Tiantang Splendid

Chapter 4960 His Majesty's Order
It was a consensus among the Tang army that the mode of warfare had changed because of firearms. Anyone who had seen the power of firearms knew that the era of strong bows and horses and charging into battle was about to pass. No matter how powerful the soldiers or how excellent the tactics were, they could hardly withstand the devastating power.

But Li Anyan never thought that when he faced the power of firearms, he would end up in such a miserable and tragic situation.

Although the hall was dark, the situation inside could be clearly seen with the residual light of gunfire and artillery fire. More than a hundred people were doing their job in an orderly manner. Dozens of muskets and a cannon formed a firepower network in front of the main hall, constantly reaping lives.

The battle had only been going on for less than half an hour, and not only had they failed to get close to the Lizheng Palace, but they had left behind hundreds of corpses, which were piled up in the courtyard in front of the palace, and blood flowed like a river.

In particular, the firearms did not kill them directly. The wounded soldiers rolled on the ground and wailed. Li Anyan wanted to send people to rescue them several times, but they were always hit by the firearms in the hall and became embarrassed. It was obvious that the enemy used these wounded soldiers to lure him to rescue them, and then kill his soldiers on a large scale.

A very simple tactic, but it works very well.

If no rescue is given, the writhing and wailing of the soldiers will gradually wear down the morale of the entire army. Who can watch their comrades dying and remain indifferent?

If we try to rescue them, not only will we fail to save them, but we will also lose more people...

A stray bullet came from nowhere and hit the breastplate. Although it failed to penetrate the thick armor, it made Li Anyan tremble all over. He was pulled away from the front line at the main gate by the personal soldiers around him.

"General, the Prince of Xiangyi and his men have already climbed over the palace wall and are heading for the Taiji Palace!"

The personal soldiers reported it quickly and were very angry.

Even though the fighting in Lizheng Palace was fierce and progress was not good, we were fighting side by side after all. How could we abandon them?
Li Anyan wiped the blood splattered on his face and said in a deep voice: "Don't worry about them! We have the advantage in military strength. We should find a way to go around the flank of Lizheng Palace and we must capture Lizheng Palace!"

The task of poisoning was carried out by Li Siliang, so he had naturally told him everything and guaranteed that he had succeeded. At this moment, there must be chaos in Taiji Palace, and your majesty's life is in danger. Li Shenfu and others went there at this moment to clean up the mess and settle the matter.

Li Anyan didn't care who became the emperor. He only cared about whether he could avenge Li Jiancheng. As long as he could capture Lizheng Palace, kill the crown prince, and make the imperial power of Li Er's lineage fall into the hands of others, he would be satisfied. Even if he died, he would be happy with it.

"Here!"

The personal guards immediately received the order, divided into dozens of troops, bypassed the main gate of Lizheng Palace, and attacked the palaces on both sides with the help of darkness. As long as they could occupy those palaces, they would besiege the Lizheng Palace in the middle from both sides, making it vulnerable to enemies on both sides. More than a hundred people would not be able to take care of both.

However, just as they reached a nearby palace, someone threw a thunder bomb from it. A burst of flames suddenly lit up into the sky, illuminating them so that they had nowhere to hide. Then a rain of thunder bombs were thrown out one after another. The spaces in front of the gates of various palaces were wide and unobstructed, and iron fragments flew everywhere, reaping lives indiscriminately.

Cen Changqian was hiding in Lizheng Palace this time. Not only did he have a variety of firearms, but he also had more than enough ammunition...

Li Anyan's eyes were bloodshot and he clenched his fists, but he was unable to speak.

Just a hundred people armed with firearms can stop the charge of enemies dozens of times their number without causing any casualties?
This situation was unbelievable to him.

But I have been enduring for many years, just looking for a chance to take revenge, and I am willing to pay any price for it. If I fail miserably, wouldn't all the hard work and endurance over the years be wasted?
How can I express such hatred?

*****
Li Shenfu led the royal family and family soldiers to climb over the wall and enter the Taiji Palace. They were immediately discovered by the guards stationed in the armory. They had been shocked by the sudden change in the East Palace's gunfire. More than a hundred guards drew their swords and strung their bows, waiting for the order from the Wude Hall to protect the emperor. In the end, they were startled by the thieves climbing over the wall...

"Who dares to climb over the palace wall?"

"Put down your weapons and surrender! Otherwise you will be killed without mercy!"

However, before the guards could rush forward to hand over the captive thief, they were stabbed by their comrades behind them...

"Prince, I have been waiting for a long time!"

Li Shenfu was very happy. The move he had made in advance had really worked. Otherwise, he and his men would have been surrounded and in great danger...

"Can foreign ministers enter the palace?"

The East Palace has been fighting for a long time, and the news is bound to have spread. Even if Zheng Rentai is persuaded by Li Fuhu, he may not be able to stop the civil and military officials who are eager to enter the palace. If the officials enter the palace first to stabilize the situation, then everything will be over.

"Until now, no one has entered the palace. Li Junxian has brought the experts from the Hundred Cavalry Division and His Majesty's personal guards to seal off the Wude Hall. No one is allowed to enter or leave!"

"it is good!"

Li Shenfu was overjoyed. He only needed to go to the Wude Hall. With his qualifications, status and identity, how could Li Junxian dare to obstruct him?
However, the Lizheng Palace has not been captured yet, and the prince cannot be coerced into his hands. In the end, it will take some effort...

"No need to say more, head to the Wude Hall immediately!"

"Here!"

Hundreds of royal family members, family soldiers, and rebels surrounded Li Shenfu and marched towards the Wude Hall in a mighty manner.

……

Li Siliang hid in the shadows under the rain corridor outside the Wude Hall. No one paid attention to him, but he was worried and an unspeakable fear slowly grew in his heart. As time went by, he felt more and more uneasy and as if he was sitting on pins and needles...

The imperial physician had been in the palace for a long time. Logically, His Majesty should have died of the poison by now, but there was no news of anything unusual. Could Li Junxian dare to isolate the inside and outside and conceal the news of His Majesty's death?
Li Siliang felt that Li Junxian probably would not dare to do so. This kind of thing was extremely against the law, and no matter what the situation was afterwards, he could not escape the crime of "rebellion".

Just as he was in a trance, he saw a group of soldiers coming from the direction of Liangyi Palace, which immediately attracted Li Siliang's attention.

Looking at the more than one hundred people, they were all old soldiers, some with white hair and beards, some with broken limbs, but they were all in high spirits, even when they walked, they stood straight and upright, like javelins, full of sharpness and murderous intent...

It turned out to be the "Yuancong Imperial Guards" who had been accompanying Emperor Gaozu!
This army was later supplemented and reorganized by His Majesty Li II, and has always been the most special existence in the Imperial Palace. However, because most of the soldiers were too old and disabled after years of fighting, they have been missing since the death of His Majesty Li II, but suddenly appeared today.

Seeing this army advancing to the outside of Wude Hall and quickly taking over the defense inside and outside the hall, while the soldiers of the "Hundred Cavalry Division" retreated to the outer periphery, Li Siliang's heart sank completely.

Only the emperor can command this army!

There was a sudden commotion on the east side of Wude Hall, and more than a hundred people rushed over in the darkness, looking aggressive and murderous.

When they reached the Wude Hall, they were blocked by the "Yuancong Imperial Guards". With the light of torches and lanterns in front of the hall, Li Siliang could see clearly that the person surrounded and guarded by the crowd was none other than Li Shenfu, who was dressed in a prince's robe and had white hair and beard.

However, Li Siliang did not step forward to join him, but stepped back and completely hid himself in the darkness under the rain corridor.

The situation is not good...

……

Dozens of old soldiers of the "Yuancong Imperial Guard" blocked the door of the Wude Hall and stopped Li Shenfu and his party. They drew their swords and strung their bows and crossbows, looking at them eagerly.

The old soldier in the lead had white hair and beard under his helmet, his eyes wide open, and said sternly: "Your Majesty's bedroom, outsiders are not allowed to enter without your permission, anyone who dares to trespass will be killed without mercy!"

Although this old soldier is old and has a limp, his physique is as strong as that of a strong man. His frowning eyes are like a deep pool and a towering mountain, and his imposing manner is overwhelming.

The "Yuan Cong Imperial Guards" were formed by the personal soldiers who followed Emperor Gaozu. They were the main force of the "Bei Ya Imperial Guards" and were responsible for guarding the palace and protecting the imperial court. They were the most trusted among the trusted. Later, a group of elite soldiers around His Majesty Li II were added. They were all "emperor's lackeys" who only obeyed the emperor. Even the laws of the country could not restrain or punish them. They were arrogant and unruly, and did not take Li Shenfu, the prince, seriously at all.

Li Shenfu looked at the old soldiers in front of him, feeling confused and puzzled. These people should have retired and returned to their hometowns long ago, so why did they all appear here today?
He suppressed his fear and said loudly, "You are all the emperor's lackeys, and you swore to protect the emperor with your lives. But now His Majesty has been poisoned by a traitor and is in danger. The country is in turmoil and the empire is in jeopardy. You have been deceived by the thieves. Not only did you not know how to enter the palace to rescue His Majesty, but you blocked me from leading a group of royal family members to rescue. If His Majesty encounters any accident, you will be blamed for your death!"

Upon hearing this, the guards in front of the Wude Hall were immediately shaken. Could it be that His Majesty really had an accident?

Otherwise, why did the imperial doctors only come in but not leave, why did these old soldiers who had long retired from the army appear, and why did a group of royal family members climb over the wall from the East Palace?

Your Majesty is in trouble and his life or death is uncertain. There is a fierce battle in the East Palace and the Crown Prince is in danger. This may lead to a change of dynasty. What should the imperial guards do?

The army's morale was unstable and its morale dropped sharply.

The old soldier did not flinch, and shouted angrily: "We only follow the king's orders, and don't ask for anything else! Without the emperor's decree to lift the ban, anyone who sets foot in your majesty's bedroom will be killed without mercy!"

"Kill! Kill! Kill!"

The old soldiers all raised their arms and roared, and more than a hundred people created the momentum of a mighty army!
Li Shenfu secretly groaned, knowing that if he delayed any further, the civil and military ministers would enter the palace and wait for Li Ji, Fang Jun, Liu Li, Ma Zhou and others to arrive, who would be able to stabilize the situation regardless of whether His Majesty was alive or dead. Not only would he not have any chance at all, but he would be in a desperate situation.

As a prince, he entered the East Palace without permission, climbed over the wall from the East Palace into the Taiji Palace, and threatened the emperor's bedroom. No matter what the reason was, it was a heinous crime of exterminating three clans, and even the resurrection of Emperor Gaozu could not save him!
He gritted his teeth and shouted, "They were deceived by the traitors and did not distinguish between truth and falsehood. They watched Your Majesty being poisoned. They deserve death! You should follow me into the Wude Hall to save Your Majesty and turn the tide!"

"Here!"

The people behind him responded in unison, knowing that they had no way back now and had to fight their way into the Wude Hall at the risk of their lives!

However, just as he was ready to charge, he saw Li Junxian striding out of the hall. He glanced around and fell on Li Shenfu's face. He said in a deep voice: "Your Majesty has ordered that the Prince of Xiangyi County come in to see the emperor immediately!"

All the royal family members were stunned.

Your Majesty... is actually alright?!