Chapter 335 A loving father and a filial son
"What?" Li Heng was shocked, but after all, he had been through many battles, so he calmed down in a moment and said, "We'll talk about this later. You escort the prince and his men back to the palace, Bai Xiaode and Cen Shen will lead their troops to the East Palace to capture the prince. Yang Guozhong will definitely lead his men to ambush me at Chunming Gate. An Zhongzhang will lead his troops to Chunming Gate to support Li Siye and capture Yang Guozhong. The rest of you, follow me into the palace!"

"Yes!" The generals took the order.

Zhang Guangsheng led the way, fighting as he said, "The prince is plotting treason, those who surrender should drop their weapons and lie down, otherwise I will kill you without mercy!"

Several members of the Longwu Army were so frightened that they dared not fight and were hesitant to surrender, so they could only turn around and run. Zhang Guangsheng and several of Li Heng's personal guards drew their bows and arrows and shot the fleeing Longwu Army to death!

Anyone who did not drop their weapons and lie down was killed instantly.

Zhang Guangsheng said again: "Those who surrender should drop their weapons and lie down, otherwise we will kill them without mercy!"

On the other side, Feng Changqing had attacked from the Yanping Gate in the west, Lai Zhen had attacked from the Mingde Gate in the south, and Ma Lin had attacked from the Jingyao Gate in the north.

Several soldiers shouted:
"Those who surrender, drop your weapons and lie down, otherwise you will be killed without mercy!"

"The prince is plotting treason. No one in this neighborhood is allowed to leave. Anyone who shows his head will be killed!"

Some curious people wanted to open the gate to take a look, but as soon as the gate moved, a volley of arrows was shot at it.

Fortunately, the person who opened the gate did not show his head, and all bows and arrows shot at the gate.

No one in Chang'an City slept that night.

On the streets, the sound of iron horses and spears of the Anxi Army and the Beiting Army shook the earth. Officials, common people, merchants, and people from all walks of life in the streets were on tenterhooks, using their hearing to sense the movements outside.

Under the bright moonlight, with the ethereal sound of the piano playing "Shou Wang Po Zhen Qu", the Anxi Beiting army advanced fearlessly, the Chang'an imperial guards either died or surrendered, and the streets were dyed red with blood.

Li Ying led his men from Xingningfang through Yongjiafang and headed straight for Xingqing Palace.

The palace wall of Xingqing Palace had just been repaired by Yang Guozhong, but the wall was only for show. Li Ying's army directly used battering rams to knock down the south wall of Xingqing Palace and rushed in like a tsunami.

Chen Xuanli led the remaining Longwu Army and Feilong Guards to fight desperately, but these Longwu Army and Feilong Guards were as weak as babies in front of the Anxi Beiting Army. Only the Jinwu Guards led by Wei Boyu who returned from Anxi could hold out for a while.

But only for a while.

Wei Boyu looked at the furious Li Heng in the Anxi Beiting army and felt frightened. He knew that Li Longji was doomed, but he didn't know whether to surrender or die in revenge for Li Longji.

At this time, the troops that broke through the gates from various directions gathered at Xingqing Palace and joined Li Heng. Li Siye saw Wei Boyu, pointed his sword forward and said, "Wei Boyu, if you don't surrender, don't blame me for not remembering our friendship and taking your head!"

Wei Boyu was startled and dropped his weapon and lay down. Chen Xuanli was also captured.

Li Siye, Zhang Guangsheng, Feng Changqing, Ma Lin and Lai Zhen led the way, and Li Heng followed behind them and rushed up to Hua'e Tower together.

If any of the Flying Dragon Guards in Hua'e Tower refuse to surrender, they will be killed upon encounter.

"Shou Wang Po Zhen Qu" has come to an end. When Yang Yuhuan played the last note, the world seemed to be quiet.

But then, the next moment, there was a loud noise, the door of Hua'e Tower was broken, and several Flying Dragon Guards flew in from outside the door and fell heavily to the ground.

Li Heng stood right in the middle of the gate, with Zhang Guangsheng and other generals beside him.

Li Heng and Yang Yuhuan looked at each other.

"What are you doing?" Li Heng walked up to Yang Yuhuan.

Gao Lishi took the few remaining Flying Dragon Guards and stood in front of Li Longji, protecting him behind him.

Li Longji pushed Gao Lishi away, stood up straight, and said to Li Heng, "Shibalang, what are you doing?"

Zhang Guangsheng, Li Siye, and Feng Changqing followed in at the same time, pointing their weapons at Gao Lishi and the remaining Feilong Guards, and shouted, "Discard your weapons! Discard your weapons!"

Yang Yuhuan did not respond to Li Heng's words, but her eyes instantly turned red as she looked at Li Heng, and she reached out to hold Li Heng's hand.

Li Heng breathed a sigh of relief, touched Yang Yuhuan's head, and said, "It's okay."

Li Longji ordered the Flying Dragon Guards to drop their weapons and said to Li Heng again, "I asked you to return to the palace to discuss the suppression of the rebellion. Why did you bring troops in? Did something happen?"

Li Heng let go of Yang Yuhuan's hand, took two steps forward, knelt on one knee, and said to Li Longji: "Your Majesty, Yang Guozhong, Prince Yong Li Lin and Crown Prince Li Heng conspired to rebel. I have returned to the capital to suppress the rebellion. I am late in rescuing you. I hope your Majesty will forgive me."

Li Longji asked, "Where are they?"

"Bring him in!" Li Ying turned around and said to the outside.

Bai Xiaode came in, escorting Li Heng, and An Zhongzhang came in, escorting Yang Guozhong.

Li Heng said: "Prince Yong Li Lin wants to seize the military power of Tongguan, and is now being held in Tongguan."

Li Longji sighed secretly and said, "Since it is a conspiracy, Shiba Lang, how do you think we should deal with it?"

Li Heng said: "According to the law, those who plot treason should be executed!"

Li Longji asked, "Does it have to be executed?"

Li Ying turned around and said to Feng Changqing, "Yang Guozhong is plotting treason. Take him outside and behead him!"

"Yes!" Feng Changqing took the order, took two soldiers, pulled Yang Guozhong, and walked towards the door.

Yang Guozhong was shocked and frightened, and cried out: "Saint, save me! Save me, save me, I beg you to save me..."

Yang Guozhong did not say anything more because his head had been chopped off. Li Longji watched all this silently, with a blank expression on his face, but he was horrified in his heart.

Li Ying really dares to kill!
Li Heng turned to look at Li Heng. Li Heng was so frightened that his legs went limp. He trembled and said, "Father, I...I didn't..."

"Crown Prince!" Li Longji interrupted Li Heng. "Yang Guozhong and Prince Yong Li Lin colluded with Prince Li Heng to rebel. The evidence is irrefutable. Yang Guozhong has been brought to justice. Prince Li Heng should have been put to death, but I have been old and confused over the years and have not taught the prince enough. I am also responsible. I have issued a self-blame edict. Prince Li Heng will be deposed and demoted to a commoner. Prince Yong Li Lin will be stripped of his throne and demoted to a commoner. Prince Shou Li Heng is a man of both civil and military talents, both virtuous and talented. He has made great contributions to the country and has won the hearts of the people. Now he has also made great contributions in protecting the emperor. He is canonized as the crown prince and ordered to supervise the country. All military and state affairs will be handled by Prince Li Heng."

Li Longji finished speaking word by word, and then asked Li Heng: "Shibalang, is this a proper way to deal with it?"

Li Ying knelt on one knee, then on both knees, and kowtowed, saying, "Father, you are wise!"

Li Longji said with difficulty: "Please stand up. From now on, the Tang Dynasty will be handed over to you."

Li Heng stood up and said, "I was late in suppressing the rebellion today, which frightened my father. I should have apologized and accepted punishment to show my filial piety. However, there is no greater filial piety than inheriting virtue, and no greater achievement than reviving the country. Now that the Tang Dynasty is in chaos and the people are living in misery, I, as a descendant of the ancestors of the Tang Dynasty, have the responsibility to inherit the virtues of my ancestors and my father, quell the rebellion, and revive the Tang Dynasty. When the country is peaceful and the people are safe, and the prosperity is revived, I will apologize to my father and leave it to him to deal with!"

"I am old, and I feel relieved to have you carry on the revival of the country." Li Longji breathed a sigh of relief.

The conversation between Li Heng and Li Longji looked like a loving father and a filial son.

Li Longji then asked, "What other plans do you have for today, Shiba Lang?"

Li Heng said: "The original Longwu Army and Yulin Guards failed to protect the emperor, so they can be sent to Tongguan to quell the rebellion and make meritorious contributions. The soldiers who came with me are all loyal and brave, and they can be replaced by Longwu Army and Yulin Guards. They have made contributions to quelling the rebellion, and they should all be rewarded according to their merits. According to the law, the reward should be discussed by various departments, but those who perform well can be decided directly by father. Feng Changqing can be promoted to the general of Longwu Army and granted the title of prince, Zhang Guangsheng can be promoted to the general of Yulin Guard, and Li Siye can be promoted to the general of Jinwu Guard..."

Li Heng replaced all the imperial guards with his own people, and at the same time rewarded important people to reassure everyone.

Li Longji said, "Allow it."

Li Ying said: "Gao Xianzhi defended Tongguan and resisted the rebels. His contribution was great. He can also be granted the title of a prince."

"Aim." Li Longji said.

Li Heng said: "Although the deposed crown prince and Li Lin were demoted to commoners, they are still my brothers after all. I request that they should not be exiled and that they be allowed to return to the Ten Kings' residence and not be allowed to leave the palace without permission. The rest of the traitors were all bewitched by the three men and will not be investigated further."

"Approved." Li Longji saw that Li Heng was so careful in handling things. He felt that there was no hope of turning the tables. His mood fell to the bottom. He said, "Since you have become the regent, you can make your own decisions on everything. You don't have to report to me."

Li Longji took out the jade seal and placed it on the dragon table, then said: "I am not feeling well, and I want to put down my heavy burden and enjoy my remaining years. Please keep this jade seal for me."

"Thank you, father." Li Heng said politely, then turned to the generals and said in turn: "General Zhang, General Li, you two take the guards of Shouwang Mansion and replace the Longwu Army and the Gate Guards. General Feng, General Li, you two take the Anxi and Beiting Army to replace the rest of the Southern Court and Northern Court Forbidden Army. General Bai, General Lai, you two take people to clean up the bodies of the soldiers in the city and arrange for the treatment of the wounded. General Ma, General An, you two go to Jingzhao Prefecture and order the officials and runners of Jingzhao Prefecture to clean the streets. General Cen, you draft an edict on behalf of my father."

"Yes." The generals took the order and excitedly performed their duties.

After making the arrangements, Li Heng turned to Li Longji and saluted, saying, "Father, please take a rest. I will take my leave."

"Go." Li Longji turned around and slumped on the dragon throne, his eyes dull.

Li Ying turned around, took Yang Yuhuan's hand, and walked out of Hua'e Tower.

The two of them walked in silence all the way to Nanxun Palace.

In the Nanxun Palace, Concubine Wu Huifei was praying with her eyes closed.

"Mother." Li Ying said.

Wu Huifei was overjoyed when she saw Li Heng, but then she became panicked and asked, "Where is your father?"

Li Ying said, "Rest in Hua'e Tower."

Concubine Wu Huifei said: "That's good, that's good."

Li Heng wanted to say something, but in the end he didn't. He pulled Yang Yuhuan into the house, sat down alone, leaned back in the chair, and looked exhausted.

Yang Yuhuan looked at Li Heng and said, "This is just the beginning. Right now, the people are divided internally and there are rebels outside. The Tang Dynasty is in turmoil. My dear, you will have a hard time."

Li Heng closed his eyes and said, "So you want to use your life to help me win the hearts of the people?"

Yang Yuhuan did not reply.

Li Heng said: "There is no greater filial piety than carrying on the virtues, and no greater merit than reviving the country. I have my own account to give to the world, and you are my pillar. If you die, how can I carry on the virtues, and how can I revive the country?"

Yang Yuhuan shed tears and said, "I was just... just wrong."

Li Heng opened his eyes, wiped away Yang Yuhuan's tears, and said, "You fool, there is no other woman like you in heaven and earth, in the four seas and eight wildernesses."

Yang Yuhuan turned her tears into laughter and glanced at Concubine Wu Huifei.

Concubine Wu Huifei smiled and said, "You haven't eaten for a day, I'll go and tell you..."

Concubine Wu Huifei originally wanted to ask the imperial kitchen to prepare something to eat, but in this situation, there was no chef available.

Li Ying said, "Take a break and go to the Shou Palace to eat together."

"Okay." Concubine Wu Huifei agreed.

　I originally wanted to make a summary, but there are so many words to say that I don’t know where to start. I can only say thank you brothers for your support. Tomorrow I will start the next volume, the Ji De Zhongxing Chapter, and greater challenges are yet to come.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)