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

Chapter 76 A Storm is Brewing! [Seeking Monthly Tickets]

The news of Zhang Biao's 'audit' of the Ministry of Revenue spread like wildfire, reaching every corner of Yingtian Prefecture faster than the speed of the Embroidered Uniform Guard's horses.

At this moment, inside the Prince of Yan's residence.

Zhu Gaoxu's unrestrained laughter echoed throughout the study.

"Hahaha! Good! Well done, Zhang Biao! You're a real man! You've got guts! Not only did you anger the Emperor three times, but you even dared to skin the Ministry of Revenue alive! That's satisfying! That's really satisfying!"

As he spoke, he turned to look at Zhu Gaochi, whose face was filled with solemnity and disbelief, then suppressed his laughter and said excitedly, as if he wanted to stir up trouble, "I've had my eye on that fat old pig Ru Chang for a long time!"

"We all know he embezzles military pay and exploits soldiers, but no one dares to skin him alive! If Zhang Biao can really go to the Ministry of War and skin that fat pig alive, I'll treat him to drinks!"

"Ah!"

Zhu Gaosui, who was gnawing on a pig's trotter nearby, suddenly chuckled, his eyes filled with admiration, and said:

"There's nothing in this world that I, Brother Biao, wouldn't dare to do! Second Brother, you just wait and see, you'll have to treat him to a drink!"

"Oh, right."

As he spoke, he didn't forget to add a reminder:
"Get him a roast chicken and steamed fish from Zuixianlou Restaurant; he's probably tired of eating pig's head meat too!"

"Hahaha!"

Upon hearing this, Zhu Gaoxu couldn't help but burst into laughter again. He then walked to Zhu Gaosui's table, picked up one of his pig's trotters, stuffed it into his mouth, took a big bite, and said to Zhu Gaochi as he ate:

"Boss! What do you think? Should we help Zhang Biao? Provide him with some other solid evidence? Let him turn the world upside down!"

"No, no, no, please don't do this, Second Brother!"

Before Zhu Gaochi could speak, Zhu Gaosui quickly stopped him:

“Brother Biao doesn’t need anyone’s help. We can just wait and watch the show! Brother Biao has his own ideas. If we go, it will only backfire!”

Hearing this, Zhu Gaoxu was slightly surprised, but he didn't pay much attention to it. Instead, he continued to ask Zhu Gaochi, "Boss, say something. What should we do next?"

"My father is far away in Beiping. This matter is of great importance."

Zhu Gaochi glanced at Zhu Gaoxu, then at Zhu Gaosui, his eyes flashing with a composure and worry that belied his youthful appearance.
"Zhang Biao's actions, though ostensibly to demand unpaid wages, have in fact exposed the ills of the court. His sharpness is unparalleled, but it has also led him into a deadly predicament. When the Emperor awakens, his fury is unimaginable."

After saying this, he slowly rose, walked to the window, and looked in the direction of the palace, his eyes distant and deep:
"But why did he do this? Was it merely to demand unpaid wages? Or was there a deeper meaning? It seems he inadvertently prevented Zhu Yunwen from being made the Crown Prince? Was this a blessing or a curse for Father?"

Upon hearing this series of questions, Zhu Gaoxu and Zhu Gaosui both fell silent.

After a moment, a resolute glint flashed in Zhu Gaochi's eyes as he turned to his two younger brothers and said:

"Issue the order: everyone in the mansion must keep their doors and windows tightly shut and is not allowed to leave without a valid reason. If Imperial Censor Zhang or any of his associates approach, report it immediately. There must be no conflict or negligence. Everything will be decided by His Majesty when he wakes up."

"yes, Sir."

Zhu Gaoxu and Zhu Gaosui spoke in unison.

On the other side, the Founding Duke's Mansion also received the news.

"Heh heh, that kid Fu Youwen's finally got what he deserves!"

Duke Chang Sheng, the founder of the state, said with a hint of schadenfreude, "Serves him right for being so stingy and withholding our noble rewards!"

"It's not Second Brother, what I'm worried about now is whether he'll turn on us."

Chang Sen, standing to the side, looked worried.

Chang Sheng waved his hand dismissively and said:
"We haven't offended him, so why are we being blamed? Besides..."

Having said that, he glanced in the direction of Jianchang and sneered, "With my uncle around, who dares to touch us? Do they really have a death wish?" "But that Zhang Biao, he even angered the Emperor three times, and yesterday in Fengtian Hall Square, his hatred for us nobles runs very deep."

"Alright, alright!"

Chang Sheng interrupted him impatiently:
"If the sky falls, there are tall people to hold it up. The Emperor is still here. Do you think he'll just stand by and watch Zhang Biao make trouble for our Chang family? Have you forgotten Yun Tong? Even if he doesn't care about his uncle, he has to care about the Crown Prince!"

Upon hearing this, Chang Sen finally breathed a sigh of relief, then, as if remembering something, looked around and lowered his voice, saying:
"Second Brother, there's something else. I heard that the Emperor intends to make Zhu Yunwen the Crown Prince. Is that true or not? According to the rules of propriety, isn't Yunwen the legitimate son? How come it's the turn of a son born out of wedlock?"

"What did you say?!"

Chang Sheng's eyes widened instantly, and his voice distorted: "Is this really true?"

"I'm not sure if it's true either!"

Chang Sen shook his head and said:
"You went to inspect the capital garrison yesterday and did not attend court. According to our courtiers, the Emperor originally intended to establish the Crown Prince yesterday. However, the people who proposed this were not from our faction, but Liu Sanwu and Mei Yin."

"As you probably know, they support Zhu Yunwen."

"Oh!"

Upon hearing this, Chang Sheng slammed his hand on the table, his expression shifting between anger and uncertainty. After a moment, he said angrily:

"This matter must be informed to my uncle as soon as possible! If Zhu Yunwen is made the Crown Prince, what will become of the Chang family's reputation?!"

"But."

Chang Sen still said with some worry, "His Majesty makes all the decisions alone, and now...his health is not good. If my uncle causes trouble, what if...what if..."

He didn't finish his sentence, but the meaning was already very clear.

Old Zhu has gone mad; provoking him now is simply courting death.

Upon hearing this, Chang Sheng felt as if he had been doused with a bucket of cold water; a chilling coldness instantly surged into his heart, extinguishing all his impulses.

"You're right, I was rash."

Chang Sheng murmured, "But we still need to inform my uncle about this, otherwise, I fear the Chang family will face great calamity."

"No way, if my uncle doesn't cause trouble, what other disaster could possibly occur?!"

"You don't understand. Throughout history, the struggle for imperial power has been the most brutal. Zhu Yunwen's foundation is shallow, and with a young ruler, the country is in turmoil. The emperor will definitely consider his situation."

Chang Sheng shook his head wearily, as if all his strength had been drained, and slumped into the armchair.

At this moment, Chang Sen couldn't help but say dejectedly:
"What about Yunhu? He's my sister's only son. Are we just going to watch him lose everything that was rightfully his?"

Chang Sheng: "."

Chang Sen: "."

The two looked at each other, both speechless.

After a long while, Chang Sheng finally managed to stand up from his seat, looked at the sky outside the door, and said quietly:

"In a while, it will be the anniversary of my sister's death. Could we send a message to the palace saying that we would like to join Yunhu and his sister in paying respects to their mother?"

"What does Second Brother mean?"

"Whether we fight or not depends on Yunhu's will. If he doesn't want to fight, everything we do will be in vain."

Upon hearing this, Chang Sen paused for a moment, then nodded in realization: "Second Brother is right, I will arrange for someone to deliver a message to the palace right away."

(End of this chapter)