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

Chapter 182 Old Zhu: We were hit five times by that bastard! [Happy National Day]

The moment Old Zhu's gaze fell on the first line of text, his pupils suddenly contracted, and his hand gripping the paper tightened abruptly.

[Ah! Beheading hurts so much, it hurts so much!]

This bastard thing!
How dare you be so frivolous when you're about to die!
Old Zhu's anger was instantly reignited, and he almost crushed the thin sheet of paper.

However, when he saw the second line, all his anger seemed to be doused with a bucket of ice water and instantly froze.

A chill ran from the soles of his feet straight up to the top of his head, making his blood seem to freeze.

Old Zhu, do you know how Zhu Xiong Ying died?

Zhu Xiongying!
His eldest grandson! Biao'er's eldest son!

That intelligent and quick-witted eldest grandson, on whom he placed great hopes, but who died young!

This name, like the sharpest awl, pierced deeply into the softest, and most untouchable, scar in Old Zhu's heart.

The death of Zhu Xiong Ying was an unspeakable pain for him, Zhu Biao, and even the entire Ming Dynasty.

The official record states that she died young, but there were various speculations in the palace, such as that she suffered from a cold or acute illness.

There are some doubts about this.

However, since the crown prince was still alive at the time, he was unwilling to investigate further, fearing it would cause unnecessary turmoil and suspicion.

After all, the Ming Dynasty had only been established for a short time, and everything that could affect the rule of the Ming Dynasty had to be put aside.

That's why he forcibly suppressed his grief.

This suppression lasted for more than a decade, so long that he himself had almost forgotten about it.

Now, Zhang Biao, that supposedly "dead man," is directly pointing to Zhu Xiong Ying's death in his suicide note?!

Old Zhu seemed to be pulled back to the year Zhu Xiong Ying died young.

But he was still very confused.

How could that madman know?
How could he possibly know?!
Back then... Zhang Biao was probably still struggling to make a living in some remote corner!

Could it be... could it be that U.A.'s death was not an accident either?!

This thought, like a venomous snake, instantly coiled around Old Zhu's heart, making it hard for him to breathe.

Because the truth about Zhu Biao's death is there for all to see.

Although we are still one step away from the truth, namely that we haven't caught the mastermind, Zhu Biao's death has completely overturned the previously accepted cause of death.

What does this mean? It means that Zhang Biao wasn't lying; he really did know some secrets that were unknown to others.

The immense shock, unbelievable fear, and the excruciating pain of having old wounds reopened intertwined, causing the iron-fisted emperor's body to tremble uncontrollably.

He almost held his breath, his fingers trembling uncontrollably, as he abruptly flipped the page to the back.

He wanted to see what this freak, Zhang Biao, was really going to say...

The handwriting on the back was still messy, yet it seemed to carry blood and mockery:
[Hahaha! You actually dared to watch, Old Zhu!?]

I bet you're furious, enraged, and want to tear me to pieces and grind my bones to dust, don't you?!

You think you're all you're capable of...?

[Tsk tsk, but I'm not telling you!]

You're probably wondering why? Because you don't deserve to know the truth!

[You've put in so much effort, the facts are right in front of you, and you're still hesitating? I wonder if Zhu Yuanzhang is dead too!?]

Come on! Come and see what your sons have done!

King Zhu Shuang of Qin abducted and castrated young children; abused torture, including cutting out tongues, burying alive, and burning people alive; seized farmland; mistreated palace servants; favored concubines over his wife; and overstepped the bounds of proper clothing.

Prince Zhu Gang of Jin had a man bound by a galloping horse and torn apart by chariots.

[Prince Zhu Su of Zhou shot and killed the Commandant of the Imperial Guards of this prefecture.]

King Zhu Fu of Qi, heeding slanderous words, killed 482 people, including commanders, centurions, and captains, along with their entire families.

Prince Zhu Tan of Lu was obsessed with alchemy. To obtain the ingredients for his elixirs, he castrated ninety-nine boys.

Prince Zhu Gui of Dai arbitrarily slaughtered civilians in the streets; he smashed people's heads with a sledgehammer; and he overstepped the prescribed limits in constructing his palace.

Prince Zhu Pian of Min arbitrarily seized the seals of various government offices and massacred officials and civilians.

[Prince Zhu Hui seized farmland from the people, embezzled public taxes, and killed innocent people; his chief clerk repeatedly remonstrated with him, but was falsely accused and executed by dismemberment.]

Each and every one of them is shocking!
Old Zhu's breathing became increasingly heavy, and his hand gripping the paper trembled violently, his knuckles turning pale from the excessive force.

These... these bastards!
How dare they? !

He enfeoffed the princes to guard the borders and protect the royal family, not to let them run rampant in their fiefdoms and harm the people!
Especially the second son, Zhu Shuang!

Those heinous crimes made him feel nauseous just looking at them, and a surge of anger rose to his head!
This is Zhu Yuanzhang's son?! How is he any different from a beast?!

And there's the third brother! The fifth brother! The seventh brother...

Each name was like a heavy hammer blow, striking his heart.

He could almost see, in places he couldn't see, how his sons, under the banner of princes, wantonly trampled on the "Imperial Ancestral Instructions of the Ming Dynasty" that he had personally formulated, and how they treated the people he valued most as worthless!
"Beasts...a bunch of beasts——!"

Old Zhu let out a low, suppressed growl from deep in his throat, his voice hoarse, filled with the pain of betrayal and boundless rage.

However, mixed within this anger was a trace of panic that even he himself was unwilling to admit.

How could Zhang Biao know so much detail?!
There are some things that even the imperial inspector he sent might not be able to investigate so clearly!
Could it be... that he planted spies in every prince's residence? How is that possible?!
Who exactly is this Zhang Biao?! Is he a human or a ghost?!
When his gaze fell on the last few lines, all his anger, heartache, and panic transformed into a bone-chilling cold and a trace of shame as his disguise was completely torn away.

[This is only a part; I didn't finish writing it due to time constraints!]

[And you're still hesitating about whether to abolish the feudal princes' stipend system!?]

As the saying goes, "To give birth but not raise, to raise but not teach, is the father's fault."

[To let a child do evil is to be no different from that of a beast.]

What does it mean to be without father or ruler? It means lacking the virtues of a father and the integrity of a ruler. To be regarded as a father and ruler by the people is a great disgrace.

Throughout history, rulers and fathers of this caliber have been rare indeed.

The glorious Ming Dynasty, continuing the legacy of the Han Dynasty, was an unparalleled achievement. However, the Ming emperors were not like those of the Han. The people of the Ming were not as good as those of the Han.

Alas!

[Your subject, Zhang Biao, weeps blood and dies in remonstrance, hoping Your Majesty will repent, forgive the sins of the people, and bring peace to the nation.]

"boom--!"

Old Zhu felt as if something had exploded in his head.

"To be without father or ruler... is the greatest shame in life..."

"The rulers of the Ming dynasty are no longer like those of the Han dynasty... The people of the Ming dynasty are not as good as those of the Han dynasty..."

"Repent and reform...blame the world..."

Every word was like a red-hot branding iron, searing his face and his heart.

In particular, the scene where he denounced Zhang Biao in prison as "unruly and without father, deserving of death" seemed to replay itself yesterday.

It should be understood that Zhu Yuanzhang rose from humble beginnings, drove out the Tartars, restored China, and founded the glorious Ming Dynasty. He believed that his diligence in governing and caring for the people was aimed at establishing a golden age that far surpassed the Han and Tang dynasties.

But now, a "monster" and "traitor" whom he personally ordered to be executed has used the most venomous words in his will to trample his life's achievements and his dignity as emperor and father into nothing.

They even nailed Zhu Yuanzhang to the pillar of shame, labeling him as "unfilial and disloyal," "indulging his son's violence," and "inferior to the Han Dynasty."

"puff--!"

Overcome with anger and frustration, Old Zhu felt a sweet taste in his throat and suddenly spat out a mouthful of blood, which splattered onto the "Public Security Memorial," spreading a glaring scarlet color.

"Your Majesty!"

Yunming was so frightened that he scrambled forward.

Old Zhu suddenly shoved him away, wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth with the back of his hand, his eyes were frighteningly red, staring intently at the blood-stained suicide note, his chest heaving violently.

However, deeper than anger was an unspeakable fear.

This fear stemmed not only from Zhang Biao's prophetic and malicious accusations, but also from the deliberately provoked yet unresolved question about Zhu Xiong Ying's death.

Zhang Biao mentioned Xiong Ying!
He used the most vicious methods to whet our appetites, but then casually bypassed them in the end, focusing all his firepower on the vassal king and the emperor himself.

But that's precisely the most terrifying part!

He knows the truth about U.A.'s death! He must know something!

[He deliberately avoided mentioning it because...because the truth might be even more unbearable for him than the evil deeds of these feudal lords?]

[Is it because the people involved make it difficult for him to talk about it?]

Are they the harem? Or the other sons?
Or...the person closest to Biao'er?!
Countless speculations, like poisonous insects, instantly crawled all over Old Zhu's mind, gnawing away at his remaining rationality.

He abruptly raised his head, his gaze like that of a vengeful ghost, sweeping over the limp Imperial Guard officer on the ground. His voice was hoarse and distorted, carrying a murderous intent bordering on madness.
"Speak! Zhang Biao...is Zhang Biao dead or not?! Where's his head?! Where's his body?!"

He needs to confirm!

Let's confirm if this monster is really dead!
If he's not dead... if this is another of his tricks...

"Reporting to... Your Majesty..."

The Imperial Guard clerk was so frightened he stammered, "The bell... the bell has rung, Lord Liu... Lord Liu should have already received the decree... the head... the head must be..."

"presumably?!"

Old Zhu roared like a wounded beast: "Where is Jiang Huan?! Tell him to come see us immediately! We want to see him alive or dead! We want to see Zhang Biao's head with our own eyes!"

In the midst of this extreme chaos and rage, memories of Zhu Xiong Ying flooded back into his mind uncontrollably.

That bright and clever grandson tugged at his sleeve and recited the "Hundred Family Surnames" in his childish voice...

That chubby-cheeked child sat obediently to the side, copying calligraphy, while he reviewed memorials...

That third-generation heir of the Ming Dynasty, who was pampered by his side and on whom he placed his high hopes...

[U.A.... my dear grandson... how did you die?]

Could it be... could it really not be an accident?!

This question, which he had forcibly suppressed for many years, was now being revived by Zhang Biao in the most cruel way, tearing at his heart with a bloody hook.

His anger towards Zhang Biao, his disappointment with his sons, his fear of his grandson's early death, and his shame and panic at the complete denial of his own rule...

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

He suddenly crumpled the blood-stained "Memorial on Public Security" into a ball, clutching it tightly in his hand as if he wanted to crush it, yet he refused to let go as if grasping at the last straw.

"Get out! All of you, get out of here—!"

He let out a roar like a dying beast at Yunming and the little eunuch.

The two scrambled out of the main hall.

Inside the empty Huagai Hall, only Old Zhu remained, along with the 'last will' in his hand that seemed to weigh a thousand pounds.

He stood hunched over amidst the chaos, his shadow stretched long in the candlelight, filled with the rage of an emperor, the sorrow of a father, and a bottomless fear.

The entire Hall of Literary Glory was deathly silent, save for the heavy, labored breathing of Old Zhu, which echoed like a broken bellows. He stood hunched over beside the imperial desk, his hand tightly clutching the crumpled, blood-stained "Memorial on Governance," his knuckles cracking from the excessive force.

Those thin pages of paper felt incredibly heavy at that moment, pressing down on him so much that he could barely breathe.

Outrage! Utter outrage!
That monster Zhang Biao, even on his deathbed, used such a vicious way to humiliate him, laying bare the ugly deeds of his sons and devaluing his life's achievements to nothing!
What's even more infuriating is that he dared to mention U.A.!
With that flippant yet meaningful tone, he viciously ripped a knife into the deepest scar in his heart!

Despair! Bottomless despair!

If what Zhang Biao said is true, then what is Zhu Yuanzhang?
A foolish ruler who failed to educate his son and allowed him to commit violence?

A coward who can't even find out the real cause of his grandson's death, or even dares not to find out?

The glorious Ming Dynasty, which he had pursued all his life, was portrayed by Zhang Biao as a disgrace inferior to the Han Dynasty?! How could he accept this?!
And then there's the lingering fear and suspicion, now magnified to an extreme.

The truth behind Zhu Biao's death is not yet fully resolved. More and more, about Zhu Xiong Ying, and even about the darker, more chilling truths that may be hidden deep within the palace, are gradually emerging…

Several extreme emotions surged and churned within him like magma, threatening to completely destroy the dam of his reason.

"Dengdengdeng..."

A series of hurried yet restrained footsteps approached from afar, breaking the suffocating silence inside the hall.

Jiang Huan appeared at the entrance of the palace. He clearly already knew the final outcome of the execution. His face was solemn, but his steps remained steady.

He strode into the hall, ignoring the mess on the floor, knelt on one knee, and reported in a low but clear voice:
"Your Majesty, the prisoner Zhang Biao has been apprehended at noon outside Fengtian Gate... His identity has been verified, and he will be executed in accordance with the law."

He paused slightly, seemingly considering his words, before finally adding truthfully:

"His body... is temporarily being held by the Embroidered Uniform Guard, awaiting the Emperor's decision."

coming.

The final confirmation has arrived.

Old Zhu's body swayed almost imperceptibly.

He slowly, extremely slowly, turned around, his bloodshot and crazed eyes fixed on Jiang Huan.

"Dead...?"

Old Zhu's voice was hoarse, like sandpaper scraping, carrying a chilling calm, but beneath this calm lay a destructive energy about to erupt.

"Yes."

Jiang Huan lowered his head and answered affirmatively.

"Hehe...haha...hahaha!"

Old Zhu suddenly let out a suppressed laugh that then turned into a manic one.

Laughter echoed in the empty hall, filled with endless sorrow and self-mockery.

"Dead...good! Good riddance!!"

He laughed as he pounded on the imperial desk, acting as if he were possessed.
"That scourge! That monster! He's finally dead!"

"No one can point their finger at us and call us 'unfilial and disloyal' anymore! No one can expose our sons' shortcomings anymore! Hahahaha—!"

As he laughed, his voice suddenly turned into a sob, making the laughter sound even worse than crying.

"But he's dead...he's dead...the matter with U.A....the matter with Biao...who are we to ask?! Huh?! Tell me, who are we to ask—?!"

He suddenly slammed the "Memorial on Public Security" that he was clutching tightly into his hand at Jiang Huan. The crumpled paper scattered in the air and fell to the ground, its scarlet bloodstains a shocking sight.

"Look! Look at what he wrote!!"

"He knows everything! He knows everything! But why didn't he finish telling me?!"

"Why did he keep this hook to lure us until his death?! Why—?!"

Old Zhu completely lost control of his emotions.

He was like a wounded beast trapped in a cage, waving his arms and roaring and questioning at the top of his lungs, as if Jiang Huan was the embodiment of Zhang Biao.

Jiang Huan knelt on the ground, letting the emperor's anger pour over him, his head lowered even further, without uttering a word.

He knew that any words would be superfluous at this moment.

Old Zhu roared for a while, then seemed to have all his strength drained away. He staggered back two steps, leaned against the cold armrest of the dragon throne, and gasped for breath.

His gaze inadvertently swept across the outside of the hall, and he seemed to see that small, lively figure from many years ago.

[Grandpa! Grandpa! Look at the words your grandson wrote!]

[Grandpa, when I grow up, I want to be like you and become a great hero!]

[Hero hero...my dear grandson...]

Zhu Xiong Ying's tender and clear voice seemed to ring in my ears, and her little face, which looked just like Biao'er and Chang Shi, with an innocent smile, appeared clearly before my eyes.

That was his first legitimate grandson, his and the future hope of the Ming Dynasty!
But this child died when he was only eight years old.

Eight years old!

He's only eight years old!

Who could be so vicious?! To kill our grandson?!
Do you know how Zhu Xiong Ying died?

These words echoed repeatedly in his mind, like a curse.

Guilt!

A wave of guilt washed over him, instantly drowning out his anger and despair.

He let down Xiong Ying! He let down Biao'er! He let down the Chang family who died young!

If he had been more determined to investigate thoroughly back then, could the tragedy have been avoided? Would things have been different for Biao'er...?

This thought, like a venomous snake, gnawed fiercely at his soul.

"It's...it's us who let them down..."

"It's our fault... We couldn't even protect our own grandson... We don't even know how he died..."

Old Zhu muttered to himself, tears streaming down his face.

At this moment, he was not the decisive and ruthless Hongwu Emperor, but simply a grandfather and father filled with regret and helplessness.

He abruptly raised his head, his bloodshot eyes fixed on Jiang Huan, his voice filled with an almost frantic obsession and a last glimmer of hope:

"Jiang Huan! Tell me! Zhang Biao... is Zhang Biao lying to us?!"

"Is he deliberately spouting nonsense to disturb us?! U.A. died of illness! Isn't that right?! Tell us—!"

He was seeking denial, an answer that would allow him to continue deceiving himself.

Jiang Huan raised his head and looked into the emperor's eyes, which were on the verge of collapse and full of pleading. He felt a mix of emotions.

However, he did not directly answer Lao Zhu's question, but instead recounted what happened at the execution ground.

"Your Majesty, at the execution ground... after Zhang Biao was executed, the people not only did not disperse, but were instead filled with indignation!"

“Some shouted ‘Zhang Qingtian,’ some wept bitterly, and some even began to storm the execution platform, hurling insults at Lord Liu Sanwu and the scholars present as ‘traitors’ and ‘corrupt scholars’!”

He paused, his voice growing even lower:
"The situation was almost out of control. The Five Cities Garrison was unable to control it, and I had no choice but to call upon some of the Imperial Guards to barely maintain order."

"But the people's resentment is boiling over, and it is unlikely that force can completely quell it! Lord Liu Sanwu... is so frightened that he is paralyzed and unable to walk!"

When Old Zhu heard this irrelevant report, the muscles on his face twitched violently.

The anger that had just been stirred up by Zhang Biao's "Memorial on Public Security" had not yet subsided, and now the shock and anger of "popular uprising" had been added to the mix.

"It's reversed! It's all reversed!"

He growled, his fists clenching so tightly they cracked: "A bunch of scoundrels! Bewitched by that demon, they dare to storm the execution ground! Liu Sanwu, that piece of trash!"

Jiang Huan looked up and cautiously added the most crucial, and most fatal, point:
"Your Majesty... there's one more thing... a strange phenomenon... over at the execution ground, the sky... snowflakes suddenly started falling from the sky..."

"snowflake?"

Old Zhu was taken aback. Yingtian Prefecture hadn't seen snow for many years, so why was it suddenly snowing?
Jiang Huan braced herself, her voice trembling with disbelief:

"It's absolutely true, Your Majesty! Shortly after Zhang Biao's head fell to the ground, fine snowflakes began to fall without warning!"

"Outside now... it's already like 'snow falling in June'!"

"The omen of snow in June... the omen of snow in June..."

Old Zhu muttered these six words repeatedly, his fury instantly freezing and turning into extreme shock and panic.

He was an emperor who rose from humble beginnings and did not believe in ghosts or gods, but as the emperor, he was well aware of the concept of "interaction between heaven and man"!
He knew very well what this "snowfall in June" signified in the eyes of the people!
This means—an utterly injustice!
This means that Zhu Yuanzhang, the emperor of the Ming Dynasty, wrongfully killed loyal and virtuous officials, which led to the heavens sending down strange omens as a warning!

Zhang Biao's dying performance of "serving the country and the people," his scathing memorial on maintaining order, and the "divine will" of "snow falling in June"...

He could almost imagine how people in Yingtian Prefecture, and even throughout the world, would talk about him, Zhu Yuanzhang!

Tyrant! Incompetent ruler!
Heeding slanderous words, he unjustly killed an upright official, which led to strange omens from the heavens!
All his hard work and achievements, all his prestige, will be shattered in the face of this "snow in June" phenomenon!
His reputation... is ruined!
It's completely over!
His Ming Dynasty and the Hongwu reign title will be nailed to the pillar of historical shame, placed alongside those incompetent and tyrannical rulers who brought about the downfall of their kingdoms!
"Uh……"

Old Zhu felt a surge of blood rush to his head, his vision went black, and his chest felt as if a huge rock was pressing down on it, causing a suffocating pain to spread instantly.

He opened his mouth as if to say something, but could only make strange hoarse noises.

"Your Majesty—!"

Yunming was so frightened that he almost jumped out of his skin and rushed forward to help him up.

Old Zhu pushed him away again.

"puff--!"

Immediately afterwards, a mouthful of scalding blood gushed out of Old Zhu's mouth like a blood arrow, more and more violently than before!
It splashed directly all over the imperial desk and his robe!

The blood, under the flickering candlelight, appeared particularly glaring and eerie.

Old Zhu's body shook violently.

He pointed towards the direction of the flying snow outside the palace, his eyes wide open, filled with resentment, anger, and a sense of despair that all was lost.

[You bastard... I... got... five hits from you...]

His eyes rolled back, and his massive body could no longer support him, falling straight backward.

"Your Majesty...Your Majesty—!!"

Jiang Huan's expression changed drastically. He disregarded his impolite behavior in front of the palace, sprang up from the ground, and rushed forward in one stride.

Just as Old Zhu's tall but already swaying body was about to collapse, they managed to catch him.

Old Zhu's body leaned heavily against Jiang Huan, his eyes closed, his face as pale as paper, his breath weak, and he had completely lost consciousness.

"Summon the imperial physician! Quickly, summon the imperial physician—!"

Jiang Huan let out a hoarse roar towards the outside of the hall, his voice filled with unprecedented panic.

Inside the Hall of Literary Glory, chaos erupted instantly.

The "Memorial on Public Security," stained with both old and new blood and crumpled beyond recognition, lay quietly on the ground.

Like a silent mockery, it bears witness to an emperor's anger, despair, guilt, and ultimate collapse.

.........

Happy National Day! Please give me double monthly votes!
(End of this chapter)