Meeting the Gentleman

Zhao Qi first met Lin Yuan on bustling South Thirteenth Street. The young man wore fine clothes, rode a spirited horse, and called out to his friends, while Zhao Qi, dressed in rags, knelt on the ground and begged Lin Yuan to spare his life.

The young man said coolly, "Report it to the authorities."

After serving three years in prison because of Lin Yuan's words, Zhao Qi emerged as a royal prince. The little thug strutted arrogantly. "The weather's getting cold. It's time to kill Lin Yuan."

Everyone thought the fifth prince, Zhao Qi, was kind and gentle, a true gentleman with a benevolent heart. But Lin Yuan knew he was actually a dissolute, hedonistic thug who would stop at nothing.

Everyone said Lin Yuan was a gentleman of virtue, modesty, and integrity. But Zhao Qi knew he was cold-hearted, hypocritical to the extreme.

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In the extravagant palace, Lin Yuan stood tall in his official robes, listing the new emperor Zhao Qi's ten major crimes and preparing to face death bravely.

Zhao Qi lounged in his dragon throne with one leg crossed, smug and arrogant. "Kneel and call me Your Majesty. Let's hear it."

Lin Yuan stood righteous and unyielding. "No."

Zhao Qi narrowed his eyes in warning. "I'll have you killed."

Lin Yuan sneered. "I couldn't ask for more."

Zhao Qi flew into a rage and, determined not to give him what he wanted, blurted out, "I'll have you in my bed."

Lin Yuan: "..."

They say that on the night the new emperor ascended the throne, he got into a fight in the great hall with the youngest minister in the court. Neither of them could attend court the next day.

A wretched prince raised among commoners x a noble, untouchable man devoted to his country

Theme: Follow the objective laws of historical development