What Matter If Ten Clans

Ying Zheng?

Li Shimin?

Upon hearing Zhu Yuanzhang's words, Zhu Di, Prince of Yan, and Zhu Gaoxi were both filled with disbelief.

Even these two legendary emperors from millennia had come?

"We pay our respects to Emperor Taizong of Tang and the First Emperor."

After the initial shock, the father-and-son pair of the Prince of Yan quickly bowed in salutation.

"Young nephew, there's no need for such formality. The reason we've come this time is to deliver the Imperial Jade Seal to you," said Qin Shi Huang with a chuckle.

"The Imperial Jade Seal?"

Hearing this, Zhu Di looked puzzled, but the moment the realization dawned, his heart began to pound. He turned to Zhu Yuanzhang. "F-Father...?"

"Heh, look at you, so excited you can't even keep your composure. How do you expect to hold the throne steady with so little self-control?"

As Zhu Yuanzhang spoke, he reached into his sleeve and pulled out a jade pendant, handing it to Zhu Di, Prince of Yan.

Zhu Di took it, his hands trembling as he examined it closely. "Father, this chipped corner—it looks so fresh, as if it just broke off recently. And the gold on it..."

"Where's all this nonsense coming from? Just tell me—do you want it or not?" said Zhu Yuanzhang.

"Yes!"

Without a second thought, Zhu Di put away the Imperial Jade Seal and knelt before Zhu Yuanzhang. "Father, I will not fail the trust you have placed in me. I will rule as a good emperor!"

He then turned to Yongle Zhu Di and asked, "I wonder, how did I—this future version of me—handle being emperor?"

"Do not ask too much. Knowing history will not do you much good. Simply act according to your own convictions," replied Yongle.

"Very well." The Prince of Yan nodded.

Just then, Qin Ning waved his hand, and from the ground, he produced several items.

They were no ordinary things—high-yield crop seeds.

Yongle then explained in detail the yields and cultivation methods of these crops to Zhu Di, Prince of Yan. Upon learning the output of potatoes, corn, and sweet potatoes, Zhu Di and Zhu Gaoxi were left utterly astonished.

"To think such high-yield crops exist in this world!" Zhu Di gasped.

A guard's voice sounded from outside the hall. "Your Highness, all the ministers have assembled at the Hall of Supreme Harmony."

"I understand. You may withdraw," said the Prince of Yan, before turning to Zhu Yuanzhang. "Father, will you and the others come along?"

In Zhu Di's personal view, having his father publicly pass the throne to him would carry far more legitimacy than merely holding the so-called Imperial Jade Seal.

"We'll go. Since we're here, I want to meet those Three Fools of Jianwen and ask exactly how they misled Zhu Yunwen into reducing the princely fiefs. Is this how I appointed them as regents?" Zhu Yuanzhang snorted.

"The Three Fools of Jianwen?" The Prince of Yan was taken aback, unsure of what he meant.

Yongle Emperor explained, "They are Fang Xiaoru, Qi Tai, and Huang Zicheng."

"Ah, so it's them."

The Prince of Yan finally understood. He thought to himself, "It seems Father carries a deep grudge against these three. I'll have to give them a thorough questioning when the time comes."

"Lao Si, go on ahead with Gaoxi. I'll follow shortly," said Zhu Yuanzhang.

"Yes, Father."

With that, the Prince of Yan led Zhu Gaoxi out of the room.

In the Hall of Supreme Harmony, the assembled officials were whispering among themselves.

Then, Zhu Di and Zhu Gaoxi emerged from behind the hall.

Before the eyes of the assembled crowd, Zhu Di walked straight up to the dragon throne and sat himself down.

"You, Yan Rebel, are a usurper!" shouted Fang Xiaoru, cursing openly.

"Oh?"

Unruffled, Zhu Di turned his gaze to him. "Fang Xiaoru, you've got some nerve, haven't you?"

"Yan Rebel! Even if you've captured the capital and taken the throne today, history will record it in ink. Your rebellion is a fact. Yan Rebel—an eternal, villainous rebel!" Fang Xiaoru raged, without a shred of restraint.

Zhu Di let out a cold snort. "Such a bold Fang Xiaoru. You're not afraid of death, are you? Are you not worried that I might exterminate your nine clans?"

"Even if you exterminate ten clans, I wouldn't care!" Fang Xiaoru shot back.

Zhu Di sneered. "Then you're truly thanking your ten clans in advance. I'll give you this chance: draft the enthronement edict for me right now, and I might consider sparing only you."

"Bah!"

Fang Xiaoru spat contemptuously onto the ground. "Yan Rebel! Go ahead and kill me if you dare. I will never write that edict! You are nothing but a traitor who rose to power through rebellion!"

"Heh..."

Zhu Di chuckled coldly, then produced the Imperial Jade Seal. "By the Mandate of Heaven, may eternal prosperity and longevity reign!"

"Fang Xiaoru, now that I hold the Imperial Jade Seal, I am Heaven's chosen!"

"What?"

Shock rippled through the crowd. Fang Xiaoru stared in disbelief at the jade seal in Zhu Di's hand. After a long moment, he said, "Fine, you rebel—you've even forged the Imperial Jade Seal!"

"The Imperial Jade Seal has been lost since the late Tang dynasty," Qi Tai and Huang Zicheng chimed in as well.

"Heh, no matter whether you accept it or not, I now hold the Jade Seal. Who dares claim I am not the rightful sovereign?" Zhu Di declared.

Fang Xiaoru spoke again. "You, Zhu Di, are nothing but a rebel. History will never record that you inherited the throne legitimately!"

"Oh? And what if it were I who passed the throne to him?"

Just then, a voice rang out from behind the hall.

Zhu Yuanzhang and his entourage walked forward slowly.

"Th-the Hongwu Emperor?!"

"Impossible! The Hongwu Emperor is still alive!"

"And... that is... Emperor Xingzong? Crown Prince Yiwen?"

"No! There's another Prince of Yan as well!"

The ministers were stunned. Every face bore an expression of utter disbelief as murmurs swept through the hall.

"What? It's only been a few years since I've been gone. Do you no longer recognize me?"

Zhu Yuanzhang snorted, striding up to the dragon throne.

The Prince of Yan quickly and respectfully rose and stood aside, letting Zhu Yuanzhang sit.

"ROAR!"

Just as Zhu Yuanzhang settled into the dragon throne, a dragon's roar echoed through the hall. Around him, a golden dragon apparition materialized.

Such a spectacular scene was, of course, conjured by Qin Ning.

"A dragon... an actual dragon!"

"The Hongwu Emperor has truly returned!"

"We welcome the Hongwu Emperor's return!"

If anyone still harbored doubts before, the dragon's roar and the golden phantom now laid them all to rest.

"Having driven out the Mongols and restored China, I received celestial recognition after my death, becoming a disciple of an immortal master. I return today for no other reason than to tell you this: this throne belongs to this old, fourth son of mine, and it is rightfully his."

Fang Xiaoru began, "But Hongwu Emperor, the Prince of Yan is—"

"You have an objection?" Zhu Yuanzhang swept his gaze over him.

The moment Fang Xiaoru met that glare, his heart shuddered and his hair stood on end. "N-no, I don't dare!"