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

It was a dark night, and the high walls of the Forbidden City cast shadows in the moonlight, making it appear exceptionally quiet and solemn.

The lights were on in the imperial study. Chu Ze sat quietly at the desk, holding a roll of secret reports in his hand with a slightly frown on his face.

This is an urgent secret letter from the Southeast.

The letter described in detail the collusion between the salt gang and the local gentry in the south of the Yangtze River, as well as the rampant activities of pirate forces in various coastal areas.

This letter not only reveals their crimes, but also hints at a deeper conspiracy.

Chu Ze put down the secret report, tapped his fingers lightly on the table, and there was a hint of coldness in his eyes.

"It seems that the situation in Jiangnan is more complicated than I expected."

"These wealthy gentry, salt gangs, pirates, and local officials..."

"Their conflicts of interest have already penetrated deep into their bones."

“If we don’t uproot it, it will become a serious problem.”

He sneered and made a decision in his mind.

"Eunuch Wang."

Chu Ze called softly.

Outside the door, Eunuch Wang immediately pushed it open and walked in, bowing.

"Your Majesty, the servant is here."

"Order Jinyiwei Commander Lu Bing to come to the emperor immediately."

Chu Ze said coldly, with a hint of urgency in his tone.

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Eunuch Wang quickly turned around and left. After a while, Lu Bing strode into the imperial study with a serious look on his face.

"Your Majesty, I have received your order."

"Excuse me, what can I do for you?"

Chu Ze looked at him coldly and handed over the secret report.

"have a look."

"Does the content mentioned in this secret report match the results of your previous investigation?"

Lu Bing took the secret report and read it carefully. After a moment, he frowned slightly and a hint of surprise flashed in his eyes.

"Your Majesty, the contents of this secret report are more detailed than what I previously knew."

"I have discovered that the several Jiangnan gentry mentioned in the secret report not only colluded with the salt gang, but also had secret dealings with pirates."

"Moreover, they used the proceeds from smuggling to hire a group of assassins and even secretly established armed forces in various parts of Jiangnan."

Chu Ze snorted coldly, and a cold light flashed in his eyes.

"These wealthy people are really a nest of snakes and rats."

"They are forming cliques and factions in the local area, and even secretly training armed forces. It is obvious that they want to establish their own faction!"

"If we let them continue to run rampant, they will sooner or later become a serious threat to the imperial court!"

Lu Bing nodded deeply and said in a deep voice: "Your Majesty is absolutely right."

"I have mobilized the elite Jinyiwei and are ready to arrest these wealthy gentry and salt gangs at any time."

"But I am worried that if these armed forces are not completely eliminated, they may take risks and cause greater unrest."

Chu Ze's eyes darkened slightly, and a cold light flashed in his eyes.

"You're right."

"These gentry dared to secretly cultivate armed forces, which clearly shows that they were well prepared."

"I want you to mobilize the imperial guards in the capital immediately and cooperate with the Jinyiwei to act together."

"Anyone who dares to resist will be killed without mercy!"

"I want to see this operation be clean and efficient, without leaving any hidden dangers!"

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

"I will arrange for the mobilization of the imperial guards and begin the arrest operation immediately."

Chu Ze nodded slightly, with a hint of determination in his eyes.

"Remember, the operation must be conducted in secret."

"If these wealthy people get wind of this, they will probably flee in advance or even counterattack."

"By then, the situation in Jiangnan and Southeast will probably become even more complicated."

Lu Bing nodded and said, "Your Majesty, rest assured. I will ensure that everything goes well."

"I will lead the team myself and make sure to capture all these criminals!"

Chu Ze smiled coldly, with murderous intent in his eyes.

"it is good."

"I want you to thoroughly investigate all the connections between these gentry and the salt gangs and pirates."

"Whether it's local officials or underworld forces, as long as they are involved, they will all be recorded in the register."

"When the time is right, I will settle accounts with everyone!"

Lu Bing immediately bowed and said, "I understand." "I will arrange the action right away."

After saying this, he bowed, turned around and quickly retreated.

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

Chu Ze stood up, walked slowly to the window, and looked at the Forbidden City shrouded in the night with a deep and cold gaze.

"The storm is brewing big enough."

“It’s time to shake things up completely.”

"Jiangnan, southeast, southwest..."

"I will not let go of any forces in these places."

"No matter who it is, anyone who dares to go against the imperial court will pay a heavy price for it."

He snorted softly, his heart filled with murderous intent and determination.

Just then, there were slight footsteps outside the door.

Eunuch Wang walked in again, looking a little hesitant.

"Your Majesty, the Queen is here."

"She said she had something important to discuss with you."

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

"Queen?"

"She came here at this time, I'm afraid she has other plans."

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

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

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

Chu Ze nodded slightly, with a hint of inquiry in his eyes.

"The Queen has come to see me at this time. Is there something urgent?"

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

"Your Majesty, I heard that the situation in Jiangnan and Southeast is becoming increasingly tense."

"Moreover, some ministers in the court secretly discussed that Your Majesty's actions against the local gentry in Jiangnan were too harsh."

"I am worried that if this continues, it may lead to greater resistance."

Chu Ze sneered, a hint of disdain flashing in his eyes.

"These ministers have ulterior motives."

"I am eliminating the gentry in Jiangnan for the sake of the stability of the court."

"Could it be that I still have to act according to their moods?"

"Those who dare to talk about me will be punished sooner or later."

The queen lowered her eyes slightly and said softly, "Your Majesty, calm down."

"I am not trying to stop Your Majesty, but I am worried that if the unrest in Jiangnan causes other places to follow suit, it may cause the entire Ming Dynasty to fall into chaos."

“Although these wealthy people are restless, they have great influence in the local area.”

"If we want to move them, can we take a safer approach?"

There was a hint of coldness in Chu Ze's eyes and his voice was low.

"safe?"

"My patience has been exhausted by these people."

"Whether it was the wealthy gentry in the south of the Yangtze River or the pirates in the southeast, they colluded with local officials and disregarded the law."

"If it is not eradicated soon, it will sooner or later become a cancer in the imperial court!"

"I don't want to see any more resistance!"

The queen nodded slightly, with a complicated look in her eyes.

"I understand your majesty's determination."

"I just hope that Your Majesty can be more careful when doing things and not give those with ulterior motives an opportunity to take advantage of you."

"There have been a lot of rumors in the harem these days."

"I am worried that some people will use this to stir up trouble and disrupt the court."

When Chu Ze heard this, his eyes narrowed slightly and he sneered in his heart.

"Rumors in the harem?"

"Who is the Queen talking about?"

"Could it be that the imperial concubine has been secretly active again recently?"

The Queen quickly shook her head and said softly, "Your Majesty has misunderstood."

"I just heard that recently several old officials in the court have been secretly colluding with local gentry."

"If they knew your majesty's intentions, they would probably react in advance." (End of this chapter)