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

Chapter 1484 What if things get out of hand?

Zhu Qiwu nodded, agreeing with what he had thought.

"Master Shen, I have a favor to ask of you."

"Please speak, Young Master Qiwu."

"Enke's grain supply is still a bit short. Chen Fengnian only has fifty or sixty thousand shi (a unit of dry measure), which won't last long. I'd like to ask you to transfer a batch of grain from outside; the money is negotiable."

Shen Wansan's eyes lit up.

"How much does Young Master Qiwu want?"

"Thirty thousand shi (a unit of dry measure). The sooner the better."

Shen Wansan patted his chest and said, "Thirty thousand shi is no problem. I have several granaries in Huguang, and it can be transported to Yingtian Prefecture within three days. However..."

"But what?"

"However, this route is difficult. Zhang Shicheng's men are blocking the Yangtze River's grain transport route, and if my ships try to take the Taihu Lake waterway, they are very likely to be intercepted."

Zhu Qiwu took out the city defense map from his pocket, unfolded it, and pointed to a line on it.

"We won't take the Taihu Lake waterway. We'll take this route."

Shen Wansan leaned closer to take a look, and his expression changed.

"This is... a secret passage south of Yingtian Prefecture? From here, we can bypass Zhang Shicheng's blockade and go directly to the Yangtze River?"

“Yes,” Zhu Qiwu said. “This secret passage was built during the Yuan Dynasty and later abandoned. But it can be opened up with some clearing. I’ve already sent someone to scout it out; it’s passable by carriages.”

Shen Wansan looked at Zhu Qiwu, and his expression changed.

"Seventh Young Master, you even have this?"

“My fourth brother gave it to me,” Zhu Qiwu said without changing his expression.

Shen Wansan laughed heartily, "Good! Good! It is a blessing for His Highness the King of Wu to have a younger brother like you. I will deliver 30,000 shi of grain to you in Yingtian Prefecture within five days."

Zhu Qiwu extended his hand: "It's a deal."

Shen Wansan grasped his hand: "It's a deal."

After seeing Shen Wansan off, Zhu Qiwu felt a weight lifted from his shoulders. At least the food supply would last through this most difficult period.

But there is still one problem that hasn't been solved.

Lu Wenzhao.

It's almost noon.

Zhu Qiwu changed into clean clothes, put the True Word Pill in his mouth, and went out.

Zuixianlou is located in the east of Yingtianfu City. It is the largest restaurant in Yingtianfu, with three floors and a gold-painted signboard hanging at the entrance with the three large characters "Zuixianlou" written on it.

When Zhu Qiwu arrived, the waiter at the door immediately came to greet him.

"Please come in, sir! How many?"

“One. Appointed by Young Master Lu.”

The waiter's expression immediately changed, and he respectfully led Zhu Qiwu up to the third floor.

Two men dressed in black stood at the door of the private room on the third floor. When they saw Zhu Qiwu, they reached out to stop him.

"Please show your visiting card."

Zhu Qiwu took out the letter from last night from his pocket and handed it over.

The man in black looked around, then pushed open the door.

The private room was tastefully decorated, with a pot of orchids on the windowsill and a pot of wine and two cups on the table. Lu Wenzhao sat by the window, holding a folding fan, looking at the street scene outside.

Hearing the door open, he turned around, saw Zhu Qiwu, and smiled slightly.

"As expected, Young Master Qi Wu has arrived."

Zhu Qiwu went in and sat down opposite him.

"Young Master Lu invited me, how could I dare not come?"

Lu Wenzhao poured Zhu Qiwu a glass of wine and pushed it towards him.

"please."

Zhu Qiwu glanced at the glass of wine but didn't touch it.

Lu Wenzhao laughed: "Seventh Prince, are you afraid I'll poison you?"

“It’s not that I’m afraid you’ll poison me,” Zhu Qiwu said, “it’s that I’m afraid I’ll say things I shouldn’t after drinking your wine.”

Lu Wenzhao's smile paused for a moment, then he burst into laughter.

"Young Master Qiwu is indeed interesting. Alright, let's skip the drinks and get straight to business."

He folded his fan, placed it on the table, and his gaze became serious.

"Young Master Qiwu, I have two matters to discuss with you today."

Which two items?

"First, I'll be taking the exam. You should already know that."

"Know."

"Secondly, I want to make a deal with you."

Zhu Qiwu raised an eyebrow: "What kind of deal?"

Lu Wenzhao took a piece of paper out of his sleeve, placed it on the table, and pushed it to Zhu Qiwu.

Zhu Qiwu picked it up and took a look; his expression changed.

It was a list. It contained a dozen or so names, each followed by a line of smaller text. Zhu Qiwu glanced at it, his heart skipping a beat.

These dozen or so names were all candidates for the special imperial examination. The smaller print after each name read—"This person has been bribed by Zhang Shicheng."

"Where did you get this?" Zhu Qiwu asked.

“I started collecting them when I was in Suzhou,” Lu Wenzhao said. “Zhang Shicheng planted many people in Yingtian Prefecture, not only spies but also bribed candidates. These people came to take the imperial examination not to become officials, but to sabotage the examination. Some stole exam papers, some passed on answers, and some spread rumors among the candidates.”

Zhu Qiwu gripped the paper tightly.

He scanned the list with his talent assessment technique, and found that all of the dozen or so people on the list were rated as having the lowest level of loyalty.

Why did you give this to me?

Lu Wenzhao looked at Zhu Qiwu with an indescribable look in his eyes.

"Because I don't want Zhang Shicheng to win."

"Aren't you Zhang Shicheng's strategist?"

“I used to be,” Lu Wenzhao said, “but I am not now. Zhang Shicheng is incapable of great things. He thought the whole world was his just because he held onto that little territory of Suzhou. But he didn’t realize that the world no longer belonged to him.”

Zhu Qiwu looked at Lu Wenzhao, the True Word Pill still in his mouth, but he didn't use it. He wanted to hear what Lu Wenzhao had to say first.

"Young Master Lu, you said you don't want Zhang Shicheng to win. Then who do you want to win?"

Lu Wenzhao did not answer directly, but instead picked up the teacup on the table and took a sip.

"Seventh Prince, I've seen the questions for your special imperial examination. To be honest, those three questions are better than any exam I've ever seen in my life. They don't test knowledge, they test ability. Only those who can answer those three questions well are truly capable of governing the country."

"So you've come to take the exam."

“That’s why I’m taking the exam.” Lu Wenzhao put down his teacup. “But I’m not taking the exam to get an official position for your fourth brother. I’m taking the exam to see if your fourth brother is truly worth my reliance.”

"So you've finished watching it? Was it worth it?"

Lu Wenzhao smiled, but the smile was different from the one he had shown at the entrance of the Recruitment Hall last night. Last night's smile was like a cat watching a mouse; this smile was the kind of smile one wears before making a major decision.

“I haven’t finished reading it yet,” Lu Wenzhao said. “I can only draw conclusions after the special imperial examination is over. Until then, I’ll help you get rid of these people.”

He pointed to the list on the table.

Zhu Qiwu looked at the list, then at Lu Wenzhao.

The pill in his mouth slowly dissolved, and a bitter taste spread.

He didn't use the Truth-Say Pill. Because what Lu Wenzhao said didn't need the Truth-Say Pill to verify.

“Okay,” Zhu Qiwu said, “I’ll take the list. But I have one condition.”

"What are the conditions?"

"You must prove yourself in this special imperial examination. If you pass, I'll give you an official position. If you fail, you'll go back to where you came from."

"Seventh Young Master, are you underestimating me?" "I'm not underestimating you," Zhu Qiwu stood up, "I'm giving you a fair chance. My fourth brother said, in this world, if you don't advance, you fall behind. If you truly have ability, then show it. If you can't, no one's face will matter."

Lu Wenzhao looked at Zhu Qiwu, and his gaze changed.

That change wasn't hostility, but a deep-seated admiration.

"Alright." Lu Wenzhao stood up and cupped his hands in a respectful gesture towards Zhu Qiwu. "Young Master Qiwu, in my life, I, Lu Wenzhao, have admired few people. Your fourth brother is one, and you are the second."

Zhu Qiwu also cupped his hands in a respectful gesture: "Then you'd better work hard and try to earn my respect."

The two looked at each other and smiled.

Zhu Qiwu turned and walked out. When he reached the door, Lu Wenzhao said something behind him.

"Seventh Prince, be careful of someone alone."

Zhu Qiwu stopped walking without turning around.

"who?"

“Zhao Bulan,” Lu Wenzhao said, “He came to Yingtian Prefecture not to negotiate. He came to kill. His target isn’t your fourth brother, it’s you.”

Zhu Qiwu gripped the door frame tightly.

Zhao Bulan. The middle-aged man who calmly handed over the letter in the council chamber.

He turned around and looked at Lu Wenzhao.

Why are you telling me this?

Lu Wenzhao picked up the folding fan and slowly unfolded it.

"Because if you die, this special imperial examination will be canceled. If it's canceled, I'll have nowhere to take the exam."

Zhu Qiwu stared at him for a long time, then smiled.

"Lu Wenzhao, you are indeed an interesting person."

He pushed open the door and went out.

As he went downstairs, his mind was racing.

Zhao Bulan wants to kill him. If this news is true, then Zhao Bulan's last visit to the council hall to deliver a letter was a reconnaissance mission. He was observing the defenses of Yingtian Prefecture, the people around Zhu Yuanzhang, and Zhu Qiwu's (Zhu Yuanzhang's) modus operandi.

That so-called three-day deadline was not a deadline for negotiation, but a deadline for taking action.

Three days.

Today is the second day.

One more day.

Zhu Qiwu left Zuixianlou and immediately ran towards the examination hall.

Halfway there, they bumped into Tang He.

Tang He immediately tensed up when he saw his expression.

"Seven-Five, what's wrong? What happened?"

"Zhao Bulan." Zhu Qiwu grabbed Tang He's arm. "Is Zhao Bulan still in Yingtian Prefecture?"

Tang He was taken aback: "Yes, he is. After the council meeting yesterday, he stayed at an inn in the south of the city, saying he would stay until the three-day deadline was up. What happened?"

"He's going to kill me."

Tang He's eyes widened in surprise.

"What? He dares?"

“He not only dares, he’s already preparing,” Zhu Qiwu said. “Tang He, you go find Xu Da and Zhou Dexing right now and have them surround the inn in the south of the city with their men. Don’t alert them; just keep watch. Wait for my signal.”

Without saying a word, Tang turned and ran.

Zhu Qiwu continued running towards the examination hall.

When they arrived at the entrance of the examination hall, Song Lian and Fang Zijing were both there. Fang Zijing's facial injuries hadn't fully healed, but he insisted on helping.

"Seventh Prince, you're back." Song Lian greeted him. "Lu Wenzhao has finished his exams and all the registration procedures are complete. He told you not to worry, he'll do his best."

Zhu Qiwu nodded, then said to Song Lian, "Jinglian, go find Mr. Liu Bowen now and ask him to come to the examination hall. It's urgent."

Seeing that Zhu Qiwu's expression was off, Song Lian didn't ask any further questions and left immediately.

Zhu Qiwu then turned to Fang Zijing.

"Fang Zijing, go and get me the list of all the candidates who registered today."

Fang Zijing was taken aback: "A list of all the candidates? That must be several hundred people."

"I know. Bring them all."

Fang Zijing didn't dare ask any more questions and ran to get it.

A short while later, Song Lian arrived with Liu Bowen. Upon seeing Zhu Qiwu's expression, Liu Bowen immediately closed his folding fan.

Zhu Qiwu handed the list that Lu Wenzhao had given him to Liu Bowen.

Liu Bowen took it and looked at it, his face immediately darkening.

"Were all these people... bribed by Zhang Shicheng?"

“Yes,” Zhu Qiwu said. “Lu Wenzhao gave it to me. He said these people came to take the special imperial examination to cause trouble.”

Liu Bowen examined the list twice, then said, "Seventh Prince, if this list is genuine, then there are over a dozen spies planted in the examination hall for this special imperial examination. If these people cause trouble during the examination, the consequences will be unimaginable."

“So I need to find them,” Zhu Qiwu said, “but I can’t alert them. I want them to reveal themselves.”

Liu Bowen looked at Zhu Qiwu with a complex expression in his eyes.

What are you planning to do?

Zhu Qiwu took out a piece of paper from his pocket, on which was written the plan he had just come up with at Zuixianlou.

“Mr. Bowen, look.”

Liu Bowen took it and looked at it, his eyes growing brighter and brighter.

"Good plan. But it requires someone to cooperate."

"who?"

"Lu Wenzhao."

Zhu Qiwu laughed: "That's what I think too."

Just then, Fang Zijing came running back, panting, carrying a stack of papers.

"Seventh Young Master, the list is here!"

Zhu Qiwu took it and compared it with the list given to him by Lu Wenzhao.

There were fourteen people in total, and their names matched perfectly.

Zhu Qiwu circled the fourteen names, then said to Fang Zijing, "Fang Zijing, go and memorize these fourteen people's examination numbers. On the day of the exam, have them sit in the middle."

Fang Zijing took the list, looked at the fourteen names, and his expression changed.

"Seventh Young Master, there are... there are people I know here."

"who?"

“Qian Tinggui,” Fang Zijing’s voice trembled, “the fat guy who tore down the notice at the entrance of the examination hall that day. He…he’s on the list too?”

Qian Tinggui. The fat man who ran away after being scared off by his few words that day. It turns out he wasn't Zhang Shicheng's ordinary subordinate, but a bribed examinee.

“Fang Zijing, you know him, that’s perfect,” Zhu Qiwu said. “On the day of the exam, you sit next to him. If he dares to cause trouble, you signal him immediately.”

Fang Zijing nodded vigorously, his eyes blazing with determination.

Zhu Qiwu then looked at Liu Bowen.

"Mr. Bowen, I need your help with grading the papers."

"What kind of help?"

"These fourteen papers, regardless of how well or poorly they were answered, will not be accepted. But they mustn't realize it. They need to think they did well, and then disappoint them when the results are released."

Liu Bowen thought for a moment and said, "That's not difficult. When I'm grading the papers, I can just put theirs at the bottom. But for the Seventh Prince, I can only put his paper down once. What if they find out they didn't pass and cause a scene?"

“They won’t cause trouble,” Zhu Qiwu said. “Because they didn’t come to take the special imperial examination in the first place. They came to sabotage it. If they fail, it will be perfect for them to go back and report to Zhang Shicheng—that the special imperial examination is real, and failing is due to their own incompetence. In this way, Zhang Shicheng will be more convinced of the fairness of the special imperial examination.” (End of Chapter)