Chapter 308 Destined to be at Xuanwu Gate

Although Murong Chang failed to keep Li Xiaoyan, there was nothing much to say at the moment and things had to go on.

He had been planning for this day for a long time.

The reason why he chose the former Anding prefect Murong Yanqing was because Murong Yanqing was one of the few royal family members in the court who had not contacted him privately, expressed his loyalty to him, and was willing to work for him.

Previously, many royal family members, led by Prince of Xihe Murong Abao, had sent people to convey their wishes to him, saying that they would be loyal to him and help him eliminate powerful officials, regain power, and restore Dayan.

But Murong Yanqing didn't believe any of these people, because they were all entrusted with important tasks by the Li family and had close ties with the Li family.

Who knows if these people are what Li is using to test his feelings?
So he didn't contact any of them.

Murong Yanqing was considered to be the one who had the worst situation among the royal family members, and he couldn't even get a sinecure official position.

Such a person is definitely not a member of the Li family.

You can contact him without any worries, and as a member of the royal family, he was at least a prefect before, but now he is directly unemployed. This kind of psychological gap is definitely unacceptable to ordinary people.

It was also because Murong Chang acted too harmless on weekdays, so the close ministers who monitored him all relaxed their vigilance. In addition, the people he usually won over were all eunuchs.

He also asked these eunuchs to secretly help him pass on messages, but this point was overlooked.

This led to the coup launched by the emperor himself, which went very smoothly in the early stages of planning.

The original plan was relatively complete. Under the pretext of Queen Li giving birth to a child, Li Xiaoyan was allowed to enter the palace to celebrate. Then a group of eunuchs were ambushed in a side hall to cooperate with the emperor to kill Li Xiaoyan and several prime ministers.

Then he took Li Xiaoyan's head to Xuanwu Gate and recovered the imperial guards in the Western Inner Courtyard. Then he issued an imperial edict, calling on the dignitaries in Chang'an to support him against the Li family, and his external aid also included tens of thousands of Turkic cavalry. He had also asked Murong Yanqing to help contact them earlier.

Who knew that there would be a mistake in the first step, and two consecutive opportunities to kill Li Xiaoyan were missed. Now his life or death is uncertain.

So next, Murong Chang also understood that if the Li family’s forces gathered together to launch a counterattack and he only needed to defend the palace and the imperial city, then his best outcome would be to follow the Turks to herd sheep outside the Great Wall.

Because if he fell into the hands of the Li family, he would definitely die. It was difficult to die peacefully.

Perhaps some people would thank him in their hearts, but when they killed him, there would undoubtedly be no mercy.

So he could only pray on the way to the Forbidden Garden. It would be best if Li Xiaoyan died on the spot. In this way, he would have a good chance of regaining control of Chang'an.

Li Xiaoyan didn't know whether it was good luck or bad luck.

The arrow hit the vital point and injured his lungs, but he did not die immediately, leaving him some time.

It was precisely this period of time that prevented the situation in Chang'an from collapsing immediately.

After being carried to the side hall of Taiji Palace, Sima Xiuye, who stayed there, was shocked and asked, "Da Lang, how could this happen?"

Li Xiaoyan panted and said hoarsely: "Sima Gong, the situation is urgent now. Please immediately give my Fujun General's seal to my eldest sister Yun Ning. Although she is a woman, she is decisive and will definitely be able to stabilize the situation. Regarding the affairs of the Shangshu Province, please Sima Gong, for the sake of our friendship with my father, help our Li family."

"Order Gao Zhenghui to bring His Majesty back quickly. I'm afraid His Majesty has a backup plan."

As he spoke, blood began to flow from the corners of Li Xiaoyan's mouth.

Upon seeing this, Sima Xiuye ​​made up his mind and immediately sent people to get Li Dalang's seal of the General of the Fujun Army, and to invite Li Yuan's eldest daughter Li Yunning.

At the same time, he ordered Gao Zhenghui to bring the emperor back.

At this time, Murong Chang led He Chang and hundreds of his men into the Western Inner Courtyard, and lied that there were thieves in the palace and that the prime ministers were killed, and asked the Western Inner Courtyard's imperial guards to protect him and retreat into the inner court. The imperial guards stationed in the Western Inner Courtyard were also confused, but they ran into Gao Zhenghui and his troops rushing towards the Xuanwu Gate. He Chang had ordered the Xuanwu Gate to be closed and locked before withdrawing. When Gao Zhenghui saw that he couldn't open the door, he ordered people to knock on the door, making a huge noise. The people in the Western Inner Courtyard believed it to be true, and really thought what Murong Chang and others said was true, so they obeyed the order and protected everyone to retreat into the Hanguang Hall in the imperial court.

Afterwards, Murong Chang asked Murong Yanqing to meet the Turkish cavalry according to the plan agreed in advance. At the same time, he ordered people to summon them everywhere, announcing that the Li family had stolen the country and he wanted to fight against the rebellion. Those who helped him to fight against the rebellion would be forgiven and would be rewarded in the future.
At this time, all the powerful and wealthy people in Chang'an City have to face a choice: to help Li or to help Yan?

After hearing the news, Prime Minister Pei Hongde immediately stood up from the couch and asked, "Can you say it again?"

"The Emperor took refuge in the Hanguang Palace in the Imperial Palace and announced that Li Dalang, the governor of Xijing, was dead. He ordered the soldiers of the powerful officials to obey his orders and fight against the rebellion together."

The manager who inquired about the news repeated the news again.

Pei Hongde walked to the door of the back hall and looked at the sky outside. It seemed that snowflakes suddenly began to fall.

"Pass the order. No one is allowed to enter or leave the mansion. Bring back those little bastards outside. If they don't come back, I'll break their legs."

"At times like this, we just have to wait."

The steward nodded upon hearing this, bowed and walked out.

At this moment, in the mansion of the Chai family of Julu County Duke, Li Yunning was at home arranging lanterns with people. After suddenly receiving this news, without any hesitation, he immediately changed into a round-necked military uniform and a fu hat, and led dozens of guards to rush to the palace.

Along the way, Li Yunning's expression did not fluctuate at all, nor did he show any panic, and his face remained normal.

When he entered the side hall of Taiji Palace and saw his elder brother being treated, Li Yunning's face changed slightly, "Brother." He hurriedly strode forward to check.

At this time, Li Xiaoyan was basically breathing in less than breathing out, but when he saw his sister Li Yunning rushing over, he still managed to say, "I feel relieved that you are here."

"I'm afraid it won't work. This arrow has injured my heart. I won't survive."

Li Yunning burst into tears when he heard this, "Brother, please don't say anything. Good people will have good luck, and everything will be fine."

Li Xiaoyan smiled when he heard this. Among his brothers and sisters, the two were the most similar in age, only one or two years apart. Li Xiaoyan and his second brother Li Mingqi were ten years apart in age.

Therefore, Li Xiaoyan grew up with his eldest sister Li Yunning, and they had a deep relationship. As for the younger brothers, he was more of an elder brother, taking care of them. Especially Sanlang and Silang, who were more than ten years younger than him. After their mother passed away, their father was busy with official business, and he raised Sanlang and Silang by himself.

"I'll leave everything in Chang'an City to you. I don't trust anyone else. Yun Ning, you must stay until Aye comes back."

"Tell Aye for me that I have failed him. The emperor's sudden attack must not be a whim. He must have external help. He may have colluded with the Turks. You must be careful and defend Chang'an for my Li family."

"Also, tell Aye that the brothers of the Murong family fought each other and ended up losing the world. Our Li family must not repeat the same mistake."

"What a pity, I still haven't seen Shiro. I haven't seen the day when Ayeh ascended the throne either."

After saying these words, Li Xiaoyan started coughing again, followed by a burst of rapid gasping breath.

Gradually, the panting disappeared. The doctor felt the pulse and shook his head at Li Yunning.

Li Yunning burst into tears as he looked at his elder brother who had lost vital signs.

This eldest son, who was highly expected by Li Yuan, eventually died in a palace coup.

It is still related to Xuanwu Gate.

(End of this chapter)