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

Han Siyu spoke in a neither humble nor arrogant tone, "Moreover, observing Your Highness's efforts in rectifying palace affairs today, you have the style of Emperor Taizong Zhu Yuanzhang in 'accepting advice and enacting laws'."

Zhu Biao coughed lightly, feeling that what she said was too definitive and seemed distant, but for some reason, he found it pleasing to the ear.

He said in a low voice, "Come to the side hall tonight for a chat. I need you to see someone."

Han Siyu was slightly surprised, but did not ask any further questions, only nodding gently.

As night deepened, the side hall was brightly lit. Zhu Biao had changed out of his python robe and was now dressed in a light-colored casual dress. He was sitting behind a desk when an old man slowly rose and bowed with his hands clasped in greeting.

"This old minister, Luo Wenduan, pays his respects to the Crown Prince."

Zhu Biao rose to return the greeting, his expression solemn: "Sir, you are over sixty years old and should not be working so hard anymore. However, with the Crown Prince newly established, there are many complicated matters, and I need someone to stabilize my mind and support me. No one but you is suitable."

Han Siyu stood to the side of the hall, glancing sideways quietly, a slight stirring in her heart.

She recognized him—the former Vice Minister of Rites, who had offended a powerful minister by offering advice and had resigned to live in seclusion, but was now being invited back out of the mountains by Zhu Biao.

Luo Wenduan's voice was calm and steady: "If Your Highness can set aside your dignity and listen to my words and strategies, I am willing to go through fire and water even if I am as old as a dead body."

"I am not afraid of fire, but I am afraid that no one will dare to light a fire for me." Zhu Biao said lightly, leaving the old minister speechless for a moment.

He turned to Han Siyu and said, “I let you see him so that you would know that although I have not yet ascended to the throne, I have already begun to make my moves. The Eastern Palace cannot just be a place for nurturing, but must also become a place for training troops.”

Han Siyu's heart skipped a beat: "The Crown Prince intends to establish an academy in the Eastern Palace?"

Zhu Biao smiled and said, "Not only should we establish academies, but also literary pavilions, lecture halls, and a system of examinations. We will select people from the Crown Prince's palace to serve as ministers in the future."

"This... might provoke the Six Ministries."

"Then let's move forward." Zhu Biao's eyes were resolute. "The Six Ministries also need fresh blood. How can we establish the new without breaking down the old?"

Han Siyu held her breath and remained silent, feeling that the Crown Prince before her was no longer the gentle and filial son known to the outside world, but a hawk with hidden sharpness and ambitions for the central government.

Luo Wenduan stepped forward: "If the Crown Prince truly establishes the Literary Pavilion, this old minister is willing to recommend three people who can serve as pillars of the Eastern Palace."

"Speak." Zhu Biao sat down, picked up a pen, and unrolled the scroll.

"One is Jia Yongqing, a compiler in the Hanlin Academy, who is well-versed in law and is bold and clear-headed; another is Lin Shicheng, a proofreader in the Ministry of Works, whose writing is sharp and whose talent is overwhelming; and yet another is Shen Zaili, a professor at the Imperial Academy, who is virtuous in teaching and well-versed in both etiquette and morality."

Zhu Biao wrote with lightning speed: "Very well. From this day forward, summon the three to the Eastern Palace."

Han Siyu watched as the names on the paper were written one by one, and her heart pounded like a drum.

Zhu Han was drinking alone in the study of the Prince's Mansion, with the bamboo shadows swaying outside the window.

Wang Yan hurried in, bowed, and said, "Your Highness, the Crown Prince summoned Luo Wenduan in the side hall today and proposed three motions:

The first thing is to reopen the lecture hall, and the Crown Prince devises a plan;
Secondly, the laws and regulations were revised, and all newly appointed court officials were required to read three chapters aloud; thirdly, new workshops were established to educate young people, teaching them etiquette and laws.

Zhu Han paused, holding his cup, and slowly said, "He has already started to set the rules."

"Your Highness won't stop you?"

Zhu Han laughed: "If I had stopped him, I would have been wrong. The reason I helped him in the first place was not to make him a prince of peace, but to make him a true prince."

"But if the Crown Prince becomes too powerful, the court will surely become suspicious."

"Let them doubt, let them doubt." Zhu Han slowly rose, standing with his hands behind his back.

"If we want to support the Crown Prince, we can't support a puppet who can only nod. The Crown Prince must be strong, firm, and sharp. Only in this way can we control those people."

"Go and prepare a few memorials, which I will write myself and present to the emperor tomorrow."

"Write what?"

Zhu Han's lips curled into a cold smile: "I recommend three people to enter the Eastern Palace—Jia Yongqing, Lin Shicheng, and Shen Zaili."

Wang Yan was shocked: "This is doing something for the Crown Prince."

“No, it’s just going with the flow,” Zhu Han said leisurely. “If he can hold the boat, I’ll provide the wind for him. If he can’t, then the boat will only sink.”

The wind whistles through the bamboo forest outside the window, creating a melodious sound.

Zhu Biao, dressed in a plain brocade robe, entered the lecture hall.

Without the sound of stringed instruments or the entourage, just one person, one scroll, and one glance were enough to make the lecture hall so quiet you could hear a pin drop.

He did not sit at the main table, but walked to the front of the crowd and slowly began to speak:

“You are all talents chosen by my Crown Prince. Some come from humble backgrounds, while others come from scholarly circles. You have entered my Crown Prince not to enjoy happiness, but to bear heavy responsibilities.”

He glanced around, paused for a moment in front of Lin Shicheng and the others, and continued:

"These Ten Proposals for the New Policies are the result of my discussions with Mr. Luo Wenduan and the other three gentlemen, which took place day and night. Today, I will not be lecturing on the scriptures, but simply to clarify one principle for you all: all those who enter the Eastern Palace will be the future instruments of governance."

Jia Yongqing stepped forward and bowed: "Since Your Highness calls this a 'new policy,' may I ask if you intend to implement it from the Eastern Palace to the Imperial Court?"

Zhu Biao looked directly at him, his smile undisguised: "You're wrong. It wasn't 'intentional,' but 'inevitable.'"

There was an uproar.

Lin Shicheng then cupped his hands in greeting: "Does this mean that the Crown Prince is no longer content with the position of heir apparent and wishes to take charge of affairs in Weiyang Palace?"

Zhu Biao stood with his hands behind his back and calmly replied, "I have not yet ascended the throne, so how can I talk about politics? But there is one principle in the world: 'The crown prince is nothing more than a corpse,' which is not what I desire."

Everyone was silent.

Han Siyu stood outside the lecture hall, quietly observing everything inside, her eyes deep and thoughtful.

She had a vague feeling that Zhu Biao was embarking on an extremely dangerous path—this was not simply "training troops," but rather creating his own "court" before even obtaining the throne.

This is walking on the edge of rules and taboos; a slight misstep could lead to utter destruction.

Outside the lecture hall, a figure stood quietly in the shadows—it was Zhu Han.

He did not appear, but listened to Zhu Biao's words under the eaves with a deep frown.

Wang Yan said in a low voice, "Your Highness, the Crown Prince's move is already close to 'seeking the Way'."

“It’s not that we’re near, it’s that we’ve already set foot on it.” Zhu Han looked at the person in the hall and suddenly sighed.

"This child is more ruthless and has a heavier heart than I thought."

"Aren't you going to stop them?"

Zhu Han shook his head, his eyes filled with complex emotions: "He is no longer the little man who wrote the words 'benevolence and filial piety' in my mansion. He is walking the path of an emperor, and the path of an emperor never allows for turning back."

In the evening, Zhu Biao stood alone in the Crown Prince's study, gazing at the twilight outside the window.

Lin Shicheng requested an audience.

"Your Highness," Lin Shicheng said, holding the scroll in both hands, "these are the annotations and discussions of the students today on the 'Ten Arguments.' There are many objections and oppositions."

Zhu Biao took the document and flipped through it, casually asking, "How much of what you think are the genuine opinions expressed in these comments?"

Lin Shicheng thought for a moment and said, "Thirty percent."

Zhu Biao smiled and said, "The remaining 70% is reserved to observe the wind direction."

"Yes."

"You're saying they're afraid of me?"

“I’m afraid. I’m afraid that you will act on reason, prioritize propriety over principle, and dare to break the rules and change the system.”

Zhu Biao nodded: "That's right. Only fear will make them submit. If they aren't even afraid, then that's my failure."

Lin Shicheng was silent for a moment, then said in a low voice, "Your Highness, this round was a bit too fast."

Zhu Biao turned to look at him: "Mr. Lin, you're right. But I had no choice."

"Why?"

"Because my father's health is declining day by day, and the court is stirring up trouble. If I do not establish my authority first, I will have nothing after he passes away."

Lin Shicheng was shocked and couldn't help but lower his head.

"Do you think I'm unfilial?" Zhu Biao suddenly asked.

"Don't dare."

But that's what you really think.

Lin Shicheng bowed: "I'm just afraid that Your Highness is too hasty and will only make things worse."

Zhu Biao suddenly laughed: "But this is exactly what Uncle Wang taught me—'To not strike when the time is right is weakness; to strike early is to leave the blade sharp; to strike late is to leave it a dead man'." At midnight, the light in Zhu Biao's study was still on.

He was flipping through a booklet when he suddenly heard a low shout from outside the door: "Your Highness—there is an urgent report!"

A guard rushed in, holding a secret letter from the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

Zhu Biao took it, his brows furrowed, and his eyes quickly scanned it, only to see the following:
[Your Highness, the Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, Cai Zhong, has recently been frequently engaging in private dealings with several merchants in the capital region, suggesting a possible alliance in trade. He has also been in contact with Cao Gan of the Secretariat…]

Zhu Biao's expression darkened slightly, and he said in a deep voice, "Cai Zhong is a former official of the late Emperor and also holds important positions in the Six Ministries. How could he rashly associate with merchants?"

"Your Highness, do you perhaps have another scheme in mind?"

Zhu Biao slowly shook his head, burning the Zhami in the brazier. The firelight illuminated his profile, making him appear as cold and stern as if carved by a knife.

"In this world, the most terrifying person is one who remains as still as a mountain. If he does make a move, it's not just for money."

He stood up and muttered to himself, "It seems it's time to test the first 'sharp edge' of my Eastern Palace."

A few days later, a sudden "political discussion and policy talk" was secretly held in the East Palace lecture hall.

Zhu Biao personally selected twenty people to debate several cases over three days, all of which were related to the actual administration of the court.

Lin Shicheng, Jia Yongqing and others served as the main speakers, while Shen Zaili was in charge of drafting the rules.

Ultimately, all three cases were approved.

Zhu Biao sealed the three policies in a scroll and ordered Zhu Han to personally deliver one scroll to the palace.

On that day, on Zhu Yuanzhang's sickbed, Zhu Han presented the scroll without saying a word.

Zhu Yuanzhang only glanced at the paper titled "Eastern Palace Political Discussions - Preliminary Examination Paper".

After a long silence, he suddenly asked, "Is that child too impatient?"

Zhu Han lowered his eyes and replied, "He's just afraid it won't be enough time."

A hint of weariness appeared in Zhu Yuanzhang's eyes, but there was also a touch of emotion: "Since he is like this, then let him be."

"The Crown Prince, perhaps it's time to really get him to do something."

Deep within the Forbidden City, as the morning bell tolls, the golden tiles reflect the sun, radiating boundless brilliance.

After leaving the East Palace lecture hall, Zhu Biao got up, put on his clothes, and, having not slept all night, remained clear-headed.

He stood at the end of the long corridor, looking down at the densely packed eaves outside the palace walls. Everywhere his eyes could see was the weight of the world.

Today marks the day his third volume of the "Eastern Palace Political Discussion" examination was submitted to the Ministry of Justice.

Han Siyu stood behind him and said slowly, "Your Highness did not rest last night?"

"I can't sleep," Zhu Biao replied casually, turning back with a smile. "Siyu, do you know, I dreamt of the late Emperor last night."

Han Siyu was stunned, and asked softly, "What was the dream like?"

Zhu Biao shook his head: "He had his back to me, didn't say a word, held a long sword, and looked at the imperial city."

"May Your Highness ask him what he means?"

“I asked him, but he didn’t turn around. He just slowly said four words.”

"What four words?"

A strange light suddenly appeared in Zhu Biao's eyes: "'The sword is in front of people'."

Han Siyu lowered her head and remained silent for a long time before finally saying, "Perhaps, it is a reminder to Your Highness not to forget the sword behind you."

Zhu Biao smiled upon hearing this, muttering to himself, "Never forget... the sword behind me..."

Meanwhile, Zhu Han was practicing his sword in his residence.

The morning light shone on the edge of his sleeves, revealing him in a moon-white robe, tall and straight, his sword flashing like flowing water.

His movements were precise and methodical, without any fancy moves, yet they exuded a deep-seated composure.

"Your Highness, the Ministry of Justice has received the case file," Wang Yan whispered in the corridor.

Zhu Han sheathed his sword and stood with it held horizontally across his arm: "Is there any unusual sound in the scroll?"

"No, Minister Tao Jian personally reviewed it and summoned officials to revise the policy."

Zhu Han nodded: "This is what Biao'er wants."

"But with this, all three policies of the council have been implemented. I'm afraid the court will..."

"What are you afraid of?" Zhu Han glanced at him sideways.
“He is the crown prince, and he acts as the crown prince. A crown prince who cannot participate in politics is a paper crown prince. If a crown prince can make decisions, then he is a real crown prince.”

Wang Yan said in a low voice, "But Your Highness, the Ministry of Justice deals with criminal law; if a mistake is made..."

Zhu Han's eyes suddenly turned cold: "If he makes a mistake, he'll take the blame. If he can't, then it's just bad luck."

Wang Yan was startled, then kowtowed and said, "Yes."

Zhu Han's tone shifted, becoming slightly colder: "However, he's taken this step much more steadily than I did when I was young."

"Was Your Highness so decisive when you were young?"

Zhu Han smiled slightly: "Back then, I fought my way from Liaodong Road into Yingtian with only my sword, and fought three consecutive battles without retreating a single step. It's a pity that the situation is not like it is today."

Wang Yan dared not speak further and simply waited quietly to the side.

Zhu Han gazed at the dawn on the horizon and suddenly sighed, "Heaven is helping him."

Meanwhile, outside the Dali Temple, Jia Yongqing and Lin Shicheng walked out one after the other.

Lin Shicheng's expression darkened slightly: "Although Tao Jian accepted the scroll, his questions today were not without a hint of warning."

Jia Yongqing sneered: "If the Crown Prince dares to submit a proposal, then he dares to test the waters. It's actually a good thing."

"You are not afraid?"

"What's there to be afraid of? We have the Crown Prince in front and the Prince behind. If we don't establish our authority by implementing this strategy today, the Eastern Palace will be nothing but an empty shell in the future."

Lin Shicheng remained silent in thought.

Jia Yongqing turned to look at him: "Are you still wary?"

“It’s not fear, it’s worry,” Lin Shicheng said. “What I fear is that the Crown Prince’s brilliance is too exposed, and he will become a target before he can gain any real power.”

"Don't worry, His Highness will not let the Crown Prince die."

“But Your Highness can’t protect him in everything.”

As the two were talking, a tall figure suddenly entered through the side gate. The man had sharp eyebrows and cold eyes—it was Shen Zhen, the commander of the Northern Garrison of the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

"Editor Jia, Proofreader Lin," Shen Zhen said, bowing respectfully, but his tone was not warm. "I have been ordered to invite you two to accompany me."

Jia Yongqing's expression changed slightly: "Do you know why?"

"Nothing more than this: the third case devised by the Crown Prince has triggered revisions to the criminal law, and we need to find out the whole story."

"The case file already contains the cause of action."

"The Emperor wishes to clarify who this person is." Shen Zhen paused for a moment, "His Highness the Crown Prince is also aware of this matter."

Lin Shicheng had a vague understanding that this was not an interrogation, but a warning, and even more so, a public test of his integrity.

Jia Yongqing and Lin Shicheng exchanged a glance and slowly nodded: "Then please lead the way."

Shen Zhen stepped aside: "Please."

As dusk fell, Zhu Biao sat leaning against the Crown Prince's couch, holding a jade slip in his hand—a report on the case between the Ministry of Justice and the Embroidered Uniform Guard that night.

Han Siyu stood silently to the side.

Zhu Biao asked in a low voice, "What do you think?"

"What are you looking at?"

"Jia Yongqing and Lin Shicheng".

Han Siyu pondered for a moment and said, "Lin Shicheng is cautious by nature. He would never have entered the Eastern Palace if you hadn't invited him repeatedly. As for Jia Yongqing, he is too sharp and likes to rush into important positions."

Zhu Biao nodded. (End of Chapter)