Chapter 210: You Insulted Me, And Now You Want Me To Give You Money?! Seeking Monthly Tickets
Old Zhu stood frozen as if under an Immobilization Technique.
His blood-red eyes fixed on Zhang Biao, his voice trembling slightly:
“What… what do you know?!”
The death of Zhu Xiongying seemed to be the beginning of all nightmares, and the root of his suspicion towards Consort Lü, and even of a larger conspiracy behind it.
Because with Consort Lü’s abilities and background, he simply did not believe she could orchestrate such a grand scheme.
Especially a ‘chain of schemes’ targeting his eldest grandson, his sister, and his Biao’er.
There were many factors to consider in this, almost requiring every step to be done without anyone noticing, so that even he, the Emperor, couldn’t easily detect anything suspicious.
To be honest, it wasn’t that he was too confident, but that it was too difficult.
That’s why he didn’t immediately move against Consort Lü, and even instructed Jiang Huan not to investigate brazenly, for fear that the other party would secretly destroy clues.
After all, Consort Lü was right under his nose; dealing with her was a matter of a single word.
If Consort Lü were to be dealt with, alerting the person behind her, or even causing them to flee in advance, then all the truth would be concealed once more.
He feared he would live in pain forever.
Seeing Old Zhu’s attention instantly diverted, Zhang Biao secretly chuckled but nodded gravely on the surface:
“To tell Your Majesty the truth, these past days, besides fighting corruption, I have not been idle.”
“Combined with some… hearsay, and my own deductions, I have discovered some intriguing clues.”
As he spoke, he nudged Yun Ming with his chin, signaling him to put away Old Zhu’s sword.
Yun Ming’s heart trembled, and he instinctively looked at Old Zhu.
He saw Old Zhu’s eyes narrow, as if hesitating, but ultimately, the desire for the truth behind his grandson’s death overcame his anger at Zhang Biao’s absurd behavior.
He waved his hand at Yun Ming, then continued to stare at Zhang Biao with eyes as sharp as a hawk’s:
“Speak! If there is even half a false word, I will skin you alive immediately!”
Zhang Biao smiled dismissively and began, combining some posthumous speculations with his own analysis, speaking half-truthfully:
“Your Majesty, to my knowledge, Consort Lü was officially made Crown Princess in the sixteenth year of Hongwu, and His Imperial Grandson passed away in the fifteenth year of Hongwu, a difference of less than a year.”
“This in itself is suspicious.”
“Of course, Consort Lü’s motive for harming His Imperial Grandson is also doubtful.”
“At that time, Zhu Yunwen had not yet been valued by Your Majesty and the Crown Prince. To say she killed His Imperial Grandson so her own son could ascend was utterly absurd.”
“After all, she could not predict the future.”
“Moreover, His Imperial Grandson had a biological brother. As a mere consort, she couldn’t have known she would be made Crown Princess in advance, right? She couldn’t have known her son would be valued by Your Majesty and the Crown Prince, right? She couldn’t have known her son would become the Imperial Grandson, right?”
“So…”
He paused, then looked up at Old Zhu, a half-smile on his face, and said, “If she knew nothing, wouldn’t that clear her of suspicion?”
He guided Old Zhu’s train of thought:
“Sometimes, when we look at a suspect, we don’t look at all the evidence pointing to her, but rather, at the evidence that *doesn’t* point to her!”
“The more innocent a suspect appears, the more suspicious they often are. Especially those right under our noses, those seemingly insignificant individuals…”
Zhang Biao did not offer conclusive evidence, but instead posed a series of leading questions, each striking a chord with Old Zhu’s inner doubts.
However, just as Old Zhu was lost in these astonishing speculations, his brow furrowed in deep thought…
“Your Majesty, the noodles are ready!”
Zhang Biao cheerfully interrupted his thoughts and lifted the two memorials that were serving as lids.
Instantly, an even richer, more soul-stirring aroma, like an explosion, swept through the entire Huagai Hall.
It was a blend of rich meatiness, soy sauce fragrance, and an indescribable mix of spices, making the meticulously prepared dishes from the Imperial Kitchen seem dull in comparison.
Old Zhu’s stomach rumbled uncontrollably.
He had not eaten while waiting for Zhang Biao, and now, hit by this strange, never-before-smelled aroma, his mouth instantly began to salivate profusely.
Zhang Biao pushed the bowl seasoned with ‘pickled pepper beef’ sauce towards Old Zhu, and picked up his own bowl of ‘braised beef’ noodles, taking a slurp and sighing with satisfaction:
“Ah! That’s the taste! Your Majesty, won’t you try some? It’s a delicacy from heaven!”
Old Zhu looked at the enticingly colored, fragrant bowl of noodles, his throat involuntarily bobbing.
He was extremely resistant.
How could this be proper?! Eating something of unknown origin, covered by memorials, in the solemn Huagai Hall?!
But… the aroma was simply too intoxicating!
So fragrant that his willpower was wavering.
He forced himself to maintain his imperial dignity and rebuked:
“Scoundrel! Who wants to eat your foul, unknown food! Take it away!”
Zhang Biao shrugged, not forcing the issue, and continued to eat with loud slurps. The sound was like torture to Old Zhu’s ears.
Finally, under the dual torment of the persistent aroma and Zhang Biao’s extremely enjoyable eating posture, Old Zhu couldn’t help but turn to Yun Ming.
Seeing Old Zhu’s gaze, Yun Ming jolted.
As the Emperor of the Great Ming, how could Old Zhu casually eat anyone’s food?
Even if he were to eat it, a servant would have to taste it for poison first.
But finding a servant to test for poison now would likely be too late, as he could already see Old Zhu swallowing several times.
So, without a servant, who would taste it?
What if this madman’s intention was simply to get close to the Emperor and then poison him?
Thinking this, Yun Ming also swallowed audibly.
What a sin!
Without a servant to test for poison, it could only be him!
“Your Majesty… I… I’d like to have a sip of the soup…”
Yun Ming said to Old Zhu with a hundred unwilling heart, his expression as if he had eaten a fly.
Old Zhu showed a look of ‘you’re a smart one’, and handed the bowl to Yun Ming.
“Alright then, I’ll reward you with a sip.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty.”
Yun Ming took the bowl of noodles with a bitter expression.
Putting aside the question of poison, Yun Ming had no idea what the soup noodles with unknown ingredients would taste like.
What if it tasted bad?
If he told His Majesty the truth, would he offend this madman? But if he didn’t tell His Majesty, wouldn’t that be the crime of deceiving the Emperor?
This is too damn difficult!
Despite his inner fear, he could not refuse. Ultimately, Yun Ming gritted his teeth, took a deep breath, and gulped down a large mouthful.
As he swallowed, Yun Ming’s pupils dilated sharply.
A never-before-experienced, ultimate blend of savory, fragrant, salty, and rich flavors, mixed with an indescribable sense of satisfaction, exploded on his taste buds!
This deliciousness… this taste was simply beyond human!
Almost instinctively, he wanted another sip, but Old Zhu snatched the bowl away and growled, “Get away!”
“How is it? Eunuch Yun? How does it taste?”
Zhang Biao stopped eating his noodles and looked at Yun Ming with a smile.
“It’s really delicious!”
Yun Ming nodded, still wanting more, then looked at Old Zhu somewhat fearfully, “Your Majesty… you should try some too!”
Delicious?
Old Zhu’s mouth twitched strangely, he frowned, picked up his chopsticks, twirled a noodle, and took a bite.
The moment he tasted it, his eyes lit up.
He then shoveled another large mouthful into his mouth, his expression even more animated than Yun Ming’s.
Delicious! It was indeed delicious!
He didn’t even care if it was hot, eating faster and louder than Zhang Biao!
All imperial dignity, all notions of unknown origin, were conquered at this moment by this bowl of ‘pickled pepper beef noodles’!
Zhang Biao watched Old Zhu’s ‘starving ghost reincarnated’ demeanor as he slowly drank the last mouthful of soup from his own noodle bowl, a smile of quiet accomplishment gracing his lips.
【 Done! 】
He knew that today, he had completely settled into Huagai Hall.
And the tight string between him and Old Zhu had a very subtle shift due to this bowl of noodles and their discussion about Zhu Xiongying’s death.
【 Next, it’s time to get down to business! 】
“Your Majesty, we’ve eaten the noodles and discussed His Imperial Grandson. Shouldn’t we discuss some real matters now?”
Zhang Biao watched Old Zhu finish the last sip of noodle soup, calmly stood up from the ground, and asked indifferently.
Old Zhu was stunned for a moment, then frowned and looked at Zhang Biao, saying heavily, “What do you want to say?”
“Your Majesty, please enlighten me!”
Zhang Biao cupped his hands in a salute and said earnestly:
“I wish to say that I am by no means gathering crowds to cause trouble, nor would I dare to incite public sentiment! I was merely propagating Your Majesty’s virtue and educating the people!”
Old Zhu’s grip tightened on the noodle bowl, and he chuckled in anger:
“You slander the princes and criticize the court, and you call that propagating virtue? You defame your sovereign and disregard the law, and you call that educating the people?”
“Your Majesty!”
Zhang Biao’s voice suddenly rose by an octave:
“Everything I have said and described is to highlight the wisdom of Your Majesty’s establishment of the ‘Anti-Corruption Bureau’! It is to let the common people of the world know that Your Majesty cares about the people, despises corruption, and will enforce justice impartially, even against imperial clan princes, showing no leniency!”
“This is to extol Your Majesty’s benevolence and demonstrate the court’s fairness. How can it be considered criticism of the court?”
He paused and continued to explain sincerely:
“As for the stories, the slight artistic embellishments were to attract the common people to listen and facilitate their education.”
“If presented plainly, it would be dry and boring. How would the common people understand the importance of fighting corruption, how would they feel Your Majesty’s earnest efforts?”
“My heart is as clear as the sun and moon, all for the enduring foundation of our Great Ming Empire and for Your Majesty’s untarnished reputation!”
His words, twisting right and wrong, arguing sophistically, yet delivered with such grandeur and sincerity, almost made Old Zhu want to spit out his noodles.
“You! You are audacious!”
Old Zhu pointed at Zhang Biao with a trembling hand and roared:
“Eloquent but deceitful words! Twisting right and wrong! Do you think I am a three-year-old child, to be fooled by you?!”
“I dare not!”
Zhang Biao immediately lowered himself, but his tone remained forthright:
“I am merely stating the facts. If Your Majesty believes my methods are improper, I will stop immediately, and even accept punishment, but…”
He changed tack, showing a look of difficulty:
“But now, the common people in the Capital City have all heard of Your Majesty’s wise establishment of the Anti-Corruption Bureau and are eagerly anticipating its actions to root out vermin and bring clarity to the world.”
“If it were to cease now, I fear the people would become suspicious, thinking Your Majesty has changed your mind or encountered some resistance.”
His words, soft yet firm, were both an explanation and a threat.
The meaning was clear:
【 If you make me shut up now, the ‘wise’ image you’ve built will crumble, and the people will think you’re scared and backing down! 】
Old Zhu’s chest heaved violently, staring intently at Zhang Biao, wishing he could immediately summon the Imperial Guard to drag him out and chop him.
But he couldn’t.
This madman Zhang Biao, through these rogue tactics, had tied himself and public opinion together. To move against him would be to slap his own face, to admit he was afraid of resistance.
“Good! Good! Good!”
Old Zhu said the word “good” three times, each word as if ground from between his teeth:
“You are indeed eloquent and well-versed in the art of using the populace to your advantage!”
Zhang Biao looked up, still wearing the expression of a ‘loyal official wrongly accused’:
“My sole intention is for the public good, as Heaven and Earth can attest! I have no self-serving motives!”
Old Zhu looked at his unyielding demeanor and knew that regarding ‘storytelling’, it would be difficult to suppress him through conventional means.
He suppressed his killing intent and changed the subject, which was the core reason for his summons:
“I have read your ‘Memorial’.”
Old Zhu’s voice returned to its calm tone, but beneath that calm was a more dangerous undercurrent.
Zhang Biao’s spirit perked up, knowing the main event was here: “Please instruct me, Your Majesty.”
“Independent of the court? Auditing the princes? Reviewing the Imperial Treasury?”
With each question, Old Zhu’s tone grew colder:
“Zhang Biao, is your appetite too large? Are your hands reaching too far?!”
The last sentence was a thunderous rage.
“Your Majesty!”
Zhang Biao showed no fear, instead straightening his back and looking directly at Old Zhu:
“My hands are not extended for myself, but for Your Majesty, and for the Great Ming!”
“The princes are the nation’s defense, but if the defense harbors vermin, the foundation of the nation will be shaken!”
“Auditing the princes is not a lack of faith in our kin, but a way to protect our kin, and more importantly, to protect the empire!”
“If we wait until they become too powerful and cause great disaster, it will be too late for Your Majesty to regret it!”
“I am willing to be the villain and sound the alarm for Your Majesty!”
“As for the Imperial Treasury…”
Zhang Biao paused, his tone becoming more earnest:
“The expenses of the imperial family all come from the people’s hard-earned money! If Your Majesty leads by example and ensures transparency, only then will officials be convinced and the world submit!”
“Auditing the Imperial Treasury is not a desire for Your Majesty’s private assets, but a demonstration to the world of Your Majesty’s incorruptibility and selflessness, silencing the endless chatter of the world! This is a strategy of minor loss for major gain, Your Majesty!”
His words were impassioned, as if he were the loyal minister wholeheartedly concerned for Old Zhu and the Great Ming, while Old Zhu was portrayed as an ‘incompetent ruler’ who did not understand his good intentions and obstructed the anti-corruption cause.
Old Zhu trembled with rage at his twisted logic and sophistry, and slammed down the noodle bowl in his hand, roaring:
“Scoundrel! Sophistry! Auditing the Imperial Treasury? I think you still have evil intentions, wanting to plot against my money bag!”
“Your Majesty, please see clearly!”
Zhang Biao immediately cried injustice, his acting skills reaching perfection:
“If I wanted to be corrupt, why would I go to such lengths? I only have a broken room at home, a meager salary, and I have not yet married!”
“What I seek is nothing more than a bright and clear world, a system that allows loyal and upright officials to realize their ambitions, and leaves corrupt officials with nowhere to hide!”
He finally revealed his true intentions, stating the two most crucial words: system.
“System?”
Old Zhu was aghast, then his eyes sharpened like knives: “What system do you want to establish? A system that is above my 《Imperial Ming Ancestral Teachings》?”
“I dare not!”
Zhang Biao immediately denied it, but the meaning in his words remained unchanged:
“The 《Imperial Ming Ancestral Teachings》 are the eternal laws established by Your Majesty. However, laws require people to enact them.”
“I believe the Anti-Corruption Bureau is a sharp sword to execute the spirit of ‘punishing corruption and regulating officials’ within the 《Ancestral Teachings》!”
“It needs independent authority to avoid constraints; it needs clear laws to ensure impartiality!”
“This is not a violation of the 《Imperial Ming Ancestral Teachings》, but a completion of the 《Imperial Ming Ancestral Teachings》, making them more operable and better able to preserve the eternal foundation of our Great Ming!”
He skillfully packaged his demands as a supplement and improvement to the 《Imperial Ming Ancestral Teachings》, placing himself on the moral high ground of ‘upholding the ancestral system’.
Old Zhu stared intently at Zhang Biao, as if trying to see through him.
He had to admit that although this madman’s actions were eccentric and his words rebellious, his thinking was so meticulous, and his understanding of human nature and the workings of power was far beyond ordinary people.
He could always find the most difficult angles and the most grandstanding reasons to push forward his astonishing ideals.
“Well said, ‘completion’!”
Old Zhu sneered, no longer willing to engage in a verbal debate.
He knew that on this issue, he would never be able to out-argue this madman who could turn black into white.
He walked directly to Zhang Biao, staring at him intently, his gaze as cold as ice without a hint of warmth:
“Zhang Biao, I understand your intentions and your schemes clearly.”
“You want to establish rules? You want me to grant you authority? You can.”
Old Zhu’s words made a flicker of surprise and caution flash in Zhang Biao’s eyes.
“But, not now.”
Old Zhu changed his tone, his words carrying undeniable decisiveness: “And certainly not through your sensationalist, populace-coercing methods!”
“If Your Majesty feels I am using the populace to my advantage, I can change my approach, as long as it is for the sake of the realm! I would die without regret!”
Saying this, Zhang Biao took out a thick, neatly bound document from his sleeve and presented it with both hands:
“I am aware of my limited talent and that my actions may have been rash, but establishing the Anti-Corruption Bureau, purging corruption, and enriching the National Treasury is truly my sincere heart to serve the country!”
“This is the 《Great Ming Anti-Corruption Bureau Development Plan and Recent Audit Priorities Draft》 that I have painstakingly created. I request Your Majesty’s review!”
He bypassed the debate on ‘using the populace to his advantage’ and moved directly to the concrete aspects of ‘anti-corruption work’, presenting a seemingly professional draft plan.
Old Zhu narrowed his eyes as he looked at the document.
He did not take it immediately, but sneered:
“Development plan? Your previous memorial was a ‘shared spectacle’! What new tricks have you conjured up this time to anger me?”
“Your Majesty is too kind.”
Zhang Biao’s face remained unblushed as he said: “My previous memorial was due to my lack of foresight and being too whimsical. In this draft, I have learned from my mistakes, combined it with the actual situation, and aimed for stability and feasibility, with the goal of alleviating Your Majesty’s worries and eliminating vermin for the Great Ming!”
He paused and added:
“In the draft, I have elaborated in detail how the Anti-Corruption Bureau can, without alarming the princes and disrupting the court’s stability, begin with areas that have long-standing malpractices, considerable public grievance, and relatively easy-to-obtain evidence!”
“For example, investigating the occupation of military farmland in garrisons across the country, verifying losses in grain transport, and auditing imperial shops and state-run industries that compete with the populace.”
The directions he listed were extremely shrewd.
The occupation of military farmland in garrisons involved the military and local powerful families, an area Old Zhu also wanted to rectify but hesitated to act upon.
Grain transport losses were a major hotbed of corruption for the Ministry of Revenue and local officials.
Auditing imperial shops and state-run industries directly touched upon the interests of the imperial family itself and the officials dependent on it.
These areas had serious problems and incurred great public resentment, but they did not directly target the princes or Old Zhu’s Imperial Treasury, making them appear much ‘gentler’.
However, once the investigation truly began, it would inevitably be a chain reaction, ultimately touching the core interest groups.
Old Zhu, being extremely astute, instantly understood Zhang Biao’s intentions.
He stared at the document, his eyes shifting.
If Zhang Biao could truly start with these thorny peripheral issues as stated in the draft, pry open a crack, and create an opportunity for himself to rectify officialdom and enrich the National Treasury, why would he refuse?
To be honest, this was a real temptation for Old Zhu, who was currently feeling immense financial pressure, facing a bureaucratic system riddled with loopholes, and dealing with powerful princes.
However, Zhang Biao’s unpredictability made him wary.
Therefore, risk and opportunity coexisted.
Old Zhu fell into a great dilemma.
Silence fell upon the hall again, with only Old Zhu’s heavy breathing and Zhang Biao’s posture, seemingly respectful but secretly sharp.
After an unknown period, Old Zhu slowly spoke, his voice hoarse from extreme suppression: “I will read your draft.”
“However, I must remind you, no matter how you stir things up or how sharp your tongue is, your Anti-Corruption Bureau must yield practical results!”
“I don’t expect much. If you can investigate and confirm just one case, it doesn’t need to be big. Even if it’s just a commandery prince or a general, as long as the evidence is conclusive and the culprit is caught red-handed! Then I will let your Anti-Corruption Bureau be established legitimately!”
“Otherwise!”
Old Zhu’s gaze was like ten thousand years of ice:
“You will stay honestly in your Official Residence and write your ‘stories’! If you dare to step out of the Official Residence again, or dare to deceive the masses outside the palace gate, don’t blame me for being merciless!”
Hearing this, Zhang Biao rejoiced in his heart.
He wanted Old Zhu to let him investigate cases, because only through investigation could he achieve great things.
Moreover, he could use the investigations to help the old soldiers seek justice and fulfill his original intention of changing the world, achieving multiple goals at once.
As for Old Zhu’s intentions, he didn’t care at all; he only did what he wanted to do.
However, since he had taken this far, and was about to fully manipulate Old Zhu, how could he lack money? Thus, Zhang Biao climbed further:
“Your Majesty is wise! In addition, I have one more impertinent request.”
Old Zhu’s eyelids twitched, harboring a bad premonition, but he still managed to utter a word:
“Speak.”
“Replying to Your Majesty, the Anti-Corruption Bureau is newly established and needs much development. I humbly request Your Majesty to temporarily allocate fifty thousand taels of silver from the Imperial Treasury as startup funding for personnel recruitment, information gathering, and… fulfilling the previously promised rewards for anonymous whistleblowers, to gain the trust of the people.”
“???”
Old Zhu’s forehead was covered in question marks, and his anger flared.
Are you fucking crazy?! You cursed me, and now you want me to give you money?!
And you’re asking for fifty thousand taels right off the bat?!
I only ate one bowl of instant noodles from you!!
Seeking monthly tickets~
