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

Zhu Biao sat behind the desk, staring at him sternly, his voice low but unquestionable: "Tell me, who are these weapons prepared for? Who is the mastermind behind you?"

The man clenched his teeth and said nothing.

Lin Chuan stood aside and sneered, "It seems that he is not going to cooperate. Your Highness, I have plenty of ways to make him speak."

Zhu Biao raised his hand to signal Lin Chuan to calm down, then stood up and walked to the man, looking down at him: "Do you think you can protect your master by holding on? I can tell you that Zhu Di can't protect himself now. Even if you don't speak, he can't protect you."

The man's whole body trembled, and the expression on his face was obviously relaxed.

Seeing this, Zhu Biao continued in a cold voice: "As long as you tell the truth, I can save your life. Otherwise, you will see your own end with your own eyes."

The man finally broke down and gritted his teeth and said, "I say! These weapons are indeed prepared for the King of Yan. He intends to launch a surprise attack when the capital's patrols are empty and plunge the court into chaos!"

Zhu Biao's eyes suddenly turned cold when he heard this: "It is true. Zhu Di is so bold, I will never give him any chance this time!"

He turned to look at Lin Chuan and gave a decisive order: "Immediately summarize the clues provided by this person and submit them to the emperor. At the same time, have the patrol battalion strengthen its vigilance and not allow anyone to mobilize troops without authorization."

"Yes, Your Highness!" Lin Chuan bowed and accepted the order.

The next morning, Zhu Biao personally compiled all the evidence into a book and presented it to the imperial study. After reading it, Zhu Yuanzhang's face was as gloomy as water.

"Zhu Di..." He slowly put down the file in his hand, his voice low and full of anger, "How dare he be so bold and want to stir up trouble in the capital!"

Zhu Biao knelt beside him, his tone firm: "Father, the Eastern Palace has obtained enough evidence this time, and Zhu Di's plot can no longer be hidden. Please allow me to thoroughly investigate all the arrangements of the Prince of Yan's Mansion and catch all the remaining gang members in one fell swoop!"

Zhu Yuanzhang looked at Zhu Biao coldly and said slowly: "Biao'er, you did a good job this time. But I want to handle this matter personally and let Zhu Di know that all his calculations are nothing but a joke."

Zhu Biao bowed his head and accepted the order: "I obey your order!"

When the news reached Prince Yan's mansion, Zhu Di was sitting in his study. After listening to the intelligence sent by Xu Yi, his face turned pale. He slammed the table and said angrily in a low voice: "Zhu Biao! How could he intercept my plan so quickly!"

Xu Yi stood aside, looking nervous: "Your Majesty, the people in the East Palace have already obtained a lot of evidence. I'm afraid it will be extremely unfavorable to our next action."

Zhu Di took a deep breath, his eyes flashed with a hint of coldness: "In this case, we must take action in advance. Contact our secret line and prepare for the last fight."

"Xu Yi, the East Palace has already got the clues of the weapons. Lin Chuan's actions are so fast that it's frightening." Zhu Di's voice was low, but with unquestionable majesty. "What do you think, how should we proceed?"

Xu Yi lowered his head, took a deep breath and said, "Your Highness, now that the matter of the weapons has been exposed, we must make a choice. If we confront them head-on, I'm afraid that Your Highness will get more evidence against us."

Zhu Di sneered, his tone revealing a hint of ruthlessness: "Head-on confrontation? No, weapons are important, but they are only part of the game. The real problem is that I cannot expose myself. The East Palace's target has always been me."

Xu Yi raised his head, a trace of worry flashing in his eyes: "Your Highness means... to sacrifice the pawn to save the king?"

Zhu Di nodded slightly, his eyes like a knife falling on Xu Yi: "Someone must stand up and take the blame."

Xu Yi knelt down suddenly, and said firmly: "I am willing to bear everything for you! As long as I can save you, I will never frown even if I die!"

Zhu Di did not answer immediately. He pondered for a moment and said slowly: "I can't let you die. You know too much and it is too important. But we have to give Zhu Biao an explanation... We must make it realistic."

Xu Yi's heart trembled, and he asked in a low voice: "What is the prince's plan?"

Zhu Di's eyes were stern, and he said slowly: "Go and turn yourself in, and take all the blame on yourself. Say that you acted on your own and it had nothing to do with me. If he believes it, you can still live; if not, I will properly arrange for your family."

Xu Yi gritted his teeth, his eyes full of determination: "I am willing to die for you, my Lord!"

Zhu Di waved his hand and said with a complicated expression: "Go ahead. This is the last bet between you and me."

At the same time, in the study of the East Palace, Zhu Biao was discussing closely with Lin Chuan and several confidants.

"Your Highness, although the operation in the northern suburbs went smoothly, the weapons we intercepted are not enough to completely prove the crime of the Prince of Yan." Lin Chuan frowned and said, "Zhu Di is very cunning, he will definitely respond."

Zhu Biao pondered for a moment and said slowly: "Zhu Di's current actions must be to protect himself. As long as we seize his vital points and don't give him a chance to breathe, he will have to admit defeat."

At this moment, a guard rushed in and reported: "Your Highness, Xu Yi suddenly appeared in the Dali Temple and claimed that the weapons incident was all his own doing and had nothing to do with the King of Yan!"

Zhu Biao stood up suddenly, a cold light flashed in his eyes: "Xu Yi? He is taking the blame for Zhu Di! Zhu Di's tactic of sacrificing the chariot to save the king is really straightforward."

Lin Chuan frowned and asked, "Your Highness, how should we respond now? Should we report this to His Majesty immediately and request a thorough investigation of Prince Yan's Mansion?"

Zhu Biao sat down slowly, his eyes as sharp as a knife: "We must report it, but we can't just rely on Xu Yi's confession. Lin Chuan, mobilize all our secret agents and keep a close eye on every inch of the Prince of Yan's Mansion. We must find the real evidence of Zhu Di!"

Lin Chuan cupped his hands and replied, "I understand!"

In the imperial study, Zhu Yuanzhang was listening to Zhu Biao's report. He was flipping through the secret report sent from the East Palace, his expression was grim, but there was a hint of deep thought between his brows.

"Biao'er," Zhu Yuanzhang put down the secret report and looked at Zhu Biao sharply, "Do you think Zhu Di really dares to plan these weapons in the capital?"

Zhu Biao knelt down and said firmly, "Father, I am sure that Xu Yi was not the only one who did this! The layout of the Prince of Yan's Mansion is exactly the same as the flow of these weapons. Zhu Di must be the mastermind behind this!"

Zhu Yuanzhang was silent for a moment, frowning slightly: "Biao'er, Zhu Di is my biological son. He may be unwilling, but he won't be so rebellious."

Zhu Biao raised his head and said earnestly, "Father, although Zhu Di has not taken any public action, his series of actions have already revealed his ambitions. If we let him go this time, I'm afraid there will be endless troubles in the future!"

Zhu Yuanzhang looked at Zhu Biao with complicated eyes and said slowly: "You want to completely eliminate his power, right?"

Zhu Biao gritted his teeth and said, "I just hope that the capital can be peaceful again!" Zhu Yuanzhang pondered for a long time, and finally sighed, "Since Xu Yi has confessed his guilt, let's end this matter here."

Zhu Biao was stunned when he heard this: "Father, this——"

Zhu Yuanzhang raised his hand to stop him, his tone revealing unquestionable majesty: "Biao'er, Zhu Di is your fourth uncle and my own son. No matter how restless he is, I will not allow the court to be in turmoil. Remember, keep your position and don't touch the affairs of Prince of Yan again."

Zhu Biao gritted his teeth and bowed his head and replied, "Your son... obey your order."

After returning to the East Palace, Zhu Biao stood in the study, looking out the window at the night with a complicated expression. His confidant Lin Chuan stood beside him, frowning slightly: "Your Highness, is His Majesty going to protect the King of Yan?"

Zhu Biao took a deep breath, his tone revealing a hint of helplessness: "Father's feelings for Zhu Di cannot be separated after all. But this does not mean that we have lost. Zhu Di's ambition has been exposed. Although this matter has come to nothing, his chess game has already suffered a severe blow."

Lin Chuan nodded: "I understand. Although the King of Yan got away with it this time, he has already lost a lot."

In the dead of night, in the study of Prince Yan's mansion, Zhu Di held a glass of wine, with a hint of complicated emotions in his eyes. He said to Xu Yi: "You did a good job this time, and you blocked the attack of the East Palace for me."

Xu Yi lowered his head and said, "I have only done my best, but Your Majesty, the people from the East Palace are coming with such force this time that I am afraid our situation will be even more difficult."

Zhu Di sneered: "They are indeed very smart, but no matter how smart they are, they can't touch me. Father still has a little protection for me, this is my chance."

He raised his wine glass and drank it all in one gulp, his eyes burning with anger: "However, Zhu Biao's ability should not be underestimated. Next, we must be more careful in planning each move. Otherwise, in the next confrontation, there will be no room for retreat."

The next morning, golden sunlight filled the Daming Palace, but the imperial study room was filled with a sense of solemnity. Zhu Yuanzhang sat on the dragon throne, with several documents placed in front of him. His face was a little tired, but his eyes were still sharp.

Zhu Han stood respectfully aside, with a calm look between his brows.

"Brother Han," Zhu Yuanzhang raised his head and spoke in a slightly softer tone, "Biao'er has grown up. It's time to worry about his marriage."

Zhu Han was slightly startled, then nodded: "My brother is right. The prince's marriage is a very important matter. It is not only related to the royal family's style, but also the direction of the court. We must be extremely careful."

Zhu Yuanzhang pondered for a moment and said slowly: "I do have some candidates, but this matter concerns the future of the prince, and it cannot be based on my opinion alone. Brother Han, I will leave this matter to you. You have always been thoughtful and familiar with palace affairs. I believe you can choose a virtuous woman."

Zhu Han bowed and said, "I will definitely live up to your trust. But does your Majesty have someone you like?"

Zhu Yuanzhang nodded and handed a list to Zhu Han: "These are the women recommended by several ministers. Take a look first. These women come from clean families with good family backgrounds, but whether they are suitable or not still needs careful consideration."

Zhu Han took the list, glanced down, and had an idea in mind. He said softly, "Don't worry, my brother. I will examine each one of them to ensure that the candidate is worthy of the status of the crown prince and can help Biaoer consolidate his position as the crown prince in the future."

Zhu Yuanzhang nodded with satisfaction: "Okay. You should handle this matter as soon as possible. I will order the relevant ministers to cooperate with you."

In the East Palace study, Zhu Biao was reading the memorials. He looked up after hearing the palace maid's report: "Father asked my uncle to arrange my marriage?"

Lin Chuan stood aside and whispered, "Your Highness, it seems that His Majesty attaches great importance to your marriage. Even Prince Jing was sent to handle it personally."

Zhu Biao smiled slightly, put down the pen in his hand, and said with a relaxed tone: "My father has always been cautious, and my uncle is a very reliable person. It's okay to let him handle my marriage. However, I want to see what kind of person my uncle will choose."

Lin Chuan asked cautiously, "Does Your Highness have a favorite candidate?"

Zhu Biao shook his head, his eyes deep: "Marriage is not only about personal feelings, but also about the balance of the court. I know that my uncle will consider everything for me, but... I'm afraid Zhu Di will not be so obedient."

Lin Chuan frowned: "Your Highness, do you mean that the King of Yan will take this opportunity to intervene?"

Zhu Biao nodded, with a hint of coldness in his eyes: "Zhu Di has never been willing to give in. If he really wants to disrupt the situation, we will take this opportunity to see his cards clearly."

In the early morning, in the courtyard outside the Hall of Supreme Harmony, the morning light shines on the bluestone slabs, appearing particularly fresh and bright.

Dozens of eunuchs and maids were busy arranging the queue of female candidates. Each woman was wearing neat plain clothes and standing in her own position, looking either nervous or calm.

As one of the persons in charge of the preliminary selection, Wang Jing, the chief eunuch, stood in front of the team, holding a roll of names in his hand, and his eyes swept over the candidates one by one, with scrutiny and majesty in his eyes. Beside him stood several eunuchs in charge of recording, and they discussed in low voices from time to time.

Wang Jing cleared his throat and said loudly, "Today is the preliminary round of the Crown Princess selection. Everyone must be careful and attentive. Your Highness and Lord Jing have explained that no detail should be neglected."

As soon as he finished speaking, the maids quickly moved and arranged hundreds of candidates into neat rows according to their age. The girls lowered their heads, looking nervous and uneasy, but they did not dare to be negligent.

"Let's start." Wang Jing nodded to the eunuch beside him.

The eunuchs walked in front of each row of women, observing them one by one from their height, body shape and temperament. Wang Jing walked in the middle of the team, stopping from time to time to carefully examine some women who behaved differently.

A younger woman stood at the front of the line, looking nervous and at a loss. She was petite and her face was slightly pale, obviously frightened by the scene.

"Raise your head." An eunuch said softly.

The woman raised her head tremblingly, revealing a slightly immature but regular face. The eunuch looked her up and down, and whispered to the recorder beside him: "She is a little short, but has regular features. Record it."

The other woman standing in the back row seemed much more confident. She stood tall and straight, with a gentle temperament, and calmly accepted the eunuch's scrutiny.

Wang Jing stopped in front of her, his eyes lit up slightly: "What's your name?"

"My name is Gu Qingping, and I'm from Yangzhou." The woman answered in a clear voice, neither humble nor arrogant.

Wang Jing nodded: "Good temperament, continue to observe."

Then, his eyes fell on another woman with a slightly plump figure. When the woman saw Wang Jing's eyes, she panicked a little and lowered her head quickly. (End of this chapter)