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

Zhu Han slowly turned around, a resolute glint in his eyes: "I've been giving him space, but every time, he manages to get himself into trouble. I can't just stand by and watch him ruin his future."

After listening, Gu Qingping remained silent for a long time before finally saying softly, "What you can do is not only assist him, but more importantly, make him understand what he wants, instead of living in the shadow of you and Father Emperor."

Zhu Han sighed, walked to Gu Qingping's side, and gently held her shoulder: "I understand your concerns, but you should also know that the position of Crown Prince is not something that one person can easily bear. Neither I nor you can let him walk too easily on this path."

Gu Qingping looked at him, a gentle light in her eyes: "I know, but could you... relax a little sometimes and not take everything so seriously?"

Zhu Han chuckled: "If I relax, who will support you all?"

Gu Qingping smiled slightly: "If you can let go of some of your burdens, perhaps Zhu Biao will be able to relax a bit."

Zhu Han's eyes flickered, but he finally nodded: "You're right, I will try my best to let go, but I can't let him make the same mistake again."

Just as he finished speaking, footsteps suddenly came from outside the door. Zhu Biao hurriedly walked in, his face somewhat solemn, and a hint of fatigue showing between his brows.

"My father has ordered me to go to the Imperial Study to assist and handle some matters."

Zhu Biao walked into the room and said in a low voice.

Zhu Han frowned slightly: "Your father sent you there, probably because he wants you to learn some difficult things."

Zhu Biao smiled wryly: "Yes. Father always likes to make me learn things that are too strict, as if he always thinks I am not mature enough."

Gu Qingping looked at Zhu Biao with gentle eyes: "Zhu Biao, remember, being the Crown Prince is not just a title, but also a responsibility. Your father wants you to understand that the world is not always as simple as you imagine."

Zhu Biao lowered his head and nodded gently: "I know, but sometimes, everything feels too heavy."

Zhu Han gave Zhu Biao a deep look: "Heavy burdens are a normal state. Only by learning to bear them can you truly take control of yourself. You need to learn how to find your own path under these pressures."

Zhu Biao looked up at him, his eyes filled with determination: "I will try my best."

“Go,” Zhu Han said softly, “but remember, be careful with every step you take outside the palace.”

Zhu Biao nodded, turned and left. Gu Qingping watched him go, a complex emotion flashing in her eyes.

Zhu Han walked to the window and gazed at the distant palace walls, seemingly deep in thought.

Under the moonlight, the Forbidden City is as tranquil as water, yet countless undercurrents are hidden on every inch of its ground.

The next day, Zhu Biao went to the imperial study as agreed, and Zhu Yuanzhang was already sitting at his desk, his expression still serious.

"Sit down," Zhu Yuanzhang said in a low voice.

Zhu Biao stepped forward and sat down respectfully.

"Your father summoned you here because he has something to tell you."

Zhu Yuanzhang's words were brief and his gaze sharp: "You must be prepared. The court is in turmoil. There are some things you can't understand until you grow up."

Zhu Biao's heart skipped a beat, and his expression turned solemn: "Father, you mean..."

“Some people in the court are starting to stir. You need to learn to distinguish between friend and foe, and learn how to handle the situation. You don’t only have me and Zhu Han behind you, but also many powerful ministers who want to curry favor with you.”

Zhu Biao lowered his head slightly: "I understand."

Zhu Yuanzhang paused, then sighed: "You can go to Zhu Han and ask him some questions. After all, you've learned more from him than I have from you."

Zhu Biao paused for a moment, then nodded: "I will."

The moonlight, like water, spilled onto the walls of the Forbidden City. The night breeze, as if pressed by the profound atmosphere, lingered, unwilling to leave.

Zhu Han stood in the study, flipping through the case files in his hands again and again, but he couldn't see the words on the paper.

“Uncle.” Gu Qingping’s voice broke his reverie, gentle yet tinged with anxiety.

Zhu Han turned around and saw her standing at the door, her expression normal, but her brows were slightly furrowed.

"What's wrong?" Zhu Han put down the memorial in his hand, his gaze gentle.

Gu Qingping took a few steps closer and whispered, "I overheard some things today. Zhu Biao seems to be finding it increasingly difficult to bear the pressure. He's no longer as open-minded as before, and now he's starting to think about how to face the situation ahead."

Zhu Han raised an eyebrow slightly, walked to her side, and said in a low voice, "He has never had an easy time. The position of Crown Prince is inherently heavy. Since he has begun to think about his position, it means that he is also growing."

Gu Qingping was silent for a moment, then turned her gaze to the moonlight outside the window: "However, although he seems ready to face everything, the hesitation and unease deep in his heart make him even more unpredictable. I don't know whether I should continue to let him go on, or... stop and give him more guidance."

Zhu Han sighed softly: "Qingping, some things are unavoidable. Whether he is prepared or not, he has to go on. All I can do is support him as much as possible."

Gu Qingping's eyes flickered, as if she wanted to say something, but then stopped. After a long while, she whispered, "Don't worry, I will always be by his side and support him."

Zhu Han looked at her and nodded slightly: "I know. You understand him better than anyone else."

Just then, the study door was gently pushed open, and Zhu Biao walked in. His gaze was normal, but his brows were furrowed, clearly indicating that he was preoccupied.

"Did Father ask you to do something?" Zhu Han turned around, his tone gentle.

Zhu Biao paused for a moment, then shook his head: "He just asked me to handle some trivial matters. The situation in the palace has become increasingly complicated recently, and I feel that there are some things I may not be able to control."

Zhu Han's gaze narrowed slightly as he approached Zhu Biao and said in a low voice, "Your father entrusted everything to you because he believed in you. The position of Crown Prince will ultimately belong to you. If you want to let go, then let go yourself, but you must understand the consequences of letting go."

Zhu Biao pursed his lips, a hint of uncertainty flashing in his eyes: "I know, but sometimes I feel like I can't find a way out of this situation. No matter what I do, it seems like I'm heading towards a dead end."

Gu Qingping stood up and looked at him gently: "Crown Prince, you are not alone. No matter what, your father, your uncle, and even I will be by your side."

Zhu Biao looked at the two of them, a complicated expression in his eyes. Finally, he sighed and said, "I just don't know when I will stop feeling lost."

Zhu Han patted him on the shoulder: "You don't need to rush. Feeling lost is normal. Everyone needs to take a detour before they can go further. As long as you always remember your original intention, that's enough."

Zhu Biao nodded slightly, his eyes gradually hardening: "I will try my best."

Zhu Han looked at him and sighed inwardly. Zhu Biao carried the shadow of Zhu Yuanzhang, and as the imperial uncle, what could he do besides assist him?
The next day, Zhu Han went to the palace to discuss the morning court session with Zhu Yuanzhang.

Inside the imperial study, the atmosphere was heavy. Zhu Yuanzhang was as majestic as ever, his brows furrowed.

"Your Majesty, I have heard some voices in the court that seem to be becoming increasingly difficult to reconcile. What do you think?" Zhu Yuanzhang asked in a low voice, looking directly at Zhu Han. Zhu Han slowly sat down, his gaze steady: "Your Majesty, the disputes in the court are escalating, especially the power struggle between the Crown Prince and my fourth brother. It is no longer a simple palace dispute. If it is not dealt with soon, I'm afraid it will be difficult to quell."

Zhu Yuanzhang was silent for a moment, then sighed: "Zhu Biao's maturity came too late. You and I both know that our fourth brother, Zhu Di, is a man of deep thoughts. If he wants the position of crown prince, he will not give up easily."

A cold glint flashed in Zhu Han's eyes: "Although Zhu Biao is not fully prepared, he is, after all, the Crown Prince. If even he cannot control the court, wouldn't he truly become a puppet?"

Zhu Yuanzhang nodded: "I already knew, but now that the situation has become what it is, many people in the court have begun to doubt the Crown Prince's abilities. You don't want to see Zhu Biao become a disgrace."

Zhu Han took a deep breath: "This matter is not urgent. If anyone in the court intends to cause trouble, let them lose their composure. As long as the Crown Prince does not lose his stance, leave the rest to me."

Zhu Yuanzhang gave him a deep look and finally nodded: "Brother, you have always shared my burdens, so I am at ease."

"Your Majesty, rest assured," Zhu Han said calmly.

Zhu Yuanzhang put down his pen, stood up, and looked out the window: "I know you have your own thoughts. Whether Zhu Biao can support this country ultimately depends on himself. You are right. Only he knows whether he can shoulder the position of crown prince. It depends on how he acts."

Zhu Han's eyes were calm, and the corners of his mouth were slightly upturned: "He will definitely be able to handle it."

At night, Zhu Biao practiced archery as usual, his movements still steady, but the troubles in his heart still could not be relieved.

Every time the bow was drawn, the arrow either hit the bullseye or missed too far.

Zhu Han stood aside, watching him calmly. Finally, he stepped forward and said softly, "Zhu Biao, the secret to archery is not simply looking at the target, but looking at your heart. If you are fearless, your arrow will surely hit the mark."

Zhu Biao stopped what he was doing, his gaze slightly bewildered: "Fearless? Imperial Uncle, if I am already afraid, how can I be fearless?"

Zhu Han smiled coldly: "What you fear is the responsibility you bear in your heart, not the goal before you. The position of Crown Prince is not something you fear, but something you should bravely shoulder."

Zhu Biao lowered his head and remained silent for a moment before saying, "I understand."

Zhu Han patted him on the shoulder: "You will find the journey increasingly difficult, but remember, you are not alone. If you stay true to your original aspirations, one day you will see your achievements."

Zhu Biao nodded, slowly tightened his grip on the bowstring, and his gaze gradually hardened.

"Again!" Zhu Han shouted.

The bowstring twanged, and the arrow flew swiftly, hitting the bullseye precisely.

Zhu Han smiled slightly: "See, you did it."

Zhu Biao took a deep breath, his eyes more resolute than ever before: "Thank you, Imperial Uncle."

Before dawn, the palace was already brightly lit.

Zhu Han, dressed in plain white clothes, stepped steadily into the study of the East Palace.

This morning he did not bring any attendants, keeping a low profile as usual, but he had already become accustomed to every gaze upon him in the palace.

Zhu Biao sat at his desk, engrossed in transcribing his political notes.

His face showed signs of fatigue, and fine beads of sweat appeared on his temples, indicating that he had not slept all night. Hearing the door open, he looked up, his eyes immediately lighting up: "Uncle."

Zhu Han waved to stop him from getting up and sat down on the opposite couch: "How's the writing going?"

Zhu Biao sighed softly and put down his pen: "The memorials are becoming more and more complicated. The ministers all have their own selfish reasons for submitting them. Although Father Emperor has given me the authority to make the decisions, the more I look at them, the more difficult it is for me to start."

Zhu Han picked up a bamboo scroll, flipped through a couple of pages, and sneered, "As expected, it was written by Shen Lin. It's another case about household registration. If you listen to him, the people will have to pay 10% more in taxes."

Zhu Biao frowned slightly: "But his reasoning is sound, and I can hardly judge whether it is true or false."

Zhu Han coldly said, "If the Crown Prince relies on his ministers to reason and make decisions, then he is not the Crown Prince, but a mere bookworm. A person in charge must understand people's hearts, discern the truth, be able to listen, and be able to make judgments."

Zhu Biao blushed with shame and lowered his head, saying, "Uncle is right."

Seeing his shame, Zhu Han softened his tone: "These things cannot be rushed. You are new to politics, so it's understandable that you feel helpless. But I'm here today not just for these memorials."

"Oh?" Zhu Biao raised his eyes, his gaze carrying a hint of wariness.

Zhu Han said in a deep voice, "Last night I received a secret report that someone is secretly contacting Zheng Yi, the Minister of Rites."

Zhu Biao frowned: "Zheng Yi has always acted with integrity and never formed cliques for personal gain."

“Yes, but if someone finds out his weakness, they can make a big difference,” Zhu Han said slowly. “And that person is probably no one else.”

Zhu Biao's heart skipped a beat: "Fourth Uncle?"

Zhu Han nodded: "Zhu Di has always been shrewd and reserved. He appears respectful on the surface, but in reality, he is secretly deploying people to investigate your movements. If you don't take a stronger stance, I'm afraid he might really seize the initiative."

Zhu Biao was speechless for a moment, and after thinking for a long time, he said, "My fourth uncle is brave and has a very high reputation in the army. If I start a conflict lightly, I am afraid it will backfire."

Zhu Han sneered: "If you retreat, he will advance; if you yield, he will seize. This is not brotherly affection, this is a power struggle."

Zhu Biao finally said in a low voice, "I understand. I will begin investigating the Ministry of Rites."

Zhu Han stood up with satisfaction and patted him on the shoulder: "This is your first step. Remember, the Crown Prince cannot just be gentle; he must also have a sharp edge."

In the afternoon, Zhu Han rode his horse out of the imperial city and walked along the streets and alleys. He did not go to the mansion, but turned into an ordinary alley and entered an unassuming courtyard.

Someone was already waiting in the hall; he was a scholar of about forty years old, with a calm and composed demeanor.

"Zhao Ji," Zhu Han said calmly as he sat down, "have you made any progress on your investigation?"

Zhao Ji bowed and took out a document from his sleeve: "Your Highness, as you instructed, I have investigated the people promoted in the Ministry of Rites in the past two years. Three of them were from Zheng Yi's faction. Last winter, one of them was suddenly promoted. The person behind him was the Deputy Prefect of Shuntian Prefecture."

Zhu Han took the document and examined it closely. After a moment, he said, "This person is a former subordinate of Zhu Di."

Zhao Ji nodded: "Moreover, he secretly visited the Eastern Palace two months ago."

Zhu Han's gaze was icy as he slowly tore the document to shreds: "Good. This line must be severed. Send someone to investigate the private relationship between the Deputy Yin and Zheng Yi, then set a trap to implicate this person." (End of Chapter)