Daming: After self-explosive time travel, Lao Zhu's mentality collapsed

"My Lords, the prince has something to say. I hope you will forgive me."

The ministers looked at each other, somewhat at a loss.

The Crown Prince has never been involved in state affairs. What is the secret behind his sudden appearance?
Chu Ze was also stunned. He didn't expect the prince to stand up at this critical moment.

Li Ke said loudly:
"My father passed away, my parents mourned, and the people suffered. Although the prince is young, he knows that the country is important and the people are concerned."

"The country cannot be without a ruler for a day. The Crown Prince is willing to appoint General Chu as regent to assist in government affairs. When the Crown Prince comes of age, he will abdicate."

Everyone's eyes were focused on Chu Ze.

Is this famous general with great talent and strategy really going to enter the court and take charge of the fate of the Ming Dynasty?
Can he shoulder this heavy responsibility? Where will he lead this country?

Chu Ze had a complicated expression and his breathing was rapid.

He had not expected things to turn out this way. The prince's willingness to abdicate undoubtedly gave him a great opportunity.

However, the weight of the throne is like a mountain pressing down on one's head. Is he really qualified to ascend to this throne?

Chu Ze was torn between his conscience and his desires, and he didn't know what to do.

Just then, an old minister came out.

He was the Grand Tutor of the current dynasty, a man of high moral character and prestige.

He slowly bowed his hands and said loudly:
"General Chu is loyal to his country and has extraordinary military skills. He has made great military achievements and is deeply loved by the people. If the general is in charge of state affairs and assists the crown prince, the Ming Dynasty will surely regain its glory!"

"I think the general doesn't need to refuse. This is the will of heaven and the will of the people!"

The words of the Grand Tutor were like thunder in a clear sky. The ministers were stunned at first, and then responded one after another.

"General Chu is a man of both military and literary talents, and a pillar of the country!"

"With the general in charge of government affairs, the Ming Dynasty will surely be able to maintain peace and order and create a prosperous era again!"

"Please, General, ascend the throne to calm the people and comfort the late emperor's spirit in heaven!"

The shouts echoed over the hall. Chu Ze looked around and saw that all the ministers were kneeling on one knee with solemn expressions.

He finally made up his mind, walked up to the throne slowly, and took the imperial seal from the prince.

Chu Ze held up the jade seal and said loudly:

"It is impossible to defy destiny, and the people will support it. Chu Ze will follow the will of the people and ascend the throne as king. I swear to protect the Ming Dynasty with my life, to share the joys and sorrows with the people, and to bring peace and prosperity to the Ming Dynasty!"

As soon as these words came out, it was like a thunderclap. All the ministers bowed to the ground and shouted in unison: "Long live the emperor! Long live the emperor! Long, long live the emperor!"

Thousands of voices merged into a torrent, impacting everyone's heart like a tide. At this moment, everyone felt an unprecedented power. It was the beginning of an era, the starting point of a brand new era.

Chu Ze stood on the throne, his eyes like torches, scanning the ministers kneeling in front of the emperor. He knew that at this moment, he was shouldering not only the responsibility of an emperor, but also the hope of millions of people.

"My dear ministers, please stand up." Chu Ze waved his hand and said in a deep voice: "When I first ascended the throne, there were many difficulties both inside and outside. The treacherous officials were in power, and the border troubles were frequent. If we don't get rid of them now, there will be endless troubles in the future!"

His eyes were sharp as he scanned everyone's face, as if he wanted to see through their souls.

"I hereby announce that from today on, we will thoroughly investigate the old cases of the previous dynasty. Anyone who is corrupt, perverts the law, or colludes with the enemy will be severely punished and will not be tolerated!"

As soon as these words came out, all the ministers echoed in unison again: "We will obey your orders!"

Many ministers' faces changed slightly, and they were worried. Some of them were the accomplices of those corrupt officials. Now that the new emperor has ascended the throne, I am afraid they will not be able to escape the disaster!
Chu Ze saw through their thoughts and sneered, "Don't be afraid, my lords. If you have a clear conscience, you can be fearless. If you have a guilty conscience, I won't force you. But, I have always used both kindness and force to put justice before relatives. I hope you will think twice!"

All the officials broke out in cold sweats when they heard this. They knew that this new emperor was definitely not a foolish person, and they had better behave themselves and not harbor any evil thoughts.

Next, Chu Ze announced a series of reform measures. He cut redundant officials, reduced taxes, rewarded farming, and revitalized commerce. For a time, his orders were like rain, and his grace was spread everywhere.

The people were delighted and told each other about it. They saw long-lost hope in the series of policies of the imperial court. "Our emperor is wise! Now our life will be better!"

"That's right! This new emperor is not only a martial arts expert, but also cares about the people. We are so lucky!"

"May our emperor live forever and his country be forever strong!"

The cheers of the people echoed in the streets and alleys like spring thunder. This joy even reached within the palace walls.

Chu Ze stood in front of the palace window, listening to the joy outside, and a smile appeared on the corner of his mouth.

He knew that this was just the beginning. There was still a long way to go before the Ming Dynasty could truly regain its glory.

The first thing is to purge those corrupt officials and get rid of the treacherous officials. Only when the government and the people are clear and honest can we unite and overcome the difficulties together.

Thinking of this, Chu Ze summoned his trusted confidants and whispered a few instructions to them.

Soon, the Jinyiwei and the Imperial Guards began to act. They divided into several groups and quickly captured the treacherous officials who had long been proven guilty.

For a moment, the court was in a state of panic. Those high-ranking officials who were usually arrogant and arrogant were now like dogs that had lost their homes, and were in a state of panic.

Especially Li Ruoshui, Zhao Lihai and others, they were so frightened that they were out of their wits. They knew that the situation was hopeless, so they could only kneel on the ground and beg for mercy with tears.

"Your Majesty, please spare us! We did make mistakes, but please show mercy and give us a chance to make amends!"

Chu Ze looked at them coldly, without any emotion in his eyes: "Reform yourself? Do you think I'm a three-year-old child?"

He slowly stood up, his eyes blazing with lightning: "You disregard the laws of the country and harm the people. You are poisoning the country and harming the people. Your crime is unforgivable!"

"Come here, drag them away and give them eighty lashes! Break their legs! Then take them to Caishikou and put them on display for three days! Let everyone in the world see what karma is!"

"Yes, Your Majesty!"

The guards followed the order and dragged the treacherous officials out of the hall. Along the way, the screams of those officials were endless and shrill, making people shudder.

Soon, the news spread, and the people of the city all applauded and praised the new emperor's wise decision.

"These corrupt officials have made us suffer terribly, and today they finally got their comeuppance!"

"That's right! Our emperor is indeed a wise ruler who loves his people like his own children!"

"Look! Those treacherous officials have been taken to the market to be shown to the public! They deserve it! Let them also have a taste of the suffering we go through every day!"

The Caishikou was crowded with people, and countless people gathered here, pointing and talking.

I saw several treacherous officials tied to a wooden frame, covered in blood, looking horrible. They looked listless and lifeless, like walking corpses.

Angry insults were heard from the crowd from time to time.

"You parasites have caused the people to be torn apart from their wives and children, and left the land starving! Today you have finally received retribution!"

"That's right! You took all our hard-earned money and spent it on a life of luxury! Now you can feel what it's like to be with us!"

"Kill them! Make them pay with their lives!"

The public anger surged like a flood, almost destroying the platform for public display.

Chu Ze stood on a high place, overlooking all this, with a complicated look flashing in his eyes.

He did not like to use such cruel means to punish the guilty officials, but he knew that if he did not give the people an explanation, it would only lead to greater unrest.

Moreover, this is also a warning to those who have evil intentions. Let them see the consequences of betraying the country and oppressing the people! (End of this chapter)