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

This was aimed at Zhu Biao.

They were also there because of Gu Qingping.

Because once the expenses of the Crown Prince's palace are investigated, the first thing to be put on the table is the Crown Princess's private treasury.

Zhu Han opened his eyes.

“Go and invite the Crown Prince,” he said.

"Now?"

"Now."

Before long, Zhu Biao arrived in a hurry.

"Uncle, it's late, has something happened?"

Zhu Han didn't beat around the bush and pushed the Qing Dynasty official document in front of him.

After reading it, Zhu Biao's face gradually darkened.

"They want to get rid of Qingping?"

"It's not just a thought," Zhu Han corrected, "it's already been done."

Zhu Biao clenched his fists: "I'm going to see my father."

"Don't rush," Zhu Han said, pressing him down. "If you go now, it will only make people think you have a guilty conscience."

"What should I do?"

"Don't do anything," Zhu Han said. "I'll attend the morning court session tomorrow."

Zhu Biao was taken aback: "Imperial Uncle?"

"This game is aimed at me." Zhu Han smiled. "In that case, let me take the lead."

Zhu Biao remained silent for a long time, then suddenly whispered, "Uncle, did you know all along that things would come to this?"

Zhu Han looked at him, his gaze softening for a rare moment.

“I don’t know how far things will go,” he said, “but I know you can’t fall.”

Morning next day.

Sure enough, someone stepped forward.

"Your Majesty has a memorial to present: The expenses of the Crown Prince's Palace in recent years are intertwined with the accounts of the river works from last year. There may be some discrepancies in the accounts. I request Your Majesty to order the Ministry of Personnel to conduct a thorough investigation in order to rectify the foundation of the nation."

After he finished speaking, the hall fell silent.

Zhu Yuanzhang's gaze slowly swept over the assembled officials, finally settling on Zhu Han.

Zhu Han stepped forward.

"Your subject also has a memorial to present."

All eyes were instantly drawn to them.

"Your Majesty, I request that you first examine the old accounts of the temporary requisition of river works by the Ministry of Works in the eleventh year of the Hongwu reign."

The official's expression changed drastically.

Zhu Yuanzhang narrowed his eyes: "Why?"

“Because—” Zhu Han looked up, his voice not loud, but every word clear, “If the old accounts are not settled, no matter who is investigated for new accounts, they will be taking the blame for others.”

There was a dead silence in the hall.

The censor who was the first to impeach the official was sweating profusely, but he still stood there stubbornly and did not return to the queue.

Zhu Yuanzhang did not speak immediately.

He leaned back on the throne, his knuckles slowly tapping the armrest. The sound was soft, but each tap struck a chord in people's hearts.

"The river works of the eleventh year of the Hongwu reign," he repeated. "I remember this account; it was settled long ago."

"The bill has been settled," Zhu Han said calmly, "but the person involved hasn't been paid, and the matter hasn't been resolved either."

Zhu Yuanzhang raised his eyes and looked at him: "You speak."

"When the river works were temporarily reassigned, the Ministry of Works registered 3,200 people, but more than 2,700 actually showed up."

Zhu Han said calmly, "The missing five hundred or so people were on the register, but not actually there. Later, the accounts recorded them as having died of illness, deserted their posts, or had their losses compensated, but the amount of silver was not reduced by a single penny."

A low gasp echoed from the corner of the hall.

The censor couldn't help but interject: "Prince Han, this matter was already reviewed years ago—"

"Who was responsible for the review?" Zhu Han interrupted directly. "Was it the person who handled it back then, or someone from the Qingli Division who was later transferred?"

The official was delayed.

Zhu Han turned to the throne: "Your Majesty, I dare not speak presumptuously."

However, in my possession, there are records of internal approvals from the Qing Dynasty's Ministry of Personnel between the eleventh and thirteenth years of the Hongwu reign (1380-1385), among which seven outstanding accounts for river works were prematurely closed.

"Ahead of schedule?" Zhu Yuanzhang's voice was slightly cold.

“Yes,” Zhu Han said. “According to the rules, it should be reviewed every three years. But these seven entries were already ‘unremarkable’ within a year.”

Some people in the hall had already begun to bow their heads.

Zhu Yuanzhang's gaze slowly shifted to the Minister of Works.

"You tell me."

The Minister of Works stepped forward, his face pale: "Your Majesty, this matter... I was not yet in charge of the ministry back then."

"Then you'll be in charge now," Zhu Yuanzhang said. "I ask you, if there really were problems with the accounts from back then, would you investigate?"

The Minister of Works gritted his teeth and said, "Investigate."

Zhu Yuanzhang nodded: "Okay."

His gaze then shifted to the official who had first petitioned to investigate the Crown Prince's palace.

"You just said that investigating the expenses of the Crown Prince's palace is for the purpose of rectifying the foundation of the country."

Zhu Yuanzhang said calmly, "Then today, I will also rectify the foundation of this country."

The official's heart sank.

Zhu Han spoke up at the opportune moment: "Your Majesty, I request that you issue three decrees."

Zhu Yuanzhang looked at him and said, "Speak."

"First, order the Qingli Division and the Censorate to jointly reopen the old accounts of the river works in the eleventh year of Hongwu, without limiting the number of people or departments."

"Second, suspend all discussions and memorials regarding the expenses of the Crown Prince's Palace until the old accounts are settled."

"third--"

Zhu Han paused.

"Your Majesty, please temporarily suspend the Shangyi Bureau's authority to allocate funds from the Eastern Palace's treasury."

As soon as these words were spoken, the hall erupted in uproar.

The Shangyi Bureau, originally a system of female officials in the inner court, controlled palace etiquette and the inner treasury, and has always been regarded as a "soft power".

But precisely because of this, once the power to allocate resources is taken away, it's like revealing a corner of the truth to the public.

Zhu Yuanzhang narrowed his eyes: "You mean, the Bureau of Ceremonial Affairs is also listed in the accounts?"

Zhu Han did not answer directly, but said only: "Accounts are not divided into internal and external. If someone uses the inner court to cover up the outside court's actions, then they are breaking the rules."

Zhu Yuanzhang remained silent for a long time.

Finally, he raised his hand.

"allow."

A single word fell heavily.

The official was deathly pale and could barely stand.

After the morning court session, at the Eastern Palace.

Zhu Biao stood under the eaves, growing impatient. Upon seeing Zhu Han enter, he immediately went to greet him.

"Royal Uncle".

"Don't worry." Zhu Han glanced at him. "After today, they won't have time for you."

Zhu Biao said in a low voice, "But what about the Bureau of Ceremonial Affairs..."

“They’ll get impatient,” Zhu Han chuckled. “When they’re impatient, they’ll show off their skills.”

Sure enough, that afternoon, news came from the Bureau of Ceremonies that Aunt Shang was ill and unable to get out of bed, and the deputy envoy would temporarily take over the duties.

After hearing the report from the guard, Zhu Han simply said, "She's waiting."

"Wait for what?"

"Wait for someone who can protect her, then make your move."

into the night.

The lights were still on in the study of the Prince of Han's mansion.

Zhu Han sat alone at his desk, a system interface spread out in front of him, out of sight of others.

[Check-in Location: Old Archives of the Municipal Council]

[Reward Available: Fragment of the River Engineering Account Book]

Zhu Han's eyes flickered slightly.

"tomorrow."

He closed the interface and was about to get up when he heard a soft knocking on the window.

It wasn't a code word used by the secret guards.

Zhu Han's eyes turned cold: "Go in."

The window was pushed open, and a figure landed silently. It was a woman in palace attire, with a plain-colored cloak over her shoulders.

She looked up, revealing a slightly haggard yet beautiful face.

"Gu Qingping greets Prince Han."

Zhu Han was taken aback, then realized: "You shouldn't have come."

“If I hadn’t come, the second branch of the Gu family would have been imprisoned tomorrow.”

Gu Qingping's voice was soft but steady, "Uncle, I'm not doing this for myself."

Zhu Han looked at her: "You are the Crown Prince."

Gu Qingping nodded: "They're targeting the Gu family to force the Crown Prince into chaos."

You know too much.

“If I hadn’t known, I wouldn’t be alive today.” She gave a bitter smile. “The people from the Imperial Ceremonial Bureau contacted my father years ago.”

Zhu Han's gaze darkened: "Your father?"

"Yes," Gu Qingping said in a low voice, "There was a sum of money from the river works that was transferred from the Gu family's accounts through salt permits."

Zhu Han remained silent for a moment.

"Why are you saying this now?" "Because I know you've already made your move." Gu Qingping raised her eyes. "Uncle, I only ask for one thing."

"explain."

“If the Gu family is to fall, someone will have to take the fall, leaving my father to shoulder the burden.” Her voice trembled slightly. “Second Uncle… he has gone too far and can’t turn back.”

Zhu Han looked at her for a long time, then suddenly said, "Do you know that if someone sees you here, the Crown Prince will be in even greater danger?"

“I know.” Gu Qingping lowered her eyes. “But I also know that if I do nothing, it will be even more difficult for the Crown Prince.”

Zhu Han sighed.

“Go back,” he said. “Pretend you were never here tonight.”

Gu Qingping was taken aback.

"The Gu family..."

"I can keep accounts," Zhu Han said calmly, "but the knife may not land where you expect it."

Gu Qingping bowed deeply, asked no further questions, and turned to leave through the window.

Three days later.

The Censorate submitted a memorial.

The old accounts of river works from the eleventh year of the Hongwu reign (1380) were indeed concealed, involving several people from the Ministry of Works, the Qing Dynasty's Ministry of Personnel, and the Imperial Ceremonial Bureau.

Zhu Yuanzhang was furious.

Upon receiving an imperial decree, two vice ministers of the Ministry of Works and three officials of the Ministry of Personnel were immediately imprisoned.

On the same day, the deputy director of the Imperial Ceremonial Bureau was dismissed and investigated.

Aunt Shang finally made her appearance.

She knelt outside the Fengtian Hall for a full hour.

Zhu Yuanzhang did not meet with her.

The person who met her was Zhu Han.

In the side hall, Aunt Shang was no longer as dignified as before, her temples slightly disheveled.

"Your Highness, you have won."

"I didn't win." Zhu Han looked at her. "I won the account."

Aunt Shang smiled wryly: "Is that river really going to be stirred up to the bottom?"

“It’s already been overturned,” Zhu Han said. “What’s left is to let what should sink sink and what should float float.”

Aunt Shang closed her eyes.

"Gu Tingyu, prepare the joint offering."

Zhu Han nodded: "I know."

"The Gu family..."

"The Gu family will not fall," Zhu Han said calmly. "What will fall is the hand that has stretched too far."

Aunt Shang opened her eyes, and for the first time, she truly showed fear.

As night deepened, the palace, like a crouching beast, lay silent yet teeming with undercurrents.

Inside the Prince Han's mansion, only one lamp was left lit.

Zhu Han leaned against the table, playing with an old copper coin in his hand. The edge was badly worn. It was the "labor coin" issued when the river work was temporarily assigned back then.

This kind of thing shouldn't have been left until today.

The guard stood in the shadows and whispered, "Your Highness, there's movement from the Imperial Ceremonial Bureau."

"explain."

Before Aunt Shang was detained, she sent out a private letter. The person who handled it was Zhao Fu, a former eunuch of Kunning Palace.

Zhu Han paused, his fingertips pausing: "Zhao Fu... is still alive?"

“Alive, and summoned to the palace tonight.”

Zhu Han smiled slightly and put the copper coin back on the table.

"It wasn't written for the Empress."

The guard was taken aback: "Who is that for?"

"Give it to someone she thinks can be her backup plan."

Zhu Han stood up. "The drum has not sounded, the palace gates have not closed, this play is not over yet."

A side hall of the Qianqing Palace.

Zhao Fu knelt on the ground, his forehead pressed against the cold gold brick, his back soaked with cold sweat.

There was no empress in the palace, only one person.

Zhu Yuanzhang.

"Where's the letter?" Zhu Yuanzhang's voice was not loud.

With trembling hands, Zhao Fu held the letter above his head.

Zhu Yuanzhang did not accept the answer, but simply said, "Read it."

Zhao Fu's throat tightened, but he still read it aloud.

The letter was cryptic, making no mention of the river works or accounts, but repeatedly emphasizing one sentence: "Old rules must not be broken, and internal and external forces must protect each other."

By the end, Zhao Fu's voice was hoarse.

Zhu Yuanzhang sneered: "What a fine example of mutual protection between the inside and outside."

He looked up: "Do you know who this letter is really addressed to?"

Zhao Fu shook his head blankly.

Zhu Yuanzhang slowly said, "Write it to me."

Zhao Furu was struck by lightning.

“She is telling me,” Zhu Yuanzhang continued, “that the inner court has covered up for the outer court for so many years, and if I really want to uncover the truth, I will be tearing down my own roof.”

The hall was eerily quiet.

A moment later, Zhu Yuanzhang said, "Go and summon the Prince of Han."

When Zhu Han entered the hall, Zhao Fu had already been dragged away.

Zhu Yuanzhang stared at him: "You knew she would send this letter?"

"I've calculated it to be about 70%," Zhu Han said truthfully.

"So you also foresaw how I would view it?"

Zhu Han raised his eyes, his gaze calm: "His Majesty will be angry, but he will not back down."

Zhu Yuanzhang looked at him and suddenly smiled.

"You are even more ruthless than I thought."

"Your Majesty is aware of only one thing," Zhu Han said. "If this matter is not investigated by Your Majesty personally, it will be used by others to force the emperor to abdicate in the future."

Zhu Yuanzhang remained silent for a long time.

“Biao’er has come to beg me today,” he suddenly said.

Zhu Han's expression shifted slightly, but he did not respond.

"He said he was willing to volunteer to investigate the Eastern Palace's treasury to prove his innocence." Zhu Yuanzhang stared at Zhu Han. "Did you teach him that?"

“No,” Zhu Han shook his head. “It was his own idea.”

"So what do you think?"

Zhu Han pondered for a moment: "Investigating now is exactly what we wanted."

Zhu Yuanzhang nodded: "So I don't approve."

He leaned back on his throne, his gaze deep and unfathomable: "Brother Han, who do you think will be the most restless after this round?"

Zhu Han replied without hesitation: "It's not the Shangyi Bureau."

Who is that?

“It’s the hand that hasn’t shown itself yet,” Zhu Han said with certainty. “The Shangyi Bureau and Gu Tingyu are just pawns. The real player has yet to appear.”

Zhu Yuanzhang narrowed his eyes: "You know what's going on?"

Zhu Han slowly uttered two words: "Imperial Clan".

The air in the hall suddenly tightened.

Zhu Yuanzhang's gaze fell upon him like a knife.

Say it again.

“Some people don’t want to wait for the Crown Prince to ascend the throne,” Zhu Han said calmly, “nor do they want to wait for His Majesty to grow old.”

Zhu Yuanzhang suddenly laughed, but his laughter was devoid of warmth.

"Good, very good."

He stood up and walked over to Zhu Han.

"Then tell me, if this hand really reaches out to Biao'er, what will you do?"

Zhu Han did not hesitate.

"I will chop off that hand first."

Zhu Yuanzhang looked at him for a long time, then suddenly reached out and patted his shoulder heavily.

"With your words, I am relieved."

A few days later, rumors suddenly began to circulate in the capital.

Some say that Prince Han abused his power and interfered in the inner court; others say that the Crown Prince had long harbored rebellious intentions; still others have even implied that the river works case was actually carried out by Prince Han's former subordinates, and that this recounting of the case is nothing more than a case of turning the tables.

Zhu Biao was furious when he heard these words in the Eastern Palace.

"Uncle, they're trying to force me!"

“They’re trying to force you into chaos.” Zhu Han sat across from him, his expression calm. “If you panic, they’ll win.”

Zhu Biao clenched his fists: "Then what should I do?"

"Endure," Zhu Han said. "And only this once."

"How long will you endure this?"

Zhu Han looked at him and said, word by word, "Endure until they come out on their own."

As if to confirm this statement, that very night, the secret guards sent an urgent report.

"Your Highness, someone has been secretly contacting several members of the imperial family and princes to discuss the old case of the river works, saying that His Majesty is old and the court is unstable."

A cold glint flashed in Zhu Han's eyes. (End of Chapter)