The Prince Is Abolished

Chapter 27

The emperor was in a fix again. His troubles due to Xi Mang seemed never-ending.

'Emperor, Lu guards have also entered the palace and have sealed the empress' room.'

'What?'

'Yes. They did so on the orders of Lu Fan and she has the amnesty token from you with which she can come and go as she pleases. She brought her men also and half of the palace is under her dominion.'

Emperor turned to face Lu Xang again and just then another guard came and said:

'Long live the emperor. Xi Mang murdered Song Wu before fleeing. Song Wu is dead.'

Emperor looked at this latest piece of information and cursed Xi Mang.

How many dead bodies does this idiot want me to bury! I guess, I now have no choice.

The emperor went silent and then looked at Lu Xang again.

'What will make you come out Lu Xang? Let's talk. This protest must end today.'

'Abdicate, hand over the reigns to Prince Xi Jiang now and issue a look out notice for Xi Mang. Under no circumstances can he be allowed to have any claims over the throne. Also, try your empress and Xi Mang for plotting your assassination. This is a heinous crime. She and her son must pay for harming the emperor of Mi.'

The emperor heard Lu Xang, agreed with his words and said:

'This will be done today. I also agree to abdicate.'

Emperor had no alternative either; Lu fan was already controlling half the palace, public was at his doors, and Lu Xang and Xi Jiang were batting on the same side now. The throne would change its owner, even if he tried to resist. Best would be to save his face and make this change appear amicable at least.

'Xi Jiang already has your seal. I am willing to go out now, and hear you declare this to the public.'

The three of them walked out. With the emperor in the front, prince in the middle, and Lu Xang the last.

Kang Zhing initially had only laid siege to the entire north and then the south gate, but soon the crowds had swelled to all the corners. The entire palace was surrounded, and yet Xi Mang was able to flee on the horseback in this heavy crowd via a secret passage that he had built for himself.

He had fled soon after pushing a sword into Song Wu's throat, and left him to die in the prison cell as he had become disobedient.

In his last hour, Song Wu had decided to do one good deed and that was to defy Xi Mang so as to solidify protection for Kang Zhing. 

It was the night time now, and Kang Zhing in her pearl garment gleamed as bright as the stars in a dark night while Lu Ran and Lu Fan came out of the palace with the guards as soon as Lu Xang's release news was told to them. Lu Ran got her guard to safely take all the souvenirs she broke and bled out from Xi Mang's body and put them in her carriage to show Kang Zhing later.

Lu Xang was led to the highest point of the palace terrace and from there, torches of fire were put to show the public that he was standing next to the emperor and Xi Jiang.

Emperor Xi Lang said:

'My dear countrymen, I apologize on behalf of the royal family to the Lu family and to you for the crimes of the erstwhile heir-apparent Xi Mang. We will pursue him and bring him to justice and as per the laws that we made. 

I also declare that his accomplice the empress, will also be tried for regicide along with him and a thorough inquiry will be made on their connections in the royal court. All those who are part of this conspiracy with Xi Mang and the empress will be tried and dealt with. Also, I announce, that I am stepping down from the throne, and the next emperor will be Prince Xi Jiang. He is noble and astute, and has stood by you in your protests. I declare him Crown Prince here and after I formally abdicate, he will be your emperor. 

I also personally ask you to go back and not let a few bad apples turn you against the royal family. Allow us this time to look within and please give us a chance  to bring evil to justice. I now request hero of the country, Lu Xang, to say a few words.'

Lu Xang appeared and the crowd cheered wildly and at their highest pitch. It took a while for the crowd to calm down and Lu Xang began:

'My dear countrymen. 

If it weren't for you, I may have died at the hands of an evil man who thought that royal blood is more valuable than the common blood that moves in my veins. That evil man thought that our daughters are easy meat for men of noble lineage. 

I refuse to believe that we are not equal. 

That just because we are not of noble blood, hence, we are either weak or just pawns at the hands of these men. Our new emperor Xi Jiang, has stood by us in this battle. He truly is the man of masses and, I, merchant Lu Xang, would like to ask all of you, to help him build a prosperous and peaceful Mi and bring justice to the daughters of this country. Kang Zhing, Lu Ran, and all the daughters who have faced abuse, violence, and ridicule due to their non-noble or poor background must get justice. 

And I request, our next emperor to ensure that. I also request that divorces and breaking of engagements be made easy for both men and women.

Let us remove stigma on broken engagements and marriages and let healthy relations flourish. 

Again. I thank you. Let this revolution bring down those who have treacherous intentions and wish to harm the true rulers of the Mi, that is you. Thank you.'

Kang Zhing heard Lu Xang speak and she felt giddy. Her icon, said it all so beautifully!

After coming down from the terrace, Lu Xang bowed deeply to Xi Jiang and said: "Long Live, Your Majesty. We await your rule." He moved past the emperor, and went out towards the crowd cheering for him wildly.

Drums and cymbals were used by people to express their joy. Some even got colours while shopkeepers handed sweets to people rejoicing at Lu Xang's release. Flowers were showered on him, people started chanting his name in unison as he made way towards Lu Fan, his beloved.

But people were not ready to let him go to Lu Fan easily. How many hugged him, how many cried at seeing him, and how many blessed him, he forgot to count. The Lu mansion guards, the royal guards, and the personal guards of Xi Jiang, all of them were swept by the people's tsunami that Lu Xang attracted.

The emperor saw all of it and for a moment felt jealous; why didn't the people like him like they like Lu Xang? How could they love a merchant so much who profited from their purchases and not the one who ruled them so well?

Xi Jiang on the other hand, loved all of this.

He saw Lu Xang among this people's tsunami and saw Lu Ran, Lu Fan, Kang Zhing, and Ji Gang trying to get close to Lu Xang, but the crowd ignored them and pushed them away. Lu Xang, their hero, was rescued by them, the people, and they wanted to tell him how much they valued him. Then someone started chanting:

'Long Live Lu Xang!'

And the crowd chanted after him, with claps. More flowers appeared and were showered on him, from where, no one knew. This was the night of the return of Lu Xang, the great son of Mi, and the people were in no mood to rest. Eventually, only at the break of dawn, was the crowd controllable, and Lu Xang was whisked away along with the Lu family ladies by their guards.

Xi Jiang kept watching the scene until he saw Lu Xang being taken away and the crowd also dispersed soon afterwards. Had it been any other man, then bloodbath would have been a certainty, but Lu Xang chose to face the danger alone, and saved so many lives!

Xi Jiang smiled and thought:

What a peaceful protest to bring down a tyrant and his entire league!