Chapter 5: Prince Yan, Zhu Di!
Prince of Yan’s Mansion!
It was already the early hours of dawn.
Yet within the grand hall of the prince’s residence, many generals remained stained with blood.
At the center of the hall lay two corpses.
One was Zhang Bing, the other Xie Gui.
They had come under the direct orders of the reigning emperor, Zhu Yunwen, tasked with capturing Zhu Di and his entire clan.
However,
Zhu Di had long anticipated their mission. As soon as they set foot in the Yan Prince’s Mansion, he declared their doom.
Seated upon the throne,
Zhu Di wore the royal robe, exuding an aura of sovereign majesty.
Besides the two fallen envoys of the court, the hall was filled with numerous warlords loyal to Zhu Di.
“Your Highness,”
a bloodstained general stepped forward respectfully to report, “the nine gates of Beiping City are now fully under control.”
“The original garrison of ten thousand soldiers has been restored under your command.”
“As for the commanders placed by the court within the troops, I have personally removed them.”
“General Zhang,”
Zhu Di lifted his eyes and praised the general standing before him, “your efforts in reclaiming Beiping have spared me from the treachery of these viperous agents. You have rendered great service.”
This general was none other than Zhang Yu, Zhu Di’s trusted confidant and former commander of Beiping Prefecture.
“I swear my life in service to Your Highness,”
Zhang Yu knelt and bowed deeply, “to live and die with you.”
Moved by the sight,
Zhu Di rose from his throne and quickly approached Zhang Yu, helping him to his feet.
“Your loyalty to me is clear as day,” Zhu Di said warmly.
Then, his gaze swept across the assembled generals and civil officials within the mansion.
“My friends,”
“yesterday’s battle was one of life and death.”
“All present here are my own people; I shall spare no words.”
“From this day forth,”
“I must rebel.”
“The news of this day will brand us all as traitors to the court.”
“If I fall, each of you will suffer the punishment of extermination.”
“Now, I offer you a choice: if you do not wish to stand with me against the court, you may step aside.”
“I will bear no blame.”
Zhu Di ascended the steps once more and addressed his subordinates with solemn gravity.
At that moment,
not a single person stepped back. All knelt facing Zhu Di, proclaiming in unison: “We swear to follow Your Highness to death, to live and die together.”
Seeing none falter, a hint of emotion crossed Zhu Di’s face.
Though he had already slain the court’s envoy and seized control of Beiping City with its vast armies,
Zhu Di knew full well that his chances of victory were slim.
Yet,
the unwavering loyalty of his men was his greatest strength.
“My friends,”
“Zhu Di will speak plainly.”
“If we succeed, I will treat you as national heroes, sharing honor and disgrace alike.”
“If we fail, I will die with you, never seeking to escape.”
“Here and now,”
“Zhu Di thanks you all.”
Bowing deeply to the assembly, Zhu Di’s solemnity filled the hall.
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