Chapter 21: Zhu Yunwen and Lady Lu

For Song Zhong, the situation was clear: he had no intention of engaging the Yan army in open combat. His primary strategy was defense.

Once a direct confrontation began, Song Zhong could not be certain how many of his Beiping troops remained loyal to the throne, and he feared the possibility of them turning their weapons against him. Therefore, he remained cautious, prioritizing defensive posturing. He merely had to wait for the imperial reinforcements from the Liaodong region and the surrounding prefectures to arrive, and crushing the rebels would be a simple matter.

In his mind, this was the most secure approach.

"Small cities like Miyun are nothing more than bait. Though the garrisons are thin, they will certainly delay you for some time. Juyong Pass and Huailai are where the true blockade lies," Song Zhong thought, his heart filled with anticipation. "Zhu Di, you cannot stir up any real trouble. A subject must obey when the sovereign commands death, yet you have dared to raise an army in rebellion. Once I capture you, I will surely gain even greater favor from the Emperor."

***

Yingtian Prefecture, Yingtian City! The capital of the Great Ming Empire.

Inside the Wenyuan Pavilion, three high-ranking officials—Qi Tai, Huang Zicheng, and Fang Xiaoru—hurried into the main hall. Before Zhu Yunwen had been named Crown Prince, they had served as his tutors, instructing him in statecraft and military strategy. Though they moved with haste and wore solemn expressions, their eyes betrayed a hidden joy.

"Report!" one of them exclaimed. "Your Majesty, the Prince of Yan, Zhu Di, has raised an army in rebellion!"

On the dragon throne sat the young emperor, draped in vermilion-yellow robes. Upon hearing the news of Zhu Di's uprising, his expression shifted instantly.

"Has he truly rebelled?" Zhu Yunwen asked, his tone heavy.

"Reporting to Your Majesty," Fang Xiaoru said in a deep voice, "the urgent dispatch from the north arrived with the utmost speed. It is confirmed. Xie Gui, Zhang Bin, and the Embroidered Uniform Guard hidden within the Prince of Yan’s estate have all been killed by Zhu Di. Beiping City has been retaken by him."

Zhu Yunwen immediately turned to the three officials, clearly lacking a firm resolve of his own. "Three ministers, what say you?"

"Your Majesty," Qi Tai spoke with a stern face, "Zhu Di's rebellion is, in fact, a stroke of great fortune. Previously, because of your familial ties, you could not act too harshly, and there was much gossip among the common people. But now, it is different. Zhu Di has committed a heinous crime. Your Majesty no longer needs to show any restraint in dealing with him. I have already issued orders in the name of the Ministry of War to mobilize troops from the Liaodong and Baoding prefectures to advance upon Beiping. Together with General Song Zhong’s forces, we shall surely crush the Yan rebels."

Hearing this, Zhu Yunwen’s expression softened, and a cold sneer appeared on his face. "Minister Qi is right. How can a mere vassal state hope to defy the heavens?"

Huang Zicheng stepped forward, his expression solemn. "Your Majesty, beyond the military mobilization, there is one more thing. You must issue an imperial decree to the entire world, stripping Zhu Di of his royal title and demoting him to a commoner. By announcing his rebellion to the world, the imperial court’s cause will be even more righteous."

"I second that motion," Fang Xiaoru added loudly. "Not only must we strip him of his title, but his entire family must be branded as criminals."

"As you have requested," Zhu Yunwen agreed.

Yet, regaining his composure, he looked intently at Qi Tai, the Minister of War, and said earnestly, "Send word to General Song Zhong and the other commanders: ensure that history does not burden me with the title of an uncle-killer."

Qi Tai smiled immediately. "Rest assured, Your Majesty, I will relay your message. With the current deployment, we are surrounding him on all sides. Within three months, we shall have Zhu Di and his entire family escorted to Yingtian to face your judgment. At that time, it will serve to both intimidate the other vassal kings and bring lasting peace to the realm. Your Majesty will then be revered as a sage monarch."

Zhu Yunwen looked at the three men with intense trust. "I entrust the matter of suppressing the rebels entirely to you three."

"We shall not fail Your Majesty," they bowed in unison.

"Zhu Di," Zhu Yunwen muttered, a chilling, hateful glint in his eyes, "at last, I shall remove this thorn in my side."

***

Later, in the Empress Dowager’s palace, Zhu Yunwen walked in after the announcement of his arrival. After dismissing the servants, he approached the elegant and noble Lady Lü and bowed.

"Yunwen, what brings you to see your mother today?" she asked with a gentle smile.

Zhu Yunwen sat beside her, his face flushed with excitement. "Mother, Zhu Di has rebelled."

Lady Lü started, then sneered, "Good! Very good! He has finally lost his patience. Now that he has rebelled, you have no reason to hold back. Rebellion is a capital offense—we shall wipe out his entire clan. I have waited so long for this day."

"Mother," Zhu Yunwen said, equally agitated, "once Zhu Di is gone, my throne will have no more threats. The things you did for me in the past will never be known."

Lady Lü stared at him, her tone grave. "Yunwen, you are the Emperor now. Remember what should and should not be said. In front of me, you may mention the past, but in front of others—even your three tutors—never speak of it. It would damage your prestige and undermine your legitimacy."

"I understand," Zhu Yunwen replied.

Left to her own thoughts, Lady Lü murmured, "Lady Chang, Zhu Xiongying, Zhu Gaozheng... even if you once enjoyed boundless favor, dead is dead. You lost, and we are the final winners. Once Zhu Di and Xu Miaoyun are gone, all will be settled. No one will ever be able to shake your throne again."

Her face wore a look of triumphant, almost manic intensity—a terrifying sight for an Empress Dowager, one that would have surely sparked rumors had anyone else seen her.

***

Meanwhile, in the north, outside the city of Miyun, a massive army stood in formation. Zhang Yu sat atop his horse, poised at the front of the ranks. He was prepared for the assault; this battle would be the first step in breaking through the court’s great net.