A delicate fragrance wafted through the palace.
Emperor Liu Yang sighed. "Grand Chancellor, I have waited a long time for you to come to Chang'an. I have always wanted to know: what brought about the crisis now facing all under heaven?
"How did a single great flood suddenly force the court to suppress swarms of rising commoners in Guanzhong, the very heartland of the imperial house?
"The officials in the commanderies and counties all say this has nothing to do with me, that it was Heaven's will, but I am unwilling to believe it.
"I would rather Heaven had spurned me for my inadequate talents and virtue than believe it had come to loathe Great Han!"
No ruler was willing to accept the end of the Mandate of Heaven!
Luo Yi said solemnly, "Though the Mandate of Heaven has its end, it also depends on people. Sage King once said that the ruler of all under heaven, the master of the altars of state, must bear every glory and every ill omen.
"So long as the ruler strives to rise, the Mandate of Heaven will favor him. That was how the Zhou State lasted a thousand years.
"Son of Heaven, are you willing to let Great Han take a firm step along the road to a thousand years of enduring glory?"
"I am!"
"Your Majesty, renewal is a great undertaking for the brave. The weak have no right to see its final outcome. If you abandon it halfway, I will leave Chang'an at once and return to Zhao City."
Luo Yi's words rang with the clangor of metal and stone. Long Qing watched him, his eyes shining with worshipful admiration. He hastily nudged Liu Yang and whispered, "Your Majesty."
Emperor Liu Yang said gravely, "I have heard that only when