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

"You've come at the right time," Zhu Han said, with a hint of hesitation in his eyes, "I have something I want to discuss with you."

Liu Jin walked into the room, closed the door, and sat opposite Zhu Han. His expression became serious, and he obviously realized that this conversation was not simple. "You go."

Zhu Han took a deep breath, raised his head and looked directly into Liu Jin's eyes. "I have decided to really use these things. Whether it is the rewards in the sign-in system or those items that I shouldn't have, they are all opportunities to change my current situation."

Liu Jin was slightly stunned, obviously not expecting Zhu Han to be so direct.

He was silent for a moment, then asked uncertainly, "Are you really going to do this? You know, it's easy to change your life, but once you choose this direction, it's hard to turn back."

"I know." Zhu Han's voice was steady, but his eyes flashed with an irrepressible determination. "This is not just a matter of changing my life. I need those things to change my destiny and the destiny of this city."

Liu Jin stared at him, frowning slightly, obviously not fully understanding Zhu Han's idea. "You mean, relying on those modern items to change the situation?"

Zhu Han nodded, staring at Liu Jin firmly, "Exactly. For example, this headset, although it looks insignificant, its function allows me to hear things that others cannot hear. Imagine if I could eavesdrop on the private conversations of those powerful people and understand their true plans, then I could control the situation behind the scenes."

Liu Jin thought for a while, obviously attracted by Zhu Han's plan, but then he frowned again, "But the risk of doing so is too great. If you are discovered, the consequences will be disastrous. Even if you have these advanced items now, you can't guarantee that you will never be exposed."

"I know," Zhu Han replied softly, "but if I don't try, I will never be able to change this situation. Liu Jin, I know you have been worried about me, but the world will not wait for us. Those powerful people have already laid out the entire city, and we civilians are always just pawns on the chessboard. I can't sit and wait for death any longer."

Liu Jin was silent for a moment, a complex emotion flashed in his eyes. He was obviously moved by Zhu Han's determination.

Finally, he sighed and said softly, "Okay, I support you. You have made your choice, and I can only follow your steps. But I hope you will be careful and don't act rashly."

"I will." Zhu Han showed a faint smile, as if he was a little comforted.

The two looked at each other for a moment, Liu Jin lowered his head and suddenly asked: "What are you going to do next?"

"I want to use this headset to find out some key information first." Zhu Han took a deep breath, a sharp light flashed in his eyes, "Do you know about the recent disputes between those big merchants? It involves many important business opportunities and even the economic structure of the entire city. I have a plan to use this information to intervene and gain some say."

Liu Jin's eyes flashed with hesitation, "Your Highness, are you saying that we should intervene in the fight between those merchants?"

Zhu Han nodded, his tone carrying a hint of unquestionable determination, "Exactly. The fight among businessmen may only be a superficial matter for us, but there are huge interests hidden behind it. I believe that as long as I can grasp the key, I can control everything in my own hands."

"Okay." Liu Jin looked at Zhu Han deeply, as if to confirm whether he had really made up his mind.

"But you have to be careful, some things are not as simple as you think."

"I know." Zhu Han whispered, his eyes as deep as the sea, "but I have no way out."

Zhu Han sat in front of the window in the house, his eyes seemed to penetrate thousands of layers of clouds and mist, looking at the palace and streets in the distance, his mind full of thoughts.

Zhu Han pondered for a moment, "Qingping is not just the Crown Princess, she has a huge force behind her. Her father, the Gu family, has an influence in the court that cannot be ignored. And she has always had a close relationship with Zhu Biao. If we can use her to unite the Gu family and fight against Zhu Di's power, perhaps we can win more support for the Crown Prince."

"So, you already have a plan?" Liu Jin's eyes flashed with approval. "However, it is not easy to get Gu Qingping to take action. She is deep-minded and usually very cautious. Are you sure she will support you and the prince?"

Zhu Han's eyes were calm, "I know her. Although she seems calm and steady, deep down in her heart, she always adheres to one principle, which is to protect the prince. As long as I can send Zhu Biao's support to her and guarantee the prince's future, she will not stand idly by."

Late one night, Zhu Han came to Gu Qingping's palace again. She was writing with her head down in front of the window, the lights were soft, and the room was as quiet as water.

Zhu Han pushed the door open and walked in. Gu Qingping raised her head and smiled slightly, as if she had expected him to come.

"Uncle, you are visiting me again today. Is there something important?" Her voice was soft but majestic, and there was an elusive depth in her eyes.

Zhu Han walked forward, stood opposite her, and whispered, "Qingping, the prince's current situation is becoming more complicated. Zhu Di and his supporters are ready to make a move. If the prince gets into trouble, not only him, but even the fate of the entire Ming Dynasty will change."

Gu Qingping frowned slightly, as if she was not surprised by Zhu Han's visit, but she remained calm, "I know all this. We all see Zhu Di's ambition. But, uncle, you know, it is not easy to support the prince. Although I am powerful, I also have many ties. If I act rashly, I am afraid it will cause even greater waves."

Zhu Han frowned, "Qingping, you know I am not just talking nonsense. You want the crown prince to succeed the throne, and you also want to see the future of Ming Dynasty intact. The only thing we can rely on now is your wisdom and the power of the Gu family."

Gu Qingping listened quietly, with a calm light in her eyes.

She gently put down the pen in her hand and looked at Zhu Han, as if to see through the deep meaning of his words, "Uncle, do you mean to use the power of the Gu family and unite other forces that support the prince to fight against Zhu Di together?"

Zhu Han nodded, "That's right. Although Zhu Di has strong support, he can never get the recognition of all the powers. You are the Crown Princess, and the identity of the Crown Princess itself is a symbol of power. Your connection with the Gu family is the most critical link in this game."

Gu Qingping smiled softly, with a hint of sadness in her smile, "But my relationship with Zhu Di has always been delicate. I am the Crown Princess, but I have to face many different pressures. Even if I am willing to support the Crown Prince, this struggle is far more complicated than you think."

Zhu Han was silent for a moment, then slowly said: "You are the Crown Princess, and only you can ensure that the Crown Prince can ascend the throne smoothly. If you don't take action, all our efforts will be in vain."

Gu Qingping was silent for a moment, and finally raised her head, with a determined light in her eyes, "I will consider it, uncle. But you must remember that this road is destined to be full of dangers. Neither you nor I can take it lightly." Zhu Han nodded slightly, "I understand. As long as you decide, I will definitely support you with all my strength."

Gu Qingping slowly stood up, walked to the window, and looked into the night distance, as if thinking about the possibilities of the future.

"Uncle, the future of the crown prince is not only related to personal power, it is related to the fate of the entire country. If we cannot ensure the stability of the Ming Dynasty, then all our efforts will be meaningless."

Zhu Han looked at her back and nodded deeply, "I know, Qingping. Everything I do is to make this country a better place."

Gu Qingping sighed slightly, "Perhaps, I should have made a decision earlier."

As night fell, the last ray of sunlight disappeared from the horizon and the lights in the palace began to brighten.

Zhu Han stood in his study, holding a letter written by Zhu Biao in his hand, and a subtle fluctuation arose in his heart.

The content of the letter was very simple, expressing the prince's recent concern and entrustment to him.

Zhu Han gently put down the letter and sighed deeply.

"Uncle." A gentle voice came from outside the door, interrupting Zhu Han's thoughts.

Zhu Han turned around and saw Zhu Biao pushing the door open, wearing the prince's attire, his eyes revealing a bit of fatigue and worry.

"Prince." Zhu Han bowed slightly and motioned him to sit down. "Why are you here? It's rare to see you come here in person."

Zhu Biao walked into the study and sat down. He did not rush to speak. Instead, he lowered his head to look at the letter on the table and was silent for a moment.

He raised his head, his eyes complicated, and slowly said: "Uncle, there have been many disturbances in the palace recently, and I feel that the situation around me is becoming more and more complicated. What do you think?"

Zhu Han looked out the window, as if considering Zhu Biao's words. After a while, he slowly said, "Complexity is inevitable. As the crown prince, you must bear a lot of responsibilities and pressures. And those around you have their own thoughts. What you are facing now is not only the power struggle within the court, but also the plans and choices of the entire court for the future."

"Uncle, I know you've always hoped that I could make a smooth transition, but there are some things that I'm afraid we can't delay any longer."

Zhu Biao looked up at Zhu Han, his eyes full of helplessness and confusion, "Have you noticed that the atmosphere in the palace is becoming increasingly strange? There is a sharpness in the eyes of those nobles and powerful officials that we can hardly touch."

Zhu Han smiled slightly, and said calmly: "It's not surprising that you have noticed something. The struggle in this palace has always been more than what it seems. Every position is full of hidden chess games. What you are facing now is countless chess pieces lurking behind you. Any decision you make may cause huge waves."

"What do you think our father will do?" Zhu Biao asked with a burning gaze.

Zhu Han sat down slowly and sighed, "I dare not answer you easily when you ask this question. Although you are the crown prince, the position of your father in your heart is not as simple as the outside world sees."

Zhu Biao's eyes flashed with uneasiness, and his voice was low and helpless: "But I never really understood why my father was so eager to firmly control power in his own hands. I always thought that I had enough support for the position of crown prince, but now it seems... I seem to be wrong."

"Prince, don't worry too much." Zhu Han finally spoke, with a hint of comfort in his tone, "Every emperor grows up in a dangerous situation. The troubles you feel are the only way for you to become an emperor. No matter what, you can't let your father and the outside world see your inner wavering."

Zhu Biao lowered his head, his eyes flickering with barely perceptible confusion, "I know, but I always feel that I am getting further and further away from my father's expectations. Uncle, what do you think I should do?"

Zhu Han slowly stood up, walked to the bookshelf in the study, took down a few ancient books, and read them carefully. The air was filled with the scent of ink, and the sound of turning pages gently echoed in the silent room.

"You ask me what I should do? First of all, you must clarify your goals and know why you are taking this path. The responsibility of the crown prince is not only to inherit the throne, but most importantly, to be responsible for the continuation of the Ming Dynasty."

Zhu Han paused for a moment, and his words became more serious, "And you, as the crown prince, shoulder more than just family responsibilities."

Zhu Biao's eyes gradually became firm. "I understand, uncle. I have been seeking the approval of my father, but I have neglected my true responsibilities. For the future of Ming Dynasty and for this country, I must make a choice."

Zhu Han looked at him and nodded, with a hint of approval in his tone, "This is the prince's vision."

The two looked at each other for a moment, and Zhu Biao slowly stood up and suddenly changed the subject, "Uncle, in this case, shouldn't you also give me some advice? Father's trust is important, but I also know that Zhu Di's power is far greater than I thought. You have been helping me secretly, how can I turn this court struggle into a situation that is beneficial to me?"

Zhu Han's eyes became sharp, and he whispered, "Prince, Zhu Di is an opponent that cannot be underestimated. You cannot rely on yourself alone, you must unite with others who support you, win over those powerful officials, and form an alliance with them. Your biggest advantage now is that you have the favor of your father and the position of crown prince, but you need more supporters."

Zhu Biao nodded, and after thinking for a moment, he suddenly asked, "Uncle, do you think that Gu Qingping and the forces behind her can become our allies?"

Zhu Han's eyes flashed with a hint of deep meaning, and then he said lightly: "She is the Crown Princess. Although she holds a certain amount of power, her mind is deep and difficult to figure out. If you want to rely on her power, you must carefully consider her position."

Zhu Biao lowered his head and pondered for a moment, then suddenly raised his head with a determined light in his eyes, "Uncle, no matter what, I have decided to give it a try. In this case, please give me some advice."

Zhu Han looked at him deeply, and finally nodded slightly, "In that case, I will assist you and help you take the initiative in this power struggle." (End of this chapter)