The Prince of Badong cocked an eyebrow:
"Where are you crossing over to?"
Wang Yang countered:
"Where would you like me to cross over to, Prince?"
Dragging his chains, the Prince of Badong drew up one leg and rested his elbow on his knee. He stared at Wang Yang, his expression slowly turning serious:
"No, Wang Yang, let me ask you-were you ever sincere about supporting me?"
Wang Yang answered frankly:
"No."
The Prince of Badong's eyes flew wide:
"You really weren't?"
"I really wasn't."
The Prince of Badong froze for several seconds, his Adam's apple bobbing:
"Then... then why wouldn't you support me sincerely?"
"And after I sincerely supported you, Prince?"
"After? After that, we'd march into Jiankang!"
"And after we marched into Jiankang?"
"We'd seize the realm!"
"And after we seized the realm?"
"I'd rule it!"
Wang Yang frowned at the Prince of Badong, speaking as bluntly as a friend who never spared him a jab:
"You don't have the talent or virtue for that. Wouldn't putting you on the throne just bring misery to everyone?"
The Prince of Badong erupted in anger. He sprang to his feet, chains clattering, and pointed at Wang Yang with a roar:
"How dare you!"
Wang Yang tilted his head up slightly, meeting those fierce, fire-spitting eyes:
"Let's be fair here-just tell me, wasn't that the truth?"
The Prince of Badong glared at Wang Yang for a long while, then suddenly sneered:
"Talent and virtue? Let me tell you, being emperor is the one thing that requires them least!"
He jabbed a finger upward, raising his voice:
"You think the man up there now has talent and virtue? I'm telling you, he might not even measure up to me!"
Wang Yang smiled, his eyes showing the frustration of someone who hated seeing