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

Chu Ze stood in the imperial study, looking out the window with deep eyes.

He knew that Jiangnan had become the center of the storm at this moment.

Those Jiangnan families, relying on their financial resources and connections, attempted to establish themselves outside the control of the imperial court.

The escape of the Minister of Justice was just a fuse, and the real target of this storm was the majesty of the imperial court.

"Jiangnan."

Chu Ze uttered these two words softly, with a hint of coldness flashing in his eyes.

"I want to go and see for myself how long these powerful families can continue to cause trouble!"

"Lu Bing."

Following Chu Ze's order, Lu Bing quickly walked into the imperial study and respectfully clasped his fists and asked, "What do you want, Your Majesty?"

Chu Ze's eyes were steady and his voice was filled with unquestionable authority.

"Pass on my order and order the Jinyiwei heading south to take action immediately. Make sure to capture the Minister of Justice and all the powerful families involved."

"If anyone dares to resist, he will be killed without mercy!"

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

"I will go and pass on the order right away."

Chu Ze smiled coldly, then slowly walked to the desk and spread out a map.

On the map, the distribution of several major family forces in Jiangnan is clear.

Over the years, these families have formed a huge network with their local wealth and influence.

What Chu Ze has to do is to tear this network apart with his own hands.

"Jiangnan Wu family, Li family, Zhang family... you have relied on your wealth to commit crimes in the local area over the years. You have become a thorn in the eyes of the court."

"This time, I will completely eradicate your roots."

"From now on, there will be no place for you aristocratic families and powerful people in Jiangnan!"

Just as Chu Ze was lost in thought, Eunuch Wang hurried in and reported in a low voice: "Your Majesty, an urgent military report has arrived from the border front."

"The Mongolian army has begun to attack our border, and the generals on the front line request reinforcements."

Chu Ze frowned slightly, and a cold light flashed in his eyes.

"The Mongolian army has really started to take action."

"Do these barbarians really think they can take advantage of the internal turmoil in the imperial court and invade?"

"Inform the frontline commanders to strictly guard the defense line and not engage the enemy head-on for the time being."

"In addition, order the garrisons in various locations to be ready to provide reinforcements at any time."

"I want to see how long the Mongols can hold out this time."

Eunuch Wang quickly whispered, "Yes, Your Majesty."

"I will convey your majesty's order right now."

Chu Ze nodded slightly and looked into the distance with cold eyes.

He knew that the sudden invasion of the Mongol army was no accident.

This offensive is likely to be in response to the unrest in Jiangnan.

They wanted to fight on two fronts in order to disperse the power of the imperial court and thus weaken the Ming Dynasty.

But Chu Ze will not give them this opportunity.

"The Mongols want to take advantage of the chaos to invade, and the aristocratic families in Jiangnan also want to take the opportunity to cause chaos."

"I will let you all taste the taste of failure together."

He said this coldly, then turned and walked out of the imperial study with a strong murderous intent.

Lu Bing hurried over and said solemnly, "Your Majesty, the Jinyiwei from Jiangnan have already set out."

"According to the spy's report, the Minister of Justice is conspiring with several major families at the Wu family's mansion in Jiangnan. They seem to have assembled a large number of private soldiers and may launch a confrontation at any time."

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

"Private soldiers?"

"These noble families are indeed well prepared."

"Do they think that they can compete with the imperial court with only a few thousand private soldiers?"

"Lu Bing, tell the Jinyiwei heading south to fight and end the battle quickly."

"If any powerful family dares to resist, they will be killed without mercy!"

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

"I will go and pass on the order right away."

Chu Ze watched Lu Bing leave, his eyes showing a hint of coldness. "Minister of Justice, Wu family, Li family, Zhang family..."

"Since you dare to go against the imperial court, I will let you know what destruction means."

At the same time, in the Wu family mansion in Jiangnan, the Minister of Justice was having a tense discussion with several heads of Jiangnan families.

"Mr. Xingbu, the situation in the capital has become clear. His Majesty is carrying out a large-scale purge of the aristocratic families."

"If we don't respond quickly, we will probably be defeated one by one."

Wu Tianyang, the head of the Wu family, said solemnly.

The Minister of Justice smiled coldly, with a hint of ruthlessness in his eyes.

"Master Wu, don't worry."

"Although the situation in the capital is not favorable to us, the major families in Jiangnan are united and can compete with the imperial court."

"We not only control Jiangnan's financial resources and connections, but also have thousands of well-trained private soldiers."

"As long as we hold on to Jiangnan, His Majesty will not dare to take action against us easily."

"What's more, the Mongolian army has already invaded the border, and the court will definitely have no time to take care of Jiangnan."

"This is a great opportunity for us to turn things around!"

Wu Tianyang frowned, with a hint of doubt in his eyes.

"But, my lord, if His Majesty really orders an expedition to the south, I'm afraid our private soldiers won't be able to hold out for long."

"The situation in Jiangnan is different from that in the north. If the imperial court is determined to take action, I'm afraid we will find it difficult to hold on."

The Minister of Justice smiled coldly, with a hint of ruthlessness flashing in his eyes.

"Don't worry, Master Wu. The imperial court has not yet completely taken control of the capital. Your Majesty will not dare to start a full-scale war easily."

"As long as we can hold out this wave, the imperial court will be forced to negotiate with us."

"Then we can take advantage of the opportunity to gain greater benefits."

Wu Tianyang nodded slightly, seeming to be convinced.

"Okay, since Lord Criminal Department has said so, let's act according to the plan."

"I hope that after this battle, the situation in Jiangnan will be completely changed."

The Minister of Justice nodded, with a hint of sneer in his eyes.

"Don't worry, Master Wu."

"Your Majesty is now under attack from both sides. It is impossible for him to use all his strength to deal with us."

"As long as we hold on, victory will surely belong to us!"

However, at this moment, a servant suddenly ran in hurriedly, with a hint of panic in his expression.

"Sir, it's not good!"

"A large number of Jinyiwei suddenly surrounded the mansion outside. They... they seem to be here to arrest someone!"

The Minister of Justice's face suddenly changed and he quickly stood up, a hint of nervousness in his eyes.

"Jinyiwei?"

"How can they be so fast?"

Wu Tianyang's expression changed slightly, and he quickly asked, "Sir, what should we do now?"

The Minister of Justice smiled coldly and then said, "Don't panic."

"We have thousands of private soldiers at our disposal. How can they, a mere Jinyiwei, break through the Wu family's defenses?"

"Pass the order down, mobilize all private soldiers, and make sure to stop the Jinyiwei's surprise attack."

"At the same time, send someone to notify the other major families to unite immediately and fight against the Jinyiwei together."

Wu Tianyang nodded quickly and immediately ordered all private soldiers to be summoned.

Soon, hundreds of fully armed private soldiers gathered in the Wu family mansion.

They were holding knives and guns, standing guard around the mansion with nervous expressions, ready for battle.

At this time, the Jinyiwei had begun to quietly surround the Wu family mansion.

Lu Bing personally led this elite Jinyiwei team, looked coldly at the Wu family's gate in front of him, and then ordered: "Everyone listen to my orders."

"The targets are the Minister of Justice and the people in charge of the Wu, Li, and Zhang families."

"Make sure to bring them all back to the capital."

"If there is anyone who resists, kill them without mercy!"

With an order, the Jinyiwei team rushed towards the Wu family mansion like ghosts.

They moved quickly and decisively, and everyone moved quietly in the dark without making a single sound. (End of this chapter)