After the imperial envoy arrived in Jiangnan, he issued the first political order.
As soon as the order was issued, the south of the Yangtze River was in turmoil and the famous families were horrified.
The storms and clouds are stirred, the thunder and rain are heard, and the imperial envoys make decisions on behalf of the heavens.
This imperial envoy has been in Jiangnan for many days. The prominent families in Jiangnan have been watching Li Qinzai's actions. However, Li Qinzai has been tepid since Jingzhou, as comfortable as traveling in the mountains and rivers. There has been no movement for a long time. He is either accepting gifts or attending banquets.
This is the familiar style of a playboy.
Unexpectedly, Li Qinzai didn't take action, but once he did, it was like a thunderbolt.
The first government order was to search all the Zhu family members in Wu County. How dare he!
On the news sent from Runzhou, that night countless fast riders left the city and rushed to various states and counties, as well as the mansions of prominent families.
The situation suddenly changed overnight, and at the same time as the news spread, five thousand soldiers and horses had gathered outside Runzhou City. Li Qinzai gave an order, and the soldiers quickly rushed to the Zhu family's ancestral home in Gusu.
Outside Gusu City, inside the Zhu family's ancestral residence.
The night was deep, and the owner of the family, Zhu Shengzhou, was sitting by the patio in the backyard, looking up at the stars silently.
There are stars and moon tonight, the night breeze is blowing slightly, and the spring scenery is already late.
The weather must be good tomorrow.
But Zhu Shengzhou's heart was not at peace.
A murder case far away in Duchang County has been reported for many days, but the informants in Jiangzhou City have not received any news. They only heard that the imperial envoy Li Qinzai was heading east with 5,000 soldiers and horses.
To the east of Jiangzhou is Gusu, but Zhu Shengzhou did not think that Li Qinzai came for him.
I really never thought that this was the confidence coming from a prominent family in the south of the Yangtze River.
The influence of the eight prominent families in the south of the Yangtze River could affect the entire world. The emperor had to be polite to the prominent families in the south of the Yangtze River, because Jiangnan was the granary of the Tang Dynasty, and the noble families had deep-rooted influence in the south of the Yangtze River.
It is impossible for something to happen to a country's granary. Even if something happens, the emperor will take the initiative to cover it up, otherwise the world will be in chaos.
There can be chaos anywhere in the world, and the court can be brought to peace if there is chaos, but there can be no chaos in the south of the Yangtze River.
The emperor has been on the throne for more than ten years, so he must be very clear about the pros and cons.
So Li Qinzai led 5,000 soldiers and horses to the direction of Suzhou, and Zhu Shengzhou did not think about the worst.
Li Qinzai's dandy background also gave Zhu Shengzhou the illusion that this young man did things simply to show off his bravery.
Back in Chang'an City, all the servants of the Eight Families were deposed, and they were not very capable. They were just taking advantage of the situation. Now they are leaving Jiangzhou with five thousand soldiers and horses. It is probably to show off their power, which is in line with the temperament of young people.
.
In front of Zhu Shengzhou stood a man in black. The man had his head lowered and his face was respectful. He looked like a dispensable shadow when he was silent.
But he is a secret force under the Zhu family of Wu County.
There are basically such secret forces in the aristocratic families, some are spies to spy on information, and some are dead men who have been raised for many years, including Li Qinzai, who also has Tang Ji under his command, who helps him with some shady things.
"Are you sure you have settled the matter in Duchang County?" Zhu Shengzhou asked slowly.
"Family head, we have dealt with it completely. I guarantee that the imperial envoy and Baiqisi will not find any clues."
Zhu Shengzhou hummed and said, "Where are the people related to the dead farmer?"
"The only relevant one is a distant relative who works as a handyman in our Zhu family's house..."
Zhu Shengzhou raised his eyes and said nothing.
The man in black immediately said: "Yesterday afternoon, the handyman in the house disappeared. The servants in the mansion have issued a silence order. This person has never appeared in the Zhu family."
Zhu Shengzhou looked satisfied, and even had a smile on his face.
The clothes are perfect and watertight, how can we investigate Li Qinzai's child with a yellow mouth? No matter how powerful Baiqisi is, do they dare to forge evidence and frame a century-old family?
Next, it was time for Wu Jun Zhu to take the initiative.
The murder case in Duchang County will slowly ferment and create public opinion among the people. Li Qinzai will soon be in a hurry, busy refuting the rumors and covering up the public opinion.
The turbulent public sentiment will make him unable to advance or retreat. Where will he have the energy to deal with the famous families in Jiangnan?
In this war without gunpowder, the famous families in Jiangnan have become invincible.
No matter how fierce the dragon crossing the river is, it cannot defeat a local snake. This is an eternal truth.
It’s ridiculous that the Lu family of Wu County, Li Qinzai panicked as soon as he came to Jiangnan, and hurriedly surrendered with shy faces. He really wanted to see the ugly behavior of the Lu family members kneeling and licking him. When Li Qinzai returned without success, he returned to Chang’an angrily. Let’s take a look at him.
How could the Lu family of Wu County have the dignity to establish themselves in the south of the Yangtze River?
After dealing with Li Qinzai, the Jiangnan noble families will next attack the imperial court, using a soft confrontation method to make the emperor even more fearful of the Jiangnan noble families.
After thinking about it, Zhu Shengzhou felt a little relieved.
The centuries-old heritage and power of a distinguished family are the source of his self-confidence.
The watchman in the house rang the clapper and it was already midnight. Zhu Shengzhou yawned and planned to go to sleep.
Tomorrow, it will be another sunny and good weather.
Just as I stood up, I suddenly heard a loud noise coming from outside the house door in the distance, like thunder and lightning, echoing in the silent night.
Zhu Shengzhou was stunned and hurriedly went out to check, only to see flames soaring into the sky in the distance. Loud noises followed one after another. Along with the loud noises, bursts of gunpowder smoke rose into the night sky.
"What happened? Check it out quickly and report it!" Zhu Shengzhou said sternly.
Just as the man in black turned around, he saw a servant crawling and kneeling in front of Zhu Shengzhou, saying with a horrified look on his face: "Master, our house is surrounded by officers and soldiers!"
"The servants patrolling around the house to protect the courtyard have been killed by the imperial army. At this moment, the army is crashing the door..."
As soon as he finished speaking, there was a bang, and the door of Zhu's house was knocked open. Groups of wolf-like soldiers rushed into the yard and captured anyone they saw. Those who dared to resist were shot to death on the spot with fire cannons.
In the Zhu family's ancestral house, the masters and servants were running like wolves, fleeing and screaming. The guards in the mansion rushed forward to protect the master with swords, but were killed before they could get close.
Zhu Shengzhou looked at the scene in front of him with eyes wide open, and until now he still couldn't believe his eyes.
"Who! Who dares to massacre my people from the Zhu clan in Wu County! Who gave you the courage!"
"Come here! Report to the Gusu Governor's Office quickly, rush to the guards, and ask the officers and soldiers to lead troops to rescue..."
Before he finished speaking, he saw Li Qinzai, wearing a battle armor, walking in and standing in front of Zhu Shengzhou with his hands behind his hands amidst the flames and screams that filled the courtyard.
"There is no need to inform the Gusu Governor, he can't save you."
The pupils in Zhu Shengzhou's eyes narrowed rapidly, and he gritted his teeth and said, "Li Qinzai!"
The two had met in Chang'an. After Li Qinzai destroyed the mansions of the eight prominent families, under Li Zhi's influence, the heads of the eight prominent families had to go to Chang'an in person. Not only did they bring heavy gifts, but they also had to apologize to Li Qinzai.
.
The firelight soaring into the sky illuminated Zhu's house as bright as day.
In the flickering firelight, Li Qinzai's handsome face looked like a ghost crawling out of hell to seek life, and he bared his teeth and smiled at Zhu Shengzhou.
"Master Zhu, farewell to Chang'an. It's been a long time."