Volume One, Chapter Eight: The Noble Consort’s Survival Disturbs Our Hearts-Rebelião de An Lushan: Tornei-me o Príncipe Herdeiro Li Heng(Pequeno Verme-Livro Rompendo o Casulo)

"Yes, Wei Fangjin must die!" The shout was like a spark that instantly reignited the fury burning within the soldiers' hearts.

"General, we have already slain the treacherous Yang Guozhong. We cannot let that old bastard Wei Fangjin escape!"

"Kill Wei Fangjin!"

The soldiers' cries surged like waves, each louder than the last. Especially those who had personally taken part in exterminating Yang Guozhong's entire family—their eyes now glowed with fierce determination.

As the Imperial Censor, Wei Fangjin held a high and powerful position. If he were allowed to live, with his influence, seeking revenge against them would be as effortless as crushing a few ants.

Even if General Chen Xuanli intended to shield him, it might not be enough to stop the tide.

Seeing this, Chen Xuanli furrowed his brows deeply, sweat beading on his forehead. He had never anticipated such upheaval within the elite troops he had commanded for so many years.

Since the Tang Long coup that overthrew Empress Wei, he had overseen the Left Dragon Guard for decades, controlling the army as deftly as his own limbs.

But now, this sudden turn of events weighed heavily upon him.

The emperor had only ordered the execution of Yang Guozhong, not Wei Fangjin. If Wei Fangjin were killed, the emperor would surely hold him responsible.

What was he to do?

Just as he was about to call out to quell the unrest, several soldiers from the rear of the formation hurriedly broke away.

Inspired by the lead, a crowd followed. Especially the soldiers who had missed the chance to kill Yang Guozhong—now, at this unexpected opportunity, they acted on their own, not waiting for orders.

"This is bad! We can't control them!" Chen Xuanli's face drained of color.

At that moment, a captain rushed over anxiously, holding a bloodstained letter.

"General, we found this on Wei Fangjin’s carriage. Please take a look."

Chen Xuanli unfolded the letter. His expression darkened further.

Though written in code, he easily discerned a conspiracy woven within, implicating many senior ministers.

What chilled him most was the unmistakable mention of the Crown Prince’s name.

What in the world was going on?

He had no time to ponder further and quietly secured the letter. The immediate priority was to regain control and prevent matters from spiraling further.

Nearby, Li Heng watched with a faint, nearly imperceptible smile curling his lips.

That letter—he had sent it up there in secret.

...

"Your Majesty, terrible news!" Gao Lishi stumbled in, his aged frame seeming somewhat comical in his panic.

He did not see the Crown Prince but caught sight of Yang Guozhong’s severed head—and was thoroughly frightened.

"What’s the commotion?" Li Longji scolded sharply.

"The Prime Minister... the Prime Minister has been killed!" Gao Lishi panted heavily, terror etched across his face.

"What? Say that again!" Li Longji feigned shock.

"The Prime Minister is dead!" Gao Lishi raised his voice.

"What’s happening? What’s really going on? Summon Chen Xuanli immediately!" Li Longji sat down heavily, putting on a sorrowful display, though his eyes darted toward Yang Guifei, who had long since lost her composure, trembling all over.

Outside the courier station, Gao Lishi saw Wei Fangjin’s head held high.

Two heads raised against the setting sun cast a grim and chilling sight.

The soldiers, like powder kegs sparked to flame, howled wildly as if possessed by madness.

"General, His Majesty summons you urgently," Gao Lishi approached Chen Xuanli, voice trembling, sweat streaming down his forehead.

Chen Xuanli frowned deeply and said nothing, his back soaked with sweat.

Yang Guozhong was dead, Wei Fangjin slain—who would be next? He dared not think further.

Once the soldiers’ bloodlust ignited, they were like three thousand wild beasts, unstoppable—even by him, the commander of the Left Dragon Guard.

"General, you must not enter!" Captain Chen Hanxiong of the Imperial Bodyguard said.

Chen Xuanli glanced at him but remained silent.

"General, you really must not see the emperor!" Chen Hanxiong bowed respectfully. "We have exterminated Yang Guozhong’s entire clan, but Lady Guifei remains. What are we to do?"

"Yes, Lady Guifei is still by His Majesty’s side!" an officer echoed.

"Indeed, who can withstand the whisperings by His Majesty’s pillow?" another officer glanced toward the inn, agreeing.

Their worries were not unfounded. When killing Yang Guozhong, their zeal was fearless.

Now that Yang Guozhong’s clan was wiped out but Yang Guifei remained beside the emperor, which imperial commander could feel at ease?

Not even Chen Xuanli himself. Having served His Majesty for decades, he knew the emperor’s temper well. When enraged, he was more fearsome than a tiger.

The thought sent a chill through Chen Xuanli’s sweat-soaked back.

"General, you must not go in!"

The soldiers repeated the warning. This was the scene Chen Xuanli dreaded most—but it had finally come to pass.

Killing Yang Guozhong inevitably implicated Yang Guifei. Could the emperor have not foreseen this?

The situation was already somewhat out of control. The order to kill Wei Fangjin was not from the emperor; someone was stirring the waters.

And now, to kill Lady Guifei—there must be someone covertly sowing discord.

Who could it be? Wei Jiansu? Or the Crown Prince?

Lady Guifei’s fate was hardly connected to the Crown Prince; that was unlikely.

Wei Jiansu, holding both the position of Prime Minister and Minister of War, had ample motive to eradicate threats and solidify his own standing.

The fire had already been lit; the only way to quench it was to kill. If the pressure was too great, the soldiers would vent their rage on him.

"What do you say we do?" Chen Xuanli threw the question to the assembled officers.

...

"Your Majesty must endure the painful sacrifice," Chen Hanxiong said.

"Yes, Your Majesty, please endure! If the Lady Guifei lives, we cannot rest," a captain concurred.

"If the Lady Guifei lives, we cannot rest!" the surrounding soldiers shouted in unison.

"You are rebelling!" Gao Lishi barked fiercely.

"Gao eunuch, you spineless fool, mind your own business!" a burly captain glared fiercely, his eyes like daggers.

Gao Lishi retreated a few steps, silenced. Angering these warriors could mean his own head would be next, displayed on a spear.

"Gao eunuch, please report to His Majesty: if the Lady Guifei is not removed, we cannot protect the emperor!" Chen Hanxiong bowed to Gao Lishi.

Seeing this, Gao Lishi quickly scrambled away.

"Where is Chen Xuanli?" Li Longji, displeased at Gao Lishi’s frantic return, demanded.

"Your Majesty, terrible news! Chen Xuanli has rebelled!" Gao Lishi sobbed.

"What is this madness?" Li Longji sprang up, shock and fury flashing in his eyes.

"They want Your Majesty to endure the painful sacrifice—remove..." Gao Lishi glanced toward Yang Guifei, who was pale as death, trembling like a leaf, her eyes filled with despair and fear.

"How outrageous!" Li Longji trembled with rage, fists clenched tightly until his knuckles cracked.

He had truly overestimated himself! Thinking everything was under control, yet he had been blinded by a wild goose while hunting a wild goose.

"Your Majesty..." Gao Lishi spoke cautiously, "the rage of the people cannot be defied."

"Please, Your Majesty, endure the painful sacrifice," the soldiers outside cried, their voices rising wave after wave.

After exterminating Empress Wei and killing Princess Taiping, he had always acted decisively, replacing prime ministers as easily as changing clothes. Having reigned for over forty years and personally forged the glories of the Tang dynasty, Li Longji now felt unprecedented helplessness.

"Lady Guifei... I..." the old emperor choked up. Between Yang Guifei and himself, he could only choose one.

Sacrifice Yang Guifei, and he remained emperor. Sacrifice himself, and Yang Guifei would surely die. Such a choice was obvious.

"Your Majesty... I..." Yang Guifei collapsed to the ground, gazing hopelessly at Li Longji.

Surrounded by twenty or thirty officers, Chen Xuanli charged directly into the courier station. Gao Lishi tried to stop him but was shoved aside by a brigade commander.

"Your humble servant dares to beseech Your Majesty to prioritize the greater good," Chen Xuanli said, clad in armor, unable to perform the full formal bow, instead bowing with hands clasped, sweat pouring down his face—whether from nerves or heat, no one could tell.

"We implore Your Majesty to consider the greater good," the imperial commanders shouted in unison.

Li Longji’s face darkened as he glanced at Yang Guifei and then at the bloodthirsty commanders. He waved Gao Lishi aside.

Understanding, Gao Lishi beckoned, and several eunuchs came forward to lift the collapsed Yang Guifei, preparing to drag her into the inner chamber to be strangled.

"The Crown Prince has arrived!" At this critical moment, someone shouted from the door.

Li Longji’s heart sank, a grim thought flashing through his mind: Li Heng arrives neither early nor late, but just at this crucial moment—could he be seizing the opportunity...

An ominous premonition filled his thoughts.