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At this moment, above the Tai Chi Hall, Li Zhi was holding his forehead, hesitating. The court officials remained silent, while Changsun Wuji stood tall with a smug smile on his face.
It was said that Li Zhi was indecisive; this had not been so apparent during his time as crown prince, but now that he sat on the dragon throne facing significant matters, it gradually became evident. The ministers felt some disappointment, and seeing Changsun Wuji's arrogance only made them sigh inwardly.
Li Zhi was indeed in a difficult position. The sixteen craftsmen held the key to Zhaoling. Although previous dynasties no longer adhered to ancient rites that required living people to be buried with the dead, it had to be acknowledged that those who built the imperial tombs rarely met a good end. Especially those who controlled core secrets; even if they fled thousands of miles away, they would eventually die mysteriously. The truth of this was self-evident.
The lives of these sixteen craftsmen were manageable, but Qibi Helix and Asena Sher were not so easy to deal with. Li Zhi trusted these two; without Changsun Wuji's interference, he would have reinstated them with just a word.
However, Changsun Wuji not only wanted to control the civil officials but also sought to restrain the military generals, centralizing power in Your Majesty alone. Thus, he incited Xu Jingzong and others from the Ministry of Rites to repeatedly advise Li Zhi to agree to the execution of the two.
"Truly foolish!" Li Zhi thought bitterly about Qibi Helix and Asena Sher while feeling moved by their loyalty. If he had a father-like figure with such wisdom and might, he would be content knowing that subjects would willingly sacrifice themselves for him.
Qibi Helix and Asena Sher stood in the court with their heads bowed, expressionless, tears glistening in their eyes.
They were foreign vassals without any background or support; their greatest backing was Li Shimin. They did not form factions or engage with other powers but fought tirelessly for Li Shimin. Their loyalty was solely to him.
The benefits of this loyalty were evident; Li Shimin trusted them completely. Even after Qibi Helix was captured by Xue Yantuo, Li Shimin paid a great price to personally redeem him.
No matter how much jealousy the court factions harbored against them, they had Li Shimin's protection. They could be considered predecessors of Xu Zhen, as she walked a similar path alongside them.
But now that Li Shimin had fallen and Li Zhi had taken the throne, they lost their greatest support. Yet they still held military power over the Northern Wilderness and the northwest Tuguhun Border, as well as many subdued tribes on the vast grasslands who obeyed their commands. This situation inevitably made Li Zhi wary of them.
Thus, their only strategy was to offer themselves as sacrifices to demonstrate their loyalty, hoping to gain Li Zhi's trust and continue serving the Li Family.
They did not misjudge Li Zhi and were aware of Changsun Wuji's ambitions; however, they underestimated Changsun Wuji's ability to influence Li Zhi. They also did not anticipate that Changsun Wuji had effectively suppressed Zhu Suiliang, almost monopolizing state affairs!
In terms of background and qualifications, ten Zhu Suiliangs could not compare to one Changsun Wuji. Although Yuzhining and others had assisted Li Zhi for several years, they were fence-sitters who had grown disheartened after witnessing Fang Xuanling and Li Jing's fates and seeing Li Jue being sent away from court. They were unwilling to involve themselves in court matters anymore.
At this moment, Qibi Helix and Asena Sher felt helpless and on the verge of tears. Their hearts hung in uncertainty as they anxiously awaited Li Zhi's decision regarding their fates—this feeling was truly unbearable!
After a moment of hesitation, Li Zhi finally steeled himself. He sighed lightly and slowly raised his head. Upon hearing this faint sigh, Qibi Helix and Asena Sher knew their deaths were inevitable. They regretted deeply; had they known this would happen, it would have been better to find an excuse to escape to the border rather than return to face Changsun Wuji's purge of military influence!
However, at that moment outside the palace gate on the jade bridge, the Censoring Imperial Historian shouted loudly: " Xu Zhen! Do you wish to rebel? Why do you enter the palace armed?"
Upon hearing these words, all officials in attendance erupted into chaos. Changsun Wuji and Murong Hanzhu exchanged astonished glances; none understood how Xu Zhen could be so bold as to enter the palace with a sword without sovereign permission—this was a capital offense!
Once, Emperor Taizong summoned Changsun Wuji, who surprisingly entered the palace with a sword. The Imperial Guard failed to notice this, and Feng Deyi, who was adept at flattering superiors and bullying subordinates, suggested that the Imperial Guard should be punished for their negligence, deserving of death; while Changsun Wuji, who mistakenly brought the sword in, should be fined twenty catties of copper.
Regarding such an unfair punishment, Emperor Taizong surprisingly agreed. However, he was refuted by Dai Zhou, the Vice Minister of Justice at the time. If Changsun Wuji made a mistake, then the Imperial Guard's failure to notice was also a mistake. Since both were mistakes, how could one face death while the other faced only a fine of twenty catties? The difference between life and death was vast; how could this be justified to the public?
Although Emperor Taizong ultimately spared the Imperial Guard from death, no one dared to bring a sword into the palace again. Many years passed, and by the time Emperor Taizong had passed away, the first person to bring a sword into the palace now held a high position, while the second person to do so was Xu Zhen, whom Emperor Taizong had personally supported as General of the Guard and Grand Minister!
The Censoring Imperial Historian could not allow such absurdity to occur under his watch. With the new ruler ascending to power, it was indeed a good time to make an impression. He belonged to the newly risen young faction of the Cui Clan and noticed Murong Hanzhu signaling from within the court. He immediately stepped forward as if to protect the Sovereign from an assassin.
Xu Zhen paid him no mind. She unsheathed her long sword from her waist and held it horizontally across her chest, shouting fiercely: "Do you recognize this? Kneel down at once!"
The Censoring Imperial Historian squinted his rat-like eyes at the sword. Near its hilt was engraved what appeared to be the character for "mountain," while on the handle were several small characters in bright red that read: "Conquer all under heaven; kill without burying!"
If it were just this phrase, it would be one thing; what shocked him was that the inscription bore the signature of Li Shimin!
The Tang people were open-minded. Nobility might refer to themselves by name in front of commoners. Li Shimin often used his full name when addressing others. His calligraphy was distinctive and remarkable; his flying white script was unparalleled. How could court officials, especially scholars, not recognize Taizong's handwriting? The characters on that sword handle were indeed authentic!
In the Tang Dynasty court, kneeling was rare; ministers and the emperor would sit together to discuss matters. Only in exceptionally solemn occasions would they perform kneeling rites. However, with Taizong recently buried, Xu Zhen —a General of the Guard and Grand Minister—holding an imperial sword bestowed by Taizong himself caused even this minor Censoring Imperial Historian, who had just assumed office, to kneel in fear!
Even Cheng Zhijie, who had always guarded the palace closely, could not stop this sword from entering with Xu Zhen. How could this newly appointed Censoring Imperial Historian withstand Xu Zhen's imposing presence?
Xu Zhen raised her long sword and stepped into the court hall. Countless memories surged within her mind—those private meetings with Li Shimin. She remembered his expressions of affection or jest or his refusal to grow old.
She recalled their first encounter with this long sword when Li Shimin spoke about Yin Kaishan and its many stories. She remembered when he asked what she wanted; at that moment, she thought of a pig-killing knife inscribed with "National Hero" and "Gifted by XXX." That scene from a movie flashed in her mind as she boldly asked Li Shimin for an inscription on her sword handle.
Li Shimin asked with interest: " Mr. Xu, what do you want me to write?"
Xu Zhen chuckled awkwardly while scratching her head: "I'm just a dull kid without much talent; anything will do for you... but... it would be best if it sounded imposing... to scare people off..."
Seeing Xu Zhen's mischievous demeanor reminded Li Shimin of his own youthful days. Amused by her request, he wrote: "Conquer all under heaven; kill without burying," jokingly signing it as Li Shimin!
Later on, this sword was bestowed upon Xu Zhen and became an imperial weapon. However, no one had ever treated such a bestowed item so carelessly. In numerous battles thereafter, Xu Zhen relied on this sword. After saving Liaodong, Li Shimin witnessed its power firsthand and further legitimized its significance; every old minister knew its origins.
Changsun Wuji had followed Li Shimin into battle against Goguryeo and naturally understood what this long sword represented. Seeing this imperial weapon was akin to seeing Li Shimin himself!
However, Xu Zhen swaggered into the palace with her sword in hand—so audacious! How could Changsun Wuji tolerate this? He immediately leaped up and pointed at Xu Zhen angrily: "How dare you! Bringing a sword into the palace with ill intentions disrupts our Sage! What punishment do you deserve?"
The Imperial Guard and the Golden Melon Warriors stepped forward to stand guard, revealing themselves from their hidden positions. These individuals were either from the Five Hundred Riders or the Beitun Camp. The Xu Zhen had previously served as the Deputy General of the Imperial Guard, and they had long been in awe of her, so none dared to act against her. Furthermore, they knew well that the Xu Zhen was both wise and courageous; she was not someone who would be easily ambushed in such an open manner.
Although Li Zhi had a significant change of heart towards the Xu Zhen, he still did not understand her intentions. On the other hand, Qibi Helix and Asena Sher's eyes suddenly lit up with gratitude.
The Xu Zhen approached the sovereign, raised her long sword high, and slowly placed it on the ground. She then removed her Red Armor and gently laid it behind the sword before kneeling on one knee.
"Sovereign, this Red Armor is the divine armor of the Heavenly Strategy Army, personally bestowed by Taizong. It has accompanied me throughout my military career. This long sword originally belonged to Yin Kaishan and was later granted to me by Taizong. Both have been with me for many years. Today, I remove my armor and sheathe my sword, earnestly requesting Sovereign to revoke my position as Left Tunwei Grand General. I, Xu Zhen, am willing to serve alongside Generals Qibi Helix and Asena Sher in loyalty!"
Upon hearing this, Qibi Helix and Asena Sher were moved to tears. Especially Qibi Helix, an Old General who had admired the Xu Zhen since the Tuguhun battlefield. He had high hopes for her and felt that she was no ordinary person; one day she would surely rise to greatness.
Thus, he took great care of her, and their bond deepened. When the Xu Zhen entered the palace with her sword, he already knew she must be there to resolve a crisis.
However, he did not expect that her method of resolution would be so radical and extreme. Although it was a retreat to advance strategy, both Changsun Wuji and Murong Hanzhu, as well as the newly appointed Li Zhi, had always regarded the Xu Zhen as a thorn in their side!
If Li Zhi were to lose his composure and utter even half a word of "execute," Changsun Wuji would truly drag the Xu Zhen away for execution!
Li Zhi's eyes revealed an inscrutable expression as he stared intently at the Xu Zhen, as if seeing someone he had never truly understood before.
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