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

Chapter 161 Who Betrayed Me?! A Horrifying Conclusion! [Bonus Chapter 1 for Monthly Tickets]

Taiyuan, Prince Jin’s Palace.

Compared to the extravagant and decadent Qin Prince's Mansion in Xi'an, the residence of Prince Zhu Gang of Jin appeared more solemn and orderly, but it also exuded an indescribable coldness and oppression.

Zhu Gang was described in historical records as "heroic and martial like Emperor Taizu," but he was also violent and ruthless. Within his fiefdom, he held absolute power and authority.

The study was brightly lit by candlelight.

Unlike his second brother Zhu Shuang, Prince Zhu Gang of Jin was not indulging in pleasure. Instead, he was frowning as he read through several secret reports from Yingtian Prefecture.

His face bore a resemblance to Old Zhu's, with strong features and an inescapable air of gloom and ferocity between his brows.

The contents of the secret report were more detailed and horrifying than those received by the King of Qin:

[Fu Youwen and his three companions search the iron box; the mystery surrounding the Crown Prince's death; the petition drum pointing directly to forbidden drugs in the palace; Fu Youwen and his three companions accusing each other of using the word "vassal" in court; a city-wide search; the sealing of the nine gates...]

Each and every incident terrified him!

"The iron box... the cause of the boss's death..."

After forcing himself to calm down, Zhu Gang unconsciously tapped his fingers on the table, his eyes flickering, and muttered to himself:

"It's fake, it must be fake! If it were real, Father would have already exploded!"

He understood Zhu Yuanzhang's character. If the truth about Crown Prince Zhu Biao's death really was inside the iron box, Zhu Yuanzhang would never have allowed Fu Youwen and the other three to search for so long.

It's probably to provoke them into desperate measures, so they were deliberately let loose.

Just when Zhu Gang thought he had seen through everything, his trusted advisor quietly led a travel-worn man carrying the Qin King's token into the study.

"Your Highness, a messenger from Xi'an has arrived with an urgent message from His Highness the Prince of Qin."

Zhu Gang frowned, took the secret letter without saying a word, and quickly began to read it.

The letter contained Zhu Shuang's somewhat flustered and incoherent description, inquiring about his views on the situation in the capital, especially the "iron box" matter, and his words were full of probing and the implication of trying to get him to "discuss important matters together".

After reading the secret letter, Zhu Gang revealed a disdainful sneer.

My second brother... he's really getting worse with age! He panics like this over the smallest things, and he even tried to drag me down with him?

He casually tossed the letter onto the table, his tone sarcastic.

But soon, that disdain was replaced by solemnity.

Although Zhu Shuang was foolish, his concerns were not unfounded.

That metal box... what if there's something deadly inside...?

Gradually, his thoughts drifted back to the twenty-fourth year of the Hongwu reign.

At that time, when Crown Prince Zhu Biao was inspecting Shaanxi and other places, these princes had all presented him with medicinal herbs and tonics to express their 'brotherly affection'... He himself was no exception...

and many more!

Zhu Gang sat up abruptly, a flash of inspiration striking his mind.

He remembered!
At that time, in order to please his elder brother, he did indeed present a batch of high-quality purple ginseng and musk, which are special products of Shanxi!
But this wasn't unique; the second and fourth brothers must have given gifts too!

The real problem is something else!

He remembered that his fifth brother, Zhu Su, who was always idle and obsessed with pharmacology, had secretly sent him a batch of pills that were said to "strengthen the body and prolong life." He claimed that these pills were an improvement on the formula passed down from his second brother, Zhu Shuang, and were now made into a more potent "Red Lead Immortal Pill."

However, due to the potency of the medicine, he dared not offer it directly to his father and the crown prince, but asked his brothers to 'taste' it first.

He didn't take it too seriously at the time.

After all, Lao Wu has been doing these strange things for quite some time now.

However, since the pill formula originated from the second son, Zhu Shuang, and had been improved by the fifth son, Zhu Su, he felt it was 'reasonable' to let the second son, Zhu Shuang, experience the difference between the two pills.

So he kept some and secretly gave it to his second son, Zhu Shuang, as part of his birthday gift.

The eunuch who received the "congratulatory gift" was a confidant of the second prince, Zhu Shuang, and his name was something like Wang An...

Oh right! His name is Wang An. He also has a brother named Wang Fu, who serves the eldest son in the Eastern Palace!

Zhu Gang reacted instantly.

But at the same time, he thought of the mystery surrounding the death of the eldest brother, Zhu Biao, found in the iron box.

[If...if the fifth brother's damn 'elixir' really had a problem, and the second brother, in order to curry favor with the eldest brother, put it in the tribute he offered, and 'coincidentally' sent it to the Eastern Palace...then...]

Zhu Gang broke out in a cold sweat instantly!
He simply couldn't bear to think about it!

Who?! Who leaked this secret?!

[The fifth brother himself wouldn't say that! Wang An? Wasn't Wang An supposedly killed by a sudden illness a few months ago?!]

[Zhou Ji? Zhou Dexing's son?! How did he get his hands on the 'elixir of immortality'? And he's involved in illicit affairs in the harem?]

Logically speaking, Zhang Biao and his gang of peasants shouldn't have known these secrets, right?!

Zhu Gang's heart suddenly raced, and a tremendous fear gripped him.

He glanced sharply at the letter from the King of Qin on the table, pleading for help, and an even more terrifying thought popped into his head:

[Is the second son's urgent letter at this time truly out of panic? Or... does he know something?]

[They might even...try to drag me down with them? Or try to shift the blame?]

No! That's not right! The second son doesn't have that kind of brain!

Who is that?

[The fourth prince!? Prince Yan, Zhu Di!?]

A terrifying glint suddenly flashed in Zhu Gang's eyes.

It must be the fourth brother! It must be him!

The fourth brother is always cunning. He's respectful to his elder brother on the surface, but who knows what he's really thinking behind his back?

He has the most military achievements and the strongest abilities; doesn't he even have a desire for that position?

[My eldest brother is dead. If my second brother and I were to fall from grace because of the crime of 'presenting poison' and plotting to harm the Crown Prince... then who would be the biggest beneficiary?!]

[Isn't he just his fourth brother?!]

As for Zhu Yunwen? The fact that the medicine entered the Eastern Palace suggests that Lady Lü is likely implicated!

[What a brilliant move to use someone else to do the dirty work! What a cunning Prince Yan, Zhu Di!]

The more Zhu Gang thought about it, the more reasonable it seemed, and the more fearful and angry he became.

He felt as if he had fallen into a meticulously woven giant net, and the one who wove the net was very likely his 'good fourth brother'.

"Your Majesty? Your Majesty?"

Seeing Zhu Gang's ever-changing expression, sometimes fearful and sometimes angry, his trusted advisors couldn't help but call out to him in a low voice.

Zhu Gang suddenly came to his senses, his eyes turning extremely sinister and ruthless.

He couldn't just sit and wait to die! He couldn't let the fourth brother's evil scheme succeed!
He took a deep breath, forcing himself to calm down, and said in a deep voice to the envoy from Xi'an:
"Send that messenger back to tell my second brother that I am aware of what happened in the capital. Tell him to remain calm, not to panic, and not to act rashly. He should wait for my message."

After dismissing the King of Qin's envoy, Zhu Gang immediately gave orders to his trusted advisors:
"Send someone immediately, by urgent dispatch, to the Prince Zhou's residence in Kaifeng!"

"Keep it quiet. Secretly find Prince Zhou and ask him one question: 'What exactly happened with the 'Red Lead Elixir' from the twenty-fifth year of Hongwu?! Besides him, who else knows about it and sent it to me?'"

"Also, tell him that something terrible has happened in Yingtian, and if he wants to live, he should confess honestly!"

"Send another absolutely reliable team to keep a close watch on anyone and any letters coming from Beiping! Especially those from the Prince of Yan's residence!"

"Also, immediately investigate all the servants who handled the pills sent by Prince Zhou back then, and who sent the 'birthday gifts' to Prince Qin's residence. Who knows anything about it? Especially those related to the 'Red Lead Elixir', don't miss a single one. Find them and take them into custody!"

His heart was bleeding. He knew that such a large-scale operation might expose more problems, but he couldn't care less at the moment.

He had to find out what really happened, he had to find something on Lao Si, and he had to clean up the mess from back then before Lao Zhu got the iron box.

Soon, the powerful machine of the Prince of Jin's mansion, under Zhu Gang's command, quietly began to operate, and with suspicion and panic, it rushed towards all the brothers and insiders involved.

The already precarious relationship between the vassal kings became extremely tense due to Zhu Gang's suspicion and distrust.

Once a chain of suspicion is formed, it is very difficult to break.

……

the other side.

Beiping, Prince Yan's Mansion.

The night was as dark as ink, and only a single lamp was lit in the study. The dim light cast the shadow of Prince Yan, Zhu Di, on the wall, making him appear even more profound and unfathomable.

He was neither as panicked as the King of Qin nor as suspicious as the King of Jin. He simply listened quietly as his trusted guards reported the latest and most alarming news from Yingtian.

With each sentence he heard, Zhu Di's expression grew more serious.

But he maintained a terrifying silence, like the most silent area in the eye of a storm.

Only after hearing all the news did he slowly close his eyes, take a deep breath, his chest churning with turbulent emotions, but his face remained calm.

After a long while, he opened his eyes and looked at the monk Yao Guangxiao, who had been sitting quietly in the shadows, seemingly blending into the darkness.

"Master, a storm is brewing."

Zhu Di's voice was deep and calm, revealing no trace of panic: "This fire has finally reached the heads of our vassal kings."

Yao Guangxiao paused slightly as he twirled the prayer beads in his hand, producing a very soft friction sound.

He raised his eyelids, his eyes showing no surprise, only a worldly-wise indifference:

"Dust rises from the tip of a blade of grass and settles in the thicket. But as long as the wind blows, the dust will not cease. The wind in Your Majesty's heart has already begun to blow."

Zhu Di nodded slightly. Yao Guangxiao's words were always full of Zen wisdom, yet they also went straight to the heart of the matter.

The root of the problem lies in the fact that the emperor's suspicion has been completely ignited.

"The second brother panicked and went to find the third brother. The third brother became suspicious and started contacting the fifth brother and keeping an eye on us."

Zhu Di narrated in a calm tone, as if he were talking about something that had nothing to do with him:

"In your opinion, Master, what should we do?"

Yao Guangxiao said slowly:

"When the hurricane passes, only the grass remains. The Emperor's might is as powerful as thunder; this is not the time for debate, much less for showing loyalty. Better to remain still than to act. Silence is like a thunderclap."

A knowing glint flashed in Zhu Di's eyes:

"Does the master mean to use stillness to control movement, and silence to replace debate?"

"Indeed." Yao Guangxiao nodded:
“Any action Your Highness takes at this moment will be seen by the Emperor as evidence of your guilty conscience. The Prince of Qin’s panic and the Prince of Jin’s suspicion are already a poor move, causing them to lose their composure. Your Highness should do the opposite.”

He paused, his voice slowing, yet each word was clear:
"With trust in Prince Gao Chi's abilities, he will surely be able to fulfill his duties and remain as steadfast as a rock in the capital."

"Trust in His Majesty's wisdom. Though he was enraged for a moment, he is by no means a foolish ruler. The truth will eventually come to light. Your Highness, you only need to observe quietly. Observe the changes and wait for the right time."

Upon hearing this, Zhu Di understood completely.

Yao Guangxiao's strategy was based on absolute trust and absolute inaction.

They trusted Zhu Gaochi to stabilize the Prince of Yan's mansion in the eye of the storm.

We trust that Lao Zhu will eventually uncover the truth.

He remained completely silent, refraining from any actions that might cause misunderstanding, and adopted a detached attitude, waiting for others who couldn't hold back to make mistakes first.

After all, the innocent remain innocent, and the guilty remain guilty.

"What a brilliant move to remain hidden amidst the grass! What a brilliant use of silence to replace thunder!"

Zhu Di clapped his hands and sighed softly, a look of appreciation in his eyes: "To act rashly at this time is indeed a path to death. The second and third sons have already made a mistake."

His anxiety and the slight thought of taking advantage of the situation completely dissipated, replaced by a calm and unwavering resolve.

"Pass the order."

Zhu Di's voice regained its usual decisiveness, but became more restrained: "From today onwards, strengthen the defenses of the nine gates of Beiping, but only guard against external bandits, and do not interfere in internal affairs."

"Everything in the manor shall proceed as usual. No one shall discuss matters concerning Yingtian. Any letters or visitors from the Qin, Jin, or Zhou princely mansions shall be politely refused entry at the door on the grounds that 'the princes are in seclusion and contemplating, and are not concerned with external affairs.' Etiquette shall not be neglected, but no substantive matters shall be discussed."

"All actions are recorded in advance for future use."

"Yes!"

The trusted guards obeyed the order with a stern expression, sensing a calm and reassuring power that was different from that of the Qin and Jin Princes' residences.

"in addition!"

Zhu Di added, looking in the direction of Yingtian: "Send a letter to Gao Chi, it doesn't need to be long, just eight characters: 'Father is well, believe me, wait for dawn.'"

This letter not only informed Zhu Di of his attitude, but also showed Zhu Gaochi the utmost trust and support, and served as the Yan Prince's Mansion's strategy to set the tone for this storm.

"My subordinate understands!"

After the trusted guards withdrew, the study returned to silence.

Zhu Di looked at the map again, his gaze becoming profound.

He knew that this storm was unavoidable.

However, the Prince of Yan's mansion would never lose its composure like the Prince of Qin or the Prince of Jin.

He will wait with absolute calm and trust for the storm to pass, or... wait for the right time to come.

"Boss..."

He sighed softly, this time with genuine sorrow: "How did you die? I really want to know too..."

……

at the same time.

In a torture chamber of the Imperial Prison that was almost completely isolated from all sound.

The smell of blood mixed with the smell of herbs created a nauseating odor.

Song Zhong watched expressionlessly as his subordinates presented the latest confession.

They have interrogated dozens of former eunuchs and palace maids who may have had contact with Wang Yue, Eunuch Li, and Lan Xin.

The progress was 'smooth' than expected, but it was also more bizarre.

"grown ups!"

A centurion hurried over and whispered:

"According to multiple testimonies from the Laundry Bureau and Anle Hall, Wang Yue was indeed punished with one hundred strokes of the cane and exiled to Xiaolingwei to grow vegetables as early as the beginning of the 25th year of Hongwu, about half a year before His Highness the Crown Prince fell seriously ill."

"Moreover, he caught a cold last winter, didn't make it through, and died."

Song Zhong frowned, then shook his head and said:
"The timing is wrong. The Crown Prince became seriously ill in April, so how come he was sent away at the beginning of the year? Has this been investigated?"

"It's been verified; the transfer order and the laundry department's receipt records are both there!"

The centurion confirmed, "The timestamp is clear; it was indeed before the Crown Prince fell seriously ill. The Xiaoling Guard also has records that he died last winter, and his body has already decomposed."

"And what about Eunuch Li?"

Song Zhong sensed that something was wrong.

“Eunuch Li is even stranger. In the autumn of the twenty-fourth year of Hongwu, he was directly expelled from the palace and sent back to his hometown for ‘careless service to the Crown Prince’s medicine’.”

“Our men rushed to his hometown of Fengyang. According to the local village head, after returning to his hometown, this eunuch Li lived a secluded life. However, in the summer of the 25th year of Hongwu, shortly after the death of the Crown Prince, his house caught fire. His entire family, including himself, were burned beyond recognition. The incident was reported to the government as an accident.”

"Accident?"

A cold glint flashed in Song Zhong's eyes: "What a coincidence?"

"As for that palace maid Lanxin..."

The centurion's voice became even more hesitant:
"She was Consort Lü's personal maid who was brought into the palace from her maiden home, and she was highly trusted."

"But shortly after the Lantern Festival in the twenty-fifth year of Hongwu, she suddenly 'contracted a serious illness' and was quickly moved out of the East Palace and sent to a secluded palace in the West Garden to 'rest quietly', but she died in just three to five days."

"At the time, it was said to be an emergency, and the body was quickly taken out of the palace and cremated, leaving nothing behind."

Song Zhong suddenly stood up and paced around the cold, dark torture chamber.

Wang Yue was demoted for embezzlement six months before the Crown Prince fell seriously ill, and later died of illness.

Eunuch Li was expelled from the palace for a mistake a few months before the Crown Prince fell seriously ill, and later died in a fire.

Lanxin died suddenly from an illness two months before the Crown Prince fell seriously ill, and her remains were never found.

The disappearance or death of these three individuals all occurred before Crown Prince Zhu Biao fell seriously ill.

Contrary to the Emperor's speculation, he was disposed of after the Crown Prince's death to silence him.

This makes absolutely no sense!

Who would rush to eliminate all the executors before anything even happens or before any planning even begins?
That doesn't make sense!
Unless... unless the disappearance of these people wasn't intended to silence them, but rather...

A more bizarre, bolder, and even somewhat absurd idea suddenly pierced Song Zhong's mind like an ice pick, making him shiver involuntarily!

Unless... the transfers, demotions, and even deaths of these people were arranged by His Highness the Crown Prince himself?!
Did His Highness the Crown Prince sense something before he fell seriously ill?
So, he preemptively removed any eunuchs or palace maids around him who might have been infiltrated, bribed, or whom he knew had problems from the Eastern Palace under various plausible pretexts? Was this to cut off certain hidden forces and protect himself?
But this idea is too horrifying!
His Highness the Crown Prince is kind and lenient. If he sensed a conspiracy, why didn't he report it directly to the Emperor? Why did he choose such a subtle, almost self-destructive method?

Song Zhong was shocked by his own deduction and broke out in a cold sweat.

He forced himself to calm down and re-examine all the clues.

"Who exposed Wang Yue's embezzlement case? Who determined Eunuch Li's wrongdoing? Which imperial physician diagnosed Lan Xin's serious illness?"

Song Zhong asked a series of questions, his voice somewhat hoarse.

The subordinate hurriedly searched through the case files: "Your Excellency, Wang Yue's case... was reported by a steward eunuch of the Eastern Palace at the time, but the case file records that the final decision to punish him was made by... His Highness the Crown Prince himself."

"The records show that His Highness the Crown Prince personally ordered the handling of Eunuch Li's mistake."

"Lanxin... The physician they consulted at the time was from the Imperial Medical Academy, but he had already retired and returned to his hometown in the summer of the 25th year of the Hongwu reign, and has now passed away."

boom!
Song Zhong felt as if something had exploded in his head!
His Highness the Crown Prince personally approved the decision!

His Highness the Crown Prince personally ordered their expulsion!
Although the imperial physician died, the timing was perfect!
All the clues seemed to vaguely, yet strangely, point to that unbelievable conclusion.

These seemingly 'silencing' operations were most likely driven by the will of Crown Prince Zhu Biao himself!

He wasn't a victim, oblivious and ignorant; he may have already sensed the signs of a conspiracy!

He may have even been secretly rebelling and plotting all along!

But the truth is too shocking and too cruel!
It means that in the final moments of his life, the prince not only suffered from illness, but was also likely caught in a huge conspiracy, struggling alone, but ultimately unable to escape the clutches of the villain!

Song Zhong's back was instantly soaked with cold sweat.

He didn't dare to think about it any more.

How should he report this conclusion? To Commander Chiang? To the Emperor?
Will the Emperor believe it?
Given the Emperor's suspicious nature, wouldn't he think that this was a clue deliberately fabricated to exonerate the real murderer?
Some even... believe that someone framed the deceased Crown Prince?

An even greater fear and pressure than before gripped Song Zhong once again.

He found himself seemingly to have unearthed a truth far beyond his authority and capacity, a truth powerful enough to cause an earthquake in the empire.

He stood there, his expression shifting constantly.

After a long silence, he addressed his subordinates in an extremely hoarse voice:
"Everything investigated today is classified as top secret. All files and testimonies are sealed. Without my order, no one is allowed to investigate further, and not a single word may be leaked!"

"Yes……"

The men realized the seriousness of the situation, their voices trembling.

Song Zhong took a deep breath and forced himself to calm down.

He knew he had to meet with Jiang Huan immediately and report this strange and terrifying discovery in detail.

As for how to make a decision, that's a matter for the Emperor and the Commander.

He strode out of the torture chamber, feeling as if the cold, dark passageway of the imperial prison had become even more secluded and gloomy, leading to a bottomless abyss filled with bloodshed and mystery.

The truth behind the death of Crown Prince Zhu Biao seems to have become even more elusive and chilling.

I wonder what kind of raging fury the Emperor will unleash when he learns the truth...

Song Zhong didn't dare to think too much and quickened his pace.

……

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　　Also, let me add that this is a necessary plot development, because only when the truth is revealed will Old Zhu completely lose his temper.

　　However, starting tomorrow, the plot will be high-energy.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)