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

"Your Highness, this side door is difficult to enter. How about we go through the roof?" the boatman suggested softly.

Zhu Han pondered for a moment, "We mustn't alert them. Let's go around to the backyard and take a look first."

The three of them went around to the backyard and found a wall that wasn't very high.

Zhu Han was agile and easily leaped onto the wall, followed closely by the boatman and the man in coarse clothes.

They landed carefully in the yard, trying not to make a sound.

The yard was piled with miscellaneous items, including old bamboo baskets and discarded wooden planks.

Using the miscellaneous items as cover, Zhu Han and his men approached the warehouse.

Before we even got close, we could hear low voices coming from inside the warehouse.

"This batch of grain is of good quality; it can fetch a good price," a shrill voice said.

"Hmph, don't just think about money. Be careful not to let the news get out, or we'll all lose our heads."

Another deep voice responded.

Zhu Han's heart skipped a beat; it seemed there really was a problem here.

He winked at the boatman and the man in coarse clothes, and the three of them slowly approached the window of the barn and peered inside through the crack.

The warehouse was filled with sacks of grain, and two men were standing next to them talking.

The man with the high-pitched voice was thin and had cunning eyes; the man with the deep voice was burly and had a face full of fat.

"I heard there's an even bigger deal going on up there. Once this batch is cleared out, we might get promoted and make a fortune."

A greedy glint gleamed in the skinny man's eyes.

The burly man frowned. "Don't overthink it. Let's get this over with first. The Imperial Guards have been cracking down hard in the city lately, so we need to be careful."

Zhu Han felt a chill run down his spine. Sure enough, the Embroidered Uniform Guard was investigating. It seemed that Zhu Yuanzhang's side was also taking action.

As he was pondering, he suddenly heard footsteps coming from the courtyard.

"Who's there?" Footsteps approached the warehouse, accompanied by a sharp shout.

Zhu Han and the other two quickly hid behind a pile of debris.

A man who looked like a shop assistant walked into the storeroom and said to the two men, "Gentlemen, there seems to be some commotion outside. Shall we go and take a look?"

The skinny man waved his hand impatiently, "What noise could there be? Don't scare yourself. Go check the back door again and keep a close watch."

The man responded and turned to leave the warehouse.

After the other men had gone far away, Zhu Han and his men quietly left the backyard.

Back at the street corner, Zhu Han said, "This courtyard is complicated; let's not act rashly. Let's go check out another place."

They went around to the back door and found that it was also guarded.

However, unlike the previous courtyard, the guards here seemed a bit lax, and the two were leaning against the wall chatting idly.

"Where exactly is this batch of grain going?" a guard asked.

"Who knows? We'll just take the money and do the job, don't ask so many questions."

"Another guard replied."

“But things are getting tense in the city lately. If we get caught…” The first guard was a little worried.

"What's there to be afraid of? We have people backing us up."

"Besides, how far can those Imperial Guards possibly investigate?" the second guard said dismissively.

Zhu Han secretly pondered to himself that there was indeed a force behind the scenes manipulating the hoarding of grain.

As he was figuring out how to get into the courtyard, he suddenly heard the sound of horses' hooves approaching from afar.

The three quickly hid in the shadows to the side.

A group of people rushed towards the back gate of the courtyard and stopped at the gate.

The leader was a man riding a tall horse and dressed in fine clothes. After dismounting, he walked directly into the courtyard, and the guards bowed in greeting.

"Your Highness, this man seems to be of unusual status," the boatman said softly.

Zhu Han nodded. "Let's see how things go."

They quietly followed the man and slipped into the courtyard when the guards weren't looking.

In the courtyard, the man walked straight to the storeroom, where several people were already waiting.

"How did things go?" The man's voice was deep and authoritative.

"Reporting to Master, everything is going smoothly. We have already stockpiled a considerable amount of grain, and are just waiting for the right time to sell it."

A man who looked like a butler answered respectfully.

"Timing?" The man sneered. "Now is the time. The imperial court has been strictly controlling grain prices recently, but we can take advantage of this opportunity to make a fortune."

“Master, but the Embroidered Uniform Guard…” the steward hesitated.

"The Embroidered Uniform Guard?" The man scoffed. "What could they possibly find out? Our influence in Zhenjiang is deeply entrenched; they wouldn't dare to touch us easily."

Zhu Han listened intently from the side and was secretly astonished.

Unexpectedly, the person behind this is so arrogant that they dare to openly defy the imperial court.

As he was pondering a solution, he suddenly heard a commotion outside.

"Oh no, sir! It looks like the Embroidered Uniform Guards have arrived!"

A worker rushed into the warehouse and said.

The man's expression changed. "Quick, move the grain! Go through the secret passage!"

Zhu Han's heart skipped a beat. A secret passage? He hadn't expected there to be a secret passage in this courtyard.

He decided to follow and see where the exit of the secret passage was.

The crowd hurriedly carried the grain sacks into the secret passage, and Zhu Han and his group took the opportunity to blend into the crowd.

The secret passage was narrow and dark, filled with a damp smell.

Zhu Han followed cautiously, afraid of making a sound.

After walking for about the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, a glimmer of light appeared ahead.

Outside the woods, a path winds its way into the distance.

The man led the group away hurriedly along the path, with Zhu Han and the others following at a distance.

After walking for a long time, a manor came into view.

The manor was vast, surrounded by high walls, with guards patrolling atop them.

The man and his group entered the manor, and the gate slowly closed.

Zhu Han and his men hid at the edge of the woods, observing the situation at the manor. "Your Highness, the manor is heavily guarded. What should we do?" the boatman asked.

Zhu Han pondered for a moment, "Let's go back first, tell Zhu Biao about the situation, and then make a plan."

The three quietly left and returned to Zhenjiang City. By then, it was already late, and there were few pedestrians on the streets.

Zhu Han and his entourage went directly to the Crown Prince's residence to request an audience with Zhu Biao.

Zhu Biao was talking with Crown Princess Gu Qingping in his study when he heard a servant announce that Prince Han was requesting an audience. He immediately got up to greet him.

"Uncle, is there something important that you've come so late?" Zhu Biao asked.

Zhu Han told Zhu Biao everything he had discovered in Zhenjiang City, including the two courtyards, the secret passage, and the manor behind them.

Upon hearing this, Zhu Biao frowned. "I never imagined there were such complex forces behind this grain hoarding. Uncle, what do you think we should do?"

Zhu Han pondered for a moment, "The Embroidered Uniform Guard is also investigating, but it seems they haven't found the key point yet. We can't alert them. Let's secretly monitor the manor and see what they do next."

Zhu Biao nodded, "Uncle is absolutely right. But this manor is heavily guarded, how can we keep an eye on it?"

Zhu Han smiled slightly, "I have my own way."

After saying this, he summoned the boatman and the man in coarse clothes and instructed them to prepare some things.

A short while later, the boatman and the man in coarse clothes returned with some tools. Zhu Han led them to a small hill near the manor, which was situated on higher ground and offered a panoramic view of most of the manor.

They found a secluded spot on the mountain and began building a makeshift watchtower.

Zhu Han personally participated in the construction, his movements were skilled and swift.

In no time, the watchtower was completed.

"Uncle, this telescope is truly amazing; it can see so clearly," Zhu Biao exclaimed in amazement.

Zhu Han laughed and said, "This is just a little gadget. I'll make you a better one when I have the chance."

Just then, Zhu Han noticed a group of people hurriedly leaving the manor and heading towards Zhenjiang City.

"Biao'er, look, they've made their move," Zhu Han said, pointing to the group of men.

Zhu Biao took the binoculars and observed carefully. "Uncle, should we follow them and take a look?"

Zhu Han shook his head. "Following them now would risk being exposed. Let's see what they're doing in the city first, and then we can adapt accordingly."

They stood quietly on the watchtower, observing the movements of the manor.

After a while, the group returned to the manor, bringing with them several carriages filled with boxes.

"What's in those boxes?" Zhu Biao asked, puzzled.

Zhu Han pondered for a moment, "It could be silver, or it could be other important items. It seems they've gained quite a bit from this operation."

“Uncle, we can’t let them continue to do whatever they want,” Zhu Biao said.

Zhu Han nodded, "Don't worry, I already have a plan. Let's go back to the city first, gather some reliable people, and prepare for a night raid on the manor."

Zhu Biao's heart skipped a beat. "Alright, I'll follow your arrangements, Imperial Uncle."

The three of them quietly left the hill and returned to Zhenjiang City.

Zhu Han immediately summoned the boatmen, men in coarse clothes, and some of the forces he had secretly cultivated in Zhenjiang.

These people are all highly skilled and loyal.

"Tonight, we're going to launch a night raid on that manor, find out the truth behind their grain hoarding, and wipe out the forces behind it all," Zhu Han said solemnly.

Everyone nodded in agreement, their morale high.

Zhu Han began assigning tasks, "Boatman, you take a few men to provide cover outside the manor. Once we succeed, immediately transport the grain and evidence away. Man in coarse clothes, you are familiar with the terrain of Zhenjiang, so lead a few men to patrol the area to prevent reinforcements from arriving. The rest of you, come with me and the Crown Prince to infiltrate the manor."

The group accepted the order and went off to prepare.

Zhu Biao was a little nervous, but more excited. "Uncle, we must succeed this time."

Zhu Han patted Zhu Biao on the shoulder, "Don't worry, I'm here. But be careful in everything you do, don't be reckless."

As night falls, the bright moon hangs high in the sky, casting its silvery light.

Under the cover of night, Zhu Han and his men stealthily made their way toward the manor.

Upon arriving outside the manor, Zhu Han observed the surroundings and found that the guards were even tighter than during the day.

"Your Highness, let's climb over the east wall; the defenses there are relatively weak," Zhu Han said softly.

Zhu Biao nodded, and the two of them quietly led the group to the east wall.

Zhu Han, with his agile movements, was the first to scale the wall, and then reached out to pull Zhu Biao up with him.

The group climbed over the wall one by one and entered the manor.

The manor was quiet, with only the occasional sound of patrolling footsteps.

Zhu Han and his group cautiously approached the warehouse.

Suddenly, a dog barked from ahead.

"Oh no, there's a dog." Zhu Han's heart tightened.

Just then, several large dogs pounced on them.

Zhu Han quickly drew the dagger from his waist and went to meet him.

He was agile and stabbed a large dog to the ground with a single stroke. The others also drew their weapons and fought with the dog.

Hearing the barking of the dogs, the patrolling guards rushed over.

"Your Highness, let's split up. You go to the granary to check on the grain, and I'll go to the study to find any account books or documents."

Zhu Biao nodded, "Uncle, be careful." After saying that, the two of them led the others to separate and move on.

Zhu Han ran towards the study.

The study is located in the center of the manor, surrounded by numerous guards.

Taking advantage of the guards changing shifts, Zhu Han quietly sneaked into the study.

The study was brightly lit, and the bookshelves were filled with books and documents.

Zhu Han quickly rummaged through the bookshelf and finally found an account book and some documents in a hidden drawer.

Zhu Han opened the ledger and found that it contained detailed records of the quantity, price, and trading partners of the stockpiled grain.

Zhu Han was furious and carefully put away the evidence.

Just then, a commotion erupted outside. "Someone has broken into the study! Seize him!"

He quickly hid the account books and documents in his bosom, picked up a chair as a weapon, and prepared to break through.

A group of guards rushed into the study and surrounded Zhu Han.

Zhu Han was not afraid at all. He swung the chair and engaged in a fierce fight with the guards.

After the chair was smashed, he picked up the shards from the ground and used them as weapons to continue fighting.

Just as Zhu Han was starting to feel weak, he suddenly heard shouts of battle coming from outside.

It turned out that Zhu Biao had led a group of people to provide support.

Zhu Biao, wielding a long sword, charged into the crowd and fought alongside Zhu Han.

Under the combined attack of the group, the guards gradually could not withstand the onslaught and retreated one after another.

Zhu Han and Zhu Biao seized the opportunity to rush out of the study and join the others outside.

"Uncle, are you alright?" Zhu Biao asked with concern.

Zhu Han shook his head. "I'm fine. Let's go find the boatmen and get the grain and evidence out of here."

The group quickly headed towards the warehouse.

At this time, the warehouse had been taken over by Zhu Biao's men, and the grain inside was being moved onto wagons.

"Uncle, everything went smoothly," Zhu Biao said excitedly.

Zhu Han nodded, "Okay, let's leave here immediately."

Just as they were about to leave, they suddenly heard the sound of horses' hooves approaching from afar.

It turned out that the owner of the manor had arrived with reinforcements.

"Oh no, they have reinforcements! Everyone, prepare for battle!" Zhu Han shouted.

The sound of horses' hooves grew louder as they approached, like rolling thunder, causing the ground to tremble slightly.

The rapid rhythm was like the drumbeats of war, foreshadowing an intense conflict about to unfold.

Zhu Han stood tall and straight in front of the warehouse door, his gaze calm and deep, like a cold pool, as he quickly scanned his surroundings.

He was dressed in a black outfit, with a wide leather belt around his waist and black leather boots on his feet, exuding a calm and resolute aura.

In the warehouse behind him, bags of grain were being hurriedly loaded onto horse-drawn carts by the crowd.

The boatmen and others were working so hard that they were covered in sweat, and large beads of sweat rolled down their foreheads, soaking their clothes.

"Uncle, there are quite a few of them."

Zhu Biao gripped his longsword tightly, his expression serious, a hint of tension in his eyes. (End of Chapter)