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

"Your Highness's arrival has brought great honor to my humble abode. I, Ji, deserve to die a thousand deaths."

Zhu Biao smiled and said, "My lord, there is no need for such formalities. Today is not a day for court or discussion, but rather a visit to a wise man during my travels."

Ji Qingyuan smiled slightly: "Your Highness is too kind. Please—"

The two men entered the mansion and discussed books and politics during the banquet, both in a moderate and peaceful manner.

Ji Qingyuan quoted extensively from classical texts, demonstrating meticulous thinking. Every sentence was in accordance with the rules of poetry and human emotions, and was neither biased nor indifferent.

But Zhu Biao sensed something amiss in those seemingly casual words.

"The Marquis seems to be particularly concerned about the Ministry of Revenue's transfer order."

"Your Highness is wise." Ji Qingyuan did not mince words. "The Ministry of Revenue is the source of the nation's wealth and lifeline. If it is not managed properly, the people will suffer."

"If one day Your Highness were to personally take charge of the realm, would you be willing to appoint the Marquis as Minister of Revenue?"

Ji Qingyuan paused for a moment, then smiled and said, "If Your Highness commands, I will do my utmost."

Zhu Biao looked at him, a slight ripple stirring in his heart.

That was a good answer, showing tact and knowing when to advance and when to retreat, yet it also carried a hidden meaning.

When he returned to the palace at night, Zhu Han was drinking tea and waiting for him.

"You saw it?"

"I saw him."

"how?"

Zhu Biao said in a low voice, "It's like a mirror; you can't see yourself, you can only see others clearly."

Zhu Han put down his teacup: "Very good. So, what do you think we should do?"

Zhu Biao took a deep breath, his tone no longer gentle: "Set a trap, lure him into dealing with urgent political matters, openly repair the plank road while secretly crossing the Chencang pass."

Zhu Han smiled and said, "That will do. Once you have met all the people in the world, then we can discuss how to govern the world."

Spring is in full bloom in the palace, apricot blossoms are just beginning to open, and a gentle breeze is blowing through the imperial garden.

The glazed tiles reflected the morning light, which seemed to meander like fine golden threads.

Zhu Han leaned against the door frame, dressed in plain clothes, looking languidly but with bright eyes staring at him.

After a moment, he spoke: "You're becoming more and more like an emperor lately."

Zhu Biao looked up, a faint smile playing on his lips: "That was something you forced out of you."

"I merely handed you a sword; you walked right onto its edge."

Zhu Han walked into the hall with a smile, picked up a scroll of memorials from the desk, and weighed it lightly in his hand. "How is Ji Qingyuan doing?"

"He is indeed no ordinary man," Zhu Biao said in a low voice.

"First, he declined the position of Minister of Revenue, saying that he was incompetent and unfit for the post. The next day, he sent someone to present three strategies, which were well-organized and detailed, much clearer than any current Minister of Revenue official."

“If you say he is an honest official, he will present his meritorious policies; if you say he is greedy for power, he will refuse three times, which makes us look petty.”

Zhu Han chuckled lightly, "Now you understand, right? Some people can kill without swords."

Zhu Biao put down his pen, his wrist trembling slightly: "Is he an enemy?"

"He may not be an enemy, but he is definitely not a friend."

Zhu Han stopped smiling and looked at him seriously, saying, "Before the Crown Prince ascends the throne, he will always have to go through a few storms. But in the face of this country, there are no true friends, only those who are close or distant based on their interests."

"And what about you?" Zhu Biao looked at him, his voice low. "Are you a 'relative' bound by interests, or a 'person' by my side?"

Zhu Han paused for a moment, then smiled and lightly tapped him on the head.

"If I were anyone else, I would have killed you with a single sword while you were still young and ignorant, and then ascended the throne myself."

Zhu Biao smiled wryly, but did not press the matter further.

Zhu Biao looked at him and suddenly said, "Uncle, if I ascend the throne in the future and you are no longer here, will I still be able to deal with these people?"

Zhu Han's eyes narrowed, and he slowly said, "What you need to learn is not 'following my lead,' but 'learning from me.'"

A few days later, news spread from the palace that Ji Qingyuan, the Marquis of Qi, had resigned, saying that he was "physically weak and unable to shoulder heavy responsibilities" and requested to stay at home to study and spend the rest of his life.

Zhu Yuanzhang granted the request, but instead bestowed upon the emperor ten taels of gold, three cartloads of silk, and four boxes of documents, expressing extreme praise.

Almost simultaneously, news suddenly spread in the capital that Ye Shan, a previously unknown secretary in the Imperial Secretariat, had been ordered to preside over a new round of imperial examinations.

This man was eloquent and principled, but he was not from a prominent family. His aloof and unconventional personality made him a "newly rich" figure among the officials.

Upon receiving this news, Zhu Biao immediately sent people to secretly investigate Ye Shan's background. To his surprise, he discovered that Ye Shan had studied diligently at a private school in Jiangbei when he was young, and his mentor was none other than Ji Qingyuan.

Zhu Biao handed the letter to Zhu Han and said in a deep voice, "It seems that Ji Qingyuan is not retiring but using Yeshan as a chess piece to set up another game."

Zhu Han studied the letter for a long time and said, "He is indeed very composed... He gave up his own position and status in exchange for a piece that he can control at will."

Zhu Biao frowned: "But Ye Shan has now entered the Secretariat and is using the imperial examination as a pretext to select new talents. There are already rumors among the scholars that he is called 'the resurgence of Qinghou'."

Zhu Han laughed heartily, shook his head and sighed: "This Ji Qingyuan really understands the art of 'feinting to the east while attacking the west.' He retires to clear his name, while appointing a new person is to reshuffle the landscape of scholars and pave the way for his future comeback."

Zhu Biao pondered for a moment: "How should I respond?"

Zhu Han stared at him: "Do you dare to use his power to turn the tables on him?"

Zhu Biao's eyes lit up: "Please enlighten me, Imperial Uncle."

Zhu Han said slowly, "Let him choose the talents—and you can use this opportunity to select generals."

"He chooses civil officials for his service, so I'll use military generals as my shield?"

“No.” Zhu Han smiled meaningfully. “You want him to think he has the upper hand, but he doesn’t know that all the people he uses are already under your control. You don’t take away his power, you take away the pieces in his hands.”

"I understand." Zhu Biao lightly tapped the table, his eyes shining brightly.

At the end of the month, the matter of setting up the imperial examination in the capital was settled. Zhu Biao took the opportunity to issue the results and summoned thirty outstanding candidates to a banquet at the Hongwen Hall.

The guests enjoyed themselves immensely at the banquet. Zhu Biao sat high on the table, drinking wine and asking each of them for advice, treating them all with great kindness.

At the end of the banquet, Zhu Biao suddenly stood up, took his wine cup, and walked toward Ye Shan, the newly appointed Secretary of the Imperial Secretariat.

"Lord Ye," he said with a smile, "I greatly admire your strategy today. It is clear and insightful, and your analysis of current affairs is extremely thorough."

Ye Shan rose and bowed, speaking humbly: "Your Highness flatters me. I merely wrote truthfully, without any favoritism."

Zhu Biao personally handed over the wine cup: "You come from the Jiangbei Academy?"

"Exactly."

"Ji Qingyuan taught you?"

"Yes." Ye Shan paused for a moment, then answered frankly without looking away.

"That's good then." Zhu Biao said calmly, "If one day you become the second Ji family, I will also give you an important position; if one day you surpass the Ji family's achievements... ha, I will not be soft-hearted."

Ye Shan's expression changed slightly, but he ultimately lowered his head to accept the wine.

Zhu Han sat at a distance, one hand supporting his chin, a faint smile in his eyes.

Zhu Biao returned to his seat and said in a low voice, "Uncle, was my speech too harsh today?" Zhu Han smiled, "Just right. People's hearts are like this; if you don't expose them, they won't fear you. But once you expose them, they'll know you're not a paper prince."

March 7th, sunny. Deep in the imperial garden, peach blossoms are in full bloom, and petals are falling in profusion.

Zhu Biao stood alone in front of the artificial hill. He heard light footsteps behind him. Without turning around, he knew who it was.

"Uncle Emperor."

Zhu Han, dressed in plain gray clothes, strolled over as if taking a leisurely walk. His gaze swept over the folding fan in Zhu Biao's hand, and he said, "I've noticed you've been moving around the palace quite a bit lately. Do you have any new insights in mind?"

Zhu Biao gently closed his fan, turned around, and said, "I dare not speak my mind, but I am somewhat unwilling."

Zhu Han raised an eyebrow: "Unwilling to accept it?"

“My father governs the country with iron will, and all his ministers avoid his sharp edge; but if I show too much weakness, I will be seen as someone who can be manipulated. If I am too strong, I will arouse my father’s suspicion.”

Zhu Biao's tone was heavy, "Every step is a trap, every sentence a riddle. In the end... Imperial Uncle, what kind of crown prince should I be?"

Zhu Han did not answer, but instead asked, "Do you know the origin of the 'Deer Cry Banquet'?"

Zhu Biao was taken aback and said, "When the late emperor first established the crown prince, he held a banquet for his ministers at the Deer Cry Hall, using the meaning of the deer's cry in the Book of Songs to express his affection for virtuous ministers and his desire to recruit more talents."

“That’s right,” Zhu Han said slowly. “But do you know that after that banquet, the three newly appointed scholars who were close to the Crown Prince were all demoted or died within ten years?”

Zhu Biao's expression changed slightly: "Why?"

Zhu Han gazed at the distant shady trees and said, "Because they were too quick to show their loyalty, too quick to seek merit, and too quick to curry favor."

“I understand…” Zhu Biao said in a low voice, “So they were just too hasty.”

"The Crown Prince must select and employ people, but he cannot be in a hurry to win their hearts, much less grant them favors lightly. He must make them believe that he is trustworthy, but not know his bottom line; he must make them know that his kindness is great, but never forget his authority."

Zhu Biao remained silent for a long time before looking up and asking, "Then how should I adopt this stance?"

Zhu Han pointed slightly: "First establish the foundation, then expand the branches. What is the foundation? It is the capable military and civil officials behind you, not those who only know how to flatter."

Zhu Biao seemed to be deep in thought, and said, "Among the officials now, there are very few who are truly capable. Ji Qingyuan has retired, Ye Shan is alone, but there is one person whose intentions I still do not understand."

"Oh?"

"King Qi."

Zhu Han smiled, a glint in his eyes: "That's your fourth brother, Zhu Gang. He's smart and capable, but he doesn't seem to have any sharp edge. You underestimate him."

Zhu Biao frowned: "He has always been well-behaved, never involved in court affairs, only managing his fiefdom..."

“It is precisely because he does not move that he is most suspicious,” Zhu Han said in a low voice. “You must remember one thing: those who can accomplish things are not the ones who shout loudly, but the ones who silently accumulate strength.”

Zhu Biao's expression grew serious: "He...is plotting something?"

Zhu Han's eyes turned slightly cold as he whispered with a half-smile, "Whether or not you plot against him depends on whether you give him the opportunity."

A few days later, Zhu Biao, in the name of the Crown Prince, petitioned the Emperor to establish a "Spring Military Examination," in which princes and brothers from various regions would recommend capable ministers and veteran generals to come to the capital for drills. Zhu Yuanzhang was overjoyed and granted his request. The decree was issued like a whirlwind, causing a stir in the capital.

After receiving the imperial edict, Zhu Gang remained silent, only sending his deputy general Qin Yi to the capital with a letter stating that "the king is unwell and is temporarily residing in his fiefdom, so he may not be able to come in person."

When Zhu Han saw the letter, the corners of his lips curled slightly, and his gaze was cold and stern.

"His decision not to come is wise. Qin Yi is someone worth investigating. If I'm not mistaken, he's most likely a key figure that he's been secretly cultivating for many years."

Upon hearing this, Zhu Biao pondered for a moment: "Uncle, should we make our move ahead of schedule?"

"It's not time yet." Zhu Han shook his head slightly. "Let them all reveal their cards before you can make your move."

"But what if he really has ulterior motives..."

Zhu Han stood with his hands behind his back and slowly said, "Then let's see if you have the courage to tame tigers and leopards."

Outside the training ground, sandstorms raged. Zhu Biao climbed to a high point and surveyed the scene: soldiers stood in strict formation, their armor gleaming like a thousand silver waves in the sunlight.

"Your Highness," the attendant whispered, "Qin Yi has arrived."

Zhu Biao squinted and saw a burly man kneeling on one knee in the crowd, his tiger-like eyes filled with power and his aura imposing.

He asked in a low voice, "What about this person?"

The attendant replied, "He is known in the army as 'Qin Black Tiger,' and has never been defeated. He is utterly loyal to the King of Qi."

Zhu Biao turned to look at Zhu Han behind him.

"What do you think?"

Zhu Han smiled faintly: "Whether or not to subdue him depends on whether you want the King of Qi to feel that he made this move too early."

"I understand." Zhu Biao turned around, personally descended the steps to greet Qin Yi, helped him up, and said loudly:
"The valiant general serves the country, and the crown prince serves the people. Today, I express my gratitude to the general for his service in protecting the nation with the respect due to a member of the imperial family!"

Everyone was shocked.

The following day, news spread throughout the capital that the Crown Prince had personally selected the "Ten Generals of the Spring Examination," with Qin Yi ranked first and appointed as "General Who Assists the State," in charge of the new army's drills. He was also granted permission to patrol the Imperial Garden and the eastern city area, greatly increasing his power.

Letters from Zhu Gang regarding his fiefdom arrived in droves, all expressing "gratification," "fear," and "receiving rewards without merit," but not a single word mentioned Qin Yi's power.

Zhu Hanfu sneered, "He hid well, but in the end, he couldn't avoid it."

Zhu Biao stood behind him, his initial naiveté gone, and asked, "What's the next step?"

Zhu Han crumpled the letter into a ball, threw it into the incense burner, watched the flames rise, and said, "Let your brother taste what it's like to lose control."

In late spring, the Yujie Flower Market reopens.

Rumors spread throughout the capital that Qin Yi frequently traveled to the eastern part of the city, and wherever he went, people lined the streets to welcome him. An old man shouted, "General, you are loyal and brave; you can ensure the safety of the capital!"

Zhu Biao remained silent upon hearing this, only saying, "Order the Ministry of Rites to prepare a banquet, a 'Martial Virtue Banquet' at Mingyue Tower, to summon the leaders of the ten generals and reward them for their meritorious service in the training exercise."

Zhu Han frowned slightly: "You want them to become famous?"

Zhu Biao smiled lightly: "I'm not trying to make them famous, I'm trying to get them drunk."

At the banquet, toasts were exchanged frequently, and Zhu Biao raised his glass often. Towards the end of the banquet, the generals were all dazed with drunkenness. Qin Yi, however, sat upright with clear eyes and did not touch a drop of wine.

Zhu Biao put down his wine cup and suddenly said, "General, your loyalty is evident. Today's banquet is not for drinking, but to hear your true feelings—whether you follow the King of Qi for the country or for personal reasons, have you ever thought about who you will turn to if the great empire collapses one day?"

Qin Yi remained silent for a long time before finally bowing his head and kowtowing: "This humble general swears to serve the Emperor of the Great Ming Dynasty to the death."

Zhu Biao sighed softly: "I am the Emperor of the Great Ming Dynasty."

When these words were spoken, the entire room fell silent.

Zhu Han sat in the pavilion in the middle of the lake, surrounded by the aroma of tea and the gentle ripples of the water, as if taking a leisurely stroll.

Yet, a hint of coldness lingered between his brows. His fingers tapped the tea table absently, as if waiting, or perhaps deep in thought.

"Uncle Emperor."

Zhu Biao strode over, his robes fluttering. Today he was dressed in a light gold prince's everyday robe, exuding an air of composure, yet his expression betrayed a hint of heaviness.

Zhu Han glanced at him and said calmly, "What's wrong? Something went wrong?"

"Qin Yi did not enter the East City today." Zhu Biao sat down, his tone low. "Someone stopped him in the palace, saying that the Emperor had summoned him temporarily and asked him not to show his face."

"His Majesty summons me?" Zhu Han's eyes darkened slightly, and the tapping of his fingers stopped. He seemed to sense something was amiss. "This doesn't seem like something His Majesty would do."

Zhu Biao nodded: "Yes, Father Emperor has never interfered in matters of martial arts, even the spring imperial examinations; he only reads the reports and doesn't intervene in the details. But this time, he personally summoned Qin Yi and even arranged a secret visit." (End of Chapter)