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

Chapter 88 If we make a mistake, then the Ming Dynasty should perish! [Seeking monthly votes]

"His Majesty has woken up at just the right time!"

Seeing that everyone was panicking because of the bell and his reminder, Zhang Biao slapped his thigh again, as if he had heard some great news, and spoke once more:

"Brothers! Think about it, we just finished auditing the government offices and the mansions of nobles, and the accounts are clear and the results are outstanding! We were just worried about not having a place to report our work!"

"Furthermore, think about it. We're owed wages by the government, and we're still here working on auditing! What does that count as? Overtime!"

At this point, he suddenly remembered something, turned to look at Zhao Fengman, whose arm was scarred from being cut by a tile while climbing the roof of the Ministry of Revenue:

"Look! Censor Zhao got injured while doing his job. Shouldn't that be considered a work-related injury?"

"Then let's go to the Emperor and get all our wages, overtime pay, workers' compensation, and compensation for emotional distress settled in one lump sum, right?"

boom!
The whole place was in an uproar!

Zhang Biao's words were like a boulder crashing onto a calm lake, creating towering waves.

The shock left everyone present feeling their scalp tingle and their eyes wide open.

I thought to myself, what kind of thought process is this?!
Even Zhan Hui, who had just tried to stop Zhang Biao, and the Censor of the Censorate behind him, were dumbfounded by Zhang Biao's remarks.

So what you're saying is that the Emperor owes you a huge favor?!
Is the world insane, or are we all mentally unstable?!

Overwhelmed by the sheer shock and absurdity, they had no time to react; their minds went completely blank.

Zhang Biao completely ignored them, quickly jumped onto the 'audit chariot,' stood atop the pile of silver and miscellaneous items, and waved his arm, pointing towards the palace:

"Let's go! Brothers! Grab our spoils! Let's head to the palace!"

"Let's show His Majesty the fruits of our labor today! And by the way—"

He paused, then his voice rose, carrying an indescribable madness:

"Settle our unpaid wages, overtime pay for today's audit, workers' compensation, and compensation for emotional distress with His Majesty!"

"Furthermore, His Majesty has just woken up and definitely needs some celebratory events to cheer him up! Let's go and deliver the good news to His Majesty! May His Majesty enjoy good health and live ten thousand years!"

silence.

Deathly silence.

Everyone stared wide-eyed at Zhang Biao, as if he were a madman.

Go to the palace to deliver the good news?

Settle the bill with the Emperor?

Overtime pay and workers' compensation?!
Has Brother Biao really gone mad?!
Or do you want to die even faster?!
"Brother Biao Biao"

Wu Naida's voice was choked with sobs:

"Think twice! If we cause trouble at the palace again, we might not only be beheaded, but also skinned alive and executed by slow slicing."

"No, how can this be considered causing trouble?"

Before Wu Nai could finish speaking, Zhang Biao interrupted him with a glare:

"Isn't the Emperor human? Is the Emperor unreasonable? We've worked hard all day, recovered so much deficit for the court, and made such a great contribution. Shouldn't the Emperor reward us? Maybe he'll even give us a banner that says 'Hongwu's Best Audit Team of the Year'!"

"."

The lower-ranking officials in the capital were speechless.

They felt that Brother Biao might have some misunderstanding about the Emperor's temper.

"But...but what about before?"

Zhao Fengman wanted to say that they had previously angered the Emperor to the point of fainting three times.

"That was a misunderstanding!"

Zhang Biao waved his hand, interrupting Zhao Fengman's words:

"That was our most forceful way of reporting the problem to the Emperor! Now that the problem has been initially resolved, the Emperor, being discerning, will surely understand our good intentions! This is what they call 'no fight, no friendship'!"

"But."

"Stop it!"

Zhang Biao impatiently interrupted everyone's hesitation:

"What's there to be afraid of? A head lost is just a scar! I'll be a hero again in eighteen years! Besides, we have the evidence and the records!"

"Great! I support Brother Biao!"

Just as the lower-ranking officials in the capital were hesitating, Shen Lang, a staunch supporter of Zhang Biao, stepped forward:

"Think about it carefully. Every single thing we've done has been a major disaster. Every single thing has been life-threatening. If we back down, wouldn't that prove we were wrong?"

"But did we really do something wrong?!"

"So many eyes are watching in Yingtian Prefecture! The entire court of wolves and tigers is watching too! If we make a mistake, then the Ming Dynasty will perish!"

Boom!

These words were like igniting a powder keg that Zhang Biao had previously set up.

It instantly ignited the entire venue!

Everyone couldn't help but think!

So that’s it!
Put yourself to death and survive!
It turns out that Brother Biao wasn't really crazy! He was just trying to survive on the extreme!

If they stop causing trouble, what will their fate be? They'll face retribution from those they've audited!

On the contrary, if they continue to cause trouble, they can not only gain the 'righteous cause' but also make those people suffer terribly.

If they die, won't we all live?!

Countless distracting thoughts, fears, and worries vanished in that instant. The eyes of the lower-ranking officials in the capital gradually cleared, and their hearts, which had just been gripped by fear, gradually returned to a determination to face death without flinching.

"Yes! Support Brother Biao!"

"We are heroes! Not cowards!"

"Heroes of the world are as numerous as carp crossing a river. Though we are but fish eyes, we must ride the wind and waves and go against the current!"

As each resounding echo rang out, the Dao Heart, which had nearly collapsed, solidified completely at this moment, becoming even more indestructible.

Zhang Biao revealed a faint smile, glanced at Shen Lang with satisfaction, raised his hand and shouted: "My path is not lonely—!"

"My path is not lonely—!"

"My path is not lonely—!"

"My path is not lonely—!"

A tragic atmosphere of "what's the use of trying" and "going all out with madness" permeated the air.

The group sprang into action again, pulling the clanging audit wagon piled high with silver and all sorts of bizarre "debt settlement goods" in front of Zhan Hui and the others, slowly moving towards the palace, where the bells rang and symbolized supreme imperial power.

"Your Excellency, what should we do now? They've completely gone mad."

A censor from the Censorate, watching Zhang Biao and his group leave, looked at Zhan Hui cautiously and with a complicated expression.

Zhan Hui's expression was uncertain, he seemed to want to say something but hesitated, and finally glanced in the direction of the palace, frowning as he said, "This matter is no longer something we can stop."

"So, does Your Excellency mean we should just ignore them?" another Censor of the Censorate asked, unwilling to give up.

He was a very rigid person who hated people who broke the rules. Naturally, he loathed Zhang Biao and his group. Even though he hadn't been paid his back wages, he still felt superior to Zhang Biao and his group.

Upon hearing his question, Zhan Hui frowned even more deeply: "Who said we shouldn't be in charge? What I mean is, we can't be the only ones in charge!"

Upon hearing this, all the censors of the Censorate immediately understood that this was an attempt to gather more people to stop Zhang Biao and his group.

After all, there is strength in numbers.

Just like Zhang Biao and his group.

And then Zhang Biao and his group reappeared on the streets of Yingtian Prefecture.

The people along the way quickly made way for them, staring in disbelief at the strange procession, the things on the vehicles, and the direction they were heading.

"Where are they going?"

"It looks like a royal palace?"

"Taking all these things to the palace? What are they going to do with them?"

"They've gone mad. They've all gone mad."

The news spread like wildfire, faster than the swift horses of the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

The entire city of Yingtian once again focused its attention on this small team that had captured everyone's attention.

However, when they were still a hundred paces away from Chengtian Gate, a group of Jinyiwei (Imperial Guards) dressed in black with swords and embroidered spring robes appeared silently like ghosts and blocked the middle of the road.

The leader was none other than Jiang Huan, whose face was as cold and stern as iron.

Jiang Huan's gaze swept over the dilapidated cart loaded with silver and miscellaneous items, his lips twitching almost imperceptibly before finally settling on Zhang Biao. His voice was utterly devoid of warmth:
"Imperial Censor Zhang, stop."

Zhang Biao stopped, his exaggerated smile fading slightly, but he still retained a reckless air.

"Hey, Commander Jiang, you've come at the perfect time! Quickly, please inform them that our Censorate audit team has returned victorious and is reporting our findings to the Emperor! Also, please ask the Emperor to settle our wages and reimbursement for the travel and meal expenses we advanced."

Jiang Huan's eyelids twitched, and he forcibly suppressed the urge to draw his sword, his voice growing even colder:
"His Majesty has just recovered from his illness and needs to rest. He will not see any officials. You may all leave immediately!"

"not see?"

Zhang Biao raised an eyebrow: "Commander Jiang, you're wrong about that! We've done a great service! When the Emperor wakes up and hears this good news, he'll be so happy that he'll recover even faster! That's called psychological therapy! Right, brothers?"

The crowd behind him echoed in unison, "Yes! Mental therapy!"

Jiang Huan's face darkened completely, and he placed his hand on the hilt of his embroidered spring knife, emanating a sharp killing intent.
"Zhang Biao! Stop your nonsense! Even if it means we both perish today, I will not let you see the Emperor!"

perish together?!
Good guy!
Are you suggesting I should die alongside you, a dog?
And what's more, we can't even go back to the modern era!
Zhang Biao glanced at the murderous-looking Jiang Huan in front of him, his mind racing.

Forcing our way in is definitely out of the question; Jiang Huanzhen would resort to any means necessary.

But to just slink away like that? That's not Zhang Biao's style!

His eyes darted around, and an idea immediately came to him. In an instant, the stubbornness and arrogance on his face vanished, replaced by an expression of sudden realization and resignation.
"Oh—! I understand, I understand!"

He slapped his forehead suddenly: "It was my oversight! The Emperor has just woken up, it's indeed not appropriate to disturb him! It's our fault!"

Jiang Huan was stunned for a moment, seemingly not expecting Zhang Biao to change his mind so quickly.

But then Zhang Biao changed the subject, and his face broke into that same enthusiastic smile that sent chills down Jiang Huan's spine:

"Since we cannot see the Emperor now, let's send our work results and sentiments to him and ask Commander Jiang to pass them on. Is that alright?"

Before Jiang Huan could refuse, Zhang Biao immediately turned around and shouted to his men:

"Brothers! His Majesty is unwell, so we cannot go in and disturb him, but we cannot neglect our proper etiquette! Quick! Pick out the gifts we have prepared for His Majesty! And get some paper and pen, I will write my work report into a memorial!"

Jiang Huan: "."

He had a very ominous premonition.

The lower-ranking officials in the capital were bewildered: "???"

congratulations?

What gift?
We just had our property confiscated, what kind of congratulatory gifts could we possibly have?!

(End of this chapter)