Chapter 335 Last Words
After taking care of most of the matters at home, it was time for Lin Changning to return to his unit.
Now, Taiyuan is becoming increasingly tense. The imperial court has issued three secret edicts in succession, ordering the Prince of Chu to return the military power in the border city, but the Prince's mansion has ignored them all.
Just kidding. When it was lost, it was the imperial court that lost it. When it was brought back, they actually sent troops to fight it. Now that it's been won back, they're here to reap the rewards. What are they thinking?
Perhaps the court knew that this matter was not honorable, so it did not issue an official decree, but instead sent a few people with a secret decree. On the same day, the King of Chu detained the man in his palace and imprisoned him.
The good nephew sitting above him picked the fruit with ease, only wanting them to do the hard work, but not giving them any benefits at all. Did he really think he was a pushover like his third brother?
Speaking of his third brother, it's truly remarkable that he's managed to hold out this long. The imperial army of 200,000 is blocking his way. Some time ago, he even corresponded with him, saying that he would send his son with the remaining troops to join Taiyuan.
They must have already discovered the tricks he had played in secret, which is why they wanted to preserve their lineage and the few soldiers they had left to join him. He had already agreed to this some time ago.
After all, the escape route that Third Brother had left behind was accidentally taken to Taiyuan by his own generals. They had no money, no weapons, and their food supplies were about to run out. It was a situation where defeat was inevitable.
Thinking of the promise he had made to his third brother, the King of Chu couldn't help but sigh and took out the secret letter from a folded compartment in a book.
To Jingnu (personal name):
It has been a long time since we last met, and I miss you dearly.
However, forced by the imperial court, my brother had no way out and thus raised the banner of righteousness.
Heaven has not been on my side; my efforts have failed, and I am now trapped in a desperate situation with no way out.
The elder brother knew that his younger brother had lofty ambitions and was willing to use his disabled body to give his younger brother a reason to start an uprising.
My only regret is this: I have a legitimate son, who is in the prime of his life and has already shown great talent. I truly cannot bear to see him die with me.
Brother, you still have over ten thousand soldiers under your command. I wish to have this son take him and join me, so that he may serve you faithfully. I hope you will not despise his dullness and will take good care of him.
Third Brother's Last Words
The King of Chu picked up the letter, gently lit it with a candle, and watched as the envelope fell to the ground and turned to ash. In the end, the King of Chu closed his eyes with some reluctance.
One general's success is built on the bones of ten thousand; being born into the imperial family is indeed cruel.
Back when their father was still alive, the brothers lived in harmony. The eldest brother was older and had taken care of almost all of his younger siblings for a period of time. Although the third brother was not very capable, he was also very good to his younger brothers. Every time he went out, he would bring them some novelties.
Since they left the palace and established their own residences, and various forces have become involved, their feelings for each other have gradually faded.
After reaching adulthood, my second brother entered a Buddhist monastery and is now the youngest abbot in a temple in Beijing.
It was thanks to my second brother's untainted nature that he survived that palace coup.
My fourth and fifth brothers died on the night of the palace coup and were branded as rebels; they have not yet been buried in the imperial mausoleum.
The sixth prince, Qin Wang, had been guarding the border for many years, bearing numerous wounds, and had also been suspected by his elder brother for many years.
The seventh and eighth brothers had some lofty ambitions, but unfortunately, they lacked the ability to achieve them.
The tenth prince and the eleventh prince are living a relatively peaceful life in their fiefdoms now that they no longer have military power, but unfortunately, the sword hanging over their heads will fall sooner or later.
Third Brother is not the first, nor will he be the last.
While the elder brother was still alive, there might have been a sliver of hope for survival. But now, the one above is ruthless. With the borders unstable and the country suffering from disasters year after year, he has long wanted to take action against these vassal kings who have fiefdoms and money.
He could now see clearly that the foreign languages of their previous generation were like pieces of fat meat, and the one above them was a knife eager to be used.
You never know when they might stab you in the back; the Third Brother is a prime example.
Third Brother wasn't particularly ambitious, but he had a clear understanding of the situation. Unfortunately, the first blow came at him.
At that time, my third brother could either obey the imperial decree and go to the capital, which would only result in the reduction of his fiefdom and titles, and he could save his life.
The only option left was to rebel. The court's underhanded tactics, using a good pretext to ruin Third Brother's reputation, were all aimed at using this easy target as a starting point.
His nephew simply didn't understand his uncles. Although the third brother had no great ambitions and a soft nature, the Li family was inherently tough.
The King of Chu gazed intently at the gloomy weather outside: "How's Rong'er doing dealing with those people in Taiyuan lately?"
The eunuch standing behind the King of Chu bowed slightly and glanced at the guard standing in the shadows.
The guard stepped forward and knelt on one knee: "Your Highness, the Second Young Master has used swift and decisive methods to extract information from many people and has taken down four or five families. In addition, the Princess and the Heir Apparent have also cleared out a large number of people in the Prince's mansion."
The King of Chu nodded: "Have all the people been dealt with?"
The guard bowed and said, "Your Highness, it has all been taken care of."
The King of Chu paused in his writing and asked again, "How has the Princess been lately? Shu'er hasn't brought Yue'er to see me for several days."
The guard was taken aback. He was usually only responsible for collecting important information, and the princess's matter was indeed in his blind spot.
With her head bowed, the prince was pondering how to answer when the eunuch behind him replied, "These days, the princess has been spending time with the young lady and the princess in the mansion, keeping the princess company every day. I've noticed that the princess has been much happier lately, and she smiles more often."
The King of Chu put down his pen and stood up: "That's good. Let's go. I haven't seen Yue'er for the past two days and I miss her terribly. Let's go see Shu'er and the others."
After saying that, he flicked his sleeves, stood up, and led his men toward Li Mingshu's courtyard.
Before she even reached the door, she heard her youngest daughter chattering away with Shu'er.
The clear laughter of his youngest daughter and granddaughter echoed from the courtyard, and a smile appeared on the King of Chu's face.
He pushed open the door and went straight in with his entourage: "What are you playing? You seem to be having so much fun."
Li Minghua looked up and saw his father smiling gently. Holding Yue'er, his eyes lit up: "Father! I was just sitting on the swing with Yue'er. My brother made a swing for us."
The King of Chu stepped forward and waved his hand at his eldest daughter, who was bowing to him: "Shu'er, there's no need for such formalities at home."
After saying that, he reached out and picked up Yue'er: "Oh my, Yue'er's little face has gotten a little fuller. Yue'er, come and tell Grandpa, have you been happy these days?"
The moon opened its round eyes and looked at the King of Chu, nodding vigorously: "Happy."
As she spoke, she counted on her fingers and said, "Grandma gave me delicious snacks, my eldest uncle gave me a swing and toys, my second uncle gave me lots of goldfish, and my aunt secretly brought me candied hawthorns. I was so happy. I love everyone the most."
The King of Chu gently lifted Yue'er in his arms and pinched her soft, white face: "Hmm? Where's Grandpa? Doesn't Grandpa like the little wooden horse Grandpa gave Yu'er? Could it be that Yue'er doesn't like Grandpa? Then Grandpa will be heartbroken."
Yue'er nodded eagerly, drawing out her words, "I like it~"
The King of Chu chuckled and asked, "Who does Yue'er like the most in her family?"
Yue'er seemed a little hesitant. She looked at the King of Chu, then at Li Minghua, and met the King of Chu's expectant gaze with a straightforward "I love my mother the most!"
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