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

Zhu Han, dressed in black, stood to the side and rear of the high platform, with Wu Qiong, Du Shiqing, and several eunuchs from the Ministry of War behind him. He remained silent, simply watching Zhu Biao.

The drills begin.

"Eastern Camp—Raise the battle!"

At a command, three hundred soldiers from the Eastern Camp marched forward in unison, their weapons neatly arranged, shields open and closed, their gait steady, their formation as solid as a mountain.

Zhu Biao did not move, but slightly raised his hand to signal the change of command.

"Central Camp—Break Shields and Charge!"

Du Shiqing gave a long command, and the soldiers in the central camp moved like water pushing a stone, the vanguard wielded axes to cleave shields, and the rear thirty cavalrymen swiftly swept through the corners, advancing around the formation in one smooth motion.

"West Camp!" Zhu Biao drew his sword with a clang, and one rider charged out first, followed by fifty riders rushing out like a sharp blade cutting through the waves!
On the high platform, Zhu Yuanzhang appeared at some unknown time, dressed in a golden dragon robe, with a solemn expression.

He had no important ministers by his side, only the eunuch Li Shanwen attending to him.

Zhu Han bowed to him and said, "Your Majesty has come in person, and I have not been able to greet you in advance. I apologize for this."

Zhu Yuanzhang simply waved his hand: "It's alright. What do you think of this formation?"

Zhu Han watched as Zhu Biao rode around to the rear of the central camp and began to command, his voice calm: "Steady yet sharp, incisive yet not superficial, it can be considered a preliminary achievement."

Zhu Yuanzhang nodded slowly: "If he didn't learn from you, how would he dare to lead three battalions alone? If you weren't there to protect him, how would he dare to fight without hesitation?"

Zhu Han lowered his head and said, "Your subject has only done his best."

"You make it sound so easy," Zhu Yuanzhang said, watching the horses galloping across the battlefield. "Without you as my backer, how could I dare to hand over half of my military power to him?"

“But in the end, my brother did hand it over.” Zhu Han smiled meaningfully. “It was something he fought for, not something I protected.”

Zhu Yuanzhang did not reply, but slowly got up and walked towards the front desk. His gaze fell on the lone rider in front of the battle, carrying a sharpness that had not been moved for a long time.

At this moment, Zhu Biao let out a long roar: "The three guards unite as one, break through the encirclement together!"

The flags of the three battalions fell simultaneously, and the troops spun around, instantly transforming the encirclement from three sides into a single long line.

Zhu Biao rode ahead, his horse and arrows piercing through the central barrier formation like shooting stars. With a loud "bang," iron shields flew high into the air, grass clippings scattered, and the sound of hooves continued unabated amidst the rising dust!

The assembled officials gasped in unison in astonishment!

Zhu Han gazed at the horse figures in the formation, slowly exhaled, and suddenly murmured, "He is finally no longer that gentle-looking, indecisive Crown Prince."

“He is the Crown Prince,” Huang Qi replied in a low voice.

After the drill, Zhu Biao rode his horse to the foot of the high platform, his cloak billowing and his armor gleaming like snow. He bowed with his hands clasped and said, "Father, your son has not failed in his mission. The three battalions have just completed their initial training. I humbly request that you bestow upon me a title."

Zhu Yuanzhang, looking down from his high position, remained silent for a moment before suddenly proclaiming in a loud voice: "The three battalions are newly formed and their momentum is unstoppable. From this day forward, the three guards of the Eastern Palace will be renamed as the 'Fenwu Battalion,' 'Zhirui Battalion,' and 'Ance Battalion'! The three battalions will be under the command of the Eastern Palace Generals, with the Crown Prince as the commander-in-chief and the Princes as his assistants. The Ministry of War will be the supervising department."

The courtiers exclaimed in unison, "Our Emperor is wise and benevolent!"

Zhu Han stepped forward and bowed, saying, "Your subject will obey your decree."

Zhu Biao dismounted and slowly walked to the front of the platform. He bowed deeply before Zhu Han and whispered, "Uncle, today's achievements are all thanks to your assistance."

Zhu Han reached out to help him up and chuckled softly, "From now on, you won't need me to help you anymore."

That night, at the Prince's Mansion.

A system notification quietly appeared:

[Main Quest Completed: Three Months of Training, Showdown on the Training Ground]

[Reward: Crown Prince's Military Prestige +15, Zhu Biao's Trust +10]

[Side storyline unlocked: "The Crown Prince's palace system advances further, with the establishment of the Inner Guard Camp"]

Zhu Han closed the system interface and looked up at the night view in front of the courtyard.

On the eighth day of the ninth lunar month, the autumn wind blew into the night, and the cold dew had not yet condensed, but an indescribable heavy atmosphere shrouded the Forbidden City.

"Chief Eunuch Lin Fengzhang?" Zhu Han flipped through the roster in his hand, his brows furrowed. "Why has he been frequently entering and leaving the Eastern Inner Court lately?"

Huang Qi said, "He took over the position of the old chief steward two months ago, nominally to manage internal affairs, but my subordinates have found that in the past thirty days, he has entered the emperor's presence at night three times, summoned the Director of Ceremonial Affairs Zhu Que alone four times, and last night he sneaked into the small hall of the East Palace."

Zhu Han tapped the table lightly: "Father Emperor sets up a very deep scheme and never lightly tests people. This person's sudden commotion is probably not as simple as a 'test'."

"Your Highness means..."

"Someone is using an 'insider' to bypass the Crown Prince's defenses."

Zhu Han's gaze turned cold. "The gates of the inner palace have always been open only to the emperor and closed only to the crown prince."

Huang Qi asked in a low voice, "Should we inform the Crown Prince?"

Zhu Han pondered for a moment: "No. If he knew about this, it would only add to his worries. The Crown Prince has just taken command of the army. If he gets caught up in the undercurrents in the palace too early, he will surely lose his composure."

"That prince..."

Zhu Han raised his hand, a cold glint flashing in his eyes: "I'll do it."

The next day, before nightfall, a blue carriage from the Prince's Palace quietly drove into the western corridor of the imperial city, inside which sat a prince dressed in black.

No one knew where he was going, and no one dared to ask.

When the carriage stopped in the side hall of the Hall of Mental Cultivation, Zhu Han went straight in. The door was not lit, and Zhu Yuanzhang was already sitting behind the couch, burning incense and reading a book. He did not move when he heard the sound.

"Brother Han," Zhu Yuanzhang said calmly, "What brings you here at night?"

Standing amidst the rising smoke, Zhu Han spoke in a voice that was neither humble nor arrogant: "Your Majesty, tonight, I have only one question to ask—Lin Fengzhang."

Zhu Yuanzhang remained silent.

Zhu Han slowly stepped forward two steps: "He is a former member of the Directorate of Ceremonies and has a deep personal relationship with Zhu Que."

Recently, three eunuchs were transferred out and two unidentified individuals were brought in. Furthermore, they entered the Eastern Ward three times without being reported.

"What does Your Majesty intend to do?"

Zhu Yuanzhang remained silent, raising his eyes slowly as he looked over, his gaze like a blade piercing through the night fog.

"Are you afraid?"

Zhu Han, however, greeted him calmly: "I'm afraid you'll misjudge."

"Misjudgment?" Zhu Yuanzhang sneered. "Do you really think the Crown Prince is so stable that he can control himself? If he truly has his own mind, why would he fear my spies? If he truly can govern the country, why would he fear the eyes and ears of the inner palace? Brother Han—aren't you going too far in protecting him?"

Standing in the moonlight, Zhu Han suddenly said softly, "Brother, do you still remember when you first entered Yingtian? You also had people under your command keeping an eye on you. But the founding emperor did not establish the country based on suspicion."

"Are you saying that I am suspicious of people?"

“I told you there’s no need to doubt anymore,” Zhu Han said in a deep voice. “The Crown Prince is no longer the naive boy he once was. He can now make decisions, set up camps, and deploy generals. He has learned to discern people’s hearts and to conceal his true intentions. He has already reached a position where you can see him.”

"So you've come to speak on his behalf?"

Zhu Han suddenly chuckled: "I'm not speaking up for him, but leaving a way out for yourself. If you don't let go now, when the Crown Prince has enough power, the world will only think that you are reluctant to give up this empire."

Zhu Yuanzhang slowly raised his hand, then slowly lowered it, flicking his fingertips lightly. A gray-white secret document slid off the table: "This was presented by Lin Fengzhang last night. He said that among the newly recruited guards of the Crown Prince's residence, three are former soldiers from the Yan Prince's camp. What do you think?"

Zhu Han glanced at them and smiled coldly: "Those three were chosen by me."

Zhu Yuanzhang suddenly stood up, his beard and hair trembling slightly: "You deliberately lured him into this trap?"

“It’s not a hint, it’s a demonstration,” Zhu Han said. “I’m telling him that I know he’s watching, and I’m also letting him know that I’m not afraid of him watching.”

Zhu Yuanzhang remained silent for a long time. After a while, he sat back on the couch and let out a long sigh:
"You're always like this, leaving no room for argument."

He suddenly looked out the window: "Do you know why I appointed Lin Fengzhang?"

“Because you’re afraid.” Zhu Han’s eyes were clear: “You’re not afraid that the Crown Prince will make a mistake, but that you’ll miss out on his growth; you’re not afraid that he’s incompetent, but that he’s talented but unruly; you’re not afraid that he’ll leave you, but that he can truly stand up without you.”

Zhu Yuanzhang suddenly laughed.

Just like the long laugh he let out while gazing at the stars in his tent after leading his army to conquer Biancheng—he felt relieved and at peace.

“You’re right,” he said. “I am indeed afraid.”

He stood up, his gaze fixed on the darkness beyond the palace walls:
"But from this day forward, I am no longer afraid."

"Order Lin Fengzhang to transfer the Crown Prince out of the palace."

"Grant the Crown Prince the authority to establish a separate Imperial Guard."

"No supervisor of the inner court may overstep his authority and go to the eastern wing."

Zhu Han bowed slightly and said, "Your subject thanks Your Majesty."

Zhu Yuanzhang looked at him with a complicated expression: "He has already stepped out of your shadow."

Zhu Han smiled: "No, he has already started casting his own."

Three days later, the inner court issued an edict: the Crown Prince's Palace Guard would be solely responsible for its operations, and the Directorate of Ceremonial Affairs was not allowed to overstep its authority. All the officials in the court were astonished—this was the Emperor formally handing over the "power over the palace gates" to the Crown Prince.

It was no longer just about soldiers and generals, but the actual operation of the "core of the court." The crown prince's command of troops, administration, and leadership of the people was fully established from then on.

In the Prince's study, Huang Qi held a fresh secret report, his eyes filled with excitement: "Your Highness, the power of the Crown Prince... has truly reached its zenith."

Zhu Han remained calm and simply shook his head slightly: "No. Power is not about being high, but about being stable."

In the late autumn of the palace, a golden wind blows through the tiles, and the osmanthus blossoms begin to fade, their fragrance preceding their withering.

Zhu Biao stood atop the high tower of the Eastern Palace Library, gazing at the layers of palace walls of the imperial city, his gaze calm and serene.

"Your Highness." Gu Qingping entered, wearing a robe and carrying a pot of fresh tea. "It's getting cold. You've been standing in the wind for the time it takes to burn an incense stick."

Zhu Biao took the teacup, took a sip, and asked softly, "After Lin Fengzhang was transferred, has there been any unusual activity in the Imperial Household Department?"

“No major changes,” Gu Qingping replied, “but the eunuch Zhu Que remains silent, as if waiting for a wind that has not yet arrived.”

Zhu Biao nodded: "Zhu Que is no fool; he probably sees through this situation as well."

"But his silence is the most dangerous thing."

Gu Qingping looked at him and said, “Your Highness, the Emperor no longer doubts you, but the position of Crown Prince will never be determined solely by the Emperor’s favor.”

Zhu Biao pursed his lips and remained silent for a moment before slowly saying, "Although my uncle and I are now one, we are gradually moving towards different positions."

"Your Highness is saying..."

Zhu Biao gazed at the rosy glow atop the distant palace walls and murmured, “Your Highness is a sword, capable of cutting down enemies and breaking through illusions; but if I cannot be the one who wields that sword, then this sword will ultimately belong to someone else.”

Gu Qingping's gaze was serious: "What do you plan to do?"

“I want to transform the Crown Prince’s prestige from ‘relying on the Prince’ to ‘commanding the world’.” Zhu Biao turned around, his steps firm. “This time, I will orchestrate a plan all by myself.”

A few days later, the Crown Prince personally set up a "Civil and Military Lecture Meeting". The location was neither in the palace nor in the Ministry of War, but in the "Qian Ce Hall" - the old site where Zhu Yuanzhang lectured on military strategy and law during the reign of Emperor Taizu.

The aim was to "test the system of officials in the Eastern Palace," to simulate the situation of ruling from behind the throne by practicing politics, discussing laws, deploying troops, and verifying systems.

Ostensibly, it was to train young officials, but in reality, it was a public announcement to the world: the crown prince is ready to be the ruler.

When Zhu Han heard the news, he was sitting alone under the pavilion of the Prince's Mansion, reading "The Spring and Autumn Annals of Zuo".

Huang Qi rushed in from outside: "Your Highness, the Crown Prince is about to convene the 'Thousand Strategies Conference' but has not yet informed the Prince's residence."

Zhu Han remained motionless and asked calmly, "Who made the suggestion?"

"It was Wu Qiong and Gu Qingping. I heard that Du Shiqing was also involved in the planning."

Zhu Han gently closed the book and chuckled to himself, "Alright, Zhu Biao."

"Is Your Highness not angry?"

"Why be angry?" Zhu Han looked at a maple tree in the courtyard. "This is precisely the move he should make. If he doesn't actively step out of the line I've drawn, how can he be fit to rule?"

Huang Qi hesitated: "But many important officials in the court are still bound by the name of the prince. If the crown prince takes control of the situation, I'm afraid the court and the public will suspect that the crown prince is excluding the prince."

The "Qian Ce Tang" is located in the southwest corner of the imperial city. It was originally a place where the three departments held joint discussions when Emperor Taizu was in power. Since Emperor Taizu retired from court, it has been closed and rarely used.

Now, with the Crown Prince's policy being restarted, it has attracted much attention in the court.

On the day the lecture hall opened, before dawn, all the officials had already arrived.

Zhu Biao, dressed in a dark blue court robe, stood alone in front of the hall.

Behind his figure, it was no longer Zhu Han's light, but the Crown Prince's own sunlight.

"In today's political discourse, there are no princes."

This statement is not indifference, but a stance.

He looked at the officials, military generals, scholars, and advisors standing below the stage, his gaze sharp as a knife, and slowly began to speak:
"Emperor Taizu once instructed his ministers here, speaking on politics, law, and military affairs. Today, I, Zhu Biao, will also speak on three matters here."

"First—discuss personnel matters."

"The selection of officials for the Crown Prince's office will no longer be based on personal relationships, but on merit. Whether in the central government, the Six Ministries, or the military training grounds, anyone capable may submit their proposals for discussion."

"Secondly, discuss border defense."

"The Eastern Palace Three Guards will expand the South Garden of the drill ground, add a military academy, and plan to teach court law and military etiquette, not only to train soldiers, but also to train generals."

"Third – Discuss the future."

"If the Crown Prince is unable to fulfill his duties in this century-old Ming Dynasty, all of you may discuss his removal. If I, Zhu Biao, am without virtue or ability, I am willing to accept the condemnation of all officials."

As soon as he finished speaking, the hall fell silent.

At that moment, Zhu Han was already standing behind the hall, neither appearing nor speaking, but quietly watching the crown prince who had finally begun to "take control of the government."

Wu Qiong said softly to Du Shiqing, "Your Highness is now capable of standing on your own."

Du Shiqing whispered, "No, it's just that from today onwards, he has decided to stop relying on others."

Zhu Han listened, smiled, and turned to leave.

Gu Qingping stood by the window, while Zhu Biao changed out of his court robes and put on a wide robe before entering the bedchamber. The two sat facing each other in silence.

After a long silence, Gu Qingping asked softly, "Regarding today's plan, you didn't invite the Prince. Do you have any concerns?"

Zhu Biao raised his eyes, his gaze bright and clear: "I never doubted him, but I can't live in his shadow forever. My father wants to see if I can stand up, and my uncle wants to see if I dare to leave his shadow."

"Therefore, I am not here today to eliminate him, but to let the world know that the Crown Prince's policies do not need to be dependent on others."

Gu Qingping smiled: "You've come this far."

Zhu Han stood in the waterside pavilion, listening to the faint sound of bells coming from afar, as if they were coming from Qian Ce Hall.

Huang Qi stood aside and said in a low voice, "The Crown Prince's plan today has spread throughout the Six Ministries, and all the officials in the capital are praising it."

Zhu Han nodded: "He has already built his own 'isolated city'."

"A lonely city?" Huang Qi asked, puzzled.

Zhu Han said calmly, "He no longer needs me as his fortress, nor does he need my elder brother's protection. He is now an independent 'isolated fortress.' The next step is to see how he opens the 'Gate of the Emperor.'" (End of Chapter)