A son who doesn't resemble his father? Love you, old man, see you at Xuanwu Gate!

Chapter 286 Final Battle
"So it's finally come to this."

Weiyang Palace, Xuanshi Hall.

Liu Ju couldn't help but sigh.

So many setbacks and frustrations could not extinguish the emperor's overwhelming ambition for power.

Families of meritorious officials, powerful clans, wealthy merchants, wandering knights and thieves... all those whose power and interests were harmed by the new policies responded like wolves.

Position determines one's thoughts; this is truly an eternal truth.

Selfishness leads people to make self-serving choices based on their environment and position, seeking advantage and avoiding harm.

They were completely unconcerned about the consequences.

All twelve city gates of Chang'an monitored the entry of suspicious persons. No matter how they disguised themselves, the presence of gatekeepers, private soldiers, assassins, unregistered persons, wandering knights, and thieves, which was different from that of ordinary people, could not be hidden.

The so-called "large army" was about to arrive in Chang'an, and the emperor could no longer contain himself and was about to take action.

Unlike the vague information received by Helangchi Palace regarding the restoration army submitted by the Zhou Communist Party, the information received by Weiyang Palace regarding the rebel army submitted by the Zhou Communist Party was extremely detailed.

When they set out from Lishi Fortress, the rebel army numbered in the hundreds of thousands, but after crossing plateaus, traversing great rivers, and snowfields, the rebel army had dwindled to less than ten thousand.

In those thousands of miles of "secret passages into the pass," Zhou Gong buried more than 100,000 people in a reasonable and justifiable way. Moreover, those who survived became numb and destitute after going through countless hardships.

How to put it, they were like refugees, like thieves.

No one would think this was a rebellious force; they would only assume it was a band of outlaws who had fled from the mountains and forests under the severe crackdown by the imperial court and local government.

The emperor was completely kept in the dark about all of this, still indulging in his grand dream of returning as emperor.

Should I pick up a knife and a pickaxe?

Liu Ju couldn't help but laugh.

The voice affected Gongsun Hong, who was usually composed and never showed his emotions, as well as Wei Qing, who was calm, humble, and self-assured.

It's truly hard to imagine how "glorious" His Majesty's posthumous reputation would have been if this historical fact had been fully recorded in history books.

But we can't do it that way.

All these efforts were made not only to reduce the casualties of the Heavenly Father and Son in the final battle, but also to ensure the flawless example of the Supreme Ruler, the Holy Lord, and the Wise King.

Your Majesty, if the Crown Prince is a model of ruler and subject, father and son in the world, and when a prosperous era arrives, Your Majesty will feel ashamed and abdicate in favor of the Crown Prince, then this is what history should record.

Just as Yao passed the throne to Shun, and Shun passed it to Yu... the crown prince should be worthy of the name of the ancient sage rulers.

They are destined to be prime ministers; one possesses the qualities of a wise prime minister from ancient times, and the other embodies the spirit of a famous general from ancient times.

"Your Majesty is truly a peaceful and prosperous emperor," Gongsun Hong exclaimed.

Wei Qing nodded in agreement.

The reigns of Emperors Wen and Jing were just twenty years ago. The people of the Han Dynasty still fondly remember that golden age. The Crown Prince of Han, his own nephew, governed the country with benevolence and leniency, and naturally won the hearts of the people and the support of the common folk.

It can be said that the people of the land have long awaited the crown prince's ascension to the throne!

Future generations will likely only know Emperor Xiaowen, Emperor Xiaojing, and the Crown Prince, but not Your Majesty. It would not be surprising if, in the future, rumors circulated that Emperor Xiaojing directly passed the throne to his grandson, the Crown Prince Ju.

Liu Ju waved his hand, indicating that the old prime minister did not need to say anything more.

Gongsun Hong, however, thought the Crown Prince was hesitating again. He stood up from the embroidered stool, stepped forward, and said, "Your Majesty, you cannot hesitate any longer." With His Majesty's actions, he should have long ago become the Retired Emperor and sat at the same table with Liu Taigong. The fact that His Majesty has been jumping around like this until now shows that he has done everything he could in terms of filial piety.

"I knew it was only a matter of time."

Liu Ju nodded, "For the sake of our ancestors' country and the millions of people of the Han Dynasty, I have no regrets towards my father. I have also had the eunuchs and palace maids clean up the East Hall of Chang Le Palace and named it 'Shenlong Hall' for my father to use in his old age."

Hearing that His Majesty had arranged accommodations for the Crown Prince after his success, Gongsun Hong finally felt relieved.

He was too old to play the old tricks of filial piety with the imperial family any longer. He had to help the crown prince ascend the throne and settle everything before he died, so that he could die in peace.

Wei Qing also seemed somewhat relaxed. Everything he had, apart from his own efforts and achievements, was mostly due to the Emperor's support and bestowal. There was a bond of gratitude between the emperor and his subject.

He considered staying out of it, but as his nephew, the Crown Prince, said, it was impossible for him to stay out of it. He had kinship with his sister, the Empress, and his nephew, he cherished the elite troops of the empire, and he had a benevolent heart for the Han Dynasty. All of these were above loyalty and righteousness.

To preserve His Majesty's dignity, or to help His Majesty maintain his dignity, is perhaps the best outcome.

No one let anyone down.

Wei Qing stood up from the embroidered stool and said in a deep voice, "Please give the order, Your Majesty."

Looking at his strongest general, who might be the strongest general of the Han Dynasty, or even the strongest general of China, and seeing his unwavering trust and support, Liu Ju was somewhat moved. "Good!"

"uncle."

"Chen is here!"

"Order my elder brother to lead his troops to guard Beiban. When Zhou Gong arrives with his rebel army, under the pretext of 'suppressing the remaining bandits,' he shall be completely annihilated, leaving no one alive."

Among the rebels, there are many nameless and faceless people. Why bother coming into this world? Whether they stick their necks out or not, they will be cut off anyway. This cut is like cutting water with a knife.

"Yes, Your Majesty!"

"Please keep a close watch on Father, the gatekeepers, and the rebels in Chang'an. The moment Father enters the city, immediately light the beacon fire and, under the pretext of eliminating the assassins of the Prime Minister of the Han Dynasty, thoroughly exterminate the gatekeepers and the rebels in the city. Make sure no one is left alive."

"Yes, Your Majesty!" Wei Qing accepted the order twice, keeping the two "musts" firmly in mind.

"Old Prime Minister." Liu Ju turned to look at Gongsun Hong.

Gongsun Hong, with a solemn expression, respectfully replied, "Your subject is here!"

"After Father enters the city, ask the Mo family swordsmen and the Imperial Guards to take action, under the pretext that the assassins intend to kill the emperor, and completely wipe out all of His Majesty's guards and attendants. Then, ask the old prime minister to personally come forward to welcome Father back to the palace, and make sure to ensure his safety."

Assassination on the Imperial Street.

It's a great "pocket".

He could rationalize all reasonable and unreasonable actions. There were assassins in Chang'an City, and it was not safe for His Majesty to recuperate in Langchi Palace. As a son, he brought his father back to the palace to recuperate. Unexpectedly, he was attacked and killed by assassins. The old prime minister, who was in his eighties, came forward to welcome the emperor. Inside and outside the palace, who was not a filial son? Who was not a loyal minister?

Gongsun Hong highly approved of the decision to eliminate the rebellious forces and firmly control the emperor, saying, "Your subject obeys the decree."

"After Father enters the Divine Dragon Palace, immediately order the Embroidered Uniform Guard to escort Lady Li, Liu Bo and his mother, Lady Mei and Lady Bai who have not yet borne children, and all the concubines and mistresses who have been favored by His Majesty in the past two or three months to the 'Paradise.' Make sure not a single one is forgotten," Liu Ju said indifferently.

According to historical records, the emperor had only one son.

"Yes, Your Majesty!"

(End of this chapter)