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

Zhu Han held his spear tightly, his eyes determined: "Pass the order down, the entire army must hold their positions and not retreat! At the same time, order the scouts to continue to explore the enemy's movements and look for opportunities to counterattack!"

He turned to the deputy general beside him and said, "Deputy General Li, you must ensure the safety of the scouts. Their intelligence is of vital importance to us."

Lieutenant General Li bowed his hands and accepted the order. His voice was firm: "I will do my best to protect the scouts and ensure that the intelligence is correct."

At this time, a seriously wounded soldier was carried to Zhu Han. He struggled to stand up and salute, but was gently held down by Zhu Han. The soldier's eyes flashed with an unyielding light, and he used up his last strength to say: "Your Highness, the enemy's attack is too fierce, and our arrows and rolling logs are almost exhausted..."

Zhu Han frowned upon hearing this. He looked at General Wang who was in charge of logistics and said, "General Wang, how is the supply situation?"

General Wang looked embarrassed, but still answered firmly: "Your Majesty, the supply line has been attacked by the enemy and the transportation of supplies has been blocked. However, I have sent elite troops to escort them, and I believe that the supply will be restored soon."

Zhu Han nodded, his eyes revealing determination: "Okay, tell the soldiers that persistence is victory. We must not give up any inch of land or any of our brothers."

At this moment, a scout covered in dust stumbled into the tent, and before he could catch his breath, he hurriedly reported: "Your Majesty, there is movement behind the enemy, and it seems that a large number of reinforcements are coming to reinforce!"

Zhu Han's eyes flashed with a hint of coldness. He quickly analyzed the situation and ordered in a deep voice: "General Zhang, you will immediately lead the elite cavalry to bypass the enemy's rear and cut off their reinforcements. Remember, you must be careful and don't fight to the death."

General Zhang took the order, his eyes flashing with fighting spirit: "I will obey your command and live up to your trust, Your Majesty!" After that, he turned and hurried away, summoning his cavalry to prepare for a surprise attack.

Zhu Han turned to Lieutenant General Li and said, "You should continue to strengthen your scouts and make sure you understand all the enemy's movements. At the same time, notify all the generals to prepare for a more intense battle."

Lieutenant General Li bowed and accepted the order, then turned and left. Only Zhu Han and a few trusted staff members were left in the tent. Zhu Han took a deep breath, looked at everyone with a sharp gaze, and said: "This battle concerns the safety of the Ming Dynasty, and even more so the life and death of each of us. We must work together to overcome the difficulties."

Officer Zhao took a step forward and said in a firm voice: "Don't worry, Your Majesty. We will follow you till death and face the national crisis together."

Mr. Li also nodded in agreement: "Your Majesty is right. We will do our best to help Your Majesty."

While everyone was discussing, a guard hurried into the tent, knelt on one knee and reported: "Your Highness, there is an urgent report from the capital. His Royal Highness the Crown Prince has ordered the Ministry of Revenue to speed up the collection of supplies, which will be delivered to the border in a few days."

Zhu Han smiled with satisfaction upon hearing this: "Great! Your Highness the Crown Prince's move will undoubtedly increase our chances of winning. Pass the order down and let the soldiers know the news to boost their morale."

The guards took the order and left, and the tent fell into a brief silence again. Zhu Han looked at the war outside the window, feeling both worried and determined.

At the same time, in Zhu Di's mansion, the atmosphere was equally solemn. Zhu Di sat in his study, playing with an exquisite jade ring in his hand, his eyes flashing with a cold light. A trusted adviser hurried into the study and whispered: "Your Highness, the influence of the clean stream among the people is growing, and the dissatisfaction with your Highness is increasing day by day."

Zhu Di snorted coldly and slammed the jade ring on the table. "How dare these empty-talking scholars become my enemies! Pass the order down and have the spies speed up their actions. We must find evidence against them and teach them a profound lesson."

The trusted adviser was about to leave after receiving the order, but was stopped by Zhu Di: "Also, strengthen the surveillance of Prince Han's mansion, especially Prince Han's family. I don't believe that we can't find their weak spots."

The trusted adviser bowed and was about to leave when Zhu Di added, "Also, contact those officials in the court who are dissatisfied with Prince Han, provide them with more support, and let them attack Prince Han more actively in the court."

The trusted adviser received the order and was about to turn around and leave, but Zhu Di seemed to remember something and stopped him: "Wait, there is one more thing we need to pay attention to. Although the Qingliu people have no real power, their influence among the people should not be underestimated. Be sure to let the spies pay attention to their movements, especially when they gather or make speeches, we must get the intelligence as soon as possible."

The trusted adviser nodded in agreement, secretly thinking about how to set up a more thorough spy network to ensure that no slightest movement would be missed. He bowed and hurriedly withdrew to carry out the order.

Zhu Di was the only one left in the study again. He gently stroked the jade ring in his hand, his eyes revealing deep thought.

"Hmph, Zhu Han, ah Zhu Han, although you are both wise and brave, how can I be so easily seen through by you?" Zhu Di said to himself, with a sneer on his face, "I will not only win you, but also win beautifully, so that everyone knows that the stability of the Ming Dynasty will ultimately depend on me."

Just as Zhu Di was immersed in his thoughts, there was a gentle knock on the door outside the study, and a servant respectfully reported: "Your Highness, the Minister of Revenue wants to see you. There is urgent official business that needs to be reported in person."

Zhu Di frowned slightly, but then regained his composure and said in a deep voice, "Let him in."

The Minister of Revenue hurried into the study, looking a little nervous, not daring to be negligent. After paying his respects, he quickly said, "Your Highness, the war on the border is tense, and the supply of food and fodder is insufficient. I have come to ask for your advice on countermeasures."

Zhu Di's eyes shone when he heard this. He said in a deep voice: "The Ministry of Revenue must make every effort to raise funds and not make any mistakes. At the same time, we can contact local wealthy merchants to purchase grain at a fair price to ensure that the supply line is unobstructed."

The Minister of Revenue felt relieved when he heard this, but then he looked embarrassed again: "Your Highness, although the local wealthy merchants have surplus grain, I am afraid they will take the opportunity to raise the price, which will be detrimental to the country."

Zhu Di sneered, a hint of ruthlessness flashed in his eyes: "Raise the price? Humph, tell them that if they dare to raise the price and disrupt the morale of the army, I will not let them off easily! At the same time, send an imperial envoy to supervise and ensure fair trading of grain and fodder. Violators will be severely punished!"

The Minister of Revenue was shocked and quickly bowed and promised: "I obey your command and will do it immediately." After that, he hurriedly retreated, secretly thanking his luck that he received Zhu Di's clear instructions in time.

At the same time, in Zhu Han's study, the atmosphere was equally tense. Zhu Han was discussing with several of his trusted aides how to deal with Zhu Di's offensive. Military Officer Zhao hurried into the study and reported nervously, "Your Highness, there is news from the capital that Zhu Di is stepping up his crackdown on the upright people and has also stepped up his surveillance of the Prince Han's Palace." Upon hearing this, Zhu Han frowned, but he quickly regained his composure and said in a deep voice, "Zhu Di's move is intended to shake our foundation. We must strengthen our precautions and increase our support for the upright people to ensure that their voices in the court and the public are not drowned out."

Mr. Li took over the conversation and said firmly, "Your Highness is right. We can secretly contact those local officials and gentry who are dissatisfied with Zhu Di, form a grassroots force, and echo the upright people to fight against Zhu Di together."

Zhu Han nodded in agreement, his eyes revealing approval: "This is a great plan. Mr. Li, this matter will be handed over to you with full responsibility. Please be careful and ensure that nothing goes wrong."

Mr. Li bowed and accepted the order. He was about to leave, but he seemed to remember something. After hesitating for a moment, he said, "Your Highness, there is one more thing I need to report. The soldiers on the frontier fought hard and their morale is high, but if the food and grass supplies cannot be delivered in time, something unexpected may happen."

Zhu Han's face darkened when he heard this. He said in a deep voice, "Pass the order down, and tell the Ministry of Revenue to speed up the collection of food and grass, and at the same time send elite troops to escort the supply line to ensure that nothing goes wrong."

Zhao Canjun was about to leave when Zhu Han stopped him, "Also, strengthen the communication with His Royal Highness the Crown Prince to ensure that he can be informed of the situation in the border areas and the capital in a timely manner so that we can jointly deal with Zhu Di's offensive."

Zhao Canjun responded, "I will do it immediately." He turned around and was about to leave, but then he seemed to think of something and said, "Your Majesty, there is one more thing we need to pay attention to. Should we strengthen our contact with those court officials who are on the sidelines about the reform and win their support?"

Zhu Han nodded slightly, with a trace of deep thought in his eyes: "Indeed, the attitude of these court officials is crucial. Send someone to contact them privately, explain the significance and urgency of reform to them, and promise to give them certain political benefits in exchange for their support."

Officer Zhao took the order and left. The study room fell into a moment of silence again. Zhu Han gently rubbed his temples, looking a little tired, but his eyes were still firm. At this time, Mr. Li stepped forward and said softly: "Your Highness, you haven't had a good rest for several days. Your health is important. Why don't you take a rest first and wait for news from Officer Zhao and others before making a decision."

Zhu Han shook his head and said with a smile, "It's okay. State affairs are more important. However, Mr. Li is right. I really need to keep a clear mind. How about this, you go and prepare some light tea, and I will take a short rest."

Mr. Li bowed and left, and soon brought a cup of hot fragrant tea. Zhu Han took a sip, and the fragrance of the tea made his tense nerves relax a little.

Just as he closed his eyes to rest, he suddenly heard hurried footsteps outside the door, and then a guard hurriedly walked into the study, knelt on one knee and reported: "Your Highness, urgent news from the border! The enemy suddenly changed its tactics and sent an elite team to bypass our defense line, intending to sneak attack our food and supplies!"

Upon hearing this, Zhu Han suddenly opened his eyes, with a hint of coldness in his eyes: "What a cunning enemy, how dare they use such a risky trick! Pass the order down, immediately strengthen the guard of the grain camp, and at the same time send elite cavalry to intercept the enemy squad. Make sure the grain is safe, no mistakes!"

The guards took the order and left, and the study room fell into a tense atmosphere again. Zhu Han stood up and paced back and forth, secretly thinking about how to deal with this sudden change.

At the same time, in Zhu Di's mansion, the atmosphere was equally tense. Zhu Di was standing in front of the window, gazing at the capital in the night, playing with an exquisite jade ring in his hand, with a cold light flashing in his eyes. A trusted adviser hurried into the study and reported in a low voice: "Your Highness, the spy reported that the Prince Han's Mansion has strengthened its vigilance and seems to have noticed our surveillance."

Zhu Di nodded slightly, with a sneer on his face: "Prince Han is indeed not a simple man. However, the more cautious he is, the more it shows that he has something to hide. Pass the order down, let the spies act more covertly and make sure to find the flaws in Prince Han's mansion."

The trusted adviser was about to leave when Zhu Di called him back, "Also, regarding the Qingliu people, how is our operation going?"

The trusted adviser bowed and replied: "Don't worry, Your Highness. Although the Qingliu people have great influence among the people, many officials in the court are skeptical of their words. We are taking advantage of this to spread rumors and sow discord between them and King Han."

Zhu Di nodded with satisfaction: "Very good, continue to increase the efforts. At the same time, contact those officials in the court who are dissatisfied with King Han, provide them with more evidence and support, and let them attack King Han more actively in the court."

The trusted adviser withdrew as ordered, and Zhu Di was left alone in the study again. He turned slowly, looking deep into the distance, secretly thinking about his next move.

"Your Highness, the enemy squad has been successfully intercepted by our army, and the food and forage camp is safe!" A messenger hurried over and reported excitedly.

Zhu Han smiled with satisfaction upon hearing this: "Okay! Pass the order down and reward those brave soldiers. At the same time, strengthen the vigilance to prevent the enemy from attacking again."

The messenger took the order and left, but Zhu Han's gaze did not relax, but became more solemn.

"Your Highness, Zhu Di is a man with deep scheming minds. We must be on guard against him." General Zhao stepped forward and reminded in a low voice.

Zhu Han nodded slightly and said in a deep voice: "Yes, Zhu Di is cunning and changeable. We must be cautious at every step and not be careless. Pass the order down to strengthen intelligence gathering and make sure to grasp every step of Zhu Di's actions."

Mr. Li also stepped forward and added, "Your Highness, I also suggest that we strengthen our ties with the upright people in the court to ensure that they can speak for us at critical moments. At the same time, we must also guard against Zhu Di using their reputation to create trouble."

Zhu Han nodded in agreement: "Mr. Li is right. I'll leave this matter to you. Make sure to ensure the safety of the clean people and let them know our true intentions."

While the three were discussing, a scout rushed into the tent, kneeling on one knee and reporting: "Your Majesty, there is urgent information! Zhu Di spread rumors in the court, saying that Your Majesty's investigation of corruption is actually to eliminate dissidents and consolidate his own position."

Upon hearing this, Zhu Han frowned, with a hint of anger in his eyes: "Zhu Di is indeed despicable and shameless. Pass down the order, and let all officials involved in the investigation of corruption keep a low profile and not disclose any details of the operation. At the same time, strengthen public opinion guidance so that the people and officials can see the truth clearly."

Zhao Canjun received the order and was about to leave, but then he seemed to remember something and turned around and asked, "Your Majesty, do we also need to take some measures to win the support of those officials in the court who are on the sidelines about the reform?" (End of this chapter)