Chapter 13: Blasted to Death on the Spot

Outside Chang'an City, the Expect Gate Army led by Prince Qi and Liu Ququ had just set out.

Suddenly, several hundred black-clad guards rode up and threw the proclamations again; the papers fell like snowflakes into the ranks.

"The spring wind again greens the Jiangnan bank; when will the bright moon shine on my return?"

"The days I spent with my comrades in the camp."

"……"

The Chang'an Morning Post changed its tone, suddenly playing the emotion card, and immediately the Expect Gate Army erupted in an uproar.

Soldiers hurriedly passed the proclamations, whispering to each other; the previously neat formation began to show signs of disorder and confusion.

Moreover, passersby who had learned from the newspapers of Prince Qi's rebellion kept insulting and harassing the troops.

Many soldiers looked panicked, their eyes full of fear and worry about an unknown fate;

Also mixed in were longing for home and comrades, a tangle of conflicting emotions that left many feeling downcast.

Seeing this, Prince Qi Liu Hui panicked at once.

He sat on a tall horse, his face turned ashen, fine sweat beading on his forehead, his eyes darting about in panic.

He tried to order the soldiers to stay calm, but his slightly trembling voice could not hide his inner terror.

In stark contrast, Liu Ququ, though equally anxious inside, forced a calm appearance.

He rode back and forth before the troops, shouting at them:

"No panicking! These proclamations are merely the court's psychological ploy; they're not to be believed!"

"We follow Prince Qi to achieve greatness; how could a few scraps of paper frighten us?"

"Anyone who dares to shake morale again will be punished by military law!"

His voice was loud and imposing, trying thereby to suppress the soldiers' panic and regain control.

Yet despite his stern tone, the soldiers' unease was not wholly dispelled; the proclamations still hung over their minds like dark clouds.

At dusk.

Below the towering walls of Chang'an City, the rebel army of Prince Qi advanced like a dark cloud.

The Expect Gate Army shone in bright armor, bristling with swords and spears, its momentum fierce, intent on devouring the city.

On the walls, the defenders stood ready, the tension taut as a fully drawn bow, ready to snap.

Tian Qianqiu, dressed in court robes, looked grim yet with a hint of pity at the masses of Han soldiers below.

After a long while he alone walked up to the gate and shouted: "Officers and soldiers, you are all subjects of the Han; your families await your safe return."

"Prince Qi's rebellion goes against Heaven; this campaign will only bring suffering to the people and drag your loved ones into pain and sorrow."

"It's not too late to turn back now!"

His voice echoed across the empty plain outside, full of sincere feeling.

Yet in Prince Qi's army there was only a slight stir, with little substantive response.

Tian Qianqiu saw this, nodded slightly, and said to Zhang Tang beside him: "Carry out the next step!"

At Zhang Tang's order, the top of Chang'an City wall suddenly teemed with heads, and then sheet after sheet of paper fluttered down like snowflakes, falling among the Prince Qi's troops.

They were covered with messages signed by the real names of the Expect Gate Army soldiers' relatives.

"Father, when will you come home?"

"My son, return now!"

"Husband, we await your return!"

"……"

When the soldiers saw the content published in the Chang'an Evening Post, they were instantly moved.

Perhaps Tian Qianqiu could not stir their familial feelings, but the relatives named in the newspaper could!

Next, a group of white-haired elders and women holding infants appeared on the wall.

They wept profusely, shouting at the troops below.

"Son, can you hear your father's voice?"

"Husband, we pray for your safety at home each day; how could you join this treacherous rebellion?"

"Father, put down your weapons and go home!"

One after another, these mournful cries seemed to come from deep within the soul, amplified by the urging of other townsfolk.

This brought tears to some soldiers' eyes and made their weapons tremble slightly.

Seeing this, Prince Qi Liu Hui and Liu Ququ turned pale, and Liu Ququ shouted loudly:

"Soldiers! I know your loyalty; Tian Qianqiu is merely stalling, for he fears us!"

"We follow Prince Qi to build immortal merit; once he takes Chang'an, everyone will enjoy endless riches and honor!"

"Now the court is corrupt and incompetent; we are the righteous army!"

"The Expect Gate Army numbers tens of thousands, invincible in battle; great deeds can be accomplished!"

His voice rang over the camp, attempting to steady morale with promises of profit and passion, to dispel the unease caused by the surrender letters.

By then Liu Hui was already bloodless, able only to stare numbly at Liu Ququ and then at the restless Expect Gate Army.

Just then, Liu Ju appeared on the city tower in battle dress, imposing and mighty, the banner beside him snapping in the wind.

This instantly caused an uproar!

"It's the Crown Prince!"

"The Crown Prince actually came in person to lead the campaign?"

This was Liu Ju's first time standing atop Chang'an City wall, looking down on this ancient, magnificent capital.

The wind whistled past his ears, fluttering his robes with a loud rustle.

Inside the city, the markets were orderly; the faint hum of the populace rose, the scent of everyday life.

Outside the city, the rebel army of King Qi—all are soldiers coerced and bewitched—whose fathers, whose sons are they?

This city bears the hopes and dreams of countless people; how could it suffer the ravages of war before his eyes?

He looked down on the enemy forces below the city and proclaimed loudly: "I have already gathered a hundred thousand troops; soon we will march to attack this traitor, King Qi!"

"But I am merciful and do not wish to see more bloodshed. If you lay down your arms and surrender now, I promise to pardon past offenses."

"After the rebellion is quelled, rewards will be given according to merit, so you may all return home in glory and reunite with your families."

"If you persist in your error and continue to side with King Qi, the iron cavalry of my hundred‑thousand‑strong army will trample your camp, and you will become criminals of the Great Han!"

His voice was deep and powerful, carrying an undeniable authority that lingered outside the city for a long time.

The troops below the city began to show obvious signs of wavering, and the soldiers looked at one another.

They saw the familiar faces of elders and townsfolk on the city walls, and thinking of the impending attack by the hundred‑thousand‑strong army, their inner defenses began to collapse.

Liu Qurie rode up to below the city and shouted: "Crown Prince Ju, you have murdered your sovereign and father, bewitched the court, your evil deeds are blatant; today we shall execute Heaven's will!"

Liu Ju looked down at Liu Qurie, gave a cold smile, and turned to Zhang Tang: "Bring my Hongwu great cannon up here!"

Moments later, several Feather Forest Guards were seen shouldering a black great cannon that glowed with a faint light, emplaced on the city wall.

"What is this?"

"Is this the currently popular exorcism technique?"

"I've heard the Crown Prince is fond of curious tricks and skills, but now is not the time for that!"

On the city wall, everyone seeing the huge black iron pipe began to murmur.

"Aim it at Liu Qurie for me!"

Liu Ju then loudly addressed the Expectation Gate Army below the city: "I speak no falsehood; if you still do not repent, you shall be treated as such a traitor."

Liu Qurie scoffed: "Mumbo‑jumbo!"

Zhang Tang, having received the order, shouted: "Fire!"

With a boom, the spot where Liu Qurie stood was instantly blown into a huge crater.

Looking again at the just‑majestic Liu Qurie, he had now fallen from his horse, in a wretched state, clinging to life with only half his breath left.

"Fire again!"

Zhang Tang shouted angrily.

With a tremendous boom, not even a scrap of Liu Qurie remained.

"This, this…" King Qi Liu Hong felt a sudden heat in his groin, then fell from his horse.

In an instant, the remaining Expectation Gate Army also seemed to be caught in tumultuous waves, while the people on the city wall were stunned, their spirits shaken.

"What kind of portent is this? Could it not be divine punishment sent down from Heaven?"

"The Crown Prince's newly studied exorcism technique actually possesses such heaven‑defying power!"

On the city wall, Liu Ju stood firm as a mountain and again shouted in a voice like a great bell: "Those who surrender shall not be killed!"

"Those who surrender shall not be killed!"

The cries of the Feather Forest Army soldiers rolled like thunder, echoing through the clouds.

"It's over, everything's over! Cousin, what should I do?"

Seeing Liu Qurie's corpse lying on the spot, King Qi Liu Hong felt the heavens collapse and the earth sink; unable to restrain his grief, he burst into tears, tears pouring like rain, losing all his former dignity and composure as he broke down in sobs.

The Personal Guard, anxious as burning, grabbed him and hauled him onto a warhorse, yelling: "Your Highness, if you don't go now it'll be too late—hurry and run!"

The Expectation Gate Army below the city had now disintegrated like loose sand, its morale completely shattered; they scattered before any battle could join.

The guards, panic‑stricken, threw down their weapons, fell to their knees begging for mercy, and cried out hoarsely for their lives.

This rebellion, deliberately instigated by King Qi Liu Hong, ended in a miserable fashion before everyone's eyes, declaring its failure.

The imperial court resolved the crisis with ease, stabilizing the situation.

In this suppression operation, only the chief culprit, Liu Qurie, paid with his life, becoming a sacrificial pawn in this farce.