Volume One, Chapter 19: I Have No Desire to Kill

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“I do not understand what Your Highness the Crown Prince means.” Startled by Li Heng’s sudden naming, Bian Lingcheng was taken aback.

The crowd murmured in shock, each silently wondering: The Crown Prince has just returned—could he already intend to take action?

Yet, Bian Lingcheng was truly detestable. Relying on the Emperor’s favor, he oppressed the virtuous, acted recklessly, abused power, and engaged in corruption—he long deserved death.

“In the battle of the Eastern Capital, you interfered with Feng Changqing’s command, leading to the city’s fall and the death of the Eastern Capital’s commander Li Tong. Is this true?” Li Heng asked coldly.

“This…” Bian Lingcheng was at a loss for words.

“At Tong Pass, when you failed to bribe Gao Xianzhi, you falsely accused Gao and Feng Changqing of rebellion before the Emperor. Is this true?” Li Heng continued.

“This… Your Highness…” Bian Lingcheng began trembling, sweat beading his forehead.

“General Geshu Han led 200,000 newly recruited troops to defend Tong Pass, yet you pressured him into battle, resulting in his army’s total annihilation and the loss of Tong Pass. Is this true?” Li Heng rose and advanced toward Bian Lingcheng.

Li Heng took a step forward; Bian Lingcheng retreated one step.

“Crown Prince, all these were imperial orders. The Emperor issued twelve consecutive edicts urging General Geshu to engage the enemy. I was merely following orders—please, Your Highness, see reason!” Seeing Li Heng’s stern face, Bian Lingcheng knew his fate was sealed tonight.

But he could not surrender quietly. At this point, he had no choice but to shift responsibility upwards—to the Emperor himself.

“Before the Emperor’s campaign, he entrusted you with the palace keys, yet you secretly colluded with the rebels. Is this true?” Li Heng’s voice thundered.

Advancing another step, Li Heng forced Bian Lingcheng to collapse to the ground.

Bian Lingcheng’s mind brimmed with questions. This matter was so clandestine—how could the Crown Prince, newly returned to Chang’an, know of it?

The crowd’s hearts trembled at this revelation.

The Crown Prince had been back less than an hour, yet already uncovered such grave matters. It was truly extraordinary.

All lowered their heads, unwilling to meet Li Heng’s gaze.

“Guards, drag out this traitor Bian Lingcheng, a scourge to the realm, and execute him on the spot!” Li Heng commanded loudly.

“Crown Prince, spare me! I know my errors. Please spare this wretched life!” Bian Lingcheng knelt, pounding his head desperately.

Two guards approached, each grabbing one arm, dragging him from the hall.

A scream echoed, then the guards returned, bloodied swords in hand, reporting: “Your Highness, Bian Lingcheng is dead.”

No one expected the usually taciturn Crown Prince to be so decisive and ruthless tonight. All present shivered uncontrollably.

“Cui Guangyuan, do you know your crimes?” Li Heng turned sharply to Cui Guangyuan after executing Bian Lingcheng.

With a heavy thud, Cui Guangyuan knelt.

“Your Highness, I admit my guilt!” Cui banged his head repeatedly on the ground.

“Protector Cui, what is your crime?” Li Heng asked.

“I was ordered to guard Chang’an and maintain order. I failed in my duty and allowed chaos to erupt. I know my sins are unforgivable. Please punish me, Your Highness!” Cui kowtowed repeatedly.

“Is that all?” Li Heng’s piercing gaze seemed to bore into his soul.

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“I beg Your Highness to punish me!” Cui Guangyuan shouted.

“The Left Treasury caught fire. Did you not attempt to extinguish it?” Li Heng asked.

“I did, but the flames were too fierce to control.” Seeing Li Heng’s words, Cui hoped for mercy, his eyes brightening momentarily.

“The palace was looted by rioters. Did you not suppress them?” Li Heng pressed.

“I tried. But the rioters came like tides, and my men were too few to stop them. I had to kill over a dozen to barely halt the plundering.” Cui bowed his head.

“So, by this account, you are not only blameless but have merits?” Li Heng said coldly.

“Your Highness, I do not dare claim credit. I merely did what was expected, and even that was insufficient. Please see clearly!” Cui kowtowed again.

The others remained silent, barely breathing for fear of drawing the Crown Prince’s ire.

“You have great audacity! At this juncture, you still dare to deceive me!” Li Heng roared, and Cui trembled like leaves in a storm.

“You sent your son to contact the rebels, planning to hand over Chang’an. Is this true?” Li Heng’s voice was sharp as a blade.

“Your Highness…” Cui’s face drained of color.

He could not fathom how the Crown Prince learned such secrets!

Chen Xilie shivered upon hearing this. Even he, the Left Chancellor, had only just learned of Cui’s treachery. That the Crown Prince possessed such knowledge—was it sorcery?

None suspected that this Crown Prince came from a world over thirteen centuries in the future. The deeds of Bian Lingcheng and Cui Guangyuan were recorded clearly in history.

“What else do you have to say?” Li Heng demanded.

“Spare me, Your Highness!” Cui kowtowed furiously.

“This traitor cannot live. Drag him out and behead him!” Li Heng ordered, and two guards swiftly seized Cui, dragging him out as though he were a dead dog.

Another scream pierced the hall.

Witnessing the Crown Prince execute two men in quick succession, all felt a chill at their necks, fearing they might be next.

“Gentlemen, Bian Lingcheng and Cui Guangyuan betrayed their country, committing heinous crimes warranting extermination of their clans. These two traitors have now been justly executed. The rest of you will be put to death tonight!

“I truly do not wish to shed blood, but if these two are not punished, it will fail to deter the wicked and warn others. In these extraordinary times, I must employ extraordinary measures.”

Li Heng sat again and spoke solemnly, his voice resonating throughout the hall, sending shivers down every spine.

“Now Chang’an is in turmoil, rebels run rampant, and the people’s hearts are unsettled. I hope you will join me in weathering this storm together.

“Those who disobey will follow the fate of Bian Lingcheng and Cui Guangyuan!”

The crowd shouted in unison, “We are willing to die for Your Highness the Crown Prince!”

Li Heng paused, then turned his gaze to Duke of Wei, Li Jun, calling out, “Where is Li Jun?”

“I am here.” Li Jun responded swiftly, stepping forward to salute.

“You are a descendant of our great Tang’s war god Li Jing—loyal and brave. I hereby appoint you Prefect of Jingzhao. You have three days to restore order in Chang’an. Can you accomplish this?” Li Heng said deliberately.

“I am honored by Your Highness’s grace and dare not shirk my duty!” Li Jun bowed deeply.

“Furthermore, swiftly conduct a census of Chang’an’s population. Register all able-bodied men aged fifteen to sixty. Report to me within three days. Can this be done?”

“I obey.” Li Jun bowed again.

“Good. Go now.” Li Heng waved him off.

Li Jun saluted and hurried to Jingzhao Prefecture to begin restoring order overnight.

“Wu Diqi, attend!” Li Heng called.

“I am here.” Wu Diqi promptly presented himself and saluted.

“As the Ministry of Revenue official, you are ordered to inventory all supplies and report to me by noon tomorrow. Can you manage this?”

“We obey.” Wu Diqi saluted and departed.

“Duke of Liang, Di Ruoxi.”

“I am here.”

“You are a loyal descendant of Di Renjie, the esteemed Lord of Liang. With the Minister of War Wei currently escorting the Emperor, I appoint you Deputy Minister of War to temporarily oversee the department.”

“Thank you for Your Highness’s grace!”

“You are ordered to swiftly assess all military personnel and armory supplies in and around Chang’an. Report to me by sunset tomorrow. Can this be done?”

“I obey.” Di Ruoxi bowed and left.

“Li Cangyong.”

“I am here.” Li Cangyong saluted.

“How many soldiers remain in the Left Jinwu Guard?”

“Your Highness, the Left Jinwu Guard had 4,500 men originally. Current numbers are unknown. I estimate no more than 2,500.”

“You are of royal blood, loyal and pure. I entrust you with Chang’an’s patrol defense. Starting now, Chang’an is under martial law. Post guards at all gates and rigorously question all entrants and exits. No mistakes are permitted!”

“I obey.” Li Cangyong saluted and departed.

“Duke of E, Yuchi Tianhao.”

“I am here.”

“You descend from the Tang’s gatekeeper warrior Yuchi Jingde. I appoint you Deputy Minister of Works, granting you authority over the ministry to assist the Minister of War in manufacturing arms and armor. No errors allowed.”

“I obey.”

At that moment, someone outside shouted, “Mr. Li Mi requests an audience!”

“Li Mi? Our strategist has arrived. Quickly, bring him in!” Li Heng’s heart leapt with joy upon hearing the name, as if discovering a treasure. He rose at once and hurried to greet him.