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

"If you truly want to fight back, you should understand that what you will lose first is not the chessboard, but your own judgment."

The three scholars stood there, their expressions slightly changed, but their eyes flashed with resentment and anger.

Shen Hao took a deep breath and finally spoke: "You win, Crown Prince. We truly failed to see through your thoughts."

“However…” Lu Jin suddenly smiled, “Do you think this game is over?”

Zhu Biao's eyes narrowed, and he glanced at the three of them: "Do you have any other options?"

Liu Yin did not speak; he simply looked at Zhu Biao with a profound look in his eyes.

“I already know your intentions.”

Zhu Biao's gaze remained unwavering. "But what you're plotting is no longer just a game of chess. If you have other intentions, then please draw your true 'swords'."

The three fell silent, seemingly realizing they were in an extremely delicate situation.

They originally thought they could use their wits to sway the crown prince's mind, but they found that they had already been cleverly led into a dead end.

"If you are truly willing to put aside vanity and fighting, you can take a step back and return to the real situation."

Zhu Biao said calmly, "I am willing to end this game and leave you a way out. But if you continue to be stubborn and refuse to see the truth, you will only end up destroying yourselves."

Shen Hao, Lu Jin, and Liu Yin remained silent, exchanging a glance with complex expressions in their eyes.

Finally, Shen Hao sighed deeply: "Your Highness, the outcome is decided. We have lost."

"Victory or defeat is not important." Zhu Biao smiled slightly.
"The most important thing is whether we can learn something real from this game."

His gaze swept over the three of them, and his tone was firm: "You still have a chance."

"If you are willing, I am willing to give you a chance to become pillars of our dynasty."

Zhu Biao's voice was calm and steady, neither hurried nor slow.

Shen Hao took a deep breath and slowly said, "Your Highness, today's situation has indeed benefited me greatly. I am willing to put aside everything from the past and work with Your Highness to achieve great things."

Lu Jin and Liu Yin nodded in agreement, indicating their willingness to join the effort.

A hint of relief flashed in Zhu Biao's eyes, and he smiled slightly.

The atmosphere in the pavilion gradually eased. Shen Hao, Lu Jin, and Liu Yin finally put away their usual sharpness, their brows relaxed, and they seemed to have found their place in this game.

Zhu Han stood under the corridor in the distance, his eyes still fixed on the details of the chess game.

He slowly raised his head and looked at Zhu Biao: "Although you won this game, the situation is still complicated."

Zhu Biao turned around and smiled slightly: "What does Imperial Uncle mean?"

"Although the Crown Prince has grasped the mindset of the three talented scholars and firmly controlled the situation, we cannot ignore the situation outside the court."

Zhu Han's eyes deepened. "Shen Hao, Lu Jin, and Liu Yin are not simple pawns; they each have their own schemes behind them."

"I understand." Zhu Biao nodded gently.
"But these people are ultimately just for my use. If they can truly be used by me, they can help me complete more of my plans."

"You've done that."

Zhu Han said softly, "But the real challenge may not lie among these people."

"What the Imperial Uncle means is..."

Zhu Biao frowned slightly, a sense of unease beginning to creep into his heart.

"By your side." Zhu Han's voice was deep.

What you can't see may be the 'undercurrents' around you.

Zhu Biao remained silent for a moment, a complex light flashing in his eyes: "Could it be... that someone is secretly manipulating this situation?"

Zhu Han did not answer immediately, but gently patted Zhu Biao on the shoulder: "The real challenge will begin with the people around you."

"Someone around you?"

Zhu Biao raised an eyebrow, as if he had realized something. "Could it be... someone in the cabinet?"

Zhu Han nodded: "It's not just the cabinet. Perhaps you haven't realized it yet, but certain forces in the court are already secretly colluding with foreign enemies, intending to launch an attack on you."

Zhu Biao felt a jolt: "An external enemy?"

"I don't have any concrete evidence yet, but I can sense that things are not going well."

Zhu Han looked intently at Zhu Biao, "Your Highness, 'concealing one's edge' is not just about hiding the sword in one's heart, but also about being vigilant about potential dangers around us."

"I understand."

A resolute glint flashed in Zhu Biao's eyes.
"Even enemies behind me cannot stop me from moving forward. I will take to heart what my uncle said."

The two remained silent for a moment, and the atmosphere gradually quieted down.

As night deepened, the palace lanterns flickered, and the courtyard in front of Chang Le Palace was silent.

Zhu Han stood alone by the lake, waving a white bone fan in his hand. His reflection was mirrored on the lake, appearing serene and profound.

A secret report has arrived in the capital today: a group of anonymous storytellers have appeared in bookstores in the northern market, and a storybook titled "The Crown Prince Conceals His Talents, Terrifying the Literary World" is circulating privately.

Some say the three talented scholars bowed to the Crown Prince, while others say the Crown Prince was cunning and extremely shrewd.

Although the words were not malicious, once they spread, they were suspected of stirring up trouble in the court.

"This is not something ordinary people talk about over tea, but rather a rumor deliberately spread by someone."

Zhu Han closed his fan, turned around and looked at Zhaode Hall, which Zhu Biao had closed to guests, a glint of light flashing in his eyes.

He heard light footsteps beside him; it was his trusted confidant, Han Zhong.

Han Zhong looked slightly tired, but he still quickly stepped forward and whispered, "Your Highness, you guessed correctly. The book was written by a proofreader in the Imperial Household Department, and it seems that someone from the Ministry of Personnel gave it instructions."

Zhu Han raised an eyebrow: "The Ministry of Personnel? Who can't stand such pointless tactics?"

"It was Qian Wenda, the Supervising Secretary. He always considered himself a highly learned scholar. Recently, he heard that the Crown Prince was recruiting talented people and was worried about alienating him. So he started with the literati and used storytelling to satirize them, intending to arouse the vigilance of the literati."

Zhu Han chuckled lightly: "This Qian Wenda is a scholar, how come his mind is even dirtier than that of a street ruffian? It's quite laughable."

Han Chong paused for a moment, then said, "But I have found out that Qian Wenda has been frequently visiting the secret room of the Military Command recently, meeting secretly with several military officers. Those people are former members of the Jianwen Camp."

Upon hearing this, Zhu Han's expression hardened slightly. He shifted his feet slightly and looked at the shimmering lake surface, saying coldly, "These people are still plotting against Zhu Biao? Don't they know who holds the Emperor's heart now?"

Han Chong lowered his head: "Your Highness, should we take action to shake things up?"

Zhu Han remained silent, pondering for a long time: "No need. It's not the right time to use force. Qian Wenda is merely testing the Crown Prince's bottom line. If we make a move, he'll just hide. Instead... we can lure him to take it a step further."

Han Zhong was taken aback, then a look of understanding appeared on his face: "Does Your Highness intend to set a trap?"

"Qian Wenda prides himself on being a man of integrity, so let's give him a 'public opinion'."

Zhu Han's smile was faint, but his eyes were as sharp as an eagle's.
"Let him think he's already in a position to check and balance the crown prince. Give him connections, give him a bookstore, give him lectures... let's see how many upright officials he can gather."

"And then?" A hint of excitement flashed in Han Zhong's eyes.

Zhu Han slowly uttered, "The day he gains power will be the day we wipe him out in one fell swoop."

Inside the Zhaode Hall, Zhu Biao was unable to sleep. His desk was piled high with documents under the lamp, his brow furrowed, his hands crossed and resting on the table.

He had just finished reading a report that said there had been frequent changes in the three provinces and six ministries in recent months, with the Ministry of Personnel, the Ministry of Revenue, and the Ministry of Rites frequently changing their personnel.

Although the changes were made in accordance with the law on the surface, they always aroused suspicion.

"My uncle was right after all," he murmured to himself. "These people... are keeping a close eye on things."

A light knock came from outside the palace door. Zhu Biao looked up and said, "Come in."

The door was flung open, and the person who entered was Wei Liangcai, a close attendant of the Crown Prince. Wei Liangcai bowed and said, "Your Highness, Shen Hao requests an audience."

Zhu Biao was taken aback: "Didn't he go back to the academy?"

He said it was an emergency.

Zhu Biao nodded slightly: "Let him in."

A moment later, Shen Hao strode in, his face slightly pale, and cupped his hands, saying, "Your Highness, I have something important to report."

"You said."

Shen Hao said in a low voice, "Tonight someone broke into my study and stole my correspondence with Lu Jin and Liu Yin, and... one of the drafts contained an analysis of the 'Hidden Edge Banquet'."

Zhu Biao's eyes flickered slightly: "You mean, someone deliberately wants to frame you, saying that you are trying to figure out the Crown Prince's thoughts and are hiding your true intentions?"

Shen Hao gritted his teeth and nodded: "Yes. I originally thought that the three of us would share our feelings and reflect on them, but I didn't expect that someone had already made arrangements."

Zhu Biao narrowed his eyes: "Who do you suspect?"

“Qian Wenda,” Shen Hao said, “He has always been hostile to us up-and-coming talents, and recently he has repeatedly held secret meetings with the old scholars of the academy. It is very likely that he is secretly instigating people to do this.”

Zhu Biao stood up, walked to the window of the palace, and sighed with his hands behind his back: "These people seem harmless, but in reality they are cunning and scheming."

Shen Hao bowed: "Does Your Highness wish to clean house?"

"No rush." ​​Zhu Biao's eyes turned cold. "Qian Wenda and his ilk are nothing but rotten leaves. What we need is a favorable wind."

"Dongfeng?"

Zhu Biao turned around and said, word by word, "When the east wind rises, it will naturally blow away the rotten branches and leaves."

He paused, then said, "Shen Hao, go and tell Lu Jin and Liu Yin. Tomorrow I will hold a 'Discussion on Governance' at Qinghe Hall, inviting scholars from the Qingliu school. I want them to answer a question for me in public—what should a civil official establish first when governing the court?"

Shen Hao's eyes lit up: "Your Highness's plan is brilliant! If the Qingliu faction dares not respond, they will lose their reputation; if they dare to criticize, they will reveal their true colors."

Zhu Biao nodded slowly: "This battle will not be fought with weapons, but with words as blades."

The following day, in the Qinghe Hall, incense smoke curled gently from the burner, and the hall was filled with famous scholars from the capital and important ministers of the cabinet.

Zhu Biao, dressed in plain clothes, sat at the head of the table, his expression calm yet exuding an air of authority.

"Gentlemen," he began.
“At the beginning of my reign, I, the Crown Prince, widely recruited wise men and sought advice from scholars, hoping to contribute the voices of a hundred schools of thought to the great cause of the nation. However, there have been rumors recently that I am acting arbitrarily and abusing my power.”

A whisper.

Zhu Biao raised his hand, and the commotion immediately ceased.

"Now I pose a question," he said with a smile, "For a civil official to serve in court, what is the foundation of his position?"

For a moment, the scholars looked at each other in bewilderment.

Qian Wenda was about to get up, but then stopped, his eyes churning with unspoken emotions.

He thought today was a good opportunity to criticize the Crown Prince, but the Crown Prince turned the tables and took the initiative.

Suddenly a man stood up. He was an old scholar named Han Jingzhi, a veteran official of several dynasties, and was known for his integrity.

"Your Highness, this question, though seemingly simple, contains profound meaning. In my humble opinion, the foundation of a civil official lies in loyalty."

Zhu Biao smiled slightly: "What is loyalty?"

Han Jingzhi said solemnly: "Loyalty means sharing the ruler's burdens and establishing virtue for the people. If one is only loyal to power and forgets the country, that is flattery; if one is only loyal to the people's sentiments and forgets the law, that is treason."

Zhu Biao cupped his hands in greeting: "What Elder Han said is exactly what the Crown Prince meant."

Everyone agreed.

Qian Wenda's expression changed drastically.

Zhu Biao's eyes were sharp as knives: "If someone uses the name of 'loyalty' to actually form cliques for personal gain, sow discord between the emperor and his ministers, and intend to manipulate the court, how should such a person be dealt with?"

Everyone fell silent.

Zhu Biao's voice was clear and resonant, yet it carried the weight of thunder: "This man is disloyal, unwise, unjust, and lawless."

He paused, his gaze sweeping over each of the upright gentlemen present: "I hope you all remember that pure opinions are like a clear breeze; they must not be tainted by muddy waters."

As dawn broke, the capital was still shrouded in the lingering chill of the previous night.

The morning bells rang throughout the palace, yet the palace was unusually quiet, like the calm before an impending storm.

Inside the Zhaode Hall, Zhu Biao, dressed in a light blue brocade robe, sat alone by the window, a scroll of unread memorials spread out in front of him, his gaze fixed on the bamboo grove outside the window, freshly dusted with morning dew.

"Your Highness," Wei Liangcai stepped inside and reported in a low voice.

"Last night, Qian Wenda urgently summoned three lecturers from the academy, intending to draft a 'Memorial to Advise the Crown Prince,' which he planned to have a hundred scholars jointly submit to His Majesty, saying that His Highness was acting tyrannically and alienating virtuous scholars."

Upon hearing this, Zhu Biao remained calm, a smile playing on his lips: "Finally, you couldn't hold back any longer. Did you think forming a faction would allow you to manipulate people and gain influence?"

He looked up at Wei Liangcai: "Have they finished writing their memorial?"

"Not yet," Wei Liangcai said in a low voice.
"I have sent them a batch of new materials, including the first draft of Shen Hao and the other two's account of the Hidden Edge Banquet, Lu Jin's political documents in the Hanlin Academy, and several personnel transfer orders from the Crown Prince's residence in recent months."

Zhu Biao chuckled softly and said indifferently, "Alright, give them more ink and brush and let them write to their heart's content."

Wei Liangcai was taken aback: "Your Highness, are you... letting them get bogged down in a quagmire?"

"The best writings in the world become powerful tools once they enter the imperial court."

Zhu Biao's gaze was profound. "If they dare to present that 'remonstrance' to Father Emperor, I have my own countermeasures; if they dare not, then my name as Crown Prince will shine like the North Star over all people, and who would dare to criticize my actions?"

Wei Liangcai bowed and agreed, then turned to leave. Zhu Biao suddenly said, "Have Han Chong tell the Imperial Uncle that I have invited Wang Hezhi, the headmaster of 'Fengqi Academy,' to meet me at the Crown Prince's residence tomorrow."

Wei Liangcai was stunned: "That Headmaster Wang? The public opinion leader who hasn't left the mountain for decades?"

"Exactly." Zhu Biao slowly rose, pacing back and forth with his hands behind his back.

“To ensure the safety of Shilin, I need Wang Hezhi to step forward. And he will not come out of retirement for Qian Wenda, but only for someone who can truly lead all the scholars.”

Meanwhile, Zhu Han was sitting in the bamboo pavilion in the East Garden, playing chess with a Confucian scholar who was about fifty years old.

This man had white hair but a youthful face, bright eyes, simple clothes, and gentle manners.

This is the Wang Hezhi that Zhu Biao mentioned.

"Headmaster Wang, I've heard that Fengqi Academy has recently gained over a hundred new disciples, all from all corners of the land, especially talented individuals from Guanzhong and Shandong. Your reputation, Headmaster, must have already spread far and wide." (End of Chapter)