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

Chapter 657 The Balance of Power

Morning light streamed through the window onto the desk, where Zhu Xiong Ying was flipping through the latest memorial, his expression as stern as ever.

Although the forces in the area that colluded with Zhang Jing had been eliminated, he remained vigilant in the slightest.

Although the power struggle between the central government and local authorities has come to an end, his current biggest concern is how to stabilize the situation and maintain the long-term stability of the court.

"Your Highness, after this period of rectification, the situation in the region has gradually returned to stability."

Li Jinglong entered the study, his expression relaxed.

“Those gentry and wealthy merchants who colluded with local officials have been completely dismantled.”

"The power of the imperial court has been consolidated again in the local areas."

Zhu Xiong Ying nodded slightly, her gaze remaining calm.

"It's good that the situation in the local area has stabilized, but we cannot let our guard down."

"Although those local forces have been seemingly dismantled, the underlying interests are far more complex than we can see."

He said this with a deep sense of thought in his voice.

Upon hearing this, Li Jinglong's relaxed expression vanished instantly, and he immediately asked, "Your Highness, should we further strengthen our control over the local area to ensure that similar situations do not occur again?"

Zhu Xiong Ying's gaze sharpened slightly, and he slowly said, "Indeed, the control over the local areas needs to be more solidified."

"However, the imperial court cannot control local areas solely through coercion and purges."

"To truly control the local area, it is necessary to support a group of loyal, reliable, and capable officials, while at the same time winning over some influential local forces."

"Only by incorporating them into the imperial system can we ensure the stability and longevity of the local areas."

Although his voice was calm, the wisdom and decisiveness in it immediately filled Li Jinglong with admiration.

"Does Your Highness mean that we should not only suppress those lawless forces, but also cultivate more local officials and forces that can truly serve the court?"

Li Jinglong then asked, already understanding Zhu Xiong Ying's intentions.

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

"good."

"Although many local gentry and wealthy merchants harbor ulterior motives, there are also many who are genuinely willing to serve the Ming Dynasty."

"We must distinguish the loyalty of these people, bring those forces who are willing to serve the court under our control, and at the same time continue to suppress those remaining forces that harbor rebellious intentions."

"This is a process of balancing power, and it cannot be too extreme."

He spoke with remarkable calmness and wisdom.

Upon hearing this, Li Jinglong immediately nodded in agreement, his admiration for Zhu Xiong Ying's strategic plan growing even stronger.

"I understand. Next, I will arrange for people to further investigate the various forces in the region, find those who are truly willing to be loyal to the court, and ensure the balance and stability in the region."

Zhu Xiong Ying nodded slightly, a hint of deep thought in his eyes.

"The stability of the local areas is not only for the benefit of the imperial court, but also for the long-term peace and stability of the Ming Dynasty."

"We must make the local people understand that only by being loyal to the imperial court can they obtain real benefits, while anyone who betrays the imperial court will ultimately bring about their own destruction."

His voice was deep and firm, and his eyes revealed unparalleled decisiveness and courage.

***
A few days later, Zhu Xiong Ying's orders gradually spread to the local areas, and the imperial court began to support those loyal and reliable officials in the local areas, while also winning over a group of gentry and wealthy merchants who had a certain influence in the local areas.

This action swiftly and effectively stabilized the local power structure, gradually calming the previously turbulent situation.

"Your Highness, after this period of action, the situation in the region has gradually stabilized."

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

“We have gradually won over the local forces that were willing to pledge allegiance to the imperial court, while those lawbreakers have received their due punishment.”

Zhu Xiong Ying nodded slightly, his gaze still deep.

"The situation in the region may seem calm, but we still cannot let our guard down." "To truly stabilize the situation in the region, we need to make more improvements in the economy and people's livelihoods."

"The reason why collusion between gentry and officials occurs in many places is ultimately due to the imbalance of the local economy."

"If we can implement more policies that benefit people's livelihoods at the local level and truly solve their hardships, local unrest will naturally decrease."

He spoke with remarkable calmness and deep thought.

After listening, Li Jinglong's eyes flashed with a thoughtful look, and then he said, "Your Highness is absolutely right. I will immediately begin preparations to promote some policies that are beneficial to the local economy."

Zhu Xiong Ying nodded slightly, a profound light shining in his eyes.

"The power of the imperial court should not only be reflected in its control of power, but also in its care for the people and its long-term development of the country."

"We must not only seize power, but also win hearts and minds."

His voice was deep and firm, revealing immense wisdom and foresight.

Li Jinglong felt even more admiration for Zhu Xiong Ying and said, "I understand. I will immediately arrange manpower to promote local economic reforms and ensure that these policies truly benefit the people."

Zhu Xiong Ying nodded, a hint of satisfaction flashing in his eyes.

"Next, we need to focus more on how to consolidate the future of the Ming Dynasty."

"Although this power struggle has temporarily ended, the long-term stability of the country is the most important goal."

"Only by truly enabling the people to live and work in peace and contentment can the future of the Ming Dynasty be long-term."

He said this with unwavering decisiveness and determination.

***
A few days later, Zhu Xiong Ying began to promote a series of local reforms aimed at solving the problems of local economic imbalance and collusion between gentry and officials.

These measures involve land reform, tax adjustments, and support for local economies.

The reactions from the local areas quickly reached the capital, and many local officials expressed their support for the court's policies. In particular, the gentry and wealthy merchants who had benefited economically began to maintain closer ties with the court.

"Your Highness, the reforms are showing initial results, and economic problems in many places have been initially resolved."

Li Jinglong strode in, a hint of joy in his expression.

"The local people also began to support the court's policies more, and the voices of opposition in many places gradually decreased."

Upon hearing this, Zhu Xiong Ying smiled slightly, a hint of satisfaction in her eyes.

"The initial success of the reforms proves that we are on the right track."

"As long as these policies that benefit the people continue to be implemented, the prestige of the imperial court will naturally increase gradually in the local areas."

"However, the reform process will not be smooth sailing, and we must be prepared to deal with various obstacles."

He spoke with utmost calmness and rationality.

Li Jinglong nodded in agreement and then said, "I understand that we will inevitably encounter resistance from some stubborn forces during the reform process, but as long as we remain steadfast, we will eventually succeed."

Zhu Xiong Ying nodded slightly, gazing into the distance, her heart filled with unwavering determination.

"Whether in the central government or at the local level, the balance of power is a complex process."

"We must maintain overall control amidst the ever-changing situation and ensure that every step taken by the Ming Dynasty is steady and solid."

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

"The victory of this reform is not only a victory for the imperial court, but also a victory for the people of the Ming Dynasty."

"As long as we persevere, the future of the Ming Dynasty will surely be bright."

Zhu Xiong Ying pondered silently, her eyes gleaming with determination and foresight.

The struggle for power may never truly end, but as long as he can control the overall situation, he can lead the Ming Dynasty towards a more prosperous and stable future.

(End of this chapter)