Ming Dynasty: Ask Zhu Yuanzhang to abdicate at the beginning

Chapter 630 Heroes of the World, Dedicate Yourselves!
The strategist stepped forward, his voice growing increasingly urgent: "Who are those people?"

"Which one of them isn't a shrewd individual who has navigated the treacherous waters of officialdom?"

"Even though the Hall of Diligent Governance is a cage, the edicts issued from within can still reach all departments and command the entire country."

"This means that if they really wanted to, they would have countless ways to send out the real secret message without anyone knowing!"

A deep worry flashed in the strategist's eyes as he said, "But they all chose to remain silent."

"Your Highness, you must understand that for people of their status, this deathly silence, this utter stillness, is the most terrifying and also the clearest message!"

After hearing this analysis, the smug look on Zhu Gang's face gradually faded, replaced by a lingering gloom.

He slowly sat down, his fingers unconsciously tapping on the table, and the atmosphere in the room instantly became oppressive.

Just as the atmosphere became tense, a guard rushed in, knelt on one knee, and reported:

"Your Highness, a man is requesting an audience outside the mansion. He claims to be Ji Gang, a senior official in the Criminal Investigation Division of the Ministry of Justice."

Zhu Gang's brows furrowed slightly without him realizing it.

He had heard of the name "Ji Gang" before.

This man has a rather complicated reputation. He was originally a sharp blade that Zhu Yunwen single-handedly pulled up from the mire of the martial arts world. He is the sharpest and most ruthless vicious dog under the emperor's command.

He was known throughout the world for his ruthless and cruel actions.

In the officialdom of the Ming Dynasty, this man was known as the "Iron-Faced Yama," never showing any leniency to anyone.

It's important to understand that seemingly ordinary outlaws or street thugs are often connected by intricate networks of interests, with officials or even royalty acting as their "protectors."

The saying goes, "Even when beating a dog, one must consider its owner."

When Ji Gang was ordered to clean up the martial arts world, he was like a merciless iron plow, only asking about the crimes and never asking who was behind them.

Therefore, the number of powerful figures he has offended is countless.

But this sharp blade also has another amazing side.

Although he acted ruthlessly, he was also extremely knowledgeable about the principle of "knowing when to stop" in officialdom, and never overstepped the bounds.

He was ordered to establish a gang in the martial arts world, so he only aimed his blade at the martial arts world. Even if he occasionally uncovered clues involving court officials, he would not hesitate to cut them off personally, never following the trail to get to the bottom of things.

Unless otherwise instructed, he never implicates any official in his investigations.

This seemingly contradictory style of doing things is precisely its terrifyingly shrewdness.

He is a sword that only recognizes imperial edicts and is willing to be a loyal subject, which makes the monarch feel at ease using him.

Yet he knew he was in officialdom, where he could disregard personal relationships but could not truly act on impulse.

After a moment's thought, Zhu Gang made his decision.

I am the Son of Heaven, about to rule the world. Why should I have anything to do with such tainted lackeys that everyone avoids?

He waved his hand dismissively and said, "I won't see you!"

But no sooner had Zhu Gang finished speaking than a voice clearly came from outside the hall:

"Although Your Highness does not wish to see me, my humble servant has come here on a matter of great importance, and I have no choice but to enter uninvited."

As soon as the words were spoken, a figure dressed in the uniform of the Bureau of Criminal Investigation stepped in from outside, walking with ease, as if taking a stroll in his own backyard.

The person who arrived was none other than Ji Gang!
Zhu Gang's face instantly turned as cold as iron. He abruptly stood up and shouted sharply, "Insolence! How did you get in?"

He was filled with shock and anger.

The area around his lodgings had already been fortified by his personal guards, with numerous sentries, so that not even a fly could get in!
How could this person enter the main hall so quietly?
Facing the enraged prince, Ji Gang showed no fear whatsoever, but instead wore a faint smile.

He bowed respectfully, and said in a manner that was neither humble nor arrogant:
"Your Highness, your personal guards are indeed the elite of the time, and their defenses are extremely tight."

"But they can guard against officials and soldiers, but they can't guard against the owner of this house coming home."

He paused for a moment, then explained, "Your Highness is of noble birth, and having returned from overseas, the local officials along the way will naturally seek out the most comfortable place to show their respect."

"The government office in Ma'anshan is far less grand and comfortable than this private residence, so the prince was invited here."

"It's quite a coincidence that the original owner of this mansion was a local tyrant who once dominated this place."

"Later, I was ordered to clean up the Jianghu (江湖, the martial arts world). He was also pragmatic and abandoned the darkness to the light. From then on, he was loyal to me and served the Anti-Theft Division."

Ji Gang's lips curled up slightly:
"After the prince arrived, the local government did not drive away the original owners of the house to make it easier to serve them."

"Instead, he was allowed to stay and serve. Just now, he went home, and I took advantage of his presence to come in with him."

Zhu Gang flew into a rage, his eyes flashing with murderous intent: "Ji Gang, how dare you! Without my imperial decree, you have trespassed into my residence, which is tantamount to treason!"

"Believe it or not, with a single command from me right now, I can make you..."

"Your Highness, please calm down." Ji Gang, seemingly oblivious to the overwhelming pressure, calmly bowed and interrupted him, "This humble servant had no choice."

"Just a few hours ago, an urgent report came from the undercover agents of the Anti-Theft Bureau, saying that remnants of the White Lotus Sect were gathering near Ma'anshan, with an unknown number of people and malicious intentions."

He raised his eyes and calmly met Zhu Gang's gaze: "Although the local government has already deployed heavy guards outside the Prince's residence..."

"But Your Highness should also know that once the White Lotus Sect's demons cause trouble, they are like locusts swarming across the land, fearless and ruthless."

"When it moves, it is a massive, overwhelming surge of people that sweeps everything away."

"If tens of thousands of rebels were to besiege this place, the few guards around you would probably not be able to withstand them."

"I was so afraid that Your Highness might be in danger that I rushed here at top speed. I am willing to risk my life to tell Your Highness this news. I urge Your Highness to take precautions and not to be caught off guard."

Zhu Gang's angry expression gradually froze, replaced by a gloomy look.

"Is this true?"

Ji Gang said solemnly, "Even if I had a hundred lives, I would never dare to deceive Your Highness about such a matter of national importance."

Hearing his words, Zhu Gang's eyes grew even more suspicious: "That's not right. Since Zhu Yunwen ascended the throne, hasn't he always proclaimed that the country is peaceful and prosperous, and that people don't lock their doors at night and don't pick up lost items on the road? Where did this rebel come from?"

Ji Gang gave a wry smile: "Your Highness, even the brightest sun shines in all directions, but there are always dark corners that its light cannot reach."

"It is true that the security situation in the Ming Dynasty has improved in recent years, but the White Lotus Sect is like a centipede with a hundred legs. Even if it dies, it will not die. There are always some evil spirits that cannot be seen in the light, and they are stirring in the shadows."

Zhu Gang fell silent.

He suddenly remembered that on his journey north, he had been greeted by officials wherever he went, and his journey had been smooth and unimpeded, almost to the point of being illogical.

Could it be... that the real trap has already been quietly set up in this last hundred miles? At this thought, a chill ran down his spine, and his gaze towards Ji Gang softened slightly: "In that case, thank you very much for informing me, Physician Ji."

Ji Gang smiled and lowered his posture even further: "Your Highness is too kind. This is simply my duty."

"If you were to encounter any misfortune here, the first person the court would hold accountable would be me, the Assistant Director of the Bureau of Criminal Investigation."

"In the end, I was only thinking about my own head."

After saying that, he glanced around casually, leaned forward slightly, lowered his voice, and said in a volume that only the two of them could hear, "Your Highness, actually, besides giving a warning, I have another more important private matter to attend to when I risked coming here."

"It is...someone asked me to bring this to you..."

Ji Gang paused deliberately at this point, his sharp eyes glancing meaningfully at the strategist standing to the side.

Zhu Gang was no ordinary person; he reacted instantly!
Which minister of state affairs or military affairs in the court finally couldn't hold back and sent Ji Gang, this "lone wolf," to secretly contact him?

This thought struck him like a bolt of lightning, instantly plunging his heart, which had been in suspense because of the strategist's words!
The overwhelming joy dispelled his previous doubts and unease, and he almost without hesitation waved to his trusted confidant, signaling him to step back.

Once the door closed gently, only the flickering candlelight remained in the room, illuminating the two of them.

Unable to contain his excitement any longer, Zhu Gang asked, "But I wonder, who entrusted this to you?"

Ji Gang slowly straightened up, his humble smile appearing particularly mysterious in the dim candlelight.

He looked at the expectant Prince Jin, smiled faintly, and clearly uttered two words:
"His Majesty."

In an instant, the whole world seemed to stand still.

Zhu Gang's face froze instantly, as if someone had poured a bucket of ancient ice over his head.

"He...is still alive?"

These words, spoken almost without thinking, were like a hoarse whisper squeezed out from between his teeth, carrying a tremor that Zhu Gang himself was unaware of.

He seemed to have all his strength drained away, staggering back half a step, his eyes bloodshot and filled with utter disbelief.

Ji Gang did not directly answer this question, which no longer needed to be answered.

He simply took out an exquisite silver wine pot from his pocket and slowly filled the empty cup on the table with wine.

The amber-colored wine rippled in the candlelight, releasing a rich aroma.

He respectfully presented the wine cup to Zhu Gang before slowly speaking: "This humble official has always looked down on all the civil and military officials, and the imperial relatives."

"In my humble opinion, most of them are nothing more than clay chickens and clay dogs that sway with the wind."

"There are very few people who can truly catch Ji Gang's eye."

He raised his head and looked directly at the distraught prince with utmost respect: "If we are talking about heroes of our time, I believe that Your Highness is worthy of being one of them."

Zhu Gang raised his eyes and gazed at Ji Gang for a long time with an extremely complicated expression.

In those eyes, there was anger, resentment, and despair, but in the end, they all turned into a deathly silence and desolation.

He picked up the glass of wine on the table, his Adam's apple bobbing, and drank it all in one gulp.

The pungent liquor burned his throat, but the pain was nothing compared to the agony he felt at that moment.

"Speak," he said, setting down his wine glass, his voice hoarse, "What...why did Zhu Yunwen send you here?"

Ji Gang smiled faintly and asked in return, "Isn't Your Highness afraid that what I just said was all bluff, nothing more than a fox borrowing the tiger's might to trick you?"

“You won’t.” Zhu Gang’s tone was resolute: “You’re a smart person, and even more so, a smart person who values ​​life.”

"Such a colossal lie may fool people for a while, but it won't fool them forever."

“If His Majesty had truly passed away, you, Ji Gang, would never be here today, much less sit here so calmly and drink with me.”

A self-deprecating smile appeared on his lips: "What a cunning Zhu Yunwen... truly a master strategist!"

"He actually used himself as bait, staging a grand drama of feigned death to fish the world, luring this ignorant fish like me to walk right into the trap."

Ji Gang let out a long sigh, as if regretting: "Your Highness is a wise man."

"In fact, what Your Majesty is doing this time is a 'open scheme'."

"This game of chess is laid out before the world, full of flaws, but anyone with a discerning eye can see through it at a glance."

"Unfortunately, when you're caught up in the situation and blinded by greed, it's easy to lose sight of the bigger picture."

He poured himself a cup of wine and said, "Your Highness's talent, wisdom, and courage are all outstanding in this era."

"Since the death of Crown Prince Xiaokang (Zhu Biao), no one has been more than the Prince in terms of being a strong contender for the throne."

"Unfortunately... there are always such helpless things in this world."

"Thinking back to those days, how heroic and dashing Zhou Yu was! But alas, he encountered Zhuge Liang, who could calculate everything under heaven, and could only sigh for the rest of his life."

"Your Highness, you have the ambition to contend for the throne and the ability to establish it. Unfortunately, you have encountered the current Emperor."

A hint of almost fanatical awe flashed in Ji Gang's eyes: "The current emperor's abilities are beyond description."

"Steam engine, telegraph, train... These are divine inventions that defy the creation of heaven and earth. Throughout thousands of years of history, has anyone else been able to conceive of or create them?"

"Establishing banks, newspapers, and stock exchanges—each and every one of these was an act of thinking what no one before us dared to think and doing what no one before us dared to do."

"Your Highness, your defeat at the hands of such an emperor is not a fault of the battle, but rather a matter of fate."

"Therefore, your defeat was not unjust, and it has not diminished your heroic image in my eyes in the slightest."

Zhu Gang's face grew even paler upon hearing these words. He coldly interrupted the other man: "You came here to take my life on Zhu Yunwen's orders, didn't you?"

"No," Ji Gang shook his head slightly and said:
"This humble servant has not come to 'kill' Your Highness."

"As long as His Majesty is alive, there are a thousand ways to kill the Prince."

"Whether I come or not makes no difference."

"I specifically requested this assignment to come here, because I wanted to do something for the prince whom I respect most, and to contribute my meager strength."

"Does Your Highness have any unfulfilled wishes, or any matters you wish to settle before your death?"

"As long as it is within my power, I will do my utmost to handle everything for Your Highness, so that Your Highness can leave this world with dignity."

……

(End of this chapter)