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

Huang Qi cupped his hands in greeting: "I will make arrangements immediately."

The Hanlin Academy, with its cold, jade-like steps, is filled with piles of documents on the desks.

Wang Jinian was only in his early thirties, always dressed in a simple cloth robe and with a pen in hand, often jokingly referred to by scholars as the "paper swordsman." He was flipping through the political essays written by Zhu Biao a few days ago, his brows furrowed.

Suddenly a boy came to report: "Lord Wang, the Prince's men have come to visit."

Wang Ji paused, his hand trembling slightly.

Half an hour later, in the secret room of the study.

Huang Qi spoke frankly: "Lord Wang Ji, the Prince requests that you return to the Hanlin Academy and, in the name of the Crown Prince's advisor, take charge of the discourse."

Wang Ji's expression was solemn: "Although I am not afraid to speak out, is Your Highness's intention too grand? Among the officials in the court, who does not know that Your Highness is supporting the Crown Prince? If I return to the Hanlin Academy, I am afraid that I will be accused of 'using my pen to criticize the court'."

Huang Qi remained calm, took out a letter from his sleeve, and handed it to the table.

Wang Ji unfolded it and saw several words written by Zhu Han:
"The pen can replace the sword, but the sword cannot replace the pen; a prince can establish a country, but someone must be able to establish a theory for him."

After a moment of silence, Wang Ji finally sighed, "I may enter, but I will not only write for the Crown Prince, but also speak for the world."

Huang Qi smiled: "His Highness knew you would say this, and he only wishes that you keep this thought."

Three days later, Wang Ji was reinstated to the Hanlin Academy and appointed as "Eastern Palace Compiler and Guest Advisor." Although he did not hold a real position, he entered the Eastern Palace every day to debate and discuss politics with the Crown Prince.

Gu Qingping looked at the brightly lit desk of Zhu Biao every night, a hint of worry in her eyes: "Your Highness, the imperial examination is approaching, and the civil officials are stirring up trouble. If the Hanlin Academy's stance is uncertain, they might be used for verbal disputes..."

Zhu Biao, however, continued writing: "In the past, my uncle Wang helped me garrison troops. Now I personally wield the pen and inkstone, not because I fear literary disputes, but because I want to use literature to establish the right path."

"My royal uncle taught me that if I don't want to be ruined by others' writings, I must first write for the world myself."

"Now is the time for me to put my words into action."

Just as the sound of reading grew stronger in the Eastern Palace, Zhu Yuanzhang also noticed a gradual change in the court's atmosphere.

In the Hall of Mental Cultivation, Zhu Yuanzhang looked at the recent reports from the Censorate, most of which praised the Crown Prince, some mentioning military strategies, others praising the Strategist Hall, and still others promoting the Spring Festival policies.

The emperor frowned slightly and casually tossed the watch onto the table.

"Has the Crown Prince's power become too great?"

Li Shanwen, standing beside him, said in a low voice, "Your Majesty, the words of the censors are indeed somewhat exaggerated, but the actions of the Crown Prince in recent months have all been correct, and we ministers find it difficult to refute them."

"What is Wang Han's intention?"

"The prince has not attended court for three days, but the Hanlin scholar he recommended, Wang Ji, is a force to be reckoned with."

Zhu Yuanzhang remained silent for a moment, then suddenly smiled faintly: "It seems he wants to teach the Crown Prince to 'enter politics through literature'."

"In that case, let him in."

"I want to see if this Wang Ji really has the courage of Li Shanchang back then."

Several days later, the spring imperial examination began, and the examination hall was set up in the south hall of the examination hall.

Scholars from all over gathered, with more than a thousand responding. Zhu Biao was ordered to attend the hearing, but in reality, he wanted to assess public opinion and sentiment.

Wang Ji, on the day before the examination, posted the results and included a policy question: "If the crown prince inherits the throne, how can the foundation for a long-term stable nation be established?"

This question caused a stir in both the government and the public.

Many veteran officials privately murmured, "He hasn't even ascended to the throne yet, and he's already posing the question of unifying the world. What are his intentions?"

But many more young scholars were passionate and enthusiastic, discussing virtuous governance or the people's welfare, their words scathing and their writings full of ambition.

Zhu Biao received a hundred essays, pondered for a long time, and selected only three. He ordered Wang Ji to comment on them and then forwarded them to the heads of the Hanlin Academy, the Ministry of War, and the Ministry of Works for discussion as "examination essays for entering officialdom".

Zhu Han, in his palace, personally read the three texts and finally wrote only four characters: "Capable of ruling the world."

Huang Qi, standing to the side, whispered, "Your Highness, the Crown Prince has already established credibility through writing. The next step... is to win people's hearts."

Zhu Han nodded slowly, his gaze distant.

When the Imperial Horse Stables sent back the reply, the morning sun had just shone into Fengtian Gate, making the golden tiles shine and the jade steps appear spotless.

Dressed in plain clothes, Zhu Di rode back from the North City drill ground. When he entered the Qianqing Gate, he did not go directly back to his residence. Instead, he quietly turned into the east wing side corridor and slowly entered the former residence of the Crown Prince—a secluded courtyard that is now long abandoned.

A man, dressed in black and with a solemn expression, had been waiting in the courtyard for a long time.

"Lord Wang," Zhu Di stopped three feet away, clasped his hands in a low voice, "how dare you summon me here?"

That man was none other than Wang Zonggui, a former official in the Ministry of Personnel who had requested to be transferred to a post outside the capital after offending the authorities with his outspokenness.

He cupped his hands and smiled, his voice sharp as a needle: "If Your Highness does not come, wouldn't all my efforts be in vain? In the Ming Dynasty, the civil affairs are now in the hands of the Crown Prince, and the military affairs are in the hands of the Prince. If you do not make a move, I'm afraid even your shadow will be obscured."

Zhu Di sneered: "Do you think I'm someone who covets the throne?"

"Greed for power?" Wang Zonggui shook his head. "I think you are the one who understands the situation of the Ming Dynasty best. Zhu Biao is soft and cultured, Zhu Han is tough and powerful, His Majesty is getting older, the Crown Prince is growing stronger without realizing it, and the Prince is retreating and hiding his sharpness. If you don't speak up now, you will have no chance to turn things around in the future."

"Now that I've said this much, what does Your Excellency wish to do with me?"

Wang Zonggui took out a small document from his sleeve and gently placed it in Zhu Di's palm. He said succinctly, "Qi Qian, one of the eight generals of the right battalion of the Thirty-Six Battalions, comes from a collateral branch of the Zhu family of Wuqing. He was favored by you in the past, and now... I wish to present a letter."

Zhu Di's gaze was deep and unfathomable: "To mobilize the army is a capital offense."

Wang Zonggui replied with only one sentence: "Not moving the army is tantamount to being deposed."

After a long silence, Zhu Di's fingers trembled slightly: "Do you know how my father taught me?"

"Your Majesty...I believe in your benevolence and courage."

Zhu Di put away the plan: "If I want to make a move, I will leave no trace. Go back and wait for news."

That night, the lights in the Prince's mansion were still on. Zhu Han sat at his desk, silent.

Huang Qi strode in from outside the door, bowed, and reported, "Your Highness, something is amiss."

"explain."

"The Right Battalion recently changed commanders, ostensibly for a troop transfer, but Qi Qian's subordinates have been conducting unauthorized military exercises several times without any military tally or orders, which suggests something is amiss."

Zhu Han frowned slightly: "Qi Qian?"

"That's right. He used to serve the Prince of Yan, and it's rumored that they have a past friendship."

“…Zhu Di.” Zhu Han sighed softly, his eyes gradually turning icy. “I originally intended to spare you, but since you have come here seeking death today—it is no longer up to you.”

He rose, entered the inner chamber, picked up his brush and wrote an order, each word as if carved with a knife: "Summon Qi Qian to the imperial prison, and Xie Gui, the Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of War, to temporarily assume command of the Right Battalion."

Huang Qi hesitated slightly: "Is this too hasty? What if Zhu Di has a backup plan..."

"It's alright," Zhu Han said calmly. "As long as my elder brother and the crown prince see it, there are only two people in this world who would dare to wage war—one is me, and the other is the emperor."

The following day, at the court assembly, the Ministry of War suddenly reported that the Right Battalion had staged a private performance. Zhu Yuanzhang's face was ashen, but Zhu Di was not in court.

Zhu Biao stepped forward with his hands clasped and stated directly: "Your Majesty, I request that you thoroughly investigate Qi Qian's private performance and prevent any unrest in the army."

Zhu Yuanzhang said, "The general of the Right Battalion has always been on good terms with the Prince of Yan. If he is indeed implicated in the Yan family, how should the Crown Prince deal with him?"

Zhu Biao said in a deep voice: "I believe that Zhu Di's uncle would not rebel, but if he is indeed involved, he should be judged equally regardless of kinship!"

Zhu Yuanzhang's gaze was complex. He remained silent for a long time before finally issuing an edict: "The Ministry of War shall thoroughly investigate Qi Qian's matter, the Embroidered Uniform Guard shall secretly investigate all words and deeds of the Yan family, and the Prince shall assist in the investigation."

On that day, the imperial edict was issued, and the entire court was shocked.

The Eastern Palace was brightly lit that night. Zhu Biao sat silently, while Gu Qingping made tea for him. She noticed a hint of coldness in his expression.

"Is Your Highness worried about Zhu Di?"

“He’s no longer a cause for concern,” Zhu Biao said in a low voice. “I’m wondering—why did he choose this time to make his move?”

"Perhaps it's because your reputation is too great." Zhu Biao shook his head: "It's not me, it's because the Imperial Uncle has retired."

Gu Qingping was slightly taken aback: "Your Highness..."

"If I were still the crown prince who depended on him, how would Zhu Di dare to make a move?"

Zhu Biao's tone grew increasingly cold and somber. "He dared to make a move because he saw that I had already broken free from the protection of my uncle, and he thought that I had not yet established a firm foundation."

Gu Qingping's expression was complicated: "Then how will the Prince... respond?"

“He won’t act directly,” Zhu Biao said in a low voice. “He will do one thing—send Zhu Di to me.”

In the back hall of the Prince's Mansion, Qi Qian knelt before Zhu Han.

"If you are willing to speak, the Prince of Yan can be spared." Zhu Han's voice was calm, yet chillingly cold. "If you do not speak, he will be the cause of your death."

Qi Qian's forehead was bleeding, but he replied in a deep voice, "The Prince of Yan did not order me to act, but I know in my heart that if the Ming Dynasty truly falls into the hands of the Crown Prince—it is an ominous sign."

"As expected, you planned this yourself."

Zhu Han slammed his palm down: "Drag him out and execute him."

Huang Qi was taken aback: "Your Highness, why not obtain his statement to inform His Majesty?"

“Useless.” A murderous glint flashed in Zhu Han’s eyes. “I don’t want a confession, I want a signal.”

"Signal?"

Zhu Han said coldly, "Tell the world that anyone with disloyal intentions—whether a king, a general, or even your younger brother—is a threat."

“All of them—kill without mercy.”

That night, the Embroidered Uniform Guard was dispatched, and dozens of guards from the Yan residence were captured. Zhu Di sat alone in his study, holding his sword and remaining silent.

The following morning, an imperial edict was issued in the court:
"Prince Zhu Di of Yan ordered him to go to Fengyang to pay homage to his ancestors, and left all the officials of the Yan Prefecture to be supervised in the capital."

The trip to Fengyang, seemingly a grand occasion, was in reality a remote transfer and blockade.

Zhu Biao stood by the window of the East Palace, watching the horses and men march westward in the distance, his eyes filled with complex emotions. Gu Qingping said softly, "You've won."

Zhu Biao replied softly, "No, it was my uncle who won another game for me."

The purpose of discussing grain supplies before the emperor was not political, nor was the questioning itself aimed at investigation.

"The eastern granary had 27,000 shi of grain remaining last spring, and the autumn granary still had nearly 30,000 shi. As for the grain transported from outside the capital to the capital, the total was 96,000 shi."

Minister of War Chen Yi was reporting in a low voice, his expression solemn, but his voice restrained and steady.

Zhu Yuanzhang sat on the dragon throne, his eyes slightly closed, seemingly not fully focused on the memorials, but occasionally glancing at Zhu Biao and Zhu Han standing below him.

"If food supplies are secure, the army will be secure; if the army is secure, the country will be secure."

He spoke slowly, his voice low, "Spring planting is approaching, do you two have any plans?"

Zhu Biao bowed and said, "Your Majesty, I have ordered the Three Guards of the Eastern Palace to assist Shuntian Prefecture in digging ditches and irrigation canals, and have sent officials from the Eastern Enclosure to inspect the condition of the fields. This spring's farming will be carried out in concert with the people."

Zhu Han then spoke slowly and deliberately: "Your Majesty, I have sent people to investigate the storage conditions of each granary. We have discovered that the No. 6 warehouse in the East Granary is suffering from the dampness of winter, and several thousand bushels of unpolished rice are already showing signs of mold. Your Majesty proposes that we immediately transfer the rice to the South Market to sell, exchange it for silver to buy new rice to replenish the granaries."

Upon hearing this, Zhu Yuanzhang's gaze sharpened: "Why hasn't the memorial regarding this matter been submitted?"

"Your Majesty, I originally intended to rectify the situation privately, so there is no need for you to trouble yourself."

Zhu Han cupped his hands in greeting, "But as for matters of storage, I believe—we must be extremely cautious."

Zhu Yuanzhang remained silent for a moment, then suddenly burst into laughter: "The two of you, one planning the farming and the other adjusting the granaries, have cooperated perfectly."

"If you cooperate for too long, it's inevitable that people will become suspicious."

He abruptly changed the subject, his eyes sharp, "Are you all aware of the recent saying—'When the Crown Prince governs, nothing can bypass the Prince's presence'?"

The expressions of the court officials shifted slightly, but none of them dared to speak.

Zhu Biao remained calm and said frankly, "Father, the actions of the Crown Prince have not violated the established order. My uncle assists me in serving the public good, and I dare not make decisions on my own, nor do I dare to shirk responsibility. If there are any criticisms from the public, I will only ask myself whether I have done anything wrong, and not where the criticism comes from."

Zhu Han bowed and said, "Your Majesty, I have no intention of seizing power. However, with spring plowing just around the corner, if the matter of storage is not dealt with in time, the people will resent it once the rain stops and the fields dry up. Wouldn't that tarnish the reputation of the court?"

Zhu Yuanzhang raised his hand to stop the crowd's discussion, his gaze deep as he looked at the two men: "Inspecting the granaries and working in the fields after spring are both important matters. In that case, I hereby grant you two permission to go together. Three days later, you will inspect the fields in the eastern suburbs and verify the rice in the southern granary. The Crown Prince and the Prince will go together. If either of you makes a mistake, I will hold both of you responsible."

"Your subject obeys the decree," the two said in unison.

Three days later, the spring rain stopped and the sun broke through the clouds. The mud in the eastern suburbs was still wet, but the ridges between the fields were already crowded with villagers and government officials.

Zhu Biao, dressed in a light blue shirt and plain boots, had already stepped into the paddy field and was bending over to check the seedlings alongside several farmers.

Gu Qingping did not accompany them. Today, the attendants were Huang Hong and Du Shiqing, both of whom were trusted confidants of the Crown Prince.

“This land yielded four bushels last year, but this year the rice seedlings are so shallow, I’m afraid there’s no hope after the drought.”

Zhu Biao held the rice seedling root in his hand, his brows slightly furrowed.

"Your Highness, the irrigation canal at Liangzhuang, one mile to the east, has been cut off."

Huang Hong quickly stepped forward and whispered, "Shuntian Prefecture has been slow to make amends, I'm afraid it's because..."

Who is responsible for this section?

“It’s Inspector Zhang. Although his rank is low, his responsibilities are heavy,” Du Shiqing added.

"Make a note of it." Zhu Biao's eyes sharpened. "After returning to the palace tomorrow, send someone there first."

He had barely finished speaking when a commotion arose in the distance.

"The Prince has arrived!"

Zhu Han, dressed in a dark gray robe, arrived on horseback instead of in a carriage.

He dismounted, took off his boots, and went into the field, stepping into the mud and splashing water everywhere.

"With your physique, you'd be quite suited for farming," Zhu Han said with a smile, standing at the edge of the field.

Zhu Biao also laughed: "If Imperial Uncle is willing to help, I might as well give you three plots to practice on."

Zhu Han waved his hand: "I've already checked two rounds. You checked the third round. Let's bet on the fourth round together."

The two men walked side by side into the field, leaving the villagers dumbfounded. The Crown Prince and the Prince tilling the same furrow, bending over in unison—who would dare to say the court was unstable?

Just as everyone was whispering among themselves, a thin farmer crawled forward and stopped Zhu Han, crying.

"Your Highness! I'm innocent! My family of three ate last year's rice, which had worms in it, and my child even had bloody stools..."

Zhu Biao stopped what he was doing and turned around to look.

Zhu Han's gaze sharpened: "Where are you registered?"

"I'm from Wangjiazhuang, Xibakou!"

"Southern Granary Rice?" Zhu Han looked at Huang Qi.

Huang Qi arrived earlier and nodded in a low voice: "Your Highness, Nancang No. 6 has not opened this year, and last year's rice has not been transferred out."

Zhu Han nodded slightly: "Take me to that warehouse."

Zhu Han personally broke the seal at Nancang No. 6. As soon as he lifted the lid, a musty smell hit him, and insect damage was obvious.

He reached out and scooped up a handful of coarse rice, twirling it between his fingertips. His expression darkened at the slightest glance: "Where is the granary clerk?"

Granary Envoy Wang Degui knelt down tremblingly: "This humble servant...this humble servant does not know..." (End of Chapter)