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

Zhu Han slowly walked to the table and reached out to open one of the iron boxes.

In an instant, the silver ingots gleamed coldly under the lamplight, the light like sharp daggers, stinging people's eyes.

Seeing this, Gu Qingping frowned slightly, a hint of worry on her face, and said, "This amount of silver... is probably not a small sum."

Zhu Biao sighed, a hint of helplessness and anger in his eyes, and said, "Just one manor in Zhenjiang, and so many are hidden there."

Zhu Han remained silent, his gaze focused and deep as he perused the stack of letters.

His fingers gently turned the pages of the letter, as if he were touching the threads of history.

Zhu Biao was increasingly alarmed as he looked at the grain. His expression became very serious, and he said, "Uncle, they have actually tripled the price of grain."

Zhu Han said coldly, "And they haven't even made a move yet."

Zhu Biao was taken aback, a hint of doubt flashing in his eyes, and asked, "Waiting for what?"

Zhu Han pointed to the ledger and said in a deep but powerful voice, "Wait until the price of grain rises again."

Gu Qingping asked softly, "How long have they been stockpiling food?"

Zhu Han turned to the first page, looked at it carefully, and said, "At least three months."

A brief silence fell over the study.

Zhu Biao clenched his fists, his knuckles turning white from the force, and his voice was filled with anger and confusion as he said, "What exactly do they want to do?"

Zhu Han slowly said, "Make money."

His tone was calm and indifferent, as if all of this was within his expectations. "The more chaotic it is, the more money you make."

He pulled a piece of paper from the letter; on it was a rough map with several places marked.

Zhu Biao glanced at them, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes, and asked, "What are these...?"

Zhu Han said, "The granary."

There are five markers on the map, two of which are near Zhenjiang, and the other three are along the waterways of Jiangnan.

Gu Qingping said with some surprise, "So many granaries?"

Zhu Han nodded and said, "This is only what was mentioned in the letter."

Zhu Biao's expression turned very serious, and he said, "The owner of that manor is still in our hands."

A glimmer of hope flashed in his eyes, "We can get the answer by asking."

Zhu Han smiled slightly, a smile that revealed a hint of confidence and wisdom, and said, "That's exactly what I was thinking."

The damp stone wall exuded a chilling aura, like a cold beast breathing cold air in the darkness.

The cloaked man was chained to an iron pillar, his face still gloomy, his eyes revealing a hint of stubbornness and resentment.

His hair was disheveled and draped over his shoulders, and his cloak was tattered, as if he had just been through a fierce battle.

The door was slowly pushed open, and a gust of cold wind rushed in, giving everyone goosebumps.

Zhu Han and Zhu Biao walked in, their steps steady and powerful, each step seemingly treading on the heart of the cloaked man.

The man looked up, a hint of disdain flashing in his eyes, and said, "So it's a prince."

Zhu Han sat on a wooden chair, his posture upright and majestic, like an unshakeable mountain.

He looked at the man and said calmly, "It seems you recognize me."

The man sneered, the sound echoing in the silent cell, sounding particularly jarring, and said, "Who doesn't know the name of Prince Han?"

Zhu Han remained calm and said, "That's good."

His eyes revealed a hint of authority and unquestionable authority, "saving me the trouble of explaining."

After saying that, he threw the ledger on the ground. The ledger drew an arc in the air and then fell heavily to the ground with a "thud".

Zhu Han said, "These are from your manor."

The man's expression changed slightly, but he quickly regained his composure. He snorted coldly and said, "So what?"

Zhu Han continued, "Where is the granary?"

The man remained silent, his eyes revealing a hint of hesitation and struggle.

Zhu Biao said coldly, "You have already lost."

His voice was like a sharp blade in the cold wind, "Why hide it anymore?"

The man suddenly laughed, a laugh that revealed a hint of madness and helplessness, and said, "It's no use arresting me."

A sly glint flashed in his eyes. "This business isn't just mine alone."

Zhu Han's eyes turned cold, his gaze like a sharp dagger piercing the man's heart, and he said, "I know."

His tone was firm and forceful. "That's why I asked."

The man remained silent for a moment, his eyes scanning back and forth between Zhu Han and Zhu Biao, as if he were weighing something.

Finally, he spoke up: "What if I tell you?"

Zhu Han said calmly, "You will live."

A glimmer of hope flashed in the man's eyes. He looked at Zhu Han and asked, "Really?"

Zhu Han nodded and said, "As long as you cooperate."

The man pondered for a long time, his brows furrowed, his eyes revealing a hint of pain and struggle.

Finally, he spoke up: "Twenty miles southeast of Zhenjiang City, there is an abandoned salt warehouse."

His voice was low and hoarse, “There are 20,000 shi of grain there.”

Zhu Biao was startled; his eyes widened as he exclaimed, "Twenty thousand shi?!"

The man's eyes revealed a hint of weariness as he continued, "There's also an old shipyard at the riverside dock."

His voice trailed off, “There are also more than ten thousand shi there.”

Zhu Han did not interrupt him, but listened quietly, his eyes focused and deep, as if he was thinking about something.

The man then mentioned three more locations, all of which matched the map in the letter.

Zhu Han nodded and said, "Very good."

He stood up and said to the guard, "Keep an eye on him."

The guard clasped his hands in a fist salute and loudly replied, "Yes, sir!"

Zhu Biao quickly caught up with Zhu Han, his eyes revealing a hint of excitement and eagerness, and said, "Uncle, shall we take action immediately tonight?"

Zhu Han shook his head, his eyes revealing a hint of composure and wisdom, and said, "No rush."

Zhu Biao asked in confusion, "Why?"

Zhu Han looked up at the night sky, where countless stars twinkled, as if they were watching them.

He said, "Because there are still people who haven't shown up."

Zhu Biao frowned, a hint of doubt flashing in his eyes, and asked, "What do you mean?"

Zhu Han said, "These granaries are too large."

His tone was serious and earnest: "It's impossible for a single manor owner to do this."

Zhu Biao immediately understood, a look of sudden realization flashing in his eyes, and said, "There are still people in the city."

Zhu Han nodded and said, "Moreover, his status is not low."

Zhu Biao remained silent for a moment, a hint of worry and thought in his eyes, and then said, "Then what do we do?"

Zhu Han smiled slightly, a hint of confidence and cunning in his smile, and said, "Release the information."

Zhu Biao paused for a moment, a hint of doubt flashing in his eyes, and asked, "Spread the word?" Zhu Han replied, "Tell the city."

His eyes revealed a hint of authority and decisiveness. "The manor is under investigation."

His voice was deep and powerful: "The food has been taken away."

Zhu Biao instantly understood, and a hint of excitement and anticipation flashed in his eyes as he said, "They'll be anxious."

Zhu Han nodded and said, "As long as they make a move."

A sharp and cold glint appeared in his eyes: "That way we can find more clues."

Zhu Biao couldn't help but laugh, his smile revealing a hint of admiration and appreciation, and said, "Uncle, you are indeed brilliant."

Zhu Han said calmly, "Go to sleep first."

Zhu Biao froze, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes, and asked, "Now?"

Zhu Han had already walked out, his steps steady and powerful, and said, "We'll talk about it when it's light."

As the shops in the city opened, the streets gradually became lively.

The cries of vendors, the laughter of pedestrians, and the rumble of horse-drawn carriages blended together to create a lively symphony of the marketplace.

However, a piece of news had already quietly spread, like a pebble thrown into a calm lake, stirring up ripples.

"Have you heard? The manor outside the city was attacked last night."

A passerby said mysteriously to the person next to him.

The person next to them stared wide-eyed, a look of surprise on their face, and said, "How is that possible?"

There wasn't a whisper of it last night.

Another person whispered, "I heard they're government officials."

The news spread far and wide, like wildfire, quickly reaching the entire city of Zhenjiang.

Many grain merchants began to get nervous, and their faces showed worry and unease.

Meanwhile, in a mansion in the south of the city, several merchants were gathered in the hall.

The atmosphere in the hall was oppressive and tense, like the calm before a storm.

A businessman paced anxiously back and forth, his steps hurried and heavy, as if each step was pounding on people's hearts.

He said, "The manor has been investigated."

Another businessman stared wide-eyed, an expression of disbelief on his face, and said, "How is this possible?"

Another businessman said in a low voice, "There wasn't a whisper last night."

At this moment, a middle-aged businessman stood up with a gloomy expression, his eyes revealing a hint of anger and worry.

He said, "Where are the ledgers?"

Another person said, "It might have been taken."

The middle-aged businessman suddenly stood up, his movement so abrupt that it rattled the chair behind him with a loud bang.

He exclaimed, "Oh no!"

His voice echoed in the hall, “The granaries must be moved immediately.”

The crowd's expressions changed drastically, their eyes revealing a hint of fear and panic.

Someone asked, "Now?" The middle-aged businessman replied coldly, "If we don't leave now, it will be too late."

They immediately began to arrange manpower; some prepared horse-drawn carriages, some contacted boats, and some notified the people in the granary to prepare for the evacuation.

The entire courtyard was a scene of busy activity and chaos.

Inside the study, Zhu Han was drinking tea.

His fingers gently held the teacup, the movement elegant and composed.

Steam rose from the teacup, obscuring his face and making his expression impossible to discern.

A man in coarse cloth hurried in, his steps quick and forceful, and said, "Your Highness."

His voice was low and urgent, “They’ve moved.”

Zhu Han put down his teacup with a steady and elegant movement. The teacup collided with the table with a "thud".

He asked, "Where?"

The man in coarse cloth said, "The Wu residence in the south of the city."

His eyes revealed a hint of excitement and anticipation. "We are preparing to transport the grain."

Zhu Biao immediately stood up, his eyes revealing a hint of excitement and eagerness, and said, "They really took the bait."

Zhu Han smiled, a smile that revealed a hint of confidence and wisdom, and said, "Let's go."

His voice was deep and powerful, “Go and take a look.”

Zhu Biao asked, "How many people are you bringing?"

Zhu Han said, "Twenty."

Zhu Biao was somewhat surprised; his eyes widened as he asked, "Is that enough?"

Zhu Han stood up, his posture upright and dignified, and said, "Enough."

His eyes revealed a sharp and cold glint. "What they fear most right now is meeting with officials."

Meanwhile, the Wu residence in the south of Zhenjiang City was tightly closed, like a mysterious fortress, shutting out the hustle and bustle of the outside world.

However, inside the courtyard, a bustling scene unfolded, with horse-drawn cart wheels rolling on the bluestone slabs, making a "gurgling" sound, as if it were the drumbeat of this conspiracy.

The grain sacks were carried onto the carriage by strong arms, the heavy thuds sounding like an alarm bell, yet no one noticed.

Zhu Han and Zhu Biao arrived at the street corner, a secluded spot that offered a clear view of the Wu residence.

Zhu Han stood there quietly, his eyes sharp, staring intently at the gate of the Wu residence, observing every move inside the courtyard.

After a while, he narrowed his eyes slightly, a faint smile curving his lips, and said softly, "The time has come."

Zhu Biao nodded slightly, his eyes revealing determination and resolve, and replied, "Go in."

Zhu Han strode towards the Wu residence, each step steady and powerful, as if carrying an irresistible majesty.

Arriving at the gate of the Wu residence, he raised his hand and gently knocked on the door. The "knock knock knock" sounded particularly clear in the quiet air.

The door opened a crack, and a servant peeked out, eyeing Zhu Han warily with suspicion. He asked, "Who are you looking for?"

Zhu Han smiled slightly, a smile that seemed gentle but concealed a sharp edge. He said softly, "Find grain."

As soon as he finished speaking, as if sending some kind of signal, the gate was suddenly pushed open, and twenty men rushed into the courtyard like tigers descending a mountain.

He looked at the sacks of grain piled up in the yard, a cold glint in his eyes, and said indifferently, "It seems there's quite a lot hidden here as well."

Zhu Biao swiftly drew his longsword, its blade gleaming coldly. He coldly surveyed the crowd and shouted, "Who dares to move?"

That authoritative voice, like a thunderclap, echoed in the courtyard, instantly silencing everyone and silencing them from any further action.

The merchants were pale, with large beads of sweat rolling down their foreheads. Their bodies trembled slightly, and their eyes were filled with despair.

Zhu Han's eyes were sharp as he scanned the crowd and asked loudly, "Who is the owner of the Wu residence?"

From the crowd, a middle-aged man in his forties slowly stepped forward. He was dressed in luxurious clothes, his silk robe shimmering in the sunlight. However, at this moment, he was covered in cold sweat, his legs were weak, and he could hardly stand. He said in a trembling voice, "I am... Wu Yuanshan."

Zhu Han looked him up and down, his gaze filled with scrutiny and authority, and asked, "Is the grain yours?"

Wu Yuanshan hesitated for a moment, a hint of panic flashing in his eyes. He stammered, "It's just... for safekeeping."

Zhu Han's lips curled slightly into a faint smile, a smile tinged with sarcasm and doubt. He asked, "For whom are you keeping it safe?" (End of Chapter)