Nine dragons fight for the throne, I don't want to sit on this throne

The city gate.

After the effect of killing the chicken to scare the monkeys was achieved, Liu Xiu changed the subject and softened his tone. He faced the officials again, his eyes becoming "sincere" and "tolerant":

"However, I am well aware that many of the officials in the court, either due to ignorance of the truth or due to the pressure of the times, have had dealings with the traitors or even supported them..."

As soon as these words were spoken, many officials felt nervous again.

Liu Xiu took in everyone's reactions and continued, "However, I am definitely not a narrow-minded person who seeks revenge after the event! All that happened in the past was caused by the instigation of the traitor Liu Cheng."

"I hereby promise that anyone who is willing to pledge allegiance to the Han Dynasty and support me in stabilizing the country today will be forgiven, regardless of their past!"

"You and I, ruler and subject, must work together to overcome these difficulties and rebuild our country!"

He opened his arms and said generously, "When the situation stabilizes and I ascend the throne, all meritorious officials will be generously rewarded!"

"The Han Dynasty still needs the assistance of wise ministers and generals!"

This was a combination of kindness and force. He first established his authority by showing Liu Cheng's miserable end, and then promised him kindness by promising "forgiveness for bygone days" and "generous rewards". His methods were extremely sophisticated and did not seem like something a man in his thirties could do.

Sure enough, many officials showed expressions of excitement and relief on their faces when they heard this.

The originally tense atmosphere seemed to ease a lot.

Some people began to whisper, and it was obvious that Liu Xiu's promise had greatly shaken their original position.

After all, if one can save his life and wealth, who would be willing to follow a failed prince to his doom?

Some people have even begun to think about how to show their loyalty to this new master.

However, in this subtle "relaxation" of the atmosphere, Prime Minister Chen Pin, the head of all officials, bowed his head deeply.

When he seemed to be moved by Liu Xiu's "magnanimity" and bowed to him - his face, which was hidden by the wide sleeves of his court robe, did not show any gratitude or relaxation, but instead flashed with an extremely gloomy, cruel and resolute murderous intent!

Liu Xiu's performance was wonderful and his winning over was also very effective.

But it was this maturity, ruthlessness, and scheming beyond his years that made Chen Pin more resolute in his judgment:

This person is definitely not an ordinary person. If he is allowed to truly take power, it will not be a blessing for the country, and there will be no way for Chen Pin and the forces behind him to survive!

The promise of "letting bygones be bygones" was just a temporary measure to stabilize the situation. Once he was firmly seated on the throne, the purge would surely begin.

Liu Xiu tried to use conciliatory tactics to resolve potential resistance, but he underestimated the vigilance and decisiveness of veteran politicians like Chen Pin.

His performance not only failed to reassure Chen Pin, but instead was like the last straw that broke the camel's back, causing Chen Pin to completely give up any hope of luck.

Beneath the surface obedience, the undercurrent is becoming increasingly turbulent.

A cold light flashed in Chen Pin's lowered eyes, and a more dangerous plan had already taken shape in his mind.

The welcoming ceremony continued, with the sound of drums and music, and Liu Xiu, surrounded by officials (at least on the surface), was about to step into the Chang'an city gate.

However, everyone understands that the real storm is just beginning to brew.

Just as Liu Xiu was about to enter the city, he pulled the reins, and the majestic white horse neighed, raised its front hooves, and stopped abruptly just a few steps away from the deep city gate corridor.

The horse's hooves landed heavily, kicking up some dust.

At this moment, time seemed to freeze. The drums and music stopped abruptly, and all the respectful bows froze in place.

All the officials looked up in confusion and looked at the Prince of Chenliu who suddenly stopped.

Liu Xiu slowly turned his horse's head and faced Prime Minister Chen Pin, who was still bowing.

The gentle smile on his face had long since disappeared, replaced by a kind of indifference and calmness that seemed to see through everything. His young eyes, sharp as an eagle, seemed to be able to see through the deepest secrets of the human heart.

He spoke, his voice not loud, but clearly piercing the silent air, like thunderclaps from the plain, exploding in everyone's ears:

"I am about to enter the city, Prime Minister—"

He dragged out his words slightly, and every word hit Chen Pin's heart like a heavy hammer: "Aren't you going to do it yet?"

With a "buzz" sound, an uncontrollable commotion suddenly arose among the officials.

The color drained from many people's faces, and they looked at the Prime Minister and then at the Prince of Chenliu in confusion, completely confused as to what this sudden attack meant. Was the Prince of Chenliu going to settle accounts on the spot?

Chen Pin's heart was already filled with turbulent waves, and a chill ran from the soles of his feet to the top of his head!

He believed that his arrangements were flawless and that the mobilization of the imperial guards was extremely secretive. How did Liu Xiu find out?

Is there a traitor among them? Or does the Prince of Chenliu really have unpredictable powers?

But decades of ups and downs in officialdom have made him extremely experienced.

He stood up abruptly, his face filled with just the right amount of shock, bewilderment, and a hint of grievance at being wronged. His acting was truly superb.

"Your Highness, Prince of Chenliu! What do you mean by this?"

His voice rose with just the right amount of vibrato, as if he had been deeply insulted and misunderstood.

"This old minister leads all the officials to welcome Your Highness back in triumph. Our sincerity is unwavering, and heaven and earth can bear witness to it! Why does Your Highness speak so cruelly? 'Take action!'"

"Your humble servant... Your humble servant really doesn't understand what Your Highness means!"

He spread his hands and looked at the officials around him, as if seeking public opinion, with a very serious attitude.

Now is not the time to take action. We must wait until Liu Xiu enters the city before we can take action.

As long as Liu Xiu entered the city, he could close the city gates and trap him.

After all, there were people around Liu Xiu when the action took place outside the city. Once Liu Xiu broke out of the siege, they would definitely wait for an opportunity to take revenge as the King of Chenliu.

Therefore, he now had to put on a good show to make Liu Xiu believe that he was sincerely welcoming him into the city.

But Liu Xiu sat upright on his horse, looking down at Chen Pin's performance, with a scornful arc on the corner of his mouth, as if he was watching a clumsy play.

He chuckled softly, and the laughter was particularly harsh in the dead air:

"Don't understand? Prime Minister, if I enter this city gate today, your swordsmen and axemen will lie in ambush in the streets and alleys. When half of my troops have passed, the gates will fall and we will attack from both sides."

"Then I will be trapped in the jar, and you can succeed in one fell swoop, right?"

"Do you really think that I dare to come to Chang'an City without any preparation?"

He glanced at the battlements on both sides of the city gate. It seemed peaceful there, but there was a faint flash of cold metal.

"Do it here..."

Liu Xiu's voice suddenly turned cold, carrying a sense of oppression: "Just outside this city gate, in the open field, perhaps the troops you have assembled will have a chance to fight against my elite troops who have experienced many battles!"

"Once you enter the city, your ambush might be even more deadly, but you will also have no way to retreat. It will be a situation where both sides will be destroyed."

"Now is your last chance."