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

Chapter 677 A Man of Both Wisdom and Courage: Zhu Xiong Ying's Path to Power

Liu An spoke up, "Brother Yang, Zhu Xiong Ying has clearly gained the upper hand in the current situation in the main hall. His composure forces us to reassess the situation."

Yang Huaiyu replied softly with an unwavering expression, "That's right, but we can't just sit here and wait to die. Zhu Xiong Ying is clever, but he's not invincible. If we can keep track of his movements, we can naturally find his weaknesses."

Liu An paused to think for a moment, then nodded firmly, "Alright, let's join forces for now and find out Zhu Xiong Ying's background."

The two looked at each other, and a brief understanding was reached between them.

In this complex situation, they knew that they could not get out of the predicament by relying on their own efforts alone.

A temporary alliance may be the only way to deal with the current crisis.

Meanwhile, inside the palace, Zhang Ping was having a deep conversation with the emperor.

"Zhang Ping, what do you think of this boy, Zhu Xiong Ying?"

The emperor asked with great interest.

Zhang Ping stroked his beard, pondered for a moment, and said, “Your Majesty, Zhu Xiong Ying is calm and wise, and has the air of a commander. If he handles this properly, this matter will surely be resolved smoothly. However, the potential forces are complex, and we still need to be careful.”

The emperor nodded, a hint of relief in his eyes. "In that case, I order you to assist secretly and ensure the investigation proceeds smoothly."

"According to the order."

Zhang Ping accepted the order and withdrew, already having made his own plans.

His years of experience in officialdom made him realize that the current situation was far more complex than it appeared on the surface.

He decided to use the resources at his disposal to quietly mobilize manpower and remove obstacles for Zhu Xiong Ying's investigation.

That evening, Zhu Xiong Ying began to secretly access the confidential files of the Imperial Clan Court.

In the darkness, with the candlelight flickering, he focused intently on examining each document and soon noticed clues of a hidden force.

"It seems things are not so simple."

Zhu Xiong Ying muttered to himself, his eyes gleaming with an all-knowing light.

Soon after, he made an important decision—to personally travel to the frontier to search for more concrete evidence.

Although it was a bold move, he understood that to dispel the fog, he had to delve into the source of light.

Meanwhile, other power-hungry figures in the court were also eager to seize power, their ambitions stirring beneath the surface.

Zhu Xiong Ying knew that this power game would become more complicated, but he was full of confidence in his wisdom and strategies.

A few days later, the intelligence that Zhang Ping had relayed through various channels was delivered to Zhu Xiong Ying.

Although the message was brief, it highlighted the hidden threat within the court.

With intelligence in hand and a plan in mind, Zhu Xiong Ying understood that only by outsmarting his opponent could he draw out the hidden adversary.

In the days that followed, Zhu Xiong Ying strategized and planned, turning the tables on Zhu Xiong Ying.

He knew that only by consolidating his position and prestige could he remain invincible in this complex power struggle, which resembled a game of chess.

With the help of Zhang Ping and other loyal supporters, Zhu Xiong Ying gradually gained control and prepared for the upcoming final showdown.

After Zhu Xiong Ying had everything prepared, the plan to go to the frontier was officially launched.

He was well aware of the complexity of the situation and dared not slacken his efforts in the slightest.

At the same time, he frequently communicated closely with Zhang Ping to ensure he was in control of the situation in North Korea.

He knew in his heart that Empress Han and those powerful ministers were already in cahoots, and he had to be constantly on guard.

One late night, Zhu Xiong Ying and Zhang Ping met secretly in a secluded courtyard, with only a few trusted confidants in plain clothes guarding the area.

By candlelight, Zhu Xiong Ying's eyes shone brightly: "The Han Clan Alliance is not monolithic. We can use this to lure out traitors from their ranks." Zhang Ping nodded and said calmly, "Some of the Han Clan's men harbor resentment. If we can entice them, they can certainly be put to our use."

After a moment's thought, Zhu Xiong Ying added, "Li Ming has already infiltrated their core; all we need is time and patience."

He paused, then instructed, "Continue to monitor their movements; I will personally intervene if necessary."

Zhang Ping responded immediately, understanding perfectly.

A few days later, just as Zhu Xiong Ying was preparing to embark on his journey to the frontier, Li Ming sent a secret letter detailing the plans and weaknesses of the Han clan's camp.

After reading it, Zhu Xiong Ying's expression turned solemn, but he already had a plan in mind.

He turned to his trusted confidants and instructed them: "Tell the generals on the frontier that I will arrive on time, and ask them to make preparations accordingly."

After speaking, he did not hesitate any longer and led a team of elite men to set off quietly.

He received a warm welcome in the frontier region.

After a private discussion, the local generals were impressed by Zhu Xiong Ying's wisdom and charisma, and agreed without hesitation to form an alliance to jointly maintain border stability.

Meanwhile, Zhu Xiong Ying's careful planning gradually took effect, and as he left, the power dynamics in the capital were also subtly shifting.

Several months later, Zhu Xiong Ying returned to the capital with firm steps.

He possessed ample evidence, which accurately exposed the conspiracy of powerful ministers within the Han clan alliance.

The court was in an uproar. The emperor was furious, but he also developed more trust in Zhu Xiong Ying.

Soon, Zhu Xiong Ying was officially appointed as the Grand Military Governor of the Ming Dynasty, taking charge of all national affairs.

This appointment gave him an unshakeable position in the court.

However, he knew perfectly well that the real challenge was only just beginning.

"From this moment on, every step must be taken with greater caution."

Zhu Xiong Ying secretly warned himself.

He firmly believed that as long as he continued to uphold his beliefs and wisdom, he would be able to build a more prosperous Ming Dynasty.

After returning to the capital, Zhu Xiong Ying immediately set about rectifying the situation in the court.

He understood that although he had won a place in the court, lasting peace and prosperity would require more effort and wisdom.

Therefore, he closely connected with a group of loyal and capable people and formed his own think tank.

At each gathering, everyone would brainstorm and enthusiastically share their insights in his study.

One day, Zhu Xiong Ying gathered everyone together and said with a smile, "Gentlemen, today we will discuss how to consolidate the foundation of our Great Ming Dynasty and ensure long-term stability and peace."

He looked around at everyone present, his eyes filled with trust.

Li Ming spoke first: "Your Highness, the atmosphere in the capital has been unfavorable lately. Although the Han family's power has been weakened, their remaining followers are still active in the shadows and may very well sow discord between you and other important officials in the court."

Zhu Xiong Ying nodded, signaling to continue.

Zhao Jie, a member of the think tank, added: "Yes, recently they have been trying to win over some veteran officials and have been keeping their distance from you. We need to be vigilant about this."

"good."

Zhu Xiong Ying said thoughtfully, "We cannot let our guard down and need to design a set of countermeasures."

After several days of meticulous planning, Zhu Xiong Ying finally devised a comprehensive plan to expose the conspiracy of the remaining faction in the imperial court.

During a morning court session, he calmly and collectedly handed a secret letter to the emperor, which detailed the hidden schemes and methods of the remaining rebels.

(End of this chapter)