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

In mid-May, Zhu Biao set off from the capital.

Traveling slowly along the roads south of the capital, the Crown Prince's carriage stretched like a silent, long line, traversing mountains and rivers.

Along the way, he discussed governance, gave lectures, and investigated the hardships of the people with his accompanying officials, occasionally stopping to talk with the people of the small town.

Zhu Biao sat in the carriage, opening the book he had brought with him, but he could not concentrate. His mind seemed to have already drifted far away.

Outside the car window, the lush fields were gradually surrounded by green mountains and receded into the distance.

“Your Highness, the southern suburbs market is just a few miles ahead, where many people are gathered. If you wish to hear the people’s sentiments, today is the perfect opportunity,” said Zhao, the accompanying Vice Minister, seeing Zhu Biao’s silence.

"Alright, let's take a walk." Zhu Biao put down his book and called out.

The market streets were bustling with vendors selling vegetables, meat, and salt, their carts rolling over the stone pavement, their shouts and calls rising and falling.

Zhu Biao changed out of his everyday clothes, put on a plain cloth robe, and quietly got out of the carriage with several guards.

"Minister Zhao, come for a walk with me."

Zhu Biao spoke calmly, his gaze already sweeping over the cloth and pottery stalls on the side.

Vice Minister Zhao was slightly taken aback, but still nodded: "Yes."

The shops in the streets and alleys were bustling with activity. Zhu Biao and Zhao Shilang walked through them. When they came to a tea stall, Zhu Biao stopped and noticed an old woman talking quietly to the stall owner.

“My son got sick, and we’ve spent all our money. We don’t even have any medicine left.”

The old woman's voice was slightly choked up, and the customers at the surrounding tea stalls were also whispering among themselves.

"If we don't continue treatment, I'm afraid..."

Zhu Biao paused slightly, listened for a few words, and then walked towards the old woman: "Grandma, you are not feeling well. Would you like to come with me to the East Palace to see the imperial physician?"

The old woman was startled and quickly got up and kowtowed: "I dare not, Your Highness is such a noble person, how could I dare to trouble you?"

"Don't worry, Madam, I'm just passing by," Zhu Biao said softly.

Vice Minister Zhao also said softly, "The Crown Prince's words carry weight, so Madam need not worry. If there are any inconveniences, we can make arrangements."

After some simple persuasion, the old woman finally nodded and accepted Zhu Biao's proposal.

She then followed the two men to a temporary tent set up by the Eastern Palace nearby. After the imperial physician took her pulse as usual, he prescribed several doses of medicine, which slightly comforted the old woman.

"Your Highness, this arrangement is rather..."

Zhao Shilang spoke hesitantly, clearly quite worried about this approach, fearing that this sudden move might cause unnecessary trouble.

Zhu Biao slowly turned around: "Minister Zhao, how can we turn a blind eye to the suffering of the people? If we only listen to government officials but do not see the people or know their suffering, how can we talk about national affairs?"

“What the Crown Prince says is absolutely right.” Vice Minister Zhao lowered his head slightly, clearly somewhat shocked by Zhu Biao’s determination.

Zhu Biao looked back at the bustling market: "This is the path I truly want to take. Only if I can truly become a crown prince who 'understands the people's hearts and governs the country,' will the nation's fortunes last."

As night fell, the convoy continued its journey, but Zhu Biao's heart was heavy.

On May 16, Zhu Biao and his party entered the county town of Cizhen.

As they passed a bridge, they saw several young farmers working in the fields outside the city. Zhu Biao stopped his carriage, dismounted, and walked towards the fields.

"Thank you for your hard work, folks." Zhu Biao said in a gentle tone.

A young farmer looked up and saw Zhu Biao, paused for a moment, then lowered his head and replied, "Your Highness, Your Highness's personal presence is truly undeserved."

Zhu Biao smiled slightly: "I was passing through this place today and wanted to see you all."

The young farmer seemed suddenly excited and hurriedly said, "Your Highness, it's a good thing you've come! But the fields in the county didn't yield a good harvest this year, and our family is in arrears with taxes. We can't pay them this year, and we're afraid we'll be fined."

"The land is bad, and there are tax arrears? Is there a specific reason?" Zhu Biao asked immediately.

The farmer frowned: "Because of the prolonged drought last year and the late rain this year, the rice seedlings in the fields are weak, and the harvest is hard to guarantee."

Have you tried to ask local officials for help?

"The county always says that the poor harvest is due to the farmers' laziness. How can we farmers possibly compete with the government?"

Zhu Biao felt a slight unease upon hearing this, and turned to Zhao Shilang, saying, "Investigate the county's tax accounts. If what they say is true, and the local government is being perfunctory and irresponsible, then they must be held accountable."

Vice Minister Zhao hesitated for a moment, but nodded in agreement.

During his days of inspection tour, Zhu Biao witnessed many hardships and gradually realized that his father's order for him to travel was actually to let him experience the realities of the land and the people firsthand.

Instead of merely reading the books of sages and listening to the words of ministers.

As the journey home drew near, the convoy arrived at Nanling Town. Zhu Biao suddenly ordered the carriages to stop: "We will not go to the capital tonight; we will stay overnight in Nanling."

Zhao, the Vice Minister, was surprised but dared not ask any further questions.

At night, Zhu Biao changed into civilian clothes and, accompanied only by one bodyguard, strolled through the streets and alleys of the small town.

An old bookstore on the street corner caught his attention.

The bookstore's signboard was faded, and the three characters "Jingwentang" were almost invisible. Behind the desk sat an elderly man with a white beard, who was copying books with his head down.

As Zhu Biao stepped inside, the old man asked casually, "Buying books or borrowing books?"

"If we can borrow it, that would be best."

The old man looked up and suddenly asked, "You're not a local."

"Passing by, I'm looking for a quiet place."

"Do you know the classics and history?"

Zhu Biao smiled and said, "I understand a little."

Confucius said, "The rites and music have collapsed." What do you think caused the collapse of the rites?

"When people are corrupt, morality collapses."

The old man's gaze sharpened slightly: "Well said."

He paused for a moment, then turned and took out a thick scroll from behind the cabinet, handing it to me: "This is my 'New Examination of Rites and Ethics,' written over the past thirty years. If you don't mind, take it and have a look."

Zhu Biao solemnly accepted it: "Thank you, sir."

The next morning, he ordered his accompanying clerks to draft an edict to establish the "Record of Recommended Talents from the Common People," to widely recruit talented individuals from the common people, regardless of their background or age, only seeking those with both virtue and ability, and to have a special person from the Eastern Palace review, screen, and recommend them.

Minister Zhao was shocked: "The Crown Prince's move may be unprecedented."

Zhu Biao's expression was firm: "I want to know the talents of the world, not just those who enter the court through the imperial examinations."

The news quietly reached the capital and was also delivered to Zhu Hanwang's residence.

Zhu Hanye had not slept, so he put on his robe and stood in front of his desk, his eyes deep and thoughtful.

"The list of recommended scholars?" He chuckled softly. "This is indeed his first step."

Shi Anzi asked, "What does Your Highness think?"

"The human heart is like the sea, and recommending someone is like fire. If one lacks the ability to discern, it will become a source of disaster."

"Order the Embroidered Uniform Guard to investigate and record the recommended individuals, and submit their papers to the Crown Prince's Palace three months later."

"This is not a test, but a way to deliver a fatal blow."

"Even the sharpest knife will cut itself if you don't hold it firmly."

As dawn broke, the corner towers of the Forbidden City were already gilded by the rising sun.

Before the morning drums sounded and the palace gates were still closed, only in one corner of the East Palace, the lights were still burning.

Zhu Biao stood by the window, his face calm, holding the newly delivered candidate's file from yesterday.

He had been reading until nearly midnight, and his eyes, though tired, became even clearer.

"Your Highness, it's time for breakfast," a young eunuch whispered a reminder.

"No need, I want to see Lu Heng." Lu Heng is the newly appointed Secretary of the Eastern Palace, in charge of compiling and organizing the list of recommended scholars. He comes from a humble background, but is diligent and mature, and is highly trusted by Zhu Biao.

In less than the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, Lu Heng arrived at the East Palace.

"The Crown Prince has summoned me. What is the matter?"

Zhu Biao put down the Chinese scroll in his hand: "I have already read half of the list of recommenders you sent last night."

"There are a few who speak appropriately and whose deeds are clear, and they can be given priority for recommendation."

Lu Heng's face lit up with delight: "Since Your Highness values ​​this record so much, I, your humble servant, would gladly die for it!"

"But I also see that some people deliberately disguise empty words as profound theories, and even fabricate stories."

Zhu Biao paused slightly, "If there is no method of selection for recommending officials, it will become a path for manipulating power."

Lu Heng pursed his lips, bowed his head and cupped his hands: "Your humble servant has not considered things thoroughly."

"It's not your fault." Zhu Biao paced back and forth, hands behind his back.
"However, this matter must not be a mere formality. I want to establish a dedicated agency called the 'Eastern Records Office' to select loyal and capable officials and learned scholars to be in charge of screening."

"The key to selecting talent lies in understanding people's hearts. How can one find true talent if one only talks the talk but doesn't walk the walk?"

Lu Heng bowed his head: "Your Highness's insight is brilliant. Your humble servant will immediately draft the regulations."

Zhu Biao said, "There's no rush to announce it. I'll wait until I meet with the recommenders before making a decision."

"There's no time like the present, let's go now."

In the afternoon, a simple study room was set up in the Eastern Palace, where Zhu Biao, dressed in a blue robe, calmly took his seat.

Three recommenders stood before the table; all of them were people who had come from the common people and had recommended themselves.

The first was a scholar named Ji Zhongwen, who was no more than thirty years old. He was sharp-tongued and spoke eloquently about etiquette and politics.

Zhu Biao listened for a while, then suddenly asked, "If I were given a county with 40,000 people and 50% of its grain reserves, and the people were beginning to resent, how would you govern it?"

Ji Zhongwen paused for a moment, then replied, "The first priority is to establish new laws, severely punish corrupt officials, forcibly collect stored grain, restrain powerful families, and establish authority."

Zhu Biao remained expressionless and nodded, saying, "Step back."

The second person, who called himself Hu Jiyuan, was a doctor and offered advice mainly concerning the suffering of the common people and diseases caused by miasma and epidemics.

Zhu Biao asked him, "If the plague spreads and the clinic runs out of medicine, is it permissible to take medicine from the wealth of rich households?"

Hu Jiyuan hesitated for a moment, then said, "If it is for the sake of the people, then this is how it should be done."

Zhu Biao thought for a moment and then gestured for him to step down.

The third person was surprisingly silent, only saying that his name was Zhou Xiang, that he had studied military strategy since childhood, that he joined the army as a young man but did not achieve a rank, and that he retired due to injury.

He left only one sentence: "If the Crown Prince trusts me, give me a hundred men, and I can defeat a thousand enemies."

Zhu Biao raised an eyebrow slightly and said, "You are different from the previous two."

“I am ignorant of etiquette and politics; all I know how to do is lead troops to kill,” Zhou Xiang replied bluntly.

Zhu Biao looked at him quietly, then suddenly asked, "If we are defeated and all one hundred men are killed, what will you do?"

"To die for the Lord."

Zhu Biao didn't say a word, he just waved his hand.

After the three left, Lu Heng entered and asked in a low voice, "What is the Crown Prince's opinion?"

"The talent on paper can't withstand more than three questions. Only the soldier seems to have some real spirit."

"Tomorrow, try again."

"Three more people were infected."

"I will test all the recommenders within a month, separating the genuine from the false."

"This matter must succeed; failure is not an option."

Inside the Prince's residence, Zhu Han had already received the first batch of "records" delivered by secret agents.

Shi Anzi held the document in his hands, his expression slightly strange: "Your Highness, please take a look."

Zhu Han took it and flipped through it page by page. The recommender, the recommender, the self-introduction, the verification... each line of text was clear and accurate.

“This ‘Ji Zhongwen’ once had a private meeting with a former Hanlin scholar.”

"'Hu Jiyuan' once swindled people in Nanzhen by pretending to be a doctor. Although he was not arrested by the government, there are several testimonies that can be verified."

"Only Zhou Xiang, whose real name is unknown, is known to have served in the Southern Army and made meritorious contributions. However, he was beheaded for accidentally killing his superior officer. In theory, he should have died long ago."

Zhu Han closed the booklet and gave a cold laugh.

"interesting."

"How could someone who is deceitful and desperate manage to infiltrate the Crown Prince's recommendation list?"

Shi Anzi asked, "Your Highness, should we report this matter to the Emperor?"

Zhu Han shook his head: "No need. If Zhu Biao wants to recommend scholars, I will let him recommend a complete group."

"The son of a true dragon, if he is to venture into the muddy waters of the world, let's see if he can avoid getting bogged down in the mud."

Shi Anzi hesitated and said, "If the Crown Prince tarnishes his reputation..."

Zhu Han smiled coldly: "Then his destiny has not yet come to pass."

“But if we can truly select the best among these people—” he paused, as if talking to himself, “that would be the true crown prince.”

Zhu Han turned around and whispered, "Have the Southern Garrison send more people to continue infiltrating the ranks of recommended scholars."

"I need to know just how good his judgment of people really is."

After returning to the Eastern Palace, Zhu Biao no longer handled daily affairs as easily as before, but began to examine each person around him step by step.

Zhao Shilang, Lu Heng, Liu Guogong, and others seemed to be silently waiting for him to make some decisions and give some kind of signal.

Although Zhu Biao did not explicitly state their thoughts, he had already made a judgment in his heart.

After dinner, Zhu Biao summoned several of the Crown Prince's trusted confidants to discuss the recent situation in a private room.

Once everyone was seated, their eyes were all fixed on Zhu Biao, waiting for him to speak.

"Do you know what's been going on outside lately?" Zhu Biao asked in a low voice.

After a moment of contemplation, Vice Minister Zhao replied, "The atmosphere outside is becoming increasingly tense, and the attitudes of the powerful ministers towards Your Highness are beginning to change."

Although they all outwardly support you, there's a lot of undercurrent behind the scenes. Everyone is watching and waiting for you to take concrete action.

Zhu Biao nodded: "That's what I'm most worried about. People's hearts can't be guessed easily; we must find the right opportunity."

"Your Highness, if you truly wish to stabilize the court, you might consider taking action in domestic affairs."

Lu Heng spoke up, "Recently, many officials in the court have been waiting for the Crown Prince to make a clear statement. If you can demonstrate your decisiveness sooner, it may enhance your prestige."

That makes sense.

Zhu Biao nodded thoughtfully.

"But what I want is far more than just superficial support. What I need is real power, the power to step in for me in critical moments."

"Your Highness, if we want to gain real support, we will probably have to rely on more external forces."

Zhao, the Vice Minister, suddenly spoke, his tone cautious, "Regarding the matter of the Crown Prince, although the powerful ministers claim to support you, they inevitably harbor ulterior motives. If you truly wish to stabilize the situation, you may need to win over some more important people."

Zhu Biao's eyes lit up immediately, and he turned to Vice Minister Zhao: "Who are you referring to?"

After a moment's hesitation, Vice Minister Zhao said softly, "As far as I know, some high-ranking officials in the inner palace are already secretly planning their future. If you can gain their support, it would be the icing on the cake."

Zhu Biao raised an eyebrow: "Are there enough people in the inner palace to be trusted?" (End of Chapter)