Da Ming: I told you to die for your cause, why are you actually going to die?

Chapter 176 Are we going to bear the blame? Can Fourth Brother even make it to the other side?! [Requesting double monthly votes]

After Jiang Huan left, Zhu Yuanzhang sat on the dragon throne for a while, then slowly got up and walked to a huge map of the Ming Dynasty's territory.

The candlelight cast his shadow long and short, reflecting off the intricately painted mountains and cities, making it seem as if he alone enveloped the entire empire.

Zhang Biao's words, "Abolish the stipends of the princes," echoed repeatedly in his mind like a demonic chant.

He loathed the madman's arrogance, yet he had to admit that these words struck at the deepest, most hidden anxieties in his heart.

[The princes... their stipends... and the people of the land...]

Old Zhu's finger unconsciously traced the points on the map marking the locations of the princely residences of the Prince of Qin in Xi'an, the Prince of Jin in Taiyuan, and the Prince of Yan in Beiping.

We granted you fiefdoms and protectors so that you might guard the gates of the Ming Dynasty and become the bulwark of the imperial family, not so that you might become states within a state, parasites sucking the blood and sweat of the people!

The fall of the Song and Yuan dynasties was due to a weak ruler and powerful ministers, and a lack of protection from the imperial clan... We trusted you! We learned from history! But how did you repay us?

He recalled the extravagance and debauchery of Prince Qin, Zhu Shuang, in Shaanxi, his indulgence of his subordinates, and his reckless behavior. He also recalled the network of relationships that Prince Jin, Zhu Gang, had cultivated in the court and his underhanded economic maneuvers. He even thought of the seemingly weak Prince Zhou, Zhu Su, whose palace expenses far exceeded regulations.

These sons were local tyrants.

As Zhang Biao said, he actually knew everything. He knew the evil his son had done and he also knew that the drawbacks of the feudal system were beginning to show.

The enormous salaries and fiefdom income not only failed to be effectively transformed into national defense capabilities, but instead became a breeding ground for corruption and ambition.

If Biao'er were here, he might be able to suppress them...

Old Zhu felt a pang of pain in his heart.

[But now…]

A cold light flashed in his eyes.

Although the thorough investigation into the Crown Prince's death failed to uncover the ultimate culprit, it laid bare before him the uncontrollable power of the regional princes, their erosion of the central treasury, and even their potential threat to imperial power.

Although Zhang Biao was mad, his words were not unfounded. The stipends of the vassal kings were indeed a heavy burden on the court and a source of national instability.

But deposing someone is easier said than done!
That's our own son! He's a 'protective shield' established in the Imperial Ancestral Instructions of the Ming Dynasty!

[If we are suddenly deposed, how will the world view us? How will the descendants of the Zhu family view us? Will they resort to desperate measures?!]

Old Zhu was caught in an extremely painful struggle.

Reason told him that this was a good strategy to eliminate hidden dangers and reduce the burden on future generations.

But the shackles of emotion and tradition firmly bound him.

He paced back and forth in the hall, his steps heavy.

On the one hand, it reflects profound considerations for the future of the empire; on the other hand, it stems from an unbreakable bond with family and a deep reverence for ancestral laws.

This feeling of being torn apart was even more exhausting for him than facing a massive army.

Ultimately, the emperor's ruthlessness and obsession with maintaining his empire gradually overwhelmed everything else.

That madman is right. Now that we've achieved this much, we can't waste it; we can't leave it to future generations!

It's better to make them hate us, their father, than to make them hate our successor!

Even if it means bearing the brunt of public condemnation, we must remove this rotten flesh for the Ming Dynasty!

With his mind made up, Old Zhu's eyes regained their sharpness and determination.

However, he knew that he could not make a decision on this matter unilaterally. He had to rely on the power of the court officials, both to sound out their opinions and to involve the civil service group in the matter to share the pressure and mitigate any potential backlash.

"Somebody come!"

"The slave is here!"

An old eunuch took Yunming's place and hurriedly came in to answer the question.

"Relay our verbal order!"

Old Zhu's voice regained its former authority and unquestionable tone:
"Immediately summon Duke Tang He, Hanlin Academician Liu Sanwu, Imperial Son-in-Law and Commander-in-Chief Mei Yin, Right Vice Censor-in-Chief Yuan Tai, and... Yu Xin, Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, to the palace for an audience with His Majesty!"

He specifically mentioned Yu Xin, whom Zhang Biao had mentioned.

He wanted to see what abilities this 'capable official' recognized by the madman really had, and what he could say.

"The slaves obey the orders!"

The old eunuch was greatly shocked. The emperor had summoned so many important ministers late at night and even specially appointed a fifth-rank physician. Something earth-shattering must have happened!

He dared not delay and immediately ran out to deliver the imperial decree.

About half an hour later, the ministers who had been urgently summoned rushed to the side hall of the Huagai Hall.

Their faces were filled with surprise and uncertainty, clearly indicating that they were extremely uneasy about being summoned late at night, especially during this sensitive period.

Yu Xin was so nervous that his palms were sweating. How could a fifth-rank official like him be summoned by the emperor along with several important court officials?

Zhu sat upright on the dragon throne, his gaze sweeping over the respectfully standing ministers below, finally lingering on Yu Xin for a moment, making Yu Xin almost kneel down.

"They're all here."

Old Zhu got straight to the point, his voice calm yet carrying an invisible pressure: "We summoned you here to discuss a matter of great importance concerning the foundation of the nation."

The ministers felt a chill run down their spines and held their breath.

Old Zhu slowly said, "Recently, I have been reading through the classics and thinking about this for a long time. I feel that the current stipends for the imperial family, especially for the princes who have taken up their fiefs, are very expensive and a heavy burden on the country and the people. If this continues, it will not be a blessing for the country."

He paused, observing the reactions of the crowd.

Several ministers and censors noticed a slight change in their expressions, clearly startled by this sensitive topic, but they all forced themselves to remain calm and dared not speak rashly.

Old Zhu continued:
"Therefore, we are thinking about whether we can follow the ancient system or establish new rules to gradually... well, adjust the system of stipends for vassal kings, and even... consider the advantages and disadvantages of keeping or abolishing it."

The words 'preserve or abolish' resounded like a thunderclap in the side hall!
Liu Sanwu almost cried out in surprise, and quickly covered his mouth.

Mei Yin's forehead instantly broke out in a sweat.

Duke Tang He and Right Vice Censor-in-Chief Yuan Tai also had their pupils shrink, looking at the emperor in disbelief.

[Abolish the stipends of feudal lords?! This is tantamount to shaking the very foundation of the nation!]

[Could His Majesty have been bewitched by that madman Zhang Biao?!]

Or... after this great purge, is the Emperor going to take drastic measures against all the vassal kings?!

The hall was deathly silent; you could hear a pin drop.

No one dared to be the first to speak up, as this was a momentous matter involving the imperial family and ancestral laws.

Saying the wrong word could lead to utter ruin!
Old Zhu took in everyone's fear and hesitation, a cold smile playing on his lips, but his face remained impassive:

"What? Have you all gone mute? We invited you here to discuss matters, not to be clay sculptures!"

His gaze shifted to Yu Xin, whose face was deathly pale and whose body was trembling slightly, and he called out by name, "Yu Xin."

Yu Xin trembled all over and almost staggered as he stepped forward and knelt down: "Your...your humble servant is here!"

"You are a junior official in the Ministry of Revenue, and you are well-versed in money and grain."

Old Zhu's tone was calm, yet carried an undeniable sense of pressure:

"Tell me, if... I mean if, abolishing the stipends of the princes, how much silver could the imperial court save each year?"

"Where can this silver be used? And how should it be managed to reduce instability?"

Yu Xin felt a chill run down his spine, and his heart was pounding in his throat.

This isn't questioning him; it's putting him on the hot seat!
But he knew that if he backed down or gave a perfunctory response at this moment, he would surely incur the emperor's wrath.

He forced himself to calm down.

His mind raced, drawing on his years of experience working in the Ministry of Revenue, and recalling some of Zhang Biao's boastful remarks he had vaguely heard before. He gritted his teeth, kowtowed, and said:
"Your Majesty! This matter concerns the very foundation of the nation, and I... I would never have dared to speak so presumptuously. However, since Your Majesty has inquired, I can only answer truthfully. If I have done anything inappropriate, I am willing to accept the executioner's axe!"

He first absolved himself of responsibility, and then cautiously said:
"In terms of cost-saving, according to my rough estimate, the annual expenditures of the various princely residences, guards' provisions, construction and repairs, etc., are indeed over one million taels, or even more..."

"If adjustments can be made, it can greatly alleviate the pressure on the national treasury. The saved silver can be used to strengthen border defenses, build water conservancy projects, and provide disaster relief to the victims. This would be of great benefit to the country and its people."

He didn't dare say "abolish" directly, only "adjust," but the meaning was already very clear.

Old Zhu nodded noncommittally and said, "Hmm. Continue, how should it be carried out? How will the vassal kings react?"

Yu Xin was sweating profusely, but his thoughts gradually became clear: "In my humble opinion... if we are to carry out this matter, we must not be too hasty, but proceed step by step."

"Perhaps we could start by reducing unnecessary expenses and standardizing the spending of the Prince's Palace, establishing clear rules and regulations, and strictly auditing them."

"Furthermore... we could perhaps emulate the management system for some members of the imperial family during the Song Dynasty, allowing princes and their brothers to be selected for official positions based on merit, or to engage in other professions, gradually reducing their dependence on official salaries..."

He paused, then steeled himself and brought up the most sensitive part:
"As for the reaction of the vassal kings..."

"I believe that if we act suddenly, it will surely cause a violent backlash and may lead to unforeseen changes... We need to use swift and decisive measures to deter lawbreakers, as well as a gentle approach to appease those who are obedient."

"His Majesty must make decisive and authoritative decisions to demonstrate to the world his unwavering resolve!"

"At the same time... we could find one or two exemplary models to pilot first, observe the results, and then plan to promote it further."

Yu Xin spoke with extreme caution, even stumbling a bit, but the core meaning was clearly expressed.

The benefits are enormous, but the risks are extremely high.

[A combination of firmness and leniency is necessary, progress must be made gradually, and the emperor's absolute authority is required to implement it.]

After listening, Old Zhu's face remained expressionless, but a faint hint of satisfaction flashed in his eyes.

This Yu Xin is indeed quite knowledgeable.

He wasn't just a bookish pedant; he dared to offer well-organized and actionable suggestions under immense pressure, which, though conservative, suited his purposes perfectly.

Although he never intended to achieve everything in one step.

But there's no denying that the person Zhang Biao recommended is indeed a talented individual.

"what about you?"

Old Zhu's gaze swept over the other important officials: "Speak up, everyone."

Several of Zhu's trusted ministers and the Right Vice Censor-in-Chief exchanged glances, knowing they could no longer pretend to be mute.

Tang He spoke first, his tone heavy: "Your Majesty, what Doctor Yu said is indeed true. The national treasury is empty and the vassal kings are spending huge sums of money, which is a fact."

"However, the established laws of our ancestors should not be lightly abandoned. Moreover, if the princes, who are stationed in the four directions, harbor disloyal thoughts, it may not be a blessing for the country."

"Therefore, I believe that a prudent approach should be taken first, perhaps by reducing redundant expenses and strengthening supervision..."

Liu Sanwu interjected, "Your Majesty, the safety of the border garrisons depends on the princes. If their salaries are suddenly reduced, the morale of the army may waver, giving the Northern Yuan an opportunity to take advantage. This matter... still needs to be considered carefully."

Mei Yin and Yuan Tai also expressed similar concerns, the core of which was:
The drawbacks are well-known, but the risks are too great; it's better to remain still than to act.

Old Zhu listened quietly, his fingers gently tapping the armrest of the dragon throne.

He knew that the reaction of these experienced and prudent officials was within his expectations.

They were afraid of taking responsibility, afraid of causing unrest, and even more afraid of offending the feudal lords.

However, their opposition and concerns precisely demonstrated the deep-rooted power of the regional princes, which in turn strengthened Zhu Yuanzhang's determination to reform.

Even these high-ranking officials of the imperial court are so wary of the vassal kings, which shows how powerful they are! If they are not curbed soon, they will surely become a major threat in the future!

After the ministers finished speaking, the hall fell silent again, and everyone looked at the emperor nervously.

After a long silence, Old Zhu finally spoke slowly: "We understand what you mean."

"but."

Then, he changed the subject, his tone carrying an undeniable decisiveness:

"The established laws of our ancestors? Ha! We were the ones who compiled the 'Imperial Ancestral Instructions of the Ming Dynasty,' so we are the established laws of our ancestors!"

"We initially oversaw the compilation of the 'Imperial Ancestral Instructions of the Ming Dynasty' to ensure the eternal stability of the empire! If the law has already done more harm than good, why can't it be changed?"

"The safety of the border towns? Are we really so desperate that the million soldiers of the Great Ming Dynasty can't even defend the country's borders without a few princes?!"

"Risk? What doesn't involve risk? To throw the baby out with the bathwater is not the act of a wise ruler!"

With each word he spoke, his tone grew heavier, revealing the emperor's majesty.

"The system of stipends for princes has been deeply entrenched in corruption and must be reformed!"

"But how to change it, when to change it, and what the change should look like are all things we have to consider."

"I've summoned you here today not to ask whether you should change things, but to let you know in advance and to provide us with concrete and sound plans!"

After saying this, Old Zhu's gaze swept over everyone like a sharp sword:

"Ministry of Revenue, with Yu Xin in charge, provide us with a detailed accounting of the expenses of each prince's residence, and draft specific plans to reduce unnecessary expenses and standardize regulations. These plans must be detailed and feasible!"

"The Ministry of Personnel and the Ministry of War should consider policies for selecting and employing members of the imperial clan based on merit, and for diverting them to other professions!"

"The Censorate, keep a close eye on all the princely residences. Anyone who harbors resentment or makes any unusual moves will be severely punished!"

He issued the task directly, blocking everyone's escape route.

"This matter concerns the safety of the nation; you must all do your utmost. Any negligence or leaks will be strictly prohibited..."

Old Zhu snorted coldly, and his unfinished words sent a chill down everyone's spine.

"I will obey your orders!"

The ministers immediately knelt down to accept the order, inwardly lamenting their predicament, yet daring not to disobey in the slightest.

They knew that the emperor's mind was made up, and a massive reform of the feudal system had begun.

"Everyone, step back. Yu Xin, stay."

Old Zhu waved his hand.

The ministers, as if granted a pardon, bowed and withdrew.

Only Old Zhu and the trembling Yu Xin remained in the hall.

Old Zhu looked at the young Ministry of Revenue official, his tone softening somewhat, but still carrying a sense of pressure:

“Yu Xin, Zhang Biao said before that you could replace Fu Youwen. After seeing you today, I can confirm that you do have some courage and talent.”

"Do a good job and handle this matter well. If you do it well, you might just be able to sit in the chair of the Minister of Revenue."

"But what if it goes wrong, or if word gets out..."

Old Zhu didn't say anything more, but the threat was obvious.

Yu Xin felt a tremendous pressure and responsibility on his shoulders, but also a sense of excitement about the opportunity.

He kowtowed deeply: "Your Majesty, I will do my utmost to live up to your trust!" "Go."

Old Zhu closed his eyes.

Yu Xin carefully withdrew from the Huagai Hall, his back completely soaked with cold sweat.

He knew that from this moment on, his fate was intertwined with this extremely dangerous reform.

In the empty side hall, Old Zhu sat alone for a long time before letting out a sigh that was difficult to decipher.

[Biao'er, if you were here, would you support your father doing this?]

[This Ming Dynasty, your father must clear away all obstacles for you and for your descendants...]

Even if... the price is my father's posthumous reputation and the resentment of several unfilial sons.

.........

the other side.

A side hall of Kunning Palace.

In the past, this was a solemn place where the Empress summoned noblewomen and held inner palace ceremonies, but now it was filled with a suffocating and eerie atmosphere.

Expensive ambergris incense burned inside the hall, but it did nothing to dispel the invisible fear and tension.

More than a dozen concubines who had given birth to princes were "invited" here. They were dressed in formal palace attire, but each of them looked bewildered.

They exchanged uneasy glances and whispered among themselves, but none of them knew the emperor's true purpose in suddenly summoning them here.

When the Grand Eunuch Yunming read out the Emperor's edict with a blank expression, the entire side hall fell into an ice cellar, instantly becoming deathly silent.

“I have recently been contemplating the foundation of the nation. The position of crown prince is vacant, which is ultimately not a blessing for the country. I intend to select a worthy successor from among the princes who have been enfeoffed in their fiefdoms…”

"You are all the mothers of princes, and we would like to hear your heartfelt words on the matter of choosing an heir."

"Today, I will write a letter to each of your sons. Tell them that we have privately expressed our favor and hope that they will be self-disciplined, diligent, and await good news."

"Remember, this matter is confidential and must not be leaked..."

The contents of the imperial edict struck like a bolt from the blue, exploding in the minds of all the concubines.

[To establish a regional prince as crown prince?!]

The Emperor favors his own son?!

Is this for real? Or... a terrible test?

Immense shock, unbelievable ecstasy, and deep-seated fear... a torrent of emotions washed over every woman present.

Some of them covered their mouths with their hands to prevent themselves from screaming in surprise.

Some swayed slightly, almost fainting.

Some eyes flashed with a burning light, but it was quickly suppressed by deeper doubts and fears.

Yunming, like an emotionless puppet, waved his hand, and the eunuchs who were already prepared silently walked to each concubine with writing brushes, ink, paper and inkstones, placing the items on the tables beside them.

"Your Majesties, please."

Yunming's voice was not loud, but it carried an undeniable sense of pressure: "His Majesty is waiting to hear the 'heartfelt words' of the ladies."

The hall was completely silent, save for the heavy breathing and the pounding of hearts.

It wasn't until a dignified and elegant woman of a certain age took the lead in picking up a pen and starting to write that the other concubines gave up their struggles and all went to the table to write.

However, their hands were trembling as they held the pens, seemingly unable to find the right place to write.

Yunming's gaze quickly fell on each of the concubines, memorizing their expressions and movements.

Then, the speed at which each concubine wrote, and even the neatness of her handwriting, were meticulously recorded by the eunuchs standing nearby and the spies hidden in the shadows.

Some concubines wrote and tore up their papers repeatedly, writing and tearing them up again, their foreheads dripping with cold sweat.

Some of the concubines bit their lips, their eyes resolute, and wrote quickly, as if they were taking a gamble.

Some concubines wrote with extreme care, carefully choosing each word, as if every stroke carried immense weight.

About half an hour later, the letters were finally finished being written and then collected by the eunuchs, sealed with sealing wax, and labeled on the spot.

Yunming held the heavy stack of letters, which carried countless ambitions and fears, as if he were holding a pot of burning charcoal.

He bowed to the concubines and said, "Your Majesties have worked hard. Please return to your palaces and rest. His Majesty will make his own decision."

The concubines, feeling as if they had been granted a pardon, dispersed in a daze, filled with doubt and lingering anticipation.

Inside the side hall, only the rich aroma of incense and the emptiness of death remained.

Yunming dared not delay and immediately returned to the Huagai Palace with the letter in his hand.

……

Over the next three days, the princes who lived nearby would receive letters from their mothers.

The princes who did not receive letters from their mothers received special care from their fathers.

For example, Zhu Di, the Prince of Yan, was in Beiping.

At this moment, Prince Yan, Zhu Di, had just finished inspecting the border defenses and, covered in dust, rode back to his palace.

For some reason, a sense of unease lingered in his heart, as if something heavy was about to happen.

Instead of returning directly to his residence, he inexplicably took a detour to the riverbank outside the city, where a thin layer of ice had already formed.

From afar, he spotted a familiar figure—the black-robed monk Yao Guangxiao.

He stood quietly on the riverbank, gazing at the frozen surface of the river, like a black stone sculpture.

The figure appeared exceptionally lonely amidst the vast天地 (heaven and earth), yet it also exuded a profound and unsettling aura.

Zhu Di's heart sank.

Yao Guangxiao rarely waited for him in such places.

He reined in his horse, took a deep breath of the cold air, forced himself to calm down, then dismounted and led the horse slowly over.

"Grandmaster."

Zhu Di's voice had a slightly hoarse quality that was barely perceptible.

Yao Guangxiao slowly turned around, and his usually calm face now carried an unprecedented solemnity.

He skipped the pleasantries and went straight to the point, his voice low and clear: "Your Highness, there has been a sudden change in the capital."

Zhu Di's heart sank, but his face remained impassive: "Oh? What could possibly make the master so grave?"

Yao Guangxiao remained silent.

He succinctly recounted the details of the Qin, Jin, and Zhou princes' involvement in the major corruption case in Shaanxi, the death of the crown prince, his stripping of his princely titles by the emperor, his imprisonment and guarding of his remains, and finally the massacre of Yingtian Prefecture, which uprooted the power of the Qin and Jin princes.

Every word was like a heavy hammer blow, striking Zhu Di's heart.

When he heard that "the Prince of Qin has been deposed and is guarding the tomb" and "the Prince of Jin and the Prince of Zhou have been imprisoned," Zhu Di gripped the reins tightly, his knuckles turning white from the force.

He was struck dumb, frozen in place, his face drained of color instantly, and his pupils contracted sharply due to extreme shock and fear!
[Second brother crippled?! Third and fifth brothers imprisoned?!]

[Father...Father, you really did treat your own son so cruelly?!]

He never imagined that the raging storm of bloodshed would actually engulf his brothers.

Now that the second, third, and fifth princes have all been dealt with by the Emperor, will the next one... be Zhu Di, the Prince of Yan?!

A bone-chilling coldness shot from the soles of my feet straight to the top of my head, instantly spreading to every part of my body.

He could even hear his heart pounding wildly, almost bursting out of his chest.

Although he was filled with resentment upon learning that the deaths of his second, third, and fifth sons were related to the death of his eldest brother, the Crown Prince, his first thought was of his father, the Emperor.

How could Father's body withstand such a huge blow? Would that rage completely destroy his already aged body?

Immediately afterwards, boundless fear overwhelmed him like a tidal wave.

He then thought of his three sons in the capital!
Gao Chi, Gao Xu, Gao Sui! How are they? Were they implicated? Could they already be...?

Overwhelmed by worry and fear, Zhu Di swayed slightly. He looked abruptly at Yao Guangxiao, his voice trembling with extreme tension:
"Master... in the capital... are Gao Chi and the others... safe and sound?"

Yao Guangxiao shook his head slightly: "The Crown Prince and the two princes are currently safe and sound, but they are under close surveillance, which is tantamount to house arrest."

Hearing that his sons were temporarily safe, Zhu Di breathed a slight sigh of relief, but his heart was still in his throat.

As mentioned before, he knew his father all too well.

If the cause of the Crown Prince's elder brother's death had not been found, the Emperor would never have gone to such lengths.

Now that the truth has been uncovered, the frenzy is unlikely to end abruptly; in other words, the storm is still raging.

He himself will likely be drawn into this 'bloody and ruthless' storm.

Thinking of this, he stared intently at Yao Guangxiao, his eyes filled with an urgent search for answers and a barely perceptible pleading:
"Master... what should I do now?"

Yao Guangxiao did not answer immediately, but instead gazed quietly at Zhu Di with his eyes that seemed to see through people's hearts.

After a long while, he slowly took out a small but unusually heavy box wrapped in bright yellow brocade from the wide sleeves of his monk's robe.

"Your Majesty!"

Yao Guangxiao's voice remained calm, yet carried immense weight: "This is from the Emperor... sent by express courier, specifically for the Prince."

Upon seeing the bright yellow brocade, Zhu Di's eyelids twitched.

That's a color reserved for royalty!
[Something my father sent me? At this time?!]

An extremely ominous premonition tightened around his heart like a venomous snake.

He almost held his breath, and with a slightly trembling hand, he took the box.

It feels cold and heavy to the touch.

He glanced at Yao Guangxiao, whose eyes were deep and thoughtful, and gestured for him to open it.

"call"

Zhu Di subconsciously took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing the turmoil in his heart, untied the brocade, and opened the box lid.

There were no letters inside, only a thick stack of... copied confessions and document summaries!
His eyes quickly scanned the contents of the document.

It contained some of the testimonies from Fu Youwen, Ru Chang, and others regarding the old case in Shaanxi and the expenses of the Eastern Palace, as well as some vague but subtly suggestive secret letters found in the residences of the Princes of Qin and Jin, which pointed to collusion between the princes and court officials!

boom--!
Zhu Di felt a surge of heat rush to his head, and his vision suddenly went black, almost causing him to lose his balance!

[Father...Father actually sent these things to me to see?!]

What does this mean?!

Is this a test? A warning? Or... have they already decided I'm the mastermind, and are they showing me 'evidence' so I can die knowing why?!

A wave of immense shock and humiliation washed over me instantly.

He was almost unable to control himself and roared in anger.

But the astonishing will honed by years of battlefield combat and power struggles came into play at this moment.

He clenched his teeth and swallowed back the exclamation and explanation that were already on the tip of his tongue.

His facial muscles twitched violently a few times before he forced himself to regain an almost stiff calm.

Only his hands, gripping the edge of the box tightly and with knuckles white from excessive force, revealed the turmoil raging within him.

He slowly raised his head, his gaze passing over Yao Guangxiao and landing on the frozen river in front of him.

The river surface is as smooth as a mirror, reflecting the gray sky. It appears calm, but who knows how many undercurrents and cracks are hidden beneath, as if it could shatter at any moment and swallow anyone who steps on it.

An indescribable, complex emotion, like an undercurrent beneath the ice, surged wildly within his chest.

There is fear and chilling at the sight of his father's ruthless methods.

There was a sense of shared sorrow for the tragic fate of their brothers.

He had deep worries about his own and his sons' future.

There is also a sense of resentment and anger at being driven to the brink of despair.

Zhu Di, who guarded the northern frontier and resisted the Mongol Yuan dynasty, made outstanding contributions and never harbored any disloyal intentions. Why then did he suffer such suspicion and persecution?!
Just because he was capable and had military merits, does that mean he deserved to die?!

This cold world, this ruthless imperial family!

I don't know how much time has passed; it may have been just a moment, or it may have been a long century.

Zhu Di slowly turned around and looked again at Yao Guangxiao, who had remained silent as a rock.

His face was expressionless, only his deep eyes burned with a cold flame that had almost rekindled after despair.

Without warning, he raised his hand, pointed to the seemingly insurmountable frozen river, and asked the question that would determine their future:

"Master... do you think I can reach the other side?"

His question, seemingly directed at the glacier, was actually a question about the extremely perilous situation, about the distant yet alluring other shore, and about whether there was still a way forward for himself.

Yao Guangxiao was stunned for a moment, then looked in the direction Zhu Di pointed, gazing at the vast expanse of ice field. After a long while, he turned his gaze back to Zhu Di.

For the first time, his calm, still eyes clearly reflected Zhu Di's resolute and desperate figure.

He did not give a direct answer of 'yes' or 'no'.

He simply clasped his hands together, uttered a Buddhist chant, and spoke slowly in an extremely calm yet boundless tone:

"Amitabha."

The Buddha said: "To help others is to help oneself."

"Where is the other shore? It is not in the width of the river, but in the sincerity of the heart."

"If Your Highness has the other shore in your heart, why fear the ice beneath your feet?"

As soon as he finished speaking, a cold wind blew by, whipping up the withered grass on the ground and making a whistling sound.

Zhu Di's gaze returned to the seemingly flat but actually treacherous ice surface, and he remained silent for a long time.

Gradually, the river breeze grew colder.

[Father, don't you understand? You're the one who truly killed my elder brother.]

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(End of this chapter)