The Young Crown Prince

"Brother Ziwen, are we just going to stand here and wait?"

"Manqian, you need to be a little more patient!"

"But we've been standing here for at least three shichen!"

Zhang Xuezhou had followed Zhang Qian around more than half of Chang'an City.

It had taken them a full two hours to walk from the inn to the Imperial City District.

The Imperial City District was packed with wealthy residences, and the towering redwood buildings left Zhang Xuezhou clicking his tongue in amazement. But after seeing so many, his eyes had grown tired.

Especially since they had now been standing at an intersection for a full six hours.

Several hundred meters farther along the road, Zhang Xuezhou could see a stretch of towering inner city gates, with clusters of palaces standing beyond them.

But they could not advance so much as another step.

Imperial guards in red armor, armed with swords and sabers, stood three paces apart and kept watch every five throughout the Imperial City District. They were on high alert and would kill anyone who trespassed without mercy.

This was a rule bought with iron and blood, and Zhang Qian evidently lacked the nerve to violate such a taboo.

In the end, the two could only wait in a safe area.

From time to time, Zhang Xuezhou saw carriages emerge from the palace grounds, but the officials each had their own duties. Zhang Qian knew full well that he had no way to seek their help, nor could he even get a message passed along.

He could only wait for the Crown Prince's carriage.

In the Han Dynasty, the emperor handled everything, and whatever remained fell to the Crown Prince.

The Crown Prince lacked the authority to mobilize troops or appoint and dismiss officials, but as an assistant