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

“Brother Han, if you are to leave in the future, you must leave a way out. Zhu Biao can rely on you for ten years, but not forever.”

Zhu Han nodded slightly: "Your subject already has a plan in mind."

Suddenly, an unusual event occurred within the Hanlin Academy. A twenty-year-old junior official, who had just entered officialdom, submitted three memorials within three days after the results of the palace examination were announced. He directly pointed out the imbalance in the government and the failure of the ritual system. His strong words caused a stir in the cabinet.

When Zhu Han received the letter, he was leaning against the west corridor of the Qianqing Palace, holding the lychees that had been presented as tribute the day before. He had not tasted a single one, but had only smelled their fragrance.

"Imperial Uncle, has Liu Qi gone mad?" Zhu Biao practically stumbled over, sweat beading on his forehead, but his voice was filled with anxiety. "His memorial is practically an impeachment of the Grand Secretary in court! He was personally appointed by the Emperor!"

Zhu Han raised an eyebrow and put down the lychee: "He didn't impeach me, he only discussed politics. The difference is huge."

“The content of this discussion is extremely provocative.” Zhu Biao gritted his teeth, his brows furrowed. “Although this person is young, he has an extremely arrogant tone, acting as if he is the only one who is right in the world.”

"Are you scared?" Zhu Han looked at him.

Zhu Biao remained silent for a long time before saying softly, "I am not afraid of him. I am afraid that if His Majesty really takes his advice, the cabinet will waver, and the court will become unstable."

Zhu Han nodded slightly, his gaze falling on the ancient plum tree in the courtyard: "Would you like to go and see him?"

Zhu Biao was taken aback: "Me?"

"You are the Crown Prince, the future Emperor. If you don't know what the talented men in the court look like, how can you know who you are relying on and who you are wary of?"

Zhu Biao hesitated for a moment, then suddenly nodded solemnly: "Okay, I'll go see him."

In the study in the east corner of the Hanlin Academy, a dim lamp flickered in the corner, and a scholar was writing furiously at his desk.

The man was dressed in a blue robe, with fair skin and sharp eyebrows. Although he lacked the imposing presence of a beard, he possessed a compelling and fierce aura.

Zhu Biao stood quietly outside the door, remaining silent for a moment.

"Since Your Highness has come, why not come in?" Liu Qi asked calmly without turning his head.

Zhu Biao looked slightly surprised, then pushed open the door and sat down opposite him: "How did you know I was coming?"

"The Hanlin Academy sent word today that His Highness will be visiting the History Museum. I guess if you really come, you will definitely go to the East Corner Study."

He paused, then smiled faintly, "This is the quietest place, perfect for a conversation."

Zhu Biao looked him straight in the eye: "Do you know why I've come?"

“Your Highness is the Crown Prince, so you should come.” Liu Qi put down his pen and met his gaze. “If His Majesty did not value my three chapters, they would have been burned; if he did value them, he would have sent you to verify their authenticity.”

Zhu Biao narrowed his eyes: "You're quite a smart person."

"Not that I'm clever, but I see things clearly." Liu Qi rose and bowed. "I dare to say that, although the officials and the court of the Ming Dynasty are not yet corrupt, there is already a sense of restlessness. If this is allowed to spread, even if there is a wise emperor in thirty or fifty years, it will be difficult to reverse the situation."

"You have been submitting memorials for days, with strong words. Aren't you afraid of His Majesty's wrath?" Zhu Biao stared at him. "You have only been in court for three days."

"I'm afraid," Liu Qi answered quickly, "but I'm even more afraid of living a mediocre life and accomplishing nothing."

Zhu Biao's heart skipped a beat, but he remained calm: "Then what do you want me to do?"

Liu Qi stared at him for a long time, then softened his tone: "I hope Your Highness knows that the worries of the court are not the corruption and incompetence of one or two officials, but the gradual decline of the morale of the scholars and the collapse of etiquette without anyone noticing."

Zhu Biao remained silent for a long while, then asked in a low voice, "Then are you willing to assist me in safeguarding this empire?"

"I do not know if I can serve you for a hundred years," Liu Qi said solemnly. "I only hope to serve you for ten years, that would be enough."

Night had fallen, and Zhu Biao returned to the palace without uttering a word.

Zhu Han waited in the outer corridor. Seeing his complicated expression, he didn't rush to speak. Instead, he put one hand behind his back and handed him a wine cup with the other.

“He’s a ruthless man.” Zhu Biao finally spoke, took the wine, and drank it all in one gulp. “He’s so ruthless that he’d even set his future on fire, just for the sake of saying ‘the world is going to hell.’”

Zhu Han pondered for a moment: "What do you think?"

“I respect him.” Zhu Biao exhaled. “He’s right. I… I’m beginning to understand that the way of the emperor is not about grand gestures, but about not neglecting any detail.”

"Now that you understand this, there is no turning back."

Zhu Han said in a low voice, "Liu Qi will be a pillar of your court in the future. But remember, he is not a lackey, and he will never blindly obey orders."

Zhu Biao nodded, seemingly resolute: "I understand."

That night, Zhu Han returned to the Prince's Mansion. The lights in the mansion were still on, and Xue Miaoyin was standing by the door.

"Did you go to the Imperial Academy today?"

"The news came quickly."

“You’ve never liked listening to sermons, but today you’ve sat for an hour.”

Zhu Han raised an eyebrow: "You sent someone to follow me?"

"I was afraid you'd get bored." Xue Miaoyin smiled, pursing her lips. "So, is Liu Qi up to the task?"

"The question is no longer whether he is capable of the job," Zhu Han said slowly, "but that we cannot do without him."

"The Crown Prince is pleased?"

"I am delighted, but also terrified."

“Then you shall continue to watch over him.” Xue Miaoyin’s tone was calm, but her eyes were tender. “Once he can understand things on his own, you should rest.”

In early May, summer suddenly arrived in the capital.

The spring breeze has not yet dissipated, but the streets and alleys are already filled with waves of heat.

Within the imperial city, lush greenery gradually flourished, wisteria vines twined around the corridors, and beneath the palace walls, a locust tree was just beginning to bloom, its fragrance lingering in the distance.

In the backyard of the Crown Prince's residence, pomegranate flowers were in full bloom. Gu Qingping held a bamboo broom, gently sweeping away the petals with an elegant demeanor.

Zhu Biao stood under the eaves, one hand behind his back, but his gaze was fixed on her.

"You've been quite diligent today," he said.

"It's so quiet in the manor. I'm afraid I'll get bored if I don't come out for a walk." Gu Qingping turned around and smiled slightly. "I heard you went to the Hanlin Academy yesterday?"

Zhu Biao nodded and took a step closer: "I went and met Liu Qi."

Gu Qingping's eyes flickered slightly, but her tone remained calm: "He is a man who dares to speak his mind. If you can make good use of him, the court will be more upright and honest."

"You've heard about it too?" Zhu Biao asked in surprise.

"How could any news from the manor escape my notice?" Gu Qingping smiled but said little. She leaned the broom against the wall and took out a pot of tea. "This tea was brought back from outside the palace by my uncle. It's a new tea from north of Jing Mountain with a hint of pine resin."

Zhu Biao took the teacup, lowered his head to sniff it carefully, and indeed it was different from ordinary tea; it was light but not astringent, with a hint of bitterness in its aroma. He took a sip and suddenly said, "Tell me, have I changed?"

Gu Qingping looked at him, her eyes clear: "You're just... starting to really act like a prince."

Zhu Biao smiled bitterly: "I used to think that being the crown prince was just a title, wearing court robes, abiding by palace rules, studying classics and history, and having teachers... But in recent years I have realized that the difficulty of being the crown prince lies not in what you learn, but in what you memorize."

Gu Qingping put down her teacup and said softly, "What you are carrying is the world."

Zhu Biao paused for a moment, then turned to look at the courtyard outside the window: "But I don't want to just carry the weight of the world on my shoulders; I want to protect it." "Then you need to learn faster and grow more steadily," a voice came from outside the door, tinged with a slight chuckle. Zhu Han, dressed in a moon-white robe, entered with his hands behind his back.

Gu Qingping bowed slightly: "Royal Uncle".

Zhu Han waved his hand, walked over and sat down, picked up a cup of tea from the table, drank it all in one gulp, and frowned: "This tea is alright, but it's a bit lacking in spiciness."

Zhu Biao couldn't help but laugh out loud: "Uncle, you've always had strong liquor and strong liquor, how could you stand something so bland?"

"You remember quite well." Zhu Han looked at him, his eyes sharpening. "Have you been neglecting your calligraphy practice lately?"

Zhu Biao was taken aback: "Never."

"That's good." Zhu Han nodded. "You write a short essay every day, discuss the imperial edict every three days, and write a book of the Zizhi Tongjian every seven days. Don't think that no one is checking your studies."

“Uncle…I am no longer a child.” Zhu Biao said with some helplessness.

"The less of a child you are, the more you need someone to guide you," Zhu Han said calmly. "If even I don't remind you, who will dare to say you're not a good person after you ascend the throne?"

Zhu Biao bowed his head in agreement, his expression gradually hardening.

As Gu Qingping observed the tacit understanding and tension between the two, a sense of emotion suddenly arose in her heart.

Although Zhu Han was the emperor's uncle, he acted as a teacher, a father, a friend, and an enemy, being both strict and warm.

A gentle breeze suddenly arose outside, carrying the fragrance of locust blossoms to the ground.

That night, Zhu Han returned home. The light in his study was still on. The door was not closed. He went inside and saw Xue Miaoyin already there.

She was dressed in a light blue dress, draped in a thin veil, leaning against the table by the window, flipping through an old book. Seeing him return, she looked up and smiled, "You're back late tonight."

"I sat in the Crown Prince's residence for a while." Zhu Han took the wine pot, poured himself a cup, and looked at Zhu Biao, feeling a bit emotional.

"Is it relief or worry?" Xue Miaoyin asked softly.

Zhu Han sighed softly, "It's both. The child's eyes are finally like those of a prince."

Xue Miaoyin smiled and adjusted her sleeves: "If you had let go sooner, he might have matured sooner."

Zhu Han looked at her and suddenly asked, "Do you think he can hold up the world?"

Xue Miaoyin didn't answer, but asked in return, "Are you waiting for him to get back on his feet, or are you waiting for yourself to give up?"

Zhu Han paused for a moment, then suddenly burst out laughing: "Miaoyin, you've gotten better and better at manipulating me these past few years."

“It’s not about manipulating, it’s about seeing through you.” She spoke gently. “You’ve kept your thoughts hidden all these years, but I can still see that you’re tired.”

“You know I can’t stop.” Zhu Han stood up and paced slowly in the room. “The undercurrents in the court are still simmering. Zhu Di is holding back his troops, and Zhu Yunwen is secretly studying literature. Zhu Yuanzhang has not yet retreated, but all the princes have risen up. If I relax my guard, the situation will fall into chaos.”

Xue Miaoyin walked to his side and gently took his hand: "But you weren't born with an iron will. You deserve a chance to catch your breath."

Zhu Han remained silent for a long time, then suddenly said, "If one day I really have to retire, would you be willing to go into seclusion with me?"

“I’ll go with you.” Xue Miaoyin’s eyes were full of determination. “Whether you’re in the imperial court or in the mountains.”

Zhu Han looked at her, his eyes as calm as the night: "Then remember what you said today."

The next day, Zhu Biao went to the Imperial Academy to observe the classes, as instructed by his uncle.

He stood silently outside the door, watching a group of young students debating and listening to them argue about "the way of the gentleman," and was momentarily lost in thought.

At this moment, a man entered through the side door. He was tall and elegant, with a cold and stern expression.

It was Liu Qi. He exchanged a glance with Zhu Biao, nodded in greeting, and then sat down.

The elderly professor was still quoting classical texts on the podium when a student suddenly stood up to refute him, his words sharp and causing a stir in the room. Liu Qi frowned, slowly rose, and said, "Debate is not about winning, but about seeking the truth. What you said is not convincing enough."

"Then how will you argue?" the young man retorted, full of youthful arrogance.

Liu Qi stepped forward, rolled up the bamboo slips with his fingers, and said in a deep voice: "The great meaning of the Spring and Autumn Annals lies in its subtle words, not in its loud voice."

The lecture hall fell silent. Zhu Biao listened intently in the shadows, a slight tremor running through his heart.

He turned to his attendants and instructed them: "From now on, every ten days, submit the results of the debates of the students from the Imperial Academy to me."

"Yes, Your Highness."

That night, Zhu Biao returned to the palace and paid his respects at the Qianqing Palace.

Zhu Yuanzhang sat leaning against the table, having changed out of his court robes and into a plain-colored long robe, yet his imposing presence remained undiminished.

Where did you go today?

"Your subject will go to the Imperial Academy to observe the students' debates," Zhu Biao replied, bowing his head.

Zhu Yuanzhang nodded, a hint of relief in his expression: "You are more obedient than your father was back then."

Zhu Biao's heart skipped a beat, knowing that his father was testing him. He dared not be negligent and said solemnly, "If you don't know the scholars of the world, how can you know the character of the literati? If you don't know the character of the literati, how can you talk about governing the world?"

Zhu Yuanzhang stared at him for a long time before slowly speaking: "It is right that your imperial uncle has taught you a lot. But you should know that if he teaches you ten sentences, you must understand a hundred. In the future, when he is no longer in court, you will not have so much to rely on."

"Your subject understands." Zhu Biao cupped his hands and bowed respectfully.

Zhu Yuanzhang nodded and said in a low voice, "Go, have a good dream, and your dream should contain mountains and rivers."

In June, the temperature in Beijing gradually rises, and the palace walls outside the Forbidden City are covered with roses, filling the air with their fragrance.

The daytime sun had already bathed the streets and alleys, but as night fell, the city lights became especially intense due to the rising temperature.

Zhu Han stood in the study of the Prince's mansion, his brows slightly furrowed.

He was flipping through a memorial in his hand, a hint of weariness in his eyes that he hadn't noticed before.

The moonlight outside the window was like water, shining on the bluestone ground, and the quiet night seemed to give people a sense of oppression.

"Royal Uncle." A clear voice came from outside the door, breaking the silence of the night.

Zhu Han looked up and saw Gu Qingping walk in, dressed in simple white robes, her expression calm. She did not carry the majesty of the Crown Prince, but rather a gentle grace.

Zhu Han put down the memorial and smiled slightly: "What brings the Crown Princess to see me today?"

Gu Qingping paused for a moment, walked to the desk, and sighed softly: "You and Zhu Biao are becoming increasingly difficult to understand."

Zhu Han's heart skipped a beat, and he raised an eyebrow slightly: "What do you mean?"

Gu Qingping sat down gently, a hint of worry in her eyes: "Since he ascended the throne, he seems to have done too much, pushing himself harder and harder, and the pressure is getting greater and greater. Do you think he is ready?"

Zhu Han was silent for a moment before slowly speaking: "Whether he is ready or not, he has to bear it. The world does not belong to him alone. If Zhu Biao does not know how to respect himself, he will be led by the world. If you are really worried about him, then give him more time to understand."

Gu Qingping gently shook her head: "But he is no longer the carefree crown prince. Uncle, can't you see? He is being suffocated by your and His Majesty's expectations."

Zhu Han's eyes suddenly deepened. He slowly stood up and looked at the moonlight outside the window: "I understand him. Perhaps he is not yet fully worthy of this position, but he is destined to bear these burdens. If it weren't for him, everything would have to start all over again."

Gu Qingping was silent for a moment, then said in a low voice, "Then, could you give him more space, allowing him the opportunity to demonstrate his judgment and decision-making?" (End of Chapter)