Ming Dynasty: Zhu Biao's younger brother, the most rebellious son in history

Zhu Yuanzhang exclaimed: "What a great Zhu Kai, you are indeed my loyal minister."

One day, Zhu Kai was discussing matters with Gu Wenzhen in the mansion when suddenly a mysterious man came to visit.

The mysterious man covered his face and said in a low voice: "Second Prince, someone wants to harm you, you need to be careful."

Zhu Kai asked vigilantly: "Who are you? Why did you tell me?"

The mysterious man said: "I have received your kindness and I can't bear to see you in danger. As for who they are, I don't know, I just know they have been plotting secretly for a long time." After saying that, he hurried away.

Zhu Kai and Gu Wen looked at each other, their hearts filled with worry.

Gu Wen said: "Your Majesty, this matter cannot be ignored. We must strengthen our defenses."

Zhu Kai nodded and said, "Well, give the order and let the guards in the mansion be on high alert."

A few days later, Zhu Kai proposed a reform plan in the court, aiming to reduce the burden on the people and strengthen national defense.

Zhu Kai said: "Your Majesty, now the people are living in hardship, and the country's borders are also often in danger. If this plan can be implemented, it will definitely improve the current situation."

However, this plan was strongly opposed by some ministers.

Minister Wu said: "The Second Prince's plan is too radical and may cause unrest."

Minister Ji also echoed: "Yes, Your Majesty, please think twice."

Zhu Kai argued: "My Lords, if we don't reform, how can the country develop? How can the people live in peace?"

There was endless debate in the court and Zhu Yuanzhang was unable to make a decision.

After leaving the court, Zhu Kai said to Gu Wen: "These people are against changes and reforms, probably because they are afraid of affecting their interests."

Gu Wen said, "Your Majesty, they will definitely not give up. We must be careful that they may trip us up."

As expected, not long after, Zhu Kai's reform and innovation plan encountered many obstacles during implementation.

The official in charge of implementation reported to Zhu Kai: "Your Majesty, various forces are secretly obstructing, and many government orders cannot be implemented."

Zhu Kai said angrily: "How dare these people openly disobey!"

Just when Zhu Kai was worried about this matter, news came that his reform plan had caused chaos in some places.

Zhu Kai said: "It is clear that someone is deliberately creating trouble to discredit the reform."

Gu Wen said, "Your Majesty, we must find out the truth as soon as possible and explain it clearly to His Majesty and the people."

Zhu Kai decided to go to the places where the chaos occurred to check it out himself.

On the way, Zhu Kai communicated with local people.

The people cried, "Second Prince, we know you are doing this for our own good, but this chaos is making us miserable."

Zhu Kai comforted him, "Don't worry, I will find out the truth and give you justice."

After investigation, Zhu Kai discovered that someone was deliberately inciting the people and creating chaos.

Zhu Kai said: "Damn it, these people's methods are really despicable."

After returning to the capital, Zhu Kai reported the truth to Zhu Yuanzhang.

Zhu Kai said: "Your Majesty, this chaos was deliberately caused by someone who intended to sabotage the reform."

Zhu Yuanzhang said: "Zhu Kai, I trust you, but you must calm this storm as soon as possible and make the reforms go smoothly."

Zhu Kai replied: "Don't worry, Your Majesty, I will do my best."

However, just as Zhu Kai was trying his best to calm the storm, something big happened in his house.

A maid was found dead in a pond in the mansion, and the cause of death was mysterious.

Zhu Kai was shocked and said, "How could this happen? Find out the truth quickly!"

Gu Wen said, "Your Majesty, this matter may not be simple. Could it be that someone deliberately framed me?"

Zhu Kai said: "No matter who it is, we must get to the bottom of it."

After some investigation, it was discovered that the maid's death was related to a minister in the court.

Zhu Kai said: "So it was him, he wanted to use this to attack me."

Gu Wen said: "Your Majesty, how should we respond?"

Zhu Kai pondered for a moment and said, "Don't alert the enemy first. Gather evidence and then make plans."

Zhu Kai decided to keep his troops in place for the time being and secretly collect evidence related to the minister.

However, the incident of the maid falling into the water spread widely in the capital, and all kinds of rumors spread.

Some people said that this was caused by an internal struggle in Zhu Kai's mansion, while others said that Zhu Kai had offended a powerful person and was maliciously retaliated against.

Zhu Kai's opponents took the opportunity to attack him in the court.

Minister Geng said, "Second Prince, such a vicious thing happened in your house, which shows that you are not strict in managing your family."

Zhu Kai replied coldly: "This matter has not been investigated yet, sir, please do not jump to conclusions."

Minister Xin continued, "Now the people are talking about this, and you, the Second Prince, cannot escape blame."

Zhu Kai glared at me and said, "When the truth comes out, I will be cleared of all charges."

After returning home, Zhu Kai and Gu Wen continued to discuss countermeasures.

Zhu Kai frowned and said, "The person behind this incident obviously wants to make a big fuss about it. We must speed up and find evidence."

Gu Wen nodded and said, "Your Majesty, I have already sent more people to investigate, and I believe there will be results soon."

A few days later, Gu Wen brought some important clues.

Gu Wen said, "Your Majesty, we found out that the minister had contacts with some people in the underworld and seemed to be planning something."

Zhu Kai thought for a moment and said, "Keep digging and see what their conspiracy is."

At this moment, the minister also noticed Zhu Kai's actions and began to be on guard.

He said to his men, "Zhu Kai is already investigating us. We can't let him succeed. Find a way to create more trouble for him."

As a result, Zhu Kai encountered constant obstacles during the investigation and even received threatening letters.

The letter read: "Second Prince, if you don't stop, you will bear the consequences."

Zhu Kai remained unmoved, but instead became more determined to find out the truth.

He said to Gu Wen: "The more scared they are, the closer we are to the truth."

After some twists and turns, Zhu Kai finally got solid evidence to prove that the minister was not only related to the death of the maid, but also planned a series of conspiracies against him.

Zhu Kai brought the evidence to the palace to meet the emperor.

Zhu Kai said: "Your Majesty, I have found out the truth about the maid falling into the water. It was done by that minister, and he also tried to frame me."

Zhu Yuanzhang looked at the evidence and was furious: "How dare this man be so bold and presumptuous? Zhu Kai, do you have any way to deal with him?"

Zhu Kai replied: "Your Majesty, this man's crime is serious and he should be severely punished to rectify the government."

Zhu Yuanzhang said: "Approved, this matter is under your full authority."

Zhu Kai returned to the mansion and immediately ordered the arrest of the minister.

When the minister was brought before Zhu Kai, he was still quibbling: "Second Prince, you are framing me. I am being wronged."

In the end, the minister received the punishment he deserved and the maid's injustice was vindicated.

But Zhu Kai knew that this was only a small victory in his power struggle, and there would be more challenges waiting for him in the future.

Zhu Kai said to Gu Wen: "Although we have solved a problem this time, we cannot let our guard down. The enemy is still waiting in the dark for an opportunity to strike."

Gu Wen said, "Your Majesty, we will always be by your side and deal with it together."

Not long after, Zhu Kai received a mysterious invitation letter inviting him to a private party.

Zhu Kai held the invitation letter, wondering: "Whose invitation is this? Is it a trap or is there something else going on?"

Gu Wen said, "Your Majesty, this trip may be very dangerous."

Zhu Kai said, "No risk, no gain. I want to see what tricks they are up to next."

On the day of the party, Zhu Kai took Gu Wen with him. At the party, Zhu Kai saw many unfamiliar faces.

One of them stepped forward and said with a smile: "Second Prince, I have long heard of your name."

Zhu Kai asked, "Who are you?"

The man said, "I am just someone who is concerned about the situation at court."

Zhu Kai knew in his heart that this person was by no means a simple character.

At the party, everyone seemed to be chatting and laughing, but in fact they all had their own thoughts.

Zhu Kai carefully responded to everyone's temptations and solicitations.

After the party, Zhu Kai said to Gu Wen: "This seems like an ordinary party, but it actually has a hidden secret.

Zhu Kai and Gu Wen have always remained highly vigilant.

A few days later, there was a new development in the court. A prince from a remote area suddenly wrote a letter requesting to come to Beijing to see the emperor, and his words seemed to have a deep meaning.

Zhu Kai and Gu Wen analyzed the matter in the study.

Zhu Kai frowned and said, "This prince is asking to come to the capital at this time. I'm afraid he has bad intentions."

Gu Wen nodded and said, "Your Majesty, in my opinion, he may have been instructed by someone, or he may have other plans."

Zhu Kai said: "No matter what, we must be prepared to deal with it."

Soon, the princes entered the capital with a large number of followers.

In the court, the prince said to Zhu Yuanzhang: "Your Majesty, I have lived in a remote place for a long time and miss the court very much. I am here this time to share your worries."

Zhu Kai watched coldly from the side, secretly guessing the prince's true intentions.

After retiring from court, the prince actually took the initiative to visit Zhu Kai.

The prince said with a fake smile: "Second Prince, I have heard of your great name for a long time. Seeing you today, I find that you are indeed extraordinary."

Zhu Kai politely replied: "Your Majesty, thank you for your compliment. I wonder why you came here this time?"

The prince said: "To be honest, I am very interested in your reform and innovation plan, Second Prince, and would like to discuss it with you in depth."

Zhu Kai was alert and said, "The prince is interested, but the reform still needs to be considered carefully."

The prince pressed on, "Second Prince, why are you so cautious? I am sincerely helping you."

Zhu Kai said: "Thank you for your kindness, Prince, but this matter cannot be explained in a few words."

Seeing Zhu Kai's firm attitude, the prince said goodbye and left.

Gu Wen said to Zhu Kai: "Your Majesty, this prince has ulterior motives. We must be more careful."

Zhu Kai said: "I think he has other intentions, so I sent people to monitor his every move."

At the same time, rumors spread in the capital about Zhu Kai's collusion with the princes.

When Zhu Kai found out, he was furious: "This must be someone's deliberate frame-up."

Gu Wen said, "Your Majesty, we must clarify this as soon as possible to avoid suspicion from His Majesty."

Zhu Kai decided to go to the palace to meet the emperor again.

In the palace, Zhu Kai said to Zhu Yuanzhang: "Your Majesty, those rumors are completely false. I have never colluded with the princes."

Zhu Yuanzhang said: "I trust you, but you have to be careful."

However, the matter did not end there. The princes moved around the capital, winning over ministers and secretly building up their own power.

Zhu Kai discussed countermeasures with Gu Wen.

Zhu Kai said: "We can't let the prince's conspiracy succeed. We must find a way to expose his true face."

Gu Wen said, "Your Majesty, I have collected some evidence of the prince's illegal activities, but it is not sufficient."

Zhu Kai said: "Keep investigating, we must find the key evidence."

At this time, the princes suddenly proposed to Zhu Yuanzhang to station troops in the capital, on the grounds of protecting the safety of the capital.

Zhu Kai firmly objected: "Your Majesty, this is absolutely not allowed. The prince has ulterior motives in doing this."

Zhu Yuanzhang fell into deep thought.

The prince said, "Second Prince, you are worrying too much. I am loyal to you, and heaven and earth can bear witness to my loyalty."

Zhu Kai said: "The prince's thoughts cannot be hidden from everyone."

The two sides argued in the court.

Back home, Zhu Kai was extremely anxious.

Zhu Kai said to Gu Wen: "If the prince succeeds, the capital will be in chaos."

Gu Wen said, "Your Majesty, we have to speed up."

After some efforts, Zhu Kai finally found the key evidence that the prince was attempting a rebellion.

He went to the palace again and presented the evidence to Zhu Yuanzhang.

Zhu Yuanzhang was furious after reading it: "What a vassal king, how dare you deceive me."

Zhu Yuanzhang ordered the capture of the vassal king.

When the prince was arrested, he was still cursing Zhu Kai: "Zhu Kai, you ruined my good deeds."

Zhu Kai said: "You have evil intentions, and you deserve the punishment."

After resolving the issue of the vassal king, Zhu Kai thought that he would be able to enjoy a brief period of peace. However, new troubles followed.

One day, Zhu Kai received a mysterious letter in his mansion. The letter mentioned that a mysterious force had appeared in the Jiangnan area, secretly controlling the local economy and causing the people to suffer.

Zhu Kai frowned and said to Gu Wen, "This matter is very serious. We must get to the bottom of it."

Gu Wenying said, "Your Highness, Jiangnan is a long way away, so it may not be easy to investigate."

Zhu Kai said firmly: "We must investigate no matter how difficult it is. If we don't solve it, it will become a big problem."

So, Zhu Kai decided to go to Jiangnan in person.

In Jiangnan, Zhu Kai and Gu Wen disguised themselves and visited everywhere.

They came to a teahouse and heard people talking.

People complained: "Life is unbearable. Prices are skyrocketing. It's all caused by those unscrupulous businessmen."

The people continued, "I heard that there are some big shots backing them up, so no one dares to intervene."

After hearing this, Zhu Kai became even angrier.

Zhu Kai said to Gu Wen: "We must find out who is behind this."

After some investigation, they found that this mysterious force was related to a local wealthy businessman.

Zhu Kai decided to visit the wealthy businessman.

Zhu Kai said: "What you did in Jiangnan, aren't you afraid of being punished by the law?"

The rich businessman sneered and said, "Second Prince, you have come from afar, I am afraid you can't take care of the affairs of Jiangnan."

Zhu Kai said sternly: "How can you do whatever you want under the emperor's feet!"

The rich businessman said, "Second Prince, please don't refuse a toast and drink a forfeit."

Zhu Kai turned away and decided to start with the rich businessman's business partners.

During a conversation with a business partner, Zhu Kai learned that the wealthy businessman was in collusion with an official in the court.

Zhu Kai asked, "Do you know which official it is?"

The business partner hesitated and said, "I only know that he is a powerful person."

Zhu Kai fell into deep thought, thinking: "Who is behind this?" (End of this chapter)