Chapter 71: The Pattern of the One Emperor of All Ages

Lie Jiaomi's eyes flashed with excitement as he fiercely gripped the horse's belly and shouted loudly:

"Quick! Spur the horse and race back to the royal city!"

His voice brimmed with impatience; once back in the royal city, all hardship and defeat would vanish, and they could regain their former glory and dignity.

Er Chanyu was equally anxious; Wusun was his last reliance and hope. He lashed the horse whip, the mount cried out in pain and galloped desperately.

The defeated soldiers behind also caught the leader's emotion, enduring their wounds and fatigue, they urged their horses to follow closely.

The party kicked up clouds of dust as they raced toward the Wusun royal city.

At last, the towering walls of the Wusun royal city gradually came into clear view.

Lie Jiaomi and Er Chanyu were overjoyed.

We're finally home!

What fine wine and beauty could possibly deserve all his hardships along the way?

Wusun King Lie Jiaomi burst into tears, his face streaming, crying out loud without any decorum!

However, moments later.

When they saw the banner flying high on the city wall, their smiles froze, as if struck by thunder, and they stiffened.

Er Chanyu and the others followed Lie Jiaomi's gaze, instantly astonished beyond measure.

There, plainly visible, flew the banner of the Han Army.

And that snapping Han Army flag was like a ruthless giant hand, cruelly tearing at the hope they had just ignited.

Lie Jiaomi stared wide-eyed, disbelief and anger filling his gaze, his lips trembling as he almost roared: "How... how is this possible!"

Er Chanyu's face turned ashen instantly; he clenched his fists, whitening his knuckles, veins bulging on his forehead, and snarled through gritted teeth: "Damned Han Army! How dare they bully us so!"

Never did they imagine that after their arduous trek, the homeland they longed to return to had already been seized by others.

Having endured countless hardships and finally shaken off the Han Army's pursuit, they believed returning to the royal city would let them regroup, yet they never expected such a cruel reality awaiting them.

Wusun King Lie Jiaomi and the Xiongnu Er Chanyu stared blankly at the royal city, unable to come to their senses for a long time.

They could not fathom why fate would toy with them so cruelly.

At this moment, the disparity in their hearts felt like an abyss ten thousand feet deep, while anger and resentment burned like raging fire in their chests.

But as they drew nearer and saw two figures on the city wall, they felt as if they might explode.

"Former Han General Li Guang is here; who goes there below the city? Report your names!" Li Guang looked down at Lie Jiaomi and Er Chanyu below the city with an arrogant cold smile.

He naturally knew who they were from their attire; he asked merely to dampen their spirits.

He and Liuche had only arrived here two days prior, swiftly subdued the local die‑hard forces, barely finished organizing the city, and did not expect the Wusun king and Er Chanyu to rush back.

This was exactly as Li Guang anticipated: with Liu Ju personally leading the campaign, the Wusun and Xiongnu were surely doomed to defeat.

Liuche too gazed down in surprise at the disheveled Wusun and Xiongnu forces below, never expecting that Liu Ju had genuinely repelled them, and it appeared to be a joint army.

While feeling relieved, he also sensed a bittersweet note, along with the gratification of "my son has finally grown up."

Judging by the speed at which these two fled back here, it seems they were crushed with the force of splitting bamboo; my son's Great Han has become this strong?

Liuche sighed deeply, then looked down at Lie Jiaomi and Er Chanyu below, speaking sternly: "Lie Jiaomi, you have offended my Great Han, a crime punishable by death; now that you see me, why do you not quickly kneel and confess your guilt?"

"Who are you?"

Lie Jiaomi trembled with rage, but upon seeing Liuche in a dragon robe, bearing an extraordinary aura, he shivered and blurted: "Now the Son of Heaven of the Great Han is Liu Ju; are you then Emperor Wu of Han, Liuche?"

"Insolent! To utter the emperor's name directly—you're asking for death!"

Although Li Guang often called Liuche by his name, even his childhood nickname, that does not mean he permits others to insult the former Son of Heaven of the Great Han.

"Is it truly Emperor Wu of Han, Liuche? Why is he here?"

Lie Jiaomi did not let his anger cloud his judgment; instead, he eyed warily the imposing Li Guang on the city wall and the awe‑inspiring Liuche.

He never imagined he would see here the Emperor Wu of Han who ought to be in Chang'an, and seeing that Liuche had not died as rumored left him nearly speechless with shock.

After the brief shock, Lie Jiaomi's mind quickly began to calculate.

He secretly wondered whether Liu Ju had usurped the throne and driven Emperor Wu to this Wusun land.

If so, this would be an excellent opportunity for him to turn the tables!

A flicker of cunning crossed Lie Jiaomi's eyes: if he could win over Emperor Wu, promise to help him regain the throne and rule the Great Han, he could then use Han strength to revive Wusun, perhaps even gain greater advantage in this turbulent situation.

Thinking this through, Lie Jiaomi suppressed his inner excitement and strove to make his voice sound sincere and urgent.

He shouted toward the city tower: "Your Majesty! Your Majesty! I never expected to see you here! That unfilial Liu Ju dares to commit such monstrous treason, driving you to this place."

Then, to make the act more convincing, he actually dropped to his knees and crawled forward, speaking earnestly: "Wusun is willing to expend all its national strength to aid Your Majesty in retaking the throne, that the unfilial son receive due punishment! As long as You can restore the Great Han, Wusun will forever follow Han's lead."

While shouting, Lie Jiaomi put on a display of unwavering loyalty, hoping to move Emperor Wu.

Liuche and Li Guang were stunned—how could this man change his face so quickly?

Even Er Chanyu and the whole Wusun and Xiongnu entourage were shocked, but soon they understood the scheme.

Meanwhile, Li Guang on the city wall watched Liuche warily; Lie Jiaomi's words were not without reason—could Liuche really be plotting with him to regain the throne?

"Father Emperor?"

Beside him, Prince Qi Liu Hong also looked puzzled at the expressionless Liuche.

Liuche, however, gave a cold snort, looked down at Lie Jiaomi from above, eyes full of contempt and anger, and said: "Lie Jiaomi, stop putting on this holy act here; quit your vile scheming!"

Li Guang on the wall, Prince Qi, and Lie Jiaomi were once again dumbfounded— they had not expected Liuche's unexpected reaction to be so fierce.

Liuche stepped forward, pointing at Lie Jiaomi and continued his tirade: "My son Liu Ju is wise and martial, devoted wholly to the Great Han's realm and its people; how could he commit the monstrous treason you claim? On the contrary, you have repeatedly opposed the Great Han, harassed the borders, causing countless commoners to suffer. Now you even dare to use me to fulfill your secret ambition—nothing short of delusional fantasy!"

Liuche's face turned ashen; he approached the edge of the city tower and continued his angry rebuke: "Do you think I cannot see through your thoughts? You merely wish to exploit my name to seek private gain for your Wusun."

"I tell you, though I am here, the dignity of the Great Han cannot be violated, and my will cannot be shaken by you lot of rodents. If you are sensible, surrender at once and submit to the Great Han; perhaps I may spare your life. Otherwise, I will surely wipe your Wusun nation from the face of the earth."

The voice of Emperor Wu of Han was firm and powerful, filled with unquestionable majesty, as if bearing the weight of a thousand jin.

"Your Majesty is sage!"

"Long live Your Majesty!"

Li Guang took the lead in kneeling, and the Han soldiers on the city walls also all, heartfelt and sincere, shouted "Long live!"

Han Wudi's emotions were also stirred; after scolding the hunt's arrogance and licentiousness, his whole person became even more high-spirited.

He slowly raised his hand; it had been a long time since he felt the feeling of being worshipped by ten thousand people. Looking at the astonished Li Guang, he said:

"Whether it's my Han or my son's realm, it's not something these foreign tribes can covet; I'm not yet senile—I can still tell inside from outside!"

"Your Majesty, it was I who misunderstood you!"

Li Guang, for the first time, felt shame and gratitude toward Han Wudi.

Liuche slowly said: "Li Guang, remember, whether I am in that position or not, this Han always bears the surname Liu."

Since the last time I saw Liu Ju, Liu Ju has also untied a knot in his heart; now looking at the old general, white-haired and steadfastly loyal to the Han, he also sighs and says:

"Old beloved minister, I know I previously let you down, but sometimes I had no choice; I hope we can join hands again to give the world a surprise—this world is vast, we, though old, should grow stronger, the future is promising!"

"Old soldier Li Guang, I vow to die in loyalty to the Han!"

Li Guang knelt again; the years of grudge against Han Wudi Liuche seemed to completely dissolve, old tears streaming, he choked up uncontrollably.

Liuche gently helped Li Guang up, looking down at the city and said: "Old general, now is not the time for sentiment; we must join forces to give these Wusun and Xiongnu people a taste of our might!"

"Yes!"

Li Guang suddenly rose to his feet, his gaze icy as he looked at the Wusun and Xiongnu on the city walls.

"Lads, get ready for battle!"

Li Guang drew the long sword in his hand and pointed it toward the Wusun king's city below.