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

Chapter 659 Undercurrent
The morning light was faint, and the sky was not yet fully bright, but Zhu Xiong Ying was already sitting at his desk, reviewing memorials.

His expression remained calm as always, his eyes focused.

In recent days, although the situation in the court appeared calm on the surface, Zhu Xiong Ying knew in his heart that undercurrents were quietly gathering in the court and in the local areas.

"Your Highness, the activities of local officials seem to have become more frequent recently."

Li Jinglong strode in, his expression grave.

“We have discovered that some officials are frequently in contact with local forces. Although they still support reform on the surface, their activities behind the scenes are not simple.”

After hearing this, Zhu Xiong Ying nodded slightly, her brows furrowing slightly.

"This was expected."

He said this with a hint of calm in his voice.

“Those who once relied on Zhang Jing, even if they appeared to be submissive on the surface, their ambitions were not completely extinguished.”

"The current situation is only temporarily calm."

He put down the memorial in his hand and gazed into the distance with a deep look in his eyes.

"They are still observing and waiting for the right opportunity."

Li Jinglong nodded and then said, "Your Highness's judgment is indeed accurate. We have discovered that they have close ties with local gentry and wealthy merchants, attempting to re-establish a chain of interests by leveraging local power."

"However, no conclusive evidence has been found yet."

Upon hearing this, a cold glint flashed in Zhu Xiong Ying's eyes.

"They won't reveal their true intentions so easily."

"These people have learned how to remain neutral on the surface while continuing to plot in secret."

"We must not be deceived by their appearance."

He said this with an air of unwavering decisiveness and ruthlessness.

"Continue to strengthen monitoring, and do not rush into action."

"We need to wait until their power structure is fully exposed before we wipe them out in one fell swoop."

"This time, we cannot give them any chance to turn things around."

Li Jinglong immediately nodded in agreement, filled with admiration for Zhu Xiong Ying's calm and decisive decision.

"Understood. I will continue to arrange for people to investigate their movements and ensure that they are all taken down at the critical moment."

Zhu Xiong Ying nodded slightly, his gaze still deep.

"This struggle is different from the past."

"The power struggle on the surface has ended, but the hidden chain of interests behind it is far more complex than we imagined."

"What we need to do is not only eliminate those dissenting voices, but also completely dismantle the support behind them."

Although his voice was low, every word he spoke conveyed utter coldness and decisiveness.

***
A few days later, Li Jinglong once again entered the study with the latest investigation results, his expression still somewhat solemn.

"Your Highness, after this period of surveillance, we have discovered some new clues."

"Several officials in the central government have begun to secretly associate with local powers, and they seem to be plotting some actions that are detrimental to the court."

"However, these officials are hiding their activities very carefully, and their specific plans are not yet known."

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

"These people really couldn't hold back any longer."

"They are no longer content with just watching; they have begun to actively plan their actions."

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

“Continue to monitor these officials, especially their dealings with local powers.”

"Once their plan is fully exposed, we will take them down in one fell swoop."

Li Jinglong immediately nodded in agreement, and then asked, "Your Highness, should we arrange some preventative measures in the court in advance to prevent them from launching a counterattack at a critical moment?"

Zhu Xiong Ying pondered for a moment, a thoughtful look flashing in his eyes.

"We can arrange some reliable people to quietly infiltrate their circle and monitor their every move."

"However, it can't be too obvious."

“We need to make them think they are still hiding well; only then will they lower their guard.”

Although his voice was soft, every word he spoke revealed unparalleled calmness and strategy.

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

"Understood, Your subordinate will arrange for people to infiltrate discreetly and ensure that we are aware of their every move." Zhu Xiong Ying nodded slightly, already having a detailed plan in mind.

He knew that although the situation in the court seemed stable on the surface, the power struggle behind the scenes had never truly stopped.

Although those who had once attached themselves to Zhang Jing remained silent for the time being, their ambitions had not been completely extinguished.

“These people are still plotting in secret. They think the situation in the court has gradually calmed down, but in reality, their every move is under my control.”

“I will let them know that no matter how they plot, they will ultimately not be able to escape the court’s sanctions.”

He pondered silently, his eyes revealing endless coldness and decisiveness.

***
A few days later, the atmosphere in the court became even more tense.

Officials who had previously been in contact with Zhang Jing began to act frequently. On the surface, they remained neutral, but in reality, they had formed a secret alliance.

"Your Highness, recently some officials have started to hold secret meetings, and they seem to be plotting actions that are detrimental to the court."

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

"However, we have not yet found conclusive evidence."

Upon hearing this, a cold glint flashed in Zhu Xiong Ying's eyes.

"These people finally couldn't hold back any longer."

He said this with an utterly cold tone.

"They thought they could regain power in the central government by relying on local forces, but they underestimated my control over the situation."

"No matter how they plan, they cannot change the overall situation."

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

"Pass down the order to immediately strengthen surveillance of these officials."

"At the same time, we will send people to infiltrate their circles and monitor their every move."

"Once their plans are fully exposed, we will dismantle them in one fell swoop."

Li Jinglong immediately nodded in agreement and said, "I understand. I will immediately arrange manpower to strengthen monitoring and ensure that no detail is missed."

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

He knew that although the situation in the court appeared calm on the surface, a real storm was about to break.

"The struggle for power has never truly ended."

"Every period of apparent calm conceals a greater crisis."

"But in any case, I will keep a firm grip on the situation and ensure stability between North Korea and China."

He silently made a vow in his heart, his eyes flashing with endless determination and ruthlessness.

***
A few days later, with Zhu Xiong Ying's order, the monitoring efforts in the court gradually increased.

Those officials who were operating in the shadows began to feel the pressure, and their every move was gradually exposed to Zhu Xiong Ying's control.

At the same time, local opposition forces began to stir, attempting to seek more benefits by colluding with officials in the central government.

"Your Highness, we have discovered some secret dealings between wealthy local merchants and officials in the imperial court."

"They seem to be planning an operation against the imperial court."

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

"However, they are extremely well hidden and have not been fully exposed yet."

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

"These people are really audacious."

"Did they think they could defy the imperial court's authority with the support of local powers?"

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

"Pass down the order to continue monitoring these people's movements and make sure we don't miss any clues."

"We'll wipe them out in one fell swoop once their plans are fully exposed."

"This time, I will not give them any chance to turn the tables."

Zhu Xiong Ying's gaze swept coldly out the window, his tone filled with endless decisiveness and ruthlessness.

The struggle for power has never ended, and he has made all the preparations.

No matter how big the storm, he will always have a firm grip on the situation.

To ensure that the future of the Ming Dynasty is not swayed by these undercurrents.

(End of this chapter)