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

An elderly craftsman from the village stepped forward and examined the drawing closely for a long time. He then turned back and said, "If this drawing is accurate, it is feasible."

The old man from the Wang family had a livid face, but was pulled aside by a young man from the clan who whispered a few words to him. In the end, he gritted his teeth and nodded.

The turmoil ended there.

Zhu Biao sighed, "A society can be governed without power."

Zhu Han remained silent until everyone had dispersed, then whispered, "This community is a piece on the chessboard, and you are the one who makes the move."

Chen Heming, who was behind, suddenly asked, "Would Your Highness be willing to point out to me—what is meant by 'making a move'?"

Zhu Han's back was as imposing as a mountain: "The one who places the piece need not make a move, but in a single thought, life and death can be determined. Now that you are learning to play chess, do you know that what is placed is not just a piece, but a life?"

That night, Zhu Han sat alone under the eaves of the temple, silently drinking tea, when suddenly he heard the system's voice in his ear:

[Ding! Sign-in successful! Reward: "Azure Ambition" skill, effect: can discern people's intentions and ambitions within three sentences.]

Zhu Han smiled slightly, his eyes deep and dark.

"System, who do you think this 'Azure Edge Chronicle' can be used to check on?"

The system remained silent.

In the backyard of the East Palace, plum blossoms are just beginning to bloom, their red and white petals contrasting beautifully on the branches.

Zhu Han and Zhu Biao sat facing each other at a stone table, with a chessboard in front of them.

Zhu Biao plays white, and Zhu Han plays black.

In the heat of the game of chess, Zhu Biao suddenly asked, "Since you have set up three games, what subject will be discussed in the game of books?"

Zhu Han did not respond, but instead placed a piece down with a soft thud, and the black pieces began to press aggressively.

Zhu Biao glanced at the chessboard and frowned: "Is this move by Imperial Uncle a strategy of sacrificing a corner to attack the opponent's mind?"

Zhu Han said calmly, "The corner represents the momentum, and the center represents the form. By abandoning the corner, one can gain the overall advantage."

"If you give up too much, you will become physically and mentally exhausted, and it will be difficult to maintain it for long."

Zhu Han then looked up, a smile appearing in his eyes: "So, in this situation, only you can defend it."

Zhu Biao was taken aback, then nodded: "Then please explain the methods of the 'book bureau' in detail, Imperial Uncle."

Zhu Han remained silent, raised his hand and waved it, and a palace attendant beside him took out a scroll and slowly unfurled it.

The document lists four main sections and ten subsections: “General Scriptures, General Treatises, General Lectures, and General Records.” Each subsection is followed by several hundred words of detailed annotations, demonstrating meticulous writing and logical reasoning.

“I named the bookstore ‘Tongwen Society.’ Tong means to connect and Wen means literary mind. It is based at the Imperial Academy and extends to academies in various prefectures and counties. All members of the society will be taught the ‘Four Principles and Ten Items’.”

Zhu Biao flipped through the pages carefully, his eyes gradually brightening: "Incorporating Confucianism into literature, using history to support righteousness, using rites to guide the mind, and using aspirations to preserve loyalty. This method of the Imperial Uncle is inclusive and comprehensive, both inheriting the ancient way and opening up a new era."

Zhu Han shook his head: "You only see its breadth, but not its depth."

"what for?"

"Tongwen Society is not only for teaching, but also for screening people." Zhu Han said slowly, "Every year, the society sets three questions on literary thought to select people with lofty ideals, talents, and capable officials to enter the personnel department and the administrative department."

Zhu Biao looked up, his expression changing slightly: "Uncle's actions are close to 'selecting officials'."

Zhu Han smiled calmly: "If you don't want to choose an official position, then someone else in this world will choose one for you sooner or later."

Zhu Biao remained silent for a moment before asking in a low voice, "Does Father Emperor know about this matter?"

Zhu Han put down the chess piece, turned around and said, "Your father only cares about the result, not the means."

Zhu Biao smiled wryly: "You are more like Zhu Yuanzhang than he is."

"If I were Zhu Yuanzhang, you would no longer be in the Eastern Palace."

Zhu Han said calmly, "You are still too inexperienced and too kind. A kind person can nourish the world, but may not be able to govern it."

Zhu Biao suddenly stood up, hands behind his back: "The three schemes set up by the Imperial Uncle are all for my benefit. How can I not be grateful? But if I exert too much effort, it will not be a community school, but a private school."

Zhu Han took a step closer, staring into his eyes: "Since you have this concern, you should be even more careful in choosing people. Is Chen Heming up to the task?"

Zhu Biao pondered for a moment: "He has plenty of ambition, but his sharpness is too exposed. He is fit to be a spear, but not a shield."

Zhu Han smiled slightly: "You see things quite clearly."

“I am not you after all,” Zhu Biao said calmly. “I cannot judge everything by winning or losing.”

Zhu Han gazed at him for a long time, then suddenly sighed: "I hope that your kindness will not be worn down by the world."

The following day, the Crown Prince summoned the Tongwen Society to give a trial lecture, and the students gathered in the west hall of the Imperial Academy.

Chen Heming was also among them, his eyes calm and composed, neither humble nor arrogant.

A man stood on the platform, dressed in blue, with his hair tied up, holding a bamboo slip in his hand. He was Zhang Weizhong, the "Lecturer of the Book Bureau" chosen by Zhu Han. He was originally a Hanlin Compiler, a man of great learning and elegant demeanor.

He patted the paper and calmly began, “Today’s question is, ‘Is the way of a ruler to be benevolent or resolute?’ Please discuss.”

The students were in an uproar, and someone whispered, "This question clearly refers to the Crown Prince."

“That’s right. If I answer ‘benevolent and lenient,’ I might be seen as sycophantic; if I answer ‘firm and resolute,’ I might offend my superiors.”

"This question is sharp; if you don't answer it correctly, you'll be resented."

Chen Heming remained unfazed, stood up, and cupped his hands in greeting: "This student is willing to answer first."

Zhang Weizhong nodded: "Go on."

Chen Heming stepped onto the podium and swept his gaze across the room: “Benevolence and decisiveness are not opposites. A benevolent person does not abandon the law for righteousness, and a decisive person does not extinguish reason for emotion. A ruler should know when to be lenient and when to be decisive; this is called ‘balancing’.”

He paused, then said in a deep voice, “The Crown Prince is benevolent and acts with propriety, which is not a mistake of being lenient. If he is assisted by laws and talents, and supported by loyal and upright ministers, then his benevolence will be tempered with integrity, and his gentleness with strength. Your Majesty is not only a decisive person, but also a person who can tolerate the masses.”

Zhang Weizhong nodded, his expression unchanged, but he made a new stroke in his notebook.

The students below the stage whispered among themselves: "This statement is well-reasoned and subtle, truly a brilliant remark."

After Chen Heming finished speaking, he stepped down. Zhu Han watched silently from behind the curtain, his eyes filled with admiration.

“This young man can be used in the Bureau of Personnel,” he whispered to the attendant beside him. “Let him enter the Bureau of Personnel in the capital to be in charge of document processing, and then observe his performance for three months.”

After three months.

Inside the Eastern Palace, Zhu Biao summoned Zhu Han again, his expression now more composed.

"Uncle, those three games have taken shape. The literary society has just been established, the human game is in good order, and the game is gradually showing results."

He held the scroll in his hands, saying, "The Tongwen Society has compiled a list of thirty-six people from three prefectures, all of whom are capable individuals."

Zhu Han nodded slightly: "Where there is flow, there will be dispersion; where there is dispersion, there will be gathering. The next step is for you to go there in person."

Zhu Biao was taken aback: "Personally leaving the capital?"

“Yes.” Zhu Han pointed to a corner of the map. “Go to Luoyang, go to Qufu, go to Yanmen. Luoyang is the root of the world’s cultural heritage, Qufu is the source of the orthodox Confucianism, and Yanmen is a place where many people are educated and have been upright for generations. If you can meet and reason with the students in these three places, you will truly win their hearts.”

"But Father..."

“If your father knew that your ambition lay in the world, not just in the palace, he would be pleased and indulge you.” Zhu Han’s eyes flickered with a hidden light. “But he won’t give you much time.”

Zhu Biao said in a deep voice, "I will definitely return to the capital within three months."

Zhu Han looked at him, his eyes softening slightly: "Zhu Biao, I hope that after your journey, you can truly understand: you are not popular because you are the crown prince, but because you deserve the position of crown prince."

A few days later, the air in Jinling was warm, and flowers bloomed along the Imperial Street. Before dawn, Zhu Han stood before the Wangjiang Tower.

His expression was calm, his eyes deep, like the undercurrents at the bottom of a river, silent yet captivating.

Suddenly, hurried footsteps sounded, and Chen Heming came quickly, holding a scroll of manuscript in his hands. He was slightly out of breath and knelt down with his hands clasped: "Your Highness, there is an urgent report from the bureau."

Zhu Han did not answer, but only said, "Read it."

Chen Heming unfurled the scroll: "After the discussion on the Dao in Qufu was completed, the Crown Prince stopped in Shouzhou on his way south. He discussed government affairs with the local registrar until the wee hours of the morning. The next day, the people knelt to welcome him from five miles away and spontaneously built a stone road to show their sincerity."

"The common people built the stone?" "Yes. It was originally a road built by ordinary people who collected river stones to pave the road. Someone wrote on the stone, 'May the Crown Prince pass through my gate again.'"

Upon hearing this, Zhu Han's face remained largely unchanged; he simply nodded and said, "That's good then."

Chen Heming hesitated and said, "Your Highness, should we take this opportunity to present our memorial?"

"No rush." ​​Zhu Han turned and slowly walked upstairs. "Zhu Biao follows the path of reputation. If I were to speak on his behalf, it would only make it seem like I have no real power. Let's see how the people speak and how the academy discusses it."

Chen Heming lowered his head and said no more, but he admired the prince in front of him more and more for his calm and unyielding demeanor.

Inside the Wangjiang Tower, there is a table, a pot of tea, and an old chessboard.

Zhu Han slowly unfolded the chess game that had not been finished yesterday. His gaze fell on the lone piece in the middle of the chessboard. After pondering for a long time, he muttered to himself, "The human heart is like water. You can sail with the current and seize the initiative against it."

He gently placed a piece on the edge, a smile appearing on his face: "Zhu Biao, your move was truly brilliant."

Meanwhile, at the East Gate of Qufu.

Zhu Biao set out in the morning light, without any guards behind him, only a scholar in plain clothes and a short hat.

He walked into the street, passing teahouses, bookstores, and workshops, and people would nod or bow to him from time to time.

He didn't speak, only smiled and nodded, without stopping.

He stopped in front of a low-rise bookstore and looked up at the plaque that read "Mountain on Paper".

He pushed open the door and entered.

An old man was organizing books in the study. When he saw him enter, he was not surprised and simply cupped his hands and said, "Your Highness has arrived early."

Zhu Biao returned the greeting with a cupped hand: "Sir, do you really believe I will come?"

"Though the paper mountain is small, it contains the voice of the world. If you do not come, you will have failed to win the hearts of the people."

The old man's name is Liu Guansong. He once served as the head of the Qufu Academy, but resigned because of his outspokenness. Now he lives in seclusion in the city and runs a bookstore.

Zhu Biao visited his residence a few nights ago, and the two talked for several hours. They agreed to meet again today.

Zhu Biao sat down and said softly, "Yesterday I passed by Tingfang and saw children scrambling to copy a text. When I asked them, they said it was the 'Questioning the Heart' written by you, sir."

"That's just old news."

“But if even a child can recite it, then it is no ordinary saying.” Zhu Biao’s eyes were piercing. “I would like to invite you to join the Tongwen Society and serve as the chief writer of the curriculum guidelines.”

Liu Guansong did not respond, but lowered his head to wipe his book. After a long while, he finally spoke: "Does the Crown Prince really want me to join the society?"

"I want you to join, not for fame, but to add another pillar to the society."

Liu Guansong raised his eyes and stared at him, his gaze as deep as a still well: "You know that my words sometimes do not align with the court's wishes?"

"I don't ask you to agree, I only ask you to be true."

"If my words contradict the original intentions of Emperor Taizu?"

"Then I'll take responsibility."

Liu Guansong slowly got up, walked to the window, pushed it open and looked up at the sky. A rising sun had just peeked over the mountain.

"If Your Highness has such a mind, I will dust myself off and return to the lecture platform."

Zhu Biao rose and bowed, solemnly saying, "If the society becomes an academy in the future, Zhishan Mountain will be the place where the society conducts its formal lectures."

Liu Guansong turned his head and smiled, "You made this promise to me, so you must keep it and not let this mountain be sealed by fire again."

Zhu Biao nodded: "I'll guard it."

evening.

Zhu Han sat alone in his residence, a single sheet of paper on his desk containing a detailed record of Zhu Biao's trip to Qufu, which had been sent back by the Tongwen Society.

The attendant was about to enter, but seeing that his expression was calm, he withdrew without disturbing him.

Suddenly the door opened, and someone rushed in—it was Wu Shen, one of his former subordinates.

"Your Highness, a new trend has recently emerged in the capital—"

Zhu Han didn't look at him, but simply said, "Speak."

“A young lecturer at the Imperial Academy added his own annotations to the Great Learning while lecturing on it, proposing that ‘the ruler’s power should be based on the will of the people,’ which caused a great stir. He was originally a member of the Tongwen Society.”

Zhu Han finally looked up: "What's his name?"

"Lin Wenji".

Zhu Han nodded slowly: "I remember this name."

"Your Highness is not afraid? Such words are ultimately too harsh."

“If someone dares to speak, someone will dare to listen.” Zhu Han stood up, hands behind his back. “You only see his fierce words, but I see his ability to win hearts. The common people may not understand righteousness, but they do know whether there are people who listen to him.”

Wu Shen said in a deep voice, "If His Majesty were aware of such remarks..."

Zhu Han's eyes were cold: "If he knows, he only cares about the outcome."

Wu Shen was taken aback.

“Remember this.” Zhu Han suddenly turned around, his tone low and powerful, “The key to supporting the Crown Prince is not to elevate him to a high position, but to ensure that the hearts of the people can trust him. If anyone is willing to speak a word for the Crown Prince today, even if the words are unpleasant to hear, you must protect him and help him continue speaking.”

Wu Shen remained silent, then bowed and withdrew.

It was late at night at the Imperial Academy in the capital.

Inside the Tongwen Society, a group of students were gathered around a lamp, discussing their ideas late into the night. The flickering lamplight reflected their youthful and determined eyes.

Lin Wenji was debating with several people when he pointed to a picture on the wall and said, "The ruler is the superior; the people are the root. Without roots, how can one stand tall?"

A student asked, "But if the people mislead, wouldn't that also mislead the ruler?"

Lin Wenji replied: "The ruler guides the people with power, and the people correct the ruler with their words. If the ruler does not heed the words of the people, then the tall building will surely collapse."

After a moment of silence, someone suddenly asked in a low voice, "You dare to say this because the prince is protecting you, right?"

Lin Wenji paused for a moment: "I didn't dare to speak because of the prince, but because the prince listened to me and asked me to speak again."

"You are not afraid?"

“Fear.” His eyes gleamed. “But if even speaking is a fear, then this world is truly beyond saving.”

On the streets of Chang'an, the spring breeze was warm, and the bell of the Imperial Horse Stable rang out crisply, striking the third watch of the night.

Zhu Han, however, still hadn't gone to bed.

He sat alone in his study, with a series of account drawings spread out on his desk, detailing the comings and goings of merchants in the capital and the circulation of books in bookstores. Every page was meticulously detailed, with even the location of the most inconspicuous tea stall clearly marked.

"Your Highness," Chen Heming said softly as he brought in hot tea, "It's late, you should rest."

"Sit down." Zhu Han didn't look up, turning a page. "The night is still deep, the dream should begin from here."

Chen Heming felt a chill run down his spine and carefully sat down to one side.

"Any new information from the Crown Prince's side?" Zhu Han's voice was calm, but it concealed a thunderous intent.

“Reporting to Your Highness,” Chen Heming bowed his head, “Three days ago, the Tongwen Society set up a lecture hall outside the Hongwen Hall, where the Crown Prince, as a student, discussed ‘prudent speech’ with the public. People praised him as ‘one who can listen to the people’s voices and knows how to exercise power prudently.’”

"Outside the Hongwen Hall? Hmm... The examination hall is right next to this place, with a hundred candidates gathered here. The Crown Prince has made a brilliant move." Zhu Han spoke softly, but there was a hint of approval in his eyebrows.

He tapped his fingers lightly on the table, paused for a long time, and suddenly said, "Have a sedan chair prepared; I want to enter the market."

Chen Heming was taken aback: "Your Highness at this moment..."

“This is when things are most genuine.” Zhu Han stood up, changed into a plain-colored long robe, and said, “The people in the night market are the most talkative and the most sincere. If we want to support Zhu Biao, we can’t just listen to scholars; we must also understand the hearts of ordinary people.” (End of Chapter)