Chapitre 233: The Traitor

Yunzhou City.

The headquarters of the Great Ming's Grand General of the North.

One man sat meditating, legs crossed, while another stood beside him, silently attending.

The meditating man, dressed in luxurious yellow robes embroidered with dragons, was Crown Prince Wanli of the Great Ming, now Grand General of the North!

The man holding a copper basin had a stern face and graying hair, but his eyes were sharp and resolute. Despite performing the duties of a servant, his demeanor still radiated authority.

"Water."

Wanli spoke suddenly, his eyes still closed. His voice was aloof and arrogant, treating Hu Zongxian, the Grand Coordinator of the Great Ming's northern territories, as a mere servant.

Hu Zongxian, neither humble nor arrogant, walked steadily towards the Crown Prince, bowing deeply and holding the basin low for Wanli's convenience.

Wanli finally opened his eyes a sliver, his gaze, peering through the gap, seeming to relish Hu Zongxian's subservient posture. He dipped his hands into the basin, splashing water on them.

"Take it away."

At his command, Hu Zongxian removed the basin and retrieved a silk cloth, thin as a cicada's wing, presenting it respectfully to the Crown Prince.

Wanli could have simply taken the cloth and dried his hands himself. But he remained motionless, his lips curving into a frown.

Hu Zongxian, although bowing, observed the Prince's every move with his peripheral vision.

Understanding the Prince's unspoken command, he unfolded the cloth and, without hesitation, personally wiped the water from Wanli's hands.

"Grand Coordinator Hu, your skills in commanding troops are mediocre, but you excel at serving others. Could it be that my father misjudged you? You're not suited for leadership, but a perfect fit for the role of Chief Eunuch in the imperial palace."

This wasn't subtle mockery; it was a blatant insult. He was calling Hu Zongxian a defeated general, unworthy of being a man, suggesting he should be castrated and sent to the palace to serve as a eunuch.

Hu Zongxian, enduring this humiliation, maintained a facade of respect and obedience.

"According to the Great Ming's legal code, eunuchs serving in the imperial palace must be castrated at a young age and enter the palace as children. I am past fifty, with several wives and concubines, and over a dozen children. By law, I'm no longer eligible to serve in the palace."

He paused, adding, "But whether within the palace walls or beyond, it is my great fortune to serve His Majesty and attend to Your Highness."

He repeatedly referred to himself as a "criminal," his demeanor incredibly subservient, finally eliciting a laugh from Crown Prince Wanli.

Why was the Prince tormenting Hu Zongxian?

Wanli was the Grand General of the North, tasked with reorganizing the army in Yunzhou City. Hu Zongxian was his deputy. They should have been working together harmoniously.

However, before departing the capital, Wanli had received instructions from his teacher, Zhang Juzheng.

"Hu Zongxian is a loyal dog of Yan Song. Your Highness will inherit the throne sooner or later. If you don't eliminate the Yan Song faction, you will repeat the story of Dong Zhuo during Emperor Xiaoren's reign. Or perhaps… the current situation in the Great Chu…"

Zhang Juzheng had nearly sacrificed his life to save Crown Prince Wanli outside Mount Yunmeng. Even though Wanli was naturally cold and ruthless, he wouldn't forget this debt. He obeyed Zhang Juzheng's instructions without question.

Besides, he already considered the throne his personal property. If the throne was his, the power and authority of the Great Ming were also his.

How dare the Yan Song faction attempt to seize power?

He would eliminate them all, even if it meant killing innocent individuals.

Therefore, tormenting Hu Zongxian had become a daily routine for Wanli.

"Your Highness," Hu Zongxian said cautiously, sensing that the Prince had had his fun.

"I failed to command the troops effectively, resulting in heavy losses. But the blame rests solely on me, not on the brave soldiers who died in battle. Their families are innocent. If Your Highness wishes to reinforce the city walls, it's enough to utilize the city guards. There's no need to force the entire population, even women and children, into labor."

He looked at Wanli with hope, longing to hear words of compassion for the citizens of Yunzhou City.

But they never came.

Wanli's face darkened, his eyes flashing with anger.

"Hu Zongxian."

"Your criminal is here!"

Hu Zongxian felt a sinking feeling in his heart.

There was an unspoken rule in the Great Ming's officialdom. Subordinates addressed their superiors with flattery and respect, but superiors wouldn't deliberately humiliate their subordinates. They would address them using their courtesy names or titles, a gesture of familiarity and trust.

To address someone directly by their given name was a grave insult.

Hu Zongxian sighed inwardly, dropping to his knees before the Crown Prince.

"Hu Zongxian, we are in the midst of a military campaign. Have you forgotten? I am not only the Crown Prince of the Great Ming, but also the Grand General of the North, commanding four hundred and fifty thousand troops! All military and administrative matters in Yunzhou City are under my authority, by imperial decree! The city has just experienced a fierce battle. The walls are damaged, and our defenses are weakened. How can we reinforce the city without undertaking major construction projects? How can we rebuild our defenses in the shortest time possible without mobilizing the entire population?" Spittle flew from his lips.

"Without strong defenses, how can I lead you, a defeated general, and your demoralized troops to victory against the allied armies outside the city? Tell me! Tell me, you defeated general, what should I do?!"

Hu Zongxian, kneeling, his body shrinking under the barrage of insults, finally prostrated himself before the Prince.

"Everything… I obey Your Highness… Grand General… Your criminal has no objections."

These were his final words.

He remained prostrated, his forehead pressed against the ground, until Crown Prince Wanli departed with a sneer.

Wanli only spent a short time each day at the Grand General's headquarters.

With four hundred and fifty thousand troops defending the city, Yunzhou City continued to enjoy a semblance of peace and prosperity.

Compared to the dull and austere Grand General's headquarters, the pleasure boats on the Jade Belt River south of the city were far more entertaining. They had become Crown Prince Wanli's new favorite pastime.

"Grand Coordinator!"

"Grand Coordinator, what are you doing?!"

When Wanli had left, the generals of the Northern Army, seeing that Hu Zongxian hadn't emerged from the headquarters, worriedly approached to check on him.

Hu Zongxian slowly rose to his feet, brushing the dust from his knees.

He stood tall and straight, facing his subordinates with the authority of a commander who had overseen a strategic border town for many years.

"Grand Coordinator, did the Prince give you a hard time again?" one general asked, his eyes filled with tears.

"Silence!"

With a single word, a single glare, Hu Zongxian silenced the indignant generals.

"We are in the military. Have you forgotten military law? He is the Grand General of the North first, then the Crown Prince of the Great Ming."

"…Yes." The generals lowered their heads, responding in unison.

"Liu Xian, report to the disciplinary officer and receive twenty lashes. This will teach you to be mindful of your words."

General Liu Xian, without hesitation, accepted his punishment.

Moments later, the sound of a heavy rod striking flesh echoed from outside the headquarters. But they didn't hear Liu Xian cry out in pain.

They knew he was enduring the punishment silently.

After all, no matter how painful twenty lashes were, what did it matter compared to their comrades who had died in battle?

"Grand Coordinator, did the Grand General agree to exempt the widows from forced labor?" another general asked cautiously.

Hu Zongxian's eyes filled with sorrow.

He shook his head.

"But…"

The general wanted to say more, but Hu Zongxian silenced him with a look.

"Don't worry. I have a plan. Forced labor is difficult, but at least they're alive. I've accumulated some wealth over the years. I'll distribute it to the widows to help them support their families. It's better than nothing."