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

He said in a deep voice, “Your Majesty, this matter is of utmost importance. If the enemy truly masters the art of firearms, it will surely cause future trouble. Your Majesty, I am willing to personally go to the Ministry of Works to expedite the improvement of firearms and to dispatch the Imperial Guards for trial use.”

Zhu Yuanzhang gazed at him and slowly nodded: "That's exactly what I was thinking. However—"

His tone shifted, his voice tinged with worry, "The Crown Prince is seriously ill, and many in the court are uneasy. I know you have helped him in everything, but you must also be careful not to give the impression that you intend to seize the throne."

Zhu Han was taken aback, then cupped his hands and said solemnly, "Your Majesty, rest assured, I have devoted my life to the Ming Dynasty and to the Crown Prince. If I have even the slightest selfish thought, may I be struck down by heaven and earth."

Zhu Yuanzhang gazed at him for a long time, his eyes gradually softening: "I believe in you. But the world may not. Brother Han, if the Crown Prince recovers, it will be a blessing for the Ming Dynasty; if something unexpected happens, the court may be thrown into turmoil. At that time, you must stabilize the realm."

Zhu Han felt a slight tremor in his heart, knowing that his elder brother's words were not untrue.

Although Zhu Yuanzhang was an iron-fisted emperor, he understood the treacherous nature of people's hearts best—and the words "entrusting the orphan" were already implied in his words.

He said in a deep voice, "Your subject understands."

As he left the palace, the east was just beginning to lighten. Zhu Han stood outside the palace gate, gazing at the gradually brightening sky, his heart churning with emotion.

Unrest in the north, turmoil in the imperial court, and the crown prince's serious illness—the situation is gradually approaching a critical point.

"Your Highness," Xu Qian said in a low voice, "this matter is probably not accidental. There may be someone stirring up trouble behind the turmoil on the grasslands. If I'm not mistaken, there may be someone in the court secretly colluding with foreign enemies and plotting something treacherous."

Zhu Han's eyes narrowed: "You mean, someone leaked firearms blueprints from the capital?"

"If it weren't leaked, how could the enemy suddenly possess muskets?" Xu Qian said gravely.

Zhu Han remained silent for a moment, then his voice was as cold as iron: "Order the Embroidered Uniform Guard to thoroughly investigate all personnel in the Ministry of Works and the Firearms Institute. Verify all those who have recently come into contact with firearms secrets. Anyone, even the Minister, if suspected, will be arrested and interrogated later."

"Yes!"

Meanwhile, inside the Ministry of Works, a middle-aged official was frantically packing his things.

His name was Wei Renda, a secretary in the Ministry of Works, and he came from the Lu family, a powerful clan in Jiangnan.

Due to his outstanding skills, he was transferred to the capital to oversee the intricacies of casting.

However, his face was gloomy, and he was tightly clutching a piece of thin cloth in his hand, which seemed to contain some kind of metal sheet.

He looked around and, seeing that no one was paying attention, quietly hid the cloth bag in his sleeve.

But just as he turned around, a hand gently pressed down on his shoulder.

"Lord Wei, it's not even dawn yet, where are you going?" The voice was calm, but it sent chills down one's spine.

Wei Renda suddenly turned around and saw a Jinyiwei (Imperial Guard) dressed in black, with a gold flying fish embroidered on his chest.

"I...I just went to the warehouse to check if the musket parts were complete," Wei Renda forced a smile.

"Oh?" The Imperial Guard smiled faintly. "Then why are you hiding something in your sleeve?"

Wei Renda's expression changed drastically. He shoved the other man away with a sudden palm strike and tried to run away.

Before he could take three steps, a flash of cold light appeared, and a short knife was already at his neck.

"Take it!"

Several guards rushed forward and pinned him to the ground.

The cloth bundle rolled to the ground, and when it unfolded, it revealed several metal pieces engraved with fine patterns, which were molds for key components of firearms.

Upon hearing the news, Zhu Han rushed over. Looking at the scattered metal fragments, he remained expressionless and simply asked, "What did he reveal?"

"Your Highness, Wei Renda has confessed. He admitted to secretly copying a copy of the firearms blueprints, intending to give it to Lu Yunzhi. Lu Yunzhi would then pass it on to the 'caravan' and send it to the north."

Zhu Han's eyes turned cold, and his lips twitched slightly: "Lu Yunzhi...you have some nerve."

"Your Highness, should we arrest them immediately?"

Zhu Han shook his head: "No rush. If we act immediately, we might alert the people behind us. Let's play the long game first—I want to see how many fish we can catch with this line."

He turned and ordered, "Secure Wei Renda in secret and keep him quiet. No one is allowed to leak this information."

"As ordered."

A few days later, Zhu Biao's condition improved slightly, and he was able to get out of bed and walk short distances.

Zhu Han made a special trip to visit him, bringing news of the successful trial production of the firearm.

"Uncle, I've heard that firearms have been successfully developed. This is truly a blessing for the Ming Dynasty."

Zhu Biao's face was still pale, but his expression had become more lively.

"Hmm." Zhu Han smiled. "You can rest assured and recuperate. I'll handle these matters. There won't be any problems. But—" He paused, then said in a low voice, "There are people making moves in the court. I've already taken notice."

Zhu Biao's gaze shifted slightly, his voice weak yet firm: "Uncle, be careful. Father hates instability most. If the court misunderstands you as abusing your power... then we'll be in trouble."

Zhu Han nodded slightly: "I understand. But there are some things that, if left undone, will endanger the world."

The two looked at each other without saying a word, but their feelings were clear in their eyes.

As night deepened, the garden outside the East Palace was silent.

A palace maid stealthily made her way out through a side door, carrying a letter hidden in her bosom, but was frozen in place by a sudden flash of cold light.

"Who sent you to deliver the message?" The Imperial Guard's voice was low and cold, as if it came from the ground.

The palace maid knelt down in terror, trembling as she said, "It was... it was Lord Lu who sent me... He said... His Highness the Crown Prince's illness... needed to be reported to him secretly..."

“Lu Yunzhi… Ha.” The guard snorted coldly and took the letter. Unfolding it, he saw that the handwriting was delicate, but it contained a hidden code.

After being delivered to Zhu Han, Xu Qian deciphered it in a few breaths—the letter contained detailed information about firearms manufacturing and the Crown Prince's illness.

Zhu Han placed the letter in the candlelight, the cold light reflecting in his eyes: "It seems it's time to close the net."

The following morning, in the imperial court.

Zhu Yuanzhang sat upright on the dragon throne, his face solemn. All the officials stood in rows, both civil and military, silent.

"Lu Yunzhi and Song Shu, have you two been repeatedly accessing the Ministry of Works' archives without authorization recently? Is that true?" Zhu Yuanzhang asked coldly.

Lu Yunzhi's expression changed drastically, but he forced himself to remain calm: "Your Majesty, we were merely reviewing the Ministry of Works' accounts, and had no other intentions."

Zhu Yuanzhang sneered: "Inspect the accounts? Then why did your subordinate Wei Renda steal the firearms blueprints and intend to send them to the north?" The entire court was shocked, and the officials were horrified.

Lu Yunzhi knelt on the ground, his voice hoarse and desperate: "Your Majesty, you are innocent! I knew nothing about this!"

Zhu Han stepped forward, cupped his hands, and said, “Your Majesty, the evidence in this case is conclusive. Wei Renda has confessed in person, saying that this action was at Lu Yunzhi’s suggestion. We respectfully present his confession as evidence.”

The Embroidered Uniform Guards presented the confession. After reading it, Zhu Yuanzhang's face turned ashen, and he coldly ordered, "Guards—drag him down, give him forty strokes of the cane, and send him to the Embroidered Uniform Guard prison! Investigate all those involved in this case!"

"According to the order!"

Lu Yunzhi, his face ashen, was dragged away, still muttering, "It was you...it was you who killed me...Zhu Han—"

Zhu Han kept his eyes straight ahead, his expression calm.

The imperial court was filled with a tense atmosphere. All the officials bowed their heads in silence, none daring to speak.

Night fell again. Zhu Yuanzhang summoned Zhu Han to the Imperial Garden. Moonlight shone on the stone steps as the two walked side by side.

"Brother Han, if you hadn't noticed in time, the secret of the firearms would probably have fallen into enemy hands. I should thank you."

"Your Majesty is too kind. It is only natural for your younger brother to serve the country and his family."

Zhu Yuanzhang sighed slightly: "However, I can also see that the power in the court is deeply entrenched. The new law is not only affecting the interests of the powerful clans, but also the roots of the old order. I am getting old, and the future of the Ming Dynasty will depend on you and the Crown Prince."

Zhu Han lowered his eyes: "Your Majesty, I will certainly not fail your trust."

Zhu Yuanzhang gazed at the clear moon and said in a deep voice, "I intend to establish a new army, primarily armed with firearms, called the 'Divine Machine Battalion.' You will temporarily take command of it until the Crown Prince recovers. This battalion must be established in secret, without alerting the outside world."

Zhu Han was startled and bowed, saying, "Your subject obeys."

In the capital city, the workshops of the Ministry of Works were bustling with activity.

Zhu Han personally oversaw the work, directing the craftsmen to improve firearms.

The craftsmen each performed their duties, some polishing the parts of the muskets, others adjusting the gunpowder ratio. Everyone was fully focused and dared not slack off in the slightest.

Zhu Han looked at the firearms that were gradually taking shape in front of him, feeling both anticipation and pressure.

At this moment, Xu Qian hurried over and said in a low voice, "Your Highness, the Imperial Guards have been deployed. As per your requirements, they have all been selected as strong and quick-witted soldiers. However, the operation of these firearms requires certain skills, and whether these soldiers can master them in a short period of time is still a question."

Zhu Han frowned slightly, pondered for a moment, and then said, "It's alright. Immediately select some skilled craftsmen from the Ministry of Works and incorporate them into the Shenji Battalion as firearms instructors. Let the craftsmen teach the soldiers how to operate firearms, and make sure they are combat-ready in the shortest possible time."

Xu Qian nodded in agreement and was about to turn around to make arrangements when Zhu Han stopped him again: "Also, the formation of the Shenji Battalion must be carried out in secret, and no word must be leaked. Those with ulterior motives may be watching our every move."

Xu Qian said solemnly, “Your Highness, rest assured, I have arranged for the Embroidered Uniform Guard to keep a close watch on us. If anyone is suspicious, arrest them immediately.”

In the Shenji Battalion's camp, the newly recruited Imperial Guard soldiers were filled with curiosity and excitement.

Their eyes gleamed as they looked at the neatly arranged firearms before them.

A craftsman stood in front, holding a musket, explaining in detail how to operate it: "This musket, first you need to load the gunpowder, then put in the lead bullet, then aim at the target, and finally pull the trigger. But you have to be careful, you can't load too much gunpowder or too little, otherwise it will either explode or not fire at all..."

The soldiers listened attentively, occasionally asking questions. One young soldier raised his hand and asked, "Master, how far does this musket have?"

The craftsman smiled and replied, "This new type of musket has a much longer range than the previous ones, about two hundred paces. However, you'll need to practice a lot to hit it accurately."

Upon hearing this, the soldiers were eager to try. Under the guidance of the craftsmen, they began live-fire training. Soon, the camp was filled with the sounds of gunfire and billowing smoke.

Zhu Han would occasionally come to the camp to inspect the troops, and he felt a little gratified as he watched the soldiers gradually become more proficient in their operations.

He said to the generals beside him, "This Shenji Battalion is the secret weapon of our Great Ming Dynasty. Once it is fully formed, it will play a huge role on the battlefield. You must intensify your training and not slack off."

The generals replied in unison, "Your Highness, rest assured, we will certainly live up to your expectations!"

One day, in the imperial court, a minister suddenly stepped forward and reported to Zhu Yuanzhang: "Your Majesty, recently there have been some rumors circulating in the capital that Prince Han has formed the Shenji Battalion with treacherous intentions and is plotting a rebellion."

These words caused an uproar throughout the court. The officials whispered among themselves, discussing the matter animatedly.

Zhu Yuanzhang's face darkened, and he said coldly, "Who is so bold as to spread such rumors? Do you have any evidence?"

The minister paused for a moment, then forced himself to say, "Your Majesty, this is just a rumor circulating among the people. Although there is no conclusive evidence, there may be some truth to it. Prince Han holds a large army and controls the manufacture of firearms, which makes people suspicious."

Upon hearing this, Zhu Yuanzhang's expression softened slightly. He looked at Zhu Han and Zhu Biao and said slowly, "I naturally believe in Brother Han's loyalty. However, the court is a complex place, and there are bound to be some people with ulterior motives. Brother Han, you must be careful in your actions and avoid giving others any leverage against you."

Zhu Han nodded in agreement: "Your Majesty's teachings will be remembered by your humble servant."

Seeing that the situation was turning sour, the minister who had spread the rumors was about to quietly retreat when Zhu Yuanzhang said coldly, "Stop! You have spread rumors without cause and disrupted the court. What is your punishment?"

The minister turned pale with fright and knelt down with a thud: "Your Majesty, spare my life! I...I only believed what others said, I did not do it intentionally."

Zhu Yuanzhang snorted coldly: "Guards, drag this man away and give him twenty strokes of the cane as a warning to others!"

Zhu Yuanzhang immediately summoned Zhu Han and other generals to discuss countermeasures.

In the imperial study, Zhu Yuanzhang said with a solemn expression, "Brother Han, the war in the north is urgent. You must immediately lead the Shenji Battalion to provide support, and you must defeat the enemy and protect the border."

Zhu Han bowed and accepted the order: "Rest assured, Your Majesty, I will certainly not fail in my mission!"

Zhu Biao also said with concern, "Uncle, the journey to the north is extremely dangerous. You must be careful. If needed, even though I am ill, I will do my best to provide support for you."

Zhu Han felt a warmth in his heart and smiled, "Your Highness, rest assured, I know what I'm doing. You should focus on recovering and wait for my triumphant return."

Subsequently, Zhu Han mustered the Shenji Battalion and, armed with superior firearms, marched northward in a grand procession.

Along the way, the soldiers were in high spirits. They knew that this battle was related to the safety of the Ming Dynasty and their own honor.

When the Shenji Battalion arrived at the Liaodong border, the scene before them was shocking.

The once sturdy city walls were damaged in many places, the villages outside the city were burned to ruins, and the people were displaced and their cries were deafening.

When Prince Zhu Gui of Liao saw Zhu Han, he was overjoyed as if he had seen a savior. He grasped Zhu Han's hand tightly and said, "Prince Han, you have finally arrived! The combined forces of the Tatars and the remnants of the Yuan army are coming with great force. Our border troops have been struggling to hold on for many days. If it weren't for your timely arrival, Liaodong would probably have fallen."

Zhu Han patted Zhu Gui on the shoulder: "Your Highness, rest assured, now that I have arrived, I will not allow the enemy to advance any further. Tell me, what is the enemy's current deployment?"

Zhu Gui quickly replied, "The enemy has set up camp twenty miles outside the city, divided into three camps, forming a defensive triangle. They send small groups of troops to harass us every day, attempting to deplete our troops and supplies."

Upon hearing this, Zhu Han pondered for a moment and then said, "The enemy's deployment is clearly intended to gradually erode our defenses. We cannot sit idly by and wait to be defeated; we must take the initiative and disrupt their formation."

Zhu Gui said with some worry, "Your Highness, the enemy has firearms to aid them. If we launch a preemptive attack, we might suffer losses." (End of Chapter)