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

"Zhu Han is just your knife, not your idea."

Zhu Biao was stunned, and the queen put the list into her sleeve and said softly:

"Next, you just need to wait and see. I will take care of the East Factory Supervisor."

The wind blows against the palace walls and the crows cry incessantly.

Zhu Han stood in front of the window, watching Lu Ping disappear into the night, his fingers tapping on the window frame imperceptibly.

There were waves in his heart, but his face remained calm.

He has realized that the apparent calmness in the court is just an illusion, and the big hand that is truly stirring up the world is gradually showing its fangs.

Suddenly, there was a sound outside the door. Zhu Han turned his head and said, "Come in."

The door opened, and a Jinyiwei quietly walked in and whispered, "Your Highness, Sun Shuting sent a secret report that Li Tingrui, the supervisor of the East Factory, will go to Qujiang tonight to have a night talk with someone who is suspected to be from the White Sparrow Society."

Zhu Han's eyes fixed, and then he whispered, "He finally couldn't help but move."

He slowly walked to the desk, took out the list of spies, and gently stroked the lines of names on the list with his fingertips, his eyes becoming deeper and deeper.

"Li Tingrui..." he whispered, "Feng Zongyao... Qian Hongwen... and the Master of the Central Palace, huh..."

Zhu Han sneered, but became more alert in his heart.

"Call Zhao Yutang." He suddenly ordered.

The Jinyiwei retreated immediately. Not long after, a man in his thirties with a sharp face and fierce eyes walked into the room and knelt on one knee: "I am Zhao Yutang, your subordinate, and I pay my respects to the prince!"

Zhu Han said in a deep voice: "The leader of the East Factory will definitely be there at the meeting in Qujiang tonight. I want you to lead the people there. You don't have to capture him, just keep an eye on him. If there is any movement, send a message immediately. But remember, don't alert the enemy."

"As you command!" Zhao Yutang took the order and retreated.

Zhu Han stood up, put on his crane cloak, and walked out of the side room alone.

The night wind blows, and in the shadow of the palace wall, there is danger lurking everywhere.

He looked up at the night sky, knowing that this battle could not be resolved with a few lists and secret letters.

On the bank of Qujiang River, the night was deep, and the water was rippling like scales. A pleasure boat was moored quietly on the shore, with dim lights.

Li Tingrui, the supervisor of the East Factory, slowly boarded the ship. He was dressed in plain clothes and did not look as majestic as usual, but there was a sinister look between his brows.

He stepped into the cabin and saw Qian Hongwen already sitting upright with a solemn expression.

"Governor Li, I'm in a good mood to take a night tour of Qujiang." Qian Hongwen said lightly.

Li Tingrui snorted coldly: "Master Qian, if our family had not been forced into a desperate situation, we would not want to get involved with a group of gangsters like you."

Qian Hongwen smiled slightly and waved his fan gently: "Your Excellency is too kind. We are just taking what we need. Now that the matter of the Imperial Ancestral Temple has been exposed, if the Governor does not make arrangements quickly, I am afraid..."

"We have our own plans!" Li Tingrui gritted his teeth and suddenly lowered his voice, "Where is Feng Zongyao?"

Before he finished speaking, a man stepped out from behind the curtain. It was Feng Zongyao. His sleeves fluttered, and he had a smile on his face, but there was a chill in his expression.

"Governor Li, it's late. If you are willing to nod, we can start the game." Feng Zongyao said softly.

Li Tingrui sneered: "You want our family to help you depose the crown prince and support the second prince to ascend the throne, right?"

Feng Zongyao spread his hands: "We are just following the trend. Although Zhu Biao has Zhu Han's support, the Queen has already made plans. If the Governor is willing to lend a helping hand, the East Factory will reward the Second Prince handsomely when he ascends the throne."

Li Tingrui's eyes flickered, but his heart was struggling violently. He was tired of being a lackey, but if he didn't join the White Sparrow Society, he knew that Zhu Han would never let him go.

"Can you... really keep our family safe?" he asked in a low voice.

Feng Zongyao smiled slightly: "If you can hand over the secret files from the East Garden of the Imperial Palace, and help us control the Ministry of War... not only will you be safe, but you can also be awarded a title of nobility and become a general, and your name will go down in history."

Li Tingrui gritted his teeth for a long time, and finally nodded: "Okay! Our family agrees!"

Feng Zongyao clapped his hands and laughed, "What a pleasure!"

The flickering candlelight in the cabin cast shadows on the faces of the three people, like ghosts wandering in hell at night.

"Mother..." Zhu Biao hesitated to speak.

The queen said calmly: "Do you see clearly? In the court, who is your enemy and who is your subject."

Zhu Biao smiled bitterly: "I, your son... can't quite tell the difference."

The Queen's eyes were cold. "Loyal ministers and treacherous ministers are only a matter of thought. Son, if you want to sit firmly on the throne, you must know how to use people like tools, regardless of their appearance. Some of the people on the list were arranged by the Queen Mother, some are from the White Sparrow Society, and some... have not yet returned."

Zhu Biao was shocked: "Mother... about the list of names hidden in the Imperial Ancestral Temple, could it be that you also..."

The queen smiled faintly, "The anonymous list hidden in the Imperial Temple was originally a secret arrangement by the previous emperor's lineage, and was originally a strategy to protect the country. Now your uncle Zhu Han has discovered it. Although he is loyal to the country, he may also be paving the way for you. You must remember that although Zhu Han is your uncle, his calculations are not simple."

Zhu Biao had a complicated expression and whispered, "Mother... your son... who should I trust?"

The queen turned slowly and said calmly: "Believe in yourself. Believe in power."

She walked away step by step, leaving Zhu Biao alone looking at the list, his heart in turmoil.

At the same time, Zhu Han returned to the mansion, only to see Sun Shuting already waiting in the study.

"Your Highness, Li Tingrui has already met with Feng Zongyao, Qian Hongwen and the others. Your subordinates have been keeping a close eye on them and have not leaked anything." Sun Shuting said in a low voice.

Zhu Han's eyes flashed, and he sneered: "Well, Li Tingrui is really desperate."

He paced with his hands behind his back, his mind working rapidly. He had already guessed that the White Sparrow Society must have instigated Li Tingrui to side with the Second Prince, intending to depose the Crown Prince and disrupt the government.

"The situation is more complicated than I thought." He murmured in a low voice.

Suddenly, he stopped and turned to look at Sun Shuting: "Sun Shuting, check it for me immediately - after the battle of Qujiang, Li Tingrui will definitely take action on the Dongyuan files. You must keep a close eye on the movements of the Dongchang and make sure to get the files before he takes action!"

Sun Shuting took the order and left.

Zhu Han raised his head and sighed, but a hint of cruelty appeared in his eyes.

"Zhu Biao, if you really want to secure that position, you must first learn how to kill with a borrowed knife." He narrowed his eyes and whispered, "I've sharpened this knife for you."

In the "Tinghezhai" in the north city, Feng Zongyao stood in front of the window with his hands behind his back, looking at the night sky with a slight smile on his face.

"Zhu Han, Zhu Biao, you still can't see that this chess game is no longer under your control."

"If the prince knew this, he would definitely be suspicious."

Zhu Han muttered to himself in a low voice, then turned around and ordered someone to bring the list of spies.

Under the cold candlelight, the names on the list came into view one by one. The faces of those who he once regarded as "loyal ministers" now became blurred, hiding countless interests and calculations.

At this moment, the sound of footsteps outside the door broke the silence in the room, and Zhao Yutang walked in with a serious expression: "Your Majesty, I have the latest news."

Zhu Han waved him in, his eyes following closely: "Speak."

"Li Tingrui has quietly mobilized some of the East Factory's troops and seems to be planning a larger operation."

Zhao Yutang whispered, "He has become increasingly connected with Feng Zongyao and Qian Hongwen. There is even news that Feng Zongyao has decided to hand over some of his power to Li Tingrui. The White Sparrow Society is making plans in secret, and it is obvious that they are not satisfied with a simple court struggle."

Zhu Han raised his eyebrows: "Will Bai Que take action?"

"Yes," Zhao Yutang nodded, "It seems that their goal is not only to repair the Imperial Ancestral Temple, but also to disrupt the government through a greater power struggle and realize their own ambitions."

Zhu Han snorted coldly: "As expected. Feng Zongyao, Li Tingrui and others have no real desire to benefit the country. Their minds are only on power and profit."

He was silent for a moment, then made up his mind: "Early tomorrow morning, send someone to keep a close eye on the movements of the East Factory and don't let them act rashly. At the same time, notify the Crown Prince immediately and tell him about the collusion between the White Sparrow Society and the East Factory, but be careful with your words and don't cause unnecessary panic."

Zhao Yutang accepted the order: "Yes, Your Majesty."

Zhu Han pondered for a moment, and then said to Zhao Yutang: "In addition, continue to monitor the movements of Feng Zongyao and Qian Hongwen, and respond when necessary. The mastermind of the White Sparrow Society is not just Feng Zongyao, there are people behind the scenes manipulating it, and we must find out their roots."

Zhao Yutang nodded: "I understand, Your Majesty."

The next morning, the Taimiao was still bustling with people, and the renovation work was proceeding step by step.

However, with Zhu Han's secret deployment, the atmosphere inside and outside the palace gradually became tense.

"Mother, you are right. The balance of the court has long been tilted." Zhu Biao sighed and said softly, "But what else can we do?"

Queen Zhu glanced at him coldly, her eyes sharp: "What you need to do is to stabilize the situation and not act rashly. It has not yet been found out whether all those on the list are rebels. But if you rush to attack, it will be like a storm, hurting innocent people and letting the enemy succeed."

Zhu Biao nodded, frowning slightly: "But if we don't take action, I'm afraid the power of the White Sparrow Society and the East Factory will become stronger and stronger, and even the position of the crown prince may not be stable."

"So, what you need to do is to gradually eliminate those potential threats without causing panic in the outside world." Zhu's voice was gentle, but contained infinite power. "Remember, power is never a simple confrontation of force, but a contest of wisdom and patience."

Zhu Biao was silent for a moment, took a deep breath, and a firm look gradually emerged in his eyes: "Mother, I understand."

At the same time, in the secret room of Qujiang's wine shop, Feng Zongyao and Qian Hongwen were standing in front of the window, looking at the distant Taimiao. In the night, the wind blew gently, bringing a hint of chill.

Feng Zongyao held his folding fan, his eyes thoughtful, "Zhu Han is just as I expected, too cautious. But he may not be able to realize that we have arranged the chess game so cleverly."

Qian Hongwen said slowly: "It's just a disturbance caused by the battle of Taimiao. The next game will be the real test."

Feng Zongyao smiled softly: "Yes, the situation will be more complicated. Not only do we have to deal with Zhu Han, but we also have to face off against Li Tingrui's Dongchang forces. More importantly, Crown Prince Zhu Biao will eventually make a choice. If he is determined to cling to the position of Crown Prince left by his father, we must take more drastic measures."

"Aren't you worried that the prince will react?" Qian Hongwen asked.

"So what if he has realized it? In the struggle for power, there is no distinction between good and evil, only between strong and weak." Feng Zongyao smiled and waved his hand, "As for the prince, if he is smart, he will understand the true meaning of our chess game."

Qian Hongwen frowned and finally stopped talking.

Feng Zongyao suddenly turned around, his eyes cold and cold: "In any case, the situation has gradually become clear. In the next few days, we will usher in the real decisive battle."

He paused and whispered, "And Zhu Han will only be a stepping stone for us to win."

After Feng Zongyao finished speaking, he tapped his folding fan lightly on his palm, and the room fell silent.

Qian Hongwen looked solemn, and hesitated to speak. After a long while, he asked in a low voice: "If Zhu Han has already made arrangements in secret, is it too early for us to do this?"

Feng Zongyao smiled calmly, but his eyes were chillingly cold: "Morning? If Zhu Han is really the kind of person who sits back and watches the whole situation, how could he rashly open the game of the Imperial Ancestral Temple? He has already entered the game. If he doesn't move, he will die. If he moves, he will lose and survive. We are just following the flow."

Before he finished speaking, there were three light knocks on the door, like raindrops at night, very methodical. Feng Zongyao's eyes moved and he said, "Come in."

A man in black entered the room quietly and reported in a low voice: "Master, there has been some movement in the secret files of the East Garden. The supervisor of the East Factory sent people to test the guards in the palace this morning, seemingly scouting for action."

Feng Zongyao nodded slightly: "Okay. He is finally moving."

He looked at Qian Hongwen and said in a cold tone: "This game is a game of life and death. From tonight, all members of the White Sparrow Society will enter the first level of alert. Qian Taishi, it's time to move your people."

Qian Hongwen said in a deep voice: "I will arrange it myself."

Feng Zongyao stood up, walked slowly to the window, looked at the towering palace in the distance, and smiled coldly: "Next, let's see how many times Zhu Han's old knife can chop."

At the same time, in Zhu Han’s mansion.

Zhu Han stood under the shadow of the pine trees in the courtyard, the wind blowing his crane cloak like waves. He held an urgent secret letter that had just been sent back from the northwest, and his expression became increasingly solemn.

Lu Ping brought intelligence: there were indeed unusual movements in the border troops, some generals had secret dealings with certain officials in the court, and some even conspired to launch a sudden mutiny during the autumn transfer.

Zhu Han looked at the words on the letter paper - "Deputy General Du Chang'en once had a secret meeting with 'Crane Taoist', and seemed to be a secret envoy of the White Sparrow Society" - and suddenly felt a chill rising from his spine.

"He Daoist?" he whispered, and after a moment his eyes became stern. "The old name used by Feng Zongyao."

He turned around and ordered Zhao Yutang: "Immediately send someone to thoroughly investigate all the people in the capital who are related to the word 'Crane', trace their whereabouts, and check their contacts. Don't let any of them go."

Zhao Yutang clasped his fists and said, "As you command."

Zhu Han threw the letter into the brazier. The flames devoured the ashes. He looked at the gradually extinguished sparks and whispered, "If we don't eradicate this situation, it will be our doom."

He turned around abruptly and went inside, picked up a pen and quickly wrote a secret letter. After sealing it, he handed it to his confidant: "Send it to the Northern Pacification Office and summon Shen Tieyi to the capital."

The confidant was stunned: "That person...wasn't he banished to the frontier for disobeying orders in his early years?"

"That's why the people we can trust the most right now are the forgotten ones." Zhu Han said coldly, "Although Shen Tieyi has a fiery temper, he will not collude with the White Sparrow Society." (End of this chapter)