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

Chapter 653 Harvesting Power
The atmosphere inside the hall seemed to freeze, and everyone held their breath.

Zhu Xiong Ying stood in the center of the court, his gaze sharp as a knife, coldly staring at Zhang Jing.

The guards beside him had already pressed down on Zhang Jing's shoulders, firmly restraining him.

"Zhang Jing, you colluded with court officials, secretly formed cliques for personal gain, spread rumors, and attempted to destabilize the court. Today, your crimes must be accounted for one by one."

Zhu Xiong Ying's voice was powerful and resonant, each word striking Zhang Jing's heart like a hammer blow.

Zhang Jing's face had turned ashen, cold sweat poured down his forehead, and he struggled incessantly, his eyes filled with terror and anger.

"Your Highness, this is a frame-up!"

"Your Majesty, I am utterly loyal and have no disloyal intentions! This is all a setup by someone else!"

Zhang Jing shouted hoarsely, trying to defend himself.

But at this point, the explanations seemed extremely weak in the eyes of the ministers.

Zhu Xiong Ying sneered, his eyes filled with utter ruthlessness.

"Zhang Jing, the evidence is right in front of you, are you still trying to deny it?"

He slowly raised the memorial in his hand and said in a deep voice, "This document records in detail everything you have done over the years, every official you have colluded with, every penny of property you have secretly embezzled, and even every plan you have made to spread rumors and create unrest in the court."

"This evidence is irrefutable. What other excuses do you have?"

His voice was calm yet powerful, exuding an unquestionable authority.

Zhang Jing's body trembled violently; he knew he had nowhere to retreat.

"Your Highness, I...I was misled and momentarily negligent; I had absolutely no intention of plotting rebellion!"

Zhang Jing lowered his head, his tone pleading.

At this moment, he realized that he could not escape his guilt and could only try to gain Zhu Xiong Ying's pity and seek a glimmer of hope.

But Zhu Xiong Ying's gaze was as cold as iron, without the slightest pity.

"Zhang Jing, you are attempting to use the court to disrupt the political situation. How can such a person be let off lightly?"

He said this with an extremely cold and decisive tone.

Zhang Jing's expression changed drastically, and he collapsed to the ground, utterly despairing.

"Your Highness...please have mercy..."

Zhang Jing trembled, his voice filled with boundless fear.

But Zhu Xiong Ying didn't look at him again. He turned to Li Jinglong and said, "Zhang Jing's crimes are conclusive. Immediately imprison him in the imperial prison and thoroughly investigate the officials he colluded with. This matter must be completely settled."

Li Jinglong immediately nodded in acceptance, his eyes filled with a chilling intent.

"Understood, I will arrange it immediately!"

At Zhu Xiong Ying's command, the guards acted swiftly, taking Zhang Jing and his accomplices into the imperial prison.

Zhang Jing was led away dejectedly. The officials in the hall looked at each other, and for a moment, no one dared to utter a sound.

At this point, the imperial court was completely in Zhu Xiong Ying's hands.

***
Outside the main hall, the cold wind howled. Zhu Xiong Ying stood in front of the hall, gazing into the distance with a cold expression.

"Your Highness, Zhang Jing has been imprisoned in the Imperial Prison. Your subordinates are investigating the movements of Zhang Jing's associates in accordance with your instructions."

Li Jinglong strode over, his expression filled with excitement.

"This time, Zhang Jing's power has been completely destroyed, and he can no longer stir up any trouble."

Zhu Xiong Ying nodded slightly, her gaze remaining calm.

"Zhang Jing has indeed failed, but that doesn't mean it's all over."

He said this with an extremely calm and vigilant tone.

“Zhang Jing has cultivated his influence in the court for many years. Although most of his cronies have been brought under control, some of them still harbor ulterior motives and are waiting for an opportunity to act.”

"We must completely eliminate these remaining forces to ensure they have no chance of making a comeback."

Zhu Xiong Ying's voice was calm and firm, revealing absolute coldness.

Li Jinglong immediately nodded in agreement and then said, "I will continue to investigate thoroughly and make sure to eradicate Zhang Jingyi's faction completely!"

Zhu Xiong Ying nodded slightly, gazing into the distance, still remaining vigilant.

"This political turmoil may seem to have subsided, but the real threat has not been completely eliminated."

He pondered silently, a deep light gleaming in his eyes.

"The situation in the court is complex and volatile. Any negligence could give the enemy an opportunity to take advantage of it." "Whether it is the battlefield on the border or the power struggles in the court, I must keep a firm grip on it."

He made a silent vow in his heart, his eyes revealing unwavering determination and resolve.

***
A few days later, the situation in the capital gradually stabilized.

The news of Zhang Jing's arrest caused a huge shock in the court, and many officials who were implicated with him were exposed.

This massive purge completely destroyed Zhang Jingyi's faction's power, and the situation in the court was greatly improved.

"Your Highness, after several days of thorough investigation, most of the core officials of Zhang Jingyi's faction have been brought to justice."

"The evidence against them is irrefutable, and they have no chance of redemption."

Li Jinglong stood beside Zhu Xiong Ying, his tone tinged with joy.

Zhu Xiong Ying nodded slightly, her gaze remaining calm.

"Over the years, Zhang Jingyi's faction has accumulated considerable power in the court."

"Now that their henchmen have been purged, we still cannot let our guard down."

"The situation in North Korea and China is constantly changing, and we must remain vigilant at all times."

He spoke with remarkable calmness and deep thought.

Li Jinglong nodded in agreement, then asked, "Your Highness, how should we consolidate the situation in the court next?"

Zhu Xiong Ying pondered for a moment and slowly said, "Now that Zhang Jingyi's faction has been eliminated, the power structure in the court is still unstable."

"Next, we will support some loyal and reliable officials to rise to power, so as to ensure that there will be no more factional forces like Zhang Jing in the court."

"At the same time, we must continue to monitor the movements of the DPRK and the central government, especially those wavering officials."

"We must never give anyone another chance to make a comeback."

Although his voice was calm, every word he spoke was filled with calm thinking and decisive decision-making.

Li Jinglong immediately accepted the order and went to arrange the follow-up deployment.

Zhu Xiong Ying stood in the main hall, his gaze deep.

He knew that although the immediate crisis had been temporarily averted, the situation in the court remained complex.

"The struggle for power has never ended."

"I must continue to consolidate the overall situation and ensure the stability and future of the Ming Dynasty."

He silently made a vow in his heart, his eyes revealing unwavering determination and resolve.

***
With the elimination of Zhang Jingyi's faction, the situation in the court gradually returned to calm.

Zhu Xiong Ying's prestige in the court was further consolidated with his victory in this power struggle.

However, he knew that this was only a victory in one phase.

The real challenges lie ahead.

In the past few days, the commotion inside and outside the capital has gradually subsided, and on the surface everything seems peaceful, but Zhu Xiong Ying still maintains a high degree of vigilance.

"Your Highness, after Zhang Jingyi's faction was eliminated, the power structure in the court has been readjusted."

"Now some loyal officials have gradually occupied important positions in the court, and the situation in the court is becoming more stable."

The trusted confidant strode in and reported to Zhu Xiong Ying.

Zhu Xiong Ying nodded slightly, her eyes flashing with a calm light.

"Indeed, the stability of the court is of paramount importance to us."

"But we cannot let our guard down. We must always pay close attention to the movements of North Korea and China."

“Especially those officials who had been involved with Zhang Jing, they may have submitted on the surface, but they may still harbor ulterior motives.”

He said this with great vigilance and deep thought in his voice.

The confidant nodded in agreement, then asked, "Your Highness, should we further consolidate our power in the court?"

Zhu Xiong Ying pondered for a moment, then slowly said, "Not bad."

"Next, we will continue to support those loyal and devoted officials to rise to power."

"At the same time, we must also prevent any forces that form cliques and engage in factionalism from rising again."

(End of this chapter)