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

Hao Duiying hurriedly entered, her clothes still wet with rain.

"Your Highness, the Prince of Chu arrived in the capital last night and was summoned to the Qianqing Hall by His Majesty for questioning after the morning court session."

"Did he bring any men with him?"

"He only brought a dozen or so attendants and made no noise. But..." Hao Duiying lowered his voice, "The North City Garrison was suddenly transferred last night, as if something had happened."

Zhu Han raised his eyes, his gaze cold and stern.

“The Northern City Guard is a former subordinate of the King of Chu. Now that he has entered the palace, he must have a backup plan.”

"Should we set up defenses in advance?"

"It's late." Zhu Han stood up, put on his black robe, and said, "Go to Qianqing Gate."

The palace was shrouded in morning mist, with guards standing in formation.

Inside the Hall of Supreme Harmony, Zhu Yuanzhang's face was ashen. The Prince of Chu knelt before the hall, his clothes neat and his expression composed.

"King of Chu," the emperor said slowly, "some people have accused you of privately manufacturing gunpowder and recruiting soldiers to rebel. Is this true?"

"Your subject is innocent!" King Chu's voice boomed. "That was for border defense purposes, not for treason."

"Prepare for the border?" Zhu Yuanzhang sneered. "You enfeoffed Nanchang, which is thousands of miles away from the northern frontier. What border are you preparing for?"

The King of Chu's expression stiffened slightly, then he looked up and said, "If Your Majesty doubts me, why not send someone to inspect the treasury?"

"It has already been verified!" Zhu Yuanzhang slammed his hand on the table, scattering the files. "The fire starter, the craftsman, the secret seal—all are here! Do you still dare to deny it?"

The King of Chu's expression changed drastically, and his gaze shifted, landing on Zhu Han.

"It's you!"

Zhu Han stepped forward, his voice cold and stern: "If you hadn't rebelled, how could I have discovered the thousands of boxes of firecrackers and the hundreds of sets of military uniforms?"

The King of Chu roared, "You are merely using the guise of justice to weaken my vassal power!"

"A vassal king has a duty to defend his territory, not to amass power through military force!"

"What a joke!" the King of Chu shouted. "When my father founded the dynasty, I too donned armor and charged into battle, and now I'm being criticized by a mere foreign subject like you!"

Zhu Han's expression remained unchanged, and he simply cupped his hands in greeting: "If Your Highness truly cherishes the country's favor, you should make your intentions clear."

The King of Chu clenched his fists, then suddenly chuckled: "Enlightenment? You think you can really enlighten us? — Let me tell you, Nanchang may not be at your command!"

Zhu Yuanzhang slammed his fist on the table and stood up: "Insolence! Guards—take him to the imperial prison!"

The guards outside the palace responded in unison. The King of Chu glared angrily and was dragged out of the palace gate by iron chains.

Zhu Han lowered his head, a chill running through his heart.

That night, thunderstorms raged in the capital.

Zhu Han stood in the long corridor in front of the imperial prison, his robes draped over his shoulders, as lightning illuminated the damp passageway.

Hao whispered to Ying, "Your Highness, the Prince of Chu has been imprisoned in the dungeon. He has summoned the imperial physician twice this morning. It seems he has been tortured."

Zhu Han remained silent for a moment before speaking, "If the interrogation is too hasty, he will not confess. Your Majesty's actions are intended to intimidate the public with overwhelming force."

"Is Your Highness worried?"

“I am worried that if the King of Chu dies in prison, the real ‘Northern Envoy’ will take advantage of the chaos to escape.”

"Then let's..."

"jail."

Hao was astonished: "Imprisoned?"

“They falsely claimed to be acting on imperial orders, under the guise of questioning members of the imperial clan.”

"But His Majesty has not approved it!"

Zhu Han's gaze was as cold as frost: "This matter does not require approval."

Deep within the imperial prison, it was damp, cold, and dark, with oil lamps flickering.

The King of Chu was chained to a stone pillar, his body covered in blood. Seeing Zhu Han enter, he sneered, "What are you doing here? Coming to laugh at me?"

Zhu Han remained silent and waved to dismiss the jailers.

"I'm not here to laugh at you."

"Are they here to collect the corpses?" the King of Chu mocked.

Zhu Han slowly squatted down and looked him in the eye: "Tell me—who is the 'Northern Envoy'?"

The King of Chu's gaze sharpened, then he chuckled softly, "So you're afraid too."

"I'm not afraid," Zhu Han said calmly. "I just want to find out the truth."

The King of Chu remained silent for a long time, then suddenly sighed: "The envoy from the north... is not in Jiangnan."

"what for?"

"The Northern envoy is in the capital."

Zhu Han's heart skipped a beat: "Who is it?"

Blood trickled from the corner of the King of Chu's mouth as he slowly uttered two words: "Eunuch."

"Eunuch?"

"In the palace... former members of the Directorate of Ceremonies, who are not dead."

Before he could finish speaking, his body suddenly convulsed violently.

Zhu Han was shocked. He checked the pulse and found that the patient was lifeless.

"poison!"

When Hao Duiying arrived, the King of Chu had already collapsed. Zhu Han coldly ordered, "Seal off the imperial prison—from the jailers to the executioners, not a single one is allowed to leave the palace!"

The following day, news of the sudden death of the King of Chu spread. The palace was thrown into turmoil. Zhu Yuanzhang was furious and ordered the execution of three prison officials.

In the imperial court, all the officials knelt down to plead guilty, but Zhu Han remained silent.

Zhu Yuanzhang looked at him and said in a deep voice, "Brother Han, you were interrogated in prison, and nothing unusual was found?"

"Your Majesty, I only asked two questions, but the King of Chu did not answer them, and then suddenly the poison took effect."

"Who gave you the poison?"

Zhu Han raised his eyes: "The King of Chu's dying words were—'The northern envoy is in the capital.'"

A deathly silence fell over the hall.

Zhu Yuanzhang's face was darker than thunderclouds: "Investigate! Search the entire palace! All former directors of the Directorate of Ceremonial, whether still in office or not, arrest and interrogate them all!"

"Your subject obeys."

Within three days, the capital was filled with an atmosphere of panic and unease.

More than 30 former members of the Directorate of Ceremonial were arrested and imprisoned, but the trail remained broken.

Until the fourth night.

Hao Duiying rushed into the mansion: "Your Highness, we've found out! Someone broke into Yong'an Palace at night and had a secret rendezvous with the imprisoned Empress!"

Zhu Han's heart trembled.

"Bring people."

In the depths of the ruined palace of Yong'an Palace, the candlelight was dim. The Empress sat alone on a couch, with a gray-clad eunuch kneeling opposite her.

"The failure was due to the King of Chu," the eunuch whispered. "Now even the imperial prison is sealed off, and our people... can't hold on any longer."

The Empress gave a cold laugh: "You have to hold on, even if you can't. Then, is the letter well hidden?"

"Hidden in a secret compartment of the Imperial Study, it is impossible for outsiders to find it."

“Very good. As long as that letter exists, Zhu Han can’t cause any trouble.”

"Your Majesty, rest assured, I will protect you perfectly—"

Before the words were finished, the palace door was kicked open. The wind whipped up the candlelight, and the golden cup fell to the ground.

Zhu Han stood outside the door, his black robes as hard as iron, his gaze icy.

"Believe it? I'd like to see."

The Empress's expression changed slightly, but she remained calm: "Your Highness, do you know what crime you have committed by entering the inner palace at night?"

"If it can save the country, I will not shy away from any crime."

He approached step by step. The gray-robed eunuch tried to escape, but Hao Duiying slapped him down, sending him tumbling into the lamplight.

In the firelight, his face was contorted—he was Lu Gong's deputy.

"Lu Gong?!"

“No.” Zhu Han leaned down and said coldly, “It’s his twin brother—Lu Kai.”

The Empress's face turned deathly pale, her voice trembling: "You...how did you know—"

“Because before the King of Chu died, he said ‘the envoy from the north is in the capital,’” Zhu Han said coldly. “I guessed it must be one of your old acquaintances.”

Lu Kai roared and lunged at the Empress: "Your Majesty, run!"

With a flash of light, Hao Duiying blocked the attack, but was struck by the sword and fell to the ground.

Zhu Han said coldly, "Search the palace!"

A moment later, the shadow guard took out a brocade pouch from a hidden compartment in the inner palace.

Zhu Han unfolded it and saw that it was a forged "Empress Dowager's Edict" used to exchange the original Jiangnan grain transport silver, and the signature was actually the Empress's own handwriting.

The Empress's face turned deathly pale, and she murmured, "In the end... I couldn't hide it from you..."

The following morning, at Fengtian Hall.

Zhu Han presented the brocade pouch and the confession, and the civil and military officials remained silent.

After reading it, Zhu Yuanzhang closed his eyes for a long time.

"Guards...proclaim the imperial decree."

"Depose the empress and order her to commit suicide."

There was silence in the hall.

The capital city had been shrouded in continuous rain, and the chill seeped into the bones. On the day the edict decreing the deposed empress was issued, all the officials in the palace remained silent, as if trembling with fear.

The water on the stone steps in front of the hall had not yet dried, reflecting Zhu Han's iron-clad figure from behind.

The bells on the eaves of Fengtian Hall swayed gently, their sounds like sobs.

After that day, Zhu Yuanzhang secluded himself in the palace for three days and refused to see anyone.

Both domestic and foreign affairs are temporarily being handled by the cabinet, except for the case of the "Northern Envoy," which is still being investigated in secret.

It was late at night at the Prince of Zhennan's mansion.

Despite his still-healing injuries, Hao Duiying forced himself to kneel before the table and present the newly obtained confession.

"Your Highness, two former members of the Directorate of Ceremonial have gone missing. Someone saw them leave the city at night, heading towards Chengtian Gate."

Zhu Han frowned and asked in a low voice, "Chengtian Gate? That's the north gate of the palace, leading to the Embroidered Uniform Guard camp. Who gave them permission to come and go?"

“The door charm is fake,” Hao whispered to Ying. “I found that the mark on the charm is the seal of the Imperial Study.”

Zhu Han's fingertips trembled slightly: "The Imperial Study? Could it be..."

He rose and put on his cloak, the candlelight flickering.

"Ready your horse."

The rain had not stopped, and the night was as dark as ink.

Outside Chengtian Gate, the wind whipped up dust and sand, and torches crackled in the rain.

Zhu Han and Hao Duiying led more than ten shadow guards to sneak in. As soon as they entered the outer courtyard, they heard the neighing of horses and the clanging of metal.

Zhu Han whispered the order: "Split into two groups, one guarding the gate and the other the secret passage. Capture them alive."

The shadow guards vanished into the darkness like ghosts.

A moment later, a short, sharp shout broke the silence of the night.

A flash of light appeared, and a man in black emerged swiftly from the hidden passage, holding a musket.

"Put down your weapons!" Zhu Han shouted like thunder.

The man did not answer, but instead pointed his musket at the palace wall.

With a loud crash, the bricks and stones shattered. The firelight illuminated half of his face, which had been scorched by the flames.

"Lu Kai is dead, why don't you surrender?" Zhu Han said coldly.

The man chuckled softly, his voice hoarse: "Lu Kai? Haha... With the Empress dead, it's time for the world to change hands."

Before he could finish speaking, he drew his sword and committed suicide. Blood splattered on the stone steps.

Zhu Han stepped forward to stop the bleeding, but it was too late. He could only take out a black iron token from the man's pocket, engraved with the character "咸" (Xian).

"A token from Xianning Guard?" Hao Duiying exclaimed in surprise.

"Xianning Garrison has been abandoned for a long time, where did this thing come from?"

Zhu Han remained silent, but his gaze went beyond the palace walls, looking into the deeper darkness.

The following morning, another disturbance broke out in the palace.

During the morning court session, Zhu Yuanzhang was pale and his eyes were sharp as knives: "When did the former guards of Xianning sneak back into the palace?"

The Minister of Justice kowtowed and said, "We have searched through all the records of the garrison and found no record of this department. We suspect it is a forgery."

Zhu Yuanzhang sneered: "Forgery? My city gates were bombed and more than ten imperial guards were killed or wounded, and you tell me it was forgery?"

All the ministers bowed their heads.

Zhu Han stepped forward and presented the black iron token.

“Your Majesty, I believe this decree is genuine. The Xianning Guard was originally a secret guard in the palace, specializing in delivering imperial edicts and secret messages. It was abolished twenty years after the founding of the Taizu Emperor, but not all of its former members were eliminated. If someone has kept the old decree, it is sufficient to carry out the secret order.”

Zhu Yuanzhang asked coldly, "Whom do you suspect?"

Zhu Han raised his eyes: "Crown Prince."

As soon as this statement came out, everyone in the court was shocked.

Zhu Yuanzhang suddenly stood up, his gaze sharp as lightning.

"Do you know that if this statement is false, you should be beheaded!"

Zhu Han said in a deep voice, "Your Majesty, I dare not speak presumptuously. The muskets carried by the dead outside Chengtian Gate last night were made by the Eastern Depot. In recent years, the director of the Eastern Depot has only been authorized by the Crown Prince personally."

Zhu Yuanzhang pondered for a moment, then turned to the eunuch standing to the side and said, "Summon the Crown Prince to the palace."

After a long while, Crown Prince Zhu Biao was summoned in.

He was over thirty years old, dressed in court robes, his face calm and composed. Seeing his father's stern expression, he bowed slightly and said, "Your subject greets Your Majesty."

Zhu Yuanzhang said coldly, "Last night, a fire broke out at Chengtian Gate, and someone used a musket from the Eastern Depot to break through the wall. Who issued the authorization for this weapon?"

Zhu Biao remained calm and said, "Last month, I issued an order for ten sets of documents to be tested by the Ministry of Works. I do not know who secretly transferred them."

Zhu Han stepped forward: "Your Highness, could you please show me the records from the Ministry of Works?"

Zhu Biao smiled faintly: "Of course."

He turned around and said to the attendant, "Bring the account books."

A moment later, the officials presented the account books. Zhu Han flipped through them, his brows furrowing slightly.

"There is indeed a record in the account, but the handwriting is fresh and smooth, unlike what was written a month ago."

Zhu Yuanzhang gave a cold laugh: "Crown Prince, do you have anything else to say?"

Zhu Biao raised his head and looked directly at his father: "Your subject has a clear conscience."

Zhu Han asked in a low voice, "Does Your Highness know about Lu Gong and Lu Kai?"

Zhu Biao's expression changed slightly, but he quickly regained his composure: "These two were formerly members of the Directorate of Ceremonial, and they were expelled five years ago. If their remnants cause trouble, what does it have to do with me?"

Zhu Han stared at him: "If it's unrelated, why did someone carry the 'Xian' order, wield a musket, and storm Chengtian Gate yesterday? — The old troops under the jurisdiction of this 'Xian' order belong to the former guards of the Crown Prince's Eastern Palace!"

Zhu Biao's face darkened: "You dare to frame me?"

"I dare to verify it!"

The two stared at each other, the atmosphere tense and on the verge of breaking.

Zhu Yuanzhang slammed his hand on the table, shattering all the cups and goblets on the imperial desk.

"enough!"

The hall was dead silent.

"I will investigate this case myself. Zhu Han, you may leave."

Zhu Han cupped his hands and said, "Your subject obeys the decree."

He left the palace gates, his mind still filled with confusion.

Evening, Zhennan Prince's Mansion.

Hao whispered to Ying, "Your Highness, I have checked the Eastern Depot's account books, and there are indeed traces of alteration. However, the paper and ink used in this book came from the Imperial Household Department. In other words—someone forged it in the palace."

Zhu Han's eyes sharpened: "Who is allowed into the Imperial Household Department's treasury?"

"Besides the Crown Prince... there is one more person."

"Who?"

"Prince Qing."

Zhu Han's brow twitched. Prince Qing, Zhu Nan, was the youngest son of Emperor Taizu. He was intelligent from a young age and had a shrewd mind. Although he had no military power, he was in charge of the Ministry of Rites.

Why did he get involved?

"It is said that Prince Qing has been frequently visiting the Eastern Depot recently."

Zhu Han pondered for a moment and said, "Prepare the carriage—enter the palace."

As night fell, a chilling wind swept through the palace gates.

The Eastern Depot headquarters was deserted. Zhu Han pushed open the door and entered, only to find the lingering scent of ink and the still-warm paper scrolls on the table.

Under the candlelight, a secret letter was unfolded, bearing four characters: "By order of secret decree."

Zhu Han's heart tightened, and he was about to take the letter when he suddenly heard a soft sound behind him.

The blade flashed like lightning. He sidestepped, drew his dagger from his sleeve, and engaged the attacker in close combat.

The firelight illuminated the man's face—it was none other than Prince Qing.

“Uncle Wang.” Prince Qing smiled, but the blade had not yet fallen.

Zhu Han asked coldly, "Your Highness, what secret edict are you here to receive so late at night?"

Prince Qing chuckled: "Of course it's His Majesty's."

"If it was truly an imperial edict, why bother spying on the Eastern Depot at night?"

"Because this edict can only be known to me."

Zhu Han's gaze was icy: "Then please tell me, Your Highness."

Prince Qing slowly sheathed his sword, his gaze dark and sinister: "You think His Majesty really intends to depose the Empress and investigate the Northern envoy just to purge the court of corrupt officials? You're wrong. He wants a convenient tool. The Prince of Chu, the Empress, and the Northern envoy are merely pretexts. His real purpose is to weaken the power of the various vassal states and depose the Crown Prince."

Zhu Han frowned sharply: "Nonsense!"

"Nonsense?" Prince Qing sneered, throwing a yellow silk scroll from his sleeve.

Zhu Han took a look and was shocked.

That was an imperial edict, and the handwriting was indeed Zhu Yuanzhang's own.

"The northern envoys have not yet been apprehended, and the Eastern Palace has fallen. If any changes occur, we should establish Qing as the successor."

Zhu Han's heart suddenly turned cold.

Prince Qing stepped forward slowly and said in a low voice, "Uncle, His Majesty is old and suspicious. The Crown Prince has held the military command for a long time and his reputation is too great, so His Majesty has long been wary of him. If you help me, I can guarantee that you will be safe in Zhennan."

Zhu Han slowly rolled up the imperial edict, raised his eyes and said, "If I help you, I will betray the world."

Prince Qing narrowed his eyes: "Who do you think the world belongs to? The Emperor's, or the Crown Prince's? If the world truly belongs to you, why fear a mere imperial edict?" (End of Chapter)