Chapter 607: Chapter 80: Schemes and Deceit, Chaos Unleashed!
This news was like a bolt of lightning, instantly piercing the "prosperous era" illusion shrouding the Great Tang.
It also completely shredded the facade that Li Longji had painstakingly maintained.
After all, he could not control everyone.
The so-called prosperous era was gradually fading with his various actions.
A strong sense of crisis quickly spread across Kyushu.
This was no small matter.
Enemies were attacking from all four borders, and many troops had already been transferred, while the men under An Lushan were elite forces.
How could such a situation not incite panic?
...
Luoyang, Imperial Palace.
"An Lushan has rebelled?"
"He... he really rebelled?!"
Li Longji glared at the ministers below, full of disbelief: "Are you... framing someone?"
Even with irrefutable evidence, he still couldn’t imagine that An Lushan would dare rebel!
Where did that Hu’Er get such audacity?
The scene of An Lushan faking foolishness and sycophantly ingratiating himself at court was vivid in his mind.
How could such a flatterer at his feet dare... dare rebel against him?
It must be the ministers’ conspiracy!
Yes, it must be a frame-up!
Li Longji repeatedly comforted himself in his heart.
But seeing the ministers’ still solemn expressions, no matter how he chose to deceive himself, he ultimately had to accept this reality.
A deadly silence enveloped the great hall; no one dared to speak.
Li Longji’s bloodshot eyes locked onto everyone, as if to squeeze the words "frame-up" from their faces.
But ultimately, that tense body seemed to lose all its strength, collapsing weakly on the dragon throne.
From his lips came only broken murmurs:
"He... really rebelled?"
In this moment, he no longer had his past high spirits, nor even the imperial majesty of ordinary days.
Perhaps he had indeed been stable for too long.
This emperor, once quite impressive in his early years, had lost everything, including his former self.
At this moment, he did not even have the courage to stand up.
He knew very well what this meant.
If An Lushan really rebelled, then the attacks from the surrounding Barbarians were certainly related to him, while the Great Tang’s elite forces were already at the borders.
The Central Hub was full of new recruits.
Even the number of new recruits couldn’t match the troops under An Lushan.
How could this battle be fought?
Even if these people could return for reinforcement, once they moved, what about the surrounding Barbarians?
If Tubo managed to break into Guanzhong.....
Would he, the Emperor, have any life left?
At this moment, Li Longji’s body even began to tremble, with no trace of past elegance, unable to even speak.
Only after a long while did he regain some composure and asked, "Gentlemen, what should we do?"
Whispers instantly filled the air.
Had it been any other day...
Li Longji would absolutely reprimand everyone for being undisciplined in front of the sovereign; he cared greatly about such things, but now he had no mind to oversee them.
Vaguely, he suddenly heard the words "Grand Tutor."
In an instant!
Li Longji seemed to grasp a lifeline, standing up directly: "Yes!"
"I still have the Grand Tutor!"
"The Grand Tutor had long seen through the ambition of that traitor An and must have a flawless plan!"
Li Longji’s face was filled with fervent hope, scanning everyone present, "Where is the Grand Tutor?"
"Quick! Summon the Grand Tutor immediately!"
"I want to consult with him on the grand plan to quell the rebellion!"
"With the Gu Clan’s loyal support, our Great Tang will surely turn danger into safety!"
His expression was extremely urgent, so much so that he had forgotten that Gu Hao had died, and the position of Grand Tutor had been vacant for quite some time.
"Your Majesty!"
Yang Guozhong stood foremost among the ministers, unable to help but remind the Emperor, who had lost all his former charisma: "The Grand Tutor has long since passed away!"
As if struck by an invisible thunderbolt, Li Longji froze on the spot, the fervent hope on his face solidifying and shattering, ultimately turning to ash.
Only then did he recall that Gu Hao had long since died of illness, and he had even been pleased about it at the time.
The excitement of a moment ago collapsed into deep disappointment.
Just after gaining the strength to stand up, he once again collapsed weakly onto the dragon throne, his mind completely in turmoil.
"Your Majesty! This old minister is still here!"
Suddenly, Yang Guozhong’s voice was like a great bell, abruptly overpowering all the whispers in the hall, resounding throughout.
Standing foremost among the ministers, he cupped his hands again, instantly capturing everyone’s attention.
Li Longji’s unfocused eyes involuntarily turned toward him.
Yang Guozhong’s expression was stern, his gaze bright, taking a large stride forward, kneeling heavily on the ground, his voice resonant: "Your Majesty! Although I dare not compare myself to the loyal and valiant Gu Clan, my heart is sincere, and Heaven and Earth can testify!"
"I request to lead the royal army to engage the rebels!"
"I promise to bring An the traitor’s head to the capital!"
——This was a God-given opportunity!
For Yang Guozhong, this was an excellent chance; he was extremely fond of power.
Of course, he could not just watch the Great Tang fall.
Moreover, he wanted to seize this opportunity to fight for a higher position.
Although he had not achieved great results in the battles he participated in, the issue was that Li Longji did not know this, as Yang Guozhong would always report victory to him.
Just like in actual history.
At least in Li Longji’s eyes, Yang Guozhong was certainly a person of talent.
Whether it was for relieving the Emperor’s worries or dealing with military affairs!
A moment of silence.
Li Longji was stunned too, looking at such a "loyal" Yang Guozhong, who seemed even ready to die, and that sense of security instantly surged back.
