12dz Chapter 1779 Everyone has their own plans
Chapter 1779 Everyone has their own plans
The next day, noon.
South gate of Chang'an City, outside the Suzaku Gate.
The late autumn sun hangs high in the sky, casting a bright but not very warm light.
A strong wind swept across the wilderness, raising clouds of yellow dust, making the tattered "Han" flag on the top of the city wall flutter, adding a bit of solemnity and desolation.
Led by Prime Minister Chen Pin, all the civil and military officials in the court lined up outside the corridor of the city gate according to their rank.
They were dressed in formal court robes, with magnificent crowns, and were silent as they waited for the approaching convoy.
The scene seemed solemn and grand, in line with the etiquette for welcoming a prince who was about to enter the capital.
However, what filled the air was not joy, but an almost suffocating tension and depression.
The officials stood with their heads bowed, exchanging uneasily glances. A whisper surged through the ranks like an undercurrent.
"I've heard that His Highness the Prince of Chenliu...is a ruthless man. Returning with a resounding victory, I wonder how he'll treat us..."
An elderly censor whispered to his colleague beside him, with worry barely concealed in his voice.
He had once submitted a memorial criticizing some of Liu Xiu's "excessive" actions in his fiefdom.
"Hush! Be careful!"
The colleague glanced nervously at the prime minister standing in the front and lowered his voice.
"Now that Prince Qinghe has been imprisoned, the outcome seems to be set. I only hope that His Royal Highness Prince Chenliu will follow his words and let bygones be bygones."
"Let bygones be bygones? How easy is that! How many people in the court haven't supported Prince Qinghe? How many haven't been treated coldly by Prince Chenliu? Whether or not to settle accounts is all up to him..."
Another official spoke in a heavy tone, his hands trembling slightly in his sleeves. He remembered that he had been instructed by Liu Cheng to block the food and wages sent to the fiefdom of Chenliu.
Fear spread among officials like an invisible plague.
Many of them had close ties with Liu Cheng, and had either openly or secretly supported Prince Qinghe to inherit the throne.
Now the winner has become the Prince of Chenliu, who is only sixteen years old but has defeated his powerful opponent with thundering means. No one knows the true temperament and intentions of this young prince.
Is the promise of "letting bygones be bygones" a genuine act of magnanimity, or a stopgap measure to lure the enemy into lowering their guard?
Everyone was secretly speculating and calculating their past words and deeds in their hearts, with fine beads of cold sweat oozing from their foreheads. They didn't even dare to look up and look at the end of the official road ahead.
Prime Minister Chen Pin stood at the front of the team, his figure as straight as a pine tree, his face expressionless.
He wore a Jinxian crown and the purple court robes of the prime minister, and stood motionless, like a frozen statue.
The autumn wind blew his gray beard and wide sleeves, but he seemed unaware.
Only those deep-set eyes occasionally flashed with an extremely complex and incomprehensible light, showing that his heart was not as calm as he appeared on the surface.
He was gambling, gambling on an opportunity, gambling on Liu Xiu's youth and possible underestimation of the enemy.
"Here it comes!" Someone whispered.
Everyone's spirits suddenly tensed up, and their eyes were all cast towards the distant official road.
I saw a cloud of dust rising on the horizon.
First, several elite cavalrymen came roaring in, wearing bright armor and equipped with swords and bows, and they vigilantly glanced at the welcoming troops and the defenders on the city wall.
Then, a large team slowly appeared.
The core is a sturdy prison car. Although the face of the person in the car cannot be seen clearly, the prince's uniform has revealed his identity - it is the previously powerful King Qinghe Liu Cheng.
At this moment, his hair was disheveled and he looked listless, forming a sharp and glaring contrast with the prison van.
Behind the prison cart, a majestic white horse was particularly eye-catching.
Sitting upright on the horse was a man wearing black armor and a dark red cloak with a coiled dragon pattern. It was none other than Liu Xiu, the King of Chenliu.
Although he is young, the days of running around and fighting, as well as the final victory over a powerful enemy, have made the last trace of childishness fade away from his brows, adding a bit of sharpness and majesty.
Huo Guang led his elite troops to guard him on both sides. His eyes were cold and his hand was always on the hilt of the sword. He watched the welcoming team headed by Chen Pin with vigilance.
The team stopped a hundred steps away from the city gate.
Liu Xiu raised his hand and issued orders, demonstrating his strong control over his subordinates.
Chen Pin took a deep breath, and his face instantly showed just the right amount of respect and sadness.
He straightened his clothes and took the lead to step forward, followed by all the officials.
"Old minister Chen Pin leads all civil and military officials to respectfully welcome His Royal Highness the Prince of Chenliu back in triumph!"
Chen Pin walked up to Liu Xiu's horse, bowed deeply to the ground, and said in a loud and emotional voice:
"Your Highness risked his life to capture the rebels, turning the tide and saving the country from peril. You are truly the pillar of the nation, and your contributions will be remembered for generations to come!"
Liu Xiu sat upright on his horse, his eyes like lightning, slowly sweeping over the respectful Chen Pin and the officials behind him who looked frightened and bowed in greeting.
He showed a gentle smile on his face and waved his hand gently: "Prime Minister, please stand up quickly, and all the gentlemen, please stand up."
"This time, we were able to capture the traitor, thanks to the bravery of our soldiers. God has blessed our Han dynasty, and this is not the work of Xiu alone."
His tone was calm, and even showed some respect for senior officials, which made many worried officials secretly relieved.
Liu Xiu dismounted, took the initiative to step forward, and pretended to help Chen Pin up, with a very serious attitude:
"The Prime Minister is a national elder, highly respected and virtuous. In the future, many important matters in the court will require the Prime Minister's assistance."
The intention to win over others in these words is already very obvious.
Chen Pin stood up, his face filled with emotion and relief. "This old minister is terrified! Your Highness is a man of great talent and vision, wise and brave. He is truly the most like-minded successor to your majesty, Taizu! Your Highness's presence is a blessing to the Han Dynasty and a blessing to all the people!"
His words not only praised Liu Xiu, but also cleverly linked Liu Xiu with "succession to the throne."
After the greetings, the smile on Liu Xiu's face faded slightly.
He turned sideways and pointed at the prison van behind him. His voice suddenly rose, reaching the ears of everyone present clearly:
"Prime Minister, my lords, please look!"
Everyone's eyes were instantly focused on the prison van.
"This person!"
Liu Xiu's voice turned cold, carrying an unquestionable majesty: "As a prince of the royal family, you don't think about serving your country. Instead, you listen to slander and covet the throne. You even want to harm me, stir up fratricide, and consume the foundation of the country!"
"His actions are despicable, his heart is despicable! His fate today will serve as an example to all who oppose the country and this king!"
Liu Cheng in the prison car seemed to be irritated by these words. He struggled to raise his head and wanted to say something hoarsely, but was sternly stopped by the sergeant next to him.
This scene was extremely visually impactful and deeply shocked every official present.
Those who supported Liu Cheng felt like they were falling into an icy cave, and those who were neutral were terrified.
No one expected that the virtuous Prince Chenliu would use such a fierce method at his first move!
The ministers looked at Prince Qinghe in the prison cart and were silent for a moment. No one wanted to be the next person to be arrested.
All they can do now is surrender!