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

“I understand now,” Zhu Biao smiled. “I’ll go check on the ‘qi’.”

Just as he was about to leave, he suddenly turned back and asked, "Uncle, did you sign in today?"

“Signed,” Zhu Han said. “He gave me a ‘foldback and joining line’ technique.”

"Reversal and convergence lines?" Zhu Biao blinked. "Sounds very useful."

“It works very well,” Zhu Han laughed. “It’s great for walking.”

The third night was deep into the night. The moonlight was thin, and the wind was a bit chilly.

Zhu Han walked alone to the stone lion at the east corner of the Imperial Ancestral Temple and gently touched the old scar with his fingertip.

The air was so clear that even the soft rustling of elm leaves could be heard distinctly.

"Sign in."

[Check-in location: Stone lions at the east corner of the Imperial Ancestral Temple]

[Reward: One "Unquenchable Heartfire" (For seven days, when frightened, the heartbeat can be stabilized)]

He paused slightly, then smiled softly. Just right.

He withdrew his hand, turned to leave, and suddenly heard light footsteps behind him.

"Your Highness." It was Han Shuo.

"It's so late." Zhu Han stopped.

"I'll take a walk," Han Shuo said, his eyes losing the sharpness of the past two days and gaining a clearer look instead.

"Today on the bridge, I saw a boy grasping the moss on the railing."

“What you saw was the strength in his palm,” Zhu Han nodded.

“Yes.” Han Shuo pondered, “I only realized today that I used to always find fault with others, but I couldn’t stand firm myself.”

"Knowing is taking the first step," Zhu Han said.

Han Shuo suddenly smiled: "Prince Han, tomorrow I will go to the west alley to watch Miao Xing teach the children to run."

“Go,” Zhu Han said.

"I want to learn too," Han Shuo said softly, "not for anything else, but for myself."

Zhu Han looked at him gently: "Before you learn how to walk, change your shoes. Your shoes have thin soles, and they'll hurt if you walk in them for too long."

Han Shuo was slightly taken aback, then chuckled: "Your Highness can even see this."

“I enjoy watching it,” Zhu Han said.

Han Shuo clasped his hands in farewell and said, "Farewell."

After he left, the night grew even quieter.

Zhu Han stood there for a while, the "unextinguished flame" in his heart burning steadily in his chest.

He suddenly felt a strong urge to go back to his study and finish writing a line of text—a line of text that had been swirling in his mind since the day before.

He turned and strode back to his desk, unfolded the paper, picked up his pen, paused, and began to write:
"Stand firm, walk straight, and be able to turn back."

The ink marks were steady. As he finished writing, he heard a soft sound outside the door.

Zhu Yuanzhang pushed open the door and entered, his eyes and brows beaming with a smile: "Good calligraphy."

“Brother Emperor.” Zhu Han stood up.

“These past few days you’ve been putting on a show of ‘looking,’ ‘standing,’ and ‘walking’ for people to see.”

Zhu Yuanzhang put his hands behind his back and walked around the room. "I look around, and my heart is at peace."

"It's peaceful," Zhu Han said.

"I want to say something to Biao'er tomorrow."

Zhu Yuanzhang stood by the window and said, "I told him not to speak too definitively. Only by being undecided can there be a reversal."

"He has learned a little today."

Zhu Han laughed, "He held up an umbrella on the bridge, then moved back half a step, so it didn't completely cover him."

"Hmm." Zhu Yuanzhang nodded, then suddenly lifted his robe and sat down, pointing to the line of text, "Write another line."

"What should we write?" Zhu Han asked.

“‘It’s common to see something over time,’” Zhu Yuanzhang said slowly. “If you see it for a long time, it becomes common. Write it down for me.”

Zhu Han picked up his brush, and the thick ink fell, the strokes moving through the texture of the paper, like one line merging with another.

After he finished writing, Zhu Yuanzhang hummed in satisfaction, stood up, and placed his hand on his younger brother's shoulder: "Brother Han, you've worked hard."

"It's not hard work," Zhu Han replied.

"That's good." Zhu Yuanzhang nodded, turned to leave, but stopped. "During the day, an old woman brought Biao'er an umbrella. I sent someone to ask her. She said she only gave him an extra bite because she didn't look hungry. That's a good thing."

"That's a nice thing to say," Zhu Han said with a smile.

"Have someone sweep the ground in front of the old lady's house tomorrow."

Zhu Yuanzhang waved his hand, "I'm happy to do this."

"Okay." Zhu Han cupped his hands in greeting.

The door closed, and the candlelight flickered faintly on the paper.

The wind rustles through the treetops outside the window, its sound like water washing over them.

Zhu Han blew out one lamp, leaving only one.

The flame burned steadily, not too brightly, like the breath in one's chest.

He put down his pen, turned around, and went out.

The shadows under the eaves were long, and he walked back to his courtyard following the shadows, his steps unhurried.

He stopped abruptly before the steps, looked back at the night, and chuckled softly, "Tomorrow, teach me to run too."

Before the morning light had even broken through, Zhu Han had already gotten up.

He pushed open the window and saw the elm tree casting a slanting shadow in the courtyard, with dewdrops trembling among its branches and leaves. The wind carried a hint of coolness, but it was no longer as biting as it had been a few days ago.

"Your Highness, breakfast is ready," Ah Huai called softly from under the eaves.

Zhu Han responded, turned around, put on his outer robe, and slowly walked towards the dining hall.

Several dishes of congee and side dishes were laid out on the table. He sat down, picked up his bowl, but did not eat immediately. He simply stirred it gently with a spoon, his gaze fixed on a certain spot outside the window.

"What are the plans for today?" he asked.

Ah Huai stood aside, thought for a moment, and said, "Miao Xing said that the children are going to practice 'backwards' today, running back and forth in the alley, saying it's to train their leg strength and also their mind."

"'Turning back'?" Zhu Han raised an eyebrow. "That's a good name."

He said that running is not just about moving forward blindly; you have to know when to slow down and when to accelerate.

Ah Huai laughed and said, "Like the 'folding and joining lines' you taught me yesterday."

Zhu Han nodded, a slight smile playing on his lips: "He does learn quickly."

"And another thing," Ah Huai said in a low voice, "Bai Zan sent a message saying that she wants to see you today to discuss something important."

"Oh?" Zhu Han put down his spoon. "She's not in a hurry."

“She said, ‘No rush, but it’s important,’” Ah Huai said.

Zhu Han pondered for a moment and said, "Tell her to meet me at the teahouse in the west of the city after noon."

"Yes," Ah Huai replied, turning and leaving.

After finishing his breakfast, Zhu Han did not rush out. Instead, he returned to his study and drew a few strokes on a piece of paper.

It is a line drawn from east to west, sometimes straight, sometimes curved, sometimes forked, and sometimes joined together.

He was so focused on his painting that he didn't even notice Zhu Biao pushing the door open and coming in.

"Royal Uncle," Zhu Biao called softly.

Zhu Han looked up and saw Zhu Biao. He smiled and said, "Why are you here so early?"

"I want to go and see Miao Xing today."

Zhu Biao said, "Yesterday I heard you talk about 'turning back', and I'd like to see how it's practiced."

"Okay." Zhu Han nodded. "Go ahead, and remember to watch how they retract their legs and how they turn around."

"Hmm." Zhu Biao responded, but didn't leave immediately. Instead, he looked at the paper on the table and asked, "What did you draw?"

“The road,” Zhu Han said, “the road people walk, the road the heart walks.”

Zhu Biao leaned closer, took a closer look, and frowned, saying, "This road... it's winding and twisting, like it's hiding from something."

"Hide?" Zhu Han shook his head. "It's not hiding, it's choosing."

"Choose?" Zhu Biao asked, puzzled.

"In life, we all have to choose a path to take."

Zhu Handao said, "Some people choose the straight path, some choose the curved path, some choose the wide path, and some choose the narrow path. But no matter which path you choose, you must walk steadily, walk straight, and be able to turn back."

Zhu Biao pondered for a moment, then nodded: "I understand."

"Go ahead." Zhu Han patted his shoulder. "Go see, go learn, go think."

Zhu Biao agreed and turned to leave.

Zhu Han watched his retreating figure, a slight smile playing on his lips, before lowering his head to continue drawing. After a while, he suddenly stopped, the pen tip hovering over the paper, not falling for a long time.

“Choosing a path…” he murmured, his gaze fixed on a spot outside the window, as if lost in thought.

After noon, Zhu Han changed into casual clothes and went to the teahouse in the west of the city alone.

The teahouse was small but clean and tidy, with a few wooden tables and chairs, and a few calligraphy and paintings hanging on the wall, making it quite elegant.

When Zhu Han entered, Bai Zan had already arrived.

She was dressed in a plain-colored dress, with a simple silver hairpin in her hair, and was sitting by the window, drinking tea with her head down.

Hearing footsteps, she looked up and saw Zhu Han. She smiled slightly, stood up, and bowed, saying, "Your Highness."

"Sit down." Zhu Han waved his hand and sat down opposite her. "What do you need me for?"

Bai Zan didn't rush to answer, but first poured Zhu Han a cup of tea and pushed it in front of him: "Have some tea first."

Zhu Han picked up his teacup, took a small sip, and put it down: "Can we talk now?"

Bai Zan nodded, her gaze falling on the teacup, as if carefully choosing her words: "Yesterday, I sent someone to check under the bridge."

"Oh?" Zhu Han raised an eyebrow. "What are you looking at?"

“Look at that young man,” Bai Zan said. “Bai Yu.”

Zhu Han didn't speak, he just looked at her quietly.

“He… has changed.” Bai Zan said softly, “Yesterday, after he came home, he replaced the tiles under the table.”

"What did you change it to?" Zhu Han asked.

“Wooden mats,” Bai Zan said, “neat and tidy little wooden mats.”

Zhu Han nodded, a slight smile playing on his lips: "He is quite obedient."

“Not only that,” Bai Zan continued, “he went to the bookstore in the east of the city early this morning and bought a copy of the Thousand Character Classic.”

"The Thousand Character Classic?" Zhu Han raised an eyebrow. "Didn't he not study?"

“He said…” Bai Zan paused, as if recalling something, “He said, ‘Everyone reads, and I will read too.’”

Zhu Han was silent for a moment, then suddenly laughed: "What a fine 'Everyone reads, I read too'!"

"Your Highness," Bai Zan looked up, her gaze earnest, "can he... teach me?"

"What should we teach?" Zhu Han asked.

“Teach them the way,” Bai Zan said. “Like Miao Xing, teach the children to run, to stand, to walk, and to gather their strength.”

Zhu Han didn't answer immediately. Instead, he picked up his teacup, took another sip, and put it down: "Is he willing to learn?"

“I’m willing.” Bai Zan nodded. “He said, ‘I want to learn from Zhu Biao, to stand firm, walk straight, and know when to retreat.’”

He paused for a moment, then slowly nodded: "Okay."

"Really?" Bai Zan's eyes lit up.

“Really,” Zhu Han said, “but on one condition.”

"What are the conditions?" Bai Zan asked.

“He needs to learn to ‘see’ first,” Zhu Han said. “See the road, see people, see hearts.”

"'Look'?" Bai Zan frowned. "How do you look?"

"Tomorrow, bring him to the west alley of the Imperial Academy."

Zhu Handao said, "I'll wait for him there."

"Alright," Bai Zan replied, a slight smile playing on her lips. "Thank you, Your Highness."

Zhu Han waved his hand, stood up to leave, but stopped and turned back to look at Bai Zan: "Why...why did you help him?"

Bai Zan paused, then lowered her head and whispered, "Because... he looks like me."

"Like you?" Zhu Han raised an eyebrow.

"Like I used to be." Bai Zan looked up, her gaze clear.

"I used to be just like him, wanting to go in but not daring to go in, wanting to leave but not daring to leave, afraid of being seen, afraid of being laughed at."

Zhu Han was silent for a moment, then nodded: "I understand."

"Thank you for your understanding, Your Highness." Bai Zan stood up and bowed.

As he stepped out of the teahouse, he looked up at the sky. The sun was shining brightly, warm but not scorching.

He took a deep breath, a slight smile playing on his lips, and slowly walked towards the west alley of the Imperial Academy.

In the west alley of Taixue, children are practicing "turning back".

Miao Xing stood in the middle of the alley, holding a small twig in his hand, occasionally pointing out a few words.

The children ran until they were covered in sweat, but none of them complained of being tired. Instead, their eyes lit up, as if they had found some kind of fun.

Zhu Han stood at the alley entrance, watching quietly.

He looked around for a while, then suddenly turned and walked towards a spot at the end of the alley. There was a large stone there with a deep mark on it, as if someone had repeatedly rubbed it with their hand.

He reached out and gently stroked the mark, his gaze shifting slightly.

"Your Highness." Miao Xing's voice came from behind.

Zhu Han turned around and saw that it was Miao Xing. He smiled and said, "You've come."

"What are you looking at?" Miao Xing asked.

"Watch the road," Zhu Han said. "Watch the road in this alley."

“This road…” Miao Xing frowned, “is there anything special about it?”

“Special.” Zhu Han nodded. “It’s winding and circuitous, yet it always leads to the outside.”

Miao Xing was silent for a moment, then suddenly laughed: "You're right."

“Miao Xing.” Zhu Han turned to look at him. “I want to ask you a question.”

“Please ask,” Miao Xing said.

"Why do you want to teach children to run?" Zhu Han asked.

Miao Xing was taken aback, then lowered his head, as if he was thinking.

After a while, he looked up, his gaze serious: "Because... I want them to know that running is not about the feet, but about the heart."

"In my heart?" Zhu Han raised an eyebrow.

“That’s right.” Miao Xing nodded. “Only when your mind is steady can your feet be steady; only when your heart is straight can your path be straight; only when your heart is calm can your steps be calm.”

Upon hearing this, Zhu Han's gaze shifted slightly, as if something had touched him.

He was silent for a moment, then slowly nodded: "You're right."

"Your Highness," Miao Xing suddenly said, "Do you... also possess a calm and steady heart?"

Zhu Han was taken aback, then smiled: "Yes."

"How can we stabilize it?" Miao Xing asked.

“Watch the road,” Zhu Han said. “Watch the road people walk, and also watch the road their hearts walk.”

Miao Xing was silent for a moment, then nodded: "I understand."

"Tomorrow, Bai Zan will bring a young man."

Zhu Han said, "His name is Bai Yu, and I'd like you to teach him."

"Teach him what?" Miao Xing asked.

“Teach him to ‘see,’” Zhu Han said. “See the road, see people, see hearts.”

"Okay." Miao Xing agreed without asking any further questions.

Zhu Han nodded, turned to leave, but stopped and looked back at Miao Xing: "Miao Xing, do you... want to learn the 'Walking the Plate Technique'?"

“‘Walking the Path’ technique?” Miao Xing’s eyes lit up. “What is that…?”

“A way of walking,” Zhu Han said, “walking steadily, walking straight, and being able to turn back.”

"Can I... learn it?" Miao Xing asked, a hint of expectation in his voice.

“Alright.” Zhu Han nodded. “Come to the Prince’s residence to find me at this time tomorrow.”

"Thank you, Your Highness!" Miao Xing bowed, his eyes filled with gratitude.

Zhu Han returned the greeting and turned to leave.

As he walked out of the alley, he saw Zhu Biao standing at the alley entrance, holding a book in his hand and looking down at it.

"Biao'er," Zhu Han called out.

Zhu Biao looked up and saw that it was Zhu Han. He smiled and said, "Uncle, you've arrived."

"What are you looking at?" Zhu Han asked.

“The Thousand Character Classic,” Zhu Biao said. “Bai Yu bought it; I’m borrowing it to take a look.”

"Oh?" Zhu Han raised an eyebrow. "He bought it?"

“Yes.” Zhu Biao nodded. “He said, ‘Everyone reads, and I read too.’” (End of Chapter)