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

The counselor smiled slightly, with wisdom glittering in his eyes: "Your Highness's plan is flawless. As long as we carry it out step by step, we will be able to achieve our goal. However, we must be more cautious to prevent Zhu Biao and Zhu Han from seeing through our plan."

Zhu Di nodded in agreement: "Yes, Zhu Biao and Zhu Han are not easy to deal with. We must move forward step by step and not give them any chance to fight back."

After that, the two of them talked in a low voice for a while and continued to discuss the next action plan.

Zhu Di's conversation with his adviser continued in the study of Prince Yan's mansion, and the atmosphere became increasingly solemn. The candlelight cast mottled shadows on their faces, as if even time had frozen at this moment.

"Your Highness, in addition to the border war, we can also start from the economy." The counselor's voice was low and calm. He picked up a map on the table and gently spread it out. "Your Highness, please take a look. Jiangnan is a tax-intensive area of ​​the Ming Dynasty. If we can do something here, it will definitely make the prince anxious."

Upon hearing this, Zhu Di glanced at the map, and a fierce look flashed in his eyes: "Oh? Sir, what's your plan?"

The counselor smiled slightly, with wisdom gleaming in his eyes: "Your Highness can secretly support some merchants in Jiangnan, let them collude with certain officials in the court, and create some financial disputes or even corruption cases. In this way, when the crown prince investigates these cases, his attention will inevitably be distracted and he will have no time to take care of other things."

Zhu Di nodded, with a hint of approval in his eyes: "This plan is very good. It can not only weaken the power of the prince, but also take the opportunity to eliminate some potential opponents. But how can I ensure that these merchants and officials can be used by me?"

The counselor smiled slightly, took out a letter from his bosom and handed it to Zhu Di: "Your Highness, this is the reply letter from some Jiangnan merchants and officials I contacted before. Among them, there are many who are dissatisfied with the prince. As long as Your Highness promises them great benefits, they will certainly serve us."

Zhu Di took the letter, glanced through it quickly, and sneered: "Very good, if these people can be used by me, the prince's layout in Jiangnan will fail."

Seeing that Zhu Di was satisfied, the counselor continued, "In addition, Your Highness can also use public opinion to create momentum and spread some unfavorable news about the prince, so that the people and court officials will have doubts about the prince. The will of the people can often determine the outcome of a struggle."

Zhu Di nodded, his eyes flashing with determination: "Yes, the power of public opinion cannot be underestimated. Sir, you can arrange some people to spread some rumors about the prince's indecisiveness and inability to govern the country, so that people in the court and the public will be dissatisfied with the prince."

The counselor bowed and responded: "Don't worry, Your Highness, I will leave this matter to you. I will definitely live up to your trust and make the prince's position in the court fall."

As the two were discussing, they suddenly heard hurried footsteps outside the door, and then a guard hurried in, kneeling on one knee and reporting: "Your Highness, there is an urgent secret report that His Royal Highness the Crown Prince is about to make large-scale personnel adjustments to the officials in the court, intending to further consolidate his position."

Upon hearing this, Zhu Di frowned slightly, with a hint of displeasure in his eyes: "Zhu Biao's actions are quite quick, it seems that he is determined to be my enemy."

The counselor pondered for a moment, a hint of coldness flashed in his eyes: "Your Highness, since the prince has taken action, we cannot just sit there and wait for death. I suggest that we make arrangements in advance and transfer those officials loyal to the prince from key positions and replace them with our people."

Zhu Di nodded, his eyes flashing with determination: "This is a very good plan, I will act according to your advice. However, this matter must be kept secret, and my father must not be aware of it."

The counselor bowed and accepted the order: "Don't worry, Your Highness. I will act carefully and ensure that nothing goes wrong."

As the secret report came in, the atmosphere in the Prince of Yan's mansion became more tense and depressing. Zhu Di and his advisers continued to discuss countermeasures, paying attention to every detail, striving to gain the upper hand in this power struggle.

At the same time, in the Eastern Palace, Zhu Biao was also busy preparing for personnel adjustments.

In order to consolidate his position, he must carry out a major reshuffle of officials in the court and promote those loyal and capable officials to important positions.

In the study, Zhu Biao and several of his trusted aides sat together in a serious and tense atmosphere. They were discussing the status of each official and how to adjust them.

"Everyone, this personnel adjustment is of great importance, and we must proceed with caution." Zhu Biao's voice was steady and powerful, and his eyes swept over everyone present. "We must ensure that the most suitable candidate can be found for each position to make the Ming Dynasty more stable."

An elderly staff member, Mr. Chen, said solemnly, "Your Highness is right. Personnel adjustments must not only consider the ability of officials, but also their influence in the court and their relationship with other officials. If you are not careful, it may trigger a chain reaction."

Zhu Biao nodded in agreement: "Mr. Chen is right. We must consider various factors comprehensively to ensure that the adjustment plan is comprehensive and prudent."

The discussion lasted the whole afternoon until night fell, when the candlelight in the study gradually went out. Zhu Biao looked out the window at the deep night sky, feeling both hopeful and worried.

The next morning, Zhu Biao got up early and prepared to submit the personnel adjustment plan discussed last night to Zhu Yuanzhang for approval.

In the East Palace, Zhu Biao, dressed in court robes, was adjusting his clothes in front of a bronze mirror, his eyes gleaming with determination. He took a deep breath, turned around and said to the attendant beside him: "Prepare the sedan chair, I want to go see my father."

Arriving outside the imperial study, Zhu Biao calmed down and knocked on the door gently. Soon, Zhu Yuanzhang's steady voice came from inside: "Come in."

Zhu Biao pushed the door open and walked in, bowing and saying, "Your Highness, I pay my respects to you, Father. Long live the Emperor."

Zhu Yuanzhang put down the memorial in his hand and looked up at Zhu Biao, his eyes were both majestic and kind: "Biao'er, what's the important matter that you come to see me so early?"

Zhu Biao took out the memorial he had prepared long ago from his sleeve and presented it with both hands: "Your Majesty, I have recently conducted an investigation of the officials in the court and believe that it is necessary to adjust their positions in order to better serve the country. This is the plan I have drafted, please review it."

Zhu Yuanzhang took the memorial, slowly unfolded it, and carefully reviewed it. Zhu Biao stood aside, feeling uneasy but trying to remain calm on the surface.

Time passed by minute by minute, and the imperial study was so quiet that only the sound of Zhu Yuanzhang flipping through the memorial could be heard. Finally, Zhu Yuanzhang put down the memorial, looked up at Zhu Biao, and a trace of praise flashed in his eyes: "Biao'er, this plan is well thought out. It not only reflects your foresight, but also demonstrates your sense of responsibility to the country. I am very pleased."

Zhu Biao was relieved when he heard this, and he bowed to express his gratitude: "Thank you for your praise, father. I will continue to work hard and live up to your high expectations."

Zhu Yuanzhang nodded slightly and changed the subject: "However, Biao'er, you must remember that the situation in the court is complex and changeable, and any reform must be carried out with caution. You must not only consider the feasibility of the plan, but also consider how to balance the forces of all parties to ensure the stability of the court." Zhu Biao responded respectfully: "I will follow the teachings of my father and will be cautious and steadily promote the reform."

Zhu Yuanzhang nodded with satisfaction and waved his hand to signal Zhu Biao to leave: "Go and carry out your plan. I believe you can do a good job."

Zhu Biao bowed again and left the imperial study. The moment he walked out of the imperial study, he took a deep breath, his heart filled with unprecedented confidence and determination.

At the same time, in the Prince of Yan's Mansion, Zhu Di also received news that Zhu Biao was about to make a job adjustment. He frowned, and a hint of coldness flashed in his eyes.

"Sir, it seems that Zhu Biao can't wait to take action against us." Zhu Di's voice was low and powerful, revealing unquestionable majesty.

The counselor pondered for a moment, a sly look flashed in his eyes: "Don't worry, Your Highness. Although Zhu Biao's move is fierce, it also has its flaws. We can take this opportunity to strengthen our power layout in the court, and on the other hand, find an opportunity to expose Zhu Biao's weaknesses and make him lose the trust of the court officials and the people."

Zhu Di nodded, his eyes flashing with determination: "Okay, let's follow your plan. However, we need to be more cautious and make sure that every step is steady and powerful."

The counselor bowed and responded, secretly planning the next move in his mind.

The conversation between Zhu Di and his adviser continued in the study of Prince Yan's Mansion. The flickering candlelight illuminated the gloomy faces of the two men.

“Your Highness, the prince’s personnel adjustment this time is intended to consolidate his position in the court. We need to find an opportunity to fight back and cannot sit idly by.” The counselor lowered his voice, a hint of cunning in his eyes.

Zhu Di nodded slightly, tapping his fingers on the table, making a rhythmic sound, as if he was thinking about something. "Yes, the prince's move seems steady, but it is actually a hidden edge. We need to find his weak spot and hit it with one strike."

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The counselor pondered for a moment and suggested, "Your Highness, although the Crown Prince's foundation in the court is gradually becoming stable, his influence among the people is still insufficient. We can start from this point and create public opinion to make the people question the Crown Prince."

Zhu Di frowned slightly upon hearing this, then relaxed his brows, with a hint of approval in his eyes: "This is a brilliant plan. If the prince loses the support of the people, his position will naturally be unstable. But how do we do it specifically?"

The counselor smiled slightly, his eyes sparkling with wisdom: "Your Highness can secretly support some influential gentry and literati among the people, and let them write articles to criticize the shortcomings of the crown prince's administration, while exaggerating the words to guide public opinion."

Zhu Di nodded in agreement: "Okay, I'll leave this matter to you. Make sure that every article can be deeply rooted in the hearts of the people and make them doubt the prince."

The counselor bowed and responded: "I will do my best to live up to your trust."

Zhu Di waved his hand, signaling his advisers to withdraw, and sat alone in his study to ponder. He had to find the prince's weakness and give him a fatal blow.

At the same time, in the East Palace, Zhu Biao was also discussing with his trusted staff how to deal with possible public opinion attacks. The study was brightly lit with candles, and the atmosphere was tense and solemn.

"Your Highness, His Royal Highness the Prince of Yan has always been good at using public opinion to create momentum, and we have to be on guard." An elderly aide said worriedly.

Zhu Biao nodded, his eyes firm: "I know. But the will of the people cannot be changed overnight. What we need to do is to continue to implement benevolent policies and let the people truly benefit, and we will naturally win their support."

Another aide added: "Your Highness is right. At the same time, we can also strengthen publicity to let the people know about His Highness's governance philosophy and achievements, so as to set the record straight."

Zhu Biao nodded slightly, and glanced at his staff: "You all have a point. We must do both, both to do practical things and to strengthen publicity. Let the people see our efforts and achievements, and we will naturally win their trust and support."

All the staff nodded in agreement. Zhu Biao knew that this power struggle was not only a contest in the court, but also a battle for the hearts of the people.

After Zhu Yuanzhang pondered for a while in the imperial study, he suddenly called his trusted eunuch and ordered, "Go and summon my brother Han to the palace quickly. I have something important to discuss with you."

The eunuch took the order and left. Soon, Zhu Han hurried to the imperial study. When he entered the study, he saw Zhu Yuanzhang's solemn expression. He couldn't help but have a bad feeling in his heart, and hurriedly saluted and said, "Your Majesty, I am Zhu Han, your humble servant. I wonder what is the urgent matter that your Majesty has summoned me to the palace?"

Zhu Yuanzhang stared at Zhu Han, a trace of deep thought flashed in his eyes, and he slowly said: "Brother Han, I have something that I need you to do in person."

Zhu Han's expression froze when he heard this, and he bowed and said, "Your Majesty, if you have any orders, I will do anything for you."

Zhu Yuanzhang nodded slightly, his tone somewhat solemn: "I have heard that there are many rare treasures in overseas countries, and the customs and cultures are very different. For my Ming Dynasty, it is both an opportunity and a challenge. I want to send envoys to go overseas to explore the unknown, and at the same time strengthen exchanges with various countries and promote trade. Are you willing to take on this important task?"

Zhu Han was moved when he heard this, but his face remained calm. He pondered for a moment and replied, "Your Majesty's intention is clear to me. However, the overseas countries are far away and unknown, and this trip is dangerous and unpredictable. Although I am not talented, I am willing to share your worries, but I am afraid that the court is busy with affairs, so I need to make proper arrangements to avoid losing sight of one thing while focusing on another."

Zhu Yuanzhang smiled slightly, his eyes revealing his trust and admiration for Zhu Han: "Brother Han, you have taken thorough considerations, and I have made preparations. I will make other arrangements for the affairs of the court to ensure that everything is safe. And your trip not only represents our Ming Dynasty, but also shoulders the important task of exploring the unknown and expanding the borders. I believe that with your wisdom and courage, you will be able to complete the task successfully."

Seeing that Zhu Yuanzhang had made up his mind, Zhu Han stopped refusing and bowed to accept the order, saying, "I will obey your order and do my best to live up to your majesty's high expectations."

Zhu Yuanzhang nodded with satisfaction and continued to instruct: "This voyage is extraordinary. You need to select crew members, prepare supplies, understand the customs and habits of overseas countries, and make a detailed sailing plan. In addition, you must bring my letter of credence to show the sincerity of the Ming Dynasty and seek ways to coexist peacefully with other countries."

Zhu Han agreed to all of them, and was secretly planning all the matters concerning the voyage.

Seeing this, Zhu Yuanzhang waved his hand with satisfaction, signaling Zhu Han to leave: "Brother Han, go and get ready. I await your good news. I hope that the great reputation of our Ming Dynasty will spread far and wide, and we can share a peaceful and prosperous era with all other countries." (End of this chapter)