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

"Then, what should I do next?" Zhu Biao's tone revealed a hint of nervousness, but also a firmness he had never had before.

Zhu Han looked into his eyes and said softly, "The first step is that you must continue to demonstrate your decisiveness and wisdom in the army and in the court, but avoid being too ostentatious. Next, you must begin to secretly build up your own network of contacts, especially those ministers that your father trusts but have not yet fully committed to his side."

Zhu Biao frowned, and it was obvious that he was a little confused: "Most of those ministers are still under the control of Zhu Di's faction. How can I convince them to stand on my side?"

Zhu Han raised a faint smile, his eyes full of deep insight. "It is precisely because they are still hesitant that they are likely to become your supporters. You can start with the interests they care about most, find out their deepest concerns, and then use your wisdom and foresight to break their doubts. Most importantly, give them a clear indication of what you can bring to them."

Zhu Biao's eyes flashed with a glimmer of understanding, and he nodded slowly: "I understand. Through their interests, gradually change their minds."

"That's right." Zhu Han nodded approvingly and continued, "However, you must also remember not to be too eager for quick success. You must let them see that standing on your side is not only for their immediate interests, but also for the long-term interests of Ming Dynasty."

"I'll keep it in mind." Zhu Biao took a deep breath, his eyes becoming more determined. "Next, I'll act according to the plan."

Zhu Han smiled slightly, with a hint of deep meaning in his eyes: "Biao'er, you have to understand that every step in the court is full of variables. Sometimes, the enemy's attack is not obvious, but undercurrents. Therefore, you must not only be wise, but also calm."

"I understand." Zhu Biao nodded slowly, "If everything is as you said, I may be able to establish enough prestige in my father's heart."

"Don't be too impatient, Biaoer. Victory takes time." There was a hint of calm strength in Zhu Han's tone.

The two looked at each other for a long time. Finally, Zhu Biao stood up, took a deep breath, and said slowly: "Uncle, I understand. From now on, I will face everything with a calmer attitude, no longer be impatient, and will not let anyone look down on me."

Zhu Han nodded, his eyes revealing some relief and encouragement, "This is the bearing you should have, Biao'er. Walking in the court is like walking on thin ice, but you must also be like a tiger and tear the enemy apart at the right time."

"I will." Zhu Biao's words were firm and powerful.

As the night deepened, the study was completely silent, with only the faint flickering candlelight on the desk casting long shadows in the air.

"Prince, you must go to pay a visit to our father tomorrow morning." Li Zhong walked into the study again and reminded softly.

Zhu Biao nodded, his eyes gleaming with determination, "Tomorrow, I will stand before my father with a new attitude."

Zhu Han smiled slightly and said softly, "Go, Biao'er. Remember, what you are showing to your father is not only the responsibility of a son, but also the responsibility of a future emperor."

Zhu Biao was silent for a moment, and finally bowed deeply, "I will, uncle."

As the words fell, the lights in the study became brighter again. The night was already deep, but in this silence, Zhu Biao's future seemed to be quietly emerging.

The moonlight fell on the courtyard of the Prince's Mansion. The silvery light flowed like water, shining on every leaf and every pillar, as if everything was surrounded by the quiet night.

In the Prince's Mansion, Zhu Biao stood in front of the study window, gazing at the scenery outside with deep thought in his eyes.

"Uncle, can I really survive this storm safely?" Zhu Biao's voice was low, with a hint of confusion and uneasiness.

Zhu Han stood quietly by the side, his eyes deep, as if he had already seen through everything in front of him.

He did not answer immediately, but smiled slightly, walked to Zhu Biao's side, and slowly said: "Biao'er, have you ever thought that the one who can really decide your future is not your father, nor those ministers who oppose you, but yourself."

Zhu Biao turned around and looked at the familiar face of his uncle, with complex emotions surging in his eyes.

"But, uncle, my father's mind is fickle. The ministers in the court are respectful to me on the surface, but they actually have other plans behind their backs."

Zhu Biao took a deep breath, "Moreover, Zhu Di has always been manipulating the support of those people behind the scenes. If my father really wavers, all my efforts will be in vain."

Zhu Han smiled faintly, with wisdom glittering in his eyes: "Because of this, you need to be calmer. There is never a lack of complicated political struggles in the court, and my brother's hesitation and vacillation are only part of this big drama."

Zhu Biao's eyes flashed with confusion. "How can I let my father see this? After all, he has always been skeptical of me and has even hesitated about my succession."

Zhu Han gently patted Zhu Biao's shoulder, his eyes filled with unfathomable gentleness, "What you need to do is to break this suspicion. Since my brother is hesitant, you should take the initiative to demonstrate your decisiveness, wisdom, and courage."

"Uncle, what should I do then?" Zhu Biao lowered his head slightly, his eyes full of searching light.

Zhu Han stood up, walked slowly to the bookshelf, picked up a thick ancient book, turned to one of the pages, and fixed his eyes on the words in the book.

"Biao'er, the game in the court is often not a confrontation on the surface, but a contest that goes on quietly behind the scenes. You must learn to break the enemy's defenses through strategy, rather than relying solely on force or power."

Zhu Biao thought for a moment, then nodded: "I understand, uncle. You mean, I need to pay more attention to the undercurrents and potential threats beneath the surface, rather than simply focusing on what I can see."

"That's right." Zhu Han turned around, his eyes full of depth, "You need to use a very secretive way to gradually win over those forces that have not yet fully aligned themselves. Especially those who are skeptical of you, they are the key that you can use."

Zhu Biao was stunned for a moment. "You mean, I should approach those ministers who have not yet fully chosen sides, let them see my value, and then gain their support?"

Zhu Han nodded gently. "You need to demonstrate your decision-making ability and action through actual actions, not just words. You need to make these people understand that standing on your side is the best choice for them."

"So, how can we do this?" Zhu Biao asked, with a hint of urgency in his tone.

Zhu Han's mouth curled up slightly, and a gleam of light flashed in his eyes. "You must overcome hardness with softness and win with wisdom. Through some subtle means, such as proposing far-sighted policies in the court, or showing unshakable determination at the right time, gradually influence those who originally distrusted you."

"I understand, uncle." Zhu Biao whispered, with a firm light in his eyes, "I will keep your teachings in mind and will never let you down."

Zhu Han nodded gently, his eyes full of satisfaction, "Biao'er, you have taken the most important step. No matter how difficult the road ahead is, you can overcome it with your wisdom and determination."

The two were silent for a moment, the sound of the wind outside still echoing in the night sky.

"Uncle, you once told me that battles are not always on the surface. Sometimes, the most important struggle is a battle of the heart, a contest of wisdom and courage."

Zhu Biao whispered, "I will use my actions to prove that I can not only bear this responsibility, but also lead the Ming Dynasty to new glory."

Zhu Han smiled slightly, his eyes full of approval and expectation, "Very good, Biao'er. Remember, a true emperor does not rely on power to oppress others, but relies on his own wisdom to win every battle." "Tomorrow, in the court, I will stand in front of my father with a new attitude." Zhu Biao said slowly, his eyes revealing a hint of confidence that was different from the past.

"Very good." Zhu Han nodded, "You are ready."

It was late at night, and the Prince's Mansion was still as quiet as water. The two figures stretched out in the candlelight, as if they had seen the dawn of the future.

The next day, the early morning sun shone through the study window, and the warm light illuminated the entire Prince's Mansion.

Zhu Biao had already stood up and was standing in front of the study window, looking into the distance.

"Prince, are you ready?" Li Zhong's voice broke Zhu Biao's thoughts. He turned and looked at the door, and saw Li Zhong walking in with a hint of urgency, his eyes full of anxiety.

Zhu Biao nodded, with a gleam of determination in his eyes: "Yes, I'm ready."

Today, he will go to his father's palace to face the father who will decide his future destiny.

Just as Zhu Biao was about to go out, Zhu Han quietly walked into the study and stood quietly beside Zhu Biao.

"Biaoer, are you prepared for today's meeting?" Zhu Han's words were as profound as usual, but with an unprecedented calmness.

Zhu Biao smiled slightly, with a hint of confidence in his eyes, "I am ready, uncle. No matter what my father considers, I will no longer be as afraid as before."

Zhu Han did not respond, but just nodded slightly, his eyes still as unfathomable as the abyss.

"Go, Biao'er." Zhu Han said softly, "You have come this far. Every moment that follows will determine whether you can truly gain a firm foothold."

Zhu Biao took a deep breath and walked out of the study.

Along the way, the complex emotions in my heart surged like waves.

"Prince, the palace ahead is just around the corner." Li Zhong's voice once again interrupted his thoughts.

Zhu Biao took a deep breath, straightened his collar, and his eyes became more determined. "Go, Li Zhong, no matter what happens today, I must see my father."

They walked into the palace, and under the guidance of layers of palace maids, Zhu Biao and Li Zhong finally stood in front of their father's palace.

In the hall, Zhu Yuanzhang sat on the dragon throne, and the ministers standing beside him were extremely respectful. Zhu Biao took a deep breath, walked into the hall, and knelt before his father.

"Father," Zhu Biao said in a low but firm voice, "I came here today to ask you to grant me more power and trust so that I can truly serve the Ming Dynasty."

Zhu Yuanzhang looked at him quietly, with a hint of complicated emotions in his eyes.

"Biao'er, do you know that the challenges facing the Ming Dynasty today are no longer simple power struggles, but major issues concerning the stability of the world. Do you have enough wisdom and decisiveness to deal with these challenges?"

Zhu Biao raised his head and looked directly into his father's eyes. "Father, I am ready. Even if the situation changes, I am willing to fight for the future of Ming Dynasty."

Zhu Yuanzhang's eyes were deep, as if he was thinking about something.

He was silent for a moment, and finally nodded gently, "In that case, I will give you this opportunity. But remember, power is not gained out of thin air. True decisiveness needs to be demonstrated in actual actions."

"Father, I will not let you down." Zhu Biao said in a deep voice.

At this moment, Zhu Han suddenly appeared at the door of the palace. He did not interrupt the conversation between his father and the prince, but walked forward quietly.

After a slight salute, he whispered, "Father, if the Crown Prince wants to truly demonstrate his decisiveness, I'm afraid he needs a more far-reaching action."

Zhu Yuanzhang's eyes flashed with doubt, "What do you think?"

Zhu Han smiled slightly. "Nowadays, enemy ships frequently appear in the southeastern waters of the Ming Dynasty, and some people in the court are using this as an excuse to propose strengthening defenses. I think this is an opportunity."

He paused, "If the prince can personally lead a fleet to patrol the sea, it will not only solve the external threat, but also enhance the prestige of the prince."

Zhu Biao's heart moved, he looked up at his father, his eyes flickering with desire. This was not just a sea patrol, but also an opportunity to show his leadership.

Zhu Yuanzhang pondered for a moment and finally nodded, "In that case, let's do as you say. Biao'er, you lead the elite troops of the Crown Prince's Army to patrol the southeastern sea area. Remember, you must be cautious and don't act rashly."

Zhu Biao was delighted and immediately stood up and bowed deeply, saying, "Thank you, father."

Zhu Han walked up to Zhu Biao and whispered, "This is an opportunity to demonstrate your decisiveness. Remember, you must demonstrate your demeanor as a future emperor in your actions."

Zhu Biao nodded, "I understand, uncle."

Three days later, the elite troops of the Prince's Army were ready to go, and Zhu Biao personally boarded the ship to command.

The sea breeze blew his robe. Zhu Biao stood at the bow with determination flashing in his eyes.

"Prince, the southeastern sea is ahead, and the enemy's ships have begun to appear." Deputy General Li Zhong stood at the bow and pointed to the sea in the distance.

Zhu Biao nodded, his eyes as sharp as a hawk, "Be ready, attack at any time."

The fleet sailed quickly on the sea, the flags of the Prince's Army fluttered in the wind, and the sea was rough.

At this moment, some suspicious ships appeared on the sea in the distance. Zhu Biao's eyes widened instantly, and he immediately ordered the fleet to adjust its course and prepare for battle. (End of this chapter)