Ming Dynasty: Zhu Biao's younger brother, the most rebellious son in history

"Your Highness, what's wrong?" Gu Wen Zheng asked in a low voice.

Zhu Kai did not answer. He slowly drew out the long sword from his waist and walked towards the corner cautiously. His heartbeat accelerated in his chest, and he held the long sword tightly in his hand, ready to deal with any possible danger at any time.

Turning the corner, Zhu Kai's pupils suddenly shrank, and he saw a figure in black standing there quietly, as if he had been waiting for them for a long time.

"Who are you?" Zhu Kai's voice was cold and powerful, and his eyes were full of vigilance.

The man in black did not answer. He slowly raised his head, revealing a pale and familiar face. Zhu Kai's heart suddenly shook. He recognized this man. He was a guard in the palace, but Zhu Kai never thought that he would meet him in such a place.

"What are you doing here?" Zhu Kai's voice became even colder, and his eyes were full of confusion.

The man in black spoke slowly, his voice low and hoarse: "Your Majesty, I am here to protect you."

Zhu Kai's brows were furrowed, his eyes fixed on the man in black: "Protect me? How did you know I would come here?"

The man in black smiled slightly, with a hint of mystery in his smile: "Your Majesty, there is nothing in the palace that I don't know."

Zhu Kai felt uneasy. He could sense that this man in black was not a simple person. He took a deep breath and said slowly, "Who are you? What is your purpose?"

The man in black did not answer directly. He glanced at Zhu Kai and Gu Wen Zheng, then said slowly: "Your Majesty, you don't need to know who I am. You only need to know that I am here to help you."

Zhu Kai sneered. He did not believe what the man in black said: "Help me? How did you help me? What do you know?"

The man in black was silent for a moment, then slowly said: "I know the undercurrents in the palace, I know those conspiracies and tricks. I can help you uncover them all."

Zhu Kai's eyes flashed with a gleam of light. He knew that the man in black might know some secrets that he didn't know. He took a deep breath and said slowly: "Okay, I will believe you for now. Tell me everything you know."

The man in black nodded and began to slowly tell him everything he knew. His words revealed a deep worry, as if the secrets he knew were enough to shake the foundation of the entire palace.

Zhu Kai's eyes were fixed on the man in black, and his heart was full of doubts and vigilance. This man suddenly appeared in the secret passage of the palace and claimed to help him, but Zhu Kai knew that in the palace, a place full of power and conspiracy, everyone might hide unknown secrets.

"How do you prove what you said?" Zhu Kai's voice was cold, and there was no warmth in his eyes.

The man in black smiled slightly. He took out a token from his bosom and handed it to Zhu Kai: "This is the token given to me by the late emperor. It is enough to prove my identity."

Zhu Kai took the token and examined it carefully. There was a lifelike dragon engraved on the token, and a few small words engraved below: "Imperial Guard, Zhao Tiezhu." Zhu Kai frowned slightly, he remembered this name, Zhao Tiezhu was a guard beside the late emperor, it was said that he was highly skilled in martial arts and loyal.

"Why are you here?" Zhu Kai's voice was still cold, and there was a hint of inquiry in his eyes.

Zhao Tiezhu sighed, his voice low and hoarse: "Your Majesty, the undercurrents in the palace are far more complicated than you think. I am here to protect you and to protect the Ming Dynasty."

Zhu Kai was silent for a moment, then slowly said: "Okay, I believe you. Tell me everything you know."

Zhao Tiezhu nodded and began to slowly tell everything he knew. His words revealed a deep worry.
As Zhao Tiezhu told the story, Zhu Kai learned the truth about the undercurrents in the palace. It turned out that these undercurrents were not aimless, but a coup planned by some former officials and some officials who were dissatisfied with the status quo. They used some secret passages in the palace to communicate secretly and planned a coup against Zhu Yuanzhang.

Zhu Kai's heart was filled with anger and uneasiness. He could not tolerate anyone's threat to the Ming Dynasty, and he could not tolerate these conspirators secretly destroying his father's country.

"We must take action immediately." Zhu Kai's voice was firm and powerful, and there was a determination in his eyes.

Gu Wenzheng nodded, his eyes also full of determination: "Your Highness, how should we act?"

Zhu Kai pondered for a moment, then slowly said: "First, we have to find all the entrances to these secret passages and cut off their communication. Then, we have to set traps and catch these conspirators in one fell swoop."

After listening to Zhao Tiezhu's narration, Zhu Kai frowned, and his heart was already surging. He knew very well that if these conspiracies succeeded, it would bring immeasurable losses to the Ming Dynasty. So he made a quick decision: "Zhao Tiezhu, you lead the way, and we will find the entrances to those secret passages together."

Zhao Tiezhu nodded. He seemed to have anticipated Zhu Kai's determination. "Your Highness is wise. We should set off now without further delay."

The three of them once again set foot on the secret passage, this time the purpose was no longer to explore, but to act. Zhao Tiezhu walked in the front, relying on his familiarity with these passages, leading Zhu Kai and Gu Wenzheng through countless corners and forks.

"Your Highness," Zhao Tiezhu said as they walked, "These secret passages are interconnected, connecting many important places inside and outside the palace. If I hadn't made preparations in advance, I'm afraid it would have been difficult for us to find these clues."

"You did a great job," Zhu Kai praised, "I hope we can stop their plot in time."

Gu Wenzheng followed closely behind, and he asked in a low voice: "Master Zhao, are you sure these passages are safe? If they are discovered by the enemy, won't we be attacked from both sides?"

Zhao Tiezhu explained: "Don't worry, Mr. Gu. I have personally checked these passages. No one will notice our actions in a short time. However, we must act quickly to avoid any more trouble."

At the end of the passage was a heavy iron door. Zhao Tiezhu stepped forward and turned the mechanism on the door lightly. The iron door slowly opened, revealing the darkness outside. Zhu Kai signaled everyone to be silent, and the three of them walked out of the passage carefully and came to a remote backyard of the palace.

"This is one of the contact points," Zhao Tiezhu said, pointing to a small building not far away. "According to my intelligence, several people will come here to meet tonight."

Zhu Kai nodded and ordered, "Gu Wenzheng, you stay here and observe. Zhao Tiezhu and I will go to other locations to set up surveillance."

Gu Wenzheng nodded in agreement and immediately found a hidden location to hide. Zhu Kai and Zhao Tiezhu split up and headed for two other key locations. In the night, they moved silently like shadows.

Not long after, Gu Wenzheng saw several dark figures approaching the small building through the telescope. He immediately sent a message to Zhu Kai to inform him of the situation.

"Your Highness," Gu Wenzheng whispered through the message tube, "The target has appeared, about five or six people, and they have entered the small building." After receiving the news, Zhu Kai quickly reunited with Zhao Tiezhu, and the two immediately rushed to the small building. When they arrived, they found that the guards of the palace had ambushed outside the small building. Zhu Kai waved his hand, and the guards quickly surrounded the small building.

"You have been surrounded," Zhu Kai shouted, "Give up resistance, or don't blame me for being rude!"

There was silence in the building, and then a cold laugh was heard: "Zhu Kai, you are really smart. You actually found this place. But do you think you can stop us like this?"

Zhu Kai said sternly: "No matter who you are or what your purpose is, as long as you dare to harm the Ming Dynasty, I will never tolerate it!"

The voice inside the building became even colder: "Haha, let's see if you are more capable or we have a better solution."

Suddenly, the windows of the small building were blown open and smoke filled the air. Zhu Kai immediately realized that the other party was trying to escape, and he made a prompt decision: "Zhao Tiezhu, take people in to search! The others guard the exit, and don't let anyone escape!"

Zhao Tiezhu took the order and led the guards into the small building. At the same time, Zhu Kai stood outside the door and directed the personnel outside to block all possible escape routes.

After a fierce fight, the traitors were finally subdued. Zhu Kai personally interrogated one of the leaders and learned from him the identity of the mastermind behind the scenes - it turned out to be a high-ranking official in the palace!
"Do you have anything else to say?" Zhu Kai stared coldly at the prisoner in front of him.

The prisoner looked desperate: "Forget it, it's a dead end anyway, so it doesn't matter if I tell you. Our leader is..."

Just as he was about to reveal the name of the mastermind behind the scenes, he suddenly heard hurried footsteps in the distance. Zhu Kai stood up alertly and ordered his men: "Be on guard to prevent anyone from coming to rescue."

However, the visitor was a hurried palace maid, who said breathlessly, "Your Highness, it's bad! Zhu Yuanzhang is suddenly seriously ill, and you need to come to the palace immediately!"

Zhu Kai's heart tightened. His father's health had always been poor, and now he had a sudden illness, which must be very serious. But he also knew that he couldn't be distracted at this moment: "Gu Wenzheng, you escort these people back to the palace first, I want to go to the palace immediately."

"Yes, Your Highness." Gu Wen Zheng responded, and then ordered the guards to take the prisoners away.

Zhu Kai walked quickly towards the palace, his heart full of worries. He didn't know how serious his father's illness was, nor did he know how this sudden change would affect the entire plan.

When he rushed to the imperial study, he saw the imperial doctors treating Zhu Yuanzhang. Zhu Kai anxiously asked the imperial doctors, "How is my father's condition?"

The imperial physician shook his head and said, "Zhu Yuanzhang is in poor health. I'm afraid he needs to rest for a while. Your Highness, please take good care of yourself."

Zhu Kai clenched his fists. He knew that now was not the time to hesitate. He had to keep his father safe while continuing to track down the conspirators.

"Zhao Tiezhu," Zhu Kai ordered, "You continue to monitor those arrested and make sure to find out who is behind them. Gu Wenzheng, you will be responsible for coordinating the affairs between the palace and the court to ensure that everything goes smoothly."

"Don't worry, Your Highness," Zhao Tiezhu and Gu Wenzheng responded in unison, "We will definitely live up to your trust."

Zhu Kai nodded and turned to look out the window. It was already dark, but he knew that the real battle had just begun. He had to find light in the undercurrent and protect the peace of the Ming Dynasty.

"Father," Zhu Kai said silently in his heart, "Please rest assured that your son will eradicate these disasters for you and make the Ming Dynasty more prosperous."

Zhu Kai stood in front of the window of the imperial study, staring at the rising sun, with a firm belief burning in his heart. He recalled everything that happened last night, from discovering the secret passage to arresting the traitors, to his father's worsening condition, every step was difficult and full of risks. But he knew that the real test had just begun.

"Your Highness," Zhao Tiezhu's voice interrupted his thoughts, "I have followed your instructions and stepped up the interrogation of the captured spies. Some of them are willing to cooperate and hope to be forgiven."

Zhu Kai turned around, with a barely perceptible fatigue in his eyes: "Tell me, what did they confess?"

Zhao Tiezhu took a step closer and lowered his voice, saying, "According to their confessions, there is more than one person behind this coup, and there is a bigger force behind them. However, they dare not reveal who exactly it is."

Zhu Kai nodded and turned his gaze to the sunlight outside the window: "It is normal for them to be afraid. After all, this matter involves a lot of people. Tell them that as long as they sincerely repent, the king can consider reducing their crimes."

"Yes, Your Highness." Zhao Tiezhu responded, and then continued to report, "In addition, we also found some letters and account books last night, which recorded their activities and some sources of funds."

"Letters and account books?" Zhu Kai asked, "Where are these things?"

"I have sent someone to keep it safely," Zhao Tiezhu replied, "and it will be delivered here later. Your Highness, please take a look."

As the two were talking, a palace guard hurried into the study and knelt on one knee: "Your Highness, Lord Gu wants to see you."

"Let him in." Zhu Kai ordered.

Not long after, Gu Wenzheng walked into the study with a worried look on his face. After bowing to Zhu Kai, he couldn't wait to say, "Your Highness, there is news from the court that several ministers have jointly written a letter requesting a thorough investigation of what happened last night."

Zhu Kai frowned slightly: "Thorough investigation? What did they say?"

Gu Wenzheng replied: "They believe that what happened last night was serious and suspect that a minister in the court was involved. They ask Your Majesty to order a thorough investigation and severely punish those responsible."

Zhu Kai pondered for a moment, then ordered: "Gu Wenzheng, you immediately draft a memorial to report everything that happened last night to the emperor, and propose that I be in charge of this investigation."

"But, Your Highness," Gu Wenzheng said with some concern, "If you investigate it yourself, will it arouse suspicion from others?"

Zhu Kai shook his head firmly: "Gu Wenzheng, don't worry. This matter is of great importance. Only if I personally inquire about it can I ensure that the truth is revealed to the world." (End of this chapter)