Daming: Brother, there is no future for monks, let's rebel

Zhu Biao raised his head, his tone still gentle: "I have not changed, but now everything in the palace must be cautious."

The Queen Mother closed her eyes for a moment and said slowly, "Since you have understood, that's good. From today on, the palace will no longer set up a trap to test you. You are the master of the East Palace, and the Queen Mother only wishes you peace."

Zhu Biao bowed and said, "Thank you, mother."

Zhu Han was sitting in front of the chessboard in the backyard under the moonlight, placing the pieces by himself, playing black and white chess without saying a word.

Until the eunuch of the East Palace came hurriedly and whispered: "Your Majesty, the prince has returned to the palace safely."

Zhu Han nodded slightly, with the corners of his lips slightly raised.

He took back a black piece in his hand and tapped it gently on the chessboard: "Now that the night game is over, the next game will show the real deal."

He stood up, looked towards the deep palace, and whispered:
"The situation in Zhaoyang was not to harm the prince, but to test his courage and determination."

"Now that you are stable, you can be used."

Zhu Han still hadn't stood up, but sat quietly in the study. The early spring breeze outside the window blew through the half-open carved window sash, bringing with it a faint scent of plum blossoms.

On the table in front of him were three maps and two old books. A lamp had burned out, and the remaining oil was winding like a thin snake.

"Your Highness, a secret letter came from the Eastern Palace saying that His Royal Highness the Crown Prince has sent people to sort out the old cases of the Officials' Office, saying that he wants to personally handle the regulations." The eunuch reported in a low voice.

Zhu Han raised his eyebrows, smiling.

"He moves fast."

Picking up a pen, he scribbled a few strokes on the paper beside him, and finally put down the pen and ink, stood up and ordered: "Prepare the horses, follow me to the Imperial College today."

The eunuch was stunned: "Your Highness is not seeing guests today, not entering the palace, but going to the Imperial College instead?"

Zhu Han said calmly as he straightened his clothes: "If my nephew wants to secure his position as the crown prince, he cannot rely solely on the power in the palace. He also needs the support of the people in the East Palace. These scholars will be the backbone of the court in the future."

“If the seeds have not sprouted, they need human intervention to make them grow.”

Morning classes have begun in the Imperial College.

At the lecture hall, a middle-aged Confucian scholar was lecturing on the "Spring and Autumn Annals" to dozens of students. His voice was as loud as a bell and his words were sonorous.

However, at this moment, a majestic announcement outside the door interrupted everyone's attention.

"Prince Zhu is here——!"

The students all stood up in unison, their faces filled with surprise. Although Prince Zhu Han was usually a low-profile person, everyone knew that he was the most important person in the royal family. He was not only close to the emperor, but also had a deep relationship with the prince. Even the officials in the East Palace were in awe of him.

Zhu Han, wearing a purple royal robe, walked slowly into the hall, his face was calm, his eyes were steady. He did not show any power, but he had an invisible aura.

"Students, there is no need to be polite. I came here today just to see you."

As soon as these words were spoken, all the students in the hall felt even more nervous. Many of them lowered their heads, not daring to look at each other.

Zhu Han laughed: "Is this the demeanor you will have to assist the Crown Prince in the future? You're so frightened by just one word?"

After these words were spoken, everyone was embarrassed.

The middle-aged scholar on the lecture stage bowed and said, "Your Majesty, I am a wise man. I have just met the powerful and noble and I am in awe of them."

Zhu Han glanced at him and asked, "Which academy are you from?"

"Commoner Wang Zhan."

Zhu Han nodded slightly: "Wang Zhan... I have heard of him. He took the provincial examination three times and failed every time, but he finally got into the academy to teach. His lecture today was quite good."

Wang Zhan was shocked, wondering how Zhu Han knew about his past.

"When you lecture on the Spring and Autumn Annals, you use the method of Zuo Zhuan, which divides the meaning and analyzes the principles, emphasizing the way of serving the monarch. Would you like to change your lecture method and try a discussion?"

Wang Zhan was stunned when he heard this: "Your Highness, are you saying that we should allow students to discuss freely? Learn from the past and present and choose right from wrong?"

Zhu Han's eyes were like torches: "It's not just about choosing yourself, it's also about defending yourself. The prince's side needs not only the talent of a scholar, but also a pillar of power who can understand the general situation, know right from wrong, and dare to speak out."

Wang Zhan bowed and promised: "In this case, I am willing to obey your order."

So the lecture hall was changed to a discussion hall. Zhu Han chose a question: "In ancient times, when selecting talents, those with virtue were promoted and those without official records were honored. Now, under the imperial examination system, there are many people who are talented but without virtue. What do you think, should we abolish the imperial examination system to select scholars?"

When this question was asked, all the students were shocked.

A young man stood up and answered loudly, "Your Majesty is right! Today's candidates are good at writing, but they don't know propriety, righteousness, and integrity. They often seek fame and forget their roots. If we abolish this method and set up another method to select and recommend talents, it may be more beneficial to the country."

Another person immediately stood up and retorted: "It cannot be abolished! Although the imperial examination is a disadvantage, it does not restrict people's backgrounds, and poor people can also have opportunities. If it is abolished, won't the powerful rise again? I'm afraid it will not be a blessing for the country."

There was a sudden uproar in the classroom with everyone talking at once.

Zhu Han smiled without saying anything, just carefully observing his words, actions, demeanor, and expression, nodding from time to time.

Only after the debate was over did he stand up and summarize: "Today's discussion is good because of its boldness, but bad because of its superficiality. However, I am not here to abolish the imperial examinations. I just want to tell you one thing - Your Highness the Crown Prince has recently ordered people to review the old records of the Ministry of Personnel and select talents for employment. If you really want to serve the country, you must not only know how to write, but also have a broad mind."

As soon as these words came out, everyone was shocked.

On the return journey in the carriage, Zhu Han closed his eyes and rested.

Suddenly, the sound of horses' hooves was heard outside the carriage, and a eunuch on horseback came galloping over: "Your Highness, the Eastern Palace has sent a message. The Crown Prince has appointed Wang Zhen as the Eastern Palace Chief Clerk, and Shen Ran as the Eastern Palace Counselor."

Zhu Han opened his eyes and chuckled.

"It really lived up to your expectations."

When Zhu Han returned to the palace, it was not yet noon.

As soon as he entered the palace, the attendant came up to him and reported in a low voice: "Your Highness, this morning the Third Young Master Zhu Di sent someone to deliver a pair of jade carvings, saying that they were found in the mountains after hunting a few days ago, and he intended to honor his uncle."

"Oh?" Zhu Han took the brocade box, and saw a pair of translucent white and soft jade lions lying on the velvet cushion. The craftsmanship was extremely fine, and the lines were smooth. The lions' mouths were slightly open, with a hint of roaring.

His eyes twinkled and he smiled silently.

"This child is becoming more sensible." Having said that, Zhu Han pushed the jade carving to the attendant: "Send it to the storage room in the mansion, and don't let anyone talk about it casually."

"Yes."

Although Zhu Di was still young, he had already shown his bravery, courage and decisiveness.

Zhu Han naturally paid attention to it, but his mind was now entirely on Zhu Biao. He saw through Di's thoughts at a glance and stopped there.

At this time, there was a completely different scene in the East Palace.

Zhu Biao put on his casual robe and sat at the desk. The gentle and calm demeanor of the prince in the past was still there, but there was a little more thoughtfulness and caution in his eyes.

Shen Ran stood at the side, reporting in a low voice: "Your Highness, the matter of the Imperial College has been as the prince expected. Most of the students are grateful, especially a few elders, who secretly said that they are willing to serve the East Palace."

Zhu Biao dipped the pen into ink, and without stopping his gesture, he said lightly: "The emperor's uncle never disappoints us in his actions."

"It's just..." Shen Ran hesitated for a moment, "I heard that Wang Zhan has been named by the Ministry of Personnel, and I'm afraid he will be transferred to the Eastern Palace to teach."

"I know about this." Zhu Biao stopped writing and turned to Shen Ran, "What do you think of Wang Zhan?"

"This person has a rigorous literary style and does not flatter others. Although he is not good at flattering others, he is a rare person of integrity."

"That's good." Zhu Biao's eyes lit up. "The East Palace doesn't need people who just obey orders, it needs people who can make their own opinions."

After that, he ordered: "Call Wang Zhen over here. I want to ask him about the 'Qicai Tu'."

Shen Ran took the order and left.

Soon, a man stepped into the palace. It was the new chief clerk Wang Zhen. He was nearly forty years old, with clear eyes and a meticulous manner. He was recommended to the East Palace by Zhu Han himself.

"Your Highness, your servant Wang Zhen, greets His Royal Highness the Crown Prince." "Master Wang," Zhu Biao motioned him to stand up, "Yesterday I ordered you to draft a plan for employing talented people in the East Palace. Has it been written now?"

Wang Zhen took out a thin book from his sleeve and presented it with both hands: "I did not dare to slack off last night and have already finished a preliminary draft. I think we should first establish a list of three talents, divided into 'talent for deliberation', 'talent for politics', and 'talent for administration', and select them according to different evaluations."

Zhu Biao flipped through it and his eyes gradually brightened.

"Master Wang, if this strategy is implemented, I am afraid some of the old ministers will not accept it. Are you willing to give it a try?"

Wang Zhen looked determined: "I am recommended by the prince to enter the East Palace. I swear to be loyal to help Your Highness achieve great things. Even if there are thousands of difficulties, I dare not shirk my responsibility."

Zhu Biao nodded slightly, feeling slightly relieved.

At nightfall, Zhu Han was drinking alone in his study. The light illuminated his cool and handsome face. He drank slowly, his mind deep in thought.

Suddenly, there were light footsteps outside the door, and then a female voice sounded: "My lord, I have cooked osmanthus porridge for you."

Zhu Han looked up and saw Wanqiu carrying a small food tray and walking into the light. She was a personal servant in the palace, well-educated and well-mannered since childhood, with a gentle and clever personality.

"Put it down." Zhu Han put down the wine cup and spoke lightly.

Wanqiu put the bowl of porridge on the table and asked with a smile, "Your Majesty has been busy these days and his brows are often furrowed. I dare to ask, is there any change in the East Palace?"

Zhu Han stared at her and suddenly chuckled.

"The East Palace... it would be strange if it didn't change." He said, "But whether it changes or becomes chaotic, I have my own arrangements."

Wanqiu lighted a lamp for him and said softly, "I only know that if the prince really has feelings, no one can resist."

Zhu Han lowered his head, looking at the bowl of hot osmanthus porridge, and suddenly remembered the loneliness he had endured in countless late nights in his previous life.

The next morning.

A green-covered carriage drove in outside the gate of the Imperial College. Sitting in the carriage was Zhu Biao, who was not wearing a formal dress, but only a simple casual robe.

All the students of the Imperial College were shocked. The prince himself was coming?
Zhu Biao stepped down from the carriage and walked at a leisurely pace. Wang Zhen and Shen Ran followed, and several royal guards surrounded him, but no one shouted orders, which made the prince seem particularly close to the people.

Zhu Biao stood in front of the lecture hall and bowed slightly to the students.

"You are all the future talents of the court. I am here today not to issue orders, but to observe you."

After saying this, he slowly unfolded the book on the table and wrote a sentence stroke by stroke:
"Be committed to the Way, be grounded in virtue, rely on benevolence, and enjoy the arts."

"Today, we have established the 'Eastern Palace Three Talents List' to select talents to assist the country. Anyone with ambition can recommend themselves."

The students in the hall responded loudly, with fiery light in their eyes.

Zhu Biao looked at them with clear and firm eyes.

Outside the Golden Palace, surrounded by lush pines, the morning light slanted down from the roof and spread across the stone imperial road.

Zhu Yuanzhang sat leaning on the dragon couch, holding a jade pendant with a dragon pattern in his hand, slowly turning between his fingers. His expression was calm, but his eyes were as cold as a blade.

Eunuch Hu Ang stood aside cautiously, not daring to speak. The hall was silent for a long time, and Zhu Yuanzhang suddenly chuckled.

"You said, this third child...has become more sensible recently."

Hu Ang didn't dare to respond, he just bowed his head slightly.

Zhu Yuanzhang, however, said to himself: "He sent the jade carving to Brother Han, and even sent someone to bypass the Ministry of Internal Affairs... Do you think I can't see through his little tricks?"

Zhu Yuanzhang suddenly waved his hand and said, "Send Prince Han to the palace."

"The slave obeys the order."

A moment later, Zhu Han walked into the hall, wearing a dark blue and gold-woven robe, and his posture was as calm as usual.

"Your humble servant greets your Majesty."

Zhu Yuanzhang glanced at him, without any imperial majesty in his eyes. Instead, he spoke in a rather intimate tone, like an ordinary brother:

"Brother Han, I know everything you have been doing in the East Palace these days."

Zhu Han was neither surprised nor happy, he just smiled and said: "The prince is intelligent and kind, but there are too many old ministers around him, so it is difficult to do anything. I couldn't bear to see this, so I recommended a few people. They are all trivial matters, I dare not hide it from you."

Zhu Yuanzhang narrowed his eyes, stared at him, and suddenly asked: "Then do you know how many people secretly speculate on your thoughts when you recommend people in the court?"

"Of course I know." Zhu Han said calmly, "But I act uprightly and honestly. I don't seek others' trust. I only hope that the prince can become a useful person."

As soon as these words were spoken, Zhu Yuanzhang looked at him and suddenly slammed the table and laughed.

"What a man who doesn't seek others' trust, but only seeks the prince's success!"

He stood up, walked down the steps, and came to Zhu Han. He lowered his voice a little, "Brother Han, when I conquered the world, I didn't want the country, but I wanted the people of the world to no longer suffer from hunger and cold. Now the world is in my hands, but what about the future?"

Zhu Han lowered his eyes, but said something meaningful:
"Brother, you have already determined what the future will be like. But... this destiny does not depend on blood, but on heart and will."

Zhu Yuanzhang was silent for a long time, then turned back to the dragon couch, looked up at the painting of a golden dragon on the ceiling, and said softly, "I know Biao'er is kind, but besides being kind, he must have sharp claws, otherwise he will be controlled by others."

Zhu Han raised his eyes, and at that moment, he understood.

Zhu Yuanzhang was not unaware of Zhu Han's intention, nor was he unaware of the turmoil in the court, but the reason why he acquiesced and "knew but did not say anything" was that he was waiting for Zhu Han to take action and for the Eastern Palace to revive.

"Don't worry, brother." Zhu Han said solemnly, "I will clear the thorns for the East Palace, set up lights, and pave a smooth road."

Zhu Yuanzhang closed his eyes and sighed: "If Biaoer ascends the throne in the future...will you still be by his side?"

Zhu Han said nothing.

After a long while, he said softly, "As long as your brother is here, the prince will be at peace."

That night, Zhu Biao was playing the zither in the East Palace. The moonlight outside the window was like water, and the wind blew the shadows of bamboos, casting silver light on the ground.

"Your Highness, Prince Han will enter the palace today." Shen Ran reminded in a low voice.

Zhu Biao's fingers paused, the sound of the zither stagnated, but he just smiled softly: "I know he's gone."

"But he never mentioned it to me."

"The prince never seeks credit for what he does." Shen Ran paused, "Your Highness, the popularity you have gained now is probably due to the prince's arrangement."

Zhu Biao moved his hands away from the strings and looked at the moonlight outside the window.

"I know."

"My uncle never said any great truths to me, nor did he teach me how to seek power. But I only know that he paved the way for me step by step, avoiding the sword light and removing the thorns."

"If one day I can really stand at the top," Zhu Biao said word by word, "it will be because I have him."

Shen Ran was stunned when he heard this, and a heat surged in his throat.

"Your Highness..."

Zhu Biao stood up and stood in front of the window. The night wind blew his robes, and his figure was elongated by the moonlight.

"I became the crown prince not for a life of luxury," he said, "but for the people of the world to no longer be displaced, for my father's wishes not to be interrupted, and for..."

He paused.

"In order not to let everything my uncle has done go to waste."

Three days later, in the East Palace lecture hall, a new order was posted on the stone wall in front of the hall. (End of this chapter)