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

Chapter 297 Killing Intent, Storm Brewing
The Scar of the Sky, the Demonic Cult, the Azure Dragon Society.

As the shadow of war loomed over the Ming Dynasty, the undercurrents were also more turbulent than ever before.

The Secret Guard and Cangyun cooperated seamlessly, and the two Tianzhihen strongholds stationed in Hejian Prefecture and Tianjin Wei, as well as the two strongholds of the remnants of the Demonic Sect, including the Azure Dragon Society branch, were all crushed by the Cangyun army in less than a day.

But the forces involved were so shocking that even Changsun Wangqing was horrified.

"In the Ming Dynasty, there were two capitals, thirteen provinces, and four hundred prefectures. There were countless powerful families who didn't care who became emperor or how many people would die. They only cared about their family's inheritance and how much profit they could seize."

"Hehe, my life, Your Highness's safety, and the lives of hundreds of thousands of people are at stake."

"Isn't it all worth your interests?"

Changsun Wangqing's eyes revealed a strong killing intent. Based on the investigation by the secret guards and the accounts and intelligence seized from the three strongholds of the Cangyun Army, the Demonic Sect, and the Azure Dragon Society, all she saw were two bloody words.

Benefit!

Driven by profit, Tianjin Wei could collude with the Green Dragon Society and use the Grand Canal to help conceal the transportation of gunpowder and firearms.

Driven by profit, local powerful families in Hejian, Baoding, Taiyuan, and Datong, knowing full well the immense casualties that a gunpowder explosion would cause, turned a blind eye and a deaf ear.

They were even willing to risk their lives for the benefits promised by the Demonic Sect and the Azure Dragon Society.

Changsun Wangqing placed her hand on the reverse-blade sword, her eyebrows furrowed, her knuckles white from gripping it tightly. "Deliver the intelligence to Your Highness, and please make your decision!"

"No need, kill!"

Zhu Jinzhen's voice came through.

The Cangyun Army and secret guards around them immediately bowed in greeting.

“I am aware of the matter. Since they feel they have nothing to fear, they should also know that I will not show leniency.” Zhu Jinzhen simply raised his eyes and took in all the intelligence in Changsun Wangqing’s hands, revealing a cold smile: “I have never said that governing the world is inseparable from those so-called scholars, so-called upper-class scholars, and that stabilizing the country is inseparable from the garrison troops in various places.”

"To maintain stability, we have no need for so-called gentry and powerful families."

"They seem to have forgotten that I can slaughter countless enemies on the battlefield and deter the Mongols and Liao from invading our borders for years. Could it be that I can no longer wield a sword?"

The most glaring part of the intelligence in Changsun Wangqing's hand was a few lines of text.

"If Prince Su wishes to stabilize the court, he cannot do without us ministers, nor without local powerful families and gentry."

Even if there are flaws, it's just a matter of pushing a few scapegoats out.

'Those peasants, a few of them could be easily beheaded. Does Prince Su really think he'd send someone down to investigate thoroughly?'

Zhu Jinzhen's divine sense pervaded the entire Tianjin. Looking at the contents of the intelligence report, he seemed to be able to vaguely see the smug and arrogant faces of certain people through those words.

"Go!"

Changsun Wangqing didn't waste any words, but simply nodded slightly to Xiao Wu.

"The list includes related aristocratic families, gentry, scholars, and martial arts sects."

"Kill them all without exception!"

As Zhu Jinzhen's bedmate, Changsun Wangqing naturally understood Zhu Jinzhen's anger at this moment. "Anyone who dares to intervene and plead for leniency will be treated as an accomplice and will be dealt with without any leniency."

Xiao Wu, still stained with the stench of blood after a night of carnage, bowed and stepped back upon receiving orders from Zhu Jinzhen and Changsun Wangqing. When she turned around, her face was filled with a chilling murderous aura.

When she was by Changsun Wangqing's side, she was the deputy commander of the Women's Guard Battalion.

Even without Changsun Wangqing, she can transform into a ruthless demon wielding a reverse-blade sword.

After Xiao Wu left, Changsun Wangqing smiled sweetly: "Your Highness, your thoughts travel a thousand miles, and you've wandered here in spirit. Could it be that you're almost at the capital?"

"Ok!"

“It’s less than 300 li from the capital, we can arrive before sunset.” Zhu Jinzhen nodded and said, “I’ve come here for two things.”

"Firstly, Tian Zhihen is still determined to get rid of me, and his counterattack is fierce and faster than I expected."

“I’m worried they’ll resort to desperate measures and try to take advantage of you again.”

Upon hearing this, Changsun Wangqing felt a warmth in her heart, but thinking of Zhu Jinzhen's purpose and his words just now, her eyebrows furrowed and her pretty face turned frosty: "Does Your Highness mean that they have made a move again?"

"I, and all the soldiers of Cangyun, can serve as sharp weapons in Your Highness's hands."

As for his own safety, Changsun Wangqing didn't care that much.

Although Zhu Jinzhen was moved, he still smiled and shook his head: "It's not that serious. I have gained something new recently. You must have noticed the strange phenomenon that covered the world before. Even if there are tigers, leopards, wolves and jackals in front of me, I can crush them into dust."

The unity of heaven and humanity allows one to foresee the future.

The closer Zhu Jinzhen got to the capital, the stronger his premonition became.

However, it is not yet so serious that Changsun Wangqing needs to lead the Cangyun Army to fight and risk their lives for him.

"I was just worried about you, so I came to check on you."

"By the way, prepare to have eighteen secret guards from the Yimei Sect come to your side to take orders."

Zhu Jinzhen revealed a mysterious smile. Changsun Wangqing, who was above the mortal realm and possessed an immortal body, was naturally safe. However, to be on the safe side, he still planned to equip Changsun Wangqing with a more comprehensive defensive force.

"Eighteen secret guards?"

Changsun Wangqing was incredibly intelligent and immediately guessed Zhu Jinzhen's meaning, realizing that these eighteen secret guards must possess combat power even stronger than ordinary celestial beings.

It is very likely the source of that apocalyptic scene.

"By His Highness's side?"

"Don't worry, I have Yimei and the others with me."

"That's good." Changsun Wangqing breathed a sigh of relief and stopped refusing.

"Your Highness only mentioned one thing. What is the second thing?"

Zhu Jinzhen whispered a few words in Changsun Wangqing's ear mysteriously, making her blush to the roots of her ears. "This matter is naturally... naturally Your Highness's decision. How could I possibly object?"

"That's good."

Zhu Jinzhen laughed heartily, embracing his eldest grandson with unbridled joy, savoring the moment of peace before the storm.

Changsun Wangqing nestled in Zhu Jinzhen's arms, temporarily forgetting Zhu Jinzhen's earlier suggestion, or rather, deliberately changing the subject: "Your Highness, do you really not need me to intervene? The Heavenly Scar, the Demonic Sect, and the Azure Dragon Society—those treacherous officials—are coming with great force. Although they cannot threaten Your Highness's safety, what if..."

"What if?"

"No matter how much preparation they make, I will make them understand what it means to be like an ant trying to shake a tree, utterly overestimating their own strength." Zhu Jinzhen was full of vigor and extraordinary confidence. In his eyes, the Heavenly Scar, the Azure Dragon Society, and the Demonic Sect were nothing more than clowns.

Especially after Zhu Jinzhen and his secret guards, as well as some Cangyun and Tiance armies, mastered the battle formations he had signed up for in the ancient battle formation books, he began to observe other forces and individual experts in the Zongwu world.

Just like Guan Yu in the Three Kingdoms period, he saw everyone as a "traitor who would sell his head for a pittance".

Seeing this, Changsun Wangqing lowered his eyes and smiled faintly, temporarily suppressing the worries in his heart.

She knew that since Zhu Jinzhen said so, he must have already made thorough preparations.

Since Zhu Jinzhen didn't need her to take action, she could simply wait for news of victory to arrive.

(End of this chapter)