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

Chapter 177 I, a treacherous minister, am about to die, why are you all crying? [Requesting double monthly votes]

Zhu Yuanzhang's relentless probing of his son and his clear reflection on the feudal system intensified.

Although Emperor Zhu strictly forbade those attending the meeting from leaking any information about the abolition of the princely stipend system, how could such a significant policy move be completely concealed from those "interested individuals" who had been navigating the court for many years and possessed keen senses?
After receiving the order, Yu Xin, a senior official in the Ministry of Revenue, immediately took several trusted clerks and plunged into the vast archives to secretly calculate the annual expenditures of the various princely residences.

The Ministry of Personnel and the Ministry of War also quietly began to investigate the situation of the imperial clan members.

Although these actions were carried out discreetly, the necessary paperwork and personnel transfers between departments still left some clues that were difficult to completely conceal.

Soon, some courtiers who had interests in the vassal kings or had invested in them, as well as those conservative officials who believed that "the laws of our ancestors cannot be changed," sensed something unusual.

Although Zhu Yuanzhang had made it clear that the so-called "ancestral laws" were the "Imperial Ancestral Instructions of the Ming Dynasty" which he himself had formulated, whether or not to change them should be up to him.

However, the enfeoffment system has a long history.

In particular, the civil service group that advocated the Zhou Rites did not accept Zhu's explanation at all.

They felt that the "ancestral laws" followed the "Duke of Zhou's Code," and that Zhu Yuanzhang had merely reformed the "feudal system."

The "Imperial Ancestral Instructions of the Ming Dynasty" is based on the rule of law.

If the legal system is changed arbitrarily, the world will be in chaos.

Soon after, several memorials, though worded tactfully, were carefully submitted to the Ministry of Justice and eventually placed on Emperor Zhu's desk.

[Your humble servant respectfully reports: I have heard that the authorities recently audited the annual expenditures of the princes' residences. In my humble opinion, these princes are His Majesty's flesh and blood, the bulwark of the nation, guarding the four corners of the land, and have rendered great service.]

Their expenditures are all based on fixed regulations; any sudden changes would likely hurt the feelings of the imperial family and demoralize the soldiers guarding the border.

[Moreover, the laws established by our ancestors have been in effect for many years without any major problems. We humbly beseech Your Majesty to consider this carefully and act with prudence as the priority...]

[Your humble servant, risking death, submits this memorial: Changing decrees frequently is a grave taboo in governing a country. The system of stipends for princes was ordained by His Majesty to maintain the status of the imperial family and to demonstrate the grace of the royal court.]

If changes are made lightly, not only will the princes be bewildered, but the people of the realm will also become suspicious, believing that the court is in disarray, which may harm the stability of the nation...

"I have heard that governing a large country is like cooking a small fish; stability should be the top priority."

Although the four directions are now at peace, the remnants of the Northern Yuan have not yet been quelled, and the southwestern chieftains occasionally rebel. It is time to rely heavily on the princes to protect the territory.

If the foundation is shaken at this time, I fear there will be unrest both internally and externally, giving unscrupulous individuals an opportunity to exploit the situation...

Therefore, only the feudal system can ensure the stability of the world.

Some of these memorials were presented under the guise of upholding "family ties" and "ancestral laws," while others cited reasons such as "frequent changes in decrees could shake the foundations of the nation" and "potentially cause unrest both internally and externally."

Although there was no direct opposition to the abolition of the stipend system for princes, the words were full of questioning and dissuasion regarding the current policy trend, with the intention of making the emperor back down.

At this moment, inside the Hall of Literary Glory, Old Zhu looked at these memorials, his face so gloomy it could drip water.

[Hmph! You're well-informed!]

[It's only been a short time, and you're already getting restless?]

[All this talk of 'family ties' and 'ancestral laws' is nothing but a ploy to protect their own meager interests and rigid rules!]

His heart was filled with rage, and he wished he could immediately arrest these officials who had submitted memorials and punish them for spying on the palace and making irresponsible remarks about state affairs.

But reason told him he couldn't do that.

These memorials were carefully worded and contained no grounds for attack. If they were forcibly suppressed, it would only confirm the accusations of "changing orders frequently" and "shaking the foundation of the country," making the already sensitive situation even more complicated.

More importantly, some of the concerns mentioned in these memorials were not entirely unfounded.

In particular, the two points of "changing orders frequently" and "internal and external unrest" pierced his deepest worries like two needles.

Could it be... that we acted too hastily?

[With Biao'er just arrived and the court situation still unstable, is it... too inhumane? Too risky?]

A rare moment of hesitation and self-doubt began to grow in his heart.

He was, after all, human, a father who had just experienced the pain of losing his son and was about to wield a knife against his own son.

His obsession with maintaining the stability of the empire was locked in a fierce struggle with his concerns about posthumous evaluation and even his last remaining affection for his family.

He irritably pushed the memorial aside, stood up, and paced back and forth in the hall.

His determination to reform and the real resistance to change were like two enormous forces tearing him apart.

No! No refunds!

The problems plaguing the vassal kings have become deeply entrenched; if not addressed now, when will they? Must we leave it to Yunwen to deal with? Can he handle it?

But... if this causes unrest and destabilizes the border, wouldn't that be our fault?

Just as Old Zhu was struggling internally and caught in a dilemma, a report suddenly came in:
"Your Majesty, Commander Jiang requests an audience!"

Old Zhu paused for a moment, then threw down the memorial in his hand and said in a deep voice, "Let him in!"

Soon, Jiang Huan entered the main hall.

"Your Majesty, I pay my respects!"

"Enough with the nonsense, what is it?"

Old Zhu impatiently interrupted Jiang Huan's bow.

Jiang Huan felt a chill run down his spine and quickly reported in detail the results of his investigation into the Wang family of the Prince of Qin's residence and the Deng family of the Prince of Jin's residence, as well as the reasons why Fu Youde and Feng Sheng had failed to notice in time.

When he heard the words "committed suicide by poison" and "already dead when discovered," Old Zhu's facial muscles twitched almost imperceptibly.

[Taking poison...such a clean and efficient method!]

To be able to eliminate witnesses so precisely right under the noses of veteran generals like Feng Sheng and Fu Youde...

Following this, Jiang Huan reported the results of his investigation into Li Jinglong and Guo Ying:

"After extensive investigation, although Duke Cao, Li Jinglong, and Marquis Wuding, Guo Ying, had dealings with Fu Youwen and others, and had committed illegal acts such as embezzlement and disrespecting their servants, there is no concrete evidence to suggest that they were involved with His Highness the Crown Prince."

Old Zhu listened quietly, his face expressionless, but in his deep-set eyes, a storm was silently brewing.

After a long while, he slowly raised his head, his gaze seemingly piercing through the palace ceiling and looking into the depths of nothingness. A chilling smile curled at the corner of his lips, carrying a deep sense of self-mockery and a sinister chill born of utter rage.
"Wow... What a grand gesture! What a grand gesture indeed!"

His voice wasn't loud, but it seemed to come from the deepest hell, making Jiang Huan feel a chill run down his spine.

"To be able to set up such a scheme in Shaanxi, in the capital, right under our noses, to mobilize so many assassins, and to be able to wipe the traces so cleanly afterward, even deceiving Feng Sheng and Fu Youde..."

Old Zhu's fingers unconsciously tapped the armrest of the dragon throne, producing a dull 'thump-thump' sound, each tap seeming to strike the lifeline of the dynasty.

"It seems that over the years... we've trusted them too much! Trusted them to the point that they thought they could deceive everyone and challenge our bottom line!"

The "they" he referred to clearly meant more than just the three kings of Qin, Jin, and Zhou; it included the "mastermind" who was more deeply hidden, more ruthless, and had a wider reach.

The air inside the hall seemed to freeze, so oppressive that it was hard to breathe.

Old Zhu closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and when he opened them again, all the rage and impulsiveness in his eyes had disappeared, replaced by a bottomless calmness and a hunter's patience.

He knew that continuing the investigation in a high-profile manner would only alert the enemy, given how cunning and deeply hidden they were.

They might even be led astray by the other party, or be driven to desperation, causing even greater turmoil.

Hmm, it's time to change tactics.

Old Zhu quickly regained his imperial composure and majesty, displaying an unquestionable resolve:
"Jiang Huan!"

"Chen is here!"

"The overt investigation into the matter of the Crown Prince ends here. All related files are sealed and stored away. No one may access them without my written order."

Jiang Huan was taken aback: "Your Majesty, this..."

Old Zhu waved his hand, interrupting him, his eyes deep: "The snake is hiding in its hole. The more you poke it with a stick, the deeper it hides."

"If you put the stick away, it will think the danger is over and will naturally come out for some fresh air... or even think it has a chance to bite back."

He's deliberately feigning weakness to create a false sense of complacency and lure the enemy out.

"but!"

Old Zhu abruptly changed the subject, his tone turning menacing: "Give us three times the number of eyes in the shadows!"

"Especially the vassal states of Beiping, Xi'an, and Taiyuan, and... the areas around the residences of those few 'well-behaved' princes, keep a close watch on them!"

"My lord, I understand!"

Jiang Huan instantly understood the emperor's intention.

He appears relaxed on the surface but is actually tense underneath, feigning indifference to lure the prey into his trap.

As for Li Jinglong and Guo Ying...

Old Zhu focused his attention on dealing with these two 'useless' items.

He pondered for a moment, then thought of Li Wenzhong, his own nephew, who had made great contributions to the Ming Dynasty and whose early death was a regret. A ripple of emotion finally stirred in his heart.

"For the sake of the late Prince Qiyang, spare that bastard's life."

Old Zhu's voice carried a hint of barely perceptible complexity: "Strip him of all his official positions, and reduce his title of Duke of Cao by two ranks to 'Earl of Loyalty.' He shall remain in his residence to reflect on his mistakes, and shall not leave the residence without imperial decree! If he commits any further illegal acts, he shall be executed without mercy!"

To be demoted from 'Duke' to 'Earl' and dismissed from office and confined to one's quarters—this punishment was undeniably severe.

But in the end, he managed to save his life and his title, demonstrating Zhu Yuanzhang's affection for the descendants of meritorious officials.

After dealing with Li Jinglong, Zhu Yuanzhang thought of Consort Guo Ning, who had just died protecting him from a sword, and sighed inwardly.

Although Guo Ying deserved to die, his sister ultimately died in his place.

"Considering that Consort Guo Ning has served us for many years, and that she has even risked her life for us this time, we will spare Guo Ying from the death penalty."

Old Zhu made a decision: "Remove his title of Marquis of Wuding, revoke his imperial edict, and allow him... to retire and return to his hometown."

To strip them of their titles and official positions, but to allow them to return to their hometowns to live out their days, is already an immense favor.

This was done both out of consideration for Consort Guo Ning and to show the other nobles that Zhu Yuanzhang was not indiscriminately bloodthirsty, but also had moments of sentimentality.

"Sir, obey the order!"

Jiang Huan memorized both imperial edicts.

"Go."

Old Zhu waved his hand, looking somewhat tired.
"Let those who should know about our 'tolerance' know it."

"Yes!"

Jiang Huan bowed and accepted the order, and was just about to leave.

Just then, Old Zhu's voice rang out again: "Wait!"

Jiang Huan paused, then quickly turned around and asked, "Does Your Majesty have any further instructions?"

Old Zhu frowned slightly, then said casually, "Has that madman Zhang Biao been behaving himself lately?"

"This……"

Jiang Huan hesitated for a moment, then said somewhat fearfully, "Your Majesty, Zhang Biao has shown no unusual behavior recently. It's just that after receiving Your Majesty's decree to postpone the matter by three days, he uttered some foul language..."

"What swear words?"

"Your Majesty... dares not speak..."

"Say!"

Old Zhu said without room for argument, "We forgive you for your innocence!"

Jiang Huan inwardly groaned, but still forced a smile and answered:

"Your Majesty, Zhang Biao said that you... took off your pants to fart, did something unnecessary... and also said that if you missed Crazy Thursday... you'd... you'd just have turtle stew with pig's head..."

Bang!
Old Zhu slammed his fist on the desk in anger, gritting his teeth:

"That bastard! He deserves to die! Keep a close eye on him! Don't let him die prematurely! He'll be executed in three days!"

"Furthermore! Release Shen Lang and the other four, reinstate them to their original positions! Let them also witness the execution!"

"We'll show that bastard how good it is to be alive!"

"Yes!"

Jiang Huan felt as if he had been granted a pardon and left quickly.

Once again, only Old Zhu remained in the empty hall.

He leaned back on the dragon throne, gently rubbing his temples with his fingers.

The overt storm seemed to have temporarily subsided, the blood-stained execution ground began to be cleaned up, the clamorous petitions had dissipated, and several conspicuous targets had been punished.

But he knew that the real contest was about to begin, and would now take place in the more dangerous and secretive shadows.

He put down his fishing rod and put away his net, seemingly no longer chasing after the fish.

But in reality, he had already laid more and more deadly hooks and nets in deeper, darker waters.

He is waiting.

Waiting for the biggest, most hidden fish to finally surface, unable to contain itself any longer.

A moment later, a cold, ruthless glint flashed in Old Zhu's eyes: "Yunming!"

"The slave is here!"

Yunming hurriedly came in from outside the hall.

But then Old Zhu asked coldly, "Have all the 'family letters' that we had the concubines write been sent out?"

"Your Majesty, they have all been sent out."

"Great! We need to see their reply as soon as possible!"

"promise!"

……

the other side.

The "letters from home" that Emperor Zhu ordered his concubines to write to their sons were successively sent to the residences of the princes in various regions.

This caused many vassal kings to panic and have different thoughts.

"Your Highness, this is a letter from the Empress..."

"A letter from home?"

Upon hearing his subordinate's report, the prince's face showed a fleeting moment of astonishment, as if he could not believe his ears.

Immediately, this astonishment transformed into an extremely complex expression.

His lips twitched upwards involuntarily, as if he wanted to laugh.

But the smile froze before it could fully unfold, eventually turning into a barely audible hum, a mixture of absurdity and bitterness.

"Bring it here!"

"Yes!"

The prince took the letter from his subordinate, glanced at the eunuch in charge of observing him, and then opened the letter to examine it word by word.

Only after reading all the contents of the letter did he gently place it on the table, lean back in his chair, close his eyes, and unconsciously rub his temples with his fingers.

[Old man... your test is too direct, too ruthless...] [Using your mother to ignite your sons' ambitions? Do you think the fire isn't burning bright enough already?]

Or... are you starting to suspect me?

Various thoughts flashed through his mind.

He could clearly imagine the fear and helplessness his mother felt when she wrote the letter, and he could also feel the cold, piercing suspicion and imperial scheming contained behind that thin piece of paper.

This is a calculated, open strategy.

It was their father who was forcing his sons to make a statement, to expose their ambitions, or to make mistakes.

If they act too eagerly, it means they are coveting the throne, and their intentions are despicable.

If they act too modestly, they appear hypocritical and are equally suspicious.

Even if they show no reaction, it could be interpreted as them being extremely cunning and harboring malicious intentions.

After a long silence, the prince opened his eyes again.

Those sharp eyes no longer held their usual languor or the composure they displayed in the dark room. Instead, they revealed an almost genuine weariness and an indescribable pain at being betrayed by their loved ones.

He picked up his pen, but didn't dip it in ink immediately. Instead, he stared at the blank letter paper, as if talking to himself.

His voice was deep and hoarse, just enough for the spies hidden outside the study and the eunuchs tasked with observing his reactions to faintly hear:

"Father, oh Father... you're putting your sons on the fire to roast..."

His tone was filled with helplessness, and even a hint of barely perceptible grievance.

"My elder brother has just passed away, his body is barely cold, and the court is in turmoil. Instead of trying to stabilize public sentiment, you are using such methods to test your own flesh and blood..."

He shook his head, a bitter smile appearing on his face:

"The position of Crown Prince? That is appointed by the Emperor himself; how dare I, your son, presume to discuss it?"

"Your Majesty, I only wish to safeguard this vast territory for you, so that the people of our Great Ming can live in peace and prosperity. This would be the best way to repay your Majesty and my elder brother..."

These words sounded sincere and heartfelt, full of the demeanor of a 'wise king' who was loyal to the emperor and loved his country and did not covet power. They also brought up his brotherly affection for his elder brother Zhu Biao and occupied the moral high ground.

However, upon closer examination, the phrase "The Emperor has decreed it, how dare your subject presume to comment?" subtly reveals a hint of disapproval and slight protest against the Emperor's probing method.

Having said all this, he seemed to have made up his mind and began to dip his brush in ink and write.

He wrote slowly, his handwriting steady and powerful, just like his usual style.

The content of the reply was almost identical to what he had just said to himself.

He first expressed his concern for his father's health and the state of the court, and then deeply mourned his elder brother Zhu Biao.

He then solemnly declared that he had no ambition for the throne and only wished to serve the country. Finally, he earnestly requested his father to take care of his health and not to overwork himself over such matters.

Throughout the entire piece, the author's attitude was respectful, the words were sincere, and the emotions were genuine.

He presented himself as a 'loyal, filial, and virtuous king,' with no trace of ambition to criticize.

After finishing writing, he carefully sealed the letter and politely said to the eunuch who was observing him, "Thank you for your trouble, sir. Please send it to the capital immediately and report to my father, the Emperor."

His tone was very flat, and there was nothing unusual about it.

After doing all this, he leaned back in his chair, gazing at the flickering candlelight. The bitterness and weariness on his face gradually faded, and he regained his usual languor and tranquility.

However, deep within those calm eyes, a faint, almost imperceptible glimmer of light flashed and disappeared in an instant.

That light wasn't a burning desire for the throne, but rather a cold understanding after seeing through the course of the game, and a resolute determination born from being cornered and forced to be more cautious and patient.

Old man, I accept your test.

But I won't let you find any fault with me.

This game of chess... is far from over.

Inside and outside the study, whether it was the observing eunuchs or the spies in the shadows, they all recorded the prince's astonishment, bitterness, and helpless whispers after seeing the letter, as well as the contents of the sincere yet unambitious reply.

They couldn't tell whether the prince's behavior stemmed from genuine loyalty and filial piety, or from an extremely skillful performance where even the subtlest expressions and tones were perfectly controlled.

This vague and indistinct response, along with the reactions of other vassal kings upon receiving the letter, was quickly encrypted and sent to Yingtian Prefecture, where it was placed on Zhu Yuanzhang's desk.

……

At this moment, Old Zhu was still sitting in the Huagai Hall, looking at the letters Yunming handed over.

Although most of the replies were like those from the prince, expressing utmost respect, loyalty, and no disloyalty, the ever-suspicious Zhu Yuanzhang naturally wouldn't easily believe them.

Because he always felt that one of his sons was the mastermind behind the scenes, or an accomplice of the mastermind.

Has the fourth brother replied?

Old Zhu put down a reply in his hand and asked, his expression unreadable.

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Yunming quickly bowed, then took the reply from the tray behind him, which belonged to Prince Yan, Zhu Di, and handed it to the old Zhu.

Old Zhu took the letter, tore it open without saying a word, and then took out the letter inside and unfolded it to read it.

[Your Majesty, I am deeply grateful to you. I am stationed far away in the northern frontier, working tirelessly day and night, devoted solely to serving the King and protecting the nation.]

My elder brother was kind and wise, whom I have always admired. Upon hearing the news of his passing, I am heartbroken. How could I possibly harbor even the slightest disloyalty or despicable thought?

"Now that my second, third, and fifth brothers have been convicted, I am deeply grieved. However, the law of the land is as firm as a mountain, and I have no objection. I only wish that Your Majesty will take care of your health."

However, the tree may wish to remain still, but the wind will not cease. I, your subject, am caught in a situation of suspicion, and cannot defend myself.

[To prove my innocence, I humbly request Your Majesty to immediately issue an edict stripping me of my princely title, summoning me back to the capital, and confining me within high walls!]

[Your subject is willing to relinquish military power, lay down his armor, and return to the capital to remain by your side, Father, in order to fulfill his loyalty and filial piety and quell public opinion!]

[The defense of the northern frontier can be entrusted to experienced and prudent dukes such as Feng Sheng and Fu Youde; they will surely ensure its safety!]

Your son, Di, weeps and kowtows, humbly beseeching Your Majesty's wise judgment!

A strategic retreat! He voluntarily requested to be stripped of his title and placed under house arrest!
This was an extremely bold move, and also an extremely clever one.

He knew that Lao Zhu was suspicious, and the more he tried to explain, the more guilty he seemed.

On the contrary, this attitude of voluntarily giving up power, even at the cost of giving up one's own life, is most likely to dispel the emperor's suspicions.

At the same time, this also put his father, the emperor, in a difficult position.

If Zhu Rongji really approves it, it would be tantamount to cutting off his own arm and weakening the defense of the northern border.

If it's not true, then it proves that Zhu still trusts him at least for now, or still needs him to guard the northern border.

However, when Zhu Di wrote this long letter, which was sincere and even tearful, Zhu Di showed no expression on his face.

He looked at it extremely carefully, scrutinizing every word, every turn, and even the density of the ink, as if trying to extract hidden information from it.

When he saw Zhu Di voluntarily request to be stripped of his title and placed under house arrest, his fingers twitched slightly, and a complex emotion flashed in his eyes.

[Fourth brother, oh fourth brother... you're really willing to invest heavily!]

He had to admit that Zhu Di's response was perfect.

The attitude was respectful and the emotions were genuine.

The analysis of the evidence both clarifies the innocence and provides constructive guidance.

Most importantly, this request to "retreat in order to advance" almost completely blocked the possibility of him immediately retaliating.

Is it genuine remorse to demonstrate loyalty? Or... a deeper strategy of concealment and biding one's time?

Old Zhu's paranoia made him unable to fully trust anyone, especially his fourth son, who was exceptionally capable and had distinguished military achievements.

He slowly put the letter down and turned his gaze towards the outside of the hall.

Yunming then presented another secret report, concerning the recent movements of the Prince of Yan's residence in Beiping.

The Prince of Yan's residence in Beiping is now closed to visitors, his subordinates are under house arrest, and contact with the outside world is almost completely cut off. In addition, rumors are circulating in the northern frontier that the Prince of Yan has fallen out of favor.

[The contraction is so thorough... Is it out of fear? Or are they secretly plotting something?]

Old Zhu remained silent for a very long time.

Finally, he picked up his vermilion brush and wrote a reply on the letter from Zhu Di requesting the stripping of his title.

He did not agree to strip him of his title and confine him to his homeland, nor did he even directly respond to the request; he simply wrote a few words:
We know of your loyalty. The northern frontier is a vital region; we cannot do without you. Guard it well and do not fail our expectations.

[We will handle matters in the capital; you need not worry.]

His tone was calm, even encouraging, but the imperial mindset he conveyed was unfathomable.

This was both an 'approval' of Zhu Di's response and a deeper form of control.

To put it bluntly, I still need you, but I still doubt you. You continue to stay in Beiping, right under my nose, guarding the frontier for me, and ready to be examined by me again at any time.

At the same time, Old Zhu gave Yunming a new instruction: "Yunming!"

"The slave is here!"

Yunming immediately bowed and accepted the order.

"Pass on my decree: instruct Jiang Huan to thoroughly investigate the leads regarding the Jiangnan region and retired officials pointed out by the Fourth Prince! Investigate to the very end!"

"Furthermore, raise the surveillance of the Prince of Yan's residence to the highest level! Even if he stays inside, keep a close watch on every fly around his residence!"

He would not lower his guard because of Zhu Di's perfect response; on the contrary, he would become even more vigilant.

He was like the most patient hunter, knowing that the most cunning fox would often use the most harmless gesture to lull its opponent into a false sense of security.

……

Before we knew it, three days had passed in the blink of an eye.

As the 'culprit' who stirred up the storm, he was taken out of the imperial prison.

At this moment, the sun was shining brightly in Yingtian Prefecture, and the streets were deserted as everyone flocked to the city.

The long official road from the imperial prison to the execution ground in the West Market was already packed with a dense crowd.

Men, women, young and old, scholars, farmers, artisans and merchants—all eyes were focused on that passage heavily guarded by the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

The air was filled with an indescribable, complex emotion, a mixture of excitement, fear, curiosity, and pity.

"I'm coming!"

Someone shouted, and the crowd instantly stirred.

At the end of the passage, a group of menacing Imperial Guards led the way.

Then, a prison van slowly drove up with the heavy thud of its wheels.

Standing inside the prison cart was Zhang Biao.

He was still wearing that relatively clean prison uniform, his hair was neatly combed, and there was even a faint, almost lazy smile on his face.

It stood out starkly from the somber atmosphere around it.

Unlike ordinary death row inmates, he did not appear dejected or fearful. Instead, he observed the crowds on both sides of the road with great interest, his gaze calm, as if he were not going to his death but rather surveying his own territory.

"Corrupt official! Traitor! They deserve to die!"

Some people, either unaware of the truth or incited by others, shouted curses and threw rotten vegetable leaves.

But more often than not, there was silence.

Among this silent crowd, there were some unusual faces.

On a temporary viewing platform erected on one side of the execution ground sat the three brothers of the Prince of Yan's Mansion, Li Jinglong, and Guo Ying, who had been specially 'granted' by Old Zhu to come and watch the execution.

Zhu Gaochi remained expressionless, but the prayer beads in his hand were almost broken by his own hands.

Zhu Gaoxu's eyes were bloodshot, his fists were clenched, and his veins were bulging.

Zhu Gaosui kept his head down, his shoulders shrugging slightly.

Li Jinglong and Guo Ying, on the other hand, had complex expressions, revealing neither joy nor anger.

Not far away, Zhu Yunwen, Zhu Mingyue, and Zhu Mingyu, the three siblings, also came to "see off" Zhang Biao under the "escort" of the palace servants.

Zhu Mingyue was pale, clutching her younger sister's hand tightly, not daring to look up.

Zhu Mingyu bit her lip, stubbornly staring in the direction of the prison van, her eyes red-rimmed.

Zhu Yunwen stood ramrod straight, but his slightly trembling fingers betrayed the turmoil in his heart.

Meanwhile, in the outermost crowd, some people dressed in low-ranking official robes or ordinary civilian clothes were desperately suppressing their emotions.

Those were Shen Lang, Sun Gui, Li Mo, and Wu Naida, who had been released from prison by Zhu Yuanzhang and reinstated to their original positions, as well as the lower-level officials who had followed Zhang Biao in auditing and demanding back pay.

Looking at the figure in the prison van who had once led them to 'go crazy,' 'make trouble,' and try to tear through the 'darkness,' their throats felt like they were blocked by something, and their eyes burned with tears.

Further away, there were some veterans wearing tattered uniforms or with their families.

They were once beneficiaries of the "debt-for-equity swap," and now they watched in silence, their cloudy eyes filled with tears.

The prison van slowly drove past them.

Zhang Biao's gaze swept across these familiar and unfamiliar faces. He saw the red-rimmed eyes of Shen Lang and others, the silent tears of the veterans, Zhu Gaosui's trembling shoulders, and Zhu Mingyu's suppressed grief and indignation...

His lazy smile paused slightly, then he grinned, revealing an even brighter, more playful smile.

With his shackled hand, he pointed with some difficulty to those who were secretly wiping away tears. His voice wasn't loud, but it clearly reached the ears of everyone nearby, carrying his signature teasing tone:

"Hey! I'm talking to you guys..."

"What are you crying for?!"

"I, a treacherous minister who has wreaked havoc on the court, slandered sacred teachings, and committed ten heinous crimes, will finally be brought to justice today!"

"Shouldn't you be clapping and cheering, setting off firecrackers to celebrate?!"

"Why are you crying?! Hmm?"

His tone was so relaxed it was as if he were joking, but deep in his eyes flashed a fleeting, incomprehensible gentleness and relief.

These words were like a key, instantly shattering the dam of restraint that many people had been holding back.

"Uuuuuuu——!"

The crying grew even louder.

Ugh, I really don't understand you people.

[This should be a happy occasion for everyone, but it's making me feel like I'm about to die.]

Requesting monthly votes! Requesting double monthly votes!

　Haha! Finally, I've reached this point. Hmm, not bad.

　　Thank you to 刂法自然 for the 1000-yuan reward.

　　Thank you for the 1500-yuan reward from Tiantianqing.

　　Thank you Zero_Sui_Xin_1000 for the donation.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)