The Xuanwu Gate of the Tang Dynasty

This novel begins with the uprising at Jinyang, retracing the hardships of founding the Great Tang. The Li family father and sons live in turbulent times, wavering over whether to rebel before finally committing themselves to a revolt. The four men trust and support one another as they seize Chang'an, defeat Xue Ju, destroy Liu Wuzhou, and win a decisive battle against Wang Shichong and Dou Jiande, bringing about the country's initial unification. But with hostile forces secretly pulling the strings, the brothers ultimately turn against each other, ending in bloodshed at Xuanwu Gate. Fortunately, though their father abdicates and their brother dies, their approach to governing survives and is enriched with new ideas, ultimately giving rise to a prosperous Great Tang that is tolerant and magnanimous, bold and resolute!