I was to be executed by Zhu Yuanzhang, and Empress Ma smashed Zhu Yuanzhang's jade seal.

Xiang Yu didn't even read what was written on the imperial edict; he simply felt the texture of the silk with his fingers.

"Hmm, the material is quite good."

At this moment, on the city tower of Shanhaiguan, Xiang Yu sat upright, surrounded by soldiers from Jiangdong, their armor gleaming and their expressions solemn.

They have been stationed here for days, waiting for the imperial edict, with only one obsession in their hearts—to wait for the official announcement of the edict and welcome back Prince Zhu Muying, who has been detained in Jinling.

Everyone assumed that even if Zhu Yuanzhang was suspicious and wary, he wouldn't dare to harm the meritorious Prince Ying without cause. This imperial edict was most likely to resolve the rift, pardon everyone, and allow Prince Ying to return north.

Unbeknownst to anyone, the lord they had sworn to serve and eagerly awaited had already perished in Jinling, deep within the palace.

No one knew that the imperial edict delivered from afar was never a pardon or an offer of amnesty, but rather a severe punishment decree issued by Zhu Yuanzhang, the supreme ruler.

He didn't even look at what was written on it; he simply felt the texture of the silk with his fingers.

"Hmm, the material is quite good."

Xiang Yu opened the imperial edict.

By the grace of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: Prince Zhu Muying, who has been favored by the nation and repeatedly received honors, harbors treacherous ambitions, is arrogant and indulgent due to his merits, privately keeps his own troops, secretly forms cliques, and plots rebellion. His crimes are unforgivable, and he has already been executed in Nanjing.

You soldiers stationed at Shanhaiguan, knowing full well that our lord is disobedient, not only do you fail to report and correct him, but you also hold your troops in your own power, follow the rebels and defy the imperial decree, which is tantamount to rebellion. You disregard the emperor's grace and the law, and your crimes are heinous. You all deserve to be executed!

I remember your past minor contributions and cannot bear to have my army slaughter you and let blood flow like a river.

A strict decree is hereby issued, ordering all soldiers at Shanhaiguan who have betrayed the enemy to immediately commit suicide on the battlefield to atone for their sins of treason.

If even one person defies this imperial decree and lives in dishonor, I will immediately dispatch the three armies to raze Shanhaiguan Pass to the ground, and exterminate their entire family, leaving no one alive. So be it.

Xiang Yu couldn't help but laugh!

"You want me to kill myself? Are there any fools in the world?"

"The emperor commands his subject to die, and the subject has no choice but to die? Is this an order given to a traitorous general who commands an army?"

Xiang Yu did not believe that anyone with a large army would commit suicide.

Then, under Qian Wu's terrified gaze, Xiang Yu made a move that he would never forget.

Holding the imperial edict that symbolized supreme imperial power, he slowly and methodically wiped his hands, which were still covered in oil and iron filings from sharpening the gun.

After wiping it clean, he glanced disdainfully at the filthy imperial edict and tossed it to the ground.

"This thing is so hard that even wiping my brother's butt is too difficult."

Xiang Yu's voice wasn't loud, but every word was like a heavy hammer blow, striking Qian Wu's heart hard.

humiliation!

This is a blatant insult!

It is the ultimate contempt for the Ming imperial power!

Qian Wu's mind went blank for a moment.

He forgot his fear, forgot about life and death, and was left only with endless rage.

"You...you dare...you dare to desecrate the imperial edict!"

He pointed at Xiang Yu, his voice trembling.

"Stain?"

Xiang Yu seemed to have heard something amusing. He lowered his head, his double pupils fixed on Qian Wu.

"I am the one who has slandered you, so what are you going to do about it?"

"you……"

Qian Wu trembled under his terrifying gaze and couldn't utter another word.

"Go back and tell that old scoundrel Zhu Yuanzhang."

Xiang Yu's voice suddenly turned cold, "His tricks might work on others, but they won't work on me!"

After waiting for many days, with everyone's hearts set on welcoming back the King of England and restoring morale, what they received was this cold and heartless imperial edict.

Although Xiang Yu did not examine it closely, he had already seen through Zhu Yuanzhang's sinister intentions. It was not a reconciliation or amnesty at all, but a trumped-up charge to exterminate him!

"Make him wash his neck clean and wait in Nanjing!"

"I will be there soon!"

"If His Highness the King is harmed in the slightest, we will show no mercy!"

At this moment, Xiang Yu was unaware that King Ying had already passed away. He believed that Zhu Yuanzhang had deliberately imprisoned, suppressed, and made things difficult for him. His heart was filled with overwhelming anger for his lord and his brothers.

After saying that, Xiang Yu suddenly kicked Qian Wu in the chest.

Qian Wu screamed in agony as he flew backward like a kite with a broken string, crashing heavily to the ground. He spat out a mouthful of blood and immediately lost consciousness.

"As for you..."

Xiang Yu's gaze swept over the dozen or so Imperial Guards outside the drawbridge who were already terrified.

"Since you're here, don't leave."

"Cut off their heads and hang them on the city wall."

"Let that old emperor see what happens when he sends people to their deaths!"

"yes!"

The Jiangdong soldiers behind him responded with a roar, drew their swords, and charged towards the group of Imperial Guards.

Soon, a series of piercing screams rang out from outside the suspension bridge.

Moments later, more than a dozen bloody human heads were hung high on the city tower of Shanhaiguan.

Swaying gently in the cold northern wind.

Han Xin's scheming and psychological warfare tactics differed from Xiang Yu's simple and brutal methods; Han Xin's style of doing things was much more "civilized."

At this moment, in a secluded valley only a few hundred miles from Jinling, Han Xin's main army was quietly stationed.

By remaining inactive and awaiting the imperial decree, Han Xin's entire army was of one mind.

Everyone was convinced that the imperial decree was issued to end the stalemate between the North and the South, release the imprisoned Prince Zhu Muying, and allow the emperor to return north and regain control of the army.

From beginning to end, no one knew that the Prince of Ying had died tragically in Nanjing, and no one understood Zhu Yuanzhang's vicious nature.

Inside the central command tent, Han Xin still stood with his hands behind his back in front of the huge sand table. His fingers moved slowly across the sand table, as if he were playing a game of exquisite chess.

He awaited the imperial edict, intending to receive it and welcome His Highness the Prince of Ying back to camp in triumph. However, he had already anticipated that Zhu Yuanzhang would not easily compromise.

Outside the tent, a messenger walked in silently.

"General, a messenger from Nanjing has arrived."

"Oh?"

Han Xin's lips curled into a playful smile. "It's a bit slower than I expected."

He had already guessed that the imperial edict was not a grant of amnesty or pardon, but he remained calm and waited for the person to arrive.

"Let him in."

"Yes."

Soon, a commander of the Imperial Guards, who was also dressed in a flying fish robe but looked much more respectable, was brought in.

Unlike Qian Wu, he was unlucky; along the way, he encountered Han Xin's "Iron Eagle Warriors" troops.

These people didn't kill him; they simply "escorted" him here.

The commander looked at the middle-aged scholar with a thin face and refined demeanor, and felt a little puzzled.

Is this the legendary "God of War" Han Xin, who was a brilliant strategist who turned the entire northern part of the Ming Dynasty upside down?

He looked more like a schoolteacher who couldn't even kill a chicken.

"Sun Yuan, commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, pays his respects to General Han..."

Sun Yuan clasped his hands in a fist salute, his words carrying a hint of arrogance befitting a high-ranking official.

Han Xin disregarded his rudeness and simply asked, "What is His Majesty's purpose in sending you here?"

Sun Yuan cleared his throat, took out the imperial edict from his bosom, unfolded it, and was about to read it aloud.

"By the Mandate of Heaven, the Emperor decrees..."

"Alright."

Han Xin waved his hand, interrupting him, "No need to read it, I can roughly guess what it means."

"They're just calling us traitors and rebels, then pretending to be generous by giving us the dignity of 'committing suicide to atone for our sins,' ordering us, the commanders of the army, to kill ourselves immediately, or else they'll exterminate our entire families, right?"

Sun Yuan's expression changed instantly.

he……

How did he know?

The contents of this imperial edict were personally drafted by Zhu Yuanzhang. The entire edict rebuked Han Xin, Xiang Yu, Lü Bu, and other generals for their arrogance and rebellion against the court. It condemned them for betraying the emperor's grace and misleading the army. The edict ordered that any soldier who repented would be spared punishment, and that the commander-in-chief must commit suicide in front of the army to atone for his sins. Anyone who dared to disobey the edict would be executed along with their entire family and the entire army!

Apart from His Majesty and a few central ministers, no outsider could possibly know this!

Seeing Sun Yuan's astonished expression, Han Xin smiled.

"Commander Sun need not be surprised. Understanding the emperor's mind is the duty of a subject. Moreover, the current emperor's thoughts are far too easy to guess."

Han Xin took the scroll of imperial edict from the messenger, glanced at it, and the harsh and vicious words confirmed all his suspicions.

Zhu Yuanzhang not only refused to release the Prince of Ying, but also wanted to exterminate him and eliminate his political opponents.

He casually placed it on the table next to him, as if it were an ordinary piece of paper.

"Commander Sun, you've come from afar, you must be tired from your journey. Please, have a seat and serve tea."

Soon, a guard brought over a chair and served a steaming cup of fragrant tea.

Sun Yuan was completely dumbfounded by the scene.

This……

What does this mean?

Instead of killing him or scolding him, they even offered him a seat and tea.

What kind of show is this?

"General Han... what... what do you mean by this?"

Sun Yuan seemed uneasy, unsure whether to sit or stand.

"Commander Sun, please calm down."

Han Xin smiled and said, "I'm keeping you here so I can show you a good show."

"Watching a play?"

Sun Yuan was even more confused.

"right."

Han Xin nodded, his gaze returning to the sand table. "A performance that will be enough to completely break down His Majesty the Emperor in Jinling City."

He extended his finger and gently tapped the sand table.

"Commander Sun, look here."

Sun Yuan subconsciously moved closer and saw that the location Han Xin was pointing to was several important cities along the Yellow River.

"These cities are now all under the control of our army."

Han Xin said calmly.

"So what...so what?"

Sun Yuan was puzzled.

"Not good."

Han Xin smiled and said, "However, I had people build high platforms and set up incense tables in these cities."

"Then, in the name of His Highness the Prince of Ying, I submitted a memorial to the Emperor in Nanjing, entitled 'Paying Respects to the Retired Emperor.'"

"Alright, Commander Sun."

Han Xin clapped his hands. "You've finished watching the show. Now you can leave."

"Walk?"

Sun Yuan was stunned. "You...you're letting me go?"

"certainly."

Han Xin nodded. "Not only are you leaving, but I will also send someone to safely escort you back to Jinling."

Why?

Sun Yuan was puzzled.

"Because I still need you to help me deliver a message to His Majesty."

A cold glint flashed in Han Xin's eyes.

"What did you say?"

"Go back and tell him."

"It's getting cold, so we made a yellow robe for His Highness the King!"

Sun Yuan asked suspiciously, "Aren't you afraid that this will bring a terrible disaster upon His Highness the Prince of England?"

Han Xin laughed heartily: "Your Highness the King of Ying is a god of war, invincible in this world. Taking the head of an enemy general from among ten thousand troops is as easy as taking something out of a bag. I am hoping that Your Highness the King of Ying will cooperate from within and without to break through Jinling City!"

……

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