Late Ming: Father, Better to Abdicate Than Hang Yourself

Chongzhen: "My son, your schemes are countless. You command the situation from within the tent and win victories a thousand miles away."

Zhu Cilang: "It's nothing special, just two divisions of the realm into three, plus four unifications of the empire."

Chongzhen: "Hmm?"

Zhu Cilang: "Father, read a few more books. Zhuge Liang divided the realm into three, and Liu Bowen unified the empire!"

Chongzhen: "My son, you have the makings of a great emperor. Taking a general's head from a million-man army is as easy as reaching into a bag."

Zhu Cilang: "No big deal, just one Xiang Yu, one Lu Bu, and one Ran Min."

Chongzhen: "..."

Zhu Cilang: "Father, it's fine. Keep telling it like it is."

Chongzhen: "My son, actually, I still want to be emperor for a few more years."

Zhu Cilang: "Which scholar talked you into that this time? Do you think my blade isn't sharp enough?"

Chongzhen: "Then I'd better keep being the Retired Emperor!"

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