Chapter 43: Executing Huang Hao in Full View of the Public

Outside the city of Chengdu, banners fluttered in the wind and drums thundered.

Liu Chan, arrayed in imperial robes, stood atop the city gate, gazing with a complex expression at the approaching military formation in the distance.

"Huang Hao, go convey the imperial decree instructing the Tiance Army to make camp outside the city."

Liu Chan said to Huang Hao by his side.

"As you command!"

Beneath the ramparts, Crown Prince Liu Xuan stood at the forefront and sighed softly, "Alas! Fifth Brother's actions this time were indeed far too drastic!"

"Hmph! Drastic, you say?" Prince Ganling, Liu Yong, sneered from the side, "Going all the way, eradicating clans and razing families, he is even more arrogant than Dong Zhuo of the past!" He deliberately raised his voice, drawing side-long glances from the surrounding officials.

Prince Anping, Liu Ji, hurriedly pulled on Liu Yong's sleeve. "Imperial Uncle, watch your words..."

"Watch my words? Watch what?" Liu Yong shook off the sleeve, his voice growing even louder and filled with disdain. "Since Liu Chen dared to do it, is he afraid of people talking? I hear he executed over a dozen noble clan heads in Hanzhong, and in Zitong he imprisoned the entire Li family from top to bottom! Such tyrannical atrocities are simply—"

"The Prince of Ganling is mistaken in saying so." Fan Jian interrupted, "The Prince of Qin investigating hidden households was done to gather wealth for the state. Those noble families concealed populations and evaded taxes; they deserved to be punished by law."

An imperial censor immediately retorted, "Even so, such matters should be decreed by the imperial court. How could the Prince of Qin dispose of them arbitrarily? Acting with such overreach, does he still hold His Majesty in his eyes?"

Beneath the city wall, the murmurs grew louder. Huang Hao stood behind Liu Chan, his eyes rolling incessantly before he suddenly shrieked in a shrill voice, "Your Majesty, the Prince of Qin has arrived!"

In the distance, the Tiance Army, gleaming in silver armor, surged forward like a tidal wave. Liu Chen, clad in a black war robe, rode at the very front upon a white steed. Behind him, Deng Zhong held high the great banner bearing the character "Han," glowing resplendently in the sunlight.

"Such a grand display..." Liu Yong said with biting sarcasm. "Anyone who didn't know better would think he was returning in triumph from conquering the realm!"

Upon hearing this, complex expressions crossed the faces of the crowd. There was hostility, jealousy, and also joy.

Yet, no matter what, they had to admit that Liu Chen had saved the state of Shu-Han.

Upon the city wall, Liu Chan furrowed his brow, watching his son draw ever closer, a tumult of emotions stirring within his heart.

Before the city gates, Liu Chen reined in his mount and dismounted with a fluid motion. He raised his gaze to look at Liu Chan atop the gate, then strode toward the welcoming delegation.

"This subject pays respects to Your Imperial Father!" Liu Chen dropped to one knee, his voice ringing out clear and resonant.

"Rise."

The confusion in Liu Chan's eyes cleared away.

"Thank you, Imperial Father!"

Liu Chen quickly expressed his gratitude.

Liu Yong had already rushed to speak first. "Prince of Qin, your journey here has truly been majestic! I heard you ransacked the estates of seven noble clans? Exactly how many people did you kill?"

Liu Chen slowly rose to his feet, his gaze sweeping over Liu Yong like a blade. "Imperial Uncle is remarkably well-informed. However, your numbers are incorrect; it was not seven clans, but thirteen."

He paused slightly. "As for the killings... those who defy the king's commands are naturally dealt with in accordance with the law."

"You!" Liu Yong was choked into silence.

Crown Prince Liu Xuan hastily smoothed things over. "Fifth Brother has endured a hard journey, and Imperial Father has already prepared a banquet within the palace—"

"There is no rush." Liu Chen raised a hand to cut him off. He turned and signaled to Zhuge Chong behind him.

Zhuge Chong waved his hand to the rear, and countless soldiers prepared to swarm into the city.

"Prince of Qin, pray wait. Prince of Qin, pray wait."

At that very moment, Huang Hao, leading two young eunuchs, trotted all the way from the city gate.

"Your Highness the Prince of Qin, His Majesty has decreed that the Tiance Army shall make camp outside the city."

Though Huang Hao had jogged all the way, he showed no signs of breathlessness.

Liu Chen cast a glance at the man, a murderous intent flashing within his eyes.

"Huang Hao!"

Liu Chen looked at him with a smile that was not a smile. This old scoundrel had probably been waiting at the city gate for a long time, only emerging to stop them when he saw Zhuge Chong leading the troops to enter the city. Clearly, he wanted Liu Chan to witness his arrogance and lawlessness.

Regrettably, he had guessed wrong once more.

"This old slave pays homage to Your Highness the Prince of Qin."

Huang Hao wore an expression of utmost deference, yet the chill and disdain concealed deep within his eyes did not escape Liu Chen's notice.

This villain held supreme authority in the court, and even Prince Ganling Liu Yong did not dare to offend him. Therefore, despite Liu Chen's meritorious service and returning at the head of an army, Huang Hao still did not hold him in any regard.

What he failed to realize, however, was that the Liu Chen standing before him was no longer the Liu Chen of the past.

Liu Chen's gaze was piercing as he looked straight into Huang Hao's flattering, aged face. Slowly, he drew the treasured sword at his waist, the blade flashing with a chilling light in the sunlight.

"Huang Hao, do you know your crimes?"

Huang Hao was momentarily startled upon hearing this, then forced a smile. "Your Highness the Prince of Qin jests. This old slave has always been utterly loyal to His Majesty..."

"Loyal?" Liu Chen let out a cold laugh, his voice suddenly rising in volume. "In the twelfth year of Jianxing, you accepted bribes from the powerful clans of Nanzhong, covering up the signs of their rebellion and causing the court to miss the prime opportunity to quell the uprising!"

The space before the city gate instantly erupted into an uproar. Huang Hao's expression changed drastically. "The Prince of Qin must not spit blood and slander people!"

Unmoved, Liu Chen continued, "Hmph, have you forgotten Deng艾? He has already surrendered to our Great Han; do you have nothing to say about that?"

"Pure nonsense!" Huang Hao shrieked, cold sweat beading on his forehead, his face pale and his eyes filled with terror.

"The letters you wrote are still in my hands."

Liu Chen looked coldly at the man.

"You... you..." Huang Hao pointed a trembling hand at Liu Chen, then suddenly whirled around and screamed toward the city wall, "Your Majesty! Your Majesty, save me! The Prince of Qin is plotting treason!"

Liu Chen abruptly raised his voice. "Most detestable of all, you have deluded the sovereign's ear and acted with arrogant despotism, ruining our Great Han's laws and causing the national strength to wane day by day! If we do not eliminate you today, how can we comfort the spirits of the late Emperor in heaven!"

Before his words had even faded, the longsword in Liu Chen's hand thrust forward like lightning.

"Stop!" A cry of alarm echoed from the city wall.

But it was already too late. A flash of sword light cut through the air, and a crimson line appeared across Huang Hao's throat. His eyes widened in disbelief as he stared at Liu Chen, his hands moving futilely to cover the gushing blood as he slowly sank to his knees.

"Prince of Qin! You..." Liu Yong retreated in horror, his face drained of color.

Although he thoroughly detested Huang Hao and wished nothing more than for the eunuch to drop dead immediately, he never possessed the daring to execute him.

Neither Liu Xuan, Qiao Zhou, nor any of the civil and military officials assembled at court had expected Liu Chen to turn hostile right on the spot and execute Huang Hao in full view of the public, completely ignoring Liu Chan's commands.

The reason Huang Hao had been able to act with such arrogance while the officials harbored boiling resentment yet dared not speak was precisely because Liu Chan stood behind him. This eunuch had taken meticulous care of Liu Chan during Zhuge Liang's administration, which was the source of his present power.

Yet none of this mattered in the least before the Prince of Qin, Liu Chen.

Liu Chen sheathed his sword and turned to face the assembled officials, his voice ringing with resolute strength. "Huang Hao brought calamity to the state and its people, and his crimes are firmly established. Today, I execute this treacherous sycophant to rectify the laws of the court!"

The scene fell into a terrifying silence. Everyone was so shocked by the sudden turn of events that they were rendered speechless.

Suddenly, Liu Chan's trembling voice came from atop the city wall.

"Rebellious son! You... how dare you..."

Liu Chen raised his head to look at the ramparts and dropped to one knee. "May Imperial Father examine the truth! Huang Hao's crimes are too numerous to record, and this subject had no other choice. I beg Imperial Father to punish me!"

"You..." Trembling all over with rage, Liu Chan pointed at Liu Chen, unable to utter a single word.

At that moment, Fan Jian, who had remained silent all along, suddenly stepped forward and proclaimed in a loud voice, "Your Majesty! The Prince of Qin executing a treacherous sycophant is truly a cause for great rejoicing! Huang Hao's crimes are verified beyond doubt, and his death is well-deserved!"