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

Zhu Han was silent for a long time, then suddenly looked toward the top of a distant mountain, as if he was talking to himself: "My heart has long been committed to this chaotic world." Then, he asked in a low voice: "If this world cannot tolerate peace, are you willing to accompany me to keep a corner of peace?"

Chu Lingyan said nothing, just looked at him quietly.

After a moment, she nodded gently: "If you believe me."

That night, the spring breeze was getting warmer and the lights in the East Palace were still on.

The night fell gently through the window lattice of the East Palace Library. The candlelight flickered slightly, casting two shadows.

Zhu Han sat at the desk, with a cup of warm tea in front of him, with steam lingering around like a veil.

"Your comments on the prince today were a bit harsh." Chu Lingyan leaned against the pillar and said calmly, "He may not be unaware of your intention, but he just hasn't figured out the meaning of your words yet."

"You're starting to speak for him?" Zhu Han looked up at her with a hint of teasing in his eyes.

Chu Lingyan said coldly: "I am just telling the truth. You said today that he has too many distracting thoughts in his mind, but are you also very clean yourself?"

Zhu Han chuckled and slowly closed the book: "If I had no distractions, why would I keep you in the East Palace?"

Chu Lingyan said nothing, just tapped lightly on the sandalwood window frame beside her and looked out the window.

In the early spring, a peach tree in the garden is in full bloom, its shadow reflected in the pond water. When the breeze blows, the petals fall, like snow.

"Zhu Biao," she suddenly said, "seems gentle, but he has a sharp edge hidden in his sleeve. He is not like you, who shows his sharp edge on the outside, but hides everything in his heart. I can't see through him."

"You don't need to see through him." Zhu Han whispered, "If he wants to become an emperor, he can't be easily seen through."

"But you put yourself in front of him, protecting him from the wind and rain." She turned around and looked at him, her tone unusually slow, "Do you know that if he really becomes an emperor one day, the first person he should be on guard against is you."

Zhu Han raised his eyebrows slightly, but a meaningful smile appeared on the corner of his mouth: "If he has that kind of character, then my teaching him will not be in vain."

"You're crazy." Chu Lingyan sneered, "You trapped yourself in the game, using him as a chess piece, and you want him to turn around and bite you before you're done?"

"He is a dragon," Zhu Han said calmly, "It would be a pity if the dragon was trapped within the palace walls instead of coiling in the sky."

The next morning, before daybreak, Zhu Han had already left the palace. He did not attend court or see guests today, but walked alone to an old pavilion in the western corner of the Imperial Garden.

"Sign in."

He recited it silently in his mind, as if it were some kind of long-established ritual.

The system voice in the mind immediately sounded: "Ding! Congratulations to the host for successfully signing in at 'Jingyingxuan' and receiving the reward - 'Tianguan Calligraphy: Red Heart Volume'."

Zhu Han was slightly stunned, and then the corners of his lips curled up.

"This is interesting." he murmured.

He pushed the door and entered the pavilion. The interior was simply furnished, with a plain white desk in the corner. It was where the late emperor kept his handwritten manuscripts in his early years, but it had been abandoned for a long time.

He sat cross-legged and slowly introduced the contents of "Red Heart Scroll" into his sea of ​​consciousness. It was an extremely exquisite writing style, which not only wrote words, but also contained the energy in the tip of the brush. He could observe people through words and convey their momentum through writing.

"Zhu Biao...if you can master this writing technique, perhaps you can increase your concentration." He whispered to himself.

By noon, Crown Prince Zhu Biao was reciting "The Great Learning" in the study of the Eastern Palace. There were many documents piled beside his desk. His eyes were clear and his expression was solemn.

"Your Highness, the emperor's uncle has arrived." Xu Mu said in a low voice.

Zhu Biao immediately stood up and greeted him: "How come the emperor's uncle has time to come to the East Palace today?"

Zhu Han strode in, without a sword in his hand, his robes loose, and his expression as gentle as that of an ordinary elder.

"I will teach you how to write," he said.

Zhu Biao was startled: "Uncle...?"

Zhu Han raised the thin book in his hand and said, "This is what I learned last year. It is not calligraphy, but a technique of concealing the power of the pen. If you practice it thoroughly, the words you write will have momentum, and others will be afraid when they read them and dare not comment lightly."

Zhu Biao was silent for a moment, then nodded heavily: "Uncle, teach me."

One day, Zhu Han was writing and Zhu Biao was copying. The two of them sat side by side in front of the window, with the sun shining obliquely and the spring breeze blowing through the hall. It seemed as if time had gone back to when he first met the emperor's uncle in his childhood.

"Uncle." Zhu Biao suddenly asked, "Why do you trust me so much?"

Zhu Han didn't raise his head: "Because if you can't make it, my journey will be in vain."

Zhu Biao's eyes flickered: "But what if my heart changes?"

Zhu Han paused with the pen in his hand, then smiled and said, "Then let me be the first one to kill you back to your original intention."

Zhu Biao looked at him and said nothing more.

At dusk, a female historian named Song Ruzhi from the palace was summoned to the East Palace to teach the classics as per the custom.

She came from a poor family and behaved well, which earned her Zhu Biao's trust. She was often the one who organized Zhu Biao's lecture notes.

But tonight, Zhu Biao specially invited her to have dinner with him.

"Ms. Song," Zhu Biao asked softly, "have you read Chunqiu Fanlu?"

Song Ruzhi nodded slightly: "I have read it."

"It is said in the book, 'The meaning of the Spring and Autumn Annals is to respect the elders.' What do you think the meaning of respecting the elders is now?"

Song Ruzhi pondered for a moment and said, "In the past, 'respect' was the code of conduct between the ruler and his subjects, but today 'respect' should be what one respects in the heart. Respect is not about position, but about virtue."

Zhu Han took a drink of tea and nodded slightly when he heard this.

Zhu Biao suddenly asked: "If there is a person who does not hold a high position and has no real power, but can win the hearts of thousands of people, how should this person be dealt with?"

Song Ruzhi was startled, and said solemnly: "I think this person should be given an important position."

Zhu Biao smiled faintly but said nothing.

After Song Ruzhi left, Zhu Han looked at Zhu Biao and asked, "You tried her?"

Zhu Biao did not deny it, but said: "People's hearts are changeable in this world, but human nature is unpredictable."

Zhu Han smiled and said, "You have taken another step forward."

"Uncle." Zhu Biao suddenly raised his eyes, his gaze penetrating, "Have you ever imagined that you have taught me so much, if one day I really become an emperor, what about you?"

Zhu Han was silent for a long time: "I will withdraw."

"Where to retreat to?"

"I will retreat behind you." Zhu Han said slowly, "When the storm comes, I will block it for you. If there is no worry in the world, I will return to the mountains and rivers and not care about the court anymore."

Zhu Biao slowly lowered his head and placed his hands on the table, motionless for a long time.

It was late at night and the lights in the East Palace had been turned off.

Zhu Han walked out of the study. Chu Lingyan had been standing under the moon without him noticing, gently waving a folding fan in her hand, as if she had been waiting for him for a long time.

"You showed off too much today," she said. "That kid needs a reminder," Zhu Han said calmly.

"Are you really planning to quit?"

"If he can bring peace to the world, why not let me step aside?"

Chu Lingyan glanced at him and suddenly sighed: "After all, you are a person who is unwilling to live for yourself."

Zhu Han looked at her quietly for a long time, and said only one sentence:
"It's worth it for me to leave a light for this world."

The wind blew the peach branches, and the petals fell into his hair, but he was completely unaware.

Zhu Biao's gaze involuntarily fell on the moonlight outside the window. The moon was clear and bright, with silver light shining down, cold and ethereal, reflecting the courtyard of the East Palace.

He suddenly realized that he could not escape the fate that was approaching step by step.

At this moment, there were soft footsteps outside the door. Zhu Biao's heart moved slightly and he looked towards the door.

"Your Highness." Outside the door, Xu Mu bowed in a low voice.

"Come in." Zhu Biao put down the book in his hand and said calmly.

Xu Mu walked in slowly, holding a letter in his hand: "Your Highness, from the Inner East Factory."

Zhu Biao took the letter, his expression unchanged. The letter was simple, with one line of words written in strong and powerful handwriting: "Last night, Song Ruzhi's home was suddenly under curfew. No one knows the reason, and now we have lost contact."

Zhu Biao frowned slightly and gently unfolded the letter. The tension between the lines was like an invisible string, quietly tightened.

"My uncle once said, who can be free from worries in the palace?" Zhu Biao whispered to himself, a complex look flashing across his eyes, "But once you embark on this path, you have to face this loneliness."

He raised his head and looked at Xu Mu: "Pass the order down, send someone to Song Ruzhi's house to investigate immediately, and be sure to act with caution."

Xu Mu bowed and responded, "Yes, Your Highness."

Zhu Biao raised his hand to signal him to leave, and his eyes were once again fixed on the moonlight outside the window.

After a moment, he stood up and walked towards the window with light steps. Every step seemed to be treading on his own thoughts, heavy and slow.

However, just as he was about to turn around and return to his desk, a deep voice suddenly came from the shadows outside: "Do you think the footsteps behind you can really keep you going?"

This voice, with an inexplicable sense of oppression, shocked Zhu Biao. He turned around quickly and stared at the figure standing at the door - Zhu Han, still in a black robe, with a cold moon behind him, as if everything had nothing to do with him.

"Uncle." Zhu Biao's eyes flashed with surprise, but he immediately regained his composure. "Why are you here now?"

Zhu Han walked in slowly, his eyes indifferent: "At this moment, there is no longer any affection or words between you and me. You have already walked on the road that belongs to the emperor. All the warmth disappeared the moment you decided to bear this burden."

Zhu Biao stood still and looked at him: "Uncle, why are you here today?"

Zhu Han sighed softly, a complex emotion flashed in his eyes, and he slowly said: "I know you are not fully prepared in your heart, but at this moment, perhaps you should also understand that this road is not only for you to ascend to the pinnacle of power, but also for you to shoulder the fate of this world."

Zhu Biao did not answer immediately. He folded his hands in front of him, lowered his head, and was silent for a moment before looking up: "I understand what the emperor said. But should you also tell me what kind of emperor you expect me to be?"

Zhu Han approached, stopped beside Zhu Biao, and said softly: "I expect you to become a broad-minded and responsible emperor. You must understand that a true emperor does not rely solely on power to rule the world, but also needs to understand the people with his heart and use wisdom to plan for the future."

Zhu Biao turned around and looked at him: "And you, why did you teach me these?"

Zhu Han's eyes flickered with a complex light: "Because you are the only successor I recognize. My responsibility is to help you get there."

Zhu Biao's eyes moved slightly, as if he was somewhat moved. At that moment, he seemed to understand something, and the corners of his mouth curled up slightly: "If I really become an emperor, what will you do?"

"I will withdraw." Zhu Han's eyes were firm. "I will no longer interfere with your decision, but I will stand behind you and give you the strongest support."

Zhu Biao was silent for a moment, then suddenly spoke: "How can I prove myself and live up to your expectations?"

Zhu Han smiled slightly: "You have done very well, but some things cannot be solved by yourself. You must learn to observe with your heart and see the hidden situations with your eyes."

Zhu Biao took a deep breath: "I will keep it in mind."

Just then, there was a hurried knock on the door.

"Your Highness, urgent news!" Xu Mu's voice came from outside the door, with obvious anxiety in his tone.

Zhu Biao quickly stood up and walked towards the door: "What's the matter?"

Xu Mu hurried in. "Your Highness, Song Ruzhi's home has been searched, but no trace was found. However, someone discovered that she had contact with a mysterious man before returning home yesterday. The man's identity is unknown, but he seems to have some connection with the eunuch Li Jing."

"Li Jing?" Zhu Biao frowned immediately, feeling a little uneasy.

Zhu Han said softly, "Li Jing is a eunuch from the Inner East Factory. He is scheming. If you have any doubts about him, you should take measures."

Zhu Biao nodded and took a deep breath. "Send an order immediately to secretly investigate all of Li Jing's dealings. If it is really a conspiracy planned by him, I will solve it myself."

"Yes, Your Highness." Xu Mu responded and left.

Zhu Biao watched Xu Mu leave, then turned to look at Zhu Han: "Uncle, I understand what you mean. I will start to observe everything around me with a more cautious eye."

Zhu Han nodded gently: "You are beginning to understand, Zhu Biao. The road to becoming an emperor is not only about learning how to fight, but also about learning how to stay awake."

"I will go on, uncle." Zhu Biao whispered, with a determined light in his eyes.

"I know." Zhu Han chuckled, "I've always been behind you."

In the afternoon a few days later, deep in the palace city, inside the Qianqing Palace, Zhu Yuanzhang sat upright on the imperial couch, flipping through a memorial in his hands, his brows furrowed.

He had not spoken openly in the court for a long time, but he had been feeling uneasy these past few days, vaguely aware that an undercurrent was quietly growing outside the East Palace, and even several of his confidants in front of the emperor were hesitant to speak again and again.

"Gao Lishi." Zhu Yuanzhang suddenly put down the memorial in his hand and said in a deep voice.

"Your servant is here." Outside the door, a figure quickly lifted the curtain and came in. It was Gao Lishi, his personal steward.

"That Li Jing from the Inner East Factory... have you found out what he has been up to lately?"

Gao Lishi was slightly stunned, then whispered: "Your Majesty, I was just about to report. Recently, Li Jing has been out of the palace frequently, and his whereabouts are mysterious. According to the informant in the factory, he has secretly contacted several sons of the Ministry of Revenue in the city, and seems to be planning something-"

Zhu Yuanzhang narrowed his eyes slightly, a cold light flashed, but a hint of sarcasm appeared at the corner of his lips: "This Li Jing has grown bold. I gave him the power only to let him investigate the evil, not to let him take charge of the situation."

"Your Majesty, would you like me to send someone to capture him immediately?"

"No rush." ​​Zhu Yuanzhang said solemnly, "Before you touch him, let's see what he wants to do. Tell Zhu Han to find out who is behind this man."

"Yes."

At this time, Zhu Han had already stepped out of the mansion and rode towards Baihua Lane in the south of the city.

It is a remote but quiet place, which has been home to many talented people and hermits since ancient times, but it is also the easiest to be forgotten.

Zhu Han's trip was not to visit a friend or investigate a case, but to meet an old friend - Lu Cangyi.

Lu Cangyi, once the Shaoqing of the Dali Temple, was well versed in law and criminal justice. Later, he resigned due to being involved in an old case and lived in seclusion among the people for many years. (End of this chapter)