Da Ming: The system granted me immortality; I clock in every day.

"What does Your Majesty intend to do?" Gu Yannian asked calmly.

Zhu Gaochi took a deep breath.

"I intend to issue an imperial edict, under the pretext of inspecting agriculture and sericulture in Shandong, to summon the Prince of Han to the capital for an audience. If he dares to come, I will place him under house arrest in the capital, strip him of his military power, and guarantee him lifelong wealth and honor. If he disobeys the edict..."

An unprecedented killing intent flashed in Zhu Gaochi's eyes.

"That would be blatant treason. I will then rightfully send troops to punish them and eliminate any future threat!"

Gu Yannian listened quietly, pondering to himself.

This strategy of "reducing the power of regional governors" is perfectly legitimate and is a well-intentioned, openly planned scheme.

No matter what choice the King of Han makes, he is already at a disadvantage.

With ample provisions and supplies as a backing, Zhu Gaochi felt much more confident.

"Your Majesty is wise."

Gu Yannian spoke slowly.

"The Ministry of Revenue has prepared enough money and grain for the entire country for three years. Whether Your Majesty wishes to implement benevolent policies or launch a military campaign, the Ministry of Revenue can ensure that the grain supply lines are uninterrupted and the military supplies are not lacking."

This is the heaviest promise a butler can make.

Upon hearing this, Zhu Gaochi was overjoyed, and his last trace of worry vanished.

"With the words 'prolong life,' I feel as if I've taken a reassuring pill!"

Zhu Gaochi laughed loudly, "You can go back to the Ministry of Revenue and do your job in peace. When it's time to rest at dusk, you can go and rest. I will personally handle the storms in the court!"

Gu Yannian bid farewell to the emperor and stepped out of the Qianqing Palace.

The midday sun shone on the white jade steps, making people dizzy.

He looked up at the vast sky and thought to himself that the story of the Ming Dynasty was getting more and more interesting.

Meanwhile, in Le'an Prefecture, Shandong Province, thousands of miles away...

Inside the Prince of Han's residence, the atmosphere was somber and tense.

"Bang!"

A valuable Ru ware teacup was smashed hard on the blue brick floor and shattered into pieces.

Prince Zhu Gaoxu of Han was clad in heavy armor, his beard stood up like steel needles, and his eyes were bloodshot.

Like a raging lion.

He paced back and forth in the hall, and with each step he took, the ground trembled.

"Useless! A bunch of useless trash!"

Zhu Gaoxu roared, drew his sword from his waist, and cleaved the sandalwood flower stand in two.

"What are the spies in the capital doing?! Wasn't it said that fat man was coughing up blood and wouldn't live much longer?"

"Wasn't he supposed to be bedridden and about to die?!"

Several strategists and trusted generals knelt below the hall, all silent and trembling with fear, cold sweat pouring down their faces.

A chief secretary, forcing a smile, kowtowed and said, "Your Highness, please calm your anger! According to a secret report from our sources in the capital, His Majesty was indeed terminally ill. But..."

"But somehow he obtained a folk remedy, which involved giving up meat, sweets, and sugary foods, eating a light diet every day, and often strolling in the Imperial Garden. In less than six months, his health miraculously improved!"

"Now not only can I work on folded paper for hours on end, but my complexion is even better than before!"

"Folk remedies? What kind of folk remedies can bring the dead back to life?!"

Zhu Gaoxu's eyes were bloodshot.

How many years did he endure in order to wait for that dragon throne?

He hoped his elder brother would die soon so that he could, as the emperor's uncle, emulate his father's Jingnan Campaign and seize the throne from his nephew Zhu Zhanji.

But now, not only is the eldest brother not dead, but he is alive and well.

This almost wiped out his years of planning!

What made him even more desperate was another piece of news.

"Your Highness, there is one more thing..."

Another strategist nervously handed over a secret report.

"The imperial court dispatched an imperial envoy, Kuang Zhong, to the south of the Yangtze River, where he thoroughly confiscated the wealth of the salt merchants in the Lianghuai region. Now the national treasury has an additional twelve million taels of silver."

"The Ministry of War has already begun allocating new-style muskets and provisions to the Nine Garrisons and the Shandong coast..."

Zhu Gaochi not only recovered from his illness, but also became wealthy.

An emperor with money has the confidence to wage war.

Zhu Gaoxu snatched the secret report, tore it to shreds in a few swift movements, and let out a desolate, maniacal laugh.

"Hahaha! What a boss! He played the fool for twenty years, and he actually managed to turn things around!"

Zhu Gaoxu's face was contorted with rage. He suddenly turned around and stared intently at the crowd below.

"Once he has money, he will certainly not tolerate me. It won't be long before the imperial edict to weaken the power of the princes reaches Le'an Prefecture!"

"Your Highness, what should we do?"

The group of military officers asked in unison, their eyes filled with hostility.

They followed the King of Han only to gain merit in the process of becoming emperor.

Now that the arrow is on the bowstring, it must be released.

"I can't wait any longer."

Zhu Gaoxu's eyes flashed with a fierce light as he gritted his teeth and said.

"If we wait until that fat man has mobilized all his troops, I will be trapped like a turtle in a jar."

"Pass down the order: the entire army, don their armor, draw their swords! Seal all the gates of Le'an Prefecture!"

He walked up to the map of the Ming Dynasty's territory hanging on the wall and punched the location of the capital.

"Rather than waiting to die, let's take a gamble! Immediately send a secret envoy to the capital to contact the Prince of Zhao. Tell the third prince that if he wants to live, he must become my inside man in the capital!"

"I, the king, must purge the court of treacherous officials and execute the corrupt ministers!"

A long-planned rebellion was forced to begin ahead of schedule due to a shift in the course of history.

……

Ten days later, in the capital.

The autumn wind swept across the Ministry of Revenue compound, swirling up a few yellow leaves.

At dusk, the evening drum sounds precisely on time, its deep and resonant sound echoing through the long street.

Gu Yannian was sitting upright in front of his desk, having finished checking the last account of the grain transported from Jiangnan to Tongzhou.

Upon hearing the drumbeat, he didn't hesitate at all and immediately closed the ledger.

He tucked the sandalwood abacus into his sleeve, stood up, and brushed his robes.

"Lord Gu, are you returning to your residence already?"

A manager respectfully stepped forward.

"It's time to go by the hour of You (5-7 PM). Let's finish today's work and come back tomorrow."

Gu Yannian spoke calmly and walked out of the Ministry of Revenue with steady steps.

Evenings in the capital were exceptionally lively, with wisps of smoke rising from chimneys and the constant calls of vendors.

Gu Yannian did not ride in a sedan chair, but strolled leisurely along the bluestone path of Xuanwu Lane.

He stopped at a roasted chestnut stall on a street corner, drawn by its sweet and sticky aroma.

"Boss, one pound of freshly roasted chestnuts, please."

Gu Yannian took out a few copper coins and handed them over.

While waiting, I suddenly heard a slightly cold male voice behind me.

"Minister Gu's leisurely life is truly the envy of others."

Gu Yannian turned his head and saw a young official in plain clothes standing three steps away.

This man had sharp eyebrows and bright eyes, and a tall and upright posture.

Although he wasn't wearing official robes, his unyielding and proud spirit made him stand out in the crowd.

It was Yu Qian, who had once worked with Gu Yannian at the Bureau of Justice.

Yu Qian has now been transferred to the Ministry of War and is highly regarded by the Minister.

Gu Yannian took the paper package from the vendor, took out a slightly warm chestnut, peeled it, and put it in his mouth with a calm expression.

"Tingyi, instead of staying up all night at the Ministry of War reviewing memorials, why are you strolling around this bustling street?" Gu Yannian asked with a smile.

Yu Qian stepped forward, his expression grave, and lowered his voice:

"Lord Gu, I am not just wandering around. Today, the Ministry of War received an urgent military report that seems to indicate unusual activity in Shandong."

Gu Yannian chewed on the soft, sticky chestnuts, his expression unchanged, and said calmly.

"Oh? It's dry and windy, so it's normal for things to change. What's there to make you so nervous?"

Yu Qian stared intently at his unfathomable former boss.

He knew that this Vice Minister of Revenue, though seemingly indifferent to everything, actually possessed the wisdom to command millions of soldiers.

"The troops in Le'an Prefecture have not been rotated for half a month. Moreover, many of the fast horses at the post stations along the way have been forcibly detained."

"The King of Han... he's probably rebelling!"

Yu Qian's voice was extremely low, yet every word was like thunder.

The streets were bustling with pedestrians, and no one noticed that the conversation between the two was enough to determine the fate of the Ming Dynasty.

Gu Yannian put the paper package into his sleeve, patted the crumbs off his hands, and looked up at the eastern horizon.

The clouds in that corner were indeed dyed blood-red by the setting sun.

"The wind rises from the east, and the fire is finally burning."

Gu Yannian spoke in a calm tone, as if he were talking about an ordinary autumn rain.

"Tingyi, now that you are in the Ministry of War, you should fulfill your responsibilities. The Ministry of Revenue will take care of your provisions and supplies. As for that rebellious madman..."

Gu Yannian smiled slightly, his eyes showing no emotion whatsoever.

"It's just adding a few lines of writing about the defeated enemy to the history books."

"Go back, eat your fill, get plenty of sleep, and tomorrow there will be a great show to watch."

After saying this, Gu Yannian turned around and walked steadily towards his own courtyard.

Yu Qian was left standing there, gazing thoughtfully at the blue figure that had disappeared into the twilight.

The world is like an inn, and all things are but passing travelers.

He, however, only wished to be a spectator who returned home on time, quietly observing the changing world.