Chapter 22: The Transformation of the Black Tortoise!

Yongle Era.

Imperial Prison.

In the very center of the courtyard, Zhu Gaoxu lay sprawled on the ground, his tiger-like eyes brimming with tears as he muttered ceaselessly, “He’s denying it, he’s denying it!”

At the Battle of Baigou River, the Emperor Jianwen unleashed a torrent of firearms, pressing forward with relentless force. The Yan army faltered, and at that critical juncture, it was Zhu Gaoxu who drew his steel blade, mounted his horse, and charged through the encirclement!

He led thousands of valiant, battle-hardened soldiers, annihilated Jianwen’s rearguard in one fell swoop, even rode into the enemy ranks, and slew their general, Qu Meng, with a single stroke!

Thus the morale of the Yan army soared; every man fought to the death, turning the tide and rescuing the Prince of Yan, Zhu Di, from desperate straits!

Had Zhu Gaoxu not intervened at the crucial moment, the Campaign of Jingnan might well have ended then and there!

Zhu Gaoxu roared in bitter resentment, “If not for me, could the old man have become emperor? He’s grown senile; it was clearly the Crown Prince who found someone to impersonate the founder—how could he not see through it? He simply doesn’t want to admit it!”

“Enough, Second Brother,” Zhu Gaoyu said, picking at his ear without concern, “It’s not the first time the old man’s words count for nothing—why fuss so much?”

“It’s different this time! He made me slap my own face in front of all the civil and military officials—he’s cutting off my hopes for good!” Zhu Gaoxu raged, powerless.

Recalling his past hardships, he realized they had all been traps set by his father, and tears of regret streamed down his face:

“Next, he’ll surely drive me out of the capital. He’s old, yet still campaigns year after year; if something happens and he dies on the march, the Crown Prince will inherit at his coffin, and all will be lost!”

“What else can you do? The officials avoid us like the plague, terrified of being entangled. If you want to become emperor as a matter of course, it’s not likely.” Zhu Gaoyu replied helplessly.

At this point, he too was powerless. Zhu Di’s actions had utterly destroyed the Han King’s faction, severing Zhu Gaoxu’s path to the throne.

As a matter of course...

“Third Brother! You must help me!” Zhu Gaoxu’s eyes gradually lit up. He rose and grabbed Zhu Gaoyu’s arm, shouting excitedly.

A mad scheme began to take root in his heart.

“How can I help you? In front of the old man, I’m not even as favored as our nephew.” Zhu Gaoyu was startled, grumbling in discontent.

“You can help—you must help me!”

Zhu Gaoxu stared at him intently, his voice agitated: “Third Brother, I swear, if I ascend the throne, I’ll share the empire with you!”

“What are you planning?” Zhu Gaoyu felt uneasy.

Zhu Gaoxu spoke each word with deliberation: “Back then, Emperor Taizong of Tang was just the Prince of Qin! He launched the Xuanwu Gate coup, carried the Crown Prince’s head before the emperor, and the world changed! The divine mandate shifted! He became an emperor for the ages!”

This... this is rebellion!

Zhu Gaoyu was stunned at once, his body stiff with disbelief. He thought: Didn’t Li Shimin kill more than just the eldest? Wasn’t the third brother killed as well?

Instinctively, he pushed Zhu Gaoxu’s hand away, shrinking back. As the Prince of Zhao, he enjoyed luxury and riches; besides, even if this succeeded, he couldn’t become emperor. Why take such risks? He truly dared not risk losing his head!

He opened his mouth to refuse.

But Zhu Gaoxu gripped him tightly again, and seeing his brother shrink back, hurried to reveal his scheme:

“Third Brother, listen. The old man is preparing to campaign north again. I’ll use the excuse of reorganizing the army to win over my loyalists in the capital garrison—many are brothers who’ve fought life-and-death battles with me, and have repeatedly spoken up for me. If I raise the banner of rebellion, they’ll follow without hesitation!”

“Besides, I still have the Tiger Tally, which lets me command the capital troops. At night, I’ll arrange them around the city, alert the city guards, and as dusk falls, fire off the cannons to stir chaos!”

“At present, you control the Imperial Guard in the inner court. When the time comes, we’ll strike straight for the heart—claiming to protect the palace, we’ll seal it off! The great matter will be accomplished!”

“The old man seized the empire—so can we! Then we’ll ascend the throne together, share the world! Will you do it or not?”

Zhu Gaoyu stared blankly at his brother’s resol