Chapter 7: I’m Making a Heart for You!

When Bai Muge returned from the dragon throne to the main hall, the Young King of Tang finally settled into his seat.

Bai Muge had already eliminated the chief traitor, the Southern Pacification King, and wiped out the remaining experts in his household. Now, the second phase of the plan had to be enacted by Li Chen himself if he wished to assert his authority.

After all, he, Li Chen, was the Son of Heaven of the Tang Dynasty.

"Guards!" Without hesitation, Li Chen called out toward the hall entrance.

The guards, who had been waiting outside for some time, quickly marched in, more than a dozen in number, respectfully cupping their fists and awaiting orders.

"Arrest every traitor and criminal who, over the past two years, has rebelled with the Southern Pacification King and brought disaster to the court and the realm. Take them away and execute them immediately!"

Li Chen issued his command, then turned to Cao Zhen and Bai Zhan. "Minister Cao, Minister Bai, esteemed ministers, I leave the identification of these traitors to you. Surely you do not need me to clarify who among them are the rebels?"

At these words, the loyal officials in the court were all struck with shock. They had not expected the Young King to act with such resolute and decisive measures.

Yet soon enough, clarity dawned on them, and they understood the intent of the Young King, Li Chen—

He was determined to reshuffle the deck, to purge the Tang Dynasty of all traitors and malefactors in one sweeping motion.

Only by doing so could the court be stabilized and the hearts of the people throughout the empire be reassured.

This was, too, the perfect opportunity for the loyal ministers to pledge their allegiance to the Tang.

Miss this chance today, and there would be no other.

Thus, none among the loyal ministers and officials wavered in the slightest.

"We understand, Your Majesty!" they all responded in unison, nodding and accepting the command.

Yet those officials who had pledged themselves to the Southern Pacification King, whether two years ago or more recently, were seized by terror at Li Chen's decision, breaking into cold sweats and trembling uncontrollably.

They had not foreseen that this day would come so swiftly!

"Your Majesty, I confess my crimes—please, spare my life!"

"Your Majesty, we had no intention of rebellion. It was only under the Southern Pacification King's coercion that we acted so foolishly. We beg Your Majesty for mercy…"

"Spare us, Your Majesty…"

Nearly half the officials, without waiting to be identified, fell to their knees, knocking their heads against the floor as they pleaded for their lives.

Now that the Southern Pacification King was dead, their protector was gone. If they did not beg for mercy now, their fate would be even more miserable.

Perhaps, by taking the initiative to plead, there was still a sliver of hope for survival.

But Li Chen, seated upon the dragon throne, was unmoved.

Such cowardly, vacillating officials, without conviction and loyal only to their own safety, were but parasites on the court—mere seat-warmers, wasting imperial stipends.

Li Chen struck his dragon robe sharply and gave a cold order: "Guards, take these parasites from my court and put them all to the sword!"

If the traitors were to be purged, then today would serve as both a warning and a reckoning.

There was not a single clean soul among those who had already cast their lot with the Southern Pacification King.

Executing them all at once would save much trouble.

"Yes, Your Majesty!"

The guards, having awaited this moment, seized the kneeling, wailing officials and carried out the executions immediately outside the Hall of Supreme Harmony.

With the loyal ministers eager to identify the traitors—many of them taking the opportunity to demonstrate their loyalty and to avenge the injustices of the past two years—the court was soon thoroughly cleansed of rebels.

All who remained were loyal to the Tang.

Seeing this, the ministers finally allowed themselves to smile. They bowed to Li Chen in celebration: "Long live Your Majesty’s wisdom!"

Li Chen nodded in satisfaction before turning to Bai Muge. "Bai Muge, step forth to receive your reward!"

"Your servant is here," Bai Muge replied, stepping forward with dignified composure.

"For your great merit in quelling this rebellion, I hereby appoint you Commander of the Imperial Guards and Vice Minister of the Court of Justice. You are to lead your men at once, together with Chen Duolong, and confiscate the traitors’ family properties!"

Bai Muge was momentarily taken aback, but then cupped his fists in acceptance. "Your servant obeys!"

"I too obey!" echoed Minister of Justice Chen Duolong, bowing as well.

Bai Muge, accompanied by Hai Dafu and Cao Zhengchun, left with Chen Duolong.

With his own father, Bai Zhan, still present in the court, and the traitors eliminated, Bai Muge had no fear for Li Chen’s safety.

And with both the Imperial Guard Commander and the Minister of Justice leading the confiscation of traitors’ homes, Bai Muge understood the Young King's intent: this was a chance to punish the guilty, execute the wicked, and ensure not a single root of rebellion remained.

Chen Duolong could not help but admire Li Chen’s incisiveness.

Glancing at Bai Muge, Chen realized that the Young King’s trust in Bai Muge was now unmatched.

After all, throughout history, never had anyone held the positions of Commander of the Imperial Guards and Vice Minister of the Court of Justice at the same time!

Once Bai Muge and his companions had departed the court, the Young King turned to Cao Zhen, Bai Zhan, and the assembled ministers.

"With the traitors just subdued, there are now vacancies in the court. What recommendations do you have for appointments?"

No sooner had he finished than a number of officials eagerly stepped forward.

"Your Majesty, I have a suggestion!"

"Your Majesty, I, too, have a proposal!"

"Your Majesty…"

At that moment, outside the Hall of Supreme Harmony—

Li Duolong, accompanying Bai Muge and the guards as they exited the palace, beamed with delight and offered his congratulations. "Lord Bai, congratulations! You won the highest merit in this campaign to quell the rebellion. My admiration for you is as inexhaustible as the surging Yangtze, as boundless as the flooding Yellow River…"

"Enough!" Bai Muge could not help but twitch at this flattery, raising his hand to halt him. "Minister Duolong, isn’t your praise a bit too much?"

Minister of Justice Li Duolong was left momentarily speechless.

Before he could recover, Bai Muge continued, "We are both servants of the court, serving His Majesty—we need not flatter each other with empty words. Something a bit more practical, perhaps?"

Li Duolong was dumbfounded.

Something practical? What did he mean by that?

Just then, Bai Muge pressed his thumb and forefinger together with practiced ease, making a familiar gesture.

Li Duolong was thoroughly confused by this signal.

"Lord Bai, what are you…?" he asked, perplexed.

"Minister Duolong, are you pretending not to understand?" Bai Muge replied, his expression solemn as he pulled a banknote from his sleeve and repeated the gesture.

Li Duolong suddenly understood.

"I see! I see!" He nodded vigorously, and without hesitation, drew several banknotes from his sleeve and handed them to Bai Muge.

Bai Muge, noticing the guards behind them, snatched the notes with a scowl, feigning anger. "Minister Duolong, are you trying to bribe me?"

Li Duolong was dumbstruck.

Wasn’t it you who just signaled for the banknotes? How did this suddenly become my attempt to bribe you?

But Bai Muge continued in a serious tone, "Minister Duolong, I was making a heart gesture of appreciation!"

Li Duolong was left awkward and speechless.

So he had misunderstood Bai Muge’s intent. Yet the few hundred taels in banknotes were now firmly in Bai Muge’s possession, with no intention of being returned.

Why did it feel as if something was amiss?