The kingdom of Tianxia located on the south of yellow river was an ultimate power, with it's rule over the east of mainland China, the Bohai sea, the Yellow sea and the extreme boundaries touching the grasslands. Emperor Zhou was an excellent statesman, militant and benevolent. He was stern towards corruption and fraud and did not practice leniency against offenders. Under his reign scholars, merchants, and framers flourished. New reforms were made to regulate taxation and trade customs. The borders expanded to incorporate smaller regions, borders were well protected with Iron Wall of soldiers. Along the trading routes guards were posted, maintaining fair trade and protection from bandits.
This paradise fell to it's ruins when emperor Zhou's brother grew greedy of the throne. He formed a group of people equally greedy as him. Ministers that were forced to resign due to corruption, merchants who could not earn underhand due to strict regulations. They formed a bond along with Mountain Clan bandits to dethrone emperor Zhou.
When the heir apparent of emperor Zhou was away from the capital on his first expedition with military general Qin. The youngest son was only seven years old, send to the Guan Yin Monastery to learn scriptures, along with chief tutor and advisor of the court. It was, at this time, coup d'état initiated. In the Golden Dragon Throne Hall where the court is held. Emperor Zhou was reviewing reports with his brother, surrounded by royal eunuchs, palace attendants and royal guards. It was called the Golden Dragon Throne Hall, because of an enormous glaring and sneering golden dragon mounted on the wall behind Emperor's throne as if staring into your very soul. And the pillars of the grand hall each had a dragon twined on the pillars looking down. Every where you turned the dragons eyes will follow you staring into your soul inculcating fear. It was unusually quite in the palace, the silence before the raging as the storm. And it had began.
The inner city of the Dongling capital was under siege by rampant bandits. Fire broke put within the city. The wails of the subjects did not reach the Bailing Palace. Swarm of navy blue hooded swift warriors erupted out of no where. But the royal guards were also prompt, they took no time to station themselves between their Emperor and the enemy. A pause was held before each pounced on other. Emperor Zhou instead of evacuating to a safe place, he took out his sword and engaged in combat. The emperor couldn't help but thing what could be the reason for this turn of events. The court was stable, none of the conqerored lands would react in this manner and if these had entered the palace without being notified by the patrolling soldiers, then this is the handy work of a man on the inside. Deep in his thoughts and his muscle memory taking over his body, Emperor Zhou continued fighting. Screams echoed in the hallways. Outside the throne room, shadows of combat stance projected on the window panes, blood splattering, candle flickering. When suddenly the Emperor stumbled and spat blood. Dizzy as if the throne room was revolving, he turned around looking for help, desperately searching the throne room for assistance, only to find his brother ascend the steps and sit on the throne. Emperor Zhou fell on the ground as he faced the ceiling. That is when he recalled the tea that was served by his blood brother was poisoned and he never suspected. Before he closed his eyes he reminisced his deceased wife the empress, his two sons the crown prince at the expedition and the youngest at the monastery. His only relief was that neither of his son's had to witness his death. Emperor Zhou looked to his right at the main entrance of golden dragon throne room and saw his loyal servant, royal eunuch Dai as he was rushing to the emperor. Emperor blinked three times at Eunuch Dai, and he halt his steps, as emperor held a stern stare at him lasting ten counts before closing his eyes peacefully. That, signal was enough for royal eunuch to send messages to Emperor Zhou's retainers to safe guard his children. Royal eunuch kowtowed to his deceased Emperor before rushing to the corridor that held drums and beat them in a rhythmic pattern. Enemy soldiers got hold of Royal eunuch and dragged him towards the self proclaimed emperor and forcefully made him kneel. Chancellor Xu one of the biggest backing of Emperor Zhou's brother for staging this coup, stood proud beside the enthroned Emperor. He was dismissed off his duties due to corruption, he was supposed to be the Prime Minister but instead, a faithful intelligent young man was chosen for this post, who passed the imperial exams and had a clean track record. That Chancellor Xu could not tolerate, Emperor Zhou's brother and him must have collaborated in orchestrating this unrest.
"Why is it that you beat drums rather than assisting your fallen emperor? What is it your scheming?" Chancellor Xu addressed the knelt Eunuch Dai.
Royal Eunuch Dai replied, "Drums were strummed in a rhythmic pattern to indicate the fall of the emperor." Meanwhile, white smoke covered the fire erupted city's sky. The soldiers at the four directional watch towers signalled the entire city of Dongling the news of the fallen emperor. Stealthily spreading signals to the retainers of Emperor Zhou. There was a very intricate secret network that Emperor Zhou had build with his utmost trusted persons. On the surface they did not have any close connection with each other, they were never colleagues nor relatives. Each worked independently for independent goals which in return resolved the whole situation seamlessly.
Chancellor Xu questioned, "What happens after?"
Eunuch Dai had no need to reply, as every soul within the palace swarmed into the throne room. Seeing the royal eunuch kneeling they all followed the same and like domino one after the another all knelt. Seeing this enormous gesture of submission the chancellor and the man sitting on the throne did not pursue further regarding Royal eunuch's action.
Chancellor Xu in a loud thundering voice, "ALL HAIL THE NEW EMPEROR, EMPEROR TAIZONG!
"Long live the Emperor!" in one unison, everyone bowed down.
From here on begins the rule of emperor Taizong.