Chapter 4: Today Is Also A Day Of Diligently Dying For A Cause
The seven-day ‘holiday’ passed in a flash, and Zhang Biao woke up once again on that familiar hard bed.
Old Zhu had ordered an investigation into his ancestors for eighteen generations; naturally, he was unaware of this. Even if he knew, it would be a matter from ‘ages and ages’ past.
After all, ‘Monster Zhang Biao’ had nothing to do with him, Censor Zhang.
Therefore, he sat up from the bed without any burden in his heart, his movements as fluid as ever.
1. Touched his neck—intact!
2. Looked at his arms—the pure white countdown and 0Kg logo had disappeared!
3. Felt his body—no weakness from diarrhea after eating luosifen, though he still wanted to eat it again.
And the essence of humanity is, in fact, a repeater.
“Ah! Another day of desperately seeking death!”
He stretched, his bones cracking, and a smile of ‘calmness’ appeared on his face, like that of a corporate slave facing the work week.
Alright, in reality, it was the ‘life is meaningless’ feeling of having to work before even waking up properly.
I don’t know what Old Zhu is thinking; he doesn’t need the ‘996’ overtime benefits, so why does he hold court every single day? Look at all the dynasties, which emperor held court daily?
It not only exhausted himself but also his son. Young Master Biao hadn’t even become emperor yet, but he was already worrying like one, and ended up leaving this world at such a young age!
Now that he’s become emperor, why is he still so diligent? Can’t he just enjoy himself?
Otherwise, what’s the difference between gaining the empire and not gaining it at all?
Despite his internal complaints about Old Zhu, Zhang Biao followed the familiar routine, tidying his official robe, straightening his official hat, then opening the door and encountering Censor Shen.
“Good morning, Brother Zhang! You look rosy and energetic today; something good must be happening!”
“Thanks to you, thanks to you! Good morning, Brother Shen! Yes, today is a good day for admonishment!”
Zhang Biao smiled brightly, seeing Censor Shen as an NPC in his eyes.
A familiar scene, the Hall of Supreme Harmony.
Old Zhu sat on the dragon throne, as majestic as ever, his gaze sweeping coldly over the assembled officials in the hall.
The Directorate of Ceremonial Eunuch, as usual, stepped forward as soon as the time arrived and bellowed, “If there is a matter, report it now; otherwise, disperse the court—”
“Reporting to Your Majesty!”
Soon, the Minister of Revenue stepped forward, beginning his report on the Jiangnan floods and tax matters.
Although Old Zhu did not know that the current Zhang Biao was ‘Monster Zhang Biao,’ the unconventional dying admonishment of ‘Monster Zhang Biao’ had indeed had an effect.
For instance, the Minister of Works’ suggestion to rebuild the Hall of Supreme Harmony was immediately rejected by Old Zhu that day.
And the Minister of Works, infuriated by the frenzied actions of ‘Monster Zhang Biao,’ fell gravely ill upon returning home, and then directly retired to his hometown.
In reality, he was not that old; it was mainly due to overwhelming psychological trauma that he truly dared not serve as an official anymore.
As for the Jiangnan floods proposed by the Minister of Revenue, Zhang Biao remembered that occurring during his third transmigration to the Great Ming Dynasty.
However, the reason Old Zhu killed him was not because of the Jiangnan floods, but because he had pleaded for a corrupt official in Jiangnan.
It is well known that whether it is a flood in ancient times or the present, disaster relief is always necessary. However, that corrupt official secretly sold the grain, and when the grain was needed for disaster relief, he couldn’t produce it.
Later, he had an idea and forcibly requisitioned grain from the local wealthy households, which enraged them. They hired a large number of people to falsely claim the grain.
In response, he mixed sand into the grain.
Those who falsely claimed the grain saw that there was sand in it, making it troublesome to sort out and inedible. After a few attempts, they stopped claiming it.
Later, the floodwaters receded, and the people were finally rescued, but the corrupt official was sued by those wealthy households.
Upon learning of this, Old Zhu flew into a rage. Zhang Biao, however, felt the official had done a good job and even praised him a few words, instantly provoking Old Zhu’s reverse scale of governing for the people. Thus, in a fit of anger, he was dragged out to the Meridian Gate and beheaded.
Thinking back now, Zhang Biao still felt that the official’s method of saving people was good, but that official had also perished along with him.
It’s just that he was resurrected, while the corrupt official had met his great-grandmother.
Sighing,
Zhang Biao stood among the censors, appearing submissive but actually distracted, his fingers digging around in his wide sleeves.
It wasn’t until the Minister of Revenue changed the topic, stating with a heavy tone: “However, the military pay for the northern frontier and the grain for Liaodong cannot be delayed for a single day. For the sake of the state, I boldly request that the taxes for the flooded prefectures in Jiangnan be increased by thirty percent! To resolve this urgent matter!”
Good heavens!
Zhang Biao was utterly stunned.
Jiangnan had just suffered a flood, and they wanted to add another thirty percent in taxes? Wasn’t that pouring salt on a wound?
No! It was practically throwing lime!
Zhu Yuanzhang on the dragon throne frowned imperceptibly, his fingers tapping habitually on the armrest, making a dull, light sound.
Those who knew him well knew this was the calm before the storm.
Zhang Biao’s eyes lit up.
This is the moment!
He took a deep breath and was about to rush out to die for his cause.
However, someone moved faster than him.
Before the person even arrived, their voice rang out: “Your Majesty! In my humble opinion! The urgent matter is to establish the Crown Prince first!”
The voice was high-pitched and sharp, trembling with a sense of desperation, instantly drowning out the Minister of Revenue’s memorial.
The hall fell silent like fallen leaves in an autumn wind.
The air in the entire Hall of Supreme Harmony seemed to congeal.
All the officials stiffened their necks and immediately held their breath.
Even Zhang Biao abruptly stopped the half-step he had taken.
Lu Ping, the Vice Minister of Rites, knelt below the steps, his forehead pressed hard against the cold golden bricks, his official robe soaked through with cold sweat.
Establish a Crown Prince? No way, brother, do you really forget how I died after transmigrating?
At this moment, Zhang Biao suddenly recalled the situation when he first transmigrated to the Great Ming Dynasty.
At that time, Zhu Biao had died not long ago, and his past self had foolishly stepped forward to urge Old Zhu to quickly establish a Crown Prince. As a result, Old Zhu was furious, berated him, not only had him dragged to the Meridian Gate and beheaded, but also warned all officials not to discuss the matter of establishing a Crown Prince again.
Yet, less than three months later, someone jumped out again to discuss establishing a Crown Prince. Wasn’t this like carrying a lantern to the latrine, seeking trouble?
It must be said, the officials of the Ming Dynasty were truly bold, each appearing unafraid of death.
I am truly suited for the Ming Dynasty, Zhang Biao thought to himself.
Then he heard Old Zhu suppress his anger, speaking calmly and majestically, “Didn’t I say before? The matter of the Crown Prince is not to be discussed for now. Why are you bringing up the matter of establishing a Crown Prince again?”
“Your Majesty, the state cannot be without a Crown Prince for a single day!”
“Oh?” Old Zhu’s voice was not loud, even carrying a slight breathiness, yet it sent a chill down everyone’s spines in the hall: “So, Minister Lu is very concerned about the foundation of the state!”
“Your subject is terrified.”
Lu Ping trembled even more violently, the sound of sweat beads shattering on the ground clearly audible.
It’s over, it’s over!
Old Zhu is about to enter his berserk mode!
Zhang Biao was filled with regret! He wondered why it wasn’t directed at him!?
