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

Chapter 146 Old Zhu, what will you choose?! [Seeking monthly votes]

Jiang Huan practically crawled on his stomach as he reported the details of the raid on the Jiangxia Marquis's residence, along with the appalling list of evidence, to Old Zhu in the Qianqing Palace.

He didn't embellish the story; he simply used the plainest, coldest language to describe Zhou Ji's decadence, the certainty of the banned drugs, and Zhou De's initial arrogance and eventual collapse.

Every word was like a piece of ice thrown into Old Zhu's already boiling oil pot.

But the anticipated furious outburst did not occur immediately.

On the dragon throne, Old Zhu remained unusually silent.

He listened, his face expressionless.

Only those deep-set eyes grew redder and brighter, like two red-hot irons embedded in a frozen face.

His hand, which he placed on the imperial desk, was so tightly clenched that his knuckles turned white and even trembled slightly.

But he remained as steady as a volcano about to erupt, frozen in time.

"I have already taken all the criminals to the imperial prison to await trial, the Marquis's residence has been completely sealed off, and all relevant evidence has been stored away..."

Jiang Huan's voice grew softer and softer until it was almost inaudible. Her forehead was pressed tightly against the cold floor tiles, and she dared not lift it.

A deathly silence enveloped the hall.

It felt like an entire century had passed.

Finally, Old Zhu slowly raised his head.

His gaze wasn't on Jiang Huan, but rather fixed on the void. His voice was hoarse and low, yet carried a calmness that could freeze the soul.
“Zhou Dexing…good, very good.”

“Our hero…our good lord…”

"She had a...good son..."

He spoke each word extremely slowly, as if squeezed out from beneath an eternal ice layer, carrying a chilling coldness and an extreme pain of utter betrayal.

Zhou Dexing was his old brother from Huaixi, someone he had been through thick and thin with.

He even remembered Zhou Dexing's pretentious yet slightly ingratiating manner when he predicted his fate.

Now, his son has resorted to such dirty tricks to infiltrate his harem.

This is a slap in his face! It's like digging up his Zhu family's ancestral graves!
However, this extreme humiliation and anger did not make him roar or smash things; instead, the bloodshot in his eyes grew increasingly intense.

"Jiang Huan".

Old Zhu's voice remained calm.

"Your Majesty... Your Majesty is here..."

“In prison, you’d better ‘serve’ Zhou Ji well.”

Old Zhu said calmly and indifferently:
"We need to know where those medicines came from, who gave them the prescriptions, and who else besides the harem received them from. We need to find out everything."

"Yes!"

Jiang Huan felt a chill rush from his tailbone straight to the top of his head.

The calmer the emperor is, the stronger his murderous intent is!
Zhou Ji's fate will probably be a hundred times more miserable than that of the most wretched prisoners in the imperial prison!
"As for Zhou Dexing..."

Old Zhu paused, a complex emotion flashing in his eyes, but it was instantly swallowed by coldness:

"The Marquis's residence is under house arrest. No one is allowed to visit without my decree. Once the case is clear, we will deal with them together."

He didn't kill Zhou Dexing immediately, not out of consideration for their past relationship, but because he wanted to keep him alive, perhaps to uncover more information, or as a form of more cruel punishment.

"besides!"

Old Zhu's gaze finally fell on Jiang Huan, a gaze that felt as if Jiang Huan had been pierced by an ice pick:

"Keep investigating. Follow this lead and dig deeper. Inside and outside the palace, leave no one undetected."

"Sir, obey the order!"

Jiang Huan kowtowed heavily and fled the suffocating hall as if he were escaping.

In the empty hall, only Old Zhu remained.

He slowly picked up the list of evidence left by Jiang Huan, and looking at the various obscene drugs and ambiguous letters described on it, his hands finally began to tremble violently.

【Bitch! 】

【Rebellious son! 】

How dare you?!

"puff--!"

A mouthful of blood that had been suppressed for too long suddenly gushed from his mouth, splashing onto the bright yellow imperial desk in a shocking sight.

But he seemed oblivious, staring intently at the bloodstain and the list with his bloodshot eyes.

[Biao'er...]

Could it really be that I... ruined your life?

It's because we haven't managed our subordinates properly, because we've tolerated these parasites, that you...

The idea that Zhang Biao had forcibly implanted in him, which he had desperately resisted, began to gnaw at his heart like a venomous snake once again.

Immense anger, profound humiliation, and immense fear and guilt over the death of the Crown Prince...

A torrent of emotions surged and collided within him like magma, threatening to tear him apart completely.

.........

Meanwhile, deep within the imperial prison.

Although Zhang Biao could not witness the bloodshed outside, he could sense the storm of power that was rapidly gathering from the suddenly intensified atmosphere of hostility inside the imperial prison.

Zhou Dexing... Marquis of Jiangxia... This is just the beginning...

[Old Zhu, are you in a lot of pain right now? Are you very angry?]

[You know perfectly well, right? You don't want to touch them, do you? But now you have no choice...]

He leaned against the cold wall, his face devoid of any smugness, only displaying a deep, almost indifferent scrutiny.

His desire for death was merely a pretense; his deeper purpose was to test and audit the core of power at the very top of the dynasty!
He wanted to know where Zhu Yuanzhang, the founder of the Ming Dynasty, really went.
To what extent can his anti-corruption campaign go? Is it just swatting flies, or does he dare to take down tigers? Even... does he dare to uncover the festering sores and maggots beneath the most glamorous robes?
Why was corruption so rampant during the Hongwu reign? Why did it seem to increase despite repeated crackdowns? The root cause lay in the corruption at the top!
The nobles were arrogant and spoiled, the meritorious officials were self-important, and the imperial relatives were deeply entrenched, forming a huge interest group that was absorbed into the body of the dynasty!

Zhu Yuanzhang used harsh laws to kill countless minor and medium-sized officials, but he was often hesitant and cautious when it came to this core interest group.

This is the true breeding ground for corruption!

Zhang Biao wanted to use the most outrageous and direct method to expose everything and force Lao Zhu to make a choice!

Was it through the emperor's ruthlessness and decisiveness that he executed Ma Su with tears in his eyes, thus completely reshaping the court?
Or will it be for the sake of so-called stability and family ties that we once again raise the issue high only to let it fall gently, continuing to maintain that false prosperity?

Old Zhu, what would you choose?

[Is it for the sake of your Zhu family's empire that you're so heartless as to undergo such drastic measures?]

[Are you going to compromise again for your pathetic pride and so-called family ties?]

Zhang Biao's eyes were sharp as knives, as if they could penetrate the layers of palace walls and see the emperor who was suffering immense pain and struggle.

He didn't care whether it was Zhou Dexing or Li Dexing who died; what he cared about was Lao Zhu's attitude and the depth and breadth that this 'audit' could ultimately achieve.

Changing the world is never easy.

In particular, it is about changing an old world that has become entrenched and whose interests are deeply intertwined.

But if we don't even dare to lift the top lid, or even dare to pop the festering sores around us, then the so-called anti-corruption campaign and the so-called prosperous Hongwu era are nothing but a self-deceiving joke.

He remained in this world, igniting a fire and throwing it into the darkest, most corrupt corner of this dynasty.

Now, he's like a calm observer, waiting to see how far the fire will spread, how much filth it will illuminate, and what it will change.

Burn it! Burn it even brighter!

Let me see if you, the Hongwu Emperor, truly deserve the title of 'Emperor'.

Let me see if there's any hope for this era...

.........

Meanwhile, in the small ancestral hall of the Chang family's old residence, incense smoke curled upwards, creating a solemn and oppressive atmosphere.

The three siblings, Zhu Yuntong, Zhu Mingyue, and Zhu Mingyu, dressed in plain clothes, knelt respectfully before the memorial tablet of their birth mother, Madam Chang.

Everything arranged by Lady Lü, from the ceremonial procession to the sacrificial offerings, was meticulous and impeccable, yet this only served to highlight that the worship was more like a cold, tedious task than a genuine expression of remembrance between mother and son. The Founding Duke Chang Sheng and his uncle Chang Sen, representing the Chang family, accompanied them.

Chang Sheng remained calm, but his eyes were sharp as an eagle's as he silently observed his nephew whom he hadn't seen in a long time.

Chang Sen's eyes were filled with undisguised heartache and concern.

The worship ceremony proceeded in an orderly manner.

Zhu Mingyue lowered her head and silently shed tears, while Zhu Mingyu kept a straight face and tried her best to look solemn, but her eyes kept glancing at her uncle and younger brother.

Zhu Yunwen remained silent throughout, but each time he kowtowed, it was exceptionally heavy, as if he were kowtowing some kind of determination into the ground.

After the ceremony, the eunuchs and palace maids arranged by Lady Lü tactfully withdrew to wait outside the courtyard.

Chang Sheng then stepped forward, his voice low and slightly hoarse:

"Yunwen, Mingyue, Mingyu, please accept my condolences. Your sister in heaven would surely be pleased to see you all grown up."

Zhu Mingyue nodded, her voice choked with emotion.

Zhu Mingyu couldn't help but tug at Chang Sen's sleeve and whisper, "Uncle..."

Chang Sen patted the back of her hand to comfort her, but his gaze fell worriedly on Zhu Yuntong, who had been silent all along.

Just then, Zhu Yuntong suddenly raised his head, his face still wet with tears, but his eyes burned with a flame that Chang Sheng and Chang Sen had never seen before, resolute, even with a hint of madness.

He looked at Chang Sheng, his voice trembling slightly with nervousness and excitement, yet unusually clear: "Second Uncle..."

This call sent a chill down Chang Sheng's spine.

He had a feeling that his nephew seemed different from before.

Zhu Yunwen took a deep breath, as if using all his strength, and said, word by word:

“My nephew… doesn’t want to live a muddled life anymore.”

"I don't want to be treated like trash anymore, like... a stumbling block that can be discarded at any time."

Chang Sheng's gaze suddenly sharpened as he stared intently at him: "Yun Tong, you..."

"Second uncle!"

Zhu Yunwen interrupted him, her voice trembling with tears:

"Li Jinglong has gone down! Guo Ying has gone down too! The Emperor's sword is already raised! Who will be next?!"

"Is it me? Is it my eldest sister? Or... the Chang family?!"

boom!
These words struck Chang Sheng and Chang Sen like a heavy hammer blow!
The two men's expressions changed instantly!

"Yun Tong! Be careful what you say!"

Chang Sheng said in a low voice, his eyes scanning the window warily.

"Be careful what you say? Being too careful is tantamount to waiting for death!"

Zhu Yunwen suddenly stepped forward, grabbing Chang Sheng's sleeve tightly as if it were his last straw, his eyes bloodshot.

"Second Uncle! That position... should have been my father's! It should have been my eldest brother's!"

"I am the legitimate grandson! I have the blood of the Chang family and the Ming imperial family flowing in my veins!"

"Why...why should we give it to the son of a concubine?! Why should we live like rats in the gutter, watching other people's faces and begging for their charity just to survive?!"

"I want to fight for it! Second Uncle! Help me!"

He practically roared out the last four words, filled with endless grievances, resentment, and a desperate resolve.

Wow!
These words were even more direct and shocking than what he had said to his sisters in the palace!

Chang Sheng and Chang Sen were completely stunned!

Chang Sen opened his mouth wide, almost big enough to fit an egg. Looking at his nephew, who seemed to have been reborn overnight, he felt a surge of excitement rush to his head!

Zhu Mingyue was so frightened she almost fainted, and she covered her mouth tightly.

Zhu Mingyu's eyes lit up with excitement, and she nodded vigorously, wishing she could say it again for her brother.

Chang Sheng's heart pounded wildly; immense shock and unprecedented pressure gripped him instantly.

He stared intently at Zhu Yunwen, trying to find a trace of hesitation or a joke in his eyes, but he only saw burning flames and unwavering determination.

Fighting for the throne?! That's a crime punishable by confiscation of property and extermination of the entire clan!

Especially now that the emperor is so sensitive and furious!
But Zhu Yunwen's words... struck at the deepest pain and injustice in his heart!

The decline of the Chang family, the neglect of his nephews and nieces, the relentless pressure from the Lü family... how could he not feel resentful about all of this?

Just as Chang Sheng's mind was in turmoil, weighing the enormous pros and cons—

"Bang!"

The door to the ancestral hall was suddenly kicked open from the outside!

One of Chang Sheng's trusted retainers, not even having time to bow, his face ashen, scrambled in, his voice distorted with extreme fear:
"My lord! Third master! Something terrible has happened! Something...something terribly terrible has occurred!"

Chang Sheng turned around abruptly and shouted sternly, "What's the panic! What kind of behavior is this?!"

The servant fell to the ground, his voice trembling so much he was almost incoherent: "It's...it's the court assembly! The Dengwen Drum at Chengtian Gate has sounded!"

"An old litigious lawyer...accuses the palace of using forbidden drugs and plotting to harm the imperial heir! It also involves an old case in Shaanxi and...and the Crown Prince!"

"what?!"

Chang Sheng, Chang Sen, and Zhu Mingyue all gasped in shock, their faces changing drastically.

Jia continued, hissing, "The Emperor is furious! He immediately imprisoned the four officials, Fu Youwen, Ru Chang, Zheng Ci, and Zhai Shan! He says... he's going to punish them for treason!"

"Boom——!"

This news was even more like a bolt from the blue than Zhu Yunwen's declaration, striking everyone in the room like a thunderbolt.

Forbidden drugs for the imperial palace!

Murdering the imperial heir!

An old case in Shaanxi!

Your Highness!
Four high-ranking cabinet ministers imprisoned! Treason!?

Each word represents the ultimate taboo and the most terrifying bloodshed!
Chang Sheng felt a chill run from the soles of his feet straight up to the top of his head, making his whole body feel icy cold.

He instantly understood why Zhu Yunwen had said, "Grandpa's sword is already raised."
This isn't just raising the knife; the knife has already come down!

Zhu Mingyue was so frightened that she collapsed to the ground, trembling.

Zhu Mingyu's face also turned pale, and she subconsciously grabbed her younger brother's arm.

Chang Sen was dumbfounded and muttered, "They've gone mad...they've all gone mad..."

And Zhu Yunwen—

After the initial shock, the color drained from his face instantly, but the flame in his eyes did not go out; instead, it burned even more wildly and resolutely!
He abruptly pushed away Zhu Mingyu, who was supporting him, straightened up, and looked at Chang Sheng, who was also shaken by the earth-shattering news. His voice was hoarse but carried an unusual calmness, and even a hint of strange excitement.

"Second Uncle...did you hear that?"

"The knife... has already fallen."

"Next... it's our turn to go on stage."

"Either you wait to be chopped down by this knife."

"Either... you grab this knife!"

His gaze was fixed on the direction of the palace, where a storm was raging.

This storm has finally swept everyone up completely; no one can remain uninvolved anymore.

Looking at his nephew's completely different, even somewhat unfamiliar, crazed eyes, and recalling the earth-shattering news just now, Chang Sheng felt a huge, chilling sense of destiny envelop him.

He opened his mouth, but found his throat so dry that he couldn't make a sound.

Tonight, no one is destined to sleep.

Please vote for me with your monthly tickets!

(End of this chapter)