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

Soft footsteps sounded outside the palace gate.

Zhu Han bowed and entered, saying in a low voice, "Your Highness, after the imperial meeting today, Grand Tutor Changsun lingered outside the palace, seemingly wanting to say something but holding back."

Zhu Biao asked calmly, "Who did he bow down to?"

"Qin Qian, Minister of Justice."

Zhu Biao finally raised his eyes, his gaze showing no surprise, only a faint chill: "It's him."

Zhu Han hesitated for a moment: "Qin Qian originally belonged to the old faction of the Prince of Qi, but later pretended to side with the Grand Secretary. It seems that he has not yet extricated himself. He has been frequently summoning his old subordinates recently, as if he is setting up a scheme."

Zhu Biao smiled slightly, his gaze calm: "He's always good at hiding his true colors. Once he shows himself, he's risking his life."

Zhu Han lowered his voice: "Should we recruit him ahead of time?"

"No rush," Zhu Biao said calmly.
"The chessboard is not yet full; it is easy to capture one piece, but difficult to draw out the strength of the whole group. Since Qin Qian has already made his move, we might as well give him some time and see which net he wants to weave."

Before he could finish speaking, a palace attendant rushed in and bowed, saying, "Your Highness, Lady Han, daughter of the Marquis of Yongjia, requests an audience."

Zhu Han was taken aback: "At this time?"

Zhu Biao waved his hand: "Let her in."

A moment later, a woman dressed in plain clothes walked in gracefully. She was tall and slender, and her face was unadorned, yet she possessed a natural elegance.

She bowed and said, "This humble servant is Han Qingyin, paying her respects to Your Highness."

Zhu Biao nodded: "Miss Han, did you come here for family matters, or for something else?"

Han Qingyin lowered her eyes and said, "I have come on my father's orders to convey a message: 'The world has two sides; Your Highness, please look carefully.'"

Zhu Biao raised an eyebrow slightly: "When did the Marquis of Yongjia also start using riddles to present himself to others?"

“My father dared not speak rashly, but he said that these words came from the mouth of one person.”

"Who?"

"Former Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel - Yu Tong".

The hall fell silent instantly.

Zhu Han's expression changed slightly: "Yu Tong has long since retired and returned to his hometown, yet he still interferes in matters of the capital?"

Zhu Biao did not answer, but slowly got up and looked out the window at the courtyard.

A gentle night breeze stirs the bamboo shadows, making it seem as if someone stands there with a sword, its edge concealed.

"Yu Tong... I haven't heard that name in years."

He spoke in a low voice, “He gave my father advice for five years, but only left behind the sentence, ‘When the ruler is weak, the ministers will contend; when the son is strong, the father will fear.’”

"Was your father moved when he heard this?" Han Qingyin asked softly.

Zhu Biao chuckled: "He didn't. He just had Yu Tong demoted to Lingnan and never summoned him again."

Han Qingyin looked up, her eyes resolute: "But now, he's speaking again."

Zhu Biao nodded: "Thank you for sending the message, Miss Han. Since your father dared to call you here, it means he has already expressed his opinion."

"Father only said—if the Crown Prince is established, the Han family will be doomed."

Zhu Biao said calmly, "I will not let the Han family shed blood, but I will not treat you like royalty just because of a promise."

"I understand." Han Qingyin slowly retreated, but before leaving, she suddenly asked, "Has Your Highness ever looked in a mirror?"

Zhu Biao paused, and after a long while, slowly said, "A mirror has two sides; some people see the light, and some people see their reflection. Do your father and Yu Tong want me to see myself clearly, or to see the world clearly?"

Han Qingyin smiled gently: "I don't know, a mirror can't speak on its own. It is the person looking in the mirror who speaks."

She turned and left, her back moving very slowly and lightly, as if afraid of disturbing the tranquility of the hall.

Zhu Han stepped forward: "Your Highness, is she trustworthy?"

Zhu Biao did not answer, but suddenly asked, "Do you remember Yu Tong's son, Yu Wen?"

“I remember, he disappeared eight years ago, and it was rumored that he died in a power struggle outside the palace.”

Zhu Biao looked at the corner of the desk, where a simple, unadorned bronze mirror sat.

“Go investigate,” he said. “Go investigate when this mirror entered the palace and who brought it.”

"Yes."

Three days later, a banquet was held in the Wenhua Hall in the palace, where Zhu Yuanzhang summoned the crown prince and three princes from the imperial clan.

As Zhu Biao entered the hall dressed in a black court robe, he saw Zhu Gang and Zhu Shuang chatting and laughing, seemingly having a Go match.

Civil and military officials lined up on both sides, and the atmosphere was quite harmonious.

Zhu Yuanzhang sat high above, his gaze fixed on Zhu Biao, and asked in a calm voice, "The Crown Prince has been acting with considerable discipline lately, and the Grand Secretary has said that you have been effective in maintaining order. What is your opinion on this?"

Zhu Biao cupped his hands and said, "Your subject dares not boast of his methods, but only seeks to have a clear conscience."

Zhu Gang smiled and said, "Brother, you are too modest. If you are truly without shame, then we younger brothers will probably no longer be able to stand in the court."

Zhu Biao said calmly, "If my brother has a clear conscience, what is there to fear?"

Zhu Shuang smiled and smoothed things over: "Alright, alright, there's no need for brothers to argue. Father has hosted this banquet today; does he intend for us brothers to compete in music and chess?"

"No," Zhu Yuanzhang said slowly, "I want you to see something."

With a wave of his hand, eunuchs carried in an object covered with a red cloth, which was then placed in the hall.

Everyone looked at it; the object was no taller than waist-high and no longer than a foot, yet for some reason, it caused the palace servants' expressions to change slightly.

Zhu Yuanzhang personally got up and lifted the red cloth.

It turned out to be a bronze mirror, its surface old and cracked.

"This mirror was originally kept in the former Ministry of Personnel residence, and was sent to the palace by the Imperial Household Department several months ago." Zhu Yuanzhang looked at Zhu Biao. "Crown Prince, do you recognize it?"

Zhu Biao's eyes narrowed, and he slowly said, "This is something that Yu Tong used to own."

"Not bad." Zhu Yuanzhang slowly sat back down.

Before Yu Tong retired from office, he once said that a mirror can reflect a person's character and also their heart. He left this mirror with the intention of saying: If the Crown Prince is not upright in the future, the world will not be upright.

There was silence in the hall.

Zhu Gang's expression changed slightly: "What does Father mean?"

Zhu Yuanzhang did not answer Zhu Gang again, but looked at Zhu Biao and said, "Do you dare to take the picture?"

Zhu Biao stepped forward and stood in front of the mirror.

Silence fell over the hall, under the watchful eyes of everyone.

He reached out and brushed away the dust from the mirror, wiping it inch by inch until his reflection finally appeared.

The shadow trembled slightly, as if blown by the wind, or as if disturbed by the heart.

He stared at himself in the mirror for a long time before slowly saying, "The person I see is not me."

Zhu Yuanzhang's eyes suddenly narrowed: "What do you mean?"

Zhu Biao looked into the mirror: "What I see is the world."

He slowly turned around and looked directly at his father: "If I ascend the throne in the future, what I want to do is not to look at myself like the person in the mirror, but to look at all the officials, the people, and all the mountains and rivers of this world."

Zhu Yuanzhang remained silent for a long time, then suddenly burst out laughing.

"A true man, this is what you should do."

He got up, personally lifted the mirror, and handed it back to Zhu Biao.

"From today onwards, this mirror shall be returned to the Eastern Palace."

Zhu Gang and Zhu Shuang stood to the side, their expressions unreadable.

The wind rustles through the carnation grove.

A kite suddenly fell from the night sky and quietly landed at Zhu Biao's feet.

Zhu Biao bent down to pick it up, and unfolded the ribbon attached to the kite. A line of extremely fine ink characters quietly appeared: "Tonight at midnight, in front of Cangchun Pavilion."

His gaze was calm as he said in a low voice, "Finally, you've come out."

Zangchun Pavilion is located in the northern part of the rear garden. It was built by the late emperor in his early years, but it has been uninhabited for a long time and has fallen into disrepair. Green vines have spread over the corners of the walls, and the eaves are mottled.

Zhu Biao quietly slipped into the back of the pavilion, hiding behind an ancient locust tree, and waited for a moment. The moonlight was obscured by clouds, and the world was as dark as ink.

A moment later, a slender figure emerged from the flower bushes, moving with almost no sound, yet carrying a touch of江湖 (jianghu, the martial arts world) spirit. Zhu Biao's lips curled into a smile, and he said softly, "You've finally shown yourself, Yu Wen."

The man paused slightly, stopped, and turned to look at him.

Moonlight pierced through the clouds, illuminating the silhouette: a young man with a thin face, his features bearing a hint of Yu Tong's. Yu Wen bowed respectfully, his voice low and hoarse: "Your Highness the Crown Prince."

Zhu Biao stepped out from behind the tree and stood in front of him, but his brow remained furrowed: "Where have you been hiding all these years?"

"Lingxi".

Why not go back?

Yu Wen's gaze was calm: "My father ordered me to lie low until the mirror returns to the palace before I can show myself."

Zhu Biao sneered: "So he really trusts me?"

“He doesn’t believe in you,” Yu Wen said. “He believes in the mirror.”

Zhu Biao remained silent. He suddenly understood that Yu Tong's years of planning and scheming were not for the protection of the Crown Prince, nor for the hope of returning to officialdom, but solely for this "mirror of the heart," and for it to fall into the hands of the right person.

"Now that you've returned, do you have any plans?" Zhu Biao asked.

Yu Wen shook his head: "I am only following my father's orders to send someone to see Your Highness."

"Who?"

"She is coming."

As he finished speaking, a light footstep came from inside the pavilion.

The woman was dressed in black. Her appearance was not particularly beautiful, but her eyes and brows were very clear. Her expression was cold, and she moved with a graceful gait.

Zhu Biao frowned slightly: "Who are you?"

The woman lowered her head: "Wei Rou, from the Embroidered Robe Department."

"Your father is Wei Yun?"

"Exactly."

Zhu Biao's gaze lingered for a moment, then he sighed softly: "Back then, Wei Yun cut off his own arm to break through the secret files of the three provinces for the Emperor, but was given a sinecure for ten years."

Wei Rou's voice was indifferent: "My father never complained about Heaven. He only said that if Your Highness is able to wield the pen in the future, you should not let the old ministers be silenced and with their wings clipped."

Zhu Biao looked at Yu Wen: "Yu Tong brought you here because he wants me to establish a secret service?"

“No,” Yu Wen replied. “He wants you to see clearly that it’s not that the world disrespects you, but that you are not yet worthy of the world’s respect.”

"That's a harsh statement," Zhu Biao said, but his voice was extremely flat.

“If Your Highness is not angry, you will understand that these words are not meant to be derogatory.” Yu Wen lowered his head.

Zhu Biao remained silent for a long time, then suddenly said in a low voice, "Yu Wen, I ask you, besides conveying your father's message, did you also intend to secure a place for yourself by showing your face today?"

Yu Wen paused, his gaze flickering for the first time. He looked up, his voice as firm as iron:
"I only wish that on the day Your Highness ascends the throne, there will be those in the world who speak the truth without being punished."

Zhu Biao looked at him and suddenly chuckled: "Your father is a good father."

Having said that, he looked at Wei Rou: "Now that you've come here, are you willing to serve me?"

Wei Rou remained silent, but took something from her sleeve and presented it with both hands. Zhu Biao took it and saw that it was an old embroidered robe with a golden phoenix on the top and the inscription on the back: "Loyal advice should not be concealed."

"You want me to re-establish the Embroidery Bureau?"

"Your Highness, set it up personally," Wei Rou said calmly. "It shall not be subject to the Six Ministries, nor to the Secretariat, nor to the outer court, but only to the Crown Prince. The only rule shall be the mirror in one's heart."

Zhu Biao stared at the token, speechless for a long time.

The wind swept through the long corridor, scattering the candlelight. He slowly closed his palms, put away the token, and said in a deep voice:
"In that case, starting tomorrow, we will establish the 'Listening Wind Bureau,' with Wei Rou as its head. Are you willing to accept the order?"

Wei Rou knelt down and said, "I obey your command."

Zhu Biao turned around, his back heavy, and walked into the depths of the night.

"Yu Wen".

"exist."

"Come back to the East Palace with me."

"Yes."

The three of them walked side by side, disappearing into the moonlight and long shadows.

A few days later, in a side hall of the East Palace, Zhu Han handed over a thin book and said in a low voice, "This is the first report from the Listening Wind Division."

Zhu Biao flipped through the pages, his expression remaining largely unchanged, except for one point where his fingers paused slightly.

Zhu Han noticed that page: "Is it the Han family?"

Zhu Biao nodded slowly: "It is not unexpected that the Marquis of Yongjia has secret dealings with people in the Censorate."

"Should we take action?"

Zhu Biao closed the booklet: "Don't move for now. The grass will only show its form when the water is deep."

He handed the booklet back: "Go and investigate another person—Wang Qi, the Deputy Director of the Palace Etiquette Bureau."

Zhu Han was slightly taken aback: "That person... has always been neither good nor bad."

"It is precisely because it is without fault that it appears extraordinary."

"Yes."

Zhu Biao rose and walked to the front corridor of the hall, gazing at the ancient bronze mirror. He suddenly asked, "Do you believe this mirror can truly reflect people's hearts?"

Zhu Han thought for a moment and said, "I only know that if people don't want to hide things, the mirror is useless; if they insist on hiding things, the mirror is also powerless."

Zhu Biao smiled and said softly, "Well said."

He turned and went inside, unaware that behind the old locust tree in the courtyard, a figure was quietly lurking, its eyes like hooks, having been watching him for a long time.

That night, two additional sentries were placed in the imperial city: one from the Imperial Guards and the other from the Imperial Household Department. However, neither of them noticed a certain figure in the palace who quietly sneaked into the secret chamber of the Eastern Palace.

The man, dressed in black and with a plain face, nimbly and silently slipped through the side gate. He headed straight for a small pavilion to the side of Zhu Biao's sleeping quarters, as if he knew the way beforehand. Just as he pushed open the door, a clear, cold voice came from above.

"You're too late."

The man in black suddenly looked up and saw Zhu Han sitting cross-legged on the roof beam, with gold threads woven behind him and his robes fluttering in the wind.

"You..." The man turned to flee, but fell into the trap Zhu Han had set up. The four iron chains at the corners fell down and were driven into the ground tiles, blocking his escape route.

Zhu Han landed gracefully, his robes spotless, a slight smirk playing on his lips: "You stole from the Crown Prince's inner circle; you certainly have some nerve."

The man in black gritted his teeth and remained silent.

Zhu Han walked forward slowly, his gaze indifferent: "Tell me who sent you, and I'll make sure you die sooner."

The man's expression changed, and he suddenly bit his tongue, blood gushing out. Before he could hold his breath, a fragrant aroma filled his mouth.

"An antidote incense, a nine-turn elixir, I won't kill you, I'll just leave you conscious for half a day." Zhu Han sneered, "Do you think I don't know you're determined to die?"

The man's eyes widened in horror, his pupils contracted, and he choked on his words, but he had no strength left to struggle.

Zhu Han beckoned, and Wei Rou from the Listening Wind Division stepped in from outside the hall, dressed tightly in black, her eyes clear and sharp: "Your Highness, this person entered the palace using an inner court copper token, belonging to the Key Keeper's Office."

Zhu Han nodded: "Continue the interrogation, no need for forced confessions, first investigate the source of the bronze talisman."

"Here."

The man in black was taken away, and the moonlight fell on the brocade bricks in the hall. Zhu Han looked at the faint bloodstains and said in a low voice, "They've finally made their move."

The following day, between dawn and dusk, Zhu Han entered and exited the inner court under the guise of the Prince's residence, without alerting the outer court. However, at the hour of Wei (1-3 PM), he was summoned to the Qianqing Palace by Zhu Yuanzhang.

The hall was dimly lit, with only three sticks of sandalwood incense burning before the throne, their smoke drifting like mist.

Zhu Yuanzhang, wearing a wide robe with dragon patterns, sat upright without speaking, his gaze deep and unfathomable.

Zhu Han entered the hall and bowed as usual: "Your subject Zhu Han greets Your Majesty."

"Sit," Zhu Yuanzhang uttered a single word.

Zhu Han sat down with neither arrogance nor servility, placing his hand on one side of the long table, his gaze neither probing nor discerning.

After a long silence, Zhu Yuanzhang finally spoke: "I've heard that the Eastern Palace has recently established a new agency called 'Listening to the Wind'?" (End of Chapter)