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

Chapter 213 I, Zhang Biao, now want to kill someone! [Bonus Chapter 24 for Monthly Tickets]

Zhang Biao didn't immediately take the letter. His gaze was fixed on Song Zhong's face, and his voice suddenly turned cold: "Kaifeng Prefecture? Where is Li Mo? How is Li Mo?!"

Song Zhong met his gaze and said calmly:

"It has been reported that Censor Li Mo was attacked three days ago in the Kaifeng Prefecture government office. He was stabbed twice, but fortunately his bodyguards risked their lives to save him. He is out of immediate danger, but needs to rest."

"Rest in peace?! Screw rest in peace!"

Zhang Biao suddenly erupted, grabbing Song Zhong by the front of his official robe, his eyes bloodshot, spitting almost onto the other man's face, roaring hoarsely:

"Old Zhu used my brother as bait! Was he sending him to his death?! What are you Embroidered Uniform Guards doing?! Huh?! You let a high-ranking official, an imperial censor on behalf of the emperor, be stabbed in a local government office right under your noses?!"

"What are you all capable of? Have you been fed to the dogs?! You call yourselves 'omnipresent'? I think you're just a bunch of worthless mud that can't be plastered on a wall! You're not even as good as a pile of dog shit!"

He hurled extremely vile insults, spitting as he spoke, veins bulging on his forehead, looking like a trapped beast that had been thoroughly enraged.

Several veterans watched in horror, wanting to step forward to dissuade them but not daring to.

Song Zhong's face finally darkened; anyone would find it difficult to remain calm after being insulted like that.

"Master Zhang!"

He suddenly raised his hand and parried Zhang Biao's hand that was grabbing his collar, the force of which made Zhang Biao stagger.

"Please show some respect!"

Song Zhong's voice was filled with cold, hard anger:

"We were caught off guard by the attack on Imperial Censor Li! The guards were indeed negligent, but..."

"But what a load of bull!"

Zhang Biao didn't listen to him finish speaking. He was panting heavily, and his gaze swept across Song Zhong's face like a poisoned knife before finally landing on the blood-stained letter in Song Zhong's hand.

He snatched it away abruptly, and his fingers trembled violently when they touched the bloodstains, which had turned dark brown.

Immediately afterwards, he roughly tore open the envelope, pulled out the letter, and quickly scanned the messy and weak handwriting on it.

[Brother Biao's personal assessment:]

[After several months in Kaifeng, the Zhou Prince's mansion remains shrouded in mystery. His second son, Youxun, outwardly obedient, is inwardly treacherous and harbors deep resentment towards his father and brothers. After extensive investigation, I am almost certain that the 'red lead' elixir formula has been leaked, and this scoundrel is hard to escape responsibility!]

[They may have used the guise of 'studying' to steal their father's secret treasures, or they may have colluded with outsiders to voluntarily hand them over.]

Recently, my brother feigned engagement with him and gradually gained his 'trust'. He seems to be trying to win him over, and his words have subtly mentioned the profits from the Grand Canal, implying that he has other backing beyond Kaifeng. His ambitions are far greater than just the power and position in the Prince's Palace!

[I have found a key informant who is connected to Youxuan's illicit accounts in the Grand Canal and even the embezzlement of funds by the Henan garrison, and I possess concrete evidence. However, Youxuan seems to have become suspicious, and I fear he may resort to desperate measures to silence me. If this letter reaches him, I may already be in grave danger.]

[Brother Biao! The problems with the Grand Canal are deeply entrenched and far-reaching, potentially even implicating the imperial family and nobility!]

This is a festering sore for the nation, and also the key to breaking the deadlock! I urge you, brother, to be cautious, investigate it thoroughly, and resolve it!

[Brother Li Mo, a masterpiece. 】

The letter ends abruptly there.

There were no pleasantries, only calm analysis, definitive conclusions, and the weighty entrustment at the end: "Brother, be cautious, investigate, and crack this!"

Zhang Biao held the letter and stood motionless.

The anger on his face gradually subsided, becoming as calm as a bottomless pool of stagnant water.

Only Song Zhong, who was closest to him, could vaguely sense that the temperature of the surrounding air seemed to have suddenly dropped a few degrees.

An invisible, intensely suppressed storm is brewing wildly within this calm exterior.

After a full dozen breaths, Zhang Biao slowly folded the letter and put it back into the blood-stained envelope.

He raised his head, his gaze falling once more on Song Zhong's face, his eyes eerily calm.

"Have you read the contents of this letter?"

Zhang Biao's voice was soft, yet it carried an undeniable interrogative tone.

Song Zhong made no attempt to hide his true feelings and readily admitted, "I have seen it. Letters sent to the capital must be inspected."

"Have you reported to the Emperor?" Zhang Biao asked again.

"Not yet. We're preparing to submit a report," Song Zhong replied.

Zhang Biao nodded, indicating that he understood.

Then, in a casual tone as if discussing the weather, he said to Song Zhong, "That's perfect. Please pass on a message to Old Zhu..."

He paused, then said clearly and slowly, "I, Zhang Biao, now want to kill someone."

Song Zhong's brow furrowed almost imperceptibly, but he quickly regained his composure.

He didn't ask who he wanted to kill, nor did he try to dissuade him. He just gave Zhang Biao a deep look, as if he wanted to remember his current state.

Then, without saying anything, he simply bowed slightly, turned around, and left the courtyard decisively.

Watching Song Zhong's figure disappear outside the door, Zhang Biao remained in the same position, standing motionless.

The last rays of the setting sun shone through the dilapidated window frame onto him, casting a long, lonely, and resolute shadow.

After a long while, he slowly turned around and looked at the veterans at the table who had been holding their breath and looking concerned.

At this moment, Zhang Biao's face no longer showed his usual laziness and playfulness, but instead displayed an expression of unwavering determination and coldness that they had never seen before.

He walked to the table, gently placed Li Mo's bloodstained letter on it, tapped the letter with his finger, then tapped the sketches and records the veterans had previously reported, his voice low and clear, each word seeming to be squeezed from his chest:

"Guys, you all heard it and saw it."

"Censor Li, our brother, almost lost his life in Kaifeng, all to dig out these parasites!"

"Corruption in the Grand Canal, the remnants of the Zhou Prince's mansion, the traitor who leaked the elixir formula, and the hidden mastermind deep within... all of these things are connected!"

His gaze swept across the face of each veteran, his eyes sharp as an eagle's:
"Now, I've changed my mind."

"It's not about 'cutting down this corruption chain in the grain transport system'."

"Instead, we will use every resource at our disposal, regardless of cost or sacrifice, to thoroughly investigate the corruption chain of the Zhou Prince's mansion's grain transport!"

“Let’s start the investigation with that fat man with the mole on his lip, that ‘Mr. Liu’ from the Prince Zhou’s mansion, and that deputy commander of the Henan garrison!”

"I need to know the details of each of them, the specifics of every transaction, and where every penny went! I need to know who is backing Zhu Youxun, and who wants Li Mo dead!"

"This time, we're not just tickling, we're digging up the roots! We're burying the dead!"

His voice wasn't loud, but it carried a resolute determination and a chilling intensity.

Looking at Zhang Biao, who seemed to have been reborn, and feeling the unquestionable will and suppressed raging anger in his words, the veterans felt a surge of hot blood rush to their heads.

They stood up in unison, their backs straight despite their physical disabilities, and replied in deep voices:

"Yes! Your lord!"

"Dig up the roots! Dig up the grave!"

"Fuck you!"

There were no unnecessary words, only a shared determination to fight the enemy.

Zhang Biao looked at them and nodded heavily.

"action!"

The veterans once again took up their orders, but this time, their steps were more steady, their eyes sharper, and they carried a chilling aura of revenge for their comrades and the elimination of evil.

Once again, only Zhang Biao remained in the courtyard.

He picked up Li Mo's bloodstained letter, carefully smoothing out the creases, his eyes as cold as iron.

This letter was written by Li Mo in advance because he had a premonition that something bad would happen to him. In other words, the blood on this letter is most likely not Li Mo's own, but more likely the blood of the messenger.

This shows that the situation in Kaifeng was more complex and dangerous than what was described in the letter.

Thinking of this, Zhang Biao's gaze sharpened.

"Li Mo, don't worry about recovering."

"Every single person behind this will be made to pay for their crimes in blood!"

"Old Zhu, this time, watch how I completely rip out this festering sore of your Ming Dynasty!"

The Anti-Corruption Bureau's first move, because of Li Mo's letter, is destined to be no longer a simple audit and investigation, but a war of vengeance that will never end.

As for Song Zhong, after leaving Zhang Biao's dilapidated courtyard, he went straight to the palace without delay, passing through corridors and halls, and finally arrived at the Huagai Hall to request an audience.

Inside the hall, Old Zhu was deep in thought, looking at several memorials concerning the progress of the 'Literary Festival' preparations. Upon hearing that Song Zhong was requesting an audience and that his expression was unusual, he dismissed the eunuchs and palace maids standing around him, leaving only Yun Ming by his side.

"Your Majesty."

Song Zhong knelt on one knee, his voice low and deep: "Your subject has just returned from Zhang Biao's place."

"Ah."

Old Zhu didn't even look up, tapping the memorial with his fingers: "What new trick has he come up with this time? Is he complaining about not having enough money, or has he cursed some government office again?"

After a slight hesitation, Song Zhong presented the bloodstained letter from Kaifeng with both hands:

"Before Li Mo of Kaifeng was attacked, he sent this letter directly to Zhang Biao. I have already examined its contents."

Old Zhu's fingers, which were tapping the table, paused.

He slowly raised his head, his gaze falling on the envelope in Song Zhong's hand, his eyes sharp as an eagle's.

"Li Mo? Attacked?"

His voice was devoid of emotion, but the air in the hall seemed to freeze instantly.

"Yes."

Song Zhongyan succinctly reported on Li Mo's attack, serious injuries, and unconsciousness, adding:

"According to the investigation, the attackers were professional and not ordinary thieves, and no obvious clues were left at the scene."

Old Zhu's face darkened.

An imperial censor on a tour of inspection was attacked near a local government office. This was not only a slap in the face to the imperial court, but also a blatant provocation against the authority of Zhu Yuanzhang.

He did not take the copy of the letter presented by Song Zhong, but calmly gave a single word: "Read it!"

"Yes!"

Song Zhong respectfully responded and immediately read out the contents of the letter word for word.

When he read the crucial part of the letter, "It can be almost concluded that the 'red lead' elixir formula has been leaked, and this villain is hard to escape involvement," Old Zhu, who had been tapping the armrest with his eyes closed, suddenly stopped.

He suddenly opened his eyes, and those eyes, usually as sharp as a hawk's, now burst forth with a tangible, incinerating crimson fury. An indescribable, terrifying pressure instantly filled the entire hall; the air seemed to freeze, and even the candlelight flickered and dimmed.

"What did you say?!"

Old Zhu's voice seemed to be squeezed out from deep in his throat, with a metallic, hoarse quality and an unbelievable tremor:
"Zhu Youxun...that wretched boy...is the key to the 'red lead' leak?!"

[Red Lead Elixir!]

These four words are like the most vicious curse in the world.

It was the deepest, most painful, and eternally unhealed scar in his heart, the poison that took the life of his eldest son, Zhu Biao, the crown prince of the Ming Dynasty, on whom he had placed his high hopes!
Previously, Prince Zhou, Zhu Su, was certain that he didn't know who had leaked the elixir formula. Now, he's being told that the one who leaked the poison and may have indirectly caused the death of the crown prince was Prince Zhou's son, who is also Zhu Yuanzhang's grandson?!

"boom--!"

Old Zhu slammed his palm down on the hard rosewood imperial desk, producing a deep, thunderous thud.

The writing brush, ink, paper, and inkstone on the table all jumped up and scattered all over the floor with a clatter.

He trembled slightly with extreme anger, veins bulged on his forehead, his face first turned blood red and then ashen, his chest heaving violently, like a lion that had been thoroughly enraged and was about to devour its prey.

"You beast! You beast—!!"

An uncontrollable, bloodshot roar finally burst from his throat, echoing loudly in the empty hall, filled with endless grief, pain, and overwhelming killing intent.

His son… the crown prince he had painstakingly nurtured and placed his hopes on, could actually have been killed by his own nephew, a bastard with Zhu family blood flowing through his veins, in collusion with outsiders?!

This is no longer simple corruption; this is patricide!
It undermines the very foundation of the nation! It is an unforgivable crime, deserving of ten thousand deaths to atone for!
Startled by this sudden outburst of fury, Song Zhong knelt down with a thud, burying his head deep in his hands, not daring to breathe.

He could clearly feel the Emperor's murderous intent, which was almost tangible, as if the entire Huagai Hall was about to be completely ignited and collapsed by this rage in the next second!
Old Zhu was panting heavily, his eyes bloodshot, his mind filled with the gentle and refined figure of Crown Prince Zhu Biao, and his painful appearance before his death.

This excruciating pain felt like countless red-hot daggers churning inside his heart!
Kill! They must be killed! Everyone involved must be torn to pieces!

The thought was like a curse, screaming wildly in his mind.

However, he was Zhu Yuanzhang, the founding emperor of the Ming Dynasty, and the Hongwu Emperor who had experienced countless bloody battles and knew the cruelty of power struggles.

Just as his extreme anger and murderous intent were about to erupt like a volcano, a deeper, cold rationality belonging to an emperor, like millennia-old ice, forcefully suppressed this impulse to destroy everything.

He clenched his fists so tightly that his nails dug deep into his palms, drawing blood, but he didn't even notice.

He forced himself to calm down; he had to calm down!

Should we arrest Zhu Youxun immediately now that this has happened? That would alert the enemy!

This will force the mastermind behind the evil deeds committed with the 'Red Lead Elixir,' who remotely controls the power of the Zhou Prince's Mansion and may be hiding even deeper, to cut off all clues and hide even more deeply!
He cannot let momentary anger ruin the opportunity to thoroughly investigate the truth and bring all the culprits to justice!

Old Zhu's chest continued to heave violently, but the crimson storm in his eyes began to be forcibly suppressed little by little, replaced by a more terrifying, icy chill and calculation.

[Zhang Biao... Li Mo...]

Li Mo was someone Zhang Biao brought up, and now he almost lost his life while investigating this line of work.

Zhang Biao's anger at this moment is no less than ours! This mad dog of his has now smelled blood, and he will bite without hesitation until he tears his prey to pieces!

Old Zhu took a deep breath and slowly exhaled, as if trying to squeeze out the anger and pain in his chest.

He sat up straight again, his face still ashen, but his voice had regained its chilling calmness. However, beneath this calmness lay a surging undercurrent and a murderous intent about to burst forth.

"Song Zhong".

Old Zhu's voice was as cold as iron.

"Your Majesty...Your Majesty is here!"

Song Zhong lay prostrate on the ground, his voice trembling slightly.

"Get up and talk."

"Yes."

Song Zhong stood up cautiously, still not daring to look up.

"What did Zhang Biao say after reading the letter?"

Old Zhu asked calmly and indifferently.

Song Zhong took a deep breath and answered truthfully:
"Your Majesty, Zhang Biao first rebuked the Embroidered Uniform Guard for being like...like dirt."

"Then, he asked me to pass on a message to His Majesty..."

Song Zhong paused, seemingly finding it difficult to speak, but he still gritted his teeth and repeated it word for word:

He said, "I, Zhang Biao, now want to kill someone."

"He wanted to kill someone?"

Old Zhu repeated those four words, his face expressionless, showing neither anger nor surprise, only extreme coldness.

Suddenly, he let out a soft, ambiguous laugh.

"Heh...want to kill someone?"

The laughter was soft, yet it echoed in the empty hall, carrying a chilling, eerie feeling.

Who does he want to kill?

Old Zhu's gaze, as if it were tangible, pressed down on Song Zhong:

"Is it Zhu Youxun? Is he a parasite on the Grand Canal? Or... does he think we've condoned these people and harmed his brothers?"

The question was extremely sharp, even carrying a hint of barely perceptible murderous intent.

Song Zhong lowered his head, not daring to reply.

Old Zhu stood up, walked slowly to the window, and looked out at the deep night.

His silhouette appeared exceptionally upright and lonely in the candlelight.

Li Mo's letter was like a key, unlocking another dark door in his heart.

Zhu Youxun...the second son of the King of Zhou.

The leak of the 'Red Lead Elixir' was indeed no accident.

Moreover, it even involved the Grand Canal and the military garrisons.

['Having someone else backing them up,' 'directly targeting the imperial family'...]

These words, like venomous snakes, burrowed into Zhu's heart, vaguely overlapping with his previous suspicions that the matter was related to a certain vassal king.

【Great...that's really great!】

Our sons are all causing us trouble! Those who died are shrouded in mystery, the living are scheming against each other, and even our grandchildren are starting to stir up trouble!

Just how many parasites are gnawing away at the very foundation of our Zhu family's empire?!

A chilling killing intent, a mixture of anger, heartache, and the pain of being betrayed time and again, surged within him.

Zhang Biao's words, "I want to kill someone," truly revealed his true feelings at that moment.
A moment later, he turned around abruptly, all his emotions gone, leaving only the unquestionable coldness and decisiveness unique to an emperor.

"Zhang Biao said he wanted to kill someone."

Every word Old Zhu uttered was like an ice bead hitting the ground: "We approve."

Song Zhong was startled, seemingly surprised that the emperor had so easily agreed to this almost insane request.

Old Zhu seemed to see through his thoughts, and a cold smile curled at the corner of his lips:

"Someone has reached into the Grand Canal, sucking the lifeblood of our Great Ming Dynasty, and even harassed the censors we sent out."

"It's time to see some blood."

"Zhang Biao wants to investigate the canal transport, doesn't he? Let him investigate! He wants to disrupt the Zhou Prince's network, doesn't he? Let him do it!"

Old Zhu's tone carried a hint of indulgent cruelty:

"You keep a close eye on him. Whatever he wants to investigate, whoever he wants to see, as long as he doesn't openly rebel, make it easy for him! If he's going 'crazy,' let him go 'crazy' to his heart'!"

"but!"

Old Zhu abruptly changed the subject, his eyes sharp as knives: "Keep all the evidence firmly in our hands! We need to know about everything he finds as soon as possible!"

"Furthermore, without our explicit orders, he is not allowed to touch Zhu Youxun, and even more so, he is not allowed to alert the snake, lest he disturb the big fish hiding in the deepest depths! Understand?!"

He wanted to use Zhang Biao, a blade driven mad by the blood of his brothers, to cut through all the fog and tear apart all the prey, but ultimately, the hand that pulled the trigger had to be him, Zhu Yuanzhang!
"I understand!"

Song Zhong immediately accepted the order.

"Also, regarding the case of Li Mo's assassination, have Jiang Huan send his trusted men to investigate! Use every means at your disposal, no matter what methods they use, to pry open every possible mouth! We need to know who ordered it! Who is silencing us!"

"As for Zhu Youxun..."

Old Zhu's eyes flashed with a cold light, his tone chilling:
"Keep him under close surveillance! Without our orders, he is not allowed to leave Kaifeng, and no one is allowed to silence him! We want to see who's backing him!"

"Also, the grain transport and Henan garrison, all officials, generals, and clerks involved in this case, big and small, are to be placed on the secret investigation list! Report to us immediately if there is any conclusive evidence!"

"Yes! Your Majesty!"

Song Zhong felt the bone-chilling cold, bowed and retreated, his steps even more hurried than when he arrived.

Inside the main hall, deathly silence returned.

Old Zhu sat alone on the dragon throne, slowly picking up the copied letter. His fingers trembled slightly as he looked at the words "Red Lead Elixir," "Zhu Youxun," and "Last Words."

Boundless anger and the pain of losing his son still gnawed at his heart.

But at this moment, there is more of a cold, resolute determination.

"Biao'er...my son..."

He murmured softly, his voice hoarse with a barely perceptible sob:

"Don't worry... Dad will definitely find everyone who harmed you... not one less... and avenge you!"

He raised his eyes and looked in the direction of Zhang Biao's small courtyard, his expression complex and unreadable.

Zhang Biao, don't let us down...

Let's expose this dark secret! Let's settle this blood feud once and for all!

He loosened his grip and tossed the crumpled letter into the charcoal brazier at his feet.

The orange flames suddenly shot up, greedily devouring the letter, the bloodstains and writing on it, until it was reduced to ashes.

Old Zhu stared expressionlessly at the leaping flames, as if watching the final fate of certain people and certain forces.

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(End of this chapter)