Fought battles my whole life, it's time to enjoy myself.

At this moment, Wang Shifan was ordering his clansmen to slaughter pigs and sheep, set up stoves, and light fires, preparing a sumptuous feast within the vast courtyard.

The scent of wine and meat wafted throughout the residence, yet the atmosphere remained deathly silent.

No one could be happy knowing their execution was imminent.

"It seems This Prince has arrived just in time."

Arriving before the residence of Wang Shifan and seeing the scene of wine being poured and chickens being slaughtered for the meal, Zhu Youning dismounted and walked through the gates, surrounded by his guards.

Seeing Zhu Youning acting so recklessly and walking in without any precautions, Wu Yi could not help but offer a reminder: "Commander, be careful."

"It is of no concern; you may wait here." Zhu Youning waved his hand and said without looking back: "Wu Yi, go tell the men to fill in that large pit at the entrance. Digging a pit in front of someone's residence—what kind of behavior is that?"

"This subordinate obeys!" Wu Yi cupped his fists and went off to make the arrangements.

Jiang Renjie had arrived alongside Zhu Youning, and he was left utterly bewildered by these words.

They had spent an entire day digging that massive pit, yet now Zhu Youning was having it filled in?

It was truly baffling!

However, connecting this to what Zhu Youning had said earlier about the Emperor pardoning Wang Shifan, Jiang Renjie suddenly understood.

Could it be that the Emperor had truly pardoned Wang Shifan? How could that be possible?

Jiang Renjie knew Zhu Wen's temperament, which was why he found it so strange.

Could Zhu Youning be falsely conveying the imperial will? That was also impossible...

After pondering for a moment, Jiang Renjie ultimately decided to wait outside the gates and observe how the situation unfolded.

After all, Zhu Youning was a Prince of the Blood and likely carried orders from Emperor Zhu Wen; what he chose to do was not something a mere subordinate like Jiang Renjie could question.

Upon entering the residence, Zhu Youning found the two hundred or so members of the Wang clan all staring at him and whispering among themselves.

"Who is this person?"

"He looks like a general."

"Just another lackey of Zhu Wen. Is he here to watch us make fools of ourselves?"

"I recognize him; this is Zhu Wen's nephew, the one who is exceptionally fierce in battle."

"Prince An? I recall he fell from his horse and his fate was unknown."

"It seems he has come here to watch us stretch our necks for the blade."

"Silence."

Wang Shifan barked a reprimand, then stood up, walked over to Zhu Youning, and bowed: "Your Highness Prince An, there is no need to rush. All this old man desires is to eat a full meal before the execution. Once the feast is over, we shall certainly proceed to our end in accordance with age and status."

Seeing Wang Shifan approach, Zhu Youning examined him with curiosity. Although Wang Shifan was elderly with desolate white hair, his demeanor was gentle and refined, and his face always carried a hint of a humble smile, making him appear amiable and difficult to view with malice.

Zhu Youning mused to himself: One truly cannot judge a book by its cover. Who would have thought that such a gentle and refined old man was a warlord who repeatedly switched between various factions?

Life is like a play, and it all depends on one's acting skills; there was certainly some truth to that saying.

Since Wang Shifan was acting, Zhu Youning naturally had to play along.

"The old general has likely misunderstood."

Zhu Youning walked to the table, filled two cups of wine, and handed one to Wang Shifan, saying: "The Emperor has no intention of harming the old general. This Prince has come here solely to announce a change in the old general's appointment."

Wang Shifan hesitantly took the wine cup and said in disbelief: "Is this true? Does Your Highness Prince An not hold a grudge against this old man?"

"Swords have no eyes on the battlefield, and injuries are common occurrences. Why would This Prince hold a grudge against the old general?"

Zhu Youning chuckled, raised his cup in a salute, and drained it in one gulp with the bold spirit of a warrior, adding: "Besides, even if This Prince held a personal grudge against the old general, the Emperor would not let that cause him to vent his anger upon you."

After draining his cup, Zhu Youning continued: "Does the old general know of the affair of Zhang Xiu in the past? During the end of the Han Dynasty, Zhang Xiu repeatedly opposed Cao Cao, and even Cao Cao's eldest son, Cao Ang, his nephew, Cao Anmin, and his great general, Dian Wei, were all killed by Zhang Xiu. Yet, after Zhang Xiu surrendered, Cao Cao did not harm him; instead, he promoted him and granted him titles. In our Great Liang, the Emperor is ordained by Heaven, ruling over the four seas, serving the Supreme Deity, and cherishing all the people. His ambitions are vast, surpassing even those of Emperor Wu of Wei in the past. How could he harm a loyal and virtuous man like Old General Wang because of personal grievances!"

Wang Shifan smiled without a word upon hearing this; he did not expose the lie, but simply cupped his hands and drained the fine wine in his cup.

No matter how much Zhu Youning sang the praises of Zhu Wen, he did not believe a word of it!

All that talk about being ordained by Heaven was complete nonsense!

Wang Shifan had once been a warlord in his own right and had contended with various factions, Zhu Wen included.

He knew Zhu Wen's character all too well.

Zhu Wen was not only absurd but also cruel and bloodthirsty; he was truly capable of exterminating an entire clan over a personal grudge. Of course, Wang Shifan was much the same—neither had the right to look down on the other; he simply maintained a better reputation.

However, this nephew of Zhu Wen was quite interesting!

Wang Shifan scrutinized Zhu Youning carefully.

His features were upright, his bearing was imposing, his brows were like swords, his eyes like stars, and his temperament was extraordinary; he almost resembled the "Beautiful Zhou Lang." Moreover, his words and actions were not at all like those of a common warrior, but rather like someone destined for great things!

He never expected the Zhu family to produce someone like this!

A thousand-mile steed of the Zhu family indeed!

"Father, those people outside are so fierce."

At this moment, Wang Shifan's young daughter hid behind him, tugging at the corner of his robe as she whispered.

Wang Shifan turned to look at his daughter, then at the soldiers of the Longxiang Army who were filling in the pit, before cupping his hands toward Zhu Youning: "My daughter is young and ignorant; I hope Your Highness will forgive her."

"No matter." Zhu Youning waved his hand.

Wang Shifan immediately turned his head and said to Wang Shihui, "Third brother, why haven't you made the arrangements yet? I intend to host a banquet for the officers and men of the Longxiang Army!"

"Yes."

Wang Shihui felt a surge of joy, knowing that the lives of his entire clan were now secure. He bowed to Zhu Youning and Wang Shifan respectively before heading off to make the arrangements.

Zhu Youning narrowed his eyes.

Playing dumb while knowing exactly what was going on, climbing up the pole the moment it was offered—this Wang Shifan certainly knew how to conduct himself!

At the end of the day, he was a seasoned veteran who had once vied for the empire. While he might not have been much of a military commander, he possessed profound expertise in the ways of the world and the vicissitudes of life.

Zhu Youning saw no need to play games with a clever man, so he spoke directly: "By the way, old General, there is one more thing I must inform you of."

Wang Shifan bowed and said, "Please speak, Your Highness."

"Though you are advanced in years, your tiger-like might remains. Your white hair has anchored Pinglu, and your reputation has shaken the four seas, but time spares no one." Zhu Youning spoke with a tone of feigned regret. "His Majesty's intention is that since you have fought battles your entire life, it is time to retire and enjoy your remaining years. As for Pinglu, I shall soon replace Li Zhen as the military governor."

Pinglu Circuit was the territory Wang Shifan had held before his surrender. After Wang Shifan submitted to Zhu Wen, Zhu Wen had dispatched Li Zhen to handle the various affairs of Pinglu.

Upon hearing that Zhu Youning was to become the military governor of Pinglu, Wang Shifan's expression did not change in the slightest. He immediately declared with a smile, "This subject thanks His Majesty for his kindness! With Your Highness presiding over Pinglu, it is truly a blessing for the people!"