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

Chapter 234 Old Zhu: Zhang Biao isn't dead? You piece of trash, do you want to die?! [Requesting monthly votes]

Inside the Huagai Hall, the smoke from sandalwood rose straight up.

Zhu sat upright on the enormous dragon throne, with a mountain of memorials piled up in front of him, seemingly never to be finished.

He picked up an urgent military report from Beiping, submitted by Prince Yan, Zhu Di.

"Heh, fourth brother..."

Old Zhu chuckled and muttered something, his sharp gaze sweeping over the contents of the report.

In his report, Zhu Di detailed the recent frequent harassment of the border by the remnants of the Northern Yuan tribes, with small groups of cavalry repeatedly invading the territory and plundering the border residents.

Although it did not cause any major harm, its behavior became increasingly rampant.

Therefore, Zhu Di requested permission from Zhu Yuanzhang to lead his elite troops beyond the Great Wall for a short but powerful campaign to "subdue the villains and pacify the border."

After reading Zhu Di's report, Zhu Di unconsciously tapped the four characters "exit the border to suppress" with his fingers, his eyes flickering uncertainly.

He knew that the north was unstable.

Zhu Di was indeed under great pressure as he guarded Beiping and faced the Northern Yuan directly. This time, he took the initiative to attack, which was in line with his usual style and seemed reasonable.

but……

It’s different in the past.

Because of Zhang Biao's antics, Zhu Yuanzhang no longer trusted his son, the prince, as much as before.

In particular, the truth behind Zhu Biao's death subtly reveals another mastermind behind the scenes.

Zhu Yuanzhang suspected more than once that the mastermind behind the scenes was a prince, even pointing directly to Zhu Di, the Prince of Yan.

Therefore, under such circumstances, any move Zhu Di made would be magnified and questioned many times over.

Even if it is an action that he considers reasonable.

Zhu Di casually put down his report and turned his gaze to Jiang Huan, who was standing respectfully to his side with his hands at his sides.

"Jiang Huan".

"The minister is here."

Jiang Huan immediately stepped forward.

"Aside from military preparations, has the Prince of Yan's residence in Beiping made any other moves lately?"

Old Zhu's tone was flat, revealing neither joy nor anger.

Jiang Huan seemed to have been prepared, and immediately bowed and replied:
"Your Majesty, according to reports from our spies in Beiping, the Prince of Yan's residence has indeed been preparing for war recently, but there is another matter that is quite noteworthy."

"speak."

"Since the beginning of spring this year, the Prince of Yan's Mansion has organized military households and civilian laborers to cultivate land on a large scale around Beiping, far exceeding the scale of previous years. It is estimated that the newly reclaimed and deeply cultivated land is nearly 30% more than last year."

"Oh?"

Old Zhu raised an eyebrow: "Thirty percent more? When did Fourth Brother become so interested in farming? What's his excuse?"

"Your Majesty, the Prince of Yan's residence has announced that last year, the Jiangnan region was flooded, disrupting the grain transport and causing a huge drain on the imperial granary."

Jiang Huan said, "In recent years, the northern lands have enjoyed favorable weather and abundant harvests. His Highness Prince Yan, out of consideration for the court's difficulties, has expanded the military farms in order to achieve self-sufficiency and alleviate the court's financial burden on the northern frontier."

"To show compassion for the court's difficulties?"

Old Zhu's lips curled into a half-smile, but his eyes were devoid of warmth: "Our fourth brother is getting better and better at talking."

This assessment sounds dignified and beyond reproach.

But Old Zhu's suspicions grew stronger.

Who was Zhu Di?

They grew up amidst the flames of war!
His ambition was to conquer battlefields and expand his territory. When did he become so righteous and considerate?

Something unusual is definitely going on!

A glint flashed in Old Zhu's eyes, and his fingers unconsciously tapped the armrest of the dragon throne.

Expanding agricultural settlements and strengthening the nation's foundation... it seems like preparations are being made for something big...

[Could it be...accumulating strength?]

Yes!

Old Zhu's heart stirred, and he suddenly remembered the "raising bandits to enhance one's own importance" that Zhang Biao, that madman, had found out.

Although Zhang Biao was investigating the southern canal transport and garrison areas, this idea of ​​"raising bandits" could certainly be applied elsewhere.

Is the fourth brother also planning to pull this stunt?

[He wanted to use the pretext of the Northern Yuan's border incursions to continuously demand money and grain from the imperial court, while simultaneously frantically cultivating land and stockpiling grain to strengthen himself?]

Once the thought arose, it grew wildly in his heart like weeds.

He looked again at Zhu Di's memorial requesting military action, his gaze growing increasingly profound.

"Fourth brother, at this critical juncture, you'd better not act rashly, otherwise, our father-son relationship may be severed!"

【However, you want to send troops? We'll allow you to!】

We'll see if you're really going to fight the Tartars, or if you're just putting on a show for us!

"That's right."

Old Zhu picked up his vermilion brush and wrote the character "Approved" on Zhu Di's memorial, but then immediately added:
"Inform the Ministry of War that the provisions and military equipment required by the Prince of Yan should be allocated according to the usual procedure, and no additional supplies should be provided."

"Furthermore, the Liaodong Military Command and Datong Garrison are ordered to closely monitor the enemy situation beyond the Great Wall. If any unusual activity occurs, they must respond immediately without fail."

He both agreed to Zhu Di's request and secretly restricted and monitored him.

After reviewing Zhu Di's report, Zhu Di seemed to casually ask Jiang Huan:

"The 'Literary Festival' is currently being held in the capital, attracting talented individuals from all over the country. Is there any news from the Prince of Yan's residence? Don't the three brothers, Zhu Gaochi, Zhu Gaoxu, and Zhu Gaosui, intend to join in the fun?"

Jiang Huan understood immediately; the Emperor was testing whether the Prince of Yan's brothers intended to form factions and recruit talented individuals.

He answered cautiously:
"Your Majesty, the three princes of the Yan Prince's Mansion have been living cautiously ever since that incident. Even though I withdrew most of the Embroidered Uniform Guards, they have remained so and have shown no signs of joining in the fun."

"However... if His Majesty is willing, he may issue an edict to allow them to attend the ceremony, as a sign of imperial favor."

Old Zhu narrowed his eyes, then nodded slightly:

"Yeah, that makes sense."

"By imperial decree, the Prince of Yan, Zhu Gaochi, the Prince of Gaoyang, Zhu Gaoxu, and the Prince of Suian, Zhu Gaosui, are granted special permission to observe the 'Literary Grand Ceremony'."

"Let them also witness the abundance of talent in our Great Ming Dynasty."

If the fourth son truly harbors ulterior motives, his son will undoubtedly be eager to recruit talented individuals! Let's see what these three lads are really made of!

After dealing with matters in the north and the Prince of Yan's residence, Old Zhu picked up a report from the southwest.

This is a report of victory presented by the Muwang Mansion in Yunnan in conjunction with the Shuwang Mansion.

The report stated that the local chieftains in the Jianchang Dachonghe and Xiningbao areas conspired with the Mosuodong chieftain of Yongning to rebel and occupied parts of Yongning.

Marquis Muchun of Xiping joined forces with Xu Kai, the Vice Commander-in-Chief of the Sichuan Central Army, and quickly mobilized troops to quell the rebellion. They successfully recovered Yongning, defeated the rebel army, executed the ringleaders, and the rest scattered.

Looking at the good news, Old Zhu didn't show much joy on his face; instead, his brows furrowed even more.

In his view, the rebellions and suppressions in Yunnan, Guizhou, and Sichuan were nothing new.

Therefore, without any hesitation, he picked up his vermilion brush and began to review the report:

"Mu Chun and Xu Kai are commendable for their loyalty and bravery. Their timely suppression and pacification efforts have earned them a place in the Ministry of War for evaluation. The King of Shu has been a capable assistant, and the title of 'Shu Scholar' is well-deserved."

The comments seemed to be praise, but after putting down his pen, Old Zhu fell into a long silence.

Only the faint crackling of the candlelight remained inside the hall.

"If I remember correctly... last year it was the Eleven Villages of Vimo, the chieftain of the Left Guard of Yanjing in Sichuan, the Ci Ma clan, Jiahala... and the rebellion of the Western Barbarians in Yongning Mosuo Cave..."

"How long has it been? Why is Yongning Mosuo Cave in chaos again? Is it colluding with the local chieftain of Jianchang?"

Old Zhu muttered to himself, his voice echoing in the empty hall:

"Moreover, Lan Yu has just quelled the rebellions in Jianchang and Sichuan, and we have summoned him back to the capital."

His fingers tapped the armrest faster, revealing his inner turmoil.

A rebellion can be attributed to poor local governance and the unruly nature of the chieftains.

However, the fact that these incidents occur one after another in the same region, and even involve the same tribes, is something that makes one think deeply.

Is it because Mu Chun and Xu Kai are incompetent?
Or was it that Zhu Chun, the Prince of Shu, was only good at reading books and not good at governing?

Or perhaps someone wants to use the rebellion to tell us that the border cannot do without Lan Yu?

No... Mu Ying is our adopted son, and Mu Chun is like father, like son; we know his abilities.

Xu Kai is also one of our veterans.

Although Zhu Chun, the Prince of Shu, was fond of literature, he was not a foolish or incompetent ruler.

As for Lan Yu... he probably wouldn't dare to play those kinds of games with us.

Why are rebellions so frequent? It's like weeds; once burned, another one quickly sprouts up.
Suddenly, a chilling thought flashed into Old Zhu's mind like lightning, making him shudder and his pupils contract sharply.

[Respect yourself when raising bandits! 】

These four words again!

The terrifying deductions that Zhang Biao, that madman, made while investigating the loss of military equipment, exploded in his mind like a thunderclap.

Could it be... that these frequent rebellions in the southwest are not natural disasters, nor simply man-made calamities, but rather that someone... someone is deliberately manipulating things behind the scenes?!

[Some people need a rebellion! They need war! In order to demand more provisions and greater power from the imperial court!]

[Perhaps... they could use this to deplete the court's national strength, eliminate dissidents, or profit from the chaos of war?!]

Old Zhu suddenly stood up and paced back and forth in the hall, his expression constantly changing.

He thought of the power of the Mu family in Yunnan, the seemingly indifferent but actually deeply entrenched Prince of Shu, the potentially abnormal write-offs by the Ministry of War, and the unaccounted-for military equipment that Zhang Biao had discovered...

Can all of this be explained by coincidence?
"Jiang Huan!"

Old Zhu suddenly stopped, his voice carrying a hint of hoarseness and coldness that he himself was unaware of.

"Chen is here!"

Jiang Huan felt a chill run down her spine as she sensed the terrifying aura emanating from Old Zhu.

"Investigate thoroughly and secretly!"

Old Zhu stared at him and said, word by word:
"Investigate the military expenditures and equipment losses and write-offs in the suppression of rebellions in the southwest in recent years! Investigate the unusual movements and personnel exchanges of local officials, garrison commanders, and even the princely residences before and after each rebellion!"

"The focus should be on Mu Chun and Xu Kai's troops, as well as the Shu Prince's mansion! Let us see if their backsides are truly clean!"

"We need to know whether these rebellions are due to barbarian arrogance or... human-caused disasters!"

"Yes! Your Majesty!"

Jiang Huan bowed and accepted the order, a cold sweat already breaking out on his back.

He understood that Zhang Biao had ignited the emperor's paranoia, and that it was spreading to a wider area.

A secret investigation targeting the southwest and even the entire military merit system of the Ming Dynasty is about to begin.

Old Zhu stood alone before the enormous map of the Ming Dynasty's territory, his gaze sweeping across Beiping in the north, then falling on Yunnan and Sichuan in the southwest, his eyes as cold as iron.

Zhang Biao was like a mad bull that stormed into a porcelain shop, rampaging through everything in his path. Although he left a mess, he also uncovered a great deal of carefully concealed filth.

Now, this filthy atmosphere has spread, allowing him, the emperor of the Ming Dynasty, to smell the nauseating stench of conspiracy and betrayal.

[Corruption cases in Shaanxi Province: corruption in the Grand Canal transport system; harboring criminals for personal gain]

Old Zhu kept thinking about the connections between these cases, trying to find commonalities among them.

However, the information he received was not firsthand, and he did not personally investigate the case, so some clues were difficult to discover.

This once put him in a mental stalemate.

Just then, Yunming rushed in, his steps almost unsteady.

He was holding two secret reports that had arrived almost simultaneously, his face showing an unprecedented solemnity and panic.

"Your Majesty! Urgent dispatch! Vice Commissioner Song has sent two secret reports! Censor Zhang... Censor Zhang has been assassinated at the post station!"

Upon hearing this, Old Zhu abruptly turned around, his eyes flashing with a terrifying light, and a chilling aura emanating from him: "He's dead?!" "No, no!"

"Without you, you trash, are you whining and want to die?!"

Old Zhu let out a furious shout.

Yunming knelt down with a thud, his voice trembling:

"Your Majesty, please calm your anger. According to the first secret report from Vice Commissioner Song, Imperial Censor Zhang was fortunate enough to be killed by an assassin using... a strange hidden weapon that resembled a musket, but his Imperial Guards suffered heavy casualties."

"The assassins... were all suicide soldiers; if their mission failed, they would immediately bite poison and commit suicide, leaving no survivors."

"Another suicide squad?!"

Old Zhu's face darkened, and he immediately looked at Jiang Huan, angrily saying:

"What are our Imperial Guards good for?! We haven't even solved the assassination case in the Ministry of Justice prison yet, and now there's the Zhang Biao assassination case?! Are all the officers we've been training useless?!"

"Your Majesty, I am guilty!"

Jiang Huan also knelt down with a thud, his voice trembling as he said, "This subordinate...this subordinate will do his best to investigate this matter."

"Humph!"

Old Zhu snorted coldly, but did not criticize Jiang Huan any further.

Because he knew that the Embroidered Uniform Guard was not omnipotent. If it weren't for Zhang Biao's reckless actions, he probably would never have known that someone had committed so many evil deeds right under his nose.

The use of assassins to kill the "imperial envoy" is no longer just ordinary corruption and obstruction, but a blatant act of treason.

He snatched the first confidential report and quickly scanned it.

When he saw that the assassin had 'Bi'an tattoos' on the inside of his left arm, and that Zhang Biao insisted on going to the more dangerous Raozhouwei despite being advised against it, Old Zhu's face was so gloomy that it could drip water.

"Good! Very good!"

Old Zhu's voice was like shards of ice rubbing together: "This 'Bi'an' organization, what audacity! Are they really planning a rebellion?!"

His chest heaved violently, a mixture of lingering fear and overwhelming rage.

Although Zhang Biao, that madman, often angered him, he was indeed a sharp blade that could tear open the darkness for him.

Now that the other side is desperate and dares to send someone to cut his knife at this critical moment, it shows that Zhang Biao's investigation is on the right track.

"What about the second one?!"

Old Zhu demanded an explanation, sensing that something even more serious must have happened in Raozhouwei.

Yunming dared not delay and immediately presented a second secret report, adding:

"This report comes shortly after the first one, and it mentions Geng Zhong, the commander of Raozhou Guard..."

Old Zhu quickly opened it, his eyes scanning the secret report like lightning.

The above details how Geng Zhong framed Zhang Biao for the murder of Lan Long, but Zhang Biao exposed the plot in public by conducting a coroner's examination and logical reasoning. Finally, Lan Yu suddenly arrived, and his trusted bodyguards betrayed him to silence him.

Immediately afterwards, a fire broke out in the commander's rear office. Lan Long was rescued but was crippled, and crucial evidence was likely destroyed in the fire...

"boom!"

After reading the secret report, Zhu slammed his fist hard on the imperial desk, causing a tiny crack to appear on the hard rosewood tabletop.

"What a brilliant move to kill someone, silence them, and destroy the evidence!"

Old Zhu's voice seemed to come from the deepest hell, carrying a bone-chilling coldness and an almost tangible killing intent:
"The person behind Geng Zhong is so ruthless and decisive!"

He instantly grasped the situation:
Zhang Biao uncovered the secrets of Jiujiang Guard, and following the trail, he traced it to the core of Raozhou Guard, thus touching the Achilles' heel of the mastermind behind it all.

[The opposing side first sent assassins to kill him, but after that failed, they immediately activated their backup plan, using Geng Zhong as a pawn in a last-ditch effort to frame him and disrupt the operation.]

After the defeat, he didn't hesitate to sacrifice the pawn to save the king, silencing Geng Zhong and setting fire to destroy any remaining crucial evidence. Even Lan Long, who might have known something or been in the way, was crippled.

The speed of the response, the ruthlessness of the methods, and the depth of the plan startled even Old Zhu.

This is something no ordinary person could do!

This mastermind is not only incredibly powerful, but also ruthless and cold-blooded, treating human life as worthless!

"Jiang Huan!"

Old Zhu suddenly looked up, his eyes bloodshot: "Have the people you sent arrived?!"

"Your Majesty, based on the timeline, the imperial guards I dispatched should have just arrived near Raozhou Garrison."

Jiang Huan replied cautiously, "Perhaps... it's just in time to clean up the mess."

"Clean up the mess?"

Old Zhu let out a cold laugh, his laughter filled with violence:

"If we go now, we might not even catch a few small fish or shrimp! The real big ones have already retreated back into their burrows!"

He paced rapidly within the hall, like a trapped lion.

Border unrest continues, Zhang Biao is assassinated, Imperial Guards are killed in the line of duty, Geng Zhong is murdered, Lan Long is crippled, and evidence is burned...

This series of events was like a series of resounding slaps to Zhu Yuanzhang's face.

This is a provocation against imperial power! It shakes the very foundation of the nation!

He sat back on the dragon throne, his fingers unconsciously tapping the armrests, making a dull 'tap-tap' sound.

"Zhang Biao...you're a madman..."

Old Zhu muttered to himself, his tone complex and difficult to decipher: "This time, you almost really messed with the tiger's tail..."

He had to admit that although Zhang Biao acted erratically and did not play by the rules, his keen sense of smell and his relentless drive to achieve his goals did indeed have a remarkable effect.

If the other party hadn't reacted so quickly and used such ruthless methods, they probably would have been torn open by this madman.

Now, the trail seems to have gone cold, but has it really gone cold?

Old Zhu's gaze returned to the secret report, focusing on those few keywords:

'Bi'an tattoo', 'Death Squad', 'Water Monkey', 'Hollowed-out Timber', 'Soldier with Broken Eyebrow and Sloping Shoulder', 'Black Wind Pass'...

These are fragments that Zhang Biao and Song Zhong managed to salvage in their desperate situation.

"Jiang Huan!"

"Chen is here!"

"deliver an imperial order!"

Old Zhu's voice was firm and unwavering:

"First, send more reliable personnel to ensure Zhang Biao's safety!"

"Tell Zhang Biao that his life is ours, and he is not allowed to die until this case is solved!"

"Secondly, all local government departments must fully assist Zhang Biao in investigating further along the leads he has uncovered!"

"Search every inch of that 'water monkey,' the source of that batch of timber, the arson suspect soldier, and Black Wind Pass!"

"Third, keep a close eye on the Liang State Duke's mansion! We don't believe that old bastard Lan Yu is completely unaware of this!"

"Even if he himself wasn't involved, his subordinates might not be clean! Let's see what he does after he goes back and who he contacts!"

"fourth!"

A cold glint flashed in Old Zhu's eyes:
"Use all your undercover agents to investigate this 'Bi'an' tattoo! The Ministry of Justice, the Court of Judicial Review, the Censorate, the various princely mansions, and even retired officials—those who might be involved in criminal justice or supervision, all need to be thoroughly investigated!"

"Let's see who is using 'Bi'an' as a mark to commit this heinous act!"

"Yes, Your Majesty!"

Jiang Huan sensed the chilling determination in Old Zhu's words and dared not delay in the slightest, so he quickly bowed and withdrew.

But then Old Zhu said thoughtfully, "Yunming!"

"The slave is here!"

"We're going to hold a banquet on the day the 'Literary Festival' ends, to invite talented people, civil and military officials, imperial concubines, and princes and their brothers in the capital!"

"Everyone must be there unless they are about to die!"

"This"

Yunming looked bewildered, as if he hadn't quite grasped the situation. He wondered to himself, "How did the emperor, who was just so decisive and efficient, suddenly start inviting us to dinner?"

It should be noted that since Zhu De ascended the throne, he has almost never held a grand banquet except for the founding ceremony.

However, when Zhu Yuanzhang looked at him with an unquestionable gaze, he instantly realized that the emperor wanted to see all kinds of people.

"Yes, Your Majesty!"

Soon, Yunming bowed and withdrew.

Inside the empty Huagai Hall, Old Zhu sat alone on the dragon throne.

His figure appeared exceptionally lonely in the candlelight, yet exuded a chilling majesty.

He slowly closed his eyes, and the faces of Crown Prince Zhu Biao, Empress Ma, and the eldest grandson of the emperor Zhu Xiong Ying flashed through his mind, as did the figures of Prince Qin, Prince Jin, Prince Zhou, Prince Qi, Prince Shu... and even Prince Yan Zhu Di.

There's also the Grand Canal, weaponry, assassins, regional princes, the struggle for the throne, and potential assassinations...

All of this seems to be connected by an invisible thread, pointing to a huge dark shadow hidden in the abyss.

On the other side, Raozhou Guard.

After Geng Zhong's death, the garrison was temporarily taken over by the men brought by Song Zhong, and all soldiers were ordered to stay in the camp and not to move around at will.

The soldier identified by Zhao Hu as having a "broken eyebrow and a drooping right shoulder" was quickly identified.

After being interrogated separately, the man admitted that he was instructed by a trusted adjutant of Geng Zhong who had "disappeared" in the fire to pour kerosene and set it on fire at several key locations in the rear office at a specific time, but he knew very little about the mastermind behind it.

This line seems to have been temporarily cut off.

But Zhang Biao was not discouraged; he focused his attention on two other clues.

"Old Song, any news about 'Water Monkey' and that batch of timber?"

Zhang Biao asked in the hastily cleared room where the commander signed his document, the air still filled with a faint smell of burning.

Song Zhong strode in, a hint of excitement on his face:
"Sir, we have a lead! According to the garrison's accounting records and the recollections of several veteran craftsmen, the timber transported under the pretext of 'repairing barracks' came from 'Chen's Timber Shop' in the west of the city."

“Our men have taken control of the timber shop’s manager and accountant.”

"As for that 'water monkey'..."

Song Zhong's tone turned serious:

"This man is a local tyrant in the Raozhou Wharf area. He has gathered a group of idle men under his command who specialize in acting as intermediaries between the canal gangs, various merchants, and even the garrisons, engaging in shady dealings."

"According to intelligence, he was still on the dock last night, but this morning, he was nowhere to be seen at the gambling dens and taverns he frequents, as if... he had heard the news and gone into hiding."

"hide?"

A cold glint flashed in Zhang Biao's eyes: "Dig three feet into the ground, and find him for me!"

"Send orders to block all major roads and waterways leading from Raozhou to other places, and conduct thorough searches! Draw his portrait and offer a reward for his capture! We must see him alive or dead!"

"Yes!"

Song Zhong accepted the order and was about to turn around when Zhang Biao called him back.

"Wait, send more people to search Black Wind Pass again!"

"The key point is the location where the Jinyiwei brothers were found dead, and the surrounding area! Geng Zhong's men handled it hastily at the time; I don't believe they didn't leave anything behind!"

"understand!"

Song Zhong immediately made the arrangements.

The next moment, Old Qian rushed in again, his face grave as he said to Zhang Biao:

"Lord Zhang, our men have just received news that Imperial Censor Zhao has gone missing in Qi!"

"What did you say!?"

Zhang Biao's face darkened, and he hurriedly went to meet him.

Please vote for me with your monthly tickets!

(End of this chapter)