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

Zhu Biao stood quietly to the side, his expression calm, yet he could sense the turmoil beneath his father's seemingly composed demeanor.

“He won three times,” Zhu Yuanzhang said slowly, his voice a little hoarse. “The generals I sent out all fell into his hands.”

Zhu Biao lowered his head and said calmly, "Father, he did not rebel, but only wanted to prove his innocence."

"Self-proof?" Zhu Yuanzhang sneered. "He killed 20,000 of my soldiers and burned 300,000 shi of my grain. Is that self-proof?"

"If he hadn't been driven to the brink, why would he have ended up like this?"

Zhu Biao raised his eyes, his gaze resolute. "Father, Uncle Wang has always been cautious. If he truly harbored rebellious intentions, he would have seized the opportunity to declare himself emperor amidst the chaos. But he didn't—this proves..."

Zhu Yuanzhang remained silent, simply gazing at the candlelight on the table. The flickering flame mirrored his state of mind.

Zhu Biao bowed deeply: "Your subject guarantees this with his life."

Zhu Yuanzhang remained silent for a long time before finally standing up slowly. "Prepare the imperial edict."

Zhu Biao was taken aback: "Father wants to..."

"I will personally go to Yingtian."

Three days later, the imperial entourage set off from Nanjing. Zhu Yuanzhang led the most elite imperial guards, without making a fuss or setting up any battle formations, and only brought a few dozen personal guards.

Meanwhile, from the city of Yingtian, a sentry brought alarming news—

"The Jinling army... has retreated!"

Shen Lu rushed into the council hall, his face full of shock: "Your Highness, the enemy has completely retreated and is no longer besieging the city!"

Zhao Desheng rushed in, tears welling in his eyes with excitement: "Your Highness, we've won! Jinling has retreated!"

Zhu Han slowly stood up, but instead of showing joy, he said in a low voice, "That's not right."

"What's wrong?" Zhao Desheng was stunned.

“Jinling will not retreat without a reason.” Zhu Han turned around and looked at the official road in the distance. “He is coming.”

That day, the wind was calm and the sky was bright.

The city gates slowly opened, and the sound of hooves approached from afar. The knights at the front wore silver armor, and golden dragon banners hung from their reins—a symbol of the emperor's personal campaign.

"The Emperor has arrived——!"

The garrison commander and the people knelt down together, shouting "Long live the emperor!"

Zhu Han stood quietly before the city gate, his armor still on, his eyes calm. He did not kneel. He simply stood still until the familiar dragon shadow slowly came to a stop before him.

Zhu Yuanzhang dismounted and looked at him with a complicated expression.

The two brothers stood ten paces apart, silently gazing at each other.

The wind swept past the banners, stirring up dust and bringing with it years of estrangement.

Zhu Han spoke first: "Your Majesty, you have finally come to see your humble brother."

Zhu Yuanzhang's hand trembled slightly, and he said in a low voice, "Do you know how many people have died because of your betrayal?"

"Rebellion?" Zhu Han gave a bitter smile. "If it were rebellion, I would have already declared myself emperor. But I am guarding your city and protecting your people."

"Then why don't you go back to Nanjing to stand trial?"

"Because the imperial edict from Jinling was not written by you personally." Zhu Han's tone was calm, but his eyes were sharp as knives.

“The seal on that ‘Decree to Reduce the Power of the Feudal Ranks’ is fake. If my brother returns, he will face certain death.”

Zhu Yuanzhang was startled. He looked up abruptly, his eyes flashing with shock.

"You're saying...it's fake?"

"Your Majesty, after defending the city for three months, discovered that the counterfeit seal originated from the central government's inner court and was made by Guo Si, the Minister of Revenue."

Zhu Han stepped forward slowly, his voice firm, “He secretly colluded with foreign officials, attempting to use the ‘reduction of the fiefdoms’ to force the princes to rebel, so as to weaken the imperial clan and seize control of the court.”

Zhu Yuanzhang's eyes gradually darkened. At that moment, he understood.

No wonder those memorials were so aggressive, no wonder they all said "Zhu Han is plotting a rebellion" in several memorials, but no one dared to provide any evidence.

It turns out he was being manipulated.

"I... have been bullied to this extent."

Zhu Yuanzhang slowly raised his head and looked at Zhu Han, his eyes flashing with indescribable emotions.

Why didn't you say so sooner?

“My brother submitted a memorial three times, but it was intercepted each time.”

That short sentence was like a knife, piercing Zhu Yuanzhang's heart.

He suddenly fell silent, his hands trembling slightly.

“Brother Han,” he said in a low voice, his voice hoarse, “I have wronged you.”

Zhu Han knelt down and kowtowed deeply. "Your subject has never resented you, only that fate was too cruel, making us brothers enemies."

Zhu Yuanzhang stared at him, remaining silent for a long time.

At that moment, time seemed to flow backward, and he saw that boy again—kneeling in the snow outside the palace gate, still stubbornly looking up at him and saying, "Your subject will become someone who can protect the world."

He suddenly laughed. His laughter was tinged with tears.

"Well done, what a 'protector of the world'!"

He stepped forward and personally helped Zhu Han up. "From this day forward, Yingtian is no longer a vassal state."

"What does Your Majesty mean—?" Zhu Han was taken aback.

"Rename Yingtian to 'Chengtian Prefecture' and put you in charge temporarily to assist the Crown Prince."

Zhu Yuanzhang's voice was loud, yet it carried an unprecedented gentleness: "You and Zhu Biao, one a scholar and the other a warrior, together govern the world."

Zhu Han was stunned for a long time, then kowtowed heavily: "Your subject obeys the decree."

The autumn wind in Chengtian Prefecture is getting cooler.

Before the morning mist had dissipated, the city's residents were already up early, sweeping and cleaning. Soldiers patrolled the streets and alleys, their banners fluttering in the wind, and a long-lost sense of peace permeated the air.

Zhu Han stood on the city tower, overlooking the entire city. Three months ago, this place was a battlefield of blood and fire; now, smoke curled from chimneys, the sound of horses' hooves faded into the distance, and everything seemed to have returned to peace.

Shen Lu stepped onto the city wall from behind, holding a newly made law in his hands.

"Your Highness, this was written by His Majesty last night, ordering you to assume the duties of the Heavenly King, temporarily manage the central military affairs, and discuss the affairs of the realm with the Crown Prince."

Zhu Han accepted the imperial edict, remained silent for a moment, and said softly, "Your Majesty... has finally decided to let go."

Shen Lu lowered his head and remained silent. Zhu Yuanzhang never easily gave his trust, not even to his own brother.

Granting this authority today is both an honor and a test.

Zhu Han slowly unfurled the edict, his gaze lingering on a line of powerful characters: "Assist the Crown Prince to stabilize the court."

“To suppress the regime…” he repeated in a low voice, a slight smile playing on his lips, but it was a cold smile.

"If the government can truly maintain order, the world will not be in such chaos."

Shen Lu hesitated, as if he wanted to say something but then stopped. Zhu Han noticed his hesitation and turned to ask, "What do you want to say?"

"Your Highness, I have heard that things have been rather unsettled in the capital lately."

"what for?"

"According to reports from spies, the old faction in the Ministry of Revenue has not been completely eradicated. Although Guo Si has been executed, his followers and remnants are still hiding in the inner palace. Although the Crown Prince is kind-hearted, he is not tolerated by the civil officials—they mostly act according to the old orders and secretly still believe in the Guo family lineage."

Zhu Han sneered: "This is how civil officials have always operated. They simply change course with the wind."

Shen Lu sighed: "I fear they are not only like this. Recently, there have been rumors in the court that His Majesty intends to establish another heir."

Zhu Han raised an eyebrow and turned to walk slowly toward the edge of the city wall.

As the fog dissipated, the sunlight shone on his face, making him appear stern.

"The position of Crown Prince is not open to discussion. If anyone dares to harbor any disloyal thoughts..."

He paused, his tone heavy, "Then I will clean the palace of filth for my brother."

Shen Lu bowed: "Your Highness, please be careful with your words."

Zhu Han smiled faintly: "Shen Lu, are you afraid that I will really become that legendary 'traitor'?"

"I don't dare."

"Ah, I dare not, yet I am afraid."

He patted Shen Lu on the shoulder, his tone suddenly softening, "If I were to truly rebel, the Ming Dynasty would have ceased to exist long ago." Zhu Yuanzhang sat behind his desk, a scroll of memorials twirling in his hand. The candlelight illuminated his bloodshot eyes, and he seemed lost in deep thought.

Zhu Biao stood quietly to one side, without uttering a word.

"Biao'er," Zhu Yuanzhang finally spoke, "do you know what the hardest thing in this world is?"

Zhu Biao pondered for a moment and replied, "It is about healing the mind."

Zhu Yuanzhang was slightly taken aback, then smiled and said, "It really is you. Curing the mind is a hundred times more difficult than governing the country."

He put down the memorial and sighed: "I have fought wars all my life and killed people all my life. In the end, I am trapped by the hearts of my own people."

Zhu Biao stepped forward and said in a low voice, "If Father has any doubts, I am willing to go to Chengtian to discuss national policies with my uncle."

Zhu Yuanzhang looked up at him, his gaze complex: "You believe him?"

“He has saved my life three times and protected the country countless times. If even he is not trusted, then what does Father Emperor trust only in weapons?”

Zhu Yuanzhang was silent for a moment, then smiled and said, "Alright, go. See clearly for me—is he protecting the country or protecting himself?"

The moonlit night in Chengtian Prefecture was unusually quiet.

Zhu Han sat alone at his desk, on which lay the system interface—mysterious golden characters that only he could see.

[Today's Check-in: Received "A Strategy from the Emperor"]

He chuckled softly, flicked his finger, and the text vanished, leaving only a prompt: "Can be used to resolve one instance of uncertainty regarding imperial power."

He leaned back in his chair and murmured, "Resolve the mystery? That's interesting."

"Your Highness," Shen Lu's voice came from outside the door, "His Highness the Crown Prince has arrived."

Zhu Han was slightly taken aback, then rose to greet him. Moonlight streamed down the corridor as the two stood facing each other. Zhu Biao had removed his fine robes, now dressed in plain clothes, and his expression was respectful.

"uncle."

"Your Highness," Zhu Han smiled, "Did my elder brother send you?"

Zhu Biao nodded: "Father Emperor is worried about the instability of the court, and has ordered me to manage military and political affairs together with my uncle."

Zhu Han's smile deepened: "Co-management?"

"Yes."

"Then let's manage it together."

The two entered the hall side by side, the candlelight flickering.

Zhu Han personally poured tea for Zhu Biao: "Your Highness, although the world has been at peace these past years, undercurrents have been surging. Do you know why?"

"Because people's hearts are not yet settled," Zhu Biao answered decisively.

“Indeed.” Zhu Han put down his teacup. “Although Guo Si is dead, his influence has been deeply rooted in the court for twenty years. Although the civil officials are weak, they can use their pens as weapons. If they are not eliminated, they will surely become a hidden danger.”

Zhu Biao frowned: "But my father always said that virtue should be the priority in governing a country. If we continue to massacre people, I'm afraid the people will lose heart."

Zhu Han sighed softly: "This is the difference between you and your elder brother. Your elder brother believes in 'law,' you believe in 'virtue,' while I believe in—'power.'"

He paused, his gaze sharp, "Virtue is not enough to subdue people, law is not enough to control people, only power can make the hearts of the masses submit."

Zhu Biao pondered for a long time, then asked softly, "Uncle, is there a way?"

Zhu Han smiled slightly, took out a jade slip from his sleeve, and placed it on the table.

"This is my plan of the past few days, called the 'Strategy of Receiving Heaven.' If you truly wish to save the world, then begin from here."

Zhu Biao took it and unfolded it. Several lines of text were written on it: "With Chengtian as the hub, the three armies of the north, central and south are commanded, with civil administration controlling the military and the military controlling the civil administration. The Crown Prince holds the imperial staff in civil administration, and the King holds the military power; the upper and lower levels check each other, and the left and right sides assist each other."

Zhu Biao's eyes widened slightly: "If this strategy is implemented, the separation of civil and military power will stabilize the country, but there will never be a unified central government."

“That’s right.” Zhu Han nodded. “But the central authority doesn’t lie in whose hands, but in your heart. If you can govern the world with your heart, what is there to fear about the loss of power?”

Zhu Biao slowly closed the strategy scroll, remaining silent for a long time. After a while, he raised his head, a resolute look in his eyes: "Uncle, I am willing to carry out this strategy."

Zhu Han smiled and said, "That's good."

He stood up, looked at the moonlight outside the window, and said in a calm tone, "If you follow this plan, perhaps there will be fewer killings in the world."

"Uncle," Zhu Biao suddenly asked, "if one day Father Emperor suspects you of rebellion, what should I do?"

Zhu Han paused for a moment, his smile fading.

"Then you shall kill me with your own hands."

Zhu Biao suddenly looked up, staring at him in shock.

Zhu Han calmly continued, "My Zhu family rules the world, and we will not tolerate brothers killing each other, nor will we tolerate future generations doubting our existence. If my death can bring peace, what do I have to fear from a single blow?"

The candlelight flickered, reflecting on his resolute face. Zhu Biao opened his mouth, but ultimately uttered no words.

A few days later, a secret report came from the Chengtian military camp—Pei Jin, the Imperial Censor in the capital, had died suddenly, and the cause of death was unknown.

On the same day, the Minister of Personnel and the Vice Minister of Works were both imprisoned. When the news reached Nanjing, it shocked the court.

Zhu Yuanzhang flew into a rage, slamming his fist on the table and demanding, "Who gave this order?"

The eunuch's voice trembled as he said, "Your Majesty, it is... the Prince of Chengtian."

Zhu Yuanzhang laughed in fury: "Good, good indeed, Prince Chengtian—I appointed him to assist in governing, yet he dared to kill court officials without authorization!"

Upon hearing the news, Zhu Biao immediately set off back to Jinling.

The night was deep, but the Nanjing Imperial Palace was brightly lit.

Zhu Yuanzhang stood with his hands behind his back in front of the hall, his gaze blazing. Zhu Biao rushed into the hall, knelt down, and begged for forgiveness.

“Father, my uncle’s actions were indeed presumptuous, but…”

"But what?" Zhu Yuanzhang roared.

“But he executed traitors.” Zhu Biao raised his head, his voice firm. “Pei Jin and others were all in league with Guo Si’s old faction, plotting to disrupt the court. My uncle executed them before he could even report it, so he knew that if he did, it would be blocked.”

Zhu Yuanzhang's anger subsided slightly, and he said in a deep voice, "How did you know?"

Zhu Biao took out a secret letter and presented it to him.

"This is Guo Si's posthumous account, which lists the names of the hidden officials in various departments. It was all investigated by my uncle."

Zhu Yuanzhang took it and his expression changed drastically.

The candlelight flickered in the wind, and his fingertips trembled slightly.

After a long silence, he took a deep breath and said in a low voice, "You may leave. I wish to see him tomorrow."

The following day, Prince Chengtian, Zhu Han, was summoned to Jinling.

He entered the hall, not wearing armor, but only a plain robe. Zhu Yuanzhang sat behind the dragon throne, his gaze as cold as a knife.

"Are you guilty?"

Zhu Han cupped his hands and said, "Your subject understands."

"Then you still dare to kill?"

"dare."

Each word that landed felt as heavy as a mountain.

Zhu Yuanzhang's eyes blazed with fury: "Do you know that these men were pillars of the court! I used them for ten years, and you have executed them all in a single day!"

"If he is not executed, the court will be in turmoil for ten years." Zhu Han's voice was eerily calm.

"And what about me?" Zhu Yuanzhang suddenly roared, "Have you ever considered my dignity?!"

"What I think of is the country, not even your face."

There was silence in the hall.

Zhu Yuanzhang stared intently at him. In that moment, he saw the boy from years ago—Zhu Han, who dared to declare in the snow, "Your subject will be one who can protect the world." The stubbornness he hadn't seen for so many years still burned in his eyes.

He finally closed his eyes and sighed, "What am I to do with you?"

Zhu Han knelt down and said respectfully, "If I am guilty, I am willing to accept military law."

Zhu Yuanzhang slowly rose, walked to him, and remained silent for a long time.

"You protect the world, and I will protect you." He reached out and helped Zhu Han up.

"From this day forward, the throne of the Chengtian King will remain unchanged, but military power will belong to me. You will remain in Jinling to assist the Crown Prince and bring peace to the realm."

Zhu Han's gaze sharpened, and he finally lowered his head: "Your subject obeys the decree." (End of Chapter)