Chapter 692: The Emperor's Sword Beheads the Emperor, the White-robed One Is Like a Buddha and a Demon
The concept of luck is not false; real cases have occurred in history.
During the Battle of Kunyang, Emperor Guangwu Liu Xiu was trapped in Kunyang City by Wang Mang. Wang Mang had 430,000 troops, while Liu Xiu only had a fraction of that, 30,000.
Seeing his soldiers falling into despair, even Liu Xiu himself felt that the end was coming. At this time, there were sudden lightning and thunder in the sky, strong winds, and then meteorites fell from the sky and hit Wang Mang's army of hundreds of thousands.
For a moment, people and horses were in chaos. Wang Mang's army was in panic and fled in haste, while Liu Xiu took advantage of the situation to pursue and kill countless enemies, performing a myth of defeating the enemy with a small force.
Now Ming Chongyan has set up a large formation to make the foreign python swallow the celestial dragon, and the energy of the world will flow into Tubo. When the Tang army fights against it, it will be like Wang Mang in the past.
God helps the Fan people but not the Tang people!
Even the famous general Xue Rengui was implicated.
In the original history, Xue Rengui was defeated at Dayuechuan and was demoted to a commoner from then on. He was not reappointed until he was 68 years old. He left behind the legend of taking off his hat to repel thousands of enemies, and the story ended there.
However, in today's Tang Dynasty, because of Li Daoxuan, Xue Rengui appeared on the historical stage early. After Taizong's death, he became the head of the military generals. With the secret support of Prince Chen, he did not suffer a tragic defeat in Dayichuan due .
He guarded the frontier and at the age of 78 fought against the Tibetan war god Qinling many times, with both sides winning and losing.
But this time, Xue Rengui was obviously tricked. He expected Qin Ling to lead his army to launch a surprise attack, but he did not expect a meteorite to fall from the sky, which led to the defeat of his army and his whereabouts unknown.
Li Daoxuan lowered his eyes to look at Li Zhi and said calmly: "Do you understand now?"
Li Zhi knelt on the ground dejectedly for a long time. He kowtowed heavily in the direction of Zhaoling Mausoleum with a sad voice.
"Father, I am an unfilial son. I have failed to protect the Tang Dynasty and I am even more ashamed of my Chinese ancestors!"
Although he is ignorant of the sufferings of the people, he is by no means a mediocre person.
In history, Emperor Gaozong Li Zhi was a seriously underestimated emperor. During his reign of Yonghui, he created the largest territory of the Tang Dynasty, conquered Goguryeo, which neither Yang Guang nor Li Shimin had been able to conquer, and destroyed the Western Turks. The territory once expanded to the borders of Afghanistan and Iran in later generations.
He was also remarkable in terms of civil administration. He promoted the imperial examination system, promoted people from humble backgrounds, suppressed the powerful families, further centralized power, and promoted a large number of famous officials and generals.
The famous general Liu Rengui was able to make great contributions to Baekje because of Li Zhi's appreciation. He also defeated the Japanese in the Battle of Baekgang, causing them to despair and collapse. The Japanese did not dare to covet the Central Plains for 800 years.
You know, Li Zhi himself had been fighting illness for many years, and was often paralyzed on one side of his body and bedridden.
It is not easy to control power and achieve some achievements under such circumstances.
The reason why he has a bad reputation is mainly because of two people. One is Li Shimin, who was too powerful and dazzling. The other is Wu Zetian, a woman who usurped the throne. The main reason was his connivance.
Li Zhi also had lofty ambitions and imperial aspirations in his heart, so when he learned that the Tang Dynasty was about to be destroyed in his hands and taken away by a small foreign country, he naturally felt hopeless and ashamed.
"As the emperor of the Tang Dynasty, you put the country in danger because of your own selfish desires, allowing foreign cavalry to trample on the mountains and rivers of China and ravage the people of the Central Plains. Li Zhi, this is your third crime."
Li Daoxuan stood with his hands behind his back and asked, "How should these three crimes be dealt with?"
He looked around; everyone avoided his sight. Even Wu Zetian lowered her eyes slightly. All the horses in the field were silent.
No one dared to answer.
He is the Emperor of the Tang Dynasty. Even if the Emperor breaks the law, how can he be guilty of the same crime as the common people?
Just then, a voice rang out.
"The emperor is guilty of treason and should be executed!"
Everyone was shocked because the person who said this thought-provoking statement was actually Li Zhi himself.
At this moment, some changes seemed to have taken place in his body. His back was straight, and he stared blankly in the direction of Zhaoling Mausoleum, with a hint of determination in his eyes.
"Master, I don't mind dying. I am willing to be punished. But please, Master, for the sake of the people and the late emperor, save the Tang Dynasty after my death!"
His voice was sonorous, firm and powerful, and he bowed deeply to Li Daoxuan.
Under the stimulation of the country's demise, Li Zhi finally came to his senses. As a descendant of Li Tang and an emperor of China, there are always some things that are more important than life and death.
Li Daoxuan sighed: "Well, you are worthy of being the blood of Taizong. You dare to act and take responsibility. You have not lost your integrity."
"Emperor Taizong regarded me as his confidant and entrusted the fate of the Tang Dynasty to me. He also left me a will, saying that if any of his descendants are unworthy, they can take the Emperor's Sword from Zhaoling Mausoleum and kill the tyrant emperor and the corrupt officials. Today, I will use this sword to kill you."
After saying this, Li Daoxuan raised his eyes to look towards Zhaoling Mausoleum and bowed in greeting.
"I am Taichong, respectfully requesting the Emperor's Sword!"
As soon as he finished speaking, the main peak of Jiuyi Mountain in the distance suddenly trembled, the majestic Zhaoling Mausoleum rumbled, and a sword light flew out from the mausoleum, carrying the majestic imperial aura, and flew into Li Daoxuan's hands in an instant.
It was a sword about three feet two inches long and two inches wide. The blade was like cold light shining on snow, and the sword energy was like the whistling north wind, revealing a murderous aura.
There are two ancient seal characters engraved on the sword - Qingming!
The Qingming Sword is a top-grade spiritual treasure. It was the magic sword bestowed upon Li Shimin by the Green-robed Lady. Anyone holding this sword can even summon the gods and ghosts of the underworld for help.
After Li Shimin obtained this sword, he used it to conquer Liaodong. Although he did not succeed, he did kill countless enemies and demonstrated his sharpness.
The sword worn by the emperor has the aura of an emperor, especially for an emperor like Li Shimin who is famous in history. After he wore it for many years, the Qingming Sword became even more magical.
Li Shimin hid it in Zhaoling Mausoleum, not because he wanted to let the pearl be covered in dust, but because he was worried that his descendants in later generations would abuse the power of ghosts and gods, eventually becoming obsessed with it and caring less about the people but only about ghosts and gods.
Li Daoxuan held the Qingming Sword in his hand, his eyes were chilling and his sword energy was even stronger.
"Li Zhi, do you have any last words?"
Li Zhi shook his head, but then seemed to think of something. He looked up at the gorgeous phoenix robe with a hint of tenderness in his eyes.
Mei Niang is no longer as beautiful as she used to be, but no matter what, the two of them have been together for decades, sticking together through thick and thin, and have a deep love for each other.
He had many women, including Queen Wang and Concubine Xiao... but they were all chosen by his father for him. Only Mei Niang was chosen by him himself.
In his heart, Wu Zetian has a very special position. She was a groundbreaking rebellion he launched under the brilliant light of his father.
"Mei Niang, I'm sorry. If there is an afterlife, we can still be husband and wife. I just hope that I won't have to enter the palace again."
Wu Zetian's eyes moistened. She bowed to Li Daoxuan and pleaded, "Please show mercy, Immortal Lord. Your Majesty is the Son of Heaven after all. Even if you have made mistakes, you should be given a chance to correct them. There is no reason to execute you. Please show mercy, Immortal Lord!"
Under her leadership, the other soldiers looked at each other, and finally knelt down and begged Li Daoxuan for mercy.
Even the Bad Guys and Zhelong pleaded for mercy.
Although Li Zhi did something wrong, the people of the world were on Li's side. They had a strong sense of belonging to the Li Tang Dynasty. Li Zhi was the last legitimate son of Taizong, and they could not bear to watch him die by the sword.
"Please have mercy, Imperial Master!"
For a while, calls for mercy were heard one after another.
Li Daoxuan had a blank expression on his face and placed the Qingming sword on Li Zhi's neck.
"Li Zhi, your own life or the Li Tang Dynasty, which one do you choose?"
Li Zhi felt the sharp edge of the sword and his body trembled slightly, but he did not hesitate and said firmly: "Li Tang's country!"
"Well, he's a man!"
Li Daoxuan laughed loudly, and then swung his sword. A huge head flew up, and the emperor's blood splattered, staining the ground red. The smell of blood hit his face.
Wu Zetian swayed and her face turned pale.
The others also had their pupils dilated as they stared at the scene in disbelief.
Your Majesty...is dead?
The Imperial Master actually beheaded His Majesty!
The vitality of Hanba's body was extremely strong, and even after his head was chopped off, he was still not completely dead. However, as Li Daoxuan spit out the Samadhi True Fire, his body quickly turned to ashes in the raging flames.
Everyone was terrified.
The Emperor of the Tang Dynasty... just turned into ashes?
They looked at the figure holding the magic sword, with his hair tied up with a wooden hairpin and white clothes fluttering in the wind, and their hearts trembled. They finally remembered the mighty power of this national teacher decades ago.
Even when Emperor Taizong was alive, he dared to charge into Chang'an alone, suppress the Tang Dynasty with his own strength, kill the holy Buddha, and awaken Emperor Taizong. No one could stop his edge.
He even dared to kill the emperor. What else in this world would he not dare to do?
Li Daoxuan looked around and saw pairs of eyes that were either fearful, angry, or sad. He smiled slightly and asked loudly, "Where is the historian?"
After a moment, an old man with a white beard stepped forward, saluted and said, "I am here."
Li Daoxuan's voice was not loud, but it was like thunder out of the blue.
"Remember, on July 20th of the second year of Tianshou, the Imperial Master Li Daoxuan asked the Emperor's Sword to come out of Zhaoling Mausoleum and beheaded the Emperor in the Tang Palace, warning future Tang emperors that if anyone harms the people again, they should think about this day!"
The historian shuddered all over, he was very frightened. He was an old man, and the hand holding the brush was shaking.
Wu Zetian took a deep breath, snatched his pen, and said, "Immortal, I'll take note."
She understood what Li Daoxuan meant.
Li Daoxuan voluntarily bore the infamy of regicide, leaving a sword hanging over the head of the future Emperor Li Tang, a divine sword that could kill the emperor and behead the emperor, an invincible sword in the world!
She painted with iron hooks and silver brushes, and did not miss a single word.
Li Daoxuan laughed loudly and said, "Wu Ruyi, you will take care of the government affairs first. I will handle the Tibetan affairs myself. When everything is settled, you can abdicate and let others take over."
Wu Zetian looked calm and bowed in submission.
"Ruyi will follow the order of the Immortal Lord!"
She knew in her heart that even if Li Daoxuan killed Li Zhi and was branded as a regicide, he would still not support her becoming emperor.
For the Immortal Lord, even if he becomes the enemy of the world, he will not betray the friendship and the promise of the prosperous times.
Sometimes, she really envied Taizong.
Summer thunder suddenly sounds, and the rainy night brings chill.
A heavy rain fell on the Daming Palace, washing away the blood and violence on the ground.
After the rain, the clouds cleared and the moon shone brightly, and the world became clear again.
No one knew where the man in white had gone. All we knew was that from then on, the Tang Dynasty no longer had an imperial teacher. What that sword cut off was not only the head of an emperor, but also an era.
It was also the place where the later Tang emperors rested for countless days and nights.
The emperor was beheaded under the emperor's sword, the one in white looked like a Buddha and also like a devil.
