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

These words caused an uproar among the officials in the hall.

Zhu Yuanzhang's eyes flickered slightly, and he said calmly, "You want to send your uncle away?"

Zhu Biao remained neither humble nor arrogant: "Your subject is not seeking to eliminate the virtuous, but fearing rumors; not abandoning pillars of society, but seeking legitimacy."

Zhu Yuanzhang pondered silently, then suddenly burst into laughter:
"What a fine excuse of 'fearing rumors' and 'seeking orthodoxy'! Is this your way of establishing your own banner?"

Zhu Biao lowered his head and remained silent, only standing respectfully with his hands clasped in front of him.

After a long pause, Zhu Yuanzhang's smile faded, and he slowly said, "Granted."

"The Prince is to go to the Southern Governor's Office to take charge of military affairs in the Southern Garrison. He will depart in June."

In the Prince's residence, Zhu Han looked at the imperial edict presented by Huang Qi, his face showing neither sorrow nor joy.

"Things have finally come to this point."

"Your Highness, are you really leaving the capital?" Huang Qi asked reluctantly.

"Did you say I left?" Zhu Han glanced at him. "I merely shifted my gaze an inch, letting him reveal his edge."

"You stay in Beijing."

"Keep an eye on Zhu Di and see what his next move is: whether he goes to court or leaves the capital."

Huang Qi solemnly agreed.

In the southeast corner of the imperial city, Zhu Di stood dressed in his robes, but a hint of restlessness shone in his eyes.

"Your Highness," Du Zhan said softly, "Is it possible that Your Highness proposes to regularly send troops to the Northern Camp to boost morale?"

Zhu Di said in a deep voice, "No rush."

"But Zhu Han is about to be transferred far away, and the Crown Prince has just been established..."

"The more this is the case, the less we should act rashly."

He turned and looked towards the west of the city. "Zhu Han... won't really leave."

"But what if he really leaves?" Du Zhan probed.

A cold glint flashed in Zhu Di's eyes: "If he really leaves, then... it will be my time to step in."

He slowly raised his hand and pointed to the sky: "This sky has not changed for a long time."

A system notification flashes:

[Plot Progression: Three Strategies to Trapped the Prince of Yan]

[Prince Yan's scheming level -10, Crown Prince's stability level +10]

[Reward Triggered: Obtain "Secret Spy Power of the Eastern Palace Guard"]

Zhu Han closed the book under the lamp, gazed at the system buoy, and sighed softly:
"Zhu Di, do you think that if I step down, no one will stop you?"

"you are wrong."

"Zhu Biao is no longer the young man he once was."

In April in the capital, the apricot blossoms have all fallen, a gentle south wind blows, and everything is renewed.

But amidst this springtime atmosphere, an unusual chill permeated a secret chamber in the western part of the palace.

The news that Zhu Han had already set off for the south and that the order to transfer him to the south was about to arrive caused a stir in the court. Even the heads of the three judicial departments received a secret order to "inspect the Prince of Yan's residence." Although the order was unsigned, it was as clear as a knife.

Zhu Di remained in his palace for several days until the fourth night, when he finally donned his armor and rode north to his camp.

He did not submit a report or make any announcement, but instead used the pretext of "night patrolling the military camp" to lead fifty armored soldiers out of the Prince of Yan's residence and quietly leave the city.

The next morning, Zhu Biao entered the court in his court robes, his face as usual, but his eyes sharp as ice.

Du Shiqing stepped forward and whispered, "Your Highness, Zhu Di left the capital without issuing an imperial decree."

Zhu Biao nodded slightly: "As expected."

Gu Qingping then entered, handing over a report: "There was unusual activity at the Dongying drill ground last night. A hundred men gathered before the fourth watch, all wearing heavy armor but without any unit numbers."

Zhu Biao closed the memorial: "Issue my order that the Crown Prince shall set up a deliberation hall under the Qian Ce Hall, summon the heads of the Ministry of Justice, the Censorate, and the Embroidered Uniform Guard, and order them to jointly sign the deliberation edict to establish the 'Spring Deliberation Edict'."

Du Shiqing was slightly surprised: "Your Highness intends to open the 'Imperial Prison'?"

Zhu Biao calmly replied, "It is not an imperial prison, but a deliberative prison."

"It is not for judging crimes, but for establishing rules."

Gu Qingping stared at him for a moment: "You want to use the law to transform the fraternal conflict under the imperial power into a system of discipline and restraint within the system."

Zhu Biao laughed and said, "My royal uncle taught me that one who wields a sword must not be soft-hearted. But I know that a true emperor not only uses a sword, but also a ruler."

“From this day forward, it will be the first time that I, Zhu Biao, will wield the power of the law.”

The court officials were in an uproar, the Prince's residence was alarmed, and Zhu Di's northern camp immediately received the news.

"The Crown Prince wants to interrogate me?" Zhu Di gripped the memorial tightly, his eyes as cold as frost.

Tao Shen's face was gloomy: "Without naming names, yet setting up a separate prison, and with three parties signing the petition, the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Public Security, and the Imperial Guard all involved, this is clearly... an attempt to lure you into committing a crime."

Zhu Di sneered: "Does he think I'm afraid?"

"He doesn't know that even though I, Zhu Di, have no military power, I will not become his prisoner."

In front of Qian Ce Hall, Zhu Biao stepped down the steps, his gaze falling on the passageway on the outskirts of Beijing.

Du Shiqing, standing to the side, said in a low voice, "He's here."

Zhu Biao nodded and said in a deep voice, "The door is opened by one foot not to welcome the king, but to uphold the law."

Gu Qingping stood solemnly behind Zhu Biao and said in a low voice, "In today's situation, Your Highness has set a law that is one foot in the way. If Zhu Di crosses it, then he will be subject to the law of the emperor, and the king will not be able to escape it."

Zhu Biao took a deep breath: "Let's go, let's go inside."

Meanwhile, inside the secret chamber of the Prince's Mansion, Zhu Han had arrived in Nanjun, but had not left the core of the deployment.

He sat on the painted boat, watching the carrier pigeons fly into their cages. He unfolded one and couldn't help but smile.
"Zhu Biao has finally made his move."

Huang Qi, standing beside him, said, "Your Highness, the Prince of Yan set off for the capital this morning. According to our scouts, he was accompanied by only two men and no soldiers."

Zhu Han sighed softly, "He's doing this out of spite."

Huang Qi asked, "Could he turn the tide in the court?"

"will not."

Zhu Han said calmly, "If Zhu Biao had not proposed the prison, he might have been able to make the first move; but since he has already set a trap, he is inviting the victim into it."

"Next, Zhu Biao will truly 'suppress his brother' for the first time—he wants to win not the heart of his elder brother, but the eyes of the people of the world."

Huang Qi asked solemnly, "Your Highness, should we still return to the capital?"

Zhu Han smiled faintly: "He'll be more at ease if I don't reply."

“He is even less afraid when I am not around.”

In the capital, the trial for the prisoner was held.

Zhu Di entered the hall, wearing a royal robe but no armor, with only Tao Shen and Du Zhan behind him.

Zhu Biao sat in the main seat, without a crown, only wearing a blue robe, with Gu Qingping and Du Shiqing standing to his left and right behind him.

"Your Highness." Zhu Di stood down in the hall, his eyes filled with an unprecedented coldness. "In today's trial, what crime does the Crown Prince want me to confess to?"

Zhu Biao looked at him calmly: "There is no crime to be tried."

Zhu Di was stunned.

"Deliberating on prison is not about judging you, it's about judging the rules."

Zhu Biao said, word by word, “Your actions of leaving the capital at night, entering the Northern Camp without permission, deploying heavy armor, and failing to report to the authorities are not acts of plotting or rebellion, but they all violate the rules of propriety.”

“You are the king, the son of the emperor, and you have your honor. But I am the crown prince, and I have my principles to uphold.”

"You have come here today because you are willing to enter prison."

“And from this day forward, you will be released because you are fulfilling your duty.”

Zhu Di stared at him for a long time, then nodded: "Good, what a fine 'discussing the case without trial'! You, Zhu Biao, are no longer the cowardly son you once were." "But remember, Zhu Han is still here."

"This world does not belong to you alone."

Zhu Biao slowly stood up, his gaze unwavering:
"That is why I established the prison system."

"I do not seek absolute power, but I seek the support of the people."

"You may disagree with me, but you cannot disagree with this law."

Zhu Di stood there stunned for a moment, then finally lowered his head and said softly:
"Your subject obeys the decree."

In the Prince's study, Huang Qi held a secret report and said, "Your Highness, the renovation of Hengheng Palace is nearing completion. Eunuch Cheng Shouyi is frequently coming and going. Two new palace maids who are not part of the Directorate of Ceremonial Affairs have been transferred in, and according to investigation, neither of them has any prior records."

Zhu Han frowned slightly: "Hengheng Palace? Who came up with that idea?"

Huang Qi replied: "According to the investigation, this matter was not initiated by the Imperial Household Department, but was proposed by the Empress's oral decree, which stated that 'His Majesty cherishes the old place and intends to reopen the place of lectures.'"

"The Empress's decree?" Zhu Han read softly, a deep glint in his eyes. "Old place, lectures, documents... For whom is Your Majesty reserving a lecture hall?"

Huang Qi asked, "Is this the Crown Prince?"

Zhu Han shook his head: "If he is truly the Crown Prince, there is no need to avoid the Eastern Palace's order; if he is someone else... then it can only be that Fourth Prince."

“Zhu Di,” Huang Qi said in a low voice.

Zhu Han slowly put down his teacup, his tone calm yet tinged with coldness: "Although Zhu Di has just been imprisoned and has already withdrawn his influence, my elder brother has not punished him, but instead ordered him to quietly observe the reconstruction of Hengheng Palace. What do you think this resembles?"

Huang Qi said in a deep voice, "It's like leaving a way out."

Zhu Han nodded: "That's right, it's about leaving a way out, and also about testing the waters."

“Your Majesty is not unaware of Zhu Biao’s steadfastness, nor is he necessarily blind to Zhu Di’s sharpness. But he… ultimately still needs to prepare for both.”

Huang Qi asked, "Does Your Highness wish to intervene?"

Zhu Han smiled slightly: "If I were to intervene, it would only make it seem like I'm wary of Zhu Di."

"This move should not have been made by me."

"The Crown Prince should respond personally."

Meanwhile, inside the East Palace Library, Zhu Biao sat quietly at his desk, a secret report laid out before him. Gu Qingping lit incense and brewed tea, then pushed a cup of fragrant tea to his side.

"Your Highness, what is your opinion on the matter of Hengheng Palace?" she asked softly.

Zhu Biao's gaze remained calm: "This is a question my father gave me."

Gu Qingping said softly, "If you don't respond, it means you agree; if you make the first move, it will seem petty."

Zhu Biao said, "Therefore I neither respond nor move."

Gu Qingping was taken aback: "Then..."

Zhu Biao raised his eyes, calm yet firm: "I will send people to repair the 'Jiande Hall,' which means 'establishing the country and bringing peace and virtue.' I will set up a lecture hall at the Imperial Academy and invite scholars, Jinshi (successful candidates in the highest imperial examinations), and students of the Imperial Academy in the capital to discuss and lecture here. It will be called 'Storing Learning and Asking Questions on Governance.'"

“My father used Hengheng Palace to test whether I was afraid of Zhu Di. I then used the pretext of opening a classroom to teach to tell the world that I was not afraid.”

"More importantly, I am not only not afraid, but I will also show him that Zhu Biao was able to sit in the Eastern Palace not because of palace intrigues, but solely because of his actual political engagement."

Gu Qingping looked at him with satisfaction in her eyes: "Once this move is made, the whole world will know about the Crown Prince's learning, his policies, and his magnanimity."

"If Hengheng Palace were to rise again, no one would dare to speak of vying for the throne."

Jiande Hall was located in the South Garden of the East Palace. Although it was not as grand as Qianze Hall, it attracted the attention of scholars because of its reputation for "learning and lecturing".

Four days later, Zhu Biao personally presided over the lecture, first discussing the "Gongyang Commentary on the Spring and Autumn Annals". He gathered the words of Confucian scholars to discuss "righteous rule" and "rule by rites". He did not shy away from the position of crown prince, and his words all said "bearing the great mandate, he does not deviate from the principles of rites".

After that day, the manuscripts from Jiande Hall circulated in the court, and the Hanlin Academy and the Imperial Academy all came to see them, further enhancing the prestige of the Crown Prince.

Upon receiving the news, Zhu Han smiled faintly: "He finally understands that the true response is never about confrontation, but about following the right path."

"If Zhu Di had the will, he could have learned to protect himself."

Huang Qi said in a low voice, "It's a pity... the Prince of Yan is unwilling to learn."

"This morning he secretly summoned Du Zhan, Tao Shen and other former generals to his residence. Although he did not mobilize any troops, he seemed to be uneasy."

Zhu Han's eyes darkened slightly: "If he makes another move, the court will be thrown into chaos."

"It's time to give it another 'knock'."

That night, Zhu Han ordered Huang Qi to secretly visit the Prince of Yan's residence.

This trip is not to seize power, nor to force someone to back down, but to have a face-to-face dialogue.

In Zhu Di's residence, the lights were dim. Zhu Han, dressed in casual clothes, entered a side hall. Zhu Di sat alone under the lamp, his eyes filled with complex emotions.

"I never expected Your Majesty to come."

Zhu Han laughed and said, "Between you and me, is there still a need for 'driving' and 'etiquette'?"

Zhu Di pursed his lips and remained silent.

Zhu Han sat down: "I don't concern myself with the affairs of Hengheng Palace, nor do I advise you on the Jiande Hall's plan. But I only ask you one question—if you were to ascend the throne now, what would you intend to do?"

Zhu Di was taken aback, then blurted out, "I am capable of upholding the national laws, establishing the general principles, and ensuring the well-being of all officials!"

Zhu Han shook his head and stared at him: "Wrong."

"You're thinking about defeating Zhu Biao, not about conquering the world."

"If you want to sit on that dragon throne, you can't rely on overthrowing your brother, but on winning over the officials and bringing peace to the people."

"If you don't understand this, you will only ever be a 'king' in this life, not a 'ruler'."

Zhu Di was moved, but still gritted his teeth: "But my father has always left me a way out, why can't I fight for it?"

"Because you shouldn't have argued."

Zhu Han stood up, hands behind his back: "There are some positions you are destined to never reach; there are some people you can never compare to. Zhu Biao didn't get to this point because of me, nor because of my brother, but because of his own efforts."

"I have come here today not to oppress you, nor to warn you."

"I'm advising you."

"Don't lose your last shred of self-control."

Zhu Di's eyes flickered, and after a long while, he said in a low voice, "Your son... understands."

Zhu Han stood in a small pavilion in the courtyard of the Prince's Palace, dressed in a single robe, holding a cup of tea in his hand, but his gaze remained fixed on the few pages of secret reports that had been rushed in by swift cavalry on the table.

"Your Highness," Huang Qi entered and reported in a low voice, "Han Yun, the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, and Zhou Wang, the Principal of the Ministry of Revenue, have been frequently visiting the Imperial Academy's lecture halls in recent days, secretly contacting the scholars lecturing at Jiande Hall."

Zhu Han slightly raised his eyes: "Contacting lecturers? What is your intention?"

Huang Qi replied, "Han Yunsu has a bad relationship with Liu Guang, the Minister of Rites. I fear that he may take the opportunity to win over the literati and intend to interfere in the recommendation of the Crown Prince's officials in the next imperial examination to gain their support."

Zhu Han sneered: "This kind of person is even more cunning than the Prince of Yan."

"Even Zhu Di knew that power struggles should not be openly contested, but these self-proclaimed intellectuals treated scholars as their wings and lecture halls as their post stations."

"They want to use the crown prince's influence to enhance their own reputation."

Huang Qi asked, "Should we immediately warn the Crown Prince?"

"No rush." ​​Zhu Han sipped his tea. "The opening of the lecture hall in the Eastern Palace is a move by the Crown Prince to establish himself. He needs to learn how to set up a strategy and also how to remove obstacles."

"Let him realize it himself and handle it himself."

“If he can’t even do this, then he is not worthy of sitting firmly in the position of Crown Prince.”

Huang Qi lowered his head in agreement, but then hesitated: "Your Highness... if this matter spreads, I fear it will be circulated among officials and implicate scholars and the court."

Zhu Han suddenly smiled and said, "Don't worry, Zhu Biao is more clear-headed than you are."

The lecture hall in Jiande Hall is discussing the "Great Centrality and Perfect Righteousness" section of the Book of Documents. All the scholars below the stage are gathered, and Zhu Biao sits on the high seat, wearing a plain blue robe, with a calm and composed expression.

"Gentlemen," he said in a loud voice, "the Great Mean is the way of weighing things; the Supreme Righteousness is the foundation of virtuous conduct."

"If learned individuals only know how to follow trends and curry favor, without considering the principles and upholding righteousness, then even if they are listed among the officials, they are nothing more than maggots clinging to the bone." (End of this chapter)