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

Chapter 648 Post-War Concerns
As night fell, the firelight in the camp flickered.

Zhu Xiong Ying stood outside the tent, his deep gaze fixed on the distance.

As the smoke of battle gradually dissipated, the remnants of Timur's Empire had been completely defeated, and the aura of victory filled every corner of the Ming army.

However, Zhu Xiong Ying's heart was still unable to relax completely.

"Your Highness, the post-battle cleanup has been completed, and the remaining enemy troops have been captured or annihilated."

Li Jinglong walked over with a relieved smile on his face.

"The border situation has been completely stabilized, and the Timurid Empire is unlikely to take any further action in the short term."

Zhu Xiong Ying nodded, a faint smile appearing on her face.

"We have indeed achieved a complete victory in this battle."

"But this does not mean that the danger has been completely eliminated."

He said this, his tone still carrying a calm analytical quality.

Upon hearing this, Li Jinglong frowned slightly and then asked, "Your Highness, are you referring to the situation in the court?"

A profound glint flashed in Zhu Xiong Ying's eyes as he slowly said, "Not bad."

"The fighting on the border has come to an end, but the undercurrents in the court are even more turbulent."

“Zhang Jing and his men have been waiting for news of setbacks in the border war, but now that we have won, they will intensify their actions.”

His voice was low, but every word he spoke conveyed unparalleled clarity and insight.

“They will surely take advantage of the fact that we have not yet returned to the capital to create more chaos in the court and try to shake my foundation.”

Li Jinglong immediately understood Zhu Xiong Ying's concerns and said, "Your Highness, should we set off for the capital immediately to prevent Zhang Jing and others from plotting further misdeeds?"

Zhu Xiong Ying shook his head slightly, his eyes revealing a calm contemplation.

“It would be unwise to return to Beijing now.”

"If we return to Beijing now, it will give the enemy the impression that we are in a hurry, which will make us seem guilty."

He said this with utmost rationality in his tone.

"We must wait for the right time to ensure the border is completely secure before returning to Beijing."

"At the same time, we must also make those in the court understand that the victory on the border was not accidental."

Li Jinglong nodded in agreement, his admiration for Zhu Xiong Ying's decision growing even stronger.

"Your Highness is wise and far-sighted; I have learned much from you."

Zhu Xiong Ying smiled slightly, a faint smile flashing in his eyes.

"Although we have won the battle, we cannot let our guard down."

"Zhang Jing and his group will not give up easily; they will definitely continue to plot in secret."

"This time, we're going to catch them off guard."

He said this with unwavering confidence and composure.

Li Jinglong cupped his hands and said, "Your Highness is wise. I am willing to be at your service at any time."

Zhu Xiong Ying nodded and then said, "Go and make the arrangements to ensure that there are no loopholes in the border defenses."

"Once the border is completely secured, we will begin our return to Beijing."

Li Jinglong immediately accepted the order and left, and the entire camp once again entered a tense working state.

Zhu Xiong Ying stood alone outside the tent, the wind gently brushing his face, but his expression remained as calm as a mountain.

He knew that the victory was only a temporary one.

The real battle will take place in the imperial court.

***
A few days later, the situation on the border finally stabilized completely.

After Zhu Xiong Ying and General Lan Yu's comprehensive deployment, the remnants of Timur's empire were no longer able to mount any counterattack.

"Your Highness, the border defenses are now completely secure, and the enemy is no longer able to mount an attack."

General Lan Yu entered the tent, his expression somewhat relaxed.

"We can start preparing to return to Beijing."

Zhu Xiong Ying nodded, a thoughtful look flashing in his eyes.

"Good, it's time to return to the capital."

He said this with a calm tone.

"However, we still need to make some preparations before returning to Beijing."

Lan Yu was slightly taken aback, then asked, "Does Your Highness have any other plans?"

A deep thought flashed in Zhu Xiong Ying's eyes as he slowly said, "Zhang Jing and others' influence in the court should not be underestimated."

"We must ensure that we know their movements in advance before returning to the capital. Only by understanding their plans can we completely thwart their conspiracy upon our return."

Although his voice was calm, the composure and decisiveness it conveyed made people feel his unwavering determination.

General Lan Yu nodded and said, "I understand. I will arrange for people to gather intelligence from the court in advance."

Zhu Xiong Ying smiled slightly and then said, "That's right. In addition, we also need to carefully consider our route back to Beijing."

"If Zhang Jing and his men want to attack us, an ambush along the way is the most likely method."

"We cannot give them any opportunity to take advantage of us."

He said this with an extremely cold and wary tone.

Upon hearing this, General Lan Yu frowned slightly and then said, "Your Highness is right. Zhang Jing and his ilk are unscrupulous and may indeed have set up an ambush on our way back to the capital."

"Your subordinates will immediately arrange for troops to ensure our safe return to Beijing."

Zhu Xiong Ying nodded, her eyes still showing a high degree of vigilance.

He knew that although he had won on the battlefield, the journey back to the capital was still fraught with danger.

"Zhang Jing and his ilk will never let us go easily."

"They have been planning this in secret for a long time, and the best time for them to launch an attack is likely on their way back to Beijing."

He pondered silently, a cold glint in his eyes.

"But no matter what they plot, I will never let them succeed."

He silently made a vow in his heart, his eyes revealing a firm determination.

***
As night deepened, the camp fell silent.

Zhu Xiong Ying sat in his tent, holding the latest intelligence from the capital.

"Your Highness, the situation in the court seems to be getting more tense."

The confidant said in a low voice, his tone tinged with worry.

“Zhang Jing has been making frequent moves in the capital these days, seemingly trying to win over more officials.”

"Moreover, rumors have been circulating in the capital recently, with many people questioning Your Highness's achievements at the border."

Zhu Xiong Ying's gaze sharpened slightly, then she calmly asked, "What is the content of the rumor?"

The confidant whispered back, "Someone is spreading rumors that His Highness's victory was merely a fluke, and that the enemy has not actually made a move."

"They say that the main force of the Timurid Empire did not participate in the battle, and that Your Highness merely took the opportunity to defeat the enemy's vanguard."

"Some people say that His Highness did not return to the capital immediately after the war because the war situation was unfavorable and he was afraid of being punished if he returned to the capital."

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

"Zhang Jing was indeed not idle."

He said this with utmost calmness.

"Although these rumors seem absurd on the surface, they are able to gradually undermine my prestige in the court."

"Zhang Jing's purpose is to use these rumors to undermine my prestige."

His eyes were filled with keen insight, clearly showing that he had seen through Zhang Jing's intentions.

The confidant whispered, "Your Highness, if we do not return to the capital soon, the rumors will likely continue to spread."

“If Zhang Jing and his ilk seize the opportunity, the consequences will be unimaginable.”

Zhu Xiong Ying nodded, her gaze as calm as ice.

"I had anticipated that Zhang Jing would make such a move."

"However, this is also our chance to fight back."

Although his voice was calm, it conveyed an unparalleled decisiveness and ruthlessness.

"We will give him a surprise attack when we return to Beijing."

Upon hearing this, the confidant immediately realized the truth and said, "Your Highness is wise."

A cold smile flashed in Zhu Xiong Ying's eyes as he slowly said, "Zhang Jing thinks he has the situation under control, but he forgets that I have never given him a real chance."

"No matter how he plans, the ultimate winner of this contest can only be me."

His tone was filled with unwavering conviction.

The confidant immediately nodded in agreement and then left to make the arrangements.

Zhu Xiong Ying sat alone in his tent, his gaze as deep as the sea.

He knew that his contest with Zhang Jing was nearing its end.

But the final outcome still requires a match.

(End of this chapter)