Supplement to the Flourishing Tang Dynasty

Year 747 AD, the sixth year of the Tianbao era, New Year's Day.

In the previous year, Emperor Xuanzong, having dealt with the ministers associated with the Crown Prince, was now hosting a grand banquet for all the civil and military officials in the Daming Palace. Suddenly, he felt a wave of dizziness wash over him and lost consciousness.

“Oh no, His Majesty has fainted!”

No one knew which palace maid cried out in panic, but the once harmonious and joyful scene instantly erupted into chaos.

“Everyone, stay where you are! Listen to me! Chen Xuan! Chen Xuan! Order the Imperial Guards to seal off the hall—no one is to leave!” A high-ranking official, his face clean-shaven, shouted in command.

Immediately, squads of the Shence Army, clad in shining armor, appeared to restore order.

The past year had been a turbulent one for the Great Tang. It was in this year that Li Linfu accused Crown Prince Li Heng of plotting rebellion. Emperor Xuanzong, who had ascended the throne through intrigue and revolt, never hesitated in dealing with his sons’ ambitions. He had already executed three crown princes with his own hands, and Li Heng was his fourth.

This time, Xuanzong handled matters as before, implicating many ministers. Perhaps age had softened him, or perhaps he felt his strength waning, for he refrained from dealing with the Crown Prince himself—much to Li Linfu’s discontent, who, emboldened by imperial favor, would not rest until the prince was destroyed, fabricating evidence and slandering him before the emperor.

Yet the empe