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

Suddenly, a whisper arose: "Your Highness, where does this put the concubines in the harem?"

Several eunuchs and palace maids were trembling with fear. They looked at Zhu Biao's face and the atmosphere became solemn for a moment.

Zhu Biao said loudly: "According to the law, if someone spreads a message to slander General Han and disrupt the government, it is a serious crime. How can we protect the person we are searching for now!"

Zhu Han stood aside, looked back, and said calmly: "Why did your Majesty do this? It was only to protect the stability of your Majesty's country, not to provoke disputes."

After a while, the search yielded a report: the eunuch Zhou and several concubines conspired and admitted to secretly transmitting memorials and spreading words that were unfavorable to the prince and Han Taiwei. The party behind them was sinister and intended to shake up the court.

The court was immediately shocked. Zhu Biao announced loudly: "According to the laws of the Ming Dynasty, since they have violated the law, they will be punished according to the law."

All the ministers acquiesced, and only a few forces in the harem were suppressed.

At this time, Zhu Yuanzhang arrived and looked at Zhu Biao and Zhu Han with a frown.

When the ministers reported, Zhu Yuanzhang looked up with a deep gaze and asked, "Why did I hear about this? It was you, the Crown Prince, who made the first decision and restored the government?"

Zhu Biao bowed and said, "Your Majesty, this matter was personally handled by Your Highness. I have discussed this with my uncle Zhu Han and will do our best to ensure the safety of General Han and the court."

Zhu Yuanzhang pondered for a moment, then nodded: "I am very relieved." Suddenly he raised his eyebrows, "Today's action can be stopped once, and the court must be clear and upright in the future. Now that the prince knows this responsibility, I am more relieved."

Zhu Biao couldn't hide a smile: "Thank you, Your Majesty, for your trust."

Zhu Han breathed a sigh of relief.

When the night was quiet, Zhu Biao and Zhu Han returned to their bedroom.

Zhu Biao sighed: "Although the emperor's uncle's plan is dangerous, it has stabilized the court and calmed people's hearts."

Zhu Han said calmly: "The court is like a game of chess, and every step must be carefully planned. Your Highness has eliminated the rear party today, which is the key to the future."

He waved his sleeves lightly: "You should take good care of your health and gather your strength for next year's hunting and gathering the nobles. The generals in Luoyang and the south can all use this opportunity to show their prestige."

The night is dark and chilly, the lights in the Forbidden City are dim, but within the palace walls, there are undercurrents.

The lights in the Prince's Palace were bright.

Zhu Biao stood in front of the desk, his eyes fell on a secret scroll, which was delivered by Zhu Han personally tonight.

Zhu Han stood with his hands behind his back, his face calm, "Your Highness, last night the eunuchs in the palace confessed that several concubines in the harem were instigated by someone to frame General Han. The person who has not yet been identified may still be hiding deep inside."

Zhu Biao frowned and turned around slightly: "Although some people have been frightened now, the party behind them is deeply rooted and cannot be eliminated in a few actions. If we don't completely root them out today, they will become a serious threat in the future."

Zhu Han nodded slowly: "Your Highness's concerns are exactly what I am worried about. There have been hidden forces surging in the palace over the years. It is not just a simple struggle for power and profit. Some people are trying to influence the position of the crown prince."

Zhu Biao raised his eyes and stared at him: "Are you saying that they have other intentions?"

Zhu Han's eyes were solemn, and his tone was low: "Recently, I have found out that several people have secretly had an affair with a prince - the fifth prince Zhu Tan."

Zhu Biao clenched the scroll in his hand and said coldly, "Fifth brother?"

Zhu Han said calmly, "He has always been low-key, but he is loved by several concubines. Although the concubines have no children, most of them are from noble families and they have close contacts on a daily basis. If he really wins them over, I am afraid that power will change hands one day."

Zhu Biao pondered for a moment and said, "Although my fifth brother is smart, he has never shown any disloyalty."

Zhu Han shook his head: "That's why we should be vigilant. Those with deep hidden ambitions are the most difficult to deal with."

The prince sat down slowly and whispered, "Does the emperor's uncle have any countermeasures?"

Zhu Han looked out at the night outside the palace and said, "Since he is hiding so well, we might as well force him to show up. I suggest holding a 'Literary Awards', summoning all the princes and court scholars in the name of the crown prince, and setting up a competition in the name of 'history revision'."

Zhu Biao's eyes moved slightly: "You want to use the literary meeting to find out their true thoughts?"

Zhu Han smiled but said nothing, then turned around and said, "Those with deep thoughts will naturally reveal their thoughts in their writing; those who are unwilling to give up will eventually find it difficult to hide their sharp edge in the face of fame and fortune."

A few days later, on the day of the Literary and Ceremonial Awards, all officials gathered at Chengtian Gate.

Zhu Biao presided over the ceremony as the master of the Eastern Palace, and all the ministers and princes were present.

Zhu Tan was dressed in a dark blue brocade robe, with a calm demeanor, chatting and laughing cheerfully with his brothers, seemingly unaware of the murderous intent lurking today.

The prince sat at the table and said with a smile, "Today's literary gathering is not about comparing talents, but about seeing the elegance of all the wise men. I am very pleased."

Zhu Han was standing below, holding a scroll in his sleeve, secretly observing everyone's expressions.

After a moment, a figure walked out from the crowd. It was Zhu Tan.

He held a memorial in his hand and said respectfully, "I am sorry to present this to you, gentlemen, for your appreciation."

Zhu Biao said calmly: "Yes."

Zhu Tan unfolded the scroll and recited it. His writing style was sharp and sharp, and his words and sentences were sharp. It was a metaphor that the prince was unable to tolerate others and was in a dilemma, which was quite ironic.

Before the article was finished, the place fell silent.

Zhu Han's eyes focused, finally waiting for this moment.

Zhu Biao remained calm and said with a smile: "Fifth brother's writing is indeed extraordinary, and he is a great talent."

He stood up and approached Zhu Chen, whispering, "Did anyone teach you to write such an article?"

Zhu Chen's eyes moved, but he still cupped his hands: "I have been studying classics since I was young, and I have occasionally gained something."

Zhu Han took a step forward and chuckled, "If he is not a natural talent, he must have a good teacher to guide him. The fifth prince is indeed knowledgeable."

Zhu Tan paused slightly, his face slightly stiff.

Zhu Biao laughed and said, "Forget it. This literary gathering is just a casual discussion. Winning or losing is not important." He looked up at the ministers and said, "Everyone, expressing your own opinions is the style of our Ming Dynasty."

The ministers echoed one after another, and the atmosphere eased a little. However, Zhu Han knew that today's conversation was enough to find out his true intentions.

On the way back at night, Zhu Han whispered beside the imperial road: "This boy's true nature has been revealed. Your Highness can take another opportunity to lure his close associates to reveal themselves."

Zhu Biao nodded: "But, how do you think I should deal with him?"

Zhu Han stopped and looked at the starry sky: "Let him go and let him become arrogant. The people around him will eventually be tempted by his thoughts. All we need to do is set up a trap and make them mistakenly think that they can seize the position of crown prince, and then we can catch them all in one fell swoop."

Zhu Biao took a deep breath and said, "Is this the Emperor's uncle's plan? Using me as bait to lure the snake out of its hole?"

Zhu Han smiled calmly: "The position of the crown prince is not yours alone, but the foundation of the world. Anyone who gets involved should understand the consequences."

A few days later, word suddenly spread in the palace that the prince wanted to go on a southern tour to provide relief to the people and would temporarily leave the capital.

When the person Zhu Tan relied on learned the news, he immediately made secret arrangements and had frequent contacts with several old eunuchs in the palace.

On the night of Zhu Biao's southern tour, Zhu Han ordered the secret guards to surround the three gates of the palace and prohibit anyone from entering or leaving.

The next morning, Zhu Tan's bedroom was suddenly searched, and a secret letter was found, which showed a conspiracy to seize power in the prince's absence.

Zhu Han personally led his troops in, and Zhu Chen was stunned. "Zhu Han! How dare you——"

Zhu Han said coldly: "The Grand Master is still alive, and the Crown Prince is in charge of the government. As a prince, you are secretly communicating with an inner official and plotting something illegal. Do you know your crime?"

Zhu Chen's eyes were bloodshot, and he angrily said, "How can an incompetent prince be qualified to succeed the throne? You are just wearing the skin of a prince, who gave you the right to judge me?"

Zhu Han leaned forward and said softly, "I'm not interrogating you. I'm helping you to achieve your own goals... If you could endure it, you wouldn't have shown your talent at the literary gathering. You just brought shame upon yourself."

Soon, Zhu Tan was demoted to a commoner and imprisoned in the clan residence, and several old eunuchs were also expelled from the clan registers.

All the noble ladies in the harem were demoted.

Zhu Yuanzhang was furious, but the crown prince promptly reported the whole story, reiterating that Zhu Tan's crime was a serious crime under the law. Taizu just snorted coldly: "If such a thing happens after I die, I will have to pretend to be dead."

When Zhu Biao returned to the palace, it was already dawn.

He dismounted and looked back, and saw that the night lights were still on deep inside the palace wall.

He walked into the palace and saw Zhu Han already waiting there.

"After this situation, the court can be quiet for a few days." Zhu Han said calmly.

Zhu Biao was silent for a moment, then asked, "How many days are left between you and me?"

Zhu Han smiled and said, "As long as Your Highness is still here, as long as I am alive, I will always have it."

The prince stared at him with a deep look in his eyes.

The first ray of sunlight at dawn shines through the palace wall, onto the green tiles and red bricks, illuminating a corner of the Forbidden City.

Crown Prince Zhu Biao was wearing a light golden dragon robe and leaning against the window, but there was no vitality in his eyes, only deep thought.

The sound of Zhu Han's footsteps behind him broke the silence.

"Your Highness, what is the situation this morning?" Zhu Han asked, his tone gentle but serious yet unignorable.

Zhu Biao turned around and looked at Zhu Han behind him, with a complex emotion flashing in his eyes: "The matter in the harem has been temporarily settled, but I still have doubts in my heart."

He paused for a moment, "My fifth brother was abandoned. I thought this would completely solve the problem, but I never really understood the deeper meaning behind it."

Zhu Han chuckled and said calmly: "Your Highness is too worried. The Fifth Prince's matter may only be superficial.

The real mastermind behind this has not yet been revealed.

You once said, 'The powerful officials in the court are like duckweed on the water. Although the surface is calm, the undercurrent has already begun to surge.'"

Zhu Biao raised his eyes, his gaze slightly fixed: "So you think that things are not over yet?"

Zhu Han nodded: "That's right. The power in the palace is more complicated than ever. Although the fifth prince has been deposed, it does not mean that the power struggle in the harem will stop.

The real threat may not be my fifth brother, but those powerful officials who hold real power."

Zhu Biao stared out the window, his heart sinking: "You mentioned Feng Guofu and Wang Zhen. Besides these people, who else in the palace is secretly working against me?"

Zhu Han spoke slowly: "Feng Guofu is good at political intrigue and has many people behind him, while Wang Zhen is cautious and has a large number of troops. His ambition should not be underestimated. If the two of them join forces, they will definitely pose a huge threat to the prince."

Zhu Biao's eyes flashed with a hint of coldness: "Feng Guofu and Wang Zhen. So that's how it is. It seems that the situation is far more complicated than I thought."

Zhu Han whispered, "There are undercurrents in the palace. Although powerful officials such as Feng Guofu and Wang Zhen appear loyal on the surface, their actions are becoming more and more frequent. They must be more than just superficial social interactions. If the prince wants to stabilize the situation, he must lay out the chessboard in advance."

Zhu Biao looked deep: "So, how should I deal with it?"

Zhu Han smiled slightly, with a hint of wisdom in his eyes: "Your Highness, the best strategy is to use stillness to force them to show up. If they really have ulterior motives, they will definitely reveal their flaws."

Zhu Biao took a deep breath and focused his eyes: "I understand. I will slow down my actions temporarily and observe their reactions. But I can't let my guard down."

One night a few days later, the Prince's Palace was silent, and Zhu Biao suddenly summoned several trusted ministers.

In front of them, Zhu Biao raised his hand to signal everyone to sit down, and said in a low voice: "The powerful officials in the court are becoming more and more active, and Feng Guofu and Wang Zhen are in contact more and more frequently. It seems that the power behind them is getting stronger and stronger."

A minister whispered, "Your Highness, Feng Guofu and Wang Zhen have been in the court for a long time, and their supporters are spread across all levels. If we really want to fight against them, I'm afraid it will be a bloody battle."

Zhu Biao thought deeply for a moment and sneered: "So what if there is a bloody battle? How can we allow them to usurp the Ming Dynasty without authorization!"

Zhu Han interrupted at the right time: "Your Highness, what you said makes sense, but before taking action, you must first understand the situation.

Although Feng Guofu and Wang Zhen each have huge forces, we also have enough chips to fight against them.

Most importantly, we must quickly bridge the gap between them.”

Zhu Biao nodded: "I understand. We must first find the flaw, and then take the opportunity to tear apart the connection between them."

Zhu Han's eyes moved slightly, with a hint of smile: "Feng Guofu loves power, and Wang Zhen loves influence. If we can make them feel threatened by each other, we can provoke conflicts between them."

On this day, Zhu Han quietly walked into the prince's bedroom and whispered, "Your Highness, today I learned from the palace that Feng Guofu and Wang Zhen had a conflict outside.

Feng Guofu has been secretly in contact with a powerful official recently, and seems to be preparing to unite with external forces, and Wang Zhen is dissatisfied with Feng Guofu's behavior. "

Zhu Biao's eyes flashed with a sharpness: "This is exactly the situation we want. Since there is already a rift between them, we must increase our efforts to tear the rift apart and make them oppose each other."

Zhu Han said softly, "Your Highness, why not take this opportunity to send someone to spread some news, hinting at Feng Guofu's relationship with external forces, and the role Wang Zhen might play in it. If we can make them suspicious of each other, we will surely create more rifts."

Zhu Biao took a deep breath, a look of determination flashed in his eyes: "Very good. Act immediately and try to create enough chaos in a short period of time."

Some rumors began to spread in the palace.

The news of Feng Guofu's contact with external forces spread quietly, and after Wang Zhen seemed to learn of this, he also began to talk privately with other powerful officials in the palace.

It implies that Feng Guofu might join forces with external forces to interfere in state affairs.

The news spread quickly like wildfire, and many people in the palace began to privately speculate about the relationship between Feng Guofu and Wang Zhen.

A few days later, Feng Guofu felt tremendous pressure.

He began to observe Wang Zhen's movements nervously, and a sense of uneasiness rose in his heart.

Although Wang Zhen remained calm on the surface, his doubts and worries were growing more and more serious deep in his heart.

The rift between the two has been quietly widening invisibly.

One night, Feng Guofu secretly sent his confidant from the palace to Wang Zhen's residence, wanting to communicate with Wang Zhen in person and sort out their relationship.

When the two met, Feng Guofu's eyes were cold: "General Wang, you seem to be very busy recently. Is there anything you want to discuss with me?"

Wang Zhen's face darkened, and he looked at Feng Guofu coldly: "Lord Feng, there has been a lot of unrest in the palace recently. I heard that you have some contact with external forces. I wonder if it is true?" (End of this chapter)