be the director, not a mere extra.

But if he mishandled this moment, Li Longji would swiftly grow suspicious of him—then all would be lost.

“Father, I believe this assassin is very likely a remnant of the Yang traitors,” Li Heng bowed slightly, respectfully presenting his view to Li Longji.

He needed to clarify his stance while skillfully diverting blame elsewhere.

Li Longji glanced up at him but remained silent, turning his gaze to Chen Xuanli: “Chen Xuanli, what is your opinion?”

“Your servant…” Chen Xuanli was caught unprepared by the sudden question, momentarily at a loss.

He quickly gathered his scattered thoughts: “Your servant believes the crown prince is right. Though the Yang traitors have been executed, their followers are many, and it is possible some escaped and seek to cause trouble. However...”

“Assassin caught!” At that moment, a middle-ranking general entered briskly, escorting a bound figure clad in black with a masked face.

The man was tightly bound, bearing numerous wounds and bleeding heavily, but his eyes burned fiercely with ruthless resolve.

“Remove his mask! I want to see who dares to be so bold!” Li Longji bellowed in fury.