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

"It's a pity that you're a step late."

"Really?" Zhu Han suddenly smiled softly.

"I am late, but there is someone who has already been here."

Zhu Di's face changed.

Zhu Han raised his right hand, a flash of cold light appeared, and an ice-blue jade plate emerged out of thin air. On the jade plate was the symbol of "Cefu Tuce".

"This book has already been included in the atlas. You can burn the paper, but you can't burn its soul."

"You miscalculated, nephew."

A chill suddenly appeared in Zhu Di's eyes, and his aura suddenly changed, but he managed to suppress it.

"Uncle, let's stop pretending." Zhu Di's voice was as cold as night snow. "If you really just want to help Zhu Biao, why bother fighting with me? There is only a half-inch difference between him and me."

Zhu Han said nothing, walked slowly closer, and stood in front of Zhu Di.

"The difference is only half an inch, and the difference is the pattern."

"You are a hero, but if you sit in that golden palace, the people of the world will once again be flooded with blood."

"And I support destiny, not power."

Zhu Di was silent for a long time, and finally turned around and walked out of the fire scene, leaving only one sentence behind:

"Uncle, you can stop it for a while, but you can't stop it forever."

In the light of the fire, Zhu Han looked up at the sky with cold and clear eyes.

"Zhu Di, you still have to take this path after all."

"Then come on."

"I, Zhu Han, will accompany you to the end."

At dawn with the east wind, the fire had long been extinguished, leaving only a scorched earth.

Although a part of Hongwenguan was destroyed by fire, the archives in the most important Tibetan language room remained intact.

As soon as the news came out, there was an uproar in the court. Those officials who wanted to take advantage of the situation were choked by their words before they could even open their mouths.

The Eastern Palace was like a deep and still pool of water, without the slightest sound, and Zhu Biao continued to run the government as usual.

Outsiders only thought that the prince was calm and composed, and steady as a rock. Only a very few people understood that it was because there were people behind him clearing the way for him.

One afternoon, Zhu Han sat alone in the Ziwei Palace. His expression was dull, but his fingertips lightly tapped the armrests.

"System, check today's sign-in."

[Ding! Sign in successfully, obtain "Qingluan Illustrated Book·Volume 2", unlock the exclusive guide for the East Palace assistants: The Strategy of the 'Three Sages'. ]

"Three Sages?"

Zhu Han raised his eyebrows, and three names suddenly appeared in his mind: Li Shan, Yao Sheng, and Wu Dian.

All three of them were well-known in the court, but because of their humble origins or because of old grudges, they were not given important positions for a long time. Zhu Han smiled softly, with something in mind.

"These three people are exactly what Biaoer needs for the next step."

"System, generate auxiliary paths."

[Generation completed: It is recommended to promote the reform of the Donggong Academy within three days, and the Crown Prince will set up an internal school, introduce the "Three Sages" as lecturers, and form a tutoring mechanism. At the same time, a "Strategy and Discussion Office" will be established to collect dissenting opinions from all over the world without setting any taboos. ]

"Hmm, interesting."

Zhu Han raised his head slightly and heard footsteps outside the door.

"Uncle." Zhu Biao came to the front of the hall in person, with a slight tired look on his face, but his expression became more determined.

"It's over." Zhu Biao said, "Your Majesty did not blame me for the Hongwen Academy, but ordered me to set up a new school and select lecturers on my own."

Zhu Han smiled when he heard this: "His Majesty still loves you."

Zhu Biao stared at Zhu Han and said, "I know that the Emperor's uncle must have had some influence in this."

"Alright," Zhu Han said calmly, "This is an opportunity."

"The Prince's Academy is not a place for children to play around. If you want to establish your authority, you have to employ different people."

He paused, and handed out a list: "These three people are not well-known, but they all have their own strengths. If you believe them, in three years, the foundation of your counselors will be 90% complete."

Zhu Biao took a look at it, his eyes flickering: "Li Shan, Yao Sheng, Wu Dian... I have heard of them a little bit."

Zhu Han smiled and said, "Among the three of them, one is good at economics, one is familiar with the law, and one is good at planning. If you bring them together in one classroom, it will not only be useful for teaching, but also a basis for hearing and seeing."

Zhu Biao hesitated for a long time before nodding: "I believe in my uncle."

"In that case, then you can ask the Emperor to make the request yourself, and there is no need for the Secretariat to do it on your behalf."

Zhu Han paused, and then said, "I will secretly help you with this matter. As long as you dare to start this game, I will help you stabilize the storm outside."

A light gradually appeared in Zhu Biao's eyes.

"I dare."

At the same time, in a side hall in the North Garden of the Imperial Palace, Zhu Di stood with his hands behind his back, in front of him was a Go board with black and white pieces interlaced, and his aura was like a sword.

"He got the upper hand."

"Even the secret book in the Tibetan Pavilion has long been in his hands..."

He murmured softly, but his eyes grew sharper, like a wolf ambushing in the dark night.

Behind him, a man whispered, "Your Highness, do you need to... act in secret?"

Zhu Di waved his hand: "No hurry. Uncle is uncle after all, and the prince is the prince."

"Zhu Han only protects the standard, but cannot complete his journey to become emperor."

"Watch one more game."

He placed a piece, and the white chess piece suddenly broke through the air, causing the black chess piece formation to become unstable.

"If he wants to secure the throne of the Eastern Palace, he will have to face the real storm."

The night rain has just stopped, and the palace is as quiet as water.

Zhu Han stood in front of the window with his hands behind his back, stroking a copper token in his hand. The token was dark blue in color, with the word "Ju" engraved on the front and nine stars in a row embossed on the back.

This item is none other than the "Nine Stars Gathering Talents Order" bestowed by the system yesterday. From now on, Zhu Han is no longer bound by court rules. He can directly summon anyone below the fifth rank in the world as long as they are talented and virtuous.

"System," Zhu Han whispered, "are there any talents that can be used to adapt to the current situation?"

[Ding! Three target candidates have been selected. They are all hermits among the people, have never entered the officialdom, have strong personalities, and extraordinary talents. ]

【Do you want to view? 】

Zhu Han nodded slightly, and the system screen appeared in his mind.

——Wang Zhen, also known by his courtesy name Zhengzhi, lived in seclusion in the West Mountain of Shuntian Prefecture. He was an expert in studying Vinaya and commandments. He had a cold and austere temperament and was not good at flattery. He once privately wrote "Linzong Judgment Examples".

——Shen Ran, also known as Moyou, was an old student of Nanzhili Academy. He was skilled in calligraphy and painting, military strategy, and astrology. He once painted a "Purple Star Bureau" in imitation of the "Qianxiang Diagram".

——Bai Heng, a herbalist from the mountains of central Sichuan, was well versed in pharmacology and was also good at mechanical engineering. He often used plants and trees to set traps, drive away animals and make poisons. He was known as "Medicine Ghost Henglang".

A faint smile appeared at the corner of Zhu Han's lips.

"One who knows the laws, one who is good at predicting the stars, and one who is good at medicine and mechanical engineering... can be used."

He brushed his robe and said in a deep voice: "Send an order to the secret guards, set up a trap at the Bamboo Shadow Inn, and bring three people to the capital within three days."

[Task has been generated: Yinxian joins the game. ]

[Reward Preview: After completing the task, you will unlock the "Hundred Strategies Scroll·Prologue" and get a chance to get the "Eastern Palace Luck Blessing". ]

Zhu Han took a deep breath, turned around and left the study, walked out of the courtyard, and saw the moonlight in the courtyard like frost, the shadows of bamboos slanting, and the sound of footsteps faintly heard. "Uncle."

Zhu Biao came over with his clothes on, looking a little gloomy, and the water drops on his clothes were still cool.

"Why don't you take a rest at this time?" Zhu Han raised his eyebrows.

"I just woke up from a dream, and my thoughts were in a mess, so I came here for a walk." Zhu Biao smiled bitterly, "What I saw in the dream was frightening for no reason... It seemed that there was someone standing in the court, his robe was stained with blood, and the ministers were speechless, and my father... turned around and disappeared."

Zhu Han was silent for a long time, then asked, "Are you afraid?"

Zhu Biao raised his head, his eyes firm: "I'm afraid. But I can't retreat."

"You are not born a king," Zhu Han said calmly, "but you are the chosen successor. That is enough."

Zhu Biao nodded, and suddenly whispered: "Today in the lecture at the East Palace, Wu Dian and Yao Sheng both said that 'the atmosphere in the palace has changed slightly'. Many eunuchs walked around with nervous expressions, as if something unusual was happening."

Zhu Han raised his brows slightly.

"Uncle, do you know about this?"

Zhu Han hesitated for a moment before saying, "The reason for the unrest in the palace is the suspicion of the people outside. Your father has noticed that you are rising too fast and is afraid that you will be manipulated."

Zhu Biao's expression changed: "Father suspects me?"

"I don't doubt your loyalty." Zhu Han whispered, "I doubt your power."

He approached Zhu Biao and said in a low but powerful voice: "Remember, what the emperor fears most is not the enemy, but the 'independence' that comes from nowhere."

"You have done well today, so you should be more careful about what you say and do."

Zhu Biao had a complicated expression and lowered his head and said, "I understand."

"Don't worry." Zhu Han smiled slowly, "I will divert this wind to another place for you."

A few days later, outside the Purple Palace, a shocking incident spread throughout the palace - Prince Zhu Han privately set up a "night party for quiet conversation" and did not invite court officials, but instead summoned outstanding people from the public to attend.

"Is this action too ostentatious?" an old minister whispered.

"Have you heard? That Wang Zhen, when he first spoke in the palace, he refuted the judgment of the Minister of Justice on the old case!"

"And that Bai Heng actually set up a medicine array in front of the emperor, making it difficult for the imperial doctors to decipher it, shocking His Majesty."

When the news reached Zhu Yuanzhang, he remained expressionless and said, "I will see what he wants to do."

But no one could see that this "elegant evening party" lasted only three nights, and it caused unrest among the scholars in the capital. Those who had always been reluctant to enter the court actually inquired about the way to the palace, hoping to see him.

"Zhu Han..." Zhu Di stood under the window in the room, listened to everything, and smiled coldly, "This is to establish half of the court in the name of the palace."

"If the prince is interested, it will be fun."

Zhu Biao was ultimately unable to calmly see the situation through. That day, he was listening to Li Shan's lecture on "The Confucian Method of Advance and Retreat" in the study room when he suddenly heard someone outside the door urgently reporting.

"Your Highness, a message has been sent from Zhaoyang Palace that His Majesty has ordered you to come in."

Zhu Biao was stunned.

Zhu Han arrived at the East Palace that night and could tell at a glance that something was fishy.

"Zhaoyang Palace?"

"Yes." Zhu Biao replied in a low voice, "I haven't been to my mother's palace for a long time. I was suddenly summoned... I always felt something was wrong."

Zhu Han pondered for a moment, and suddenly took out an object from his sleeve - a jade-colored object, which was a page of the "Hundred Strategies Scroll" rewarded by the system.

"You go tonight," Zhu Han said softly, "but remember, no matter who you meet, who you listen to, or who you answer... you must not act rashly."

"If someone wants to test your heart, you should take a step back; if someone tries to test you, you should use the phrase 'my uncle once said' to get the better of you."

Zhu Biao was shocked, took a deep breath, bowed and said, "Yes."

After he left, Zhu Han slowly walked into the inner cabinet, pushed open the stone door of a secret room on one side, took out an old chess record, and whispered lightly:

"The test has arrived, so come on."

"If you want peace, you must be cautious at every step."

"Zhu Biao, I hope you will live up to this night."

The lights in Zhaoyang Palace are particularly bright tonight.

Layers of palace gauze curtains hung down to the ground like flowing clouds. The moment Zhu Biao stepped into the palace, he felt an unusual solemnity.

He walked through the corridor lined with the fragrance of flowers. The palace maids on both sides bowed their heads and saluted without saying a word. Only the sound of their sleeves rustled, as if a silent mechanical palace was slowly turning.

"His Royal Highness the Crown Prince has arrived." The eunuch announced loudly.

Zhu Biao bowed his head and walked into the main hall, but the Queen Mother was not sitting in the hall.

There was only a thin figure standing behind the beaded curtain, speaking in a gentle voice: "The prince is here, and the queen mother is burning incense and praying in the back of the hall, so please wait a moment."

Zhu Biao's heart was slightly moved. Although the voice was warm, it revealed a bit of carelessness.

"Your Majesty, your Majesty has not summoned me into the palace for many years. I am truly flattered that you suddenly thought of me tonight." Zhu Biao smiled gently and bowed to the person behind the pearl curtain, but his eyes lightly swept around.

He remembered what Zhu Han said: "The quietest place in the palace often hides the most dangerous situation."

At this time, a low cough was heard from the back of the hall, and several personal servants slowly walked out, supporting a middle-aged woman in elegant clothes. Her face was pale, but her eyes were bright.

"Son." The Queen Mother spoke with a loving tone, but there was a barely perceptible hint of inquiry between her brows.

Zhu Biao hurried forward, knelt down and kowtowed: "Your son pays respect to the Queen Mother."

The Queen Mother nodded slightly, helped him up with her own hands, and said softly: "You have been doing a steady job in the East Palace these years. As my mother is getting older, many old things are not as clear as they used to be, so I thought of calling you into the palace to talk with you."

Zhu Biao responded with a smile, but was not in a hurry to say more.

The Empress Dowager asked someone to serve tea, which was the "Tribute Pearl Spring Dew" presented as tribute this year. It was fragrant like orchid and as delicate as fat.

Zhu Biao lowered his head and took a sip, then put down the cup and suddenly smiled, "Mother, this tea tastes refreshing. It reminds me of the time when my uncle set up a party at the mansion and invited several strange people from the mountains to the party. The herbalist named Bai brought a similar tea, saying it was "a hundred flowers in spring", which could relieve summer heat and remove toxins. If you like, how about I choose a day to present a few boxes to you?"

As soon as these words were spoken, the empress dowager's expression changed slightly and the corner of her eye twitched.

"Bai Heng..." She smiled faintly, "Is that the 'Medicine Ghost Heng Lang' that has been making so much noise? Even His Majesty has mentioned him several times."

Zhu Biao remained calm and nodded gently, "Yes. My uncle said that he is well versed in medical theory and has a unique understanding of the theory of human meridians. Even several old doctors in the Imperial Hospital were amazed."

The Queen Mother tapped the jade table with her fingers and said nothing for a long while.

"Your uncle is in a good mood."

Zhu Biao noticed the cold tone, but still replied calmly: "My uncle has always cared about the people of the country, and everything he did was to assist my father and support the Crown Prince. He often said that the most important thing for an assistant to the emperor is to be silent and nameless, so he is not known to the outside world, but he always clears the way for us."

There was a hint of deep meaning in the Queen Mother's eyes.

"Now that the prince understands this, mother will be relieved."

After saying this, the Queen Mother raised her hand and said, "Go sit in the back hall. I have ordered someone to prepare some snacks that you used to like to eat."

Zhu Biao nodded his head and answered. Halfway through the journey, he heard a slight sound outside the curtain, and someone seemed to want to say something but stopped.

She was a newly arrived palace maid, looking unfamiliar. She was holding a plate of snacks and had her head lowered.

Zhu Biao's heart tightened, and he suddenly remembered the subtle medicinal fragrance in the tea just now - it was not poisonous, but it had the effect of confusing the mind and soul. If he had not practiced internal energy, he would probably have been in a trance long ago.

The pastries in the hands of the palace maid at this moment must be extraordinary.

He paused, and suddenly smiled, "How dare I let go of what my mother has given me? Come, send this plate of snacks to my uncle's house, and let him also taste my mother's grace."

The maid's hand trembled and she almost dropped the weapon. The Queen Mother's eyes became fierce.

"What? Are you scared?" Zhu Biao remained calm, his eyes as sharp as knives.

The Queen Mother sighed and said, "The Crown Prince is no longer the same child as before." (End of this chapter)