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

Chapter 660 The storm is coming
As night deepened, Zhu Xiong Ying stood by the window, while distant palace lanterns scattered like stars throughout the capital.

His gaze was cold and stern, and his brows were slightly furrowed.

The situation in the court has been calm recently, but a sense of unease has been simmering in his heart.

"A calm surface often conceals a deeper storm."

He pondered to himself, his brow furrowed.

During this period, he had been closely monitoring the movements of neutral officials in the central government and in local areas, and all signs indicated that an undercurrent was gathering strength.

"Your Highness, we have recently discovered quite a few problems."

Li Jinglong strode in, his expression grave.

"Those officials who have dealings with local forces have begun to secretly gather their strength."

"Although their activities are clandestine, we have obtained some important clues."

Upon hearing this, a cold glint flashed in Zhu Xiong Ying's eyes, and his expression grew even more stern.

"These people really couldn't hold back any longer."

"It seems they feel the time is ripe and want to turn the tables in one fell swoop."

His voice was deep and cold, conveying unparalleled decisiveness.

"But they underestimated my control over the situation."

“I had already seen through their every move.”

Li Jinglong nodded and then said, "I have followed your instructions and have been closely monitoring the actions of these officials."

"Currently, we have obtained some evidence of their collusion with local forces, but this evidence is not yet complete."

"Their actions were extremely cautious, and every step was kept very well hidden."

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

"They thought they were hiding well, but they had actually been exposed to me for a long time."

“Continue to strengthen surveillance, especially their connections with local forces.”

"I want them to reveal all their cards before they take any action."

He said this with an air of calm and decisiveness.

"This time, I'm going to wipe them all out."

Li Jinglong immediately nodded in agreement and then said, "I will arrange manpower immediately to ensure that no key operation is missed."

Zhu Xiong Ying nodded slightly, his gaze still deep.

He knew that the struggle had entered its final stage.

Those officials who had colluded with Zhang Jingyou are gathering local power, attempting to seize this opportunity to regain control of the central government.

“These people are greedy and stupid; they think that local support can be their trump card.”

"But they underestimated me after all."

"Anyone who attempts to challenge the authority of the Ming Dynasty will pay a heavy price."

He pondered silently, his eyes revealing endless determination and ruthlessness.

***
A few days later, Li Jinglong came to Zhu Xiong Ying again with the latest intelligence, his expression showing some urgency.

"Your Highness, we have discovered some new developments."

"These officials and local gentry and wealthy merchants began to hold secret meetings, seemingly plotting an action against the imperial court."

"However, their specific plans have not yet been fully revealed."

Upon hearing this, Zhu Xiong Ying's gaze instantly turned cold and sharp, a chilling murderous intent flashing in his eyes.

"They finally showed their fangs."

He said this with an air of utter coldness.

"It seems they believe they are invincible and are ready to act."

Li Jinglong then said, "I have already arranged for people to continue the investigation to ensure that we have a grasp of their action plan."

"However, I believe they will act very cautiously and may not be fully exposed in a short period of time."

Upon hearing this, Zhu Xiong Ying frowned slightly, a thoughtful look flashing in his eyes.

"Indeed, they won't easily reveal their hand."

“These people are more cunning than ever before. They know that the court has become suspicious of them, so they will try their best to hide until the very last moment.”

He said this with an air of calm and decisiveness.

"But in any case, they will eventually slip up."

"As long as we continue to be patient enough, all their actions will be under our control."

“They thought they had victory in their grasp, but in reality, the chips for victory were always in my hands.” Li Jinglong nodded, his admiration for Zhu Xiong Ying’s calmness and decisiveness growing even stronger.

"Your subordinate understands. Your subordinate will continue to arrange manpower to ensure that every move of these people is under control."

"I will report to Your Highness immediately if they make the slightest move."

Zhu Xiong Ying nodded slightly, his eyes revealing unparalleled decisiveness and ruthlessness.

He knew that the struggle had entered its final, crucial stage.

Any misstep could allow the enemy to escape, but he would not give them that chance.

"These people thought they could turn the tables by relying on their local power."

“But they were wrong.”

“I will let them know that the power of the imperial court far exceeds their imagination.”

Although his voice was soft, every word he spoke conveyed boundless decisiveness and courage.

***
As time went on, the atmosphere between the central government and the central government became increasingly tense.

Officials who colluded with local forces began to intensify their efforts, attempting to launch a coup against the imperial court in the near future.

Zhu Xiong Ying was fully aware of this, but he still maintained sufficient calmness and patience.

He knew that now was not the best time to take action.

"Your Highness, we have discovered some new clues in the past few days."

Li Jinglong came to report again, his expression showing some nervousness.

"They seem to be planning to launch their operation during an important court celebration, in an attempt to completely seize control of the situation in the court at that time."

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

"They chose a good time."

"The imperial court's celebration is indeed an appropriate time."

He said this with a hint of sarcasm in his voice.

"But they thought they could use this opportunity to oppose the imperial court, which was utterly foolish."

"They don't know that all of this was already under my control."

Li Jinglong immediately asked, "Your Highness, should we take action in advance to prevent them from launching a coup during the celebration?"

Zhu Xiong Ying shook his head slightly, a calm glint flashing in his eyes.

"No need."

“We must wait until they have completely exposed all their accomplices, until they think they have nothing to hide, and then we will dismantle them in one fell swoop.”

"If we take action now, it will only alert them and cause them to back down prematurely."

“I don’t want them to have any chance to react.”

Although his voice was calm, every word he spoke conveyed utter coldness and decisiveness.

Upon hearing this, Li Jinglong immediately understood Zhu Xiong Ying's intention and replied, "I understand. I will continue to monitor the situation and ensure that they do not notice anything unusual."

"I will report to Your Highness as soon as the time is right."

Zhu Xiong Ying nodded slightly, his gaze deep as he looked out the window at the night.

"A storm is coming, but I am fully prepared."

"No matter what they plot, the final victory will only belong to me."

His voice was deep and cold, and his eyes flashed with endless decisiveness and courage.

***
As Zhu Xiong Ying issued his order, the atmosphere in the court became increasingly tense.

Those officials who were secretly colluding were intensifying their operations, while Zhu Xiong Ying's spies were closely monitoring their every move.

This covert power struggle is gradually reaching its climax.

Zhu Xiong Ying knew that this storm was about to sweep in.

But he also knew that the scales of victory had begun to tip in his favor.

"These people thought they could control the imperial court by relying on local power."

“But they were wrong.”

“I will let them know that anyone who tries to challenge the authority of the court will pay a heavy price.”

He pondered silently, his eyes revealing endless determination and ruthlessness.

A storm is brewing, and he is ready to face any challenge.

(End of this chapter)