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

Chapter 191 Old Zhu, only one person died from the plague in your family? [Requesting double monthly votes]

Having secured Li Jinglong as his 'sucker' ally, Zhang Biao did not stop there.

He knew that simply coercing and enticing Li Jinglong to audit the imperial treasury was not enough to disrupt Zhu Yuanzhang's ceremony for establishing an heir apparent.

He needed an even fiercer, more insane fire to burn the entire Yingtian Prefecture, and even Old Zhu's will, to ashes.

Therefore, he needs more 'allies'.

Now, he doesn't have many 'allies' he can trust and leverage.

Zhu Yunwen is one of them.

There is also Zhu Gaosui.

Although Zhu Yunwen's identity was more suitable, Zhang Biao knew that Old Zhu would not allow him to meet Zhu Yunwen.

Therefore, he settled for the next best thing and planned to find Zhu Gaosui.

However, he did not go directly to the Prince of Yan's residence.

From the moment Zhu Yuanzhang lifted his confinement, he knew that his every move would be under the close surveillance of the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

Therefore, he needed an 'accident', a 'chance encounter' that would allow him to temporarily escape the eyes and ears and naturally come into contact with Zhu Gaosui.

He first returned to the dilapidated official residence, deliberately making some noise to confirm to the Jinyiwei guards who were monitoring him that he was inside.

It wasn't until dusk that he disguised himself and, taking advantage of the brief interval between patrol shifts, slipped out like a cat through a dog hole hidden by weeds in the back wall of the official residence.

This was a 'secret passage' that he discovered out of boredom while training Shen Lang and the others.

Zhang Biao had already thoroughly explored every street and alley in Yingtian Prefecture.

He deliberately chose to travel through crowded markets and alleys, using the crowds as cover, and after many twists and turns, he finally arrived near an inconspicuous pickle shop on the back street of the Prince of Yan's Mansion.

He remembered that Zhu Gaosui had mentioned unintentionally that the pickles at this shop were exceptional, and he often secretly came to buy them.

Zhang Biao didn't approach directly, but instead squatted on the opposite street corner, pretending to be a laborer waiting for work, while his eyes were fixed on the entrance of the pickle shop.

Time passed slowly, and just as Zhang Biao was wondering if Zhu Gaosui would come out today, a familiar figure indeed appeared furtively at the street corner. It was Zhu Gaosui, dressed as a servant, peeking around.

He had obviously slipped out of the mansion by avoiding the guards.

Zhang Biao chuckled inwardly, thinking to himself, "This is exactly what I've been waiting for."

He lowered his straw hat and strode across the street, seemingly bumping into Zhu Gaosui just as he was about to step into the pickle shop.

"Ouch! Don't you have eyes?!"

Zhu Gaosui was knocked off balance and stumbled, cursing instinctively.

Taking advantage of the opportunity, Zhang Biao leaned close to his ear and said in a very low and quick voice:

"Third Brother, it's me, Zhang Biao. If you want to live, don't make a sound. After you buy the pickles, wait for me behind the third woodpile in that dead-end alley next door."

Upon hearing that familiar voice, Zhu Gaosui froze, his eyes widening instantly as he stared in disbelief at the 'coolie' before him.

When he finally saw the wickedly grinning face under the straw hat, he was terrified and almost screamed, but luckily he managed to cover his mouth in time.

His heart was pounding. He looked around and, finding no one paying attention, forced himself to calm down and hastily bought some pickles.

Then, following Zhang Biao's instructions, he nervously entered the deserted dead-end alley.

After confirming that no one was following them, Zhang Biao quickly slipped inside as well.

"Biao...Brother Biao! It really is you! How did you find me? Your outfit..."

Zhu Gaosui was surprised, delighted, and fearful all at once, and his words became incoherent.

"Without further ado!"

Zhang Biao interrupted him, his expression serious: "Third Brother, I have a huge business deal I want to make, and I want to cooperate with your Prince Yan's Mansion!"

“But you can’t make that decision. Help me arrange it. I need to see your elder brother, or better yet, get in touch with your father directly.”

"What?! I want to see my elder brother? And I also want to see my father?!"

Zhu Gaosui turned pale with fright, shaking his head like a rattle: "No, no! Absolutely not! Brother Biao, please spare me!"

"My elder brother is very strict now, and there are Imperial Guards everywhere outside the mansion. Even sneaking out to buy pickles is a huge risk for me!"

"If my older brother finds out I came to see you, and even... and even acted as a matchmaker, he'll definitely break my legs!"

Zhang Biao had anticipated this reaction, so he wasn't in a hurry. He slowly took out a sweet potato still covered in dirt from his pocket and weighed it in his hand.

"Third Brother, do you know what this is?"

Zhu Gaosui shook his head blankly.

"This is called sweet potato, a divine food from overseas."

Zhang Biao began his most skillful deception: "This stuff doesn't pick and choose its soil, it's drought-resistant and can thrive in barren conditions. You can plant it anywhere, and it can yield over a thousand catties per acre!"

"How much...how much?!"

Zhu Gaosui's eyes nearly popped out of their sockets, and his voice cracked: "A thousand pounds?! Brother Biao, you're not kidding me!"

Why would I scare you?

Zhang Biao said with a mysterious expression, "Think about it, your Prince Yan's Mansion is stationed in Beiping, a bitterly cold place, and the supply of food and fodder is often controlled by others."

"If we had this, the army could be largely self-sufficient in food and supplies, and the people could also have enough to eat. What is this?"

"This is the foundation as solid as Mount Tai! It is the capital that allows you to stand tall and challenge anyone!"

His words struck Zhu Gaosui's heart like a heavy hammer.

He was well aware of the predicament of the Prince of Yan's residence.

The supply of provisions has always been a worry for Father! If this thing is really as Brother Biao said...

Seeing his wavering expression, Zhang Biao pressed his advantage and stuffed the sweet potato into his hand: "This stuff, when roasted, is sweet, soft, and glutinous, just as good as the pastries you eat!"

"Once cooked, it can be a staple food, filling and satisfying! With this, will your Prince Yan's mansion still need to be subservient to others?"

Zhu Gaosui held the heavy, mud-covered sweet potato as if he were holding a thousand troops and a mountain of grain.

He was breathing rapidly, his mind in turmoil.

The idol's admiration for Brother Biao, the astonishment at the miraculous yield of sweet potatoes, and the anticipation for the future of the Prince of Yan's mansion were fiercely battling against the fear of his elder brother's strict orders and the dread of the risks.

Ultimately, considerations for the family's future, along with a deep-seated desire to achieve great things and a refusal to be mediocre, overcame the fear.

He gritted his teeth, a ruthless look on his face: "Fine! Brother Biao, I believe you! I... I'll do my best to talk to Big Brother!"

"But whether it will work out or not, I can't guarantee it! My older brother, you know, is extremely cautious!"

"As long as you say this!"

Zhang Biao patted his shoulder with satisfaction: "Tell your elder brother that the auspicious omen of a thousand catties per mu is in my hands. Do you want to seize this opportunity? Let him weigh it up himself."

"As for how to meet, you decide. It must be absolutely safe, avoiding all eyes and ears. There's news..."

Zhang Biao leaned close to his ear and whispered a method for making contact by hiding a letter under the incense burner in the City God Temple.

"do you understand?"

Zhu Gaosui nodded emphatically, carefully tucking the sweet potato into his robes as if it were a spark of fire: "Understood, Brother Biao! Wait for news!"

The two dared not linger and quickly separated, disappearing into the dimly lit alley.

After circling around several times to make sure it was safe, Zhang Biao crawled back into the dog hole of the official residence, as if he had never left.

Next, it's time to meet my biggest 'ally'.

Old Zhu, it must feel terrible to have your efforts backfire.

Zhang Biao lay on the bed, a slight smile playing on his lips.

……

The next day, early in the morning.

The drizzle had just stopped, and water droplets still clung to the glazed tiles of the palace, shimmering with a cold light in the dim morning light.

When the guards and eunuchs on duty saw the swaying figure walking towards them, they were all stunned in the small square outside the Hall of Literary Glory.

Immediately, as if he had seen a ghost, he subconsciously tensed up and placed his hand on the hilt of the knife.

[Zhang Biao!?]

[He actually dared to come directly to the Hall of Literary Glory to request an audience with the Emperor?!]

Since Zhang Biao was released from confinement, although he has relatively free movement, everyone assumes that he should keep a low profile and even better disappear from the emperor's sight forever.

But instead of dodging, he actively came closer!
"Please inform the Emperor that Censor Zhang Biao requests an audience with the Emperor."

Zhang Biao walked to the palace gate, smiled at the pale-faced eunuch guarding the gate who was unsure whether to stop him or not, and said in a relaxed tone as if he were just visiting.

The eunuch was so frightened that his legs cramped, and he scrambled into the palace to report.

Inside the palace, Emperor Zhu had just finished his breakfast and was looking at a new report on the suppression of rebellions in various places when he heard the eunuch's trembling report. His hand holding the memorial suddenly stopped, and a terrifying glint flashed in his eyes.

[This madman actually dared to come looking for us?!]

His instinct was to refuse to see him.

But the fear of the unknown and secrets in his heart, and a hint of curiosity—which he himself was unwilling to admit—to see what other tricks this madman could pull, ultimately prevailed.

"Let him in."

Old Zhu's voice carried suppressed anger.

Before long, Zhang Biao appeared at the palace gate in his somewhat comical official robe.

He even symbolically patted the rain off his clothes before strode in, his face bearing the same smile that always infuriated Old Zhu.

"Your subject, Zhang Biao, pays his respects to Your Majesty."

He gave a casual bow and stood up straight on his own before Old Zhu could call him to stand up.

"Humph!"

Old Zhu snorted coldly, his gaze sharp as a knife:

"Zhang Biao, what an arrogant fellow! Venturing into the palace without permission, do you even respect your position as emperor?!" Zhang Biao, completely unconcerned, chuckled and said:

"Your Majesty, please calm your anger. I have an extremely urgent matter concerning the very foundation of the nation to report!"

"Besides, rules are rigid, but people are flexible. If we delay important national affairs, that would be a real crime."

"Oh? It concerns the very foundation of the nation?"

Old Zhu narrowed his eyes, his expression full of sarcasm: "Who do you want to audit this time? Our throne, or our life savings?"

"Your Majesty is wise!"

Zhang Biao immediately seized the opportunity, his face showing a 'you've finally hit the nail on the head' expression: "I've come here today precisely for the purpose of the audit!"

"but……"

Having said that, he changed the subject and continued:
"What I wish to audit this time is not a specific person or government office, but... the entire supervisory system of the Ming Dynasty!"

"Ok?"

Old Zhu was slightly taken aback, not understanding what he was up to.

Zhang Biao cleared his throat and began his performance, his tone becoming impassioned:
"Your Majesty, don't you think that the current system of supervision in our Great Ming Dynasty is like a lame person walking, with one leg thick and the other thin, which is very awkward?"

He held up one finger:
"This is your Imperial Guard! Good heavens, in their flying fish robes and embroidered spring knives, they look so imposing!"

"But what are their backgrounds? Most of them are tough soldiers or outlaws! They're experts at arresting, killing, and using torture!"

"But asking them to audit accounts? To verify land taxes? To unravel the complex web of official corruption? Isn't that like forcing a duck onto a shelf, or making Zhang Fei embroider?!"

After saying that, he held up another finger:
"Over here are those censors and officials from the Censorate! They talk about classical Chinese all day long, spouting benevolence and morality, and when they impeach someone, they cite classics and make it sound very eloquent."

"But what else can they do besides talk and write a few flowery memorials?"

"Do they have the ability to act? Do they have the expertise to verify the corruption hidden beneath the vast sea of ​​documents? No!"

"They're just a bunch of barking watchdogs who can't bite! They can't control the real civil service!"

Old Zhu listened, his expression shifting unpredictably.

Although Zhang Biao's words were sharp, they were not entirely without reason.

The Embroidered Uniform Guard excelled at investigation and interrogation, but neglected the details of finances and provisions.

The Censorate's officials were mostly good at empty talk and lacked practical ability.

This is indeed a pain point in his system design.

"How are you doing?"

Old Zhu asked calmly.

Zhang Biao slapped his thigh hard, almost crippling himself, but his eyes gleamed as he said, "Therefore, Your Majesty, I request that a brand new government office be established: the Great Ming Anti-Corruption Bureau!"

"Anti-Corruption Bureau?"

Old Zhu chewed on this unfamiliar word.

"Yes! The Anti-Corruption Bureau!"

Zhang Biao explained with great enthusiasm: "It doesn't do the rough work of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, nor does it engage in the empty talk of the Censorate!"

"It only does one thing: uses the most professional people to investigate the most professional accounts! It investigates the nation's money, grain, and taxes; it investigates the corruption and embezzlement of officials; it investigates all economic transactions!"

He cleverly shifted the focus, using the distinction between "Military Intelligence Bureau" and "Central Intelligence Bureau," and explained it in a way that Old Zhu could understand:

"Your Majesty, you can understand it this way: the Embroidered Uniform Guard is like... a force that deals with open and violent rebellions, specializing in suppressing all kinds of armed resistance!"

"And the Anti-Corruption Bureau is there to deal with those insidious intellectuals and corrupt officials!"

"They're playing dirty tricks, so we'll use even more professional dirty tricks... uh, no, professional methods to deal with them!"

"The anti-corruption bureau must have independent oversight power! It must have a professional auditing team!"

"If necessary, with Your Majesty's special permission, we may even be granted certain arrest powers! Specifically targeting economic crimes! Let those corrupt officials have nowhere to hide!"

Old Zhu was deeply moved by what he heard.

The 'anti-corruption bureau' described by Zhang Biao truly struck a chord with his deepest concerns.

The civil service is deeply entrenched, and its methods of corruption are becoming increasingly covert. Relying solely on the Embroidered Uniform Guard and the Censorate is indeed somewhat insufficient.

But... would it be appropriate to put Zhang Biao in charge of such a crucial department?
Old Zhu's gaze instantly sharpened, filled with intense scrutiny and vigilance.

[A weasel offering New Year's greetings to a chicken! This madman actively seeking an official position, especially such a crucial one, must be a trap!]

He stared intently at Zhang Biao, trying to discern his true intentions beneath that grinning face.

"Zhang Biao!"

Old Zhu's voice was icy: "After going through all this trouble, you just want to be the head of this 'Anti-Corruption Bureau'?"

"Your Majesty!"

Zhang Biao readily admitted it, with an expression that said, "I've been working myself to the bone for the country."

"Your humble servant is willing to volunteer to serve as the first Director of the Anti-Corruption Bureau! For the sake of the Ming Dynasty and the Emperor, I will be a good 'steward' of the economic lifeline, and I will never allow a single copper coin to be lost in the dark!"

"Ah!"

Old Zhu sneered, "Easier said than done. Why should we believe you? Letting a madman like you wield such power is like playing with fire."

"emperor!"

Zhang Biao cried out in utter injustice:

"My heart is as clear as the sun and moon! Everything I have done before, though seemingly crazy, was in fact all for the purpose of removing the rotten flesh and preserving the Ming Dynasty."

After saying this, he took another step closer, lowered his voice, and spoke in a seductive tone:

"Your Majesty, think about it. With the Anti-Corruption Bureau in place, the national treasury is full, and all officials are honest. Do you still need to worry about the provisions and pay for the border towns?"

"Why worry about the powerful regional princes becoming too influential? Why worry about... certain people secretly using money to cultivate relationships with foreign officials and plotting treason?"

This last sentence subtly alludes to the vassal kings and certain potential threats, precisely striking a nerve with Zhu Yuanzhang.

Old Zhu fell silent.

He was once again torn between his inner thoughts and his own.

Reason told him that Zhang Biao was extremely dangerous and should never be given real power.

But Zhang Biao's vision and the huge potential profits from the anti-corruption bureau were very tempting to him.

Moreover, Zhang Biao's insight into economic affairs and his unconventional style might... actually be able to break the current stalemate?
Ultimately, the emperor's ruthless weighing of pros and cons outweighed his concerns about personal risk.

"it is good!"

Zhu slammed his hand on the imperial desk, making a firm decision: "I grant your request! Establish the Great Ming Anti-Corruption Bureau, under... temporarily subordinate to the Ministry of Revenue, to handle cases independently! You will temporarily lead the bureau!"

But he immediately added heavy shackles:
"However! The Anti-Corruption Bureau only has the power to investigate and audit; without an imperial decree, it cannot act arbitrarily!"

"All investigation results must be reported directly to me! Personnel selection requires my approval! All expenses must be strictly reviewed by the Imperial Treasury... no, by the Ministry of Revenue!"

He would never allow Zhang Biao to have independent financial and personnel authority, much less the power to make arrests.

Zhang Biao seemed to have anticipated this, showing no disappointment on his face; instead, his smile widened.
"Your Majesty, I accept the imperial decree and express my gratitude! I will certainly live up to Your Majesty's trust!"

Having secured his official position, Zhang Biao was satisfied and prepared to make his escape.

"stop!"

Old Zhu's cold voice rang out again.

Zhang Biao paused in his steps.

Old Zhu rose from the dragon throne and walked step by step to Zhang Biao, his gaze fixed on Zhang Biao's face like a tangible object, his voice suppressing extreme emotion:
"Zhang Biao, let me ask you something..."

"U.A.... our eldest grandson, how exactly did he die?!"

"How much do you know?! Explain yourself!"

The air inside the hall froze instantly.

Zhang Biao's smile gradually faded.

He met Old Zhu's almost fiery gaze, remained silent for a moment, and then slowly spoke, his tone no longer mocking, but carrying a chilling calm:

“Your Majesty, you are a man who has led troops into battle, a man who has survived countless battles and bloodshed.”

"You should know better than anyone what smallpox is."

"That's a great plague! It can wipe out an entire village or city in an instant; no one can escape it!"

"But think about it..."

His voice suddenly turned sharp, like an ice pick, piercing straight into Old Zhu's heart:
"Back then, smallpox...why did it specifically take the life of only His Highness the Crown Prince?!"

Boom——!
These words struck Old Zhu like a thunderbolt from the heavens!
He swayed violently, his face turning deathly pale in an instant, and his pupils contracted to their maximum size!
yes……

Smallpox! A major epidemic!
How could it be possible to infect only one person precisely within the confines of the palace?!
Especially under the heavy protection of the eldest grandson of the emperor?!
He was blinded by the word 'smallpox' and the imperial physician's diagnosis, or rather, he subconsciously refused to think deeply about that terrible possibility!
At this moment, Zhang Biao's merciless words exposed his true intentions!
The suspicions and fears that he had forcibly suppressed deep in his heart, the ones he dared not touch, erupted like a volcano!

[Not a natural disaster! It's a man-made one?!]

[Did someone... use smallpox... to kill our U.A. High School?!]

Old Zhu was struck dumb, frozen in place, as if his blood had instantly frozen.

He seemed to have grasped something, yet also seemed to have fallen into a deeper, colder abyss of darkness.

Seeing Old Zhu's distraught and grief-stricken appearance, Zhang Biao knew that his goal had been achieved.

He said nothing more, but quietly withdrew from the Huagai Hall, leaving the boundless shock and bone-chilling coldness to the Hongwu Emperor, who had just been tricked into being granted an official position and then brutally pierced by the fragments of the truth.

Outside the palace, the rain continued to fall.

Inside the hall, Old Zhu stood alone in the emptiness and cold, his whole body icy cold.

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(End of this chapter)