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

Wang Qian, standing to the side, flashed his Crown Prince's waist token: "The Deputy Commander of Ce Tang is here. How dare you make a disturbance and disturb the people?"

Seeing that things were going badly, the group retreated in a huff. The woman was moved to tears and thanked them repeatedly.

Lin Fu's gaze was calm: "Remember this matter. We need to set up government relief and charitable granaries in this area to take care of orphans, widows, and the vulnerable."

On the third day, Lin Fu and others summoned more than ten local gentry, instructors, minor officials, and village heads from Weicheng to discuss city affairs. The meeting did not take place in the government office, but rather at the South Gate Academy.

“There is no major chaos in Weicheng, but people’s morale is low,” an old scholar said. “The people sent by the court are mostly just making a cursory visit. If you are like that, you might as well return to the capital soon.”

Lin Fu countered, "If we truly intend to change, would you be willing to lend a hand, sir?"

The old scholar remained silent for a long time before finally saying, "If it is truly possible to ensure that the children of Weicheng have access to education, the women have opportunities for work, and the elderly and sick have access to medical care, then I will continue to teach for another three years."

Lin Fu smiled and said, "In that case, please give me my first lesson."

A month passed in the blink of an eye.

The capital city, the study of the Eastern Palace.

Zhu Biao received a secret report: "Four medical clinics and three free schools have been set up in Weicheng. The system of rotating weaving jobs has been piloted, reducing monthly working hours by one-third without reducing output. It has received great praise from the people. The magistrate of Wei County has requested to stay in office and is willing to be under the command of Qingce Hall."

He gripped the briefing tightly and stood up excitedly: "Uncle, this is all thanks to the strategist!"

Zhu Han was also in the study, holding a chess piece, and gently placed a white piece: "It's just the opening move."

Zhu Biao stood behind him, looking at the black and white pieces on the chessboard, and suddenly asked, "Uncle, do you know what the people are saying about Qingce Hall these days?"

Zhu Han chuckled softly: "How so?"

“They said, ‘Finally, there are people in this court who are willing to listen to us.’”

Upon hearing this, Zhu Han remained silent for a long while before saying, "If that's the case, then let's not disappoint them."

Deep within the Forbidden City, the wind whispers through the painted beams and carved pillars, sweeps past the eaves and corners, and stirs up a thin layer of dust on the golden tiles in front of the palace.

Zhu Han stood on the stone steps south of Zhaoyang Palace, his gaze calm and deep as he watched Crown Prince Zhu Biao slowly approach from the hanging flower gate in the courtyard.

As the first rays of dawn shone, the light fell on his shoulders, making his pale purple round-necked robe appear exceptionally elegant.

Zhu Biao approached, gave a slight bow, and said with a smile, "Uncle, you really do get up earlier than me."

"I'm getting old, so I can't sleep for too long."

Zhu Han stood with his hands behind his back and said calmly, "Besides, these past few days, I've been having recurring dreams of a game of chess at night, and I can never quite see where to place the pieces."

"Is this the setup after Weicheng?" Zhu Biao stood beside him, his tone relaxed, but his eyes clear.

Zhu Han nodded slightly: "When Qingce Hall first emerged, Wei Cheng was the first to break the deadlock. Now, people see you as a prince who listens to others, but from now on, you can't just listen to others."

Zhu Biao seemed to be thinking: "Does the Imperial Uncle mean... I should make my move?"

“Not bad.” Zhu Han nodded slowly. “And the next move will be something that no one can understand, but that they have to admit defeat to.”

Zhu Biao pondered for a moment, then suddenly said, "I have made my choice."

"Oh?" Zhu Han glanced at him sideways. "Tell me about it."

Zhu Biao didn't answer, but turned around and waved: "Lu Sheng."

The eunuch who had been waiting by the palace gate hurriedly stepped forward and presented a sandalwood box. Zhu Biao opened it himself and took out an item—a thin book with the words "Draft of the Children's Society Discussion" written in red on the cover.

Zhu Han raised an eyebrow slightly: "Tongshe?"

Zhu Biao nodded: "When Lin Fu and others returned from Weicheng, they brought back a story about the local conditions when they went to the capital: a dozen girls gathered there because of the weaving workshop, and several children's doctors gathered because of the Jiminfang workshop. They all spontaneously taught and learned from each other, working during the day and studying at night. Originally, it was just a small matter, but later it formed a community, where they discussed village affairs and gave free lectures on medical principles. The people all called it the 'Children's Community'."

“They’re imitating you.” Zhu Han laughed and shook his head. “You are the Crown Prince of the court, and they are country children. Just because they are imitating you doesn’t mean you should imitate them.”

Zhu Biao handed over the draft of the children's council proposal, his eyes resolute: "I will not follow their example; I want them to accomplish what I cannot."

"Do you know that if you take this step, people will say that you are 'using minor matters to govern' and that you 'disregard the law and order and value the people's opinions'?"

Zhu Biao held the scroll without moving, but his tone became even more composed: "But the world will also know that I did not devise a plan for power, but for the benefit of the people."

Zhu Han remained silent for a long time before laughing and saying, "This is somewhat similar to when my imperial brother first seized Yingtian. He forbade people to kneel and only required them to listen."

"And what did you say back to him?" Zhu Biao asked.

"I say, you may not be allowed to kneel, but you still have to be afraid." Zhu Han raised his eyes and looked at the rising sun. "If you want to carry out this Tongshe plan, I have three questions for you."

"Uncle, please ask."

"First, who will oversee the society? The members of the children's society are neither officials nor commoners. If they speak recklessly within the society, who will take responsibility?"

Zhu Biao took out a small note from his sleeve: "I have ordered Qingcetang to draft the 'Ten Rules of the Society,' which stipulates that the children's society shall not interfere in politics, raise funds, cross borders, speak ill of other societies, or arbitrarily impose punishments. Those who violate these rules will be dismissed. The society shall have three positions: one for deliberation, one for recording, and one for inspection. These positions shall be held by local elders and gentry. All deliberations and records shall be reported to the external office of Qingcetang for review."

"Second," Zhu Han nodded, "if what Tong She said contradicts the government's policies, what should be done?"

"Official orders are paramount, while community discussions are secondary." Zhu Biao answered decisively. "Children's communities can discuss village affairs, address the people's wishes, assist in education, and regulate customs, but they must not violate official regulations or laws. Every year, the government will dispatch a patrol officer to each community to verify the records of discussions. Anyone who oversteps the bounds will be removed from the community, subject to public review, and expelled."

"One last question." Zhu Han stared at him, his tone suddenly softening. "You want children to participate in politics, girls to have schools, and people to be self-reliant in medicine. Aren't you afraid people will say you're breaking with propriety and disrupting order?"

Zhu Biao chuckled softly and countered with a question: "Does Imperial Uncle remember the words of Confucius?"

Zhu Han was taken aback: "What do you mean?"

“‘A gentleman focuses on the fundamentals; when the fundamentals are established, the Way will naturally arise.’” Zhu Biao said solemnly, “Now that I am the Crown Prince, I should establish the fundamentals. The people are the fundamentals. If the people understand reason and the Way, they will be the foundation of the country; if they are ignorant and unlearned, they will eventually be displaced. If they cannot be taught by rites and cannot be protected by order, then I will teach them and protect them.”

After these words, Zhu Han remained silent for a long time before finally bursting into laughter.

"Good, my nephew has finally mustered up some courage."

Zhu Biao, no longer reserved, bowed to the side and said, "Please, Imperial Uncle, place the second stone for me."

Zhu Han walked with his hands behind his back, slowly heading towards the chessboard in the hall. Looking at the black and white pieces on the chessboard, he paused, holding a piece, and said, "Then I will play a game of chess for you using this 'Tongshe' board."

A few days later, the Crown Prince ordered the Qingce Hall to establish a "Discussion Society Record," taking the examples of folk schools, children's societies, and medical societies, and to widely spread them in several places in Henan, Shandong, and Hebei. Initially, five societies were established, and each society was limited to discussing three matters and could not go beyond its territory.

Although there were dissenting voices in the court after this decree was issued, since it did not involve military or political affairs and was issued by the Crown Prince, it did not shake the established order. Although the officials had doubts, they did not try to stop it.

At the same time that the council was established, Zhu Han quietly left the capital with one other person and headed straight for Zou County in Shandong.

This place is the starting point of one of the new councils.

"Uncle, why have you come in person?"

Zhu Biao followed them for half the journey and finally couldn't help but ask.

Zhu Han did not answer, but instead lowered his head to flip through a volume of meeting minutes. Suddenly, he stopped on a page, his gaze sharp as a knife: "This child's name is Chen Heming?"

Zhu Biao nodded: "At the age of fifteen, he studied for three years. His parents were both doctors. He was good at lecturing on scriptures and once settled a village matter with a single word in Weicheng. He was elected as the head of the council."

"A fifteen-year-old son of a physician can actually make decisions for the head of the community?" Zhu Han put down the file. "You've played your game too fast."

Zhu Biao was taken aback: "Does the Imperial Uncle suspect him?"

"I don't doubt him, I doubt you—have you realized that this community is not just about village affairs?"

Zhu Biao looked at him, remained silent for a long time, and then said, "If this society can really take root, then in the future, the court's governance will no longer be just a matter of the will of the emperor being conveyed from top to bottom, but can also be done from bottom to top."

Zhu Han glanced at him: "If you really want to take this step, then people like Chen Heming will either be your help or your calamity in the future." He paused for a moment, then turned and left: "So, I want to see him."

The children's community in Zou County is located behind the old temple, on a patch of blue brick ground. The children are sitting around stone benches, debating a matter—the method of planting trees by the canal north of the village.

Fifteen-year-old Chen Heming sat upright in the middle, his voice clear and bright: "The north side of the canal does not belong to our village. If we want to plant trees, we need to discuss it with the neighboring villages. We can draft a document and send it to the outside of the village, and then the clerk in the outer office will communicate with us."

Everyone nodded. Suddenly someone said, "Two men on horseback have arrived; they say they are imperial envoys from the capital!"

Just then, a man entered with his hands behind his back, his clothes fluttering in the wind, exuding composure, yet his gaze was sharp as a sword.

Chen Heming stood up and bowed: "Greetings, sir. I have no idea who you are—"

Zhu Han waved to stop him, and looking at the boy's features, he suddenly smiled.

"So you are Chen Heming?"

"Exactly."

"Do you know that what you are discussing today is no trivial matter?"

"Know."

"Do you know that if you say something wrong, not only will you be wrong, but the community, the village, and even your parents will be implicated?"

"Know."

"Since you know, why do you dare to say it?"

Chen Heming looked up, his eyes resolute: "People have mouths, so they should speak out; a society is a society, so it should discuss matters. If we dare not utter a word, how can we expect those who stand in the court one day to understand the joys and sorrows of the people?"

Zhu Han laughed loudly.

He patted the boy on the shoulder: "If you don't die, you will surely become a sharp blade."

Chen Heming hesitated for a moment, then asked, "Why does Your Excellency say 'if not to die'?"

Zhu Han withdrew his hand, his eyes deep: "Because in this world, the swift blade always breaks first."

As night fell, the small temple in Tongshe, Zou County, was brightly lit.

Chen Heming knelt before the couch, head bowed and silent. Zhu Han sat upright on it, toying with a jade chess piece between his fingers. The room was so quiet that only the faint crackling of the lamp wick could be heard.

After a long silence, Zhu Han suddenly spoke, his voice as calm and deep as night rain pattering through the forest.

"Have you read the Spring and Autumn Annals?"

Chen Heming said, "I understand it somewhat."

"Zi Chan pacified the state of Zheng by using propriety to mitigate punishments; Guan Zhong governed Qi by prioritizing commerce over politics. Which path do you wish to take?"

"If it can really work, why not use both?"

Zhu Han slammed the chess piece on the table: "You're so young, yet you have quite the big mouth."

Chen Heming was not afraid. Instead, he looked up to meet his gaze: "If no one were to hold an umbrella for me, how would I dare to carry a knife? The society exists today because of Cetang's permission; the society's decision was made thanks to His Highness the Crown Prince's heart; what I have done is merely to fulfill his wish."

"So you know you're following the path of the Crown Prince?"

"It was the Crown Prince who paved the way; I was merely following along."

His eyes were unwavering, yet held a hint of respect. "But if one day the Crown Prince finds himself in dire straits, I will take the unorthodox path, even if it is fraught with thorns, I will still find my way out."

Zhu Han laughed, a laugh like ice melting and snow thawing, or like the cold glint of a sword drawn under the cold moon. He leaned forward and asked in a low voice, "Aren't you afraid of death?"

"afraid."

"Would you still dare to do this?"

"If you're afraid of death, you should do something memorable while you're still alive."

As soon as he finished speaking, a flurry of footsteps suddenly sounded outside the hall.

A child from the village communally rushed in, panicking, and said, "Chief Chen, something terrible has happened! The Wang family has brought a group of people here, saying that you instigated the village not to pay land rent and that they want to dismantle their waterwheels!"

Zhu Han frowned slightly, and Zhu Biao also stood up: "What waterwheel?"

Chen Heming quickly stood up, his eyes revealing resentment: "It's by the West Canal. The Wang family built their own waterwheel to divert water from the canal into their own fields, bypassing the village's public irrigation canal. This matter has been discussed in the community multiple times, and everyone agrees that they have illegally seized the water source—"

Zhu Han replied, "This matter cannot be decided by your society."

"Why?"

"Because you are a person, while he belongs to the authorities and officials."

He said coldly, "If you overstep your authority, the Tong Society will become the Hu Society. Zhu Biao gave you three feet of space; if you extend it by ten feet, that is deception."

Chen Heming fell silent. Zhu Biao stepped forward and asked, "But if it is the people's opinion, and the society only guides without making a decision, is that still feasible?"

Zhu Han stared at Zhu Biao for a long time, then nodded: "Since the people are willing to discuss it, then let them discuss it. But this matter cannot be decided."

The next morning, Zhu Han stood in front of the canal.

Looking at the row of three giant wooden wheels that stretched into the canal like pincers, the water roared and the air waves hit our faces.

Dozens of villagers gathered on the shore, including the Wang family, young and old, creating a tense atmosphere.

Zhu Biao stood with his hands behind his back, without uttering a word.

Chen Heming stepped forward, whispered a few words to an old man, and then turned to the crowd and said, "Gentlemen, the Tong Society is not here today to make a judgment, but only to record it."

Although the villagers were puzzled, everyone knew about the prince's visit the day before, so no one dared to act recklessly.

Chen Heming proclaimed loudly: "The Wang family set up the carts because they were in dire need of water; the villagers resent their taking away the irrigation canal because their fields have no water. Today, the village committee is recording this matter only to prepare for the external authorities—"

The old man from the Wang family suddenly sneered: "Has your Tongshe ever farmed? Do you know that if my family dismantles the waterwheel, we will have no harvest?"

A woman shouted from the crowd, "You drew water down, but my fields didn't get wet for a day, and my crops are already scorched! This isn't saving lives, it's murder!"

The scene erupted in uproar, with shouts of anger rising from all sides.

Zhu Han frowned, about to speak, when he heard Zhu Biao call out to him in a low voice: "Uncle, listen to this voice... doesn't it sound like the scene when you accompanied my father to the Imperial Ancestral Temple and the people surrounded the road and made wishes?"

Zhu Han was stunned, and then fell silent.

Suddenly, Chen Heming raised his voice and said, "Would you all be willing to listen to my suggestion?"

The crowd fell silent for a moment, their eyes turning to him.

“Thirty paces away from the canal, there is a wasteland with a steep slope and no owner. If the community can raise funds to move the Wang family’s cart here, it will not only avoid the canal owner’s flow but also irrigate a hundred acres of farmland. Would that be acceptable?”

The old man from the Wang family sneered, "That's wasteland. How can you lay heavy wood on soft mud? What do you, a young scholar, know about water power?"

Chen Heming's eyes gleamed: "If you don't understand, then learn. The Imperial Academy recently sent down a hundred old regulations, and there are diagrams that can be derived from them. I have been drawing them for three days now, and I invite those who are knowledgeable in the field to come and appraise them."

To everyone's surprise, he pulled a roll of thin paper from his sleeve, unfolded it on the ground, and indeed it was a diagram of the canal flow distribution and the force lines of a wooden wheel. (End of Chapter)