The Rebellious Officials and Traitors of the Late Han Dynasty

Chapter 500 How can you frame me!

Liu Bian let go of Liu Xie's hand and turned to face the city gate, his expression calm but with a hint of subtle complexity. Liu Xie stood there, his face pale, his hands trembling slightly, as if he had not yet recovered from the shock.

In the distance, dust was flying and flags were fluttering. Qin Shou's guard of honor was approaching slowly, with golden weapons and iron horses, and a magnificent momentum. The leading cavalry held a large flag with the word "Han" shining brightly in the sun. The atmosphere in front of the city gate suddenly became tense, and all the officials straightened their clothes and stood in awe.

Zhong Yao secretly glanced at Liu Bian and found that he actually straightened his back and looked ahead calmly, without any fear. Zhong Yao sighed in his heart: This former emperor now has such a magnanimous demeanor, he is indeed a great man, but it is a pity that the Mandate of Heaven is no longer with the Han Dynasty.

As the sound of horse hooves approached, Qin Shou's carriage finally appeared in everyone's sight. He was dressed in a brocade robe, wearing a jade crown on his head, with a dignified face and a sharp gaze. When he saw Liu Bian in front of the city gate, a flash of surprise flashed in his eyes, but he quickly regained his composure.

"Your subjects, we pay our respects to the King of Tang!" All the ministers saluted in unison, their voices resounding through the sky.

Qin Shou nodded slightly, but his eyes fell on Liu Bian. He walked forward slowly and said with a smile: "You are in good health, not bad."

After all, he is Liu Bian's stepfather, and because of this, he is more tolerant of him.

Liu Bian smiled slightly, cupped his hands and said, "Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty."

Qin Shou nodded, then turned to Liu Xie and said respectfully, "Your Majesty, I am very grateful to you for coming to greet me in person. I am very overwhelmed."

"The King of Tang has made great contributions and his soldiers have fought bravely on the battlefield. I should go out to welcome them."

Liu Xie's face was stiff, and in addition to fear, there was also a hint of resentment in his heart.

The crowds escorted Qin Shou, Liu Xie and Liu Bian into the city. The streets were already full of people, who were looking around curiously with fanaticism on their faces. The people of Luoyang had the highest degree of faith in Qin Shou.

"Long live! Long live!"

As soon as they saw Qin Shou leading the army to arrive, they immediately cheered and shouted loudly.

"Look, this is the will of the people. The will of the people is with the Tang Dynasty, and this is the will of heaven."

Zhong Yao chuckled.

Gu Yong and others around him also nodded. Now everyone's interests were tied together, and they were all waiting to ennoble their wives and children. Naturally, they were eager for Qin Shou to take a step forward immediately.

After entering the palace, Qin Shoushou held a banquet in the main hall to entertain Liu Bian. During the banquet, there was singing and dancing, and the wine was flowing, but there was an undercurrent. The ministers had their own thoughts and kept stealing glances at the three protagonists from time to time.

After three rounds of drinking, Qin Shou stood up with his cup raised, and said loudly: "Today we are returning to the capital, and the world is about to be unified. My lords, congratulate the Han Dynasty and the world!"

"Your Majesty, I will live forever."

All the ministers shouted.

"Your Majesty, King Tang, I have something to report!" Hua Xin came out at this time and said loudly, "I have seen King Tang's virtue spread to all directions since he ascended the throne, and his benevolence has been beyond the ancient and modern times. The ministers have all said that the Han Dynasty has come to an end. I hope Your Majesty will follow the way of Yao and Shun, and give the throne to King Tang. This will be in line with the will of heaven and the will of the people. Then Your Majesty will enjoy a peaceful and leisurely life, and your ancestors will be blessed! It will be a blessing for all the people! We have agreed and come here to report this request."

Qin Shou, who was standing above, blushed slightly when he heard this. Hua Xin was the only one who could speak so openly about usurping the throne. He even blushed when he heard it.

Li Fu, the Imperial Astronomical Observatory, said: "Since the Tang Emperor ascended the throne, pearls have been presented from the East Sea, strange stones have appeared naturally, rainbows have penetrated the sun, purple clouds have formed dragons and tigers, and the stars have formed the Big Dipper. This is a sign from heaven that the Tang Dynasty will succeed the Han Dynasty."

Liu Xie heard this and the jade cup in his hand fell to the ground with a "smack", and the wine splashed on the hem of his dragon robe. His face was pale, his lips trembled and he could not speak. He could only stare at Hua Xin's flattering face. The hall suddenly became terribly quiet, and even the musicians stopped playing. Everyone's eyes were focused on Liu Xie, waiting for his reaction.

Although Hua Xin had said this in front of him and even agreed to the other party in private, at this moment, in public, in this court, Hua Xin brought up the matter again, which made it difficult for Liu Xie to accept it.

Traitor! How dare you deceive the emperor!

Kong Rong stood up, followed by Dong Cheng, who looked livid. Kong Rong pointed at Hua Xin and said sternly, "How dare you, a flatterer, do such a treasonous thing in the court!"

Dong Cheng even pointed directly at Qin Shou: "Qin Shou! You are called a Han minister, but you are actually a Han traitor! Today, even if I, Dong Cheng, bleed on the throne, I will kill you, the usurper!"

There was chaos in the hall. Qin Shou's trusted generals Xu Chu and Dian Wei immediately drew their swords to protect Qin Shou. Zhong Yao hurriedly stood up and shouted, "Dong Cheng! Are you crazy?!"

Kong Rong turned to face Liu Xie, knelt down and kowtowed: "Your Majesty! How can we give up the four hundred years of foundation of the Han Dynasty? I ask Your Majesty to issue an edict to execute these traitors!"

Qin Shou's face was gloomy, and he stood up slowly: "Kong Wenju, Uncle Dong, what do you two mean? I have fought many battles in the south and the north to unify the world today. Is this how you slander me?"

"I? You thief Qin, there is no one in the world more shameless than you." Kong Rong could not help laughing wildly after hearing this. He did not expect that Qin Shou was so shameless that he dared to call himself "I" before he even usurped the throne.

Liu Xie sat on the dragon throne, holding the armrests tightly with both hands, his knuckles white. His eyes moved back and forth between Qin Shou and Kong Rong, and beads of sweat oozed from his forehead. The air in the hall seemed to freeze, and even the sound of breathing could be clearly heard.

At this tense moment, Liu Bian suddenly stood up. He patted his sleeves lightly and walked slowly to the center of the hall. Everyone's eyes turned to him involuntarily.

"Mr. Wen Ju, Mr. Dong," Liu Bian's voice was not loud, but it was very clear. He said calmly, "The four hundred years of the Han Dynasty should not end here."

Kong Rong and Dong Cheng heard this, a glimmer of hope flashed in their eyes. Qin Shou narrowed his eyes and stared at Liu Bian warily.

However, Liu Bian's next words stunned everyone.

"But destiny is unpredictable, and only the virtuous can rule it. The King of Tang pacified the troubled times and saved the people from disaster. This is the will of heaven. Why do you two have to go against heaven?"

Liu Xie stood up suddenly and looked at his brother in disbelief: "Brother! You..."

Liu Bian turned and looked at Liu Xie, his eyes revealing mixed emotions: "Brother, the lives of the people are the most important."

A hint of surprise flashed across Qin Shou's eyes, and then he burst into laughter: "Great! What a great saying that the people of the world are the most important! King Hongnong is indeed very righteous!"

Kong Rong was so angry that he was shaking all over: "Liu Bian! You are a relative of the Han Dynasty, and you actually said such treasonous words!"

Dong Cheng even held up the wine pot and shouted: "Today I will enforce justice on behalf of heaven!"

As he said this, he was about to rush towards Qin Shou.

"presumptuous!"

Xu Chu shouted loudly and stood in front of Qin Shou. Dian Wei took a step forward and pressed Dong Cheng to the ground.

(End of this chapter)