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

The ink room was filled with the fragrance of ink, and the old craftsman in charge of the ink was bent over his desk, engraving the seal with a focused expression.

Hearing footsteps, I looked up and my hand trembled, the blade almost slicing through my palm.

"The prince has arrived——"

Zhu Han raised his hand to stop the bowing and looked around.

Next to the inkstone were several still-wet seals. One of them was engraved with "Juyi Granary" in deep characters, the ink still fresh.

He reached out and picked it up, his gaze darkening.

“Who carved this seal,” he said.

The old craftsman's throat bobbed: "It was...it was sent by Sun Wensheng. He said the warehouse needed to change the mold for the new printing, and it was an urgent order. He asked me to make three copies, one for my records and two for delivery."

"Where is the original sample?"

"It's in that cabinet over there."

Zhu Han walked over and took out the sample.

The seal still read "Juyi Granary," but half a stroke was missing from one corner. He weighed it in his hand and said coldly, "The bronze is uneven, and the base is off-center. What a fine 'fake seal with a real stamp.'"

The old craftsman was stunned: "Your Highness, I dare not make this seal! I only carved this one; the other two were taken away by Sun Wensheng!"

"Sun Wensheng," Zhu Han repeated in a low voice, as if he were chewing on a bitter medicine.

He turned around and said, "Boy, go to the 'Gathering Righteousness Granary' and check the three seals: the account seal, the receipt seal, and the bridge crossing slip. Bring them with you."

The boy responded and left.

The only sounds in the room were the scent of ink and the sound of breathing. Zhu Han slowly approached the inkstone, his fingertips gently caressing the ink stains.

Suddenly, he lifted the pile of waste paper beside him, and a corner of the paper revealed a few words: "Fifty cans".

He picked it up and looked at it; the line of small characters below read, "Taken under the Cangbei Bridge on a moonlit night."

The North Bridge outside the East Gate rustled in the wind. Zhu Han stood on the bridge, his clothes fluttering, while distant lights flickered.

The accompanying soldiers were spread out on both sides, waiting for the signal.

"Your Highness," the boy whispered, "they're here."

In the distance, an unmarked carriage was slowly approaching. The carriage shafts were old, and the driver, wearing a straw hat, seemed afraid to look up. Two men accompanied the carriage, each carrying a long box on their backs.

"Under the bridge," Zhu Han whispered.

He and the boy leaped off the bridge. The area beneath the bridge was damp, and the stone walls reflected a cold light.

Several water lanterns floated on the river, casting several dark shadows.

The car stopped on the bridge. The two men accompanying the car quickly unloaded the boxes and carried them off the bridge, one in front and one behind.

“It’s right here,” one of them whispered. “The Prince said the road is short, nothing will happen.”

"A prince?" another sneered. "You think you really have a prince to protect you? Who would dare admit to what you've done?"

Before he could finish speaking, a cold snort came from the shadows.

"I will admit it."

Zhu Han slowly emerged from the shadows of the bridge, the moonlight falling on his shoulders, making him look like a cold piece of iron.

The two men were startled and took a step back in alarm: "Your Highness?"

"I'd like to hear it," Zhu Han said calmly, "which 'prince' is vouching for you?"

The man's lips trembled, and it took him a long time to squeeze out a sentence: "It was...it was Sun Wensheng who said it—he asked someone to pass on a message saying that the 'master' has ordered that goods can be traded under the bridge without alarming the government."

"Who is the boss?"

"He...he didn't say."

Zhu Han sneered, drew his short knife from his waist, and used it to pry open the wooden box.

When the lid was lifted, a strong, fishy smell wafted out. Inside, the earthenware jars were neatly arranged, each sealed with red clay.

Zhu Han pulled out a jar, flicked his wrist, and the seal shattered. Green powder spilled out, and a gust of wind dispersed it into a gray mist.

"Boy".

"exist."

"Take the people away, seal off the bridge, and inspect the tanks at the drill ground tomorrow morning."

"Yes!"

The two traffickers had been taken away, but Zhu Han still stood at the bridgehead, looking at the river surface that was whitened by the moonlight.

His gaze was calm, as if he were weighing something.

"Your Highness," the boy approached in a low voice, "are you going back to your residence?"

Zhu Han shook his head: "No. Go to the Crown Prince's Eastern Palace."

"His Royal Highness?"

"Hmm." Zhu Han's voice carried a rare hint of fatigue. "This matter has already implicated Juyi Granary and the printing house. If we don't speak up soon, things could get complicated."

It was late at night in the Eastern Palace.

Zhu Biao, dressed in plain clothes, was engrossed in reading at his desk. Hearing footsteps outside, he looked up and saw Zhu Han enter. He quickly stood up and said, "Uncle?"

"Your Highness," Zhu Han bowed, his expression solemn, "there is a new lead in the medicine case."

"Please speak." Zhu Biao's expression turned serious.

Zhu Han laid out the paper, seal, and ledger in order: "This entire journey, from 'Wan Yao Tang' to 'Ju Yi Cang' and then to 'Dong Men Qiao,' was all done by one person—Sun Wensheng. The secret code in the ledger leads to the last digit 'seven' of the bank, the printing mold in the printing room went out of control, the warehouse had false ledgers with fake seals, and the paper shop was issuing paper to cover up the truth. Tonight, fifty jars were intercepted under the bridge, and all the evidence is complete."

Zhu Biao was silent for a moment, then slowly said, "Sun Wensheng is under the jurisdiction of Sun Waitang."

"Yes."

“If we are not careful, Sun Yantong will also be implicated.”

Zhu Han nodded, his tone unhurried: "Your Highness, my intention is not to target Sun Yantong. There may be someone behind this. Sun Waitang has studied seal carving for many years and his character is acceptable. I'm afraid Sun Wensheng's actions are orchestrated by someone else."

Zhu Biao's gaze darkened slightly: "Whom do you suspect?"

Zhu Han tapped his fingers lightly on the table, the sound like a mountain spring striking a stone: "The paper shop manager once said that someone was secretly buying up leftover seal molds at high prices; and that 'Juyi Warehouse' is half of the goods route for the Gu family business."

Zhu Biao was taken aback, a complex look flashing in his eyes: "The Gu family?"

Zhu Han said, "I dare not speak presumptuously. I only ask Your Highness to keep this matter in mind for now. I will investigate for another day. If it is indeed the Gu family involved, then it will not be too late to report it."

Zhu Biao nodded slowly and sighed, "Uncle, the affairs of the court are in chaos. I have also been entrusted by the Emperor to ensure that there are no changes to the administration of medicine and grain. You must leave yourself a way out when you do things." "I know." Zhu Han cupped his hands, "I will not use people, only evidence. Tomorrow at noon, the jars will be inspected at the drill ground. If the Gu family's name is truly not on the list, I will personally go to the Juyi Granary to apologize."

Zhu Biao stepped forward and patted him lightly on the shoulder: "You've always been cautious, I trust you."

He paused, then smiled and said, "Qingping has been ill and weak these days, and hasn't left the palace. If you have time, go and see her. She's observant and might be able to detect any discrepancies in what people are saying."

Zhu Han nodded and replied in a low voice, "I will obey Your Highness's command."

As night deepened, the lights of the Eastern Palace swayed faintly in the wind, like hazy stars.

Zhu Han emerged from the Eastern Palace, his heart filled with a complex web of worries and anxieties that was becoming increasingly difficult to unravel.

Zhu Han did not stop; he knew he had to figure it all out as soon as possible.

Gu Qingping's identity cannot be ignored, but he cannot allow anyone to easily manipulate this power game.

If there is any shady dealings involved, they should be exposed as soon as possible.

As the night breeze blew, Zhu Han, accompanied by two attendants, quietly left the west gate of the East Palace, crossed a small bridge, and headed straight for the neighborhood where the Gu family's business was located.

The streets were deserted, and the moonlight filtered through the towering ancient trees, casting dappled shadows. The surrounding silence created a sense of oppression.

"Your Highness, the location of the Gu Family Trading Company is not far away," the boy said in a low voice, pointing gently to the dim light ahead.

Zhu Han nodded, his expression remaining calm, but a sharp glint appeared in his eyes.

At this moment, he did not intend to rush into the business, but instead planned to go around to the back, where the storage room and secret passages were the most hidden, and perhaps he could find some clues about the Gu family business.

"Remember, don't make a fuss about it," Zhu Han instructed in a low voice, his tone stern.

They turned into a back street, where the blue brick walls on both sides were mottled and old, and a few dim oil lamps flickered with a faint light. There seemed to be no life in the surroundings.

Zhu Han led his men through several alleys and finally arrived at the backyard of the Gu family business. It was even quieter than the main gate, with a few guards patrolling in the distance.

Zhu Han's gaze lingered on the entrance of an inconspicuous warehouse. He pointed and said, "Let's go in."

Then, he quietly approached the wooden door with the boy.

The door opened slightly, and some hushed conversation could be heard inside. Zhu Han's eyes narrowed, and he gently pressed his fingers on the door, making a soft sound. The door opened in response.

The interior was dimly lit, and several craftsmen were busy arranging goods, seemingly unaware of the commotion outside.

Zhu Han and the boy quickly entered and silently blended into the darkness.

"Look over there," Zhu Han said in a low voice.

His gaze was fixed on a corner of the warehouse, where the goods were piled up in a mess, but under a pile of burlap wrappings, Zhu Han saw several heavy pottery jars, just like the batch of goods he had seen under the bridge yesterday.

The mouth of the jar was still sealed with red clay, and there were some scratches on it, which were signs that the medicine was sealed properly.

“These should be the medicines that Gu’s Trading Company traded with ‘Wan Yao Tang’,” Zhu Han murmured. “These jars contain more than just ordinary herbs.”

He quickly stepped forward and pulled back the burlap covering.

Sure enough, the pottery jar contained not ordinary medicinal herbs, but a poisonous powder with a strong fishy smell and a faint green hue.

Zhu Han's heart sank. He was now certain that these medicinal herbs were exactly the same as those he had seen yesterday.

“Now we have enough evidence,” Tong Zi said in a low voice. “But how do we face Gu Qingping next?”

Zhu Han immediately stopped in his tracks, his expression changing slightly.

"Gu Qingping, the Crown Princess, this matter is far too complicated. If she truly knew the truth, how could she have escaped so easily?"

He took a deep breath: "Let's not expose them for now, let's go back and discuss it with the Crown Prince."

Just then, the warehouse door was suddenly pushed open, and a man who appeared to be dressed in high-end clothes walked in, followed by a person who looked like a manager.

Zhu Han quickly retreated into a dark corner, held his breath, and observed quietly.

The man looked around and whispered, "Are the medicines here delivered on time?"

The steward nodded: "Everything is ready and can be sent out tomorrow. However... there seems to be some change on Sun Wensheng's side."

"What changes?" The man raised an eyebrow, a hint of unease in his voice.

“Someone is investigating. We have brought the Wan Yao Tang matter under control, but some unknown people have started to make contact. It seems that it’s not just about medicinal herbs, but also about the seals and money shops operating behind the scenes.”

The steward cautiously reported, "If the Crown Prince is implicated, I'm afraid... there will be big trouble."

The man was silent for a moment, then suddenly sneered: "We are naturally aware of the matter concerning Crown Princess Gu Qingping. If anyone dares to make a move, we might as well let them walk into our trap."

He turned and left, saying, "Send someone to keep an eye out, so those people don't notice."

Zhu Han was shocked to hear this. Gu Qingping's name was mentioned again. Just as he expected, the transactions and hidden power behind all this were far beyond what he could see.

"Go back," Zhu Han said in a low voice, and quietly left with the boy.

The morning sunlight shines on the halls of the East Palace, casting dappled light and shadow through the window lattices.

Zhu Biao sat at his desk, his brows furrowed, a hint of worry in his eyes.

Since Zhu Han returned the night before, although he hadn't said much, the doubts and unsolved mysteries in his heart still made it difficult for him to calm down.

"Uncle, what you said last night has really unsettled me."

Zhu Biao said in a low voice, but his eyes did not leave the memorial in his hands.

Zhu Han remained silent for a moment before slowly speaking: "Your Highness, things are more complicated than we imagined. The 'Gu Family Business' is far more extensive than we thought, and may involve not only trade but also political power and undercurrents. Especially Gu Qingping, her family background is not something we can easily ignore."

Zhu Biao looked up at Zhu Han, a hint of hesitation flashing in his eyes: "Gu Qingping has never shown any sign of being involved in these matters. She is the Crown Princess, the wife of the Emperor, how could she be involved in these clandestine transactions?"

Zhu Han gently shook his head: "You don't know this. In places where business and power intertwine, the game of power is never simple."

Gu Qingping's family, outwardly refined and gentle, is actually quite secretive. If the transaction between 'Juyi Granary' and 'Printing House' is indeed as we suspect, it's likely not just about medicinal herbs. And she, as the Crown Princess, should investigate as soon as possible if she knows anything about it.

Zhu Biao listened, remained silent for a moment, and his expression gradually became solemn: "But if that's really the case, how should the Crown Princess deal with it? She is my wife, and if she is implicated, it will definitely have a huge impact on the court."

“Your Highness,” Zhu Han said without any change in tone, “I know this matter cannot be decided hastily. We need more evidence, more clues. If she is truly involved, she will eventually reveal her true colors. But if she is innocent, we will naturally not let this matter go easily.”

“But the problem is,” Zhu Biao slowly got up, walked to the window, and looked at the desolate scene outside,
“She is the Crown Princess. If this matter involves her, the court will be in an uproar, and even the common people will find it unbearable. At that time, it will not only be a matter of smuggling medicinal herbs, but the Crown Prince’s position will also be in jeopardy.”

Zhu Han gazed out the window, looking into the distance.

Sunlight shone on his calm face, but could not conceal the coldness and profundity in his eyes: "Your Highness, power is something that is always gradually sublimated in constant struggle. And this struggle is often turbulent and difficult to detect."

He turned around, his voice low but firm: "Gu Qingping at this moment may also be a pawn, and may even know that she is in this game, but is powerless to break free. If we simply overturn this game, we may fall into the trap they have already set. Only by going deep into it can we truly find out the truth behind it."

Zhu Biao slowly turned his head and looked at his uncle, who was a few years older than him, and finally felt a stirring in his heart.

He nodded slightly: "I understand, Imperial Uncle. To truly uncover all of this, we cannot simply focus on Gu Qingping. There must be a much larger force at play behind the scenes." (End of Chapter)