The Ming Dynasty: The opening scene features Zhu Di angrily accusing him of illegitimate succession.

Chapter 119: Killed the Japanese pirates, but there was also a traitor!

In the Japanese pirate camp, only two or three desperate men, their eyes bloodshot, still tried to fight back with their swords, but they were quickly cut down by the Ming soldiers who surrounded them, and there was no more commotion.

In less than a quarter of an hour, the stronghold of the Japanese pirates, which had been operating for several years, was completely breached, and the entire pirate army was wiped out.

The chestnut horse bounced around happily, completely ignoring Lin Yue, who was nearly knocked unconscious by the jolting.

Even if he fainted, it probably wouldn't matter. Zhao Hu would automatically imagine that Lord Lin charged into battle alone, invincible, and eventually got so bored that he fell asleep after the battle.

Lord Lin, riding a chestnut horse, is simply invincible!

Main fleet at the mouth of the Wusong River.

On the deck of the fleet, the rescued civilians were brought over in small boats and slowly boarded the large ships along the gangways, while the military doctors moved among them to treat the wounded.

The chestnut horse bounced back and forth beside the ship's side, its red mane flying.

After a night of fighting, Lin Yue's armor was stained with blood, and his face was pale from the jolting.

On the deck of the warship, Xie Jin stood with his hands behind his back, his gaze fixed on Lin Yue.

Seeing that Lin Yue had settled the people and was not heading towards the main cabin to see Zheng He, but instead turned around and ordered his personal guards to prepare the ship, clearly intending to leave, he slowly moved towards that direction.

Zhao Hu quickly caught up, his face full of confusion, and asked, "The Japanese pirates have been wiped out and their lair destroyed. Why don't you go to see General Zheng and report back first?"

'

Lin Yue shook his head decisively, his voice slightly hoarse: "There are more important things to do."

He had barely finished speaking when he turned to look at Zhao Hu.

In the morning light, Zhao Hu could clearly see his eyes.

His eyes were bloodshot, red as if burning with dark fire, exuding a fierce aura that kept strangers at bay, completely unlike his usual composed demeanor.

"Lord Lin!" Zhao Hu's heart skipped a beat, and he quickly advised, "You've been working tirelessly for two nights, killing bandits and breaking into the stronghold. Why don't you rest for a few hours and recharge your energy before discussing anything else?"

"Scholar Lin," Xie Jin stepped forward, his tone calm, "major affairs of the world must be handled step by step; they cannot be rushed."

""

Xie Jin came over simply to chat with someone. As an unofficial member of the crew on the ship, he really didn't have much to do, and Lin Yue was someone he was relatively familiar with.

Lin Yue shook his head: "We fought and bled, slaying Japanese pirates and destroying their lair, only to raze this one island to the ground?"

His gaze swept over the still-shaken people on the deck, and he said, "What we're all doing is giving the people a peaceful life."

Although the external threat of Japanese pirates has been eliminated, those traitors and parasites who colluded with the Japanese pirates and acted as their accomplices are still around!

They colluded with the enemy and betrayed their country, harming their compatriots. If they are not completely eradicated, the coastal areas will never have peace!

After saying this, Lin Yue said no more and turned to walk towards the small sampan for boarding.

Dozens of elite guards behind him had already packed their belongings and immediately followed closely upon seeing this, their murderous intent still palpable.

Lin Yue did not meet with Zheng He mainly because he understood Zheng He.

Although Zheng He praised him for his bravery, he was always cautious. If he were to reveal his idea of ​​eliminating traitors, he would definitely stop him.

Xie Jin looked at Lin Yue's back, then at the soldiers following closely behind. After a moment's thought, he quickly stepped forward and swiftly stepped onto the small plank.

When Jian Jin followed, Lin Yue didn't stop him. It was just a matter of killing some parasites within the territory of the Ming Dynasty, not a direct confrontation.

The small boat was anchored and left the shore, drifting downstream.

Lin Yue stood at the bow of the ship, a long sword at his waist, his killing intent surging.

Xie Jin sat at the stern of the boat, watching the reeds rushing past on both banks. He frowned slightly, wondering what Lin Yue was going to do, but ultimately said nothing more.

In less than an hour, Xiao Ban arrived at the dock outside Songjiang Prefecture.

Lin Yue leaped ashore and ordered in a deep voice, "Run to the government office at full speed, without delay!"

The crowd responded and followed, hurrying along the bluestone path, passing through back streets and alleys, and soon arrived at the red gate of the Zhang residence.

The gatekeeper, seeing a group of men in tight-fitting clothes and exuding a murderous aura rushing towards him, turned pale with fright. He trembled and stepped forward to block them, his voice trembling: "Who...who are you? This is the residence of the Prefect..."

""

Zhao Hu stepped forward with a cold face, grabbed the gatekeeper by the collar, and gave him a gentle push. The gatekeeper screamed and fell inside the threshold.

Lin Yue kept his eyes straight ahead, leading his men straight in, passing through two courtyards, and heading straight for the inner hall.

This time, without the chestnut horse leading the way, Zhao Hu finally strode ahead of Lin Yue, kicked open the half-closed hall door, and the crowd surged in.

They happened to see Zhang Chengye sitting in the main seat, with two people sitting on either side of him. Several papers were spread out on the table, as if they were discussing important matters in secret.

"Zhang Chengye, your misdeeds have been exposed!" Lin Yue shouted.

Startled, Zhang Chengye jumped to his feet and saw a group of unfamiliar, fierce soldiers, each with eyes like knives. He was both shocked and furious, but forced himself to remain calm and rebuked them.

"Who are you? How dare you trespass into this official's residence and disrupt our meeting? Aren't you afraid of the strict laws?"

The two men beside him also changed their expressions instantly, subconsciously reaching for their waists, but Zhao Hu saw through their act at a glance and immediately stepped forward to press down on their shoulders, rendering them unable to move.

Lin Yue strode forward and shouted sternly, "Colluding with Japanese pirates and sharing the spoils—the evidence is irrefutable! How dare you try to deny it?"

The guards immediately stepped forward to arrest him. Zhang Chengye was both shocked and furious, struggling and roaring, "Insolence! I am an official appointed by the imperial court. Are you rebelling?"

Lin Yue sneered: "A traitor who colludes with the enemy and betrays the country, does he even deserve to be called an official? Take him away and interrogate him thoroughly!"

Before long, Zhao Hu returned quickly, carrying a stack of confessions.

After several days of interrogation, Zhao Hu has gained considerable experience, acting swiftly and ruthlessly, and the speed and quality of information he obtains have increased dramatically.

"My lord, Zhang Chengye and two others are secretly meeting at the Zhang residence, plotting to transfer stolen goods and destroy evidence!"

Lin Yue took the confession and quickly flipped through it.

Zhao Hu added from the side: "This scoundrel Zhang Chengye not only sold stolen goods for the Japanese pirates, but also, relying on his position as magistrate, secretly allowed Japanese ships to dock at the shore. Wang Huai'an secretly set up three grain and ironware dens in Kunshan and Taicang, smuggling grain and ironware every month."

Li Biao, as an inspector, allowed Japanese ships to come and go freely, and Zhao Wenchang went even further, betraying the coastal defenses and tax checkpoints, which allowed the Japanese pirates to prey on the weakest targets!

Lin Yue closed his confession and angrily said, "They are truly audacious! Officials and bandits colluding, with witnesses and physical evidence all present, yet they still dare to secretly plot to escape punishment!"

Zhao Hu stepped forward and whispered in his ear, "Sir, after Zhang Chengye was tortured, he also implicated other people!"

Zhou Ming, the Assistant Prefect of Suzhou, Wu Qian, the Salt Commissioner of Songjiang, and two local gentry who transported stolen silver for the Japanese pirates were all implicated in this matter!

He paused, a look of concern on his face: "Now that officials from Suzhou and Songjiang prefectures are involved, should we first report to the imperial court and await orders to arrest them?"

Lin Yue said loudly, "By the time the memorial is sent to the capital and approved, these corrupt officials will have already transferred the stolen goods and fled!"

"No need to wait any longer! Gather your men immediately, split into four groups, and head straight for Zhou Ming and Wu Qian's residences, as well as the homes of those two local gentry, and take them all down!"

Zhao Hu felt a chill run down his spine. Seeing Lin Yue's resolute attitude, he immediately clasped his hands in a fist salute and turned to arrange for manpower.

"Yes, sir!"

Xie Jin followed Lin Yue all the way and was greatly shocked to see how decisive and efficient he was, breaking into the house and arresting people without even notifying the local government.