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

Zhu Han glanced at him and suddenly said softly, "I'll follow you until the moment you walk faster than me."

Zhu Biao was taken aback. A faint glow appeared in the wine. He raised his glass and drank it all in one gulp.

On the ninth day of late spring, after the night rain had just stopped, a secret passage door quietly closed north of the imperial city.

Zhu Di slowly walked out of the secret passage, behind him was the long-unused side chamber of the Imperial Wardrobe.

Moonlight streamed through the eaves and onto the ground, stretching his shadow several feet longer, the shadow slithering like a snake on the stone slab.

His expression was cold and stern, his sleeves were disheveled, but his eyes held a deep, unyielding light, as if thunder were about to strike.

"Your Highness," one of the attendants said in a low voice, "the spies have returned. The Crown Prince's three battalions are conducting a military exercise, and their strength is quite impressive. The three generals are completely convinced."

“I know.” Zhu Di turned around, his eyes sharp as a blade. “Zhu Biao’s moves are becoming more and more steady, no longer as hesitant as before.”

“But this is even more difficult to deal with.” The man hesitated, “The prince has also returned to silence, and no one in the court can stop him anymore.”

"That's precisely why we need to take action."

Zhu Di raised his hand and gently pressed a corner of the stone platform of the Imperial Wardrobe. The mechanism clicked softly, and a wooden box painted with patterns of brocade robes slowly rose up.

"This is..." The attendant was slightly surprised.

"In the past, my father established a secret archive within the Embroidered Uniform Guard, where three volumes of old stories are hidden. One of these volumes... contains old correspondence between the Prince's Palace and the former Ministry of War. If I were to deliver it to..."

"Your Highness!" The attendant hurriedly knelt down. "This matter may shake the foundations of the dynasty, and... the Prince is not an enemy, nor has the Crown Prince violated your legitimate order."

Zhu Di remained silent, but his fingertips slowly pressed against the wooden box lid. After a long while, he spoke in a cold voice: "If I do not act, I will only be your elder brother in the future, not your younger brother."

"But Father..."

"Father will grow old one day." Zhu Di said this calmly, yet his words carried a heavy weight.

The following morning, in the inner courtyard of the East Palace, Zhu Biao was reviewing the remaining cases from the spring performance in the side hall of the Imperial Study when Gu Qingping personally entered to serve him tea and said softly:

"Your Highness, after the morning court session this day, Du Shiqing, the Director of the Imperial Guard, returned to his residence with a worried look on his face. Wu Qiong also said that the Embroidered Uniform Guard has recently secretly transferred dozens of people to the side of the Beidu Camp."

Zhu Biao frowned: "The Northern Capital Camp? That's..."

"The former camp of the Prince of Yan." Gu Qingping's expression was solemn. "The Prince's spies have also heard about it."

Zhu Biao stopped writing, looked at the faint light of dawn outside the window, and said in a deep voice, "Does the Imperial Uncle know anything about this?"

Gu Qingping said softly, "The Prince did not return to the Prince's residence last night."

After a moment of silence, Zhu Biao suddenly stood up: "Summon Wu Qiong and Du Shiqing, and bring them inside immediately to discuss this."

A moment later, the three of them gathered together.

Zhu Biao slowly walked in and asked directly, "Has the Prince of Yan made any unusual moves recently?"

Wu Qiong said in a deep voice: "A secret agent reported that the Prince of Yan secretly visited an abandoned pavilion in the Imperial Wardrobe, and it is suspected that he retrieved old files."

"Old files?" Zhu Biao frowned.

Du Shiqing cupped his hands in greeting: "Your Highness, the Imperial Wardrobe's old collection contains many secret orders and files from the Embroidered Uniform Guard. If someone has accessed them, it certainly wasn't unintentional."

Zhu Biao slowly sat down, his gaze growing cold: "If the Prince's Mansion knew about this, why hasn't it taken any action?"

"His Highness ordered us to observe the situation," Wu Qiong whispered. "His Highness said, 'If he dares to take the scroll and try to influence the court, I will personally thwart his intentions before the Emperor.'"

Zhu Biao closed his eyes for a moment, then opened them again with a determined look: "Order the Crown Prince's personal guards to be secretly deployed in five locations. From today onwards, all those entering, leaving, visiting, and receiving from the Northern Capital Camp must report their presence through the three routes."

"Yes!"

Gu Qingping said softly, "Your Highness... do you really believe that Uncle Wang can stop Zhu Di?"

Zhu Biao paused for a moment: "I trust him, but I won't gamble."

The candlelight flickered in the pavilion, and a person stood before a secret shelf, holding a yellowed scroll, ready to open it.

"Zhu Di."

The voice was deep and cold, like ice breaking the ground, carried on the wind.

Zhu Di's body trembled slightly, and he slowly turned around: "Imperial Uncle".

"You still won't stop."

Zhu Di laughed, but his laughter was icy: "Why should I stop? He is merely the Crown Prince whom you helped to rise to power. Without you, how could Zhu Biao be worthy of being the heir apparent? You, Zhu Han, are another Taizu, supporting a new emperor and starting a new era."

"shut up!"

Zhu Han stepped in, his footsteps thunderous. "Do you know that the situation you see is nothing but your own obsession? Zhu Biao's position today is not due to me, but to his own efforts."

Zhu Di chuckled coldly in a low voice: "You've protected him too much, forgetting that he will eventually take your power."

Zhu Han was not angry, but only smiled coldly: "If he can eventually seize my power, then that will be the success of my life."

"You...are you really willing to kneel at his feet?"

Zhu Han stepped forward slowly, placing his palm on the old scroll, and said softly but firmly, "I am not Fu, I am Pu."

Zhu Di looked at him, a complex expression flashing in his eyes.

“I don’t believe it,” he said in a low voice. “I will come again.”

"If you come again, I will stop you again." Zhu Han's voice was like a stone falling to the bottom of a well, causing no ripples, yet chilling to the bone.

"This empire was conquered by my elder brother."

"In the future, it can only be handed over to those who are truly capable of upholding it."

With the candlelight flickering, Zhu Di finally put down the old file and turned to leave.

Three days later, the Crown Prince issued an order to redeploy troops from the Northern Capital, and Zhu Biao personally signed the order.

Zhu Yuanzhang did not utter a single word, but summoned Zhu Han inside after the morning court session.

"Did you personally stop him?"

Zhu Han bowed: "If we don't stop him, his next step will be to send a proclamation."

"Does he really have the guts?" Zhu Yuanzhang asked with a half-smile.

"We just need a pretext."

Zhu Yuanzhang was silent for a moment, then suddenly smiled: "Zhu Biao can now break through enemy lines, participate in government affairs, and also protect himself from his brother... You and I have not misjudged him after all."

As late spring draws to a close, in the northern garden of the capital, all the flowers are beginning to fade, but within the palace walls, the air is thick with the anticipation of a new round of grand court ceremonies.

This year's "Spring Ceremony Grand Court" was held earlier than in previous years. The emperor appointed the Crown Prince to oversee the entire ceremony, intending for the Crown Prince to personally preside over the event. All the princes, dukes, civil and military officials would attend and pay homage to the emperor, thus demonstrating the majesty and authority of the nation.

On the surface, this move is a continuation of the ritual system, but in reality, it is a subtle way of legitimizing the "importance of the crown prince's position."

"Your Highness, here is the preliminary draft sent by the Court of Ceremonies." Gu Qingping presented the draft from the Ministry of Rites to Zhu Biao's desk.

Zhu Biao glanced up and his brows furrowed slightly: "Is it still the old practice? The princes are arranged in the east and west order?"

"Yes."

Zhu Biao shook his head: "This year is different."

"Your Highness means... Zhu Di?"

“He won’t take his place as usual.” Zhu Biao put down the ceremonial table in his hand. “If he really wants to start a rebellion, he won’t act rashly over the military tally, but will first try to take the lead in the ‘order of rank’.”

Gu Qingping was slightly taken aback, but then she understood: "Once Zhu Di is placed in the front row, the situation will not only be about the hierarchy of brothers, but also about the 'struggle for the throne'."

Zhu Biao said softly, "He's betting I won't dare to change the system."

Gu Qingping asked thoughtfully, "Then... how do you plan to arrange the seating?"

Zhu Biao pondered for a long time, then took out a brush and ink and wrote a line himself:
"The Crown Prince is in the east row, and the civil officials face north; all the princes are arranged in the west row, according to their generation and seniority."

She watched his brushstrokes, sharp as a blade, and finally sighed softly, "You're finally going to establish your authority."

Zhu Biao slowly said, "I am not establishing authority, but establishing etiquette."

A few days later, the Imperial Ancestral Temple, the Qianqing Palace, and the Fengtian Gate were set up at the same time. Thousands of officials stood in solemn rows, and seven princes were present. Except for Zhu Di, who was in the third place, the others entered the venue either in order or at a distance from the main hall, according to the imperial edict.

Zhu Biao stood alone beneath the purple tent in the east wing, dressed in a dark blue court robe, his expression solemn. Meanwhile, Zhu Di remained motionless beneath the west wing.

Zhu Han stood at the very end of the literary class, his eyes indifferent, yet he never left Zhu Di's side.

"Prince Yan, why do you not take your seat?" a ceremonial official asked, bowing.

Zhu Di smiled calmly: "Today, all the princes are seated together. I should take my place according to seniority, but since I was ennobled earlier, I should be seated closer to the side of the hall."

"Your Highness, the Ministry of Rites has issued an edict to determine the order of seniority, and it has been personally approved by the Emperor."

"Hmph, the imperial brush?" Zhu Di suddenly turned his gaze to Zhu Biao's position.

Zhu Biao remained unmoved, calmly stating only: "I reside in the East Wing, and this is no longer the time for me to contend with you for the throne. If my brother does not enter, the proper etiquette will be abandoned; is that the conduct of a subject?"

Zhu Di's gaze was sharp as lightning, but he saw Zhu Han slowly approaching and standing between the two of them, speaking softly yet with an undeniable authority:

“If the Prince of Yan is dissatisfied, he may go to the palace and ask his elder brother directly. But today is the grand court ceremony for the Spring Festival, not a small gathering to fight for the throne.”

"you……"

Zhu Han smiled faintly: "If you want to undermine the Crown Prince's authority by disregarding the imperial order, then I will stand below these three steps and block it for you today."

Zhu Di's eyes flashed with anger, but he did not lash out. After a long while, he let out a cold snort, flicked his sleeves, and strode back to his seat.

All the kings were astonished, and the officials looked on with dismay.

At that moment, everyone understood that the position of Crown Prince was no longer just an empty seat, but also a position bound by etiquette and commanding the deference of other princes.

After the ceremony, Zhu Yuanzhang stepped out of the Fengtian Hall, looked down at the three courts below, and said in a deep voice:

"The Crown Prince's conduct is measured and his judgments are sound and well-founded, and all the officials in charge of rites and the ceremonial staff follow his example. He will begin overseeing the country on my behalf from this day forward."

Upon hearing this, all the officials shouted in unison, "Long live the Emperor! Long live the Crown Prince!"

The night after the ceremony, in a small pavilion in the Prince's Mansion.

Huang Qi strode in, cupped his hands, and reported, "Your Highness, today the Crown Prince set up an order in court to suppress the Prince, which was praised by everyone, and the Eastern Palace's prestige has greatly increased."

Zhu Han stood in the garden, his back to him, and asked, "What do you think?"

Huang Qi said in a low voice, "The Crown Prince's move was not about being ruthless, but about being precise. Zhu Di is a man who loves to compete, and what he fears most is people not competing with him. The more he waits for the other party to make a mistake, the more the Crown Prince will clear his name."

“Not bad.” Zhu Han turned around and looked at the night sky. “Zhu Di lost this battle because of his lack of composure.”

Huang Qi hesitated and asked, "Your Highness, next... could we take a step back and let the Crown Prince handle state affairs alone?"

Zhu Han remained silent for a long time before speaking softly:

"I'm not retreating, I've already reached the shore."

That night, Zhu Biao sat alone in a side room of the East Palace, the lamplight flickering, and Gu Qingping draped an outer robe over him.

"You've made a very ruthless move today," she said softly.

Zhu Biao remained silent, only staring at the candle flame on the table.

After a long silence, he suddenly said, "I'm scared."

Gu Qingping was taken aback.

“I’m afraid that if I take that step too seriously, Zhu Di will have second thoughts. I’m afraid that I’m too hasty and will displease my uncle.” He said in a low voice, “It’s not that I don’t know the art of power, I just… don’t want to lose the hearts of the people.”

Gu Qingping grasped his hand: "Your ceremony today sets a precedent for the world. If Zhu Di becomes even more stubborn because of this, it means he has ulterior motives; if the Imperial Uncle is displeased, he will know that you are acting out of self-interest, not selfishness."

Zhu Biao's gaze softened, and he chuckled softly, "I just want to hold onto this position, not for power, but for my father, and not for others to compete for the throne."

Gu Qingping said softly, "You have already done it."

After the rain, the palace walls were dappled with shadows. The Forbidden City, having just experienced the grand Spring Festival, enjoyed a few days of tranquility. However, beneath the calm surface, new ripples were already brewing.

Zhu Di has been back at the Prince of Yan's residence for three days, but he has remained inside.

News frequently came from the inner court's informants: "The Prince of Yan summoned his advisors Du Zhan and Tao Shen in the middle of the night, and they discussed the matter until the third watch of the night."

"A large number of private armors and official documents were transferred from the Prince of Yan's treasury."

"A secret agent from the Embroidered Uniform Guard said that the Prince of Yan had sent his trusted confidants to secretly inspect the northern camp."

When the secret report was delivered to the Prince's residence, Zhu Han and Huang Qi were inspecting armor in the rear garden drill ground.

“Your Highness, this matter is extraordinary.” Huang Qi held several secret letters, his face slightly grim. “Zhu Di’s actions do not seem to be merely due to dissatisfaction with etiquette; he clearly has a next step in mind.”

Zhu Han took it, his expression unchanged, and slowly asked, "Does he know that we know?"

Huang Qi said, "All the spies I deployed in front of the Yan residence were lured away last night. Zhu Di should have noticed this."

Zhu Han gazed at the distant eaves, a half-smile on his face: "He has finally learned to 'hide first, then move'."

Huang Qi hesitated and asked, "How does Your Highness intend to deal with this?"

Zhu Han slowly raised his hand and extended three fingers: "There are three strategies for this matter."

Huang Qi's spirits lifted: "Please give your instructions, Your Highness."

"The first strategy is to contain foreign aggression."

"Send the Northern Route Inspector of the Six Doors to the capital. Do not send troops or disturb the people, but secretly investigate the income and expenditure of Zhu Di's household. If there is any abnormality, immediately cut off the supply."

"The second strategy is to mobilize internal forces."

"Order the palace guards to impersonate military officers of the Northern Camp and deliberately leak the news that Zhu Biao is about to inspect the Northern Camp to examine its training and methods of commanding troops."

Huang Qi was taken aback: "In that case, the Prince of Yan will surely think that the Crown Prince made the first move."

Zhu Han nodded: "Before the troops move, the mind is already in turmoil. If Zhu Di wants to gamble that the Crown Prince will not dare to make the first move, he will definitely remain still to control the situation. But if the Crown Prince moves first, he will have no way out."

"Your Highness is brilliant." Huang Qi bowed. "And what about the third strategy?"

Zhu Han said in a low voice, "The third strategy... use your mind to control your mind."

“A message was sent into the palace, secretly asking the Crown Prince to set up a scheme with me. We ‘accidentally’ released the news in the Qianqing Palace, saying that I would be transferred to the Southern Governor-General position, far away from the capital.”

Huang Qi suddenly looked up: "Your Highness...isn't this tantamount to actively weakening our power?"

Zhu Han's eyes were like knives: "Only if I can stay away will Zhu Di dare to get close."

“Remember this, Zhu Di is not afraid of powerful rivals, but of those he cannot see through. If I retreat even a step, he will doubt that the Crown Prince is without capable men; if he shows even half an inch of his face, the Crown Prince can be struck down in one blow.”

Huang Qi remained silent for a long time before finally saying solemnly, "I will make the arrangements immediately."

Inside the palace, Zhu Biao had just returned from court at Fengtian Hall when Gu Qingping came to greet him, holding a secret letter from the Prince's residence in her hands.

"Your Highness, a letter from the Prince."

Zhu Biao opened the letter and read it, a glint of light flashing in his eyes.

"Does the Imperial Uncle want me to set a trap?"

Gu Qingping nodded: "He wants you to take the initiative to propose to the Emperor that a prince be transferred to the south to oversee military affairs, in order to avoid suspicion of power imbalance."

Zhu Biao lowered his eyes and pondered for a long time before finally speaking: "He is forcing Zhu Di to take action."

"Yes." Gu Qingping's expression was solemn. "What Your Highness said is true. If the Prince of Yan is fearless, he will never offend. Only if he sees someone backing down will he dare to test him."

Zhu Biao closed his eyes and sighed: "My royal uncle has ultimately passed me by. He has ceded the chessboard, so I must learn to make my own move."

"Your Highness made a decisive decision."

Zhu Biao nodded and summoned his attendant: "Draft this memorial and submit it to the Emperor tomorrow—requesting that my uncle be transferred to the position of Southern Governor-General, commanding the troops stationed in the southern prefectures."

The next morning at court, Zhu Yuanzhang was reviewing secret memorials when Zhu Biao stepped forward and bowed.

"Your subject has a request, and I beseech Your Majesty's permission."

Zhu Yuanzhang looked up at him: "What is it?"

Zhu Biao solemnly said, "Now that the Crown Prince has settled all affairs of state, it is thanks to the profound guidance of my uncle. However, my uncle has long held military power and is located in the capital region, which may arouse suspicion. I humbly request Your Majesty to transfer my uncle to the Southern Military Command to take charge of the Southern Guard's affairs." (End of this chapter)