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

Chapter 151 Last Letter: I Am Tomorrow's Man [Seeking Monthly Tickets]

Grass! Mud! Horse!
Zhu Gaochi cursed inwardly with a 'former curse' that was recently popular in Yingtian Prefecture, and his obese body almost bounced off the chair.

He snatched the tin box that Zhu Gaoxu had carefully handed over, his fingers trembling slightly from the excessive force.

Without hesitation, he opened the iron box. When his gaze fell on the letters inside, bearing familiar yet deadly seals, his fat face instantly lost all color, turning as pale as a sheet of paper just pulled from the water.

"Clap!"

His hand went limp, and the iron box almost slipped from his grasp, but fortunately Zhu Gaoxu, who was standing nearby, reacted quickly and caught it.

"Brother--!"

Zhu Gaosui also gasped in fright.

Zhu Gaochi staggered back a step, then slumped heavily back into his chair, his chest heaving violently, and cold sweat instantly beading on his forehead.

He opened his mouth wide, like a fish out of water, gasping for breath, but felt like he couldn't get any air in.

【It’s over! 】

This was the only thought in Zhu Gaochi's mind.

This isn't some iron box; it's clearly a death warrant from the King of Hell!
It is the Nine Nether Thunder that is powerful enough to blast the entire Prince Yan's mansion to smithereens and cause it to perish forever!

"You...you..."

Zhu Gaochi pointed at his two younger brothers, his fingers trembling, his voice so hoarse he could barely speak: "Do you even know what this is?! How dare you bring it back?!"

"Brother, we..."

Zhu Gaoxu knew he had caused a huge disaster, and his face turned extremely ugly as he said:
"The situation was chaotic at the time, and I didn't know who gave it to me. By the time I realized what was happening, it was already in my hand..."

It doesn't matter who gave it to you anymore!

Zhu Gaochi abruptly interrupted him, his voice shrill with fear: "The important thing is that it's here now! In the Prince of Yan's residence! In our hands—!"

Upon hearing this, the brothers Zhu Gaoxu and Zhu Gaosui exchanged bewildered glances.

Zhu Gaochi stared intently at the iron box in Zhu Gaoxu's hand.

He could imagine it almost instantly.

At this moment, countless eyes, including those of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, spies from other vassal kings, and even their imperial grandfather's spies, are hidden in the shadows, watching every move of the Prince of Yan's residence.

This metal box might be a test, or it might be a trap!
No matter how they handle it, it could lead to utter destruction!

Destroy it? What if this is a test from their imperial grandfather, or there are other backups? That would be destroying evidence, an even more serious crime!
Hand it over? Hand it over to whom? How do you hand it over?
Hand it over to the Embroidered Uniform Guard? How can we explain its origin? Will the Emperor believe us? Won't he think they're guilty and sacrificing a pawn to save the king?

Hiding it? That would be like trying to hide something obvious! Once it's discovered, there's no way to explain yourself!
Zhu Gaochi's mind was racing at an unprecedented speed, weighing the enormous risks of each choice.

His inner shirt was completely soaked with cold sweat.

"Brother, what should we do now?"

Seeing his elder brother's pale face, Zhu Gaosui realized the seriousness of the situation, and his voice trembled with tears:

"This thing is a menace! Should I... or should I throw it into the Qinhuai River tonight?"

"idiot!"

Zhu Gaochi cursed under his breath, but a ruthless glint flashed in his eyes:
"Throw it away? It's too late to throw it away now! From the moment it entered this door, we're already implicated!"

After saying this, he took a few deep breaths and forced himself to calm down.

He is the heir apparent of the Prince of Yan, the pillar of support when his father is not in Yingtian, and he cannot afford to be disorganized.

"This thing..."

Zhu Gaochi's gaze fell once more on the terrifying iron box, his eyes shifting uncertainly: "It's a death warrant, but it might also become... a life-saving charm, or even a weapon for retaliation!"

"What do you mean, brother?" Zhu Gaoxu asked, slightly surprised.

"Don't worry!"

Zhu Gaochi raised his hand to interrupt his younger brother, then forced himself to calm down.

Immediately afterwards, he stood up from his seat, took the iron box from Zhu Gaoxu's hand, carefully took out a letter from inside, and quickly scanned its contents.

His pupils suddenly contracted.

This is not direct evidence pointing to the death of the crown prince, but it is even more deadly.

The document details the irregular disbursement and destination of funds for a water conservancy project in Shaanxi Province. The recipients are unclear, but the names and seals of several people involved vaguely point to a vast and intricate network of interests.

And at the end of this network of interests, it vaguely points to several princes who have been enfeoffed.

Among them, the connection with Prince Zhu Gang of Jin is the clearest.

The letter even vaguely mentioned instructions from "higher-ups" to "cooperate" with certain "special expenses" during the Crown Prince's inspection tour.

After reading the letter, he picked up the ledger with its blurred edges. It contained records of seemingly ordinary court purchases and local tributes, but the quantities, prices, and timings all seemed strange.

In particular, the purchase records of several medicinal herbs and spices somewhat match the previously circulated rumors of 'forbidden drugs in the palace'.

After careful consideration and deliberation, the final destination of the funds was marked as the Eastern Palace.

Although there is still no direct evidence to prove that it is related to the death of the crown prince, the combination of these two things is enough to send chills down anyone's spine.

Corruption in Shaanxi, interference from regional princes, and unusual spending at the Eastern Palace... all of this occurred around the time the Crown Prince inspected Shaanxi and died.

This iron box is something more terrifying than explosives!

It contains a fuse capable of igniting the entire Ming Dynasty!
"Big brother..."

Seeing Zhu Gaochi's expression constantly changing, Zhu Gaosui could no longer bear the oppressive atmosphere and called out softly again.

But Zhu Gaochi ignored him, and instead looked abruptly at Zhu Gaoxu, whispering:
"Second brother, are you sure the habits and movements of the person you're following resemble those of someone from the Prince of Jin's residence?"

Zhu Gaochi frowned slightly, then pondered for a moment and said:
“At first, I wasn’t sure, but after looking at this box, I think it’s almost certain that it’s someone from Prince Jin’s uncle’s group!”

"His men must be here looking for this box!"

"Uncle of the Prince of Jin"

Zhu Gaochi muttered to himself, a cold glint flashing in his eyes.

The Prince of Jin and the Prince of Qin had always been at odds with their father, and the Prince of Jin was the most active in vying for the Emperor's favor. Moreover, his fiefdom bordered Shaanxi, and he was also too close to the Prince of Qin. The two men's power was deeply intertwined...

If the death of the Crown Prince's uncle was truly related to them...

If they fall from power, wouldn't that benefit the King?
A plan to shift the blame eastward instantly became clear!
"What Grandfather wants to know most right now is the truth! Who is behind this?"

Zhu Gaochi's speech quickened, and his thoughts gradually became clearer: "Fu Youwen and his group are pinning their finger on the word 'vassal,' and this fire has already spread to all the vassal kings!"

"But the fire isn't burning hot enough, and it's not precise enough!"

"We must help Grandfather make this fire burn even brighter and more accurately!"

After saying this, he pointed to the contents of the metal box and calmly analyzed:
"This box has been tampered with. There should be more than this inside, otherwise, some things don't make sense!"

"Does Brother mean that besides us, someone else has the iron box?" Zhu Gaosui asked in surprise.

Yes! That must be it!

Zhu Gaochi's eyes gleamed:
"That man was very clever. He split the contents of the box into two parts. The part we got was about corruption in Shaanxi, the interference of local princes, and the formation of cliques..."

"Although it contains some information about the Crown Prince's Palace, it's not detailed. If I'm not mistaken, the other person received the detailed information about the Crown Prince's Palace."

"Why would he do this?" Zhu Gaoxu asked, puzzled. "Does he not trust us?"

It's not that I don't trust them.

Zhu Gaochi shook his head and said, "They're saving our lives!"

"what?"

Zhu Gaoxu and Zhu Gaosui were both startled.

But Zhu Gaochi sighed, "This concerns the Crown Prince's uncle. If we get too involved, even though we are also imperial relatives, we could be killed if we're not careful. He must hand over that part to the person that the Emperor's grandfather cannot kill!"

"Someone that Grandfather can't kill?"

Zhu Gaosui tilted his head blankly: "Who is it?"

“It’s the person I saved today!” Zhu Gaoxu said in a deep voice.

Zhu Gaosui was instantly stunned.

Zhu Gaochi, however, adopted an unprecedentedly serious expression: "Remember! We only know the part about 'Shaanxi and the Prince of Jin'!"

"But... does that brat Zhu Yunwen have the guts to hand it over?" Zhu Gaoxu frowned.

Zhu Gaochi took a deep breath and said:

Whether he has the courage or not is his business. As for us, we need to wait for an opportunity, or... wait for new instructions from our father!

Upon hearing this, the brothers Zhu Gaosui and Zhu Gaoxu exchanged bewildered glances once again.

They knew that, despite saying that, their time was probably running out.

On the other side, in the Eastern Palace, Zhu Yunwen's sleeping quarters.

The flickering candlelight cast intermittent light and shadow on Zhu Yunwen's face. His fingers gripped the cold ledger tightly, and the color drained from his youthful face.

Those delicate handwritings now seemed like twisted venomous insects to him, each word gnawing at his memories of his father's death and constructing a chilling and terrifying truth.

"No...impossible..."

Zhu Mingyue was the first to notice Zhu Yunwen's unusual behavior and also caught a glimpse of some contents in the account book.

She abruptly covered her mouth, her gentle eyes instantly filling with immense fear and tears. Her body trembled uncontrollably, and her voice quivered:
"My father fell ill from overwork... The Imperial Medical Bureau has records of his pulse... How could this be... This must be a frame-up! It's fake!"

She instinctively wanted to deny it, and the immense fear almost made her faint.

Having lived cautiously in the palace since childhood, she knew all too well the horror of such palace secrets; once tainted, it would be a catastrophe.

"What is that? Let me see!"

Zhu Mingyu snatched the ledger without a second thought. Although she wasn't very good with data, the scattered words like "Eastern Palace," "banned drugs," and "Shaanxi" made her realize that this was definitely not a good thing.

Her almond-shaped eyes, so similar to her mother Chang's, instantly blazed with fury: "Which heartless bastard did this?! Was it that wicked woman, Lü?! I knew she had no good intentions!"

"Yunhu! Eldest sister! Let's take it to Grandfather! Let him cut off their heads! Just like Zhang Biao cursed, let them go to their deaths!"

As she spoke, she excitedly waved the account book and tried to rush out of the hall.

"Mingyu! Come back!"

Zhu Mingyue was terrified and clung tightly to her sister, her voice trembling with tears: "We can't go! We have no proof, who will believe us?!"

"Besides, the Lü family would never do such a thing. Use your brain!"

"Given the favor her father showed her, and his affection for Zhu Yunwen, even going so far as to elevate her to the position of Crown Princess! How could she possibly do such a thing?!"

"Our father died under mysterious circumstances! Are we supposed to pretend we don't know anything?! Are we supposed to wait for them to poison us too?!"

Zhu Mingyu struggled violently, her eyes reddening, but more so filled with anger and resentment: "Cowards! You're all cowards!"

"I'm not a coward! I'm here to protect you!"

Zhu Mingyue burst into tears: "I promised my uncle I would take good care of you."

"If Uncle knew that Father didn't die of illness, but was murdered, he would probably be even more impulsive than us!"

"Mingyu, don't be impulsive..."

"stop fighting!"

Zhu Yunwen let out a low roar, his voice hoarse.

He clutched his head in anguish, squatted on the ground, and his body trembled slightly.

The eldest sister's fear and the second sister's impulsiveness are a reflection of his intense inner struggle.

Hand him over? File a complaint with the Emperor? How could he not want that? He wished he could rush to his grandfather's side immediately and tear the murderer who killed his father to pieces!

But... is the evidence sufficient? Will Grandfather believe it? How deep is the web of intrigue behind this?

Can these three orphans, now without protection, really bear the consequences of lifting the lid?

What if he fails to avenge himself and his two older sisters, and instead gets himself and his two older sisters killed?
Refuse to pay? Endure? To watch helplessly as the hatred for one's father's murder is buried, and to live a life of ignominy, is worse than death itself!
Moreover, did Zhao Fengman risk his life to deliver this just so that he could continue to play dumb?

The immense pain and struggle nearly tore the boy apart.

Just when he was caught in a dilemma, his heart filled with despair and anger—

"Clap!"

With a slight sound, a small roll of thin paper slipped out from the interlayer of the ledger in Zhu Mingyu's hand.

Zhu Mingyu was quick-witted and picked it up immediately, examining it closely.

The handwriting was messy, with some strokes crooked, showing that the writer was in a difficult situation and pressed for time, but it also revealed a resolute strength.

[Your Highness Yunheng: By the time you read this letter, I will have already gone to die alongside my brothers.]

Don't be afraid, and don't panic.

[Brother Biao once told us in prison: "Leave tomorrow's problems to tomorrow's people. We are the people of today, so let's do today's things well."]

My mission is to deliver this box to you.

Now, my mission is complete. The contents of this box are heavy and hot to the touch. What you do with them is up to you.

But don't forget, you are the Crown Prince's direct descendant.

[—The last words of Zhao Fengman, a convicted criminal.]

"Yun Tong."

After reading the contents of the letter, Zhu Mingyu couldn't stop the tears from falling. She then slowly handed the letter to Zhu Yunwen.

Upon seeing this, Zhu Yunwen was slightly taken aback, and then carefully took the letter.

He shuddered as soon as he glanced at the contents of the letter.

"To die a heroic death..."

Zhu Yuntong murmured these words repeatedly, his fingers trembling as he stroked the rough paper, as if he could feel the calm resolve Zhao Fengman had when he wrote this letter.

Tears blurred his vision again, but this time, they were not tears of fear and anger, but tears of clarity after being deeply shocked and cleansed.

Yes... Zhao Fengman and his team have completed their mission for today.

They risked their lives to hand over this heavy burden of 'today' to him.

What about him?
Should I continue to hide under my sister's wing, trembling with fear?
Is it to shrink back because of potential danger, let the hatred of killing one's father be buried, and betray those who risked their lives to bring the truth to him?
Or should we bravely take on this mission, become the 'person of tomorrow,' and do the 'things of tomorrow'?
Suddenly, Zhu Yunwen raised his head sharply, the hesitation and fear in his eyes seemed to be blown away by a strong wind, replaced by an unprecedented firmness and determination.

"Eldest sister! Second sister!"

"I am a person of 'tomorrow'!"

"I want to see my grandfather, the Emperor!"

"I want to hand over this metal box!"

"Whether Grandfather believes it or not, and no matter what happens next!"

"This is something that must be done!"

"Yun Tong?"

Zhu Mingyu looked at him, the impulsive anger in her eyes turning into support: "Have you made up your mind?"

Zhu Mingyue grabbed his arm in alarm: "Yunhu! No! Think again! It's too dangerous!"

Zhu Yuntong looked at her sister with gentle yet unwavering eyes: "Elder sister, we cannot live in fear forever. Zhao Fengman and the others are not afraid to die, and neither can we."

"Perhaps I will disappoint my uncles."

"Perhaps I will never be able to compete for the position again."

"But some things are more important than fighting for the throne, more important than living. This is my father's blood feud."

After saying that, he turned to look at Zhu Mingyu and forced a smile: "Second sister, you're right, we can't be cowards."

"call……"

He took another deep breath, his gaze resolutely fixed on the outside of the hall: "I'm going to do what's for 'tomorrow.' I'm going to see my grandfather. I'm going to give him this iron box."

"No matter what the outcome."

As soon as he finished speaking, he picked up the tin box and ledger, and resolutely turned around.

"and many more--!"

Zhu Mingyu suddenly shouted, rushing to Zhu Yunwen's side with a burning gaze:
"I'll go with you! We'll die together! There's no point in living a pathetic life anyway! It'll be more fun to go crazy like Zhang Biao!"

"Mingyu!" Zhu Mingyue exclaimed.

Zhu Yunwen looked at his second sister, shook his head, and said in an unusually calm tone, "No, you stay here and keep your eldest sister company."

“If I really can’t come back, at least you and my eldest sister will still be there to offer incense to our parents. Our family line can’t be broken, can it?”

These words, like a final farewell, brought tears to the eyes of the Zhu sisters, Mingyue and Mingyu.

Zhu Yunwen no longer hesitated. Holding the iron box that was enough to stir up a bloody storm, he walked step by step firmly toward the Huagai Hall.

His back was still slender, yet it seemed to possess a strength capable of supporting mountains.

Zhu Mingyu watched her younger brother's retreating figure, wiped her eyes hard, and instead of crying, she raised her head, like a little beast ready to face a storm.

Zhu Mingyue collapsed to the ground, silently weeping. Fear still clung to her, but as she watched her younger brother's departing figure, a faint glimmer of hope, one that she herself dared not believe, quietly sprouted in her heart.

Leave tomorrow's problems to tomorrow's people...

[Yunhu, you guys have to succeed!]

Please vote for me with your monthly tickets!

　There's one more chapter, it'll be a little later. It's going to be a climax soon, so it's quite mentally taxing.
　　
　
(End of this chapter)