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

Chapter 192 Someone Wants to Wipe Out the Entire Zhu Family?! [Requesting Double Monthly Tickets]

After leaving the Huagai Hall, Zhang Biao obediently returned to his dilapidated official residence under the surveillance of the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

According to his original plan, the mystery surrounding Zhu Xiong Ying's death should have been brought to light through a media frenzy on the day of the Crown Prince selection ceremony.

As a result, Old Zhu couldn't hold back any longer and took the initiative to ask.

Moreover, Zhang Biao was certain of it.

If he doesn't reveal the mystery surrounding Zhu Xiong Ying's death, Old Zhu might not let him leave the Huagai Hall, and might even go mad and torture him to force him to reveal the truth!

This not only disrupted Zhang Biao's plans, but also forced the audit of the internal treasury to be carried out ahead of schedule!
So why did Zhang Biao insist on auditing the internal treasury?
There are two reasons.

One reason is that he needs power.

Based on his experience from his 'previous life,' he had realized that simply provoking Old Zhu to 'kill him in a fit of rage' and fulfill the conditions for time travel was no longer effective.

Because Lao Zhu is getting used to his crazy side.

Therefore, he needed to expand his influence and leverage the prevailing trend to get Old Zhu to kill him.

To create a 'momentum,' one needs power.

But directly demanding power from Zhu is unrealistic. Therefore, it's necessary to make things difficult for Zhu.

As for the other reason, it's actually a reflection of Zhang Biao's personal value.

He wanted his "deathbed remonstrance" to have meaning, such as changing the world.

[Through Zhu De's previous actions, he discovered that Zhu De became increasingly hesitant and cautious as he aged. Even when Zhu De launched the "Lan Yu Case," one of the four major cases of the Hongwu era, in his later years, his actions were driven by a desire to act but a lack of the necessary resources.]

The consequence of this is that loved ones suffer, while enemies rejoice.

This allowed the civil service, which should have been suppressed, to grow unchecked, ultimately leading to the downfall of Zhu Yunwen's dynasty in just four years.

Zhang Biao's goal of changing the world requires Lao Zhu to achieve it.

If Zhu De had acted in this way, the final result might have been a repeat of the "Westernization Movement".

Therefore, to strike a snake at its vital point, he had to target Old Zhu's most crucial element.

As is well known, the Hongwu reign of Emperor Zhu Yuanzhang was an economic system centered on the 'imperial treasury'.

This is different from all economic systems before the Ming Dynasty.

Although Zhu Yuanzhang's original intention was to establish a "private treasury for the emperor" to prepare for unforeseen circumstances, this system gradually deviated from its original purpose in practice, producing profound and complex effects.

During the early Ming Dynasty, specifically during the Hongwu and Yongle periods, the imperial treasury did indeed serve as a strategic reserve to some extent.

However, starting from the reign of Emperor Yingzong of Ming, the imperial treasury gradually evolved into the emperor's private purse, and its use depended entirely on the emperor's personal will.

The emperor expanded his private treasury by sending eunuchs to directly collect mining and salt taxes, and these revenues no longer entered the national fiscal system.

It's important to understand that the Ming Dynasty's tax revenue was already meager, mainly consisting of agricultural taxes. Aside from the exorbitantly lucrative mining and salt taxes, very little was actually turned over to the national treasury.

This would cause the imperial treasury to expand dramatically.

The expansion of the imperial treasury would lead to a high concentration of national wealth in the hands of the royal family.

As a result, the Ministry of Revenue's treasury, which was responsible for major public affairs, would often be short of funds.

By the late Ming Dynasty, royal consumption accounted for a very high proportion of the total national fiscal expenditure, reaching more than 50% during the Wanli era, while expenditures for civilian relief were almost negligible.

At the same time, the national tax revenue heavily burdened agriculture, while commercial taxes and customs duties for industry and commerce were extremely low, and were even abandoned to save trouble, resulting in a distorted structure that "forced farmers to their deaths while enriching merchants."

Furthermore, the management of the imperial treasury was in the hands of eunuchs, which led to fierce competition among inner court institutions such as the Directorate of Ceremonial and the Imperial Horse Administration for this lucrative opportunity.

The civil service in the outer court often used the excuse of "not competing with the people for profit" to oppose taxing the gentry class, but in reality, they were protecting their own privileges and those of the interest groups behind them, which further exacerbated the country's financial difficulties.

Therefore, without addressing the root causes of the problem, the world will not truly change.

Alas, the task ahead is arduous and the road is long!

Looking at the rain outside the Huagai Hall, Zhang Biao couldn't help but sigh inwardly.

Although every time he "died in remonstrance" and then traveled back in time, he would continue on the basis of his "previous life".

But he didn't know how long the road to reform would take, or how many times he would have to "die for his principles."

However, what we pursue in life is hope.

Where there is hope, there will always be a day when the sun shines brightly.

"Old Zhu, you have to hang in there!"

Zhang Biao couldn't help but look back at the Huagai Hall, then sighed and walked into the rain, letting the rain soak his faded seventh-rank censor's robe.

It evokes the image of Zhang Juzheng walking alone in the snow.

……

at the same time.

Inside the Hall of Literary Glory, there was a deathly silence.

Old Zhu stood frozen in place, speechless for a long time.

Zhang Biao's piercing words echoed wildly in his mind like a curse.

It was as if every word was a red-hot branding iron, burning his very soul.

Why, of all people, did it only take the life of His Highness the Crown Prince…?!

"Alone...alone..."

Old Zhu muttered the same words unconsciously.

His cloudy old eyes were fixed on the golden dragon coiled on the palace pillar, but his pupils were unfocused.

He forced himself to recall, bit by bit, the painful memories of the fifteenth year of the Hongwu reign, those memories he had deliberately kept hidden and dared not touch.

雄英
His eldest grandson, Biao'er's eldest son!

He was the successor of the Ming Dynasty for three generations, on whom he placed high hopes!
At that time, the "Blank Seal Case" had just ended, and Biao'er took Xiong Ying, who was only eight years old, on a tour.

At first, everything was fine; U.A. was even excitedly writing down his observations along the way...

[On the way back!]

Old Zhu suddenly grasped this key point.

On their way back to the capital, Xiong Ying suddenly fell ill and fell off his horse... The accompanying imperial physician diagnosed him with smallpox!
When he received the news, he was thunderstruck and immediately ordered a news blackout, sparing no effort to save the patient.

Smallpox is an acute and extremely dangerous disease. Even the imperial palace, which gathers the most famous doctors in the country, is powerless to save it.

He watched helplessly as his most beloved grandson slowly weakened in pain, until finally...

Old Zhu felt as if an invisible hand was gripping his heart tightly, causing him so much pain that he could barely breathe.

But at this moment, even stronger than grief is the fear that grows wildly like a poisonous vine.

He suddenly raised his head, his eyes filled with terrifying bloodshot veins.

【No! No! !】

If the smallpox was contracted on the road, it would be a major epidemic! It's extremely contagious!

Why...why are so many people who accompanied them, including Hyouji who spent every day with U.A., all safe and sound?!

Why is it that only U.A. High School got sick?! And why did only one person die?!

This detail, which he had deliberately ignored or was blinded by grief at the time, became so clear and so glaring now, thanks to Zhang Biao's 'reminder'!

This is... chilling!

U.A. has always been well protected, with very few opportunities to come into contact with outsiders or objects.

During their return to Beijing, they were escorted by layers of guards.

Unless, of course, the source of that 'smallpox' was not some accidental external contact at all.

A terrifying thought, chilling him to the bone, like a ghostly claw reaching out from the darkness, instantly seized his heart!

Could it be... could it be that the plague was deliberately brought to U.A. High School by someone?!

Once this idea takes hold, it spreads like wildfire and can no longer be contained.

Moreover, the original target might not have been U.A. High School.

Old Zhu's breathing suddenly quickened, and an even more terrifying and devastating thought uncontrollably popped into his head.

[The target! Could it be that their original target was the target?!]

[Someone wants to use smallpox to kill our crown prince! To kill the very foundation of the Ming Dynasty!]

[Yes! That's it! Biao'er handled the "Blank Seal Case"! We killed all those corrupt officials!]

Their remnants want revenge on Biao'er, and on us.

[It was just a coincidence...or perhaps the disease wasn't very effective against adults? Or maybe Biao'er was just lucky and wasn't infected?]

In the end... in the end, our U.A. High School Affiliated High School suffered this immense calamity in place of his father?!

"Ta-da!"

Thinking of this, Old Zhu felt a sudden darkness before his eyes, staggered, and retreated repeatedly.

"Your Majesty!"

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

Old Zhu shoved him away abruptly, pressed his hand against the dragon table to steady himself, but his eyes became even more crazed and terrifying.

If...if this guess is true...

That means it's not just the cause of U.A.'s death!
He suddenly remembered his wife of many years—

Empress Ma!
Ma Xiuying!
His sister!

During Xiong Ying's serious illness, she disregarded her own safety and personally entered the isolation ward to take care of her grandson without taking off her clothes, until Xiong Ying passed away...

Not long after, Empress Ma also fell ill due to excessive grief and exhaustion and passed away!
[Overwork led to illness...]

Old Zhu gritted his teeth, his eyes flashing with a murderous intent capable of destroying the heavens and the earth.

[Sooyoung...Sooyoung...could it be that she's not simply overwhelmed with grief?!]

[That bastard Zhang Biao was thinking in prison, "Do you even know how Empress Ma died?"]

This statement means the same thing as how U.A. died; he also suspected that our sister's death was suspicious!

Could it be that... Xiuying, while taking care of U.A. High... also came into contact with that damned 'thing'?!

someone!

Someone used this smallpox poison to try and wipe out my entire Zhu family!
He wants to eradicate the very foundation of my Great Ming Dynasty!

First, it was our most outstanding son, then our most beloved grandson, and then our devoted wife!
This series of blows may not have been natural disasters after all!
It was a man-made disaster!

It was an extremely vicious and covert murder targeting the most core members of the Zhu Ming royal family!

"Ho...ho..."

Old Zhu let out a panting sound like a trapped beast, his chest heaving violently, and veins bulging on his forehead.

He was trembling slightly from extreme anger and fear.

At this moment, Zhang Biao's casual remark ignited and amplified his paranoia to an unprecedented and terrifying degree, enough to destroy everything.

He looked at the civil and military officials in the court, the concubines in the deep palace, and his sons who were enfeoffed in the provinces... he saw everyone as the mastermind behind the scenes.

I see malicious intent in everyone.

"check--!"

A hoarse, distorted roar, like one from the deepest hell, burst forth from Old Zhu's throat.

The entire Huagai Hall vibrated and hummed.

"Investigate this for us—!!"

He whirled around, his eyes bloodshot, and roared at the empty hall, his voice distorted and deformed:
"Jiang Huan! Where the hell is Jiang Huan?! Get your ass in here!!"

Jiang Huan, who had been waiting outside the hall, scrambled in. Seeing the emperor, who appeared to be insane, he was terrified and fell to his knees with a thud: "Your Majesty!" "Jiang Huan! Use all the power of your Embroidered Uniform Guard! Find out everyone who came into contact with the Crown Prince during the fifteenth year of the Hongwu reign, both during his tour and return to the capital!"

"Everyone! Whether they are guards, palace maids, eunuchs, imperial physicians, or even local officials in charge of reception!"

"Sift through the ground one by one! Dig three feet into the earth and find them for us!!"

"Also! Secretly investigate everyone who might be connected to the smallpox epidemic!"

"Especially those alchemists and physicians who understand medical principles and know how to cultivate 'plague'! Not a single one of them should be spared!"

"Investigate their interpersonal relationships! Investigate where their money went! Investigate if anyone is directing them!!"

Old Zhu's voice became sharp and distorted due to extreme emotion, carrying a madness that wanted to crush everything:

"We don't care what methods you use! We'll get them to talk!"

"We want the truth! We need to know who it is!"

"Who killed our Xiong Ying! Who killed our sister! Who wanted to destroy our Great Ming Dynasty—!"

"Yes, yes, yes! Your Majesty, I will obey! I will go and do it immediately!"

Jiang Huan's face turned pale, and he nodded repeatedly as he accepted the order and left.

He knew that an investigation more bloody and brutal than any before was about to begin.

This time, the emperor wasn't just insane; he was possessed by a demon.

If it involves a certain vassal king, he would probably kill him without hesitation.

That freak Zhang Biao won't give up until he forces the emperor to kill his own son!

Jiang Huan's fear of Zhang Biao reached an unprecedented peak, as did Yun Ming, who was trembling outside the hall.

Inside the hall, only Old Zhu's heavy, bellows-like breathing could be heard.

At this moment, he was no longer an emperor, but more like an aging lion, thoroughly enraged and guarding its den, ready to use its last breath and all its madness to tear apart any potential threat.

"Yunming!"

Old Zhu's voice rang out again, deep and utterly cold.

"Your servant is here!"

Yunming walked in with a trembling voice, prostrated himself on the ground, and waited respectfully for the emperor to hear his message.

"Issue my decree! Order all the concubines in the harem to elect a consort to manage the harem!"

Old Zhu didn't even glance at Yun Ming. He staggered back onto the dragon throne, and as if giving a trivial instruction, he gave the order:
"Tell them that everyone must state their reasons for nominating someone! Record them all, and we'll review them one by one!"

"This"

Yunming hesitated for a moment, then cautiously asked, "Should we call them all together? Or should we nominate them separately?"

"Call us together! Just like when we wrote letters home last time!"

Old Zhu emphasized, "Especially those whose sons are enfeoffed in other places, or whose sons rank high in the family, we should keep a close eye on them!"

"promise!"

Yunming immediately agreed and then cautiously withdrew from the main hall.

Meanwhile, inside a secret room of a prince's mansion.

The candlelight, dim and dim, cast the figure of the prince, seated in the shadows, onto the cold stone wall, making him appear like a lurking beast.

A man dressed in black slipped silently into the room like a ghost, knelt on the floor, and spoke with a barely perceptible hint of tension:

"Your Highness, a secret report from Yingtian Prefecture."

"speak."

The prince's voice remained as languid and calm as ever, as if the upheavals in the outside world had nothing to do with him.

"Zhang Biao has been released from confinement, reinstated to his original position, and is even allowed to move freely in the capital. This was a decree personally issued by the Emperor."

"Crack!"

A very faint yet clearly audible sound of wood cracking rang out.

The prince's right hand, resting on the armrest of the rosewood armchair, had knuckles that turned slightly white from the sudden exertion of force, and he had even managed to crack a tiny fissure in the hard rosewood.

The air in the dark room seemed to freeze for a moment.

But only for a moment.

The prince slowly loosened his grip, as if the momentary loss of composure had never occurred.

His voice remained steady, even carrying a hint of amusement:
"Oh? Our Hongwu Emperor is becoming more and more unpredictable."

He picked up the teacup beside him, took a small sip, and moved with elegance and composure.

"First, they thoroughly investigated the truth behind Zhu Biao's death, then they went on a killing spree, purging the court and the public, not even sparing their own sons."

"I thought he was going to do what King Zhou of Shang did, but what happened?"

"He turned around and produced an 'Edict of Self-Reproach,' putting on an act of repentance and concern for the people, even sparing the life of a madman like Zhang Biao."

"It would have been fine if he had been spared, but imprisoned until death, which would have satisfied his imperial ambitions. But how long has it been? Two months? And he's already been released again."

The prince shook his head, a cold smile curving his lips:

"Something unusual is bound to happen. The old man's move is suspicious."

He appeared to be evaluating Lao Zhu, but in reality, he was rapidly processing the information and calming the momentary sense of vigilance that had risen within him.

Does Zhang Biao know his secret?

They might know some basics, but they could never grasp the core concepts!

Otherwise, the last upheaval wouldn't have merely involved the turmoil among the three kings of Qin, Jin, and Zhou; it would have been a tidal wave aimed directly at him… no, at the very foundations of all the vassal kings.

Zhang Biao didn't say, either because he didn't know, or because the time wasn't right, or perhaps he was waiting for something too?

Thinking of this, the prince felt a little more at ease.

Zhang Biao may be just a pawn to be used and discarded, or a double-edged sword, depending on who wields it.

However, his subordinate's next words made him anxious again.

"There is one more thing... Jiang Huan secretly left the capital the day before yesterday to meet with Wang Bi, the Marquis of Dingyuan and a confidant of the Duke of Liang."

"Wang Bi?"

The prince's brow furrowed almost imperceptibly.

Jiang Huan was Zhu De's sharpest blade. His secret meeting with Lan Yu, a trusted confidant with numerous military achievements, was definitely not for tea and conversation.

This brings to mind the recent document that sparked heated debate both in and out of the court, titled "Abolish the System of Salaries for Feudal Princes"...

"It seems that my father felt that his sons were taking up too much rice and grain, which was hindering the eternal foundation of his Zhu family's empire."

The prince's voice carried a hint of cold mockery.

[Reducing the power of the feudal lords? The old man has indeed started making his move.]

[Starting with salaries, what's next? Will they take away military power and remove guards?]

"Your Highness, should we..."

The subordinate made a subtle gesture.

The prince waved his hand, his eyes deep and unfathomable: "No rush. Since the old man has set up his defenses, let's play along."

"Keep a close eye on Yingtian Prefecture, especially on that Zhang Biao. Find out who he met, what he said, and even how long he spent in the outhouse!"

"Yes!"

"besides!"

The prince pondered for a moment, then lightly tapped his fingertips on the armrest:
"Has things been a bit 'unsettled' in our fiefdom lately? I've heard there are some 'remnants of the previous dynasty' or 'bandits from the mountains' causing trouble?"

The subordinate immediately understood:

"Understood! I will make sure His Majesty knows that in some places, chaos will ensue without Your Highness's presence!"

The prince nodded in satisfaction; this was the most effective countermeasure he could take at this moment.

[Showing weakness? No, it's showing strength!]

Let the old man know that reducing the power of the princes is acceptable, but the consequences must be considered!

Just then, the subordinate seemed to hesitate for a moment, then whispered:
"There is another matter. There are rumors circulating in the palace that His Majesty seems to be considering establishing a new Crown Prince."

The prince's hand, which was holding a cup of tea, paused in mid-air.

"Whom should be honored?"

His voice remained calm, but the temperature in the dark room seemed to drop suddenly.

"It is said to be... Zhu Yunwen, the second grandson of the emperor, born to Consort Lü."

"Hehe...hehe..."

The prince suddenly chuckled, the sound echoing in the narrow, dark room, carrying a chilling undertone.

"Zhu Yunwen... Excellent, truly excellent!"

His laughter abruptly stopped, replaced by a suppressed tone, a mixture of jealousy, resentment, and intense sarcasm.

"In the old man's eyes, there is only him and his elder brother's lineage! What literary and military talents, what governing abilities, are all bullshit!"

"Eldest son? Eldest grandson? To hell with primogeniture!"

His voice suddenly rose, carrying an almost frantic obsession:

"Since ancient times, the country has always belonged to the capable! Was Emperor Taizong of Tang, Li Shimin, the eldest son of the legitimate wife?!"

"Li Jiancheng was indeed the eldest son, but who ultimately sat on the dragon throne?!"

"In what way am I inferior to that cowardly and indecisive Zhu Yunwen?! Just because his father is Zhu Biao?!"

"Damn it! They all deserve to die!"

Intense resentment and injustice burned like poisonous fire, scorching his reason.

But he knew that this was not the time to act impulsively.

He forced down his turbulent emotions, took a few deep breaths, and the dark room returned to deathly silence, with only his slightly heavy breathing as the only sound.

After a long while, he slowly raised his head, all emotions had faded from his eyes, leaving only absolute calm and an almost cruel determination.

"Pass the order."

His voice returned to its previous calmness, but it was colder and harder than ever before.

"First, keep a close watch on all movements of Jiang Huan and Wang Bi! Report any unusual activity immediately!"

"Secondly, let our men help those heroes around the fiefdom create an even bigger commotion!"

"We must make it clear to the old man which of his sons is the true pillar who can guard the four directions and suppress the rebellious!"

"Hmph, you want to touch my vassal territories? Then let's see if the Ming Dynasty will be engulfed in war again!"

"Third!" His gaze turned south, as if piercing through countless obstacles to see the majestic Forbidden City:

"Since the old man is so eager to support his precious grandson... then let's help him out properly. Let's see if he can hold onto the position of Crown Prince!"

The orders were issued one by one, clear and ruthless.

The dark room fell into absolute silence once again, with only the occasional flicker of the candlelight illuminating the prince's face, hidden in the shadows and devoid of any expression.

The storm never truly leaves.

It's just changed its approach, continuing to brew in deeper, darker places.

Requesting double monthly votes!
There's only one chapter today because it's the author's birthday and also the Mid-Autumn Festival, so I want to spend time with my family.

I'll make up for it at midnight tomorrow. Love you all~

(End of this chapter)