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

Zhu Biao knelt on the ground without saying a word, but Zhu Han smiled and replied: "If there are indeed evil people in the world, the prince will suppress them one by one."

Zhu Yuanzhang was silent for a long time and nodded slowly.

"Then let him try - and don't protect him anymore."

Zhu Han clasped his fists and said, "I obey your command."

Zhu Biao looked at his uncle, his eyes seemed to have thousands of words, but in the end he only whispered: "Thank you, uncle."

Zhu Han just patted him on the shoulder and said, "I can only let you go if you can walk on your own."

In the early spring in the Forbidden City, before dawn, the most core cabinet meeting of the Ming Dynasty had quietly begun.

This time, the meeting was not held in the Wenhua Hall or the Dazheng Hall, but in the Eastern Palace. Zhu Biao personally summoned the six ministers and the three judicial officials, with the reason being "to govern on behalf of his father, gain experience and accumulate knowledge."

But everyone in the court, both civil and military officials, understood that this was not a drill, but Zhu Yuanzhang's intention to delegate power.

The court officials understood better: if Zhu Biao was not stable in this battle, the political situation would be shaken; if he was stable, the position of crown prince would be truly established.

Today, Zhu Biao changed his usual attire and wore not casual clothes but the prince's court dress with a green background and gold patterns.

His cuffs were slightly tight, and the jade pendant on his waist made a slight sound. He walked slowly through the door, his eyes calm and his breathing steady.

"My dears, please."

The calm but unquestionable command made the Minister of Personnel Zhou Cong, who was about to say a few polite words, choke on his words, and he could only sit down with the ministers.

Zhu Han did not show up, but only left a secret order, asking Zhu Biao to "break the situation with thunder and lightning and not allow any room for maneuver."

Minister of Personnel Zhou Cong spoke up, tentatively: "Your Highness summoned the various ministries. Is there an order that has not yet been issued?"

Zhu Biao smiled and said, "I have the will in my mind. I invited you all here today for one thing - to sort out the local grain and corvée registers and to transfer the redundant soldiers of the imperial guards to the prefectures and cities at the border."

As soon as he finished speaking, Hu Xuan, the Minister of Revenue, frowned and said, "Your Highness, this is no small change. The local grain register has been scheduled to be checked every ten years. If it is changed lightly, it will not only disturb the people, but may also increase the tax burden."

The Minister of War interjected, "Your Highness is right about redeploying the redundant troops. But if we don't reward them and place them in a new position, I'm afraid the soldiers will become resentful."

Zhu Biao smiled softly and said slowly, "The grain register has not been checked for ten years. Is it true that there is no fraud? The people's complaints have not been resolved yet. The redundant soldiers and refugees have been stationed for a long time without being moved, and instead they have attracted factions in the market. If I don't move, will you move?"

For a moment, the lobby was silent.

Zhu Biao slowly glanced at everyone and said, "Since the court needs to clean up the officials and keep the people safe, it cannot always think of 'reacting to ever-changing situations with the same attitude'. Father has entrusted this government to me. If you are not sincere in assisting me, please speak up so that I can find other capable officials."

When these words were spoken, everyone was shocked.

At this time, Han Ming, the Minister of Justice who had been silent, stepped forward and saluted:

"Your Highness is right. I am willing to obey your orders and clear out the redundant soldiers around Jingzhao within three days and submit the first list within seven days."

Zhu Biao nodded and said, "Okay, if it doesn't work in three days, I will go to the Ministry to supervise it."

These words made Han Ming's heart tremble even more: the prince was no longer a tool for passing messages, he really had to take charge of government affairs himself.

After the discussion, each department left.

Zhu Biao stood in the corridor of the East Palace, holding a folding fan in his hand, looking at the morning light slowly falling from the horizon, which seemed to shine into his heart together with the rising light of power.

At this time, a familiar figure came quietly.

"Uncle Wang."

Zhu Han approached, dressed in casual clothes, with a lazy look, as if he had no interest in the court meeting: "You performed well today."

"It's not acting." Zhu Biao replied calmly, "It's practical operation."

Zhu Han raised his eyebrows: "Dare to move the six ministries, it is a big step. Are you afraid?"

"I'm afraid." Zhu Biao turned around and looked at him, "But I'm more afraid that you'll always protect me."

Zhu Han stared at him for a long time before he smiled: "Good. You finally look like a prince."

Zhu Biao also smiled, but he could not hide his fatigue and vigilance: "But there are more than a group of old officials in the court."

Zhu Han nodded: "This is just the beginning. If you want to truly rule the world, you have to break the situation of the three people."

"Which three people?"

"The Queen Mother, the remnants of Li Jing's party, and the Jiangnan Academy."

Zhu Biao frowned: "How could it be possible in Jiangnan Academy?"

Zhu Han said: "Although Li Jing was executed, he once used the name of Jiangnan literati to build his reputation. Nowadays, many people in the academy are known as 'pure stream'. If they are pure, they are not loyal. If they are not loyal, their lives will be uncertain."

Zhu Biao pondered.

Zhu Han patted his shoulder and said, "Take a rest. In March, when spring comes, you need to tour the south to see these 'clear streams'."

Zhu Biao was stunned: "Southern Tour? Your Majesty didn't say anything..."

"I drafted the memorial for you." Zhu Han smiled, "If you don't submit it, all the scholars in the world will never respect you."

"You decide for me?"

"This is the first time, and the last time." Zhu Han turned and left, his robes fluttering. "Next time, if you don't dare to hand it in yourself, I won't care about anything."

Zhu Biao looked at his back for a long time and finally smiled.

Zhu Biao submitted a memorial requesting to go south to inspect the education administration, local taxes and duties, and academy discipline in the south of the Yangtze River.

Zhu Yuanzhang pondered for a moment, looked up at him, and nodded:

"Accurate."

In the spring in the south of the Yangtze River, mist and rain are everywhere. Zhu Han and Zhu Biao rode side by side, and the bluestone road was covered with tiny splashes of water under their horses' hooves.

Zhu Biao was dressed in a moon-white suit, with a melancholy look between his brows that was inconsistent with his age; Zhu Han was wearing a black cloak, his eyes sweeping over the seemingly ordinary scenes of life in the streets.

"Uncle Wang, are you really going to take me to meet those 'clean streams'?" Zhu Biao suddenly spoke, with a hint of tentativeness in his tone.

Zhu Han chuckled and raised his hand to catch the raindrops falling from the eaves: "Your Highness, do you know why Jiangnan Academy calls itself a pure stream?"

Zhu Biao shook his head.

"Because they read the books of sages, but they actually practice the delusion of 'doing justice for the heavens'."

Zhu Han crushed the raindrops with his fingertips, his eyes gradually turned cold. "Since the end of the Yuan Dynasty, the gentry in Jiangnan have used the name of academies to gather students and secretly compiled the "Local Sages Record", which included all the local gentry and retired officials. What they want is not a good reputation, but... to establish a new world."

Zhu Biao's pupils shrank slightly: "Uncle Wang, do you mean that they want to emulate the old Donglin?" "More secretive and more dangerous than Donglin."

Zhu Han pulled the reins and looked at the academy that was faintly visible between the white walls and black tiles in the distance. "Although Li Jing is dead, the secret line that the Queen Mother planted with the help of 'Crane in the Clouds' has already infiltrated these academies. They praise you as a wise ruler today, and call you a tyrant tomorrow - Your Highness, are you willing to be a clay figure that can be smeared by others?"

Zhu Biao gripped the reins tightly, his knuckles turning white: "Uncle Wang, teach me."

Zhu Han did not answer, but pointed to the south of the city with his whip: "Go to Hanshan Academy."

Hanshan Academy is built on the mountain, with towering ancient cypresses in front of the gate.

As soon as Zhu Han and Zhu Biao dismounted from their horses, they saw an old man in a blue robe coming out to greet them. It was the president of the academy, Lu Jiuyuan.

The man had white hair and beard, but he walked as fast as the wind. When he bowed, there was a faint scent of pine from his sleeves: "Your Highness, your humble abode is honored by your presence."

Zhu Hanxu gave him a hand and glanced at the jade pendant on Lu Jiuyuan's waist - it was a green jade pendant made by the official government of the Yuan Dynasty, but now it was hanging openly on the Ming Dynasty uniform.

He sneered in his heart, but smiled on his face: "I have heard for a long time that Mr. Lu is well versed in classics and history, so I came here today to seek his advice."

In the main hall of the academy, tea smoke curled up. Lu Jiuyuan held out two volumes of books, "Records of Local Worthies" and "Records of the Great Ming Dynasty".

He said earnestly, "Your Highness, please read this, this is a letter to the people written by the gentry of Jiangnan. It says that the taxes in Jiangnan are too heavy, and we beg the court to show sympathy."

Zhu Biao took the book, but his fingertips touched a thin piece of silk between the pages. His face changed slightly, and he was about to take a closer look when he heard Zhu Han suddenly cough.

"Master Lu, do you know what I hate the most?" Zhu Han picked up the teacup and tapped the lid lightly on the edge of the cup. "One is pretending to be profound, and the other is... deceiving the emperor."

Lu Jiuyuan's expression froze: "Why do you say that, Your Majesty?"

Zhu Han suddenly put down the teacup in his hand heavily, and the tea splashed everywhere. "You are so brave to wear a green jade pendant from the Yuan Dynasty with the official uniform of the Ming Dynasty! Not to mention the "Exhortation to Punish the Yuan Dynasty" included in the "Book of All People" - do you think that this prince can't recognize Li Jing's handwriting?"

The hall suddenly fell into silence. Lu Jiuyuan stumbled back, knocking over the desk behind him.

Zhu Biao suddenly pulled out the silk, only to see blood writing on it: "Expel the Tartars, and restore our Han Dynasty". There was even a secret seal of "Yun Zhonghe" on the signature!

"Uncle Wang, this..." Zhu Biao's voice trembled.

Zhu Han had already stood up, his sleeves fluttering as the secret guards rushed into the hall like ghosts: "Lu Jiuyuan, you used the name of the academy to secretly communicate with the remnants of the previous dynasty, and even tried to use the "Book of Ten Thousand People" to coerce the prince - what crime should you be punished for?"

Lu Jiuyuan slumped on the ground, and suddenly laughed crazily: "Zhu Ming is just a thief who stole the country! We scholars should be the orthodox of the world..."

Before he finished speaking, Zhu Han raised his hand to stop the secret guard: "Take him to the imperial prison, and let him live for a moment - I want him to see with his own eyes what the true 'orthodoxy' is."

On the return carriage, Zhu Biao looked at the drizzle outside the window and remained silent for a long time.

Zhu Han threw a secret book into his arms and said, "There are 72 academies in Jiangnan, and at least 30% of them are as filthy as Hanshan Academy. Your Highness, do you know why I don't just close it down?"

Zhu Biao opened the secret book and saw the dense records of the exchanges between various academies and officials in the court: "Uncle Wang wants to... play the long game?"

"That's right." Zhu Han tapped a page of the secret book with his fingertips. "The daughter of Han Ming, the assistant minister of the Ministry of Justice, married into the Xu family of Suzhou. Zhou Yan, the head of the Ministry of Revenue, has a mother's family that is on good terms with the White Deer Academy. If Your Highness wants to take action against the academy, you must first cut off these hidden lines - tomorrow you will summon the governors of the six states in Jiangnan to the headquarters in the name of 'inspecting the emperor on his behalf.'"

Zhu Biao held the book tightly in his hand, a sharp look flashed in his eyes: "Uncle Wang, do you want me to burn this "Book of All Peoples" in front of them?"

"No." Zhu Han suddenly raised the corner of his lips, "You have to put the Book of All Peoples and the tax account books of each state side by side in front of them, and then ask: 'My Lords, are you willing to read it with me?'"

Zhu Biao was stunned, and then he suddenly realized - those account books had already been tampered with by the secret agents planted by Zhu Han, and a simple comparison would be enough to expose the lies in the "Book of All Peoples".

This move not only demonstrated the prince's benevolence, but also shocked the ministers and exposed the collusion between the academy and the officialdom in broad daylight.

"Uncle Wang...good idea." Zhu Biao lowered his eyes, but his voice was a little hoarse.

Zhu Han looked at him and suddenly sighed, "Your Highness, do you know why I never taught you to be kind?"

Zhu Biao looked up.

"Because true kindness is never a woman's kindness."

Zhu Han lifted the curtain of the carriage and let the drizzle hit his face. "You burned the Book of the People today, and tomorrow a hundred thousand copies of the Book of the People will pour out from all the states in Jiangnan. But if you can let the people of the world see it, the prince dares to face even the forged public opinion, so why should he be afraid of the real advice?"

Zhu Biao stared at his uncle's profile in a daze, and suddenly felt that between his usually cynical eyebrows, there was a loneliness deeper than that of his father.

Three days later, we arrived at Nanjing Headquarters.

In front of the six prefects, Zhu Biao threw the Book of All People into the fire basin. When the flames started to rise, he suddenly said, "I heard that Lu Jiuyuan, the headmaster of Hanshan Academy, hanged himself in the imperial prison last night."

The expressions of the people in the hall suddenly changed.

"I also heard that he wrote a poem before he died."

Zhu Biao took out a piece of plain paper from his sleeve and chanted softly, "'For whom have I studied hard for ten years? One day I woke up from my dream and saw the yellow beam. Don't say that scholars have no courage, I dare to teach the sun and the moon to change a new chapter.'"

He raised his eyes, his gaze was like lightning: "My Lords, would you be willing to explain to me the true meaning of this poem?"

In the dead silence of the room, Zhu Han leaned behind the screen with a slight smile on his lips.

The air in the headquarters seemed to be frozen. The governors of the six states all stood with their heads bowed, with beads of sweat oozing from their foreheads.

Although Zhu Biao's voice was soft, it struck everyone's heart like a heavy hammer.

"My Lords, I really cannot understand the line 'I dare to teach the sun and the moon to change a new chapter' in this poem."

Zhu Biao gently placed the plain paper on the table and glanced at everyone, "I wonder which lord is willing to help me solve my doubts?"

The prefects looked at each other, no one dared to answer. They all knew that the poem contained a negative meaning, and if they spoke rashly, they might get into trouble.

Zhu Han walked out slowly from behind the screen, with a faint smile on his face: "Your Highness, I do have some insights into the meaning of this poem."

Zhu Biao looked at Zhu Han, with a hint of expectation in his eyes: "Uncle Wang, please speak."

Zhu Han walked to the table, picked up the plain paper, and looked at the poem for a moment, then slowly said: "'Ten years of hard study for whom? One day I woke up from a dream and saw the yellow millet', these first two sentences are about those self-proclaimed scholars who thought that they could achieve success one day by studying hard, but they didn't expect that it would be a yellow millet dream after all. The last two sentences, 'Don't say that scholars have no courage, they dare to teach the sun and the moon to change a new chapter', reveal their ambitions - they want to change the world with their own strength."

Zhu Biao nodded slightly: "Uncle Wang is right. But what exactly are they trying to achieve with such ambition?"

Zhu Han put the plain paper back on the table, his eyes became sharp, "What they want is nothing more than the word 'power'. Your Highness, do you know how many remnants of the previous dynasty and evil-minded people are hiding behind this Jiangnan Academy? They use the name of the academy to gather people, trying to spread anti-Ming remarks among the people and incite the people's dissatisfaction with the court. Once the time is right, they will rise up and try to restore the previous dynasty."

Zhu Biao's expression changed: "Is this true? Why didn't Uncle Wang tell me earlier?"

Zhu Han sighed softly, "Your Highness, it's not that I don't want to talk about it, but this matter involves so many people that if it is exposed rashly, it may cause unrest in the court. I have been investigating secretly and now have some clues. Today, I will use this matter of the "Book of All Peoples" to give a warning to those who have evil intentions."

Zhu Biao was silent for a moment, and then said: "Uncle Wang, what should we do next?"

Zhu Han raised his lips slightly, revealing a confident smile: "Don't worry, Your Highness, I have a plan. I will send people to secretly monitor those officials who colluded with the academy and collect evidence of their crimes. As for the academy itself, Your Highness can issue an edict to order academies across the country to suspend lectures and carry out rectification. At the same time, select a group of truly knowledgeable and virtuous scholars to enter the academy as teachers, spread orthodox ideas, and change public opinion."

Zhu Biao's eyes flashed with surprise: "Uncle Wang, this is a very good plan. However, such a big move may arouse opposition from some old officials in the court." (End of this chapter)