The Revolt of the Three Feudatories: All-in at the start in Beijing

Chapter 183 Liu Mu: Wang Fuchen, why are you rebelling against me?

Liu Mu did not get out of the sedan chair. Chang Le Gate was spacious enough that the sedan chair entered the city without any hindrance and only stopped at the imperial palace in the center of the city.

As the western capital, Chang'an did have an imperial palace, but to save money, the area was simply fenced off, and inside were various trees, a large hall, and living quarters.

Inside the main hall, Liu Mu ate his oil-splashed noodles with gusto, occasionally popping a clove of garlic into his mouth. Zhao Ning, however, sat with his bottom pressed against half a stool, not daring to move an inch.

Along the way, Liu Mu was in the middle, while Pan Feng led the Imperial City Guard spies, who, after disguising themselves, began their investigation.

Surprisingly, apart from a few bad apples, most officials were law-abiding, and the military rations allocated for the army's expedition next year were all deposited into the granaries.

Those few bad apples were all graduates of the Imperial Examination system, and they had committed serious crimes, such as assisting newly emerging gentry in seizing farmland from ordinary people or illegally occupying state-owned mines. Their crimes were unforgivable.

Those with good conduct, on the other hand, were scholars who, though lacking in outstanding qualities, kept accurate accounts and were more popular among the people.

Liu Mu guessed that those who became tribute students spent their entire lives in the examination hall, and if they didn't embezzle, even with the high salaries of the Han Dynasty, they wouldn't be able to break even.

On the other hand, those scholars who failed the imperial examinations before were from poor families. Even if they were in debt, they managed to pay it off through frugality.

After finishing his oil-splashed noodles, Liu Mu felt refreshed and looked at Zhao Ning, who was sitting restlessly to the side, with an approving gaze.

This guy was also a scholar, and he went to the northern desert on his own initiative. He managed things in an orderly manner and spared no effort in educating the Mongols.

At that time, the Northwest was short of three governors. Liu Mu did not trust the Manchu scholars who had passed the imperial examinations, so he specially approved Zhao Ning.

"Minister Zhao, there's no need to be so tense. Wang Fuchen's treason is purely a matter of ambition and has nothing to do with you!"

"You've governed Guanzhong very well. I just entered the city and saw that the people have rosy complexions and are doing quite well. Keep up the good work, and I'll give you another promotion!"

Liu Mu said this, but in fact, the Imperial City Guard spies had already investigated Guanzhong thoroughly in advance.

People are not saying they can eat their fill every day, but at least they are no longer as poorly clothed and displaced as before!

It's not Zhao Ning's fault that he's not getting enough to eat!

In times when grain production didn't break records, people rarely had days when they could eat their fill.

Seeing that Zhao Ning was still restless, Liu Mu knew that he was still thinking about Wang Fuchen, so he waved his hand.

"Bring Wang Fuchen and his generals up here."

Yes, Wang Fuchen was encountered by Liu Mu when he passed through Tongguan. Since it was difficult to deal with him on the road, Liu Mu took him into his entourage.

In less than a quarter of an hour, Wang Fuchen, with disheveled hair and wearing shackles and chains, walked into the main hall step by step.

Looking at Wang Fuchen's current state, Liu Mu saw a stark contrast to his confident and spirited demeanor when they first met. But betrayal is betrayal; back then, they had raised a glass and sworn an oath.

Thinking of this, Liu Mu picked up his wine glass.

"Oh, it's the Qin Emperor!"

Hearing Liu Mu's humiliating words, Wang Fuchen felt a little embarrassed, but his will to live was still strong, so he crawled forward on the ground.

"Your Majesty, this humble subject was also misled by that scoundrel Zu Zeqing. He already holds the high position of Marquis and Governor-General of a region in the Han Dynasty. This humble subject truly has no intention of rebelling!"

Even if you don't want to rebel, you're still rebelling, aren't you?

Thinking of this, Liu Mu immediately smashed the wine glass in front of him, his face terribly gloomy.

"You, the Marquis of Pingliang and Governor-General of Hanzhong, with 30,000 elite troops at your command, did Zu Zeqing force you?"

Liu Mu was always sincere to everyone. Even with the Fan family, he only confiscated their property and did not exterminate them.

Unexpectedly, what I received in return was betrayal.

How can one not be angry?

Upon hearing this and seeing the emperor's demeanor, Wang Fuchen knew he was doomed, so he stepped forward again.

"Your Majesty, Zu Zeqing and this traitor have jointly written a proclamation denouncing the rebellion. If we send someone to negotiate, Zu Zeqing will have no choice but to surrender to our Great Han if he doesn't want to fight on two fronts!"

When a person is about to die, his words are also good.

Wang Fuchen simply wanted to preserve the bloodline.

But betrayal is a dangerous thing; once it happens, it will happen again. There's no guarantee that his son won't seek revenge.

As the territory of the Han Dynasty expands and more immigrants arrive, there will be more places where rebellion can take place. It's quite possible that the one who destroys the Han Dynasty will be someone with the surname Wang.

Thinking of this, Liu Mu immediately hardened his heart.

"Wang Fuchen, I have treated you well, and I have a clear conscience!"

Upon hearing this, Wang Fuchen sighed and lowered his head. The emperor's meaning was clear: there was no room for gratitude, and the emperor intended to exterminate them all.

Liu Mu waved his hand.

Liu Dingbian came to Wang Fuchen's side.

"please!"

Liu Dingbian would definitely be the first to lift anyone else, but Wang Fuchen is tall and strong, so he can't lift him!

After everyone left, Liu Mu looked at the generals.

"Although you were accomplices, your crimes are still heinous. Out of consideration for our past relationship as ruler and subjects, I will spare your lives!"

"You are demoted to centurions and sent to Shuofang to join the army!"

"Is it safe to take?"

Upon hearing this, the generals exchanged glances and realized that this was already the best treatment they could receive, so they all knelt down.

"Thank you, Your Majesty, for sparing my life!"

Just then, the sound of a knife striking flesh came from outside the hall, and several generals shuddered.

A short while later, Liu Dingbian came in carrying a plate covered with a red cloth, the blood of which had already seeped through the cloth.

"Your Majesty, Wang Fuchen's head is here!"

Seeing this, Liu Mu covered his forehead. This honest man was both good and bad. If you want to kill him, then kill him. Why bring him in?

So he quickly waved.

"Have the best craftsmen mend the head, then find a wasteland outside the city and bury it!"

"Send someone back to the capital: a direct descendant of the Wang family, to be given poisoned wine!"

Zhen wine is poisoned wine that allows people to die without pain, which can be considered a kind of grace from the emperor.

Just then, Zhou Peigong walked in.

"Your Majesty, it's time to depart for Changling!"

Liu Mu nodded upon hearing this, and walked out of the main hall without looking back. It was already almost dark.

Changling is five or six hours away from Xi'an, and the journey takes even longer as the sacrificial procession requires carrying many more items.

The best time for the sacrifice is at Chenshi (7-9 AM), so one needs to travel the night before and wait until the sun rises and an incense stick has burned before the sacrifice can be performed.

Not long after, Liu Mu, dressed in the emperor's ceremonial robes, entered the sedan chair again. This was a sacrifice to the ancestors, with a scale equivalent to worshipping heaven and earth, and only by wearing this set could it be in accordance with regulations.

To ensure visibility at night, the Imperial Guards and soldiers of the Imperial City Guard spread out torches to illuminate the entire main street of Chang'an.

Liu Mu opened the window and saw a large number of people carrying large and small bags coming out of their houses.

They followed voluntarily.

Because the Han people are their backbone!

Compared to other places, the people of Guanzhong respected Liu Bang more than the people of Chu.

Liu Mu waved to Liu Dingbian.

"Take good care of the people along the way, provide them with plenty of light, and execute anyone who harasses them without mercy!"