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

"The Crown Prince is the only candidate to inherit the Ming Dynasty, but whether he has the ability to do so has yet to be proven."

Zhu Han lowered his head and said slowly: "The prince is indeed a little eager for quick success, perhaps because he is young and eager, but if we can guide him to stabilize his position step by step, it may not be a bad thing."

Zhu Yuanzhang glanced at him and sneered, "You are too kind. If you don't completely cut off some unnecessary thoughts, the prince will not be able to sit firmly on the throne. Do you think he can endure the loneliness like you and wait for the final opportunity?"

A complicated expression flashed across Zhu Han's face.

"Royal brother, if you always doubt the prince like this, how can you let him truly take on important responsibilities?" Zhu Han said softly.

"I have my plans." Zhu Yuanzhang whispered, his eyes still sharp.

After Zhu Biao returned to the Prince's Mansion, he began to implement his plan.

"Qingping, I have an idea." Zhu Biao walked into the inner room with a serious expression.

Gu Qingping was sorting out the account books. When she heard his voice, she looked up, with a hint of inquiry in her eyes: "What's the idea?"

Zhu Biao walked up to her and whispered, "My father's attitude towards me has always been consistent, and although many ministers in the court support me on the surface, they have hidden thoughts in private. I must completely grasp the power of the Prince's Mansion, so that I can stand out in the future power struggle step by step."

Gu Qingping sighed softly. Although she felt a little uneasy, she also understood that Zhu Biao had made up his mind.

She gently held Zhu Biao's hand and whispered, "Prince, since you have made up your mind, then start taking action from today."

Zhu Biao nodded: "I have decided to personally train my personal guards and assign them to various important positions. At the same time, I will also contact those officials in the court who are willing to support me and let them stand up at the critical moment."

Gu Qingping couldn't help but be shocked: "Prince, have you decided to handle this matter yourself?"

"Yes." Zhu Biao's eyes flashed with a cold light, "I must grasp the real power to ensure that I will be invincible in the future situation."

He stood up, his eyes determined: "Although my father keeps saying that he wants to test me, I know that all this is just his temptation. If he doesn't believe me, I will let him see my determination with his own eyes."

While Zhu Biao was secretly organizing the training of his personal guards, Zhu Han was also playing an important role in secret.

"Your Highness, the shadow guards you arranged have begun lurking outside the Prince's Mansion and can be deployed at any time." Xiao Jinghong's voice came from behind Zhu Han.

Zhu Han turned around and looked at his confidant. "Well done. The prince has not yet gained full power, but at least he has a trump card to save his life."

Xiao Jinghong nodded: "I understand. Although the Shadow Guards are not directly confronting the officials of the court, if the prince is threatened, at least his life can be saved."

"Okay, continue to keep it secret." Zhu Han said in a deep voice.

Zhu Han stood on the high platform of the Prince's Mansion, looking through the wall at the Ming Dynasty in the distance.

The sun shone down, and the golden light coated the earth with a layer of warm color, but in his heart, there was always an indescribable heaviness.

"Prince, what are your plans?" Xiao Jinghong's voice sounded in his ears, breaking the silence.

Xiao Jinghong is Zhu Han's most trusted leader of the secret guards. Although his words are simple, his deep eyes can always see through all the complex emotions.

Zhu Han turned around, his eyes like water, shook his head gently, and a sneer appeared on the corner of his mouth: "Plan? This word doesn't seem to apply to me. Even the smartest chess player in the political conspiracy, if he doesn't have the initiative in the game, he will ultimately be just a controlled chess piece."

Xiao Jinghong whispered, "Your Majesty, are you referring to the position of Crown Prince?"

Zhu Han narrowed his eyes, pondered for a moment, and finally nodded slowly: "That's right. Zhu Biao does have the possibility of succeeding to the throne, but the power he can possess is far less powerful than he imagined."

Zhu Han walked to the window and looked at the palace wall in the distance, his eyes thoughtful: "I came here to support the crown prince to ascend the throne, but now it seems that it is difficult to achieve my wish."

"Why is it so difficult to achieve your goal?" Xiao Jinghong asked.

"Zhu Yuanzhang's attitude became increasingly cold. Although he would not directly obstruct the crown prince's succession verbally, he secretly harbored a lot of distrust. Moreover..."

Zhu Han paused, his eyes becoming deep, "I cannot ignore those powerful officials in the court who have ulterior motives. Their loyalty to the prince is just a facade. If the prince makes the slightest mistake, I'm afraid he will be trampled under their feet immediately."

Xiao Jinghong frowned and whispered, "If this is the case, does the prince intend to take action to help the prince consolidate his position?"

"It's time to act." Zhu Han said in a low voice, his eyes as calm as usual, "Not only for the Crown Prince, but also for the future of Ming Dynasty."

Xiao Jinghong sensed the determination in his words and knew that a major change was about to begin. "What is your Majesty going to do?"

"First, we must ensure the prince's safety."

Zhu Han said, "The personal guards of the prince's mansion must be reorganized. I will send secret guards to infiltrate and ensure that no one dares to threaten the prince's life at this time."

Xiao Jinghong nodded: "The shadow guards are ready and can cooperate at any time."

"Secondly, I need to win over those officials who still have some power in the court."

Zhu Han said in a deep voice, "Although the prince's power is growing, he still lacks sufficient support. We can use those trusted officials to gradually expand the prince's influence in the court."

Xiao Jinghong accepted the order, knowing the importance of this matter, "This matter requires a long time to operate. If you are not careful, it may be exposed."

Zhu Han smiled, with a sharp light flashing in his eyes: "I know what to do, Xiao Jinghong, you must stay alert and be ready to respond at any time."

In the Prince's Mansion, Zhu Biao was sorting out the palace documents alone in his study.

"Prince, the emperor's uncle is here to visit." A guard suddenly came in and reported respectfully.

Zhu Biao was slightly stunned, then said: "Please let uncle in."

After a while, Zhu Han walked into the study. When Zhu Biao saw his uncle, he couldn't help but feel a little respect in his heart. "Uncle, why did you come to the mansion in person today?" Zhu Biao stood up to greet him with a respectful tone.

Zhu Han smiled slightly, walked to the desk, and said calmly: "Prince, as the crown prince, you should be more cautious. Do you know the attitude of the emperor?"

Zhu Biao frowned slightly and said in a low voice: "I understand that my father never fully trusted me."

"Do you think you are ready?" Zhu Han asked, his tone calm but with deep thought in his eyes.

Zhu Biao was silent for a moment, and finally spoke slowly: "If I wait any longer, I'm afraid the only result I'll get is being replaced."

"That's right." Zhu Han nodded, "So I came here today to tell you that not only your father, but also many powerful officials in the court, and even some close ministers, will become the biggest obstacles to your future."

Zhu Biao's eyes flashed, and he whispered, "Uncle, what should I do?"

Zhu Han gently patted Zhu Biao's shoulder, his eyes firm: "Prince, you can no longer be as gentle as before, and you can no longer let anyone look down on you. Now, your road is destined to be bumpy. And I am your strongest supporter. Remember, only with my support, you can become a true monarch."

Zhu Biao looked at the uncle in front of him, and a strong sense of trust rose in his heart. "Uncle, I will follow your instructions."

Zhu Han nodded, his tone more determined: "From now on, you must not only consolidate your position, but also expand your power. You must use all available resources to gather around you all the people who can support you."

"I understand." Zhu Biao's eyes became more determined, as if at this moment, he had really found the direction to move forward.

"Okay." Zhu Han looked at Zhu Biao deeply, turned around and walked out of the study, "Prince, I will pave the way for you behind the scenes, but whether you can ascend to the throne in the end depends on you."

"Uncle, you seem to be worried about something." Xiao Jinghong's voice came from outside, breaking Zhu Han's thoughts.

Zhu Han raised his head slightly, looking at Xiao Jinghong who walked in, his eyes slightly stern. "It seems that you have noticed my thoughts."

Xiao Jinghong nodded slightly, walked to the table, and stood respectfully: "Zhu Di's actions have become more and more obvious. If we don't take precautions, the position of the prince may be in jeopardy."

Zhu Han was silent for a while, and finally spoke: "Yes, Zhu Di's power is growing stronger and stronger, and my father's favor for him is gradually showing. More importantly, he has many powerful officials with ulterior motives behind him. If we don't take action in time, the prince's succession will be seriously threatened."

Xiao Jinghong lowered his head and thought for a moment, then asked, "How is your Majesty going to deal with this?"

Zhu Han slowly stood up, his eyes firm: "Although I cannot directly intervene in the fight for the crown prince's position, I can secretly assist Zhu Biao and gradually strengthen his power. First, I must find those officials who are willing to support the crown prince, and use their power to gradually weaken Zhu Di's influence."

Xiao Jinghong nodded, with a sharp light flashing in his eyes: "I understand, the prince means to use those trusted officials in the court to break Zhu Di's circle and weaken his power."

Zhu Han's eyes were sharp, and he said slowly: "Not only that, I also need to strengthen the prince's personal power and ensure that he has enough supporters in the court. This is not just relying on powerful officials, but also to let the prince establish prestige and trust in the hearts of the people."

"I'm afraid the prince's prestige has not yet been fully established."

Xiao Jinghong said hesitantly, "Although he is called the crown prince, he still cannot take charge of the court. Most of the time, it is Zhu Di and those powerful officials who hold the real power."

Zhu Han smiled slightly, his eyes flashing with calmness and determination: "This is exactly what I need to do. If you want the prince to consolidate his position, you must let him temper his true courage and wisdom under external and internal pressure. Only in this way can we ensure that he can inherit the Ming Dynasty in the future."

Xiao Jinghong whispered: "What the prince means is..."

Zhu Han took a deep breath and said firmly: "I want Zhu Biao to experience some challenges. These challenges will not come from the outside world, but from the people around him. Only when he is under pressure can he truly awaken and understand how to deal with the power struggle in the court and how to deal with those who have evil intentions."

Xiao Jinghong finally understood Zhu Han's plan, and a trace of respect appeared in his eyes: "Your Highness has thought it through carefully. If it succeeds, the Crown Prince will be able to secure his throne."

Zhu Han did not comment, but just smiled lightly, his eyes falling out the window again. "Anyway, the time has come, and I need to take action."

"Prince, Prince Han is here to visit." The palace maid's voice rang in Zhu Biao's ears, interrupting his thoughts on the document.

Zhu Biao was slightly startled, then he looked up at the maid standing at the door with a deep gaze. "Let the uncle in."

A moment later, Zhu Han walked into the Prince's Mansion with a hint of contemplation between his brows, but there was no trace of fatigue in his eyes, which were still as sharp as usual.

"Uncle Royal, why did you come here in person today?" Zhu Biao stood up to greet him with a respectful tone.

Zhu Han walked into the room, glanced around, and slowly said, "Prince, what is the recent situation?"

Zhu Biao sighed softly, with a hint of helplessness in his eyes: "The situation is not optimistic. Father's attitude towards me is getting colder, Zhu Di's power is growing, and there are more and more powerful ministers behind him. The situation in the court has become complicated."

Zhu Han looked at him with a deep look in his eyes: "Are you ready to face these challenges?"

Zhu Biao was stunned for a moment, then lowered his head and sighed deeply: "Uncle, although I am called the crown prince, I still cannot have enough power. Zhu Di's power is getting stronger and stronger, and my father has never fully trusted me."

Zhu Han looked at him quietly, his eyes complicated. "Your Majesty's mind is indeed unpredictable. But as the crown prince, you must understand one thing - the position of crown prince is not an easy position, it carries countless responsibilities and pressures. You can't rely on anyone, you must rely on yourself to fight for and consolidate this position."

Zhu Biao's eyes flashed with confusion, and he seemed a little puzzled: "But, uncle, father's attitude..."

Zhu Han took a deep breath and said softly: "Your Majesty's attitude is actually just a superficial phenomenon. More importantly, you have to learn how to stand firm in the struggle for power. If you can't even be firm in your own heart, how can you face those forces fighting for power in the court?"

Zhu Biao lowered his head silently, and the confusion in his heart gradually dissipated.

He raised his head and looked at Zhu Han, his eyes more determined: "Uncle, I understand. From now on, I will try my best to control my own destiny and no longer rely on others."

Zhu Han nodded slightly, revealing a smile of approval: "Prince, remember, power is never given by others, but is fought for by yourself."

As night fell, the courtyard of the Prince's Mansion was illuminated by soft lights. Zhu Biao sat in the study, his expression still silent, his brows furrowed.

He opened a scroll of memorials and scanned every word on it, but he didn't feel any touch. (End of this chapter)