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

Another one.

"Another retired deputy signatory was found, who signed twice and had the accounts processed in two different ways."

The third memorial was placed in front of the palace.

"Minister of War," Zhu Han looked at him, "tell me now, is this something the Six Ministries could have uncovered through their own investigations?"

The Minister of War's throat tightened, and he couldn't answer for a moment.

The hall was so quiet that only the sound of breathing could be heard.

A moment later, a low cough finally came from the throne.

"Prince Han."

Zhu Han immediately turned around: "Your subject is here."

"So far in your investigation," the voice said slowly, "have you reached a conclusion?"

Zhu Han looked up.

At this moment, he did not shy away.

"Have."

"explain."

Zhu Han stepped forward, his voice clear and steady:

"This is not a problem with any one particular film."

"This is an empty shell left after the old practices have been hollowed out."

"Some people use the rules to pursue personal gain, while others use the excuse of not investigating to cover up the fact that investigations are not possible."

He paused.

"In my opinion, the real source of the disturbance is the failure to investigate."

The words were spoken.

Inside the hall, no one dared to accept the order.

The Minister of War stood there, his expression changing several times, but in the end he still bowed his head in salute.

"Your subject...is enlightened."

Zhu Han returned to his original position.

Less than half an hour after the morning court session on the third day, the lights were turned on in the cabinet office.

Not night duty.

They were summoned at the last minute.

The Grand Secretary did not arrive, but three cabinet ministers did; two ministers from each of the six ministries arrived; and the left and right censors of the Censorate also entered.

Such a scene is no longer "discussion," but rather a premonition that something bad is about to happen.

No one spoke first.

Until footsteps sounded outside the door.

The eunuch announced, "Prince Han has arrived."

Several high-ranking officials in the room looked up almost simultaneously.

Zhu Han walked in, performing the proper royal ceremony, neither too much nor too little.

"My lords," he said, "I apologize for disturbing you."

No one dared to say "I don't deserve it".

The first cabinet minister cleared his throat: "His Highness summoned us here because... there has been new progress regarding the Western Treasury matter?"

"Yes," Zhu Han answered readily.

Without any pleasantries or preamble, he directly took out a thick folded document from his sleeve.

"This is a case file jointly investigated by the Shuntian Prefecture, the Censorate, and the Imperial Clan Court."

He placed the memorial on the table but did not pass it on to anyone.

"I am not here today to have you all look at me," Zhu Han said calmly. "I am here to have you all hear a name."

Upon hearing this, the air in the room noticeably thickened.

Some people instinctively sat up straight.

Some people already had a vague feeling that something was wrong.

"Your Highness," a cabinet minister cautiously began, "this matter is already deeply connected; if we trace it further upwards—"

“It is precisely because the implications are so profound,” Zhu Han interrupted him, “that we must move up.”

He looked up.

"Otherwise, those below will always just be scapegoats."

These words were like a thin blade, gently pressed against the throats of everyone present.

Zhu Han didn't look at them again.

He lowered his head and opened the file.

“Last autumn, the Waterways Administration approved 10% more materials than usual for the maintenance.”

"Based on this, the local warehouse ordered an additional 88 stones."

"The accounts were inspected and approved by the local warehouse, and then, under the guise of 'military supplies replenishment,' they went through the Ministry of War's procedures again."

"The accounts are processed twice, and the printing is done twice."

He paused for a moment after saying this.

“If it were just a matter of collusion between local granaries and the Ministry of War, things wouldn’t have come to this.”

“Because—” Zhu Han looked up, “who approved that 10% dosage?”

The room was deathly silent.

No one responded.

Zhu Han had already read out the name.

"The River Conservancy Bureau, the Governor-General—"

He spoke slowly, but with perfect clarity.

"—Shen Tingrui."

At that moment, it was as if even the air itself had frozen.

Someone's fingers tightened, almost knocking over the teacup.

Someone suddenly looked up, then quickly looked down again.

The first cabinet minister's expression finally changed.

“Your Highness,” he said in a deep voice, “Lord Shen is a former official of the late Emperor, who has held important positions and has never been known to embezzle.”

“I didn’t say he embezzled,” Zhu Han replied.

This sentence, however, is even more alarming.

"Then what is it, Your Highness—"

“What I’m saying is,” Zhu Han said, closing the file, “that he wrote a comment on an example that he knew would be abused.”

"Moreover," Zhu Han added, "this isn't the first time."

This time, someone couldn't hold back any longer.

"Does Your Highness have any concrete evidence?"

Zhu Han raised his hand.

The eunuch immediately placed the second file on the table.

"This is the approval document for the dredging of the Donghe River, issued three years ago."

"The same 10% more."

"The same local warehouse is used to make up for the accounts."

"Similarly... no one is investigating."

Zhu Han looked at them, his voice not loud, but it was so oppressive that it made them feel breathless.

“You can say it’s a coincidence.”

"You could say that the people below took advantage of the loophole."

But I have one question—

He spoke slowly:
"Would someone who can approve national waterway case studies not know what this 10% means?"

No one can answer that.

Because the answer is too obvious.

Zhu Han stood up.

"I am not here today to condemn Shen Tingrui."

"But what I want to tell you is—"

He spoke each word clearly:
"This lead has already reached him."

"If the investigation continues—"

Zhu Han paused for a moment.

Do you think he can get away unscathed?

The room was deathly silent.

After a long silence, the first cabinet minister finally spoke, his voice much softer than before.

"Your Highness... what do you plan to do?"

Zhu Han looked at him.

"Do it according to the rules."

"What rules?"

“A high-ranking official in the central government is involved in a major old case,” Zhu Han said. “He will be suspended from his duties first, and then a joint trial will be held.”

These words were like a thunderclap.

Suspension?

joint hearing?

This is no longer just a tapping; it's directly touching the bone.

"Your Highness," someone said in a tense voice, "this action requires His Majesty's decree."

"I know."

Zhu Han nodded.

"so--"

He turned and walked outside.

"I will go and request permission now."

When Zhu Han left his office in the cabinet, it was still light.

The wind on the palace road was a bit colder than during the morning court session, causing the lantern tassels under the vermilion palace walls to sway gently.

His steps were slow but steady, each step landing precisely on the crisscrossing of the bricks without the slightest deviation.

The eunuch followed behind and whispered, "Your Highness, His Majesty is currently in the Hall of Diligent Governance." Zhu Han nodded.

Outside the Jinshen Hall, the number of guards was noticeably double that of usual.

Several officers in brocade uniforms stood under the eaves, their armor gleaming coldly in the lamplight.

Upon seeing Zhu Han approach, everyone bowed in unison without stopping him.

When the palace doors closed, the sound of the wind outside was shut out.

Zhu Yuanzhang was standing in front of his desk, not in his court robes, but only wearing a dark-colored casual robe, holding a memorial in his hand, which he had obviously just finished reading.

Hearing footsteps, he looked up and his gaze fell on Zhu Han.

"Here you are." The voice wasn't loud, but it was deep.

"Your subject pays respects to Your Majesty." Zhu Han bowed.

Zhu Yuanzhang waved his hand, not allowing him to be so polite, and simply placed the memorial in his hand on the table: "Someone from the cabinet has already sent word."

Zhu Han did not respond.

Zhu Yuanzhang looked at him and suddenly laughed: "Your trip has caused quite a stir."

It's neither blame nor praise, just a statement.

Zhu Han stood ramrod straight: "The investigation has reached this point; we cannot stop here."

Zhu Yuanzhang stared at him for a moment, then walked to the window.

Palace lanterns outside the window gradually came on, and the changing of the guard could be heard in the distance.

"This isn't the first time someone has mentioned the name Shen Tingrui," Zhu Yuanzhang said slowly.

Zhu Han's eyes flickered slightly, but he still didn't interrupt.

"Ten years ago, someone in the Ministry of Revenue became suspicious of the river transport accounts and submitted an incomplete report."

Zhu Yuanzhang turned around and said, "That man was later transferred to a local post, but died of illness on the way."

The hall fell silent for a moment.

Zhu Han then spoke up: "So, Your Majesty has always known."

"Knowing is not the same as being able to act." Zhu Yuanzhang said in a straightforward tone, "At that time, the Ming Dynasty had just stabilized, and the waterways could not be disrupted, nor could the people be disrupted."

Zhu Han nodded.

“Things are different now.” Zhu Yuanzhang looked at him. “When you entered the cabinet today, you spoke of being suspended from your post and being put on trial.”

"Yes."

"Are you planning to get me to nod in agreement?"

"Yes."

Zhu Yuanzhang did not respond immediately, but instead sat back down at his desk and tapped his fingers lightly twice on the table.

“Do you know,” he said, “that this decree will bring everything to a standstill in so many places?”

"know."

How many people will be implicated?

"know."

Zhu Yuanzhang raised his eyes: "Then you still want to investigate?"

Zhu Han met his gaze without backing down: "If we don't investigate, the implications will only deepen."

The lights inside the hall flickered slightly.

Looking at his younger brother, who was much younger than him, Zhu Yuanzhang suddenly realized that the other was no longer the boy who followed behind him, a man of few words but who always got things done.

"For whom are you requesting this imperial decree?" Zhu Yuanzhang suddenly asked.

Zhu Han answered quickly: "On behalf of the Ming Dynasty."

Zhu Yuanzhang smiled, but this time the smile was faint.

"What a fine substitute for the Ming Dynasty."

He reached out, picked up the imperial brush, but did not immediately begin writing.

"It's easy to suspend Shen Tingrui from his post," Zhu Yuanzhang said, "but the joint trial cannot be entrusted to you alone."

Zhu Han was prepared: "The Censorate will preside over the trial, the Ministry of Justice will serve as the deputy judge, and the Shuntian Prefecture and the Imperial Clan Court will observe the proceedings."

Zhu Yuanzhang glanced at him and said, "You've certainly made thorough arrangements."

"This is within the rules."

Zhu Yuanzhang remained silent for a moment, then finally put pen to paper.

The moment the brush touched the Xuan paper, an invisible weight seemed to be added to the hall.

"I will issue the decree." Zhu Yuanzhang finished writing. "But there is one thing you must remember."

Zhu Han cupped his hands in greeting: "Please give your instructions, Your Majesty."

“Shen Tingrui is not the end.” Zhu Yuanzhang said in a low voice, “The people behind him won’t just sit and wait for you to investigate.”

"Your subject understands."

"Good that you understand." Zhu Yuanzhang waved his hand. "Go."

Zhu Han stepped down.

By the time I left the Jinshen Hall, it was completely dark.

At the end of the palace path, rows of palace lanterns stretched out in a line, like an open chessboard. Zhu Han walked among them, his pace still unhurried.

He did not return home.

The carriage turned around and headed straight for the Crown Prince's Eastern Palace.

In the study of the Eastern Palace, Zhu Biao was reading memorials.

The number of memorials delivered to his desk recently has increased significantly, mostly concerning local waterways and warehouse management. He examines them closely, but his brow remains slightly furrowed.

Upon hearing the announcement, he immediately stood up.

"Royal Uncle".

When Zhu Han entered, Zhu Biao had already come to greet him.

"Sit down." Zhu Han didn't say anything more.

After the two were seated, Zhu Biao personally poured him a cup of tea: "Uncle, how did your visit to the cabinet go today?"

Zhu Han took the tea but didn't drink it: "Have you been receiving more reports about waterways lately?"

Zhu Biao was taken aback, then nodded: "Yes, there are a lot of them, which is unusual."

"Have they all been approved?"

"Most of them are postponed," Zhu Biao admitted. "Some of the use cases just don't look right."

Zhu Han glanced at him, a hint of scrutiny in his eyes.

"You did the right thing."

Zhu Biao was taken aback, then whispered, "What about Father Emperor..."

"Father has given his permission." Zhu Han interrupted him, "Shen Tingrui will be suspended from his duties tomorrow."

Zhu Biao's fingers tightened.

"The joint review is imminent," Zhu Han continued. "During this period, all memorials related to waterways, warehousing, and military supplies should be kept in reserve and not approved in a hurry."

Zhu Biao nodded: "Nephew understands."

"There's one more thing," Zhu Han put down his teacup, "You need to clean up the people around you."

Zhu Biao looked up.

“It’s not that they have a problem,” Zhu Han said calmly. “It’s that someone will be passing on a message to you next.”

Zhu Biao's expression grew serious: "Imperial Uncle is worried—"

“It’s not that I’m worried,” Zhu Han said, “it’s that it will definitely happen.”

Zhu Biao paused for a moment, then nodded solemnly.

"Nephew has noted it down."

Zhu Han then stood up.

"It's late, don't stare at it for too long."

Zhu Biao rose to see Zhu Han off, and only slowly sat back down at his desk after Zhu Han had left the Eastern Palace.

The next morning, as dawn broke and the palace gates were not yet fully open, people were already hurrying through the inner court.

Inside a side hall of the Fengtian Hall, officials from the Ministry of Rites were already waiting. The eunuch delivering the imperial edict stood to the side of the hall, his yellow silk handkerchief folded perfectly straight. He tested the edict twice in a low voice to confirm that it was correct before raising his hand to signal.

Before long, the palace doors opened.

"Declaration - edict."

The voice wasn't loud, but it carried extremely far in the empty palace corridors of the early morning.

Meanwhile, outside the office of the Waterway Administration, the night watchman had just finished his shift.

The stone lions in front of the government office were still covered in night dew. A low-ranking clerk was yawning and preparing to lock the gate when he suddenly heard the sound of horses' hooves at the street corner.

A group of palace servants stopped in front of the office. The leading eunuch dismounted and showed his waist badge.

"The Waterway Administration has received the imperial decree."

The clerk was startled, and the key in his hand clattered to the ground.

When the news reached the office, Shen Tingrui was having breakfast in the inner hall.

The porridge in the bowl was still hot, but he only ate two mouthfuls before putting down the spoon.

The curtain to the inner hall was lifted, and the deputy commissioner of the river management strode in, his expression clearly troubled.

"My lord, someone from the palace has arrived."

Shen Tingrui looked up: "Is this an imperial decree?"

"Yes."

Shen Tingrui didn't ask any more questions, but simply nodded and stood up to straighten his sleeves.

He moved slowly, smoothing out his cuffs and fastening his belt, as if he were just going to discuss some ordinary business.

The front hall was already packed with people.

Almost all officials of rank from the entire Waterway Administration were present.

Some people stood ramrod straight, while others unconsciously gripped the corners of their sleeves, their eyes avoiding looking directly in the center.

The eunuch delivering the imperial decree unfurled a yellow silk scroll; his voice was clear and steady.
"By the grace of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: Shen Tingrui, the Director-General of the Waterway Administration, is suspended from his post due to an unresolved old case and shall remain in the capital to await trial. His duties shall be temporarily assumed by the Vice-Envoy. All documents and case files within the Administration shall be sealed immediately and transferred to the Ministry of Justice and the Censorate for joint review. This is the imperial decree."

After he finished speaking, the hall fell into a deathly silence.

There were no gasps or discussions.

Everyone instinctively looked at the person in the center.

Shen Tingrui stood there, his expression calm, not even a flicker of his brow. He raised his hand, accepted the imperial edict, and performed the salute with utmost care.

"Your subject obeys the decree."

The eunuch delivering the decree closed the silk scroll, his gaze sweeping across the hall before lingering there.

Once the person left, the atmosphere in the hall seemed to begin to flow again.

The deputy envoy opened his mouth, seemingly wanting to say something, but didn't know where to begin. (End of Chapter)