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

Zhu Han chuckled: "You overestimate the imperial court's 'prosperity.' Zhu Biao's 'power' may seem impressive, but it's only just begun. A tender bamboo shoot will break when the wind blows. Prince Qi isn't blind; he's taking advantage of the bamboo's still-softness to strike."

At this point, Zhu Han slowly stood up, walked to the courtyard, and looked up at the sky.

On the third day of the sixth lunar month, the weather was dry and hot; the sun had not yet risen, but the heat was already intense.

Zhu Han stood with his hands behind his back, then suddenly asked with a smile, "Do you remember which day was the most lively in the palace this year?"

Shen Zhen was taken aback, then replied, "The first day of the seventh lunar month is the Emperor's birthday."

“Not bad.” Zhu Han nodded, seemingly to himself.

"At that time, all officials will gather, envoys from all over the country will pay tribute, and all the lecturers of the Crown Prince will have the opportunity to offer their advice... This is our stage."

Shen Zhen immediately understood and replied in a deep voice, "I will make the arrangements immediately."

Zhu Han turned to look at him: "No rush. Let Cheng Qixuan and those 'lecturers' stir things up for a few more days. What I want them to talk about is not academic knowledge, but the human heart."

At this moment, inside the East Palace lecture hall, Cheng Qixuan had already led dozens of students into a new round of "debate on the Dao".

This time, it's not just empty talk on paper, but a practical discussion on a specific topic—"If I were the crown prince, what strategy should I use to establish the education system for the entire country?"

The audience was filled with talented young people recommended by the Imperial Academy, the National University, and various prefectures and counties in Beizhili, as well as some men over fifty years old.

Their eyes were bright, their words sharp, and everyone wanted to make decisions based on their words.

Zhu Biao did not appear today, but secretly listened to the lecture behind the screen.

A young man dressed in Confucian robes stood up. He was no more than seventeen years old, and his lips still had a childish tinge. But as soon as he opened his mouth, the whole room fell silent.

“The education system is the foundation of a nation. If people do not know why they should study, how can we cultivate talent? I believe that the Crown Prince should establish the ‘Four Classics and Five Policies’ as the framework, abandoning flowery words and focusing on practical discussions.”

"Good." Many people in the audience gave a soft thumbs-up.

The young man raised his eyes again, scanned his surroundings, and said, "If all the scholars in the world were to study at the Eastern Palace, where would the lecture hall established by the King of Qi be located?"

Upon hearing this, a lecturer immediately bowed and replied, "Liu Li's words the other day, 'There is no distinction between high and low in lecturing,' are well said, but they actually obscure the allocation of power. Lectures are for official use, and learning is for governing affairs. If it is not under the Crown Prince's jurisdiction, wouldn't everyone be able to be the National Preceptor?"

"Exactly!"

"Then please, Your Highness, decide on this matter."

The young man suddenly bowed deeply towards the screen, his voice booming like a bell, "The issue of the education system cannot be delayed any longer!"

In an instant, everyone was moved and responded enthusiastically, and the sound of the lecture hall was like a surging tide.

Behind the screen, Zhu Biao frowned slightly, his gaze grave: "This person is..."

Lin Shicheng leaned down and whispered, "Chen Xiwen is from Wuqing. He entered the Imperial Academy at the age of fourteen. He once refused to be recruited by the Prince of Qi and vowed never to enter his residence."

Zhu Biao paused slightly, his gaze darkening: "What a fine Chen Xiwen."

He pondered for a moment, then slowly rose and stepped out through the side door.

The lecture hall fell silent as dozens of eyes instantly focused on Zhu Biao.

He was dressed in a silver-blue court robe today, his expression dignified and imposing, but he did not go up to the stage. He simply stood in front of the steps and raised his hand to silence the noise.

“I have heard everything you have said.”

He slowly walked down the steps and faced the crowd, saying, "Lecturing is not for vying for a position, but for seeking the Way. If the King of Qi truly intends to hold this lecture, he can allow the world to judge him. I, the Crown Prince, also have no intention of using my power to oppress anyone."

The audience fell silent.

Zhu Biao's gaze swept over the crowd, and he continued, "But all places of learning in the world must eventually return to their origins. If everyone is a teacher, who will earn a living? Therefore—"

He paused for a moment, then suddenly turned around and whispered to Lin Shicheng beside him, "Draft an edict to establish the 'Great Ming Academy of Education and Political Examination,' directly under the Crown Prince. Anyone willing to serve the country may submit their proposals for selection."

Lin Shicheng was instantly shocked: "Your Highness, this is—gathering all the talents in the world under one administration?"

Zhu Biao smiled and said, "King Qi loves to talk, so I'll give him a real platform to give lectures."

The crowd in the lecture hall instantly erupted in excitement, with young scholars eager to try their hand at the subject. Some even knelt down and kowtowed, saying, "We are willing to present a hundred strategies for Your Highness to review!"

Zhu Biao nodded slightly but said nothing more. He simply ordered his men to maintain order and then turned and left.

As he stepped out of the lecture hall, he suddenly sensed someone walking down the corridor.

The man was tall and had a steady gait. He wore a dark blue robe embroidered with pythons, and it was Zhu Han.

Zhu Han smiled enigmatically: "Your move has truly cornered the Prince of Qi."

Zhu Biao was silent for a moment before saying in a low voice, "He made the first move."

"Since you've accepted, then make your move."

Zhu Han patted him on the shoulder, his voice low and deep, "What you need is the future, not the immediate victory or defeat."

Zhu Biao nodded: "I understand."

Zhu Han suddenly leaned closer, his tone softening: "However, there is something I should do."

Zhu Biao was taken aback: "Uncle, do you mean—"

"King Qi." Zhu Han stared straight ahead, a cold glint in his eyes.

“I want him to know that behind the Eastern Palace is not only Crown Prince Zhu Biao, but also Prince Zhu Han.”

Three days later, strange news suddenly spread throughout the capital.

Outside Yongding Gate, a platform was set up for sermons, attracting a gathering of wise men.

In just one day, it attracted hundreds of people to watch and listen.

Even more astonishingly, Zhu Han actually visited the lecture hall in person, stood under the shade of a tree, and listened to the entire lecture.

When he finished speaking, he even clapped his hands and praised, "The speaker is clear-headed and upright; his voice can be heard throughout the country."

These words shocked the entire capital.

As dusk settled and the crowds dispersed from the long street, only the "Chaoce Lecture Hall" outside Yongding Gate remained brightly lit.

On the podium, the young Chen Xiwen was lecturing, his voice booming, drawing a large audience below.

Zhu Han stood under the banyan tree, holding an ivory-bone fan, his expression as serene as a still pond.

The wind came from the west, lifting the hem of his robes and stirring the thoughts of the world.

"Did he really listen to everything?" Li Jing asked in a low voice in the Qi Prince's residence.

"I listened to it from beginning to end, without missing a single word," the aide replied readily. "He even praised Chen Xiwen himself."

Li Jing's face was gloomy, his fingertips gripped the folding fan tightly, and with a soft crack, the fan ribs broke slightly.

"When did Zhu Han become so fond of meddling in other people's business?"

No one dared to answer.

That night, in the Prince's study, Shen Zhen presented the last page of the secret report.

"The King of Qi has begun to have doubts, but..." He hesitated for a moment, then lowered his voice.

“What I am more concerned about is Chen Xiwen. During his sermon today, he implied three times that ‘the power to give lectures should belong to the Crown Prince.’ Although his words were embellished, they were clearly not something that an ordinary lecturer would dare to say.”

Zhu Han replied calmly, "He is no ordinary person."

"Oh?"

"His father, Chen Fei, was originally a secretary in the Ministry of Revenue. He did not join the Qi King's faction. He died of illness three years ago. Before his death, he did not leave a single word, but burned all his books."

Shen Zhen raised an eyebrow: "Clean house?"

“Perhaps he left the child to avoid harm.” Zhu Han’s eyes narrowed slightly as he closed his folding fan. “This child’s current allegiance to the Crown Prince may not be solely for fame. He must have a longer-term plan in mind.”

"Then...should we eliminate it?"

Zhu Han shook his head: "No rush."

He walked slowly to the window, gazing at the distant lights of Yongding Gate, and whispered, "If he has ulterior motives, let him into the trap."

“But we set this trap.” The next morning, Crown Prince Zhu Biao summoned Chen Xiwen early.

Inside a side hall of the East Palace, Zhu Biao personally handed a teacup to Chen Xiwen: "I have long heard of your talent, Scholar Chen. Your words last night have only increased my admiration."

Chen Xiwen accepted the cup with both hands, his tone calm and composed: "Your Highness is too kind. I was merely expressing my feelings and wish to do my utmost for the Crown Prince."

Zhu Biao nodded, seemingly casually asking, "You refused the Prince of Qi three times, so why are you willing to enter the Eastern Palace today?"

Chen Xiwen's eyes narrowed, and he immediately bowed with his hands clasped: "It is because of a word from Prince Zhu."

Zhu Biao was taken aback: "Imperial Uncle?"

"Yes," Chen Xiwen replied calmly.

"The prince did not speak of scholarship or strategy, but only said, 'If a speaker can keep the world in mind, he will not be bound by sectarian boundaries.' After hearing this, I could not sleep at night, so I went to the Eastern Palace to request an audience."

Zhu Biao smiled slightly, but his eyes revealed deep thought: "He really knows how to pick people."

Chen Xiwen raised his head: "If the Crown Prince would allow me, I, Chen Xiwen, am willing to use my words as a blade and my strategies as a spear to cut down falsehoods and establish true faith."

Zhu Biao's eyes brightened slightly, and he slammed his hand on the table: "Good, this is the kind of courage I want!"

He paused, then suddenly said, "But do you know that those who preach in the Eastern Palace will not necessarily remain only in their studies and writings, but will also have to engage in worldly affairs and politics in the future?"

"Appreciate further details."

Zhu Biao stood up and walked to the palace window, pointing to the capital city where the morning sun was just beginning to rise.

"A speaker may talk about the world, but ultimately he must go out into the world. If one only engages in theoretical discussions all day, how can he compare to the King of Qi who uses profit to lure people? Therefore, I plan to—"

His gaze was intense: "Establish the 'Eastern Palace Strategist Academy,' select ten people to travel around the country for the Crown Prince. Their teachings and strategies will not only be recorded in books, but will also resonate with people's hearts."

Chen Xiwen was taken aback: "I am willing to be the first to follow."

Zhu Biao turned around and met his eyes: "I'll remember you."

Three days later, an imperial edict was issued, clearly stating that a "temporary residence" would be set up, and ten people would be selected to travel around and give lectures to spread the Crown Prince's ideas on governance.

The first traveler was Chen Xiwen.

The capital was in an uproar, and scholars were deeply moved.

Even more unexpectedly, Zhu Han personally escorted Chen Xiwen out of the city, all the way to Taiqing Bridge.

The willow branches drooped low at the bridgehead. Zhu Han stood by the stone railing, watching Chen Xiwen's back, remaining silent for a long time.

"Your Highness," Chen Xiwen turned and bowed, "Do you have any further instructions?"

Zhu Han smiled slightly: "You are inherently intelligent, so I don't need to teach you anything. I'll just remind you—the speaker is the blade, and the blade can also hurt. If you become a sword, I will protect your scabbard; if you become a scabbard, I will lend you my sharpness."

Chen Xiwen gazed at Zhu Han for a long time, then bowed solemnly: "Thank you, Your Highness."

He turned, mounted his horse, and rode away into the distance.

Zhu Han stood with his hands behind his back, watching him disappear into the thin smoke and mist.

"Shenzhen".

"exist."

“Send someone to protect him secretly.”

"Yes."

"And..." Zhu Han's eyes were deep, as if recalling the countless ups and downs of his past life.

"Keep an eye on King Qi for me—if he can't sit still, that's when he'll really make his move."

Shen Zhen bowed his head in agreement and turned to leave.

The practice of preaching in the capital became increasingly popular, and the Crown Prince's prestige gradually rose.

However, after remaining silent for many days, the King of Qi finally made his move.

He did not make a big fuss, nor did he set up another lecture hall. Instead, he quietly opened a "Policy Hall" in the West Market, calling it a "free place for people to discuss policy," and spent a lot of money to invite Zhao Chengshan, an old Confucian scholar from the previous dynasty.

Zhao Chengshan was once the deputy lecturer of Emperor Taizu. He resigned from his post ten years later and was known as "the lone pine in the road".

When the news reached Zhu Han's ears, he merely turned a page of his book and said in a nonchalant tone, "That's more like it."

Shen Zhen frowned slightly: "Zhao Chengshan, though he does not form cliques or engage in private activities, is highly regarded for his talent. If he were to stand up for the Prince of Qi, he would likely entice many neutral scholars."

"So what?" Zhu Han closed his book. "If the sky wants rain, the earth will crack. If he wants to speak, then we will—make sure this policy speech truly resonates with the people."

"What are your plans, Your Highness?"

Zhu Han smiled faintly: "Isn't the 'Court Policy Lecture Hall' supposed to be a public forum? Then I'll make it a true place for 'discussing court policies'."

"I do not understand."

Zhu Han looked out the window at the bustling crowd and said leisurely, "From this day forward, whoever dares to speak of the world should speak of the common people. Whoever dares to speak of the way of the king should speak of the necessities of life. Those who cannot speak of the world should be ashamed of their incompetence; those who can speak of the world should have their own family members come to listen."

The image of the "speech economy" from his previous life's commercial society surfaced in his eyes.

"Shenzhen, I want them to speak to the hearts of the people. Not about imperial strategies, nor about dreams of a nation. It's about how to buy rice cheaply, and how to ensure children don't go hungry. Do you understand?"

Shen Zhen was shocked: "Your Highness, are you... taking over the reins?"

“It’s not rebellion.” Zhu Han’s eyes flashed. “It’s reshaping.”

As night deepened, the "Chaoce Lecture Hall" outside Yongding Gate was already dimly lit.

The wind rustled through the stone steps, and the withered leaves fell silently. There were no listeners left in front of the stage, only a few young men were still hunched over their desks in the hall, studying their strategies and writing furiously.

Zhu Han has not returned.

He stood alone outside the lecture hall, draped in a moon-white fox fur coat, listening quietly to the sounds of paper and ink turning inside.

Shen Zhen approached with a lantern and whispered, "Your Highness, Prince Qi has indeed lost his composure. His 'Min Ce Guan' (People's Policy Academy) has begun recruiting students and holds lectures twice a day, personally presided over by Zhao Chengshan. Although he does not explicitly attack the Crown Prince, some people have said that his lectures are more in line with 'Confucian principles'."

Zhu Han did not turn around, and said indifferently, "'Confucianism'? If he truly believed in principles, he would not have resigned from his post and lived in seclusion ten years ago."

"I only feel..." Shen Zhen hesitated, "Zhao Chengshan is no ordinary man; he is good at concealing his sharpness."

Zhu Han laughed: "On the contrary, he's too sharp."

"Too revealing?"

Zhu Han gently twitched the corner of his mouth: "He once said, 'A Confucian scholar should not avoid the times, but should take advantage of them,' yet he went into seclusion for ten years. Now that he has reappeared, isn't he trying to use the power of the Prince of Qi to return to the lecture hall? This man is obsessed with fame, and I'm afraid he is willing to gamble with me on this."

Shen Zhen's heart skipped a beat, and he immediately asked, "What does Your Highness intend to do?"

Zhu Han turned around, his eyes as deep as a well: "Since he wants to gamble, then let's gamble with him on a game of Heavenly Listening."

"Heavenly Hearing?"

“Yes. I will set up a ‘policy test’ on the third day of the third month, at an altar south of the Imperial Ancestral Temple. I will invite the people to discuss ten topics, with scholars competing against each other and the people offering their opinions. The three winners will be allowed to enter the lecture hall of the Eastern Palace to directly face the Crown Prince.”

Shen Zhen was shocked: "This is... a complete incorporation of preaching into public discourse?"

“Not bad.” Zhu Han stepped forward, his voice low.

"If preaching is not useful to the people, it is merely empty rhetoric. I will make everyone in the world listen, to hear who speaks in a way that resonates with their ears and hearts. I will make sure that Zhao Chengshan cannot out-talk us younger generations!"

“This strategy… is perhaps too extreme,” Shen Zhen whispered a reminder. “If the lecturer is defeated by Zhao Chengshan, it will damage the prestige of the Crown Prince.”

Zhu Han smiled faintly: "Therefore, I will personally select three people."

"Who?"

"Chen Xiwen," he said casually, "let him return to the capital."

Shen Zhen gasped: "He's only been sent away for three days, and you're already recalling him?"

“He has given three speeches to the people, each attracting tens of thousands of listeners, and the response has been extremely enthusiastic.”

"But if we rely too much on one person..." (End of Chapter)