THE RESULT OF THE DEADLY CAMPAIGN

Zhu Youdun also followed his father to their new residence in Yingtian. Although always appearing to be reserved, yet Zhu Youdun was a good observer. He had often seen the closeness of his father with Hu Nayin, and sometimes their closeness even seemed unnatural. However, Zhu Su did not talk much about it to anyone, even to his own son. Yet one day, Zhu Youdun could not hold it any longer. On a beautiful evening, he approached his father, began to chat with him.

"I am so glad, Fu Wang, finally we can escape from our former fugitive lives," Zhu Youdun said cheerfully.

Zhu Su smiled. "That's true, Youdun. But it is all really beyond my expectation. Moreover the fact that I have an opportunity to complete Pu Ji Fang."

"But, such a pity, Mu Fei can't enjoy this happiness with us."

Zhu Youdun's words that involved Feng Ruina made Zhu Su's face turn gloomy.

"Well... sometimes life can't be as perfect as we desire... But... really... that is a flaw which I really want to avoid. I really, really want to ask Heaven. It's far better for me if Heaven makes me live as a commoner but still lets Ruina live with us... it's far better..."

"I also hope the same, Fu Wang..."

Zhu Youdun turned silent. It was quiet for a while.

"Fu Wang... what's your opinion about Miss Nayin?"

Zhu Su raised his eyebrows. "My opinion about... Nayin?..."

"Yes, Fu Wang. In your opinion, what kind of woman Miss Nayin is?"

"Errr... well... Nayin is an awesome woman. Smart, talented, and also very kindhearted."

"Only that?"

"Mmm... she is the most enthusiastic physician when doing all of her duties as a physician, and the most dedicated assistant in helping me complete Xiu Zhen Fang and Pu Ji Fang..."

"Your opinion about her is only like that?"

"Yeah... why do you suddenly ask about Nayin, Youdun?"

"Aren't you interested in creating her as your life partner?"

This time, Zhu Youdun's question shocked Zhu Su. "Wh... what do you mean, Youdun?!"

"Perhaps you don't realize it, but I immediately figure out what is exactly going on between you and Miss Nayin. But take it easy, I won't blame you. You indeed need a new companion for life, because if we live without a life partner, then our lives will be empty and we will be lonely. And Miss Nayin, is very suitable for you as a life partner. She is kindhearted, has the same hobbies and principles of life as you have, has experienced joy and sorrow together with you, and she is very loyal to you - she even sacrifices her luxury life in order to help you. If you want to make her a partner to accompany your life, then I will totally agree with you."

Zhu Su himself, in his surprise, turned his face away and now watched at the little birds flying around flowers and trees.

"... I also... never want to marry someone other than you. In the afterlife, I will ask King Yama to permit me to be your life companion in the next reincarnation..."

Ruina... she dies, because of me...

"Don't talk about it anymore, Youdun. Now I am focused on completing Pu Ji Fang. Hence, I don't have time to worry about other problems."

Zhu Su was about to stand up.

"No, Fu Wang. This is very important. It concerns the happiness in your life. Think about it carefully, I don't want you to regret later."

Zhu Youdun looked seriously at his father who made no response. But there was no conversation anymore, because Zhu Su had gone away, left Zhu Youdun behind.

***

Liu Ku made a very accurate prediction. It even only took less than six months for Zhu Di's troops to succeed in crippling the imperial military forces. All kinds of diplomacy and compromise Zhu Yunwen used - by sending Princess Qincheng, Gu Wang, and An Wang - all ended in failure. Zhu Di totally had no intention to make a peace agreement with Zhu Yunwen.

"Who beat the war drums first? Is it me? No, at first I did nothing except carried out my duties as Fan Wang obediently. It is you, Yunwen, who begins everything with your Politics of Xuefan by kidnapping my three sons. Now, after you are about to lose, then you become afraid and even want to make a reconciliation with me? Geez! It's too late, Zhu Yunwen, it's too late!"

At the beginning of July in 1402, Zhu Di's troops besieged Yingtian Palace. Zhu Yunwen had ordered all Fan Wangs to live in the capital and help protect the palace, but he still failed. The main reason was, Li Jinglong who had surrendered to Zhu Di, now turned to betray Zhu Yunwen by opening the palace gate. Likewise, Gu Wang, Zhu Hui, who assumed it was much better to surrender to Zhu Di at this moment.

Zhu Di could gain victory in Jingnan Campaign without any counter-opposition from the palace.

But what had been waiting for Zhu Di and his entire army was a very shocking sight.

Yingtian Palace was burnt down.

The big fire flared immensely, devouring whatever existed there. Buildings, fences, trees... all were burnt down.

"Fire! Fire!" The court ladies, eunuchs, and soldiers were extinguishing the fire shoulder to shoulder. They kept pouring water into the burning palace. Still, their efforts were all in vain. Only in one night, the flame had wiped out most of the palace. The flame caused damages that, for the most part, could not be repaired.

The greatness and grandeur which had been built with years of hard work, disappeared overnight.

As well as the greatness of the Jianwen Emperor, which disappeared overnight, it met the same fate with his palace which was destroyed by the flames.

On the next day, when the fire subsided and Yingtian Palace had been badly damaged, the eunuchs brought three burned bodies to the presence of Zhu Di.

"Two bodies of adults, a body of child. They must be the bodies of the Emperor, Empress, and Crown Prince. They couldn't escape during the fire, and eventually burned to death," The eunuchs explained.

"Or, that depressed emperor actually intended to kill himself by setting fire to burn the whole palace as well as his whole family," One of Zhu Di's generals analyzed. The soldiers responded with chuckling cheerfully.

Zhu Di himself, watched the three bodies in silence. Then slowly, he nodded, his face was full of satisfaction.

"It doesn't matter, after all. What matters is, Jianwen Emperor has met his end. The Emperor in the Great Ming has changed. We will start the new era, Yongle!"

Zhu Di brandished his sword high. Everyone soon fell themselves onto the ground and kowtowed.

And hailed the same sentences.

"Long live Yongle Emperor! Long live the Emperor, now and forever!"