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Chapter 195: The Emperor's Captivity
Pei Yun rushed to the Yu Residence, and after several attempts to announce his arrival, he finally gained entry. After much difficulty, he met with Yu Shiji to explain the situation, only to be gently rebuffed.
The reason given was that the current chaos made it impossible to determine whether the Valiant Fruit Army was a rebel force or a rescue contingent. Without concrete evidence, he could not dare to commit such a grave offense.
Pei Yun could hardly believe it. "Are you mad? We are the Emperor's confidants! If we hesitate now, how can His Majesty hope to escape unscathed?"
Yet Yu Shiji remained firm. "The Emperor has not granted me the authority to make decisions on his behalf; I cannot issue orders in his name."
At first, Pei Yun suspected that Yu Shiji might be involved in this matter as well, but he quickly realized that this was simply Yu Shiji's nature—gentle and meticulous, skilled in trivial matters but lacking decisiveness.
Pei Yun leaned back and sighed. "It is a grave mistake to place power in the hands of someone indecisive; His Majesty will surely regret this!"
The Emperor favored Yu Shiji's gentle demeanor, which led him to trust and promote him, but this very trait had cost him his last chance.
Not long after, the palace fell, and the Valiant Fruit Army entered. Such a significant disturbance made the Emperor realize that this was no mere fire. As dawn approached, he hastily changed into a guard's attire and fled towards the West Pavilion.
Pei Qiantong and Sima Dekan led their troops to eliminate any remaining loyalists within the palace, such as Right Tunwei General Dugu Sheng and Thousand Cattle Guard Yuwen Changyuan.
Once there were no loyalists left in the palace, they sent someone to summon Yuwen Huaji and intensified their search for the Emperor. All palace gates were under their control; there was nowhere for the Emperor to escape but into hiding.
The Valiant Fruit Army prowled like cats hunting mice, sniffing around until Linghu Xingda found the Emperor at the West Pavilion. Yang Guang maintained his composure as he slowly removed his guard's robe. "Do you wish to kill me?"
Years of imperial authority compelled Linghu Xingda to bow respectfully. "I would not dare, but I wish only to escort Your Majesty back to Chang'an."
Soon after, Pei Qiantong arrived. The Emperor calmly asked, "You were once my old friend; what hatred drives you to rebel?"
For a moment, Pei Qiantong did not know how to respond. The emperor had treated him well, so he could only bow and say, "I dare not oppose, but the soldiers long to return and wish to take Your Majesty back to the Capital City."
The emperor suppressed his excitement and spoke loudly to the surrounding Valiant Fruit Army, "I wish to return to Chang'an, only waiting for the grain ships from the upper river. Since the soldiers are eager, I shall take you all back!"
These words stirred something in the Valiant Fruit Army. Sovereign Father—killing the emperor and patricide could never be a good thing. If possible, they did not want to bear such a crime.
But soon everyone fell silent because the emperor had repeatedly proven through his actions that his words were not golden promises; he was not a benevolent ruler.
At this moment, dawn broke, and matters came to light. The officials of Jiangdu City were already aware that General Yuwen had brazenly raised an army and had taken control of the entire city, including the fate of the emperor.
Yuwen Huaji was about to enter the palace under his brother's escort. He crouched nervously on horseback; anyone unaware would think he had failed in his uprising and was being taken into the palace for punishment.
But the truth was that Yuwen Huaji had succeeded. Along the way, officials approached to pledge their loyalty, but Yuwen Huaji paid them no mind, muttering repeatedly, "Sin upon sin."
When they arrived at the palace gates, Pei Qiantong and Sima Dekan greeted him. Yuwen Huaji cautiously made his way into the familiar court, where he was pushed to the front by everyone who bowed and said, "We pay our respects to the Chancellor!"
Yuwen Huaji's legs nearly gave way as he almost fell onto the dragon throne. Since his birth, he had committed countless atrocities but had never felt that death was imminent.
Now, inexplicably becoming Chancellor with His Majesty as his captive, he only felt an itch at his neck and constantly wanted to touch his head to ensure it hadn't fallen off.
Yuwen Zhiji, however, was exhilarated. He stood proudly at the front of the ministers and even turned around to look at them disdainfully.
Then came the main event: killing the emperor was easy, but there needed to be a justification to pacify the people; otherwise, everyone would be seen as disloyal and unfilial rebels.
Pei Qiantong went to summon the emperor: "All officials are present in court; Your Majesty must personally come out to reassure them."
The Emperor scoffed, "I want to see which fatherless and kingless wretch dares to plot rebellion. Pei Qing, bring the Horse Evaluator here."
At that moment, finding the Horse Evaluator was no easy task, especially since a plucked phoenix was no better than a chicken. There was no need to exert much effort for an emperor on the verge of death.
He simply selected a steed from the Valiant Fruit Army, not bothering to critique the absence of the Horse Evaluator. He frowned instead, saying, "The saddle is too worn; bring a better one!"
Pei Qiantong still lacked the courage to whip the Emperor and could only remove his own saddle to replace it. Only then did the Emperor mount his horse.
Pei Qiantong did not ride but held the Emperor's reins in one hand while drawing a knife with the other as they exited the palace. The Valiant Fruit Army and Imperial Guards cheered at the sight of the Emperor.
Yang Guang closed his eyes, feeling the sway of his mount beneath him, a slight smile forming on his lips as he reminisced about the beautiful palaces and splendid garments he had enjoyed throughout his life.
Upon reaching the hall, the Emperor showed no intention of dismounting. He wanted to ride into court but was yanked down by Pei Qiantong. The Emperor stumbled but quickly straightened himself, delicately adjusting his dragon robe.
Then he strode inside, just in time to hear Yuwen Huaji exclaim in panic, "There's no need for pleasantries; just kill him quickly!"
Yang Guang halted in shock; he never expected Yuwen Huaji to be calling the shots.
"Hahahahahahaha!"
The Emperor laughed heartily, even shedding tears from mirth. He stepped further inside, pointing at Yuwen Huaji, who was still trying to shield his face with his sleeve, wanting to say something but ultimately shook his head and remained silent.
The Emperor slowly surveyed his ministers, watching them avert their gazes before finally speaking up, "Where are Yu Shiji and Pei Yun?"
"Coldly smiling, Yuwen Zhiji said, 'The head of the tyrant!'
The Emperor nodded in agreement, 'Good, I too need ministers to accompany me in death.'
Then he furrowed his brow and asked, 'What crime have I committed to deserve this?'
The Deputy General of the Valiant Fruit Army, Ma Wenju, replied, 'Your Majesty has abandoned the ancestral temple, wandering endlessly. You engage in external campaigns while indulging in internal extravagance, causing the able-bodied to perish by arrows and blades, while women and the weak are thrown into ditches. The common people have lost their livelihoods, and bandits are rampant. You appoint sycophants exclusively, embellishing wrongdoings and rejecting counsel. How can you claim innocence?'
Yang Guang listened seriously, sighed, and nodded, 'I indeed bear responsibility for the people.'
Hearing him admit his guilt brought joy to everyone present. They were about to continue recounting his transgressions when the Emperor waved his hand and looked at them, saying, 'As for you all, enjoying both honor and wealth, what face do you have to betray me?'
This left the officials speechless. Those who had accompanied the Emperor to Jiangdu were all his confidants and naturally lacked neither glory nor riches; indeed, His Majesty treated them well.
Sima Dekan hurriedly said, 'Your Majesty is the enemy of all under heaven; we are merely following heaven's will and responding to the people's needs.'
Afterward, he instructed Feng Deyi to read out the Emperor's crimes. This was meant to be a proclamation to the world so that everyone would know they were executing a tyrant for the sake of the people rather than usurping power.
……………
(End of Chapter)"
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