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

Chapter 205 Are you crazy?! Getting Prince Yan, Zhu Di, to support the reduction of the power of the princes?! [Requesting monthly votes]

"Oh dear! My Vice Commander Song!"

Zhang Biao reacted quickly with a gasp, even patting his chest exaggeratedly, looking terrified.

Although Zhu was well aware of the purpose of sending Song Zhong to his side, he did not expect that under the "curse of death for Zhang Yushi", Song Zhong would still be so "dedicated".

After letting out a gasp, he then forced himself to remain calm and joked with Song Zhong:
"Hey, Vice Commissioner Song! Why are you walking so quietly? Are you trying to scare me to death so I can take over this mess of the Anti-Corruption Bureau ahead of time?"

As he spoke, he began to take off his mud-splattered work clothes with remarkable ease, his movements as swift as if he were changing slippers at home, as if he were simply taking out the trash.

Song Zhong wore that standard, measured, respectful smile, and his voice was as gentle as if he were greeting an old friend:

"Lord Zhang, you flatter me. I was merely concerned for your safety and came to check on you."

As he spoke, he looked Zhang Biao up and down, as if carefully choosing the right words, and said:

"But it is late at night and the dew is heavy. If you are dressed in such 'casual clothes' and encounter the patrolling soldiers, and a misunderstanding occurs, and your precious daughter is harmed, I will be guilty of a thousand deaths!"

He spoke eloquently, but his eyes, like the finest comb, scanned inch by inch the dirty clothes Zhang Biao had just taken off.

Especially the mud on his knees and elbows, and the wet mud and grass clippings on the edges of Zhang Biao's shoes, which were completely different from those near Guan Su.

He even twitched his nose slightly, as if trying to discern whether Zhang Biao carried any particular scent.

Zhang Biao cursed "old fox" inwardly, but outwardly remained nonchalant, haphazardly stuffing his dirty clothes into a corner and casually sitting down on the edge of the kang (heated brick bed) opposite Song Zhong:
"Thank you for your concern, Vice Commissioner Song! I was just getting a headache from writing that damn memorial, so I went out for some fresh air and to stretch my muscles!"

"Let's also take this opportunity to observe the local conditions and see if there are any criminals. This will be a good chance for our anti-corruption bureau to make its debut!"

As he spoke, he picked up the draft document on the table, which was covered with drawings of turtles and strange symbols, and casually shook it:

"You see, my inspiration only comes when I'm outside in the cold wind!"

Song Zhong's gaze lingered on the scribbles for a moment, the corners of his mouth curving downwards almost imperceptibly before he resumed his humble demeanor.
"Your Excellency has devoted yourself wholeheartedly to public affairs, which I greatly admire. However..."

He changed the subject, his tone now carrying just the right amount of concern:
"Which direction did you go to observe the people's conditions just now, sir? I can keep a record so that if the Emperor asks, I can give an accurate report and demonstrate your diligence."

[Damn! They were waiting for me here!]

Zhang Biao's mind was on high alert. This Song Zhong was indeed no pushover; every word he uttered was loaded with hidden meaning.

His face showed a look of sudden realization, as if to say, "You reminded me!" He slapped his forehead.
"Look at my memory! I was so busy finding inspiration that I forgot to remember the way!"

"It seems...it seems like I went a little south? No, it seems like I went east? Sigh, it's so dark at night, I can't tell which way is which, so I'm just wandering around!"

"Anyway, this is the capital city, right under the emperor's nose, what danger could there be?"

He deliberately spoke vaguely and made jokes in an attempt to muddy the waters.

Song Zhong's smile remained unchanged, but his eyes narrowed slightly, like a venomous snake that had spotted its prey.

"South? East?"

He repeated it softly, his tone calm, yet carrying an invisible pressure:

"My lord may not know, but tonight the South City Military Command is investigating several unruly gangs, and in the East City... there are also several secret sentries of the Embroidered Uniform Guard keeping watch."

"If you accidentally wander in, there will be no danger, but it would not be good if you were bumped into by someone who doesn't know any better, or if you were recorded by a sentry."

His words, seemingly a reminder, were in fact a blatant warning and a test, implying that Zhang Biao's whereabouts were not untraceable, and that Song Zhong knew it perfectly well!
That damned Song Zhong! No wonder he was able to replace Jiang Huan in the future.

[They're definitely not from the same family!]

Zhang Biao cursed even more fiercely in his heart, but on the surface he pretended to be scared:

"Is that so? Oh dear, thank goodness for the reminder, Vice Commissioner Song! I'll have to check the almanac next time I go out! But speaking of which..."

His tone abruptly shifted; he leaned forward, lowered his voice, and said mysteriously:
"Song Qianshi, you're so well-informed, you can help me with this!"

Song Zhong raised an eyebrow slightly: "Please speak, sir."

I'm thinking about it.

Zhang Biao pointed to a crookedly drawn square on the draft:

"Our anti-corruption bureau can't just rely on auditing accounts; we need more technical means! I plan to apply to the Emperor to equip our brothers with a new type of equipment!"

What kind of equipment?

Song Zhong asked cooperatively, but his eyes held a scrutinizing gaze.

"Eavesdropping... no, I mean 'super hearing'!"

Zhang Biao almost let it slip, so he quickly corrected himself, gesturing as he said:
"It's one of those brass pipes that lets you hear people talking through walls! Think about it, corrupt officials always have to whisper behind closed doors when they're plotting something, right?"

"With this treasure, no matter how soft his voice is, we can hear it clearly for him!"

"This is what you call anti-corruption technology—it's impossible to guard against!"

Upon hearing this almost fantastical 'equipment,' Song Zhong's smile finally faltered, and the corners of his mouth twitched slightly.

He suppressed the urge to complain and slowly said, "My lord... your ingenious ideas are truly amazing."

"But such a thing is unheard of, and I'm afraid even the craftsmen of the Ministry of Works would find it difficult to make."

"Moreover, it is not the behavior of a gentleman to pry into someone's privacy. If this gets out, it may damage your reputation."

His words were a barbed tongue, pointing out the impracticality while subtly criticizing Zhang Biao's despicable methods.

"Reputation? How much is that worth?"

Zhang Biao waved his hand dismissively: "A cat that can catch corrupt officials is a 'good cat'!"

"Song Qianshi, you need to open your mind! Our anti-corruption bureau is all about offending people, so why bother with gentlemanly conduct?"

After saying that, he stood up, patted Song Zhong on the shoulder, and looked at him with an expression that said, "I have high hopes for you."

"So, Vice Commissioner Song, I see you're quite capable!"

"I'll leave this 'Hearing Expert' project to you to investigate and see if you can pull it off!"

"We'll apply for funding later, once my proposal is approved!"

Song Zhong was taken aback by the 'blame' that Zhang Biao had casually thrown at him. Looking at Zhang Biao's sincere eyes, he couldn't tell whether he was really crazy or pretending to be stupid.

He took a deep breath, knowing that if he continued to probe tonight, he would probably gain nothing and might even be led astray by this madman.

He stood up, his face once again displaying that impeccable mask of respect:

"Your Excellency's trust is a great honor for me. However, the most urgent task is still to submit the report entrusted to me by His Majesty."

"Furthermore, it is late at night, and I will not disturb you any longer. Please rest early and take care of your health."

He glanced at the scribbles, his meaning clear: you'd better get down to business.

"Don't worry! I guarantee I'll hand in my paper on time!"

Zhang Biao smiled and saw Song Zhong to the door:

"Commissioner Song, you should get some rest too. Tomorrow I need to help you think of the 'Internal Disciplinary Regulations of the Anti-Corruption Bureau,' the kind that's mainly to prevent internal moles!"

His words seemed casual, yet they were like a needle, gently pricking Song Zhong.

Song Zhong paused almost imperceptibly, without turning around, and simply said:

"Rest assured, sir, I understand."

After saying that, he quickly disappeared into the night.

As soon as the door closed, the smile on Zhang Biao's face froze instantly.

He leaned against the door, his eyes sharp as knives.

[Song Zhong... is indeed a difficult character to deal with. He is meticulous, quick-witted, speaks with hidden barbs, and is fully aware of the happenings throughout the capital.]

The exchange just now, which seemed to have given him the upper hand through witty banter, was actually extremely dangerous.

Song Zhong had almost made it clear that he knew he had gone out and was probably trying to find out exactly where he had gone.

It seems we'll have to be even more careful in the future. This old bastard is even harder to deal with than someone like Jiang Huan who uses open warfare.

He walked to the table, looked at the relatively 'serious' document that had just been started, and snorted coldly.

Zhu De's intention in sending Song Zhong to monitor, restrain, and even replace him at any time is now quite obvious.

But this only strengthened his resolve.

He picked up his pen again, no longer joking, and wrote with great speed and precision, putting down all the terms in his mind—whether radical, pragmatic, or riddled with hidden agendas.

What he was writing was not just a written statement, but a declaration of war!
A declaration of war against the decaying body of the Ming Dynasty!
Song Zhong, and the old Zhu behind Song Zhong, will be the opponents and pawns that he must face and utilize in this war.

"Want to play? Let's go big!"

Zhang Biao's pen never stopped, his eyes burning with an almost frenzied fighting spirit:
"Let's see who can't hold out for this drama of 'loyalty' and 'madness'!"

the other side

Beiping, Prince Yan's Mansion.

The Prince's mansion appeared even more imposing under the cover of night than during the day. The patrolling guards moved with light steps and sharp eyes, exuding a fierce air that was different from that of the Imperial Guards in the capital.

The study was brightly lit by candlelight.

Prince Yan, Zhu Di, dismissed all his attendants, leaving only his trusted confidant, Ma Sanbao, to wait outside the door.

He had just finished reading the secret letter written by Zhu Gaochi himself, which was delivered day and night through the top-secret channel of "the Silent Old Man".

The letter was quite long, detailing how Zhang Biao "coincidentally" met Zhu Gaosui, how he offered sweet potatoes and cooperation as bait, and Zhu Gaochi's deep concerns and profound analysis of the matter.

Zhu Di did not speak immediately.

He was dressed in civilian clothes, with a robust build and a resolute face. The hardships of guarding the border for many years had etched deep marks on his brows, and his tiger-like eyes shone with a sharp light, exuding an imposing aura without anger.

He tapped his fingers lightly on the smooth rosewood desk, producing a dull 'tap-tap' sound that was particularly clear in the quiet study.

In addition, on the table in front of him, besides the secret letter, there was also a shriveled sweet potato wrapped in brocade, which Zhu Gaochi had sent along with the letter.

"A yield of a thousand catties per mu... an auspicious omen..."

Zhu Di picked up the sweet potato and examined it carefully.

His gaze lacked the fervor of Zhu Gaochi, and the initial solemnity of Zhu Gaochi; instead, it held an almost cold scrutiny.

“Zhang Biao… a madman who turned the capital upside down, has just been released and has delivered this ‘auspicious omen’ into the hands of this prince…”

A half-smile curled at the corner of his mouth, a smile devoid of warmth, only filled with deep calculation.

"Ma Sanbao".

Zhu Di called out in a deep voice.

"Your Highness." Ma Sanbao pushed open the door and entered, bowing to receive the order.

"Go and invite Master Daoyan over. Tell him that I have important matters to discuss with him."

Zhu Di's voice was steady, without the slightest emotional fluctuation.

"Yes."

Before long, Yao Guangxiao, dressed in a black monk's robe, with a thin face and eyes as deep as an ancient well, quietly entered the study.

"Your Highness has summoned me so late at night; what urgent matter brings you here?"

Yao Guangxiao clasped his hands together, his voice calm.

Zhu Di didn't exchange pleasantries; he directly pushed the secret letter in front of him and placed the sweet potato next to it.

"Master, please take a look at this first."

Yao Guangxiao picked up the letter and quickly glanced at it.

His expression remained calm throughout, except when he saw "yield of 1,000 catties per mu" and "Zhang Biao seeks cooperation," a very subtle fluctuation flashed in the depths of his eyes.

After reading the letter, he picked up the sweet potato again, examined it carefully, and even smelled it.

"What does Your Highness think?"

Yao Guangxiao put down the sweet potato and looked at Zhu Di.

Zhu Di stood up, walked to the hanging map of the northern border, his back to Yao Guangxiao, and spoke in a low voice:

“Chi’er’s analysis is correct. If this thing is real, it is indeed an auspicious omen for the country, and also… a ‘fuse’ for chaotic times.”

"Zhang Biao is an eccentric and unconventional man. He may seem crazy, but every step he takes is full of hidden cunning."

"It was no accident that he approached Gao Sui."

After saying that, he turned around abruptly, his gaze sharp as lightning, and stared directly at Yao Guangxiao:
"Master, do you think Zhang Biao truly wants to find allies, or is he trying to divert trouble to Beiping, using my Prince Yan's Mansion as a stepping stone for his next 'audit' to demonstrate his loyalty to the Emperor?"

Yao Guangxiao pondered for a moment, then slowly said:
“Your Highness, judging from Zhang Biao’s previous actions, his target is the abuses of the vassal kings, and even… something deeper.”

“If he wanted to prove his loyalty, he could have gathered more evidence and reported it directly to the Emperor. There was no need to go to such lengths and risk contacting the Crown Prince.”

"This move seems more like... seeking an external force to break the deadlock. Or rather, it's about finding a sufficiently influential witness, or even a participant, for an even bigger storm."

"Participants?"

Zhu Di's eyes narrowed: "What does he want me to get involved in? Against the court? Zhang Biao doesn't have the qualifications or ability! To purge the court of corrupt officials? The time isn't right, and his actions aren't legitimate!"

"No."

Yao Guangxiao shook his head:
"Your Highness, what Zhang Biao seeks may not be direct force. He is more like setting up a grand scheme. Auditing the princes is the overt plan, while the struggle for the crown prince is the covert one."

"His visit to the Prince of Yan's residence may not have been to demand that the prince immediately raise the banner of rebellion, but rather... he may have hoped that the prince would remain silent at a crucial moment, or provide certain conveniences."

After saying this, he pointed to the sweet potato, his eyes sharpening:

"If this thing can truly yield a thousand catties per mu, its significance far surpasses that of a hundred thousand elite soldiers!"

"It can be said that this thing concerns the hearts of the people and the fate of the nation!"

"Zhang Biao threw this out as both bait and a test."

"He was testing the prince's ambition, as well as his vision and courage."

As soon as he finished speaking, the study fell silent, with only the flickering candlelight.

After a long pause, Zhu Di finally spoke in a deep voice:

“Master, look at Zhang Biao. First, he advocated abolishing the stipends of the princes, and now he has put forward the ‘audit of the princes’. His target is obvious. He wants to persuade my father, the emperor, to implement the policy of weakening the princes!”

Having said that, he gave a cold snort, his tiger-like eyes flashing with a chilling light:
"But he turned around and came to me, presenting me with this so-called 'auspicious omen' and claiming he wanted to cooperate."

"On one hand, they want to strip me of my power, and on the other hand, they want to cooperate with me? Is this some kind of logic? Is this person truly insane, or does he think I, Zhu Di, am easy to bully?!"

Yao Guangxiao clasped his hands together, his tone calm yet each word carrying immense weight:
“Your Highness, this humble monk believes that his previous advocacy for abolishing salaries and his current calls for auditing the princes are undoubtedly aimed at the princes.”

"But precisely because of this, his current attempt to cooperate with the prince seems particularly strange and worthy of deep thought."

Zhu Di frowned: "What does the master mean?"

Yao Guangxiao raised his eyelids, his gaze sharp and intense, and looked directly at Zhu Di:
"Has Your Highness considered what exactly the 'cooperation' Zhang Biao wants to achieve?"

"If he wants to reduce the power of the vassal kings, he will be making enemies of all the vassal kings in the world, especially of a border king like Your Highness. Why would he want to 'cooperate' with his greatest enemy?"

Zhu Di remained silent, which was also his greatest confusion.

Yao Guangxiao paced slowly, his voice low, yet it struck Zhu Di's heart like a heavy hammer:

"This humble monk has a bold hypothesis: perhaps... what Zhang Biao wants is not simple confrontation, nor is it for Your Highness to join forces with other vassal kings against the imperial court. The cooperation he desires may be quite the opposite—"

He paused, observing Zhu Di's reaction, before uttering his startling conjecture, word by word:
"Perhaps he wants Your Highness to...support his policy of reducing the power of the princes!"

"what?!"

Even with Zhu Di's unwavering resolve, he was so shocked by this hypothesis that he abruptly stood up, his face filled with disbelief, rage, and absurdity:

"He wants me to support the reduction of the power of the princes? Reducing the power of my own princes?! Master, do you know what you're saying?! This is absolutely impossible!"

Faced with Zhu Di's rage, Yao Guangxiao remained calm and composed, his expression unchanged.
"Your Highness, please calm down. Consider this: if Zhang Biao only wanted to overthrow one or two vassal kings, he wouldn't need to go to such lengths, much less come to Your Highness."

“His ambition is not small, as he has set his sights on all the vassal kings.”

"The matter of weakening the power of the vassal states is complex and fraught with obstacles. Relying solely on him or the court would inevitably lead to unrest, and even... force powerful vassal states to rebel."

"But what if a powerful vassal king were willing to assist, or even... take the lead?"

Yao Guangxiao's gaze was terrifyingly deep:
"If Your Highness could 'understand' the court's predicament, 'support' the policy of weakening the power of the princes, and even voluntarily offer up some of your power, land, and guards as an example... then how would Your Highness appear in the Emperor's eyes?"

"How do other vassal kings view Your Highness? And what initiative will Your Highness gain in the future political landscape?"

Upon hearing this, Zhu Di's breathing gradually became heavy.

He stared intently at Yao Guangxiao, as if he were truly getting to know this strategist who had followed him for many years for the first time.

This idea is so outrageous that it's practically self-destructive.

"You want me to relinquish my power? In exchange for my father's trust and future control?"

Zhu Di's voice carried suppressed anger and a hint of barely perceptible wavering:

"Absurd! In that case, how am I any different from a lamb to the slaughter?!"

"No."

Yao Guangxiao shook his head, his tone resolute:

"Your Highness, this is not self-defeat, but a strategic retreat, a sacrifice to save the king, or even... a clever escape!"

"Your Highness, please consider this: if you were to lead or be deeply involved in this process of 'reducing the power of the princes,' how much room for maneuver would there be? Which princes should be reduced, which should be protected, which should be suppressed, and which could be won over... There is a great deal of knowledge involved here."

"and!"

Yao Guangxiao lowered his voice even further, carrying a mysterious allure:
"Does Your Highness not want to know why Zhang Biao is so obsessed with the title of a vassal king, even at the cost of defying the world?"

"I've been pondering the truth behind His Highness the Crown Prince's passing, the mastermind behind it all, Zhang Biao... has he discovered something? Is his targeting of the vassal kings related to this?"

"boom--!"

These words struck Zhu Di like a thunderbolt.

The death of Crown Prince Zhu Biao!

The biggest mystery hanging over the royal family!
That unsolved case that even the Emperor himself kept silent about and relentlessly investigated!

Zhang Biao had previously petitioned the emperor about the death of the crown prince, and now all his actions seem to be subtly pointing to the vassal kings...

Zhu Di's expression instantly became extremely solemn, even showing a hint of fear.

If Yao Guangxiao's guess is true, then the truth and power hidden behind Zhang Biao's so-called 'cooperation' will far exceed his imagination!
This is no longer a simple power struggle, but a colossal upheaval involving the very foundation of the nation and the bloodshed of the crown prince!

Supporting the reduction of the power of regional warlords may be a facade, but it is part of Zhang Biao's plan.

Its true core may be to use the power of the Prince of Yan's mansion to uncover the lid that is enough to shake the entire Ming Dynasty!

And this sweet potato was one of the guarantees that Zhang Biao had put forward to ensure that the Prince of Yan's mansion would be able to deal with any possible situation after the lid was lifted!

A deathly silence fell over the study.

Zhu Di stood with his hands behind his back in front of the map for a long time, his heart filled with an unprecedented and intense struggle.

Yao Guangxiao's hypothesis was too bold and too subversive, but upon closer examination, it subtly aligned with Zhang Biao's unpredictable style of behavior and deeply hidden motives.

Should one refuse outright and protect oneself?

Or should we take the risk, snatch chestnuts from the fire, and gamble on the possibility of uncovering the truth and seizing an unprecedented advantage in the face of future upheavals?
After an unknown amount of time, Zhu Di slowly turned around. His eyes had returned to calm, but beneath that calm lay turbulent undercurrents and a decision he had already made.

"Grandmaster!"

Zhu Di's voice was hoarse but firm: "Reply to Zhang Biao: 'The sweet potatoes have been received; await their effects. The situation in the capital is turbulent; the Yan residence will remain calm and observe.'"

He did not explicitly agree to cooperate, but left plenty of room for maneuver and said he would keep an eye on 'Beijing Storm'.

This could refer to the establishment of an heir apparent, or it could be an allusion to the controversy surrounding the crown prince case.

"in addition!"

Zhu Di looked at Yao Guangxiao with sharp eyes:

"Use all our resources to secretly investigate all possible clues related to the vassal kings before and after the Crown Prince's death! Especially... those close to Qin, Jin, Zhou, and even the late King of Lu!"

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Yao Guangxiao bowed and accepted the order.

He knew that the King of Yan had made his choice.

A path filled with unknowns and dangers, yet potentially leading to the highest position, has already unfolded beneath your feet.

Zhu Di looked out the window at the dark night sky again, as if he could see through mountains and rivers to the mad figure who had stirred up a storm in the capital.

"Zhang Biao... are you a human, a ghost, or... a lucky star in my life, Zhu Di?"

He muttered to himself, his hand slowly clenching into a fist until his knuckles turned white.

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(End of this chapter)