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

Chapter 206 Suspicious Points Emerge! Old Zhu Curses the Poisonous Woman Lü! [Bonus Chapter 21 for Monthly Tickets]

Inside the Hall of Literary Glory, Old Zhu had just finished dealing with several urgent military matters and rubbed his throbbing temples.

Yunming carefully presented Zhang Biao's report.

"Your Majesty, Zhang Biao's memorial... has arrived."

Old Zhu grunted in response, his face revealing neither joy nor anger, but he tightened his grip slightly as he took the document.

He wanted to see what kind of nonsense this madman could spew after being locked up for three days.

He unsealed the document and unfolded the memorial.

A striking title appeared before my eyes, which read:
"On the Establishment, Powers, Responsibilities, and Auditing Strategies of Chen Ming's Anti-Corruption Bureau"

The article begins with a high-sounding, platitude statement emphasizing the importance of anti-corruption to the foundation of the nation, before immediately getting to the heart of the matter:
"In my opinion, the Anti-Corruption Bureau should serve as the Emperor's eyes and ears, independent of all other departments of the court, and directly under the Emperor's command..."

This is about setting up the framework first, in order to secure the highest level of authority.

"Its primary responsibility lies in auditing."

"The essence of auditing lies first and foremost in the finances, expenditures, land, and property of princes, nobles, and officials. Any irregularities, concealment of deficits, or suspicion of embezzlement and bribery are all subject to audit..."

This directly prioritizes auditing the princes, without any attempt to conceal it.

"The methods of auditing can distinguish between the obvious and the hidden."

"The overt methods involve reviewing archives, verifying accounts, and inquiring about relevant matters; the covert methods involve sending agents on secret visits to gather public opinion and investigate concrete evidence. Only by combining these two approaches can one gain insight into the subtle and hidden aspects..."

This provides a theoretical basis for the veterans' actions.

"The personnel of the Anti-Corruption Bureau will be selected from those who are upright and loyal, knowledgeable in mathematics, and unafraid of powerful figures, and will be given generous salaries so that they have no worries and can concentrate on their duties..."

This is about using high salaries to prevent corruption; I'll emphasize that again.

"As for the operating procedures, I have drafted them as follows..."

Next, Zhang Biao listed some relatively specific clauses that still left a lot of room for maneuver, such as the right to conduct independent investigations, the right to temporary control, and information confidentiality.

The opening was fairly normal, and could even be described as quite insightful. His discussion on the independence of the anti-corruption bureau and the combination of overt and covert auditing methods hit some of his thoughts.

Old Zhu's brows relaxed slightly.

It seems this madman can occasionally speak like a human being...

However, looking further down, Old Zhu's complexion began to change from yellow to red, and then from red to green at a speed visible to the naked eye.

The document clearly stated:
"To ensure the impartiality of anti-corruption efforts and to prevent financial constraints, I humbly request Your Majesty to grant the Anti-Corruption Bureau permission to establish independent accounts, with funding sources consisting of three parts!"

"First, the Ministry of Revenue will allocate funds according to a fixed quota!"

Second, a proportion of the seized illicit funds shall be retained!

"Third, establish an 'Anti-Corruption Bookstore' to publish best-selling books such as 'The True Colors of Corrupt Officials' and 'The Secret of Money-Making,' using literature to promote integrity..."

[They're using our money for official business, and then they want to keep the embezzled funds after the investigation?! Isn't that embezzlement?!]

[Using literature to promote integrity?! And they're even going to publish a book on it?!]

Old Zhu almost dropped the memorial on the ground.

However, this is not over yet.

"The authority and responsibility of the Anti-Corruption Bureau should not be limited to officials and princes."

"Under the whole heaven, all land belongs to the king; on the shores of the land, all people are subjects of the king. Therefore, the royal expenses and the inner court expenditures should also be subject to audit and supervision, so as to set an example for the world."

"I suggest that the Anti-Corruption Bureau's first royal audit project could begin with... auditing the details of the Imperial Treasury's income and expenditure over the past ten years..."

boom!
Old Zhu felt a rush of blood to his head.

[Another audit of internal funds?!]

[Zhang Biao! You scoundrel! You haven't given up your wicked intentions! You're still eyeing our imperial treasury!]

He seemed to see Zhang Biao pointing his finger at him and calling him a "miser" again, and both old and new grudges surged into his heart!
This madman went through all that trouble and made all that trouble, but his ultimate goal was still his money!

Old Zhu was so angry that his hands were trembling, he was panting heavily, and his eyes were so fierce that he looked like he wanted to eat someone alive.

He resisted the urge to tear the notes to shreds and continued flipping through the pages.

Later, there were other bizarre and absurd suggestions, such as "anti-corruption bureau officials should undergo regular anti-temptation training," such as transferring gold and silver from the imperial treasury and piling them up for subordinates to see, and "establishing anti-corruption lotteries to raise funds."

The first third of the document resembled the work of a capable minister, the middle third began to go astray, and the last third completely let loose, turning into Zhang Biao's personal fantasy revelry.

"You bastard! You wretched creature!!"

Finally, Zhu Yuanzhang couldn't hold back any longer and burst into a tirade, slamming the memorial onto his desk:
"He never lets up for a moment! He's always finding ways to annoy us! He keeps bringing up auditing the internal treasury? Why doesn't he just come and rob us?!"

Yunming was so frightened that he knelt on the ground, trembling.

Old Zhu's chest heaved violently as he paced back and forth in the hall, like an enraged lion.

After a long while, he forcibly suppressed the urge to kill Zhang Biao and said to Yun Ming through gritted teeth:
"Pass on my decree! Zhang Biao's memorial...remain in the capital and do not issue it!"

"what?"

Yunming was taken aback.

Simply keeping it in reserve without issuing it? This isn't like the Emperor's style at all.
Normally, even if Zhang Biao wasn't imprisoned, he should have been taught a lesson, or even placed under house arrest.

Seeing Yunming's puzzled expression, Old Zhu snorted coldly, his eyes flashing with a 'wisdom' born from being repeatedly teased, tinged with a hint of resentment:
"This madman is just trying to provoke us! He wants us to pay him any attention! But we won't!"

"Isn't he always causing trouble? Isn't he always up to no good? Let's just ignore him and let him go!"

"Tell Song Zhong to keep a close eye on him!"

"As long as he doesn't storm the palace gates, openly plot rebellion, or incite the people and his colleagues to revolt, let him write his 'strange articles' however he wants! We'll ignore him!"

"He wants to audit our treasury? Let him dream on! We'll see how long he can keep up this one-man show when nobody pays him any attention!"

Old Zhu finally understood: if you take someone like Zhang Biao too seriously, you'll lose.

The angrier you get, the more energetic he becomes.

The best way is to leave him out in the cold and let him do whatever he wants, see how much water he can splash.

"besides!"

Old Zhu added, his tone laced with ruthlessness:
"Tell Song Zhong to investigate him! We refuse to believe that this madman is truly innocent!"

"He actually claims to have twenty million taels?! We don't believe it! We have to find out! We'll turn his place upside down!"

"What nonsense about clubs and young models, living a carefree and happy life?! Keep dreaming!"

"The slaves obey the orders!"

Yunming quickly bowed and withdrew to convey this decree, which was filled with helplessness and resentment.

Old Zhu sat alone on the dragon throne, looking at the bizarre draft that had been thrown into the corner, feeling a tightness in his chest.

He clearly had the absolute advantage, and he could easily crush that 'ant,' so why... why did he always feel so frustrated?
This feeling of wanting to hate something so bad but having to hold back for the time being, or even pretending not to see it, is just awful!

"Zhang Biao...we're not done with you yet!"

Old Zhu squeezed out these words through gritted teeth, his voice filled with endless resentment.

Before long, Song Zhong arrived at Zhang Biao's official residence with Lao Zhu's reply.

As soon as Zhang Biao saw him, he greeted him warmly.

"Song Qianshi! Come quickly!"

Zhang Biao was holding a strange vest that Wang Mazi had just delivered, with a huge '廉' (integrity) character printed on the back:
"Look at our anti-corruption bureau's 'anti-corruption battle robes'!"

"Wearing this, corrupt officials will flee at the mere sight of it, and the common people will applaud! I plan to give three to everyone in the entire bureau, to wear in rotation!"

"The expenses will be deducted from your salary!"

Song Zhong's lips twitched as he looked at the garish "anti-corruption uniform," but he immediately ignored Zhang Biao's excuse about deducting wages and changed the subject:

"Lord Zhang, the Emperor has decided to retain the memorial you submitted and will not issue it."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Biao, who was wearing an "anti-corruption uniform" and posing in front of the mirror, paused for a moment.

Instead of being disappointed, he grinned, revealing two rows of white teeth, and raised an eyebrow at his reflection in the mirror.

"Oh? Just like before, you're choosing to ignore me?"

Zhang Biao stroked his chin, his eyes gleaming with excitement: "Old Zhu, why don't you learn from your mistakes?"

"If you ignore me, does that mean I can't get you to 'pay attention' to me?"

After saying this, he turned around abruptly, his "anti-corruption robe" swinging in a stylish arc.

He looked out the window at the gloomy sky, his smile growing ever brighter, yet also ever more dangerous.

"The real show is just beginning. Don't rush, let the bullets fly for a while..."

Upon hearing this, Song Zhong's eyelids twitched, and he had a vague sense of foreboding.

Over the next few days, a peculiar scene unfolded in the capital.

Every morning, Zhang Biao would appear outside Chengtianmen Gate on time, wearing his eye-catching "anti-corruption battle robe".

A storytelling stall was set up in a place that was neither too close nor too far from the palace gate, where the guards could see it clearly but they wouldn't immediately drive it away.

That's right, it's a storytelling stall!

A small tea table borrowed from Wang Mazi, a broken fan, and a brick used as a gavel.

Zhang Biao sat down, cleared his throat, and began to 'tell stories'.

It's not about talented scholars and beautiful women, or chivalrous heroes; it's about the "The Great Ming Anti-Corruption Bureau" series of storytelling performances.

"Speaking of Emperor Hongwu, whose wisdom and insight illuminated the corruption plaguing the country, he specially established the 'Great Ming Anti-Corruption Bureau,' appointing Director Zhang, who was fearless of powerful figures and incorruptible, as its head, to investigate all illegal activities throughout the land!"

Zhang Biao slammed the brick down, his voice booming and full of energy, attracting many officials waiting to enter the capital and passersby to stop and watch.

"Guess what? The first move by the anti-corruption bureau was aimed directly at that powerful and uncontrollable regional prince!"

He deliberately lowered his voice to create an air of mystery:
"That Director Zhang, carrying an imperial edict, barged into a certain prince's mansion, demanding to inspect its land registers!"

"That chief secretary of the Prince's mansion is arrogant and refuses to cooperate! Gentlemen, how do you think Director Zhang will deal with him?"

The onlookers, especially the low-ranking officials and ordinary people, listened with wide eyes.

This was a 'secret of officialdom' that they had never heard of before.

"Director Zhang calmly and unhurriedly took out something!"

Zhang Biao made a gesture of taking something out: "This thing is neither a knife nor a sword, but a copy of the Great Proclamation!"

He shouted sternly: "Do you still have any respect for the law?! The Emperor has decreed that the Anti-Corruption Bureau shall handle cases independently, and anyone who obstructs it shall be punished the same as the corrupt official!"

"His righteous spirit was truly awe-inspiring, and the chief clerk was so frightened that his face turned ashen and he ran away in a panic!"

He vividly described how "Director Zhang" outwitted the officials of the Prince's mansion, how he discovered the irregularities in the account books, and how he tracked down the hidden land properties.
The story is full of twists and turns, and the characters are vividly portrayed, shaping "Director Zhang" into a lone hero-like upright official.

Of course, the story also features the magical role of the 'anonymous tip box,' which always provides crucial clues at critical moments.

As the saying goes, "The net of Heaven is vast, and though its meshes are wide, nothing escapes it!"

"Under Director Zhang's keen observation, the vassal king's illegal activities will finally be exposed to the world!"

"To find out what happens next, stay tuned for the next installment!"

Zhang Biao slammed a brick down, ending today's story and leaving much to the imagination.

The onlookers were buzzing with discussion, still wanting more. "This Director Zhang is truly a good official who dares to act and take responsibility!"

"If only we could really investigate and bring a few corrupt officials and princes to justice!"

"Is that complaint box really that magical?"

Song Zhong and the Imperial Guards responsible for surveillance turned green with rage.

This time, Zhang Biao didn't storm the palace gates or curse the emperor; instead, he turned it into "literary creation."

This is even harder to handle than simply causing trouble.

What he said was a mixture of truth and falsehood, laced with his own agenda, and highly inflammatory, but you can't just arrest him because he's 'telling stories'.

Song Zhong tried several times to stop him, but Zhang Biao just looked completely innocent.
“Song Qianshi, I was just promoting the Emperor’s wise decision to establish the Anti-Corruption Bureau, spreading the ‘Great Proclamation’ and educating the people. What’s wrong with that?”

"Could it be that the Emperor established the Anti-Corruption Bureau because it's something that can't be brought to light?"

Song Zhong was speechless, and could only grimace as he ordered more people to record every word Zhang Biao said, and then quickly report it to Emperor Zhu in the palace.

On the other side, the Huagai Hall.

After finishing processing the day's memorials and preparing to attend court, Zhu Yuanzhang suddenly remembered Jiang Huan's investigation and unexpectedly asked Yunming, who was standing beside him:

Has Jiang Huan returned?

"Your Majesty, Commander Jiang is waiting outside the hall!" Yunming replied with a bow.

Old Zhu frowned slightly and said calmly, "Let him in!"

"Yes!"

Yunming responded.

Soon, Jiang Huan strode in, bowed, and said, "Your subject, Jiang Huan, pays respects to Your Majesty."

"Speak, what did you find out!"

Old Zhu didn't waste any words and went straight to the point.

Sensing the urgency in the emperor's tone, Jiang Huan dared not delay and immediately reported in detail the clues he had uncovered:
"Your Majesty, I have discovered that before His Highness the Crown Prince decided to go on the tour, he had a conversation with Consort Lü in the Eastern Palace."

"According to an old eunuch who once served His Highness the Crown Prince and was later transferred to work at the Renzhi Palace."

"It seems that when Consort Lü saw that His Highness the Crown Prince was depressed after arguing with the Emperor over the 'Blank Seal Case,' she gently comforted him and suggested that His Highness the Crown Prince might as well request the Emperor to allow him to travel outside the capital to relax."

"What?! It was Lady Lü who suggested that Biao'er go on the tour?!"

Old Zhu abruptly stood up from the dragon throne, his eyes flashing with a terrifying glint. His chest heaved violently, like a powder keg that had been ignited, and he could no longer contain himself as he burst into a tirade of curses:

"A wicked woman! This wicked woman! It really was her! She's the one who instigated Biao'er to leave the capital!"

His raging fury nearly consumed his reason.

He could almost see the venomous heart hidden beneath Lady Lü's gentle face; it was she who indirectly caused Xiong Ying's death, and perhaps even...

However, just as this thunderous rage was about to erupt completely, Old Zhu's almost instinctive rationality, honed by countless political storms, managed to hold back a sliver of clarity.

He took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing his surging blood and qi, his voice becoming hoarse from extreme restraint:
"No... Even if it was Lady Lü who suggested Biao'er go on the tour, what motive did she have to kill our eldest grandson? To kill our sister?!"

This is the most critical issue.

He could tear the Lü family, or even the entire Lü clan, to pieces, but he needed to figure out what was going on.

After all, Lady Lü was Zhu Biao's concubine at that time, and Zhu Xiong Ying was the eldest grandson of the legitimate wife, holding a prestigious position. But in the end, there was no direct blood conflict between them.

At that time, Zhu Yunwen had not yet shown any signs of being established as his successor.

She had absolutely no reason to defy public opinion and commit such a heinous crime that would punish nine generations of her family.

"Your Majesty!"

Jiang Huan felt the emperor's palpable pressure, lowered his head even further, and his voice trembled:

"I have inquired carefully, and the old eunuch said that when Consort Lü comforted the Crown Prince, her words were sincere and entirely out of concern for His Highness."

"Moreover...moreover, after hearing that the Crown Prince had decided to go on the tour, Consort Lü originally intended to accompany him, saying that she wanted to personally take care of His Highness and the eldest grandson of the Emperor..."

"You originally planned to come along?"

Old Zhu noticed this detail, his eyes sharp as knives.

"Yes. But later, it is said that His Highness the Crown Prince took pity on Consort Lü... saying that she was 'weak during her period and not suitable for the long journey,' so he let her stay in the palace."

Jiang Huan added cautiously, "Everything...everything seems normal."

"In addition, I have also checked the records of the Crown Prince's Palace and the imperial physicians from that year, and there are indeed records of Consort Lü being unwell during that period."

[Feeling weak during menstruation? Show some consideration?]

Old Zhu's brows were furrowed tightly into a knot.

This explanation sounded reasonable and even highlighted the benevolence of Crown Prince Zhu Biao and the 'virtuousness' of Lady Lü.

Under normal circumstances, he might have believed it.

But at this moment, under the influence of his abyss-like paranoia, which had been completely ignited by Zhang Biao, this 'reasonable' situation was filled with unsettling 'coincidences'!
Why was it specifically Lady Lü who suggested the inspection tour?

Why did she happen to be unwell at that time?

Why did the Crown Prince 'coincidentally' show her sympathy and prevent her from going?

Why is it that Biao'er, who went out, is fine, while U.A. High School, which went on patrol with Biao'er, and the girl who later went to take care of U.A. High School, are all...?

This series of coincidences, like a series of cold needles, made Old Zhu restless and uneasy.

He absolutely refused to believe that Lady Lü was completely innocent!
But... what about the motive?

Old Zhu's thoughts involuntarily drifted to the gentle and refined grandson of the emperor, who resembled his father so closely.

[If...if U.A. hadn't died, the position of Crown Prince would have been a foregone conclusion.]

If U.A. and the girl both die, and Biao dies young due to grief and a hidden illness... then who will be the biggest beneficiary?

[It's Yunwen! He's Lady Lü's biological son!]

A terrifying inference, based on the principle of the greatest beneficiary, coiled around Old Zhu's heart like a venomous snake.

Could it be that Lady Lü was paving the way for her son's future...?

This thought chilled him to the bone!

If this guess is true, then Lu's scheming and ruthlessness are beyond his imagination!

What a long and meticulously planned scheme this was!
But...where's the evidence?

What Jiang Huan found out was only that she suggested going on an inspection tour, and that she was unable to go for a 'legitimate reason'.

Based on these facts alone, it is impossible to convict them or even publicly question them.

Old Zhu was caught in an unprecedented dilemma and pain.

On the one hand, he firmly believed in his intuition that the Lü family was definitely involved.

On the other hand, there is a lack of direct evidence.

More importantly, what about Yunwen?

[Does Yunwen know about the things his mother might have done?]

If he knew, then he was an accomplice, and his intentions are despicable!

If he doesn't know... he's just a pitiful child kept in the dark. Should we still make him the crown prince?

[To establish a crown prince who could possibly have such a wicked mother?]

Old Zhu felt a splitting headache.

If not Yunwen, then who should be chosen?

[Yun Tong? He's backed by the powerful noble families of Huaixi! If we install him, wouldn't that embolden those arrogant and unruly generals? How will we maintain the balance between the civil service and the noble families?]

Moreover, Yunwen harbors resentment towards his uncles, and if he ascends the throne, a conflict between the vassal kings and the court will likely erupt immediately, plunging the country into turmoil!

[If we were to establish a vassal king, setting aside the character and ability of the second and third sons to inherit the throne, given the current situation—they've already been deposed—what about the remaining ones...?]

[The fourth prince... Zhu Di, the Prince of Yan?]

The moment that name popped up, Old Zhu's heart sank.

Yeah! Now only the fourth one is left...

[Xiong Ying is dead, Mei Zi is dead, Biao Er is dead, and now even Yun Wen might lose his eligibility because of his mother...]

After all this, in the end, the one left with ability, prestige, and strength, isn't it the fourth brother?!

Could it be... that the real mastermind behind all of this is the fourth brother?!

Was it he who secretly orchestrated the removal of all obstacles in his path?!

Could the Lü family be a pawn he placed there?!

This sudden and even more chilling conjecture sent shivers down Old Zhu's spine.

The more he thought about it, the more possible it seemed!
The fourth prince had been stationed in Beiping for many years, commanding a large army. He was brave and skilled in battle, and among the princes, he held the highest prestige and was the most capable.

With the fourth prince's ambition, is he really content to remain a regional king forever?

If all of this was orchestrated by the fourth brother, then his cunning, ruthlessness, and patience... are simply terrifying to the extreme!

Old Zhu slumped on the dragon throne, fine beads of cold sweat seeping from his forehead.

He found himself seemingly trapped in a huge, dark vortex.

Looking around, sons, grandsons, concubines... everyone seems shrouded in mystery, and everyone could be a potential enemy.

Trust, at this moment, becomes such a luxury and absurd.

What should he do?
Continue investigating?
What if the investigation really leads back to the fourth son...? Does he have to kill another son who is capable of fighting and guarding the country's borders?
Don’t check?

Are we just going to let the real culprit who killed Biao'er, Xiong Ying, and Mei get away with it? Let the son of the mastermind, or someone with a wicked mother, inherit our Ming Dynasty?

Old Zhu clenched his fists tightly, his nails digging deep into his palms, and the intense inner turmoil caused the muscles on his face to twitch slightly.

Jiang Huan knelt below, not daring to breathe. He could clearly feel the tangible pain, struggle, and chilling killing intent emanating from the supreme being on the dragon throne.

Inside the Hall of Literary Glory, time seemed to stand still, with only Old Zhu's heavy and suppressed breathing remaining.

After a long while, Old Zhu seemed to have used up all his strength to slowly raise his head. His bloodshot eyes were filled with endless exhaustion and a kind of almost desperate coldness.

He looked down at Jiang Huan, who was waiting, and Yun Ming beside him, his voice hoarse like a broken gong:

"You...you can leave now. I...I'm a little tired."

"We, your humble servants, take our leave."

Jiang Huan and Yun Ming felt as if they had been granted a pardon. They quickly bowed and left the main hall, their steps hurried, as if they were fleeing from a dragon's den or a tiger's lair.

Inside the empty Huagai Hall, Old Zhu stood alone, staring blankly at the magnificent coffered ceiling.

He felt like an aging lion trapped in a cage, clearly sensing the lurking dangers around him, yet unable to find a target to tear at, left only with impotent rage, sinking deeper and deeper into the quagmire of suspicion and pain.

"Zhang Biao... I hate you so much..."

A whisper, filled with endless resentment and a hint of fear of the truth that even he himself was unwilling to admit, echoed faintly in the silent hall.

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(End of this chapter)