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

Chapter 656 The Shadow After the Storm
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The morning sun shone on the glazed tiles of the palace, and its rays shone through the window of Zhu Xiong Ying's study onto his desk.

Zhu Xiong Ying held the latest memorial in his hand, his gaze steady and calm.

After months of purges and reorganization, the situation in the court gradually returned to calm, and the power of Zhang Jingyi's faction was completely dismantled.

However, Zhu Xiong Ying remained completely unfazed.

"Your Highness, the situation in the court has stabilized for the time being, and I have begun to investigate local officials as instructed by you."

Li Jinglong strode in and reported to Zhu Xiong Ying.

"However, some local officials seem to still be operating in secret after the downfall of Zhang Jingyi's faction, trying to form new alliances."

Upon hearing this, Zhu Xiong Ying frowned slightly.

"It seems they haven't learned their lesson yet."

He spoke in a low voice, his tone tinged with coldness.

"Although these people went into hiding temporarily after Zhang Jing's downfall, they still harbored illusions and tried to take the opportunity to make a comeback."

Li Jinglong nodded in agreement and then said, "I am preparing to send people to investigate the movements of these local officials in depth to ensure that they will not make any further moves."

Zhu Xiong Ying pondered for a moment, then slowly said, "Indeed, the power of the local forces should not be underestimated either."

"Zhang Jing's downfall only eliminated the hidden dangers in the capital. Those who were on good terms with him in the local areas may still become destabilizing factors."

"You must strengthen the supervision of local officials, and investigate them thoroughly immediately if any signs of forming cliques or engaging in favoritism are discovered."

His voice was calm and firm, and his eyes were filled with utter coldness.

Li Jinglong immediately accepted the order and quickly left.

Zhu Xiong Ying stood in the study, his gaze deep.

He knew that although the situation in the court had temporarily stabilized, the struggle for power was far from over.

Local powers are also a hidden danger that cannot be ignored; any negligence could bring an irreparable crisis to the Ming Dynasty.

"The struggle for power has never truly ended."

"I must continue to maintain control of the overall situation and ensure that every corner of the Ming Dynasty is under my control."

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

***
A few days later, Li Jinglong once again entered the study with the latest investigation results, his expression showing some tension.

"Your Highness, I have conducted a preliminary investigation of the local officials as instructed by you."

"However, the result was somewhat unexpected."

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

"What's the result?"

He asked in a deep voice, his tone exuding immense authority.

Li Jinglong then handed the memorial in his hand to Zhu Xiong Ying and said in a low voice, "According to the investigation, Zhang Jingyi's faction still has residual influence in the local areas, and this influence is not limited to local officials."

"My subordinates have discovered that many local gentry and wealthy merchants also have connections with Zhang Jing's former subordinates. They use their wealth and influence to secretly support local minor officials in an attempt to maintain their influence in the region."

Zhu Xiong Ying's eyes instantly turned cold and sharp as he stared intently at the contents of the memorial.

"Gentry-officials and wealthy merchants?"

He repeated it in a low voice, his tone carrying a hint of danger.

"It seems that these people not only want to control power in the local areas, but they even want to interfere with the court's decision-making through economic means."

Li Jinglong nodded, his expression showing some worry.

"That's right, Your Highness."

“These gentry and wealthy merchants used their wealth and local influence to try to form alliances with officials and secretly oppose the court’s policies.”

"Their operations are extremely secretive, but they have already established a certain level of influence in some areas."

Zhu Xiong Ying's gaze grew colder, and a barely perceptible sneer appeared on his face.

"These people are really audacious."

"Did they think they could defy the imperial court's authority with their wealth and local connections?"

His voice was low, yet filled with murderous intent. "Since they dare to do this, I'll show them that the power of the imperial court is not to be trifled with."

After he finished speaking, he coldly glanced at Li Jinglong.

"Immediately send people to thoroughly investigate the backgrounds of these local gentry and wealthy merchants, especially those who collude with local officials, and make sure to bring them all down in one fell swoop."

"We can no longer give them any breathing room."

Li Jinglong immediately accepted the order and said, "I understand. I will arrange manpower immediately to ensure that these forces will not have any chance of resurgence."

Zhu Xiong Ying nodded slightly, already secretly planning his next move.

He knew that the problems at the local level were far more complex than the power struggles at the central government.

After Zhang Jing's downfall, these local forces began to stir, attempting to seize the opportunity to gain more power and benefits.

“These people thought they could use their wealth and local influence to fight against the imperial court, but their ambitions could not escape my eyes.”

"I will make them understand that every inch of Ming territory is under the control of the imperial court."

He pondered silently, a cold glint in his eyes.

***
A few days later, a more covert purge operation began in and around the capital.

Zhu Xiong Ying sent spies deep into the local area to investigate the gentry and wealthy merchants who were connected with Zhang Jing, especially those families and businessmen who had a certain influence in the area.

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

"Your Highness, the investigation results are in."

Li Jinglong strode into the study again, a hint of nervousness on his face.

“We discovered that many local gentry and wealthy merchants not only colluded with local officials, but some even secretly funded the activities of Zhang Jingyi’s faction, attempting to interfere with the court’s decision-making through economic means.”

Zhu Xiong Ying stared coldly at Li Jing Long, her gaze revealing an extreme chill.

"How dare these people directly challenge the authority of the imperial court?"

He spoke in a low voice, his tone carrying an undeniable air of authority.

Li Jinglong nodded and said, "That's right, Your Highness."

“They have deep roots in the local areas, using their wealth and connections to control a lot of local resources, and even secretly supporting many local officials who are closely related to them.”

“These people are ostensibly local gentry and wealthy people, but in reality, they have formed a power network independent of the imperial court.”

Upon hearing this, Zhu Xiong Ying's expression grew even colder, his eyes flashing with unparalleled ruthlessness and decisiveness.

"It seems that the forces in these places are more complex than I had anticipated."

"They not only wanted to seize power through local officials, but also wanted to control the local economic lifeline, thereby influencing the court's decision-making."

Although his voice was calm, every word he spoke conveyed unparalleled coldness and determination.

"Pass down the order to take immediate action and round up all these gentry and wealthy merchants who are colluding with local officials."

"At the same time, we must completely eliminate their local power networks and never give them any chance to retaliate."

Zhu Xiong Ying's gaze swept coldly across the study, her tone filled with unwavering decisiveness.

Li Jinglong immediately accepted the order and said, "Understood. I will immediately arrange manpower to carry out the operation and make sure to completely dismantle them."

Zhu Xiong Ying nodded slightly, gazing out the window at the capital city, having already made a decision in his heart.

“The power of local forces should not be ignored either.”

"Although they hid behind economic and local connections, they could not escape the control of the imperial court in the end."

"This time, I will make them understand completely that any force that attempts to break away from the control of the imperial court will be completely eliminated."

His voice was deep and cold, and his eyes gleamed with unwavering determination.

***
Following Zhu Xiong Ying's order, the local purge operation was quickly launched.

Those gentry and wealthy merchants who had been associated with Zhang Jing were arrested one after another, and the imperial court's power gradually penetrated into the local areas, regaining control of the local economy and power.

"Your Highness, the operation went very smoothly."

“Those gentry and wealthy merchants who had colluded with local officials have all been brought under control, and the situation in the area has gradually returned to calm.”

(End of this chapter)