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

He closed his eyes and sighed deeply: "Issue the decree—the Empress shall be imprisoned in Yong'an Palace, and Pei Jing shall be executed by slow slicing and displayed to the public."

Zhu Han bowed and said, "As you command."

Winter ends and spring arrives. The snow in the palace begins to melt, and the Imperial River flows gently, as if all has returned to peace.

After the Empress was imprisoned, the court was briefly thrown into turmoil.

Zhu Yuanzhang personally summoned his ministers and declared that "from now on, the inner court must not interfere in politics." However, a few days later, an urgent report from Jiangnan shattered this peace.

Hao Duiying rushed inside, his expression anxious: "Your Highness! Rebellions have broken out simultaneously in the three prefectures of Jiangnan, the granaries have been burned, and the official ships have been cut off from service."

Zhu Han suddenly stood up: "When did this happen?"

"last night."

Who is the leader of the rebellion?

"On the surface, it appears to be a rebellion by military households engaged in weaving, but according to reports from spies, someone is mobilizing troops behind the scenes. The seal engraved on it is the old seal of the 'Northern Envoy'."

Zhu Han said in a deep voice: "Although Lu Gong is dead, the 'Northern Envoy' is still here."

"Yes," Hao said hesitantly, "Should we set off south immediately?"

"Report to my elder brother, I will be in charge."

Hao Duiying was taken aback: "Your Highness, are you going in person?"

Zhu Han coldly said, "If this chaos is not quelled, the so-called 'false imperial edict case' will never be resolved."

The following day, in the Fengtian Hall.

Zhu Yuanzhang sat behind his dragon throne, his brow furrowed in deep thought. Zhu Han prostrated himself, pleading for his orders.

"I am willing to lead the Imperial Guards south to quell the rebellion in Jiangnan."

"Brother Han," Zhu Yuanzhang's voice was weary and heavy, "I truly cannot bear to see you toil so hard. But the Jiangnan textile bureau has long been a source of trouble. If it is not completely eliminated this time, it will cause further problems in the future."

"That's exactly what I was thinking."

Zhu Yuanzhang nodded, slowly rose, and handed over a gold tablet: "I hereby grant you a temporary command order, which allows you to take command of the armies in Jiangnan, first to quell the rebellion, and then to investigate the case."

Zhu Han received the order and kowtowed: "Your subject obeys the decree."

Three days later, the south gate of the capital city opened.

One hundred thousand imperial guards stood in solemn formation, their black armor as black as ink, their banners fluttering in the wind.

Zhu Han, dressed in black, rode at the head of the procession.

Hao Duiying whispered from the side, "Your Highness, this trip to the south is probably not just about suppressing a rebellion."

“I know.” Zhu Han looked into the distance. “If that ‘Northern Envoy’ truly exists, he will surely appear amidst the chaos.”

As the bugle sounded, the iron cavalry rolled on, and the winds of Jiangnan, stretching for thousands of miles, began to howl once more.

Jiangnan, Suzhou.

The Caohe River was shrouded in mist and smoke, and the black smoke from the burning granaries by the chaotic soldiers had not yet dissipated.

When Zhu Han arrived, the area outside the city gate was littered with corpses.

The garrison commander came forward, knelt down and begged for forgiveness: "Your Highness, the bandits looted the warehouses, burned the ships, and vanished without a trace in the night!"

"No trace?" Zhu Han's gaze turned cold. "How many soldiers are guarding your granary?"

"five hundred."

"Complete loss?"

The defending general trembled and remained silent.

Zhu Han turned to Hao Duiying: "Examine the body. If the knife wounds match, it must be a former subordinate."

"clear."

A moment later, Hao Duiying brought back the message: "Your Highness, the knife wounds on the corpse are clean, and it was made with a Northern-style military sword."

"really."

Zhu Han walked slowly to the riverbank and looked at the charred cargo boat.

The wind carried the smell of burnt wood, and he suddenly thought of something: "Issue an order to seal off the city and prohibit entry and exit for three days. All documents for going to sea must be verified with the official seal."

"The prince suspects—"

"Some people are taking advantage of the chaos to change their luck."

That night, in a dark room of the Suzhou government office.

The candlelight flickered as Zhu Han flipped through the account books retrieved from the old warehouse. Every page was stained with soot.

"Your Highness, here." Hao Duiying handed over a tattered bamboo scroll.

The bamboo slip cover is inscribed with "Northern Envoy's Records," and below it is engraved a very small character—"Chu."

Zhu Han said in a low voice, "Chu Seal... I've seen this seal before; it's an old design from the Chu Prince's residence."

"The King of Chu?" Hao Duiying exclaimed in surprise, "His Majesty's sixth son?"

“He was granted the fief of Nanchang three years ago, and it is now located on the border of Jiangnan.”

"Could it be——"

Zhu Han closed the bamboo slip and said coldly, "It seems that the 'Northern Envoy' is not only a remnant of the inner court, but also has the involvement of vassal kings."

"Your Highness, should we report this to the authorities?"

"Let's hold off. If this matter truly involves the imperial family, taking any hasty action will only give others an excuse to use against us."

Zhu Han stood up, gazing at the night outside the window with a cold expression.

"Pass on my secret order: the Shadow Guards will split into three groups—one to investigate Nanchang, one to investigate Hukou, and one to investigate the Textile Bureau. Report back within three days."

"Follow the order!"

Three days later, secret reports arrived.

Hukou—a secret ferry was set up in the warehouse to transport goods northward at night;

The Weaving Bureau's accounts show an extra 30% "tribute silver," the whereabouts of which are unknown.

Nanchang – The Chu King's Palace secretly refined gunpowder and conscripted civilians into soldiers.

Hao Duiying handed over all three secret reports at once. After reading them, Zhu Han said in a deep voice:
"It's really him."

"Your Highness, then we..."

"Do not act for now. This matter has not been authorized by the Emperor, and it is a crime to act rashly against the imperial clan."

"But if we allow him to amass a large army—"

"So we collect evidence first."

Zhu Han looked at Hao Duiying with a sharp gaze: "Move two thousand Imperial Guards, disguise them as merchant ships, cross Poyang Lake at night, and sneak into the back mountain of the Chu Mansion."

"understand!"

The lake was calm, its waters pitch black. Dozens of small boats moved silently along, their black surfaces gleaming faintly in the moonlight.

Hao Duiying led the way to scout ahead, then suddenly whispered, "Your Highness, there's a fire in the ravine ahead!"

Zhu Han raised his hand to stop, took the telescope and looked out—he could see lights dotting the back mountain of the Chu residence, and faintly hear the sound of iron being cast.

"He is indeed refining it."

He gestured for everyone to disperse, and then crept closer.

In the mountain valley, dozens of craftsmen were operating furnaces to refine medicine, with boxes of fire bombs and iron beads piled up beside them.

The guards all wore Northern-style military uniforms.

Zhu Han's gaze grew increasingly cold and sharp: "If these flow into the river, half of Jiangnan will turn to ashes."

"Should we kill him or not?" Hao asked Ying in a low voice.

"Keep them alive."

Zhu Han raised his hand and waved, and the shadow guards disappeared into the firelight like ghosts.

A few breaths later, the camp fell silent, with only the hissing of the stove burning.

"Take away the chief craftsman and seal the gunpowder."

He walked to the furnace, picked up an unsealed fire bomb, and upon closer inspection, saw that it was engraved with very fine characters at the tail: "Northern Envoy No. 2".

Zhu Han sneered: "It seems Lu Gong was just a decoy."

At dawn the following day, Zhu Han escorted the chief craftsman back to Suzhou.

The man was dragged into the hall, trembling: "Spare me—I was merely following orders to make tools!"

"By whose orders?"

"Your Highness, King of Chu..."

Zhu Han narrowed his eyes: "Why create fire mines?"

"His Highness said that the capital is prone to chaos, and we should prepare 'sacred strategies' to prevent it."

"A holy plan?" Zhu Han scoffed. "It's more like a plan of rebellion."

"I dare not!"

"Alright. I will remember everything you say. When you meet the Emperor, you can say it to him in person."

A few days later, Zhu Han set off northwards.

The Imperial Guards escorted the physical evidence, artisans, and account books back to Beijing in batches.

Hao asked Ying, "If Your Highness reports this matter, His Majesty will surely be furious."

“We must not tolerate this even if it enrages us,” Zhu Han said in a deep voice. “Otherwise, the next place to descend into chaos will be the capital.”

“But if you expose the King of Chu’s crimes, I fear my brother will be heartbroken—after all, he is my own son.”

"Even if it hurts, you have to cut ties."

Zhu Han presented the bamboo slips, account books, and fire starters one by one. All the civil and military officials in the hall fell silent.

After reading it, Zhu Yuanzhang's fingers trembled, and he remained silent for a long time.

"The King of Chu... dares to build a private army with firearms?"

Zhu Han kowtowed: "It is undoubtedly true. His subordinates have close ties with Lu Gong's old faction and all refer to themselves as 'Northern Envoys'."

"Guards!" Zhu Yuanzhang slammed his hand on the table, his furious voice echoing throughout the hall. "Issue an imperial decree—summon the Prince of Chu to the capital for questioning!"

The guards outside the hall responded in unison.

Zhu Han looked up and saw the fleeting look of pain on his elder brother's face. It was early March, and the spring chill still lingered in Jiangnan.

Rain was falling heavily, and the peach blossoms outside Suzhou had not yet bloomed, yet the sky was even more gloomy than a winter night.

Just five days after the imperial edict ordering the Prince of Chu to escort the capital was issued, rumors began to circulate in Nanchang—the princely government refused the edict, closed the city, and mobilized troops.

Zhu Han stood on the platform of the governor's mansion, looking at the rolling dark clouds, knowing that there was no way out in this battle.

“Your Highness,” Hao Duiying strode over, his armor soaked and his face grave, “Five thousand armored soldiers from the Chu Prince’s mansion are arrayed outside the city. They claim to be ‘protecting the emperor,’ but in reality, they are resisting the army.”

How many soldiers are there?

"About 13,000."

Zhu Han squinted: "It's just stubbornly holding on."

"If Your Highness gives the order, we can surround you from three sides."

Zhu Han remained silent for a moment, then said coldly, "No. Let's wait and see. If he's willing to open the gates and accept the imperial edict, I'm not willing to use my sword."

"But what about the King of Chu—"

"If he dares to defy orders, the Emperor will have his sword."

King Zhu Huan of Chu sat upright in the main hall, with dark circles under his eyes, clearly indicating that he had not slept for many nights.

Outside the palace, the wind howled and the rain slanted. He held the golden edict in his hand, his knuckles turning white.

“Your Highness,” the strategist Sun Zheng whispered, “Prince Han has arrived in northern Jiangxi with 30,000 imperial guards. If we do not strike first, it may be too late.”

Zhu Huan's eyes flickered slightly: "You want me to raise an army in rebellion?"

“Your Highness, His Majesty is suspicious. Since the Crown Prince’s poisoning case, there have been successive killings in the palace. Now that you have been implicated in the ‘Northern Envoy’ matter, even if you are innocent, you will not be able to avoid being implicated.”

“I will not rebel,” Zhu Huan said slowly. “If I rebel, then my crimes will be confirmed.”

"So you're just waiting to die?"

Zhu Huan looked up, his eyes icy: "Even in death, I want to know who wants me dead."

He suddenly ordered someone to bring him a secret letter. The paper was slightly damp, but the markings were clear—a golden lotus.

Sun Zheng exclaimed in surprise: "This is—the Empress's Seal!"

“That’s right,” Zhu Huan said with a wry smile. “Before she was imprisoned, she sent someone to me saying, ‘The Northern envoy’s plot is not yet over, and will be launched again next year.’ I didn’t believe it at first, but tonight a fire broke out in Jiangnan, and the Northern envoy reappeared—tell me, whose scheme is this?”

Sun Zheng stood there, stunned: "The Empress? But she's already imprisoned in Yong'an Palace."

“Imprisonment is not the same as death,” Zhu Huan said in a low voice. “If she still has someone in her hands, who is that person?”

Night fell in Zhu Han's camp.

The wind howled, and the rain pounded on the military tent, making everyone feel uneasy.

Hao Duiying rushed in from outside, cupped his hands and said, "Your Highness, the King of Chu is willing to talk face to face and will not send troops."

Zhu Han's eyes sharpened: "When?"

"Tomorrow at Chenshi (7-9 AM), at Zhangjiang Ferry."

"it is good."

He looked up at the rain and muttered to himself, "I hope he really is willing to accept the imperial decree."

The morning mist was thick, and the river was calm.

Two rows of troops faced each other, one side consisting of the black-armored imperial guards, and the other side of the golden-armored soldiers from the Chu King's palace.

Zhu Han rode out of the formation and entered the center alone. The King of Chu also rode up. The two stood on opposite sides of the water, neither wearing a helmet.

"Brother Six."

"Brother Han."

After many years apart, this voice carried a touch of kinship.

Zhu Han spoke first: "The Emperor has decreed that the Prince should come to the capital for a formal summons. He is neither guilty nor imprisoned."

Zhu Huan smiled faintly: "I believe you, but I don't believe him."

"If His Majesty wishes to punish you, why would he need to issue a decree? A single edict would suffice."

"Then why did I send you?" the King of Chu suddenly asked.

Zhu Han paused for a moment, then replied, "Because I trust my brother, and I trust you too."

Zhu Huan looked at him, a complex expression flashing in his eyes: "Brother Han, do you know who the 'Northern Envoy' is?"

"You said."

"It's not Lu Gong, not the King of Chu, and not the Empress."

"Who is that?"

"His Majesty himself."

Zhu Han was startled, his brows furrowing: "Insolence!"

"Have you ever wondered why the orders for the 'Northern Envoys' and the imperial seal of the inner court are always flawless? Why the tribute silver from Jiangnan doubles every year, yet no official dares to investigate? Why the imperial prison is opened first every time an investigation reaches the provincial government?"

"You're talking nonsense!"

“Every word I say is supported by evidence.”

Zhu Huan said in a low voice, "If you really want to investigate, go ask that 'Lu Gong' in the Embroidered Uniform Guard prison. He's not dead."

Zhu Han's expression changed drastically.

"He was moved to the imperial city dungeon, and the emperor forbade outsiders to see him. He was said to be a 'corpse,' but in reality, he was left alive."

Zhu Huan gave a bitter smile: "If he dies, many debts will be impossible to erase."

Zhu Han stared at him, remaining silent for a long time.

The wind swept across the river, carrying the smell of blood.

Both of them knew that once these words were spread, the world would be turned upside down.

"Sixth Brother, if you falsely accuse the Emperor, it is a crime punishable by the extermination of your entire family

"If I remain silent, I will face utter ruin."

Zhu Huan rode forward and whispered, "Brother Han, I believe in your righteous heart. If one day you see that dungeon, you will understand me."

Before the words were finished, a scream rang out. Behind the King of Chu, a lieutenant leaped up, a flash of sword light—

Zhu Han roared, "Protect the Emperor!"

The blade flashed, and blood splattered on the King of Chu's shoulder. The imperial guards and the vassal armies were instantly thrown into chaos.

Zhu Han spurred his horse forward and caught the fallen King of Chu.

"Brother Six!"

Blood trickled from Zhu Huan's mouth as he gripped his collar tightly: "Don't believe... him."

Before he could finish speaking, he breathed his last.

The sound of rain pattering on blood, leaving only cold desolation in the world.

Hao Duiying rushed over, his face deathly pale: "Your Highness, the city gates are in chaos!"

Zhu Han looked at the cold corpse in his arms, his throat hoarse: "The knife that stabbed him—was not from our army."

"Whose is that?"

Zhu Han looked up, staring at the clouds on the horizon, his voice so low it was almost inaudible:

"It's the uniform of the Embroidered Uniform Guard."

Two days later, the imperial edict arrived.

"The King of Chu plotted rebellion, defied the imperial edict and refused to be arrested, and has been executed; the King of Han was meritorious in suppressing the rebellion and was enfeoffed as the King of Zhennan."

Zhu Han knelt before the imperial edict and slowly kowtowed.

The imperial prison in the capital was damp and gloomy, like a grave.

Zhu Han entered, wearing a cloak and holding a gold medal.

The jailer knelt down: "Your Highness, His Majesty has decreed that no one may enter the Imperial Prison—"

"I am acting on your orders."

The prison gates opened. The sounds of chains, dripping water, and low coughs echoed together.

In the deepest cell, a gaunt eunuch huddled in a corner. Hearing footsteps, he slowly raised his head.

"The king...the prince..."

Zhu Han's heart tightened: "Lu Gong?"

The man smiled, but then spat out a mouthful of black blood: "I've been waiting for you... for a long time."

"Who ordered you to act as the 'Northern Envoy'?"

Lu Gong forced a smile: "Who? — An imperial edict."

"An imperial edict?!"

"It was written by His Majesty himself. The title 'Northern Envoy' was merely a name His Majesty created to allocate funds from the eunuchs, textile manufacturers, and provincial treasurers."

"you are lying!"

"If I were lying, why am I still alive?"

Zhu Han was stunned.

Lu Gong continued in a low voice, "His Majesty wants money, troops, and people. The money of the princes, the silver of the people, and the accounts of the inner court all passed through my hands. I am nothing more than a shadow in his hands."

"The matter of that Poison Prince—"

"The Empress was the one who did it, but... His Majesty knew about it."

Zhu Han felt a chill run through his body and took a step back.

Lu Gong raised his hand, which was bound by iron chains and stained with blood: "Your Highness... if you want to save the world, the answer is not the Northern Envoy... but the Emperor."

Before he could finish speaking, his head drooped, and he breathed his last.

Spring thunder rumbles, rain patters on the palace eaves.

The news that the King of Chu had been summoned to the capital caused a great stir both inside and outside the court.

Zhu Han sat quietly in the secret council hall of Zhennan Prefecture, the candlelight before him flickering. (End of Chapter)