THE REVENGE BEGAN 4

"But wait... your idea is indeed excellent, but it's too risky for me to do now, since Yunwen has taken my sons as his hostage. I have to concentrate on saving my sons first..." Zhu Di started to think, looking for a way to free his sons. "Hmm, now it seems like I have to play a drama so Yunwen won't suspect me. Maybe I should pretend to be crazy..."

"Or pretending to be sick?" Zhu Su suggested an idea.

"Ah yes, pretending to be sick is also a good idea. Crazy and sick at the same time!... But, what if Yunwen suspects me and sends a royal physician to examine me?"

"My Changshi, Liu Ku, is very skilled in alchemist. He can certainly make medicine to show as if you are really ill, when in fact you aren't."

Zhu Di snapped his fingers. "Good idea! Call Liu Ku here!"

When Zhu Di returned to Beiping, he was carrying a backpack containing small bottles which determined his fate in the future.

Standing next to Zhu Su who was watching Zhu Di and his entourage going away, Liu Ku grinned happily.

"Well done, Your Highness. If Yan Wang manages to overthrow the Emperor and ascends to the throne, he will surely give you a high position in government. Because he is very grateful to you. You are the main determinant of his victory."

"That's good," Zhu Su replied. "Then what should I do next?"

"The second step; Do nothing."

"Huh?!" Zhu Su had to pat his ears to make sure that he did not mishear.

"Do nothing in the war which will happen shortly after. If my prediction is correct, Yan Wang will be able to save his sons, and then wage a war based on the propaganda idea you spark. Let it be Yan Wang's business, let him do it by himself. You don't need to interfere. Because you have no power in the military as your San Hu Wei has been seized by the Emperor."

Zhu Su gnashed his teeth.

"But even if we do not fight by deploying troops, we can still fight in another way. Which is very effective and will definitely be able to speed up the fallen of the Emperor."

"What kind of way is that?"

"You kill and revive the Ming people."

Zhu Su was shocked for the second time. "Like Xie Wang did?!"

"Exactly."

Zhu Su shook his head. "I have to... take the same path as Xie Wang did?..."

"Not exactly the same. My current plan is, we will spread a kind of infectious disease in the capital. On the other hand, we will improve the standard of living in Yunnan. Yunnan people have been much more prosperous because of the health education you've created before, so it's much easier to take care of them than ten years ago. Besides, Miss Nayin has significant power in Yunnan medical field, thereby she knows all movements of governmental figures. And the most important. You know, you are the most respected figure in Yunnan? Even more than your father, because your father is perceived by Yunnan people as the conqueror who oppressed the people, while they consider you as God of Medicine. In this way, you can recruit Yunnan people to support you. You will gain power and influence again, it's just that the direction has been changed, before it was in Kaifeng, but now it is in Yunnan."

"Not the same. I was Fan Wang before, now I am labeled as a rebel."

"At least, you will have the same power as Xie Wang used to have."

"That's why I have to follow his way?" Zhu Su laughed. But his laughter was full of bitterness. "Which was once a son of the ruler, then lost his power and tried to retake it... You're right, my fate is exactly the same as his. I even have to live in the residence he dwelled before..."

"And have me as an assistant," Liu Ku smiled. His smile was different from Zhu Su's bitter smile, his smile showed as if he was very pleased.

"But... I will spread infectious disease in the capital? In other words, I will make the people fall sick?..." Not realizing Liu Ku's strange smile, Zhu Su asked again, his voice was trembling.

Liu Ku soon noticed the true meaning of Zhu Su's worried question. He stared deeply into Zhu Su's eyes. "Your Highness! This is war! In war, we don't recognize the word named mercy! If somebody says that you shouldn't slaughter innocent people in war, then I will say that it is the most nonsense, the most hypocritical and the falsest saying amongst all pearls of wisdom ever exist in this world. War is cruel! War doesn't know the word named compassion, because we must remove our kindness to see people die in front of us... tens, hundreds, or maybe thousands of people! If you are not ready to be cruel, then don't beat war drums!... And accept that it is your destiny you must endure, forever..."

Zhu Su turned silent. In the end, he had to admit that he agreed with Liu Ku. Those memories soon crossed his mind; all the cruelty Zhu Yunwen had done towards him, Zhu Youdun, and Feng Ruina. The memories quickly ignited the flames of hatred which then spread throughout his whole body. His eyes blazed with fury.

"Yes... I must not maintain my naïvety... I must remove my kindness right at this moment. Because it is useless, it will only drag me to the valley of suffering... I must be able to be cruel. Becoming a cold-hearted leader!"

***

Ten years had passed since Zhu Su left Yunnan. Everything had changed a lot at this time. Only one was still unchanging - Yunnan people's worship for Zhu Su. Liu Ku was correct. Yunnan people even adored Zhu Su more than their respect for the Hongwu Emperor. So Zhu Yunwen's prestige in Yunnan really could not be compared to Zhu Su's. As they learned that Zhu Su had been exiled due to unjustified reason, Yunnan people were very sad. The comments like "Why do good people always have bad luck?" and "Poor Zhou Wang, if only we could help him" often emerged in Yunnan people's conversation. They just did not dare to be vocal since there were a lot of central government officials watching strictly on them. But assuming from the situation happening, it was a bit easy to ignite some movement - just poured a little more fire and all Yunnan people would eagerly obey Zhu Su's orders.