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

Lu Mingfeng's face paled slightly, but he stubbornly argued, "Your humble servant is filled with righteousness!"

"You're carrying out Zhu Di's orders, aren't you?" Zhu Han's eyes turned cold. "They're betting that I'll panic, or that they'll use you to tear me apart from the Crown Prince, so they can force him to plead guilty."

Lu Mingfeng broke out in a cold sweat: "Your Highness, what are you saying? This humble subject is innocent!"

Zhu Han stood up, put his hands behind his back and stood by the window, his tone icy: "You have already put yourself on the chessboard. Who wins or loses is none of your business. If you really want to save your life, from today onwards, close your doors to guests and don't interfere with either side anymore."

Lu Mingfeng opened his mouth, but ultimately bowed his head and said, "Your humble servant... will remember."

After Lu Mingfeng left, Huang Qi couldn't help but ask, "Your Highness, should we present this scroll to the Emperor?"

"No need," Zhu Han shook his head. "This thing is just an empty shell. It's just a ploy to make me and the Crown Prince make the first move. If I present it to the Emperor, it will make me seem guilty; if I reprimand the Crown Prince, it will be exactly what they want. So, I'll just pretend I don't care."

"What about the prince?"

Zhu Han pondered for a moment: "Tomorrow at dawn, you will come with me to the palace to attend a lecture at the academy."

"Lecture?"

“Tell this to those courtiers who are watching the political winds.”

The following day, at the East Palace Academy, spring was in full bloom. More than twenty young officials were gathered in the hall, all of whom were selected by the emperor to serve as officials in the court.

Starting in early spring, Zhu Biao began to hold lectures at the academy to discuss government affairs, aiming to get closer to scholars and recruit talented individuals.

Today, however, Zhu Han arrived unexpectedly.

Zhu Biao greeted him outside the academy: "Uncle, why are you here today?"

Zhu Han smiled and said, "I have heard that Your Highness's teachings are insightful, so I have come here to seek your guidance."

Zhu Biao was taken aback for a moment, then immediately understood: "Imperial Uncle has come... to help us out?"

Zhu Han said softly, "No, I'm here to let you break this deadlock yourself."

On the podium, Zhu Han did not interrupt, but simply sat quietly to the side.

When Zhu Biao spoke of "the king's decree being issued but not proclaimed, and official orders being unable to be carried out," a young official suddenly stood up and asked, "Your Highness, if someone were to privately sign an imperial edict, wouldn't that be a serious crime?"

Zhu Biao remained calm and composed, raising his eyes to look at him: "Do you know the law that those who 'draft imperial edicts on behalf of others' must have the seals of the Three Departments and are not allowed to forge or issue private orders?"

The boy paused, then said, "I know."

"If anyone dares to forge my Crown Prince's edict, but does not send it to the Grand Secretariat or ask the Secretariat to review it, and only has it signed by two junior eunuchs, what crime would that be?"

"...It is a grave crime to deceive the emperor."

“Indeed.” Zhu Biao stood up and stepped down from the podium. “But what if someone else were to secretly send this forged edict into the Prince’s residence, attempting to sow discord between the Prince and me? How should we deal with that?”

The crowd exchanged bewildered glances, and the academy fell into a deathly silence.

Zhu Han finally spoke, his tone gentle yet forceful: "Such a despicable scheme was torn up and burned by me the very day it happened. The Royal Palace and the Crown Prince are of one mind in serving the country; how can we allow such scoundrels to sow discord?"

Zhu Biao walked to the front of the lecture hall and said solemnly to the students, "You must remember what I say today. If the Crown Prince cannot tolerate upright people, how can he bear the weight of the world? If Your Highness is not loyal and righteous, why would you suffer this false accusation for my sake?"

After a moment of silence, a young scholar rose and bowed deeply: "I, Li Cheng, wish to keep these words in mind and vow to assist the Crown Prince."

Then, the other students also shouted in unison, "We are willing to assist the Crown Prince!"

Zhu Han and Zhu Biao exchanged a glance and both nodded slightly.

This lecture not only dispelled the rumors but also established a good reputation for the Crown Prince. Several scribes who attended the lecture also secretly reported back to Zhu Yuanzhang.

That evening, in the Imperial Study.

After listening to Li Shanwen's report, Zhu Yuanzhang remained silent for a long time before suddenly laughing, "Brother Han, you really have a good way of doing things. You said nothing, yet you made everything clear."

Li Shanwen said in a low voice, "Your Majesty, the Embroidered Uniform Guard has also recently reported that Lu Mingfeng has been staying at home and is rumored to be unwell."

Zhu Yuanzhang chuckled: "They're afraid."

He then rose and slowly walked to the palace window, gazing at the palace in the night, and softly said:

"If Zhu Biao could truly be of one mind with Zhu Han, I could die in peace."

As the first month of the lunar calendar drew to a close, the capital gradually warmed, spring waters began to thaw, and willow tips sprouted green. Beneath the surface of calm, the political situation of the Ming Dynasty was like a submerged reef in the river, growing increasingly heavy.

While the Crown Prince's lectures won him the admiration of scholars for a time, they also attracted more unpredictable events.

On this day, the lights in the main hall of the Prince's mansion were still on. Zhu Han sat alone on a plain mat, grinding ink and spreading out a scroll, writing down his personally drafted "Records of the Crown Prince's Conduct" stroke by stroke.

Huang Qi stood beside the desk, carefully attending to Zhu Han, and only after Zhu Han finished writing the last four characters, "not a single hair's breadth of offense," did he ask softly:
"Your Highness is drafting this document late at night; is it intended to be presented to the Emperor?"

Zhu Han blew the ink dry and said calmly, "This is not a memorial to the throne, but a reminder."

Whom do you want to order?

"Apply the red mark."

Huang Qi was slightly taken aback: "The Crown Prince? He has made some progress recently..."

“But that’s not enough.” Zhu Han placed the pen on the pen holder, stood up, and paced back and forth. “Although the Crown Prince has become more composed, he has not yet fully restrained his temper. He still cares about rumors and gossip, and occasionally his emotions fluctuate. This is the root cause of my brother’s distrust of him.”

"Does Your Highness want to make him completely settle down?"

"Not only that," Zhu Han turned around, "we also need to teach him how to leverage existing power and turn enemies into friends."

"Whom do you want to recruit?"

“To add an old enemy.” Zhu Han turned and sat down, his gaze sharp as a knife. “Du Shiqing.”

Huang Qi gasped: "Wasn't that Zhu Di's earliest advisor? It's rumored that he drafted military orders at the Prince of Yan's residence, and was later demoted to the position of Vice Prefect of Shuntian Prefecture."

Zhu Han nodded slowly: "Although this man came from the same family as Zhu Di, he was dissatisfied with Zhu Di's stubbornness and took the initiative to request a transfer to Shuntian three years ago. Although he is now in a low position and has little influence, he still has prestige in the northern region. If the Crown Prince can recruit this man, he will be able to break one of Zhu Di's key pillars."

Huang Qi frowned: "The Crown Prince may not dare to do this."

“That’s why I’ll personally take him to see him.” Zhu Han smiled slightly, his gaze gentle yet leaving no room for doubt. “Tomorrow at dawn, go to the East Palace.”

The next morning, as soon as Zhu Biao got up, Gu Qingping put on her clothes and entered the palace.

"Your Highness, the Prince sent someone with a message saying he wants to take you on a 'mountain climbing trip'."

"Climbing a mountain?" Zhu Biao was taken aback. He took the letter and saw only five words: "Outside Shuntian Prefecture, I asked in the wind."

He pondered for a moment, then said in a low voice, "My royal uncle has made another plan."

Gu Qingping smiled slightly: "The prince's arrangements never fail."

At 3:45 AM, Zhu Biao and Zhu Han quietly left the palace, changed into civilian clothes, and boarded an inconspicuous gray sedan chair, heading straight to the eastern suburbs of Shuntian Prefecture.

Halfway there, Zhu Biao asked, "Whom does Imperial Uncle wish to see today?"

Zhu Handao said, "Someone who can help you break with the old and establish the new."

"Old acquaintances?"

"He was once Zhu Di's chief strategist."

Zhu Biao's expression changed slightly: "I don't believe him."

“You don’t have to believe him,” Zhu Han said calmly, “but you have to make him believe you.”

The carriage stopped outside the Shuntian Prefecture government office, at a simple residence with low eaves and blue bricks.

Zhu Han knocked on the door himself. The door opened halfway, and an elderly man in a blue robe came out carrying a book. He had a thin face and was none other than Du Shiqing.

"Your Highness?" Du Shiqing was startled and quickly bowed. Zhu Han didn't say much, but simply stepped aside to let him have a chat: "His Highness the Crown Prince has come in person, would Mr. Du be willing to speak with him?"

Du Shiqing raised an eyebrow and looked at Zhu Biao: "What brings Your Highness to my humble abode?"

Zhu Biao cupped his hands and said, "I have long admired Mr. Du's outstanding talent and knowledge. I dare to ask you for your guidance."

Du Shiqing did not invite him to sit down, but said calmly, "Your Highness has always respected and distanced himself from those from humble backgrounds. Why do you suddenly feel the need to ask me questions today?"

Zhu Biao paused slightly, glanced at Zhu Han, and then said seriously:

"Zhu Biao was once arrogant and overconfident, and he certainly failed to recognize talent. I am here today not for courtesy, nor to curry favor. I only have one question for you: If His Highness ascends the throne tomorrow, will there be a place for you in the court?"

A glint flashed in Du Shiqing's eyes, but he remained silent for a moment.

Zhu Han added with a smile, "Speak frankly, and don't speak falsehoods."

Du Shiqing slowly spoke: "If Your Highness can truly govern with the ambition of 'not committing the slightest offense,' I, Du, am willing to serve as a soldier in the Eastern Palace; if you still care about factionalism, I only wish to grow old and die here, never stepping into the palace gates."

Zhu Biao took a deep breath, took out the "Records of the Crown Prince's Activities" written by Zhu Han last night from his bosom, and handed it over: "This was written by my uncle, and I have not yet seen it. I will let you see it today. If you are willing after reading it, you can come to the palace with me; if you are not willing, this scroll will be burned, and Zhu Biao will not leave a word."

Du Shiqing took the scroll with both hands, unfurled it, and glanced at it casually. At first, his expression was calm, but as he read on, his expression gradually became serious. When he saw the last four words, "not to be violated in the slightest," his hands trembled slightly, and he remained silent for a long time.

After a long silence, he bowed deeply, holding the scroll, and said, "If Your Highness is truly so sincere, I, Du, am willing to serve in the Eastern Palace and become a strategist."

Zhu Biao cupped his hands in greeting: "Sir, your words are like a timely rain for the Crown Prince."

Zhu Han said softly, "In that case, the matter is settled. After returning to the palace tomorrow, have Wu Qiong arrange for Du Shiqing to enter the Secretariat. Do not reveal his identity yet. You will personally recommend and guide him. If you can make him submit to you, Zhu Di will have to cut off one of his arms."

That night, shortly after Zhu Han returned home, the system appeared:

[Side Quest Completed: Defeating Old Enemy Troops and Forming New Friends]

[Reward: Staff Integration +10, Foundation of the Crown Prince's trusted confidants complete]

[New character to bind: Du Shiqing]

Zhu Han opened the map on the table, wrote on the mark next to Zhu Di's residence, and said softly, "Sever an arm to shake his heart. Now, it's your turn to make your move, Zhu Di."

Meanwhile, at the Prince of Yan's residence, Zhu Di suddenly received a secret report that Zhu Biao had secretly visited Du Shiqing.

He gripped the letter tightly, his eyes blazing, and suddenly stood up: "Uncle Han has actually come to my doorstep."

Han Zhao's expression changed drastically: "Should we make the first move?"

Zhu Di shook his head, but a cold smile curled at the corner of his mouth: "No need. If they want to take people, I'll take over the game. Tell Cui Xiu that I will personally set up the trap for the spring hunt next month."

The following month, in the suburbs of the capital, the forests and fields gradually turned green, and the spring colors in the mountains were in full bloom.

The spring hunt is about to begin, with officials accompanying the emperor and princes participating. The "Spring Hunt Ceremony," symbolizing the parallel power of the emperor and the nobility, is about to commence.

This year was different from the past. Zhu Yuanzhang personally stated that he wanted to use the "Spring Hunt to Reward Talents" as a pretext to observe the abilities of his sons and grandsons.

Upon hearing this, Zhu Han simply said, "He's going to set up a challenge in public."

Upon hearing this, Zhu Biao frowned deeply: "Does the Imperial Uncle mean... that Father Emperor wants to test me and my fourth brother?"

“It’s not a test.” Zhu Han looked at him, his gaze sharp as a sword. “It’s a decision.”

Four days ago, a secret imperial envoy suddenly delivered an imperial edict:

"During the Spring Hunt, all the princes were required to personally go hunting and shoot wild beasts with arrows to demonstrate their prowess. The Crown Prince, the Prince of Yan, and the Prince of Jin were among them."

Zhu Han was sitting in the plum garden of the Prince's Mansion when he heard the imperial edict.

The snow on the branches was just beginning to melt; the flowers had not yet bloomed, and the snow was still cold. He listened quietly, remaining silent for a long time, until Huang Qi leaned closer and whispered:
"Your Highness, His Majesty could it be..."

"I wanted to use this opportunity to make the two of them compete in public. After we've exhausted all the literary arguments, we'll have to have a martial arts contest."

Zhu Han sneered, "Fine. If he doesn't do this, those distrustful officials in the court will never shut up."

Huang Qi worriedly said, "But the Crown Prince is not a skilled archer, and the Prince of Yan..."

“The Prince of Yan has been trained in military formations since childhood and is highly skilled in swordsmanship.” Zhu Han nodded slowly. “He must have planned this situation in advance. If I’m not mistaken, he probably not only set up an ambush, but also used this opportunity to ‘earn merit’ and seek real military power from the Emperor.”

"How does Your Highness intend to deal with this?"

Zhu Han stood up, put his hands behind his back, and walked to the end of the corridor: "Summon Du Shiqing and Wu Qiong. Tomorrow I will personally go to the Eastern Palace to teach the Crown Prince archery."

On the day of the Spring Hunt, the Emperor moved to the South Garden, where officials lined up to observe, and princes from all directions gathered. The Ministry of Rites and the Ministry of War both set up temporary offices for the purpose of deliberating on the strategies.

The Imperial Guards were heavily fortified, and the Imperial Bodyguards had already deployed along the main mountain roads.

Zhu Biao, dressed in a dark hunting robe, exuded heroic spirit, yet could not hide a hint of unease.

He was not skilled in riding and archery. Although he had practiced with Zhu Han, he was ultimately not as brave as Zhu Di.

Gu Qingping accompanied the emperor but did not enter the inner perimeter. However, when she looked at him from afar, her eyes were full of worry.

"Your Highness, everything is ready," Wu Qiong whispered as she stepped forward.

"Where's the emperor's uncle?"

"The prince entered the forest this morning, taking two personal guards with him to lay the net, saying he wanted to 'ask for passage' for His Highness."

Zhu Biao gritted his teeth and was about to mount his horse when a shout of "Giddy up!" rang out from the opposite side.

Zhu Di rode up, wearing golden armor over a crimson robe, a large bow slung over his shoulder, and smiled broadly: "Your Highness, do you still remember the last time you shot a deer in the North Garden, missing all three times?"

Zhu Biao remained unfazed: "It is rare that Your Highness still remembers my humble act."

Zhu Di laughed heartily, mounted his horse, and said, "If Your Highness can hunt the Golden Ring Tiger before me today, I will voluntarily ask my father to reduce my salary by three years."

Zhu Biao's eyes narrowed, and a smile appeared on his lips: "If I gain control first, you won't need to surrender. I will simply let you guard your northern town and refrain from discussing politics."

A glint flashed in Zhu Di's eyes: "Your Highness has great ambition. We'll see who prevails at the horse track."

The two men galloped into the forest, while the officials behind them whispered amongst themselves.

Soon after entering the forest, Zhu Biao sensed something amiss—although he was familiar with the forest path, it was shrouded in mist everywhere, clearly indicating that someone had laid out a trap beforehand. Just as he was pondering this, a fast horse galloped towards him; it was Huang Qi.

"Your Highness, the Prince has warned us that Zhu Di has ambushed two groups of his personal guards in the southwest, ostensibly as imperial guards, but in reality, they are setting a trap!"

"Setting up a trap? Why?"

"He intended to lure His Highness into the dense forest and then publicly reprimand him for 'accidentally injuring a beast'."

Zhu Biao was greatly alarmed and immediately turned his horse around: "But I have already gone deep into..."

"It's alright, Your Highness has another clever plan that can turn this situation around."

At the same time, Zhu Han rode his horse to a small path in the northwest of the mountains, where Du Shiqing and two guards were already waiting.

He held a black satin folding fan in his hand, the surface of which bore the calligraphy "Qingde" bestowed by his elder brother. At this moment, he held it high, hidden among the gaps in the woods.

“They’ve entered,” Du Shiqing said in a low voice.

“The Prince of Yan is impatient and will surely be at the forefront,” Zhu Han sneered. “Release the hawk.”

Two thrushes suddenly took flight, one to the east and one to the west, darting away in opposite directions.

Zhu Han then ordered, "Use the southern section as a mirror to reflect a false image and lead Zhu Di astray on the wrong mountain path."

Sure enough, Zhu Di rushed to the edge of the dense forest and saw two people in the distance who seemed to be Zhu Biao's group. He hurriedly ordered his personal guards to surround them for hunting. But when they got closer, they turned out to be a group of tamed beast riders and three imperial guards.

"Your Highness! You have trespassed into the forbidden area!" a lieutenant shouted sternly. (End of Chapter)