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

Chapter 88 Chang'an
Its daybreak.

The traces of the night were completely washed away.

As if nothing had happened, Chang'an remained an imperial capital surrounded by high walls on the Guanzhong Plain, still the most magnificent and glorious city in the world.

The bustling crowd cautiously recounted what they had seen through the cracks in the doors and windows the night before, but to those who were sound asleep or living in secluded places, it was like listening to a story.

But for officials from both the central and foreign dynasties residing in Chang'an, this was no story.

Outside Xi'an Gate.

The moat remains unchanged.

The ministers, generals, marquises, and members of the imperial family of both the central and foreign dynasties stood in the ranks of the court, and the musicians of the Music Bureau played the "Da Kai".

Many courtiers were deeply moved upon hearing this music. This elegant piece of music was used in many places, such as when the empire achieved a major victory in a foreign war, or during sacrificial ceremonies. It would appear whenever the national prestige and military achievements were displayed.

However, this piece of elegant music is often accompanied by a person known as the "Son of Heaven".

Therefore, "Da Kai" is also known as "Emperor's Elegant Music".

The Crown Prince returned to his loyal Chang'an. Was this joy intentional or accidental?

There doesn't seem to be any difference.

When the emperor retires due to illness, the crown prince takes over the country and governs. According to the rites and regulations, he is the same as the emperor, which is perfectly acceptable.

From afar, the courtiers heard the sound of cavalry approaching and immediately looked over. The Emperor had arrived.

Liu Ju was also gazing at Chang'an, his heart surging with emotion. How could he describe Chang'an? He looked at Sima Xiangru beside him, and thus, the famous poem "Ode to the Western Capital" was born.

The city walls of Jincheng stretched endlessly, its moats dredged and filled with water. Three wide, level roads led to twelve imposing city gates. Within the city, streets and alleys stretched for nearly a thousand; nine markets opened simultaneously, their various shops lining the roads. Crowds thronged, making it difficult to look back; traffic flowed densely, making it impossible to maneuver. The overflowing city walls connected thousands of lanes, dust billowing everywhere, smoke rising and swirling, reaching to the heavens. The population was vast, wealth abundant, and pleasures boundless. The men and women of the capital were different from those of other places. The virtuous scholars rivaled kings and high officials, the courtesans beautiful, their attire surpassing that of noble ladies. Local magnates and chivalrous heroes admired the integrity of Lord Pingyuan and Lord Mengchang, followed the fame of Lord Chunshen and Lord Xinling, making many friends and gathering followers, roaming freely throughout the capital.

"May Your Majesty live a thousand years and enjoy endless happiness!" The ministers, generals, marquises, and members of the imperial family of both dynasties sang in unison.

Sitting on his horse, Liu Ju looked down at the officials of both dynasties. Seizing control of Chang'an was only half of the plan; the next step was the most crucial.

Some people will always be a problem if they don't clean things up properly, while others will cause even bigger problems if they clean things up too much.

The Emperor's faction, the Empress's faction, the declining group of founding heroes, the imperial princes and nobles, the civil and military officials of both dynasties, and even the emerging military merit groups that closely followed him... He could not kill too many people or push them too hard, lest they become desperate and retaliate. But in this time of national turmoil, suspicion among officials, and people's desire for change, he could not help but kill them.

Liu Ju dismounted, looked at all his ministers, and said with an air of authority, "Rise."

"Since I took the throne, I have not returned to Chang'an for a long time. The important affairs of the country have all relied on the concerted efforts and hard work of the Prime Minister and all the gentlemen. Now that I am returning to the capital, you need not feel disturbed. Each of you should perform your duties as before. I am young and have not read many books, but I still remember the virtues of Emperor Gaozu and Emperor Taizong, which can be summarized in the four words 'seeking truth from facts.' I hope that all of you will keep these words in mind!"

"I will obey His Majesty's instructions!"

Liu Ju entered the city.

The officials, nobles, and members of the imperial family of both the central and foreign dynasties returned to their respective offices and duties. Although the emperor's words had almost proclaimed to the world that the upheaval in Chang'an was over, every one of these officials was a shrewd and calculating man; even a single hair on their eyebrow would be useless. Some appeared to be alive, but they were already dead.

Weiyang Palace, Xuanshi Hall.

Liu Ju sat on his father's throne, below him were the important officials of the Han Dynasty, the heroes of the Chang'an Incident, Wei Qing, Gongsun Hong, Huo Qubing, Zhang Tang, Bian Tong, and so on.

"By order of the Crown Prince, Huo Qubing, the Colonel of the Piaoyao Cavalry, is promoted to General of the Guards, in command of the military affairs of the south and north of Chang'an, wearing a gold seal and purple ribbon, and holding a position above that of a minister."

An imperial edict was issued.

The ministers were not surprised at all.

Huo Qubing was the person who made the greatest contribution to this reform, and he deserved such a reward.

According to the system of the Han Dynasty, there were Grand Generals and Generals of Chariots and Cavalry, whose ranks were next to the Chancellor. Generals of Chariots and Cavalry, Generals of the Guards, and Generals of the Left, Right, Front and Rear Guards were all dressed in gold and purple, whose ranks were next to the Senior Ministers. They were in charge of the military guards of the capital and the garrisons of the four barbarian tribes.

Prior to this, although Huo Qubing was the Marquis of Champion, he was still a minor captain in the military system. His strength and reputation exceeded his military rank. According to the system of the Han Dynasty, without becoming a general, Huo Qubing did not have the power to lead troops independently.

The upcoming spring campaign, in which Huo Qubing was selected as a general, was essentially the result of Emperor Wu's favor and his overruling of dissenting opinions. Now, Huo Qubing has been promoted to the rank of general and holds military power in both the north and south. In a sense, he is the person with the highest military power in the Han Dynasty.

This means that Huo Qubing was Liu Ju's most trusted person, without exception.

Even a great general like Wei Qing was slightly inferior, but Wei Qing didn't care at all.

When he was at the height of his fame, he remained calm and humble; when he was neglected, he remained composed.

Moreover, Liu Ju and Huo Qubing were both his nephews.

"By order of the Crown Prince, Zhao Chongguo, the commander of the Crown Prince's personal guards, is appointed as the Grand Master of Ceremonies, in charge of the palace guards."

The imperial edict was issued again.

As expected, with the emperor's return to Chang'an, Weiyang Palace became Liu Ju's residence, and the position of Guanglu Xun, responsible for guarding Weiyang Palace, could not be given to an outsider.

Zhang Tang's expression was somewhat strange. Huo Qubing, as the General of the Guards, commanded both the Southern and Northern armies. Although he did not remove Li Guang, the Minister of the Guards, from his military post, he effectively seized Li Guang's military power. Zhao Chongguo, on the other hand, simply took both the military post and military power from Li Gan, the former Minister of the Imperial Guards.

The Li family has once again chosen the wrong side, and it's the father and son who have done so. It's said that Li Gan had the opportunity to inherit the Crown Prince's seal but didn't. As a ruthless official, Zhang Tang didn't believe in gods, ghosts, or karma, but he decided to stay away from the Li family in the future, as their luck was somewhat strange.

In the court, there was Gongsun Hong of the Prime Minister's Office, Zhang Tang, the Minister of Justice... In the military and political arena, there was General Wei Qing, General Huo Qubing, and Zhao Chongguo, the Grand Master of Ceremonies...

With his position in Chang'an and Weiyang Palace in charge, Liu Ju's orders were always obeyed. His status as crown prince was so secure that no one else could match it.

Other people and events, such as Consort Li and her two sons, Prince Liu Dan of Yan and Prince Liu Xu of Guangling, who suddenly disappeared from the inner palace, could not have been written down, much less issued as an edict.

With affairs of state, military, finance, and criminal matters all settled, Liu Ju rose from his throne. It was time to go see his mother and maternal relatives.

(End of this chapter)