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

Chu Ze stood coldly in the middle of the hall of the Wu family mansion.

He put his hands behind his back and scanned the several family heads kneeling on the ground in front of him with a knife-like gaze.

There was a depressing atmosphere in the air, as if even breathing had become difficult.

Several heads of aristocratic families knelt on the ground, their bodies trembling slightly, not daring to look up at Chu Ze.

Their hearts were filled with fear, because they knew that the young emperor before them was not someone they could easily fool.

"explain."

"What on earth are you guys plotting?"

"If you tell me even a lie, I will immediately confiscate all your property and everyone in your clan will not be spared!"

Chu Ze's voice was cold and full of majesty, and every word pierced their hearts like a sharp blade.

Several family heads turned pale immediately and kowtowed to beg for mercy.

Wu Ling, the head of the Wu family, spoke first, with endless fear in his voice.

"Your Majesty, spare your life!"

"Your Highness...Your Highness and I did contact local forces, but it was definitely not to oppose the imperial court."

"We are just... just worried that the reorganization of the court will affect the stability of the local area, so we gathered together to discuss how to maintain stability."

"Your Majesty, please understand clearly that we, your subjects, have absolutely no second thoughts!"

Chu Ze looked at him coldly, with a hint of contempt in his eyes.

"Discuss maintaining stability?"

"Wu Ling, do you really think I am a three-year-old child who can't even see through your tricks?"

"You aristocratic families have been entrenched in the capital for many years. Relying on your wealth and connections, you have long disregarded the laws of the court."

"Now that I want to rectify the government, you have united with local forces in an attempt to challenge the majesty of the court."

"Do you really think I dare not touch you?"

After hearing this, Wu Ling trembled all over and kowtowed to beg for mercy.

"Your Majesty, I know I was wrong!"

"We do have some hope in our hearts, but we have absolutely no intention of confronting the imperial court!"

"Your Majesty, please forgive me this time for the many years I have served the court!"

"I am willing to hand over all my property, just asking for your Majesty's forgiveness!"

Chu Ze looked at him coldly, with a hint of coldness flashing in his eyes.

"Hand over the property?"

"Wu Ling, you wealthy families have already used all means to gain profits."

"What I want from you is not just your property."

"What I want is for all of you to submit willingly."

"Otherwise, there will be only one outcome for you - genocide!"

After hearing this, Wu Ling's face turned pale as paper and his whole body trembled.

He knew that the young emperor in front of him was not joking.

If they conceal anything again, they might really end up being exterminated.

He kowtowed quickly, his voice full of despair.

"Your Majesty, I...I am willing to hand over everything!"

"I only beg Your Majesty to spare my life!"

"Your Majesty, please spare us for the sake of the old and young in our family!"

Chu Ze smiled coldly, with a hint of coldness in his eyes.

"Hand over everything?"

"Wu Ling, do you know that I already have all the evidence of your crimes."

"I remember all the illegal and disorderly things you have done in secret over the years."

"Today, since you have delivered yourself to my door, don't even think about having any chance to turn things around."

"Lu Bing."

Lu Bing quickly stepped forward, bowed and said, "I am here."

"What's your majesty's order?"

Chu Ze looked coldly at the family heads in front of him, his voice filled with cold murderous intent.

"Pass on my order. All officials who are in collusion with the Wu, Li, and Zhang families should be arrested immediately."

"All the officials in the court who had any contact with them will be detained in the Jinyiwei prison and their crimes will be thoroughly investigated."

"In addition, block all businesses of the Wu, Li, and Zhang families, and freeze all their assets in Beijing."

"I want them to know that if they dare to go against the imperial court, they must be prepared to be thoroughly liquidated!"

Lu Bing's heart trembled, and he immediately clasped his fists and said, "I understand."

"I will arrange it right away." When Wu Ling and other family heads heard this, their faces turned pale and they collapsed to the ground.

They knew that His Majesty was serious this time.

If all the officials who colluded with them were investigated and punished, these wealthy families would have no way out.

Li Bing, the head of the Li family, hurried forward and kowtowed for mercy with a look of horror on his face.

"Your Majesty, we are willing to confess all our crimes!"

"We are willing to cooperate with the court and expose all those who are colluding with us!"

"We only ask Your Majesty to spare our lives!"

Chu Ze looked at him coldly, with a hint of disdain in his eyes.

"expose?"

"Li Bing, do you think it's still useful to say this now?"

"You have been forming cliques for personal gain over the years, attempting to influence the court's decisions through your connections in the court."

"You want to expose it now? It's too late!"

"Come here, take all the people in charge of the Wu, Li, and Zhang families away and temporarily detain them in the Jinyiwei prison."

"I will make a decision after I have found out everything."

Several Jinyiwei immediately stepped forward, surrounded the heads of the families, and took them away.

The faces of several family heads were suddenly filled with fear, and they kept struggling, and their cries of pleading filled the entire hall.

"Your Majesty, spare your life!"

"Your Majesty, we are willing to hand over everything!"

"His Majesty……"

However, their pleading voices gradually faded outside the hall, and no echo could be heard.

Chu Ze looked coldly at their backs as they were being taken away, with a hint of sharp chill in his eyes.

"These aristocratic families have long become the biggest scourge in the capital."

"If we don't take this opportunity to completely eradicate them, the capital will never be at peace."

"Lu Bing."

Lu Bing quickly stepped forward, clasped his fists and said, "Your Majesty."

"The minister is here."

There was a cold light in Chu Ze's eyes, and his voice was filled with unquestionable majesty.

"Pass on my decree. From today on, thoroughly investigate the assets and relationships of all the aristocratic families in the capital."

"All officials who have any connection with them will be suspended for investigation."

"Anyone who tries to cover up or conceal the truth will be treated as a criminal and their homes will be confiscated!"

"I want to completely destroy these aristocratic families."

"Let everyone understand that in this capital, I am the only one who has the final say."

"Anyone who dares to challenge my authority will die!"

Lu Bing was shocked and immediately clasped his fists and said, "I understand."

"I will make arrangements now."

Chu Ze nodded slightly, his eyes coldly sweeping across the empty hall.

"Go."

"It is imperative to thoroughly investigate all officials who collude with the aristocratic families."

"I want to see all the traitors brought to justice."

Lu Bing nodded, turned around and left quickly.

Chu Ze stood in the middle of the hall, looking outside with deep eyes.

He knew that the storm in the capital had just begun.

But he must use the most severe means to eliminate all forces that attempt to destabilize the court.

Only in this way can we ensure the long-term stability of the Ming Empire.

He wanted everyone to understand that the Ming Dynasty would always belong to him, Chu Ze, alone.

Anyone who dares to covet this kingdom will be killed without hesitation.

"The Wu family, the Li family, the Zhang family..."

"You wealthy families, do you really think you can stir up trouble right under my nose?"

"Now, I will personally send you on your way."

Chu Ze said this coldly, then turned and walked out of the Wu family mansion.

His figure gradually disappeared into the night, but the pressure he left behind still enveloped the entire capital. (End of this chapter)