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

Zhu Han nodded, "You are no longer the docile prince. Many people are beginning to fear your change."

Before he finished speaking, a black shadow quickly fell from the roof, knelt down in front of Zhu Han, and reported in a low voice: "Your Highness, Beiyuan discovered that several outer palace servants gathered abnormally. Four of them have been detained, and one of them confessed that their master was Cao Cheng, the deputy envoy of the Internal Affairs Bureau."

Zhu Biao's eyes suddenly lit up with coldness, "It's someone from the East Factory."

Zhu Han's eyes were cold, "Hand him over to the Jinyiwei for processing, and do not make it public."

"Yes!" The black shadow left like lightning.

"Uncle, they have actually infiltrated among the attendants." Zhu Biao gritted his teeth.

Zhu Han looked up at him, his tone calm but with an unshakable momentum, "If you want to sit firmly on that throne, you can't neglect any of the people around you."

Zhu Biao was silent for a moment, then nodded, "I understand."

At this time, a eunuch came over in small steps and whispered, "Your Highness, Prince, there is an order from the Imperial Study."

Zhu Han and Zhu Biao looked at each other.

"Father is calling us?" Zhu Biao said in a low and hoarse voice.

"Let's go, it's time to face the real test." Zhu Han chuckled, but there was no smile in his eyes.

As the two of them walked through the Imperial Garden, Zhu Biao asked in a low voice: "Uncle, if the Emperor has any doubts——"

"I'll take care of it." Zhu Han said lightly, "You are just a chess piece, and I am the one holding it."

Zhu Biao looked at him, his eyes flickering, as if he had thousands of words to say, but in the end, they only turned into one sentence: "I won't let you down."

The lights in the imperial study were on, and Zhu Yuanzhang sat alone behind the imperial desk with a gloomy face.

Zhu Biao and Zhu Han knelt down to pay their respects. Zhu Yuanzhang said nothing, but glanced between the two of them. After a long moment, he spoke coldly, "I heard about the turmoil in the palace tonight. Prince, do you know?"

Zhu Biao was neither humble nor arrogant, and answered with his hands clasped: "Reporting to the emperor, I have received the help of the emperor's uncle and have suppressed the chaos."

"Oh?" Zhu Yuanzhang said in a low voice, "If the prince hadn't been here, would you have given up?"

Zhu Biao raised his head and said, "Without the guidance of the Emperor's uncle, I would have found it difficult to cope with the situation. But after tonight, I understand your concern and am willing to swear to uphold justice."

Zhu Han smiled faintly: "Royal brother, although Biao'er is young, he has a kind heart. If he is trained a little, he will live up to your trust."

Zhu Yuanzhang looked at him with a very complicated look.

"Brother Wang, are you really willing to sacrifice your life for him?"

Zhu Han met the blazing eyes of the emperor and said without hesitation: "If he were the king, the world would be at peace. I am willing to support him until that day."

The room was silent, and Zhu Yuanzhang finally sighed, "Okay, I will trust you once again. If you deceive me in the future, I will not tolerate it."

The two of them kowtowed again to express their gratitude.

On the way back to the palace, Zhu Biao remained silent. Zhu Han looked at him and asked with a smile, "Are you scared?"

Zhu Biao shook his head and said softly, "It's not that I'm afraid, but I finally understand that my father has never really trusted me."

Zhu Han's eyes were deep, "Rest assured is not something you can wait for, but something you have to fight for."

The night wind blew up the corners of their clothes. They walked side by side, but seemed to be walking at two ends of fate.

At this moment, the system prompts again:
[Trigger hidden mission: Prince's Conviction. Mission objective: Let Zhu Biao win an independent victory without using the system reward. Reward: Not enabled]

Zhu Han raised his eyebrows slightly, and as his mind turned, he realized that this was just the beginning of the storm.

He lifted his sleeves and walked on the moon, muttering silently in his heart:
"Once you enter the chess game, you must make your moves without regrets."

Three days later, the palace was still calm, as if the bloody storm of the previous night had never happened.

But Zhu Biao knew that the undercurrent was still as strong as ever, even stronger than before.

Zhu Han has not appeared in the past few days. He seemed to have suddenly disappeared into the shadows, leaving Zhu Biao alone to face the troubles that followed.

Although the interrogation by the Internal Affairs Bureau has ended, it has intentionally or unintentionally put all the pressure on the Prince's Mansion.

"This is the first time you truly face the game in the palace." These are the words Zhu Han left before he left.

“You have to win once, win once alone.”

Zhu Biao stood in front of the main hall of the Eastern Palace. The eunuchs and personal guards behind him held their breath. He watched the heavy palace door slowly open, and a middle-aged minister with a sinister face stepped into the hall.

Li Zhongshan, Minister of Justice.

An old fox who seems loyal but is actually secretly connected with the eunuchs.

"Your Highness the Crown Prince is here to see your subject, Li Zhongshan." Li Zhongshan spoke in a loud voice and bowed his head in salute. However, his eyes showed no respect, but instead were filled with speculation.

Zhu Biao nodded expressionlessly and gestured for him to take a seat.

"Minister Li has been running around recently. The case in the palace has not been resolved yet, but he has been going in and out of the Imperial Household Department frequently. I wonder why?" Zhu Biao was straightforward, with an interrogative tone.

Li Zhongshan's eyes twitched slightly, and then he whispered, "Your Highness, this is wrong. I have indeed been to the Imperial Household Department to inquire about some clues while working on the case. We have absolutely no personal relationship."

"But as far as I know, those palace servants were originally handed over by your department, but in the end, no case files were handed in."

Zhu Biao tapped the table with his fingertips, his eyes flashing with coldness, "Minister Li, did you deliberately hand over the witness to the eunuchs to make him disappear?"

The atmosphere in the hall suddenly turned cold, and everyone was silent.

Li Zhongshan felt a chill in his heart. The prince's change caught him off guard.

Zhu Biao used to be as gentle as a weak lamb, but now - the look in his eyes clearly showed that he wanted to eat him alive.

"Your Highness, I... dare not!" Li Zhongshan had cold sweat on his forehead, but he still tried to keep a tough face.

"You don't dare?" Zhu Biao stood up and walked to Li Zhongshan step by step. His tone suddenly dropped. "If I don't ask, it's fine. But if I do, you won't be allowed to refute me!"

"Come here, pass on the order. Have the commander of the Jinyiwei, Feng Qing, take over the case and search Minister Li's residence. Check the case files, confessions, and all documents with the Silijian."

"If we find out the slightest bit of secrets, Li Zhongshan, not only will you lose your official hat, but you won't even be able to save your life!"

As soon as these words were spoken, there was an uproar in the hall.

Li Zhongshan suddenly knelt down, his face as pale as paper.

"Your Highness! Unjust! I am a loyal minister of the Ming Dynasty and I have no second thoughts!"

Zhu Biao did not look at him again, turned around and walked back to the main seat, smiling coldly: "Whether he is a loyal minister or not is not for you to say. Let the hard evidence speak for itself, let the people's hearts speak for themselves."

He waved his hand, "Back off."

Li Zhongshan staggered back as if he had been pardoned, with cold sweat on his forehead soaking through his hair.

The hall fell silent, with only Zhu Biao's breathing echoing in the silence.

"Uncle, did you see that?" He whispered to himself, his voice trembling but with a hint of relief, "I did it."

At this moment, the jade pendant on his waist suddenly vibrated, and a familiar voice sounded in his mind -

[System prompt: Hidden mission "Prince's Conviction" has been completed]

[Reward unlocked: Beginner's Guide to Controlling the Mind + Atlas of the Ce Mansion]

[Tip: The Mind Control Technique can help judge people’s loyalty and falsity; the Government Atlas can record and optimize government affairs plans.]

Zhu Biao was stunned for a moment, then took a deep breath and suppressed his excitement.

It was not the first time that he felt the power of the system, but it was the first time that he won a wrestling match on his own without any external help.

More importantly - my father knows.

That night, Zhu Yuanzhang did not summon him, but sent someone to deliver a night lamp made in the palace. The lamp body was carved from white jade and the lampshade was made of mica. The light was warm but not glaring, revealing an inexplicable warmth.

"Father...he is tacitly approving." Zhu Biao looked at the lamp and his eyes suddenly became warm, but he did not cry.

"Your Highness the Crown Prince." The eunuch outside the door reported in a low voice, "Prince Zhenguo requests an audience."

Zhu Biao was stunned for a moment, then quickly walked out the door.

In the night breeze, Zhu Han stood in front of the corridor in casual clothes. The moonlight fell on his shoulders, casting a clear outline as if carved by a knife.

"Uncle!" Zhu Biao cupped his hands, unable to suppress a hint of joy in his voice, "I... I did it."

Zhu Han looked at him for a long time and suddenly smiled, a light but genuine smile.

"Yes, you did it." He patted Zhu Biao's shoulder, like an elder and also like a comrade, "This time, it's not me who is protecting you, it's you who is protecting the world."

Zhu Biao nodded slightly and asked in a low voice: "What's next? We should--"

Zhu Han restrained his smile and his tone slowly became solemn: "Next, the real opponent will show up."

"Li Zhongshan is just an outpost. The Imperial Household Department is just the tip of the iceberg."

"The position of the crown prince is still undecided, Zhu Di is eyeing the northern border covetously, the officials in the court have different inclinations, and my brother has never really handed over power."

Zhu Han's eyes were like torches. "Biao'er, you have to learn. It's not just about winning a game. It's about making everyone in the world know that you are the only future."

Zhu Biao raised his eyes and looked at him.

Under the moonlight, at that moment, the immaturity in the boy's eyes was finally replaced by iron-bloodedness and sharpness.

"I'll let them know." He said word by word, "Zhu Biao is not Zhu Han's shadow, nor is he someone else's puppet. I am me, the crown prince of the Ming Dynasty, and the future emperor."

Zhu Han smiled and nodded, "Okay."

It was not yet dawn, but the lights in the East Palace were already on.

Zhu Biao had not yet closed his eyes. He had not slept all night and his mind was in a state of confusion.

As his thoughts were in a tizzy, a figure quietly entered the hall, stepping silently on the snow.

"Uncle?" Zhu Biao stood up with an undisguised look of joy on his face.

"No need to call anyone, I just came to take a look." Zhu Han was wearing a dark blue robe, standing with his hands behind his back, his eyes fixed on the report on the table that had not been put away.

"You still can't sleep." His tone was calm, but it contained deep meaning.

Zhu Biao smiled bitterly: "After winning a game, I dare not slack off."

Zhu Han smiled and said, "If you really think so, then you are right."

He walked a few steps closer and whispered, "I came here not only to see you. I have something else to tell you."

Zhu Biao was startled for a moment, then said seriously: "Uncle, please speak."

Zhu Han slowly took out a jade box from his sleeve and opened it. Inside, he saw a gold-edged scroll lying quietly. The ink was not yet dry, but it was full of imposing aura.

“What is this…?” Zhu Biao opened his eyes wide.

"The Atlas of the Ce Mansion." Zhu Han looked at him with deep eyes. "You have defeated Li Zhongshan and have been recognized by the system. The ownership of the atlas belongs to you. But its power is not only for recording events for reference."

He pointed to a corner of the scroll and said, "This thing can automatically sort out the government affairs you handle, unravel the complexities, and even mark the 'risk points' at key nodes."

Zhu Biao took a deep breath and said, "Does he have such a miraculous ability?"

Zhu Han nodded, but then said in a deep voice: "But remember, although this thing is wonderful, it cannot make decisions for you. If you become dependent on it, you will become its slave."

Zhu Biao bowed and took it solemnly, with a hint of awe in his eyes.

"Thank you, uncle, for giving me this picture. I will keep it in mind and not let it enslave me."

Zhu Han nodded slightly, seeming quite satisfied with his attitude.

But before the two could say anything else, hurried footsteps were heard outside the palace, and then the young eunuch stumbled into the outer courtyard of the East Palace and knelt on the ground: "Your Highness, something terrible has happened! Hongwenguan... is on fire!"

Zhu Biao's face changed and he stood up suddenly. "Hongwenguan?"

Zhu Han frowned, his eyes gleaming, "Sure enough, he's here."

Zhu Biao hurriedly ordered his followers to get ready and go, but was held back by Zhu Han.

"You can't kiss it."

Zhu Biao was puzzled: "Why? That place is under my jurisdiction——"

"That's why you can't go." Zhu Han's voice was low, like a bell in the night, "If you go to the fire scene at this moment, it will be exactly what others want - you will stand in front of the flames and become an arsonist."

Zhu Biao's breathing stagnated and cold sweat broke out immediately.

"Then what should I do?"

"Sit in the East Palace and don't move a step." Zhu Han's eyes were filled with an unfathomable coldness. "If you really trust me, do as I say - transfer the two Qing officials you trust and hand them over to me. You, just wait."

Zhu Biao nodded silently, wrote down the two people's names with his own hands, sealed them in a jade box, and handed them to Zhu Han.

After Zhu Han took it, he said nothing more, turned around and left, his long robe brushing the ground, disappearing at the end of the palace alley.

As he walked, he silently recited the system in his mind.

[Sign-in system, please turn on "Dark Game Deduction"]

[Conditions have been met, triggering special mode: Fire Game]

[Analysis begins…]

A shadow appeared before his eyes, and the entire Hongwenguan slowly spread out before his eyes like a chessboard. A chill spread from the ground, revealing a cold murderous intent.

"Zhu Di..." Zhu Han raised his eyes and sneered.

"You finally couldn't hold it back."

Hongwenguan, located in the northeast corner of the imperial city, has always been a quiet place, where princes and nobles practiced etiquette and lectured on scriptures.

At this moment, half of the wall had been engulfed in flames. The eunuchs and imperial guards were rushing to put out the fire like ants flocking to meat. But strangely, the fire did not spread to the main building of the library, but instead went straight to the Tibetan writing room in the backyard.

"Strange." When Zhu Han arrived, the wind direction suddenly changed. His eyes darkened and he whispered, "Protect the backyard. I want to go into the fire myself."

"My Lord, it's too dangerous—"

"If no one in this palace dares to walk on fire anymore, then the Ming Dynasty will really be destroyed."

He said no more, wrapped himself in a wet cloth, and went straight into the fire.

The fire was raging and the heat was overwhelming, but he had been traveling through time for several years and was accustomed to mountains of swords and seas of fire. With the guidance of the system, he quickly passed through several side halls and arrived at the inner hall of the Tibetan language hall.

There was someone waiting in the hall, dressed in white, tall, holding an unburned book in his hand.

"Uncle, long time no see." Zhu Di looked up and smiled as sharp as a knife.

"Zhu Di..." Zhu Han narrowed his eyes.

"Why are you here?"

"My prince has been in the spotlight recently, and I'm afraid he's tired." Zhu Di smiled, "So I thought of taking care of some of the hot potatoes for him."

Zhu Han looked at him coldly, "Which page did you burn the book for?"

Zhu Di's eyes changed slightly, but his smile did not diminish: "Uncle is indeed smart. But you should understand that there are some truths in the world that, once recorded in a book, there will always be people who want to know, and there will always be people who... don't want others to know."

He threw the book up, and it actually caught fire. (End of this chapter)