Zhu Biao left, feeling thoroughly shaken by the day’s events. He was still in a daze when he walked out of the prison, so much so that he completely forgot to tell Ma Yu that Zhu Shuang would remain behind to "suffer."
Consequently, when Zhu Shuang returned to the cell, Ma Yu was caught off guard, though he quickly deduced the reason. Having given so many lessons, it would be highly illogical for Li Wen to just walk away without a contingency plan. Li Wu was clearly the follow-up. Ma Yu had been taken care of by Li Wu previously and they shared a decent rapport; keeping him there made it easier for Li Wen to interact with him.
As for the other burly teenager being taken away, that was also expected. The boy was a dim-witted fool, no different from the spoiled brats depicted in television dramas. As long as Li Wen and his companions weren’t idiots, they wouldn't leave him here. Even if they did, the boy would surely be under strict orders to keep his mouth shut about anything heard in the prison. He wouldn't see true freedom until after Ma Yu’s execution.
Was he angry about being used? Why would he be? In this world, there is no such thing as uncaused love or hatred. Why would a stranger risk potential involvement by looking after him? Li Wen had made it clear: he would return often to ask questions. The subtext was simple—*if you answer my questions, I will ensure you don't suffer in here.* Moreover, Li Wen’s attitude was sincere; he used the term "ask for guidance" rather than treating it like a cold, transactional exchange, which was a way of respecting Ma Yu’s dignity. If he were to be angry at that, he would be far too prideful. The other party came from the top tier of Ming society, people who spoke to the Emperor daily. In the twenty-first century, consider the attitude of a magistrate’s child toward others; in an ancient setting, if you were beaten, you likely deserved it, and being exploited was considered a privilege. *You have unique knowledge in your head? Spit it out for me. Giving me a lecture is an honor bestowed upon you by your ancestors; don't be ungrateful.* Did he really think social class was just a few simple words in a textbook?
Ma Yu believed Li Wen’s politeness stemmed from two factors. First, a genuinely good family upbringing. Second, the origins of the Ming founding group. To put it bluntly, throughout Chinese history, the Ming founding group had the lowest starting point and the poorest background. They hadn't yet been corrupted by power; their mindset remained stuck in the past. They hadn't fully adapted to their "aristocratic" status or cultivated an aristocratic mentality. Thus, their conduct was still filled with a rustic simplicity—or, one could argue, a savage crudeness.
This was the best of times. The Song Dynasty had completely swept away the remnants of the old aristocracy and gentry, and the brutal rule of the Yuan had destroyed the past social structures. The nascent Ming Dynasty was like a blank sheet of paper, waiting for the successors to write their own legend without being shackled by the past.
It was also the worst of times. Because this heavy responsibility fell onto the shoulders of a group of "outlaws." They had never received systematic training and didn't know how to govern. They could only learn scraps from historical records and paint a picture based on their own imaginations. The outcome was predictable. For the ruling class of the new Ming, they learned by doing—if it worked, they kept it; if it failed, they adjusted. But for the common people, every "trial and error" was a disaster. There is a perfect saying for this: *the dust of an era, when it falls on an individual, becomes a mountain.*
History had already proven that the report card of the Ming founding group was not pretty. Political system issues, the paper currency crisis, the military household system, land and tax issues... These fundamental policies had been flawed from the start. Each subsequent adjustment brought huge turmoil, causing countless commoners to suffer. The Ming Dynasty would struggle to hold on for two hundred years before collapsing, followed by the invasion of foreign tribes, the fall of the Central Plains, and tragedies like the Three Massacres of Jiading and the Ten Days of Yangzhou—a world in ruins.
At this thought, a sudden, sharp pain pierced Ma Yu’s heart. He clutched his chest instinctively, his breathing becoming shallow and rapid.
Beside him, Zhu Shuang was fidgeting; being sent by his eldest brother to act as a "tool" made him deeply uncomfortable. He wanted to find a topic to break the awkward silence, but Ma Yu’s contemplative expression left him not knowing where to start. Suddenly, he noticed Ma Yu’s face twisted in agony, his teeth gritted. Startled, Zhu Shuang immediately assumed a defensive posture and asked, "What's wrong with you?"
Before he could even stand, he heard Ma Yu whisper:
"Peaks and ranges gather, waves roar like anger, the road to Tongguan winds through hills and rivers. Looking toward the Western Capital, I hesitate. A heartbreaking place where Qin and Han once passed; ten thousand palaces have all turned to dust. The people suffer in the rise, and they suffer in the fall. They suffer in the rise, and they suffer in the fall. They suffer in the rise... oh, the people suffer."
Zhu Shuang was bewildered and, more than anything, confused. What did that mean? Why start reciting poetry? What did the suffering of the common people have to do with him? He was about to die, and yet he was worried about the world? Was he out of his mind?
Ma Yu gradually composed himself, his consciousness clearing. Recalling his state just moments ago, he found it inexplicable. In his past life, he had spent every day digging up dirt on the Ming Dynasty to argue with "Ming fanboys," even feeling smug when he found evidence to debunk them. Why did it feel so painful now? Could it be that his transmigration had turned him into a bleeding heart? *Damn it, can someone come and tell me what is going on?*
—
Zhu Biao had walked quite a distance from the prison before his reason returned, and only then did he remember he hadn't spoken to Ma Yu about his second brother. He intended to go back and explain to avoid any misunderstanding, but then he thought better of it. With Ma Yu’s intelligence, he would certainly understand what was happening. Sometimes, over-explaining felt deliberate and could be counterproductive. So, he dismissed the idea.
Looking back at his young brother-in-law, Chang Mao, who was looking around aimlessly behind him, Zhu Biao shook his head in secret. This kid had been spoiled rotten; if he wasn't properly disciplined, he would be a lost cause. But the thought of his mother gave Zhu Biao a headache. Chang Mao was not the legitimate son; to be precise, Chang Yuchun had only one legitimate daughter, who was Zhu Biao’s future Crown Princess. His wife, the elder sister of Lan Yu, had passed away from illness, and since Chang Yuchun was constantly at war, he never remarried. Chang Mao was born to a concubine, but with no legitimate heir, this eldest son became the family successor. Though his mother never held the status of a wife, she became the de facto mistress of the Chang household through her son. It wasn't hard to guess what would happen when a low-status concubine gained power through her child. Chang Yuchun was too busy with war to discipline his son, and Chang Mao’s mother spoiled him blindly, shaping his arrogant, playboy nature. Consort Chang wanted to intervene, but she was too young and powerless, and living in the palace under Empress Ma’s tutelage, she lacked the opportunity. Zhu Biao himself was equally busy with studies and government affairs; he had no energy to worry about his brother-in-law. Everyone was aware of Chang Mao’s situation and could only hope he would grow up and mature. But it seemed that hope was slim.
Considering how much he had heard in prison, if it leaked out, the chaos it might cause was unimaginable. Zhu Biao immediately decided he had to put his foot down. However, he would discuss the specific methods with his mother back at the palace.
Chang Mao, unaware that his difficult days were approaching, had been miserable after being locked up for so many days. Now that he was finally released, everything looked pleasing to the eye. The feeling of freedom was wonderful. He planned to head home, get some money, and enjoy himself to make up for the losses of the past few days. He was busy calculating where to spend his money.
However, when they reached the palace gate, before he could speak, Zhu Biao said, "Come into the palace with me. Do not run about for these next few days."
"Ah?" Chang Mao was naturally unwilling and quickly said, "I haven't been home in so long, my mother must be worried. Let me go back and report to her first."
Zhu Biao knew exactly what he was planning. He snorted, "I will send someone to inform your mother." Then, his voice turning stern, he added, "Remember, whatever you heard in that prison, bury it in your stomach. Not a single word is to leak out. Otherwise, I will have you live in that prison for the rest of your life."
Chang Mao shivered. Others might think the Crown Prince was gentle and benevolent, but having spent time with him, Chang Mao knew exactly how ruthless he could be when he was truly angry. Clearly, this matter touched upon a bottom line; if he dared to speak, he would lose more than just a layer of skin. He didn't dare mention going home again and hastily promised, "Don't worry, I will bury everything from the prison in my stomach... No, wait, what prison? I've never been to a prison. I've been at home practicing martial arts all these days."
Zhu Biao was left speechless by his brother-in-law’s desperate attempt to be clever. But it was clear he understood the gravity of the situation, and that was enough. He didn't say more and led Chang Mao back into the palace. After changing his clothes at the Eastern Palace, he arranged a place for Chang Mao to stay. The imperial city was divided into the inner palace and the outer court; men other than the Emperor were not allowed to enter the inner palace at will, but there were no such restrictions in the outer court. Arranging a place for Chang Mao in the palace wasn't difficult, but he wouldn't be as free as he was at home. Chang Mao was miserable; if the situation allowed, he would have cried his eyes out.
Zhu Biao didn't have time for him. He sent someone to the Kunning Palace to notify Consort Chang that Chang Mao was back and staying at the Eastern Palace, and that she could visit whenever she wished. He then headed to the Qianqing Palace to see Empress Ma. After his visit to the prison, he had heard so much shocking information that he couldn't wait to discuss it with his mother.
—
When Zhu Biao arrived at the Qianqing Palace, Empress Ma was discussing the *Great Ming Code* with Li Shanchang, Liu Bowen, and others. The atmosphere was clearly tense. Li Shanchang was filled with disdain, his words laced with barbs whenever he spoke to Liu Bowen, refuting everything the latter said. Liu Bowen looked deeply embarrassed but dared not offend him, eventually retreating into silence. Only then did Li Shanchang triumphantly hold the floor.
Empress Ma observed their discussion quietly without intervening. Zhu Biao, however, was highly dissatisfied. Li Shanchang was too narrow-minded and arrogant because of his achievements. Liu Bowen was a high-ranking official; regardless of whether he was right or wrong, there was no reason to humiliate him like that—and in front of the Empress and the Crown Prince, no less. Moreover, Li Shanchang’s points weren't entirely correct; he was clearly using his status to bully others. In a word: overbearing. How could someone who couldn't tolerate others serve as Chancellor?
Zhu Biao wanted to intervene, but he knew his position as Crown Prince made it too risky. Li Shanchang represented a massive faction of founding meritorious officials; a single word from him could cause unnecessary misunderstandings. Empress Ma glanced at her son, noting his dissatisfaction, but said nothing, continuing to lead the discussion. The debate had turned into a one-sided lecture by Li Shanchang, so Empress Ma soon dismissed them. Li Shanchang left with the air of a victor, while Liu Bowen trailed behind with a cautious demeanor. Their behavior caused the scale in Zhu Biao’s heart to tip further.
Empress Ma had been watching her son. After everyone left, she dismissed the attendants and asked, "Are you very dissatisfied with Baishi?"
Zhu Biao didn't hide his thoughts, nodding, "Chancellor Li went too far. How could he humiliate a colleague like that? And that was in front of you. I can't imagine how he acts in private."
Empress Ma said, "In private, his insults are even worse. Several people have complained to me after being humiliated by him to their faces."
Zhu Biao was baffled, "Then why do you allow it?"
Empress Ma sighed, "How could I stop him? You should know how much he contributed to us gaining the empire. That is his nature—highly capable but narrow-minded. No words can change him."
Zhu Biao said, "If you let him continue like this, who will be willing to work for the country in the future?"
Empress Ma replied, "That is why we supported Liu Bowen, in hopes that he could counter Baishi."
*Liu Bowen to check Li Shanchang?* Remembering how bullied Liu Bowen looked just now, Zhu Biao was confused, "Vice-Censor-in-Chief Liu is a pious gentleman; how could he possibly counter him?"
Empress Ma’s expression turned peculiar, "You say Liu Bowen is a pious gentleman?"
Zhu Biao was blank, "He was humiliated like that just now, yet he chose to retreat and endure to avoid conflict and maintain stability. Isn't someone who values the big picture a gentleman?"
Empress Ma chuckled and shook her head, "If I told you that when he served the Northern Yuan, he was the most active in suppressing the rebel armies, and even threatened his superiors with his life to get them to adopt his strategy—and later, when they didn't listen and were defeated, he even tried to commit suicide for the nation... would you still think he is a humble, big-picture-valuing gentleman?"
Zhu Biao was stunned; it was the first time he had heard this. He had never imagined the "pushed-around" Liu Bowen had such a tough side. But he remained confused, "Then why does he endure the Chancellor so much?"
Empress Ma’s face turned serious, "Because he doesn't want to be our pawn to counter Li Baishi. He is deliberately appearing weak, both for us to see and for everyone else to see."
Zhu Biao felt a chill down his back. These old foxes were too cunning. He was still too naive, easily deceived by appearances. Yet another question arose, "If he is unwilling to oppose the Chancellor and retreats at every turn, why did you and Father choose him?"
Empress Ma said, "Because he has the backing of the bureaucrats from Jiangzhe and the entire Jiangnan region. Those people want more power, and they will push him forward. As long as he doesn't break away from that group, even if he is unwilling, he will have to step out and counter Li Baishi."
Zhu Biao suddenly understood, "So that’s it... I never expected things to be this complex. I still have so much to learn."
Seeing her son’s willingness to learn, Empress Ma smiled, "It is good that you know. But don't belittle yourself; to be able to see this much at your age is already quite remarkable."
Zhu Biao said modestly, "It is all thanks to your and Father's teaching."
Empress Ma took this opportunity to teach him more about the art of using people and analyzed the current court situation, giving him a deeper understanding of the Ming Dynasty’s state of affairs. Once that was done, she finally asked about his trip to the prison, "You met Ma Yu—what did you gain?"