Chapter 699: The Death of the King of Joseon

Grand Prince Bongnim arrived at the front hall and saw Zheng Xuhong.

Compared with before, Zheng Xuhong's state was clearly different. He had returned to normal, and was even a bit more ostentatious, his face far more relaxed than before.

Seeing this, Grand Prince Bongnim's expression turned unpleasant.

Zheng Xuhong's relaxed expression could only mean one thing — he was completely out of trouble.

He wasn't even showing that much respect in front of him, which meant he really had been framed.

"Greetings, Grand Prince." Zheng Xuhong looked at Grand Prince Bongnim and said respectfully.

Grand Prince Bongnim nodded and said with a smile, "That Lord Zheng has been able to clear his name is also Joseon's fortune. Lord Zheng, please have a seat."

"No need to sit." Zheng Xuhong shook his head and said, "The reason I came today is actually that I have something to discuss with the Grand Prince."

"And what might that be?" Grand Prince Bongnim looked at Zheng Xuhong with a grim face and asked.

This fellow wouldn't even sit down now — his attitude was plain enough.

Grand Prince Bongnim's face darkened.

He hoped things weren't what he imagined.

"It's not that I have business," Zheng Xuhong said directly. "It's that His Majesty wishes to see the Grand Prince. There has been a great deal of affairs at court recently, and His Majesty has been overthinking things. He wishes to consult with the Grand Prince on some matters."

"What matters?" Grand Prince Bongnim raised his head and asked.

"No one knows the specifics." Zheng Xuhong shook his head directly and said, "I only hope the Grand Prince will accompany me there."

Seeing Zheng Xuhong's attitude, Grand Prince Bongnim's expression turned very ugly, and anger surged up in his heart.

He had already been infuriated by Lin Dechang just now, and now Zheng Xuhong was coming at him too?

Grand Prince Bongnim said, "A straightforward person doesn't speak in riddles. Did Lord Zheng lodge an accusation against me before His Majesty? Saying I colluded with outsiders and plotted rebellion, and that I kept my elder brother from returning?"

Zheng Xuhong was taken aback, not expecting Grand Prince Bongnim to say such a thing.

Are you admitting it?

Are you really admitting it?

But Zheng Xuhong didn't dare say anything. He was not the king of Joseon; these matters were not his to address.

"To answer the Grand Prince, I truly don't know what has happened." Zheng Xuhong said with a grim face, "His Majesty didn't tell me. But once the Grand Prince enters the palace, you should find out."

Grand Prince Bongnim looked at Zheng Xuhong hesitantly. He truly didn't quite dare to go.

Without answering Zheng Xuhong's words, Grand Prince Bongnim said, "Lord Zheng, I heard you just led men to make arrests, and you made quite a commotion. May I ask what kind of person required Lord Zheng to expend such effort?"

Hearing these words, Zheng Xuhong's eyes narrowed.

He had originally thought Grand Prince Bongnim wouldn't dare do anything and would surely follow him. But he never expected this attitude instead. It seemed today's business was going to be troublesome.

"Not some particularly formidable figure, just a fugitive." Zheng Xuhong said, "Minister Kim Jeong-min was assassinated, and His Majesty ordered me to investigate. I found some clues. I thought to capture the man and continue the pursuit, but unexpectedly, he got away."

"These bandits truly have audacity — they even buried gunpowder in Hanseong. I must say, it was my dereliction that I failed to catch the fugitive. But this matter has little to do with the Grand Prince. The Grand Prince should come with me first."

Grand Prince Bongnim said with a grim face, "I'm feeling unwell and fear I cannot go. Why not have Lord Zheng report to my father that I am in poor health, and once I recover somewhat, I will go see him."

"I'm afraid that won't do." Zheng Xuhong stepped forward and said with a grim face, "His Majesty wishes to see the Grand Prince. Even if I must carry you, I will carry you there."

Grand Prince Bongnim fell silent.

It seemed something really had happened.

It was all that bastard Lin Dechang's fault! But he couldn't push Lin Dechang out now. Saying he had done nothing — no one would believe that. If he pushed Lin Dechang out, to outsiders it would look like he was trying to absolve himself of responsibility. That wouldn't be a good thing.

Moreover, in Grand Prince Bongnim's heart, he had been swayed by Lin Dechang's words. On the one hand there was the benefit, and on the other, fear.

If the facts really were as Lin Dechang had said, then Lin Dechang's plan was Grand Prince Bongnim's last retreat. If he handed Lin Dechang over, that would be cutting off his own escape route. Then he would be meat on the chopping block, at the mercy of whoever wanted to slice him.

"Grand Prince, why waste words with him?"

At that moment, a voice suddenly rang out. Then more than a dozen men rushed out from behind.

These men were all fierce and menacing, each carrying a blade.

Every one of them was sturdy and strong, with sharp eyes and killing intent about them. Such men were no ordinary folk — they all looked well-trained.

Zheng Xuhong was startled. He raised his head and looked at Grand Prince Bongnim, asking, "Grand Prince, what are you doing?"

Lin Dechang stepped forward and declared loudly, "Zheng Xuhong, you slandered the Grand Prince before His Majesty and drove a wedge between father and son! Your crimes are utterly heinous!"

"Today, I will eliminate you, this traitor of Joseon, on behalf of His Majesty and the Grand Prince!"

"Who are you?" Zheng Xuhong turned to glare at Lin Dechang and rebuked, "What right do you have to speak here?"

"Who am I?" Lin Dechang smiled, then said, "Am I not the man you've been looking for? You sent so many people to catch me, and you still let me get away — you're simply useless. And a useless fool like you dares to come here barking?"

Zheng Xuhong's face changed drastically. He cried out in shock, "You're Lin Dechang!"

Having said that, he turned to look at Grand Prince Bongnim and asked, "Grand Prince, are you truly determined to go down this road to the end? Lin Dechang harbors treacherous intentions. Be careful you don't fall victim to him."

"At a time like this, you still dare to sow discord between our lord and minister!" Lin Dechang said angrily. "It seems you need to be taught a lesson."

Having said that, Lin Dechang suddenly lunged forward and directly drew the short blade from his waist.

This scene was completely beyond Grand Prince Bongnim's expectations. He looked at Lin Dechang in disbelief and asked, "Lin Dechang, what are you doing?"

"Grand Prince, rest assured. A man like this is utterly heinous — your servant will deal with him for you!" Having said that, Lin Dechang's blade left its sheath and stabbed straight at Zheng Xuhong.

Zheng Xuhong's face changed drastically. Knowing this man meant to kill him, he turned and tried to run outside.

As he ran, he shouted at the top of his lungs, "Someone! Someone come!"

But no matter how he shouted, no one came in.

Lin Dechang let out a cold laugh, charged forward fiercely, and struck with a single move, stabbing Zheng Xuhong through the back.

Zheng Xuhong's eyes rolled back, and he collapsed face-down on the ground.

Seeing this, Grand Prince Bongnim's face changed drastically. He looked at Zheng Xuhong in disbelief, then glanced at Lin Dechang. One hand clutched his chest, the other pointed at Lin Dechang trembling as he stammered, "Y-y-y-you!"

"Grand Prince, at this point, we have no choice but to gamble."

Lin Dechang wiped his blade on Zheng Xuhong's body, sheathed it, and stood up, saying, "Since the Grand Prince is unwilling, that's fine. Your servant will handle all matters, and your servant will bear all the sins."

"If today's affair succeeds, Joseon will open a new era. When the Grand Prince becomes the king of Joseon, do not forget your servant's deeds. Treat the people of Joseon well and revive the nation. Then your servant can die content."

"If today's affair fails, it doesn't matter. The Grand Prince only needs to say that I did it. When the time comes, tell the outside world that I coerced you, that I seized you — that you knew nothing of it."

Having said this, Lin Dechang waved a hand and said: "Escort the Grand Prince down."

Two men rushed up, seized Grand Prince Bongnim, and dragged him away.

Grand Prince Bongnim's face changed drastically. He glared at Lin Dechang and said: "How dare you? How dare you do this?"

"For Joseon, I fear nothing." Lin Dechang said with a solemn expression.

"Zhao Chenqi — where has Zhao Chenqi gone?" Grand Prince Bongnim shouted loudly.

"The Grand Prince need not call for him. That old good-for-nothing was already sent down by me long ago. It was precisely because he was by the Grand Prince's side that the Grand Prince became timid and hesitant. This time we press forward boldly — we will never retreat!"

Grand Prince Bongnim was nearly in tears.

Who wants to press forward boldly? Who wants to never retreat?

And what's this about taking the blame — all yours?

When it comes to that point, can I even explain myself clearly?

If it succeeds, you'll hand power over to me?

Do you take me for a fool?

Lin Dechang couldn't be bothered to waste words with Grand Prince Bongnim. He directly had him taken away, then asked those around him: "Have Zheng Xuhong's men all been dealt with?"

"Reporting to Your Excellency, they have been dealt with." One of his subordinates said.

"Good." Lin Dechang nodded and said: "Take the Grand Prince's seal at once and contact those ministers loyal to the Grand Prince. Tell them the time is ripe."

"But what if they refuse?" A subordinate asked with some worry.

"You needn't concern yourself with these matters." Lin Dechang waved a hand and said: "Lord Zhang's side has already made arrangements. All we need to do here is play our part in the act."

"I understand." The subordinate nodded in agreement.

The Ming embassy.

Song Xiang strode in from outside, her expression urgent yet also somewhat excited.

She went straight to Zhang Yu and said: "Your Excellency, word has come from Lin Dechang's side."

"How is it?" Zhang Yu stood up and asked with some agitation.

"Zhao Chenqi is dead, and Zheng Xuhong is dead as well. Lin Dechang has imprisoned Grand Prince Bongnim, and his men have begun making contact, getting those people to step forward and support Grand Prince Bongnim."

"They won't act rashly." Zhang Yu said: "If no one moves, they won't move. No matter. We'll move — have our people take to the streets and begin inciting the commoners to cause trouble. Then lead them in smashing, looting, and plundering — stir up all of Hanseong."

"At the same time, have our people use the chaos to storm the government offices and kill all the officials. Especially the officials of the central government — not one is to be spared. Let Joseon's Hanseong descend into utter chaos. Once everything is in turmoil, those people will have no choice."

"Have the people inside the palace been arranged?" Zhang Yu turned and asked.

"They have been arranged." Song Xiang nodded and said: "They entered the palace together with Prince Fu. Those people are now in hiding. In a moment they will assassinate the King of Joseon. Do we truly not consider Prince Fu's welfare?"

"No need." Zhang Yu waved a hand and said: "Life and death are up to fate."

Song Xiang looked at Zhang Yu with some helplessness and said: "If it were him doing this, I fear His Majesty would hold us accountable."

"We can't worry about that now," Zhang Yu waved his hand and said: "Tell them to act."

"Understood." Song Xiang nodded and said: "I have already given the orders. If no one stops them, they will proceed according to plan. Once the affair erupts and the King of Joseon is dead, we will announce to the outside world that the Second Crown Prince has rebelled."

"Very good. Do it this way." Zhang Yu nodded and said.

On the streets of Joseon, many people suddenly appeared, and for no discernible reason, a commotion began.

Most of them were victims of various cases. These people first marched in procession, then began smashing, looting, and plundering.

Who started the smashing and looting first — no one knew anymore. But Hanseong had already descended into chaos.

Within the royal palace of Joseon.

The news had already arrived. The King of Joseon's face changed drastically, and he then asked: "Where has Zheng Xuhong gone?"

"Your Majesty, Lord Zheng went to the Grand Prince's residence and has not yet returned." A servant hastily said.

"Something has happened!" The King of Joseon said with an agitated expression: "How could this be? How dare they? How dare he do such a thing? Someone — come quickly! Summon the ministers and the generals of the guard!"

"Yes, Your Majesty." The servant acknowledged, turned, and ran out.

At that moment, another person came to report: "Your Majesty, Prince Fu requests an audience."

The King's expression changed.

At this moment, he did not regard Prince Fu as a burden; rather, he felt that Prince Fu was his savior, his lifeline to cling to.

If something truly went wrong and Joseon could no longer be a place to stay, there would be an opportunity to go to the Great Ming.

The Ming army was now at Busan. If the Ming dispatched troops to suppress the rebellion, then everything would no longer be a problem.

The King of Joseon hastily said: "Quickly, let Prince Fu in."

Before long, Prince Fu walked in from outside.

By his side followed two other men.

These two men — the King of Joseon knew — were Prince Fu's guards.

Ordinarily, after Prince Fu's guards entered the palace, they would hand over their guard duties to the palace attendants. This time, however, they remained by Prince Fu's side — clearly knowing that something had happened.

"Your Majesty, there is an uproar outside." Prince Fu said with a grim expression.

"It's fine, it's fine." The King of Joseon hastily said: "In a moment, when people arrive and the matter is investigated, we will know the truth. Nothing will go wrong."

"That's good, that's good." Prince Fu nodded repeatedly.

But just at that moment, one of the guards behind Prince Fu suddenly moved.

He abruptly reached for his waist, then unbuckled his belt.

Before anyone could react, he drew out a soft sword.

Because he was Prince Fu's guard, the inspection had not been strict. Moreover, this soft sword was disguised as a belt, making it very difficult to detect.

Prince Fu's face changed drastically. He glared at the guard and rebuked: "What are you doing?"

The guard could not be bothered to acknowledge him at all. He directly raised his sword and swept it toward the King of Joseon's neck.

The Joseon king's face changed drastically, and he turned to run.

But before he could even turn around, the soft sword had already swept across the Joseon king's neck.

Blood splattered everywhere.

The shocked expression was still frozen on the Joseon king's face, but his body had already pitched forward and fallen.

Blood poured from his neck, and his body convulsed—clearly beyond saving.

The assassin who had killed the Joseon king did not linger either; he turned and fled toward the rear.