Chapter Three: Rebel Son, Are You Planning to Revolt?

After realizing this, Li Guozhen was the first to kneel down.

“Your Highness the Crown Prince, please forgive my earlier disrespect. I am willing to follow Your Highness through fire and water and swear to die by your side!”

Zhang Shize sighed quietly in his heart and then knelt down as well.

“Your Highness the Crown Prince, I too am willing to follow you wherever you go.”

Seeing the two ahead have set an example, what else could Wang Jiantong say?

“I swear to follow Your Highness the Crown Prince, to die by your side!”

With all three having expressed their loyalty, Zhu Cilang finally turned around and, smiling warmly, helped them to their feet.

“Good, good, all three of you are loyal ministers of the Great Ming. I promise that once this is accomplished, I will not fail you!”

“At that time, you will enjoy endless wealth and honor!”

Though bitter in their hearts, the three could only clasp their hands and say, “Thank you, Your Highness!”

Suddenly, from within the palace gates came a rhythmic knocking.

Li Hu nearby hurried forward and knocked several times in response.

With a creak, the palace gates were slowly opened, revealing hundreds of Imperial Guards before them.

Since this was a rebellion, the palace guards had to be bought over as well.

Fortunately, the title of Crown Prince of Great Ming and some silver coins were still quite effective, so things continued smoothly.

Of course, there were many who refused to be bribed.

Zhu Cilang did not hesitate; those who resisted were sent to meet their ancestors.

After all, this was a deal made with the intent to turn back, so losing a dozen or so men was to be expected.

Three thousand men entered through the gates, which were then shut again.

Zhu Cilang began issuing orders.

“As previously agreed, seal all palace gates. No one is allowed in or out! Anyone who disobeys will be executed on the spot!”

“Assign others to guard the remaining Imperial Guards. Any disturbance will be met with immediate execution without further report.”

“Yes, sir!”

Li Hu’s two commanders hurriedly acknowledged and left with their men.

The rest followed Zhu Cilang straight toward the Hall of Heavenly Reverence.

Though night had deepened, the hall was still brightly lit.

Inside the palace, a weary middle-aged man wearing a bright yellow dragon robe sat on the throne, reviewing memorials.

This man was none other than the last Emperor of Great Ming, Chongzhen.

Seeing the emperor so exhausted, Wang Cheng’en beside him tenderly offered a cup of tea.

“Your Majesty, it is late. It would be best to rest early. The remaining memorials can be reviewed tomorrow.”

Chongzhen took a sip and then placed the cup on the table, continuing to read the documents.

“The Great Ming is in such a state, how can I find peace to rest?”

“A few days ago, Li Zicheng and Zhang Xianzhong broke through several cities in Henan with unstoppable momentum.”

“At Jinzhou, the commander Zu Dashou reported that the grain supply will last barely over a month, even the fodder for horses is insufficient.”

“If the Qing troops launch another assault, the cities of Ning and Jin might fall.”

“He asked me to send reinforcements and replenish supplies, but where can I find the funds?”

“With all these matters weighing on me, how can I sleep?”

“Daban, do you think the Ming is truly doomed? Am I destined to be a ruler who sees his kingdom perish?”

As Chongzhen spoke, his eyes grew complex as he looked at Wang Cheng’en.

Once, he firmly believed he could restore the Ming and lead it to glory again.

But now, fourteen years since his ascension, not only had the Ming not grown stronger, it had declined further.

He began to doubt: would the Ming really fall under his reign?

Would he truly become a doomed ruler?

Hearing this, Wang Cheng’en was startled and quickly knelt.

“Your Majesty, that is impossible! The Great Ming has lasted nearly three hundred years. How could it end now?”

“The Ming will endure for all eternity!”

“Please do not speak such words again.”

Chongzhen ignored these words, setting down the memorials and staring vacantly at the palace ceiling.

“Ancestors above, your unworthy descendant Zhu Youjian is ashamed before you!”

“When my late brother passed the realm to me, he said: ‘My brother shall be like Yao and Shun.’”

“But after all these years, not only have I failed to strengthen the Ming, I have led it to this dire state. This is all my fault!”

At these words, Chongzhen could not help but cover his face and weep bitterly.

Recalling his brother’s dying words, he felt even in death he would have no face to meet his brother or the ancestors.

“Who’s there?”

“Stop!”

“How dare you!”

Suddenly, outside the palace came shouts of alarm.

The next moment, the clash of blades rang out, then quickly fell silent.

“What is happening?”

Chongzhen immediately reacted and shouted loudly.

Wang Cheng’en hastily rose and called out:

“Protect the Emperor! Protect the Emperor!”

Though unsure what had just occurred outside, the sound of blades clearly signaled an assassination attempt.

At that moment, Wang Cheng’en was nearly frightened out of his wits.

Then, the palace doors were pushed open, and a figure slowly entered.

Who else could it be but Zhu Cilang?

“Crown... Crown Prince? Why have you come? And what happened just now?”

Seeing Zhu Cilang, Wang Cheng’en was stunned.

Since the Crown Prince had moved to the Eastern Palace a month ago, he no longer lived in the main palace.

By palace rules, the gates were locked at night, forbidding anyone’s entry.

Yet here was the Crown Prince, openly present in the palace — clearly something was amiss.

Coupled with the sounds heard earlier, Wang Cheng’en’s heart filled with a terrible premonition.

At the same time, Chongzhen seemed to sense something. He masked his sorrow and asked with a darkened face:

“You, my rebellious son, are you here to rebel?”

Zhu Cilang glanced at Chongzhen, a hint of helplessness in his eyes.

At first, he had not intended to rebel; he wanted to assist Chongzhen in saving the Ming.

But Chongzhen was never a ruler who heeded advice.

Even when Zhu Cilang’s suggestions were all for the good of the Ming, the emperor dismissed them as childish nonsense.

Seeing this, Zhu Cilang knew that to truly save the Ming, Chongzhen could no longer reign.

Thus came tonight’s palace coup.

Coming to his senses, Zhu Cilang stepped closer to Chongzhen and looked him in the eye.

“Father, you are right. I have come tonight to rebel.”

“You should know you cannot save the Ming. Under your hands, it will only decline until it perishes.”

“You will become the doomed last emperor, hanged on a crooked tree.”

“And I will become the doomed crown prince, dying amidst chaos.”

“I do not know if you are willing to be a doomed emperor, but I certainly do not want to be a doomed crown prince.”

“That is why I have come today. I rebel against you!”

“I ask you to abdicate and pass the throne to me!”

Hearing this, Chongzhen nearly lost his mind in fury.

“You… you… you rebellious son!”

Though he had once lamented he might be a doomed ruler, it was only bitter words spoken in despair, not to be taken seriously.

But now his own son blatantly accused him of ruining the dynasty, and this angered him beyond measure.

A rebellious son indeed!