Tang Dynasty: To win Yang Guifei, they asked Emperor Xuanzong to die.

Li Mao had already planned in his heart that he would take the opportunity to go to the palace and "hand over" the month's income from the horse farm to Li Longji.

"Your Highness, the carriages and horses are ready. When shall we depart?" Xiao Zhuozi stepped forward and asked respectfully.

"Let's depart immediately." Li Mao waved his hand.

As the prince's carriage slowly drove out of the palace, the people on both sides of the street stopped to watch.

Throughout the journey, Li Mao remained silent, pondering how he could meet Li Longji.

After entering the palace, Li Mao went straight to the Imperial Study.

Along the way, he noticed that all the palace guards had been replaced, and the few he was used to seeing were nowhere to be seen.

Finally arriving at the Imperial Study, he composed himself and calmly knocked on the door to request an audience.

"Your subject pays respects to Your Majesty." Li Mao bowed respectfully.

The guards at the door wanted to stop him, but because Li Mao was a prince, they dared not offend him and had to inform the palace attendant.

"I wonder what brings Prince Shou here?" Gao Chen stepped out from behind the door.

“Eunuch Gao, it is inconvenient for me to stay long. I have come specifically to visit my father and to deliver the income from the horse farm during this period.” Li Mao smiled slightly, his tone neither humble nor arrogant.

Upon hearing this, Gao Chen's mind raced.

He knew that Li Mao's trip was probably not just about delivering money.

Now that His Majesty is ill, Li Mao must not be allowed to see him. After thinking for a moment, he replied, "His Majesty has caught a cold these past few days and is not feeling well, so it may be inconvenient for him to receive visitors. It would be better if I were to keep this gold for him and present it to him after His Majesty has recovered."

Upon hearing this, Li Mao became even more certain that his guess was correct. He pondered for a moment, then nodded and said, "In that case, I hope Eunuch Gao will convey my greetings to my father."

Gao Chen nodded slightly to Li Mao, then gave a wink to the eunuchs beside him, signaling them to carry the box containing the money to the Ministry of Revenue.

Just then, a palace maid rushed in to report: "Eunuch Gao, Imperial Physician Wang requests an audience." Clearly, there was news from the imperial physician's side.

Gao Chen glanced back at Li Mao, then turned and left with a flick of his whisk.

Li Mao glanced around and, seeing no one else nearby, knew this was a rare opportunity.

Before long, Gao Chen arrived at the side hall.

Inside the room, Physician Wang was anxiously holding several ancient books, looking utterly exhausted.

"Eunuch Gao, His Majesty's stroke is a truly intractable disease, and it cannot be cured in a short time," said Physician Wang in a somewhat flustered manner.

Gao Chen frowned slightly. His Majesty's health was precious; how could he be so burdened by this illness? He said with a hint of disapproval, "His Majesty's health is good..."

Physician Wang looked puzzled and was about to speak when he suddenly found himself speechless and could only sigh to himself.

This scene was overheard by Li Mao, who had been secretly observing for a long time.

"So Father Emperor suffered a stroke," he thought to himself.

Overwhelmed with mixed feelings, Li Mao unconsciously moved quietly to one side of the side hall, wanting to continue his investigation.

Just then, Gao Chen suddenly turned around and came face to face with Li Mao.

"Father-in-law, what is troubling you?" Li Mao looked at Gao Chen with a half-smile.

Gao Chen felt a slight chill in his heart, but he still pretended to be calm.

"Your Highness, Prince Shou, there's no point in probing. Please leave." Gao Chen gestured for him to leave.

Li Mao nodded and silently left the palace.

At this time, most people outside the court knew that the emperor was unwell, and the princes in the court began to secretly form factions to make profits and build up their power, but dared not make any rash moves.

They feared this was a trap deliberately set by Li Longji.

Back at the palace, Li Mao was in a state of confusion and could only discuss countermeasures with his confidants.

"Your Highness, what should we do now? If something happens to the Emperor and the Crown Prince is reinstated, it may be detrimental to us." Xiao Zhuozi was filled with worry, too overwhelmed by the various circumstances to express his concerns.

"Time waits for no one, and this is not necessarily a bad thing. Father's stroke may be irreversible, and now is the perfect opportunity to make our move. We cannot let this chance slip by." Li Mao's eyes were firm, and he had already made up his mind.

At this moment, hurried footsteps came from outside the door. Another of Li Mao's confidants rushed in and whispered to Li Mao, "Your Highness, news has come from the palace that His Majesty's condition seems to have improved and he is temporarily out of danger."

Upon hearing this, Li Mao was slightly taken aback and pondered to himself.

"In that case, let's hold back." Li Mao put his hands behind his back and smiled.

This is probably a false message deliberately spread by that cheap father emperor.

"Your Highness, the situation in the court is becoming increasingly tense, and the regional military governors are all somewhat restless." A staff member from the Prince's residence entered the study and reported the latest developments in a low voice.

"Hmph, a military governor? It seems he can't hold back any longer." Li Mao said thoughtfully.

"Pass down my orders: have your spies closely monitor the situation inside and outside Chang'an City, and if necessary, use any means necessary," Li Mao calmly issued the order.

The advisor acknowledged the order and left. Li Mao watched his departing figure, secretly plotting: "There must be opportunities amidst the chaos, as long as we can seize the initiative..."

However, just as he was about to begin the next phase of his plan, he suddenly received an important urgent message from the frontier.

"Your Highness, An Lushan, the military governor of Fanyang on the eastern border, has sent a secret letter, claiming that he has important matters to discuss." Afu stepped forward quickly and handed the letter to Li Mao, his words full of urgency.

Li Mao's heart stirred slightly.

An Lushan?

He had intended to use An Sishun as a means to get to know him, but unexpectedly, An Sishun was the first to send a letter.

He quickly unfolded the letter and read it carefully.

In the letter, An Lushan spoke earnestly, revealing his views on the current situation between the lines.

At the end of the letter, he stated his hope that Li Mao would come to meet with him to discuss important matters.

After pondering for a moment and weighing the pros and cons, Li Mao finally made a decision: "Reply to An Lushan that I will go to the border as soon as possible."

It's quiet at night.

Li Mao packed his necessary belongings in preparation for any eventuality.

Although they knew the journey was dangerous and that a slight misstep could lead them into the clutches of rebels.

But he had no choice.

With the political situation in turmoil, Li Longji had already proceeded according to plan and was currently recuperating from a stroke.

At this moment, with everyone's attention focused on his cheap father, the emperor, he had the opportunity to sneak out of Chang'an and begin his next plan.

After making thorough preparations, Li Mao set off for Fanyang.

A month later, at the residence of the military governor of Fanyang.

The portly An Lushan, who looked to weigh about 300 pounds, greeted Li Mao warmly: "Your Highness Prince Shou, it is truly an honor for me, An, to have you come from so far away."

"You're too kind, Lord An. Only through cooperation and mutual progress can we achieve great things," Li Mao said with a slight smile.

An Lushan looked at Li Mao. Various forces were stirring, and the future was bound to be turbulent due to the struggle for the crown prince. It would be a wise move to form an alliance with a prince like Li Mao.

"Your Highness is wise. His Majesty is currently unwell, and the court is in turmoil. It is truly a situation where opportunity and crisis coexist." An Lushan spoke frankly and frankly, outlining his judgment without any hesitation.

Li Mao's eyes were sharp, and he nodded slightly: "That's right. If we can have talented people like Governor An working together, there will be great potential for future endeavors."