Tang Dynasty: A Guide to Avoiding Pitfalls for Li Er at the Start

Chapter 23 I will be watching you from the underworld.

Why are we on such high alert today?

As soon as Li Yuanji entered Xuanwu Gate, he immediately noticed something was wrong. He frowned and questioned Chang He.

He gripped the hilt of his knife warily, holding the reins in one hand, clearly sensing something was wrong and ready to leave immediately.

Chang He calmly stepped forward and explained, "Your Highness Prince Qi, this is an imperial decree issued yesterday. It is said that Chang'an is not peaceful and there are concerns about unforeseen events, so the Yuan Cong Imperial Guards have been additionally dispatched."

“The Imperial Guards…” Li Jiancheng looked up at the soldiers standing on the city wall, and shook his head with a light laugh.

"Erlang is, after all, Father's son and my younger brother. What trouble could possibly arise from him? Father, well, never mind. I'll put in a good word for him later."

Li Yuan sent Yuan Cong from the Imperial Guard to Xuanwu Gate; it's self-evident who this was for.

Looking around Chang'an, the only thing that could make the King of Qin wary was this imperial guard.

"No wonder Jing Junhong came today too." Li Yuanji's concerns were dispelled.

He had been on edge ever since he saw Jing Junhong.

In the past, there was only one general at Xuanwu Gate, but today both Jing Junhong and Chang He are here.

He thought something had gone wrong, but after hearing his brother's explanation, he immediately understood.

It turns out that the Emperor is about to take action against the Qin King's faction.

“Brother, you always act like a nice guy, but he doesn’t treat you like an older brother. He’s eyeing your position as crown prince.” A hint of malice flashed in Li Yuanji’s eyes.

Li Jiancheng saw all this, but ultimately said nothing, only letting out a long sigh.

"Enough, let's go. I will have my father leave him a bloodline."

By this point, Li Jiancheng understood perfectly well that it was either him or her who would die.

Upon hearing this, Li Yuanji finally smiled and nodded, glancing at Chang He and Jing Junhong.

"If the King of Qin arrives later, you two must not make a sound. When the Crown Prince ascends the throne, he will naturally not forget you."

He was arrogant and disdainful.

Chang He and Jing Junhong bowed deeply in gratitude.

The two expressed their gratitude, but in their hearts they were cursing Li Yuanji to the core.

They watched as Li Jiancheng and Li Yuanji, the two brothers, entered the inner gate.

Chang He turned around, his smile fading, and solemnly shouted, "Close the gate! Anyone who approaches Xuanwu Gate without my orders will be executed for treason!"

"Wow!"

The archers were taken to the city wall.

The executioners guarded the city walls.

"Why is the door closed?"

Among the guards stationed outside the city, a burly man over eight feet tall frowned as he watched the palace gates gradually close.

A young man behind him shook his head in confusion.

"I don't know. Could it be that something has happened? Would Lord Wu'an wish me to go and investigate?"

"Let's wait a bit. This is the palace gate. If we barge in, His Highness the Crown Prince will surely be the subject of gossip."

The young general shuddered at the thought of the imperial censors and the outspoken Wei Zheng in the Eastern Palace.

"Then let's wait a little longer."

……

After a stick of incense.

Chi Hai, a forest path outside the lakeside palace.

Li Jiancheng and Li Yuanji walked towards the pond one after the other.

The former looked somewhat solemn, while the latter appeared more relaxed.

Since Father Emperor has reinforced his troops at Xuanwu Gate, he must be aiming to capture Li Shimin today.

After my good second brother dies, the people of the Prince of Qin's faction will definitely hate the Crown Prince to the bone. At that time, they will have no choice but to join me.

Looking at Li Jiancheng's back in front of him, Li Yuanji couldn't help but smile.

Li Jiancheng suddenly turned around and saw his fourth brother grinning maliciously. He couldn't help but ask in confusion, "Fourth brother, what are you laughing at? Why are you so happy?"

"Brother, I am naturally happy to have rid you of a scourge today." Li Yuanji concealed his true feelings and cupped his hands towards Li Jiancheng. But the latter showed no joy on his face upon hearing this and sighed, "What I hate most is seeing brothers fight each other. If possible, please do not let me bear the name of killing my brother."

"Brother, this is all Li Shimin's fault, it has nothing to do with you, don't think too much about it." Li Yuanji stepped forward to comfort him with a sorrowful expression, but he didn't believe a word Li Jiancheng said.

A few months ago, someone, I don't know who, started clamoring for Li Shimin to die.

Now that victory is within reach, he's showing such an expression, and there are no outsiders here. I wonder who he's putting on this show for.

Li Jiancheng didn't see Li Yuanji, and a fleeting look of resentment flashed in his eyes.

But at this moment, from the haystack just a few dozen steps away from them, Wen He could see the whereabouts of the two brothers clearly.

Yuchi Gong lay prostrate beside him, a knife in his hand.

He was furious that Li Shimin had taken the bow and arrow with him, but he dared not say anything. He could only channel his anger into his eyes and glare at the Crown Prince and the Prince of Qi in front of him.

It's as if staring at them like that will kill them.

"Brother, if you see your second brother later, you..."

"Whoosh!"

Li Yuanji wanted to ask Li Jiancheng how he would treat Li Shimin and his family.

Then a whooshing sound came from the haystack next to them.

Li Jiancheng was taken aback and suddenly pulled on the reins. Because of the excessive force, the horse was startled and its limbs were raised high, throwing him to the ground.

Seeing this, Li Yuanji turned pale with fright and spurred his horse to turn and leave.

But then, another arrow shot from behind him, and he jumped off his horse in alarm to avoid it.

"The Crown Prince and the Prince of Qi are plotting a rebellion and intend to assassinate Your Highness. Soldiers, follow me and kill them!"

Hou Junji, who had been holding back for a long time, was already impatient.

Even now, he still can't believe that His Highness the King of Qin has handed him this great achievement and promised that he will at least become a Duke afterward!
Although Li Shimin did not say it explicitly, Hou Junji knew that he was being asked to kill the Crown Prince and the Prince of Qi.

He missed both of his arrows, and in anger, he slammed the bow to the ground and leaped away.

In an instant, shouts of battle erupted all around.

Li Jiancheng and Li Yuanji were unarmed and surrounded by the Xuanjia Guards.

"Damn Hou Junji, you can't even hit the target like this, I might as well do it!" Yuchi Gong cursed and went to get the bow and arrow, but Wen He stopped him immediately.

"Take my advice: this credit was given to Hou Junji by His Highness; you can't take it!"

If you try to persuade Yuchi Gong directly, he definitely won't listen. But if you bring up Li Shimin, even if he has a bad temper, he'll have to put up with it.

Let's look at Li Jiancheng and Li Yuanji's side.

Apart from Hou Junji and a group of Xuanjia Guards, no one else from the Qin Prince's Mansion showed up.

Those unaware of the inside story would certainly think that the King of Qin was promoting Hou Junji.

Knowing the future, Wen He only felt terrified.

The mind of an emperor.

"kill!"

"No no no!"

Li Yuanji is running.

He wanted to escape, but the area around him was already completely surrounded.

"Li Shimin, you can't kill me! I'm your brother, your own brother!"

Li Jiancheng stood still, looking at the soldiers around him and Hou Junji, who was walking towards him with a sword raised.

He seemed utterly unafraid, his face calm, and he burst into laughter.

"Erlang, I have never beaten you since we were children. I thought I could beat you today, but I have lost again."

He didn't know where Li Shimin was, but he looked in one direction based on his intuition.

"I will be watching you from the underworld. If the Tang Dynasty falls at your hands, I will descend to the deepest hell and complain to the Lord of Mount Tai!"

"Erlang, I'm leaving!"

He suddenly lunged forward at Hou Junji, who was taken aback, thinking he was going to take the knife, and immediately swung the knife at Hou Junji's neck.

(End of this chapter)