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

Chapter 288 Rescue
In the third year of Yuanshou, on the first day of spring.

The moonlight shone quietly, enveloping Chang'an in tranquility.

Emperor Liu Che of the Han Dynasty set off from Langchi Palace, instead of entering through the Xi'an Gate, he detoured north of the city and arrived at Xuanwu Gate.

Before the world had awakened, the heavy city gates suddenly and loudly opened.

The emperor's entourage entered the city smoothly.

"May Your Majesty live a thousand years and enjoy endless happiness!" Commander Sima An greeted and sang.

Lieutenant—no, now he's the Commander of the Imperial Guard.

The position of lieutenant was responsible for maintaining order and enforcing the law in the capital, managing the central arsenal, and concurrently leading the left and right auxiliary troops to defend the capital, or sending troops to garrison the border regions.

However, the division of power within the court, including even the Nine Ministers, was a significant factor. Especially after the battles of Hexi and Dai, Grand Marshal Wei Qing decided to no longer lead troops into battle and to give more opportunities to emerging generals and officers. This was a good thing, but in doing so, the Grand Marshal's office actively or passively seized more power from the court. For example, the power to command the Northern Army and manage the armory had been taken back by the office.

As for the lieutenant, he only retained the power to be in charge of the security of the capital. His position as one of the Nine Ministers was now just a name. Therefore, at the request of the Prime Minister's Office, the lieutenant was changed to the Commander of the Imperial Guard.

Sitting upright on the imperial carriage, Liu Che, who had finally returned to this land of loyalty, was overwhelmed with emotion.

After a long while, he calmed down and looked at the minister who had lost most of his power and surrendered the city to him. He nodded and said, "I will remember your merits."

During his time away from Chang'an, Liu Che learned that controlling his ministers could not rely solely on force and coercion; appropriate promises and rewards could inspire their greater enthusiasm.

Regardless of whether it will be fulfilled or not, let's make the promise first.

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

Sima An, fully armored, bowed and said, "However, I do not wish for Your Majesty's future rewards."

A failed attempt to make a promise?

bargain?

Liu Che frowned, thinking that Sima An was trying to gain credit for his work. At this crucial moment, he couldn't very well refute or scold him, so he patiently asked, "What do you want?"

"Your Majesty commands the sword!" Sima An's reply was concise and clear.

"What's the use?"

"Charge into battle for His Majesty!"

Sima An lowered his head and solemnly said, "With a formidable enemy before us and the Imperial Sword at our side, I dare to fight bravely and fearlessly, even at the cost of my life!"

Emperor Liu Che's expression softened somewhat.

It was thought that Sima An still had reservations about the restoration, and that he felt uneasy in the presence of the Crown Prince, the Chancellor, and the two Grand Marshals and Generals, so he wanted to use his sword to embolden himself.

After achieving success, one can use the power of swordsmanship to invite rewards and make a significant advancement for oneself.

It's just a sword.

"Give me a sword!"

Liu Che handed his sword directly to the commander of the guards who was standing beside the imperial carriage, who then passed it on to Sima An.

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

"I wish you to overcome all obstacles and brave the winds and waves, to be of one heart and one mind with me. When we achieve our goal, you shall be made a great general," Liu Che said again.

Restoration and opening the city gates are only the first steps. Next, they need to seize the armory, release the seven exiled officials and prisoners, and turn them into their own forces before attacking Weiyang Palace and the Prime Minister's residence.

Although Sima An lost the power to manage the armory, most of the armory officials were his former subordinates. If Sima An could persuade them to surrender, it would surely be much more effective.

The Qimenlang and the Restoration Army can also preserve their strength in order to better handle the tough battles to come.

"Your Majesty, I will certainly live up to your expectations!" Sima An took the imperial sword, seemingly relieved, and watched as the emperor's entourage and the guards entered the city, then looked at the city's defending general.

The next moment, the Xuanwu Gate collapsed with a crash, and Liu Che immediately showed a look of panic.

"Sima An, you..."

Sima An raised his sword and shouted, "His Majesty has ordered the assassin to be executed!"

The guards accompanying the group, including the commander of the guards, were all taken aback when they heard such a shout. An assassin? Where is the assassin?
But when they saw countless men dressed in brocade robes emerge from the city gate, wielding short, curved scimitars, and mercilessly killing the nearest gatekeepers, all the gatekeepers realized that they were "assassins"!
"Sima An, how dare you!"

Liu Che was furious.

Got cheated again.

Sima An's defection was a ruse; his true intention was to plot the massacre of the emperor's personal guards.

This is treason!

This is utter treason!
"His Majesty has been kidnapped by bandits! Kill the bandits and save His Majesty!" Sima An shouted.

The soldiers behind him immediately rushed towards Qimen Lang, shouting as they charged: "Kill the traitors, save His Majesty!"

"Kill the traitors, save His Majesty!"

"..."

All of Liu Che's shouts were drowned out by the cries for help that soared into the sky.

The Imperial Guards and the Military Command attacked from both sides, leaving the already few Imperial Guards caught in the crossfire. They were quickly slaughtered.

Commander Qimenlang brandished his sword and killed several soldiers who were close by. On horseback, looking at the murderous Imperial Guards in front and behind him, he knew that the matter was urgent and could not be changed. Thinking of someone's instructions, he gritted his teeth, his eyes revealing a ruthless intent, and moved closer to the Emperor's carriage.

Suddenly, three black-clad swordsmen appeared around the Emperor's carriage. As the Commander of the Qimen Sect approached, they immediately shouted, "Heaven and Earth Sword Formation!"

Although he was on horseback, the black-clad swordsman leaped lightly and met the eyes of Commander Qimenlang. Commander Qimenlang was terrified and instinctively drew his sword to slash, but his sword-wielding hand and arm were severed.

Before the pain could even begin, his back was pierced, and his head was completely severed.

The headless, severed-arm corpse fell heavily from the horse's back. The horse was startled and about to go berserk when the black-clad swordsman stepped forward and touched the horse's head. Suddenly, the horse calmed down and even rubbed its head against the swordsman.

This is the power of "Heaven's Will".

Liu Che took everything in view; the assassin had indeed appeared.

The Imperial Guard's gatekeeper, or even the commander, clearly came to kill him just now!

If it weren't for the protection of the black-clad swordsman, this emperor might have truly died in the chaos.

Who wants to kill him?

The killings subsided.

The Prime Minister's carriage rumbled in, and with Mo Zimo's help, Gongsun Hong alighted from the carriage. He first nodded to the Mo family swordsmen to express his gratitude, and then looked at the bewildered Liu Che, bowed slightly, and said, "Greetings, Your Majesty!"

Liu Che's face turned from red to white, then white to green, extremely embarrassed. He had lost!
Totally defeated!

"Not long ago, the Prime Minister's Office intercepted alarming news: His Majesty's scholar Dong Zhongshu and the Commander of the Imperial Guards were plotting treason and planned to assassinate him. Therefore, the Prime Minister's Office secretly ordered the Commander of the Imperial Guards to escort His Majesty back to the city. However, this man was so depraved that when his plan failed, he attempted to assassinate His Majesty in public. Fortunately, we were well-prepared and executed him. Please give your instructions, Your Majesty!" Gongsun Hong said, pointing to the hastily pieced-together corpse and head that looked like it had died with its eyes wide open.

Dong Zhongshu had already made preparations. He persuaded the commander of the Imperial Guards that if the restoration failed, he would kill the emperor to tarnish the crown prince's reputation for filial piety.

But all of this ultimately failed.

Liu Che thought of the imperial sword that Sima An had asked to leave beforehand. With no soldiers on his imperial carriage, he couldn't even commit suicide. After a long while, he said, "I leave it to the Prime Minister to decide!"

(End of this chapter)