It is said that there is no father-son relationship in the imperial family, let alone siblings.
The fierce struggles for the throne across dynasties are so tragic that the winners seize power over the world while the losers perish.
The Previous Emperor was one such example. He took the throne by treason and expanded the territory of the Dayu Dynasty by sheer determination.
Only when he grew old did he realize his sons had become hostile towards each other and fought among themselves.
Over two generations, the royal clan of the Zhu family was nearly extinguished, with only a few survivors.
The white-haired Previous Emperor was deeply saddened. After numerous considerations, he chose his most gentle son Zhu Yuan and exhorted him repeatedly that the Dayu Dynasty needed an resolute emperor as well as a benevolent one.
Without resoluteness, an emperor could not handle state affairs well or restrain corrupt officials.
Without benevolence, he would not empathize with the people or love them like his own children.
Chang Yan had shrewdness and aplomb. Though seemingly heartless, he still harbored affection deep down. He might not love this flourishing dynasty, but as long as he loved the people in it, he would rule this land well.
"Do you still remember what was said at the palace gate? The Crown Prince already had the situation under control. With only five thousand garrison troops, no waves could be made. Yet he was still willing to earnestly advise you to let go of the past," Fang Heng said, reminded of something as his eyes brimmed red. "So many people were willing to reopen old wounds, hoping that you would move on."
"Why didn't he order you to be executed on the spot? Why didn't he keep you for later execution? He insisted on saying those words despite the difficulties... because he wanted to keep you, his elder brother!"
Perhaps there was some fraternal love left. Perhaps it was because Zhu Changyu had not committed an egregious crime. Or perhaps when time flowed backwards and the Second Prince embraced little Fourth Prince in his arms, a warm imprint was branded.
Unfortunately, despite the efforts made, the familial bond could not be salvaged.
One wondered how the boy who always strategized behind the scenes would remain heartbroken and silent when the news of betrayal reached him.
Fang Heng felt sorry for the young prince but did not want to lose face in front of the soldiers, so he forcefully held back his tears and said angrily like when arguing with Second Prince, "No... impossible. The crime of treason warrants only beheading. Even the most lenient emperor cannot tolerate sibling rivalry when contending for the throne. The royal bed must not be shared. I killed Eldest Prince and Consort Ju, no one would spare me. No one."
"I was born so lowly without powerful maternal relatives pleading for me, no mother to grieve for me, no prominent family to speak for me. The court now consists entirely of Crown Prince's people. I don't even have the chance to stage a comeback."
"I never thought of betraying my country. It was just that this country had no place for me... Up until today, your words are still lip service. I do not believe, I do not believe a traitor could have a good ending."
"What an unbeliever!" Fang Heng was so angry that tears rolled down his face. He could not bother about dignity and confronted Zhu Changyu with the ferocity he had when arguing with Second Prince, "You do not believe because you are malicious. You are ruthless and narrow-minded. You think everyone is like you."
"You always resent your lowly origin and see injustice in the way of heaven. Your heart is full of darkness. You cannot tolerate others. Even if you ascended the throne, you would still be a tyrant."
"Eldest Prince was indecisive and incompetent, thus lost his chance at the throne. Fourth Prince was too prudent and missed it too. The main reason you barely missed it was because of your extremism, your sharpness, your coldness. You do not have the slightest bit of benevolence or integrity."
"You resented your childhood misfortunes and saw injustice in the way of heaven. You plotted and schemed, even killing your own brothers in treason. All these were just power struggles, a game of winner takes all."
"But why betray your country? You caused the deaths of so many innocent soldiers and damaged the national treasury and stability of the realm."
"You do not deserve that position at all. No... you do not even deserve to be our prince!"
In the distance, the night was deep and dark while the surroundings were illuminated.
The soldiers led by Fang Heng looked over with resentment, anger, blame, and utter helplessness in their eyes.
The pain inflicted by kin cut the deepest for it was malicious beyond just war.
That was why Third Prince An always brought Zhu Changyu and Fang Yuan with him. He understood well the art of attacking one's weakness with one's own weapons.
Such malicious intent!
Zhu Changyu froze on the spot. Every word from Fang Heng was like a needle piercing his heart. The earnest words of Chang Yan at the palace gate emerged in his mind simultaneously, shaking his previously unshakable belief.
He stood in the darkness. All he saw was darkness.
His childhood was miserable. He resented everyone.
He made his brothers kill each other. When he ascended the throne as expected, did he feel remorseful deep down when issuing those orders?
He thought as long as he borrowed foreign power to become Emperor, he could still rule well.
He would govern diligently and love every child equally.
He wanted to hold his head high and make everyone who looked down on his origin tremble in fear.
But he had forgotten... An emperor's priority should be his people, the world belonged to all. A family depended on its country for roots. The public came before self-interest.
No matter how indignant, the people should not be staked as gamble.
If at the palace gate, he understood the deeper meaning behind Fifth Prince's words and realized everyone's painstaking efforts, if he no longer resented and obsessed over the throne, his life could have taken a different path.
Unfortunately, the damage from betraying his country was done. The Helan Pass was broken and corpses of soldiers piled up.
After all, he still became the figure of infamy in history.
Zhu Changyu slowly reached out, seemingly expressing regret while seemingly conveying apology.
Until his hand was suddenly seized tightly, sending piercing pain through his bones.
Then Fang Yuan spoke, "Your Highness, do not let these people confuse you."
Zhu Changyu instantly returned to his senses. His back seemed to be pricked by Third Prince An and his advisor's piercing gazes.
The nomadic guards had already placed their hands on the hilts of their blades.
"Don't worry." He lowered his eyes and said in the most sinister, cold voice he had ever used in life, "The Previous Emperor of Dayu indulged servants in hurting me. The current Crown Prince robbed me of the throne. I will not coexist with them under heaven."
"Do not assume you are the only one that is right. When I sit on that throne one day, I will be right."
"History has always been written by the victors!"
"What an excellent quote 'history written by the victors'!" Third Prince An laughed loudly. "You are a friend of the Anda Tribe. Anda is willing to help you ascend the throne. You will become the wisest emperor in Dayu Dynasty history."
The two looked at each other and smiled as if reaching an agreement. But to the borders soldiers, it was gnashing of teeth.
"Very well. Since you are so stubbornly delusional, we shall fight to the bitter end." Fang Heng gripped his sword tightly. "Fang Heng, soldier of Dayu, hereby swears to heaven and earth to annihilate the nomads or die trying."
"Annihilate the nomads or die trying!"
All soldiers shouted in unison, holding their swords in front of them with eyes fixed angrily ahead.
"Do not assume you will prevail just by taking Grand General's battle plans." He took on a combative stance. "My powerful state will not indulge opportunistic covetousness. Wherever you came from, go back there!"
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