Chapter Thirty: Murder and Grave Digging—Who Will Join Me?

As he rode along, Liu Tan glanced about casually, taking in the general layout of Chengdu’s Imperial City. The palace was constructed almost entirely of wood, its colors somber and subdued; yet within its walls, the lush and meticulously tended gardens and trees lent a touch of vibrancy to the otherwise monotonous palette.

The palace itself was not large. Liu Tan, mounted on his warhorse, had ridden less than half an hour before reaching the western gate. Along the way, wherever he appeared, eunuchs, guards, and palace maids would all drop to their knees, affording him, for the first time, the feeling of a great personage on a royal inspection.

The palace was encircled by a lofty earth wall. Liu Tan had seen such walls in rural villages of his previous life, known as stake walls, formed by tamping earth into molds. They were thick and sturdy, wide at the base, tapering upwards in a trapezoidal shape. The surface, polished to a smooth sheen, possessed a certain rustic beauty.

Beyond the palace wall stretched a broad dirt road, and across from it lay various residences and courtyards. Officials and people of influence often established their homes close to the palace; further out were the dwellings of another class, and finally, beyond all, stood the city wall of Chengdu—taller and thicker even than the palace walls.

Outside those walls lay farmland, mountains, and forests.

Passing unimpeded from the palace, Liu Tan drew a deep breath atop his horse, spreading his arms wide and exclaiming, “At last, I’ve gotten out!”

The ancient world, he thought, was not nearly as picturesque as depicted on television. Compared to the palace, the view beyond was even more drab. The people on the streets wore dull gray robes, and the walls and houses were shrouded in the same somber tones. Only the trees offered Liu Tan some solace.

What impressed him most, though, was the air itself—remarkably fresh, invigorating as it filled his lungs. He guessed that the oxygen content here was much higher than in his previous life; there were no harmful gases either.

Just then, someone shouted, “The Emperor leaves the palace! All bow in homage!”

Immediately, Liu Tan saw the people in the street—some carrying shoulder poles, some tending stalls, some aimlessly wandering, others minding small shops—hastily drop to their knees, crying out long live the Emperor. Though their cries were not in perfect unison, the reverberation was impressive.

With a faint smile, Liu Tan waved to the kneeling crowd and called out, “Everyone, rise and return to your work. I am merely out for a stroll!”

He then turned his horse’s head and rode toward the Imperial Guard barracks, the crowd bowing at every step of his passage.

Though Liu Chan might have been weak, he was still the monarch of a nation.

The farther west he rode, the closer he came to the mountains; the trees grew denser, and houses along the road became scarcer. Soon, the road was flanked by forest, and after another ten minutes, a military encampment came into view.

A wooden gate stood before the camp, bearing the inscription “Imperial Guard.” Armed soldiers stood sentinel at the entrance. Spotting Liu Tan, they dropped to their knees, crying, “Greetings, Your Majesty!” And then, more loudly, “The Emperor has arrived!”

At once, Liu Tan heard a clamor of hurried footsteps and the clashing of armor.

Soon, the figures within the camp converged upon the drill ground, assembling in rows and kneeling together in homage.

By now, Liu Tan had grown accustomed to such greetings; even his horse seemed to have become used to the ritual.

He had learned beforehand that the Imperial Guard numbered five thousand, commanded by one leader and two deputies. At this moment, all three stepped forward from the ranks, exiting the gate and kneeling before him. “Your subject, Pang Bo, commander of the Imperial Guard; Lin Youzhi, deputy commander of the left; Wang Zhe, deputy commander of the right, pay respects to Your Majesty!”

Liu Tan said, “Let everyone rise.”

Pang Bo motioned with his hand, and the soldiers stood. He then bowed low and said, “Your Majesty, please enter the camp.”

Taking the reins, Pang Bo personally led Liu Tan’s horse into the encampment. The soldiers moved aside, forming a narrow path for the Emperor to pass through on horseback.

Looking to either side, Liu Tan saw the drill ground—nearly the size of two football fields—crowded with soldiers clad in light armor, swords and sabers at the ready, exuding a fearsome energy.

The camp was charged with a martial spirit that intoxicated Liu Tan.

And this, he thought, was only the Imperial Guard. If these were battle-hardened veterans, seasoned by slaughter, what sort of presence would they command?

Now, he was the supreme commander of this force. The thought thrilled him.

In his previous life, he had never held official office, not even as a class leader at university. Now, well—heh!

Around the drill ground stood rows of wooden barracks. Liu Tan knew these were the soldiers’ quarters; the largest building was the meeting hall of the Imperial Guard.

It was, he thought, rather shabby.

At the entrance to the hall, Pang Bo called out, “Disperse! Return to your drills. His Majesty will surely give you an explanation today!”

With that, he helped Liu Tan dismount. “Please, Your Majesty!”

Liu Tan wondered, Explanation? Explanation for what?

Though puzzled, he entered the hall, Pang Bo and the two deputies following closely and ushering him to the seat of honor.

Liu Tan shifted in his chair, trying to sit with greater authority.

A brief silence followed, then Pang Bo rose and spoke first. “Your Majesty, I have something to report.”

Not only Pang Bo, but the other two commanders seemed eager to speak as well. Liu Tan waved his hand. “Speak freely.”

Pang Bo hesitated, then said, “The Chancellor plans to launch a northern campaign. This is a good thing and deserves our support. Yet he proposes to halve the Imperial Guard—or to turn over half our weapons and halve our rations! For days I have sought to request an audience with the Empress Dowager or Your Majesty. Now that you have come, please decide for us! The Imperial Guard was established by the late Emperor and has rendered loyal service through years of war. Though we are now settled in Shu and our achievements are fewer, we cannot be disbanded. The world is far from peaceful, and the security of the palace still depends upon us!”

Liu Tan understood now. Zhuge Liang intended to campaign to the north, but lacked soldiers, weapons, and provisions—he lacked everything. Now that Shu Han’s foundation was in Shu, the Imperial Guard was less critical, thus the proposal to reduce their numbers and strengthen the northern army.

He considered for a moment, then said, “The Chancellor’s northern campaign has my full support.” As he spoke, he drew forth the Imperial Guard’s tiger tally, holding it aloft. “The Empress Dowager has entrusted me with the tiger tally—matters of the Guard are now my responsibility. Here is my decision: the full quota of weapons may be handed over to the Chancellor; as for half the rations, I will cover them from my private treasury. What do you say?”

The three listened in surprise. Pang Bo produced his own half of the tiger tally, matching it to Liu Tan’s.

Upon hearing the Emperor would personally fund the rations, their faces lit up with joy.

As for half the weapons, that was no great concern—there was little likelihood they would be needed at present. So long as the soldiers remained, all else could be resolved.

No one relished the prospect of battle; serving in the Imperial Guard, the Emperor’s own force, was far more comfortable.

Though they had once fought in campaigns, it was hard to return to hardship after a taste of ease.

The three men knelt and thanked him once more.

With business settled, Pang Bo asked, “Your Majesty, is there any other purpose to your visit?”

“Indeed,” Liu Tan nodded gravely, “I have important business to attend.”

His expression again turned solemn. “Murder and grave-robbing—which of you will accompany me?” He looked intently at the three men before him.