It is said that there are no fathers and sons in the royal family, let alone brothers.
Throughout history, the fierce battles for the throne have been terrifying; the victors ruled the world, while the losers suffered the annihilation of their entire families.
The late emperor was just like that; he seized the throne through treason and, with a strong will, expanded the territory of the Dayu Dynasty.
When he returned home in his old age, he discovered that his sons were already eyeing him covetously and were killing each other.
For two consecutive generations, the Zhu clan nearly dwindled, with very few surviving.
The late emperor, his hair and beard all white, was overcome with grief. After much deliberation, he chose his youngest son, Zhu Yuan, who was gentle and indecisive, and repeatedly instructed him that the Dayu Dynasty needed both a decisive and a benevolent emperor.
An emperor who lacks decisiveness cannot handle state affairs well or control corrupt officials.
An emperor who lacks benevolence will not care for his people and will not love them like his own children.
Chang Yan was ruthless yet adept at navigating social situations, but he still maintained a flame of kinship in his heart. He may not love this prosperous empire, but as long as he loves the people within it, he will treat it well.
"Do you still remember what he said at the gate of the capital? His Highness the Crown Prince had already taken control of the situation. Five thousand soldiers guarding the city couldn't possibly cause any trouble. Yet he was still willing to patiently advise you." Fang Heng's eyes reddened as he recalled something. "So many people were willing to reopen old wounds, hoping that you could let go of the past."
"Wouldn't it have been better if he had ordered you strangled on the spot? Couldn't he have kept you alive to be executed later in the autumn? Why did he have to go through all that trouble to say those words... he just wanted to keep you, his elder brother, alive."
Perhaps there was an element of love in his heart, perhaps it was because Zhu Changyu did not commit a serious mistake, or perhaps it was because time could be turned back and the moment the second prince picked up the little prince, a warm mark was imprinted on his heart.
Unfortunately, even after going to such lengths, it was still impossible to salvage that family bond.
I wonder how that boy, who was always so resourceful, will silently grieve when the news of the betrayal gets back.
Fang Heng felt sorry for his younger brother, but didn't want to lose face in front of the soldiers, so he held back his tears.
Zhu Changyu shook his head in frustration, as if doubting his own choice, or perhaps his own wavering resolve. "No... impossible. The crime of treason is punishable by death. Even the most tolerant emperor cannot tolerate his brothers eyeing him covetously. How can he allow others to sleep soundly on his side of the bed? I also caused the deaths of my eldest brother and Consort Ju. No one will forgive me, no one."
“I come from such a humble background, I have no maternal clan to plead for me, no mother to grieve for me, and no noble family to speak up for me. Now the entire court is dominated by the Crown Prince’s people, and I don’t even have a chance to make a comeback.”
“I never thought of betraying my country, it’s just that there is no place for me in this country… To this day, these words are nothing but empty talk from you. I don’t believe that a traitor can have a good ending.”
"You don't believe me?" Fang Heng was so angry that tears rolled down his face. He didn't care about saving face anymore and adopted the same fighting spirit as his second brother when arguing with someone. "You don't believe me because you are vicious, ruthless, and narrow-minded. You assume that everyone is like you."
"You always blame your humble origins and believe that the world is unfair. Your heart is full of darkness. You have no tolerance for others. Even if you were to sit on that throne, you would be a cruel ruler."
"The eldest prince was cowardly and incompetent and missed the throne, the fourth prince was too cautious and also missed it, but the biggest reason you missed the throne was your extremism, your sharpness, your coldness, and your complete lack of mercy and righteousness."
“Your resentment towards your childhood, your feeling of injustice in the world, your scheming and plotting, even your murder of your own siblings to commit treason—these are all just power struggles, where the victor takes all.”
"But why did you betray your country? You caused the deaths of so many innocent soldiers, and you also caused losses to the national treasury and turmoil to the country."
“You are not worthy of sitting in that position at all, no… you are not even worthy of being our prince.”
The night was deep in the distance, and the surrounding area was brightly lit.
The soldiers, led by Fang Heng, all looked over, their eyes filled with resentment, anger, blame, and a deep sense of powerlessness.
The most painful wounds come from the knives stabbing your own people; they are different from those in war, and are almost a vicious attack on the heart.
The fact that the Third Prince of Anhui always brought Zhu Changyu and Fang Yuan along clearly shows that he understood the reasons behind it.
Use their spear to attack their shield.
Using the battle formation diagram left behind by a general who died on the battlefield to harm the true owner of the formation diagram.
What evil is in his heart?
Zhu Changyu stood rooted to the spot, every word Fang Heng uttered like a knife piercing his heart. The earnest words of the banquet at the gate of the imperial city also surfaced in his mind, causing his once unwavering belief to waver.
He stood in the darkness, with only darkness as far as the eye could see.
His childhood was very difficult, and he hates everyone.
When he ordered his two brothers to kill each other so that he could ascend to the throne naturally, did he ever feel any reluctance in his heart?
He believed that as long as he ascended the throne with the help of a foreign tribe, he could still be a good emperor.
He will work hard and love every child equally.
He wanted to triumph and make all those who scorned his origins tremble before him.
But he forgot... an emperor puts the people first, the world belongs to all, a family is rooted in the nation, and one should put the public good before personal interests.
No matter how much resentment one feels, one cannot gamble with the lives of the people.
If he had understood his fifth brother's unspoken meaning at the imperial city gates, if he had comprehended everyone's good intentions, if he had stopped being resentful and no longer obsessed with the throne, his life would have been different.
Unfortunately, the damage of treason has already been done; the Guan Jin line is in disarray and broken, and the dead soldiers are piled up like small mountains.
He ultimately became the person who will be infamous in history for all eternity.
Zhu Changyu slowly stretched out his hand, seemingly expressing regret, or perhaps conveying apology.
Until my other hand was gripped tightly, a sharp pain shot through me.
Fang Yuan then spoke up, "Your Highness, don't let these people cloud your judgment."
Zhu Changyu suddenly snapped back to reality. The intense gazes of the Third Prince of Anda and his advisor felt like needles pricking his back.
Out of the corner of his eye, he saw that the hands of several Tartar guards had already placed on the hilts of their swords.
"Don't worry." He lowered his eyelashes and said in the most sinister and cold voice he had ever used, "The old emperor of the Dayu Dynasty allowed his servants to hurt me, and the current crown prince seized my throne. I will never let them live under the same sky."
"Don't assume you're the only one who's right. One day when I'm in that position, I'll be the one who's right."
"History is always written by the victors!"
"Hahaha, what a wonderful story of history being written by the victors!" The Third Prince of Anda laughed out loud. "You are a friend of the Anda tribe, and Anda is willing to help you ascend the throne. You will become the most wise emperor of the Dayu Dynasty."
The two smiled at each other amicably, as if they had made an agreement.
To the border soldiers, however, it was a sight that made their eyes widen in horror.
"Very well... since you're so stubborn, then let's fight to the bitter end." Fang Heng gripped his longsword tightly. "Fang Heng, a young general of the Great Yu Dynasty, hereby swears to Heaven and Earth that he will not return until the Tartars are destroyed."
"We will not return until the Tartars are destroyed!"
The soldiers shouted in unison, holding their long swords horizontally in front of them, their eyes glaring angrily ahead.
"Don't think you can be invincible just because you've obtained the Fang family's formation diagram." He assumed a fighting stance. "How can our great nation tolerate such petty scoundrels? Where you came from... get the hell out of here!"
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