Suddenly Liu Ku burst into a laugh.
"Your Highness, do you forget that even you yourself are being imprisoned here?! How can I work for you? We're both prison inmates now!" His laughter grew louder.
Zhu Su gave a half-smile, then said sarcastically in his mind, He is not as naïve as I thought, then. "It's only a wish. But we must not give up easily in life, right? If we are pessimistic, then our pessimism will become true."
"Unfortunately Your Highness, you will die, for sure and in short order, because Xie Wang intends to execute you in front of all Yunnan people."
Zhu Su chewed his bottom lip. "Yes, I know." He muttered slowly. "But why doesn't he do it now? What is he waiting for?"
"He must get permission from General Lan Yu first."
"Get permission from... who?!" Zhu Su yelled, making sure that his ears were not getting wrong.
"General Lan Yu," replied Liu Ku.
"Impossible! Lan Yu is very loyal to Ming, he is one of Fu Huang's most sincere fellows who accompanies Fu Huang in joy or sorrow, from they were nobody, until Ming has been founded, they have maintained a relationship for decades! I can't believe it..."
"You don't believe me? I saw by myself when Lan Yu slaughtered Liang Wang, Xie Wang's father, even until he released Xie Wang into the forest. In wilderness Lan Yu appointed Xie Wang to be his subordinate, Xie Wang swore allegiance to him and promised to do everything he ordered... Lan Yu even promised Xie Wang a plot of land if he succeeded in seizing the throne."
Zhu Su shook his head, frustrated. "No... no... it can't be, how can the one at Fu Huang aside is a venomous snake..."
"With your death, Xie Wang and Lan Yu will get a foundation to destroy Ming's reputation. They will make great progress in their rebellion. So, in my opinion, Lan Yu will definitely permit Xie Wang to execute you."
Zhu Su bowed his head, his hands were clenched very tightly, but this time it was not because of fear, yet because he was totally furious.
If that's the case... then I must try everything to escape from here... at least, I must expose the betrayal of Lan Yu that venomous snake!
***
Zhu Su failed to get that chance. Liu Ku's presumption proved right. It did not take a long time until a letter arrived at Xie Wang's residence. It was from the Central Plain - to be precise, Lan Yu's residence.
Xie Wang read the letter, eyes beamed in satisfaction. He grinned as he placed the letter on the table.
"Alright! Tomorrow midday is the death day for Zhu Su. The entire Yunnan will be the witnesses!" His eyes glared. "Zhu Yuanzhang... last time you slaughtered my entire family mercilessly, now it's your turn to see your son die severely! Feel the hurt and grief when the family member you love the most is taken away from you by force! Yes, the time has come... the falling of you, the Ming, has come!"
...
* Fangshi = literally translated as Method Master. English translations of Fangshi include alchemist, astrologer, diviner, exorcist, geomancer, doctor, magician, mountebank, monk, mystic, necromancer, occultist, omenologist, physician, physiognomist, technician, technologist, thaumaturge, and wizard. (Wikipedia)