The Wolf King and I

Special Chapter 1

Special Chapter 1
"The Weak Emperor"

"General Lan, I visited you here today to invite you to become my prime minister." The man sitting in front of me spoke to me that morning.

The Qin empire is doomed.

I'm Lan, a retired general of the late emperor Zhang Wei. After his majesty's unfortunate death alongside the empress,  I immediately stepped down as a commanding officer of the imperial army, and spent the rest of my days in the countryside of the State of Jin.

But now...

My gaze was drawn to the man seated in front of me, and I couldn't believe he had located me. We're both sitting in my small yard right now, having this discussion.

He is Emperor Hu Wei, the only child his majesty has left on this world. For the first time in history, an emperor has bear an only child. And I still can't believe that someone so weak and kind has been left to govern the kingdom.

Your majesty, what were you thinking? Leaving an inexperienced child like him to govern your empire? I pondered. It should have been better if you haven't been so hardheaded in taking another child from your concubines. I know that the only reason you had one child is that her majesty can't bear another child due to her health issues. Other than that, you ensured that your only child from the Empress is the only one who will ascend to the throne while avoiding any unnecessary bloodshed to other royals. You place a weak child like him on the throne and left this world without a warning.

His face lit up with a smile as he extended his right hand to me.

But your majesty, your kindness is not what I'm looking for an Emperor.

I only sighed before I spoke.

"It may be presumptuous of me to say this, but I decline your offer, your majesty." I took the tea in front of me and sipped it. "I had already retired, and I wish to stay in the countryside as an old man."

He merely gave me his kind grin, as he had done previously. He's nothing like the late Emperor. How can I serve a monarch who can't even show hostility and anger into his eyes?

"I understand, General Lan." He replied, still smiling at me so kindly. "Then, I must go back to the palace now. I apologize for intruding."

I almost laughed, but I forced myself not to.

Apologize, huh?

How can a monarch apologize to one of his subjects? This emperor's kindness will be the death of him.

I bowed to him as a farewell. "Well then, I must not be—-"

"Oh, you have a shooting range here," he said as he turned to face my little training ground.

I coughed to clear my throat.

"Well, I still practice my skills now and then, your majesty."

A grin twitched on his face.

"I'd like to give it a try."

My eyes glanced at his smiling face.

I've always doubted the military skills of his majesty. Maybe it is because...

"Hoy! Zhang Wei! Baka nakakalimutan mo na eight years old palang ang anak mo, tapos bibigyan mo na kaagad ng espada?! Nababaliw ka na ba?!" I can still clearly remember how her majesty, the late empress would always make a fuss whenever the late emperor Zhang Wei would try to train his only son.