Xun Ruiming jabbed a finger at the officers, beside himself with rage. "You... you'd better think this through! Collaborating with the enemy and betraying your country is a crime punishable to the ninth degree of kin!"

Prince Wu laughed. "No need to get so worked up, Supervisor Xun. We're only doing what's right... Why don't you come over to the Ning Emperor with us, Supervisor Xun?"

Xun Ruiming's face went livid.

Suddenly he pulled an imperial edict out of his sleeve and held it high. "Here is His Majesty's edict!" he shouted. "Prince Wu, receive the edict!"

Prince Wu was taken aback for a moment.

Xun Ruiming gave a cold laugh. "Prince Wu, did you really think His Majesty had taken no precautions against you? His Majesty is brilliant and formidable and sees far ahead. He foresaw long ago that you wouldn't behave.

All officers, hear the order. His Majesty decrees that if Prince Wu makes any move toward treason, all military and civil affairs in Lingzhou pass to this minister.

Now, acting in the name of the Son of Heaven, this minister orders you to seize Prince Wu!"

The officers looked at one another, then all turned to Prince Wu.

Prince Wu fixed Xun Ruiming with a mocking stare.

When the officers still didn't move, Xun Ruiming began to feel uneasy. "What are you standing around for?" he bellowed. "Seize Prince Wu! That's a military order!"

Prince Wu snorted with laughter.

"Supervisor Xun, how many days have you even been in an army camp? When this prince was leading troops, you were still in the Hanlin Academy playing with your writing brush."

Xun Ruiming's face went through several colors, and not one of them was good. He ground his teeth. "It seems His Majesty underestimated my lord prince. Under this minister's close watch, you still managed to win over this many men?

Fine, fine, fine... Since you dare defy an imperial edict, don't blame this minister for being ruthless.

Prince Wu, what good will winning these men over do you? Don't forget, the Dragon Guard answers to this minister,…