Emperor Jianwu walked toward the customary exit with Mr. Liu but was stopped by the guards.
"Get out of the way."
Emperor Jianwu shouted angrily.
Several guards saluted respectfully: "Your Majesty, we are only following orders, please understand…"
"Following whose orders?"
Emperor Jianwu's expression carried a trace of ferocity: "I am the Emperor, you receive your salaries from me, not from the Empress Dowager. You should obey my commands, not anyone else's. Do not think that just because the Empress Dowager told you to stop me, everything will be fine. I can dismiss you from your positions and have you exiled."
Mr. Liu began censuring the guards pretentiously, pointing at them and reprimanding, "Such fools! His Majesty is the ruler of this nation, his word decides your punishments and rewards. If you don't listen to His Majesty, whom do you want to listen to? A bunch of stupid clowns, hurry and let us through."
The guards hesitated.
