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

As night falls, moonlight shines on the Forbidden City, adding a touch of mystery and solemnity to this city of power.

The lights in the imperial study were brightly lit, and the candlelight flickered on Chu Ze's face, reflecting his deep and stern expression.

He sat quietly at the desk, with secret reports from the southeast and southwest spread out in front of him.

Each secret report records the detailed movements of local gentry, salt gangs and pirate forces.

Chu Ze glanced coldly at the secret reports and had already made a decision in his mind.

"Lu Bing."

He spoke in a low voice, not loud but with an unquestionable majesty.

Lu Bing, who was outside the door, immediately pushed the door open and walked in, clasping his fists and bowing: "Your Majesty."

Chu Ze raised his hand slightly and handed him a secret report.

"What are the results of the investigation in Jiangnan and Southeast?"

"Have you found out the relationship between these gentry and the salt gangs and pirates?"

Lu Bing took the secret report, flipped through it quickly, and his expression became increasingly solemn.

"Your Majesty, I have already found out."

"The salt gangs in Jiangnan have close ties with the pirates in the southeast. They have accumulated a lot of wealth through selling private salt and smuggling tea."

"Some of this wealth was used to bribe local officials, and some was used to fund the activities of underworld figures."

"What's more serious is that I discovered that several local gentry in Jiangnan seem to be secretly supporting these Jianghu sects and the salt gang."

"They colluded with each other and tried to form their own sphere of influence in the local area."

Chu Ze snorted coldly, and a hint of cold murderous intent flashed in his eyes.

"These local tyrants are so bold!"

"Do they think they can compete with the imperial court with their wealth and connections?"

"I have long seen through their ambitions."

"In recent years, the prosperity of Jiangnan has made them more rampant."

"If it is not eradicated sooner or later, it will become a serious concern for me."

Lu Bing clasped his fists and said, "Your Majesty is absolutely right."

"I have already recorded the names of all these gentry and can take action against them at any time."

"But I am worried that if we act rashly, it will cause local unrest and even lead to greater resistance."

"Do we need to make public the relationship between these gentry and the salt gang before we eliminate them?"

Chu Ze pondered for a moment, then smiled coldly.

"No need."

"There is irrefutable evidence that these gentry are in cahoots with the salt gang."

"If they wait until the announcement, they will be ready."

"What I want is to catch them all in one fell swoop and catch them off guard."

"Send people to arrest all these tyrants immediately. Anyone who resists will be killed without mercy!"

Lu Bing's heart was shocked, and he quickly clasped his fists and said, "Yes, Your Majesty."

"I will arrange it immediately!"

After saying that, he turned around and was about to leave, but was stopped by Chu Ze.

"Wait a moment."

Lu Bing quickly stopped and turned around: "Your Majesty, do you have any other instructions?"

A deep light flashed in Chu Ze's eyes, and he said slowly: "This operation cannot be limited to Jiangnan and Southeast."

"We can't let go of the bandits in the southwest either."

"You need to arrange the personnel and act at the same time."

"I want to see all the restless forces eliminated one by one in the shortest possible time."

"Especially those local officials with ulterior motives."

"Any officials who harbour or support bandits or pirates will be arrested."

"If there is resistance, kill without mercy!"

Lu Bing quickly bowed his head and replied, "Yes, Your Majesty."

"I will investigate the crimes of these officials and ensure that no one escapes!"

Chu Ze nodded slightly, his eyes revealing a hint of coldness and determination.

"very good."

"I want everyone to know that the majesty of the Ming Dynasty cannot be violated."

"Anyone who dares to provoke will pay the heaviest price for it."

"Go."

“Everything has to be seamless.”

"I don't want to see any more omissions."

Lu Bing saluted with his fists, then quickly stepped back.

Silence returned to the imperial study again, with only the candlelight swaying gently in the night breeze.

Chu Ze stood up, walked to the window, looked at the capital city shrouded in darkness, a cold light flashed in his eyes.

"The gentry in Jiangnan and the southeast, the salt gangs, the pirates, and the bandits in the southwest..." "Your doom is finally here."

"I won't give you any chance."

"The entire Ming Dynasty will be thoroughly cleansed."

Just then, hurried footsteps suddenly came from outside the door.

An eunuch hurried in, knelt down nervously and reported: "Your Majesty, the Minister of War Zhao De wants to see you, saying that he has urgent military information to report."

Chu Ze frowned slightly, and a hint of doubt flashed in his eyes.

"Zhao De?"

"He came to see me at this time. Could it be related to the recent situation?"

He hesitated for a moment, then said coldly: "Xuan."

A moment later, the Minister of War Zhao De walked quickly into the imperial study, his face looking particularly solemn.

"Your Majesty, I, Zhao De, pay my respects to you."

Chu Ze looked at him and asked calmly, "Lord Zhao, you came to see me so late at night. Is there any important military information?"

Zhao De raised his head, his eyes showing a hint of nervousness.

"Your Majesty, I have just received urgent news from the border."

"The Mongolian army is gathering at the border again, and there seem to be signs of a large-scale invasion."

"The border generals request Your Majesty to immediately dispatch troops to support us in case of a surprise attack by the Mongolian army."

Chu Ze's eyes moved slightly, and then he sneered.

"The Mongolian army is gathering at the border again?"

"These barbarians are indeed restless."

"Do they think they can threaten me with such a small move?"

Zhao De hurriedly said: "Your Majesty, the Mongolian army has assembled a large number of people this time."

"If a surprise attack is really launched, I'm afraid the border will be unable to hold out."

"I request Your Majesty to dispatch reinforcements immediately to ensure the stability of the border defense."

Chu Ze pondered for a moment, with a cold light in his eyes.

"Zhao De, I know your concerns."

"But the current situation does not allow for any rash actions."

"The Mongolian army's gathering this time may not be for attacking the border."

"They are probably testing my reaction."

"If I mobilize troops, they will take the opportunity to find loopholes and disrupt the border defense."

"You must immediately inform the border generals to guard tightly and not act rashly."

"If the Mongolian army really dares to launch an attack, I will lead the troops myself!"

Zhao De was shocked when he heard this, and he immediately clasped his fists and said, "Yes, Your Majesty."

"I will now send a message to the border commanders to take strict precautions!"

Chu Ze nodded, and then said coldly: "Also, Zhao De."

"You have been in frequent contact with the Minister of Revenue Guo Hong recently. What are you planning?"

Zhao De's expression changed slightly, and then he forced a smile and said, "Your Majesty has misunderstood."

"Lord Guo and I were only discussing military pay, nothing else."

"Military pay?"

Chu Ze snorted coldly, with a look of scrutiny in his eyes.

"The Ministry of War and the Ministry of Revenue will naturally discuss the issue of military pay."

"But I hope that your discussion will not involve other things that should not be involved."

"If I knew that you were secretly colluding..."

"You know the consequences yourself."

Zhao De bowed quickly, a trace of cold sweat on his forehead.

"Your Majesty's lesson."

"I would never dare to do anything that goes against your majesty's wishes."

"Mr. Guo and I were only discussing military pay, nothing else!"

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

"I hope so."

"Otherwise, the consequences will be something you cannot bear."

"Go down."

"Send a message to the border guards. If the Mongolian army makes any unusual movements, report it immediately."

"I will handle it myself."

Zhao De quickly clasped his fists and saluted, then walked out, secretly breathing a sigh of relief.

He knew that His Majesty had long been suspicious of him and Guo Hong.

But at this moment, he cannot act rashly. (End of this chapter)