Goryeo's capital, the Fifth Imperial Prince's Mansion.
Deep in the quiet night, candlelight flickered.
A young man strode into the study with the bearing of a dragon and tiger, asking in puzzlement:
"Adviser Li, what is it?"
He was Shen Huai'an, Goryeo's Fifth Imperial Prince, and facing him was Li Yanli, an adviser to the Imperial Prince's Mansion.
Li Yanli drew a deep breath, struggling to suppress his emotions as he spoke in a faintly trembling voice:
"Your Highness, would you be willing to follow Great Qian's Regent King in purging the wicked from the sovereign's side?"
The Fifth Imperial Prince was thunderstruck. He hurried out of the study and looked around before returning to snap:
"Shut up! Keep spouting nonsense and get out of my study!!"
After speaking, beads of anxious sweat covered him. He feared the walls had ears and that this would cost him his life.
What ability or virtue did I possess to compare myself with the Regent King?
That man was the most dazzling warlord of his era, without a single equal!!
Li Yanli persisted:
"Your Highness, the King is muddleheaded and unjust. As Great Qian's vassal state, Goryeo ought to advance and retreat alongside it, yet the King seeks to betray it. He is a complete fool!!"
The Fifth Imperial Prince flew into a towering rage. In his fear, he raised his arm to slap Li Yanli, but his hand froze in midair as he demanded furiously:
"Have you lost your mind? Who incited you to rebel? Don't drag me into disaster!"
He was so angry he almost laughed. His royal father was in his prime, strong and healthy.
Besides, he had fewer than eight hundred soldiers at his disposal. Rebel with eight hundred armored men?
Utterly absurd!!
Li Yanli bowed slightly and answered