Chapter Twenty-One: The Third Requirement for Selecting Guards

Page 1 of 3

How many days had it even been since he transmigrated here? And already, he’d suffered an assassination attempt. Thinking of this, if not for Liu Tan’s resolute will, he might have long since broken down in tears.

Aren’t transmigrators supposed to have some kind of cheat? Where was his? If only he had one of those legendary summoning systems, he would have called forth a thousand mighty generals and cunning strategists, taken all of Shu Han’s military and political power into his own hands, and perhaps even set his sights on the entire realm!

But he had none of that.

Without those generals or strategists, Zhuge Liang remained the cornerstone of Shu Han, unshakable and irreplaceable.

And what about the famed aura of a king? That terrifying presence that would make the world submit at a mere flex of his muscles?

He didn’t have that either.

All he could do was plagiarize some writings, persuading only the wife this body originally had.

The empress had been loyal to Liu Chan from the start, hadn’t she?

In this era where it was legal for men to have multiple wives and concubines, he, the emperor, had somehow ended up having to curry favor with his own women, most of whom were secondhand, at that.

Not that he cared much about such things.

Still, thinking about it left him feeling stifled.

Why, he wanted to cry out to the heavens, if fate had already allowed him the chance to transmigrate, why not grant him a few more advantages? Damn it all!

Just then, a chittering sound came from the doorway. Liu Tan and the others looked up to see the little monkey peeking out from behind the hall door, only its head visible, eyes darting about with an aggrieved expression.

The monkey’s impulsive action had pushed the traitor from Prince Liang into a corner. But what about himself? If he acted on impulse, the whole world might just be turned upside down!

With this in mind, Liu Tan sighed. Since he lacked the courage to slit his own throat, and didn’t wish for anyone else to kill him, he would just have to keep on living.

Life is not a dream; one cannot leap to the top in a single bound. His cheat wasn’t absent, merely slow to reveal itself.

Thinking thus, Liu Tan beckoned with his hand. The little monkey immediately leapt in, crouching obediently at his side.

At this point, Lady Li and Lady Wang had already prepared tea. If they could not defend the emperor from enemies or blades, at least they could serve him tea.

Liu Tan was indeed thirsty, and caring little for the blood on his face, he took the cup and drained it in a single gulp.

Page 2 of 3

Setting down the cup, he raised an eyebrow and asked the three women, “Have any of you ever bribed the eunuchs, palace maids, or guards here?”

As soon as he finished, he saw all three—including the empress—flush deep red and exclaim anxiously, “Your Majesty...”

He waved a hand and said, “Enough, say no more, I get it!” Inwardly, he cursed a million times over.

About the time it takes for an incense stick to burn later, Zhuge Liang and Li Yan arrived together. Though they had already heard of the assassination attempt, seeing the emperor’s face still smeared with blood shocked them anew.

The emperor was the pillar of the nation. Though none had ever held out great hope for this particular sovereign, if he were to die now, for Shu, it would be a calamity of the highest order.

For Li Yan, if Liu Chan died, he would lose his status as regent, and his position in Shu would plummet. He’d no longer have the standing to speak as an equal with Zhuge Liang.

For Zhuge Liang, if the emperor died, his grand campaign to the north would be forced to a halt. Even if a new sovereign was installed, it would take time—deliberations, the enthronement ceremony—all unbearably tedious. And would the new emperor even support his northern expedition? That was uncertain.

Of course, Zhuge Liang believed he could press on regardless, but it would never compare to having the emperor’s full support.

“Your Majesty, we deserve death!” Both Zhuge Liang and Li Yan knelt, tears streaming down their faces.

Thus, on seeing Liu Tan, their concern was heartfelt, their tone sincere.

As they rushed into the hall, Liu Tan rose to his feet, hurriedly lifting Zhuge Liang and Li Yan up, crying, “Prime Minister, Father-in-law, I am terrified! I almost didn’t get to see you both again today!”

Li and Wang exchanged glances, shaking their heads. They couldn’t understand it: moments before, the emperor had been playing with the little monkey and feeding it fruit. How could his mood have changed so quickly? Those tears were falling like rain.

Well, tears did cost nothing, after all.

Zhuge Liang said, “Your Majesty, do not be alarmed. I have observed the heavens; the imperial star has moved south and shines brighter than ever, a sign of your boundless good fortune. How could you be harmed by petty villains?”

Li Yan said, “Your Majesty, rest assured. The Chancellor and I will investigate this thoroughly. No matter who is involved, we will give you a full account!”

Liu Tan continued to weep. “This must be investigated thoroughly. I have already given orders to look into the assassins. I want their entire clan exterminated, their graves dug up!”

He thought for a moment, then added, “And as for any others involved, I don’t care who they are—they must be executed as well!”

Li Yan said, “It must be so. I’ve heard this may be connected to Prince Liang? What are Your Majesty’s thoughts?”

Liu Tan was just about to speak when Zhuge Liang interjected, “Lord Li, let us not mislead His Majesty before matters are clear! Your Majesty, I find this affair suspicious. I also heard the assassin claim to be the late emperor’s enemy, and after failing to kill you, shift the blame to Prince Liang?”

Page 3 of 3

Liu Tan nodded, saying, “That’s exactly what happened. The assassin first said he was acting on Prince Liang’s behalf, seeking to kill me so that Prince Liang could ascend to the throne. But after being subdued by the empress, he claimed to have a grudge against my father.” He scratched his head, aggrieved. “I truly cannot make sense of it, Prime Minister. Please, help me understand.”

He did not mention the matter of the monkey. No one here understood the key details; all they knew was that the monkey had attacked the assassin. The real crux of the matter would be hard to unravel without delving deeper.

At the same time, he sneered inwardly—if Prince Liang were truly dealt with, it would only delay things further, and what Zhuge Liang lacked most was time.

As expected, Zhuge Liang said, “This matter is indeed strange. The assassin’s motive is impossible to discern. If we use this to convict Prince Liang, the people will not be convinced. Moreover, Prince Liang is Your Majesty’s brother; to move against him would bring you ill repute, for all we have is the assassin’s word.”

Liu Tan nodded, looked up in thought, and said, “Prime Minister, you are right! Prince Liang is my brother—we should be as close as hands and feet. He should not wish me harm.”

Li Yan objected, “Your Majesty, attempted assassination is a grave crime. If there is any connection to Prince Liang, there must be some trace. He should be summoned and questioned, and we should look for evidence!”

Liu Tan grunted in assent. “Father-in-law, that is reasonable too! I am the emperor, and I have suffered an assassination attempt. No matter who is responsible, they must answer for it! No, I must summon Prince Liang myself. I will not kill him, but I will detain him. If this happens again, my life will truly be in danger! Yes, that is what I’ll do!”

“Your Majesty must not!” Zhuge Liang exclaimed. “Prince Liang was appointed by the late emperor himself. Without irrefutable proof, how can he be imprisoned? Besides, the Empress Dowager would not take it well!”

“That’s right—what could I possibly say to Mother? That an assassin claimed to be sent by Prince Liang, and the assassin was killed by the empress? She would never believe it!” Liu Tan muttered.

Zhuge Liang nodded. “Indeed.”

“Oh, Prime Minister, then what do you think I should do?” Liu Tan shook Zhuge Liang’s arm like a child seeking advice from an elder.

Zhuge Liang stroked his beard and said, “In my view, Your Majesty should strengthen the palace guards, and let me investigate secretly. If Prince Liang is truly involved, there will be time enough to convict him.”

“Oh, Prime Minister, that’s a sound plan. But this time, I will personally select my guards. You have no idea—when I told them to catch the assassin, they all ran outside chasing the monkey instead. Utter fools!” Liu Tan gritted his teeth. “This time, I will choose a competent group myself.”

He held out three fingers. “There must be three requirements for my guards.

First, they must be clear-headed, able to understand my intentions, and quick on the uptake—no more of this nonsense where I point east and they run west!

Second, they must have outstanding character, able to resist temptation and withstand trials, and never again turn their blades on me!

Third, they must be skilled in martial arts, at least stronger than the empress. It is an embarrassment to have a woman protecting me!”