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

A few days later, news came from the palace - Feng Guofu was preparing to propose an important government reform plan to Zhu Yuanzhang.

The content of this plan is extremely complicated, involving the redistribution of many powers in the palace, especially the adjustment of the interests of certain officials and powerful ministers.

At this time, Feng Guofu's actions were obviously intended to consolidate his position in the court and to fight against possible threats.

When Zhu Biao heard the news, he had already made a decision in his mind.

If it is allowed to develop, the subsequent situation will probably become more complicated.

“Feng Guofu’s reform plan is probably not a simple adjustment of government affairs, but his own chess game.”

Zhu Biao whispered, with a hint of deep thought in his eyes, "He wants to win more support from the court through this reform and try to hold on to power."

Zhu Han nodded. "Your Highness is right. This is exactly how Feng Guofu protects himself. He has noticed the Crown Prince's vigilance and knows that he can no longer rely solely on the support of powerful officials. Instead, he has begun to take more real power himself."

"Then how should we respond?" Zhu Biao asked.

"Use stillness to overcome movement." Zhu Han replied, "What Feng Guofu needs most now is the crown prince's approval. If we fight back at this time, he will definitely become more aggressive.

But if we choose to remain silent and wait and see his every move, Feng Guofu will inevitably expose more flaws. "

Zhu Biao looked at Zhu Han deeply, and his mind gradually became clear: "You mean, we want Feng Guofu to destroy himself when he is full of confidence."

Zhu Han smiled softly: "That's right, Your Highness."

However, the situation did not develop as smoothly as Zhu Biao expected.

Although many ministers expressed their support on the surface, secretly, many people were dissatisfied with Feng Guofu's expansion of power.

The backlash was particularly fierce when he tried to weaken the power of some old and powerful officials.

Among them, Feng Guofu's relationship with several heavyweight ministers gradually deteriorated, the most obvious of which was the conflict with Prime Minister Li Guoying.

Li Guoying has always been the opposite of Feng Guofu. The two have confronted each other in the court many times. On the surface, they seem harmonious, but in fact, there are undercurrents.

"Feng Guofu really overestimated his power."

Zhu Han sneered, "He thought he could stabilize the situation through reforms, but he unknowingly angered many important officials in the court."

"In this case, we might as well take this opportunity to promote this storm."

Zhu Biao said, a glimmer of determination in his eyes.

"The conflict with Feng Guofu will definitely attract Wang Zhen's attention. If we can make Wang Zhen suspicious of Feng Guofu, we can guide him to side with us."

"Your Highness means..." Zhu Han's eyes fixed.

"I will contact Wang Zhen directly." Zhu Biao's eyes were firm.

"At this moment when Feng Guofu is in crisis, if Wang Zhen can continue to betray him, it will inevitably put more pressure on him. If Wang Zhen also loses confidence in Feng Guofu, then Feng Guofu's defeat will be a foregone conclusion."

Zhu Han thought thoughtfully: “If Your Highness takes action personally and contacts Wang Zhen, it will definitely be able to directly shake Feng Guofu’s foundation.

But it should be noted that Wang Zhen is a shrewd and powerful official. If he senses that the prince is plotting something, he will definitely be on guard. "

“Because of this, you have to be careful when you touch it.”

Zhu Biao whispered, "But if I don't take the initiative, I'm afraid the situation will become more complicated. I must personally understand Wang Zhen's thoughts to ensure the safety of the next chess game."

A few days later, Zhu Biao finally decided to meet with Wang Zhen.

This meeting was not as formal as previous talks, but was conducted quietly.

Zhu Biao arranged a secret meeting at night in a remote courtyard outside the palace, without too many guards and confidants around to ensure that it would not attract the attention of Feng Guofu or other powerful officials.

That night, Wang Zhen arrived as promised.

Zhu Biao had already been waiting in the courtyard. The moonlight was shining on the bluestone floor in the courtyard, and there was a slight chill in the air.

Wang Zhen was wearing a plain black brocade robe and walked slowly towards them with a calm expression.

"General Wang." Zhu Biao spoke first, his voice low and calm.

"It's late at night. Thank you General Wang for coming here in person."

Wang Zhen bowed slightly, his eyes sharp: "Your Highness, since you have summoned me, there must be something to discuss."

Zhu Biao looked at him and smiled. "To be honest with you, General Wang, Feng Guofu's reform plan has caused unrest in the court. Many people have begun to doubt him, and even many powerful officials have privately raised objections to him. I'm afraid the position General Wang is taking now is a little tricky."

Wang Zhen narrowed his eyes slightly, as if he was pondering the meaning of Zhu Biao's words.

"Feng Guofu's reforms have indeed affected the interests of many people." He said slowly, "But isn't it a bit premature for His Royal Highness to express his 'doubts'?"

Zhu Biao sneered: "Doubts? General Wang, if Feng Guofu continues to expand his power wantonly, do you think those old officials in the court will be willing? Their reactions are already brewing in secret.

You might as well think about this: if Feng Guofu's reforms are really implemented, will your relationship with him remain strong? "

Wang Zhen looked at Zhu Biao deeply, as if thinking about this question. After a moment, he said, "Your Highness, do you want me to doubt Feng Guofu?"

Zhu Biao's eyes narrowed: "General Wang, you may wish to consider this: if Feng Guofu is no longer the prince's ally, are you willing to cooperate with me to jointly promote changes in this situation?

I have the ability to make General Wang more powerful in the court, and you will even have the opportunity to become the new center of power."

Wang Zhen's eyes flashed with a gleam. After a moment of silence, he slowly nodded and said, "Your Highness, if Feng Guofu is really as you said, he will become the biggest threat to our dynasty. If I cooperate with the Crown Prince, I may be able to see greater opportunities."

Zhu Biao smiled slightly: "Then it's time."

The next morning, the sun rose slightly, and golden light spread over the Daming Palace, as if to wash away the undercurrents of yesterday.

However, the real storm in the palace was brewing slowly invisibly.

Zhu Han paced in the palace with his hands behind his back. He looked calm, but there was a hint of fierceness on his face.

Just now, he received news from a spy about the secret meeting between Zhu Biao and Wang Zhen.

"As expected, they started taking action." Zhu Han murmured softly, his lips slightly raised, but his eyes became deeper.

He turned around and called his personal guard Han Yi, "Pass on my oral order, mobilize 300 elite cavalrymen from the Tiger Camp, do not alert the imperial guards, change into night clothes, sneak out of the Meridian Gate at five o'clock in the morning, and secretly keep an eye on Wang Zhen's mansion and Feng's mansion. Report any movement immediately."

"Yes!" Han Yi took the order and left. Without the sound of his armor, he disappeared into the morning mist.

Zhu Han looked up at the sky. It was bright, but he knew that the brightest light in the world often could not reach people's hearts.

At the same time, Feng Guofu's mansion was in a dull mood.

He sat upright in the main hall, with in front of him a memorial on the reform plan he discussed with several important officials last night. The densely packed comments filled the entire page.

However, his mind was not on the paper, but was always on Zhu Biao's figure.

"The prince is as calm as ever."

He slowly closed his eyes and murmured softly, "But this time, he will finally take action."

"Master." A servant whispered outside the door, "General Wang Zhen did not return last night. The palace sent a message saying that the general was summoned to talk with someone that night and did not return until this morning."

Feng Guofu's eyelids jumped, "Talking with someone at night? Who?" "My Lord, it was His Royal Highness the Crown Prince."

Feng Guofu stood up suddenly, his sleeves fluttering and his lips tightly pursed.

He seemed to be stabbed by something and sneered, "Sure enough, the prince has made a move. What a Zhu Biao, he is worthy of the title of crown prince."

He walked slowly into the courtyard, looking at the morning frost all over the yard, but murderous intent rose in his heart: "Wang Zhen, if you really dare to betray me, I will make your whole family restless!"

The secret conversation that night eventually caused a huge wave of follow-up.

After receiving the letter, Zhu Biao pondered for a long time.

Zhu Han came to see him in person, and the two met in the Prince's Palace. There was a guard every ten steps outside the door, and there was heavy security.

"Wang Zhen has finally expressed his stance." Zhu Biao handed the secret letter to Zhu Han, "Although this man is cunning, he is indeed someone who can be used right now."

Zhu Han said nothing. He took the secret letter and read it. He said calmly, "He is just watching the wind. Now that Feng Guofu has lost power, he will vote for you. If you lose power, he will switch to Feng Guofu in a blink of an eye."

Zhu Biao said in a deep voice: "I understand. All the people who can be used are those who can weigh the pros and cons. Loyal people are rare."

Zhu Han smiled but said nothing. He just turned his head and looked out the window at the blue sky. After a long while, he said, "Since Your Highness the Crown Prince has already taken action, there is no turning back. Next, we need to take advantage of the rumors in the court to lure out Feng Guofu's next move and strike him when he is least prepared."

Zhu Biao's eyes were sharp: "What's your plan, uncle?"

Zhu Han sat down and whispered, "Although his reform proposal has been brewing for several days, the biggest obstacle is still Prime Minister Li Guoying. This person has a straight character. Although he does not succumb to you or me, he is very wary of Feng Guofu.

If I submit a rebuttal in the name of Prime Minister Li, and invite a few old officials to second my opinion, I can make Feng Guofu lose his position in the court."

"Although this move is risky, it is possible." Zhu Biao pondered, "But he is experienced after all, so I'm afraid he will be on guard."

"It doesn't matter." Zhu Han's eyes were stern. "I have sent someone to approach Xu Chu, a retainer of Feng's mansion. This man has been making plans for Feng for many years. He is a heavy drinker and a womanizer, so he is easy to manipulate. As long as he says something careless, Feng Guofu will be isolated."

Zhu Biao smiled immediately: "My dear uncle, we have been planning carefully. The chessboard is ready. We are just waiting for you and me to make the next move."

A few days later, in the main hall, all the ministers gathered together and received a secret letter signed by Li Guoying.

It was circulated in the palace and contained harsh words, directly pointing out that Feng Guofu's reforms "disrupted social order and went against the trend of the times." Several senior ministers then jointly signed the letter, instantly detonating the political situation.

Zhu Yuanzhang sat on the dragon throne with a gloomy face.

Although he didn't say anything, there was a flash of displeasure in his eyes.

Feng Guofu knelt in front of the hall, his face as pale as death.

"Prince, what do you think of what Prime Minister Li said?"

Zhu Yuanzhang suddenly opened his mouth, his voice like a loud bell, shaking the entire palace.

Zhu Biao stepped forward and said in a low and steady voice: "Father, I think that although Feng Guofu's move was originally intended for the country, the method is radical, so it may be postponed. The government should not be easily disturbed, and the people's hearts should not be easily disturbed. I suggest that we postpone the discussion of this case and discuss it again on another day."

Zhu Yuanzhang stared at him for a long time, then suddenly smiled: "Biao'er now has some of the bearing of an emperor."

Feng Guofu looked up suddenly, wanting to say something but stopping himself.

"Come here," Zhu Yuanzhang waved his hand, "Feng Guofu will be temporarily transferred from the Ministry of War and await investigation."

At the command, the whole world was shocked.

There was an uproar in the court.

Zhu Biao just glanced at Zhu Han, and the two of them understood each other tacitly.

Three days later, outside the turbulent imperial city, it was still shrouded in twilight.

The Taiye Lake was shimmering with waves, and the golden tiles and red walls were reflecting the setting sun, but this could not conceal the turbulent situation under the Ming Dynasty court.

Wang Zhen held a banquet in the military residence as usual, inviting only a few of his old subordinates. He remained calm on the surface, but in fact he had already made plans in his mind.

"General, the prince's reputation is growing, and Feng Guofu is declining. Should we...go with the flow?" The confidant in the tent asked in a low voice.

Wang Zhen stared at the ripples in the wine glass for a long time without saying a word.

After a long while, he put down his wine glass and said coldly, "Do you think I'm waiting for an opportunity? I'm waiting for Zhu Han to make another move. If he doesn't move, Feng Guofu may not be willing to step down."

"But the Feng family... has already started collecting the house's account books, and it is said... someone has quietly dismissed the servants."

"That further proves that Feng Guofu has a back-up plan."

Wang Zhen narrowed his eyes, "He can't bear to lose. He is waiting. He wants to bet that the emperor will be soft-hearted, that the court officials will rebel, and that the prince will not dare to kill him."

"But he is wrong." A voice came slowly from behind the screen.

Wang Zhen stood up suddenly, his eyes grim: "Who?!"

Zhu Han walked out slowly from behind the screen, his face as usual and calm, "General Wang, it's too cold of you to drink with me."

Wang Zhen's expression eased, but he was still alert: "Prince Zhu came here late at night, it must not be just for drinking."

Zhu Han stood with his hands behind his back, his eyes flashing: "I'm here for only one thing."

"please say."

"Feng Guofu has a son, Feng Mingxuan, who is in charge of the warehouse department of the Ministry of Works and has more than 2,000 elite soldiers under his command. If he is not removed, he will become a disaster in the future."

Zhu Han said calmly, as if he was talking about a trivial matter, "I need your people. Tonight, I will intercept their way back."

A gleam of light flashed in Wang Zhen's eyes, and he said in a deep voice: "Are you going to do anything?"

"If Feng Guofu still has illusions, we need to cut off his arms."

Zhu Han took a few steps closer and spoke in a low but firm voice, "If he strikes back, the prince will no longer tolerate it. After this battle, no one in the court can challenge the prince's position."

Wang Zhen was silent for a moment, and finally bowed: "In this case, Your Majesty, I will cooperate with you in mobilizing troops."

Zhu Han chuckled: "General, you understand the righteousness of the cause. When the prince ascends the throne in the future, he will not forget this favor."

When night fell completely, Zhu Han returned to the palace and immediately summoned the spies, ordering them to split into two groups.

All the way to the south warehouse, keep an eye on Feng Mingxuan's movements; all the way to the palace, secretly report to the prince - "The last of the Feng family's power will be eliminated tonight."

The lights in the Prince's Palace were brightly on. After Zhu Biao finished reviewing the last document, he received a secret letter from Zhu Han.

He read it carefully and remained silent for a long time, his eyes fixed on the dancing flame on the wick.

"Uncle Emperor is trying to eradicate it completely..."

Zhu Biao murmured, then picked up his pen and wrote a single word on the secret letter: "Approved."

At the same time, Feng Mingxuan sensed an unusual atmosphere in the warehouse.

He was originally just an idle position, but recently, old subordinates have been approaching him. Many of these people have been favored by Feng Guofu, and now the situation is critical, they all return to seek a way out. (End of this chapter)