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

Chapter 663: Undercurrents of Intrigue
The night was deep and the palace was silent.

Zhu Xiong Ying sat upright at her desk, the candlelight in her hand flickering slightly.

His gaze was fixed on the several confidential reports in front of him, his brows furrowed slightly.

The information conveyed in these secret reports was exactly what he had been worried about.

"The power of local wealthy merchants and gentry has grown to such an enormous extent."

Zhu Xiong Ying muttered to himself softly, his tone revealing a hint of coldness.

“They not only colluded with local officials, but have even begun to infiltrate the imperial court’s decision-making level.”

This made him feel somewhat worried.

Although he successfully thwarted the previous coup attempt, deeper hidden dangers are now emerging.

"Your Highness, I have carried out an investigation into the local wealthy merchants and gentry as you instructed."

Li Jinglong strode in, his face showing some fatigue, but his spirits remained high.

"We have discovered a great deal of evidence of local officials secretly colluding with wealthy businessmen, using these connections to seek personal gain."

“Even the implementation of the court’s policies was interfered with by these people.”

Upon hearing this, Zhu Xiong Ying's gaze turned cold.

"it is as expected."

He said this with a touch of coldness in his voice.

“These people have long relied on local power and have formed an unshakeable chain of interests.”

“They not only acted tyrannically in the local areas, but even dared to influence the decisions of the imperial court.”

He slowly stood up, walked to the window, and looked towards the distant capital city.

"If these local forces are not eliminated in time, the authority of the imperial court will be in grave danger."

Li Jinglong nodded in agreement, then asked, "Your Highness, should we take strong measures against these wealthy merchants and gentry next?"

"Although they were not directly involved in the coup, if this continues unchecked, it could become a greater hidden danger."

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

"Yes."

"We can no longer tolerate these local forces."

"We must make them understand that the imperial court is the only authority, and all their interests must be subordinate to the imperial court."

“Any force that attempts to resist the imperial court will be ruthlessly destroyed.”

Although his voice was calm, every word he spoke conveyed endless decisiveness and ruthlessness.

“From now on, conduct a comprehensive investigation of these wealthy merchants and gentry.”

"No matter how powerful their background is, anyone who colludes with local officials and attempts to influence the court's policies will be severely punished."

Li Jinglong immediately accepted the order, his expression solemn.

"Understood, sir. I will immediately arrange manpower to ensure that this investigation is carried out thoroughly."

"However, Your Highness, some local officials still maintain close ties with these forces."

"Should we also take action against these officials?"

Upon hearing this, Zhu Xiong Ying frowned slightly, a cold glint flashing in his eyes.

"of course."

“These officials, relying on local power, have seriously damaged the interests of the imperial court.”

"No matter how high their official rank, anyone who has any collusion with local authorities will be dealt with severely."

"We can no longer tolerate this kind of corruption."

Although his voice was low, every word he spoke was filled with endless decisiveness and courage.

Li Jinglong immediately nodded in agreement and said, "Your subordinate will begin the investigation immediately as instructed."

"However, Your Highness, the local forces are deeply entrenched, and I'm afraid this operation will cause quite a backlash."

Zhu Xiong Ying sneered, a hint of disdain flashing in his eyes.

"A backlash? What right do these people have to backlash?"

"The authority of the imperial court is unshakeable, and anyone who dares to challenge its authority will be ruthlessly suppressed."

"Pass down the order to make all officials and local gentry understand that the authority of the imperial court is not to be desecrated."

"If they continue to resist, then be prepared to face the harshest punishment."

He said this with an air of utter coldness and decisiveness.

***
A few days later, the atmosphere in the court became extremely tense. Zhu Xiong Ying's order for a thorough investigation of local forces had quickly spread throughout the court.

Many officials were secretly worried, knowing that the next move would affect the entire local power structure of the Ming Dynasty.

"Your Highness, the local reaction is much stronger than we expected."

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

“Especially the wealthy merchants and gentry in those areas, who resisted through officials and tried to prevent the court from investigating.”

"Some local officials have even begun to openly oppose the crackdown."

Upon hearing this, a cold glint flashed in Zhu Xiong Ying's eyes, and a sneer appeared on his face.

"They've finally been exposed."

"These people have long forgotten the authority of the imperial court and dare to openly resist it."

"It seems it's time for them to pay the price."

His voice was deep and cold, conveying endless decisiveness.

"Issue the order that any official who publicly opposes the investigation be dismissed and investigated."

"At the same time, a complete blockade was imposed on local wealthy merchants and gentry to cut off their sources of funding."

"Let them know that without the protection of the imperial court, they are nothing."

Li Jinglong immediately nodded in agreement and said, "I understand. I will carry out your orders immediately."

"This time, we must completely eradicate these local forces and never give them any chance to fight back."

Zhu Xiong Ying nodded slightly, her gaze sweeping coldly out the window.

"These people thought that local forces were enough to rival the imperial court, but they were wrong."

"The power of the imperial court far exceeded their imagination."

“I will make them understand that any force that dares to challenge the imperial court will be utterly crushed.”

Although his voice was soft, every word he spoke was filled with endless decisiveness and ruthlessness.

***
As Zhu Xiong Ying issued his order, the atmosphere inside and outside the capital quickly heated up.

The imperial court's investigation was launched swiftly, and all officials, wealthy merchants, and gentry who colluded with local forces were investigated and punished.

The entire power structure of the imperial court and local governments was completely shaken during this investigation.

"Your Highness, the local resistance has been gradually suppressed."

Li Jinglong came to report again, his expression showing a hint of excitement.

"Many wealthy merchants and gentry were no longer able to resist after losing the protection of officials."

"And those officials, having lost local support, were investigated and punished one after another."

Upon hearing this, Zhu Xiong Ying's gaze relaxed slightly, and a calm smile appeared on her face.

"As expected, these people are simply no match for the imperial court."

"Their power only appears strong when they are dependent on local forces, but once the local protection is taken away, they are vulnerable."

He said this with an air of utter coldness and decisiveness.

"This crackdown is just the beginning. We must completely dismantle these local forces and ensure that the imperial authority is not challenged in any way."

"Pass down the order to continue strengthening control over the local areas and ensure that no rebellious thoughts arise again."

Li Jinglong immediately nodded in agreement and then said, "I will continue the investigation to ensure that this operation is completely effective."

"However, Your Highness, although we have controlled most of the local forces, the reactions in some places are still strong."

“The wealthy merchants and officials in these places had very close relationships, and they united to resist the imperial court’s investigation.”

Upon hearing this, Zhu Xiong Ying frowned slightly, a cold glint flashing in his eyes.

"How could there be such audacious and reckless people in this area?"

"It seems our methods are not tough enough."

His voice was deep and cold, conveying endless decisiveness.

"Pass down the order to take even harsher measures against those local forces that have joined the resistance."

"If necessary, mobilize the imperial army to suppress the local forces and ensure their complete disintegration."

"This time, we will not allow any force to challenge the authority of the imperial court."

Li Jinglong immediately nodded in agreement and said, "Your subordinate understands. Your subordinate will immediately arrange troops to suppress the local resistance."

(End of this chapter)