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

Zhu Han's eyes flickered: "Who is Qin Yi? He's a confidant of the King of Qi. Yet he's been summoned and dares not refuse, which means... he's wavering."

“You mean…” Zhu Biao’s breath caught in his throat.

Zhu Han looked at the lake and said, "You've suppressed him hard enough, and you've handed over the military power skillfully enough. If he doesn't make a statement sooner or later, you'll force him into becoming a pawn. But he's not the kind of person like the King of Qi who can endure to the end. He has sharp edges and ambitions. The key is... whether he's willing to become king himself or to be a servant for the rest of his life."

Zhu Biao said in a low voice, "Are you betting on him becoming independent?"

Zhu Han took a sip of tea and suddenly laughed: "Gambling? I'm leading you. A person who can uphold his principles and not drink alcohol, who can stand out in the imperial examinations and still bow his head at the banquet, would be a huge joke if he only schemes for others."

The following day, Qin Yi was summoned to the emperor's presence.

His expression was calm, and his armor was neatly arranged. Zhu Yuanzhang sat on the throne, alone, with no courtiers beside him.

"Are you Qin Yi?" Zhu Yuanzhang asked calmly.

"Your subordinate is here." Qin Yi knelt on the ground, his voice as clear as a bell.

"I've heard that you come from Beizhen, learned martial arts in your youth, led troops at thirty, and were undefeated in battle at forty. The King of Qi relies on you as his right-hand man. Is this true?"

"What Your Majesty says is true."

Zhu Yuanzhang stared at him, silent for a long time. His eyes were as sharp as a hawk's, as if they could dissect a person's heart inch by inch. After a long while, he finally asked, "To whom do you pledge your allegiance?"

Qin Yi lowered his head and answered in a deep voice, "The Ming Dynasty."

"If I were to order you to lead three thousand iron cavalry to guard the east gate of the capital, and forbid any troop movements within ten days, would you comply?"

Qin Yi was taken aback, then clasped his hands in a fist and said, "As you command."

"If I were to order you to forbid correspondence with the Prince of Qi and to forbid you from entering the Prince's residence, would you comply?"

Qin Yi hesitated for a moment, but finally nodded emphatically: "Your subject obeys."

Zhu Yuanzhang sneered: "What a fine 'obey orders'! I ask you, if the Crown Prince and the Prince of Qi were to fight each other, whose side would you take?"

This question struck Qin Yi like a thunderbolt. A bead of sweat appeared on Qin Yi's forehead.

He did not rush to answer, but slowly raised his head, looking at the majestic king with clear eyes.

"Your subject follows...whoever is able to win."

Zhu Yuanzhang's eyes flickered slightly, and suddenly he looked up at the sky and laughed loudly.

"Good, what a victor you are! You do have a bit of what I looked like when I was young."

Qin Yi lowered his head, not daring to utter a sound. Zhu Yuanzhang, however, had already stood up, his hands behind his back, and walked slowly: "You are not simple. I like people who are not simple. But people who are not simple... if they do not choose sides, they will become a source of trouble."

"I'm giving you one last chance, Qin Yi. Are you willing to follow the Crown Prince?"

Qin Yi remained silent for a long time, then suddenly kowtowed heavily.

"Your subject is willing to assist the Crown Prince and protect him in ascending the throne as Emperor, even unto death!"

Zhu Yuanzhang turned around, a smirk playing on his lips: "Very good. Go. Tell Zhu Biao that I hereby appoint you as Grand General of the State, and give you command of the Left Guard of the Imperial Guard."

Qin Yi thanked the emperor and withdrew.

The daylight was blinding as he stepped out of the palace gates. Yet, his steps were no longer hesitant.

In the imperial garden, Zhu Biao held the tea handed to him by Zhu Han, but before he could drink it, Qin Yi hurriedly entered and knelt down.

"Your Highness!" he said solemnly, his expression resolute, "Qin Yi is willing to follow you to the death, to expand your territory and secure the capital!"

Zhu Biao paused for a moment, then put down his teacup and personally helped him up.

"You made a... difficult decision."

Qin Yi's expression was solemn: "Yes. But I have no regrets in this life."

Zhu Han chuckled softly from the side: "Very good. You've finally made your move."

The news sent shockwaves through Beijing.

The position of Assistant General had been vacant for a long time, and today Qin Yi was appointed to it, sparking much discussion. However, Zhu Biao remained unmoved, quelling the rumors with just one sentence: "It is His Majesty's order."

In the following days, Zhu Biao frequently summoned Qin Yi to his residence to discuss military strategy, troop deployment, and to secretly plan military affairs. Qin Yi never refused and offered many suggestions, gradually gaining the Crown Prince's trust.

Suddenly, news spread from the Qi King's fiefdom that Qin Yi's younger brother had died suddenly, the cause of death unknown.

When Zhu Biao heard about this, his expression remained unchanged, but Zhu Han sighed softly.

"This is a surprise attack."

"Is he going to warn Qin Yi?"

"Yes, he doesn't dare touch you, but he can kill his brother. He's saying, 'You can abandon my brother for you, and I can take away the person you're attached to.'"

Zhu Biao frowned slightly and said coldly, "Then how should we deal with this?"

Zhu Han replied calmly, "No. If he really had the guts, he would have gone to the capital long ago. He doesn't dare to go because he's afraid you'll use him as a tool to kill someone."

"But I cannot let him stay any longer."

"Then please invite him here."

Zhu Biao was taken aback: "Invite him?"

“Yes.” Zhu Han’s eyes flickered slightly. “Set up a hunting party outside the martial arts training ground in the suburbs and invite all the princes to the banquet. As the crown prince, you should demonstrate the unity of the royal family. If he dares to come, you have plenty of ways to make him never dare to make a move again.”

Zhu Biao pondered for a moment, a cold glint appearing in his eyes: "Then let him see whether his elder brother, the Crown Prince, is a pushover."

Ten days later, at a hunting ground near the outskirts, a golden tent was set up, and all the kings gathered.

Zhu Han rode up to Zhu Biao's side, looked at the distant mountains and forests, and said, "From today onwards, your title as Crown Prince will truly be secure."

Zhu Biao slowly put on his helmet and replied softly, "But securing the throne does not necessarily secure the hearts of the people."

Zhu Han smiled and said, "If you wait for people's hearts to come to you on their own, you've already lost. People's hearts... you have to fight them, you have to use power to suppress them, and you have to write them with blood."

Zhu Biao turned to look at him: "Imperial Uncle, have you ever shed blood for anyone?"

A glint flashed in Zhu Han's eyes, as if he had recalled something, and he chuckled softly: "I once had murderous thoughts for you, does that count?"

Zhu Biao was taken aback, then suddenly chuckled: "Can you still do it now?"

Zhu Han patted his shoulder: "Now? I can't wait for you to sit firmly in the Crown Prince's seat so that I can have wine to drink, tea to drink, and plays to watch."

As the two were talking, a rider galloped up from afar; it was none other than the King of Qi.

Dressed in a black robe with a solemn expression, he dismounted and bowed deeply in reverence.

"Your Highness, Fourth Brother, pays his respects."

Zhu Biao's eyes remained calm, yet he nodded with a smile.

"Well done, 'Fourth Brother'. Now that you've come, come hunting with me and see if you still have the guts to pierce a heart with an arrow."

Zhu Gang remained unmoved: "I dare not refuse the Crown Prince's invitation."

As the hunting drums sounded for the first time, banners fluttered in the sky, and the mountain wind stirred up countless specks of dust.

Zhu Biao stood atop the golden tent, gazing at the surrounding mountains, his expression a mixture of coldness and composure.

Today he was not wearing court robes, but instead a black hunting coat, a cloak woven with gold thread, and a jade pendant hanging from his waist. Behind him, a dozen or so close followers stood silently like pines.

Zhu Gang rode a fiery red horse slowly closer, his expression as gentle as ever, but with less of his former cynicism.

He was not wearing royal robes, but only black armor, and his whole being seemed to have been cleansed by the mountain wind, his sharpness hidden deep within.

"Brother Crown Prince."

"The younger brother of the King of Qi."

Their eyes met, and a hundred moves passed in silence. Zhu Han stood to Zhu Biao's side and behind him, squinting at Zhu Gang, his smile undiminished, but he pressed his hand on the short blade at his waist.

That was the only weapon he carried today, a foot and three inches long, named "Hidden Scale".

Qin Yi also rode alongside, his face as hard as iron. He had once served Zhu Gang, but now he had switched allegiance to the Crown Prince, making him a thorn in Zhu Gang's side.

As is customary, the Crown Prince gave the order before the hunt. Zhu Biao stood holding a golden bow, looking towards the mountain peaks, and said loudly, "Today's hunt will only take the stag, not the weak beasts. Brothers, let us unite and hunt together in the mountains."

Zhu Gang smiled and cupped his hands in greeting: "I will obey Your Highness's command."

With the sound of a gong, the kings and their accompanying generals spurred their horses out and galloped into the mountains and forests.

Zhu Gang did not move immediately. He slowly reined in his horse, turned to look at Zhu Biao, and suddenly said, "Brother, your military strength has recently been great, and General Qin's prestige has shaken the capital. You are truly admirable."

Zhu Biao smiled enigmatically: "I am no ordinary man either. If I hadn't been willing to give up Qin Yi, I'm afraid I would still be strategizing in the palace today."

“Give up? Not necessarily.” Zhu Gang said softly, “Brother knows how to recognize and appoint people, and General Qin is pragmatic. His decision to abandon me and follow you is not giving up, but taking a gamble.”

Do you think he made the right bet?

Zhu Gang rode away, leaving only a whispered message in the wind: "Let's see if he can get out of the mountains alive."

Zhu Biao remained expressionless, turned around and ordered, "Follow me into the forest, and do not let Qin Yi travel alone."

Zhu Han's eyes narrowed slightly, and he said, "They've arrived."

Deep in the dense forest, hunting horses galloped, startling birds and beasts into flight.

Qin Yi rode alone on his horse when suddenly an arrow came flying through the air. He ducked and the arrow missed him.

Immediately afterwards, the grass trembled in all directions, and several knights in black emerged from the shadows. None of them wore royal banners or had any markings. They were swift in their movements and had superb archery skills.

Qin Yi shouted, flipped over and leaped up, drawing his sword to block the arrow, blood splattering everywhere.

"Who is coming!?"

No one answered; only a cold glint remained.

His heart sank suddenly; he understood the purpose of their visit.

Sure enough, he had only just sworn allegiance to the Crown Prince when his death loomed before him. Had he not taken precautions, he would likely be a corpse by now.

The assassins' swordsmanship was similar, and their movements were synchronized, clearly indicating they were not a disorganized group.

Qin Yi parried each attack, gradually showing signs of weakness. Just as his back was about to be breached, he suddenly heard an angry shout:

"stop!"

Zhu Biao emerged from the forest, followed by a mounted guard in red armor.

The assassins hesitated for a moment, then scattered to escape, only to have their retreat blocked by the Red Armor Army. In an instant, blood splattered, and short hisses and shouts echoed through the forest.

Zhu Biao dismounted and pulled Qin Yi up from the ground: "Are you injured?"

Qin Yi wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth: "I won't die."

Zhu Biao stared at the corpses scattered on the ground, his gaze sharp as a blade: "These are not bandits, but well-trained assassins."

“It is the King of Qi,” Qin Yi said in a deep voice. “This is a test, and also a warning to kill.”

Zhu Biao remained silent for a long time, then suddenly said, "I won't kill him."

Qin Yi was taken aback: "Your Highness?"

“If I were to act today, it would be a fratricidal conflict, and the court would fall into chaos. My father would be furious, the imperial clan would be in turmoil, and the entire court would suspect me of being ruthless.” Zhu Biao’s eyes were icy. “But… I will make him fail on his own.”

On the day of the hunt, two of Zhu Gang's lieutenants failed to return. Their bodies were found in a stream that night, both with knives piercing their hearts, and neither was holding a weapon. The cause of death was unclear, but it caused turmoil within the imperial clan.

Zhu Biao did not mention the assassination, but only sent someone to arrange the burial. However, after the hunt ended, he secretly summoned Zhu Gang to his private tent.

“My trip today was a bit too hasty,” Zhu Biao said in a normal tone.

Zhu Gang still smiled and said, "Human life is of paramount importance, and I am also saddened. However, the mountains and forests are dangerous, and if there is any mistake... we will certainly investigate."

Zhu Biao remained calm: "I won't investigate. And you don't need to explain. But I want you to understand one thing today."

"Oh?"

Zhu Biao slowly stood up and said, word by word, "If there is a next time, it won't be your people who get hurt, but yourself."

Zhu Gang's expression changed slightly, and he finally stopped pretending. His eyes dimmed, and he said, "Brother, in the end... you still don't believe me."

Zhu Biao turned and left, the hem of his robe brushing the ground: "If you want me to believe you, then you must first believe in my benevolence in not taking your life."

Three days later, Zhu Gang left the capital, looking as usual, without saying goodbye to the Crown Prince.

Inside the Imperial Garden, Zhu Biao sat quietly with his sword in hand, while Zhu Han stood behind him and sighed, "If you let him go, the rumors in the capital will only benefit you more."

“King Qi is not a fool.” Zhu Biao stroked his sword and laughed. “He should know that if he launches another attack, I will not only target others.”

Zhu Han's gaze darkened: "What if he has another trick up his sleeve?"

Zhu Biao turned his head, his eyes gleaming with a sharp light: "Then I will cut it in two with one sword."

The night was as dark as ink, and in the deepest part of the palace, the lights in the Imperial Study were dim.

Zhu Yuanzhang sat with his robe on, holding a memorial in his hand, and remained silent.

Before him was a painting of the Crown Prince's Spring Hunt, in which Zhu Biao was riding a horse and whipping it, with princes standing behind him, but Zhu Gang's face was blurred and covered by heavy ink.

Zhu Yuanzhang sighed, slowly closed the scroll, and murmured, "Human hearts are like a game of chess; one wrong move and the whole game is lost. Zhu Biao, if you can truly protect this Ming Dynasty, I can die in peace."

Inside the hall, the incense burner emitted wisps of smoke, and the candlelight was silent. Zhu Biao sat alone at his desk, a secret report lying in his palm.

"A group of refugees suddenly appeared in the eastern suburbs. They gathered without being reported, and more than a hundred of them quietly entered the capital. The guards at the city gates were unharmed."

Zhu Biao tapped the document lightly with his fingertips, his expression as still as water.

Zhu Han entered slowly, not wearing a royal robe, but only a plain-colored everyday dress, yet there was an unusual coldness between his brows.

"Is he one of his men?" Zhu Han asked.

Zhu Biao did not answer, but instead asked, "Do you think Father Emperor might know?"

“He knows.” Zhu Han poured himself a cup of tea and sat down casually. “But he doesn’t say anything, because if you can’t even find out this much, you should relinquish your right to be the Crown Prince.”

“Those refugees concealed their identities very well, but my people found out that most of them were originally former subordinates of the King of Qi. They had retired from their posts and lived as commoners for three years, and recently they suddenly returned to the capital.”

Zhu Biao sneered, "He's quite shrewd. His old troops aren't on the military register, so there's no basis for their movement. If I order their execution, it would be like the Crown Prince slaughtering the people. If I let it go, the capital will be his territory in three months."

A glint of light flashed in Zhu Han's eyes: "What are you planning to do?"

Zhu Biao slowly got up and walked to the window. The moonlight slanted across half of his face, casting an almost chilling light and shadow.

"I won't touch them, but I'll deploy troops."

"Deploy troops?"

"Tomorrow I will enter the Southern Camp to personally inspect the horse administration, and in the name of the Crown Prince, I will reorganize the registers of all guards, check the armory, allocate quivers, collect the registers of soldiers from the North and South who have moved to the capital, and verify the number of people in the city. All those who are not registered but remain in the capital must explain within five days."

Zhu Biao said slowly and deliberately, "I won't accuse them of crimes; I'll only make them feel ashamed."

Zhu Han's expression changed slightly: "You're not just harming him, you're forcing Father Emperor."

Zhu Biao smiled, his tone gentle yet resolute: "Father is not saying anything now, not because he is indulging me, nor because he is indulging him. He is waiting—waiting for the two of us to see who crosses the line first."

"Then why are you still moving?"

“I moved to avoid crossing the line.” Zhu Biao turned around, his gaze sharp. “But if he dares to take another half step, then it won’t be a line, it will be a knife’s edge.”

Zhu Han gazed at him in silence for a long while, then suddenly chuckled, "Good, very good, Crown Prince. You now resemble that man in his youth." (End of Chapter)