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

Chen Han entered first, bending down, followed closely by Zhu Han and Zhu Biao.

The tunnel was muddy and winding, with mottled murals on the walls faintly discernible, depicting the scene of the Ding family repairing a well in the past. The two looked at it intently, but dared not linger.

After walking for about several meters, a rusty iron box door appeared at the end of the tunnel.

Chen Han shook his head and opened the box, revealing an ancient camphor wood box inside. The box was covered in a thick layer of dust, but the four large characters "Ding Family Notes" in clerical script were still faintly visible.

Zhu Han carefully opened the seal, inside were several scrolls of yellow silk documents, all of which were detailed records of well repair costs, material supply lists, and court allocation documents made by Ding Xiang back then.

There are also several diary-like family letters, with neat handwriting, in which Ding Xiang mentioned that he had petitioned the court several times to point out the ills of rural areas, but due to the obstruction of powerful officials, he never received a response.

Zhu Biao stroked the scroll and pondered, "Such a letter, if Your Highness could use it, wouldn't that be both prestigious and powerful?"

Zhu Han looked at the slightly yellowed silk with a gentle gaze: "Indeed. As long as this account is submitted, the whole story of the malpractices in the granary can be found out, and it can also be revealed that someone in the court is covering it up. With this, Your Highness can win the support of the people and let the court know that the Crown Prince is not afraid of the powerful and is willing to speak up for the common people."

Chen Han coughed twice, his eyes filled with tears: "If Your Highness the Crown Prince and Your Highness the Prince learn of this matter, you will surely investigate it and bring justice to the people of the village. Although I am poor, I am willing to serve you both with utmost loyalty."

Zhu Han raised his hand, his gaze resolute: "Brother Chen's kindness will be remembered. Before long, Your Highness will be able to return to the capital to retrieve this account, and the court will judge its merits and demerits."

The three of them packed up neatly, sealed the family letter box in a portable brocade pouch, and slowly retreated back to the temple gate.

The night was deep, yet there was no chill in the air, as if a battle between conspiracy and justice had quietly come to an end.

Zhu Biao glanced sideways and asked softly, "Uncle, what should we do if word gets out of this trip?"

Zhu Han pondered for a moment, then slowly said, "The court is rife with powerful forces. If there is any mishap, people like Zhao Guantou will have an opportunity to take advantage of it. This account must be handed over to the Empress Dowager so that she can be informed, and then the Crown Prince must personally report it before everything can be settled. If we are blocked halfway, Yi Ren will order the guards to intercept along the way. We must not let a single piece of information leak to outsiders."

Zhu Biao bowed and nodded: "Your humble servant brought several trusted men from the capital to accompany and escort you, and we will certainly not be negligent."

The mountain path gradually leveled out, and the scenery transitioned from wilderness to forest. In the distance, a group of officials rode by on horseback; their official robes were simple, but they wore badges, clearly indicating their purpose of inspection.

The two, dressed in plain clothes, stepped aside, but the other party recognized Zhu Biao and exclaimed, "Crown Prince?"

Zhu Biao's heart tightened, but he pretended to be relaxed and bowed, saying, "I have been on a field trip south and have not returned to the capital. Meeting the Inspector is also unexpected. Is there anything I can help you with?"

The inspector stood with his hand on his sword, cupped his hands, and replied, "Your Highness, I heard yesterday about the corruption case at the Nanxiang Granary. The county magistrate has already reported it to the capital. Now there is a secret decree requesting Your Highness to stay and wait in a nearby village for the officials to verify the information."

Zhu Biao's expression changed slightly, and Zhu Han immediately replied, "Since the official mission has been dispatched, your humble servant, Imperial Uncle, will return to the capital first. The Crown Prince should stay here until the truth is verified, and then we will return to the palace together."

The inspector nodded: "We will do our best to cooperate."

No sooner had he finished speaking than a group of men galloped over, led by none other than Zhao Guantou.

Zhao Guantou looked frightened, but he bowed and stepped forward: "Your Highness, we have been summoned by the county magistrate regarding the matter of the granary here, and we are willing to go with the officials to investigate. If there is anything improper, we are willing to accept punishment."

Zhu Biao slowed his pace slightly. Zhu Han stared into those scarlet eyes and said softly, "Chief Zhao, if you are sincere, come with me to the government office and help me find out the truth; if you are hoping for the best, you will only be exposed one by one."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Guantou fell silent, head bowed, and remained speechless.

Upon seeing this, the inspector rose and said, "Since the Crown Prince is here, the officers should be ready to go. If Your Highness wishes to go first, the officers will follow."

Zhu Biao turned to Zhu Han and whispered, "Would Your Highness be willing to return to the palace first?"

Zhu Han turned and gazed at the southern mountains, his tone calm: "Since there are officials here and the account documents are in this package, I fear it is not appropriate for me to travel to the capital with the Crown Prince, lest others spy on us. The Crown Prince shall go first, and I shall escort the account documents; once the truth is ascertained, I shall take the funds to relieve the poor and report to the Emperor."

Zhu Biao hesitated for a moment, then clasped his hands in a salute: "Your Highness's plan is profound, and I will obey. We will meet again in the capital."

Having said that, they hurried eastward under the escort of the patrol officers, their horses kicking up dust as the group gradually disappeared into the morning mist.

Once the dust had settled, Zhu Han let out a long sigh, took out the brocade pouch from his waist, put it in his bosom, his expression calm but his eyes bright.

An official road stretches eastward, lanterns already lit, and merchants and travelers come and go in an endless stream.

Zhu Han focused his mind and subtly gave a wink to a young servant boy beside him, instructing him to first deliver the account documents to a secret residence in the east of the capital, and then have them passed into the palace by an inside agent.

The page boy obeyed and left, his light steps disappearing into the crowd.

Zhu Han turned to the side and lifted the curtain, looking towards the capital, a faint smile appearing on his lips: "This game has just begun, and it is not yet over."

Zhu Biao walked along the imperial road, his mind lingering on the brightly lit imperial street, yet a sense of unease arose in his heart.

He followed the patrolman all the way to the south street of the temple, where several yamen runners opened the gate and led him in.

The temple was spacious, with account books presented by Zhao Guantou displayed on the tables, all seemingly awaiting the Crown Prince's review.

"Your Highness, please read this carefully." A middle-aged servant bowed.

Zhu Biao leaned over to examine the account book and saw that the handwriting was crooked, many items seemed to have been altered, and there were additional records of "local expenses" and "tax service remuneration," none of which were subject to the imperial court.

Zhu Biao frowned slightly: "This account is completely different from the family letter obtained in Nanxiang. It must be a fake account presented by Zhao Guantou."

The inspector chimed in softly, "According to the inspector, the magistrate of Nanxiang County has already sent people to conduct an on-site investigation. This account is unlikely to be genuine without verification."

Zhu Biao said in a deep voice: "Immediately order the county government to send the account books to the Censorate for comparison with the family letter from Nanxiang. If there are any discrepancies, order Zhao Guantou to stay at the post station and await questioning, and not to leave the government office without permission."

He accepted the order, immediately began his work, and hurried away.

Zhu Biao raised his eyes, looked at the ancient cypress trees in the temple, and took a breath of cool air: "If the truth cannot be revealed to the world quickly, what will the poor and suffering people care about?"

The inspector bowed and said, "Your Highness, rest assured, this official will surely redress the injustice in Nanxiang on this mission."

At dusk, in a courtyard house with blue bricks that blocked out the sun, Zhu Han, dressed in plain clothes, stood at the entrance.

He knocked lightly on the wooden door, and after a few breaths, the door opened a few feet, revealing a pair of clear eyes—it was Yu Ruxue, the daughter of Yu Daoheng, a senior official in the capital.

"Your Highness, the Crown Prince's preface states that the accounting documents have reached this point," Yu Ruxue said softly.

Zhu Han nodded: "Thank you for your help, Ru Xue. If this matter can be settled, I may be able to gain more support from the court and help Your Highness secure your position as Crown Prince."

Ru Xue lowered her head and smiled: "Your Highness has worked hard and spared no effort to share the burdens of the people. I am willing to be a vanguard."

Zhu Han turned around, took out the brocade pouch, and gently handed it to her: "This is Ding Xiang's family letter, which contains the true record of Nanxiang. Please send it to the Empress Dowager's inner court tomorrow, and be sure to deliver it to the Empress Dowager's boudoir before presenting the memorial to the emperor, so as to prevent it from being leaked."

Ru Xue solemnly accepted the gift, her expression serious: "Please rest assured, Your Highness, I will escort you inside and live up to your trust."

Zhu Han's gaze shifted slightly: "Now that I owe you the debt of gratitude for food and clothing, I will surely repay it in the future. No matter how the political situation changes, I am willing to stand shoulder to shoulder with Your Highness in times of difficulty."

Ru Xue nodded slightly, turned around, gathered her long skirt, and gracefully entered. Zhu Han watched the gate close, gazing at the palace walls that appeared and disappeared in the night, and murmured to himself, "Crown Prince, let's see how we turn the world upside down."

Along the Imperial Street, a roe deer was returning to camp under the lanterns when a short, stout middle-aged eunuch blocked his path. The eunuch whispered, "Officer, this is an imperial decree. If anyone inquires about the Southern Township Granary, do not mention that the accounting records came from the Crown Prince's side, otherwise..."

The official was alarmed: "Your subject obeys the decree," and hurriedly left.

The short, stout eunuch clapped his hands and laughed, then turned and disappeared into the night.

Ahead of him walked a group of dark figures side by side, the leader of whom was none other than Xue Zhao, the powerful prime minister of Jiangnan that day.

Xue Zhao sneered: "The Crown Prince is acting quickly, but little does he know that I have already laid a trap in secret. Once the accounts are submitted, if he offends us, it will probably not just be Steward Zhao who will be ruined."

Another person in the shadows whispered, "Prime Minister Xue, the Crown Prince and the Prince are both very cunning. If you want to escape unscathed, you need to be even more cautious."

Xue Zhao glanced sideways at the night and snorted coldly: "Caution? Well, what a fine word. Let's see if the Crown Prince has the will to live."

The two walked side by side, their steps slow and deliberate, without uttering a single word.

Zhu Biao suddenly asked in a low voice, "Uncle, this has caused quite a stir. If someone in the court stirs up trouble again, do you have any backup plans?"

Zhu Han turned to look at him, his eyebrows as handsome as a painting in the darkness: "Your Highness is meticulous. Although we have won this battle, we have not been able to completely eliminate the schemes. We need to use the power of my sign-in system to investigate the situation in the palace. Tomorrow we will return to the palace first and implement a series of sign-ins in order to control the situation."

After they finished speaking, the two went straight to the street of Jin Su Fang. What came into view was a row of teahouses and wine shops gradually turning off their lights. The aroma of tea and wine mixed together and wafted into their noses.

Zhu Han suddenly stopped and listened intently. He heard a soft murmur: "Please, Your Highness, have mercy and save my daughter..." The voice was intermittent and filled with pain.

Zhu Biao asked in confusion, "Where did the sound come from?"

Zhu Han led him into a small alley, where they saw a middle-aged woman with tear-streaked skin holding a brocade box at the back corner of a tavern. Startled to see the two of them, she quickly took a few steps back and stammered, "Your...Crown Prince? Your Highness?"

Zhu Han cupped his hands in greeting: "This is not idle talk. Why have you disturbed the tranquility of the night?"

The woman looked up and saw Zhu Biao and Zhu Han standing side by side. They bore a striking resemblance in their features, and she was certain of it. Her voice trembled as she said:

“Your Highness, my daughter was kidnapped three days ago. She left me this box with her ring inside, which can prove her identity. The government's methods have been ineffective, and I am extremely anxious. I have heard that Your Highness has relieved the people from their suffering, so I have come to ask for your help.”

Zhu Biao frowned: "Who did this? Did they leave behind any items to use as bait or to dispose of the stolen goods?"

The woman tremblingly took out a brocade box, inside which was a jade ring. The ring was finely carved, but stained with blood.

The woman cried out, “This is what my daughter has worn since she was a child, and it’s the only thing that can identify her. Three days ago, she was passing by here when she was suddenly dragged into a dark carriage by several men. The thugs left her here, threatening her: if she doesn’t pay the money, they will disappear.”

Zhu Han took the ring and said coldly, "This kind of kidnapping is a very serious case. Your Highness and I can lend a hand."

Zhu Biao said in a deep voice, "This is a matter of life and death, and I'm afraid the matter originated in the palace. Please, woman, remain calm, and the two of you will investigate immediately."

The woman bowed with her hands clasped and said, "Your Highness, thank you for saving my life. I have no way to repay you."

After saying this, she clutched her back and, sobbing, had no energy left to speak.

Zhu Han instructed his servants to carry the carriage and take the woman home to settle her in. He then walked alongside Zhu Biao, following the hoofprints from the depths of the alley.

The lamp at the alley entrance flickered, and the two men used the dim light to examine the ground beside the road, where they indeed saw the tracks of iron hooves and drops of tung oil.

Zhu Han squatted down, picked up the drop of tung oil, and said calmly, "This is the oil that vendors use to boil lamps. It's common in the market, so it's hard to tell. But if criminals want to hide their tracks, they would definitely end up here."

Zhu Biao raised his hand and gently stroked his chin. "If that's the case, could we check the vehicle's documents through the night shift clerk's autopsy to find out who was escorting the body?"

Zhu Han gazed into the distance. "No rush. Let's track the direction of the secret vehicle first. Those who know something may hear about it later. Head towards the southwest camp first. There are many military camps there, and goods and people are often transported out through secret passages from there."

A night breeze blew, and the two hurried along the street, chasing each other to a broken bridge leading to the Tiger Guard Camp.

The road winds its way through the air, and the faint barking of stable dogs can be heard.

Zhu Han gestured for Zhu Biao to stand in the shadows. He stepped forward quietly and approached an old woodshed. There was a rustling sound next to the abandoned firewood.

Zhu Han gently lifted the curtain and saw two men in black, wearing straw hats, standing in front of a carriage with a black silk curtain. The interior of the carriage was dark, and it sounded like someone was breathing.

The men in straw hats whispered to each other, but only one sentence could be heard: "The Crown Prince is taking the lead. This kind of deliberate violence that wastes money must be orchestrated by higher-ups."

Upon hearing this, Zhu Han silently drew his sword and hurriedly turned around to grab Zhu Biao: "Your Highness, do you have any objections?"

Zhu Biao sneered, gripped his sword, and stepped forward: "Who are you? You dare to seize people without authorization!"

When the carriage curtain was lifted, one of the two men in black drew a dagger and shouted, "You two dare to stop me?" The two men pressed forward from the front and back.

Zhu Han said in a deep voice, "Release them, or the Prince and the Crown Prince will surely take your life!"

After speaking, he threw a fragrant powder from his sleeve, first the powder, then the sword. The man in the bamboo hat suddenly sneezed, his hand trembled, and the dagger fell to the ground.

Taking advantage of the moment, Zhu Biao shouted, "Guards!" Two strong guards rushed out from the shadows and seized the man in the bamboo hat. In the quiet of the night, only a few muffled groans could be heard.

Zhu Han frowned and looked into the carriage. He gently pulled the curtain, revealing a pale, hunched girl in a light yellow dress. Her lips moved slightly, but she choked with fear.

Zhu Biao hurriedly called for his guards to come forward and gently comforted them, "Don't be afraid, young lady, we're here to save you."

The girl looked up, but was filled with fear and wanted to cry but had no tears.

Zhu Han bowed and said solemnly, "The palace has informed us that if we want to leave safely, we must retrieve this person."

He pulled a small token from his sleeve, which gleamed with silver light: "This is a private gift from your humble servant. With this, the night-shift guards can let you pass and escort the young lady home quickly."

The girl accepted it tremblingly, her lips quivering slightly: "Thank... thank you, Your Highness."

Zhu Han then looked at the two prisoners and asked in a cold voice, "Who hired the assassins in this operation? Have they confessed?"

The two men exchanged a glance, and one of them stammered, "I...I don't know his name. I only know that the token came from an 'ancient eunuch' who said that once this token is issued, the Crown Prince will be implicated, and he ordered us to secretly gather evidence against him."

Zhu Biao's expression hardened: "Eunuch Gu? Which palace eunuch is named 'Gu'?"

Zhu Han's expression changed drastically, a cold glint flashing in his eyes: "Gu Shenyuan... it must be him. This man is known for his skill in using secret passages, and no one in the court knows where he goes when the midnight bell rings."

Zhu Biao said in a deep voice, "If it was indeed done by Gu Shenyuan, it must be a palace conspiracy. Your Highness, could you order the guards in your residence to conduct a night raid on Shenyuan's residence?" (End of this chapter)