novelAbuy Chapter 16: A Mysterious Cloud: The Truth Behind the Death of the Champion Marquis!
Chapter 16: A Mysterious Cloud: The Truth Behind the Death of the Champion Marquis!
"Gentlemen!"
Liu Ju turned his gaze to the twenty-nine surviving wandering knights and said calmly, "Knights use their martial arts to break the law."
"First there was Guo Jie, then Zhu Anshi; both were traitors."
"Those executed by the Crown Prince's Palace today were all wandering knights-errant who broke the law, violated discipline, and acted recklessly."
"Only you have always maintained your integrity, never engaging in any corrupt practices, nor violating the laws of the Han Dynasty."
"Should I call you clever, or foolish?"
*Thud!*
The twenty-nine wandering knights knelt on the ground, not daring to raise their heads, trembling with fear.
More than three hundred wandering knights who had been together day and night were beheaded in an instant. The thick smell of blood in the air would probably not dissipate for at least half a month. How could they not be afraid?
"Tell me about it."
"Whose people are you all on?"
"Or rather, who is providing you with gold and silver behind the scenes?"
Looking around at the crowd, Liu Ju's eyes were like those of a hawk, as if he had already seen through the twenty-nine wandering knights in front of him.
However, the wandering knights present kept their heads down, not daring to even breathe loudly, let alone anyone would step forward to admit their identity.
"Zhang He".
"I'm leaving this to you."
Liu Ju did not continue to pay attention to them, and strode back into the hall with his hands behind his back.
"Do you still intend to remain so stubborn?"
Immediately, Zhang He stepped forward, meeting the gazes of the twenty-nine wandering knights, and coldly shouted: "Those executed today, all their property confiscated, and their relatives sent to Hexi to serve in the army—do you also wish for this?"
"Even if you don't think about yourselves, you should think about your families. Can they endure the hardship of traveling?"
"I...I'll talk."
The first ranger stood up.
Then, one after another, the wandering knights stood up and admitted their true identities.
The twenty-nine people present came from more than a dozen different factions, including princes, nobles, imperial relatives, and powerful officials of the court.
"Your Highness."
Zhang He respectfully entered the hall, holding the silk scroll.
"Um."
Liu Ju took the silk book from his hand without hesitation and examined it carefully.
Before long, the face of this Han crown prince turned a mixture of blue and purple, and he said with self-deprecation, "I, the crown prince, am quite the eye-catching one."
"King of Qi, King of Yan, King of Guangling, King of Liang, King of Zhongshan, King of Changshan, Princess Pingyang, Princess Longlu, Lord Xiucheng, Marquis Gai, and the Li family of Longxi."
Liu Hong, the Prince of Qi, Liu Dan, the Prince of Yan, and Liu Xu, the Prince of Guangling, were all half-brothers of Liu Ju and were strong contenders for the position of crown prince.
The Liang royal family has held the reins of power among the princes since the reign of Emperor Jing of Han. The current Liang king, Liu Xiang, is the grandson of Liu Wu, the King Xiao of Liang. According to later records, he sat on the throne of Liang for forty years and was known for his exceptional talent and character.
Liu Chang, the King of Zhongshan, was the son of Liu Sheng, the Prince of Zhongshan. The Zhongshan Kingdom ranked third among the vassal states of the Western Han Dynasty in terms of the number of registered households. Its territory covered 14 counties in central Hebei today, and it was a powerful state. Liu Sheng had more than 120 descendants, one of whom was Liu Quli, the prime minister who framed Crown Prince Liu Ju during the witchcraft incident.
Liu Shun, the Prince of Changshan, was the youngest and most beloved son of Emperor Jing of Han. His mother, Wang Maoxu, was the full sister of Wang Zhi, the mother of Emperor Wu of Han. He was arrogant, lazy, and promiscuous, and repeatedly violated the law.
Wang Chong'er's father, Wang Xin, was the elder brother of Wang Maoxu and Wang Zhi. Wang Chong'er also married Princess Eyi, the daughter of Emperor Wu of Han.
Princess Longlu was the youngest daughter of Wang Zhi and the younger sister of Emperor Wu of Han, Liu Che. She married Chen Jiao, the second son of Princess Guantao, and gave birth to a son named Zhaoping Jun. She married Princess Yi'an, the daughter of Emperor Wu of Han. From a young age, she was spoiled and disregarded etiquette.
Xiu Chengjun Jin Su was Emperor Wu of Han's half-sister, enjoying all the privileges of a princess. Her daughters married into the families of various princes, and her son Xiu Chengzi Zhong is the current Xiu Chengjun, known for his flamboyant behavior.
The Li family of Longxi were descendants of Li Xin, a famous general of the Qin Dynasty. They rose to prominence during the reign of Li Guang, and their influence extended throughout the army.
The youngest son, Li Gan, followed the champion, Marquis Jingheng, Huo Qubing, and made military achievements. He was granted the title of Marquis of Guannei. He was later shot and killed by Huo Qubing for injuring Wei Qing.
There was a grandson named Li Ling, who was skilled in riding and archery. He was promoted by Emperor Wu of Han, Liu Che, to the positions of Attendant-in-Ordinary and Supervisor of Jianzhang Palace.
"Your Highness the Crown Prince."
"These wandering knights..."
Zhang He's face was filled with murderous intent; he undoubtedly deeply resented these spies who had been arranged by others to infiltrate his territory.
"Don't rush to kill."
Liu Ju interrupted him: "The origins of these people are clear."
"After this incident, the forces behind it will surely become more vigilant."
"To them, these people may no longer be of much value."
"But for us, the existence of these people is precisely the best way to understand those forces."
"What does Your Highness mean?"
Zhang He looked up at Crown Prince Liu Ju, somewhat puzzled.
"In the sixth year of the Yuanshou era (117 BC), Huo Qubing, the then Grand Marshal and Marquis of Jingheng, submitted a memorial to His Majesty requesting that a prince be enfeoffed."
"The court officials seconded the decision, and the emperor's second son Liu Hong, third son Liu Dan, and fourth son Liu Xu were all granted titles on the same day."
"Liu Hong was the King of Qi. He was enfeoffed at the age of eight and did not go to Chang'an to pay homage during his eight years on the throne. In the sixth year of Yuanding (111 BC), Bu Shi, the former prime minister of Qi, was transferred to the central government as the Grand Censor. Liu Dan, the King of Yan, and Liu Xu, the King of Guangling, were born of the same mother."
"The struggle for the throne is different from the struggle for family property; the three princes can be said to hate their cousin to the bone."
"The Li family of Longxi finally produced Li Gan, who was enfeoffed as a Marquis within the Pass, but he died at the hands of the Champion Marquis Jingheng."
"Gu Yuan believes that these four families must be implicated in his cousin's death."
"But now it seems that too many forces are involved."
With a cold and sharp gaze, Liu Ju spoke each word clearly.
boom!!!
Upon hearing this, Zhang He's face paled in shock, a chill running down his spine.
Marquis Huo Qubing died in the sixth year of Yuanshou (117 BC). His body, which was transported back to Chang'an, was found to be highly poisonous. The palace physicians determined that he had contracted an epidemic and speculated that the Xiongnu had poisoned the water source. This matter is shrouded in doubt.
Huo Qubing led many expeditions with a large number of Xiongnu guides and physicians, so how could he not have noticed this?
Moreover, in the sixth year of Yuanshou (117 BC), Emperor Wu of Han was preparing to mobilize troops again to completely annihilate the main force of the Xiongnu Chanyu Yizhixie because the Chanyu refused to submit to the Han. Huo Qubing, who was twenty-four years old at the time, was in his prime.
If so many forces were involved in this matter, then it would not be difficult to explain the cause of Huo Qubing's death.
If the involvement of so many princes, princesses, and powerful military families like the Li clan of Longxi were to be exposed, it would unleash a bloodbath throughout the entire Han Empire.
"I never expected that my aunt would send someone to the Crown Prince's palace."
"What exactly do you think she wants to do?"
Suddenly, Liu Ju's two sentences sent chills down Zhang He's spine.
Princess Pingyang is the current emperor's elder sister and the wife of Marquis Changping, Wei Qing. From Emperor Wu's perspective, she is the aunt of Crown Prince Liu Ju, and from Wei Qing's perspective, she is his maternal aunt. No matter which relationship she has, it is not simple.
Why would someone like her actively plant her confidants in the Crown Prince's palace? Is she plotting against the Crown Prince, or does she have some other motive?
Even whether the death of Huo Qubing, the Marquis of Jingheng, was related to Princess Pingyang is something no one dares to think about further.
"Zhang He".
"Go and gather these people under your control."
"Let's see how we can use it to our advantage."
"promise."
Zhang He immediately agreed and went to make the arrangements.
"aunt."
"Please don't do anything foolish!"
Liu Ju stared intently in the direction of the General's Mansion, a ruthless killing intent flashing in his eyes.
PS: Jianzhang Supervisor, in charge of the Imperial Guards stationed at Jianzhang Palace. Wei Qing once held this position.