Ming Dynasty: pacifying the rebellion and defending the border, dominating the world

Chapter 238 Dragon Gate, Betrayal

Zhu Jinzhen's analysis was like a thunderclap, exploding in Yan Yimei's mind.

Only then did she realize that the secret guards had made such a mistake.

"It was my oversight, Your Highness. Please punish me." Yan Yimei had nothing to say about this. Whatever the Ning family and the mastermind behind them were planning, the secret guards were indeed suspected of negligence in this matter, and she did not offer any explanation.

"Why should I punish them?" Zhu Jinzhen shook his head, looking at Ningxia with a mocking expression, and gradually a cold smile appeared on his face: "Now that you know, go and find out the truth. By the way, I'm also curious about what methods and trump cards they have prepared."

"How could they still harbor such wicked intentions?"

He commands the two strongest forces on the surface: Cangyun and Tiance.

Not to mention the Ming Dynasty, it would be more than enough to sweep across all the countries under heaven.

Given such a huge disparity, no one with a sound mind would consider making an enemy of him. Even Emperor Zhu Houzhao and the various princes and relatives of the Ming Dynasty chose to remain silent.
He wanted to see what kind of confidence the Ning family, a mere border family, had that they dared to try to eliminate him, even if they had the shadow of Shanxi merchants and might be colluding with the Azure Dragon Society or the remnants of the Demonic Sect.
"Yes, Your subordinate will immediately order a thorough investigation." After saying this, Yan Yimei bowed and took her leave.

He swiftly prepared to dispatch secret guards to thoroughly investigate the Ning family and the hidden mastermind, to drag out all the rats lurking in the shadows, or...

We'll wipe them out one by one, nest by nest.

If Yan Yimei was merely a focus before, now the focus is on the four families in Ningxia.

On one hand, it was their actions; on the other hand, it caused Yan Yimei to lose face slightly in front of her master, Zhu Jinzhen.

"Wait a minute, what's going on with the Longmen Escort Agency?" Zhu Jinzhen called out to Yan Yimei. The so-called conspiracy was only something needed when one's strength was insufficient; at his level, it didn't matter at all.

What conspiracy, what flawless plan?
Faced with absolute power, it can do nothing but make people laugh and annoy them.

"Your Highness, Longmen Escort Agency has some business dealings with the four families, but the involvement is minor. The secret guards reported that Tong Boda of Longmen Escort Agency had previously taken on two escort missions, which caused some trouble."

"He was worried about offending His Highness, so he specially ordered someone to send the relevant information over."

"Hmm?" Zhu Jinzhen frowned. He had no connection with the Longmen Escort Agency. Even if he made twenty escort missions, let alone two, there would be no involvement, right?

"Your Highness, the first shipment was handled by Tong Boda's Longmen Escort Agency. We took over the business half a month ago, when Minister of War Yang Yuxuan and his entire family were executed, but his two children were rescued."

"As a result, less than three days later, Longmen Escort Agency received this shipment."

“Originally, this was nothing, but… Liangzhou Guards appeared among the escorts, and Tong Boda said in the message that there seemed to be a conspiracy involved in this shipment.”

"so……"

Upon hearing this, Zhu Jinzhen roughly understood: "He's worried that this shipment is too troublesome, and that sending the children of two wanted criminals to Shaanxi might be an opportunity for someone in the court to frame me?"

Yan Yimei nodded: "Your Highness, that is indeed the case."

Nowadays, who in the Ming Dynasty doesn't know that Zhu Jinzhen is about to become the ruler of the Ming Dynasty?

At this critical juncture, Tong Boda, who had already sent the goods to Shaanxi, decisively delivered the message directly to the secret guards, instructing them to present it to Zhu Jinzhen to avoid any misunderstanding.

"Who is Liangzhou Guard that Tong Boda mentioned?"

"A swordsman named Zhou Huai'an, and several men who were clearly from military backgrounds."

"Zhou Huai'an, a wandering swordsman?"

Zhu Jinzhen put down his teacup and shook his head slightly: "Since you say it's Liangzhou Guard, Tong Boda must already know Zhou Huai'an's identity. Just say it directly."

"This..." Yan Yimei hesitated for a moment before replying, "Your Highness, according to the investigation conducted by the Secret Guard through the archives, Zhou Huai'an should be a guerrilla general of the fifth rank in Liangzhou Guard, not an ordinary swordsman."

"really!"

Zhu Jinzhen snorted coldly and did not press further: "Bring the person back."

When he first heard the name Zhou Huai'an, he already had a rough idea of ​​who it was.

However, he did not expect that this person was a guerrilla general under the command of the Twelve Guards of Shaanxi, which made him extremely angry. He was a traitor and no one liked him.

Zhu Jinzhen was no exception.

"Report!" A messenger came to report, interrupting the two men's conversation.

"What is it?" Yan Yimei stepped forward and asked.

"Your Highness, Commander Xu has sent back a battle report. He has captured Baoning and Shunqing and is now at the gates of Chengdu. He will take it soon and advance into the entire Sichuan province to join forces with Lord Yang Qingyi in Xuzhou."

"They acted quite quickly." Zhu Jinzhen took the battle report, glanced at it, and a smile immediately appeared on his face. This was his first victory report since he started his Jingnan rebellion. It was worth all his hard work in developing his army and training them all to the Vajra Realm before sending them out.

Indeed, they were invincible and unconquerable.

"Report!"

At this moment, another messenger arrived.

Holding a battle report in both hands, he knelt down on one knee excitedly, "Your Highness, the Tian Ce Army has achieved a great victory! Commander Li Chengen led the Tian Ce Army to capture Xiangyang in two hours, and occupied De'an Prefecture. Taking advantage of the victory, they crossed the Yangtze River, defeated Yongshun Division, and crushed Shizhou Guard in one battle."

"here you go."

Zhu Jinzhen's smile widened, and he exclaimed in admiration.

Li Chengen's Tian Ce army moved with lightning speed, capturing several cities in a single battle. They were even more unstoppable than the Tian Ce army led by Xu Changhai, and even the natural barrier of the Yangtze River could not stop their advance.

Currently, Tian Ce has won consecutive victories and has occupied most of Shanxi and Sichuan, with Yunnan, Guizhou, and Hubei also in sight.

On the other side, Changsun Wangqing had not yet sent back any news of victory.

But Zhu Jinzhen believed things would go more smoothly on her end.

With the world in our grasp, it will be just around the corner.

"Okay, you go down first."

Zhu Jinzhen waved his hand, his smile gradually fading, and looked at Yan Yimei: "Continue."

Yan Yimei's body trembled, and she replied, "Yes, according to the secret guards' investigation, Yang Yuxuan's two children were attacked several times on the way to the border, but he fought them off each time. However, he also got into a fight with the people from the Eastern Depot."

"His motives are not pure."

"It seems that, as Tong Boda said, they were planning to send him to Jiayuguan or Shaanxi to frame him."

“Our men are already watching him and can capture him at any time.”

"Then bring it back."

Zhu Jinzhen glanced at Yan Yimei indifferently, a cold smile playing on his lips: "I only care about the result."

"Yes!"

Yan Yimei nodded calmly.

Zhu Jinzhen nodded and continued to ask, "What connection does the other shipment have with me?"

"Your Highness... Tong Boda mentioned the First Emperor's Mausoleum in his letter."

Yan Yimei's words stunned Zhu Jinzhen, who looked at her in disbelief: "You just said that Tong Boda's letter mentioned the First Emperor's Mausoleum?"

"Yes." Yan Yimei nodded.

This matter is of great importance, so she certainly wouldn't speak carelessly.

"Where's the letter?" Zhu Jinzhen reached out his hand directly.

Yan Yimei took out a letter from her bosom and handed it over: "Please take a look, Your Highness."

After receiving the letter, Zhu Jinzhen quickly unfolded it and read it carefully. His expression gradually changed from doubt to relief, and then a faint smile appeared on his lips: "Interesting. Bring him to see me."

(End of this chapter)