Great Ming: The Innkeeper Talks Three Kingdoms, and Old Zhu Asks About the Lan Yu Case

Ming Dynasty, the twenty-fifth year of Hongwu.

By the Qinhuai River, Zhu Yu stands on a raised platform, speaking with dramatic cadence.

"The Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors sought virtue, while the Xia, Shang, and Zhou sought fame and glory."

"The Five Hegemons vied for supremacy in the Spring and Autumn Period; history's rise and fall passed through their hands."

"A few names remain in the history books, while countless barren mounds lie at Beimang."

"The land left by our forebears is claimed by those who come after. What is the point of fighting for the throne?"

"Today's tale is called Romance of the Three Kingdoms."

And so he began telling the story of the Three Kingdoms.

What he didn't know was that the old man Zhu listening below was none other than the founder of the entire Ming Dynasty.

Zhu Yuanzhang!

Zhu Yuanzhang: "Little Zhu, do you think Lan Yu should be executed or not?"

Zhu Yu: "Old Zhu, don't start trouble! I'm just a storyteller!"

This novel and its characters are entirely fictional. Any resemblance is purely coincidental. Do not imitate.