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

In the early morning, the thick fog in the capital had not yet dissipated, and the air was filled with a damp chill.

Inside the palace, the door of the imperial study slowly opened, and Chu Ze, dressed in a dragon robe, stepped into the hall with a calm and steady manner.

He looked particularly stern today, having not slept well last night, but his expression was still as hard as steel.

The memorials on the case had already piled up like a mountain. The turmoil inside and outside the court and the surge of underworld forces concerned him all the time.

Chu Ze sat down slowly, tapping the table lightly with his fingers, a barely perceptible cold light flashing in his eyes.

"Eunuch Wang, has Lu Bing arrived?"

he asked coldly.

He had ordered a summons for Lu Bing not long ago, and he had already made a decision in his mind.

Eunuch Wang hurried forward, bowed and replied: "Your Majesty, Lord Lu is already waiting outside the door, ready to see you at any time."

"pass."

Chu Ze's voice was low, revealing unquestionable majesty.

After a moment, Lu Bing strode into the imperial study and bowed, "Your Majesty."

"How is the investigation going into the Jiangnan and Southeast cases?"

Chu Ze asked bluntly, his eyes sharp as a sword.

Lu Bing bowed his head and replied, "Your Majesty, the Jinyiwei has already found out that the Jiangnan Salt Gang is indeed in deep collusion with the local gentry."

"The pirate forces along the southeast coast have become more rampant in recent years. Not only do they linger on the sea, they also have dealings with the salt gangs."

"These people are connected to each other, forming an extremely complex network of interests."

Chu Ze smiled coldly, with a slight cold arc at the corner of his mouth.

"Salt gangs, pirates, local tycoons."

"They are all birds of a feather."

"Do they think they can compete with the imperial court with these connections?"

"ridiculous!"

He snorted softly, his eyes filled with cold murderous intent.

"Lu Bing, I want you to act immediately."

"The Jinyiwei must infiltrate the core of these forces and find out the names of all the officials who are colluding with them."

"Whether it's the leader of the salt gang or the pirate leader, arrest them all."

"If there are local officials who are protecting this, arrest them immediately!"

"I don't want anyone to dare challenge the authority of the court anymore!"

Lu Bing clasped his fists and replied, "Your Majesty, rest assured. I have arranged for elite Jinyiwei to infiltrate the major salt gangs and pirates."

"This operation will definitely capture all those involved in one fell swoop."

Chu Ze's eyes darkened slightly, and he said in a cold voice: "Okay."

"But you have to remember not to alert the enemy."

"Before taking action, everything must be done in secret."

“If the situation in the southeast and southwest cannot be controlled, the consequences will be disastrous.”

Lu Bing nodded and said, "Don't worry, Your Majesty. I understand."

"I will handle this carefully to ensure that there are no omissions."

Chu Ze nodded slightly, and the coldness in his eyes lessened a little.

"very good."

"From now on, the affairs of Jiangnan and Southeast will be fully entrusted to you."

"I will eliminate all these restless forces in the shortest possible time!"

"I want everyone in the world to know that the majesty of the Ming Dynasty cannot be violated!"

Lu Bing clasped his fists and saluted, saying in a deep voice: "I will definitely live up to your trust!"

After saying this, he turned and walked away, his movements quick and steady.

Chu Ze looked at his back, with a hint of coldness and determination in his eyes.

This time, he must completely control the overall situation and not allow any local forces the opportunity to stir up trouble.

In recent years, there have been undercurrents in the southeastern coast and the wealthy areas of the south of the Yangtze River, and the salt gangs and pirates have been even more blatant.

He had had enough.

At this moment, silence returned to the room again.

Chu Ze stood up, walked slowly to the window, looked at the Forbidden City shrouded in mist in the distance, and sneered in his heart.

"There's a big enough storm brewing outside."

"It's time to close the net."

Just as he was lost in thought, he suddenly heard light footsteps outside the door.

"Your Majesty, the Queen wishes to see you."

The eunuch reported respectfully in a low voice outside the door.

When Chu Ze heard this, his eyes moved slightly and a faint smile appeared on his face.

"Queen?"

"Let her in."

A moment later, the queen, wearing a luxurious phoenix robe, walked slowly into the imperial study, with an elegant demeanor and dignified manners.

She walked up to Chu Ze and bowed slightly: "Your Majesty, I greet you."

Chu Ze nodded slightly and motioned for her to sit down. "The Queen came to see me today, but what is the important matter?"

His tone was calm, but there was a hint of inquiry in his eyes.

The queen raised her head, her eyes filled with tenderness and concern.

"Your Majesty, I have heard that the court has been busy lately, and the internal and external situations are turbulent."

"Your Majesty works hard day and night, and I feel uneasy, so I came to see you."

"If there is anything that needs my help, I am willing to share your worries."

Chu Ze looked at her affectionate eyes and couldn't help but sneer in his heart.

Although the Queen's words seemed gentle and considerate, Chu Ze knew that the harem was full of twists and turns, and the Queen's words might have other deeper meanings.

"The Queen is interested."

"But I have my own arrangements for the affairs of the harem."

"But the situation in the court does make me quite worried."

"Recently, I have heard that some court officials have been secretly colluding with underworld forces, and even involving local gentry."

"I will not let these things go easily."

As Chu Ze spoke, a sharp light flashed in his eyes.

The Queen's expression remained unchanged, and she continued to speak gently, "Your Majesty is indeed wise."

"These traitors dared to challenge the imperial power and must be punished accordingly."

"However, I am also worried that if the situation in the court continues to be turbulent, it may affect the stability of the Ming Dynasty."

"Your Majesty, please be more cautious in your actions."

Chu Ze's eyes narrowed slightly, and he sneered, "Is the Queen reminding me not to be too radical?"

The queen quickly shook her head and explained softly, "Your Majesty has misunderstood."

"I am just worried that some old ministers in the court may have secretly joined forces. If we anger them, it will make it more difficult to deal with."

"I am not trying to stop Your Majesty, I just hope Your Majesty can act more cautiously."

Chu Ze was silent for a moment, with a hint of thought in his eyes.

"What the Queen said is not without reason."

"But if these old ministers continue to unite and cause chaos, I will never show mercy."

"I have sent the Royal Guards to investigate this matter thoroughly. Once the names of all the officials involved are known, I will take drastic measures."

"When that time comes, no one will be able to escape!"

The queen nodded slightly, with a hint of worry on her face.

"I understand your majesty's determination."

"I just hope that Your Majesty can be more careful when doing things and not allow outsiders to take advantage of you."

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

"Don't worry, Queen."

"I will never let others succeed easily."

"Whether it's the powerful officials in the court or the local gentry with ulterior motives."

"They will all pay the price for their choices in the end!"

The queen lowered her head and nodded slightly.

"I believe in Your Majesty."

"No matter what lies ahead, I will stand with Your Majesty and face it together."

When Chu Ze heard this, a complicated look flashed in his eyes.

He knew that although the queen's words were gentle, the family behind her was also a force that could not be ignored in the court.

The fighting in the harem has never stopped.

Whether it is the queen or the imperial concubine, they each have forces supporting them behind them.

This force has far-reaching influence both in the court and in local areas.

"Queen, don't worry."

"I know my limits."

"You only need to take care of the affairs of the harem, and don't worry about other things."

The queen nodded.

He stood up respectfully and said softly, "Yes, Your Majesty."

"Chen and concubine retire."

Chu Ze watched her leave with a hint of coldness in his eyes.

He knew that the turmoil in the harem was far from over.

Whether it is the queen or the imperial concubine, behind their fights, there is much more involved than just the power in the palace.

But the entire court.

"This will all come to an end."

Chu Ze whispered to himself, his eyes as cold and sharp as a knife.

"Anyone who dares to play tricks under my nose will never get away with it."

"This country belongs to me."

"No one can get involved!" (End of this chapter)