Daming: Brother, there is no future for monks, let's rebel

Zhu Biao stepped forward and said in a deep voice: "Stop it!"

When the two heard the familiar voice, they turned around quickly. It turned out to be His Royal Highness the Crown Prince. Their faces changed immediately. They hurriedly put down the things in their hands and knelt down to plead guilty: "Your Highness, please forgive me. I was foolish for a moment and that's why I did that!"

Zhu Biao glanced at them coldly and said slowly: "The original intention of the market is to benefit the people, not to let you fight and fight among yourselves. Your disputes not only affect your own business, but also disrupt the order of the market. This palace asks you, do you know your mistakes?"

The two kowtowed repeatedly: "Your Highness is right, I know I was wrong!"

Zhu Biao's eyes softened a bit, and he turned to the members of the Chamber of Commerce: "How do we solve this problem?"

The Chamber of Commerce member quickly stepped forward and replied, "Your Highness, there are indeed some omissions in the division of stalls. We will readjust them immediately to ensure that both stall owners are satisfied."

Zhu Biao nodded and said, "Go ahead. In addition, due to poor management today, all stall owners who have any similar disputes must be resolved by the Chamber of Commerce with all their strength and not be excused."

The members of the Chamber of Commerce clasped their fists and said, "Yes, Your Highness!"

Seeing the two stall owners shaking hands and making peace again, the onlookers applauded and praised: "Your Highness is still fair! This market really hits the spot for us."

While inspecting, Zhu Biao carefully observed the interactions between the vendors and the people, with a faint smile always on his lips.

Not far away, a lively stall caught his attention. The crowd around the stall was laughing and talking happily, which made it look particularly different.

"Your Highness, that's Aunt Wang's cake stall. The osmanthus cake she makes is well-known in the Gyeonggi area." An attendant explained in a low voice.

Zhu Biao nodded and walked over quickly. Behind the stall stood a slightly tired old woman, who handed out cakes with a smile on her face, but remained humble: "Dear fellow villagers, this osmanthus cake is made with fresh osmanthus flowers, soft, glutinous and sweet, why not try a piece!"

"Auntie Wang, your stall is busier today than usual!" Zhu Biao said in a deliberately calm tone.

Aunt Wang looked up and was stunned. She wiped her hands quickly and said, "Your Highness! Why are you here? My stall is so shabby. I'm sorry to have embarrassed you."

Zhu Biao waved his hand and said, "The people's livelihood is the foundation of the court. How can I find it shabby? Today's market is for everyone to do business to their heart's content. What do you think, is the sweet-scented osmanthus cake business going well?"

Aunt Wang smiled naively, "Thanks to your Highness, today's business is more than twice as much as usual! Many old customers have brought their relatives and friends to try the cakes. Look, the cakes from this morning are almost sold out."

Zhu Biao nodded with satisfaction, turned around and said to his followers: "Go buy a few plates of osmanthus cakes and distribute them to the people around, so that they can have a taste too."

Seeing this, the people around sighed: "Your Highness the Crown Prince is really kind, it would be great if there could be a market like this once a month!"

At this moment, a commotion was heard from not far away, and a horse suddenly broke free from its reins and rushed towards the crowd with its four hooves flying. The people were panicked and fled in all directions.

The stalls were knocked over, the goods were scattered all over the floor, cries and shouts were mixed in with the noise, and the scene suddenly became chaotic.

Zhu Biao frowned and walked towards the chaos without hesitation. His followers tried to stop him: "Your Highness, it's dangerous ahead, don't go near!"

Zhu Biao waved his hand and said firmly: "When the people are in trouble, how can I sit back and watch? Follow me!"

The horse neighed non-stop, with a frenzy in its eyes, as if it was greatly frightened. Several strong men tried to stop it together, but were thrown to the ground by the horse's hooves. Zhu Biao quickly looked at the nearby soldiers and ordered, "Bring a rope and stop it!"

The soldiers acted quickly and used long ropes to surround the horses. However, the horses were very strong and broke free several times, almost throwing the soldiers away. At this time, Zhu Biao picked up a bamboo pole from the ground, strode forward, and shouted to the soldiers: "Hold it tight, I will go to calm it down!"

The people watched Zhu Biao's actions with bated breath, and they talked about it: "Your Highness is going to go up there himself? That's a fierce horse!"

Zhu Biao held the bamboo pole tightly in both hands and approached the horse cautiously. He whispered, "Don't be afraid, I won't hurt you." With each step he took, his tone became softer and his hands moved very slowly. The horse seemed to sense Zhu Biao's calmness and gradually stopped struggling.

When the horse relaxed, Zhu Biao gently pressed its neck with a bamboo pole to control its movements steadily. Then, the soldier quickly tightened the rope to secure the horse.

The onlookers immediately burst into thunderous applause: "Your Highness is so brave! Your Highness is truly the patron saint of our people!"

Zhu Biao gently stroked the horse's mane, his eyes deep: "Take good care of it, find out why it was frightened, and don't let it hurt anyone again."

After the commotion subsided, the market returned to its former bustle. Zhu Biao stood on the high platform, looking at the bustling crowd, and said slowly: "Today's market has allowed me to see the wisdom and hard work of the people, and also made me understand that the needs of the people are the responsibility of the court. I hereby promise everyone that more such markets will be held in the future, so that everyone will have more opportunities to sell their goods, and our lives will get better and better!"

After hearing this, the people in the audience shouted excitedly: "Long live His Highness!"

At this moment, an elderly man squeezed out of the crowd, stepped forward tremblingly and said, "Your Highness, I have an unwelcome request. I wonder if I can tell you?"

Zhu Biao quickly signaled his followers to help the old man forward and said, "Please speak, old man. You can speak as you like."

The old man wiped the sweat from his forehead and said with some expectation: "Today's market allows us poor people in the countryside to make some money. I wonder if we can have such a market once a month? In this way, we country people don't have to walk so far to the city to sell goods."

Zhu Biao thought for a moment, then smiled and said, "What the old man said is exactly what I was thinking. Since everyone has this demand, I will make a rule that on the first day of every month, a fixed market will be set up outside the capital city to benefit more people."

As soon as these words came out, the people in the audience cheered: "Your Highness is really a good person who cares about us!"

Zhu Biao looked around and saw the smiles on the people's faces, and his eyes became more determined. He silently said in his heart: "It is my responsibility as the crown prince to benefit the people."

As the sun sets in the west, the market gradually disperses. Zhu Biao stands in the empty square, turns back and says to his followers: "Today's harvest far exceeds expectations, but I know this is just the beginning. Write down all the problems and make sure to solve them one by one tomorrow."

The attendant nodded and replied respectfully, "Yes, Your Highness!"

Zhu Han stood in front of the window of the study in the palace, the drizzle wet the bluestone steps. He squinted his eyes slightly, looking at the gray sky, as if thinking about something. A burst of hurried footsteps came to his ears, and soon, Zhu Biao walked into the study quickly, with a bit of anxiety on his face. "Uncle," Zhu Biao saluted with a fist, his tone calm and faintly anxious, "I just got the news that my fourth brother has recently held an equestrian competition in the suburbs of Beijing, which attracted many children from aristocratic families to participate, and the scene was quite a sensation."

Zhu Han turned around and looked at Zhu Biao with a calm expression: "Biao'er, what makes you so anxious?"

Zhu Biao hesitated a little and said in a deep voice: "Uncle, although Fourth Brother did not make this clear, he has used this competition to win over the children of the noble families, which has already shown his power. If this matter is allowed to develop further, I am afraid it will affect the court's support for him."

Zhu Han chuckled upon hearing this, sat down at the desk, and poured himself a cup of tea: "Fourth brother is a smart man, he knows that it is useless to confront you directly, so he chooses to start from the surrounding areas. There are many people with ulterior motives among the children of the noble families, so it is reasonable for him to use this to win over people's hearts."

"Uncle, aren't we going to do anything about it?" Zhu Biao looked anxious, and was obviously extremely wary of Zhu Di's behavior.

Zhu Han put down his teacup, his eyes deep, "Biao'er, don't worry. Although the fourth brother is thoughtful, if you are on guard everywhere, it will show that you are not magnanimous. You must remember that you are the prince, and what you do should be for the sake of the Ming Dynasty and the people, not to compete with him."

Zhu Biao lowered his eyes, thinking: "I understand what the emperor's uncle taught me. In addition to this matter, I also want to ask the emperor's uncle how to consolidate the relationship between the court and the aristocratic families?"

Zhu Han hesitated for a moment and said slowly: "There are many talented people in aristocratic families, and the court's exchanges with them are complementary. But what they value is never empty words, but actual benefits. You can start by training scholars and recommending capable people, so that they can see the court's sincerity and hope for the future."

Zhu Biao's eyes lit up, and he clasped his fists and said, "Uncle, your idea is brilliant! I will start preparing for a scholar recommendation conference to discover talents among the people and bring the court and the aristocratic families closer together."

Zhu Han nodded with satisfaction: "Go ahead, Biao'er. This is a major event that you need to lead. If you do well, it will not only show your broad mind, but also truly benefit Ming Dynasty."

On the other side, Zhu Di, dressed in a sturdy outfit, rode on a horse and inspected the field with high spirits. In the field, a fierce horse race was going on, with dozens of horses galloping past, raising dust, and the audience cheering for the contestants.

Zhu Di said to his staff, "This competition was well organized, wasn't it? Even those arrogant children of noble families have to bow down before me now."

The staff echoed, "Your Highness, this is a brilliant move. The children of the noble families can not only show their talents in the competition, but also gather together in your name. This move will definitely win you prestige."

Zhu Di smiled proudly: "Reputation? Humph, reputation is just superficial. What I want is for these noble families to become my arms and help me step by step to a higher position."

At this time, a rider fell off his horse due to improper operation. The young men from noble families who were watching immediately started to talk about it: "This guy is so vulnerable. How dare he embarrass himself in front of His Royal Highness the Prince of Yan?"

Zhu Di rode forward and raised his hand to stop the whispering. He dismounted and walked to the rider, bent down and helped him up, speaking gently: "Winning and losing are common, don't blame yourself. As long as you dare to try again, you are a true warrior."

The rider was full of gratitude: "Thank you for your teachings, Your Highness Prince Yan! I will definitely live up to your expectations!"

Zhu Di said loudly: "In today's competition, no matter whether you win or lose, as long as you dare to challenge, you are a hero. I hereby announce that every participant will receive a reward!"

The noble children who were watching cheered immediately. They all exclaimed: "His Royal Highness the Prince of Yan is indeed a man of extraordinary ability!"

On the other hand, the scholar recommendation meeting presided over by Zhu Biao himself was held in a square in the southern suburbs of the capital.

The morning sun shone on the square in the southern suburbs of the capital. The square was decorated solemnly yet grandly, with red silk fluttering and dozens of soldiers maintaining order.

Scholars from all over the capital gathered in the center of the square, wearing long blue cloth gowns, their faces filled with excitement and anticipation.

On the high platform, Zhu Biao, wearing a wide robe with big sleeves, stood with his hands behind his back. He swept his eyes over the people below the stage and said loudly: "Dear talented people, the purpose of today's conference is to discover talents from all over the world and reserve pillars for the Ming Dynasty. I hope that no matter your family background, as long as you have talent, you can realize your ambitions!"

These words were so powerful that there was a sudden murmur in the audience. Many scholars talked to each other with excitement in their eyes.

A young scholar in plain blue clothes walked to the front of the team, bowed and said, "Your Highness, I am Li Tingsong. Although I was born in poverty, I have studied poetry and books since I was young and determined to serve the country. I came here today to give it a try. I hope Your Highness will give me some advice!"

Zhu Biao looked at Li Tingsong and saw that he was humble but determined, and he immediately liked him. He smiled and said softly, "Li Tingsong, I heard that you are very talented. In this case, why don't you write a poem on the spot to express your feelings?"

Li Tingsong walked to the center of the platform without hesitation. After a brief thought, he raised his head and chest and recited aloud:

"The Ming Dynasty is as glorious as the first day of the new year, and the vast land is full of new glory.

I wish to contribute my little to the imperial court, so that my name can be recorded in history!"

These four lines of poetry were sonorous and powerful, and their voices spread far and wide. Thunderous applause broke out from the audience, and many scholars couldn't help but whisper in admiration: "It's really a good poem! This boy is extremely talented!"

Zhu Biao's eyes flashed with approval, and he nodded and said, "Good poem! Li Tingsong, your ambition and talent are indeed rare. I will accept you today, and later send you to the Hanlin Academy to be personally guided by senior scholars."

Upon hearing this, Li Tingsong was so excited that he immediately knelt down and kowtowed: "Thank you for your cultivation, Your Highness. I will do my best to repay the court!"

Zhu Biao stepped forward, helped him up personally, and said in a gentle tone: "Get up. Remember, just do your best and don't torture yourself."

Following Li Tingsong's opening remarks, more scholars were eager to step forward.

A thin young man walked to the front of the stage and said respectfully, "Your Highness, I am Yang Qingyuan. Although I am not good at writing, I am good at debating on the meaning of the classics. I would like to have a discussion with you scholars."

Zhu Biao's eyes lit up slightly, and he said loudly: "Okay! In this case, I will set a question and invite all the scholars to participate in the debate."

He raised his hand and signaled his attendant to bring a pre-written topic. Zhu Biao unfolded the scroll and read: "The ancients said, 'rule the world with benevolence.' What do you think is benevolence? How to rule the world with benevolence?"

As soon as this question was asked, the scholars in the audience immediately started discussing it. (End of this chapter)