Night lay deep and dark, but the Imperial Palace blazed with lights.
Liu He stood on the palace steps with his hands behind his back, his eyes dark beyond measure.
"Your Highness, the rebels have breached the Palace Gate. Not only the Imperial Guards, but some of the Palace Guards have also joined them."
Looking at the panic-stricken minister, Liu He shouted, "What are you panicking for?
"The rebels have troops. Do we not?
"Do you think every member of the Imperial Guards will follow them?
"If the rebels were so confident, they would not have attacked under cover of darkness.
"Hold out until dawn. Bring everything beneath the clear light of heaven.
"The military tally and imperial seal are both in my hands. Whether decrees or rewards, I alone grant and withhold them. The rebels are nothing but dogs from a ruined house!
"Time is on my side.
"Pass on my command. So long as you hold out until dawn, I will certainly not stint on rewards. Five ranks of promotion in noble rank, and I will make five high-ranking marquises of those with the greatest merits. Gold and silver, silk, and beautiful women-I will grant those as well.
"When I ascend the throne as emperor, you will all be meritorious servants who followed the dragon."
Liu He saw the current situation very clearly.
Huo Guang and the others launching their attack so quickly had indeed been somewhat beyond his expectations, as had their ability to gather so many men.
But the underlying rules of politics would not change.
A capital was a symbol to an empire, just as the palace was a symbol to a political power. How many times in history had control of the palace meant control of the realm!
So long as he could continue