Chapter Forty-Five: Loyalty Beyond Words!
The emperor is one who holds the mandate of heaven in his mouth and the royal scepter in his hand.
Some say the emperor is the Son of Heaven, ruling on behalf of the heavens over the people, sheltering all under heaven.
At first, Wu An thought this was nonsense. But after witnessing the wars in Hexi, he began to realize that for those illiterate commoners, the thought of the emperor’s protection was perhaps a kind of solace at the brink of death.
The Eastern Palace lies to the east of the Taiji Palace, bordered to the north by the Western Inner Garden and to the south by the urban area of Chang’an city.
Within the entire city of Chang’an, compared to the filthy, barren, and impoverished districts, the Eastern Palace was the region where faith in the emperor was weakest.
The officials, clerks, and servants within the Eastern Palace all belonged to the Crown Prince’s household and assets.
Conversations within were hard to leak outside, but the outside world certainly knew who entered the Eastern Palace to speak with the Crown Prince; Wu An himself had a legitimate reason—searching.
The Son of Heaven intended to use him to give the Crown Prince a hard time. Even if it was known that Wu An entered the Eastern Palace, it would be assumed he was preparing for future matters.
Wu An brought many snacks, including homemade ones—his two concubines were formerly palace maids, skilled in both service and other matters, and after a single lesson from Wu An, they learned quickly.
Princess Taiping’s daily diet was strictly regulated. When she first saw so many delicious snacks, she immediately dropped her reserve, puffing out her cheeks, eager to try everything.
The most favored princess of the Tang Dynasty’s favor +1.
Wu An then cheerfully shared some amusing news from outside, prompting the young princess to finally laugh aloud, her curved eyes sparkling with delight.
This warrior seemed rough and uncouth but was skilled in cooking and storytelling, and handsome too—a rare talent!
The Crown Prince sat nearby watching their interaction and suddenly felt uneasy, interrupting: “Be careful with your teeth. After eating, make sure to rinse your mouth properly.”
“You’re so annoying,” the princess rolled her eyes, snatching a few oil-paper wrapped snacks to eat as she walked away, farther and farther.
The Crown Prince fell silent for a moment. Since his sister had left, he no longer needed to use the excuse of “escaping to the latrine” to speak with Wu An. Yet, strangely, he felt even more displeased.
“Everyone keep an eye on Her Highness. Don’t let her fall, and definitely don’t let her eat too much.”
With a wave of his hand, the few remaining maidservants hurriedly turned and followed after her.
“I heard from Your Royal Uncle that you wished to see me,”
Though it was the Crown Prince who, through the King of Han, summoned Wu An, Wu An did not deny it but nodded: “I believe Your Highness is aware. By imperial decree, I have been tasked with thoroughly investigating the corrupt officials Hao Chujun and others—not only for bribery and corruption but to uncover any ties they have with Tibetan spies.”
“Not to mention that Master Hao and Lord Xue have long held virtuous reputations in our dynasty, serving diligently for many years and contributing greatly to the Tang and the court...”
The Crown Prince sneered coldly:
“Let’s just say the Hao and Xue families are great clans of our Tang, from generations of ministers and nobility. Do you think they would fraternize with a band of Tibetans?”
In later times, there might be exquisite or pro-Japanese sword tombs, but for the Tang Dynasty now, all nations came to pay tribute, and all under heaven bowed in submission.
Even the currently powerful Tibetan ruler, Lun Qinling, when meeting Tang envoys, still had to rise to greet them and acknowledge submission.
Wu An calmly said, “Does Your Highness now sit contentedly in the Eastern Palace and wish no longer to ascend the throne?”
“You scoundrel!”
Facing the Crown Prince’s furious outburst, Wu An did not mind; after all, there was no one else here. If it came to blows, he could take on ten Crown Princes.
The Crown Prince seemed to realize this and said coldly:
“People outside say you’re a crude brute. To me, you’re utterly foolish. I kindly warn you: don’t think struggling unnecessarily will help, nor that buying snacks to please the princess will gain you any advantage.
Let me tell you...”
Wu An interrupted with a smile:
“If Your Highness truly feels secure sitting in the Eastern Palace, then why am I here talking to you today?”
The Crown Prince stared at him, saying flatly, “The Emperor and Empress Dowager gave you a bone, and you bark like a dog.”
“But I still sit here. You can order me out if you want.”
“Do you really think you’re someone important?” the Crown Prince asked.
“Should I leave then?”
The Crown Prince fell silent. Before this commoner, he seemed never to find the right rhythm to respond.
It was as if this was their first meeting. The Crown Prince thought he had well concealed himself behind the guise of a refined noble, but after three sentences, Wu An had thoroughly seen through him.
Capable, proud, not too cunning, but rapidly maturing in all respects.
In essence, someone from a well-educated family often turns out like this, as the relationship between Crown Prince Li Xian and the court in recent years showed.
The ministers did not dislike this new Crown Prince.
But the problem was, he was not a wealthy merchant or a son of a great clan, who, after training, would take over the family business.
He was to inherit a vast and terrifying empire, whose shadow stretched far and wide. The edicts of the Tang Son of Heaven were like unspeakable artifacts to foreign tribes.
If he had immediately laid bare his heart and offered himself to Wu An, it would mean his cunning had surpassed his youthful limitations.
Yet he began by trying to exert pressure, trying to control the conversation’s initiative, reminding Wu An of Hao Chujun and Xue Zhen before, who died without believing Wu An would truly move against them.
“No matter what you want to do, I am too lazy to waste words with you,”
The Crown Prince took a deep breath, with a sardonic tone: “But what confidence do you have? What can you really do?”
Wu An was silent for a moment, then answered:
“The Thousand Riders Camp commands over five hundred soldiers and can directly requisition horses from the imperial stables. When the Emperor and Empress Dowager issue simultaneous decrees, the soldiers within the Thousand Riders Camp are permitted to freely enter and exit the palace grounds for four hours daily.”
The Crown Prince’s expression suddenly changed, but before he could speak, Wu An continued:
“Furthermore, most soldiers in the camp are elite troops selected from the Left and Right Yulin Guards and the Twelve Guards’ palace troops. This means these soldiers should know many mid- to high-ranking generals and commanders within the Chang’an military.”
Even... be able to speak with them.
Aside from armaments, this Thousand Riders Camp was too substantial. So even the palace did not grant it carte blanche to be fully staffed but chose to maintain the status quo.
Yet even stopping here, the emergence of the Thousand Riders Camp already revealed a certain stance.
However, Wu An felt he was merely a catalyst, prompting either the Emperor or Empress Dowager to begin considering matters in this direction.
But beyond that, the Thousand Riders Camp was not meant to confront the Crown Prince, who was not on that level.
To eliminate the Crown Prince, one only needed to wait two years, find an excuse—such as discovering the dragon robe, jade seal, or weapons in the Crown Prince’s quarters—and then dispatch troops to arrest him.
Politically and otherwise, the Crown Prince’s power was still too thin, and Wu An believed this was not due to lack of time or opportunity, but simply because... he never truly intended to.
Thus, whether he acted as regent for four years or six, his power would not change much.
Seeing the Crown Prince begin to daze, Wu An’s lips curled with amusement:
“I mean no offense, but even though Your Highness has been regent for four years, when imperial orders from the Emperor or Empress Dowager reach the palace, what can you stop? Whom can you save?
The Emperor ordered me to kill Hao Chujun and Xue Zhen. You heard the news—what of it? They died before me like dogs, yet you couldn’t even enter the palace gates then. Even now, what can you do to me?”
The Crown Prince’s breathing grew heavy, bloodshot veins faintly visible in his eyes.
Though humiliated and insulted by this commoner before him, his words sounded... quite reasonable.
“I’ve heard the Eastern Palace’s Ten Regiment Office has many troops, but so what? Can you command them?”
“Hao Chujun and Xue Zhen are dead, and the entire court dares not utter a word. Only you foolishly keep pushing forward. Who is backing you?”
“Shut your mouth!”
The Crown Prince finally slammed his palm on the table, furious: “You are also a court official, and yet... how dare you say these things to me?”
The words “great treason” were not reserved solely for the Emperor’s use.
Restrictions around the Crown Prince were even stricter. Years ago, when the Crown Prince’s aide Wang Bo wrote the poem “Declaration to King Ying,” the Emperor was furious, believing it a plot to drive a wedge in the imperial family, and decreed Wang Bo’s exile.
He looked at Wu An.
Wu An looked back.
A trace of helplessness appeared in the Crown Prince’s eyes. He had thought Wu An’s visit today was merely to exchange information, to test limits, and gradually establish strategies.
Damn it... you come in saying all this?
It seemed like honesty, but stripping down right away meant their communication was not even on the same plane.
“Her Highness prefers to be coy, liking to watch others twist white silk around your neck before you can gather your wits to cry for help?”
“You... you... you...”
The Crown Prince’s chest heaved violently, but Wu An sneered:
“You call me a dog, but I’ve had enough good days lately. Once I’ve killed my enemies, I’ll go in peace. But you?”
He slammed his palm on the desk again, making the Crown Prince tremble.
“Who lived in this Eastern Palace four years ago? Your elder brother, right? Where is he now?”
“He’s gone. How many of his officials in the Eastern Palace or ministers in the court remain in Chang’an?”
The Crown Prince’s lips trembled, his eyes reflecting Wu An’s mocking smile.
Wu An deliberately licked his lips, feigning urgency.
“Not to mention, even his widow, the legitimate Crown Princess, now greets a commoner like me with a smile. Your Highness, think about it—would that be of her own free will?”
...
“Da Lang is here. Let’s eat together.”
“Thank you, sister. I’m just hungry.”
Wu An promptly thanked Pei Yun. This young woman was four or five years his senior, and after several visits, she treated him gently like an elder sister.
“...You really eat, huh?”
Pei Yun had initially been polite but, seeing him actually sit at her table, gave him a reproachful look.
She accepted the food box from a maid, opened it, and carefully placed dishes on the table, speaking softly:
“My father said earlier that you were thrown out of the Eastern Palace by the Crown Prince’s men... You weren’t hurt, right?”
“The Crown Prince is just hot-tempered. He’s actually a good person.”
Pei Yun nodded slightly, her expression complex upon hearing “Crown Prince.”
She fell silent for a moment, lips moving lightly:
“Did you quarrel with the Crown Prince?”
“No. We just discussed some matters and reached a consensus, no objections.”
“That’s good.”
After the meal, a maid brought a basin to help Wu An wash up, and Pei Yun, having apparently retrieved a set of fur clothing, stood before him hesitating briefly before saying coldly:
“The household maids made several sets of clothes these days. It’s cold; you should wear this.”
“Thank you, sister.”
Two maids quickly carried away the basin and towels, leaving them standing in the courtyard. Pei Yun finally looked up and mustered courage:
“The Empress Dowager sent someone earlier to speak with me about... that matter.”
“Ah?”
Wu An was startled—such efficiency from the Empress Dowager?
Seeing his silence, Pei Yun’s face gradually flushed. She nervously asked:
“Have you thought about what comes next?”
Wu An shook his head slightly. He truly had no idea how far he could go.
“Thank you, sister.”
He took the fur clothing from her, feeling the thick, substantial fabric weighing down his hand.
“We’ll deal with the future when it comes.”
After lunch, he had to enter the palace to report to the Empress Dowager on the day’s affairs.
Today, it was Shangguan Wan’er who met him outside and escorted him in. Wu An noticed something strange and casually asked why the familiar old eunuch was absent.
Shangguan Wan’er’s pace slowed, lowering her voice:
“I heard he suddenly fell ill last night. The imperial physician didn’t arrive in time. He couldn’t hold on and passed away.”
Wu An was silent for a moment, then said slowly:
“If you need anything inside the palace, you can tell me.”
“What use is that?”
Shangguan Wan’er snapped irritably:
“Just do your current tasks well. If your affairs fail, I’ll die with you. These few days of hardship in the palace won’t matter then.”
“The matter will start moving before the year's end.”
“Honestly, I still don’t understand what you want to do.”
As they spoke, Shangguan Wan’er’s composure clearly improved, and she began to discuss certain matters more openly.
The palace corridors around them were silent, the red walls and withered trees weighed down by heavy snow, utterly still.
She slowed her steps to allow more time to talk.
“You asked me to convey to the Empress Dowager that you are secretly winning hearts and minds. Wouldn’t that make her unhappy... or distrust you?”
“For the Empress Dowager, it’s most troublesome if her subordinates lack ambition,”
Wu An said calmly:
“But in her eyes, since she chose me, she must have confidence in controlling me. So the more tricks I play, the more she’s willing to use me, because she always believes what she gives me can be taken back at any time.”
Shangguan Wan’er listened silently, thoughtful.
But isn’t that the truth?
The Empress Dowager wants to seize power and can do so at any time.
As they spoke, they arrived before the Empress Dowager’s bedchamber.
The courtyard once guarded by the Hundred Riders Division was now filled with troops of a very different style—soldiers of varying heights, not as uniformly burly as the black-armored Hundred Riders.
Their armor was rough, as if worn and polished countless times by wind, stone, and sand, heavy and solid like mountains.
Cracks and repairs bore faint dried and darkened bloodstains.
Wu An was familiar with such armor and aura—he had once been one of them.
The Hexi soldiers.
Shangguan Wan’er appeared uneasy. When she left earlier, these armored soldiers were not here.
Many of the soldiers glanced directly at them, restrained but with instinctive, sharp looks sizing up necks and waists, bearing the fierce temperament honed on battlefields.
The Hexi army was not a palace garrison and did not know palace rules—they simply knew none.
Standing guard quietly was already their utmost limit.
Wu An softly cleared his throat near her ear, then without waiting for her to lead, he strode through the soldiers and re-entered the palace hall.
The Empress Dowager sat as usual.
“The soldiers outside escorted Li Jingxuan back from Shanzhou to Chang’an. I heard they are his personal guards in the army, very fierce,”
She looked up at him, asking:
“I’ve prepared some money for you. When you leave later, give it as rewards to them.”
“Nephew understands.”
“Sit.”
Wu An knelt before her, answering her questions. She asked few but focused on recent matters. Finally, she casually asked:
“You went to the Eastern Palace today?”
“Yes.”
“I heard you were thrown out by the Crown Prince’s men,”
The Empress Dowager twirled ink stains on her fingers, her tone somewhat displeased:
“Although you are mine, when you meet the Crown Prince, you must show some respect and not offend him.”
“Nephew dares not disrespect His Highness.”
“What did you say to him?”
“I told him, if he truly cannot help but act, he should first go to a place to think it over.”
“To Zhaoling?”
Zhaoling was the tomb of Tang Taizong, the Cultured Emperor. Ministers and commoners alike could go there to grieve if wronged.
Wu An shook his head slightly. The Empress Dowager narrowed her eyes upon hearing his next words:
“Xuanwu Gate.”
“You told him to cause trouble at Xuanwu Gate?”
The Empress Dowager did not get angry; instead, a smile crept onto her face.
“That’s quite a creative idea.”
“No, I lied to him...”
Wu An’s tone changed, as if the Crown Prince still stood before him, solemnly:
“If His Highness raises the banner of rebellion, I shall lead the troops to follow him and serve as an inside ally at Xuanwu Gate, opening the palace gates and rising in support!”
“Heh...”
The Empress Dowager seemed genuinely amused, smiling:
“When I assign you to guard there, won’t you then collude with the Crown Prince to let the rebels into the palace?”
“Nephew is loyal only to Auntie and would never be reckless.”
Wu An shyly added:
“I still plan to marry that Pei lady. I beg Auntie to take special care of that matter.”
“大事在前，还这么好色。”
“Important matters come first, yet you’re still so lustful.”
The Empress Dowager stopped laughing and looked at him.
“Wu An.”
“Nephew is here.”
“Commander Wu.”
Wu An stood and bowed deeply.
“My lord is present.”
Behind the curtain, several maidservants brought out a set of black armor. Shangguan Wan’er entered expressionless from outside and began helping him don the armor.
The Empress Dowager watched him suit up, her gaze appraising, then said quietly:
“Go out... do your work well. I want to see results before the year’s end.”
Wu An lowered his head, adjusting his armor, bowing once more.
“Your servant obeys.”
On this winter afternoon, though still daylight, the air seemed pale and cold.
In the vast courtyard, a hundred armored soldiers of Hexi origin stood with indifferent expressions. As footsteps echoed once more at the palace gate, many lifted their heads to look.
The black-armored youth stood at the gate, meeting all eyes and stepping down the stairs.
Behind him were several palace servants carrying wooden boxes, ready to distribute money at his command.
But the youth neither ordered payment nor produced the tally that could summon soldiers of the Thousand Riders Camp.
His gaze swept over the soldiers’ faces without haste.
Shangguan Wan’er stood behind him, thinking he had stage fright and preparing to speak in his stead.
But then the youth spoke:
“My surname is Wu, given name An.
You are all from the Hexi army, so you should know who I am.”
Though they had guessed, upon hearing the name, the hundred soldiers’ expressions instantly changed.
The courtyard was vast and chilling,
Yet at this moment, the icy wind that howled through the crowd froze before that black-armored figure.
The nobles of Chang’an could freely decide war or peace, or recall troops from thousands of miles away with a single edict;
But for the 180,000 Tang soldiers summoned from Hexi, only one person was doing what they truly wished:
To kill traitors, to breach enemy lines... to exact revenge!
Li Jingxuan could never cultivate personal guards from the Hexi army.
The sound of armor scraping rang out continuously, as one by one, the soldiers turned to face the black-armored youth, clasping fists and bowing, just as Wu An had before the Empress Dowager.
Then, to Shangguan Wan’er’s astonishment, the soldiers erupted in unison into a loud roar:
“Hail the Commander!”
“Hail the Commander!”