A Country Within a Country

One is accomplished in both letters and arms, while the other is a paragon of scholarly grace. One wages war on the battlefield and guards the realm; the other wields great power and directs the fate of the land. He is the eldest son born to a concubine, with countless military honors, yet he cannot escape the fate of being a prince. The other is the legitimate second son, honored as the Crown Prince, yet caught in the crosshairs of all.

In the struggle for the throne, even if you seize the supreme position, you lose everything but the throne itself. From the moment you make up your mind, all brotherly affection has already been cut off. Rather than wait for you to hold a knife to my throat, why not make you my prey?

In truth, you and I, caught in the dust and turmoil, are all sacrifices to that dragon throne...

This novel and its characters are entirely fictional. Any resemblance to actual people or events is purely coincidental. Do not imitate.