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

It was getting dark and the lights in the capital were gradually lighting up.

However, the Forbidden City was brightly lit, and the eunuchs and guards coming and going in the palace were hurried, with serious expressions and looking extremely nervous.

In the imperial study, Chu Ze sat upright on the dragon throne, his stern face looking even more majestic under the light.

He held tightly in his hand a secret letter from Shandong, his eyes as sharp as a knife, staring closely at every word on the secret letter.

"The gentry in Shandong have already responded."

"They secretly mobilized a large number of troops in an attempt to confront the imperial court with force."

"Moreover, local officials have also begun to express their support for these gentry, trying to resist the court's purge through coordination among officials."

Chu Ze put down the secret letter and a sneer appeared on the corner of his mouth.

"These people are so stupid."

"I have given them enough time and opportunities, but they still want to fight against the imperial court with force?"

"In that case, then suppress it completely."

"I want to let them know that the majesty of the imperial court cannot be challenged!"

He stood up suddenly, picked up the latest Shandong intelligence on the table, and said in a cold voice: "Eunuch Wang, tell Lu Bing to come to see me immediately."

"Also, order the Royal Guards to closely monitor all local officials and gentry forces in Shandong."

"Report any unusual movements immediately."

"This time, I want to take control of the overall situation myself!"

Eunuch Wang nodded quickly and replied, "Yes, Your Majesty."

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

Not long after, Lu Bing walked quickly into the imperial study, his expression somewhat solemn.

"I see your Majesty."

"Your Majesty, the situation in Shandong is becoming increasingly complicated."

"Not only did the gentry not restrain themselves, but with the support of local officials, they began to blatantly deploy troops."

"They even sent a joint letter to the surrounding counties and cities, asking other local noble families to jointly resist the imperial court's purge."

After hearing this, Chu Ze's eyes were filled with murderous intent and his face became extremely gloomy.

"Joint manifesto?"

"How dare these people be so rampant!"

"Do they think that banding together for warmth can resist the iron-blooded suppression of the imperial court?"

"It's really courting death!"

He smiled coldly, then threw the secret letter in his hand to Lu Bing, his tone revealing unquestionable majesty.

"Lu Bing, I order you to lead all the elite Jinyiwei troops to Shandong to suppress the rebellion."

"Any gentry, officials, or family soldiers who dare to take part in the rebellion will be executed on the spot!"

"I want you to massacre Shandong with blood, so that everyone knows that the majesty of the imperial court is inviolable!"

When Lu Bing took the secret letter, his expression changed slightly, but he quickly took a deep breath, and a hint of determination appeared in his eyes.

"Yes, Your Majesty."

"I will definitely live up to your trust and completely eradicate these traitors!"

Chu Ze nodded, and then said coldly: "For this operation, there is no need to consider the so-called reputation and influence in the local area."

"Any family that intends to rebel will be treated as treason."

"I want you to pacify Shandong in the shortest possible time!"

"If anyone dares to stop us, no matter who he is, he will be killed without mercy!"

Lu Bing clasped his fists and said, "Your Majesty is wise!"

"I will arrange it immediately!"

After saying this, he turned around and quickly retreated, and began to deploy a thunderous suppression operation against Shandong.

Silence returned to the imperial study again. Chu Ze stood in front of the window, looking at the gradually darkening sky in the distance, murderous intent boiling in his heart.

"These gentry, relying on their local base, thought they could show off their power in front of the imperial court."

"They thought they were hereditary landlords and were above the imperial power."

"Today, I will let them know who is the one who truly controls their fate!"

……

At the same time, in Jinan Prefecture, Shandong.

The wealthy and powerful gathered together, their faces solemn, their expressions revealing a bit of uneasiness and anxiety.

"Everyone, the court's purge operation is now accelerating step by step."

"Your Majesty's methods are swift and ruthless, showing almost no mercy." "If we don't unite to resist, I'm afraid we will be uprooted by the court sooner or later."

The person who spoke was an old man with a thin figure and white hair and beard. He was the most powerful representative of the gentry in Shandong - Wang Qinghe, the head of the Wang family.

This man is usually very cautious, but at this moment, there is a hint of madness and determination in his eyes.

"Everyone, there is no way back now."

"The imperial court's methods are so cruel. If we continue to wait and see, we will only be defeated one by one."

"Only by uniting together can we fight against the imperial court."

"If necessary, we can mobilize all our soldiers to confront the imperial court head-on!"

Another middle-aged gentleman frowned, with a hint of worry in his eyes.

"Master Wang, if we really break off relations with the imperial court, wouldn't that be a crime of treason?"

"This is a heinous crime that could lead to the extermination of nine clans!"

Wang Qinghe smiled coldly, with a hint of cruelty in his eyes.

"Conspiracy?"

"If the imperial court really intends to uproot us, then even if we don't resist, we will be dead!"

"Since we're going to die anyway, we might as well give it a try!"

"We have been landlords in Shandong for generations. The local land, salt industry and grain are our lifeblood."

"If the imperial court really eliminates us, won't the people of Shandong be trampled under the imperial court's iron hoof?"

“Who will protect the people of Shandong then?”

"The imperial court was helpless when foreign enemies invaded, but now it is targeting us landlords."

"To put it bluntly, they are just coveting our wealth!"

His words were so passionate and generous that the gentry present nodded one after another, with a hint of anger and unwillingness in their eyes.

"Patriarch Wang is right!"

"We can't sit still and wait for death!"

"Rather than being uprooted by the imperial court, it is better to unite and fight together!"

"As long as we are united, the imperial court will not dare to act rashly!"

"Otherwise, they will have to face the public resentment of the entire Shandong Province!"

Many local gentry expressed their opinions one after another, and the atmosphere became increasingly intense.

Seeing this, a gleam of satisfaction flashed in Wang Qinghe's eyes.

He raised his hand gently, signaling everyone to be quiet, and then said coldly: "Very good."

"Since everyone has made up their minds, let's proceed according to the plan."

"All family soldiers are mobilized immediately and are ready to fight at any time."

"We will use thunderous means to let the court know that Shandong gentry are definitely not soft persimmons!"

Everyone nodded in agreement, and the tone of the meeting was set. A large-scale resistance was quietly brewing.

……

As night fell, a strange atmosphere permeated the city of Shandong.

Intelligence secretly gathered by the Imperial Uniform Guard showed that people were gathering in the mansions of the wealthy and powerful, and a large number of family soldiers were quietly assembled, seemingly preparing for some action.

Outside the city of Jinan, the elite Jinyiwei led by Lu Bing had been lurking quietly.

"Lord Lu, the gentry are gathering their troops. It looks like they are ready to go to war."

A spy reported quietly, with a serious tone.

Lu Bing smiled coldly, with murderous intent in his eyes.

"These people really won't cry until they see the coffin."

"Since they are determined to confront the imperial court, we must suppress them completely!"

He waved his hand violently, his voice full of determination.

"Everyone obey orders!"

"According to His Majesty's order, move out immediately and completely eradicate all resistance forces!"

"Leave no one behind!"

"Let them pay for their stupidity!"

The Jinyiwei responded in unison, then drew their swords and sneaked into the mansions of the major gentry silently.

A bloody storm is quietly spreading in Shandong City.

...(End of chapter)