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

The second person was extremely fast, stepping on the brick seams at the corner of the wall to veer to the other side, avoiding the arrows, and heading straight for the side of the carriage that Zhu Biao was riding in.

"Take half a step back!" Zhu Han's voice swept through the wind.

The seventh rider advanced instead of retreating, lashing his whip diagonally and delivering a vicious blow to the assassin's ankle.

The assassin stumbled in pain, his blade almost grazing the carriage curtain.

The next instant, an inconspicuous attendant emerged from the side of the carriage, grabbing the assassin's wrists with both hands. He was not tall, but he was as steady as a rock.

The assassin growled and swung his elbow back.

The attendant took half a step forward, his shoulder pressing against his chest, his feet planted firmly on the ground, forcefully dissipating the force.

"Step-by-step technique - pivot change." Zhu Han's heart sank and rose, and he landed on the street.

Ah Huai handed him a short halberd, but he didn't take it and instead picked up a bamboo pole.

He twirled the bamboo pole in his palm, took a step forward, and with a light flick of the bamboo tip, struck the assassin's tiger's mouth where he gripped the knife.

The blow wasn't heavy, but it was precise. The assassin's palm went numb, and the knife fell to the ground.

The attendants seized the opportunity to subdue the man. The whole process took only two breaths; before the onlookers could even react, the wind had already blown the dust away.

Zhu Biao lifted the curtain and glanced outside: "Royal Uncle."

"Nothing's wrong." Zhu Han glanced at the street corner. "The procession continues."

After the people were taken away, the street corner returned to its bustling state. The child selling candy looked around, two glistening candy pieces hanging from the bamboo stick in his hand.

His father patted his head: "Have you seen enough? Go back to work."

The child nodded obediently, but still turned back to look at the figure in black.

Outside the Imperial Ancestral Temple, the shadows of the trees were deep.

After completing the ceremony, Zhu Yuanzhang did not stop; he walked towards the inner hall with steady steps.

Zhu Biao followed behind, his eyes still bright. When they reached the side gate, Zhu Yuanzhang suddenly stopped and turned to look at his son.

"Were you scared?" he asked.

"No," Zhu Biao answered readily, then said earnestly, "Father, although the process was dangerous, it did not go wrong. It is thanks to my uncle's early knowledge that things turned out this way."

Zhu Yuanzhang glanced at Zhu Han: "You found your way around last night?"

“I’ve checked,” Zhu Han said. “The Liu family’s alley has two secret passages, which have already been blocked.”

Zhu Yuanzhang grunted in agreement and didn't press further, but said in a low voice, "Someone wanted to test you, and you let them try, but you didn't let them succeed. That's for the best."

Zhu Biao suddenly laughed: "Your Majesty, I do not only wish to prevent them from succeeding, but I also wish to make them back down when faced with difficulties."

Zhu Yuanzhang stared at him for a moment, then turned and continued walking. After taking two steps, he stopped again: "You are going to the Imperial Academy."

Zhu Biao was taken aback: "At this time?"

"At this moment," Zhu Yuanzhang said without turning his head, "there are many students at the Imperial Academy. Let them see what you look like today."

Zhu Han smiled slightly: "Your Majesty's idea is excellent."

The stone steps in front of the Dacheng Hall of the Imperial Academy are wide.

Today is unlike any other day; the area in front of the palace is unusually quiet.

The students stood in twos and threes under the tree. When they saw Zhu Biao arrive, they were first taken aback, and then they respectfully bowed.

"His Highness has arrived—" The old scholar in charge of the academy's voice was not loud, but it was clear.

Zhu Biao didn't take a detour; he went straight up the stone steps and stopped in front of the hall. He turned to the crowd and said, "Gentlemen, there's no need for formalities. Today we won't discuss chapters or classics. I've come here simply to speak the truth."

The students looked at each other, and the first row spontaneously lined up neatly.

Someone coughed, silencing the quiet whispers.

Zhu Biao put his hands behind his back and his eyes swept across the faces of the crowd: "I know you are not convinced by me. Some are not convinced by my bloodline, some are not convinced by my seniority, and some are not convinced that what I did today was just going with the flow. I don't blame you for not being convinced."

The students were clearly taken aback by his bluntness, and many of them were slightly stunned.

"I do not seek your submission today."

Zhu Biao continued, "I only ask that you see it with your own eyes. See what I have done, see what I am willing to do."

From the crowd, someone raised their hand: "Your Highness, why did you allow others to see this?"

"Seeing is not about talking," Zhu Biao smiled calmly. "Seeing is about doing."

"Courtesy is not about words, but about actions."

A clear voice came from behind the crowd, interrupting his first sentence in a particularly jarring way.

Everyone turned to look.

The man was impeccably dressed and composed. Someone recognized him and whispered, "Minister Han..."

Han Shuo stepped onto the stone steps, his gaze fixed on Zhu Biao: "Since Your Highness says you are 'skilled,' could you answer my question about what you did today?"

Zhu Biao nodded: "Go ahead and ask."

Han Shuo slowly said, "Someone drew a knife during the journey today. If Your Highness is truly benevolent, why didn't you order your entourage to stop, thus causing the onlookers to be frightened?"

The students looked bewildered. The question, though seemingly polite, actually pointed directly to the question: "You knew things were going to change, so why didn't you avoid it?"

If this question is answered correctly, Zhu Biao's current success will be seen as recklessness.

Zhu Biao laughed and said, "You're right."

His gaze passed over Han Shuo and landed on the three old scholars in front of the hall. “The three gentlemen often taught me: ‘Benevolence should not be separated from authority.’ If I retreat even a fraction in the face of today’s events, I will be handing panic to the people. If I remain calm and composed, I will be handing peace to them.”

Han Shuo narrowed his eyes: "Is Your Highness truly certain that no one was injured?"

"I dare not risk it."

Zhu Biao shook his head. "I dare to use people's hearts to calculate people's hearts. Those who act today will not dare to run rampant in the open. I only need to let everyone see that I am 'present', and they will back down."

He paused, then said, "Didn't you just say you're 'good at it'?"

The students looked at each other, seemingly moved by the simple word "present".

Someone whispered, "That makes sense."

Han Shuo was about to ask another question when a young craftsman who had been standing at the end of the line suddenly squeezed out from the crowd.

He awkwardly bowed to the headmaster, then hurriedly turned to Zhu Biao: "Your Highness, I have spoken too much—"

Zhu Han glanced sideways, raising a slight brow at the corner of his eye.

"Go ahead," Zhu Biao nodded.

The young craftsman wiped his sweat, his face flushed, and said, "I'm a leatherworker. The knives those two men used today had scabbards made by Manager Xu from the North Market, but the handles were made from old wood from the Li family in the South Camp. The two families usually do their own thing and don't mix together. If someone hadn't mixed their goods together..."

He paused, then said, “I believe this was not a spur-of-the-moment decision.”

Han Shuo paused, his gaze lingering: "What makes you so certain?"

"Because the stitching on the edge of the scabbard is seven and a half stitches, and the ends are very tight."

The boy enunciated clearly, “Only one person knows this craft. That person worked in the Liu family’s workshop ten years ago.”

Someone in the crowd whispered an "oh".

Han Shuo's eyelids twitched very slightly, then he smiled: "Young craftsman, you have good insight."

"I dare not accept such an honor." The boy took a step back and timidly glanced at Zhu Han.

He saw that the prince simply stood with his hands behind his back, a half-smile on his face, but said nothing.

“Minister Han,” Zhu Biao suddenly spoke up, “You just said ‘etiquette is important,’ and I agree. You also said that we should stop today to avoid disturbing the people, and I agree with that too. But the people are not people to be molded or manipulated at will. If they stand on the street today and see that I am not afraid or disorderly, then when they encounter trouble on the street tomorrow, they will also remain calm. This is what I want to show them.”

Han Shuo's smile remained unchanged: "Your Highness speaks eloquently. But just because something sounds good doesn't mean it will work." "Are you willing to try?" Zhu Biao asked.

"How do we try?" Han Shuo countered.

“I will give lectures at the Imperial Academy for three days.”

Zhu Biao said, “I will not discuss the verses or the classics. Within three days, I will not send any guards to my side, nor will I block the roads or seal the gates. If you dare to come, I dare to respond. You ask a question, and I will answer it. After that, whoever wants to leave can leave, and whoever wants to stay can stay.”

A chorus of low gasps erupted from below the stone steps.

The headmaster's expression changed slightly, and he wanted to step forward to persuade him, but Zhu Han glanced at him and he ultimately did not move.

Han Shuo stared at Zhu Biao and remained silent for several breaths.

Suddenly, he slowly cupped his hands in greeting: "Your Highness is wise. If Your Highness can still speak meaningfully three days from now, I will admire you. As for today's matter..." He turned his head to look at the crowd, "I wish to offer my personal advice to everyone."

"Thank you." Zhu Biao bowed respectfully.

Han Shuo turned and descended the steps. The crowd parted to make way, and sunlight streamed through the gaps in the clouds, falling on his shoulders.

When he reached the outermost edge, he paused for a very light moment, then continued walking.

Just then, a hand landed on the shoulder of the person in front of him, and a voice as calm as the wind said, "Young Master Liu, wait a moment."

Liu Huai turned around, her face not yet regaining its carefree smile, when she met Zhu Han's gaze.

He smiled wryly: "Your Highness really knows how to pick your timing."

"The belt around your waist has seven and a half hooks in the lining."

Zhu Han spoke up, "The back door of the Liu family's old residence has a newly replaced bolt. The craftsman wasn't very skilled, so he borrowed Manager Xu's people from Beishi. I can recognize the two loose threads."

Liu Huai spread his hands: "Your Highness, I merely enjoy excitement; how could I dare to ruin my future?"

"After watching the excitement for a while, you'll eventually raise your hand."

Zhu Han said calmly, "Today someone makes a move, tomorrow someone else will be tempted. Young Master Liu, come with me."

Liu Huai wanted to say a few more words, but at that moment another group of people rushed over and whispered, "Your Highness, the leader has been taken to the inner prison."

“Okay.” Zhu Han nodded, his gaze still fixed on Liu Huai’s face. “You don’t need to be afraid. If you have something to say, say it on the way.”

Liu Huai opened his mouth, but ultimately remained silent.

He was quickly flanked by two Imperial Guards and led to the rear of the palace.

Nighttime, a side hall of the Prince's mansion. The elm trees outside the window rustled in the wind, like distant rain.

The candlelight burned steadily, and the yellow wax figure resembled a tiny golden snake winding its way down.

Zhu Biao returned without changing his clothes and sat directly at the table.

His hand was still holding the pen he used to write during the day, and there was a thin layer of calluses on his knuckles.

"Regarding the three-day lecture..." He looked up at Zhu Han, "Uncle, will you be there?"

"I'm here," Zhu Han smiled. "I'm standing a little further away."

"Aren't you going to come closer?" Zhu Biao asked suspiciously.

“You want them to see you,” Zhu Han said. “Not me.”

Zhu Biao was silent for a moment, then suddenly clenched his fist and tapped it on the table, a smile spreading across his face: "That's good. I agreed to Han Shuo's request today to provoke him. He has backbone, he will come."

“He will come,” Zhu Han said calmly. “He’s a proud man; he won’t hide.”

"Where's Liu Huai?" Zhu Biao asked.

“Liu Huai wants people to live.” Zhu Han turned his gaze to the window. “Those who care about face will compete in front of the palace, while those who want to live will speak up on the road.”

"What will he say?" Zhu Biao asked.

“What he says doesn’t matter.” Zhu Han turned around. “What matters is whether he’s willing to come back.”

Zhu Biao paused for a moment, recalling the scene on the street corner earlier that day.

He suddenly said, “Uncle, when I said at the Imperial Academy today, ‘I don’t ask you to be convinced, but I ask you to see it with your own eyes,’ I was actually quite nervous. I’m not afraid that they won’t be convinced, I’m only afraid that I’m not good enough.”

Zhu Han looked at his nephew as if he were looking at a tree that had just straightened up. He said softly, "Don't be afraid. You didn't just stand up today."

Zhu Biao smiled, a pure and innocent smile: "Then let them look for three more days."

A soft knock came at the door. Ah Huai entered, cupped his hands in greeting, and said, "Your Highness, Young Master Liu requests an audience."

Zhu Han looked at Zhu Biao: "You want to see him?"

"See you." Zhu Biao stood up. "I'll go to the side courtyard."

“I’ll go with you,” Zhu Han said.

Only one lamp was lit in the side courtyard. Liu Huai sat on the outermost edge, as if he were about to get up at any moment.

When he saw Zhu Biao and Zhu Han enter, he quickly stood up and clasped his hands in greeting: "Your Highness, Your Highness."

"Please sit down," Zhu Biao said.

Liu Huai did not sit down. He lowered his head and said, "Today's events were my fault. I do not ask for leniency, but only one question: Since His Highness has said that there will be three days of lectures, may the Liu family attend?"

“Anyone can go,” Zhu Biao said.

"Thank you." Liu Huai raised his eyes, his Adam's apple bobbing. "I also wanted to say—I did connect the wires to those two knives. I didn't intend to kill anyone; I just wanted...to make people see Your Highness panic."

"Did you see it?" Zhu Han asked.

Liu Huai shook his head: "No. It's much more stable than I thought."

"So what are you going to do?" Zhu Han continued to ask.

"I can't let the Liu family bear this reputation."

Liu Huai took a breath. "I'll go to those two workshops tomorrow to settle accounts. I'll go back the same way I came. If anyone holds a grudge, hold me accountable."

Zhu Biao looked at him calmly: "I understand that you want to protect your people. You've come today because you still want to live."

Liu Huai smiled wryly: "The prince said that."

“I’ll say it again,” Zhu Biao said. “If you’re willing to turn back, I’ll give you the way.”

Liu Huai looked up, her gaze shifting with difficulty from Zhu Biao to Zhu Han.

Zhu Han didn't speak, only nodded. Liu Huai suddenly smiled: "I understand."

He turned to leave, then suddenly paused and turned back: "Your Highness, Minister Han is coming. He's a sharp-tongued man, so don't let him confuse you."

“I won’t dodge,” Zhu Biao replied.

"That's good." Liu Huai took a step back, bowed, and said, "Farewell."

He walked to the threshold, glanced back at the courtyard as if leaving something on the ground, before finally stepping out the door.

The next day, the stone steps in front of the Imperial Academy were already packed with people much earlier.

The triple human wall extended to the street corner, with scholars in blue robes, artisans in short browns, and vendors in thin cloaks all mixed together.

Some people were carrying hot porridge, some were carrying fried dough sticks, and some were tucking a very short calligraphy brush into their sleeves.

Zhu Biao arrived on time. He didn't stand on the highest step, but stopped on the second step.

He raised his voice and said, "I still have two truths to say today. First, you can't look at things from only one perspective; second, I'm not here to win against you."

A low murmur of laughter rippled through the crowd before fading into silence.

Han Shuo arrived even earlier today. He didn't move forward, but stood in the middle of the crowd, just at eye level with Zhu Biao.

He spoke first: "Your Highness, may we discuss 'punishment' today?" (End of Chapter)