Chapter 15

Chang'an City, the administrative seat of Left and Right Fufeng.

The Former General of Han, Li Guang, now wearing black armor, stood tall like a pine, firm before the tent.

Though already of advanced age, his temples were flecked with white, but those white patches seemed like frost and snow dyed by the years, adding a touch of steadfastness and heroic vigor.

Wrinkles coiled on Li Guang's face, carving out a lifetime of war and horseback riding;

His hands, able to draw the horned bow to a full moon, were covered in old calluses, gripping the long sword, steady as a rock.

He gazed deep toward Weiyang Palace, his posture unmoving; the years had never bent his spine, indicating that Han's immortal monument could still stand firm.

"Has the situation at Weiyang Palace been settled?"

"His voice boomed like a great bell as he slowly asked those beside him."

"Reporting, Commandant of the Guard: King Qi's rebellion failed and he fled; Liu Quji died on the spot; the Crown Prince has issued an edict to capture the rebels, and will tomorrow go to Ganquan Palace to mourn the late emperor, thereby assuming the throne."

Li Guang supported his flower-white beard, his composure calm, yet a hint of excitement showed.

"General, an Embroidered Uniform Envoy has arrived and is waiting in the front hall."

A guard came to report; Li Guang's face darkened, he pondered a moment, then said: "Just say the General is ill and not to receive visitors."

The guard received the order and left.

Bang!

A moment later, the door to Li Guang's residence was kicked open, and Liuche, accompanied by Dong Zhongshu and Dongfang Shuo, entered with a menacing presence.

"Old fool, do you intend to defy orders?"

Liuche blew his beard and glared in anger; he had ordered Li Guang several times to guard the carriage, yet this old fool actually defied the edict, constantly evading him.

Li Guang suddenly bowed low, trembling, and said: "Your Majesty, you, you are actually still alive? This..."

When he first heard the bad news, he was naturally shocked and grief-stricken, but then he suddenly received a secret imperial order to guard the carriage, and Li Guang felt his seventy-six-year-old brain short-circuit.

"What exactly does Liuche intend?"

"The current emperor really knows how to play!"

"But to have him guard the carriage?"

"Liuche even proclaimed outwardly that he had died, yet still expects someone to guard the carriage!"

"Of course I am alive; do you wish for my death?"

Liuche's eyes flashed as he stared at Li Guang, anger burning in his gaze.

Li Guang's heart jolted; he hurriedly prostrated himself, forehead touching the ground, yet his voice was calm and firm as he said:

Your Majesty, please forgive me! This old subject would never dare to harbor such rebellious intent, even at the cost of ten thousand deaths. Your Majesty's boundless fortune reaches the heavens; naturally, it is Heaven's blessing upon the Great Han.

Upon hearing the news of Your Majesty's demise, this old subject was heartbroken and anguished, wishing only that I could sacrifice myself in your place; now seeing Your Majesty's dragon body safe and sound, it truly is the fortune of all the people and the blessing of the state!

These words were spoken with sincere feeling, yet Li Guang secretly pondered in his heart the true purpose behind Liuche's visit this time.

Liuche let out a cold snort, pacing back and forth in the tent; the dragon robe on his body rustled with his movements, and the atmosphere grew increasingly solemn.

Li Guang, I ask you: the court's situation is now treacherous and ever-changing; are you willing to share my burdens?

Liuche suddenly stopped, turned, and fixed Li Guang with a stare full of pressure.

Li Guang replied cautiously: 'Your Majesty, I have received your great kindness; even if I were to be smashed to pieces, I could hardly repay a fraction of it, but whenever you have an assignment, this old subject will surely exert all his strength.'

He then added doubtfully: 'I merely do not know what specific matters Your Majesty refers to by "sharing my burdens"; please forgive this old subject's dullness and kindly clarify.'

Liuche narrowed his eyes slightly, fell silent for a moment, then said slowly: 'I originally intended to feign death to lure out certain treacherous ministers and villains, but the crown prince...'

When Liuche said this, he suddenly found it hard to continue, gave a dry cough, and added: 'The crown prince will go to Ganquan Palace tomorrow to ascend the throne; I think this matter still requires careful deliberation.'

You enjoy great prestige in the army, and both the left and right Fufeng regions are under your control; I order you to lead your troops to guard the vital passes, preventing the crown prince from going to Ganquan Palace. Once I have arranged everything, we will discuss the succession. What do you think?

Having said that, Liuche stared fixedly at Li Guang, his eyes revealing an unquestionable dignity.

Upon hearing this, Li Guang's heart startled, his face showing a hint of embarrassment: 'Your Majesty, the crown prince is the state's heir apparent, rightful and proper; this action might invite criticism, and as a subject, if I were to do this, I would risk earning a reputation of disloyalty and injustice; I hope Your Majesty will reconsider.'

Li Guang's words were earnest, yet in his heart he secretly sneered, 'I, Li Guang, have risked life and limb for the Great Han, yet I have always been merely Liuche's spare tire, even sowing discord between the Li clan and the Wei and Huo clans to achieve a balance of power.'

Back then, if it weren't for the crown prince mediating, my young son Li Gan would likely have died already under Huo Qubing's sword, and my own survival to this day is also thanks to the crown prince's grace.

Li Guang's thoughts involuntarily drifted back to that battlefield where yellow sand filled the sky.

In the fourth year of Yuanshou, during the Northern Desert campaign, Li Guang led his troops deep into enemy territory, yet lost his direction in the vast desert, missing the opportunity.

At that time he realized he had committed a grave error; his despair and self-reproach flooded over him like a tide.

As a commander, he failed to lead his soldiers to establish merit, instead falling into such a desperate situation—what a disgrace!

He had no face to meet the sovereign's trust, no face to meet his subordinates, and no face to meet the glory and reputation he had pursued all his life.

At that moment, he slowly drew the sword at his waist, seeking release, but just as the blade lay horizontally against his neck, he suddenly recalled the crown prince Liu Ju's parting words of deep meaning before his departure:

'Old General Li, the road ahead is perilous; victory and defeat are common in warfare. You have spent your life marching across the battlefields, earning magnificent military achievements for the Great Han—remember not to give up lightly because of a single setback.'

'You are the hero of the people, the monument of the Great Han, the backbone of the troops, the pillar of the Li clan; may the general, even in old age, grow stronger, display your might again, serve the court—the Great Han cannot do without you!'

Thinking of this, Li Guang's hands trembled violently, his whole body shook, and old tears streamed down his face!

Crown Prince, he was the benefactor who saved him and the Li clan!

Although Li Guang is dull and stubborn, he could never commit the act of forgetting kindness and betraying righteousness.

Liuche's face darkened, his voice growing icily cold: 'Li Guang, are you intending to defy the edict? My decision is final; you need only obey, no more words!'

Li Guang again prostrated himself and knocked his head: 'Your Majesty, please calm your anger! This old subject harbors no intention of defying the edict; it's merely that this matter is of great importance, and I beg Your Majesty to allow me to consider it further.'

Liuche was furious and still wanted to say something, but Li Guang waved his hand decisively: 'Attendants, Your Majesty has been traveling day after day, he is tired—help him to rest.'

'Old fool, you...'

Liuche still wanted to scold, but unexpectedly Li Guang, with a vigor unbefitting his age, swiftly slipped away.

Dong Zhongshu and Dongfang Shuo were instantly dumbfounded.

What's going on?

Usually that foolish, simple-minded, brute-like former general—today he is surprisingly slick!

He actually defied the emperor's edict?

Even, looking at this situation, they intend to put the emperor under house arrest!

Li Guang slipped to the side hall, his young son Li Gan hurried forward, worried and anxious, saying: "Father, what is this intention?"

The Crown Prince has saved our Li clan's lives, and he deeply understands righteousness; he will surely be a wise and virtuous ruler!

His gaze stern, he stared out the window and said in a low voice: "The late emperor has passed, the new ruler should ascend; I, the old soldier Li Guang, swear to defend Han's peace unto death—even if my body is shattered, what harm is there?"

Li Gan looked at his father's majestic stature and said: "Only as Father wishes!"

Issue the order: from now on, Chang'an City enters a state of martial law; no one in our headquarters may enter or leave; violators will be beheaded!

Li Guang gripped his sword hilt tightly, his eyes blazing, his words ringing out!

And Liuche, who had been helped by Li Guang's personal guards to rest in the side hall, now had a grim face.

After a moment, he said solemnly: "Has the old fool Li Guang been won over by the Crown Prince?"

Dongfang Shuo shook his head and said: "The Crown Prince and the former general have never had any dealings."

Dong Zhongshu had already withdrawn into himself at this point; this world is too crazy, completely overturning his worldview.

The other day, that bastard Wei Qing also claimed illness and stayed away; now the old fool has committed treason, sealing off our headquarters and putting us under house arrest—do you two have any countermeasures to send word to the feudal lords and princes to come to our aid?

Liuche grew angrier the more he thought about it; Li Guang, that old fool, truly committed treason.

Dongfang Shuo hesitated and said: "Your Majesty, when the Order of Extended Grace was carried out, I also contributed greatly; the feudal lords hate me so much they wish to tear my body into ten thousand pieces."

Liuche frowned slightly; Dongfang Shuo, that bastard, has always been aloof, and indeed as he said, he has long had rifts with the feudal lords.

He then looked toward Dong Zhongshu, who was at that moment half-asleep.

Impatient, he kicked Dong Zhongshu in the leg, but there was no reaction, so he changed from a kick to a stomp.

Dong Zhongshu feigned a stretch to dodge the flying stomp, yawning as he said: "Your Majesty, it's late; this old official is dazed and hungry—can I still eat?"

Old fool, you dare!

This Dong Zhongshu is referencing the anecdote of Lian Po to provoke him.

Liuche narrowed his eyes, exuding authority without anger, and suddenly asked the guard at the door: "May I know the name of the Commander of the Guards?"

The guard hastily replied respectfully: "I am terrified, Your Majesty; we are of the same clan!"

"Same clan?"

Liuche hastily took the guard's hand and said: "What same clan? You are naturally of my Liu imperial clan; our Han still needs you to contribute!"

The guard's eyes lit up: "Liu imperial clan? Your Majesty, you intend to bestow wealth and honor upon me!"

Dongfang Shuo stared in astonishment at the two, who were chatting as if they were close kin.

As expected of you, Liuche!

As expected of the seed of Emperor Gaozu Liu Ji!