Chapter 18: The Petition

Before the broad and imposing Prince of Beiping's mansion, the blue-stone-paved square was already occupied by over a thousand people. Not only the two hundred men Zhang Yanwei had brought—after the commotion had stirred, quite a few soldiers from the Wu Jie and Xing Ji armies stationed within and around Jinyang had also rushed over under their officers' leadership and joined their ranks.

Afterwards, one after another, some low-ranking officials from the Hedong government offices also led many elders, prominent clans, merchants, and artisans to come and join the gathering. Even some monks and Taoist priests joined in the excitement—people of every stripe had gathered together in full array.

Inside and outside the mansion's gates, the soldiers of the personal guard were already on alert, expressions wary, ready at any moment to suppress a "disturbance"—yet they did not appear overly tense. Clearly, the people before the mansion had assembled in an organized, premeditated manner and were being kept well in check.

In fact, over the past half month, control within Jinyang had been strict. That these thousand-odd people of every description could gather before the mansion gates while the city's patrol troops did nothing at all—this in itself was worthy of suspicion.

In the central courtyard, the senior civil and military officials of Hedong had all rushed over upon hearing the news. Everyone had received more or less some word, and when their eyes met, there was a hint of tacit understanding.

By the time Liu Chengyou strolled over at leisure, Liu Zhiyuan was standing on the stone steps, harshly berating his cousin Liu Xin: "What is the meaning of this? Hm? I had you patrol Jinyang and keep the city in order—how did you let so many people gather before the mansion, making a clamor and stirring up trouble? I demand an explanation!"

Facing Liu Zhiyuan's stern rebuke, Liu Xin this time showed not a trace of fear. He stiffened his neck, said nothing, and wore the look of a hardened rogue. Seeing this, Liu Zhiyuan grew even angrier, and swept his gaze over Liu Chong, Shi Hongzhao, Chang Si, and the other senior generals of the Hedong army: "So many soldiers have gathered—could it be that you all stood by and did nothing?"

He then glared at Yang Bin, Wang Zhang, and the others: "And what about those of you in charge of officials and the people—what is the meaning of this?"

Their reactions were much the same as Liu Xin's—they all calmly accepted Liu Zhiyuan's reproach without talking back.

"We demand to see the Prince of Beiping!"

Outside the mansion gates, another burst of shouting erupted. Amid the din, Zhang Yanwei's loud voice rang out exceptionally clear, carrying distinctly into the ears of those within the walls. Among the people outside, Zhang Yanwei held the highest rank.

Liu Chengyou walked up slowly, and was immediately caught by Liu Zhiyuan, who scolded him: "You've been rectifying military discipline in the Longqi Army—and this is the result? You can't even keep your own men in line?"

Meeting Liu Zhiyuan's furious gaze, Liu Chengyou's reaction was as composed as the expression on his face. He clasped his hands and said: "The officials, soldiers, and civilians outside would not gather for no reason—they must have some expectation. Father has always cherished the army and protected the people. Why not go out and hear what they wish to say?"

As his words fell, Yang Bin immediately stepped forward and calmly seconded him: "The Director's words are most reasonable. The crowd before the mansion is surging—none but Your Highness can pacify them. Your Highness, why not listen to what the people have to say?"

On Yang Bin's face there clearly hung a hint of a scheming, calculating smile. But Liu Zhiyuan directly ignored it. He gave a cold snort, flicked his sleeves, and strode toward the gates: "I shall see for myself—having made such a great commotion, what exactly do they want!"

Accompanied by the creaking sound of the door hinges turning, the mansion gates swung wide open. Surrounded by a throng of his officials and subordinates, Liu Zhiyuan walked out at the forefront.

Seeing Liu Zhiyuan, Zhang Yanwei's spirits soared. He led his men in kneeling and prostrating themselves, crying out "Your Highness." With someone taking the lead, the assembled crowd followed suit, kneeling down in unison.

Staring coldly at Zhang Yanwei at the front, Liu Zhiyuan demanded: "Zhang Yanwei, what do you think you're doing! Defying military regulations and law, inciting so many soldiers to come and provoke trouble—do you think I dare not kill you? And the rest of you—do you not know the severity of the law, that you dare gather in a mob to make trouble?"

After Liu Zhiyuan's string of rebukes, the scene gradually quieted down.

Facing Liu Zhiyuan's wrath, Zhang Yanwei this time showed no fear at all. He straightened his body, looked at Liu Zhiyuan, and said with agitation: "This humble officer would not dare! We have come to plead on behalf of the people of Hedong, to plead on behalf of the common folk of the realm!"

Zhang Yanwei's words were grand indeed. Liu Zhiyuan seemed almost amused into laughter, and sneered: "I would like to hear where you got such wild talk!"

At these words, as if rehearsed, Zhang Yanwei seized the opening and spoke rapidly: "Your Highness, the barbarian Hu have invaded to the south and occupied the Central Plains—the divine land has sunk into ruin. Now the realm has no master, the altars of state have no foundation, and the Hu bandits run rampant while the people suffer calamity. Your Highness is the chief lord of the Nine Provinces, whose might and virtue reach all, whose merits overshadow the age. I beg Your Highness, for the sake of the realm's people, for the sake of the rivers and mountains, to ascend the imperial throne, lead the armies to chastise the barbarians, sweep clean the world, and fulfill the earnest hopes of the nation!"

As Zhang Yanwei's words fell, the assembled soldiers and civilians immediately voiced their support. Shouts erupted once more before the mansion gates—each person agitated beyond self-control, yet the scene was chaotic yet orderly. Some even went so far as to cry out "Your Majesty," "The Emperor," "His Majesty"...

Liu Zhiyuan's attitude finally softened somewhat. He raised both hands to press down the crowd's urging cries, pondered for a moment, and then spoke with feeling: "I am deeply grateful for everyone's sentiments. But I have measured my virtue and weighed my abilities—I know my virtue is shallow and my vision limited, and I truly dare not presume to occupy the seat of the Son of Heaven. On this matter, let none of you speak further!"

It was still the same old refusal—but this time, Liu Zhiyuan did not flick his sleeves and walk away. The moment he finished speaking, a civil clerk immediately crawled forward on his knees, kowtowed, and said: "We all offer our sincerity to serve you, and pledge our hearts in support. We beg you by no means to decline, and thereby extinguish the sincere devotion of the realm's soldiers and people!"

"No! I have long received the state's grace, and have yet to repay it—I am already ashamed. How could I commit such an act of overstepping?" Liu Zhiyuan still shook his head.

"Your Highness!" Zhang Yanwei immediately picked up the thread again. He kowtowed several times with force, heedless of the blood seeping from his forehead, and said to Liu Zhiyuan in a hoarse, desperate voice: "The Jin mandate has perished—a new dynasty must rise! Your Highness's ascension is not for the honor or glory of one family, but for the welfare of the realm's people. This humble officer pleads with weeping blood—so long as Your Highness ascends to the supreme seat, even if Your Highness punishes me for the crime of inciting mutiny, I will die without regret. I only beg Your Highness to retreat no further!"

Zhang Yanwei and the others spoke now of the rivers and mountains, now of the realm's people—as if this small group truly could represent the will of all under heaven. Nevertheless, the atmosphere was stirred to an extraordinary fervor.

The civil and military officials behind Liu Zhiyuan watched this grand petition unfold with visible emotion. Many gazed eagerly at Liu Zhiyuan's tall, imposing back.

Su Fengji stood beside Yang Bin, his eyes carrying the wisdom of one who sees through everything. Seized by a sudden whim, he said to Yang Bin in a low voice with a smile: "Zhang Yanwei is nothing but a crude military brute—that such an impassioned speech could come from his mouth, is that not strange?"

Glancing sidelong at Su Fengji, Yang Bin said flatly: "What I observed of General Zhang's words was all sincere, spoken from the depths of his heart—what is strange about that? Administrative Assistant Su, do not speak recklessly, lest you chill the hearts of the loyal."

"Colonel Yang is right—this humble one spoke in error..." Receiving such an answer, Su Fengji's expression shifted slightly, and then he replied in a subdued voice.

His face, however, had turned several degrees colder. But soon, a smile crept back to the corners of his mouth—the kind of smile that did not reach the eyes. Casting a cold glance at Yang Bin, Su Fengji turned his gaze to the youth standing behind and to the side of Liu Zhiyuan, the one maintaining an aloof, lofty demeanor.

Liu Chengyou naturally watched all of this in silence, his expression calm. Of this "grand show," he could be counted as one of the executive directors—there was some improvisation, but nothing had strayed from the script's outline. The only thing that truly surprised Liu Chengyou was that Zhang Yanwei, this military brute, possessed such profound acting skill...

Liu Zhiyuan's words could not extinguish the enthusiasm of the petitioners. As the situation developed, more and more people arrived upon hearing the news, joining in the excitement.

To avoid any disorder, after some deliberation, Liu Zhiyuan could only say with resignation: "Disperse for now. Tomorrow, I shall give you all a definite answer to your request!"