Chapter 157: I Shall Control the Armies of the World! (Two-in-One, Requesting Monthly Votes)

Gu Yi had been watching all of this in silence, and at this moment, an indescribable feeling rose in his heart.

Disfiguring his face to help—

In the end, Gu Quan still made the choice he believed was most correct between his family and his feelings.

It was just that the price paid was truly too cruel.

Regardless of whether this battle ends in victory or defeat;

The moment Gu Quan took this step, the Gu Quan of the Gu Shizi was already thoroughly dead; at the very least, he would never appear in the open again.

And this act was also, in the same vein, adding bricks and mortar to the Gu Shizi.

He was just like the descendants of generations past, using his own way to contribute to the Gu Shizi.

Gu Yi’s state of mind was somewhat complex.

In truth, it was not that he had never thought about using the Spirit-Communication Jade to interfere with the choices of the family descendants, directly making them go all-in on Li Shimin.

This move—

Would absolutely allow the entire Gu Shizi to rapidly return to its peak in the coming dynasty.

But after a brief, careful deliberation, he ultimately suppressed this thought.

The Gu Shizi must absolutely not participate in the struggle for the foundation of the state.

Once they participated even once, the Gu Shizi could never again be the family that everyone felt at ease with; it would inevitably be dragged into endless strife thereafter.

Even with Gu Yi’s help, the Gu Shizi might win every time.

But human nature is fickle; the emperor they supported might even turn to eradicate the Gu Shizi after ascending the throne.

This was a burden the Gu Shizi could not bear.

The current status of the Gu Shizi was precisely what had been thoroughly forged through the efforts and restraint of generations over hundreds of years.

He absolutely could not allow a moment of glory to affect the foundation of the Gu Shizi.

This night was destined to be extraordinary.

Whether it was Li Shimin, or Li Jiancheng and Li Yuanji, all were preparing their own lethal strikes.

That’s right, Li Jiancheng also did not intend to endure any longer.

Li Yuan’s attitude;

Li Shimin’s prestige in the army had already become a nightmare in his heart; no matter what, he had to make his move!

For both sides, all conflicts had to be thoroughly ended in the near future.

For the entire night, no one departed.

Li Shimin had already made all preparations, waiting only for the final struggle.

The next day.

At dawn.

Although Princess Zhangsun had never asked Li Shimin what he intended to do from beginning to end, when she saw those familiar faces, she already had some guesses in her heart.

Just as she had done in years past when Li Shimin led troops to battle, she personally helped Li Shimin put on his armor, her expression incomparably calm.

"Today—"

Looking at his wife, Li Shimin’s expression was complex, as if he wanted to speak with her.

But before he could say it.

Empress Zhangsun directly covered Li Shimin’s mouth with her hand and said solemnly: "I will, just like that day, hold a blade and guard the door of Chengqian, waiting for Your Highness to return."

A simple sentence, yet it completely stated her entire stance.

Li Shimin’s gaze changed instantly, and he immediately pulled the woman before him into his embrace.

His eyes were slightly red.

At this moment, Li Shimin truly felt that he was still fortunate.

Even when things had reached this point, there were still a group of people willing to die for him, and others willing to give up everything to support him.

His gaze became increasingly firm.

The invincible heart he had cultivated over these years became even more solid at this moment.

He absolutely could not lose!

He could not let down these days, nor could he let down the common people who looked forward to him.

Scene after scene from these years kept appearing before his eyes.

The youth who had made a grand vow at a tender age;

The courage to fear no danger at the start of the uprising, rushing a thousand miles to reach Julu;

The ambition set when witnessing the rise and fall of the common people;

The General before Hulao Pass who dared to boast with a few thousand troops, "What can a million men do to me?";

The breeze by the Yangtze River when the common people knelt and shouted "Heavenly Grace of the Prince of Qin";

The wariness in the eyes of the Turkic Khan;

Scene after scene from these years echoed in Li Shimin’s mind at this moment.

Until the end;

Transforming into the firm support of his ministers, Gu Quan’s disfigurement, and Princess Zhangsun’s loyalty.

Li Shimin took a deep breath, hugged Princess Zhangsun tightly, and without saying anything more, simply said with a clang: "Wait for me."

Having said this.

He turned and headed out of the room.

—Rumble!

It seemed as if even the Heavens felt the extraordinariness of this day; under the gloomy sky, peals of thunder rang out continuously, and though it did not rain, it gave people an exceptionally heavy feeling.

The soldiers had long since made all preparations.

Seeing Li Shimin walk out, they rose one after another, the gaze of each person exceptionally firm.

Since it had reached this moment.

There was no need for more words.

Li Shimin had no nonsense; he directly led everyone toward the Imperial Palace.

—He had chosen the location for this battle at Xuanwu Gate.

This was also his only chance.

He currently had only eight hundred troops; Gu Quan had indeed prepared some loyalists for him, but added together, they were still fewer than a thousand men.

It was completely impossible to compare with Li Jiancheng and Li Yuanji.

Besides this;

He also had to consider the Imperial Guards of Changancheng.

Only by controlling the battlefield within the Imperial Palace could he have a glimmer of survival.

Li Shimin had to end the battle quickly and settle everything, only then could he force Li Yuan to accept the reality of it all.

His strategic vision was incomparable to others.

For this reason, Li Shimin had long since bribed the commander of Xuanwu Gate, Chang He, and had his men lie in ambush inside Xuanwu Gate.

But before this.

He still had to go see Li Yuan.

This was also one of the cores of this plan.

Li Shimin had to steady Li Yuan, or at least prevent him from rapidly mobilizing the Imperial Guards.

Once the Imperial Guards moved.

Then his meager force would be unable to cause any great chaos.

The wind howled.

Accompanied by peals of thunder, it was as if the Heavens were also watching the entire Shenzhou.

Even Gu Yi began to grow nervous.

He watched everything closely, unwilling to miss a single detail.

Taiji Hall.

When Li Yuan heard that Li Shimin had arrived, he did not think much of it and directly waved his hand to have Li Shimin brought in.

But as Li Shimin walked into the great hall, he immediately furrowed his brows.

Li Shimin was actually holding a weapon in his hand!

And looking at that gait.

Li Yuan could instantly see that Li Shimin was wearing armor today!

"Why are you holding a weapon?"

He stared fixedly at Li Shimin and asked with a frown.

"Father." Li Shimin’s face had no emotional fluctuation; he stared tightly at Li Yuan and said: "I have come today to bid you farewell!"

—He did not address him as Emperor Father.

Ever since Li Yuan proclaimed himself Emperor.

The relationships in this family seemed to have already changed.

Suspicion; conflict;

So-called family affection was not worth mentioning in the face of this position of Emperor.

"Farewell?" Li Yuan was momentarily stunned, looking at Li Shimin in astonishment as he said: "Where are you going?"

"Could it be that you intend to go and fight the Xiongnu?"

He instinctively assumed Li Shimin had such an idea and immediately advised: "Er-lang, the Grand Tutor has already led the army there, and you..."

"Father!"

Li Shimin interrupted Li Yuan directly, then knelt before him: "Your son has heard that the Crown Prince and the Prince of Qi intend to kill me; the Prince of Qi has even boasted within the Eastern Palace that he will personally sever my head."

"My death is imminent."

——Rumble!

The sound of thunder exploded violently as Li Shimin’s words fell.

"What?" Li Yuan’s expression changed instantly, filled with disbelief, as he stared fixedly at Li Shimin: "How can this be?"

"I have my own spies!"

In an instant—

Pain flashed across Li Yuan’s face. He stared tightly at Li Shimin, his body trembling slightly, and his eye sockets suddenly reddened at this moment.

"Have you brothers truly reached this point?"

His tone also carried a trace of pain.

Looking at the weapon in Li Shimin’s hand and the battle armor on his body, he slowly stood up and said again: "Things have come to this, what do you intend to do?"

"It is not what your son intends to do, but what the Crown Prince and the Prince of Qi intend to do!"

Li Shimin’s gaze grew increasingly cold, "Since I, of the Li clan, raised the army, has your son ever done anything wrong? In what way have I failed our Great Tang?"

"But what of the Crown Prince? What of the Prince of Qi?"

"Since I returned to Changancheng."

"My personal soldiers have been dismissed one after another, and my personal attendants have been removed one after another."

"Your son would like to ask—"

"Is Father truly so heartless that you wish to watch your son die at the hands of the Crown Prince and the Prince of Qi? To be mocked beneath the earth by those thieves I once personally slew?"

These repeated questions were like needles piercing directly into Li Yuan’s heart.

Others might not know, but how could he not be clear?

How could he forget the promises he made to Li Shimin in years past?

"Er-lang."

Li Yuan’s eye sockets turned red instantly, and he hurriedly walked up to pull Li Shimin: "Father will help you. Quick! Summon the Crown Prince and the Prince of Qi to the palace immediately."

Perhaps it was because he had truly reached a desperate situation.

At this moment.

Li Yuan finally had the desire to personally intervene in the relationship between his two sons.

But clearly, it was already too late.

Li Shimin stated his predetermined location without the slightest hesitation.

——Sea Pool!

Using the excuse of fearing an ambush, he had Li Yuan set the location on a boat.

Naturally, the current Li Yuan would not think too much of it.

The Sea Pool was the core area of the Taiji Palace, and he often rested in the Linhu Hall; how could he possibly harbor any suspicion?

Not to mention that his heart was already completely in chaos.

He was still naively thinking he could use his status as a father to ease the conflict between Li Jiancheng and Li Shimin.

Everything was going according to plan!

Li Yuan led Li Shimin all the way toward the Sea Pool, continuing to comfort Li Shimin along the way.

"With me here, Er-lang, there is no need to worry."

"Once this matter is concluded, I shall appoint you as the Ten-Direction Expedition Envoy of our Great Tang. Then, just like the Marquis of Zhaolie of the past, you need not return to the capital unless there is an urgent matter."

"..."

He rambled on incessantly the entire way, failing to notice any abnormality.

Under these circumstances, Li Shimin led Li Yuan directly onto the boat.

Without the slightest hesitation, he ordered the boat to set sail.

Until this moment—

Li Yuan finally sensed something was wrong. Looking at the unfamiliar Imperial Guards on the shore, he frowned deeply: "Who are these people? Why does it seem I have never seen them before?"

"Father, these are the private soldiers of the Prince of Qin’s mansion," Li Shimin exhaled softly and answered calmly.

In an instant, Li Yuan’s expression changed violently.

Looking at the sharp blade in Li Shimin’s hand, he seemed to finally react, pointing at Li Shimin, "Er-lang, do you intend to rebel?"

"Father."

Li Shimin tilted his head slightly to look at him, revealing a very complex smile: "Your son no longer wants to be any Ten-Direction Expedition Envoy."

He slowly clenched his fist and raised the weapon in his hand:

"Today—"

"Our Great Tang can only have one Crown Prince!"

As he spoke, Li Shimin’s eyes gradually turned red, but the determination in his gaze did not diminish in the slightest.

He had already changed.

From that day when he vomited blood and saw his wife and children guarding his side.

That Prince of Qin who once looked toward the sun, wishing to become the Ten-Direction Expedition Envoy and forge a prosperous age for the Great Tang, had already died.

He only wanted to be Emperor now!

Li Yuan’s expression changed completely as he looked at his son before him.

He was clearly so familiar.

But at this moment, he felt incomparably like a stranger.

"Someone, come here!"

He did not hesitate at all and immediately shouted.

But unfortunately, from the moment he walked to the Sea Pool and boarded this boat, he could no longer control anything in the capital!

The troops already hidden on the boat immediately stepped out.

Following them was a small boat.

Li Shimin glanced at Li Yuan once more, and under Li Yuan’s complex expression, he jumped onto the small boat without the slightest hesitation.

"The Emperor’s decree—"

"The Imperial Guards of the Taiji Palace must not move without authorization!"

A resonant and powerful shout was passed further and further away through the relay of messengers.

At the same time, in front of the Taiji Palace.

Li Jiancheng and Li Yuanji were heading toward the palace.

Li Jiancheng’s expression was incomparably calm, but Li Yuanji carried a trace of worry.

"Elder Brother, isn't there news that Li Shimin is already making preparations? Today, why not listen to me and claim illness to avoid going?"

He suggested to Li Jiancheng with a solemn expression.

"Fourth Brother, why are you so flustered?" Li Jiancheng smiled disdainfully: "The capital is now entirely under our control; what means could Li Shimin possibly have?"

"The Imperial Father has summoned us today."

"If we do not go and displease the Imperial Father, that would be the real trouble."

"And don't forget—"

"That Chang He at the Xuanwu Gate is my man."

Li Jiancheng did not care in the slightest.

Hearing this, although there was still a hint of worry in Li Yuanji’s eyes, he finally nodded after some thought.

——Rumble!

The thunder continued.

The two of them led their personal attendants and headed toward the Xuanwu Gate.

There were also a group of ministers.

Li Yuan clearly wanted to settle this matter once and for all today, so he had sent them messages as well, but their speed was destined to be slower.

Xuanwu Gate.

As the northern core of the Taiji Palace, it not only provided direct access to the Forbidden Garden but could also quickly sever the connection between the palace city and the outside world.

This was one of the reasons Li Shimin chose this location for the operation.

Li Jiancheng naturally had to pass through the Xuanwu Gate.

He actually had his own plans; while passing through the Xuanwu Gate, he even instructed Chang He that anyone holding his token later should be allowed to pass without exception.

This was also the failure of Li Yuan as an Emperor.

In fact, at the root of it.

He, as Emperor, had already been somewhat sidelined.

Whether it was Li Jiancheng or Li Shimin, both were constantly infiltrating the palace with their own forces.

Although Li Yuan had always been the Emperor.

The control he held as Emperor had weakened to an unknown degree.

This was also the result caused by his personality.

Regarding these two sons of his, his indulgence caused everything to develop to this point today.

—Boom!

As Li Jiancheng and Li Yuanji passed through the Xuanwu Gate, the thick and imposing gate closed instantly.

The entire imperial palace was deathly silent, no different from usual.

But perhaps it was because the sky was overly gloomy.

Not only was Li Yuanji becoming increasingly nervous, but even beads of cold sweat appeared on Li Jiancheng's forehead.

The two headed all the way toward the Linhu Hall.

However, just as they neared the Linhu Hall, Li Jiancheng suddenly felt something was increasingly wrong; the faces of those guards actually gave him a familiar feeling.

And just by taking a few close looks, his expression changed instantly.

These were not the imperial guards, but the troops of the Prince of Qin's mansion!

This thought exploded in his mind instantly like a thunderclap.

Li Jiancheng did not hesitate at all; he immediately tightened the reins and shouted fiercely: "Run!"

Having said that.

He immediately turned his horse around, intending to kill his way out of the palace.

But just at this moment—

A familiar and cold shout suddenly rang out.

"Big Brother!"

Li Shimin and Li Jiancheng turned their heads almost in unison, instantly seeing Li Shimin, who was holding a bow and arrow, leading a troop of men charging toward them!

And right behind them, troops also appeared.

The two only took a simple look, and they instantly felt as if they had fallen into an ice cellar; they saw Yuchi Jingde!

The most critical thing was—

There was still one person in front of Yuchi Jingde.

That person looked as if he had walked out of hell, his face covered in dense wounds, some of which were still oozing fresh blood, giving people the feeling of a devil!

"What are you doing!"

Li Jiancheng immediately shouted: "I am the Crown Prince of the Great Tang; you are actually leading troops into the palace—are you trying to rebel?"

At this moment, how could he not know that he had been ambushed?

But he had to do this.

As long as he could drag it out, whether the imperial guards in the palace noticed or the troops he had arranged arrived.

He had the strength to fight back.

As the Crown Prince, he held the advantage both publicly and privately!

"Crown Prince?"

Li Shimin's voice rang out again, and immediately a trace of a disdainful smile appeared on his face; he didn't waste any words and directly gripped the bow and arrow in his hand.

"You dare!"

Seeing this, Li Yuanji, who had long been prepared, changed his expression drastically and, without the slightest hesitation, was the first to draw his bow and fire several arrows at Li Shimin in succession.

Swish—swish—swish!

The sounds of air being pierced rang out continuously, and accompanied by the rumbling of thunder, the situation was instantly ignited.

Li Shimin's expression did not change at all; he didn't even move an inch.

His archery skills were far beyond what Li Yuanji could compare to.

How could he not see that Li Yuanji's arrows had missed simply because of panic?

The movements in his hands continued.

Just as Li Jiancheng had not yet reacted, he shot the arrow in his hand directly at him.

—Swish!

The force of this arrow was truly unimaginable.

Li Jiancheng's body fell from his warhorse instantly, blood gushing out; he tried to get up, but the pain was something he could hardly bear.

In the end, he only raised his head to look at Li Shimin.

In his eyes, there was both remorse for himself and hatred for Li Shimin.

But he could no longer change anything!

The situation was completely out of control.

How could Li Yuanji care about so much now?

Without a word of nonsense, he immediately wanted to flee.

"Kill!"

Li Shimin stared fixedly at Li Yuanji; without any further words, he shouted once and then spurred his horse to give chase!

—Rumble!

Sounds of thunder continued to explode.

Adding a great deal of oppressive atmosphere to the bloody case of this day.

Gu Quan did not go to pursue, but led his army back to the Xuanwu Gate.

This was also part of the plan.

He had to block Li Jiancheng's troops and buy time for Li Shimin to settle everything once and for all!

At this time, the great battle at the Xuanwu Gate had already begun.

Xue Wanche of the Eastern Palace had already led Li Jiancheng's Changlin troops to attack, and was currently fiercely assaulting the Xuanwu Gate.

The situation was becoming increasingly dire.

When Gu Quan's devil-like face appeared at the Xuanwu Gate.

Let alone those Changlin troops, even someone like Chang He, who had long since defected to Li Shimin, was startled.

He was not Li Shimin's core confidant, so naturally, he could not know Gu Quan's identity.

There was not even a need to fight.

Just by relying on Gu Quan's current appearance, it was enough to make many people feel panic.

Gu Quan did not interfere with the defense of the city.

From beginning to end, he never said a word, only letting his subordinates help defend the city.

Dense arrows fell continuously like raindrops.

Both sides had nowhere to retreat.

But after all, this was the imperial city.

Thinking of completely breaking through the imperial city with just this many troops was undoubtedly a pipe dream.

Xue Wanche was no ordinary person.

He quickly realized this point, and then made a prompt decision, intending to attack Li Shimin's Prince of Qin's mansion to pull the rug out from under Li Shimin.

—This was definitely a lethal move!

But for Gu Quan, wanting to leave so simply was not that easy.

Compared to the great battles he had faced in the past, this battle was actually much simpler.

The means available to both sides were only so many.

When he sensed that Xue Wanche intended to retreat, he did not hesitate at all and directly ordered Chang He to open the city gate!

He wanted to lead his troops out to kill!

—Creak.

The thick and imposing city gate opened suddenly.

Xue Wanche had not expected such a turn of events, but seeing the city gate open with his own eyes, he naturally had to go and save Li Jiancheng at the first opportunity!

A great battle erupted between the two sides!

Gu Quan had even changed his weapon.

In the past, he used a long spear, which was also the weapon most liked by the Gu Shizi descendants since Gu Chen.

But now he had switched to a horse lance.

This was only natural for a Gu Shizi descendant who had been in contact with weapons since childhood.

"Kill!!!"

Shouts rang out across the heavens and earth instantly.

Compared to normal offensive and defensive battles, this kind of frontal charge was clearly much bloodier.

Gu Quan charged at the very front.

As the horse lance in his hand slashed down repeatedly, fresh blood instantly stained his entire body, making his already terrifying face look even more ghastly!

"Those who advance die, those who surrender will not be killed!"

He shouted in a hoarse voice.

Just like that, he stood before the Xuanwu Gate, and the aura he exuded actually caused the crowd of Changlin troops to not dare take another step forward.

At the same time, at Linhu Hall.

Li Yuan had already been invited down from the lake, and at this very moment, he was sitting on the so-called dragon throne with a face full of grief.

Accompanying him, besides Li Shimin's confidants.

Only Pei Ji, the minister he relied on most, remained.

This minister, who had once even warned Li Yuan to be wary of Li Shimin rebelling, had completely lost his composure at this moment, his face deathly pale.

How could he not understand what would happen after this matter?

Regardless of who won or lost.

His greatest reliance, Li Yuan, would become a mere figurehead; even if he did not die, the power in his hands would certainly be seized.

When that time comes—

A person like him who plays both sides will likely never be able to keep his current status again.

Step. Step. Step.

At this moment, the sound of footsteps suddenly came from outside the hall.

Both of them looked over almost instantly.

They saw Li Shimin, his hair disheveled and his body stained with blood, slowly walking toward the inside of the hall with Yuchi Gong.

His expression was complex.

There was no joy, nor was there any sorrow.

As soon as he entered the hall, he knelt directly before Li Yuan and said without emotion: "Report to Father Emperor, the Crown Prince and the Prince of Qi intended to rebel and have been executed by your son!"

"Now the troops of the Eastern Palace are attacking the Imperial City; I ask that Father Emperor immediately issue an order to stop the Eastern Palace's soldiers!"

——Rumble!

Peals of thunder rang out at just the right moment.

Carrying Li Shimin's words, they exploded in the hearts of Li Yuan and Pei Ji.

Pei Ji almost instantly collapsed.

And Li Yuan's body also began to tremble.

He stared fixedly at Li Shimin, slowly stood up, and kept shaking his head, repeating over and over: "Impossible! Impossible!"

Li Yuan was unwilling to believe it!

Li Shimin did not say anything more; he remained kneeling there without even moving, tears swirling in his eyes, yet they never fell.

Li Yuan's emotions became increasingly agitated.

Pei Ji seemed to have finally reacted; seeing that Li Yuan was about to fall, he hurriedly stood up to support him and said with a trembling voice: "Your Majesty, please issue the decree."

He wanted to use this act to curry favor with Li Shimin.

The situation had completely changed.

The fact that Li Shimin could return here again explained everything.

Even if he could not maintain his current power, he needed to avoid Li Shimin's purge as much as possible.

This sentence finally brought Li Yuan back to his senses.

As if his bones and tendons had been pulled out, he slumped on the dragon throne, his murky gaze sweeping over Pei Ji, his Adam's apple rolling with difficulty, and he finally waved his hand tremblingly.

The moment the old minister fetched the yellow hemp paper, his withered fingers gripped the wolf-hair brush and wrote with a tremor.

"I ask the minister to go and pacify the Eastern Palace's troops." Li Shimin's stern voice pierced the stagnant air.

The imperial edict in Pei Ji's hands rustled, and when he looked up, he met Yuchi Gong's cold, piercing gaze.

The old minister's body trembled instantly.

Even he had felt the threat of death.

He hurriedly accepted the order and stood up to leave, and Yuchi Gong followed directly behind him.

As the hall doors closed with a boom, the scent of agarwood mixed with the smell of rust surged within the hall.

Li Yuan looked at Li Shimin before him and slammed his fist against the imperial desk, causing the bronze candle stand on it to shake violently, and he couldn't help but roar: "Four sons, now only you are left; is this the price of gaining the world?"

Tears rolled down from his eyes continuously.

He seemed to be blaming himself, and also regretting.

Regretting why he had watched all of this happen without saying a word.

Li Shimin knelt on one knee, the blood scabs congealed on his black armor glowing dark red under the candlelight, his knuckles digging deep into his palms, yet he kept his eyes lowered and remained silent.

"What else do you want?!" Li Yuan's emotions suddenly became agitated again; he stumbled down the imperial dais, his crown tassels swinging against Li Shimin's forehead, "The imperial throne is already in your grasp, what more do you want?!"

"I want control over the world's armies!" Li Shimin suddenly looked up, the scarlet in his eyes seemingly ignited by the candles in the hall.

He slowly stood up and stared straight at Li Yuan, letting the tears in his eyes fall continuously, his gaze remaining as firm as ever.

Under Li Yuan's astonished gaze.

He took a deep breath, his hands clenched into fists, his voice growing louder:

"I want control over the world's armies!!!"

"I want..."

"Control over the world's armies!"

——Rumble!

Accompanied by a peal of thunder ringing out once more, it was as if he were declaring it to the people of the world.

From this day forth, the Great Tang has completely changed!

——————

"In the sixth month of the ninth year, on the Gengshen day, the Taizong led Zhangsun Wuji, Yuchi Gong, Hou Junji, Zhang Gongjin, and others to ambush at the Xuanwu Gate.

At dawn, Jiancheng and Yuanji entered the palace side-by-side; upon reaching the Linhu Hall, they sensed something was wrong and turned to flee in a hurry.

Taizong spurred his horse and shouted: 'The state is in danger; today's affairs depend on you gentlemen!'

Shortly after, two thousand elite troops from the Eastern Palace and the Prince of Qi's residence rushed to attack the Xuanwu Gate; the gate was initially closed, and the guards fought with all their might.

Arrows fell like rain, and the Prince of Qin's personal guards were nearly wiped out.

Suddenly, a burly man with a face full of scars led troops out; his face was covered in dense knife marks, his muscles twisted like a demon, and no one could recognize his appearance.

He wore heavy armor and held a horse lance, blocking the palace gate alone and fighting dozens of men.

The Changlin troops surrounded him with long spears; wherever the halberd blade passed, spears broke and men died, blood splashing three paces away.

A fierce soldier rushed forward to grab his armor; the scarred man roared, swung his halberd down, and the soldier was cut in two along with his armor, causing the crowd to retreat in terror.

From dawn until the Si hour, corpses lay everywhere, and the gate guards' morale was greatly boosted by his might.

Afterward, officials requested to commend this man, but Taizong ignored it.

Those who participated in the battle that day were asked privately, and they all replied: 'He seemed familiar, but his face was unrecognizable, and there was no way to verify it.'"

——"Book of Tang: Annals of Taizong"

(End of chapter)