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

He whispered, "Have someone keep an eye on the third grandson of the Wu family. If he doesn't go to the Imperial Academy as usual tomorrow, we can conclude that the Wu family has become wary."

Sure enough, the next day, Wu's grandson, Sanlang, suddenly claimed to be ill and did not enter the Imperial Academy. Zhu Biao got up and let out a long sigh of relief.

"They've finally shown themselves."

He picked up his pen and wrote two transfer orders. One was sent to the Imperial Household Department, ordering two imperial physicians from the Imperial Medical Academy to go to the Wu family to "diagnose the illness."

Another letter was sent to the Ministry of Works, ostensibly to inspect the repair of streets and alleys, but in reality, it was to send people to survey the small roads leading out of the city in the south.

On the morning of the third day, a notice was prominently posted at the Wu family's gate.

Sun Sanlang suddenly fell ill with an epidemic and closed his house to visitors.

Upon hearing the news, Zhu Han looked up at the sky and said, "So that's what they were planning to do."

He summoned Wei Jin and whispered, "Make your move at midnight tonight. Target: the study in the side courtyard of the Wu family's second branch. Don't hurt anyone, just take out three letters."

That night, the Imperial Guards made their move quietly, and the objective was swiftly achieved.

The next morning, a tremor was heard in the palace.

A fire suddenly broke out in the courtyard of the second branch of the Wu family. Before it could be extinguished, the study building was completely destroyed.

Several pages of letter remnants were found in the fire, which were collected by the Eastern Depot and sent to Zhu Biao's desk.

Zhu Biao read it carefully, remained silent for a long time, and then burned it.

When Zhu Han came to see him, he was standing in the East Palace Garden, staring blankly at the frozen pond.

"Uncle, what should I do?" Zhu Biao suddenly asked. "If this knife really falls, it will be an act of severing ties with our family."

Zhu Han stood beside him with his hands behind his back: "Biao'er, you must remember, kinship is based on blood; loyalty is based on the heart. Since the Wu family has sided with others, they are no longer relatives of your Zhu family."

Zhu Biao said softly, "I know."

He turned around, looked at Zhu Han, his eyes as calm as iron: "Then let's cut it off with one stroke."

A few days later, in the imperial court, Zhu Biao announced the imperial edict on behalf of the emperor.

Wu Jiasun Sanlang was expelled from the Imperial Academy for "concealing the epidemic and disrupting the school system." The eldest branch of the Wu family was temporarily moved to their residence outside Dongzhimen and placed under house arrest for three years. The court was shocked, but no one dared to speak out.

Upon receiving the report, Zhu Yuanzhang sat on his throne, remained silent for a moment, and then slowly asked, "Who initiated this matter?"

The eunuch beside him whispered, "It was His Highness the Crown Prince; the Prince was not involved."

Zhu Yuanzhang nodded slightly: "That's good... My son has really grown up."

After Zhu Biao returned to the East Palace, he pushed open the door and entered, only to find his uncle already in the hall preparing tea.

He walked over, sat down beside him, took the teacup, and drank it all in one gulp.

"Imperial Uncle, is this round considered secure?"

Zhu Han watched the tea ripple gently: "Whether it's stable or not, you know best in your heart."

Zhu Biao remained silent for a long time, then suddenly asked, "If one day I am wrong, will you stop me?"

Zhu Han said calmly, "I'm not here to stop you, I'm here to accompany you on this journey."

The wind stirs the curtains, and the fragrance of plum blossoms wafts out.

Zhu Biao suddenly smiled, but his eyes were faintly red: "Okay."

The night is deep, the dew is heavy, and the moon is high in the sky.

Zhu Han stood by the railing of the Prince's Palace's flower hall, gazing at the clear, bright moon with a deep expression.

The old locust tree in front of the courtyard has sparse branches and leaves. When the wind blows, the leaves cast dappled shadows on his shoulders, like the marks of time, mottled but still radiant.

A pot of wine, a lamp, and an unfinished military treatise.

"Your Highness, His Highness the Crown Prince has sent someone to deliver a message."

Wei Jin strode in and whispered in his ear, "Please go to the old lecture hall of the Imperial Academy at 5 PM tomorrow."

Zhu Han remained calm, his gaze still fixed on the full moon, and slowly said, "He has finally begun his scheme."

Wei Jin asked softly, "Should we have someone accompany us on this trip?"

Zhu Han waved his hand: "No need. I'm just going to watch a show. He set up a trap, and I should cover for him."

The following day at 5 PM, at the old lecture hall of the Imperial Academy.

Built when Zhu Yuanzhang first established the country, it has been around for many years. Moss grows in the cracks between the bricks, and the window frames are slightly tilted, yet it still exudes a solemn and ancient charm.

Zhu Biao had arrived earlier, dressed in a plain round-necked robe, not in the crown prince's attire, and silently grinding ink at the table.

Zhu Han pushed open the door and entered. He looked up and smiled, "Royal Uncle."

"It seems you already have a draft in mind." Zhu Han glanced at the items displayed on the table, a slight thought stirring within him.

It contained a law, a family genealogy, and three old imperial examination papers, with the words "Ministry of Revenue," "Ministry of Rites," and "Court of State Ceremonies" faintly visible on the covers.

Zhu Biao bowed respectfully, his voice low and somber: "I invited you, my royal uncle, to come today so that you may witness this together."

"Witness?" Zhu Han raised an eyebrow. "Witness you putting pen to paper, or witness you being moved?"

Zhu Biao sighed softly: "It's easy to be moved, but difficult to put pen to paper."

Suddenly, footsteps sounded outside the door, and two officials in blue robes respectfully led one person in.

The man was around fifty years old, with slightly graying hair and beard, a calm expression, and a hint of undiminished sharpness in his eyes.

Zhu Biao stood up and bowed: "Mr. Lin, thank you for coming here."

"How could I dare not obey Your Highness's summons?" The man bowed in return, then turned his gaze to Zhu Han, his eyes widening in surprise before bowing again. "This humble subject, Lin Qi, pays his respects to Your Highness."

Zhu Han nodded slightly: "Lin Qi... was one of the three sages of the Imperial Academy in the past. He was demoted ten years ago for speaking frankly and has not returned to the capital for a long time."

Zhu Biao said, "That's precisely why he's the person I need."

Lin Qi's expression was solemn as he said in a loud voice, "Your Highness's words are too much for this old man to bear. But if Your Highness is truly seeking answers, I am willing to speak frankly."

"Please speak," Zhu Biao said, bowing slightly.

Lin Qi glanced at the scroll of laws and regulations and said in a deep voice, "When a country has laws and regulations, the people have something to rely on. However, outside of these laws and regulations, the people have no place to go, scholars sigh at the gates, and those in the imperial court lose their true spirit. If we want to change this situation, it is not something that one person can do, nor can it be accomplished overnight."

Zhu Han tapped the table lightly: "What you're saying has been said and heard by others before. You've come here today not just to say these platitudes."

Lin Qi remained expressionless as he looked at Zhu Biao: "If Your Highness truly intends to establish new schools and accept new students at the Imperial Academy, regardless of background or social status, then I, Lin Qi, will be the first to sign up to teach."

Zhu Biao asked seriously, "Are you willing to accept my personal betrothal from the Crown Prince?"

Lin Qi cupped his hands in greeting: "This old man is willing to take up the post, but I have only one request."

"What's the matter?"

"I hope Your Highness will not disgrace my name or dishonor my principles."

Zhu Biao solemnly replied: "A gentleman's promise is worth more than a thousand pieces of gold."

Zhu Han sat to the side, picked up his teacup, took a sip, and suddenly laughed, "You little rascal, you've become quite cunning."

"What do you mean by that, Imperial Uncle?" Zhu Biao was taken aback.

"Inviting Lin Qi to the Imperial Academy is truly to create opportunities for you."

Zhu Han said softly, "Most of the people in the Imperial Academy are recommended by old and prestigious families, and in recent years this has become a serious problem. If you want to bring in Lin Qi, it will not only break with tradition, but also test the reaction of the court officials."

Zhu Biao smiled without saying a word, his gaze fixed on the distant Imperial Academy Bell Tower, which was faintly visible in the night.

Lin Qi bowed and took his leave, and Zhu Biao slowly saw him to the door.

Zhu Han stood in the hall, hands behind his back, deep in thought, when suddenly he brought up the system interface.

[Check-in Location: Old Lecture Hall of the Imperial Academy]

[Sign-in successful. Reward: Heavenly Strategy, Volume 1]

A faint light appeared in his mind, and Zhu Han's heart trembled slightly. It was a book containing military affairs, political strategies, intrigue, and the art of checks and balances, seemingly a mixture of old unofficial histories and divine calculations. "The Heavenly Secrets Strategy?" he murmured.

Suddenly, Zhu Biao's voice came from beside him: "Royal Uncle."

Zhu Han turned around and saw Zhu Biao standing in front of the steps, looking serious: "I want to thoroughly reorganize the Imperial Academy. Not for myself, not for the future, but only so that those poor students can once again have a place where they can enter based on their own abilities."

Zhu Han looked at him quietly, then suddenly smiled: "You're finally starting to act like a prince."

A few days later, news spread throughout the capital: the Crown Prince's Eastern Palace would set up a "lecture hall" on the site of the former Imperial Academy, inviting more than ten famous scholars from the capital to personally teach and select students to enroll. This trial run would last for six months and would be called the "Spring Lectures".

The news spread, causing a stir in the academic community. Some praised it, some doubted it, and some remained indifferent observers.

Zhu Han did not show up again. He sat on the bamboo couch in the backyard of the Prince's Mansion, flipping through the first page of the "Heavenly Secrets Strategy", his mind calm.

Outside the courtyard, bamboo leaves rustled, and snow covered the rooftops. Suddenly, he heard hurried footsteps in the distance; it was Wei Jin's voice.

"Your Highness, the person you requested... has been found," he said in a low voice.

"where?"

"Right at Caishikou... a storyteller is performing."

Zhu Han closed the book, stood up and walked away, a smile flashing in his eyes: "A storyteller? Good. It's time for the Crown Prince to hear what the people are talking about."

Zhu Han changed into a dark gray ordinary cloth robe, wore a common felt hat, and quietly walked to a corner of the market with only Shi Anzi by his side.

"Is that the storyteller?"

Zhu Han stood outside the crowd, his gaze passing through the swirling steam and the surging crowd, landing on the makeshift bamboo platform.

A man, about thirty years old, was sitting on the stage.

He had clear and bright features, an impressive demeanor, and wore a dark blue robe. In front of him was a sandalwood table.

Holding a fan in his left hand and clapping a clapper in his right, he spoke with clear, resonant pronunciation and varied intonation.

"—The story goes that this young man came from a poor family and had a pitiful background, yet he possessed a vast knowledge and a sharp tongue. On the day of the Imperial Academy's lectures, he stood alone, asking and answering three questions, leaving the sons of high-ranking families speechless!"

Applause and cheers erupted from the crowd, and many young students were so excited that their clothes were wrinkled from being squeezed together.

Zhu Han nodded slightly: "This person does have some skill, able to make such a casual conversation sound engaging and interesting."

Shi Anzi whispered from the side, "I have investigated. This man's surname is Xu, and his given name is Gui. He was once a scholar, but he failed the imperial examination three years ago and has been making a living by telling stories here ever since."

“Xu Gui…” Zhu Han murmured.

"Why did he say these things? Although there were rumors about the dispute at the Imperial Academy, ordinary people might not know about it."

Shi Anzi shook his head: "I don't know either. I only found out that he and Lin Qi were from the same village in their early years and may have had a private relationship."

Zhu Han pondered for a moment, then suddenly said, "Shi An, I will speak with him personally today."

As the crowd gradually dispersed, Xu Gui put away the clapperboard and was about to leave.

But standing before them was a middle-aged man, his robes old but neat, with an unfathomable calmness in his eyes.

"This gentleman... what brings you here?" Xu Gui asked, bowing slightly in a calm tone.

Zhu Han smiled faintly: "Your lectures are quite insightful."

"It was just idle chatter."

"But they are not necessarily free. You said that 'young genius asked and answered three questions' seems to be using the Imperial Academy as a pretext for writing an essay."

Xu Gui's expression changed slightly, and he asked warily, "Who are you?"

Zhu Han did not answer, but instead raised his hand, took something out of his sleeve, and slowly handed it over.

It was a jade plaque, exquisitely carved, with a small red seal on it, in which dragons and snakes appeared and disappeared, and light and shadow flowed.

Xu Gui was visibly shaken and momentarily stunned. He then knelt down and said, "Your humble servant Xu Gui pays his respects to Your Highness!"

Zhu Han helped him up and said with a smile, "Since you are a scholar, why kneel?"

Xu Gui looked ashamed: "This humble student was unaware of Your Highness's arrival and has been negligent."

"It's alright, I'm not here to hold you accountable."

Zhu Han looked around, his gaze deep and unfathomable. "I've come to ask you for a favor."

"Invite me?" Xu Gui was taken aback.

Zhu Han slowly said, "His Highness the Crown Prince wishes to hold a spring lecture and recruit students from all walks of life, but this move will be resented by powerful and noble families if it does not have support. I need you to use your words to establish his reputation and create popularity."

Xu Gui frowned: "Does Your Highness really want me to say it?"

"You already said that, didn't you?"

Zhu Han stared at him. "What you said today will probably not only be heard by the common people, but also by officials, scholars, and even the Beijing garrison."

"They are all waiting to see what the Crown Prince will do next."

Xu Gui smiled wryly: "I am but a storyteller, and I am not up to the task."

“But you know your limits.” Zhu Han’s eyes darkened.

"You know what you can say and what you can't say. You know the right time and the right amount of heat. You know when to add fuel to the fire."

Xu Gui remained silent for a long time, then suddenly said, "Would Your Highness be willing to hear my question?"

"You said."

"If His Highness the Crown Prince truly ascends the throne and becomes emperor as Your Highness wishes, what will Your Highness do then?"

Zhu Han raised his eyes, stared at him for a long time, and suddenly smiled: "If he becomes emperor, I will return to my fields."

Xu Gui was taken aback.

"He ascends to the highest heavens, while I remain in my small plot of land; he witnesses the worship of countless people, while I teach my children and grandchildren to read and write. That's all."

Zhu Han spoke in a gentle tone, as if he were talking about something extremely ordinary.

Xu Gui solemnly cupped his hands and said, "Xu Gui is willing to serve as the Crown Prince's mouthpiece from this day forward, to spread rumors and dispel the gossip that have circulated for generations."

Zhu Han nodded: "Okay. Go find Lin Qi tomorrow; he's in the old lecture hall."

"Yes."

A few days later, crowds returned to Caishikou, and Xu Gui's storytelling grew louder each day, with the content subtly changing.

From extraordinary people and events to lecturing at the Imperial Academy, recognizing talented individuals from the common people, and observing the prevailing trends in the court... His words were sharp yet respectful, and he consistently praised the principle of "those with virtue should reside there," attracting numerous scholars from humble backgrounds to his tutelage.

Meanwhile, long queues had quietly formed in front of the old lecture hall of the Imperial Academy.

"I heard that this spring's lectures will be open to all students regardless of their background, and will only require a written exam."

“My cousin submitted his exam paper yesterday. He said the questions were novel and focused on current events, unlike the rigid, formulaic style of traditional Chinese writing.”

"I heard Mr. Xu say yesterday that this was a question personally chosen by His Highness the Crown Prince!"

Zhu Biao stood behind the lecture hall window, quietly listening to the discussions outside.

Behind him, Zhu Han slowly approached and said, "You've lit the fire. Now, let's see if it can burn brightly."

Zhu Biao turned around, his expression resolute: "I will make it burn long enough, bright enough, and hot enough."

Zhu Han stared into his eyes and slowly smiled: "Very good."

The north wind howled, whipping up the snow from the roof tiles, and the copper bells hanging under the eaves of the old lecture hall of the Imperial Academy jingled softly.

Inside the lecture hall, Zhu Biao, dressed in simple Confucian robes and without the crown prince's golden crown, stood behind the vermilion lecture table in front of the hall, wearing only a plain sash.

His eyes were clear yet resolute as he looked down at the dozens of students from all directions, including those from poor families, rural scholars, and even a few elderly Confucian scholars, all dressed in neat robes and with solemn expressions.

“I know,” Zhu Biao said, his tone gentle yet with an underlying firmness.

"Some of you don't believe it, thinking the Crown Prince is just putting on a show; others are skeptical, fearing this lecture will ultimately prove to be empty talk." (End of Chapter)