Da Ming: I told you to die for your cause, why are you actually going to die?

Chapter 131 Old Zhu, do you know how the Crown Prince died? [Seeking monthly votes]

The night is as dark as ink, and everything is silent.

In a secluded room, almost entirely enveloped in darkness, the air was so stagnant it felt like it could crush one's very bones.

"Your Highness, the matter in Yingtian is getting bigger and bigger."

"That 'madman' Zhang Biao is really strange; I wonder where he gets all that information from."

"His Majesty is almost driven mad by him. It seems he's preparing to launch a frenzied and thorough purge."

A man dressed in a black brocade robe knelt on one knee on the cold ground, his head bowed low, deliberately suppressing his breathing. His voice, filled with absolute respect and a hint of barely perceptible fear, reported to the deep darkness ahead:

"Fu Youwen and the others have been completely under the Emperor's watchful eye."

"Ah"

From the depths of darkness ahead came a very soft laugh, tinged with languor and a strong sense of mockery, as if listening to a trivial joke.

"Driven crazy? It's been so many years, and it's still the same old story!"

"Thunder and rain, all are imperial favors? Tsk tsk, in my opinion, investigating corruption is a pretense, the real purpose is to clear the way for that brat Zhu Yunwen, isn't it?"

His tone was flat, yet it carried a condescending, all-knowing indifference, like a chess player outside the board, watching the pieces struggle indifferently.

"What about Fu Youwen and the others' plea for help?" the man in black robes asked cautiously.

"Help?"

The voice from the darkness carried a hint of amusement: "Just a bunch of self-important, yet insatiable fools."

"They don't think that just because they did a few small things for me, they're my men, do they?"

"They're more trouble than they're worth. Why bother with them? Or do you think they have the guts to reveal anything related to me?"

"Your Majesty, please understand!"

The man in black robes lowered his body even further and hurriedly said, "Unless they want their entire clan wiped out immediately, their mouths are tighter than welded iron boxes!"

"but."

The voice in the darkness paused, then a playful chuckle rang out again: "As for attitude, we still have to put on a show. My father loves to see us sons put on an attitude of 'respectful and filial piety' and 'concerned about national affairs'."

"As for what they did behind the scenes."

"Heh, he knows every single one of the beastly things his second son has done, yet he's still maintained a 'filial piety' relationship with his father for so many years. He's strict with others but lenient with himself!"

The coldness and sarcasm in those words sent a chill down the spine of the kneeling man, who buried his head even deeper, not daring to reply.

"In Your Highness's opinion, what should we do now?" He could only continue to ask for instructions.

A brief silence fell over the darkness, as if someone was weighing something.

After a moment, the voice, carrying absolute control, slowly rang out again, each command clear and ruthless:
“First, since my father likes to kill people to establish his authority, let’s send out a few people who are of sufficient importance but not deeply involved with us, so that he can kill to his heart’s content.”

"This fire needs to burn brightly to look good."

"Secondly, send word to all the spies we planted in Yingtian: from this moment on, all of you must keep your heads down and behave yourselves!"

"Without my personal order, no one is to have any contact with anyone from Li Jinglong's or Guo Ying's residences, not even their old guard dogs! Let them fight like dogs, the fiercer the better."

"third!"

His voice suddenly turned icy: "Clean up all traces of correspondence with Fu Youwen, Ru Chang, and others, and all those responsible for delivering messages, as if they never existed."

"Related accounts and chains of illicit gains must be immediately investigated and severed; those that should be cut off must be cut off, and those that should be destroyed must be destroyed. If any cannot be immediately eliminated..."

He paused, a cruel smile appearing on his face: "Just find a way to 'reasonably' pin it all on the other vassal kings who are jumping the gun. Especially the second prince, since he's already got a lot of debts to pay, one or two more won't make a difference."

"Yes! Understood! I'll take care of it immediately!"

The man in black robes stiffened and answered without hesitation.

"Go ahead. Make it clean."

The voice in the darkness returned to its previous languid and indifferent tone, as if it were merely giving an insignificant instruction.

"Yes!"

The man in black robes felt as if he had been granted a pardon and respectfully bowed.

Immediately afterwards, maintaining a bowed posture, she quietly and quickly left the room, blending into the night outside as if she had never been there.

Inside the room, however, all was plunged once again into boundless darkness and silence.

Only the prince, hidden in the deepest darkness, seemed to have a cold and unpredictable smile on his lips, silently watching the direction of Yingtian Prefecture in the south, as if watching a grand drama about to reach its climax.

But he is the one who truly holds the 'script'.

……

the other side.

Inside the Hall of Literary Glory, the candlelight still flickered.

Old Zhu finally stopped writing the memorials. He rubbed his sore eyes and looked back at the document that Jiang Huan had sent him.

Suddenly, as if he had thought of something, a glint flashed in his eyes, and he said to Yunming, who was standing to the side, "Go and convey our oral message to Jiang Huan."

"The set of glass wine vessels that Li Jinglong instructed us to retrieve does not need to be sent to the imperial treasury."

“Send him directly to the imperial prison and hand him over to Zhang Biao.”

Yun Ming was stunned, almost thinking he had misheard: "Your Majesty? You mean to give such a precious thing to that criminal Zhang Biao?"

A mysterious, almost cold smile appeared on Old Zhu's face:

"Let's see what he's been so desperate to get. Once he actually has it in his hands, what can a death row inmate do with it?"

"Yes Yes."

Yunming was so frightened that he dared not ask any more questions and hurriedly bowed to go and deliver the imperial decree.

But then Old Zhu said indifferently, "Also, find him a warmer place, and provide him with good wine and meat until he writes what he wants to write."

"Ah? This"

Yunming was surprised for a moment by Old Zhu's actions, but quickly lowered her head and replied, "This servant obeys the decree."

After Yunming left, Old Zhu sat back on the dragon throne, his fingers lightly tapping the table.

Zhang Biao, we know you're capable and cunning.

You want a baby? We'll give you a baby.

If you want a warmer place, we'll find you a different spot.

Whatever you want, we'll give it to you.

Let's see what other excitement you can give us.

His gaze returned to the window, as if he could already see the astonished expression that might appear on Zhang Biao's face when he learned of his 'kindness'.

The following morning, at the Imperial Prison, in the death row section.

Li Jinglong huddled in the corner, hunger and fear intertwined, causing him to occasionally let out unconscious groans.

Guo Ying remained seated, but his tight lips and slightly trembling fingers betrayed his inner torment.

Zhang Biao, bored, counted the gaps between the bricks in the wall, pondering how to throw the stone away.

Just then, a series of footsteps, unlike any other, came from behind, steady and powerful, accompanied by the soft sound of metal armor plates rubbing together.

Jiang Huan appeared outside the prison cell with several Imperial Guards.

His cold gaze swept across the three cells, finally settling on Zhang Biao.

Li Jinglong shuddered violently, almost shrinking into the crack in the wall. Guo Ying also suddenly opened her eyes, her gaze wary and sharp.

"Zhang Biao!"

Jiang Huan's voice was devoid of any emotion: "The Emperor has decreed..."

Zhang Biao raised an eyebrow, didn't get up, and just lazily replied:
"Oh? What instructions does Old Zhu have this time? Is he planning to send me to Caishikou ahead of schedule, or is he coming up with some new trick to torment me?"

Jiang Huan seemed to be used to his rudeness and continued expressionlessly, "His Majesty, remembering your meritorious audit, has bestowed upon you a set of glass wine vessels."

As soon as he finished speaking, a member of the Imperial Guard stepped forward carrying a box wrapped in brocade and handed it in through the small window of the cell door.

Li Jinglong recognized it at a glance as the box containing his treasured possessions. His eyes widened instantly, his face filled with disbelief.

The Emperor actually bestowed it upon Zhang Biao, that madman?!
Guo Ying's pupils also contracted, and an extremely complicated expression flashed across her face.

What does His Majesty mean by this? Is he encouraging extortion? Or is there some other hidden meaning?
Zhang Biao was also stunned for a moment, clearly not expecting Lao Zhu to pull this stunt.

He took the box, opened it, and sure enough, it was the set of colorful Persian glass wine vessels that still reflected a mesmerizing brilliance in the dim light.

The craftsmanship is exquisite, making it a masterpiece.

"Yo?"

Zhang Biao picked up a wine glass, looked at it in the light from the vent, and whistled: "Old Zhu has come to his senses?! Lord Li, thanks a lot, this treasure of yours is now mine!"

Li Jinglong wore a wry smile, unsure how to respond.

Jiang Huan seemed to see and hear nothing, and continued to relay Zhu De's even more shocking decree:
"Zhang Biao, the Emperor has decreed that this place is too cold and damp to stay in for long. You will be moved to a different cell immediately."

After saying that, he turned to the person behind him and ordered, "Take him to room number three in room A!"

"Room No. 3, Class A?"

The jailers nearby were stunned for a moment, thinking they had misheard.

That was the best room in the imperial prison, usually used to detain high-ranking officials whose status was still uncertain.

It was dry and spacious inside, and even had tables, chairs and beds.

Li Jinglong and Guo Ying were completely dumbfounded and utterly bewildered.

The Emperor not only gave him our treasures, but also bought him a better house?! Has the world gone mad?!

Zhang Biao's nonchalant attitude faded somewhat, and a hint of genuine surprise and wariness flashed in his eyes.

Old Zhu's actions were somewhat beyond his expectations.

There must be a demon in the abnormal situation!
Immediately afterwards, two Imperial Guards stepped forward, opened the cell door, put shackles on Zhang Biao, and then asked him to leave.

As Zhang Biao carried the box of glass wine vessels past Li Jinglong's cell, he deliberately stopped and shook the box.

"Lord Li, don't miss me too much! I'll cherish them!"

Li Jinglong could only manage a wry smile and shake his head helplessly.

As Zhang Biao passed Guo Ying's cell, he glanced at him and noticed that although the old man was still trying to maintain a blank expression, the shock and confusion in his eyes were almost overflowing.

Zhang Biao grinned and didn't provoke him any further.

Soon, Zhang Biao was taken away from the dark death row area and brought to the legendary 'Cell No. 3, Class A'.

Sure enough, although it was still a prison cell, it was clean and tidy, with a bed, a table, and even a small window with iron bars that let in some daylight.

With the shackles removed, the jailers became much more polite.

Before long, someone even brought over hot food and a pot of wine.

Although this person was not Zhu Gaosui, Zhang Biao looked at all this and instead of being happy, he stroked his chin and fell into deep thought.

[That old fox Zhu is probably running out of patience. He's probably trying to get the results of my 'audit' as quickly as possible, then discards me once the hunt is over.]

It seems that Shen Lang and his group are already taking action in their own way.

Thinking of this, Zhang Biao subconsciously looked towards the prison door.

really!

Jiang Huan stood at the prison door, staring at him intently.

If I don't write something today, this bastard probably won't leave.

In that case
"Commander Jiang, aren't you the Emperor's dog?"

He said jokingly, "Why are you always hanging around in front of me? You make me feel very insecure."

Jiang Huan said expressionlessly, "Zhang Biao, whatever tricks you want to play, this commander will play along. Whatever you want, the Emperor will grant it."

"Oh?"

Zhang Biao raised an eyebrow: "Really? Then I want the throne."

"presumptuous--!"

Upon hearing this, Jiang Huan roared in anger and immediately drew his sword, giving the order:

"Use torture as instructed! I'll risk my life today to make him wish he were dead!"

"Don't get so agitated! Look at you, you're getting impatient again!"

Zhang Biao smiled and waved his hand, then continued:
"I haven't finished speaking yet. What I mean is, I think the allure of the throne must be immense, right? Enough to make people lose their minds and their humanity, right?"

"What exactly do you want to say?"

Jiang Huan raised his hand to stop his subordinates who were about to torture Zhang Biao, and quickly stepped forward.

His face was almost pressed against the cold iron bars, his voice squeezed out from between his teeth, carrying a deadly threat:
"This commander sees you're refusing a polite toast only to be forced to drink a forfeit! Do you really want to experience all the tricks of the imperial prison before you'll confess honestly?!"

Zhang Biao sighed, as if he had suffered a great injustice:
“Commander Jiang, the way you’re talking makes it sound like I’m deliberately hiding something. I’m just afraid the news will be too shocking and make the Emperor faint again.”

As he spoke, he suddenly sat up straight, the playful smile on his face faded slightly, and his eyes became somewhat unfocused, as if he were trying to recall something extremely distant.

"Speaking of which... I've been having a strange dream lately."

Zhang Biao's tone became somewhat casual, even carrying a hint of idle chatter:

"I keep seeing someone in my dreams, but I don't know who it is. They seem quite distinguished, but their complexion isn't good, and they look sickly."

Jiang Huan frowned, not understanding what this madman was rambling on about again, and interrupted sharply: "Stop rambling! Get to the point!"

Zhang Biao seemed not to hear his reprimand, continuing to mutter to himself, his voice not loud, but like a venomous snake slithering into Jiang Huan's ears:

"In my dream, that person was coughing terribly, surrounded by many imperial physicians. The prescription they gave...tsk, it seems rather interesting."

Jiang Huan's heart skipped a beat for no reason, and an ominous premonition suddenly arose.

Zhang Biao raised his eyes, his gaze seemingly unfocused, yet fixed precisely on Jiang Huan.

A barely perceptible, almost eerie smile curved his lips as he casually tossed out the massive boulder capable of shattering the entire Ming Dynasty:
"Hey, Commander Jiang, tell me, how exactly did the Crown Prince die back then?"

"Did they just die of illness?"

Boom!

It was like a thunderbolt that exploded directly in Jiang Huan's mind.

His face turned deathly pale instantly, as if all the blood had been drained from his body.

His pupils suddenly contracted to the size of pinpoints, filled with extreme shock, fear, and disbelief.

How dare he!

Asking for a monthly ticket~
　There's something I want to explain. It's not that I'm not updating regularly; I've consistently maintained a daily output of 10,000 words. However, I might not be able to do so for the next couple of days because my grandmother passed away. I need to go back to my hometown, so updates won't be on time for the next two days. I apologize. I'll write again when I have time.
　　
　
(End of this chapter)