Sky Curtain: The Overlord Charges into Battle, Shocking Emperors of All Dynasties

Chapter 28 Son Unlike Father? I'll Die for You

Jiang Chong unearthed a large number of wooden puppets in the Crown Prince's palace, while Emperor Wu of Han was recuperating at Ganquan Palace at the time.

[Liu Ju wished to go to Ganquan Palace to request an audience with His Majesty, but neither Empress Wei Zifu nor Liu Ju sent anyone to inquire, and to no avail. Junior Tutor Shi De strongly urged the Crown Prince to raise an army, pointing to the heavens and weeping blood, saying, "His Majesty is seriously ill at Ganquan Palace. I fear that treacherous ministers may be doing the same things as Zhao Gao. Has Your Highness forgotten the past of Fusu?"]

The story of Fusu? Zhao Gao?

A cold glint flashed in Ying Zheng's eyes. He seemed to understand something. Emperor Wu of Han was seriously ill, and Jiang Chong framed Crown Prince Liu Ju. If I were seriously ill and Fusu was not by my side, that scoundrel Zhao Gao might also frame Fusu. No wonder Huhai was able to ascend the throne.

However, there was still one thing Ying Zheng did not understand. Previously, apart from not being named the crown prince by me, Fusu was in all other ways the status of a crown prince. I even specially sent Fusu to Shangjun to supervise the army, just to let Fusu experience more military affairs, temper his character, and consolidate his foundation. As an emperor, I can be benevolent, but I cannot be ignorant of military affairs.

With Meng Tian around, if Ying Zheng really died, as long as Fusu returned to Xianyang, with Meng Tian's 300,000 troops, how could Huhai become emperor?

At that time, Liu Ju faced a dilemma: Emperor Wu of Han was tyrannical and appointed civil officials, while Liu Ju practiced benevolence and surrounded himself with civil officials, wielding little real power.

After Wei Qing's death, Emperor Wu of Han spared no effort in cracking down on the power of the imperial relatives. Wei Qing's generals, who had been fighting for many years, were either demoted, killed, or transferred. Liu Ju was able to mobilize very few soldiers. Empress Wei Zifu was old and had lost her beauty and favor. Emperor Wu of Han favored Lady Gouyi, who gave birth to Liu Fuling and named the door of the delivery room "Yao Mu Men" (Gate of the Mother of Yao).

Everything he did sent a clear signal to the outside world that he intended to depose the crown prince. After all, Emperor Jing had already deposed Crown Prince Liu Rong, so it wouldn't be surprising if he did it again.

[Liu Ju, having nowhere else to turn, consulted with his mother, Wei Zifu.]

Candles burned in Chang Le Palace, and only Wei Zifu and her son were inside. Wei Zifu's hair was gray, and her still beautiful face revealed a fierce determination. She said in a stern voice, "Even if I die, I will die with a clear conscience!"

"If you're going to do something, do it thoroughly."

Liu Ju knelt on both knees, with a desperate resolve, and pleaded with his mother, Empress Wei Zifu of the Han Dynasty: "Mother, please gather the soldiers of Changle Palace under my command and open the armory to distribute weapons."

Empress Wei Zifu served as Empress of the Han Dynasty for decades. She was virtuous and kind. Even when faced with constant pressure from Lady Gouyi, she remained calm and did not compete for power. However, when her son's life was hanging by a thread, she did not hesitate to raise an army and challenge Emperor Wu of Han, who had ruled the Han Dynasty for decades.

Wei Zifu held Liu Ju in her arms, gently stroking his hair as she did when he was a child. However, before, they had Emperor Wu of Han behind them, but now they had Emperor Wu of Han facing them.

"My son, you will always be your mother's pride."

Emperor Yongzheng of the Qing Dynasty looked at Liu Ju in the sky with envy.

He longed for his mother's embrace and her unwavering support, but it was all just a pipe dream.

[Liu Ju, holding the protective talisman, mobilized the guards of Changle Palace and issued an edict ordering all officials to report that Jiang Chong was plotting a rebellion and to execute Jiang Chong. Jiang Chong's subordinate, Su Wen, fled back to Ganquan Palace and reported to Liu Che that the Crown Prince was plotting a rebellion. Liu Che did not believe that the Crown Prince was plotting a rebellion and sent an envoy to summon the Crown Prince. The envoy returned halfway and falsely reported that the Crown Prince was plotting a rebellion, stating it with absolute certainty.]

Emperor Wu of Han was furious and sent Chancellor Liu Qu to lead troops to quell the rebellion. Emperor Wu then moved his residence to Jianzhang Palace.

[Liu Ju went to the Northern Army camp and ordered Ren An to mobilize troops with the Crown Prince's insignia. Ren An was formerly a retainer of Wei Qing and was originally a member of Crown Prince Liu Ju's faction. After receiving the Crown Prince's insignia, he stayed at home and did not help either side.]

During the Yuanshou era of Emperor Wu of Han, the young and vigorous Emperor Wu clenched his fists so tightly that his nails dug into his flesh. He understood that by placing Ren An, a former general of Wei Qing, in the position of General of the Northern Army, he was providing the Crown Prince with a final layer of protection.

However, whether it was the elderly Liu Che, or Wei Qing and Liu Ju, they all misjudged this person. He was indecisive, hesitant to make a decision, and had two minds.

Under those circumstances, either Liu Ju should have been detained in the military camp until he met with Liu Che to exchange information, in which case the Crown Prince would at least have avoided his later fate; or they should have taken a gamble and followed the Crown Prince, in which case the Crown Prince would not have died.

Although it wasn't mentioned on the screen, given his old age and the fierce nature of Wei Zifu and Liu Ju, the ending was predictable.

General Wei Qing remained silent, then simply said, "Ren An!!"

A hint of murderous intent flashed in Wei Qing's eyes. He naturally knew who was the source of this trouble, but he couldn't solve the problem. Therefore, Ren An became the best scapegoat.

Huo Qubing turned and left, heading straight for Wei Qing's General's Mansion. A minister who caught a glimpse of Huo Qubing's gaze felt a chill in his heart. That gaze was filled with murderous intent. That was his cousin, his own cousin whom he had watched grow up since birth. Huo Qubing regretted dying too early. If he had been alive then, he would have been able to protect Liu Ju.

[Liu Ju's forces were extremely small, so he had no choice but to convicts and civilians from Chang'an to fight Liu Qu's regular army for five days, resulting in countless deaths.]

In the end, Liu Ju was defeated and fled, taking his two sons and retainers with him.

Empress Wei Zifu returned the imperial seal and ribbon, and hanged herself in the Jiaofang Palace.

Emperor Wu of Han (Liu Che) dispatched troops to capture Liu Ju. Some people risked their lives to defend him, and although Emperor Wu's anger subsided somewhat, he discovered many suspicious points, but he still did not issue a pardon.

In the scene, Liu Ju's face showed no trace of defeat or fear, and his demeanor was even more imposing than before.

Liu Ju picked up his longsword, cut off his crown prince's seal and ribbon, threw it at the surrounding soldiers, and shouted, "I present this seal and ribbon to His Majesty for a reward!"

After saying this, he raised his sword and committed suicide.

Emperor Wu of Han (Liu Che) always said that Liu Ju was not like him, but Liu Ju died on the day he most resembled him.

During the Zhenghe era, the aging Emperor Wu of Han staggered and fell to the ground. "My son," he cried, "I never imagined you would be so resolute!"

He never expected that Liu Ju would commit suicide. He had always disliked his son for being weak, but this time he didn't want Liu Ju to be as strong as him.

"Your Majesty," Su Wen said with a delighted expression, hurrying into the hall and kneeling to report, "Your Majesty, we have discovered traces of the fugitive Crown Prince in Hu County."

"What news?! You probably think this is good news for me?!"

At this moment, Liu Che understood everything. If Su Wen hadn't lied, he wouldn't have sent troops to attack and destroy the Crown Prince in the first place.

It's not too late. It's not too late to pardon the Crown Prince. As long as the edict of pardoning the Crown Prince is issued in time, Ju'er will not commit suicide.

Emperor Wu of Han was terrified at this moment. Tianmu's earlier prediction that the Han Dynasty was on the verge of collapse must have referred to this very situation. Although Tianmu had said that Huo Guang and later emperors had saved the dynasty, he dared not gamble. Huo Guang was also the cousin of Crown Prince Liu Ju. [Later historical records state that Crown Prince Liu Ju, having failed in his attempt to use witchcraft, raised troops to resist but was ultimately defeated and killed.]

The crown prince's three sons and one daughter, along with his retainers and subordinates, were almost all executed. Only his infant grandson was spared and imprisoned.

[Afterwards, Emperor Wu investigated and found that the Crown Prince had no intention of rebelling; he had been falsely accused of raising an army in a panic.]

[The entire clan of Yi Jiang was exterminated; Su Wen was burned to death, and all those who pursued the Crown Prince were killed.]

[The Palace of Remembrance and the Terrace of Longing for Return were built in Huxian County, and the whole world mourned.]

[Later, Emperor Wu of Han issued the Luntai Edict of Self-Reproach, emphasizing that only military campaigns were acceptable, not witchcraft!]

Empress Wei Zifu of the Han Dynasty was hastily buried in a small coffin south of the city. Although Emperor Wu of Han later regretted his actions, he never exonerated Liu Ju.

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