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

Upon hearing this, a glimmer of light flashed in Zhu Biao's eyes, as if he had seen a ray of dawn in the darkness. He stepped forward and said respectfully, "What you say is absolutely right, Your Majesty. I am willing to volunteer to handle some affairs of the court to prove my abilities. I will certainly not disappoint Father and Your Majesty."

Zhu Yuanzhang looked at Zhu Biao and nodded with satisfaction. His previously furrowed brows relaxed slightly. He said, "Good, I am very pleased that Biao has made such a decision. Then, Brother Han, I will entrust this investigation to you. You have always been meticulous, and I am at ease with you in charge of this matter."

Zhu Han accepted the order and said, "Your Majesty, rest assured, I will do my utmost to find out the truth. Even if I have to dig three feet into the ground, I will find out who the mastermind is."

After leaving the Qianqing Palace, Zhu Han and Zhu Biao walked side by side.

The moonlight shone on them, casting long shadows.

Zhu Biao sighed, "Uncle, I am so grateful that you spoke up for me before the Emperor. Otherwise, I really wouldn't know how to deal with this situation. The joint petition from those ministers is like a boulder pressing on my heart, making it hard for me to breathe."

Zhu Han patted Zhu Biao on the shoulder and said with a smile, "Biao'er, there's no need for such formalities between us, uncle and nephew. You are the Crown Prince, and the future of the Ming Dynasty depends on you to protect it. I will do my best to assist you."

However, the person behind this is definitely not simple; we cannot be careless. Since they dare to openly challenge your position as Crown Prince, they must have something to rely on, and perhaps they have already won over a group of people in the court.

Zhu Biao nodded and said, "What you say is absolutely right, Imperial Uncle. In your opinion, where should we begin our investigation?"

Zhu Han pondered for a moment, slowed his pace, and his eyes became deep. He said, "Those ministers who jointly submitted the petition are the breakthrough point. We can send people to secretly monitor them and see who they associate with, where they go, and what they say. Perhaps we can find clues from them, follow the trail, and find out the mastermind behind it all."

Zhu Biao agreed, saying, "Uncle, this plan is excellent. I will arrange for people to carry it out immediately. I have some loyal and reliable men under my command; they are capable and will surely complete this task."

A few days later, Zhu Han was in the Prince's residence analyzing the progress of the investigation with his advisors.

The study was filled with smoke, and everyone sat around maps and documents, the atmosphere tense and serious.

Suddenly, Zhu Biao rushed over, his face showing a mixture of excitement and exhaustion.

"Uncle, there's news!" Zhu Biao said excitedly, his voice trembling with excitement.

Zhu Han quickly stood up, pulled Zhu Biao to sit down, and asked, "Biao'er, tell me quickly, what did you find?"

Zhu Biao took the tea offered by his aide, took a sip to calm himself, and said, "We secretly monitored those ministers and discovered that several of them have been frequently meeting with a mysterious person recently. This mysterious person always wears a bamboo hat to cover his face and his whereabouts are very secretive. After some investigation, we found that this mysterious person is actually a former subordinate of Hu Weiyong."

Zhu Han's heart sank, as if a stone was pressing down on his chest.

Although Hu Weiyong has been executed, his remaining followers are still operating in the shadows, attempting to disrupt the court, which is undoubtedly a huge hidden danger.

"It seems this matter is inextricably linked to Hu Weiyong's remaining followers. Biao'er, we need to report this to our elder brother as soon as possible, and at the same time strengthen the palace's defenses to prevent them from resorting to desperate measures and doing anything that could harm the palace or His Highness the Crown Prince. Since they dare to stir up trouble in the court, they might have even more insidious plans."

Zhu Han said, a hint of worry in his eyes.

Zhu Biao nodded and said, "What you say is absolutely right, Imperial Uncle. I will go to the palace to report to my father immediately."

When Zhu Yuanzhang learned of this, he was furious. He slammed his hand on the table, causing the teacups to jump and spill tea all over the floor.

"These remnants are still not giving up! I executed Hu Weiyong back then to purge the court, but I never expected that they would still be secretly plotting to overthrow the dynasty. I will wipe them out in one fell swoop to prevent future troubles!"

Zhu Han stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, please calm down. We have now obtained some clues. Our top priority is to follow the trail and bring the mastermind behind this to justice."

At the same time, this opportunity can also be used to allow His Highness the Crown Prince to put forward some good policies for governing the country in court, so as to demonstrate his ability and stabilize the situation in the court.

This will show the ministers that His Highness the Crown Prince not only has the courage to shoulder heavy responsibilities, but also the wisdom to govern the country.

Zhu Yuanzhang pondered for a moment, the anger in his eyes gradually subsiding. He nodded and said, "Brother Han is right. Biao'er, do you have any good strategies for governing the country?"

Zhu Biao stepped forward and said respectfully, “Father, I have been thinking about this recently. Although our Great Ming Dynasty has been established, the people still suffer from many hardships. Many places have been hit by natural disasters, and the people are starving and naked.”

Your subject believes that we can reduce the taxes on the people, encourage agriculture and sericulture, and allow the people to cultivate the land with peace of mind and have enough to eat and wear.

At the same time, efforts should be made to strengthen commercial development, build roads, and promote trade between different regions in order to boost the national economy.

Upon hearing this, Zhu Yuanzhang's eyes showed appreciation, and a smile appeared on his originally serious face. He said, "Biao'er's plan is excellent."

I grant you permission to begin implementation. You must formulate a concrete plan as soon as possible so that the people can benefit from it.

Meanwhile, Brother Han, you will continue to be in charge of investigating the remaining followers of Hu Weiyong. You must eradicate them completely, leaving no hidden dangers.

After receiving their orders, Zhu Han and Zhu Biao began to act on their own.

One day, Zhu Han was strolling in the garden of the Prince's Mansion. The garden was full of blooming flowers and had a wonderful fragrance.

He admired the beautiful scenery around him and felt exceptionally relaxed.

Suddenly, Zhu Biao arrived. He looked tired, but his eyes were full of determination.

"Uncle, thanks to your help, I was able to get through this ordeal smoothly," Zhu Biao said gratefully, and then knelt down to pay his respects.

Zhu Han quickly stepped forward to support Zhu Biao, and said with a smile, "Biao'er, there's no need for such formality between us, uncle and nephew. You are the Crown Prince, and the future of the Ming Dynasty will depend on you to protect it."

I was simply doing my best to support you. Seeing you grow stronger through the challenges fills me with immense joy.

Zhu Biao looked at Zhu Han and said sincerely, "Uncle, I will never forget your kindness to me. If I ascend the throne in the future, I will never forget your assistance. I will ensure that you enjoy endless wealth and honor, becoming the most honored person in the Ming Dynasty." Zhu Han patted Zhu Biao on the shoulder and said, "Biao'er, I assist you not for fame or fortune. I only hope that the Ming Dynasty can prosper and that the people can live in peace and happiness."

As the crown prince, you should be mindful of the well-being of the people and strive to be a wise and virtuous ruler. Do not let power and desire cloud your judgment; always maintain a clear mind and work for the well-being of the people.

Zhu Biao nodded solemnly and said, "Uncle, rest assured, I will always remember your teachings, keep the well-being of the people in mind, and strive to be a wise and virtuous ruler. I will prove with my actions that I will not fail you and Father's expectations."

That day, he was in his study in the Prince's mansion discussing the promotion of new agricultural tools with several advisors when the steward rushed in to report: "Your Highness, His Highness the Crown Prince has arrived."

A hint of surprise flashed in Zhu Han's eyes, and he quickly stood up and said, "Please invite His Highness the Crown Prince in."

A moment later, Zhu Biao walked steadily into the study, a smile on his face, and said, "Uncle, I have some free time today, so I came to have a chat with you."

Zhu Han greeted him with a smile: "It is an honor for my manor to have Biao'er here. Please have a seat. I happen to have some interesting things here that I would like to tell you about."

As he spoke, he pulled Zhu Biao to sit down at the table.

Zhu Biao looked at the farm tool blueprints on the table and asked curiously, "Uncle, what are these? They look very different from ordinary farm tools."

Zhu Han picked up a blueprint of a plow and explained in detail, "Biao'er, look, this is a newly designed curved-shaft plow. Compared to the traditional straight-shaft plow, it is more flexible and lighter, and easier to turn, which can greatly improve the efficiency of plowing. I plan to promote it around Yingtian Prefecture first, so that the people can try it out."

Upon hearing this, Zhu Biao's eyes lit up: "If that's true, it would be a blessing for the people. However, I'm afraid there will be many obstacles in promoting it."

Zhu Han nodded: "Biao'er is absolutely right. So I plan to first cooperate with several wealthy households in Yingtian Prefecture, who will fund the production of farm tools and then sell them to the people at a lower price. Once the people have tasted the benefits, they will naturally take the initiative to buy them, and in this way, the promotion will be a natural success."

Zhu Biao pondered for a moment, then nodded and said, "Uncle, your plan is excellent. However, whether these wealthy households are willing to cooperate still needs further consideration."

Zhu Han smiled confidently: "Don't worry, Biao'er, I've already come up with a plan. I intend to grant these wealthy households some preferential policies in the name of the royal family, such as tax reductions or exemptions, or granting them some commercial privileges. In this way, they will naturally respond positively."

Upon hearing this, Zhu Biao couldn't help but give Zhu Han a thumbs up: "Uncle, you're brilliant! This way, we can promote new agricultural tools, benefit wealthy households, and reduce the burden on ordinary people. It's a win-win-win situation!"

Zhu Han waved his hand: "Biao'er, you flatter me. This is all for the sake of the people of my Great Ming Dynasty so that they can live a good life. By the way, Biao'er, is there anything else important that you have to discuss today?"

Zhu Biao's expression turned serious, and he said, "Uncle, recently some ministers in the court have expressed their dissatisfaction with Father's practice of appointing people from humble backgrounds, believing that this will disrupt the balance of the court and affect the interests of powerful families. Father is somewhat troubled by this. I wonder what your opinion is, Uncle?"

Zhu Han frowned slightly, pondered for a moment, and then said, "Biao'er, do you know the difference between a poor family's son and a noble family's son?"

Zhu Biao said: "Children from poor families mostly come from humble backgrounds and rely on their own efforts to pass the imperial examinations; while aristocratic families rely on their family influence to occupy a place in the court."

Zhu Han nodded: "That's right. These children from humble backgrounds are like the rising sun, full of vitality and vigor; while the powerful families are like towering trees, deeply rooted. Father Emperor's emphasis on employing children from humble backgrounds is to inject fresh blood into the court, break the monopoly of powerful families, and make the court more fair and just. The opposition of those ministers is nothing more than considerations of their own interests."

Zhu Biao asked with some concern, "Then how should Father Emperor deal with this? If he forces it on, it may provoke dissatisfaction from powerful families and even cause turmoil in the court."

Zhu Han stood up and paced around the study for a moment before saying, "Biao'er, this matter should not be rushed. Your father can first communicate well with the ministers from those powerful families and explain to them the benefits of employing people from humble backgrounds. For example, people from humble backgrounds will work harder and serve the court in order to get ahead; moreover, they are not bound by family power and will be more fair and selfless in their actions."

Zhu Biao nodded thoughtfully: "What the Imperial Uncle says makes sense. However, those ministers may not listen to him easily."

Zhu Han sneered: "If they remain obstinate, Father, there is no need to be polite. We can find some ministers from humble backgrounds and have them debate with the ministers from powerful families in court. Let the facts speak for themselves and let the world see that those from humble backgrounds are no less capable than those from powerful families."

Upon hearing this, Zhu Biao's eyes flashed with excitement: "Uncle, this plan is excellent! In this way, we can not only relieve Father's worries, but also give children from humble backgrounds a chance to show their talents."

Zhu Han patted Zhu Biao on the shoulder: "Biao'er, you must remember that a ruler must have the well-being of the people in mind and cannot be swayed by the interests of powerful families. Only by being fair and just can you win the support of the people and ensure the stability of the Ming Dynasty."

Zhu Biao nodded solemnly: "I will keep your teachings in mind, Uncle. However, I still need your assistance, Uncle, to carry out this task."

Zhu Han smiled and said, "Don't worry, Biao'er, I will do my best to help. With you and me working together, we will surely be able to assist our father in creating a great Ming Dynasty."

Just then, the steward rushed in to report: "Your Highness, the Emperor has arrived."

Zhu Han and Zhu Biao exchanged a glance and quickly got up to go out to greet them.

A moment later, Zhu Yuanzhang strode into the study and laughed heartily, saying, "I heard today that you two, uncle and nephew, are discussing important matters here, so I came to join in the fun."

Zhu Han and Zhu Biao hurriedly bowed and said, "Greetings, Your Majesty (Father)."

Zhu Yuanzhang waved his hand: "No need for formalities. What were you discussing just now?"

Zhu Biao then recounted in detail the discussion he had just had with Zhu Han about giving important positions to people from poor families.

After listening, Zhu Yuanzhang nodded in satisfaction: "You two, uncle and nephew, have thought things through. I have made up my mind to promote the appointment of people from poor families. However, we will encounter a lot of resistance in the process, and I will need you two to come up with more ideas."

Zhu Han said, "Your Majesty, rest assured, Biao'er and I will do our best. However, the power of these aristocratic families is deeply entrenched and should not be underestimated. We need to proceed step by step and not be too hasty."

After a moment of contemplation, Zhu Yuanzhang said, "Zhu Han is absolutely right. I intend to start with some minor official positions and gradually improve the status of those from humble backgrounds. At the same time, I will also appease the ministers from powerful families and let them know that I am not trying to suppress them, but rather for the long-term stability of the court."

Zhu Biao said, "Father is wise. In this way, we can reduce resistance and give children from poor families a chance to stand out."

Looking at Zhu Han and Zhu Biao, Zhu Yuanzhang said with satisfaction, "With you two, uncle and nephew, assisting me, I am greatly pleased. The fate of the Ming Dynasty rests on our joint efforts." (End of Chapter)