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

He turned and walked into the study, slamming the door shut. The room was silent except for his heavy breathing. He walked to the desk, picked up the brush, and wrote a big word "hate" on the rice paper.

"Chu Ze!" He gritted his teeth and repeated the name, his eyes filled with flames of hatred.

He crumpled the rice paper into a ball and threw it hard on the ground. He couldn't accept that his beloved woman was going to become someone else's concubine.

He paced back and forth, feeling anxious. He had to find a way, he had to stop all this from happening.

Suddenly, he stopped and a bold idea emerged in his mind.

"Since you took my woman away, don't blame me for taking your kingdom away!"

There was a gleam of determination in his eyes.

At the same time, Chu Ze was reviewing memorials in the imperial study. He was in a good mood, with a hint of smile on his face. He thought of Xiao Tao's shy look, and his heart was filled with sweetness.

"Your Majesty," a young eunuch came in, "The Empress Dowager summons you to see her."

Chu Ze frowned slightly. He knew that the Queen Mother had never liked Xiao Tao. This time, she summoned him to an audience probably to discuss the matter of taking a concubine.

He put down the memorial in his hand, stood up and went to the Cining Palace.

Inside the Cining Palace, the Empress Dowager sat upright with a gloomy expression.

"Emperor, I heard that you want to take Xiaotao as your concubine?" The Empress Dowager said straight to the point.

"Yes, mother," Chu Ze replied respectfully, "I have deep feelings for Xiao Tao, and I hope your majesty will grant my wish."

"Nonsense!" The Queen Mother scolded, "Xiao Tao is of humble origin, how can she become an imperial concubine? By doing this, where is the reputation of the royal family?"

"Mother, I don't care about Xiao Tao's background," Chu Ze said, "I only know that I love her."

"You..." The Queen Mother was so angry that she was shaking all over, "Do you still have my mother in your eyes?"

"Mother, I have no intention of disrespecting you," Chu Ze said, "I just want to pursue my own happiness."

"Happiness?" The Queen Mother sneered, "What do you think your happiness is? Indulging in women and neglecting state affairs?"

"Mother, I have not neglected my duties," Chu Ze said. "I work diligently and care for the people every day, and do my best for the Ming Dynasty."

"You are still quibbling!" The Queen Mother said angrily, "For the sake of a woman, you are willing to disobey my will. Do you still have any rules in your eyes?"

"Mother, I did not disobey your will," Chu Ze said, "I just want to beg you to fulfill my happiness."

"I will never grant your wish!" The Queen Mother said firmly, "I have already chosen a concubine for you, the Prime Minister's daughter, Lin Wan'er."

Chu Ze's face changed. He didn't expect that the Queen Mother would interfere in his marriage.

"Mother, I already have someone I love, and I cannot marry Lin Wan'er." Chu Ze said.

"How dare you disobey my order?" The Queen Mother's eyes were wide open with anger.

Chu Ze was silent. He knew that if he insisted on taking Xiao Tao as his concubine, it would cause an uproar.

Just then, a eunuch ran in in a panic.

"Empress Dowager, Your Majesty, something terrible has happened!" the eunuch said in panic, "General Lin... General Lin... he... he rebelled!" "General Lin... General Lin... he... he rebelled!" The eunuch's voice was as sharp as a broken gong, echoing in the Cining Palace.

Chu Ze's heart was shaken, and a chill ran from his feet to his head. General Lin, that was a military commander he had promoted, brave and loyal, how could he suddenly rebel? He looked at the Queen Mother suddenly, his eyes full of questions and inquiries.

The Queen Mother seemed to have expected this. There was no surprise on her face, but a barely perceptible sneer. "Emperor, it seems that your trusted general is not as loyal as you thought."

Chu Ze ignored the Queen Mother's sarcasm. He had only one thought in mind: he had to put down this rebellion as soon as possible. He took a deep breath and forced himself to calm down. "Pass on my order. Summon all the ministers to the Hall of Supreme Harmony immediately to discuss matters!"

He turned around and was about to leave, but the Queen Mother stopped him. "Emperor, how do you plan to deal with this matter?"

Chu Ze stopped walking but did not turn back. "Mother, this matter is of great importance. I will handle it properly."

"I hope you can put the overall situation first," the Queen Mother said in a cold tone, "Don't disregard the country for a woman."

Chu Ze clenched his fists. He knew the Queen Mother was referring to Xiao Tao. He took a deep breath and tried to suppress the anger in his heart. "Don't worry, mother. I know the importance of this matter."

After saying this, he strode out of the Cining Palace.

The atmosphere in the Hall of Supreme Harmony was solemn. Civil officials and military officers stood on both sides, all with serious faces and whispering. Chu Ze sat on the dragon throne, his face terribly gloomy.

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"My dear ministers," Chu Ze's voice was deep and powerful, "General Lin rebelled. I believe everyone knows about this. I would like to hear your opinions on how to deal with it."

The Minister of War was the first to speak up. "Your Majesty, General Lin has a lot of troops under his command, and this rebellion must have been planned for a long time. I suggest that we send troops to suppress it immediately to serve as a warning to others!"

"I second the proposal!"

"I also second the proposal!"

For a time, voices advocating war rose and fell.

Chu Ze didn't say anything. He swept his eyes over everyone and finally landed on the prime minister. "Prime Minister, what do you think?"

The Prime Minister pondered for a moment and said slowly: "Your Majesty, although General Lin rebelled, most of his soldiers are loyal and honest people. Perhaps they were just deceived by General Lin. I think it would be better to send someone to persuade them to surrender first. If we can defeat them without fighting, wouldn't it be better?"

"Persuade to surrender?" The Minister of War sneered, "Your Excellency the Prime Minister is too naive! Since General Lin dared to raise an army to rebel, how could he surrender so easily?"

"The Minister of War is wrong," the Prime Minister said calmly, "General Lin has followed the Emperor for many years and is loyal to Him. There must be a reason for his rebellion this time. Perhaps there is some misunderstanding. If the misunderstanding can be resolved, General Lin may not be unwilling to turn back."

"Misunderstanding?" The Minister of War curled his lips in disdain. "What kind of misunderstanding could make a loyal minister and general rebel?"

"This..." The Prime Minister was speechless for a moment.

Chu Ze looked at the people arguing and felt annoyed. He rubbed his brows and said in a deep voice: "What the Prime Minister said makes sense. Why don't we send someone to test General Lin's attitude and see what he wants?"

"Your Majesty is wise!" the Prime Minister said hurriedly.

The Minister of War wanted to say something else, but was stopped by Chu Ze's eyes.

"Let the Prime Minister take full responsibility for this matter," Chu Ze said, "We must find out the truth as soon as possible and quell this rebellion."

"I obey your order!" The Prime Minister bowed respectfully. (End of this chapter)