The strongest eldest son of the Ming Dynasty

Chapter 40 Do you really think I'm the richest man in Chenzhou for nothing?

The news quickly reached the prefectural government. After hearing the report from his advisor and the county magistrate, Zhao Wude was furious when he saw the two men covered in injuries and looking disheveled. He slammed his fist on the table, and the teacups on it instantly fell to the ground and shattered.

"That Zhu Yao! How dare he! He openly assaulted one of my men! He's utterly lawless and shows no respect for me!"

He was trembling with rage, his voice filled with murderous intent.

He sternly ordered the guards beside him, "Men! Immediately gather all the officers and soldiers of Chenzhou Prefecture and accompany me to Liu Family Manor to arrest Zhu Yao, confiscate his property, and exterminate his entire family!"

"I'll show everyone the consequences of provoking me, the prefect!"

"Yes, sir!"

The guards responded in unison, turned and quickly left to gather the soldiers.

Zhao Wude gritted his teeth, his eyes filled with anger and greed. He hadn't expected Zhu Yao to be so tough and dare to openly defy him.

Today, he is determined to completely take down Zhu Yao, not only to seize his family fortune, but also to make him pay a heavy price!

Before long, a large number of officers and soldiers had assembled, armed with knives and guns, and followed Zhao Wude menacingly towards the Liu family manor. A bloody storm was about to break out.

.....

Inside the Liu residence.

Zhu Yao was playing hide-and-seek with the maids in the mansion when a servant rushed into the courtyard, looking panicked and reporting in a trembling voice, "Young Master! Something terrible has happened! The newly appointed Prefect Zhao Wude is leading a large number of soldiers, armed with swords and spears, marching towards our Liu mansion. They're almost at the gate!"

Butler Chen Zhong's expression changed drastically. He quickly stepped forward and said urgently to Zhu Yao, "Young Master, the situation is critical! You must leave through the back door first and find a place to hide. I will lead the servants of the manor to fight the soldiers to the death and buy you some time!"

The servants nearby also gathered around, kneeling on one knee and saying in unison, "Young Master! Your kindness to us is immeasurable; you saved our lives. You are our greatest benefactor! Today, we are willing to die for you, to defend the Liu residence with our lives, and to ensure that the soldiers do not harm you in the slightest!"

Seeing the earnest and determined expressions on everyone's faces, Zhu Yao felt a warmth in his heart, but he slowly shook his head, a ruthless glint in his eyes, and said in a resounding tone, "Leave? I, Zhu Yao, will not run away! Damn it, this Zhao Wude is really pushing his luck, daring to bring soldiers to my Liu residence to cause trouble. Does he really think I'm the richest man in Chenzhou for nothing?"

He raised his hand and ordered resolutely, "Chen Zhong, pass on my order: immediately mobilize all our economic resources to close all grain shops, cloth shops, and money shops in Chenzhou, halt all trade, and completely paralyze the economy of Chenzhou. I want to see how long Zhao Wude can remain arrogant without the support of the people!"

Then, he ordered his servants: "Listen up, everyone! Immediately move out according to the defense plan we practiced earlier. Reinforce the gates, bring in logs and stones, and guard all the checkpoints inside the mansion. If any soldiers dare to break in, beat them severely without mercy!"

"Yes, young master!"

Chen Zhong and his servants responded in unison, their voices loud and clear, without the slightest fear. They turned around and immediately set to work, some to relay orders, some to reinforce the gates, and some to move defensive supplies. The entire Liu residence instantly became busy, yet orderly.

Zhu Yao stood in the courtyard, his gaze sweeping over the busy crowd. Suddenly, he remembered Liu Bowen, frowned, and asked, "By the way, where is Mr. Liu? He was just playing chess with me here a moment ago, how come he's disappeared in the blink of an eye?"

Chen Zhong stopped what he was doing, a look of doubt on his face. He shook his head and said, "Young Master, I don't know either. When I went to arrange the defenses just now, I saw Mr. Liu walking around near the gate of the mansion. He disappeared in the blink of an eye. I have already sent people to look for him, but there is still no news."

The other servants also said that they had indeed seen Liu Bowen in the mansion, but they didn't know when he left. Everyone had some doubts, but they didn't have time to think about it. They could only focus on preparing for defense.

Before long, the sound of orderly footsteps and the clanging of armor came from outside the mansion gate. It grew closer and closer, its imposing momentum sending chills down one's spine. Zhao Wude led a large number of soldiers and arrived in front of the Liu mansion gate in a grand procession.

The soldiers, armed with knives and guns, stood in neat rows, their expressions serious and menacing, completely surrounding the gates of the Liu residence. Zhao Wude, dressed in official robes, stood at the forefront of the soldiers, his face grim and his eyes filled with rage, looking as if he were determined to raze the Liu residence to the ground.

Inside the Liu residence, the servants gripped their clubs and knives tightly, standing guard nervously behind the gate. Chen Zhong stood beside Zhu Yao, his expression grave, and said in a low voice, "Young Master, the soldiers have arrived. Let's get ready."

Zhu Yao nodded, his eyes fixed firmly on the gate of the mansion, showing no fear on his face. He secretly pondered how to deal with the situation if the soldiers really broke in.

The atmosphere inside and outside the Liu residence grew increasingly heavy.

The next second, a shocking scene unfolded:

Zhao Wude's legs went weak, and he immediately knelt down, kowtowing repeatedly towards the Liu family's gate. His voice trembled, and his tone was extremely respectful: "Young Master Zhu! I was blind and didn't recognize your greatness. I have offended you, Young Master Zhu. Please forgive me! Please forgive me this time!"

This sudden reversal stunned everyone present. Zhu Yao, Chen Zhong, and the servants in the Liu residence all stared wide-eyed, their faces filled with disbelief. They never expected that Zhao Wude, who had been so aggressive just moments before, would suddenly kneel down and admit his mistake.

The soldiers outside the mansion were also dumbfounded. They looked at each other, their swords and spears frozen in mid-air, not knowing what to do. They had never seen their superior kneel down and beg for mercy in such a disheveled and fearful manner.

Zhu Yao frowned, his mind filled with doubt:

What is Zhao Wude up to?

Why did he suddenly kneel down and admit his mistake?

Is there some kind of conspiracy?!

Or did their countermeasures work? And were they effective that quickly?

Zhao Wude continued to kowtow, his forehead soon bleeding. His voice trembled more and more as he begged for mercy, his previous arrogance completely gone.

Just as everyone was shocked and at a loss, a familiar figure slowly walked out from the crowd outside the Liu residence. It was Liu Bowen.

He was neatly dressed and calm, just like any other day, as if nothing had happened.

Upon seeing this, Zhu Yao instantly concealed his confusion and strode forward, his voice full of concern: "Mr. Liu, you're finally back! Are you alright? Where did you run off to? We were so worried!"