Chapter 25: The Despairing Li Yuan—The Inevitable Collapse

“This virtuous man, why hasn’t he come yet? Could it be that I must go greet him myself?”

Standing on the small boat, Li Yuan gazed toward Yuwen Shiji on the shore and laughed heartily.

The others naturally understood he was joking.

But Pei Ji, standing not far behind him, wore a somewhat solemn expression.

He vaguely sensed something amiss. Just now, he had seen a flock of birds suddenly take flight from the woods near the Linhu Palace.

At first, he paid it little mind—this was the imperial palace, guarded by over ten thousand elite troops: the Forbidden Army, the Left and Right Vanguard Guards, and the Left Martial Guards.

Who would dare cause trouble here? It was no longer the former Sui dynasty.

Yet now, seeing Yuwen Shiji emerge hurriedly from the woods, Pei Ji felt a growing unease.

“The virtuous man seems troubled. Perhaps this old servant should inquire?” Pei Ji cautiously suggested.

Li Yuan, slightly tipsy from some earlier wine, laughed dismissively.

“Perhaps he was just overworked last night,” he teased, prompting the old ministers aboard to laugh knowingly.

On this modest boat sat the most powerful men of the Tang dynasty.

Li Yuan, the emperor himself, was joined by Pei Ji, Xiao Yu, Chen Shuda, Feng Deyi, Pei Ju, all either chancellors or grand dukes of the highest rank.

Yet this was not the focus.

These men joked so freely with Li Yuan because they had grown up together.

In their youth, they had even ventured to brothels together. Lacking money, they had only summoned one courtesan and concocted a scandalous scene, earning them a ban from every brothel in Chang’an.

In later terms, their relationship was akin to “fighting side by side, sharing secrets, dividing spoils, and frequenting the same pleasures.”

Thus, when Li Yuan marched into Chang’an, he met almost no serious resistance.

“The virtuous man truly seems troubled. Your Majesty, the wind is rising; perhaps it is time we return?” Pei Ji’s unease deepened as he cast a discreet glance at Li Yuan.

Li Yuan’s laughter faded instantly.

He knew Pei Ji would not disturb his mood without cause.

Noting the hour was late and with meetings awaited with his three sons, his playful spirit dissipated.

He ordered the eunuchs to return to shore.

Before long, the boat docked at the harbor by Chihai Lake.

Yuwen Shiji, who had been waiting anxiously, quickly approached to pay respects.

Li Yuan helped him up with a teasing smile.

“Virtuous man, why have you come so late? Were you detained by some favored concubine?”

Yuwen Shiji said nothing, only forced a dry laugh.

Seeing his embarrassed expression, Li Yuan assumed his jest struck true and laughed heartily.

Suddenly!

Urgent hoofbeats sounded ahead.

Everyone was startled and turned sharply to see a burly man charging on horseback, clad in iron armor, wielding a long spear, his face fierce and grim.

His leopard-like eyes and dark complexion made recognition immediate.

“Yuchi Gong!”

Pei Ji exclaimed in shock.

Pei Ju, standing behind Li Yuan, hastily stepped forward to shield him.

Nearby eunuchs and palace maids scattered like frightened birds.

Li Yuan’s expression grew graver still as he regarded Yuchi Gong.

Though Yuchi Gong commanded the Left Vanguard Guard, tasked with palace security, he had recently relinquished this duty to lead a campaign against the Turks.

Why, then, had he suddenly appeared in the palace, his face radiating a murderous aura?

Could it be that a rebellion was underway?

The thought widened Li Yuan’s eyes in alarm.

He had not forgotten how Emperor Yang of the Sui had met his end!

“Who is rebelling today? Minister, what brings you here?” Li Yuan pushed aside Pei Ju and stepped forward to question.

He trusted Yuchi Gong’s loyalty and courage, hence the inquiry.

Yuchi Gong’s face was grave as he dismounted and bowed respectfully.

“Your Majesty, I report that the Crown Prince and Prince Qi have conspired in rebellion. Prince Qin was forced to raise arms and eliminate them. Concerned to disturb Your Majesty, he dispatched me to serve as your guard.”

Boom!

It was like a thunderclap on a clear day.

Li Yuan stood frozen, trembling uncontrollably, his eyes bulging as if about to burst from their sockets.

“W-what did you say?”

He could scarcely believe his ears.

Everyone present, save for Yuwen Shiji, was aghast.

The Prince of Qin had acted?

Though not entirely unexpected, the rivalry among Li Yuan’s three sons was bitter and destined to erupt.

Many believed the Crown Prince would strike first. With the Imperial Strategy Office hollowed out and the Prince of Qin’s advisors scattered, he had lost command of the troops.

Yet unexpectedly, the Prince of Qin had taken the initiative, executing the Crown Prince and Prince Qi.

He now controlled the imperial city, and with his might, half of the sixteen southern garrison units would obey him without need for an imperial token.

It seemed the situation was settled.

“Your Majesty, Crown Prince and Prince Qi conspired in treason. Prince Qin was compelled to slay them...”

Yuchi Gong repeated the message with the air of a naive youth, but before he could finish, Li Yuan roared with bloodshot eyes:

“Rascals!”

His chest tightened; darkness clouded his vision.

He collapsed backward, stiff and unyielding, causing panic among those present.

“Your Majesty!”

Pei Ji and others hurriedly pushed Yuchi Gong aside and supported Li Yuan.

He had not lost consciousness but gasped heavily, tears streaming from bloodshot eyes.

“My eldest son! Fourth son! How could it come to this, how could it!”

“My sons!”

His wails filled the air, yet no one moved to comfort him.

Yuwen Shiji, previously silent, now stepped forward, knowing it was his moment.

“The matter has come to this. Your Majesty, please restrain your grief. The Crown Prince and Prince Qi’s rebellion is an unforgivable crime. How to proceed requires Your Majesty’s judgment; otherwise, disaster will arise from within.”

Yuwen Shiji solemnly addressed him as “Your Majesty”—a formality reserved for grave occasions.

He then exchanged knowing glances with Pei Ji, Xiao Yu, Chen Shuda, Feng Deyi, and Pei Ju—cunning old foxes all.

The situation was clear: only by establishing the Prince of Qin could stability be restored.

Li Yuan read their expressions and understood.

His “good second son” was decisive and resolute.

When he had risen in Jinyang, Li Yuan hesitated, but it was this son who forced him to act.

Still, Li Yuan hoped for a chance—if even half the court supported him, there might yet be a turn of fortune!

“I did not expect such a tragedy today. What do you all advise?”

He sought allies.

But those once loyal now remained silent.

Though powerful, they could go no further; their families’ fates hung in the balance.

This was no longer Northern Zhou or former Sui. The Prince of Qin had long weakened noble houses during Tang’s founding, leaving them powerless now.

Chen Shuda sighed, exchanging looks with Xiao Yu before deciding to speak.

“Your Majesty, Jiancheng and Yuanji neither participated in the uprising against Sui nor earned merit for the realm. Jealous of Prince Qin’s achievements and prestige, they conspired in wicked schemes. Now, Prince Qin has denounced and executed them. His merit covers the heavens; the realm follows his lead.”

He was telling Li Yuan the outcome was irreversible.

Li Yuan glared sharply, then turned to Xiao Yu, hoping for support.

But Xiao Yu shook his head helplessly.

“Your Majesty, if you would appoint Prince Qin as Crown Prince and entrust him with state affairs, no further troubles would arise.”

“You, you all!”

Suddenly enraged, Li Yuan pushed them aside.

He glared fiercely at these venerable ministers.

“Very well, very well! You ministers are indeed pillars of the Tang!”

Heads bowed in shame; those who had spoken blushed.

Li Yuan smiled bitterly, seeming to age decades in that moment.

He could only resign himself.

“I intended long ago to appoint my second son as Crown Prince, but I wish to see him first. Do you consent?”

These words barely escaped his clenched teeth.

An emperor asking his ministers—how humble. Once, he had seen such submission in Yang You, the defiant minister who had been himself.

Yet Yuchi Gong did not dare such arrogance. He bowed deeply to Li Yuan.

“I will summon Prince Qin at once, Your Majesty. Please rest briefly at Xianchi Hall.”

Rising, he did not wait for assent but ordered the armored guards to escort Li Yuan and his retinue to Xianchi Hall.

Encircled by soldiers, Li Yuan watched Yuchi Gong’s retreating figure and laughed bitterly through his grief.

Soon after leaving Chihai Lake, Yuchi Gong encountered Li Shimin and Wen He hurrying toward them.

Seeing Yuchi Gong’s expression, Wen He understood immediately.

“The situation is settled?”

He asked first.

Annoyed, Yuchi Gong shot him a glare.

This young lord was reckless, speaking before the prince himself.

He was about to reprimand him when he noticed Li Shimin’s questioning gaze.

He dared not hesitate and respectfully saluted: “Reporting to the Crown Prince, Your Majesty awaits at Xianchi Hall.”

“Good, I will go at once!”

Li Shimin beamed with joy, not even correcting Yuchi Gong’s address.

Perhaps, to him, such formalities no longer mattered.

“Wen, you sit tight. I cannot keep Father waiting!”

Wen He, riding alongside, rolled his eyes in silent exasperation.

“Not keep Father waiting? More like you can’t wait yourself.”