Ruler and Subject

In the tenth year of Tianhe, Ye Qinbai, the youngest son of the Marquis of Zhaolie, became the study companion of the Third Prince, Li Yan. One had no marquisate to inherit, and the other had no throne to inherit, so they spent their days roaming the capital and getting into trouble.

Li Yan: "Xiaobai, if you run short of silver, just ask me. I get a big monthly allowance!"

Ye Qinbai replied without a care in the world: "Sure. From now on, I'll stick with Your Highness."

In the sixteenth year of Tianhe, the throne unexpectedly fell to the Third Prince, Li Yan, who had spent his days playing with cats and dogs. He changed the era name to Xingwu.

With the court in turmoil and powerful enemies surrounding the realm, Li Yan grew up overnight. Smiling, he patted the worried person beside him.

"Xiaobai, being emperor is pretty nice, actually. From now on, if you get into trouble, I, no, We will bail you out."

In the second year of Xingwu, the Marquis of Zhaolie's father and elder brothers were all killed in battle, leaving the western frontier wide open. Ye Qinbai requested permission to go to war before the court.

Li Yan personally escorted him beyond the city gates.

"Your Highness, I'll guard the western frontier for you. Just stay firmly on your throne. I'm off."

The young general's silver armor gleamed dazzlingly through the dust.

For the next seven years, Li Yan labored to repair a shattered realm while Ye Qinbai fought across the land.

In the ninth year of Xingwu, Ye Qinbai crushed the royal court of the Sha Dynasty but was surrounded. His collarbones were pierced by hooked chains. He fought bitterly for three days, but no reinforcements from the court ever came.

After breaking through the encirclement, Ye Qinbai held on for three days before dying. He left the Emperor Xingwu only a letter bearing two words in blood: "Ruler and subject." He was unwilling even to ask whether Li Yan had truly wanted him dead.

In the empty palace, Li Yan clutched the silver armor and wept uncontrollably. He couldn't understand what had gone wrong, leaving nothing between them but the words "ruler and subject."

The history books record that in the ninth year of Xingwu, in the ninth month, news of the Marquis of Zhaolie's death reached the capital. The emperor was overcome with grief. He investigated the court and executed more than a hundred eunuchs, generals, and civil officials. Blood flowed through the capital, yet it still could not appease the emperor's fury. History calls it the Ninth Month Coup.

Li Yan gazed at the bloodstained steps and laughed like a madman. He understood now. No one would believe in a general who would never betray his sovereign, and no one would believe in an emperor who would never grow suspicious.

In the nineteenth year of Xingwu, Li Yan died at the former residence of the Marquis of Zhaolie.

When he opened his eyes again, he was back in the tenth year of Tianhe. His father was still alive.

"I've chosen a study companion for you, the youngest son of the Marquis of Zhaolie. From now on, he'll study with you."

Everything could begin again.

Beneath the bright sunlight, the young prince smiled radiantly.

"I'm Li Yan. You can spend my silver however you like."

This time, he would show the whole world that an emperor and a general could remain true to each other forever.

Theme: A ruler and his subject can be loyal and devoted to each other.