The sick Emperor Bindusar is worried about quelling the Taxila unrest and is keen to call Sushima to Pataliputra to make him the heir-apparent. Ashoka anticipates the royal mind and ignoring a command to proceed to Taxila, turns up in the capital. By another sleight of hand, he declares himself as Raj-pratinidhi (the royal representative) even before Sushima gets a chance. The feud for succession now hot up and the bed-ridden emperor can do precious little. By planning well ahead Sushima's return route to Pataliputra is obstructed by an outwardly polite Ashoka and Sushima's plot for a frontal attack next morning is nipped in the bud by a swift assassination. The other princes, who could possibly prove recalcitrant, are also swiftly eliminated the way of Ashoka to his gloried destination is appreciably clear.
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