Chapter 206: Suspicion Arises! Old Zhu Curses Consort Lü As A Poisonous Woman! Monthly Ticket Bonus Update 21
Inside Huagai Hall, Lord Hongwu had just finished handling some urgent military affairs, rubbing his throbbing temples.
Yun Ming carefully presented Zhang Biao’s memorial.
“Your Majesty, Zhang Biao’s memorial… has been delivered.”
Lord Hongwu grunted, his expression unreadable, but the hand that received the memorial clenched slightly.
He wanted to see what this madman could come up with after being locked up for three days.
He broke the seal and unfolded the memorial.
A striking title, appeared before his eyes, named:
《 On the Establishment, Responsibilities, and Audit Strategy of the Great Ming Anti-Corruption Bureau》
The opening section began with a grand preamble, expounding on the importance of anti-corruption to the foundation of the state, then immediately, the writing pointed directly to the core:
“Your subject believes the Anti-Corruption Bureau should be the eyes and ears of the Son of Heaven, independent of all ministries of the court, directly under the Imperial presence…”
This was about setting up the framework first, securing the highest authority.
“Its primary responsibility shall be auditing.”
“The key to auditing lies first in the finances, usage, land, and property of the Princes, Nobles, and all Officials. Anything that deviates from regulations, conceals deficits, or is suspected of corruption or bribery, shall be subject to audit…”
This directly placed the auditing of Princes as the first item, without any hesitation.
“The methods of auditing can be divided into overt and covert.”
“Overt methods involve reviewing archives, cross-referencing accounts, and questioning relevant parties; covert methods involve dispatching personnel for secret investigations, gathering public sentiment, and uncovering factual evidence. Combining these two will allow for insight into hidden matters…”
This provided a theoretical basis for the old soldiers’ actions.
“Personnel for the Anti-Corruption Bureau shall be selected from those who are upright, loyal, knowledgeable in mathematics, and fearless of powerful figures, and shall be compensated with generous salaries to ensure they have no worries about their livelihood and can focus on their duties…”
This was about high salaries to foster integrity, emphasizing it again.
“As for the operational regulations, your subject tentatively proposes the following…”
Following this, Zhang Biao listed some relatively specific but still room-for-interpretation clauses, such as independent investigation rights, temporary detention rights, and information confidentiality systems.
The opening was still somewhat normal, and one could even say it was written with considerable insight. The discussion on the independence of the Anti-Corruption Bureau and the combined overt and covert methods of auditing touched upon some of his thoughts.
Lord Hongwu’s brows relaxed slightly.
【 It seems this madman can occasionally say something sensible…】
However, as he read further, Lord Hongwu’s complexion began to change from yellow to red, and from red to green, at a visible speed.
The memorial then explicitly stated:
“To ensure the impartiality of the Anti-Corruption Bureau and avoid constraints due to funding, your subject earnestly requests Your Majesty to allow the Anti-Corruption Bureau to establish independent accounts. Its funding sources may consist of three parts!”
“First, a fixed allocation from the Ministry of Revenue!”
“Second, a proportional retention of confiscated illicit funds!”
“Third, establish a ‘Anti-Corruption Bookstore’ to publish bestselling works such as 《 The Appearances of Corrupt Officials》 and 《 The Secrets of Mathematical Calculations》, to support integrity through literature…”
【 Using my money to operate, and retaining confiscated illicit funds?! Isn’t this lining one’s own pockets?!】
【 Supporting integrity through literature?! And publishing books?!】
Lord Hongwu almost threw the memorial to the ground.
However, it wasn’t over yet.
“The responsibilities of the Anti-Corruption Bureau should not be limited to officials and Princes.”
“Under heaven, all land belongs to the King, and all people within its borders are the King’s subjects. Therefore, the expenditures of the Imperial Family and the expenses of the Inner Court should also be subject to audit and supervision, to serve as an example to the world.”
“Your subject suggests that the first royal audit project for the Anti-Corruption Bureau could begin with… reviewing the income and expenditure details of the Imperial Treasury for the past ten years…”
Boom!
Lord Hongwu felt a surge of blood rush to his head.
【 Auditing the Imperial Treasury again?!】
【 Zhang Biao! You scoundrel! Your greedy intentions are not dead! You’re still eyeing my Imperial Treasury!】
He felt as if he saw Zhang Biao pointing at his nose and calling him a ‘miser’ again, old grudges and new ones surging into his heart!
This madman had gone through all these twists and turns, caused all this trouble, and his ultimate goal was still his money bag!
Lord Hongwu was so angry his hands trembled, he panted heavily, his eyes fierce as if he wanted to devour someone.
He forcibly suppressed the urge to tear the memorial to shreds and continued to flip through it.
In the later sections, there were suggestions such as ‘Anti-Corruption Bureau officials must undergo regular anti-temptation training,’ for example, by allocating gold and silver from the Imperial Treasury and piling it up like a mountain for subordinates to see, and ‘establishing a lottery for integrity to raise funds.’ A series of bizarre and unbelievable suggestions followed.
The first third of the memorial seemed to be the work of a capable minister, the middle third began to deviate, and the last third completely went off the rails, turning into a carnival of Zhang Biao’s personal fantasies.
“Bastard! You unfilial wretch!!”
Lord Hongwu finally couldn’t hold back, cursed loudly, and slammed the memorial onto the imperial desk:
“He can’t find peace for a moment! He keeps finding ways to anger us! Auditing the Imperial Treasury over and over? Why doesn’t he just come and rob it?!”
Yun Ming knelt on the ground, trembling with fear.
Lord Hongwu’s chest heaved violently, pacing back and forth in the hall like an enraged lion.
After a long while, he forcibly suppressed the impulse to have Zhang Biao killed and gritted his teeth, saying to Yun Ming:
“Convey my decree! Zhang Biao’s submitted memorial… shall be held and not issued!”
“Ah?”
Yun Ming was stunned.
Just to hold it and not issue it? This didn’t seem like His Majesty’s usual style.
Normally, even if he didn’t send Zhang Biao to the Imperial Prison, he would at least teach him a lesson, or even confine him.
Lord Hongwu looked at Yun Ming’s confused expression, snorted, and a glint of ‘wisdom,’ born from being repeatedly toyed with and tinged with a trace of frustration, flashed in his eyes:
“This madman wants to provoke us! He wants us to acknowledge him! But we won’t!”
“He wants to cause trouble, doesn’t he? He wants to act out, doesn’t he? We’ll just treat him like a fart and let him go!”
“Tell Song Zhong to keep a close eye on him!”
“As long as he doesn’t storm the palace gates, commit open rebellion, or incite the common people and colleagues to riot! He can write whatever ‘strange essays’ he wants! We will ignore it all!”
“He wants to audit our Imperial Treasury? Let him dream! We’ll see how long this solo performance can last when no one pays attention to him!”
Lord Hongwu finally understood. Arguing with someone like Zhang Biao meant losing.
The angrier you got, the more energetic he became.
The best approach was to ignore him and let him fuss, to see how much of a stir he could create.
“And another thing!”
Lord Hongwu added, his tone carrying a hint of ruthlessness:
“Tell Song Zhong to investigate him! We don’t believe that this madman is truly clean behind the scenes!”
“He actually claims to have twenty million taels?! We don’t believe it! We must find out! Even if it means turning his residence upside down!”
“And he talks about ‘beautiful models in clubs’ and ‘living a carefree life’?! Let him dream on!”
“Your servant obeys the decree!”
Yun Ming quickly bowed and withdrew to convey the decree, which was filled with helplessness and indignation.
Lord Hongwu sat alone on the dragon throne, looking at the bizarre memorial thrown in the corner, feeling a heavy burden in his heart.
He was clearly in an advantageous position, and could easily crush that ‘ant,’ so why… why did he always feel so aggrieved?
This feeling of hating someone to the bone, yet having to tolerate it temporarily, even having to pretend not to see it, was truly awful!
“Zhang Biao… we are not done with you!”
Lord Hongwu squeezed out these words from between his teeth, filled with endless resentment.
Before long, Song Zhong arrived at Zhang Biao’s official residence with Lord Hongwu’s reply.
As soon as Zhang Biao saw him, he greeted him enthusiastically.
“Investigator Song! Come in, come in!”
Zhang Biao held up a strange vest that Wang Mazi had just delivered, with a large character ‘integrity’ printed on the back:
“Look at our Anti-Corruption Bureau’s ‘Armor of Integrity’!”
“Wear this, and corrupt officials will flee in fear upon seeing it, while the common people will clap their hands in approval! I plan to give everyone in the bureau three of these to wear in rotation!”
“The funding will be deducted from your salary!”
Song Zhong looked at the eyesore ‘Armor of Integrity’ and his lips twitched involuntarily. He then ignored Zhang Biao’s mention of salary deductions and changed the subject:
“Lord Zhang, His Majesty has decided to hold your submitted memorial and not issue it.”
Upon hearing this, Zhang Biao, who was wearing the ‘Armor of Integrity’ and posing in front of a mirror, paused.
Immediately, far from being disappointed, he grinned, revealing two rows of white teeth, and raised an eyebrow at his reflection.
“Oh? Just like before, he chooses to ignore me?”
Zhang Biao stroked his chin, his eyes flashing with excitement: “Old Zhu, Old Zhu, why don’t you learn from your mistakes?”
“If you ignore me, does that mean I can’t make you ‘acknowledge’ me?”
Having said that, he suddenly turned around, the ‘Armor of Integrity’ swishing in a cool arc.
He looked out at the gloomy sky outside the window, his smile growing brighter and more dangerous.
“The show has just begun. Don’t rush, let the bullets fly for a while…”
Song Zhong’s eyelids twitched upon hearing this, a vague premonition of something bad.
In the following days, a peculiar sight appeared in the capital.
Every morning, Zhang Biao, wearing his eyesore ‘Armor of Integrity,’ would appear punctually outside the Gate of Heavenly Acceptance.
Not too close to the palace gate, but close enough to be seen by the guards and not immediately driven away, he set up a story-telling stall.
That’s right, a story-telling stall!
A small tea table borrowed from Wang Mazi, a worn fan, and a brick used as a striking block.
Zhang Biao sat down, cleared his throat, and began to ‘tell stories.’
He wasn’t telling stories of talented scholars and beautiful ladies, or chivalrous heroes, but a serialized tale called 《 The Rise and Fall of the Great Ming Anti-Corruption Bureau》.
“It is said that Lord Hongwu, with his enlightened wisdom, saw through the corruption that plagued the nation and specially established the ‘Great Ming Anti-Corruption Bureau,’ appointing the fearless and impartial Director Zhang as its head, solely responsible for investigating all unlawful acts under heaven!”
Zhang Biao slammed the brick, his voice loud and resonant, attracting many officials waiting to enter the court and passing citizens to stop and watch.
“The first fire of this Anti-Corruption Bureau, guess what it did? It directly targeted those powerful Princes who were too entrenched to be removed!”
He deliberately lowered his voice to create a sense of mystery:
“Director Zhang, holding an imperial decree, stormed into a certain prince’s mansion, demanding to inspect his land deeds and account books!”
“The chief clerk of the prince’s mansion, arrogant and haughty, refused to cooperate! Everyone guess, how did Director Zhang respond?”
The crowd, especially the lower-ranking officials and commoners, listened with bright eyes.
These were ‘court secrets’ they had never heard before.
“Director Zhang, unhurried and calm, pulled out something!”
Zhang Biao mimed taking something out: “This item is neither a sword nor a saber, but a copy of the 《 Great Proclamation》!”
“He sternly shouted: ‘Do you people still have the law of the land in your eyes?! His Majesty has decreed that the Anti-Corruption Bureau handles cases independently. Anyone who obstructs shall be punished with the same crime as corruption!'”
“Truly righteous and awe-inspiring, the chief clerk was immediately so terrified his face turned ashen, and he soiled himself!”
He vividly described how ‘Director Zhang’ outsmarted the prince’s mansion officials, how he found anomalies in the account books, and how he investigated hidden properties.
The story was told with dramatic twists and turns, the characters were vividly portrayed, shaping ‘Director Zhang’ into a lone hero, a just and incorruptible official.
Of course, the story wouldn’t be complete without the miraculous function of the ‘Anonymous Complaint Box,’ which always provided crucial clues at critical moments.
“As the saying goes, the net of heaven is vast, and though its mesh is coarse, it misses nothing!”
“Under Director Zhang’s meticulous investigation, the Prince’s illegal activities were finally revealed to the world!”
“To know what happens next, stay tuned for the next installment—!”
Zhang Biao slammed the brick, ending the day’s story, leaving behind endless imagination.
The onlookers discussed animatedly, still wanting more.
“Director Zhang is truly a good official who dares to take responsibility!”
“It would be great if some corrupt princes could really be investigated!”
“Is that complaint box really that magical?”
Song Zhong and the Imperial Guards who were monitoring them turned green.
This Zhang Biao, instead of storming the palace gates or cursing the Emperor, had resorted to ‘artistic creation.’
This was even more difficult to handle than causing direct trouble.
The content he spoke was a mix of truth and falsehood, laced with his own agenda, and highly inflammatory, yet you couldn’t arrest him just for ‘telling stories.’
Song Zhong tried to step forward and stop him several times, but Zhang Biao would respond with an innocent look:
“Investigator Song, I am promoting His Majesty’s wise decision to establish the Anti-Corruption Bureau, popularizing the 《 Great Proclamation》, and educating the common people. What offense have I committed?”
“Is it that His Majesty’s establishment of the Anti-Corruption Bureau is something to be hidden from the light?”
Song Zhong was choked speechless and could only glare, dispatching more men to record every word Zhang Biao said, and then quickly report it to Lord Hongwu in the palace.
Meanwhile, in Huagai Hall.
As Lord Hongwu was finishing his daily memorials and preparing to attend court, he remembered Jiang Huan’s investigation and casually asked Yun Ming, who was beside him:
“Has Jiang Huan returned?”
“Replying to Your Majesty, Commander Jiang is waiting outside the hall!” Yun Ming replied with a bow.
Lord Hongwu frowned slightly and said calmly, “Let him in!”
“Yes!”
Yun Ming acknowledged.
Soon, Jiang Huan strode in and bowed, saying, “Your subject, Jiang Huan, greets Your Majesty.”
“Speak, what have you found!”
Lord Hongwu, without preamble, asked directly.
Feeling the urgency in the Emperor’s tone, Jiang Huan dared not delay and quickly reported the clues he had uncovered in detail:
“Replying to Your Majesty, your subject has found that before the Crown Prince decided to go on his tour, he had a conversation with Consort Lü in the Eastern Palace.”
“According to an old eunuch who used to serve the Crown Prince and was later transferred to serve in Renzhi Hall…”
“It seems that Consort Lü saw that the Crown Prince was dispirited after arguing with Your Majesty over the 《 Empty Seal Case》, so she kindly comforted him and suggested that the Crown Prince might petition Your Majesty to go on a tour outside the capital to relax.”
“What?! It was Consort Lü who suggested Biao’er go on tour?!”
Lord Hongwu suddenly stood up from the dragon throne, his eyes instantly flashing with terrifying sharpness, his chest heaving violently, like a powder keg ignited, unable to suppress his outburst:
“Wicked woman! That wicked woman! It was her indeed! She instigated Biao’er to leave the capital!”
The violent wrath almost consumed his reason.
He could already see the venomous heart hidden beneath Consort Lü’s gentle facade. It was her who had indirectly led to the death of Xiong Ying, and perhaps even…
However, just as this thunderous rage was about to erupt, the reason honed by countless political storms, almost instinctively, gripped a sliver of clarity.
He took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing the surging blood, his voice hoarse from extreme restraint:
“No… even if Consort Lü suggested Biao’er go on tour, what motive would she have to harm our eldest grandson? To harm our younger sister?!”
This was the crucial question.
He could dismember Consort Lü, even her entire clan, but he had to understand what had happened.
After all, Consort Lü was Zhu Biao’s secondary consort at the time, and Zhu Xiong Ying was the legitimate eldest grandson, holding a noble position. But ultimately, there was no direct blood conflict with her.
This was because Zhu Yunwen had not yet shown any signs of being designated as the heir.
She had no reason to defy the heavens and commit such a crime that warranted extermination of nine generations of a family.
“Replying to Your Majesty!”
Jiang Huan felt the tangible pressure emanating from the Emperor and lowered his head even further, his voice trembling:
“Your subject questioned carefully. That old eunuch said that Consort Lü comforted the Crown Prince at that time, and her words were sincere, showing only concern for the Crown Prince.”
“And… and it is heard that after the Crown Prince decided to go on tour, Consort Lü originally intended to accompany him, saying she wanted to personally care for His Highness and the Imperial Eldest Grandson…”
“Originally intended to accompany?”
Lord Hongwu caught this detail, his eyes sharp as knives.
“Yes. But later, it was said that the Crown Prince, feeling sympathetic towards Consort Lü… said that her ‘monthly period made her weak and it was inconvenient for her to endure the hardships of travel,’ so he asked her to remain in the palace.”
Jiang Huan added cautiously, “Everything… everything seems to be normal, with no anomalies found.”
“Additionally, your subject has also verified the records of the Eastern Palace and the imperial physicians’ records from that year. There are indeed records of Consort Lü being unwell during that period.”
【 Monthly period, weak body? Sympathetic?】
Lord Hongwu’s brows furrowed tightly into a knot.
This explanation sounded plausible, even highlighting the Crown Prince Zhu Biao’s benevolence and Consort Lü’s ‘virtuousness.’
If it were any other time, he might have believed it.
But now, under the influence of his deep-seated suspicion, completely ignited by Zhang Biao, every aspect of this ‘plausibility’ seemed filled with unsettling ‘coincidences’!
【 Why was it Consort Lü who suggested the tour?】
【 Why was she ‘coincidentally’ unwell at that time?】
【 Why did the Crown Prince ‘coincidentally’ pity her and not let her go?】
【 Why was Biao’er, who went out, fine, but Xiong Ying, who toured with Biao’er, and the younger sister who went to care for Xiong Ying later, both…】
This series of coincidences, like cold needles, pierced Lord Hongwu, making him restless.
He absolutely did not believe Consort Lü was entirely innocent!
【 But… the motive?】
Lord Hongwu’s thoughts involuntarily drifted to that gentle and refined Imperial Grandson, who greatly resembled his father.
【 If… if Xiong Ying had not died, the position of Imperial Grandson would have been undisputed.】
【 If both Xiong Ying and the younger sister died, and Biao’er also passed away due to grief and ‘hidden illness’… then who would be the greatest beneficiary?】
【 It would be Yunwen! Consort Lü’s own son!】
A terrifying inference, based on the principle of the greatest beneficiary, wrapped around Lord Hongwu’s heart like a viper.
【 Could it be that Consort Lü… did it to pave the way for her own son?】
This thought sent a chill through his entire body!
If this speculation were true, then Consort Lü’s cunning and ruthlessness would be beyond his imagination!
What a long-term plan, what patience!
【 But… the evidence?】
What Jiang Huan found was merely that she suggested the tour and that she could not accompany it for ‘valid reasons.’
With only these, it was impossible to convict her, or even to openly question her.
Lord Hongwu fell into an unprecedented dilemma and pain.
On one hand, he firmly believed his intuition that Consort Lü was definitely involved.
On the other hand, direct evidence was lacking.
【 More importantly, what about Yunwen?】
【 Does Yunwen know what his mother might have done?】
【 If he knows, then he is an accomplice, and his heart is damnable!】
【 If he doesn’t know… he is a pitiable child kept in the dark. Should we still establish him as the Imperial Grandson?】
【 Establish an Imperial Grandson… who might have such a wicked mother?】
Lord Hongwu felt his head splitting with pain.
【 If not Yunwen, then who?】
【 Yun Teng? He has the Huai Xi Nobles behind him! Establishing him would only embolden those arrogant generals. How could the balance between the Civil Official Group and the Noble Group be maintained?】
【 Moreover, Yun Teng harbors resentment towards his royal uncles. If he ascends the throne, I fear conflict will immediately erupt between the Princes and the court, leading to turmoil in the empire!】
【 If we establish a Prince, not to mention the character of the Second Prince and the Third Prince, and whether they can inherit the throne, but in the current situation, they have both been deposed by me, then the remaining…】
【 The Fourth Prince… Prince Yan Zhu Di?】
As this name appeared, Lord Hongwu’s heart sank.
【 That’s right! Now only the Fourth Prince remains…】
【 Xiong Ying is dead, the younger sister is dead, Biao’er is dead, and now even Yunwen may be disqualified due to his mother…】
【 After this series of events, the only one remaining who is capable, prestigious, and powerful is the Fourth Prince!】
【 Could it be… that behind all this, the real mastermind is the Fourth Prince?!】
【 Was he secretly orchestrating this, eliminating all obstacles in his path?!】
【 Could Consort Lü… have been a pawn he arranged?!】
This sudden, even more horrifying conjecture, made Lord Hongwu’s hair stand on end.
The more he thought about it, the more plausible it seemed!
【 The Fourth Prince has long been stationed in Beiping, holding significant military power, skilled in warfare, and enjoys the highest prestige among the Princes, as well as the greatest capability.】
【 With the Fourth Prince’s ambition, would he truly be content to remain a Prince forever?】
【 If all of this is the Fourth Prince’s plan, then his cunning, his ruthlessness, his patience… are truly terrifying!】
Lord Hongwu slumped onto the dragon throne, fine beads of sweat appearing on his forehead.
He realized he seemed to have fallen into a vast, dark vortex.
Looking around, his sons, grandsons, and consorts… everyone seemed shrouded in mist, and everyone could be a potential enemy.
Trust, at this moment, felt so luxurious and absurd.
What should he do?
Continue investigating?
What if it truly led to the Fourth Prince… would he have to personally kill another son who was skilled in warfare and could defend the nation?
Not investigate?
Should he allow the true killer of Biao’er, Xiong Ying, and the younger sister to go unpunished? And allow a son who might be the mastermind, or one with a wicked mother, to inherit the Great Ming Empire?
Lord Hongwu clenched his fists tightly, his fingernails digging into his palms. The intense internal conflict made the muscles in his face twitch.
Jiang Huan knelt below, not daring to breathe, able to clearly feel the tangible pain, struggle, and fierce killing intent emanating from the supreme being on the dragon throne.
In Huagai Hall, time seemed to freeze, leaving only Lord Hongwu’s heavy, suppressed breaths.
After a long while, as if he had exhausted all his strength, Lord Hongwu slowly raised his head. His bloodshot eyes were filled with boundless fatigue and a coldness bordering on despair.
He looked at Jiang Huan and Yun Ming, who were waiting below, his voice hoarse like a cracked gong:
“You… withdraw for now. I… I am a bit tired.”
“Your subjects take their leave.”
Jiang Huan and Yun Ming felt as if they had received a great amnesty and quickly bowed and exited the hall, their footsteps hurried, as if escaping a dragon’s den and a tiger’s lair.
In the empty Huagai Hall, Lord Hongwu sat alone, gazing at the magnificent caisson ceiling, his eyes vacant.
He felt like an old lion trapped in a cage, sensing the lurking dangers all around, yet unable to find a target to tear into, only able to rage impotently, sinking deeper into the mire of suspicion and pain.
“Zhang Biao… I hate you to death…”
A whisper, filled with endless resentment and a trace of fear of the truth that even he was unwilling to admit, echoed softly in the silent hall.
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