Fan Li's request surprised both men outside the city walls.
Crown Prince Wanli was stunned for a moment. "So that's why I suffered such a crushing defeat! Hu Zongxian colluded with the enemy! Yunzhou City fell so easily! This is clear proof of Hu Zongxian's treason! I will survive! I will return to the capital and expose his betrayal!"
He glared at Hu Zongxian, burning with hatred and murderous intent.
"Duke Jin of the Great Chu, why do you say such a thing?" Hu Zongxian spoke suddenly.
"Although this humble one lacks talent, I am willing to sacrifice my life to ensure the Crown Prince's safe return to the capital. I have at least a fifty percent chance of success. Moreover, His Highness, defending our nation's borders, is prepared to die for his country. Why should he fear death? To use this old man's life as a bargaining chip is a joke! To die in battle for the Crown Prince, to be buried with Yunzhou City, would be this old man's greatest honor!"
As he spoke, an immense surge of spiritual energy erupted from him, dense and potent, almost solidifying into a visible form.
"He's on the verge of a breakthrough. He could reach the ninth rank, Great Perfection of the Unity realm at any moment," Sage Ruler Han Yue murmured. Her tone was calm and indifferent, as if she were discussing a trivial matter. After all, in her eyes, even the ninth rank of the Unity realm was still weak.
"Hu Zongxian! Are you trying to kill me?! When did I ever say I was prepared to die in battle?! I am the future Emperor of the Great Ming! How could I sacrifice myself for a mere city?!"
Hu Zongxian's words had been a delaying tactic, a way to buy time. But Crown Prince Wanli, impatient and arrogant, berated him in a hushed voice.
Fan Li, with his lower cultivation, couldn't hear their conversation. However, Han Yue, had heard every word and relayed it to Fan Li.
"What an idiot."
Fan Li laughed inwardly.
It seemed if he hadn't transmigrated into this world, even if the Great Ming Dynasty achieved unification, once the throne passed to Wanli, the dynasty would surely decline.
Unfortunately, time was of the essence. He couldn't afford to haggle.
Once the allied forces of Wei, Han, and Wu arrived at Yunzhou City, it wouldn't be convenient to let Wanli leave. He wouldn't be able to collect his "toll."
"Wanli! I will spare your life today. But you must agree to two conditions."
Wanli's voice was filled with excitement. "Tell me! Tell me what you want! I'll agree to anything!"
"First, the agreement made between Emperor Jiajing and Lu Chunqiu during the Three Emperors' Summit is hereby nullified!"
Fan Li was certain Wanli knew of the agreement that had bound Lu City to neutrality for ten years. He had been searching for a way to free Lu City from its constraints. This was the perfect opportunity.
To trade the Crown Prince's life for Lu City's open allegiance to the Great Chu? It was a bargain.
"Second, the Great Ming Dynasty will hereby acknowledge that Yunzhou City is no longer part of its territory."
Fan Li smiled. He knew that Wanli, as Crown Prince, had the authority to make such decisions.
As expected, Wanli, hearing his demands, didn't even hesitate.
"I agree! I agree to everything!"
"Your Highness!" Hu Zongxian cried out. "Not a single inch of Great Ming territory can be given away!"
He didn't know the details of the Lu City agreement, but as a border commander, his duty was to defend his nation's territory. How could he stand by and watch as Wanli gave away Yunzhou City?
"Nonsense!"
"Silence!"
"Hu Zongxian, I haven't even punished you for your defeat and the loss of the city! How dare you question my decisions?!"
Hu Zongxian trembled, his face alternating between shades of red and green, his teeth clenched so tightly that blood trickled from his gums.
From atop the city walls, Fan Li said with a smile, "Very well. Please swear an oath on the imperial lineage and throne of the Great Ming Dynasty."
Wanli's anger flared, but he was trapped beneath the walls. He had no choice but to comply.
"The negotiation is complete. You may leave, Crown Prince Wanli. The allied forces will arrive soon. I won't keep you any longer."
Fan Li bowed politely.
"Th… Thank you."
It was rare to hear a word of courtesy from Crown Prince Wanli.
But the Prince, ever meticulous, suddenly remembered something. "Fan Li, you only collected a toll from me. Why not from Hu Zongxian?"
Fan Li felt a sense of disdain. It was easy for emperors to share hardships, but difficult to share prosperity.
Even if Wanli disliked Hu Zongxian, shouldn't he wait until he was safely back in the Ming capital before settling scores?
Now?
Beneath the walls of Yunzhou City?
Facing enemies within the city and pursuers outside, he still had the energy to torment Hu Zongxian?
Even if Wanli was born with the destiny of an emperor, it was clearly a low-quality destiny.
Fan Li sighed. "I apologize, Grand Coordinator Hu. This humble one has long admired your reputation. A few days ago, we had the pleasure of meeting by the mirror lake. We enjoyed a pleasant conversation. I wished we could become sworn brothers. Today, I would like to ask again. Brother Ruzhen, I sincerely invite you to join me. Let us work together to achieve great things."
Hu Zongxian stared at the handsome young man atop the city walls, speechless. He could feel Wanli trembling with anger and fear on his back.
Wanli wasn't a complete fool.
Logic told him this was likely a ploy by Fan Li to sow discord between them. But another voice whispered, "Hu Zongxian betrayed us! He conspired with the enemy! He caused my army to be annihilated! I might lose my position as Crown Prince!"
Fan Li said slowly, "Brother Ruzhen, you're silent? Very well. There is still time. No matter when or where, if you change your mind, I will welcome you with the highest honors, paving the road with yellow earth and sprinkling the streets with clear water. But today, Brother Ruzhen, you are free to go. I can only bid you farewell and watch you depart."
Wanli, on Hu Zongxian's back, trembled even more violently.
"Well…"
Hu Zongxian sighed and smiled bitterly.
"Thank you for your kindness, Duke Jin. Since you're not stopping us, I will escort the Crown Prince away."
He leaped into the air, carrying Wanli southeast.
Fan Li suddenly shouted, "I've heard that the Crown Prince is a man of culture and refinement, particularly skilled in elegant music. Today, I have prepared a band to perform a piece for you. It's called 'Returning in Victory.' Please enjoy, Your Highness!"
"Begin the music!"
Throughout Yunzhou City, Great Chu soldiers skilled in music appeared, holding instruments in their hands.
Suonas, flutes, drums…
In an instant, the entire city transformed into a grand stage. Infused with spiritual energy, the music echoed for miles, reaching the heavens. The melody was comical, almost absurd, but it did have a triumphant, victorious air.
"Fan Li… You!!!"
Crown Prince Wanli, having studied elegant music under the tutelage of Zhang Juzheng, a renowned Confucian scholar, understood the mockery woven into the melody. He was enraged.
"Ptoo!!!"
He coughed violently, spraying blood into the air, then finally fainted.
Han Yue, watching from the city walls, was speechless.
"Fan Li…"
"Yes?"
"That Wanli… He even vomited blood. He might not have long to live…"