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

Chapter 129 Relying on them, the Ming Dynasty is probably doomed!? [Requesting monthly votes]

Old Zhu wanted to expand on the results of Zhang Biao's 'audit', but he was unable to ascertain Zhang Biao's true intentions.

Although there were some actions later, they were always limited to fighting Zhang Biao, thus ignoring the core essence of Zhang Biao's 'audit'.

What Zhang Biao wanted was to change the world he believed shouldn't be this way.

He would not hesitate to give his life for it.

But in Lao Zhu's heart, he always felt that he was gambling with his life to gain more and greater benefits.

Otherwise, why would he keep talking about settling accounts? And why would he 'extort' himself and 'force' Li Jinglong and Guo Ying to donate?
Now, through Shen Lang and his group's probing, Old Zhu finally understands that besides his son Zhu Biao, there are others in the world who are not afraid of imperial power and dare to fight against it.

Just like his son Zhu Biao, who dared to fight against his emperor father for the sake of his own benevolent governance, reason, and principles.

"But why did that scoundrel want to 'suppress Confucianism'?"

Old Zhu frowned slightly and murmured:

"Does he not know that once these words are spoken, even if we don't want to kill him, we will have to? Otherwise, we simply cannot explain this to the scholars of the world?"

"Although we don't like those pedantic scholars either, Confucianism has been the foundation of our rule since Emperor Wu of Han. How can we rule the world if we abolish it?"

"Could it be that that kid has a better way of governing the world?"

"If that's the case, why not just tell us directly?"

"Once you die, you have nothing left. But you can do so much more while you're alive, can't you?"

Old Zhu just couldn't figure it out.

Finally, he looked heavily towards the direction of the imperial prison and sighed, "You damned bastard, why are you always so unpredictable?!"

Just as Old Zhu was having a headache over Zhang Biao, news of what happened outside Chengtian Gate quickly reached Fu Youwen and the others.
Minister of War Ru Chang was the first to lose his temper, and roared in a low voice: "Useless! A bunch of useless trash!"

His fat face twitched, and it was unclear whether he was cursing those good-for-nothing students, the old soldiers who hadn't even started a fight, or the five 'little wolf cubs' who had ruined the whole thing!
"So many students of the Imperial Academy, so many Imperial Censors! Unbelievable!"

Ru Chang was so angry she wanted to smash things, but her remaining rationality reminded her that this was Fu Youwen's study, so she could only roar helplessly:

"They actually managed to persuade Zhang Biao with those five insignificant low-ranking officials? What are they even good for?!"

"What a miscalculation! What a huge miscalculation!"

Minister of Works Zheng Ci's face was pale, and the hand stroking his beard trembled even more violently:

"I thought I could use this opportunity to incite public opinion and force the emperor to abdicate, and also take advantage of the chaos to label those rioting veterans as Zhang Biao's accomplices, thus completely eliminating any future troubles. But I never expected this."

He said "I didn't expect this" twice, his voice filled with lingering fear and a hint of eeriness:

"When did those five kids acquire such ability and courage? They dared to confront the conflict head-on and even manage to persuade both sides to back down?"

"My lords!"

The young face of Zhai Shan, the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, was filled with gloom and deep apprehension. He slowly said:

"We may have always underestimated the few 'little wolf cubs' left behind by Zhang Biao."

After saying that, he took a deep breath and analyzed:

“Previously, our attention was entirely focused on that madman Zhang Biao, and we thought that Shen Lang, Li Mo and the others were just a bunch of brainless fools who blindly followed Zhang Biao’s lead. But now it seems that’s probably not the case.”

"When Zhang Biao was around, they might only have needed to follow and execute orders."

"But once Zhang Biao was gone, they seemed to be forced to grow up?"

Zhai Shan's tone carried a deduction that even he himself was reluctant to believe:
"Moreover, they chose a way of dealing with things that was more in line with the workings of officialdom. Instead of confronting people head-on, they persuaded them with reason and moved them with emotion. They even knew how to use the rules and the emperor's taboos!"

Fu Youwen had been listening in silence until now, when he finally spoke slowly, his voice hoarse: "Minister Zhai is right. We did indeed misjudge him."

After saying this, a look of unprecedented solemnity and fear flashed in his eyes.

“Zhang Biao is crazy. He openly and recklessly slashes and kills people. Although he is terrifying, at least you can see him and defend against him.”

"But what about the few people he left behind?"

"Shen Lang is skilled at accounting and has begun to show courage; Li Mo is calm, collected, and good at planning; Sun Gui is brave and impulsive but has begun to learn self-control; Wu Naida is well-versed in the rules of the Ministry of Personnel; and Zhao Fengman..."

He paused, his gaze gradually turning somber: "That's an imperial censor who thrives on chaos!"

"They're now united, trying to emulate Zhang Biao's boldness, but they're also using the ways of the world to deal with us!"

"This"

Upon hearing this, the other three exchanged glances and nodded silently.

But Fu Youwen hadn't finished speaking.

But then he said in a deep voice, "Their actions may not meet Zhang Biao's expectations, but they have given them room to maneuver, and at the same time, they haven't left the Emperor with any pretext for suppression."

Having said that, he glanced at the three men again, narrowed his eyes, and said, "Zhang Biao is begging for death, but they don't want to die! They want to live and continue fighting us!"

"Or rather, they're determined to drag us down with them even in their dying moments!"

These words struck like a heavy hammer blow to everyone's heart.

Yes!

One fearless 'madman' is already troublesome enough, and now there are five more 'little madmen' who are determined to succeed or die trying, and are even starting to learn to fight with a broader perspective?!

"So what do we do now?"

Ru Chang scratched her head in frustration: "Are we just going to stand by and watch these little beasts grow up?"

"After this incident, will the Emperor look at them differently?"

Zheng Ci asked worriedly, "Do you think they are the kind of people who can stabilize the situation and know how to consider the overall picture?"

A ruthless glint flashed in Zhai Shan's eyes as he said, "We must nip them in the bud! We absolutely cannot let them grow into a force to be reckoned with!"

"It's difficult."

Zheng Ci shook his head, his tone extremely heavy: "After the commotion at Chengtian Gate, those five have really 'shown their faces.' If something were to suddenly happen to them now, the Emperor would be the first to suspect us! Jiang Huan's eyes are not just for show!"

At this point, he couldn't help but sigh deeply:
"Now we need to be even more careful and we absolutely cannot take direct action against them for the time being."

"What should we do then?" Ru Chang asked anxiously.

Fu Youwen gave a sinister smile: "If open methods don't work, then we'll resort to covert ones. Isn't what happened outside Chengtian Gate a ready-made handle?"

After saying that, he lowered his voice and began to give instructions: "First, have our people spread the news immediately in the court and among the scholars!"

"Take Shen Lang, Li Mo, and others for example. On the surface, they are trying to dissuade them, but in reality, they are inciting them!"

"They secretly instigated those veterans to storm the palace, and afterwards they pretended to persuade them to stop, seeking fame and fortune and buying people's hearts! Their intentions are despicable, even worse than Zhang Biao's!"

"Secondly, impeach Shen Lang! What right does a mere censor have to 'distribute' debt settlement materials on behalf of the court?"

"Even if the pay is owed, it should be issued by the Ministry of Revenue and the Ministry of War. His actions are an overstepping of authority! It is a private exchange of money! It is an attempt to win over the soldiers and plot treason!"

"And then there's Li Mo, a Hanlin compiler who gets involved in military and civil affairs, keeping so-called 'distribution ledgers.' What is he trying to do? Set up his own faction?"

"third!"

Fu Youwen looked at Zhai Shan: "You are the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, and it is your authority to evaluate officials. Immediately fabricate charges against them!"

"Shen Lang is frivolous and unfit for the position of censor!"

"Li Mo has overstepped his authority and violated his duty as a member of the Hanlin Academy!"

"Sun Gui, Wu Naida, Zhao Fengman—find all their irregularities, even the smallest things like being late or leaving early, magnify them!"

"Suspend them from their posts first! Without their official positions, let's see how they can still cause trouble!"

"Wonderful!"

Ru Chang clapped her hands and cheered, "Minister Fu is indeed very thoughtful! With such a combination of moves, they'll be lucky to escape with their lives!"

"We also need to urge those upright individuals to intensify their efforts!"

Zheng Ci added, "Not only should we criticize Zhang Biao, but we should also start to include these five people, portraying them as Zhang Biao's accomplices, as they are a deeper, more hidden threat!"

"More importantly, let Zhang Biao's words of 'abolishing Confucianism' spread throughout the world! Let every scholar in the world have the right to kill him!"

"That's how it should be!"

Fu Youwen nodded in satisfaction: "We need to muddy the waters completely, ruin their reputations, and strip them of their official positions! Then, without protection, they'll be worthless, and whether they're whole or flat will be entirely at our mercy."

A fierce glint appeared in their eyes, as if they could already see Shen Lang and his four companions utterly disgraced and reduced to mere prey.

As a result of this incident, Fu Youwen Group completely adjusted its goals.

Zhang Biao remains a target that must be eliminated, but Shen Lang, Li Mo, and the other four 'minor characters' who were originally not taken seriously have now become high-potential enemies that need to be eliminated first.

"but."

After saying that, Fu Youwen changed the subject, frowning as he asked, "Why haven't we heard anything from the Prince and the Duke? Could it be that they're planning to abandon us?"

Upon hearing this, Ru Chang, Zhai Shan, and Zheng Ci exchanged glances, then frowned and fell silent.

If what they did makes them despicable parasites on the nation, then the powerful figures behind them are a million times more despicable than they are.

This is why Old Zhu, even knowing the evidence of their crimes, still didn't take any action against them.

We just want to find out who the big shots are behind them.

However, even though they knew that Old Zhu had this idea, they still pinned their hopes on the big shot behind them.

Even if we can't save their lives, we hope to save the lives of their families.

"Or, I could send someone else."

"no need!"

As soon as Fu Youwen finished speaking, Zhai Shan interrupted him:

"We haven't reached the end of our rope yet. Besides, Jiang Huan's men are definitely already watching us. Contacting them now would be tantamount to suicide."

"Not bad!"

Zheng Ci also chimed in:

"In the current situation, it's still uncertain who will win and who will lose. Perhaps the Emperor will compromise in the end? After all, without us, who will help him govern the country? He can't rely on those few 'little wolf cubs,' can he?"

"Hahaha--!"

Ru Chang couldn't help but throw her head back and laugh: "Rely on them? The Ming Dynasty must be planning to perish!"

Upon hearing this, everyone looked at each other and smiled.

They were confident that Lao Zhu would be able to distinguish between what was important and what was not.

After all, their factionalism and corruption over the years have far exceeded expectations. Whether it is high-ranking officials, noble generals, or regional kings, they all have intricate connections with them.

Unless, Old Zhu wants the world to descend into chaos.

"Alright, since that's the case, let's deal with those five 'little wolf cubs' first!"

Fu Youwen made the final decision, and the other three nodded in agreement.

(End of this chapter)