The Ming Dynasty: The most ruthless imperial grandson, Old Zhu begged me not to kill him.

Chapter 390 The Invitation from the West Factory

"Each of you draw a piece of paper. If the word 'life' is written on it, then you can live!"

"If the word written above is 'death,' then he'll be the only one left to take the fall!"

Upon hearing this, everyone sighed and then went forward one by one to draw lots.

At this moment, a general opened the note in his hand and saw that it had a large character for "death" written on it.

He felt utterly disheartened. With such a low probability, he never expected it to happen to him. At that moment, the leading general saw the single word in his hand and sighed.

"Commander Yuan, since that's the case, there's no other way. Don't worry, we'll take care of your family after you leave!"

Hearing these words, the man surnamed Yuan felt extremely unwilling. No one wants to die if they can live, but with such a large character placed there, even if he was unwilling, there was nothing he could do. He could only sigh deeply.

"This is fate, what can I do? I only hope that you will keep your promise and take good care of my wife and children!"

After he finished speaking, he staggered away from the place. After he left, the remaining people smiled and then unfolded the note in their hands.

If that Commander surnamed Yuan were here, he would be very surprised to find that all the words on the note were the word "death".

They breathed a sigh of relief as they watched Commander Yuan leave the area.

"We finally managed to trick this guy away."

This guy's mind is so unstable, so easily swayed by women's sentimentality!

"It's a good opportunity to kick him out; it will bring us a lot of benefits!"

After hearing this, everyone else nodded, and he immediately became the commander, laughing lewdly.

“Since we’ll take care of his wife and children, then I’ll take care of his wife. Although he seems a bit simple-minded, his wife is very beautiful, and I’ve been eyeing her for a long time!”

Upon hearing this, the others burst into laughter.

The commander surnamed Yuan was named Yuan Cidi. He was a brave and skilled general in the army, so although he was young, he was promoted very quickly.

However, on one occasion on the battlefield, he offended the military supervisor over a trivial matter and was about to be executed when he was saved by a general.

From then on, he thought about repaying this kindness, so when the general asked him to work with other generals, he agreed without the slightest hesitation.

However, when things actually started, he realized that he seemed to have gotten himself into trouble.

These people not only had smuggling dealings with the current crown prince Zhu Xiong Ying.

Because of their business dealings, many people had been torn apart, their families destroyed, and they were left destitute. Seeing such an outcome, he couldn't understand it at all.

They tried to dissuade him, but no one listened to him, so they could only stay there.

Now that so much time has passed, even death would be worthwhile, so as to avoid feeling guilty.

When he returned home, his wife was very surprised to see him like this.

"You've been acting very strangely lately. What happened? Did you offend someone?"

Upon hearing this, Yuan Cidi shook his head and looked at the lady in front of him with a bitter smile.

"If something happens to me one day, you must live well. If it really comes to it, go back to your parents' home. I still have some money. Don't worry, it's all my salary that I've saved up over the years, and it's all clean money!" "As for those generals who often associate with me, it's best not to have too much contact with them. I always feel that there's something wrong with those guys!"

His wife was startled by Yuan Cidi's words, which sounded like he was preparing for his death. She said anxiously, "What happened? Don't scare me. We'll face whatever happens together. Nothing is insurmountable."

Upon hearing this, Yuan Cidi burst into laughter.

"Indeed, nothing is insurmountable, but since ancient times, loyalty to one's country and filial piety have been difficult to reconcile. There is often a conflict between repaying kindness and serving one's country. I don't know what to choose anymore. Perhaps I shouldn't exist!"

Yuan Cidi then recounted everything that had happened to him.

His wife was incredulous when she heard this. She couldn't believe that her seemingly upright husband was doing such things in secret. He said anxiously.

"How could you do this? His Highness the Crown Prince finally led the army to drive the people off the northern grasslands!"

"Aren't you aiding and abetting evil by doing this? Have you forgotten how we managed to survive back then?"

Upon hearing this, Yuan Cidi's expression became extremely complicated. He seemed to want to say something, but he remained silent and finally let out a long sigh.

"I know all that you're saying, but what's done is done!"

"Going back won't be so easy!"

Just as the two were saying goodbye, a voice suddenly came from the roof beam.

"Let's say goodbye later. I'm here on His Highness the Crown Prince's orders to see Commander Yuan on urgent business!"

The two were startled by the sound and quickly looked up, only to find a person sitting on the roof beam.

The man looked at them with a mocking expression. The two of them were incredulous; so much time had passed, and they hadn't even noticed that there was someone up there.

At this moment, Yuan Cidi appeared extremely calm, and he gave a wry smile and said.

"I've long heard that His Highness the Crown Prince is extremely capable and has countless talented people under his command!"

"Now it seems that it is indeed so. I, Yuan, used to think that my martial arts skills were not bad, but I was just born at the wrong time!"

"Now it seems I was just being superficial!"

The man smiled upon hearing this and said nothing more.

At this moment, Yuan Cidi looked at the person in front of him with a complicated expression and said.

"This was done by me alone, and has nothing to do with anyone else. I wonder if you can spare my wife and children!"

The man shook his head after hearing this.

"This is not something I can decide. I am only here on His Highness's orders to invite you. As for what I want you to do, I naturally do not know, nor is it my place to ask. As for what happens to your wife and children, that is none of my business. Everything is up to His Highness!"

Yuan Cidi sighed. Indeed, this person probably couldn't make the decision on these matters. The one who could truly make the decision was the grandson of the emperor, Zhu Xiong Ying, who was extremely famous throughout the Ming Dynasty.

"You're right, these are indeed not things you can decide. In that case, lead the way!"

Hearing this, Yuan Cidi's wife became extremely anxious, fearing that something might have happened to him.

(End of this chapter)