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

Zhu Di's eyes narrowed.

"Remember, people don't rely solely on their abilities or ambitions. Sometimes, one brilliant move is better than ten years of sharpening a sword." Zhu Han turned and left. "It's almost dawn. Go and rest. Come back tomorrow."

Zhu Di looked at the unfinished game, standing under the moonlight, without moving for a long time.

At the corner gate of the palace, a figure quietly appeared. It was Ah Jin.

"Your Highness, don't you want to rest again?" she asked in a low voice.

Zhu Han stood with his hands behind his back: "Zhu Di has sharp eyes, he is a killer."

"But His Highness still taught him." A Jin looked at him with a hint of worry in his eyes.

Zhu Han didn't look back, he just said: "Because if I don't teach him, the one who teaches him will not be lenient."

The night rain had just stopped, the palace lanterns were swaying, and the Yupan Pavilion by the Taiye Lake was still shrouded in mist, and even the stone steps were a bit slippery.

Zhu Han stood by the pavilion with his hands behind his back, looking at the ripples on the water. There was a hint of melancholy between his brows.

"Uncle Emperor."

A soft call came from deep in the stone path. Zhu Han did not turn around, but a smile appeared in the corner of his eyes.

"Biao'er, you're here."

Zhu Biao walked slowly, but his steps were as steady as a pine tree.

Arriving at the pavilion, he bowed to Zhu Han first, then sat on a stone bench beside him and said, "Just now my father asked me to recite the Book of History - Hong Fan. I made three mistakes and was punished to copy it ten times. If my uncle were here, he would not let me suffer this."

Zhu Han laughed, turned around and sat down, moving a few jade chess pieces in his hand, and said, "This word 'bitter' is a blessing for you. If you are not wrong, Zhu Yuanzhang, with his temper, will still use this method to torture you?"

"But I clearly remembered those three places correctly." Zhu Biao frowned, "Father insisted that I was wrong, saying that he did it on purpose because he saw that I was impatient."

Zhu Han was not anxious, and said: "Your father is right. When you came here today, your steps were steady, but your brows were restless. When you entered the pavilion just now, your voice was light, but your speed was fast. I think you have been holding back a lot of anger in your heart for a long time."

Zhu Biao was startled, then lowered his head and said with a wry smile: "I was too impatient."

Zhu Han did not blame him. He just gently picked up a chess piece and placed it on a corner of the chessboard, saying, "It's not necessarily wrong to be anxious. I'm just afraid that you are anxious and don't see the road ahead clearly."

Zhu Biao looked up at him and asked, "What does the emperor think I should do?"

Zhu Han looked at him and suddenly smiled: "Play a game of chess with me."

Zhu Biao nodded. The two sat opposite each other, the chessboard was opened, and the jade pieces clattered softly.

Before the game was over, Zhu Biao was already immersed in it, his brows furrowed.

"Uncle, why do I feel like every step in this game is a trap? No matter how I make my move, it always seems like you have planned it for me."

Zhu Han shook his head and laughed: "What you said is true. If it is true that I have predicted every move you make, then why would I play against you? You lost because you focused on one move in the game and forgot about the people outside the game."

Zhu Biao was stunned: "Someone outside of chess?"

Zhu Han took out a chess piece from his sleeve and gently placed it in Zhu Biao's palm: "If you are the crown prince, it seems that you are the one who controls the chess pieces, but in fact, you are not the only one who controls the game."

Zhu Biao nodded slowly, as if he had understood something. Suddenly, he whispered, "Uncle, Brother Di...you taught him the art of war last night, but do you want him to share my worries in the future?"

Zhu Han glanced at him and nodded: "He is a spirited child. If the prince knows how to use him, he will be better than a million imperial guards."

Zhu Biao smiled bitterly: "But he refused to obey me."

"You didn't make him obey you." Zhu Han said calmly, "There are no useless people in this world, only masters who have not made full use of their abilities. You are the prince, what you should think about is not who is willing or not, but how to make people willing."

Zhu Biao was silent for a long time, and suddenly asked softly: "Uncle, can I ask you something?"

"You ask."

"If one day... I fail to reach the Taiji Palace, what will you do?"

Zhu Han did not answer immediately. He looked at the chessboard, the jade pieces looked like a map of the country, floating up and down between black and white.

"Since I have conspired with you, I will not allow you to fail."

Zhu Biao looked up at him, his eyes suddenly reddened: "But is this fate?"

Zhu Han smiled, but the smile did not reach his eyes: "Then I will change this fate."

His tone was so light that it seemed like a casual remark, but it was like a mountain pressing down on one's head, so heavy that it made one breathless.

Zhu Biao was silent for a long time, then said softly: "Then I won't let you down."

Outside the pavilion, the rain started to fall again, as fine and dense as a weave, and colorful light and shadows appeared on the water surface.

Zhu Han stood up, put on his cloak, and said, "Let's go. Let's go to the Yangxin Palace to see your father. If he sees that your chess skills are not as good as mine, he will definitely punish you to practice calligraphy again."

Zhu Biao smiled bitterly: "He won't let me go."

"If he lets you go, he will harm you." Zhu Han said, walking calmly with his hands behind his back. Zhu Biao followed closely behind, his expression already firm.

Zhu Biao followed behind him with firm steps, the hesitation on his face having faded a little.

He suddenly whispered, "Uncle, even if my father doesn't say it, I know that he wants me to slow down and not rush for success."

"It's good that you know." Zhu Han turned his head, his eyes slightly cold, "The position of the crown prince is not obtained by intelligence and talent. It is obtained by enduring many rainy nights and swallowing many loneliness."

Zhu Biao nodded: "I remember."

The rain outside the pavilion was getting heavier, and the servant hurried over to offer an umbrella, but Zhu Han waved his hand to block him.

He looked up at the rain and suddenly murmured, "When I was young, I also played a game of chess in the rain with your father under this Jade Plate Pavilion."

Zhu Biao looked at him sideways and asked softly, "Who won that game?"

Zhu Han smiled, but his eyes seemed to drift away: "He won, but I never felt like I lost."

On the second day, the atmosphere in the palace was particularly heavy.

Zhu Biao put on his formal attire, tidied his clothes, and walked into the study of his father Zhu Yuanzhang.

Zhu Yuanzhang had already been sitting on the dragon throne, his eyes deep, as if he had expected this.

"The prince is here." Zhu Yuanzhang nodded, his voice steady and majestic.

Zhu Biao walked up to his father and bowed slightly: "Your son pays respect to you, father."

"Get up." Zhu Yuanzhang waved his hand and looked at Zhu Biao, seeming to be deep in thought.

"Since you are here, please sit down."

Zhu Biao sat respectfully opposite his father, but his heart was not as calm as he appeared.

My father's gaze is always as sharp as a knife, making it difficult for people to deal with it easily.

Zhu Yuanzhang asked, "What do you think about the old case?"

Zhu Biao was stunned for a moment, then whispered: "Father, I have no intention of delving into this matter. I just hope to assist you in handling state affairs. All matters in the palace are decided by you, and I am willing to obey you."

Zhu Yuanzhang narrowed his eyes, seeming to be very satisfied with Zhu Biao's answer.

He nodded slightly: "Well, that's good. As the crown prince, you have your own responsibilities and state affairs are more important. As for the old case, since it has been sealed long ago, you don't need to ask more questions." Zhu Biao breathed a sigh of relief, knowing that his father did not ask further questions, but Zhu Yuanzhang changed the subject.

It seems that he is still hiding something: "However, there have been some unusual movements in the palace recently. I have to send someone to investigate thoroughly to see if someone is secretly manipulating it."

Zhu Biao was startled, feeling a little uneasy, but he remained calm on the surface: "Father, are you saying that someone else in the palace is also secretly paying attention to the old case?"

Zhu Yuanzhang's eyes turned cold, and he said in a deep voice: "Yes, some people are trying to sow discord and split the court by taking advantage of this incident." He paused, "Especially Xu Wensheng."

Zhu Biao frowned slightly, he had guessed it in his mind, but he still acted as usual: "Father, has Eunuch Xu behaved in any unusual way recently?"

Zhu Yuanzhang took a deep breath and said, "Xu Wensheng has had some dealings with Su Huaiyuan. Recently, he seems to be seeking more benefits for himself and is no longer as loyal as before. I have ordered a secret investigation into this matter."

Zhu Biao's heart tightened, but he still responded in a low voice: "Father, you are right. I will definitely help you find out the truth about this matter."

"Okay." Zhu Yuanzhang nodded, his eyes calm.
"However, you have to be careful. The situation in the palace is unpredictable. Many people are well disguised. Don't trust them."

Zhu Biao nodded and said, "I will remember this."

The conversation gradually ended, and Zhu Biao left his father's study, but his heart was still restless.

Xu Wensheng's shadow has quietly enveloped the entire palace.

The arrangement made by the Emperor's uncle was obviously not a simple response, but had already penetrated into a deeper level of game.

"Uncle, Father did not investigate the old case, but he did mention Xu Wensheng."

When Zhu Biao walked into the palace and saw Zhu Han, he spoke immediately.

Zhu Han stood in front of the window, turned his head slightly, and a cold light flashed in his eyes: "Xu Wensheng? It seems that he has already made a move. Father may not have completely let down his guard, but he will not react directly."

"Then how should we deal with it next?" Zhu Biao asked nervously.

Zhu Han smiled slightly: "Next, it's time to lure the snake out of its hole."

The night was as dark as ink, and the deep palace walls looked like sleeping beasts in the moonlight, but the wind never stopped, blowing through the hall and bringing a slight chill.

Inside the palace's study, Zhu Han was sketching a secret area on a brocade map with a serious look on his face.

"Your Majesty, Su Huaiyuan left the palace three days ago and stayed overnight at Huilong Manor in the west of Beijing."

The attendant Zheng Yu reported in a low voice, "In recent days, there have been frequent secret guests coming in and out of Xu Wensheng's house, and they have not stayed in the palace for many times."

Zhu Han paused with the pen in his hand and looked up at Zheng Yu: "Are you sure that Su Huaiyuan went to Huilongzhuang?"

"I saw it with my own eyes and dare not hide it."

Zhu Han narrowed his eyes slightly, and closed the map with a flick of his sleeve: "It seems that this snake is ready to move. It's time to spread the bait."

He stood up and walked slowly to the window.

There were dark shadows outside the window, and the night guards of the palace were roaming in the secret passages of the palace like ghosts, guarding the entire mansion tightly.

Zhu Han looked towards the direction of the palace with a stern expression: "Zheng Yu, send a message to Liu Ying and tell him to act according to the plan. The prince will go to Tiance Pavilion to worship his ancestors tomorrow. Let him create some 'coincidences' there."

Zheng Yu bowed in response and quietly retreated.

At this time, Crown Prince Zhu Biao had also received the emperor's order and went to Tiance Pavilion the next morning to symbolically pay homage to his ancestors.

Tiance Pavilion was built by Zhu Yuanzhang to commemorate the predecessors who had made outstanding military achievements. It is an important place in the palace and is rarely opened on weekdays.

Zhu Biao came in a sedan chair, accompanied by only a few guards and a simple ceremonial procession.

He got off the sedan chair and walked into the pavilion, where statues of heroes from the Han and Tang dynasties were enshrined.

Amid the smoke of incense, Zhu Biao took the incense and kowtowed with a solemn expression.

However, just as the three incense sticks were burning, a palace servant suddenly ran in from outside the palace, looking panicked: "Your Highness, this is bad! There's a fire in the Imperial Stables, and it has spread to the east wing!"

Zhu Biao frowned and was about to stand up, but was stopped by the eunuch beside him: "Your Highness, please be patient. This fire started strangely, and there may be a trick."

Zhu Biao's heart trembled, and he recalled his uncle's instructions, his eyes changed slightly: "Whose are you?"

The eunuch whispered, "The prince has ordered his subordinates to follow His Highness secretly and stop any disturbance immediately."

Zhu Biao nodded, and at this time, there was chaos outside the pavilion, and smoke and dust blew in the face with the wind.

A young man in gray tried to break into the main hall during the chaos, but was knocked to the ground by two guards. A thin-bladed dagger was hidden on his body.

Zhu Biao was shocked and shouted angrily: "Come here! Capture this man!"

The young man laughed grimly: "Prince, if you die here today, the Ming Dynasty will have a new master!"

"Insanity!"

Zhu Biao was furious, but a chill rose in his heart.

The other party was obviously not an ordinary assassin. He was careful and thought of what his uncle said: Lure the snake out of its hole. Could it be... this person was a bait?

He forced himself to remain calm and ordered his men to put the assassin into the dungeon. He then ordered the guards to seal off the Tiance Pavilion and no one was allowed to enter without permission.

That night, Zhu Han received the news and pondered for a long time. Suddenly, he issued an order: "Take the assassin to the backyard of the palace and interrogate him secretly. Do not alert the palace."

The interrogation was presided over by Zhu Han himself.

The assassin gritted his teeth at first and vowed not to tell anyone, but Zhu Han knew how to capture people's hearts.

Within a cup of tea, the man turned pale and sweated profusely: "It was Xu Wensheng... He sent me to assassinate the prince..."

A haze flashed across Zhu Han's eyes, and he slowly stood up: "It's him."

Zhu Biao also rushed to the palace overnight. After hearing this, he was shocked and angry: "Uncle, Xu Wensheng is so bold that he dared to assassinate the prince. He is plotting treason!"

Zhu Han waved his hand and said, "Don't act rashly. If you report it now, it will alert the enemy. Xu Wensheng is very careful in his actions and will never attack in a single line. This is just a test. If you counterattack hastily, it will only make him more alert."

Zhu Biao clenched his fists, looking unwilling: "Then we just let him continue his plan?"

"Of course not." Zhu Han sneered, "I want him to think that his assassination was half successful."

"What does the emperor's uncle mean?"

"You will enter the palace tomorrow and claim that you suddenly fainted in Tiance Pavilion and nearly died in the fire. You then suspected that it was done by some evil people in the palace, but since you have no evidence, you have decided not to investigate further for now."

"In this way, he will mistakenly think that you have not yet discovered the assassination..." Zhu Biao suddenly realized.

"Not bad." Zhu Han nodded slightly.

"He will continue to increase the stakes. The more anxious he is to bring you down, the easier it will be for us to follow the clues and catch him in one fell swoop."

A few days later, Zhu Biao entered the palace to report, and just as Zhu Han had planned, he told Zhu Yuanzhang that he "felt occasionally unwell".

Although Zhu Yuanzhang was shocked and angry, he did not show it. He only ordered the Imperial Physician to examine the patient and told him to rest.

When Xu Wensheng learned that Zhu Biao was not injured, he was shocked and confused, but the assassin disappeared without a trace, which made him even more suspicious.

Over the past few days, he has frequently summoned Su Huaiyuan for secret discussions and secretly ordered his subordinates to strengthen surveillance of the people around the prince.

"Your Highness escaped this time, thanks to God's blessing." (End of this chapter)