Chapter 119: Keep Beating
As soon as he opened the gate of the retreat courtyard, two familiar figures came into Zhu Chengwu's sight.

"Qiuyue, go call General Zhao! I want to hear about the results of his visit to the various forces in the nearby provincial governments!

Dongxue, go and tell Min'an to come see me. I want to hear her tell me in person why she appeared in Fu'an Marquis Mansion, as well as the situation in the capital and the palace!

Also, after you notify Min An, remember to ask Chief Steward Gao to prepare. I want to know the situation of Fu'an Marquis Mansion and Xuzhou City over the past month!"

Zhu Chengwu looked at the two figures in front of him and began to make arrangements.

It turned out that the two graceful figures guarding Zhu Chengwu's courtyard were Qiuyue and Dongxue, two of the four close attendants.

After confirming that Zhu Chengwu had ended his retreat, the four close attendants, Chunhua, Xiayu, Qiuyue and Dongxue, began to take turns on duty outside the courtyard where Zhu Chengwu was in retreat under the arrangement of Gao Yao to ensure that there was no shortage of people at any moment.

Therefore, as soon as Zhu Chengwu opened the door of his retreat courtyard, he saw Qiuyue and Dongxue.

"Yes, Lord Marquis!"

Qiuyue and Dongxue answered in succession.

With the departure of Qiuyue and Dongxue, the news that Zhu Chengwu had completely ended his retreat and started to meet with his subordinates spread like wildfire in the Marquis of Fu'an's mansion.

This news even spread beyond the Fu'an Marquis Mansion through various channels.

This is the huge impact brought about by every move of an absolutely influential person.

"Master Hou!"

Zhao Xinghan, accompanied by his cousin Zhao Xingye, his eldest son Zhao Shilin, and Cui Rongwei of the Cui family, appeared in front of Zhu Chengwu first under the guidance of Qiuyue.

Zhao Xingye was the deputy who visited the surrounding provincial government forces with Zhao Xinghan, and they were also members of the Zhao family. After Zhao Xinghan received the news that Zhu Chengwu was the first to meet him, it was natural for him to bring Zhao Xingye to report.

It is also reasonable to bring his legitimate son Zhao Shilin to see his master Zhu Chengwu.

But Choi Young-wi of the Choi clan...

"It seems that during my retreat, Rongwei and Shilin got along well, and even gained Xinghan's recognition, and began to support him and make plans!" The moment Zhu Chengwu saw Cui Rongwei following Zhao Xinghan, he understood the purpose of Zhao Xinghan bringing Cui Rongwei along.

Although Zhu Chengwu understood what Zhao Xinghan deliberately showed, he was not overly interested in it.

Now the upcoming martial arts competition is more important.

"Cousin Xinghan, what was the result of your visit to the many forces in the surrounding provincial governments this time?" Zhu Chengwu went straight to the point.

Zhu Chengwu has been in seclusion for more than a month, and now there are only a few days left before the originally scheduled date for the martial arts competition.

Zhu Chengwu must grasp the situation as soon as possible.

Moreover, Zhu Chengwu had to meet many people today and did not have much time to greet Zhao Xinghan.

Getting straight to the point is Zhu Chengwu’s best option now.

"My Lord!
Over the past month, we have visited six provinces and 27 prefectures, including Jiangnan, Nanzhili, Guangdong and Guangxi, Liangjiang, and Hanjiang Province where Xuzhou Prefecture is located, for a total of seven provinces and 33 prefectures. We have visited 108 first-class forces with at least one first-class martial arts master, 17 large forces with minor grandmasters or grandmaster-level combat power, and three top forces with grandmasters in charge and extremely influential in the martial arts world.

A total of 128 forces accepted the invitation from the Fu'an Marquis Mansion and expressed their willingness to attend the martial arts test conference held by the Fu'an Marquis Mansion.

But during the communication, we found that many forces only agreed superficially, but did not actually take it seriously at all.

Our preliminary estimate is that approximately 30% of the forces will only send some disciples and children to deal with us, and no heavyweights will come to participate!"

Zhao Xinghan had already prepared a report and reported the results and situation of his visit to nearby provincial governments.

Moreover, the word "we" also represents Zhao Xinghan's attitude of not taking all the credit.

After listening to Zhao Xinghan's report, Zhu Chengwu was silent for a moment, and then spoke.

“Seventy percent, too optimistic!
Which first-rate force is not a local tyrant?
If there is not enough benefit, and you ask them to be a foil, they will not be so easy to talk to!
Although I have now successfully defeated the Grandmaster and have gained a certain reputation in the martial arts world, I am, after all, a member of the imperial court and a decent person. It is impossible for me to wantonly massacre the martial arts world.

Besides, I don’t have the strength to massacre people in the martial arts world right now.

Even if we take the future into consideration, if most forces send some of their sons and disciples to cheer for our Fu'an Marquis Mansion, it will be enough to give us face!
No one can say anything more!
Cousin Xinghan, you don't have to remain optimistic in front of me. I'm afraid your real expectation is the opposite!
Thirty percent of the forces are perfunctory?

I'm afraid that at most only 30% of the forces have relatively important people present!"

Zhu Chengwu is never too optimistic, nor does he think that the world revolves around him.

Even if he has successfully defeated the Grandmaster now!
Only by keeping low expectations can we avoid high disappointment!

"Master Hou..."

Faced with Zhu Chengwu's rational words, Zhao Xinghan didn't know what to say.

Although his speculation was overturned by Zhu Chengwu's questioning, Zhao Xinghan felt a little relieved deep in his heart when he saw that Zhu Chengwu could still remain sober and not be blinded by the record of successfully defeating the Grand Master.

Although Zhu Chengwu's calmness and rationality forced his subordinates to be down-to-earth in what they said and did and not to take too much credit.

However, Zhu Chengwu's calmness and rationality will also make the goals of Fu'an Hou's faction more likely to succeed.

Right! Now for Zhao Xinghan, assisting Marquis Fu'an to ascend the throne is no longer the purpose of the Zhao faction, but the purpose of Marquis Fu'an's faction.

“Cousin Xinghan, don’t exaggerate in front of me!

I'm not that weak or ambitious!
You can only listen to nice words, not the truth.

Cousin Xinghan, if you only report good news and not bad news, and talk big just to look good, and then you get slapped in the face by the facts a few days later, you will feel very uncomfortable~~
And even 30% is already beyond my expectations!
So, cousin Xinghan, you can tell the truth!"

There was a hint of warning and comfort in Zhu Chengwu's words.

Zhu Chengwu, who has the memory of his past life, deeply understands the fact that what the superiors like will be followed by the subordinates.

It is even more clear that when faced with tasks assigned by their superiors, subordinates, out of their instinct to perform, will try every possible means to deceive their superiors in order to gain credit for themselves.

Zhu Chengwu’s slogan in his previous life, “The bolder the people, the more productive the land”, is a typical example.

Therefore, as a superior in this life, Zhu Chengwu would not give 100% trust even to someone he trusted the most.

Because many times, the absolute trust of those in power is not exchanged for heartfelt truth-seeking, but more rampant deception and concealment.

"Yes! Marquis! Xinghan understands! Xinghan did not consider it carefully! According to our realistic estimate, at the martial arts test meeting in a few days, only about half of the relatively important figures will be present!" Zhao Xinghan bowed in response, and then stated their realistic estimate.

“Half, isn’t this number a bit too high? Is this really a true estimate? Or is this another case of Zhao Xinghan “reporting good news but not bad news”? But I’ve already said this much, it shouldn’t be the case for cousin Xinghan! Or am I underestimating the influence of this new martial arts legend of mine?” Zhu Chengwu was a little confused!
But in the end, Zhu Chengwu decided, forget it!

No more delving into this!
Anyway, there are only a few days left. We will know the truth when the time comes.

"My cousin Xinghan and my cousin Xingye have worked hard and made great contributions, and I have seen all of this.

There are only a few days left until the Martial Arts Competition!

Representatives of the forces from seven provinces and thirty-three prefectures should be arriving soon!
Maybe there are other underworld forces and martial arts practitioners who come here because of its reputation!

The arrival of these gangsters posed a great challenge to the public security of Xuzhou City.

Cousin Xinghan, you take half of the guards and assist the Xuzhou government in maintaining public order in the city.

Don’t let people’s normal lives be affected!
Those martial artists who rely on force to oppress the people should be arrested, imprisoned or killed!

First-rate, Grandmaster, if you can’t handle it, come to me!

As for the security of the mansion, let my cousin Xingye take over first!"

Zhu Chengwu first comforted Zhao Xinghan. After all, if you want people to do something, you can't just criticize them, you also need appropriate encouragement.

Why was giving a candy after a slap so famous in Zhu Chengwu's previous life?
Because it works!

Zhu Chengwu's words were filled with murderous intent. As a warrior, Zhu Chengwu knew the nature of the warrior group too well.

With the ideas from his previous life in mind, Zhu Chengwu did not want the martial arts test conference he requested to hold to have too much impact on the lives of ordinary people in Xuzhou City.

"Yes! My Lord!" Zhao Xinghan agreed firmly.

Zhao Xinghan and other old people who followed Zhu Chengwu understood the extraordinary concern and attention that Zhu Chengwu, the Marquis of Fu'an, had for ordinary people.

"Yes! My Lord!" Zhao Xingye answered with the same calm expression.

After being criticized by Zhao Yuguang, Zhao Xingye became much calmer and could barely stand on his own.

For this, Zhu Chengwu has to thank his grandfather Zhao Yuguang.

"Shilin and Rongwei, have you encountered any problems during your practice for more than a month?"

After arranging the next tasks for Zhao Xinghan and Zhao Xingye, Zhu Chengwu began to care about the two disciples in front of him who were going to be taught the complete manual of magical skills and similar disciples.

Although teaching Cui Rongwei is just a deal.

But with the contact over the past few days, Cui Rongwei, who is talented and behaves in a proper manner, has gained a lot of favor from Zhu Chengwu.

Zhu Chengwu didn't mind giving Cui Rongwei the same treatment as Zhao Shilin, the registered disciple, for a period of time to see the results.

The younger Zhao Shilin had nothing to say, and he poured out all the problems he encountered in his practice, some of which were so ridiculous that they could not even be called problems.

Cui Rongwei seemed a little hesitant, but finally asked with a determined look on his face about the two biggest obstacles he encountered in his practice.

Zhu Chengwu saw the performance of Cui Rongwei and Zhao Shilin.

Zhao Shilin is young, and there is no doubt that he does not consider things comprehensively. He even has some small thoughts of wanting to talk more and spend more time with his master Zhu Chengwu.

That’s why so many questions are asked!
Zhu Chengwu chose to answer the three most important questions, and as for the others, he let Zhao Xinghan answer them for his son Zhao Shilin!

Seeing Zhao Shilin's slightly unhappy and aggrieved expression, Zhu Chengwu just smiled in his heart.

Cui Rongwei understood that he could not waste too much of Zhu Chengwu's time, but also did not want to miss the opportunity for Zhu Chengwu to personally answer his questions. So he finally chose to ask the two most important questions to him at this stage.

Zhu Chengwu explained everything to him.

As I said, people who behave properly always make people feel good.

Moreover, these two questions would not take up too much of Zhu Chengwu's time, nor would they exceed the three questions that Zhu Chengwu had to answer for Zhao Shilin, his registered disciple.

Exactly!

As a person in a higher position, every word and action of yours will be deeply interpreted, so you must be careful in everything you do.

The first wave of interviews ended.

As Qiuyue led Zhao Xinghan, Zhao Xingye, Zhao Shilin and Cui Rongwei out of the courtyard where Zhu Chengwu was in seclusion, Dongxue walked in with Zhu Xiumin who had been waiting outside the courtyard.

"Brother! You, the Marquis of Fu'an, are so majestic!
Even if I, your sister, want to see you, I have to make an appointment in advance and wait outside the yard!"

As soon as Zhu Xiumin saw Zhu Chengwu, she started to attack him.

"Min'an, don't you need to wait to see your father?
Or to put it this way, when you are in the palace, when the palace servants come to see you, don't they have to wait for you and accommodate your time?"

Zhu Chengwu's tone was flat, but the meaning revealed in his words was very clear.

"Brother, please stop instilling in me your idea that strength and status determine the right to speak, and the inferior must obey the superior!
Life is already so hard... As a dear brother, please stop stabbing your dear sister in the chest!

You are my dear brother, please let me be an ostrich for a while!"

Zhu Xiumin did not respond to Zhu Chengwu's question and changed the subject.

Because Zhu Xiumin knew that she could not win the debate with Zhu Chengwu.

It has been like this since childhood.

And she came to see Zhu Chengwu today not to have a debate with him.

"Okay! If you want to be an ostrich, then be it!"

Zhu Chengwu's words revealed a hint of helplessness.

Everyone has the desire to confide.

The same goes for Zhu Chengwu who was reincarnated.

When he was in the Ming Palace, Zhu Chengwu could not trust the King, the Queen, Zhao, the palace maids...any of them.

It is not safe to confide in stones, flowers or plants.

You have to know that this world is full of warriors and spiritual cultivators with extraordinary powers.

Besides, it is too silly and abnormal to confide in stones, flowers and plants!
Those who originally had no doubts may now begin to doubt because of this.

Therefore, Zhu Chengwu could only confide in his mind to the "Jade Edict" in his mind.

But the "Jade Book" is ultimately a dead object and cannot respond to Zhu Chengwu.

As time went by, Zhu Chengwu lost the desire to confide in the "Jade Book".

The whole person became more and more depressed.

At this time, Zhu Xiumin, who had just been born and could not even speak, came into Zhu Chengwu's sight.

Zhu Chengwu began to confide some of his thoughts and complaints to Zhu Xiumin.

What could Zhu Xiumin, who was just born, understand? And what could he leak?
What's more, Zhu Chengwu is also rational. When he confides in Zhu Xiumei, he never reveals his two biggest secrets - reincarnation and jade book.

Zhu Chengwu only expressed his opinions and complaints about some things and people in the Ming Palace.

Even if it is leaked, the situation is not irreversible.

One is "precocious" and the other is "talkative". They can answer many questions.

And there is another benefit to confiding in Zhu Xiumin, a baby.

It is always easier to accept teasing your sister than talking to yourself in front of rocks and flowers.

As time passed, Zhu Chengwu gradually got used to confiding in Zhu Xiumin.

Later, as Zhu Xiumin grew up, Zhu Chengwu, who was afraid of being exposed, began to confide in Zhu Xiumin less and less. When he confided in Zhu Xiumin, the content became less and less, and the depth became shallower and shallower.

At that time, Zhu Chengwu also began to get used to the state of being a stranger in a foreign land.

The need to vent is much smaller.

So, that's how the transition happened.

But it was this kind of confession that made Zhu Xiumin the most familiar and closest person to Zhu Chengwu in the Ming Palace.

This is the sorrow of those who travel through time and are reborn.

Because I am different, I am always lonely!

(End of this chapter)