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

Zhu Yuanzhang stood up, hands behind his back, and said: "If the Crown Prince can truly appoint people based on their abilities and establish policies based on their capabilities, then what difficulty would there be in letting him rule the world in the future?"

He turned back and smiled: "Zhu Biao, the more independent you are, the more at ease I am."

Zhu Han leaned against the side of the long table as Huang Qi presented him with a brocade-edged imperial edict.

"Zhao Wenkuan has been approved for promotion to the position of Principal Clerk in the Ministry of Revenue. He was recommended by the Crown Prince, and His Majesty has not changed a single word."

Zhu Han smiled: "He understands now."

"If you want people to trust you, you must first make people trust the 'people' you employ."

"If you use people correctly and tools accurately, you won't need to ask for help; someone will build the wall for you."

Huang Qi asked in a low voice, "Then, Your Highness, should we take further action? Should we lend them another helping hand?"

Zhu Han shook his head: "Don't move."

"He has established his position, appointed his personnel, and built trust today. If I were to intervene again, it would only disrupt his momentum of 'self-reliance'."

"If he is to secure his position as Crown Prince, he must make everyone see that he earned it step by step on his own."

Zhao Wenkuan had already resigned from his probationary post and, dressed in his newly bestowed Ministry of Revenue uniform, intended to bid farewell to the Crown Prince.

Zhu Biao did not hold any formal ceremony, but simply invited him to have tea in the small hall.

“Zhao Wenkuan.” His tone was gentle, yet carried an undeniable force. “Your promotion to the Ministry of Revenue is not due to my recommendation, but to the judgment you made yourself, stroke by stroke.”

"Do you know how many old friends your promotion today has stirred up?"

Zhao Wenkuan was startled: "Your Highness, I... am terrified."

Zhu Biao smiled lightly: "There's no need to be alarmed, but caution is necessary."

"You have established yourself today, but the real difficulties are just beginning."

He paused for a moment and said, "If there are any more positions with three rounds of testing in the future, I will still recommend you, but on the condition that you are not used by me, but only appointed as a tool."

Zhao Wenkuan bowed deeply: "Your Highness's instructions will never be forgotten by me for the rest of my life."

Meanwhile, in Crown Princess Gu Qingping's study, Wu Qiong whispered, "The Jiande Hall is gaining momentum, and His Highness has already embarked on the right path to power."

Gu Qingping put down her pen, but her tone carried a hint of worry: "But the more powerful it becomes, the more we need to guard against those who are close by."

Wu Qiong was taken aback: "You mean..."

Gu Qingping remained silent, only saying softly, "If one day, the people in the court no longer regard the Crown Prince as 'master,' but as 'heaven,' that would be the greatest danger."

Wu Qiong lowered his head in thought, and after a long while sighed, "It was my oversight."

As winter ends and spring returns, the snow melts and water flows. The first red plum tree in front of the Imperial Ancestral Temple has already begun to bloom. The chill on the branches has not yet faded, but the fragrance is exquisite.

Zhu Biao stood in the rear hall of the Imperial Ancestral Temple, with no officials or attendants behind him; he was the only one holding incense.

The incense was burning brightly, but he kept his eyes closed for a long time, speechless.

After a moment, he whispered, "My father once said that to govern the world, one must first be single-minded; but in this world, is there truly a crown prince who can remain undisturbed for even a day?"

Behind them, a person emerged from the shadows but did not step outside the incense burner. He said in a low voice, "If you want to be undisturbed for a day, you can only be fearless every day."

Zhu Biao opened his eyes, turned around, and saw that it was Zhu Han. As if he had expected it, he smiled calmly.

"Uncle, have you come here to persuade me as well?"

Zhu Han slowly entered the hall, put his hands behind his back and said, "You are no longer the child who used to recite poems in the back of the lecture hall. I can't persuade you now."

"But I've come to tell you an old story."

Zhu Biao stepped aside and invited, "Please speak."

Zhu Han stood with his hands behind his back, gazing at the ancient cypress trees outside the temple:
“Back when your father first established the empire, the people in the court were not yet settled, the soldiers had not yet dispersed, and the officials had not yet returned. Some people advised him to appoint a Grand Tutor to assist in governing, some people advised him to divide the country into kings and establish a system, and some people advised him to thoroughly investigate the meritorious officials and their confidants.”

Do you know what he did in the end?

Zhu Biao listened quietly without saying a word.

Zhu Han smiled faintly: "He did nothing. He only issued an imperial edict, promoting Xu Da, whom he suspected the most back then, by three ranks."

"Because he knows that suspicion is the easiest and most useless thing to do."

"A true emperor never seizes power through suspicion, but through one word—'utilization'."

Zhu Biao lowered his head in thought, and after a long while said, "Does Your Majesty mean... I shouldn't have doubted people?"

Zhu Han glanced at him: "You shouldn't just use those you believe in; you should also learn to use those you don't believe in."

“If you rely solely on the virtuous and the ‘people in the inner circle’ in everything you do, then the real court officials will gradually distance themselves from you.”

Zhu Biao seemed to be thinking about something, and said, "But I don't want to be praised up and then trampled down."

Zhu Han said softly, "Then you need to learn to stand firm on your own first."

He paused for a moment, his expression meaningful:

“Zhu Biao, the real danger is not those who do not believe in you, but those who kneel down too quickly from the beginning.”

"What they want is not to assist you; they want to use you to gain momentum."

Zhu Biao remained silent.

After a moment, he spoke: "I understand."

"So...Imperial Uncle, have you come today to light a lamp for me?"

Zhu Han smiled and said, "I didn't light a lamp, I lit a shadow."

"You must know that only by seeing the shadow at your feet can you avoid being blinded by the light above your head."

The following day, an imperial edict suddenly arrived at Jiande Hall and was sent to the Hanlin Academy:
"The Crown Prince's Palace has set up a 'Guide to Evaluation' system. All candidates and scholars involved in the three cases of examinations in the previous two months who wish to come to the hall to explain themselves may request an audience within three days."

This move effectively gave those scholars who failed to secure a seat in the three offices a chance to "defend themselves."

This was also the first time Zhu Biao had taken the initiative to "return the brush to its original position".

In the Hanlin Academy, someone whispered: "The Crown Prince's move is to regain control of the 'Qi Hall's power'."

"He wants to use this to reopen the bridge with Shilin."

Some people sneered: "It's just that the Crown Prince is too aware of the situation and wants to retreat a few steps to avoid the limelight."

At this moment, Zhu Biao and Gu Qingping were sitting side by side at the back of the hall, silently reading one self-description after another from the scholars.

Gu Qingping asked softly, "Do you really wish to ask another question?"

Zhu Biao's gaze remained fixed, his voice steady:
"The Hall of Instruments establishes the law, while the Three Cases discuss human beings."

"But if you are not mindful, no matter how fine your tools or how accurate your person is, you will eventually go astray."

He paused, then said, "I want to see if these people I've 'overlooked' are simply lacking in ability or talent—or if I've misjudged their character."

Gu Qingping gazed at him for a long time before saying, "You are no longer just the Crown Prince."

“What you are doing is what ‘rulers’ should do.”

Meanwhile, the "Hall of Entering Ceremony" set up separately in the Eastern Palace received a total of 27 people over three days.

All of them were those who had previously failed to win, or whose reputations had been damaged.

Zhu Biao personally questioned seven people, while the rest were discussed by the judges from Jiande Hall.

But on the morning of the fourth day, a rumor spread from the Left Censor-in-Chief: "It is said that the Crown Prince has privately set up a reception hall, intending to interfere with the discussions of the Six Ministries."

Upon hearing the news, Zhu Yuanzhang remained silent, sitting upright in his study for a long time.

That night, he secretly summoned Zhu Han to the palace.

“Brother,” he said, his tone unusually calm, “your nephew left in a bit too haste.”

Zhu Han replied calmly, "Your Majesty, this is not 'rushing,' it is 'testing.'"

"If you want him to be able to withstand a storm, you should first teach him how to hold an umbrella in the rain."

Zhu Yuanzhang remained silent.

After a long pause, he suddenly sighed softly, "Do you still remember what you said before—you won't go far, you'll only go as far as you can?"

"It seems you've gone further than I expected."

Zhu Han suddenly smiled, his eyes full of meaning: "Your Majesty, my path ends at his shoulder. But his path will reach the hearts of all people."

Zhu Yuanzhang nodded, gazing at the night outside the window, and said in a low voice, "I really want to see how far this kid... can go."

On the third day of the ceremony at Jiande Hall, before dawn, Zhu Biao, dressed in a plain robe, waited quietly under the west corridor.

He carried neither a desk nor a pen, but stood on a blue stone, gazing at the sky before dawn.

Gu Qingping stood far away in the corridor, silent and motionless, simply watching his figure. She knew that what Zhu Biao wanted to ask today was no longer "who can do the work," but "who can I entrust my heart to?"

"Wu Qiong," Zhu Biao called softly.

Wu Qiong responded and stepped to the side: "Your Highness."

"Who is the last person today?"

Wu Qiong bowed and presented a scroll: "His name is Li Congli, born into a noble family. He originally intended to work as a clerk in the Ministry of Personnel, but he abandoned the job because someone in the three cases recommended him for his 'eloquence'."

"But this person had accompanied the Court of Imperial Sacrifices to three prefectures to study records, and also privately compiled a book called 'A Brief Account of the Differences in Common Laws.' Although his words were not in line with the imperial court, they were very helpful in solving the problems of the common people."

Zhu Biao smiled faintly: "'Not serving in the imperial court,' yet relieving the people's worries, is exactly what I want."

"Send him in."

Li Congli entered the hall. He was no more than thirty years old, dressed simply, and his expression was calm. He knelt and bowed as required.

Zhu Biao did not sit at the table or on a high seat, but invited him to sit on the stone cushion below the steps.

"Li Congli," Zhu Biao said, "do you know why you weren't recorded in the three cases?"

Li Congli bowed his head: "Your subject understands. Your subject's words are mostly straightforward, touching on the fringes of the law, and there is no influence from your family background."

Zhu Biao smiled: "You do know your own limitations."

"Then do you know why I have summoned you today?"

Li Congli paused for a moment, then replied, "Your Highness is unaware of what I am thinking. I only know that what I have written, though not in accordance with the proper path of power, is all based on practical and real-world policies."

"I am willing to serve as an official, not for fame; I am willing to examine the records, not for rewards or honors."

Zhu Biao was silent for a moment, then suddenly asked, "If I were to send you to the Eastern Palace's administration office and not ask you a single question for three months, would you be willing to stay?"

Li Congli's eyebrows lifted, and he bowed with his hands clasped, saying, "I am willing to stay."

"I am willing to serve Your Highness by overseeing accounts for three months and managing people for thirty days. I do not seek employment or salary, but only ask for one thing: practical matters and usable documents."

Zhu Biao slowly nodded.

At dusk, Zhu Biao sat alone at his desk, instructing Gu Qingping to examine Li Congli's past records, his mind already made up.

Meanwhile, Zhu Han summoned someone to a secret hall in the Prince's residence.

This man, named Zhang Chu'an, once served as a minor official in Shuntian Prefecture. He was demoted for "speaking recklessly," but in reality, he was ostracized and forced out of his post because he exposed his superior's corruption in a case file.

Zhu Han stood before the design, his tone indifferent:

"Zhang Chuan, are you aware that the Crown Prince's Eastern Palace has recently established three personnel appointments?"

Zhang Chuan looked nervous: "This humble subject... has heard some things, but dares not speculate."

Zhu Han looked at him and said, "I didn't call you here to discuss the case, but to see someone."

“His name is Li Congli. You have never met him before and have no grudges against him.”

“You are all the same, people who are ‘not used by the mainstream’.”

“But if you are truly committed to governance, you should know that being ‘unfit for power’ does not mean being ‘unfit for the use of the people.’”

Zhang Chu'an held his breath: "The Prince wants me..."

Zhu Han turned around, his tone extremely soft:

"I need you to help him."

"Help him draft a new law."

"This is not written for the emperor, but for those 'hundred households, thousand households, and village officials' that you will be able to serve in the future."

“Write a truly usable book, ‘The Code of Conduct for County and Prefecture Officials’.”

A light suddenly shone in Zhang Chu'an's eyes, and he bowed deeply, saying, "This humble subject is willing to give his life."

Three days later, Li Congli indeed remained in the Eastern Palace.

He did not hold a prominent official position, but only received the title of "Guide to Foreign Officials," without official rank or salary, yet he was personally granted a letter by Zhu Biao:

"Facts are the foundation, and the pen is the tool of governance. Do not worry about what others say, but only seek what is feasible."

While he was rummaging through the books in the old warehouse, he was greeted by Zhang Chuan.

The two met for the first time and exchanged no pleasantries. After sitting facing each other for a while, they each took an old case and began to deduce its contents.

Over five days, he did not discuss power struggles or promotions, but focused solely on the mountain of cases and the movement of his pen, thus completing the first volume of "A Straightforward Explanation of Official Affairs".

Late at night, Gu Qingping presented Zhu Biao with the initial seventeen case analyses. Zhu Biao read them very slowly, but he commented on every line.

On the last page, he wrote:
“This person’s words are not ‘responding to the rules,’ but ‘legislating’.”

"This book should not be buried in the archives, but should be placed in the office of the relevant authorities and included in the legal discussion."

Gu Qingping said softly, "This is the first time His Highness has opened the door to comment on the records, apart from the personal instruction of the prince."

"Aren't you afraid... that the old officials in the court will become suspicious?"

Zhu Biao smiled faintly:
"Since I have opened three personnel offices, I do not seek everyone's praise. I only want those who are willing to work to have something to do."

“What I set up was not ‘public opinion,’ but ‘a system for employing people.’”

"Those who can be used and accomplish things are my people."

Sure enough, turmoil soon broke out in the court.

A scholar submitted a memorial stating, "The 'poor scholars' admitted by the Crown Prince are nameless and uneducated, which may disrupt the established system."

Some cabinet members whispered among themselves: "The Crown Prince is employing commoners without the recommendation of the Six Ministries, which is suspected of being an act of usurpation."

But after receiving the imperial edict, Zhu Yuanzhang only left one sentence:
"I have my own methods for selecting officials for the Eastern Palace. Stop making empty promises."

In just nine words, he cut through all words like a knife.

At Zhu Han Prince's residence, Huang Qi, upon receiving the report, said, "Your Highness, with His Majesty protecting the Crown Prince so much, the Eastern Palace's power is already secured."

Zhu Han, however, showed no joy; instead, he spoke earnestly:
"The smoother the wind, the greater the turbulence."

“Zhu Biao can now employ ‘petty men’ and appoint ‘common talents’, which is a good thing.”

"But if he loses the loyalty of his former followers because of this, that would be the biggest vulnerability."

"Summon someone to prepare an old record."

"I want to see someone in person."

Huang Qi asked: "Who is it?"

Zhu Han smiled slightly:
"Left Censor-in-Chief, Liang Su."

On the west side of Chengming Gate, the vermilion gate of Liang Mansion remained closed. A discreet carriage quietly stopped in front of the gate, and Qin An, a former servant of the Prince's Mansion, stepped out and entered the inner courtyard.

Half an hour later, Liang Su slowly stepped out of the study, holding an old scroll in his hand. His expression was calm, but a rare solemnity appeared between his brows.

"He sent you to deliver this, only saying one sentence?"

Qin An bowed and said, "Your Highness only said one thing: 'The three sons of the Left Prime Minister are incapable of handling affairs.'"

Liang Su raised his eyes and stared at him for a moment: "These three of me were all recommended through the imperial examinations, and were among those personally recommended by Your Highness before entering the cabinet."

"Why did he come to slap us in the face today? What is his intention?"

Qin An dared not reply, only saying, "His Highness said: It's not about humiliating him, but about clearing his name."

Liang Su was taken aback, then sneered and threw the scroll into the furnace, whereupon flames rose three feet high.

“Go tell Zhu Han—if the Crown Prince doesn’t come to take my place, I won’t play along with his scheme.”

"But I will see for myself whether Zhu Biao—can he afford to use someone I, Liang Su, have abandoned." (End of Chapter)