At that moment, Wang Shifan was ordering his clansmen to slaughter pigs and sheep, set up stoves, and prepare a lavish banquet in the vast estate.
The fragrance of wine and meat filled the estate, but the mood was deathly still.
No one could be happy knowing their death was just around the corner.
"It seems I arrived just in time."
When Zhu Youning reached Wang Shifan's residence and saw the feast being prepared, he dismounted and entered the gate, surrounded by his guards.
Seeing Zhu Youning stride right in without a care, Wu Yi couldn't help reminding him, "Commander, be careful."
"It's fine. You can wait here." Zhu Youning waved a hand and, without looking back, said, "Wu Yi, get someone to fill in that big pit at the gate. What kind of thing is it to dig a pit in front of someone's residence?"
"This subordinate obeys!" Wu Yi cupped his fist and went to make the arrangements.
Jiang Renjie had come with Zhu Youning. Hearing those words, he was just as baffled.
They had spent a whole day digging that enormous pit, and now Zhu Youning was telling them to fill it in?
It made no sense!
But recalling Zhu Youning's earlier claim that the emperor had pardoned Wang Shifan, Jiang Renjie suddenly understood.
Could it be that the emperor really had pardoned Wang Shifan? How was that possible?
Jiang Renjie knew Zhu Wen's temperament, which was why he found this so strange.
Was Zhu Youning falsely claiming to have imperial orders? That was impossible, too...
After thinking it over, Jiang Renjie decided to wait outside and watch how things unfolded.
After all, Zhu Youning was a prince, and he might well be carrying an order from Emperor Zhu Wen. It wasn't something a mere subordinate like Jiang Renjie could question.
Once inside the estate, Zhu Youning found more than two hundred members of the Wang clan staring at him and whispering among themselves.
"Who is he?"
"He looks like a general."
"Just one of Zhu Wen's lackeys. Could he have come to laugh at us?"
"I know him. He's Zhu Wen's nephew, the one who fights so bravely."
"Prince An? I thought he'd fallen from his horse and was hovering between life and death."
"Looks like he's here to watch us stretch our necks out for the executioner."
"Silence."
Wang Shifan rebuked them, then rose and walked up to Zhu Youning, cupping his hands. "Your Highness, Prince An, there's no need to hurry. All this old man wishes is to eat his fill before his head is cut off. Once the banquet is over, we'll proceed in order of age and rank, and meet our fate."
As Wang Shifan approached, Zhu Youning looked him over with interest. Though the man was old, with a head of desolate white hair, he carried himself with gentle refinement and wore a humble smile. He seemed so kind and approachable that it was hard to feel any hostility toward him.
Zhu Youning thought, People really can't be judged by appearances. Who would imagine that such a gentle old man was a warlord who had switched sides among so many factions?
Life was a play, and everything depended on one's acting. There was some truth to that saying.
Since Wang Shifan was putting on an act, Zhu Youning naturally had to play along.
"General, I'm afraid you've misunderstood."
Zhu Youning went to the table, filled two cups of wine, and handed one to Wang Shifan. "His Majesty has no intention of harming you. I've come only to announce your new appointment."
Wang Shifan hesitantly took the cup, unable to believe it. "Is that true? Does Your Highness not hold a grudge against this old man?"
"Blades have no eyes on the battlefield. Getting wounded is commonplace. Why would I hold a grudge against you, General?"
Zhu Youning gave a soft laugh, raised his cup with a fist salute, and drained it in one gulp, displaying a warrior's boldness. "Besides, even if the General and I had a personal grudge, His Majesty would never take it out on you."
After finishing his wine, Zhu Youning continued, "Do you know of Zhang Xiu's story? At the end of the Han dynasty, Zhang Xiu repeatedly opposed Cao Cao. He even killed Cao Cao's eldest son, Cao Ang, his nephew Cao Anmin, and the great general Dian Wei. Yet after Zhang Xiu surrendered, Cao Cao did not harm him. Instead, he gave him higher rank and noble titles. In this Great Liang of today, His Majesty received the Mandate of Heaven, illuminated the world, served the Supreme Emperor, and cherished the myriad people. His ambitions are vast, surpassing even those of Emperor Wu of Wei. How could he harm a loyal and worthy man like you over a personal grievance?"
Wang Shifan listened with a smile and said nothing. Without exposing the ruse, he cupped his hands and drained his wine.
No matter how highly Zhu Youning praised Zhu Wen, Wang Shifan did not believe a word!
Receiving the Mandate of Heaven? What nonsense!
Wang Shifan had once been a warlord in his own right and had contended for supremacy with many factions, Zhu Wen among them.
He knew Zhu Wen's character well.
Zhu Wen was not only depraved but also cruel and bloodthirsty. He was certainly capable of slaughtering an entire clan over a personal grudge. Of course, Wang Shifan himself was no better; neither man had the right to look down on the other. He had simply done a better job of preserving his reputation.
But this nephew of Zhu Wen's was rather interesting!
Wang Shifan examined Zhu Youning closely.
He had a handsome, dignified face, an imposing bearing, sharp brows and bright eyes, and an extraordinary presence. He rather resembled the famously handsome Zhou Yu. His words and mannerisms, too, were nothing like those of a mere warrior; he seemed more like someone destined for great things.
Who would have thought the Zhu family had a man like this?
This one was a thousand-mile colt of the Zhu family!
"Father, those people outside are so frightening."
Just then, Wang Shifan's youngest daughter hid behind him, tugged at his sleeve, and spoke softly.
Wang Shifan glanced at his daughter, then at the Longxiang Army soldiers filling in the pit. He cupped his hands toward Zhu Youning. "My daughter is young and ignorant. I hope Your Highness will forgive her."
"Think nothing of it." Zhu Youning waved a hand.
Wang Shifan immediately turned and said to Wang Shihui, "Third brother, hurry and make the arrangements. I want to host a banquet for the officers and soldiers of the Longxiang Army!"
"Yes."
Wang Shihui was delighted. He knew his clan's lives had been spared. He bowed to Zhu Youning and Wang Shifan, then went to make the arrangements.
Zhu Youning narrowed his eyes.
Wang Shifan was pretending not to know what was going on, then seizing the opportunity as soon as it was offered. He knew how to handle people!
After all, he was an old hand who had once contended for supremacy. He might not have been very good at leading troops in battle, but when it came to dealing with people and understanding the vicissitudes of the world, he was quite accomplished.
With a clever man, Zhu Youning didn't bother beating around the bush. He went straight to the point. "By the way, General, there's one more thing I need to tell you."
Wang Shifan cupped his hands. "Please speak, Your Highness."
"Though you're advanced in years, your tiger's might remains. Your white hair has held Pinglu in check, and your good name resounds across the land. But time spares no one." Zhu Youning spoke with a note of regret. "His Majesty's intention is that, after a lifetime of war, it's time for you to retire and enjoy your later years. As for Pinglu, I'll soon take Li Zhen's place as its military governor."
Pinglu Garrison had been Wang Shifan's territory before he surrendered. After Wang Shifan submitted to Zhu Wen, Zhu Wen sent Li Zhen to handle affairs in Pinglu.
Hearing that Zhu Youning would soon become Pinglu's military governor, Wang Shifan's expression did not change. He immediately voiced his agreement with a smile. "Your servant thanks His Majesty for his kindness! With Your Highness stationed in Pinglu, the people will be truly blessed!"
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