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

Zhao Guangyuan's former subordinates and confidants dared not speak further and hurriedly lowered their heads, standing still.

Zhu Han glanced at them and thought to himself: This is a public shaming. Once the Zhao family falls, the others will understand how to choose sides.

Sure enough, several aristocratic ministers who had been observing quickly stepped forward and knelt down: "Your Majesty, we are willing to wholeheartedly assist His Highness the Crown Prince and have no disloyal intentions!" In an instant, the ministers echoed each other, and there was not a single dissent in the hall.

Zhu Yuanzhang snorted coldly and slowly sat back on the dragon throne: "Fine, you'd better keep your word. If I hear of anyone secretly harboring any more thoughts, I will not let them off lightly!"

After the court session ended, Zhu Biao returned to the Prince's residence with Zhu Han, still feeling lingering fear: "Uncle, Zhao Guangyuan was indeed very cunning. If it weren't for your scheme, he would probably still be pretending to be innocent."

Zhu Han smiled: "Biao'er, the powerful families have deep roots and flourishing branches. Their apparent loyalty is only temporary. Today, we're making an example of them to warn the rest. From now on, you only need to focus on handling state affairs, and leave the rest to me."

Zhu Biao solemnly cupped his hands in greeting: "With my royal uncle here, I have no worries."

Inside the Prince's study, Zhu Han was reviewing the account books of the Zhao family that had been delivered by the Imperial Guards.

The book was thick, filled with dense handwriting. He carefully read through each page, then suddenly stopped and gently tapped a name with his fingertip—"Cao Xiangqing".

"As expected." Zhu Han smiled and turned to his trusted confidant standing to the side: "Pass on my order to have Shi Ren keep an eye on the movements at Prime Minister Cao's residence, especially whether anyone has been coming and going at night these past few days."

The trusted confidant clasped his hands in a fist and replied, "Yes, sir!"

Suddenly, light footsteps sounded outside the door. Zhu Biao hurried inside, a hint of doubt on his face.

"Uncle, Father summoned me after the morning court session this day, and his words seemed to indicate that he wanted me to preside over the court session alone. He said he wanted to see my abilities."

He paused, a hint of nervousness flashing in his eyes, "Uncle, is this Father's test?"

Zhu Han smiled without saying a word, slowly putting down the account book: "This is a good thing. What my brother wants is not your methods, but to make those ministers who are secretly watching give up completely. He wants them to understand that the Crown Prince not only has me behind him, but also has the ability to take charge independently."

Zhu Biao took a deep breath: "Does the Imperial Uncle have any guidance?"

Zhu Han rose, walked to the window, gazed at the morning mist over the capital, and said slowly, "Tomorrow at court, you need not be concerned with trivial matters. Just issue an order—to rectify the remaining factions in the capital region. All ministers who have close ties with the Zhao family must state their identities. If anyone refuses, they will be immediately suspended from their duties and investigated."

He turned around, his gaze sharp. "Biao'er, remember this: today marks the beginning of your personal control of the court."

A resolute glint flashed in Zhu Biao's eyes: "Yes, Imperial Uncle!"

The following day, in the Zichen Palace.

Zhu Yuanzhang did not appear; only Zhu Biao sat upright before the dragon table, his face calm, and his body shrouded in an unusual aura of power.

As the officials entered the hall one after another, they whispered among themselves upon seeing that the emperor had not yet arrived.

Imperial Censor Yang Jin stepped forward and tentatively asked, "Your Highness, why is His Majesty absent from court today?"

Zhu Biao slightly raised his chin, his voice soft yet clear: "My father has ordered me to preside over today's court assembly to thoroughly investigate any involvement in the Zhao family case. All those within and outside the capital region who have frequent dealings with the Zhao family must declare their innocence. If anyone conceals anything, I—"

He paused deliberately, then said coldly, "I am immediately suspended from my duties and handed over to the Ministry of Justice for investigation!"

Upon hearing this, the hall fell silent.

The expressions of the ministers who were secretly in contact with the Zhao family changed instantly.

Sure enough, Cao Xiangqing, the Vice Minister of Revenue, who was standing at the last row on the right, turned pale and felt as if his feet weighed a ton.

He raised his head, wanting to argue, but saw Zhu Biao's cold gaze sweep over him, and his heart trembled, leaving him speechless.

Zhu Biao suddenly raised his hand and pointed at Cao Xiangqing: "Minister Cao, do you have something to say?"

Cao Xiangqing's face turned pale, and beads of sweat appeared on his forehead. He forced a smile and said, "Your Highness, my interactions with the Zhao family have always been purely official, and there has never been anything improper..."

Zhu Biao's eyes narrowed, and he shouted, "Men, bring the Zhao family's account books!"

The guard immediately presented a thin book, which Zhu Biao opened and slammed on the table: "Prime Minister Cao! Half of the silver embezzled by the Zhao family went into your household accounts! Do I need to spell it out for you?!"

Cao Xiangqing knelt down with a thud, his face ashen: "Your Highness, spare my life! This humble subject was forced by Zhao Guangyuan. If I did not obey, he would wipe out my entire family!"

Zhu Biao narrowed his eyes, his tone icy: "Forced? Was it Zhao Guangyuan who forced you, or were you both using each other? I'm giving you one last chance—hand over all the names involved, or I'll investigate you first, then confiscate your property!"

Cao Xiangqing trembled all over, his forehead pressed to the ground, and he stammered, "Your Highness, spare me... I'll talk! The Li family's residence, the Qian family's residence, and the Minister of War Duan Ling are all Zhao's secret agents..."

Before the words were finished, a cry of alarm suddenly came from outside the hall: "Duan Ling has escaped!"

The imperial court was instantly thrown into chaos.

Zhu Biao suddenly stood up, slammed his fist on the table, and roared, "Order the Imperial Guards to seal off the city and arrest Duan Ling! Anyone who shelters him will be punished as an accomplice!"

The guards retreated like a tide, rushing off to carry out their duties.

The courtiers in the hall stared in disbelief at the usually mild-mannered Crown Prince before them, and dared not harbor any further disloyal thoughts.

Zhu Biao scanned the room, his voice resounding: "I reiterate once again—anyone who has secretly colluded with the Zhao family and confesses today may be spared; if they continue to conceal their involvement, they will be punished the same as Duan Ling!"

Several officials who had been watching immediately knelt down, weeping and begging for mercy, and then revealed more names.

In a short time, the remaining associates of the Zhao family case were uprooted, like a dark net being lifted.

Zhu Biao took a deep breath, sat back down at his desk, and said coldly, "Write down all these confessions and hand them over to the Ministry of Justice for a thorough investigation. Today's court session is over. I will report back to my father tomorrow."

The court was completely silent; the officials bowed their heads, and no one dared to move.

After the court session ended, Zhu Han greeted Zhu Biao in a side hall with a smile on his lips: "Biao'er, well done."

Zhu Biao still looked shaken, but a new light shone in his eyes: "Uncle, it turns out that controlling the court is not just about intimidation. Those people no longer back down when they see me; instead, they start to be afraid."

Zhu Han patted him on the shoulder: "This is power. You need to let them know that the Crown Prince has both a benevolent heart and an iron fist."

"And what's next?" Zhu Biao asked in a low voice.

Zhu Han slowly said, "Next, while they are still fearful, we should promote your own people to key positions and replace these vacant positions with officials who are truly loyal to the Crown Prince. Strike while the iron is hot and don't give them a chance to make a comeback."

Zhu Biao nodded solemnly: "I understand, Imperial Uncle."

That night, the lights in the Prince's study were still on when Zhu Han ordered Shi Ren to deliver the latest report from the Imperial Guards.

"Your Highness, Duan Ling has fled to the north of the city and is now besieged at a post station."

Zhu Han narrowed his eyes: "Leave him alive. I need to know who's backing him up."

Shi Ren responded and left. Zhu Han turned to look at the boundless night outside the window and murmured, "The person behind the scenes... probably hasn't revealed all their cards yet."

At the North City Inn, the cold wind howled.

The gate of the post station was heavily surrounded by the Imperial Guards, and the shadows were intertwined like a forest under the torchlight.

In the courtyard, Duan Ling stood with disheveled hair, looking somewhat desperate, yet stubbornly keeping his back straight.

Zhu Han slowly stepped into the courtyard, wearing a long black robe, his gaze as cold as a knife as he looked at Duan Ling.

"Duan Ling." Zhu Han's tone was calm, yet it carried a sharp, imposing aura.
"As the Minister of War in the court, it is only right that you should be loyal to the emperor, serve the country, and safeguard its peace. But you fled after the Zhao family's case came to light. What kind of behavior is that?"

Duan Ling gave a bitter laugh and said coldly, "Your Highness, since things have come to this, I have nothing to say. After Zhao Guangyuan's downfall, what can I do but hold on alone? If I don't escape, I will surely die."

Zhu Han narrowed his eyes slightly: "You know you are going to die, which means you are very clear in your heart that the secret you hold is enough to kill you."

He slowly approached and whispered, "I can give you a way out, as long as you tell me who the real mastermind is."

A struggle flashed in Duan Ling's eyes as he gritted his teeth: "Your Highness, I cannot say those names! If I do, my whole family will die!"

Zhu Han smiled faintly: "If you don't tell, your whole family will die right now. But if you do tell, I will save your family's lives."

Duan Ling's body trembled slightly, his eyes gradually dimmed, his Adam's apple bobbed, and finally he let out a long sigh: "Behind the scenes... behind the scenes is... Prime Minister Qian."

Zhu Han raised an eyebrow, already having guessed it; the name had indeed surfaced.

"Why did Prime Minister Qian intervene?" Zhu Han continued to press.

Duan Ling smiled bitterly: "Prime Minister Qian and the Zhao family are in cahoots. He has been secretly making connections for the aristocratic families. After Zhu Gang fell, he originally planned to put forward another puppet to continue to restrain the Crown Prince. When the Zhao family case came to light, he was worried about being implicated, so he told me to run away first. If I could get through this wave, he would arrange for me to be sent to a post outside the capital to settle down... Your Highness, Prime Minister Qian is the biggest mastermind behind it all."

Zhu Han stared at Duan Ling, remained silent for a moment, and then slowly turned around: "Duan Ling, I can spare your family, but you must publicly expose Prime Minister Qian, otherwise no one will believe you."

Duan Ling knelt on the ground and said in a low voice, "Your Highness, since things have come to this point, I accept my fate. Please keep your promise."

The following day, at the Zichen Palace.

Zhu Yuanzhang, unusually, personally attended court, and the atmosphere in the hall was solemn and tense.

Zhu Han and Zhu Biao stood side by side on the side of the hall, while the Imperial Guards escorted Duan Ling to the front of the hall.

"Duan Ling," Zhu Yuanzhang said sternly, "as the Minister of War, you dare to flee. What are you trying to do?"

Duan Ling knelt in the center of the hall, his voice trembling, and said, "Your Majesty, everything I did was under someone else's orders..."

Zhu Yuanzhang narrowed his eyes: "Who is instructing you?"

Duan Ling gritted his teeth, closed his eyes, and seemed to muster all his courage: "It was Prime Minister Qian! It was Prime Minister Qian who ordered me to collude with the Zhao family and secretly plot against His Highness the Crown Prince! I was merely a pawn to shield him from the light of day..."

The hall erupted in an uproar.

Prime Minister Qian's expression changed drastically. He stepped forward abruptly and shouted, "Nonsense! Your Majesty, Duan Ling is already a prisoner. How can we believe his words, which are merely for self-preservation?!"

Zhu Han gave a cold laugh, then suddenly stepped forward and unfolded an account book in his hand: "Your Majesty, this is the Zhao family's account book. Prime Minister Qian's monthly expenditures and transactions with the Zhao family are exactly the same; there is also the secret letter that Duan Ling sent to the Qian family before his escape, all of which are here."

Zhu Biao then added in a steady voice, "Father, all of this evidence has been personally verified by my uncle, and there is absolutely no falsehood in it."

Zhu Yuanzhang's face turned ashen, and he slammed his fist on the table: "Prime Minister Qian! What else do you have to say?!"

Prime Minister Qian's face was ashen, and he murmured, "I...I am innocent..."

Zhu Han's tone was like a knife: "Innocent? Duan Ling has already confessed and given your name, and the Zhao family's account books are also evidence. If you continue to argue, you will be guilty of deceiving the emperor!"

Zhu Yuanzhang lost his patience and roared, "Guards! Take Prime Minister Qian to the imperial prison immediately, confiscate his property, and interrogate him!"

The guards immediately stepped forward and dragged away the pale-faced Prime Minister Qian.

The assembled officials in the hall were dumbfounded. The few powerful ministers who had still harbored illusions fell silent, realizing in their hearts that with Zhu Han backing the Crown Prince, there was no chance of turning the tide.

Zhu Yuanzhang turned to look at Zhu Biao, his gaze deep, and suddenly asked, "Biao'er, what are your thoughts on how to deal with Duan Ling and Prime Minister Qian?"

Zhu Biao's heart tightened, but he quickly straightened his posture and said loudly, "Father, although Duan Ling's crimes are heinous, he confessed to the mastermind behind the scenes, so his family can be pardoned and given a chance to live. As the ringleader, Prime Minister Qian should be severely punished to serve as a warning to others. The other officials involved in the case can be given leniency if they surrender themselves."

Zhu Yuanzhang stared at him quietly for a moment, then revealed a rare smile: "Good. This matter will be handled as Biao'er said."

After the court assembly, Zhu Yuanzhang kept Zhu Han and Zhu Biao in the imperial study.

"Your Highness, are you satisfied with Biao'er's performance today?"

Zhu Han smiled faintly: "Your Majesty, Biao'er has already learned to be prudent and knows when to use swift and decisive action and when to show mercy."

Zhu Yuanzhang nodded slowly and looked at Zhu Biao: "Biao, when I first ascended the throne, the court was far more treacherous than it is now. If you want to secure your position as crown prince, you must remember: you must win over the hearts of the people and also grasp the reins of power. Neither of these two can be lacking."

Zhu Biao knelt down solemnly: "Your subject will remember your father's teachings!"

Zhu Yuanzhang looked at him with a hint of relief in his eyes, then turned to Zhu Han: "Brother, although Prime Minister Qian has been removed, there are still some remaining factions in the capital. I plan to have Biao'er select a few trusted confidants to enter the cabinet. You can help him with the planning."

Zhu Han nodded slightly: "Your Majesty, rest assured, I will make the arrangements properly."

That evening, the study in the Prince's Mansion was brightly lit with candles.

Zhu Biao and Zhu Han sat side by side, with a sheet of paper on the table covered with a list of officials.

“Uncle, these are the people I think are trustworthy, but I’m worried that there might still be some old party members hiding among them.” Zhu Biao frowned slightly.

Zhu Han chuckled softly: "Biao'er, of these people, 70% are reliable and 30% are neutral. The truly dangerous ones have already been forced out. Next, you need to gradually place these 70% in key positions, and slowly tame the remaining 30%."

Zhu Biao nodded: "Then where does the Imperial Uncle intend to begin?"

Zhu Han pointed to a line of names: "Let's start with the Ministry of War, the Ministry of Revenue, and the Ministry of Personnel. The Ministry of War controls military power, the Ministry of Revenue controls finances and provisions, and the Ministry of Personnel controls official positions. As long as these three ministries are stable, no matter how much chaos there is among the others, they won't be able to cause any trouble."

Zhu Biao's eyes gradually hardened: "Understood, Imperial Uncle."

The night was as dark as ink, and the flickering candlelight in the Prince's study illuminated Zhu Han's thoughtful expression.

Zhu Biao sat to the side, his eyes gleaming with anticipation and a hint of nervousness: "Uncle, all three ministries are vital to the court. If we were to adjust the personnel, wouldn't that cause unrest?" (End of Chapter)