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

Chapter 196 Did we personally ignite the fuse that led to our sons' demise?! [Requesting monthly votes]

The Eastern Palace, the sleeping quarters of Lady Lü.

The night was deep, but the flame on the candlestick flickered uneasily.

Lady Lü sat upright in front of her dressing table. The face reflected in the bronze mirror still maintained its usual gentle and dignified demeanor, but upon closer inspection, one could detect a trace of fear and coldness that she was trying her best to suppress deep in her eyes.

The palace maids and eunuchs serving inside the palace had all been replaced with unfamiliar and silent faces.

In the past few months, her trusted confidants, whom she had cultivated for many years and who were like her own arms, have either been transferred or expelled from the palace for some trivial 'mistakes'. Even two of her close old nannies, who were fine the day before yesterday, suddenly 'fell ill' and died yesterday.

Clean.

An undisguised cleansing from the supreme being in the Hall of Literary Glory.

Every gaze directed at her was scrutinizing.

Every footstep outside the palace made her heart tighten.

She felt like a moth caught in an invisible spiderweb, ready to be devoured by the spider lurking in the shadows at the slightest movement.

He did indeed begin investigating... investigating Xiong Ying's death, and his investigation led him to the imperial tour in the fifteenth year of the Hongwu reign...

Lu's fingers unconsciously twirled a gold hairpin, the tips turning slightly white from the force.

She forced herself to calm down, her mind racing amidst extreme fear.

Zhu Biao's sudden proposal to tour back then was actually related to her.

That day, after a heated argument with the Emperor over the "Blank Seal Case," the Crown Prince was still depressed and unable to calm his anger even after returning to the Eastern Palace.

She gently comforted him, personally serving him calming tea, and casually mentioned, "Your Highness is feeling melancholy. Staying in the palace will inevitably stir up painful memories. Why not ask the Emperor to let you go out for a walk? The scenery in Jiangnan is beautiful, and it would be good to clear your mind and escape the turmoil of the court."

She spoke reasonably and logically, appearing entirely as a virtuous woman considering her husband's best interests.

Zhu Biao was angry at the time, but knowing her to be considerate, he accepted her suggestion.

Even when she later decided to bring Zhu Xiong Ying along, she did not object. Instead, she showed concern for her eldest grandson and instructed the palace servants accompanying her to take good care of him.

The reason she didn't go was because she was suffering from unbearable menstrual pain.

Although this is a private matter, it can be found by checking the records of palace servants and the diagnostic records of imperial physicians.

Everything works seamlessly.

She accurately predicted the conflict between the emperor and the crown prince, the crown prince's need for an outlet for his emotions, and also... after the major case, the outside of the palace was far more 'safe' than the inside.

However, despite all her calculations, she never expected that Zhang Biao would suddenly appear more than a decade later!
What no one expected was that the seemingly rough and unrefined Hongwu Emperor would be so suspicious that he could actually detect a trace of something that was almost non-existent in old stories!
[Could it be that "Memorial on Public Security"... that madman Zhang Biao mentioned me?]

[Impossible! Absolutely impossible! Zhang Biao hadn't even entered officialdom yet at that time...]

But the Emperor suspects me... He must suspect me!

This realization plunged Lady Lü into despair.

Given the Emperor's nature of "better to kill three thousand innocent people than let one guilty person go free," if he were to seize even the slightest incriminating evidence, both he and Yunwen would be doomed!
Don't panic! Absolutely don't panic!
Lady Lü took a deep breath, looked at herself in the mirror, and slowly curved her hair into an impeccable smile, tinged with sorrow and resignation.

She knew that countless eyes were watching her every move through the cracks in the doors and windows.

She put down the gold hairpin, picked up the comb, and slowly and steadily combed her long hair, as if all the storms and rains outside had nothing to do with her.

She even hummed a Jiangnan folk song softly, the melody melodious and tinged with a faint sadness, just like a widow missing her deceased husband and worrying about her son's future.

But her heart was a frozen battlefield.

He was checking the entourage, checking the records of the Crown Prince's palace... all the obvious stuff had already been cleared away; he couldn't find anything.

The only potential source of problems is those hidden networks I can't directly access or fully control... and also, the person who handled that matter back then... 'that person'.

'That person' is her deepest secret and her greatest hidden danger.

She would never want to contact them unless absolutely necessary, much less expose them.

But now, the Emperor has clearly become suspicious, and his actions are so swift and drastic...

We must shut him up! Or... make him disappear forever!

The thought hissed in her mind like a venomous snake.

But then, an even greater fear gripped her.

Now that the Emperor has begun a secret investigation, how could he not be wary of her killing him to silence him?
Any unusual action at this moment could become irrefutable evidence pointing to her!
Her hand, which was combing her hair, paused almost imperceptibly for a moment.

No... We absolutely cannot move now. Moving at all would be suicide.

She forcefully suppressed the surging murderous intent deep within her heart.

Now it's all about patience, about who can stay calm and collected.

She put down the comb, stood up, walked to the window, and gazed at the deep night outside. Her eyes were vacant, as if she were reminiscing about the past years with Crown Prince Zhu Biao. A single tear even slid down her cheek at the right moment.

To the observers, this appearance was perfectly normal.

However, beneath the cover of her wide sleeves, her hands were clenched tightly, her nails digging deep into her palms, causing a sharp pain that helped her maintain a calm facade.

We can only wait...

[Once Yunwen is officially established as the Crown Prince, and his status is finalized!]

[Or... wait for an opportunity to stir things up even more, to divert the Emperor's attention once again...]

Her gaze involuntarily drifted towards the direction of the official residence outside Chengtian Gate, towards the madman who had stirred up all the storms.

A thought that she had never considered before, and which she even hated with a passion, even popped into her head.

Zhang Biao... if only you could be a little more insane and spread the fire to others...

Yes! She actually hoped that Zhang Biao's madness would distract Lao Zhu from her attention.

Even if it's just for a short time, it's enough for her son to sit on the throne as the Crown Prince.

At this moment, Lady Lü was like a poisonous spider trapped in a glass dome, beautiful and quiet.

All her 'venom' and murderous intent could only be hidden beneath that docile 'shell,' waiting, enduring, and searching for that almost non-existent chance to break the deadlock.

The night wind howled outside the palace, like the wailing of countless wronged souls.

She knew she was walking on the edge of an abyss; one wrong step and she would be shattered to pieces.

She slowly sat back down in front of the dressing table, looking at the seemingly weak but actually scheming woman in the mirror, a glint of shrewdness flashing in her eyes.

She was no longer anxious or afraid; only calm remained, only the gentle, kind, respectful, and frugal demeanor that the observers saw.

[Your Majesty...please investigate as you see fit...]

The more you investigate, the more you'll discover that your son, your grandson, and the entire Ming Dynasty... will ultimately fall into the hands of my Yunwen!

No one can take it away from us!

……

The next morning.

Today is the day of the grand assembly.

Just after the hour of Yin (3-5 AM), before dawn, a large crowd of dignitaries had already gathered outside Chengtian Gate.

Civil and military officials, dressed in court robes, stood solemnly according to their rank, waiting for the palace gates to open so they could pay homage to the emperor.

An unusually heavy and oppressive atmosphere filled the air.

Although no official edict has been issued regarding the selection of an heir, those in the know are already aware of it, and today's grand court assembly is very likely the moment when the matter will be settled.

However, this solemnity was abruptly torn open by a discordant clatter of gongs and drums.

"Clang! Clang clang—!"

"Take a look! The Ming Dynasty Anti-Corruption Bureau has been officially established! High salaries and excellent benefits! Don't miss out!"

A remarkably loud voice, tinged with a hint of languor and mockery, pierced through the morning mist and reached the ears of every official.

All the officials, without prior agreement, looked in the direction of the sound with astonishment, doubt, and even a hint of wanting to see more drama unfold.

Outside Chengtian Gate, on the open ground to the right of the Imperial Road, a very simple stall had been set up at some point!

A broken table, a few crooked chairs, and next to it stands a huge wooden sign with crooked but extremely eye-catching characters that read:

[On-site recruitment office of the Ming Dynasty Anti-Corruption Bureau!]

[Internship period: three months, monthly salary: fifty taels!]

[After probation, annual salary starts at 500 taels of silver! There is no upper limit for outstanding performers!]

[P.S.: Overseas 'auspicious' items are available for tasting, first come, first served!]

Behind the table, Zhang Biao was wearing a faded seventh-rank censor's robe, but out of place, he had a red cloak that he had somehow acquired, making him look like a certain 'young Grand Secretary'.

He was seen banging a broken gong in one hand and waving a stick-shaped object that was charred black, steaming, and emitting a strange aroma in the other.

"It's him! Zhang Biao! That madman!"

"How...how dare he set up a stall here?!"

"The Ming Dynasty Anti-Corruption Bureau? When did the Emperor grant permission for it to be established?!"

"Fifty taels a month?! Five hundred taels a year?! Has he...has he gone mad?! That's higher than the Minister's salary!"

The crowd erupted in uproar!

All the officials were dumbfounded, almost unable to believe their eyes and ears.

On the day of the Grand Court Assembly, outside Chengtian Gate, right under the emperor's nose, with gongs and drums beating, they're offering high-salary recruitment?!

This is an unprecedented and absurd thing!

Some lower-ranking officials from impoverished families stared wide-eyed at the number on the sign, their Adam's apples bobbing involuntarily. Fifty taels of monthly salary!
That's several times their current annual salary!
Not to mention the dizzying five hundred taels after becoming a full-fledged employee!
This temptation... is too great!

Finally, a few bold, or rather, desperately poor, officials couldn't resist joining in.

"Mr. Zhang...is this recruitment...real?"

A court official dressed in a faded blue robe asked cautiously, his eyes fixed on the plaque.

Upon seeing someone asking, Zhang Biao immediately perked up, threw the broken gong on the table, picked up the roasted sweet potato, and snapped it open, revealing the golden, soft, and glutinous flesh inside. Instantly, an even richer, sweet aroma filled the air.

"Of course it's real! More real than real gold!"

After saying that, he gestured with his chin towards the documents and seals of the Ministry of Personnel on the table, and casually remarked:
"This is an imperial edict issued by the Emperor! If you don't believe me, you can immediately find someone from the Ministry of Personnel to verify it! It's honest and straightforward!"

"This"

The official hesitated for a moment, then looked at the officials lining up to attend court.

"Damn it! I'm going to check it out!"

A junior official from the Ministry of Personnel mustered his courage to go and see.

It would have been better if I hadn't looked, because once I did, I was shocked and exclaimed, "It's really true! It's a newly established government office!"

boom!
The whole audience was shocked!

Apart from the Ministry of Personnel officials who handled the procedures, other officials were struck by lightning.

Zhang Biao then enthusiastically split the half-sweet potato in two and stuffed it into the hands of the censor and the steward:
"Come on, let's eat and chat! This is called sweet potato, an auspicious omen from a sacred mountain overseas, sweet and filling! It's a perk from our Anti-Corruption Bureau!"

The official instinctively took it, his mouth watering at the aroma. Forgetting all decorum, he blew on it and took a bite, his eyes widening instantly: "Delicious! So delicious!"

"Uh-huh."

The person in charge ate like Pigsy eating ginseng fruit, just nodding and shaking his head.

More people gathered around, and seeing someone actually eating it and looking like they were enjoying it made them even more eager to try it themselves.

"Lord Zhang, what exactly does your Anti-Corruption Bureau do? Is it high-risk?"

Another official squeezed forward and asked, his eyes filled with desire for a high salary and concern for the risks.

"Risk? What are you talking about!"

Zhang Biao thumped his chest, spittle flying from his lips:

"Our Anti-Corruption Bureau is a new government office personally approved by the Emperor!"

"We specialize in investigating economic issues and auditing accounts! We don't do rough work involving fighting and killing!"

"did you see it?"

He pointed to the sign: "This is what we rely on!"

He pointed to his head again: "And this!"

"If you can do accounting, understand business, have courage, and are willing to contribute to the Ming Dynasty's efforts to eradicate corruption and replenish the national treasury, then come on over!"

"Three-month internship period, good performance will lead to a full-time position! Salary will be paid on time, never delayed! There's also a year-end bonus!"

He went to great lengths to portray the bright future and generous benefits of the anti-corruption bureau, his tone highly inflammatory:
"Think about it! In other government offices, you might not see a few taels of silver all year round, and you'd have to be mindful of your superiors' moods and be held hostage by those officials in the Ministry of Revenue!"

"Come to the Anti-Corruption Bureau! High salary, real power, and direct accountability to the Emperor!"

"Finding even one silver codger is a merit!"

"Merit is directly converted into performance bonuses, and performance bonuses translate into cash and grain!"

"We are doing great things that benefit the country and its people, and we are receiving salaries that match our abilities!"

"That's what fairness is!"

"This is what it means to serve the country and its people while also bringing honor to one's ancestors and improving one's life!"

His combination of empty promises and real-world temptations left those middle and lower-level officials, who were already struggling financially, completely bewildered.

For a time, seven or eight officials actually crowded in front of the stall, inquiring in detail about the registration process.

Some people even wanted to write down their names, hometowns, and resumes on the spot.

The crowd was packed three or four deep, with sounds of discussion, exclamations, and swallowing rising and falling.

Outside Chengtian Gate, the solemn and dignified waiting area was transformed by Zhang Biao into a job fair scene resembling a vegetable market.

The news spread like wildfire, reaching the palace at breakneck speed.

Inside the Hall of Literary Glory, Emperor Zhu had just finished dressing and was preparing to depart for the Hall of Imperial Sacrifices.

Yunming rushed in, his face ashen and his voice trembling:

"Your Majesty! Something terrible has happened! Zhang Biao...he's outside Chengtian Gate...setting up a stall to recruit people!"

Old Zhu's hand, which was about to put on the winged crown, suddenly stopped, and a terrifying glint flashed in his eyes:

"What did you say?! Hiring at a stall?!"

"Yes Yes!"

Yunming was almost in tears: "He put up a sign that said something like 'The Great Ming Anti-Corruption Bureau is recruiting, with a monthly salary of fifty taels during the internship period and an annual salary of five hundred taels and up after becoming a full-time employee!'"

"They even...they brought out something called 'sweet potato' for people to try! Now the area outside Chengtian Gate is completely packed, and many officials are asking about it..."

boom!
Old Zhu felt a surge of evil fire rush to the top of his head, and his vision went black.

He had planned everything meticulously, tripled the number of guards, to prevent Zhang Biao from storming the palace gates, to prevent him from making a 'die-hard remonstrance,' and to prevent any possible crazy actions from him!

But to everyone's surprise, this madman actually used such a trick!
High-paying job offer?!
This is a blatant slap in the face to him, the emperor!
Who doesn't know that Zhu Yuanzhang famously set low salaries for officials?
This bastard dares to use salaries several times, even ten times, higher than the official court rates to win people's hearts right under his nose?!

This isn't a recruitment drive; it's clearly incitement! It's provocation!
"Where did he get the money?! Huh?!"

Old Zhu was so angry that he trembled all over. He slammed the winged crown onto the imperial desk with a loud bang.
"We didn't give him any personnel or financial authority! What makes him dare to make such a grand promise?!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Old Zhu suddenly realized what he had said, and his pupils contracted sharply.

[Wait a minute! This bastard is creating hype!]

[He's using this method to inform everyone of the existence of the anti-corruption bureau, attracting those disgruntled officials!]

He doesn't need us to give him power; he's using this method to force us to acknowledge it and force us to give him power!

Moreover... he must have an even bigger scheme!

This job posting is just a smokescreen! A diversionary tactic to attract attention!

Just as Zhu Yuanzhang was consumed by rage and nearly lost his mind, preparing to order Zhang Biao to be immediately arrested and thrown into prison—

Another junior officer from the Imperial Guard rushed in, his voice filled with extreme terror, almost screaming:
"Your Majesty! Your Majesty! Zhang Biao... Zhang Biao is outside Chengtian Gate, shouting in public... shouting..."

"What are you shouting for?!"

Old Zhu demanded an explanation, but his heart sank.

The small flag lay prostrate on the ground, trembling like a leaf in the wind:
"He...he shouted...the first audit target of the Ming Dynasty's Anti-Corruption Bureau was...the princes of the entire realm!"

"We must thoroughly investigate the abuses of the various princely residences in appropriating military farmland, maintaining private armies, and embezzling state funds!"

Boom——!
These words struck Old Zhu like a thunderbolt from the heavens.

He swayed violently, his face turning deathly pale in an instant, followed by an unnatural flush.

[Auditing... a feudal lord?!]

Old Zhu felt a metallic sweetness rise to his throat, and he almost spat out a mouthful of blood.

He finally understood!

He finally understood what this madman Zhang Biao was trying to do!

This was no simple recruitment farce at all; from the very beginning, this madman's target was Zhu Yuanzhang's Achilles' heel.

Those sons who were scattered across the country, commanding large armies, whom he both loved, hated, and feared!

His establishment of the Anti-Corruption Bureau was a pretense; his real purpose was to use this opportunity to ignite the powder keg that was the "audit of the princes"—a matter that could have set off the entire Ming Dynasty—in full view of everyone, in front of all the civil and military officials!

How could I have been so blinded by greed and agreed to set up this ridiculous anti-corruption bureau?!
This is hardly an anti-corruption bureau.

This is clearly a poisoned blade plunged into the heart of the Ming imperial family! It is a guillotine hanging over the heads of all the vassal kings!

"puff--!"

Overwhelmed by anger, Old Zhu could no longer suppress his rage and spat out a mouthful of blood, staining his dragon robe red.

"emperor!"

"Your Majesty!"

Jiang Huan and Yun Ming were terrified and rushed forward to help him up.

Old Zhu shoved them aside, pressed his hand firmly against the imperial desk to support his swaying body, and his bloodshot eyes were filled with endless regret, rage, and a trace of fear that even he himself was unwilling to admit.

He looked towards Chengtian Gate outside the palace, as if he could see through the layers of palace walls and see that figure laughing wildly without restraint.

[Zhang Biao! Zhang Biao—!]

Old Zhu roared like a wild beast in his heart.

He felt that he had not only shot himself in the foot, but had also personally lit the fuse that would destroy his sons, and once again handed the torch to the most insane arsonist!

Please vote for me with your monthly tickets!

(End of this chapter)