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

Chapter 655 Consolidating the Overall Situation
As dawn broke and the sun rose above the horizon, golden rays bathed the streets and alleys of the capital, illuminating every rooftop.

Zhu Xiong Ying stood on the high platform, overlooking the bustling capital city, his eyes revealing deep thought and composure.

Last night, he took down those officials who were secretly spreading rumors and forming cliques, completely suppressing the aftermath of the power struggle.

However, despite the situation gradually calming down, Zhu Xiong Ying remained vigilant.

"Your Highness, last night's operation was a great success."

Li Jinglong strode over, his face showing excitement.

"All the officials who had connections with Zhang Jing have been apprehended and will be interrogated this morning to investigate the network of influence behind them."

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

"Although these people have seemingly fallen from power, the forces behind them are probably far more powerful than they appear to be."

He spoke with remarkable calmness and vigilance.

"We can't just deal with the people in front of us; we must also thoroughly investigate the powerful figures behind them."

"Only in this way can we completely eliminate this potential threat."

Zhu Xiong Ying's gaze swept across the streets of the capital, pondering his next move.

Upon hearing this, Li Jinglong's expression tightened, and he immediately said, "Your Highness is right. I will arrange a thorough investigation immediately and make sure to uncover all the forces that are colluding with these officials."

"However, Your Highness, some officials in the court are inevitably feeling uneasy because of these recent purges."

"Should we appease the other ministers in the court to stabilize the situation?"

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

He knew that while the purge had indeed thoroughly deterred those in the court who harbored treacherous intentions, it had also inevitably aroused concern among some neutral officials.

They may not have been on Zhang Jingyi's side, but they inevitably felt fear and unease about the large-scale purge.

"What Lord Li said is absolutely right."

"We do need to stabilize the situation in the coming days and appease those loyal officials."

"However, any appeasement must be based on the stability and order of the Ming Dynasty."

Zhu Xiong Ying spoke slowly, his tone filled with unparalleled calmness and authority.

“Those who have a clear conscience toward the Ming Dynasty and are loyal to the court will surely understand the necessity of our action.”

"And those who waver, if they have ulterior motives, will eventually reveal their true colors."

"What we need to do is to stabilize the situation while remaining vigilant and not give any remaining forces a chance to reignite."

Upon hearing this, Li Jinglong immediately bowed and agreed, his admiration for Zhu Xiong Ying's calm and decisive decision growing even stronger.

"Your subordinate understands. We will strengthen our efforts to appease the court officials and ensure that the situation does not become unstable again."

Zhu Xiong Ying nodded slightly, gazing into the distance.

"Every step from here on out will determine the future of China and North Korea."

"We must ensure that the victory in this struggle is completely consolidated and that no hidden dangers remain."

His voice was calm yet firm, conveying unparalleled decisiveness and courage.

***
A few days later, the situation in the capital gradually returned to calm.

Last night's purge was swift and decisive; many of the conspirators who had been secretly plotting were imprisoned before they could even react.

While the neutral officials in the court felt somewhat uneasy after witnessing the complete collapse of Zhang Jingyi's faction, they were mostly filled with awe and obedience towards Zhu Xiong Ying.

"Your Highness, the situation in the court has recently stabilized, and many officials have begun to support your measures."

Li Jinglong reported, his tone somewhat relaxed.

"Especially those neutral officials who were once hesitant, now seeing the downfall of Zhang Jingyi's faction, have all expressed their willingness to be loyal to Your Highness."

Zhu Xiong Ying smiled slightly, a hint of satisfaction in his eyes.

"These officials are nothing but opportunists; since they have already expressed their stance, let them remain in the court for the time being."

"However, we must remain vigilant."

He spoke with remarkable calmness and deep thought.

“These people are willing to submit, but they are not truly loyal.” “We must continue to monitor their movements to ensure they do not become fickle again at crucial moments.”

Li Jinglong nodded in agreement, then asked, "Your Highness, should we continue to purge the remaining forces in the court?"

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

"The core strength of Zhang Jingyi's faction has been dismantled, and the remaining people are no threat."

"What we need to do next is not to continue large-scale purges, but to consolidate the power structure in the central government."

"We should support loyal and dedicated officials to rise to power, while gradually weakening those forces that may bring instability."

"Only in this way can we ensure the long-term stability of the overall situation in the DPRK and China."

Although his voice was calm, it conveyed immense decisiveness and wisdom.

Li Jinglong immediately accepted the order and went to arrange the next steps.

Zhu Xiong Ying stood still, his gaze deep.

He knew that every next step was crucial.

Although Zhang Jingyi's faction has been eliminated, a more far-reaching plan and strategy are needed to truly stabilize the situation in the court.

"The struggle for power has never ended; the real challenges lie ahead."

"I must continue to consolidate the overall situation and ensure that every link between the DPRK and China is under control."

He pondered silently, his eyes gleaming with determination.

***
With the collapse of Zhang Jingyi's faction, Zhu Xiong Ying began to gradually support loyal and reliable officials, which led to a subtle change in the power structure of the court.

Those officials who had once supported Zhang Jing were gradually marginalized, while a group of officials loyal to Zhu Xiong Ying began to rise to power and become the new core force in the court.

"Your Highness, after a period of adjustment, the political landscape in the court has gradually stabilized."

The trusted confidant entered the tent and reported to Zhu Xiong Ying.

“Those officials who were once wavering are now powerless to cause trouble, and the officials you have supported have also consolidated their positions.”

Zhu Xiong Ying nodded slightly, her eyes revealing a calm contemplation.

"The situation in North Korea and China is temporarily stable, but we cannot let our guard down."

"Next, we must continue to consolidate the power in the central government, especially by supporting capable and loyal officials."

"Only in this way can we ensure that there will be no more factionalism or cronyism in the government."

Although his voice was calm, it was filled with utter coldness and rationality.

Upon hearing this, the confidant immediately nodded in agreement and then said, "Your Highness, should we begin to rectify the officials in various regions to prevent the emergence of forces similar to Zhang Jingyi's faction in the localities?"

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

"Indeed, the power of local forces should not be ignored either."

"Although Zhang Jingyi's faction has been dismantled in the capital, he still has many supporters in the local areas, especially some local officials who are on good terms with him. They must be thoroughly investigated."

"Next, we will begin to rectify local officials and ensure that every local official is loyal to the imperial court."

"At the same time, we will continue to strengthen oversight of local areas to ensure that no one dares to form cliques or plot any wrongdoing."

Zhu Xiong Ying said, his tone revealing unparalleled decisiveness and resolve.

The confidant immediately bowed and agreed, then went to arrange the subsequent reorganization plan.

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

He knew that although the situation in the central government had temporarily stabilized, the local forces were not to be underestimated.

To truly control the overall situation, it is not enough to just control the capital; it is also necessary to ensure that officials in every region are under the control of the imperial court.

"The struggle for power is not limited to the imperial court; local forces also need to be constantly vigilant."

"Only by completely eliminating all potential threats can we ensure the long-term stability and security of the Ming Dynasty."

He pondered silently, his eyes gleaming with determination.

***
As Zhu Xiong Ying's plan gradually unfolded, local officials also began to be affected.

(End of this chapter)