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The two sat side by side on the row of chairs set on one side. While the doorstep was strictly guarded, the paths leading inside on both sides of the screen were also guarded by more than ten imperial guards each, so that they did not dare to speak.

They were anxious not only whether they could convince Li Xiaogong, but also whether they would have the opportunity to talk to Li Xiaogong. What was even more worrying was that Li Shimin, Ba Fenghan and the others were still waiting outside the palace hall, they were afraid that someone would be suspicious of them, and under cross-examination they would reveal the cloven foot [idiom: unmask one’s true nature].

Half a quarter of an hour was like a long, difficult-to-endure many years – time.

Urgent footsteps came from behind the screen, the two shivered greatly in their hearts. With Li Xiaogong’s status as a member of the royal family, his rank as Hejian Wang, their allotted share was only to come to see him, how could it become Li Xiaogong removing-his-honor, dropping-his-nobility to come to meet them?

When crying, ‘Not good!’ inwardly, like wolves and tigers, the imperial guards rushed out from both sides of the screen. More than twenty men, armed with loaded crossbows and strong arrows, fanned out in a semi-circular formation, taking aim at the two at close range, and shouting loudly in unison, “Don’t move!”

Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling never thought such change would happen. Before they fully understood what was going on, they did not dare to rush indiscriminately into action. Without any better option, they raised their hands high, while putting on the air of an innocent who had just treated unjustly, showing that they would definitely not resist.

Such change was indeed beyond expectation.

Li Xiaogong, surrounded by Liao Nan and more than a dozen other, which, in just a glance it was obvious that these were the elites among the elite martial art masters within the imperial guards, circled around from behind the screen and lined up behind the crossbow wielders.

Liao Nan repeatedly signaled the two boys a helpless expression, indicating that he was powerless and that everything was in Li Xiaogong’s hands, and told them to be careful in responding to this situation. His expression gave them hope, knowing that they were not without the opportunity to turn things around.

Li Xiaogong snorted coldly and said, “How dare you two, you have the cheek to throw a bunch of nonsense to swindle me. You clearly know that Huangshang has ordered that anybody breaking through into the palace tonight will be killed, no question asked. Whoever took you in or let you pass; all committed the crime of treason. Still have not own up to the facts to this king?”

Kou Zhong put down the load on his mind again, the identity of the impostor troops outside the palace hall has not been revealed. His heart moved, with seven emotional states [joy, anger, anxiety, thought, grief, fear, fright] on his face, he said, “Hejian Wang, please understand clearly, every word that Xiaoren said is true. If there is a single word of falsehood, let me … hey! Let me … ay! I have seen it with my own eyes, the person threading the needle was that traitor Yang WenGan. Ay! The virtuous cause before our eyes, Hejian Wang ought to know what to choose.”

Hearing that, no one present, including Xu Ziling and Liao Nan, was not baffled, they were certain that his words were vague, his oath was incomplete. Only Li Xiaogong was greatly astonished, because this was precisely what Kou Zhong said to him earlier, which remained fresh in his memory.

Li Xiaogong looked at him blankly, as for the other men, the crow and peacock made no sound, the atmosphere was like a stretched-taut bowstring.

Kou Zhong was afraid that he would still not come to his senses, he continued, “We, two brothers braving death, violating the prohibition by entering the palace, it is for the sake of the innocent people who have suffered for many years. Only by promptly reporting to Huangshang will there be the possibility to defeat the enemy. I hope that in this critical juncture, Hejian Wang can give thought to the world and make the wisest choice. This way, it will be the fortune of all people.”

These words were not mixed with the old words that he had said to Li Xiaogong earlier, but they were spoken using the same tone of voice. Li Xiaogong was overwhelmed with emotions that his countenance changed several times, suddenly it turned white, suddenly it turned green, evidently the two contradicting thoughts in his heart were waging the fiercest battle.

Liao Nan was about to say something nice for the two boys, Li Xiaogong barked at him, “Shut up!”

Liao Nan immediately kept quiet out of fear, not daring to utter the words that were already on his throat.

Smiling wryly, Kou Zhong said, “If Hejian Wang is willing to allow us to make a report in private, you will certainly understand our painstaking efforts to disturb Huangshang‘s holy-self in a hurry.”

Li Xiaogong appeared to be both mentally and physically exhausted as if he had lost all his energy after going through a series of fierce battles, he sighed and said, “Very well! Escort these two to the military hall for this King. As long as you two follow the compass and go with the set square [idiom: follow the rules inflexibly], this King will treat you with due respect.”

The military hall was like a smaller scale imperial guard headquarters inside the Yanjia Dian. It was a stand-alone building located at the West Gate of the Middle Palace Hall, with a fire beacon platform built next to it. It could communicate directly with Xuanwu Gate or other fire beacon platforms of the imperial guard stations in other places by light signals, it could also use the fire beacon to summon the city defense army farther away, which played an important role in the defense of the Taiji Gong. Therefore, Li Yuan moved to this palace hall tonight, it was not without any reason, advancing to attack, and retreating to defend, the initiative was completely within his grasp.

Although Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling were led to the secret room of the military hall like convicted criminals, inwardly they were very grateful to Li Xiaogong. He said that he would treat them with due respect, they did not need to be trussed up [orig. having one’s upper body bound, with arms tied behind the back and rope looped around the neck], Kou Zhong was even spared from the distressed of having his body searched that he was able to keep the Moon in the Well and the Piercing the Sun Bow. Otherwise, he really did not know how to explain why things belonging to the Shaoshuai Kou Zhong would show up on his current Cai Wenyong’s body. Especially the Piercing the Sun Bow, everyone knew that it was one of the two great folding bows in the world, because he and Ba Fenghan’s names had spread inside and outside the border.

The two were instructed to sit down at one side of the long table, with four imperial guards carrying saber waited upon each one. Men were guarding the door and all four corners of the room. After waiting for a short moment, Li Xiaogong’s good-self arrived, he shouted all the guards away, personally closed the door, sat on the other side, and spoke in deject, “How could Shaoshuai be this rude and impetuous? Tell me, what do I do now?”

Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling pulled off their masks, the former spoke solemnly, “The situation is far more dangerous than we imagined. Until just now, we did not know that Wei Gonggong is a Yin Gui Pai man, acting as the inner responder of the demonic school inside the palace. The new generation master of Yin Gui Pai

Wanwan must have sneaked into the Yanjia Ge, Huangshang’s life is in danger [orig. precarious as pile of eggs].”

Shaken, Li Xiaogong said, “Unexpectedly there such matter?” And then he muttered to himself irresolutely for a moment, shook his head and said, “Even if Wei Gonggong, as you said, is indeed a demonic school spy, but inside the Yanjia Ge, martial at masters are as numerous as a cloud, how much can he and Wan Yaonu, two persons can do? As far as I know, Huangshang is personally protected by Yuwen Fazhu, You Lao Furen [old madame], and Chu Junming, husband and wife.”

He also asked, “That bunch of men currently waiting outside the palace hall, is Qin Wang among them?”

Kou Zhong nodded in affirmative.

In pain, Li Xiaogong supported his forehead with both hands, he spoke heavily, “Are you trying to assassinate Huangshang?”

Chopping the nail and slicing the iron, Kou Zhong replied, “I, Kou Zhong, definitely have no such intention. I took the chance tonight, only hoping that the Li Family can make the most talented person as the heir, using a little bit of trick is inevitable. What we want is the military tally that Huangshang carries with him, if we don’t succeed, Ziling and I will have no choice but to kill our way out of Chang’an, and then see who will rule the world. However, the chance to repel foreign aggression and unify the world is before our eyes, Hejian Wang can decide with a single word.”

Li Xiaogong let go of his hands, his expression returned tranquil, apparently he had finally made a decision. His eyes fixed on Kou Zhong, he slowly shook his head and said, “Please forgive Xiaogong that it is difficult to obey the order, if you want to make your move to kill me, now is your only chance.”

Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling’s two hearts sank straight to the bottom, sinking into the abyss of disappointment and helplessness. Without Li Xiaogong’s all-around cooperation, forget about accomplishing the goal, it would practically be impossible to move a single step.

Smiling ruefully, Xu Ziling said, “If we are that kind of vicious and merciless, unscrupulous persons, we would have gathered the troops at Liangdu today, to sit and watch the allied armies from beyond the Great Wall invading Guanzhong, and enjoy the benefit of the fisherman.”

Kou Zhong sighed and said, “What are you going to do to us? Naturally we won’t have our hands tied to await death.”

Tranquil, Li Xiaogong said “You and Qin Wang, just go!”

Xu Ziling was puzzled, he said, “After the event, if this matter is investigated, Hejian Wang would have committed crime punishable by death.”

Li Xiaogong’s face revealed an awe-inspiring righteous splendor brilliance, he said, “If Kou Zhong, Xu Ziling and Qin Wang die in Chang’an, there won’t be anybody in the world able to resist the allied armies from beyond the Great Wall. Li Xiaogong’s death is not enough to be regretted, but I am unwilling to bear the blame of someone condemned by history [idiom]. You go! There is no place where you can fit in in Guanzhong, I can do my best to cover your retreat.”

Kou Zhong sighed and said, “Is there no better solution? When the allied armies arrive, there won’t be whole roof tiles in Guanzhong.”

Li Xiaogong looked up at the roof beam, he spoke slowly, “There is one way.”

Hope grew in the two men’s heart.

Li Xiaogong lowered his gaze and swept it across the two boys, he spoke heavily, “Let’s go to the palace together to request an audience with Huangshang, we ask him to remember the common people of the world, to rein in his horse at the edge of the precipice, and to avoid the bleak and tragic ending of massacring one another.”

Hearing that, the two boys you looked at me I gazed at you, they drew out a mouthful of cold air. This way, wouldn’t it mean sending a lamb into the tiger’s den, walking right into the trap? Looking at each other in shock, they definitely had no luck to talk about.

‘Bang!’

Kou Zhong slapped his palm on the table, the divine light in his pair of eyes flaring greatly, he spoke calmly, “Just let the two of us going with you to see Huangshang, what do you think? Qin Wang better not get involved, but if loyal advice grates on Huangshang’s ears, we will break the siege and escape with all our strength.”

Li Xiaogong said, “As long as you can prove that Wei Gonggong is a member of Yin Gui Pai, and Wanwan has sneaked into the palace, Qi Wang has had secret collusion with Lin Shihong and Yang WenGan, and Taizi is conspiring with the Tujue to deal with Qin Wang, Huangshang might change his mind.”

Xu Ziling nodded and said, “Let’s give it a try. Hejian Wang

, please send someone to notify Qin Wang, tell them that they must, by all means, be patient and wait quietly.”

Li Xiaogong agreed, “There is no problem in this regard, we immediately request an audience with Huangshang.”

Li Xiaogong took Kou and Xu, two men directly to the main entrance of the outer courtyard of Yanjia Ge. Seeing their boss came, the imperial guards at the door raised their weapons to salute. Although the two boys had returned to their true colors, no one dared to speak half a word, from this, the strict military discipline could clearly be seen.

Li Xiaogong shouted, “Shaoshuai, Xu Xiansheng request an audience with Huangshang, immediately open the door.”

A voice responded from behind the door, saying, “Huangshang is sleeping peacefully in the pavilion, it’s not suitable to disturb him, Hejian Wang, please note clearly.”

Li Xiaogong spoke in displeasure, “Li Mo, don’t talk nonsense, everything on Huangshang, I am in charge. You haven’t opened the door for me immediately?”

Li Mo spoke in a panic, “But Zhang Gonggong ordered …”

Li Xiaogong spoke angrily, “Who is the commander of the troops? if you don’t open the door immediately, you will be served with martial law.”

The big door slowly opened.

Under the illumination of the lanterns, Yanjia Ge was as bright as day, the beautiful scenery emerged before their eyes. Forget about assassins, even a fly might be difficult to hide from the sentries standing in great numbers.

All the officers and soldiers inside the gate performed military salute.

Behind the Yanjia Ge was the imperial guard command post of the Xuanwu Gate. It was a multi-function building complex with various venues for entertaining guests, singing and dancing, ball games, all kinds of play, and so on, scattered inside the park, outside the outer imperial court and the inner imperial court. Li Yuan might also summon his trusted aides and cabinet ministers here, which was known as ‘Ren Ge’ [the people’s pavilion], how big the scale was, it could easily be imagined.

Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling followed behind Li Xiaogong, upright and unafraid, the men met them, but the external scenery could not hide the vile mood of despair and helplessness. In these circumstances, to persuade Li Yuan was the most inferior strategy among the inferior strategies. But Li Xiaogong insisted, what could they do?

The worst thing was that Wei Gonggong was inciting disharmony and slandering, stirring up the wind and mixing the rain, so that they fell into the situation of being fish and meat for other people. Wanwan’s intelligence and means should not be underestimated even more, and if it weren’t for Wanwan, they would not be at such an inferior, disadvantageous situation right now.

Li Yuan, who was reluctant to give up power, position and beauty, would definitely be unwilling to miss this once in a thousand years golden opportunity to curry favor with the Tujue by eliminating Kou Zhong and Li Shimin in one fell swoop, and unify the Central Plains while Song Que was no longer a threat.

The three men marched forward, although the crowd of the imperial guards felt that Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling entering the palace at this moment did not conform to conventions, but with their boss leading the way, who would dare to object?

Li Xiaogong spoke in low voice, “Huangshang‘s bedroom [palace to lie down] tonight is setup at Tai Ye Ju [Greatest Liquid Residence] next to Tai Ye Chi [Pond], located due north of the palace hall. It is guarded by saber-wielder personal guards, they only answer to Huangshang. I can only ask them to pass on the message, it will be up to Huangshang whether he decides the receive us or not.”

Kou Zhong asked in a low voice, “Where would Wei Gonggong be?”

Li Xiaogong replied, “He should be at Tai Ye Gong [palace] to organize things, but he has no authority to stop me from seeing Huangshang directly.”

Xu Ziling asked, “Are the martial art masters protecting the emperor’s good-self also inside the residence?”

Smiling wryly, Li Xiaogong replied, “By revealing the situation in the palace like this to the two gentlemen, I already committed treason and mortal crime. Ay! Tai Ye Ju

is divided into front and rear, three sections and nine complex of buildings. If I am not mistaken, the group of the emperor’s good-self protectors ought to stay at the front section. We are here!”

The three men rounded a building, only to see the forest tree swaying in the wind, a straight path passing through the forest, with palace lanterns illuminating both sides of the path, and pavilions, gardens, and small bridges lining both sides. Under the stars covering the whole sky, the white stone-paved forest path extended to another complex of gardens and buildings, situated under a comparatively high and wide terrain. The lanterns were hidden among the forest trees, the spring breeze was brushing lightly; it gave up quite a light wind gently moving, lonely, cold and desolate – impression.

Going further, the gurgling sound of a stream, not sure from which canal, which river, was flowing in ahead, with a wooden bridge spanning over it. This area was no longer guarded by the imperial guards.

Li Xiaogong quickly said, “Leave everything to me to handle!”

The two boys knew that they had entered the protecting-the-emperor’s-good-self saber-wielder personal guards’ territory, they could not help feeling a little nervous. Thinking that previously they were filled with big plans, wanting to control the imperial palace in one fell swoop, yet they were reduced to such a plight; they could not help sighing bitterly in their heart.

Every one of the crowd of guards’ burning gaze was cast at them, seeing that following behind Li Xiaogong were unexpectedly Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling, their faces revealed an expression of disbelief and astonishment that they were unable to conceal. Among them, those with higher rank stepped on the bridge to meet them and blocked the way. They saluted Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling first, paying their respect and said hello, before asking Li Xiaogong about their purpose in coming.

Li Xiaogong said solemnly, “Shaoshuai and Xu Xiansheng have an enormously important matter that must be discussed with Huangshang immediately.”

The leader revealed an awkward expression, and spoke something to Li Xiaogong in a low voice. Li Xiaogong revealed the courage to stake it all and go out, he said, “Qin Wei Zhang [chief personal guard] does not need to worry too much, this king alone will bear the responsibility. If Huangshang wants to blame, he can push it to this king. This matter is most urgent, it would be best for Qin Wei Zhang to report and give a full account directly to Huangshang, not to pass it on through other people.”

The personal guard chief saluted Kou and Xu, two men again, and left to report, he disappeared at the end of the forest path.

Li Xiaogong and the two boys returned to the other end of the bridge to wait. He said, “Now we have to quietly wait for Huangshang‘s decree.”

Time passed bit by bit, Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling quietly waited patiently, time was no longer important to them, even if the dawn came, it would not make any difference to them. The current situation was clear: one, Li Yuan would change his mind and let the alliance to proceed, or two, they would kill their way out of Chang’an with all their strength, breaking down relationship with Li Yuan. All those big plans would be useless. Afterwards, they could only see the truth on the battlefield; therefore, their hearts calmed down instead.

The personal guard chief finally appeared within the three men’s field of view. His expression tranquil, he came to the three men, and said respectfully, “Huangshang invited Shaoshuai and Xu Xiansheng, Hejian Wang, please stay here.”

Li Xiaogong’s countenance changed, he said, “Shaoshuai and Xu Xiansheng were taken here by this king, this king must report the situation to Huangshang in person.”

Hanging his head down, the personal guard chief said, “This is Huangshang‘s instruction.”

Kou Zhong smiled and said, “Was it Huangshang himself who said that?”

Upright and unafraid, the personal guard chief replied, “It was Wei Gonggong who conveyed Huangshang‘s oral decree.”

Li Xiaogong exchanged glances with the two boys, he spoke coldly, “Then let Wei Gonggong come to point the finger of blame to this king. Immediately lead the way for this king.”

The personal guard chief revealed a terrified expression; Wei Gonggong or Li Xiaogong, neither one he could afford to offend.

Li Xiaogong increased the pressure, he spoke angrily, “One day this king is the commander of the imperial guards in the palace, one day Huangshang’s safety is this king’s sole responsibility. Anything happens, naturally this king takes full responsibility.”

Helpless, the personal guard chief gave in; turning around, he led the way.

The three men followed behind him, passing through the forest path, ahead suddenly opened up. The three courtyards stood side by side, lined up among the trees. The balcony and platform stood tall, overlooking the gardens, the structure was wide and long, front courtyards and corridors interweaved, wisteria grew around the corridors, red leaves of the iris lined up the path; it was a different scenery. Too bad Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling were not in the mood to enjoy it.

On either side, left and right of the long steps outside the main entrance of the main hall in the middle, there was a row of ten personal guards each, standing in tight formation.

The three stepped up the long steps, the dagger-axe wielder personal guards raised their dagger-axe at the same time to salute, while the personal guard chief stepped out of the way by the door, respectfully invited them to enter.

The three men stepped into the main hall, immediately they stopped in surprise.

What they saw was not Li Yuan moving his good-self to come to see them, but the scattered around, sitting in array like they were inside the reception hall of an influential official’s house – Yuwen Shang, Yuwen Shiji, You Chuhong, Dugu Feng [peak], Dugu Feng [phoenix], Chu Junming husband and wife, and Yan Li, eight major martial art masters.

Yuwen Shang blocked the way leading to the inside, his pair of eyes shot out sharp unusual light, the back door behind him closed with a ‘Bang!’, increasing his overbearing grandeur as a clan leader.

With another ‘Bang!’, the front door behind the three men closed. Unless they broke through the ceiling to get out, they had no other way. Without having to see it with their own eyes, they knew that Li Yuan’s personal bodyguards have already surrounded the hall so heavily that not a splash of water could get out.

‘Tock! Tock! Tock!’

You Chuhong sat leisurely on the imperial tutor chair on the left side, behind her stood Dugu Feng [phoenix], with a smug smile on her face. While tapping her green bamboo staff on the floor, You Chuhong laughed coldly and said, “This is called disaster and happiness have no door, only people summon it themselves. You two can forget about leaving this place alive tonight.”