xymnovel Chapter 4: Escorting the Emperor
Chapter 4: Escorting the Emperor
The hall was somewhat noisy, with a group of ministers below the imperial steps still discussing the auspicious sign of the sweet dew.
However, the people near the imperial steps looked at each other in bewilderment after Li Ang's words, unsure of what to say.
This is because his statement is rather far-fetched.
Since Emperor Suzong's reign, the Southern Palace Guards have fallen into disuse and their numbers have continued to shrink.
Even the core imperial guards, such as the Golden Guard, now number only a little over a thousand, divided into the left and right guards, with each guard having only five or six hundred men.
Although in name the Golden Guards still take turns guarding both inside and outside the palace, their numbers are so small that they can only serve as a ceremonial guard.
If we really want to deal with any unexpected events, we have to rely on the Shence Army stationed in the northwest of the capital.
The so-called responsibility of guarding the outer city and dealing with unexpected events is just a nominal title; it has long since lost its actual function.
Everyone was confused about the emperor's intentions, and Li Xun couldn't help but frown.
At this point, the plan had reached a critical juncture.
The more time is wasted, the more likely an accident will occur.
He was naturally very reluctant to create any unnecessary complications.
The problem is that if the emperor insists on fighting this battle and someone notices something amiss, things will get even worse.
Fortunately, Li Xun was quick-witted and came up with an idea in a short time, then cupped his hands in greeting.
"Your Majesty, I believe it is permissible to order..."
"Li Xun, you know that the heavenly dew is a great event that requires careful verification. Yet, I ordered you to personally lead dozens of officials from two provinces to investigate, and you could only report back that you dared not confirm it. Such dereliction of duty and ignorance—what use are you to me?"
Before he could finish speaking, Li Ang interrupted him, looking extremely impatient.
This caught everyone in the imperial court somewhat off guard.
Although they could all see that after all this commotion, the emperor was beginning to lose patience.
But after all, Li Xun was the prime minister, and a favorite minister whom the emperor had personally promoted.
It was quite surprising that the emperor would rebuke him so ruthlessly in this situation.
Li Xun's reaction was different from the others.
His expression showed not only surprise but also a hint of astonishment.
Among everyone present, only he knew what today's viewing of the sweet dew meant. Naturally, he was caught off guard by the emperor's sudden outburst of anger.
But it is precisely this kind of reaction that makes it feel real.
Li Xun had always been at odds with the eunuchs. Seeing him being reprimanded like this, Qiu Shiliang's eyes flickered slightly, and he immediately spoke up.
"Minister Li has performed such an incompetent task that he has angered His Majesty. Why don't you quickly apologize?"
His tone was somewhat stern, even carrying a hint of schadenfreude.
Li Xun's body stiffened slightly, his mind a jumble of thoughts, but he quickly calmed down.
Although he still didn't understand what the emperor was thinking, if they continued arguing in the current situation, it would definitely arouse Qiu Shiliang's suspicion.
So he had no choice but to suppress his doubts and bow.
"Your Majesty, I am ashamed and beg for your punishment."
Li Ang finally breathed a sigh of relief.
He was genuinely afraid that Li Xun would continue to argue with him stubbornly.
If I'm not mistaken, in the scenario just now, in order for the plan to be executed smoothly, Li Xun would definitely have suggested that Chen Junshang and Qiu Shiliang go to inspect it together.
Once he said that, it would be too obvious for Li Ang to find a reason to refuse.
Fortunately, Li Xun was smart enough not to let Qiu Shiliang figure anything out.
Li Ang, his face still cold, waved his hand and ignored Li Xun, saying only...
"Send someone to have Chen Junshang verify the authenticity of the nectar, and then report back to the palace."
A messenger arrived from the side, having received the imperial decree, and departed.
Not long after, a middle-aged general in his thirties appeared at the palace gate.
"Your subject, Chen Junshang, General of the Right Golden Guard, pays his respects to Your Majesty."
This man was dressed in military uniform, with a resolute face and a tall stature; the description "broad-shouldered and thick-waisted" would be entirely accurate.
"Rise and come forward."
Li Ang nodded slightly, summoned Chen Junshang to the imperial steps, and asked.
"This morning at court, Han Yue reported that sweet dew had fallen at the Imperial Guard's residence. I ordered you to go and investigate. What are the results?"
The nectar in the courtyard of the Golden Guard was certainly not fake.
Otherwise, Li Xun would not have dared to lead officials from the two provinces to inspect the site.
His reply that he was unsure was intended to argue with Han Yue and bring down the eunuch faction led by Qiu Shiliang.
Chen Junshang, unaware of what had happened beforehand and the schemes of Li Xun and his group, naturally answered truthfully.
"Your Majesty, I have been ordered to inspect the palace. Indeed, sweet dew is falling from the pomegranate tree in the left palace courtyard. It tastes sweet and smells fragrant; it is not a deception!"
"Oh?"
Li Ang was now half relieved.
With Chen Junshang's arrival, his plan to turn the tide became 50% successful.
The next step is to lure Qiu Shiliang there, according to the plan previously devised by Li Xun and the others.
So he immediately put on a displeased expression and turned his head to say.
"Li Xun, General Chen and you went to investigate one after the other. He said the dew was real, but you said the authenticity of the dew was unknown. Who is lying and deceiving us?"
The tone of his words carried a hint of dissatisfaction, but he was not truly angry.
Li Xun was quite clever and immediately realized that this was a good opportunity, so he quickly bowed and paid his respects.
"Your Majesty is wise. I would never dare to deceive you. When I examined it just now, the so-called sweet dew was indeed not much different from ordinary dew. Therefore, I could not be sure."
"Now that General Han and General Chen both say it is the real nectar, and we each hold our own opinion, we cannot reach a conclusion. I dare to ask Your Majesty to send a prudent minister to the Left Guard Courtyard to retrieve the nectar for us to examine in person."
It must be said that Li Xun does have some acting skills.
This performance successfully left everyone somewhat bewildered and uncertain.
Seeing this, Li Ang pondered for a moment, then turned to the side and said.
"Since Han Yue was the first to report this matter... Qiu Shiliang, Yu Hongzhi, you two take men and go with Han Yue to retrieve the sweet dew. I want to inspect it in person."
These words were spoken calmly, but the hearts of everyone in the know, including Li Ang, instantly leaped into their throats.
All their painstaking efforts and planning were for this moment.
If we can lure Qiu Shiliang and the others out, success will be within reach!
After the series of groundwork laid, Qiu Shiliang and Yu Hongzhi were indeed curious about the authenticity of the nectar.
As for security... they never thought the emperor would take action against them, these "meritorious officials," at this time.
They never imagined that a mere few hundred men from the Jinwu Guard would dare to ambush them, two lieutenants of the Shence Army who commanded tens of thousands of troops.
Therefore, the two did not suspect anything and quickly bowed down together, saying...
"Your humble servant obeys."
After saying this, they led a group of eunuch confidants down the imperial steps and headed towards the left wing of the Imperial Guard with Han Yue.
Watching Qiu Shiliang and the others disappear at the palace gate, Li Xun finally breathed a sigh of relief, but he did not let his guard down.
To eliminate two Shence Army lieutenants in one fell swoop, such a major undertaking naturally requires the mobilization of numerous forces.
At this time, the officials and soldiers of the Prefect of Jingzhao and the Censorate were waiting on both sides of the square, while the officials and soldiers of Taiyuan and Binning were lined up in full armor outside Danfeng Gate.
Next, once Qiu Shiliang and his men entered the gate of the Left Guard of the Imperial Guard, troops could be mobilized to enter the palace, seal off the Left Guard, and completely eliminate any possibility of his escape.
According to the Tang system, the officers and soldiers of each town were directly under the jurisdiction of the military governor.
Therefore, after confirming that Qiu Shiliang had left, Li Xun didn't even have time to report. He immediately turned around, walked down the imperial steps, and came to the Jiedushi Wang Fan and Guo Xingyu, and said.
"His Majesty has commanded you two to step forward immediately and receive the imperial edict!"
However, to his surprise, at this critical moment, the two military governors who had already agreed to join him in eliminating the eunuchs hesitated and stood still.
Just as his heart sank and he was about to urge them on, a sharp sound of porcelain shattering suddenly came from behind him.
Immediately, the emperor's voice, filled with shock and anger, came from behind him.
"Assassins! Imperial Guards, come forward immediately to protect the Emperor!"