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

Liu Jin walked to the table, gently put down the teacup in his hand, and frowned: "You mean, the confrontation between Zhu Biao and Zhu Di has no turning back?"

"Yes." Zhu Han's voice was low and powerful, and his tone revealed an unshakable determination.

"In this game of power, if Zhu Biao doesn't stabilize the situation as soon as possible, Zhu Di and his supporters will counterattack sooner or later. Now, Zhu Biao's biggest problem is how to get enough support, especially from those powerful people with ill intentions."

Liu Jin sighed: "The prince is in trouble now, but your Majesty, you also know that the situation in the palace is not that simple. Zhu Di has strong support, and the prince's power has not yet been fully formed."

Zhu Han nodded. He knew Liu Jin's concerns. "You are right, Liu Jin. The forces in the palace are complicated and many people are waiting for the opportunity. It's not just Zhu Di. There are many people behind him who are eyeing him covetously. What we can do now is to stabilize our position in this undercurrent and strive for maximum support."

"So what are you going to do next?" Liu Jin's eyes were burning, as if he saw some determination in Zhu Han's eyes.

Zhu Han slowly walked to the table and picked up a document on palace affairs. He did not answer directly, but instead looked down at the words on it.

"First, we must strengthen our ties with those powerful people who support the crown prince, especially those who have actual control. I have decided to start with some important commercial interests and use economic benefits to win over those neutral or hesitant ministers."

Liu Jin looked at him thoughtfully: "What are you going to do? You know, commercial interests have always been the most difficult part to manipulate in the palace intrigue. If you use it properly, you can strengthen the support of the prince; if you make a mistake, it may backfire on you."

Zhu Han smiled slightly, with a sly look in his eyes: "I already have a plan. Gu Qingping's support has undoubtedly opened up the situation for us, and the power of the Gu family behind her also occupies a place in the court. Next, I will use this to gradually win over some businessmen, especially those business tycoons who have important influence in the palace."

"Business tycoons?" Liu Jin was a little surprised. "You can't easily control these businessmen, especially in the political whirlpool of the palace. They are very cautious in every step."

"It is precisely because they are cautious that I have to adopt a safe strategy." There was an unquestionable firmness in Zhu Han's tone.

"I will not covet their interests directly, but will build trust and mutually beneficial partnerships so that they will feel that supporting the prince is the best choice. What I have done is to pave the way for the prince's future and build a strong backing."

"As expected, you are the emperor's uncle, who has thought so carefully." Liu Jin couldn't help but sigh, "However, in this case, you need to be careful with every step. Merchants have deep thoughts. Once your plan is exposed, the consequences will be disastrous."

Zhu Han smiled slightly, his eyes firm: "This power game is destined to be full of risks, but how can we change the situation without taking risks? I will not let these business giants become our enemies. On the contrary, they will become our greatest allies."

Liu Jin nodded, as if realizing Zhu Han's determination, and finally sighed deeply: "Okay, in this case, I will assist you in advancing this matter. However, I hope you can act carefully and never let the situation get out of control."

Zhu Han patted Liu Jin's shoulder gently. "Don't worry, Liu Jin, I know how to do it. All decisions must be made with prudence first. Only after the foundation is solid can we move forward step by step."

A few days later, Zhu Han came to the prince's palace again.

Zhu Biao was sitting at the table, looking down at a government report with a serious expression.

He frowned, as if thinking about some important decision. Zhu Han gently opened the door and walked in.

"Uncle, you're here." Zhu Biao raised his head and saw Zhu Han coming, with a tired smile on his face.

Zhu Han walked to his side and sat down gently: "Prince, the situation in the palace has been getting more and more tense recently, what are your plans?"

Zhu Biao was silent for a moment before he slowly spoke: "I know that the situation is becoming more and more complicated, especially since Zhu Di and his supporters have begun to move frequently. What I am most worried about now is how to maintain my position in this complicated situation."

Zhu Han looked at him deeply, his eyes full of meaning: "Prince, you don't have to worry too much. Now, the most important thing is to lay a good foundation within yourself and win the greatest support."

Zhu Biao was slightly stunned, as if he did not fully understand what Zhu Han meant: "What do you mean?"

"It's time to act." Zhu Han whispered, "We must use the power of others to fight against them, and use the hesitant dignitaries in the business community and the court to build a solid support network. As the situation develops, our strength will gradually grow, and no matter how powerful Zhu Di is, he will not be able to shake us easily."

Zhu Biao looked at Zhu Han thoughtfully, with a hint of doubt in his eyes: "Are you saying that we should establish more connections between businessmen and the powerful?"

"That's right." Zhu Han nodded. "The power of merchants, especially the Chamber of Commerce that has a certain influence in the palace, is exactly the power we can rely on. As long as we can grasp their interests and provide them with protection, the support of the prince will become more solid."

Zhu Biao pondered for a moment and seemed to be somewhat interested in this plan: "But what about the influence of the Gu family in the court? Don't you think we should consider her position?"

Zhu Han smiled slightly, his eyes deep: "The Gu family does have a strong influence in the court, but because of this, she is the one who is most worthy of our fight. The Crown Princess's position is related to the future of the entire Gu family, and I have heard from her words that she is not completely opposed to supporting us."

After hearing this, Zhu Biao's eyes flashed with a complex emotion: "You are right, Gu Qingping is indeed the key. But we must be careful, after all, behind her is not only the Gu family, but also her own thoughts."

Zhu Han nodded: "I understand. Gu Qingping is a thoughtful person, we can't rush for success. Next, we have to let her see our sincerity and show our sufficient strength and determination to win her support."

Zhu Biao lowered his head and took a deep breath: "Uncle, you are right. In this case, our next action will begin."

Zhu Han stood up and walked to the window, his eyes falling on the palace and the street in the distance: "Yes, Prince. From this moment on, every step we take is crucial. We must proceed steadily and take control of the situation step by step."

Zhu Biao stood up, walked to Zhu Han, and whispered, "I will keep in mind the teachings of my uncle, act prudently, and not be impatient."

The night was dark, the Qianqing Palace was brightly lit, the eunuchs were walking hurriedly, and the whole palace seemed to be shrouded in an invisible atmosphere of tension.

Zhu Han stood in the corridor outside the imperial garden, holding a jade ruyi in his hand. He looked through the layers of curtains into the depths of the brilliantly lit palace.

He had never felt as much as he did at that moment that an invisible force was slowly approaching, as if the wheel of fate was beginning to turn.

"Your Highness." The eunuch chief, Lin Hong, approached cautiously and whispered, "His Royal Highness the Crown Prince just left the East Palace, saying that he was going to the Yongshou Palace to visit the Queen Mother, and he has not returned yet."

Zhu Han raised his eyebrows, "It's late at night, why would he go to Yongshou Palace at this time?"

Lin Hong shook his head: "I don't know, but the prince only brought one personal guard with him, he seems to be very low-key."

Zhu Han said nothing, turned around and walked away.

"Go and prepare the horses. I will do it myself."

The lights in Yongshou Palace were dim, and a faint medicinal fragrance wafted from the empress dowager's bedroom.

Zhu Biao was sitting in front of the bed, whispering to the empress dowager what had happened in the palace today.

Although the Queen Mother was weak, her mind was still clear. She held Zhu Biao's hand with a gentle look in her eyes, "You are the crown prince, and you will be the emperor of the Ming Dynasty in the future. You should be steady and don't worry about me every day."

Zhu Biao lowered his head and smiled, "I just want to spend more time with my mother."

The Queen Mother's eyes moved slightly, "You talk a lot today, are you worried?"

Zhu Biao paused, and suddenly said: "If the Queen Mother is well, it will be the greatest comfort to me. But there are some things that I don't know how to say."

"Did your father scold you again?" the Queen Mother asked softly.

"No." Zhu Biao's eyes flickered, "It's just that I feel that some people seem to be secretly disrupting the situation."

The Queen Mother concentrated, "Are you talking about your fourth uncle?"

Zhu Biao was stunned for a moment, then shook his head, "No, I trust my fourth uncle. There was some movement in the palace, and it was too strange." Before he finished speaking, a burst of hurried horse hoof sounds suddenly came from outside, breaking the silence of the night.

Then the eunuch rushed in and said, "Prince and Queen Mother, Prince Han has arrived."

Zhu Biao immediately stood up and walked quickly out of the hall, "Uncle?"

Zhu Han's face was solemn, "You shouldn't walk alone at night."

Zhu Biao frowned, "Just visiting my mother——"

Zhu Han waved his hand to interrupt, "A secret sentry was found outside Yongshou Palace, and someone is monitoring the movements."

"Who?" Zhu Biao's face changed.

"I don't know yet, but they are not our people." Zhu Han whispered, "I am worried that tonight may not be peaceful."

As soon as he finished speaking, there were a few low barking sounds from outside the palace wall, and then there were sounds of breaking air. Several dark shadows passed by the eaves and fell into the palace like lightning.

"Protect the emperor!" The guards shouted, and torches immediately lit up half the sky.

Zhu Han turned around, his sleeves fluttered like the wind, and his sword flashed. With a low groan, the opponent was pushed back three steps. Then the guards rushed in and surrounded him.

"Capture him alive!" Zhu Han gave an order, and several secret guards jumped out like shadows and suppressed the man in black in an instant.

Zhu Biao stared at those people and asked in a deep voice, "Who ordered you to do this?"

The man in black sneered and said nothing.

"They were well prepared." Zhu Han's face was as gloomy as water. "Prince, what happened tonight must not be spread to anyone."

Zhu Biao clenched his fists, "I understand."

Zhu Han looked at the empress dowager who was still in shock and whispered, "Please go to bed early, empress dowager. I will investigate this matter myself."

The Queen Mother nodded and sighed, "You brothers are of one mind, and I am at peace."

After returning to the palace, Zhu Han did not rest, but immediately summoned his confidant Liu Zhen.

"Find out their origins," Zhu Han ordered, "Start with their clothing, martial arts, and the source of the poison. Don't miss a single detail."

Liu Zhen took the order and left, but Zhu Han sat at the desk and slowly unfolded the new interface of the sign-in system.

Zhu Han was slightly startled, his eyes fell on the four words "heart mirror to know people", and he felt his mind suddenly become clear, as if the micro-expressions and breath flow of the people around him were magnified to the extreme.

He whispered, "So this is the real reward for tonight."

The next morning, before the sun rose, Zhu Han had already arrived at the East Palace.

Zhu Biao had been waiting in the study room, his face slightly tired, "Uncle."

"From today on, you need to be careful." Zhu Han sat down and said coldly, "Some people are unwilling to wait any longer."

"Who is it?" Zhu Biao's eyes were as sharp as torches.

"I can't tell yet, but I'm sure of one thing - they want to disqualify you."

Zhu Biao clenched his hands, "I won't retreat."

"I know you can't." Zhu Han smiled faintly, "So, I'm going to give you a 'sir'."

"gentlemen?"

"He is a strange man whom I met by chance when I was practicing in Xishan. He is good at reading people's minds and making plans."

Zhu Han said slowly, "He will make plans for you. From today on, you have to get used to being schemed against, and also learn how to counter-scheme."

Zhu Biao looked into Zhu Han's eyes and finally revealed a firm smile, "Uncle, I believe you."

Zhu Han nodded, looking through the window lattice to the distant horizon: "From now on, we will no longer wait."

As the sun rose, golden light shone through the carved window lattices into the study of the East Palace. Zhu Biao sat at his desk, concentrating on reading a volume of "Zuo Zhuan", but his fingertips trembled slightly and his heart was no longer able to calm down.

"What the Emperor's uncle said last night... that group of assassins, are they really coming for me?" he whispered to himself.

The door creaked open, and Zhu Han, dressed in a black robe, walked in with an unspoken calmness, followed by a young man with a handsome face and a restrained aura.

"Prince, this is the man I mentioned last night—Xu Mu." Zhu Han turned his gaze to the young man beside him. "He once lived in seclusion in Songshan Mountain. Now he is here to give you advice."

Zhu Biao stood up, bowed and said, "Mr. Xu."

Xu Mu was also informal and bowed slightly, "Your Highness."

Zhu Han looked at the two of them, his eyes slightly moved, "I have something important to do, so I won't stay any longer. Now that the master has appeared, the safety of the East Palace will be handed over to you."

"Don't worry, uncle." Zhu Biao said solemnly.

Zhu Han smiled and nodded, then walked away calmly, leaving Zhu Biao and Xu Mu looking at each other.

"Sir, would you like to tell us what you think about what happened last night?" Zhu Biao spoke first.

Xu Mu's eyes were like water, and he said calmly: "The assassin was well prepared and left no loopholes. However, his method was not that of a martial artist, but more like that of a well-trained secret guard in the palace."

"In the palace?" Zhu Biao was shocked. "You mean..."

"Although the assassin has not confessed, the poison is extremely rare. It is an old secret recipe of the Southern Pacification Office and is only recorded in the secret files of the imperial palace." Xu Mu said bluntly, "If this matter was not planned by the powerful, it would be impossible."

Zhu Biao's expression darkened.

Xu Mu continued, "Your Highness, you should understand that if you want to disrupt the enemy's plan, the first thing is not to counterattack, but to plan."

"What do you have in mind?" (End of this chapter)