Chapter 92
The golden hairpin is the signal.
At this moment, the remaining members of the Loulan Kingdom delegation also jumped out from the seats, and the Mi Kingdom was not far behind. Both sides moved out almost at the same time, secretly took out weapons from hidden places, and attacked together with the princess's maids.
The Han reacted quickly. Following the wine glass, Wei Qing lightly lifted the food tray with his toes and threw it toward the Loulan princess.
At the same time, Huo Qubing had already reached Liu Che's side in a few quick strides, followed by Wei Qing. The palace guards also rushed forward to protect the emperor.
For a moment, swords clashed and lightning flashed.
The rest of the people in the hall were stunned by this sudden scene and stood there in a daze. Once they reacted, they retreated to avoid accidental injury and to avoid crowding together and blocking the guards' movement.
Everyone was staring at the battle situation, and Liu Ju didn't even blink, his face was cold.
It was obvious that these assassins had undergone special training, and each of them was very skilled. They must have even imagined in advance what would happen during the assassination at the banquet, how the guards would defend, how Wei Huo would attack, and made many assumptions, rehearsing privately countless times, and finally found the best response plan.
If it were ordinary assassins, with the Imperial Guards attacking and Wei Huo taking action, Liu Ju believed he could defeat them in no more than three moves. But now, seven or eight moves had already passed, and the battle was still going on.
The rest of the assassins fought almost risking their lives, at all costs, using every possible means to delay the troops and create opportunities for Princess Loulan.
But Princess Loulan was still trapped in the battle and could not get close to Liu Che at all.
"kill!"
Princess Loulan roared, and all the maids pulled out their golden hairpins and followed suit, turning them into hidden weapons and flying towards Liu Che.
Wei Qing and Huo Qubing exchanged glances, and there was no need for further words. The uncle and nephew had a tacit understanding. They moved their feet and changed positions. Wei Qing took on all the fighting force, while Huo Qubing broke free and blocked the hidden weapon with his spear.
But unexpectedly, the Loulan princess's so-called "kill" order was not aimed at the maid. At the same time, two attendants from the Wusun delegation took off into the air, not towards Liu Che, but towards Liu Ju, who was closer.
They didn't have gold hairpins, but they had silver needles hidden in their hair buns. They used the same method, and both hidden weapons and swords were launched at the same time, all aimed at Liu Ju's vital points.
The palace guards were all tied up in the battle, and Huo Qubing needed to rescue Liu Che. Wei Qing could have escaped if he wanted to. But the assassin had anticipated this, and when the golden hairpin was deployed and Huo Qubing left, he had already fought and retreated, leading Wei Qing back several steps.
Although it was only a few steps away, Liu Ju was outside the battle and was already some distance away from him. Even if he escaped to rescue him, he would not be able to catch up with the speed of the hidden weapon.
"Ju'er!"
Liu Che, who had been sitting at the desk as steady as a rock, suddenly stood up, shocked.
But who is Liu Ju? He was taught by Wei Qing and Huo Qubing personally. Even if he is not good at martial arts and cannot compare with the elite soldiers who have experienced hundreds of battles, he is not without the ability to fight back. He is even capable of self-preservation.
He reached out and grasped the edge of the food table to lift it up, grabbed the table legs, turned the table into a circle to block in front of him, blocking all the hidden weapons.
Meanwhile, Wei Buyi and Huo Guang had already joined the fight. Chao Nan, along with several Eastern Palace guards, appeared from nowhere and formed a circle around Liu Ju, encircling him.
The expression of the Wusun guard suddenly changed. How could they not understand that even though the Han Dynasty respected the emperor, how could such an important figure as the prince be surrounded by no one? This guard who suddenly appeared was a trick left by the Han Dynasty.
Even if Liu Ju didn't block the hidden weapon himself, there were plenty of people who helped him block it.
The battle was at a stalemate. Liu Ju watched quietly. After the two sides exchanged another twenty or thirty moves, with no further action, he murmured softly, "It should be over."
After saying that, he curled his lips and said, "Chao Nan, help me set up the stage! Yu Sui, bow and arrow!"
Chao Nan agreed, picking up and throwing the food trays on the table. Soon, he had erected a platform one after another. Liu Ju took the bow and arrow from Yu Sui, stepped lightly, and climbed the steps. Standing at the top of the table, he looked down at the entire place, nodding his arrow and drawing the string.
Whoosh, a feather arrow broke through the air and hit one of the Wusun attendants.
Whoosh, another one broke through the air and hit two of the Wusun attendants.
Followed by the third arrow.
After the three Wusun attendants were dealt with, Liu Ju turned the arrow around and shouted, "Uncle."
Wei Qing made a gesture and withdrew from the battle along with half of the imperial guards.
Liu Ju pulled the string, took aim, and started his hunting moment.
Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh.
One feather arrow after another came, and each one hit the assassin directly, without a single miss.
In just a few breaths, the battle was over. Liu Ju threw his bow and arrow to Yu Sui below, then happily jumped off the platform and ran to Liu Che's side.
"Are you okay?"
Even though he knew there were backup plans, and more than one, Liu Che still couldn't help but feel a sense of trepidation. Seeing Liu Ju shaking his head, and watching him just now display his divine might and vigor, he breathed a sigh of relief, feeling relieved.
Unlike him, Liu Hong wished Liu Ju was killed. Seeing him escape in an instant and dominate the situation, he felt a surge of regret. His hands dangling by his side kept tightening, but soon loosened again. His face regained its cheerful expression, and he happily stepped forward, admiringly saying, "Prince brother, you were really amazing just now."
It was truly impressive. He was the center of attention, dazzling like the moonlight. It showed everyone that the prince possessed not only creative talent but also martial prowess. He was truly a master of both civil and military skills.
Liu Che snorted and poked Liu Ju with his finger: "With your uncle and cousin here, and so many guards, is it really necessary for you to do it yourself?"
Liu Ju raised his chin slightly and said, "You didn't let me go with Bu Yi to meet the delegation, and you didn't let me enjoy myself now."
Liu Che was helpless, shook his head and laughed, turning his gaze to the hall.
Liu Ju shot, just aiming for the target. He didn't care where the arrow hit, whether it was a vital point, or whether it was fatal. His current ability was enough to hit every arrow, but not enough to hit all the vital points and kill with one shot.
As a result, some of these assassins were dead, while some were still alive, but they were also seriously injured and had lost the strength to fight again, and were captured by the guards.
Liu Che walked over, followed by Liu Ju and Liu Hong, and the three of them came in front of the assassin.
Princess Loulan was shot in the right shoulder. She was forced to kneel on the ground, covering the wound, and could only look up: "Did you know we would take action?"
"I don't know." Liu Ju shook his head and answered very straightforwardly.
Princess Loulan was stunned. If she hadn’t known this in advance, how could she have made such a perfect plan?
Liu Ju shrugged: "Even if I don't know, it never hurts to take one more step."
Princess Loulan obviously did not believe this. She looked at Wei Huo, then at Liu Ju, and then at the imperial guards and the East Palace guards beside them.
Although they did manage to contain Wei Huo at the beginning, it turned out that Wei Huo was deliberately stalling for time, neither giving them a chance to hurt Liu Che nor taking them down directly, just to see if they had any tricks up their sleeves.
After she had played all her cards, Liu Ju was able to take advantage and end the battle.
"If it was just one extra step, how could you have coordinated so skillfully?"
Liu Ju curled his lips. "Because the emperor trusts me, and trusts my uncle and cousin. My uncle and cousin are uncle and nephew, and my cousin was taught by my uncle. They watched me grow up. Buzhi and Huo Guang were my study companions, and they have been with me every day for several years. We still have this tacit understanding. Don't you have it?"
He winked playfully at the end of the sentence and sighed, "You're truly pathetic. You don't even have someone who understands you, believes in you, and has a rapport with you. How pathetic."
Princess Loulan: ...
Behind him, Huo Qubing couldn't help but burst out laughing, but then he felt that the occasion was not right, so he turned his face to the side and pretended nothing had happened.
"But you're quite formidable. I thought you were just trying to spy on Han China's military secrets, verify weaponry secrets, and perhaps even make some minor moves to cause us some trouble. I didn't expect you to go so far as to attempt an assassination."
Liu Ju scoffed, "What are you thinking? Do you really think that the Imperial Guards of our Han Dynasty are all vegetarians? Besides, we still have the Grand General and the Marquis of Champion. Have you forgotten about them?"
Of course I didn't forget. These are the two most powerful weapons of the Han Dynasty. How could I forget them?
"The greater the risk, the greater the reward. The secrets of military equipment are important, but if we can deal a heavy blow to the Han Dynasty, it will be more beneficial to the Xiongnu. Moreover, no matter how strict the defense is, there may be loopholes; no matter how powerful the Wei Huo is, they may still be able to take advantage of it."
Liu Ju understood. "So you made two plans. First, assassinate my father. If you succeed, that would be great, but you also know that's almost impossible. So you prepared a second plan. Draw all the troops in the palace and then use your backhand to assassinate me."
"Your Majesty is the Emperor of the Han Dynasty. If the Emperor dies suddenly, chaos will surely break out in the court. As for His Royal Highness the Crown Prince..." Princess Loulan raised the corner of her mouth, "Almost all those military secrets came from you.
"You are more important than weapons. Weapons can be replaced if destroyed. But if you die, the Han Dynasty will no longer have new weapons, which will solve a major problem for the Xiongnu."
"I am the Huns?" Liu Ju was stunned.
Liu Che also keenly sensed something was wrong and ordered the guards holding her down: "Tear off her veil."
The veil was taken off, and the true face of Princess Loulan was revealed.
She was pretty, but not ugly, and could be considered pretty. But she was far inferior to the Princess Wusun, or even to the many beauties in the Han harem.
Liu Ju frowned slightly, and an idea germinated in his mind. At this moment, a voice from the crowd shouted, "It's you!"
He and Liu Che looked in the direction of the sound and saw that it was Jin Midi, the son of the Xiongnu King Xutu.
Four years earlier, after the defeat of King Xiutu and King Hunxie in the Battle of Hexi, they surrendered. Emperor Liu Che granted them a title of nobility and a leisurely upbringing. These two men were relatively sensible, having lived peacefully and comfortably for years, without harboring any rebellious tendencies. As a result, Emperor Liu Che gradually came to terms with them.
The two families were ordered to send representatives to attend this state banquet. Firstly, it was to show the emperor's great favor; secondly, it was to use their identity as Huns to intimidate the delegation and let them know that even the Huns could only be surrendered subjects of the Han Dynasty, let alone them; thirdly, if there were any Huns among the delegation, it could be regarded as a warning.
Liu Che looked at Jin Midi and asked, "Do you know her?"
Jin Midi stepped forward and said, "Yes. Your Majesty, she is Princess Cuiyu, the daughter of the Right Xian King of the Xiongnu."
Princess Cuiyu?
Liu Ju was completely stunned. One of the many speculations about Huo Qubing's death, as circulated in the comments, was Princess Cuiyu, rumored to have had a love-hate relationship with Huo Qubing, bearing him his son Huo Shan, yet, due to their differing political stances, she poisoned Huo Qubing to avenge her father, leading to his untimely death?
Liu Ju subconsciously looked at Huo Qubing.
Huo Qubing noticed his strange look: ...???
Liu Che chuckled softly, "You have always covered your face with a veil, not because you need to maintain the mystery of being the most beautiful woman, but because you cannot show your true face to the public, otherwise you will be recognized by the Xiongnu who have surrendered to the Han Dynasty."
Princess Loulan stopped pretending, or rather, there was no need to pretend after the failure. She raised her eyes, not afraid at all: "Yes. I am a princess of the Xiongnu, the niece of the Chanyu, and the daughter of the Right Wise King."
"Many of my Xiongnu soldiers died at the hands of your Han army, and my father was even beheaded by the Marquis of Guanjun. Whether for public or private reasons, I wish you all dead.
"I was sent here by the Chanyu, and I came here of my own free will. The Xiongnu gave me life and honor, and I swear allegiance to them until death. I am not one to cowardly ignore the blood feud between our two nations and willingly submit to them just to survive."
Everyone knows who this is talking about.
Jin Midi lowered his head, neither unhappy nor defensive. Princess Cuiyu was telling the truth. But if they hadn't surrendered, tens of thousands of soldiers would have perished. Surrendering was not only a chance of survival for themselves, but also for tens of thousands of soldiers.
There's no absolute right or wrong in some things. It's just that everyone has different opinions and choices.
Liu Ju was even more puzzled. "An assassination attempt in the palace banquet hall is extremely dangerous. Regardless of success or failure, you will all die. You are a Xiongnu princess, and dying for them is fine. But why would Loulan and Qiemi cooperate with you, allowing you to impersonate their own troops? Aren't they afraid of a retaliation from the Han Dynasty, dooming you to destruction?"
Cui Yu scoffed. "Qie Mi and Lou Lan are small and weak nations, with fewer than three thousand soldiers. Taking them would be easy. We're just afraid of making too much noise and alerting the other nations, so we've put in some effort. Now that their palaces and all their royal families are in our Xiongnu hands, what choice do they have?"
If this is the case, Qiemi and Loulan are almost dead in name only, and there is really no choice.
Although the Wusun were not as powerful as the Xiongnu, they were not weak either. At least, they were definitely not something the Xiongnu could quietly control. They did this because of their own choice.
Liu Che's eyes were deep, and he waved his hand and said, "Take them all away."
Cui Yu closed her eyes and did not struggle, because she was too weak to do so and it was pointless, so she just cooperated and was taken away. The same went for the other wounded.
Only Wusun.
The chief and deputy envoys shouted repeatedly, "Your Majesty, this is a trick. We don't know why these three people... why these three people suddenly attacked us. But this is definitely not the intention of the Wusun people."
Huo Qubing rolled his eyes, almost laughing at the words: "They are from your Wusun delegation, you brought them in, and when something goes wrong, you claim to be ignorant and completely deny any responsibility. Listen to what I say, do you believe it?"
The Wusun envoy's face turned pale, but he still gritted his teeth and insisted, "Your Majesty, please investigate. We truly do not know."
But Huo Qubing didn't believe it, so how could Liu Che believe it? He waved his hand impatiently and said, "Take him away."
Princess Wusun struggled to shake off the guard and rushed forward. The guard drew his sword and held it across her neck. She was forced to stop, clench her fists, take a deep breath, and shout, "Your Majesty, aren't you afraid of falling into the Xiongnu's trap of sowing discord?"
Liu Che paused and looked sideways at the Wusun Princess.
The Wusun princess was not afraid either. She looked him straight in the face with a firm gaze. "Your Majesty, the Wusun people have come here to form an alliance with the Han Dynasty. To this end, we have even offered you a gift of me, the beloved daughter of the Kunmi. Since we are allied with this, how could we possibly commit assassination?"
Liu Che said calmly, "Then I'll have to ask you guys."
"An alliance between the two countries is what the Wusun people want, and presumably what the Han people want as well. But Your Majesty, do you think it is what the Xiongnu want?"
Liu Che's eyes flickered, but he didn't answer.
The Wusun Princess pointed to the two dead and one wounded Wusun assassins on the ground and said, "Your Majesty, how do you know they weren't the work of the Xiongnu? They might have been bribed by the Xiongnu, or they might have been Xiongnu spies, seizing this opportunity to kill two birds with one stone: assassinate the crown prince and alienate us."
"Once this happens, the person is ours. Regardless of whether the Crown Prince is safe or not, His Majesty will be furious. Not only will the alliance be shattered, but the two countries will also become mortal enemies. What will happen when the Wusun people learn of this, knowing that there is no hope of friendship with the Han Dynasty and that they will even be hated?
"The Wusun could not bear the wrath of the Han Dynasty and could only turn to the Xiongnu once again."
The argument was well-reasoned, logically coherent, and even pointed to the key points. Liu Che had to reconsider his argument and waved his hand to order the guards to retract their weapons.
The threat on her neck was removed, and the Wusun Princess breathed a sigh of relief. She stepped forward and continued, "Your Majesty, what can Wusun gain by assassinating them? It will gain nothing but the hatred of the Han people. Instead, it will push Wusun back into a situation where it is controlled and constrained by the Xiongnu.
"Such a move will not benefit the Wusun or the Han. The only ones who will benefit are the Xiongnu. Your Majesty, please consider carefully and do not fall for the Xiongnu's treacherous schemes."
Liu Che raised his eyes and said, "Then what do you think I should do? Just let you go so easily?"
Of course not.
Princess Wusun gritted her teeth and said, "Please give me three days, no, two days, one day will do. Give me some time to investigate and verify ourselves. I will definitely give Your Majesty a satisfactory answer. We will stay at the International Conference Hall and will not go anywhere else. The Han Dynasty can send someone to accompany the assistant throughout the process."
For the Wusun, being imprisoned in a prison and being under house arrest made a huge difference, both in terms of national dignity and personal dignity. But for the Han, the difference was not significant.
Liu Che thought for a moment and nodded, "Yes."
The Wusun envoys breathed a sigh of relief. Although they faced certain death, they at least had a chance to seek justice. The chief and deputy envoys looked at the Wusun princess, their eyes filled with admiration and gratitude.
She is indeed worthy of being a princess. Even though she was reluctant about the marriage at first, she always sided with Wusun and had the style and bearing of a princess.
The Wusun princess also breathed a sigh of relief, her expression slightly relaxed. She took two steps forward again, folded her right hand over her left, and bent her knees. She no longer performed the Wusun ritual, but the great Han kneeling ceremony: "Thank you, Your Majesty."
She placed her hands on the ground, as if in deep respect. But no one noticed that as her head neared the ground, her expression suddenly darkened, her gaze shifted, and as if she had made up her mind, she took the opportunity to reach into her sleeves with her folded hands and grasped the dagger there.
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