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

The night was as dark as ink, and the entire Forbidden City was shrouded in tranquility and solemnity.

In the imperial study, Chu Ze sat calmly at his desk, but his heart was filled with dark currents.

Although the Queen's words just now were gentle, Chu Ze understood that there was something else behind her words.

The harem and the court have never been separated, and any slight disturbance may affect the overall situation.

But Chu Ze never likes to be passive. His methods are always tough and he does not allow any force that threatens him to exist.

He gently squeezed the memorial in his hand with a stern expression.

This memorial is an investigation report on the power of the Jiangnan Salt Gang. It records in detail how the Salt Gang colluded with local gentry, how they obtained huge wealth through smuggling, and used it to bribe officials, train assassins, and secretly oppose the court.

There was a gleam of ruthlessness in Chu Ze's eyes.

"Lu Bing's arrangements have already begun."

"This time, I will never give them any chance to breathe."

"Salt gangs, gentry, pirates, no matter who it is, if you dare to challenge my majesty, you must pay the price."

He smiled coldly and whispered to himself.

Just at this moment, footsteps were heard outside the door.

Eunuch Wang walked in quietly, looking cautious.

"Your Majesty, Lu Bing is back."

"He said that the arrest operation in Jiangnan has already begun, and several local gentry and salt gang leaders have been taken into custody."

"However, several local officials in Jiangnan seem to have not been fully exposed yet. I am afraid that they will become desperate and launch a counterattack in advance."

Upon hearing this, Chu Ze frowned slightly, and a hint of displeasure flashed in his eyes.

"These local officials are so stubborn!"

"Do they think they can protect themselves by relying on these connections?"

"I will make them understand that anyone who dares to go against the court will end up dead!"

He waved his hand fiercely and ordered coldly: "Pass the order down, Jinyiwei continue to intensify the search, especially those officials who have close ties with the Salt Gang, no one can be spared!"

"No matter where they flee to, they will be arrested!"

Eunuch Wang quickly bowed his head and replied, "Yes, Your Majesty."

Chu Ze's gaze was fixed coldly on the distance, and he had already made up his mind.

The power of the wealthy and powerful in Jiangnan has been entrenched for a long time and has a profound influence.

If it is not eradicated thoroughly, it will eventually leave hidden dangers.

He stood up, walked slowly to the window, and looked at the capital city shrouded in darkness, his heart filled with waves.

At this moment, Lu Bing hurried into the imperial study, his expression revealing a solemn and urgent look.

"Your Majesty, I am back."

"The arrest operation in Jiangnan has been fully launched, and almost all the leaders of the salt gang and local gentry have been arrested."

"However, there are still several wanted criminals at large, including an important figure in the Salt Gang - Liu Hong."

"This man has long been in collusion with local officials and controls the entire Salt Gang's core. If we don't catch him, I'm afraid there will be omissions in the operation."

When Chu Ze heard this, a hint of murderous intent flashed in his eyes.

"Liu Hong?"

"This person is still resisting?"

"Immediately send more people and hunt him down with all our might!"

"I will never allow him to escape!"

Lu Bing nodded and said, "I have already sent out the most elite Jinyiwei to track him down."

"As long as he is still in the Jiangnan area, he will have nowhere to escape."

Chu Ze smiled coldly, with a cold light flashing in his eyes.

"very good."

"I want to see results in the shortest possible time."

"There must be no omissions in this operation!"

"The situation in Jiangnan must be calmed down as soon as possible!"

Lu Bing clasped his fists and said, "Your Majesty, rest assured. I will live up to your trust."

Chu Ze nodded slightly, and then said in a cold voice: "In addition to Jiangnan, the pirate forces on the southeast coast cannot let down their guard."

"Those pirates are not only rampant, but they are also secretly colluding with the Salt Gang. There are even rumors that they are plotting for greater benefits."

"I want you to keep a close eye on the movements along the southeast coast, especially on local officials who have dealings with pirates. Don't let any of them go."

"If anyone is found to be harboring or funding pirates, they will be arrested immediately without mercy!"

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

"I have arranged for the Jinyiwei in the southeast to infiltrate the pirates and are collecting evidence."

"As soon as the time is right, I will arrest these pirate leaders and the officials who colluded with them."

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

"it is good."

“The situation in the southeast and southwest must be brought under control as soon as possible.”

"I don't want to see any local forces dare to challenge the majesty of the court again!" Lu Bing nodded and said, "I understand."

"I will personally supervise this matter and make sure all the restless forces are wiped out in one fell swoop."

Chu Ze waved his hand and said coldly: "Go down."

"Remember, we cannot relax in Jiangnan, Southeast, or Southwest."

"Anyone who dares to go against the imperial court will be eliminated!"

Lu Bing clasped his fists, saluted, and quickly retreated.

Silence returned to the imperial study again. Chu Ze stood in front of the window with a gaze as deep as the sea.

"Over the years, I have been tolerant, but they have become even more aggressive."

"Now, I won't give them any more chances."

"Jiangnan, southeast, southwest..."

"I will calm the storms in these places with my own hands."

He snorted softly, his heart filled with determination.

……

At the same time, in a secluded alley somewhere in Jiangnan, several Jinyiwei in plain clothes were sneaking into a house quietly.

This is a secret base of the Salt Gang and one of the important places where Liu Hong hides.

"Act according to the plan. We must not let him escape."

The leading Jinyiwei gave orders in a low voice, with a sharp gleam in his eyes.

Several men nodded, then quickly dispersed and surrounded the entire house.

The night was dark and the entire house was silent, with only the occasional sound of wind echoing in the ears.

Just as they were about to take action, suddenly, a black shadow flashed out from the back door of the house and quickly disappeared into the night.

The leading Jinyiwei was startled and shouted in a low voice: "Chase!"

Several Jinyiwei immediately chased after him. The black shadow in front of him was moving flexibly through the alleys at an extremely fast speed.

"It seems that this person is Liu Hong!"

A hint of ruthlessness flashed in the eyes of the leading Jinyiwei, and then he quickened his pace, closely following the black shadow.

……

A few days later, Chu Ze was sitting in the imperial study, his face looking particularly grim.

"Your Majesty, Jiangnan's actions have achieved initial results."

"The Imperial Guards have successfully captured most of the salt gang leaders and local gentry, but Liu Hong has yet to be caught."

"The pirate forces in the southeast are also being suppressed."

Lu Bing reported the latest situation with a somewhat tired look on his face.

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

"Liu Hong, the fish that slipped through the net, is still on the run."

"He holds a very important position in the Salt Gang. If we don't catch him, I'm afraid the forces in Jiangnan will launch a counterattack."

"Hunting him with all your strength!"

Lu Bing bowed his head and said, "I have already sent more people to search for Liu Hong with all our strength."

"As long as he is still in Jiangnan, he will have nowhere to escape."

Chu Ze nodded slightly, then said coldly: "Also, how is the investigation going on for those officials in the court who colluded with the Salt Gang?"

"I must settle accounts with these people as soon as possible and never let them continue to do evil."

Lu Bing clasped his fists and said, "I have obtained a list of some officials and am investigating further."

"Once the evidence is solid, I will arrest them immediately."

There was a gleam of sharpness in Chu Ze's eyes and his voice was cold.

"very good."

"The matter of Jiangnan cannot be delayed. I want to see the result."

"All officials who collude with the salt gangs, gentry, and pirates must not be let off!"

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

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

“I will expedite action immediately.

. "

After saying that, he saluted again, turned around and quickly retreated.

In the imperial study, Chu Ze looked at the map on the desk and swore secretly in his heart.

"I will personally quell the chaos in Jiangnan."

"Whether it's the salt gang, the gentry, or the pirates..."

"Don't even think about escaping!"

"I will eliminate all forces that do not submit one by one!"

He clenched his fists lightly, his eyes cold and determined. (End of this chapter)