gnovel Chapter 3: The murderer is Liu Ju!
Chapter 3: The murderer is Liu Ju!
Ganquan Palace was originally the Linguang Palace of the Qin Dynasty, which served as the starting point of the Qin Straight Road.
Located on the sunny side of the Jing River and backed by Ganquan Mountain, it has historically been a northern fortress that shields Guanzhong.
During the reign of Emperor Wu of Han, Ganquan Palace was continuously expanded. It had a circumference of 19 li and 120 steps, with 12 palaces and 11 platforms. It was a grand palace and not only a royal summer resort, but also a place for holding national sacrifices, assemblies with feudal lords, and handling military and political affairs. All officials had their own residences.
Ganquan Palace had its own guards, and whenever Emperor Wu of Han went on tours, he was always accompanied by the Imperial Guards and the Imperial Guards, making it heavily guarded.
"Da da da! Da da da!"
Liu Ju rode swiftly from Chang'an, accompanied by only a dozen or so attendants, and hurried along the imperial road to Ganquan Palace.
Along the way, the post station officials prepared clean water and fodder, providing assistance to the best of their ability.
It was a crisp autumn day, with the earth bathed in golden hues. The palace buildings at the foot of Ganquan Mountain came into view, a sight to behold.
"Your Highness."
"We've arrived at Ganquan Palace."
The Crown Prince's guards hurriedly stepped forward to report.
"Um."
Nodding slightly, Liu Ju gazed at the Ganquan Palace not far away, a ripple stirring in his heart.
In the winter of the third year of the Houyuan era (141 BC), the Xiongnu, Wuhuan and other tribes took advantage of the chaos caused by the Seven Kings Rebellion, which led to the withdrawal of border troops and the weakening of border defenses. They broke into the Guanzhong Plain from Longxi, encountered no large-scale resistance along the way, and went straight to Ganquan Palace, where they set fire to and looted.
The fire lasted for three days and three nights, destroying a large number of royal books, ritual objects, and portraits of emperors from past dynasties stored in the palace. Emperor Jing of Han regarded it as the greatest disgrace of his life.
In the fourth year of the Yuanshou era (119 BC), Emperor Wu of Han personally went to Ganquan Palace to supervise the battle. Wei Qing led an army of 500,000 deep into the northern desert, intending to annihilate the main force of the Xiongnu and completely eliminate the threat of the Xiongnu to the Han Dynasty. However, Zhao Xin, a surrendered Xiongnu general, defected on the spot and turned his guns on Ganquan Palace.
Left with no other choice, Wei Qing mobilized troops to rescue the emperor without imperial decree, thereby losing the trust of Emperor Wu of Han, Liu Che, and never leading troops into battle again.
Ganquan Palace held great significance for the royal family, but for the Wei family and Wei Qing himself, it was an unspeakable source of pain.
"Who goes there?"
The Han guards patrolling around Ganquan Palace noticed Liu Ju and his party and cautiously approached to inquire.
"I am Liu Ju, the Crown Prince of the Han Dynasty, and I have come to pay my respects."
"Still not letting them through?"
Liu Ju took out the Crown Prince's seal and shouted loudly.
"Greetings, Your Highness the Crown Prince."
The guards dismounted and saluted, and the Ganquan Guard Commander, who was on duty at the palace, ordered the palace gates to be opened.
At least for now, Crown Prince Liu Ju's power and status are second only to Emperor Wu of Han, Liu Che, and no one dares to slack off in the slightest.
Where is Jiang Chong, the Imperial Censor in Embroidered Robes?
Liu Ju spurred his horse forward and entered Ganquan Palace, looking down at the Ganquan Guard Commandant with a blank expression.
"Your Highness."
"Jiang Chong, the Imperial Censor in Embroidered Robes, served the Emperor."
"This humble general will lead Your Highness to find him immediately."
The Commandant of Ganquan was quick-witted and, without saying a word, led the way.
"drive!"
Seeing this, Liu Ju remained expressionless, and the group followed the Commandant of Ganquan into the Han Dynasty's detached palace.
A moment later, a figure appeared before everyone, dressed in colorful silk robes, with a handsome face that looked more like a woman than a man. It was Jiang Chong, the newly promoted Imperial Censor by Emperor Wu of Han, Liu Che.
"Greetings, Your Highness the Crown Prince."
Jiang Chong bowed respectfully twice, then stood up and stood aside.
"So you are Jiang Chong, the Imperial Censor in Embroidered Robes?"
Liu Ju dismounted, his sharp eyes sweeping over the middle-aged man before him.
"Your Highness."
Jiang Chong bowed his head, not daring to say anything more.
Where are they?
Liu Ju said indifferently.
"The edict of Order B clearly states: 'The feudal lords are permitted to travel on the side roads if they are allowed to travel in the center of the imperial road, but they are not allowed to travel within three zhang of the center. If this order is not followed, their carriages and horses shall be confiscated.'"
"As the Crown Prince of the Han Dynasty, His Highness the Crown Prince should not knowingly break the law."
Jiang Chong responded with a lukewarm remark.
In an instant, the atmosphere froze. Without exception, all the prince's attendants revealed fierce eyes. "A subject dies for his master's dishonor." Jiang Chong's words were undoubtedly a provocation against the prince's authority.
Even the Commandant of Ganquan was somewhat bewildered. Jiang Chong was just a minor Imperial Censor. Who gave him the audacity to treat the Crown Prince like this?
"My retainer has been driving carriages and horses on the imperial road without authorization. According to regulations, this violates the laws of the Han Dynasty and should be severely punished."
"Do you know what law you have broken?"
What?
Jiang Chong was stunned, not understanding why.
"As the Crown Prince, I have no obligation to send my retainers to the authorities for committing crimes. The Bowang Garden has its own laws and regulations."
"Even His Majesty cannot interfere in my family affairs."
"And you, a mere embroidered-robe censor, who gave you the audacity to question the Crown Prince of the Han Dynasty?"
"Jiang Chong, do you know your crime?"
Liu Ju said coldly.
"hiss!!!"
Everyone present gasped in shock, realizing that questioning the Crown Prince was a grave offense.
After the crown prince undergoes his coming-of-age ceremony at the age of 15, he moves into the Crown Prince's Palace to live independently and begin participating in political affairs; this is a right belonging to the heir apparent.
Even though Emperor Wu of Han, Liu Che, disliked Crown Prince Liu Ju's extensive recruitment of dissidents with differing political views as guests at the Bowang Garden, he could not intervene.
The Crown Prince's palace held a transcendent status, and the Crown Prince's guests were equivalent to his household servants, subject to the Crown Prince's laws and regulations, rather than being handled by the local government.
However, the Crown Prince has always presented a gentle and mild-mannered image and strictly abided by the laws of the country, which is why people have overlooked this aspect.
"Your Highness the Crown Prince."
"this....."
Jiang Chong's eyes showed some panic; he hadn't expected Liu Ju to be so aggressive today.
"hehe."
Seeing the change in Jiang Chong's expression, Liu Ju suddenly smiled. His gaze swept over the colorful silk robes Jiang Chong was wearing, which were bright and eye-catching. These were the robes of supreme power granted by Emperor Wu of Han, Liu Che, but they were also mourning clothes.
"It seems you still don't realize you're wrong."
As he spoke, Liu Ju, the crown prince of the Han Empire, drew his sword from his waist, the blade flashing like a rainbow over autumn water, illuminating the eyes of everyone present.
"Your Highness!"
The Commandant of Ganquan's expression changed drastically.
What?
Everyone present turned pale, and Jiang Chong was terrified.
"Jiang Chong, the Imperial Censor in Embroidered Robes, has overstepped his authority and committed treason."
"He should be executed!"
Before he finished speaking, Liu Ju had already swung his sword and beheaded Jiang Chong.
"Pfft!"
The moment the head hit the ground, bright red blood gushed from the neck, staining the ground crimson, a sight that sent chills down one's spine.
The Ganquan Palace was completely silent; even the wind had stopped.
Only the prince, holding a knife, stood upright, while the corpse on the ground was still warm.
"Wei Weiwei"
"Go and report to Father Emperor."
"The murderer is Liu Ju!"
Liu Ju calmly sheathed his sword and spoke.
"promise."
Gan Quan Weiwei barely managed to regain his senses and walked unsteadily toward the white jade steps, his heart churning with turmoil.
The Crown Prince killing someone is not a big deal in itself, but the fact that he killed an Imperial Censor in Embroidered Robes is a major incident that could cause a huge uproar.
The Embroidered-Robe Censors are personally appointed by His Majesty to serve as his vanguard. No one dares to offend them easily, let alone kill them.