Three days later, as the sun had just set.
At the manor outside Chang'an city.
The Eight Families Alliance convened once more.
Cui Yuzheng held a bowl of Zui Xian Niang and looked at the people before him. "My lords, our success or failure rests on this endeavor!"
"Let us drink this cup together. We shall destroy the Li Tang, and our five families will take turns ruling the world! Should we break this oath, may gods and men alike smite us!"
With that, he raised his wine bowl and gestured to everyone.
The other four families raised their bowls in unison, clinking them together, spilling wine.
"Should we break this oath, may gods and men alike smite us!"
After speaking the oath in unison, they drained their bowls and smashed them to the ground.
The representatives from Tubo, Nanyue, and the grasslands raised their bowls. "We wish you a stable rule over the Central Plains! From this day forward, we shall not infringe upon each other!"
After speaking, they also drank and smashed their bowls.
"Depart!"
Cui Yuzheng waved his hand, and the group walked out of the manor.
Unbeknownst to them, countless troops had already gathered outside the manor.
"Those belonging to the Qinghe Cui Clan, follow me and enter the city through Kaiyuan Gate!"
"Those belonging to the Boling Cui Clan, follow me and enter the city through Jinguang Gate!"
"Those belonging to the Zhaojun Li Clan, follow me and enter the city through Guanghua Gate!"
...
The eight forces, leading their respective troops, departed from the manor and entered Chang'an through seven of its city gates.
Hou Junji, however, led his men and over a thousand others sent by the other seven factions, heading straight for Fang Family Manor.
By the time they reached the walls of Chang'an.
The guards on the city walls were chatting idly when they suddenly saw a large contingent of troops approaching Chang'an.
Judging by the banners, they were under Chai?
Wasn't Duke Chai in Japan? How did he return with his men?
The imperial guards on the wall quickly realized something was amiss.
Because the attire of these men was clearly different from that of the Expel Barbarian Army.
The Expel Barbarian Army, the Victorious Army, and the Skyfire Army all had distinct uniforms, easily recognizable.
"Quick, close the city gates!"
The guard shouted, and then drew his long bow, preparing to fire a warning arrow.
But what he didn't expect was that his companion, with whom he usually shared drinks and visited brothels, plunged a knife into his back.
"Brother, I apologize. May you rest in peace!"
His companion whispered in his ear and then closed his unwilling eyes with one hand.
He fell to the ground without ever hearing the sound of the city gates closing.
Cui Zheng walked into the city with his troops, encountering no resistance.
The same happened for the other six factions!
They were only discovered by the imperial guards protecting the palace when they were within a hundred meters of it.
The fellow who often opened the gate for Fang Er outside Chengtian Gate took out a cigarette butt from his pocket, preparing to light it for a last puff.
Suddenly, he heard the sound of a large group of people approaching.
He put the cigarette butt back into his pocket and looked in the direction of the sound.
Thousands of people, grandly marching towards them, all armed.
Swords drawn, men armored.
"This is rebellion! Quickly close the palace gates!"
This man shouted and took a signal flare from his waist, igniting it instantly.
A green flare shot into the sky.
With a roar, the sound shook Chang'an!
The Imperial Palace, the Forbidden Garden.
Li Yuan was rowing a boat on the imperial lake with several concubines.
The autumn wind rose, creating ripples on the calm lake.
Li Yuan was inspired to compose a poem.
"What a big wave,
One wave after another.
Before the previous wave subsides,
Another wave appears in the blink of an eye!"
A concubine beside him clapped and praised, "A good poem, a good poem!"
"Your Imperial Highness..."
Before the words were finished, he saw Li Yuan staring at him unhappily.
The concubine quickly changed her tune, "Your Majesty's charm remains as ever!"
Li Yuan then smiled and walked towards her, kissing her on the cheek. "My dear concubine is truly understanding!"
Just then, the flare in the sky illuminated his head with a ghastly green light.
Li Yuan's expression instantly turned cold.
"Damn it!"
In all these years, he had only come here to row twice!
The last time he rowed, his second son caused trouble.
And this time, someone is causing trouble again?
Who dares to be so bold!
Could it be that because his second son is not home, they think the Li family is without men?
"Guards! Arm yourselves! Summon troops!"
His icy voice startled the eunuch beside him.
Seeing the pervasive green light, the eunuch immediately realized this was the highest alert!
Someone was attacking the palace!
He immediately went to retrieve Li Yuan's armor.
As Li Yuan finished donning his armor, the palace guards rushed in.
"Your subordinate, Ma Leibi! Greetings to Your Imperial Highness!"
"Your subordinate, Qu Ge Qiu! Greetings to Your Imperial Highness!"
Li Yuan drew the spear at his side. "Follow me to kill the enemy!"
"Yes!"
After taking two steps, Li Yuan stopped and looked at the two. "Go where?"
Qu Ge Qiu looked bewildered. "Your Imperial Highness, please instruct."
Li Yuan...
Alright, he hadn't misheard. That was indeed his name.
What a distinctive name!
In the Hall of Sweet Dew, Empress Zhangsun saw the green light outside the hall and was somewhat at a loss.
"Guards! Quickly leave the palace and invite the Duke of Qi!"
Two young eunuchs quickly turned and left the hall.
However, they were stunned at the palace gate.
The palace gates were all blocked from the outside, and the imperial guards were fighting them.
Li Yuan stood on the square in front of the Hall of Two Poles, his face ashen as he looked at the palace gate, which was shaking precariously.
The palace guard consisted of only three thousand men.
The attacking force far outnumbered them.
Although there were not a few guards inside and outside Chang'an city, it would take at least fifteen minutes from the appearance of the flare signal to the arrival of reinforcements.
It seemed that the palace gates would not hold before the reinforcements arrived.
"Report! Your Imperial Highness, urgent report from Chongxuan Gate!"
"Report! Your Imperial Highness, urgent report from Xing'an Gate!"
"Report! Your Imperial Highness, the palace wall at Fanglin Gate has been breached by the attacking enemy!"
Li Yuan was somewhat dumbfounded.
This string of urgent reports meant that the Imperial Palace had been completely surrounded by the enemy.
The two young eunuchs sent by Empress Zhangsun to deliver the message, unable to leave the palace and caught in a dilemma, ran back to the Hall of Sweet Dew.
"Your Highness! The Imperial Palace is surrounded, we cannot get out!"
Upon hearing this news, Empress Zhangsun became even calmer.
"Guards! Help me change my attire!"
Several palace maids looked at each other. What was the point of changing clothes at this time?
Seeing them hesitate, Empress Zhangsun rebuked them, "Bring me my court robes! Even if I die, I must fulfill my duty as the mother of the nation!"
The palace maids' faces filled with panic.
If the Empress herself spoke of dying, did that not mean they were all in danger as well?
"You need not panic. Even if they are to rebel, someone must still serve in this palace. Hurry!"
Trembling, the palace maids went inside and brought Empress Zhangsun's court robes.
Looking at the magnificent court robes, a hint of moisture appeared in Empress Zhangsun's eyes.
She had only worn this dress once before, during Li Shimin's ascension to the throne last year.
She had not expected to wear it for the second time under such circumstances.
Just then, Lai Yifa ran over.
"Your Highness, I thought of a place, perhaps we can get out of the palace."
Empress Zhangsun raised an eyebrow. "At this hour, speak quickly!"
Lai Yifa pointed to Haha, who was squatting by a pillar.
"Your Highness, a few days ago, they dug a hole in the palace wall!
From there, it leads out to Yongchang Ward!
Because of the arrangements for His Majesty's northern expedition, the hole was delayed and not yet sealed!"