Daming: Brother, there is no future for monks, let's rebel

Chapter 887 Zhu Di enters the palace, His Majesty's attitude
Mr. Li also added: "In addition, we can also use the influence of the upright people to organize an open debate and invite people from all walks of life who have doubts about Zhu Di to participate. Through the debate, more people can see Zhu Di's true face."

Zhu Han's eyes flashed with approval when he heard this. He stood up, walked to the window, looked at the night outside, and said in a deep voice: "Very good, these suggestions are very pertinent. We must let Zhu Di know that hypocrisy and lies cannot last forever."

He turned around and said to everyone with a firm gaze: "Next, our actions must be more careful. We must not only expose Zhu Di's crimes, but also consolidate our front and ensure that every step is solid and powerful."

Military commander Liu Dudu stepped forward and said in a loud voice, "Your Highness, I request that you strengthen the patrols and guards in the capital to ensure that any disturbance is under our control. At the same time, I am also willing to personally lead a team of elite troops to be ready to respond to any emergency at any time."

Zhu Han nodded in agreement: "Commander-in-Chief Liu, the defense of the capital is now in your hands. Remember, we must not only guard against Zhu Di's direct attacks, but also prevent him from doing things in the dark."

The staff member in charge of contacting the princes also spoke up at this time: "Your Highness, I have sent people to intensify the contact regarding the princes' attitudes. I believe that good news will come soon. At the same time, I am also trying to persuade those princes whose attitudes are wavering, so that they can see the situation clearly and stand on our side."

Zhu Han nodded slightly, his eyes flashing with determination: "Very good, we must use all the forces we can unite to fight against Zhu Di together. Remember, our goal is to eliminate corruption in the court and stabilize the Ming Dynasty."

Just as everyone was discussing, another announcement came from outside the door, and a servant hurried in, looking much more relaxed than before: "Your Majesty, there is a good news from the border. Our army has successfully repelled an enemy raid, and morale has been greatly boosted!"

As soon as these words came out, the atmosphere in the study room suddenly lifted. Zhu Han showed a long-lost smile on his face. He waved his hand to signal the attendants to leave, and then said to everyone: "It seems that the soldiers on the border are also helping us to solve problems. We must strengthen our confidence and face the next challenge together."

Everyone agreed in unison.

At this time, Zhu Di was sitting in his study in his mansion, playing with an exquisite jade ring in his hand, but his face was tired. Although his show of weakness today temporarily stabilized the situation, in the long run, he still needed more means to consolidate his position.

"Your Highness, your strategy of showing weakness really worked in the court today." A trusted adviser stepped forward and complimented.

Zhu Di shook his head slightly, a hint of coldness flashed in his eyes: "Worked? It's just a stopgap measure. Zhu Han, that old fox, is not so easy to deal with? We must continue to plan and ensure that there are no mistakes."

Upon hearing this, the counselor bowed and said, "Your Highness is wise. What should we do next?"

Zhu Di pondered for a moment, a fierce look flashed in his eyes: "Continue to strengthen intelligence gathering and make sure to grasp Zhu Han's every move. At the same time, we must also find more allies to consolidate our position. Remember, in this game of power, there are only eternal interests, no eternal friends."

In Zhu Di's mansion, the flickering candlelight reflected on his stern face, adding a bit of majesty without anger. He slowly stood up, his eyes swept over every counselor present, and his voice was low and powerful: "Everyone, although today's situation has temporarily given us a break, the real challenge has not yet arrived. Zhu Han is a man of deep scheming and should not be underestimated."

A middle-aged strategist stepped forward and said, "Your Highness is right. Zhu Han's counterattack was swift this time. If it weren't for Your Highness' wisdom in showing weakness to lure the enemy, I'm afraid the situation would have been out of control."

Zhu Di nodded slightly, but his eyes did not relax at all: "Showing weakness is only a temporary measure. The key lies in the subsequent layout. We need to monitor Zhu Han's every move more closely, especially the movements of his allies and upright people in the court."

The young strategist frowned and said with a hint of worry, "Your Highness, the Qingliu people have a wide influence among the people. If they fully support Zhu Han, it will be extremely disadvantageous to us."

Zhu Di sneered, his eyes flashing with a hint of ruthlessness: "Although the upright people have influence, they are also arrogant and hard to buy. However, they also have weaknesses, that is, reputation and morality. We can use this to spread some specious news, so that they will contradict themselves and it will be difficult for them to form a united front."

The middle-aged counselor's eyes lit up, and he added, "Your Highness, this is a great idea! We can secretly arrange for some people to forge some evidence of the Qingliu people colluding with Zhu Han, and spread it out to make the government and the public doubt their position."

Zhu Di nodded slightly, but then shook his head: "Although this plan is brilliant, we must act with caution and not leave any evidence. We need to ensure that all the evidence is sufficient to confuse people, but cannot be verified."

At this time, a confidant in charge of intelligence hurried into the study, knelt on one knee and reported: "Your Highness, there is a secret report from the border. Zhu Han seems to have noticed our deployment at the border and is stepping up defenses."

Zhu Di frowned slightly when he heard this, but soon regained his composure: "Zhu Han is indeed not simple, but the border affairs will be handled by our own generals. We need to focus on the situation in the court to ensure that nothing goes wrong."

He turned to the counselor who was in charge of contacting the court officials and said, "Send someone immediately to secretly contact those court officials who have complaints against Zhu Han, and promise them huge benefits, or use coercion or inducement to make them remain neutral, or even turn to our side."

The strategist took the order and left. Zhu Di looked at another strategist in charge of military deployment and said, "The deployment of troops on the border cannot be relaxed. You need to keep an eye on the enemy's movements and prepare an emergency plan in case Zhu Han suddenly attacks."

The military strategist bowed and responded: "I will obey your orders and strengthen the border defense to ensure peace on the border."

Zhu Di nodded with satisfaction, and glanced at everyone again: "Remember, we must not only deal with the crisis at hand, but also plan for the long term. As long as Zhu Han is not eliminated, our great cause will be difficult to achieve. We need to proceed step by step, steadily and steadily, until we completely defeat him."

At this moment, another announcement was heard from outside the door. A servant hurried in and reported nervously, "Your Highness, there is news from the palace that His Majesty seems to be quite dissatisfied with the dispute in the court today and is considering summoning several important ministers to discuss countermeasures."

Zhu Di heard this, a hint of coldness flashed in his eyes, but he quickly regained his composure: "Okay, I understand. You get ready immediately. Once His Majesty summons me, I need to enter the palace immediately."

"Prepare the carriages and horses and enter the palace immediately." Zhu Di ordered his attendants in a calm and powerful voice.

After the attendants left, Zhu Di turned to the counselors, his eyes flashing with determination: "Everyone, this time I enter the palace, I will face the doubts of His Majesty and Zhu Han. You need to closely monitor the movements in the court, especially Zhu Han's next move. Report any disturbance immediately."

The old counselor stepped forward, bowed and said, "Don't worry, Your Highness. I will do my best to ensure that everything inside and outside the mansion is safe."

The young counselor was a little worried: "Your Highness, the situation in the palace is complicated and changeable. You must be careful in dealing with it."

Zhu Di smiled slightly, his eyes gleaming with confidence: "It's okay, I have my own way to deal with it. Remember, no matter what happens, stay calm and don't panic."

After saying this, Zhu Di put on a heavy cloak, strode out of the study, and walked into the night. The carriage outside the mansion had already been prepared, and the servants respectfully opened the curtain for him.

Zhu Di got into the carriage, closed his eyes and rested, but in his mind he was quickly calculating everything he was about to face. Soon, the carriage slowly drove into the palace, passed through a series of heavy palace gates, and finally stopped in front of the imperial study. Zhu Di straightened his robes, took a deep breath, and walked towards the imperial study.

In the imperial study, the lights were on. Zhu Yuanzhang sat at his desk with a frown on his face, obviously quite dissatisfied with the disputes in the court. When he saw Zhu Di coming in, he raised his eyes slightly, with a bit of scrutiny in his eyes.

"Di'er, you're here." Zhu Yuanzhang's voice was low and majestic.

Zhu Di bowed and saluted, his attitude respectful but measured: "Your Majesty, I pay my respects to you. May your Majesty live long and long."

"Stand up." Zhu Yuanzhang waved his hand, signaling Zhu Di to come forward. "I have heard about the dispute between you and Handi in the court today. You two are both my right-hand men, why are you so sharp-tongued?"

Zhu Di stood up and looked at Zhu Yuanzhang calmly: "Your Majesty, the dispute between me and my uncle is due to the weakening of the government and the dominance of treacherous officials. I believe that only by eliminating corruption in the court can the Ming Dynasty be stabilized."

Zhu Yuanzhang nodded slightly, but there was still doubt in his eyes: "You two have your reasons, but I hope to see you work together instead of attacking each other."

Zhu Di smiled slightly, and said sincerely: "Your Majesty is right. I am willing to discuss state affairs with you, but the situation in the court is complicated and needs to be cleaned up step by step. I dare to ask your majesty for permission to let me be responsible for investigating the corruption case in the court to rectify the government."

Zhu Yuanzhang pondered for a moment and looked at Zhu Di with deep eyes: "Since you have this determination, I will give you this power. But remember, you must handle it impartially and not for personal gain or corruption."

Zhu Di bowed and accepted the order: "I will do my best to live up to your majesty's high expectations."

After returning to his mansion, Zhu Di immediately summoned all his advisers to discuss countermeasures.

"Everyone, His Majesty has granted me the responsibility to investigate the corruption in the court." Zhu Di's voice was steady and powerful, and his eyes swept over the counselors. "This is a God-given opportunity. We must seize this opportunity and completely eliminate the corrupt officials in the court."

Upon hearing this, all the counselors showed joy on their faces, but then they regained their composure and began to discuss the specific plan. Every step forward will be crucial, and the slightest mistake could lead to a complete failure.

“Your Highness, we need to first make a list of corrupt officials and then investigate them one by one,” suggested the old strategist.

"That's right, but we must make sure the evidence is solid to avoid alerting the enemy," the young strategist added.

Zhu Di nodded in agreement: "This matter will be handed over to you two. You must act carefully and not let the news leak out."

Then, he looked at the adviser in charge of intelligence: "You need to continue to strengthen intelligence gathering, especially the movements of Zhu Han and his followers. I want to make sure I know everything."

The intelligence strategist bowed and accepted the order: "I will definitely live up to your trust, Your Highness."

Zhu Di returned to his residence, but he did not relax at all because of the emperor's approval. Instead, his expression became more solemn. The counselors had been waiting for a long time, and when they saw him return, they all stood up and saluted.

"Your Highness, what's the situation?" The old strategist spoke first, with some concern in his tone.

Zhu Di waved his hand gently, motioning everyone to sit down, and then slowly said: "Your Majesty has granted me permission to investigate the corruption case in the court, but this also means that our actions will be more transparent, and Zhu Han and others will be doubly vigilant."

The young counselor frowned and said, "Your Highness, if this is the case, won't our actions be more difficult?"

Zhu Di smiled slightly, his eyes gleaming with wisdom: "Difficulties are natural, but they are also opportunities. We must use this opportunity to pull out those termites that are hiding deeper one by one."

He turned to the strategist in charge of intelligence and said, "You must immediately send more people to not only monitor Zhu Han and his followers, but also to go deep into those officials who appear to be honest but are actually corrupt, and look for evidence against them."

The intelligence strategist bowed and accepted the order: "Yes, Your Highness, I will definitely live up to your trust."

At this time, a counselor who was responsible for contacting court officials stepped forward, looking a little worried: "Your Highness, many officials in the court are suspicious of your move and are worried that you will use this opportunity to eliminate dissidents."

Zhu Di snorted coldly, his eyes were like torches: "Doubts? That's because they are guilty! Tell them that I, Zhu Di, act uprightly and only care about right and wrong, not about relatives. As long as they act uprightly, why should they be afraid of my investigation?"

The old counselor nodded in agreement: "Your Highness is right. We only need to act according to the law and we will naturally win the hearts of the people. But Your Highness should also be careful. Zhu Han and others will not sit still and wait for death. They may set a trap to lure us into it."

Zhu Di smiled slightly, his eyes revealing a kind of confidence: "A trap? That's exactly what I expect. Only by making them move can we find the flaw and hit them with one strike."

He stood up and glanced at all the counselors: "Everyone, this investigation into corruption is not only to stabilize the government, but also for the future of Ming Dynasty. We want to let the world see that I, Zhu Di, sincerely care about Ming Dynasty!"

Upon hearing this, all the counselors stood up and responded in unison: "We are willing to serve Your Highness at our utmost!"

With Zhu Di's order, a thunderous action against corruption in the court was quietly launched. Zhu Di personally took charge of the command and used the power in his hands to step by step approach those termites hiding in the dark.

At the same time, Zhu Han also noticed Zhu Di's movements. This was a contest of life and death, and he had to go all out. So, on the one hand, he strengthened his surveillance of Zhu Di, and on the other hand, he accelerated the pace of exposing Zhu Di's crimes.

The two forces launched a fierce confrontation in the court, undercurrents surged in the court, and the situation changed rapidly. In this contest of power and wisdom, who will have the last laugh remains to be revealed.