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

"You came very suddenly." Zhu Han said with a smile, but there was no sarcasm in his tone.

Zhu Biao said solemnly: "I came here to listen to the emperor's uncle's opinion."

"What do you mean? People's hearts, political situation, or... life and death?" Zhu Han slowly walked to the couch and poured him a cup of tea.

Zhu Biao took it and said in a deep voice: "I know you have secretly investigated the matter of the White Sparrow Society. I will not ask for details, I only ask, are you willing for me to intervene?"

Zhu Han's eyes moved slightly as he looked at the prince in front of him, who had always relied on him when he was young but was now becoming more and more calm.

"If you take action, you can no longer retreat." Zhu Han whispered, "This time, you are not suppressing the rebellion in the name of the crown prince, but you are deciding life and death with the power of the crown prince."

Zhu Biao nodded slowly: "I understand. I am no longer the kid who followed you and asked 'where should I draw the sword'."

Zhu Han stared at him for a long time, then suddenly chuckled, "Okay. In that case, come with me to a place at twilight hour tomorrow."

"where?"

"Under Wanhuatai, there are the ruins of the imperial city of the old dynasty seven hundred years ago." Zhu Han's eyes flashed with deep meaning, "I will take you to see someone you must see."

At twilight hour the next day, all the tourists around Wanhua Terrace had left.

Zhu Han, dressed in casual clothes, walked into the forest with Zhu Biao.

The ancient bricks and tiles in the forest were buried under the weeds, and they were obviously extremely ancient relics.

Zhu Biao whispered: "There are still people living here?"

"It's not a residence, it's a prison." Zhu Han pushed aside a huge rock, revealing a flight of stairs leading downwards.

Zhu Biao was stunned, then followed him down.

The tunnel was deep and deep, and at the end was a stone chamber. In the center of the chamber, an old man was sitting on the ground. His hair and beard were all white, but his face was solemn and his eyes were like an eagle's.

Zhu Biao was about to ask a question when Zhu Han spoke up, "This man's surname is Shen, his name is unknown, he is a descendant of the previous emperor's Xuanmi Division, he was involved in the 'Mountain and River Map Strange Event' thirty years ago, and was later imprisoned here by my father."

The old man slowly raised his head: "You are finally here."

Zhu Han nodded: "I said, there is one person I must see except you."

Zhu Biao was surprised: "Me? Why does he want to see me?"

The old man stared at him and suddenly said, "Dragon energy has been turbulent for three generations of the Ming Dynasty. If you succeed to the throne, everything will be at peace; if you fall, destiny will be broken."

Zhu Biao was shocked: "Are you... fortune-telling?"

"No." The old man said in a low voice, "I just...seem to live a few more years than you."

Zhu Han said calmly: "He is telling the truth. The White Sparrow Society has been collecting 'Dragon Portraits' in recent years, not for money, not for power, but only to choose a master."

"They're looking for your replacement."

Zhu Biao's expression was as solemn as iron.

He asked in a deep voice: "Uncle, what I want to do is not just to get rid of the thieves, right?"

Zhu Han smiled: "What you have to do is to be the one destined by heaven. And what I have to do -" he looked back at him, "is to make sure that no matter which step you take, you will not fall."

Zhu Biao clenched his fists and nodded slowly.

"Then tell me, what should I do next?"

"From the place they fear the most." Zhu Han smiled grimly, his eyes sharp as a blade, "All the plans of the White Sparrow Society are centered around the 'bloodline of the Ming Emperor'. If we go against their will and announce your legitimacy to the world..."

Zhu Biao continued softly: "They will have no way out."

The two looked at each other, and a thousand words were spoken in that instant.

It was dark at night. Zhu Han and Zhu Biao walked out of the stone chamber of the ruins with slow steps. However, they both knew that the situation would become more complicated.

The two walked in this deep underground passage. It was strangely quiet all around, with only the sound of footsteps echoing on the empty stone walls.

Zhu Biao's gaze remained firm, but the worry between his brows did not dissipate in the slightest.

"Uncle, is what the old man said really possible?" he asked in a low voice, with a hint of uneasiness in his eyes.

Zhu Han looked deep in the eyes, turned around and smiled faintly: "Do you suspect him?" He stopped and looked at Zhu Biao.

"The White Sparrow Society's plan is too deep. You are now just a piece on the chessboard, but you may not be able to see the whole game. What Shen Tieyi said is not without reason. If you succeed to the throne, all destinies will be intertwined. You can choose to be patient, you can choose to endure humiliation, but you can also choose to stir up a storm."

Zhu Biao lowered his head and remained silent for a long time.

Finally, he looked up at Zhu Han, "Uncle, I understand. Even if there are countless conspiracies behind me, I must move forward. Only by facing it can I control this game." His voice was firm, full of determination for the future.

Zhu Han nodded, and patted Zhu Biao on the shoulder. "That's right, Prince. If you can think this way, you will no longer be the child who only relies on your father. You will understand that this world has never been preserved by kindness, but by iron, blood, and wisdom."

Zhu Biao took a deep breath, his eyes flashing with determination, "I understand, uncle. Next, I will do more than just get rid of the White Sparrow Society. I will clear out all the enemies lurking in the palace."

Zhu Han smiled and said, "You finally understand."

The two continued to move forward, walking through the tunnel of the old palace until they reached the entrance of a secret passage.

This is a hidden place of the former dynasty, far away from the hustle and bustle of the outside world.

Zhu Han stopped here, looked around, and said in a deep voice: "Are you ready? This power game has already begun. All you can do now is to face it."

Zhu Biao was silent for a moment, tightly grasped the dagger that Zhu Han handed to him, and nodded, "I'm ready."

"Very good." Zhu Han's eyes were sharp. "Remember, power is never easy to come by. You must stand firm in every storm. Not only must you defeat your enemies, but you must also let all those who support you see your determination."

Zhu Biao whispered, "I will do it."

Zhu Han turned around and looked at the silent prince with complicated eyes, an elusive emotion emerging in his heart.

"Go ahead." Zhu Han's voice was low and powerful. "Remember, every step you take, there are countless pairs of eyes watching you behind you."

Zhu Biao returned to the East Palace late at night. He went to his study, picked up a roll of names, and began to carefully examine each name.

His thoughts were no longer limited to the threat from the East Factory, but began to extend to the power struggle in the entire palace.

Those names hidden in the Taimiao list are no longer simply loyal or treacherous ministers, but chess pieces waiting for him to use.

Suddenly, there were light footsteps outside the door. Zhu Biao looked up and saw a eunuch walking in with a serious expression: "Your Highness, the prince wants to see you."

"Your Majesty?" Zhu Biao was shocked and stood up and said, "Take me there quickly."

When he arrived at Zhu Han's house, it was already late at night. Zhu Han was in his study, and the light beside him made his face look cold and stern. "Come in, Prince." Zhu Biao gently opened the door, walked in, and asked, "Uncle, are you looking for me?"

Zhu Han looked at him, a sharp light flashing in his eyes, "The White Sparrow Society's affairs have become more and more serious. Today, news came that Feng Zongyao seems to have contacted another force. Are you ready to deal with it?"

Zhu Biao said in a deep voice: "I am ready. No matter who is behind this, the White Sparrow Society's plan must have been seen through."

Zhu Han smiled slightly, stood up and walked to Zhu Biao's side, "Very good. Then next, it's time for you to show your wisdom and determination. No matter what, this power struggle in the palace will eventually have an outcome, and you must stand on the side of the final winner."

Zhu Biao's eyes showed a firmness, "I understand, uncle."

Zhu Han nodded, "Well, tonight you will begin to make your choices. Go, Prince, and take control of your future."

On the other side of the capital, Feng Zongyao and Qian Hongwen have already begun to implement their plan.

Feng Zongyao stood in front of the window, his eyes flashing with coldness, "Zhu Biao, since you have decided to stand firm, then we should also take action." The corners of his mouth rose slightly, "Tonight, there will be a storm in the palace, and who will be the final winner is still unknown."

Qian Hongwen stood aside, frowning, "Master Feng, the crown prince has already started making preparations. Are we acting too hastily?"

Feng Zongyao turned around, his eyes cold, "Urgent? There is no such thing as 'urgent' or 'not urgent'. A slow chess player is destined to be a bystander. And I will never stand by."

Before he finished speaking, there was a light knock on the door. A man in black walked in and whispered, "Master, everything is ready. The Crown Prince's Palace is now empty. It's the best time to act."

Feng Zongyao smiled slightly, "Then, tonight will be our beginning."

The night sky of the capital city was as dark as ink. Shrouded by the high walls of the palace, the entire Ming Dynasty seemed silent before the storm that was about to break out.

Inside the Prince's Mansion, Zhu Biao stood alone in the study. The moonlight outside the window was pouring down like water, shining on his figure, as if casting a layer of cold light over the young prince.

There was no fear in his eyes, only unprecedented determination.

"Uncle Huang is right. Only by going out can we be kings." Zhu Biao whispered to himself, his fingers tightly grasping the map on the table. Every step he takes will determine whether he can stand firmly at the top of this dynasty.

Suddenly, there was a sound of light footsteps outside, breaking the silence in the study.

Zhu Biao frowned slightly, and when he turned around, his eyes had become as sharp as a knife.

The door was gently pushed open, and a guard in brocade clothes walked in and saluted, "Prince, the prince asked you to come over."

"Uncle?" Zhu Biao raised his eyebrows, then nodded, "Lead the way."

The accompanying guard immediately turned around and led the way, and Zhu Biao followed him out of the study, through the deep corridor, and all the way to a small courtyard in the palace.

The lights in the courtyard were bright. Zhu Han was already waiting on the side, holding a book in his hand. His expression was still gentle, as if he had never experienced the shocking undercurrent before.

"Prince, you're here so quickly." Zhu Han smiled slightly, put down the book in his hand, and looked at Zhu Biao, "Are you ready?"

Zhu Biao stopped and looked at Zhu Han deeply, the sharpness in his eyes never diminished.

"I'm ready, uncle," he said in a calm tone, no longer the young man who had been uneasy about his father's authority.

Zhu Han nodded, a gleam of relief in his eyes.

"Very good." He paused, his tone suddenly becoming serious, "Tonight, there will be a commotion in the palace, you must be prepared to respond at any time."

Zhu Biao was startled and immediately understood what Zhu Han meant. "Are the East Factory and the White Sparrow Society preparing to take action?"

"That's right." Zhu Han's voice was low, "They are almost ready. Tonight will be the final battle."

Zhu Biao's heart moved slightly and he took a deep breath. "Then how should I deal with it?"

Zhu Han slowly stood up, walked to the table, and took out an ancient jade seal.

"You have two paths to choose from." As he spoke, the jade seal in his hand exuded a heart-pounding aura.

"The first path is for you to deal with everything as the crown prince and use your father's prestige to protect your country. The second path is for you to show your true ambition in this storm."

Zhu Biao's eyes flickered slightly, and he was silent for a moment before he slowly spoke: "I cannot rely on my father's reputation for too long. If I rely on it too much, I will appear weak and eventually become a puppet controlled by others."

"Is this your real decision?" Zhu Han smiled slightly, his eyes full of admiration.

"Zhu Biao, you finally understand the true meaning of power. It is not just about inheritance, but also about control. If you can achieve great military exploits in the storm and truly gain a firm foothold, then the entire Ming Dynasty will belong to you."

"I understand." Zhu Biao took a deep breath and looked up at Zhu Han. "In that case, I will take the second path."

Zhu Han nodded slightly, "Okay, then you will follow me. Tonight's game is not just a contest between the East Factory and the White Sparrow Society, but also a life-and-death struggle for all court officials and all forces. If you can win unexpectedly, it will be the beginning of your true ascension to the throne."

As the two finished their conversation, a secret envoy suddenly hurried into the courtyard and whispered, "Your Majesty, Crown Prince, the East Factory has begun to mobilize manpower, and the target is the palace."

He paused, "And the White Sparrow Society has also begun to take action, and it seems that they are preparing to use the events in the palace to shake up the entire court."

Zhu Han raised his eyebrows, and a hint of coldness flashed in his eyes. "Sure enough, they are not satisfied with operating in secret."

Zhu Biao stood aside, listening to these secret reports, his eyes becoming more and more determined.

"Uncle, we can't wait any longer. Now that they have taken action, I can't just stand by and watch." He raised his head, his eyes like swords, "I have decided to take action myself."

Zhu Han smiled slightly, his eyes were relieved. "This is you, Prince." He paused, "In this case, I will follow you and control everything."

In the palace, the night enveloped everything. Lights flickered deep in the palace and light footsteps could be heard.

Eunuchs and palace maids came and went, seemingly unaware of anything unusual.

But in fact, the entire palace was shrouded in an undercurrent storm.

Crown Prince Zhu Biao and Zhu Han quietly entered the palace, with only a few personal guards following them. They moved in a low profile and easily avoided the patrolling palace guards.

Zhu Han's mind was as calm as water and a hint of calmness flashed in his eyes. He knew that tonight would be the moment that decided everything.

"Zhu Biao, are you ready?" he asked in a low voice.

Zhu Biao smiled slightly, and said in a steady tone, "As long as you and I stand side by side, there is nothing to be afraid of."

The two of them quickly passed through the corridors and finally came to a hidden palace gate.

Zhu Han gently pushed open the door. The lights inside were flickering. It was a small secret room in the East Factory.

At this time, the leader of the East Factory and representatives of the White Sparrow Society were already waiting here.

"Your Majesty, Prince." A man in black bowed his head slightly and said in a cold tone, "Everything is ready."

Zhu Han glanced at the people in the room and sneered, "Since you are ready, let the storm begin." (End of this chapter)