The Ming Dynasty: The most ruthless imperial grandson, Old Zhu begged me not to kill him.

Chapter 625 Iron-Fisted Rectification
As night fell, a cold wind caused the edges of the tent to tremble slightly.

Zhu Xiong Ying sat in the commander's tent, the candlelight in front of him flickering gently, illuminating his face.

His brows were furrowed, and a deep sense of contemplation was surging within him.

The victory on the battlefield did not make him lower his guard; on the contrary, it revealed a deeper hidden danger.

Those large tribes that had just surrendered are now stirring again, planning to seize profits in the chaotic post-war situation.

"We can't let them succeed."

Zhu Xiong Ying silently warned himself.

This time, we must use swift and decisive measures to completely suppress them.

"Your Highness, I have already dispatched spies as you instructed to monitor the movements of the various tribes."

Li Jinglong strode into the tent, his expression showing a hint of tension and urgency.

Zhu Xiong Ying nodded, his eyes shining with a profound light.

"Very good, now we'll see what they do next."

"These tribal leaders still do not trust our Great Ming Dynasty enough."

He spoke slowly, a hint of coldness in his voice.

"If we cannot preemptively strike before they launch a rebellion, the situation will become complicated again."

Upon hearing this, Li Jinglong frowned slightly.

"Your Highness, are you planning to use force before they have fully made their move?"

Zhu Xiong Ying gave a cold smile, her eyes resolute.

"exactly."

"They are not fully united yet, which is the best time for us to defeat them."

"Once they truly unite, they will form a massive resistance force, and it will be much more difficult to take action then."

Li Jinglong nodded in agreement.

"Your Highness is farsighted. Your subordinates will immediately arrange troops and prepare to attack at any time."

Zhu Xiong Ying raised her hand to stop him.

"Not urgent."

He said in a deep voice.

“These tribes are not stupid. Although they have started to make contact, they have not yet taken completely open action.”

“We cannot act rashly. We must make them feel that we are still in the process of reconciliation with them, so that we can seize the moment when they are most relaxed.”

"Next, I will personally visit these tribes, ostensibly to appease them, but secretly to find out their true intentions."

Upon hearing this, Li Jinglong's eyes widened in surprise.

"Your Highness, are you going to those tribes in person?"

Zhu Xiong Ying nodded, her expression calm and resolute.

"exactly."

“The leaders of these tribes are very cunning. They do not trust ordinary messengers. Only if I go there in person can I find out their true nature.”

Li Jinglong hurriedly advised, "Your Highness, this is too dangerous! Those tribes are harboring ulterior motives. If you go there personally, wouldn't you be putting yourself in danger?"

Zhu Xiong Ying smiled slightly, his eyes showing a hint of composure.

"Danger is certainly present, but only by venturing into perilous situations can one truly grasp the situation."

"Furthermore, I have my own plans and will not easily put myself in danger."

He paused, then continued, "My trip is both a test and a deterrent."

"Only by showing them my determination and strength can we deter them from taking any rash actions."

Seeing that he couldn't dissuade him, Li Jinglong could only sigh and cup his hands, saying, "Since Your Highness has made up your mind, I am willing to accompany you as a bodyguard."

Zhu Xiong Ying shook her head.

"You don't need to come with me; I'll just take a small squad of personal guards."

"You stay in the main camp and command the main force. If there is any disturbance, immediately send troops to provide support."

Seeing this, Li Jinglong had no choice but to respectfully accept the order. The next morning, Zhu Xiong Ying led a team of elite personal guards and quietly left the camp, heading straight for the tribes to the east.

Their trip was kept very low-key, and only a very few people knew the purpose of Zhu Xiong Ying's trip.

Along the way, Zhu Xiong Ying kept thinking about how to deal with these cunning tribal leaders.

He knew that these leaders were filled with unease and greed; they wanted more land and benefits, yet they feared being completely suppressed by the Ming Dynasty.

"Since I came here in person this time, they will surely agree on the surface, but they will still be plotting in secret."

Zhu Xiong Ying sneered inwardly.

He had already prepared a countermeasure.

A few days later, Zhu Xiong Ying and his group arrived at the largest tribe in the east.

The leader of this tribe was named Batula, a former subordinate of Atshyustimur. Although he showed signs of submission in the previous battles, he had been secretly maintaining contact with other tribes.

Batu La did not suspect Zhu Xiong Ying's arrival, and he quickly hosted a banquet for Zhu Xiong Ying in his tent.

"It is truly an honor for us that His Highness the Crown Prince has come in person."

Batula smiled broadly and spoke respectfully.

He raised his glass and toasted Zhu Xiong Ying.

Zhu Xiong Ying smiled faintly and raised his glass in response, but his eyes held a calm scrutiny.

"Chief Batula, thank you for helping the Ming Dynasty resolve the enemy's threat on the battlefield."

"After this battle, the Ming Dynasty will surely reward you loyal tribes."

Upon hearing this, Batula smiled modestly, but a hint of greed flashed in his eyes.

"Thank you for your kindness, Your Highness. We only chose to submit to the Ming Dynasty for our own safety."

"However, since the Ming Dynasty is willing to accept us, we will naturally be loyal to it."

Zhu Xiong Ying nodded and smiled, but inwardly she remained unmoved by these hypocritical words.

He knew very well that Batula's so-called "loyalty" was nothing more than a ploy to gain more benefits and protection.

"That's good."

Zhu Xiong Ying said casually, then changed the subject: "However, I've heard that some tribal leaders have been contacting other forces recently. I wonder what Chief Batula thinks about this?"

Batula's smile froze for a moment, but he quickly regained his composure.

"Your Highness, what do you mean by that? Our tribes have already submitted to the Ming Dynasty and will never have any disloyal intentions."

Zhu Xiong Ying smiled slightly, a sharp glint in his eyes.

"Chief Batula, I want you to understand that loyalty is not just about words, but must also be shown in actions."

"I, Zhu Xiong Ying, will not easily let go of anyone who betrays the Ming Dynasty."

Batula's expression changed slightly, then he adopted a respectful posture, cupping his hands and saying, "Your Highness the Crown Prince is overthinking things. We have absolutely no ulterior motives."

Zhu Xiong Ying stared at him coldly, her gaze conveying a sense of oppression.

"hope so."

Batula's forehead was slightly sweaty, clearly feeling overwhelmed by Zhu Xiong Ying's imposing manner.

Zhu Xiong Ying didn't say anything more and got up to take her leave.

After leaving Batula's camp, Zhu Xiong Ying returned to his own camp, his face still calm.

"Pass down the order to continue monitoring the movements of Batula and his tribe."

He said in a low voice, and the guards beside him immediately obeyed and left.

As night fell, Zhu Xiong Ying sat in his tent, pondering his next move.

Although these tribes have temporarily restrained themselves, their minds are clearly not yet at peace.

Zhu Xiong Ying knew that the next step had to be decisive and swift in order to completely dispel their thoughts of resistance.

"Prepare troops and be ready to be deployed at any time."

He spoke in a deep voice, his eyes shining with determination.

"This time, I will not give them any more chances."

(End of this chapter)