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

Zhu Han lowered his fingers, a sly glint in his eyes. "Do you still remember your crimson horse that was named a 'fine steed'?"

"Crimson Flame?" Zhu Biao was taken aback, then nodded. "Yes, how is it?"

"They 'went missing' last night." Zhu Han's lips curled into a smile.
"You should report to the court that the Chiyan Army fled into the Forbidden Garden at night, disturbing the Emperor, and that the Three Departments should be dispatched to search the palace."

Zhu Biao exclaimed in surprise: "Such a large-scale operation... will the Emperor agree to it?"

"Yes," Zhu Han said in a deep voice. "As long as I submit the memorial, my brother will certainly grant it."

Three days later, Zhu Han indeed brought Zhu Biao to court, where they knelt below the golden steps and spoke with absolute certainty.

Zhu Yuanzhang was initially furious upon hearing this, but his anger subsided, and he coldly ordered, "Search."

Therefore, the three departments entered the palace, with the Embroidered Uniform Guard, the Imperial Horse Administration, and the Ministry of Justice dispatching three separate groups, including the former site of Qixia Garden, which was also within the scope of the search.

That night, Zhu Han stood in the shadows of the palace wall, dressed in black.

After sneaking into the woods, Shen Hao whispered, "Someone set fire to Qixia Garden. The fire was extinguished before it grew too big, but it revealed a secret underground chamber containing over a hundred pieces of armor, crossbows, and coded messages."

"Where is he?" Zhu Han asked.

"One person escaped, seemingly Zhao Yuan. The other three were all executed."

Zhu Han hesitated for a moment, then suddenly took a step: "Let's go, I'll go and see for myself."

The former site of Qixia Garden was charred black, the floor tiles were shattered, and a bloody smell still lingered in the secret room.

Zhu Han stood before the table, on which lay a scroll of surviving secret text, not yet completely burned. The words "tuning the strings" and "Huangchi" were clearly written on it, seemingly intended to incite internal strife.

Shen Hao asked in a low voice, "Is this their plan?"

“This is not a setup, it’s a trap,” Zhu Han murmured. “They deliberately left this paper to mislead us into thinking that Zhao Yuan was the mastermind… In fact, he was the discarded pawn.”

Shen Hao's eyes widened in horror: "Then the real chess player is..."

Zhu Han remained silent, picked up the scroll of secret paper, and after flipping through it for a moment, suddenly said in a deep voice: "Immediately inform Zhao Shenyan to return to the palace and stop writing. Tell him to go south to Yingtian immediately to check the household slaves outside the Yellow Register, especially those who are 'only in, not out'."

"Your Highness suspects they used a dead household?" Shen Hao gasped.

"If so, then Zhaoyuan is not the only one they have hidden in the palace."

Zhu Han gave a cold laugh, "This palace is only just beginning to get lively."

Three days later, Zhu Biao hosted a banquet at the Hongwen Hall, ostensibly to invite scholars and students, but in reality, he invited Zhu Han and several of his confidants to the gathering.

After several rounds of drinks, everyone dispersed, but Zhu Biao left Zhu Han alone at the back.

"Uncle, you summoned me here for more than just the matter of Zhaoyuan, didn't you?"

Zhu Han paced back and forth, then turned to look at him after a moment: "Biao'er, do you know who's most afraid of you right now?"

Zhu Biao pondered for a long time before slowly saying, "If he is not the Crown Prince's man... then he will be the future Emperor's man."

Zhu Han smiled: "That's right. But the people who are truly afraid of you are not the court officials, nor the relatives of the empress, but those... who are nothing, yet dare to try to be everything."

"who are they?"

Zhu Han gently placed the wine cup on the table, his tone indifferent: "They are those who hide in the palace, watching you, listening to you, and imitating you."

They record every word you say, every step you take, and every stroke of your pen every night.

They want to use the facade of a 'false crown prince' to pursue their own dreams.

Zhu Biao's throat tightened slightly, and after a moment he said, "Uncle, I'm afraid... I'm afraid I'm no match for them."

Zhu Han chuckled and patted him on the shoulder: "So you have me."

"But you will eventually grow old."

Zhu Han shook his head: "Whether I'm old or not doesn't matter. You'll be strong, you'll be ruthless, you'll laugh even more heartlessly than I do. At that time, your uncle will be willing to watch you trample this world under your feet, watching those who covet it, one by one—"

His eyes were sharp as he whispered, "I'll die at your feet."

A breeze rose outside the Hongwen Hall, causing the curtains to sway like waves. In the distant night, palace lanterns were lit one by one, illuminating the entire imperial city as brightly as day.

A system notification quietly sounded:

[Check-in complete, reward: "Nine Transformations of Military Strategy - Fragment"]

He chuckled softly: "Alright... another knife."

A night breeze began to rise outside the Hongwen Hall, and the lights flickered, like stars falling to earth.

Zhu Han stood under the corridor, flipping through the newly acquired "Nine Transformations Military Manual: Fragment" in his palm. The paper was slightly yellow, and the handwriting was steady, showing that it was old. Yet every stroke concealed a murderous intent, as if a blade could float out from the cracks in the paper.

With a thought, the system interface quietly appeared:

[“Nine Transformations of Military Strategy: Fragment”: An ancient military treatise containing nine variations of offensive and defensive tactics. Suitable for elite troops and generals, it can be used in teams of up to fifty men, increasing their combat effectiveness by fifty percent and doubling their morale.]

"System, you're really generous." Zhu Han chuckled and rolled up the military treatise, putting it into his sleeve.

He heard a soft sound behind him, but without turning around, he said calmly, "What, you don't want me to leave?"

Zhu Biao stepped out from behind the shadow pillar and shook his head slightly: "It's not that I'm reluctant to part with it, it's just that—I feel that after today, many things can never be the same again."

Zhu Han turned around with his hands behind his back and slowly looked at him: "From the first day you were made crown prince, you can never go back."

Zhu Biao was taken aback, then lowered his head and asked softly, "Uncle, do you regret it?"

Zhu Han gazed at the night sky for a long time and said, "I, Zhu Han, was born later than your father, the emperor. I missed his time to sweep across the world, and I missed the years of fighting on the battlefield and shedding blood on the frontier. Now, looking at this palace and the country, all that remains are the slithering claws and the cold-hearted people."

He paused, then turned to face Zhu Biao: "But I don't regret it. Because I still have you."

Zhu Biao's nose tingled slightly, and he almost spoke, but suddenly he heard hurried footsteps outside. A young eunuch knelt down in the corridor, panting, and said:
"Your Highness, Duke Xu Da of Wu has sent a secret report requesting that Your Highness come to his private chamber in the East Garden immediately!"

Zhu Biao frowned: "When did Uncle Xu return to the capital?"

Zhu Han's eyes flickered slightly: "His private room in the East Garden? That was his childhood residence, usually heavily guarded. He wanted to see you, but instead of choosing the Hongwen Hall or the Qianqing Palace, he specifically chose your private room—"

"It's probably a confidential matter," Zhu Biao said in a deep voice.

Zhu Han turned to Shen Hao and instructed him, "Take some men and investigate ahead of time. Scan the area around the East Garden to make sure no one tracks you down."

Shen Hao clasped his hands in a fist and said, "Yes, sir!"

The lights in the private room of the East Garden were dim, with lamps hanging from the eaves and incense burner still burning inside the curtain, wisps of smoke rising gently.

As Zhu Biao entered, he saw Xu Da standing with his hands behind his back, his expression unlike his usual amiable demeanor, his brows furrowed as if he were carrying a heavy burden.

"Uncle," Zhu Biao bowed respectfully, "what brings you in such a hurry?"

Xu Da looked up, his gaze heavy: "Does Your Highness know that at the beginning of this month, an old servant in a certain village outside the capital suddenly died?"

Zhu Biao was slightly surprised: "Why would such a trivial matter alarm your uncle?"

Xu Da sneered: "That old servant was a former palace servant. He went into seclusion after accompanying the late emperor on a campaign to the north thirty years ago. His name was Gao Quan. When he died suddenly three days ago, he uttered the words, 'The old decree cannot be repeated, and the blood debt must be returned to the bones.'"

Zhu Biao was taken aback: "What...do you mean?"

"After his death, before his body had even cooled, it was forcibly taken away by a group of men in black. Fortunately, the old minister had gotten wind of it in advance and sent people to keep a close watch, and managed to retrieve a fragment of his letter."

Xu Da took out the brocade box, opened it, and revealed a tattered silk scroll. Zhu Biao stared at it for a long time, finally deciphering a few lines: "'The great cauldron is not yet settled, the bloodline is not pure'... 'Internal lineage is established, blood is stored in the temple'..."

"What does this mean?" His brows furrowed tightly.

Zhu Han entered at the opportune moment, glanced at the silk scroll, and a smile slowly crept onto his lips: "Interesting."

Xu Da nodded slightly upon seeing him: "Since Your Highness is here, let's interpret it together."

Zhu Han picked up the silk scroll, read the remaining text softly, then put it down and said quietly, "This is saying that someone is questioning the Crown Prince's lineage."

Zhu Biao's eyes widened suddenly: "This is impossible!"

"Of course not," Zhu Han smiled. "But for some people, what does it matter whether it's true or false, as long as they can stir up trouble?"

Xu Da sighed, "Your Highness, Your Highness, if this matter gets out, the court will be shaken. This trend must not be allowed to continue, absolutely not."

Zhu Biao gritted his teeth: "Why do they have to target me? I've never done anything wrong..."

“Precisely because you’re not wrong.” Zhu Han coldly interrupted him.

“If you do wrong things, they will feel at ease. If you are upright and honest, they will be driven to madness.”

Xu Da asked in a deep voice, "Who do you think is behind this, Your Highness?"

Zhu Han shook his head: "It's not the right time yet. But I do want him to know that his poison thorn has been stuck in the wrong place."

Zhu Biao clenched his fist and asked in a low voice, "Uncle, what should we do?"

Zhu Han's gaze was cold: "Go back to Hongwen Hall, resume your normal life, and wait quietly for a few days. When this wind rises, I will personally cut off its momentum for you."

Xu Da cupped his hands in greeting: "This old minister is willing to assist Your Highness."

Zhu Han said, "No rush. You stay in the East Garden. I want you to set up a trap—a snare to the enemy."

A few days later, rumors indeed began to circulate in the palace. The inner court secretly spread the word that "the crown prince is not the legitimate son." Although there was no concrete evidence, the rumors spread like wildfire and were difficult to contain.

Inside the Hongwen Hall, Zhu Biao sat upright and motionless.

Zhu Han, on the other hand, strolled leisurely as usual, drinking tea and appreciating paintings every day, as if nothing in the world was happening.

At midnight, a dark figure suddenly appeared in the East Garden. The three broke through the tiles and sneaked in. Knowing the path well, they went straight into the secret vault, but they didn't know that there was a soft sound under their feet, and the lock mechanism was activated instantly.

"boom--!"

The floor tiles overturned, and a dark figure fell into the dungeon. Instantly, the lights blazed, and dozens of Imperial Guards appeared, their swords drawn, their blades menacing.

The leader was Zhu Han, who stood on the high platform with a calm expression: "It's really not easy, we actually waited for you to come and die."

One of the three sneered, "You think capturing us will stop the slander? Your crown prince is ultimately not the legitimate son..."

"Slap!" Before he could finish speaking, Zhu Han flicked his sleeve, sending a gust of wind slapping him across the face.

"You didn't see the late Empress leave the palace? You didn't see Zhu Biao's full-month celebration? You didn't see the military register for the personal expedition? You keep saying he's 'not the legitimate heir,' what proof do you have to try and disrupt the foundation of my Great Ming?"

“We…” The man’s lips trembled, but he couldn’t utter a single word.

Zhu Han turned around and waved his hand, saying, "Take them all away. After beheading them, expose their bodies at the palace gate three days later."

"Here!"

A chorus of cold, sharp voices responded, their chilling aura as imposing as a mountain of knives.

As the sun rose higher and the sky brightened, the golden tiles and glazed roofs shone so brightly in the morning light that it was hard to open one's eyes.

Inside the Hongwen Hall, however, all was quiet. Zhu Biao sat silently before his desk, gazing at several memorials, his expression thoughtful.

Zhu Han strolled in with his hands behind his back, dressed in casual robes with his hair loosely tied up. He looked more like a leisurely scholar than a prince.

"Your Highness rose early this morning; it seems you are troubled."

“Uncle.” Zhu Biao looked up, a half-smile in his eyes, “You make it sound so easy. If it weren’t for your scheme to lure the snake out of its hole, my position as Crown Prince would probably have been shaken by those few pieces of paper.”

Zhu Han chuckled, sat down opposite him, took out a small celadon pot from his sleeve, poured himself a drink, and said, "Don't take the enemy too seriously, and don't underestimate yourself. People's words are like the wind, they follow the wind wherever it blows, it's better to be the unmoving mountain in the eye of the storm."

Zhu Biao smiled bitterly: "But if it weren't for the Imperial Uncle as a mountain..."

Zhu Han raised his hand to stop him: "There is no need to be grateful or remember this favor. I did this for you because I did not want to see the Zhu family's empire destroyed by a bunch of clowns."

He leaned closer and lowered his voice: "Remember this, the Zhu family's empire fears not wolves and tigers, but only dogs and rats."

Zhu Biao remained silent for a moment, then slowly nodded.

“However…” Zhu Han’s tone shifted, and he looked at him with a half-smile, “Do you think that after this victory, you can take a break?”

Zhu Biao was slightly taken aback: "There's another trick up your sleeve?"

"Of course." Zhu Han put down the wine pot, got up and walked to the window, looking at the crabapple blossoms that were just beginning to bloom in the courtyard. "Do you think those people only rely on rumors and gossip? They also do practical things."

"The facts?"

"Hmm." Zhu Han turned around, his eyes flashing with a sharp light. "For example—seizing power."

Zhu Biao stood up: "Who dares?"

Zhu Han smiled meaningfully: "Seizing power doesn't always have to be a direct confrontation. Sometimes, it's just a matter of a 'loyal and capable' minister suddenly appearing outside the palace, acting swiftly, gaining increasing prestige, being praised by the people, and becoming close to the gentry... What do you think my brother would think?"

Zhu Biao's expression hardened: "Father Emperor is jealous of meritorious officials."

“Yes.” Zhu Han nodded. “He doesn’t trust people, he only trusts the tigers he raised himself. You are his tiger. I am half of it.”

Zhu Biao gave a wry smile: "But what if this 'meritorious official' really does a good job and benefits the people?"

Zhu Han turned around, his eyes sharp as blades: "If he serves the people and works hard for you, then he is a virtuous minister; but if he uses his merits to curry favor, appears loyal and upright but actually colludes with the gentry and plots against his cronies, then he is a treacherous minister."

Who are you talking about?

Zhu Han walked to the table, slowly took out a miniature painting scroll from his sleeve, and spread it out in front of Zhu Biao.

The map depicts a mansion with tiered courtyards, clearly marked, and each entrance and exit circled in red. A footnote reads:

"The Marquis of Qi's Residence - Ji Qingyuan".

“Ji Qingyuan?” Zhu Biao looked surprised. “He is a civil official, known as ‘the most honest and upright.’ He personally wrote the preface to the Great Ming Code, which was praised by the court and the public. Even my father summoned him many times to praise him.”

Zhu Han remained silent, only offering a cold laugh.

Zhu Biao gently stroked the blueprints, and after a long while said, "Uncle, what do you mean—?"

"I'll send you there yourself." Zhu Han suddenly closed the scroll. "You need to learn one thing: how to observe people. See through every word they say and every intention behind it. Ji Qingyuan is the first 'chess game' in your life as Crown Prince."

"Chessboard Meeting?"

“Not bad.” Zhu Han walked to the door, stopped, and his shadow stretched long in the sunlight. “A chess player is calm and collected, but harbors deadly intentions. You must see through his moves, but you must also prevent him from seeing through your intentions.”

Two days later, Zhu Biao left the palace incognito and visited the residence of the Marquis of Qi with several accompanying officials.

Ji Qingyuan, dressed in plain robes, personally greeted them at the gate of the mansion.

He was about forty years old, with a fair complexion and no beard. He spoke with refined manners, had calm eyes, and behaved with poise. (End of Chapter)