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

Chapter 198 The officials collapse! They denounce Zhu Yuanzhang for aiding and abetting the tyrant! [Seeking monthly votes]

"Come, come, come all! Come and take a look!"

"Don't miss out! The most powerful tool in history for 'revenge' and 'promotion and wealth' has been released!"

"The [Anonymous Reporting Box] that allows you to report feudal lords is something you should definitely have!"

"Has your family's land been forcibly seized? Are the officials in the Prince's mansion extorting money and favors? Can't stand the arrogance and domineering attitude of a certain prince? Here's your chance!"

"No need to worry about being exposed! No need to fear retaliation! It's easier than beating the drum to appeal, more efficient than writing a memorial, and it goes straight to the ears of the emperor! It's honest and fair to all, young and old!"

"Furthermore! Successful reports come with a big prize! Starting at fifty taels of silver, with no upper limit! You won't lose out, you won't be cheated!"

Zhang Biao's highly provocative "advertising slogan" was extremely effective.

The surrounding people stared in disbelief, their breathing heavy, whispering amongst themselves.
"Fifty taels?! My family couldn't earn that much in fifty years!"

"Anonymous? This... what if this involves the story of Old Man Wang from the next village having his irrigation canal taken away by Wangfuzhuang..."

Shh! Keep your voice down! Are you out of your mind?!

"What's there to be afraid of! It's anonymous! Nobody knows who it is!"

The people were increasingly excited as they listened, eager to try their hand at it.

The civil and military officials were all ashen-faced and trembling with rage.

Yuan Tai, his mustache bristling, pointed at Zhang Biao and growled at his colleagues:
"What kind of behavior is this! What kind of behavior is this! Does this guy think the area outside Chengtian Gate is a vegetable market?! Does he think he's some kind of hawker or entertainer?!"

Another official clutched his chest, feeling a sharp pain in his heart: "Disgraceful! Disgraceful! To serve in the same court as such a madman is an utter disgrace!"

Just when the officials were about to be driven mad by Zhang Biao's "business genius" tactics, and the people were about to lose control of their "creative enthusiasm"—

"Imperial edict has arrived!"

A sharp, piercing shout, tinged with exasperation, rang out.

The side gate of Chengtian Gate slammed open, and Jiang Huan and Yun Ming, accompanied by the Imperial Guards, practically rushed out.

Jiang Huan's face was as black as the bottom of a pot; if looks could kill, Zhang Biao would have been executed by slow slicing eight hundred times over.

"Zhang Biao! How dare you!"

Jiang Huan roared, his voice cracking:
"By imperial decree, this stall that is disrupting order and spreading heresy must be dismantled immediately!"

"Here!"

The Imperial Guards suppressed their laughter, feeling a bit helpless, and once again transformed into a demolition team.

"Crackling and crashing—!"

The broken table, rotten chairs, and job postings suffered another devastating blow.

Zhang Biao stood to the side, not only refraining from intervening, but also pulling out a package of oiled paper from somewhere. It was unclear whether it contained spicy and sour pig's trotters or pig's head meat, but he ate it with gusto, his mouth full of oil, while watching the spectacle with relish, occasionally nodding and offering a comment:
"Hmm, that's a good leg technique, and the power is good!"

"Oh dear, what a waste of that plank, it could have been used as firewood!"

"Humph!"

Seeing Jiang Huan glare at him with a cold snort, he quickly hid the oil paper wrapping and covered his oily mouth with his hand, but his eyes, which were smiling like crescent moons, and his constantly shrugging shoulders completely betrayed him.

Demolish! Demolish it with all your might! Demolish it with a bang and drums!

This advertising effect is more powerful than me shouting myself hoarse!

[I'll write a book called "The True Story of the Demolition of Chengtianmen" later; it'll definitely be a bestseller!]

Jiang Huan's blood pressure soared as she looked at Zhang Biao's smug, "You can't stand me but you can't do anything about it" expression. All she wanted was to finish dismantling the structure and get out of sight, out of mind.

However, just as the stall turned into a real pile of garbage, and Jiang Huan was about to have Yun Ming finish reading the imperial decree so he could return and report, out of the corner of his eye, he caught a strikingly conspicuous, perfectly intact, and glaringly red object next to the pile of garbage—

big! box! son!
The five large characters of "[Anonymous Report Box]" looked like five little imps dancing in red bibs, stinging his eyes.

Jiang Huan's steps suddenly stopped, as if she had been frozen in place by a spell.

The anger on his face froze instantly, then shattered like ice, replaced by an extremely complex expression that mixed shock, absurdity, and 'Holy shit, this is possible'.

[Anonymous...a tip-off box?!]

[He actually dared... dared to set up this thing?! And it's aimed at a feudal lord?!]

As the commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, he knew all too well what this thing meant.

This is not a recruitment at all; it is a sword hanging over everyone's heads, a sword that can unleash countless bloody storms without Zhang Biao even needing to wield it himself!

Almost at the same time that Jiang Huan saw the complaint box, Yun Ming also noticed this strange presence.

Even this seasoned eunuch, who had seen it all, trembled slightly as he held the imperial edict, a flicker of disbelief and shock passing through his eyes.

Officials like Yuan Tai, who had just felt a sense of relief that "the Emperor has finally taken action" after their stalls were demolished, felt their hearts sink when they saw the sudden change in Jiang Huan and Yun Ming's expressions.

Finished!

The worst has happened!
The people sent by the Emperor were unaware of this [anonymous complaint box].

This means that Zhang Biao, that madman, managed to outmaneuver the Emperor!

He first shouted the slogan "Audit the Princes" to let the emperor know, and after the emperor issued the decree, he took out the "Anonymous Reporting Box"!
The Emperor's decree could very well become Zhang Biao's greatest asset!

What should we do? What should we do now?

Jiang Huan felt her throat go dry and turned to look at Yun Ming, her eyes filled with questioning and a hint of barely perceptible panic.

Yunming took a deep breath and forced himself to calm down.

Regardless of the circumstances, the imperial decree must now be proclaimed according to procedure.

He stepped forward, unfurled the imperial edict, and read it aloud in as steady a tone as possible:
"By imperial decree: I am feeling unwell. Today's grand court assembly will be postponed by one hour. All officials, please wait in the side hall and refrain from making any noise."

The first decree was understandable to everyone.

But then, Yunming read out Old Zhu's punishment of Zhang Biao:
"His Majesty has issued another decree: Zhang Biao's recruitment for the 'Anti-Corruption Bureau' is hereby nullified. His so-called 'high salaries' far exceed the court's regulations and are not in accordance with the rules. Furthermore, he has no authority over personnel or finances. All his promises are false and are hereby nullified!"

"The matter he mentioned, 'auditing the princes,' concerns the imperial family and is of utmost importance. Even if such a matter exists, it requires our personal judgment. How can we allow private dealings and unwarranted discussions?!"

"From this day forward..."

As Yunming read on, he himself felt that the imperial edict was somewhat pale and powerless.

As expected, after the decree was read, an extremely awkward silence fell over the room.

The expressions on the officials' faces were priceless; they looked as if they had collectively swallowed a fly, unable to spit it out or swallow it down.

[Your Majesty! This is hardly a punishment!]

[You've revoked Zhang Biao's hiring authority? No problem! The complaint box is right here!]

[Zhang Biao doesn't need to recruit anyone; driven by profit or hatred, people will secretly slip things in! It's more discreet, safer, and more exciting!]

[You've taken back Zhang Biao's authority over user department finances? No problem!]

The small reward for reporting him is nothing to that madman Zhang Biao! He has his own ways of making money!

Moreover, the reward itself is bait!

[You say auditing the princes requires your 'personal judgment'? No problem!]

[Aren't the 'clues' collected through this complaint box the best 'materials' to be presented to the Emperor for his personal judgment?!]

Zhang Biao doesn't need personnel or financial authority at all; he doesn't even need immediate authorization to audit!

All he needed to do was put up a "Corruption Prevention Bureau" sign and set up a complaint box; he had already sown seeds of suspicion, fear, and opportunism in everyone's hearts!

So, you're here living in fear because you're afraid we won't die of fright, and then you issue an imperial edict to 'aid and abet the wicked'?!

collapse!

An indescribable breakdown!

The officials felt like they wanted to die at that moment!

But Zhang Biao didn't care how devastated they were inside. With a 'I'm the most obedient' expression on his face, he bowed and spoke in a loud voice:

"Your subject, Zhang Biao, accepts the imperial decree and expresses his gratitude! Your Majesty is wise!"

"Your Majesty is compassionate towards his subjects, knowing that I have no one and no money, yet still allowing me to retain the right to 'report the situation.' I am deeply grateful and will certainly devote myself to the cause until my dying breath!"

After saying that, under Jiang Huan's gaze that seemed to want to devour him alive, he scurried over to the complaint box and carefully picked it up as if he were holding a newborn son, even wiping away non-existent dust with his sleeve.

Then, he gave Jiang Huan and Yun Ming, whose expressions were constantly changing and fascinating, a smile as warm and radiant as the rising sun:
"Commander Jiang, Eunuch Yun, you two have worked hard!"

"Your Majesty's decree is firmly in my mind! I will absolutely not abuse my power in personnel matters, nor in finances, nor will I audit the princes as ordered by Your Majesty! However..."

He abruptly changed the subject, patting the box in his arms, his tone innocent and naive: "The Emperor didn't seem to say anything about not conducting public opinion polls, did he? He didn't say anything about not setting up suggestion boxes, did he?"

"I will definitely keep this suggestion box safe when I get back, and try to collect more... uh... valuable suggestions, so as to relieve His Majesty's worries as soon as possible!"

As soon as he finished speaking, he picked up the box and waved to the stunned officials and the gleaming crowd around him, like a star giving a farewell concert:

"Fellow villagers! Colleagues! Today's 'on-site promotion event' has come to a successful conclusion!"

"I've taken the 'suggestion box' home with me! Any good suggestions are welcome anytime... um, I'll submit them when I have the chance! Lots of opportunities, great rewards! On my way!"

He called out to the veterans who were watching the show with beaming smiles:
"Brothers, that's a wrap! Time to go home and celebrate... uh, go home and worship this precious box!"

Clutching the 'divine weapon' that made him invincible, he strode away triumphantly amidst a crowd of incredibly complex gazes, his gait defiant and arrogant.

Outside Chengtian Gate, only a mess remained, along with a group of officials who seemed mentally confused and felt their intelligence had been rubbed into the ground, and ordinary people who seemed to have discovered a new continent.

Jiang Huan watched Zhang Biao's retreating figure, her fists clenched so tightly they cracked, only one thought in her mind:
Is it too late for me to apply for border defense duty?

Yunming rubbed his throbbing temples, feeling that his career was facing an unprecedented challenge.

As Yuan Tai and other ministers gazed in the direction where Zhang Biao had disappeared, they gained a profound and heart-wrenching understanding of the saying, "The devil is always one step ahead of the saint."

This madman is not only ruthless and shameless, but he's also a master at playing word games and exploiting policy loopholes!
Who can stand this? !
Before long, Jiang Huan and Yun Ming returned to the Huagai Hall with trepidation.

At this moment, inside the Huagai Hall, the wisps of blue smoke from the ambergris swirled and curled, yet they could not suppress the air that was almost frozen into ice crystals.

Jiang Huan and Yun Ming knelt at the foot of the imperial steps, their heads bowed low.

They reported to Old Zhu in the simplest of terms possible about the riot caused by the anonymous tip box outside Chengtianmen.

When he heard Zhang Biao banging drums and gongs, describing the complaint box as a powerful tool for "avenging wrongdoings and getting promoted and made a fortune," which aroused the people's restlessness, Old Zhu's eyebrows twitched.

When he heard how Jiang Huan led his men to dismantle the stall while Zhang Biao was eating pig's head and watching the show, Old Zhu's cheeks puffed out.

When the focus finally fell on the anonymous tip box that Zhang Biao carried away like a son, and the officials' desperate reaction as if they had swallowed flies—

"Hehe...hehe..."

From the dragon throne came a suppressed, strange laugh that seemed to be squeezed out from the depths of a throat.

Jiang Huan and Yun Ming trembled in fright, lowering their heads even further, almost touching the gold bricks.

suddenly!

"boom--!"

With a loud bang, Old Zhu slammed his palm down on the hard rosewood imperial desk, causing the imperial brushes on the brush holder to jump around and even a fine Duan inkstone to bounce up!
"Good! Good! Excellent!!"

Old Zhu sprang up from the dragon throne with a 'whoosh,' his movements so swift they were nothing like those of an old man.

His chest heaved violently, and his face turned bright red, not the paleness of someone spitting blood, but like a red-hot iron, with veins bulging on his forehead.

He paced back and forth on the imperial steps, his steps heavy and hurried, like a furious lion locked in a cage, the hem of his dragon robe fluttering loudly as he swung it.

An anonymous tip-off box?! Directly to the highest authorities?! Starting at fifty taels?! No upper limit?!

With each repetition of Zhang Biao's "advertising slogan," Old Zhu's voice rose an octave, until it was almost a shout, causing dust to fall from the palace beams.

"What is Zhang Biao trying to do?! Huh?! What is he trying to do?! What does he take our Ming Dynasty court for?!"

"A dice cup?! A gambling den?! And it's all anonymous?!"

He stopped abruptly, pointing in the direction of Chengtian Gate, his finger trembling:
"He's making a huge fuss! Even the vendors can't hawk their wares as loudly as him! Has our Chengtian Gate become his playground for setting up a street stall?!"

"And you!"

Old Zhu, seething with anger, turned to Jiang Huan and Yun Ming: "Are your eyes glued to your backsides?! Can't you even see such a big box?!"

"Demolish! Demolish well! Demolish brilliantly! Demolish it until there's a complete mess!"

"And then?! Huh?! You just watched him carry that broken box away like a family heirloom?!"

Jiang Huan and Yun Ming prostrated themselves on the ground, repeatedly saying "Your subject is guilty," inwardly lamenting their misery.

Old Zhu wouldn't listen at all and continued his furious rant:

"We won't give him personnel authority! We won't give him financial authority! This is to prevent him from 'recruiting soldiers and buying horses,' and to prevent him from squandering money!"

"And what happened?! That bastard! He made a huge profit with no risk!"

"He doesn't need anyone! That broken box is his person! He doesn't need money! That little reward for reporting is nothing compared to the pie in the sky he's making!"

"He's... he's exploiting our rules and loopholes! He's putting all our civil and military officials, our vassal kings, on the fire to roast! And he's doing it by slowly roasting them over a low flame!"

Old Zhu became more and more excited as he spoke, and even subconsciously rolled up his sleeves, as if he was about to rush out and fight Zhang Biao himself.

"What a wonderful 'public opinion box'! What a wonderful way to 'collect suggestions'!"

"We think he's just a troublemaker who thrives on chaos! A stinky, stubborn, and ever-changing troublemaker!"

He was panting heavily, and spun around twice more before suddenly stopping. His eyes became incredibly sharp, flashing with a fierce light that was a mixture of utter rage, murderous intent, and a hint of a ruthless opponent.

"Want to play? Sure! We'll play with you!"

He suddenly looked at Yunming, his voice resolute: "Yunming!"

"Your servant is here!"

Yunming was startled.

"Go to the side hall and deliver the message! The grand court assembly will proceed as scheduled! We need to add a clause regarding 'the stipends and restrictions for the vassal kings'! This applies to all vassal kings, including the nine great border kings—not one should be left out!"

"The slaves obey the orders!"

Yunming felt a chill run down his spine and instantly understood the emperor's intention.

The Emperor is trying to take advantage of this situation!

Didn't Zhang Biao forcefully expose the issue of 'auditing regional princes'?

Very well, Your Majesty, let's put this out in the open and discuss it!
But instead of using Zhang Biao's lawless methods, the emperor himself will lead the discussion!

This is about regaining the right to speak and the initiative!

Immediately afterwards, Old Zhu suddenly looked at Jiang Huan, his gaze like two red-hot iron cones: "Jiang Huan!"

"Chen is here!"

Jiang Huan quickly stepped forward.

But Old Zhu said in an unquestionable tone:

"Keep a close eye on that box! Wherever he puts it, whoever gets close, whoever throws anything in it, even if it's just toilet paper, we'll find out everything!"

"Also, keep a close eye on the spies from the various princely residences in the capital, and who they're flirting with!"

"Let's see if our Imperial Guards are more powerful, or if his broken box can turn the world upside down!"

"Yes! Your Majesty!"

Jiang Huan felt a surge of heat mixed with chill rush to the top of his head.

"go with!"

Old Zhu waved his hand.

The two left the Huagai Hall almost as if they had been granted a pardon.

The palace doors were closed, as if isolating the outside world.

Old Zhu stood alone in the center of the empty hall, his chest still heaving violently, but the raging anger in his eyes gradually subsided, transforming into a bottomless chill.

He walked to the imperial desk where a palm print had been left, looked at the inkstone that had jumped up, reached out, and slowly straightened it.

[Zhang Biao, Zhang Biao, are you trying to use this box to stir up trouble and force us to submit?]

Do you think we'll be led by the nose?

You want to force our son to rebel, leaving us no choice but to kill them? We won't let you have your way!

A cold, slightly ferocious smile slowly spread across his lips.

After the initial excitement came extreme calm, and the ignited fighting spirit belonging to the Hongwu Emperor.

You threw out a powder keg, so let's set it off like a firecracker! We'll hear the bang, and while we're at it, clear the area!

Once we've established our crown prince and the world is at peace, we'll deal with you, you madman, properly!

Please vote for me with your monthly tickets!

(End of this chapter)