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

Chapter 654 The Aftermath
The atmosphere inside the main hall remained solemn. Although Zhang Jingyi's faction had been eliminated, the officials in the court still looked tense and uneasy.

Zhu Xiong Ying stood in the center of the court, his gaze calmly sweeping over the assembled officials.

He knew that although the power struggle had come to an end, the repercussions in the court were far from over.

Some officials outwardly yielded, but inwardly they still harbored doubts.

"Your Highness, the remaining forces of Zhang Jingyi's faction have been basically eliminated, and there has been no further significant unrest in or around the capital."

Li Jinglong stood beside Zhu Xiong Ying, his tone carrying a hint of caution and the satisfaction of victory.

"The situation between North Korea and China is gradually stabilizing."

Zhu Xiong Ying nodded slightly, his gaze remaining cold and composed.

"The situation may appear calm on the surface, but the real storm is not yet over."

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

"Although Zhang Jing has fallen from power, his years of accumulated wealth cannot be so easily dissipated."

“His more deeply hidden supporters and his cronies may still be watching from the shadows, waiting for their chance to strike.”

Although his voice was calm, it conveyed endless coldness and rationality.

Li Jinglong's expression tightened, and he immediately said, "Your Highness is right. Although these people do not dare to act rashly on the surface, they are still a potential threat."

Zhu Xiong Ying's gaze slowly swept over each official standing in the court, his mind already secretly planning his next move.

He knew that the real danger often lay hidden deep within, and those who seemed to have lost power were the most dangerous threats that could not be ignored.

"We can't take this lightly."

"Next, we must continue to strengthen surveillance inside and outside the capital, especially those officials who have been associated with Zhang Jing. We must thoroughly investigate their backgrounds and movements."

Zhu Xiong Ying said, his tone utterly cold and decisive.

Li Jinglong nodded in agreement, then asked, "Your Highness, should we further strengthen our control over the court officials to ensure they do not form cliques for personal gain?"

Zhu Xiong Ying pondered for a moment, his gaze deep.

"Indeed, stability in the court is key to the long-term peace and stability of the Ming Dynasty."

"Next, we must gradually consolidate the loyalty of those officials to the court, while eliminating all possible hidden dangers."

"We cannot allow forces like Zhang Jing to have a chance to resurge."

Although his voice was calm, every word he spoke was filled with coldness and decisiveness.

Li Jinglong was deeply impressed and immediately said, "I understand. I will arrange more manpower to strengthen the monitoring of all forces."

Zhu Xiong Ying nodded slightly, already confident about every step that would follow.

***
As night fell, Zhu Xiong Ying stood alone in the main hall, gazing at the capital city outside the window, his mind filled with countless thoughts.

He knew that although the political situation was gradually stabilizing on the surface, undercurrents were still surging.

Zhang Jing's downfall was merely a victory in one phase of the power struggle; the real challenge lies in how to maintain long-term control of the situation.

Suddenly, a trusted aide strode in, looking somewhat nervous.

"Your Highness, there have been some rumors circulating in the capital recently, most of which are directed at you."

Zhu Xiong Ying frowned slightly, his gaze sweeping coldly over his confidants.

"Rumors? What are they saying?"

The confidant replied in a low voice, "The rumors mainly revolve around Zhang Jing's arrest. Some people are saying that His Highness used torture, abused his power, and persecuted loyal officials."

"Some people say that His Highness's methods are too ruthless, and all the ministers in the court are in danger."

Upon hearing this, a cold glint flashed in Zhu Xiong Ying's eyes.

"It seems that Zhang Jing's remaining forces are stirring up trouble in the shadows."

He said this in a low, cold voice.

"They are trying to undermine my authority in the government by creating panic and unease."

"However, these methods are nothing more than clownish tricks and cannot truly shake the political situation."

Although his voice was soft, the coldness in it sent chills down one's spine.

"Your Highness, should I send someone to thoroughly investigate the source of these rumors and completely eliminate these rumor-mongers?"

The confidant asked, his tone tinged with nervousness.

Zhu Xiong Ying's gaze sharpened slightly, and he said slowly, "No need to rush."

"These rumors are ostensibly directed at me, but in reality they are intended to create panic and disrupt the political situation."

"The more eager they are to act, the more they expose their weakness," he said, his tone full of calm and insight.

"However, we cannot ignore this."

"Immediately send people to secretly investigate the source of these rumors, find the person behind them, and do it quietly so that they don't find out."

"We need to wait until they are fully exposed before delivering the fatal blow."

Zhu Xiong Ying's voice was cold and authoritative, and his eyes revealed unwavering determination.

The trusted confidant immediately accepted the order and hurriedly left.

Zhu Xiong Ying stood there, pondering the developments inside and outside the capital.

He knew that although the situation in the court seemed stable after Zhang Jing's downfall, many potential dangers still existed.

The struggle for power has never truly ended.

"There must be a deeper conspiracy behind these rumors."

"I must take precautions and completely eliminate these hidden dangers."

He pondered silently, his eyes gleaming with determination.

***
A few days later, the rumors in the capital intensified.

As Zhu Xiong Ying's methods became increasingly ruthless, many officials even began to discuss them privately, and a subtle turmoil began to emerge in the imperial court.

This made many officials who had previously been loyal to Zhang Jing restless and secretly tried to make contact.

"Your Highness, the rumors are having a growing impact."

Li Jinglong entered the tent with a hint of anxiety, his tone revealing worry.

"Some officials in the court have begun to doubt His Highness's methods, and some have even made private contacts in an attempt to form a new power."

Zhu Xiong Ying frowned slightly, a hint of coldness flashing in his eyes.

"It seems these people have finally shown their true colors."

He said this, his voice utterly cold.

"Although Zhang Jing fell from power, his remaining followers were not completely eliminated."

"These rumors are precisely the tools they use to regroup and consolidate their power."

"However, the more eager they are to act, the easier it is for them to expose their true intentions."

Zhu Xiong Ying's tone was filled with profound insight, as if he had already seen through all of the enemy's plans.

Upon hearing this, Li Jinglong immediately asked, "Your Highness, should we speed up our actions and wipe them out before they fully unite?"

Zhu Xiong Ying pondered for a moment, his gaze deep.

"Yes, the time is ripe."

"Now that these people have been exposed, we cannot give them any more chance to catch their breath."

"Pass down the order to immediately launch an operation and take down all the officials and colluders involved in spreading rumors."

He said this with an air of absolute decisiveness and ruthlessness.

“We can’t wait any longer; this power struggle must end quickly.”

Li Jinglong immediately accepted the order and quickly left.

Zhu Xiong Ying stood inside the tent, his gaze deep and thoughtful.

He knew that although the aftermath of this court turmoil had not yet subsided, as long as he seized this opportunity, he could completely control the situation.

"The struggle for power is never an easy victory."

"Only by remaining steadfast can we win the final victory."

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

***
That night, Zhu Xiong Ying's troops moved out quietly, and the entire capital began a covert purge.

Officials who had been associated with Zhang Jing, especially those who participated in spreading rumors and attempting to re-establish their factions, were arrested in the darkness and imprisoned in the imperial jail.

The operation was swift and decisive, giving no one a chance to react.

"Your Highness, the operation went very smoothly."

"All the officials involved in spreading rumors and colluding in secret have been taken into custody."

Li Jinglong, somewhat excited, strode in to report.

(End of this chapter)