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

"My dear, there is a sudden increase in manpower in the mansion tonight, and there seems to be some unusual movement among the city guards outside."

When the personal guard reported, his voice was so low that it was almost inaudible.

Feng Mingxuan frowned: "You mean... Wang Zhen was shocked?"

"I don't know if it was Wang Zhen, but it must not be accidental."

The guard whispered again, "Someone is mobilizing troops."

Feng Mingxuan suddenly realized that he had become a prey.

"Prepare the horses and leave the city tonight." He whispered.

"My dear, if we leave the city, it might be exactly what they want."

"Stay here and you'll die."

Feng Mingxuan's eyes flashed with ruthlessness, "My father still has some strength left. As long as I can escape from the capital and join up with my father's former subordinates, I will surely be able to make a comeback."

However, he was ultimately unable to escape from the city gate.

When his carriage drove half a mile out of the north city gate, he suddenly heard metal clanging on both sides and torches lit up the night sky.

Hundreds of cavalrymen lined up in front of them, led by Wang Zhen's adopted son Wang Cheng, who looked at the people in the car coldly.

"Feng Mingxuan, under the secret order of the Crown Prince, is being taken back to the capital for interrogation."

"You dare to touch me?" Feng Mingxuan was furious and drew his sword ready to fight.

Wang Cheng sneered: "To attack you? I'm attacking all the evil deeds that your Feng family has done."

The arrows flew through the wind, the carriage overturned, Feng Mingxuan was seriously injured and captured, and was taken to the Ministry of Justice that night.

The next morning, Zhu Yuanzhang summoned all the ministers in the imperial city, and the Minister of Justice presented the secret report from last night.

Feng Guofu lost his voice on the spot: "Your Majesty, does the prince know about this matter?"

Zhu Yuanzhang gave him a cold look and said, "If the prince does not speak, I will not ask. But if this boy plots rebellion, who can protect him?"

Feng Guofu looked ashen and said nothing.

On this day, thunder and lightning struck the imperial city again, the Feng family collapsed completely, and the remaining members all scattered.

In Zhu Biao's palace, Zhu Han sat quietly at the desk and poured tea for him.

Zhu Biao took it, stared at the floating leaves in the cup, and asked softly: "The Feng family has been eliminated, and Wang Zhen has also returned to the camp. Has the emperor ever thought about... what to do next?"

Zhu Han said: "Your Highness, you have only stabilized the government and have not yet established a foundation. The next step should be to win the hearts of the people, reorganize the army, and regain power."

Zhu Biao took a deep breath and said, "Uncle, I am not afraid of difficulties, I am only afraid that the people around me do not understand."

Zhu Han smiled slightly, stood up and bowed: "Since I have assisted the Crown Prince, I will never regret it until my death."

In the quiet alley of Beizhenfusi, a solitary lamp flickered, casting mottled shadows on the stone steps.

Zhu Han was well aware of the dangers of the court situation. Even though Feng Guofu had fallen, the aftermath was still lingering and there would definitely be some fish that slipped through the net.

At this moment, a man in black rushed in and came to the chief officer Gu Yinglou and reported in a low voice:
"Your Excellency, the Feng family's former subordinates Zhao Guang and Qian Sheng fled the capital three days ago and their whereabouts are unknown now."

Gu Yinglou sneered and looked up at the night outside the door: "You can escape for a while, but you can't escape forever. Pass my order, send out spies everywhere, block the main roads, and don't let anything go."

"Here!" The man in black disappeared instantly.

Gu Yinglou turned and went inside. A secret letter had been placed on the table. It was written by Zhu Han himself and contained only a few words: "Although Feng was defeated quickly, the poison still exists. I hope the Northern Division will wipe out the remaining members."

Gu Yinglou stroked the letter paper and muttered to himself, "Prince Zhu is indeed a good planner. He not only swept the Feng family, but also supported the prince. This makes me respect him even more."

At the same time, the lights in Wang Zhen's mansion were bright.

Wang Zhen sat with his coat on, listening to the report from his adopted son Wang Cheng.

"Foster father, Feng Mingxuan has confessed everything. His father secretly sent people to his old subordinates in Shandong, intending to mobilize troops for self-protection. Fortunately, we intercepted them first."

Wang Zhen asked in a deep voice, "Does Zhu Han know about this?"

"It has been reported to the prince's confidant, and it is expected to be delivered to the prince's palace in the near future."

Wang Zhen nodded, his eyes dim, "This situation is settled, the Crown Prince's power is established. The palace should be completely loyal and not have any second thoughts."

Wang Cheng clasped his fists and said, "I understand, son."

Wang Zhen closed his eyes for a long time and whispered, "Remember, what we are betting on is not only Zhu Biao, but also the future Ming Dynasty."

The next morning, in the Prince's Palace, Zhu Han held a bamboo slip and reported in detail the movements of the remaining members of the Feng family.

"Your Highness, the Northern Pacification Office has been closely monitoring the situation. There are still some scattered forces in Shandong that have not been eliminated. I have dispatched three groups of troops to pursue and suppress them."

Zhu Biao pondered for a moment and asked, "Shandong is the former home of the Feng family. I'm afraid there are more than just visible forces. Does the emperor's uncle have any arrangements?"

Zhu Han smiled slightly and whispered, "I have sent Chen Wuji to go there. He is good at undercover investigation and I think he can find out the secret clues. As for the capital, although Zhao Guang and Qian Sheng have escaped, they have set up a dragnet."

Zhu Biao nodded, his eyes becoming more determined: "I am very relieved by what my uncle has done. I hope that the world will be peaceful and live up to the ambition of my ancestors to establish the country."

Zhu Han raised his eyes and stared at the prince, his tone gentle but meaningful: "Your Highness, the world is not at peace yet, and the aspiration for peace must be led by the sword. After sweeping away the Feng family, we should also rectify the military and political affairs and take back the power."

Zhu Biao looked out the window at the morning light and said, "Uncle, where should we start next?"

Zhu Han whispered, "Military and political affairs come first. There are many obstacles in the Shangshufang, and the Ministry of War is even more full of hidden talents. If Your Highness wants to lead the army in person, you must first win over the military power."

"Although Wang Zhen has returned, he is not a confidant and still needs to be checked and balanced." Zhu Biao replied softly.

Zhu Han smiled and said, "Your Highness is right. I have recommended Hu Qingchen. He was a soldier on the battlefield in the past and is loyal and trustworthy. If he can be given military affairs and assist Wang Zhen, the army can be kept stable."

"Can this person be entrusted with important tasks?" Zhu Biao hesitated a little.

"He can be trusted." Zhu Han said decisively, "Hu Qingchen has a clean family background, a straightforward personality, and is not good at political schemes. He can check and balance Wang Zhen's cunningness."

Zhu Biao's eyes were stern: "Okay, then summon Hu Qingchen to the capital to discuss the matter."

As soon as this strategy came out, the wind direction in the army gradually changed. After Hu Qingchen came to Beijing, he met the prince. Zhu Biao personally gave him a brocade robe and appointed him as the left vice minister of the Ministry of War, concurrently in charge of military dispatch.

When Wang Zhen learned about this, although he was slightly alarmed, he still respectfully asked to see Zhu Biao.

"I heard that General Hu has been ordered to serve the country wholeheartedly."

Zhu Biao smiled slightly, and said meaningfully: "General Wang's loyalty is evident, and General Hu is also a good general whom I rely on. In the future, I hope that the two generals will work together to protect our Ming Dynasty."

Wang Zhen bowed his head and saluted, knowing Zhu Biao's intention and having to agree.

Outside the palace, Zhu Han had other arrangements.

Former secret agent Xu Huai has quietly sneaked into the Imperial Academy to investigate the movements of the civil servant factions.

A few days later, Xu Huai secretly reported:

"Your Highness, Imperial Academy Scholar Zou Shouyi is secretly communicating with an old official of the Feng family, and they are still exchanging letters."

Zhu Han heard this and smiled calmly: "Literati use their pens as knives, and they also need to be sharpened."

He immediately ordered his confidant to go to the Hanlin Academy, under the pretext of consulting ancient books, to secretly collect evidence of Zou Shouyi's crimes.

Within a few days, Zou Shouyi was arrested and imprisoned for "hiding letters from the rebel party."

A single stone caused a thousand ripples. The civil officials in the court were shocked. Everyone felt in danger and pledged their loyalty to the Crown Prince's Palace.

Zhu Biao received the victory report and said calmly: "The emperor's uncle acted decisively, which frightened the court." Zhu Han flicked his sleeves and smiled, "Your Highness, shock first and then stabilize, only then can long-term governance be achieved. Wait until the court's cultural atmosphere is cleared up, and then show kindness, only then can you win the hearts of the people."

There was a strange light in Zhu Biao's eyes. He knew that Zhu Han was acting cautiously and that although his methods were cruel, they were intended to support him.

Just as the situation was gradually stabilizing, a secret letter suddenly arrived from the north on a fast horse.

[Reporting to the Crown Prince, the Northern Pacification Office has reported secretly that remnants of the Feng family are suspected to have fled to the Liaodong border, intending to use external forces to rise again.]

Zhu Biao stared at the secret message in the letter, frowning slightly: "Uncle, has the Feng family come to this?"

Zhu Han's eyes were cold and stern: "Even if a running dog jumps over the wall, a trapped beast will still fight. Your Highness, if you allow me to lead the secret guards to the north to pursue and suppress the enemy, our dynasty will be safe."

Zhu Biao thought for a moment and nodded decisively: "Okay!"

The north wind was biting and the night was as dark as ink. Zhu Han, wearing a black fox fur coat, stood in the galloping carriage, gazing towards the distant north with a sharp gaze.

Hundreds of secret guards followed closely behind, speeding along the official road like the gust of wind.

Just two days after setting out from the capital, they were already approaching Changping.

Han Yi, the personal guard beside him, reported in a low voice: "Your Highness, the spies reported that Zhao Guang and Qian Sheng, former subordinates of the Feng family, appeared in the Xishan area of ​​Changping, and they are suspected of wanting to join their old friends in Liaodong."

Zhu Han smiled coldly: "It's like trying to stop a chariot with a mantis arm. Order Han Qi to lead 20 elite cavalrymen to go around the back road of West Mountain, and the rest of you will follow me to pursue them head-on. We must capture the two thieves alive."

"Yes!" Han Yi took the order and left.

That night, the west mountain was vast and cold. Zhu Han led the cavalry into the mountain road. The dead branches in the forest rustled and occasionally startled birds flew across the night sky. After an incense stick, the outpost cavalry reported urgently:

"Your Majesty, we found Zhao Guang and Qian Sheng resting in a ruined temple in the mountains. There are sentries around them."

Zhu Han's lips curled up with a hint of coldness: "The thief has fallen into the trap. Pass the order, encircle and suppress him in half an incense stick, and make sure to capture him alive."

The encirclement and suppression battle unfolded quietly in the night. Hundreds of riders divided into several groups and sneaked into the woods like ghosts.

At midnight, Zhu Han gave an order and sharp arrows rained down, first breaking through the sentry posts and then rushing into the ruined temple.

Zhao Guang and Qian Sheng fought hastily, but were ultimately defeated and captured.

Zhu Han stood outside the temple gate and asked in a cold voice, "Zhao Guang, Qian Sheng, you still dare to plot evil, what do you have to say tonight?"

Zhao Guang's face was ashen, he gritted his teeth and glared: "Zhu Han, don't be so complacent! My old friends in the Feng family are still here, and one day I will make you pay for your blood debt with blood!"

"Nonsense." Zhu Han sneered, waved his hand and ordered the two men to be arrested, and said in a cold voice, "Immediately escort them back to the capital, and ask the Northern Pacification Office to thoroughly investigate the remaining gang members."

Han Yi whispered, "Your Majesty, there are spies in the north reporting that the remnants of the Feng family are suspected to be trying to cross the border."

Zhu Han's eyes were stern. "Send the order. Split the troops into two groups. I will lead thirty elite cavalrymen to pursue, and the rest will escort the captives back to the capital."

At dawn the next day, Zhu Han led his light cavalry into the northern border and searched for the remnants of Feng's party along the secret passage.

After days of rushing, the cold wind was as sharp as a knife, and everyone's clothes and armor were covered with frost, but Zhu Han's expression became more determined.

Five days later, an urgent report came from the border town of Daning that Feng family confidant Li Qian was trying to escape by crossing the river and had secretly connected with a certain tribe in Liaodong.

Upon hearing the news, Zhu Han's eyes were cold and he whispered, "Immediately block the three key passes in Daning, surround the water and cut off the roads, and make sure to capture Li Qian alive."

That night, outside the Daning government office, Zhu Han sat alone in the hall, with a topographic map laid out on the table, and his fingertips marked the location of the ferry. Han Yi came in to report:

"Your Highness, an ambush has been set up on the east bank. Li Qian has not yet moved out. He is probably waiting and watching in the town."

Zhu Han sneered: "If he doesn't come out, I will force him to come out."

He ordered people to spread the news secretly in the town, saying that the Northern Pacification Office had withdrawn its troops. Li Qian fell into the trap and sneaked into the ferry at three o'clock in the morning.

Just as he was about to set sail, he suddenly saw flames on the river and arrows flying.

Li Qian was still in shock when he was captured by Zhu Han who led a light cavalry.

Zhu Han stood on the shore and asked in a cold voice: "Li Qian, the Feng family is defeated, but you still dare to collude with foreign enemies. Don't you know that you should be punished by killing all nine generations of your family?"

Li Qian's face turned pale, and he said in a trembling voice: "Your Majesty, please forgive me. I am only following orders. I am willing to reveal the whereabouts of the remaining members of the Feng family..."

Zhu Han's eyes were stern. He ordered his men to escort Li Qian back to Beijing immediately, and ordered Han Yi to secretly search for the remaining hidden forces revealed by Li Qian.

At this point, the remnants of the Feng family in the northern border were completely defeated, and Zhu Han led his troops back in triumph.

In early June, the situation in and outside the capital gradually calmed down, and the political situation became more stable.

The remnants of the Feng family were eliminated, the prince's reputation grew, and the power of Zhu Biao and Zhu Han, uncle and nephew, became unshakable.

Inside the Crown Prince's Palace, Zhu Biao personally summoned Zhu Han to see him, and the two sat opposite each other to discuss the situation.

"I am very pleased with the achievements of my uncle's trip north."

Zhu Biao personally poured a cup of tea and handed it to Zhu Han, "Now that Feng's party has been eliminated and the military and political situation are gradually stabilizing, what should we do next?"

Zhu Han smiled slightly and said slowly: "Your Highness, although the current situation is stable, we cannot rely on military force for long. We should implement virtuous policies and win the hearts of the people."

Zhu Biao nodded: "Uncle, you are right. There are still remnants of the Feng family's old party among the civil officials. I want to choose a time to clean up the literary world. Does uncle have a good plan?"

Zhu Han thought for a moment and said, "We can use the opportunity of the spring election to rectify the Imperial Academy and the Ministry of Rites, eliminate the disloyal ones, and support the loyal ones."

"Okay." Zhu Biao's eyes were blazing, and he clasped his fists together. "When I give the order, the clear wind will sweep away all the filth."

During the discussion, Han Yi hurried inside and reported in a low voice:
"Your Highness, the Northern Pacification Office has an urgent report that Wu Jing, the Eastern Guard Commander, has been secretly communicating with the remnants of the Feng family and plotting rebellion. We have now obtained confirmed evidence."

Zhu Biao's eyes suddenly turned cold when he heard this: "Uncle, how should we deal with this person?"

Zhu Han said calmly: "Although Wu Jing has military merits, his true intentions have been exposed. There is no point in keeping him. I request that you immediately order his arrest and eliminate the source of chaos in the army."

Zhu Biao said decisively: "Allow it! Uncle, please choose someone to do the job. I have full authority to entrust you with this."

Zhu Han took the order and immediately dispatched secret guards to secretly arrest Wu Jing. He also drafted an imperial edict to inform the court and enforce military discipline.

At dawn, the morning glow spread over the sky above the capital.

After several months of ups and downs, the remnants of the Feng family were wiped out, and the prestige of Crown Prince Zhu Biao was as high as the scorching sun in the sky.

In the palace, Zhu Han sat quietly by the window.

He tapped the table with his fingertips and gazed at the slowly rising sunlight outside the window, but his mind was already deducing the next step in the game.

Suddenly, there was a knock on the door. A eunuch walked in quickly and reported in a low voice:
"Your Highness, the Crown Prince has sent someone to tell you that you are invited to the Purple Palace to discuss something important."

Zhu Han's eyes moved slightly, and the corners of his lips smiled faintly: "It seems that the time has come to take action."

He then stood up, straightened his clothes, put on a dark blue brocade robe, and led several trusted men into the palace in a carriage.

Deep inside the palace, Zhu Biao had been waiting in the Zichen Hall for a long time.

He looked calm, but could not hide the trace of fatigue between his brows, as if he had been thinking about things for days.

Seeing Zhu Han enter the hall, Zhu Biao stood up to greet him and spoke cordially:
"Uncle, you took the trouble to come to the palace this morning. I have something on my mind that I need to discuss with you."

Zhu Han bowed and said with a smile: "Your Highness and my uncle and nephew are of the same mind. If Your Highness has any problem, it is my responsibility."

Zhu Biao looked solemn, dismissed his attendants, and only kept a few trusted ministers, and said in a low voice:

"Although the Feng family has been defeated, the aftermath of the military conflict has subsided, and the civil officials have also expressed their loyalty. However, I have heard that there have been some unusual movements in the palace recently."

Zhu Han's eyes moved, he smiled but said nothing, just listened quietly. (End of this chapter)