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

"That's right. I didn't believe it at first, so I sent someone to follow him. The man did look like Li Ce before, but his behavior was strange and his speech was like that of a madman."

Zhu Han said in a deep voice, "Take me there."

It was late at night, at the end of the long alley, in the abandoned courtyard of the former textile bureau.

Zhu Han and Hao Duiying sneaked in. Inside, candlelight flickered, and an old man in gray was writing at a desk.

His handwriting trembled, yet he clearly wrote four characters: "The Northern Envoy is still alive."

Zhu Han took a step closer and whispered, "Li Ce?"

The old man stopped writing and slowly raised his head.

His face was gaunt, his eyes were cloudy, and he looked both real and unreal.

"Your Highness...you're still alive?"

Zhu Han asked in a deep voice, "Who are you?"

"Li Ce...a figure in the shadows."

"Aren't you already dead?"

The old man smiled: "The shadow doesn't die. What dies is only the name."

Zhu Han felt a chill run down his spine: "Who made you reappear?"

"His Majesty."

Zhu Han's expression changed: "His Majesty ordered you?"

"Yes. With the Northern envoy dismissed, His Majesty ordered me to remain—to write on his behalf."

Whose pen was it written on behalf of?

"On behalf of the imperial decree."

Zhu Han's body trembled.

"what for?"

Li Ce said hoarsely, "His Majesty has been ill for a long time, and imperial edicts have not been issued. All government affairs are approved by us on his behalf, and then sealed by Zhao Yuan. His Majesty does not see his ministers, and all memorials are circulated through copies."

"Shadow Shift?"

"The position of envoy to the north has been transformed into a secret edict."

Zhu Han's fingers trembled slightly.

"Zhao Yuan is in charge of the seal, and you are writing the inscription on his behalf. Then... what is the Emperor's intention?"

Li Ce smiled, revealing his broken teeth.

"The Emperor's will? The Emperor's will now belongs to Zhao Yuan."

A cold glint flashed in Zhu Han's eyes: "How do you know?"

Li Ce pulled a folded scroll from his sleeve, the cover of which was clearly stamped in red ink: "By Imperial Decree".

Zhu Han unfolded it and took a look:
"Zhao Yuan was appointed as the central government's assistant and put in charge of military affairs."

He read it word by word, and a chill ran through him.

When will this edict be issued?

"last night."

"Did His Majesty personally approve it?"

"His Majesty is still unconscious."

"Who approved it?"

"I."

Zhu Han's clenched fist bulged with veins: "You still dare to admit it?"

Li Ce slowly raised his head, his expression suddenly calm: "Your Highness, His Majesty's illness has penetrated to the bone marrow. The court needs someone to manage it. As long as the seal of the Northern Envoy is not extinguished, the world will naturally seek peace."

Zhu Han coldly said, "They seek peace in name only, but in reality, they plot to usurp the throne."

He turned and smashed the candlestick with a single blow. The flames spilled out, igniting the scroll.

Li Ce exclaimed in alarm and rushed to save her.

Zhu Han's gaze was as hard as iron: "Shadow deserves to die."

The firelight illuminated his face, as if burning away the last bit of warmth.

That night, at Zhao Yuan's residence.

Zhu Han led his shadow guards in. The mansion was brightly lit, as if it had been prepared in advance.

Zhao Yuan sat calmly in the hall.

"Your Highness's visit so late at night, could you be an envoy from the North?"

Zhu Han said coldly, "Ridiculous! You dare to call yourself a Northern Envoy?"

"I was merely following an imperial decree."

"A personal edict from His Majesty?"

Zhao Yuan smiled but did not answer, and took out a gold-embroidered imperial edict from his sleeve.

Zhu Han reached out and snatched it, then unfolded it to take a look.

The ink was familiar, but the emperor's seal was missing.

"What is the name of the edict without a seal?"

Zhao Yuan slowly stood up.

"His Majesty is ill, and the seal will be temporarily held by the Emperor. Since Emperor Taizu established the Northern Envoy, this seal has been the seal of the Second Emperor. Now that His Majesty has been ill for a long time, you and I are acting on his behalf."

Zhu Han drew his sword: "I will rid His Majesty of this traitor."

Zhao Yuan sneered: "Can you get rid of him?"

He raised his hand and slapped the door open, and more than ten black-clad shadow guards poured out.

Zhu Han roared, "Attack!"

Suddenly, a flash of sword light appeared. Tables and chairs inside the room shattered, and candles flickered wildly.

Zhao Yuan retreated into the inner hall, his laughter echoing in the fire.

"Your Highness, you too were once a shadow. How can one be eliminated if the shadow is not extinguished?"

Zhu Han swung his sword and closed in, severing the corner of his sleeve with a single strike. Blood flashed.

Zhao Yuan's face was pale, but he still sneered: "If you kill me, the imperial edict will be issued in your name tomorrow in the Fengtian Hall."

Enraged, Zhu Han pierced Zhu Han's chest with a sword.

"Then there will be no tomorrow."

Zhao Yuan fell to the ground, his lips still moving: "Shadow...no light."

Blood flowed everywhere, and candle flames ignited the wooden walls.

Fire shot into the sky.

Hao rushed in and whispered, "Your Highness! Fire has broken out, let's go!"

Zhu Han turned around, his eyes reflecting the burning golden edict.

"Keep the fire."

"Your Majesty——"

"As long as the shadows remain unburned, the chaos will never end."

The two leaped out of the window, and flames engulfed the entire mansion.

The following morning, an imperial edict was issued from the palace:
"The Grand Steward of the Imperial Household Department, Zhao Yuan, died suddenly, suspected to be an accidental injury in a fire. The Marquis of Nan'an is appointed to act as the head of the Imperial Household Department and temporarily concurrently serve as the military and political leader of the Northern Garrison."

Zhu Han stood below the throne and received the imperial decree with his hands clasped in respect.

Zhu Yuanzhang looked extremely unwell, and his voice was low and hoarse.

"Brother Han, were you aware of the fire last night?"

Zhu Han bowed his head: "Upon hearing of the fire, I went to put it out, but I did not find Zhao Yuan."

Zhu Yuanzhang nodded and asked no further questions.

"The matter of the Northern envoy ends here."

Zhu Han acknowledged and withdrew.

After leaving the palace, Hao whispered to Ying, "Your Highness, is this matter considered closed?"

Zhu Han gazed at the distant sky, the snow reflecting in his eyes.

"The envoy from the north is neither in Zhao Yuan nor in the Crown Prince."

"Then who is it?"

Zhu Han turned his head and looked at the dragon flag fluttering high above the Fengtian Hall.

"Under the dragon."

That evening, a heavy snowstorm raged. Hao Duiying entered the mansion, his expression grave.

"Your Highness, His Majesty issued an edict last night summoning three imperial physicians, all of whom died this morning."

Zhu Han frowned: "Why?"

"It was said to be a sudden illness. But the body was completely purple."

"Poisoned."

"That's what I think too."

Zhu Han asked in a deep voice, "Who summoned the imperial physician?"

"Eunuch Cheng Yi."

Zhu Han raised his eyes and said coldly, "It's him again."

Cheng Yi was originally Zhao Yuan's deputy, and after Zhao Yuan's death, he was appointed as the Grand Eunuch. He was a man of few words but deep thoughts.

Zhu Han paced back and forth: "Go. Enter the palace tomorrow night and investigate Cheng Yi."

Outside Yonghe Hall, the wind whipped up the curtains, and snow pattered against the eaves.

Zhu Han and Hao Duiying sneaked in dressed in night clothes.

Although the palace gates were sealed, they were familiar with the secret passages.

As you enter along the stone steps, you can hear faint whispers in the distance.

Under the candlelight, Cheng Yi was writing at his desk.

Several memorials were laid out on the table, each bearing the imperial seal.

Zhu Han's gaze turned cold, and he raised his hand.

Hao threw a short needle at Ying, extinguishing the lamp. The two leaped into the hall.

Cheng Yi suddenly looked up and exclaimed in a low voice, "Who goes there—"

“Marquis of Nan’an,” Zhu Han said coldly.

Cheng Yi took a half step back, attempting to close the scroll, but Zhu Han struck it down with a palm. The pages unfurled, revealing two lines of the imperial edict:
"It is hereby announced that Li Gong, a former general of the Northern Garrison, will go to the capital to receive orders."

"Summon the Marquis of Nan'an to the Fengtian Hall tomorrow to receive instruction."

Zhu Han's eyes sharpened.

Who approved it?

Cheng Yi gasped for breath, his voice hoarse: "Your Majesty."

"Nonsense! His Majesty can't even see the imperial physicians, how could he possibly issue imperial edicts?"

Cheng Yi revealed a cold smile: "Your Highness does not understand. The emperor does not need to meet people. The emperor only needs to express his intentions."

"Intention? It's your intention!"

Zhu Han stepped forward, sword in hand. Cheng Yi suddenly whispered, "Even if you kill me, the imperial edict will still be issued. Doesn't Your Highness know that the imperial brush has already been altered and the imperial seal is hidden elsewhere?"

"Where to hide it?" Cheng Yi grinned maliciously: "The Qianqing Underground Palace."

Before he could finish speaking, a flash of blood appeared in his throat, and he collapsed to the ground.

Hao Duiying sheathed his short sword and said coldly, "I'm afraid he'll shout something."

Zhu Han squatted down and took a string of copper keys from the corpse's hand.

"The underground palace... I see."

The underground palace of Qianqing Palace was carved by the late emperor to store his imperial seal and to offer sacrifices to jade.

It is less than ten zhang deep and is closed off year-round.

The following night, Zhu Han sneaked in.

The snowy night was silent; even the sound of the wind was suppressed outside the palace.

The stone door to the underground palace was heavy, and when the key was inserted, the locking teeth made a screeching sound.

The stone gate slowly opened, and a damp feeling rushed out.

The torch illuminated the narrow passage, at the end of which was a stone platform.

A box of ebony sat on the stone platform.

Zhu Han stepped forward and brushed away the dust. The box lid was opened.

Inside, three things were neatly arranged: the imperial seal, a jade brush, and a blood edict.

The blood-stained imperial edict was still wet. The handwriting on the paper was strong and vigorous, and it was signed—"I, the Emperor."

He looked closely and suddenly felt a chill run down his spine.

The characters, though resembling those of an emperor, were clearly written by Zhao Yuan.

Zhu Han said in a low voice, "Can a dead man issue imperial edicts?"

Hao Duiying, standing beside him, also gasped.

Zhu Han slowly took out the imperial edict:
"Cheng Yi was appointed as the Grand Chancellor, in charge of all government affairs. The Marquis of Nan'an was appointed as the Supervisor of the Ministry of Justice, and to guard the imperial prison."

Hao Duiying gritted his teeth: "Zhao Yuan's death and Cheng Yi's appointment were both forged edicts!"

Zhu Han said in a deep voice: "What's even more critical is that this edict has not yet left the palace."

He looked up, a cold glint in his eyes.

"Someone wants us to pass it on ourselves."

Suddenly, footsteps came from outside the hall.

"who!"

As the firelight blazed, a dozen or so shadow guards rushed in, led by none other than Lu Duan, the Vice Minister of the Chancellery.

"Your Highness has been ordered to enter the underground palace?"

Zhu Han squinted: "What is the decree?"

Lu Duan smiled coldly: "His Majesty's decree—someone has stolen the imperial seal; I am ordered to apprehend him."

"His Majesty's oral decree? Is His Majesty still alive?"

"exist."

Zhu Han sneered: "If he really is there, why not see him in person?"

Lu Duan's eyes flashed, and he suddenly raised his hand and shouted, "Take him down!"

The sword light suddenly appeared.

Zhu Han drew his sword with a backhand motion, its cold gleam illuminating the stone wall.

Two armies clashed, sparks flying. The narrow underground palace instantly transformed into a battlefield.

Hao Duiying took on three people in succession, but was stabbed in the shoulder, and blood dripped down his sleeve.

Zhu Han forced Lu Duan back with a single sword strike and said coldly, "You're also in the shadows?"

Lu Duan chuckled: "Your Highness, have you forgotten the portrait you erected back then?"

"I'm standing in a shadow?"

"When the Northern Envoys were first established, your name was at the top. Zhao Yuan, Cheng Yi, and Li Ce were all in your faction. Do you think you can clear your name?"

Zhu Han was deeply shaken.

Lu Duan seized the opportunity to pounce, his blade flashing ruthlessly. Zhu Han dodged and counterattacked, piercing Lu Duan's chest with his sword. A short, sharp sound escaped Lu Duan's throat, and blood flowed freely onto the ground.

“That’s an old edict,” Zhu Han said in a low voice. “It should be destroyed now.”

He took a tinderbox and lit the blood-written edict.

The firelight illuminated the entire underground palace in a fiery red glow.

Hao Duiying gasped, "Your Highness... there's some noise outside."

Zhu Han said in a deep voice, "Let's go."

Day two.

A notice was posted outside the palace gate:
"Marquis Zhu Han of Nan'an broke into the Qianqing Palace at night and stole the imperial seal, intending to tamper with the imperial edict. He is now being held in prison for trial."

The streets and alleys were shaken, and officials were filled with fear.

Hao Duiying sneaked back into the mansion, his face deathly pale.

"Your Highness, we've been tricked."

Zhu Han said coldly, "The shadow doesn't die, it just changes its shell. This situation was set up the day I investigated the Northern Envoy."

"And now?"

"jail."

"Self-inflicted?"

"Only in this way can I see the real His Majesty."

The imperial prison was cold and gloomy, and Zhu Han entered it again.

This time, however, the jailers were all replaced, and the bloodstains on the walls had long been washed away.

He was led to the deepest part. The door opened, and a medicinal fragrance wafted in.

In the candlelight, a gaunt figure sat on a wooden couch.

It was Zhu Yuanzhang.

The emperor's face was ashen, and his eyes were sunken.

"Brother Han."

Zhu Han bowed his head: "Greetings, Your Majesty."

Zhu Yuanzhang smiled wryly: "You've finally come on your own."

"Your Majesty knew there was a forged imperial edict, why didn't you stop it?"

Zhu Yuanzhang slowly raised his head: "Because I also need a shadow."

Zhu Han was stunned.

Zhu Yuanzhang said in a low voice, "Shadow is the sword I use to govern the world. If the sword is without blood, the country will be in chaos. Do you think I am ill? I am just tired. Those edicts... I know them all."

"Were the falsehoods of Zhao Yuan and Cheng Yi all tacitly approved by His Majesty?"

"They're just doing what I want. It's just... they're overthinking it."

Zhu Han asked in a deep voice, "Then why falsely accuse me of stealing the imperial seal?"

"Because the shadow needs to prolong its life."

Zhu Yuanzhang closed his eyes, and his voice gradually faded.

“Brother Han, you were the first envoy of the North... You understand shadows better than they do.”

Zhu Han was startled.

"The first...?"

"In the twenty-fifth year of Emperor Taizu's reign, I appointed an envoy to the north, and you were his master. However, the matter was leaked, and the imperial edict was destroyed. You have forgotten."

Zhu Han stood there stunned for a long time, his fingers trembling slightly.

"So... the shadow never left me."

Zhu Yuanzhang smiled, his gaze drifting into the distance.

"Shadow belongs to light... Without light, shadow dies."

The sound stopped.

The candle flame flickered.

Zhu Han knelt on the ground for a long time, then suddenly looked up and extinguished the lamp with a single palm strike.

The moment the candle went out, the depths of the prison seemed to swallow up all sound.

The fragrance of medicine lingered, the dampness remained, and Zhu Yuanzhang's last words, "Without light, the shadow dies," lingered on the beams, growing colder inch by inch.

"Unlock," Zhu Han whispered.

With a soft clang of the chains, Hao Duiying twisted off the last ring from the shadows, his fingers stained with blood.

The door closed back into the stone groove, and a wisp of wind squeezed through the crack, carrying the smell of burnt lamp wick.

"Your Highness, the waterway leading out has been blocked and the sluice gate has been replaced," Hao said to Ying.

"Let's go to Dongjing." Zhu Han turned around. "Without alerting the foreign tribes."

The two hurried along the gaps in the old bricks to the foot of the well. Hao Duiying climbed down the rope first, tapped the inside of the well curb three times with his knuckles, paused twice, and then climbed down again.

The echo from the well wall was short and muffled.

“There’s someone,” he said in a low voice. “It’s one of ours, ‘Signpoint.’”

From the darkness at the bottom of the well, someone responded, echoing back in the same rhythm.

A moment later, a thin copper piece popped out from the crack in the rock and was caught by Zhu Han.

The copper plate is about the size of a fingertip, with a line of fine seal script engraved on it: Xin You, Yonghe Hall Rear Side, Noon.

"Sign in." Zhu Han tucked the copper plate into his sleeve. "Early noon, in the side room behind Yonghe Hall."

Hao Duiying was slightly taken aback: "Your Majesty... just now..."

"The person is already dead." Zhu Han said calmly. "This 'sign-in' was posted before His Majesty breathed his last. It means someone is waiting for me."

As he descended the rope, the moment his toes touched the ground, another pebble loosened on the well wall, and a black wooden stick slid out.

The back of the wooden stick is engraved with the character '签' (qiān), and the front is inlaid with a short silver nail. The side of the silver nail is carved very finely, and upon closer inspection, it contains a line of small characters: "Though his face is not seen, his person is not lost."

Hao recognized the sign-in slip: "This is our 'signature slip' from the 'sign-in network'. Only the first batch of undercover agents are issued this slip."

“It can be used,” Zhu Han said, “not at Cheng Yi’s level.”

He flicked his wrist, and the black wooden stick spun inside his nail, wedged into the hole of the copper plate, and with a gentle press, the copper plate and the wooden stick combined to form a small round plaque.

A wisp of paper popped out from the back of the round plaque.

The scroll contained only half a line of text: "The Crown Prince is not in the coffin; outside the three steps in the east inner palace, behind the stone ear."

Hao Duiying gasped: "Crown Prince—"

"Walk."

The side rooms behind Yonghe Hall were quiet and deserted. A thin layer of frost had formed on the blue bricks, and footsteps were dull and light.

"Which piece of stone ear fungus is it in?" Hao asked Ying.

“The seventh block from the right below the third ladder beam,” Zhu Han replied.

"How did Your Highness know?"

"I buried it." Zhu Han stopped, raised his hand and pressed down on the brick with the stone ear pattern. With a little force, a dark crack appeared on the edge of the brick, and dust rushed out.

I reached in with my fingertip and touched the familiar tunnel buckle.

The latch engaged the hidden bolt with a soft "click," and the wall retracted half an inch, revealing a narrow passage just wide enough for one person to squeeze through at an angle. (End of Chapter)