Chapter 124: Digging out the heart and lungs
"It seems that my grandfather has guessed my plan and guessed that my preparations are not yet complete and it is not the best time to go to Beijing!" Zhu Chengwu thought to himself.

Zhu Chengwu never doubted the intelligence of top talents like Zhao Yuguang.

Since Zhao Yuguang saw through it, then Prince Ming, Zhu Chengwu's father, should have seen through it as well.

"So what if you see through it? My grandfather has said this, so I will not panic or rush, but proceed step by step. I will play my cards openly with you! Let's see if you can stop me!" Zhu Chengwu looked towards the direction of the capital, as if shouting to King Ming and the Crown Prince from a distance.

At this moment, Prince Zhu Xingyu and Crown Prince Zhu Chengzhi seemed to sense something, and at the same time they looked up and frowned towards the direction of Xuzhou City.

After looking for several breaths, Zhu Chengwu finally withdrew his gaze.

"Since Grandfather has said this, then you can leave the affairs of the court to Grandfather without any worries!

I believe that my grandfather will give me and us enough time!

There was also the martial arts competition, and my grandfather also helped me a lot!

Gao Yao, you can lower your vigilance against the Zhao family to a lower level!

What about other things?

Zhu Chengwu expressed his trust and gratitude to Zhao Yuguang, and told Gao Yao that he no longer had to be so wary of the Zhao family.

Since Zhao Yuguang, his grandfather, has taken a step forward, Zhu Chengwu's Fu'an Marquisate should follow suit.

Isn't this how relationships work, with you taking steps and I taking steps together, slowly improving and becoming closer?
“Many of the Zhu clan members and representatives of the aristocratic families who did not have time to leave after attending your wedding, Wu Ge’er, and after the battle between you and the Duke of Yan and the Marquis of the Northwest, have been released by us after we and the Zhao clan found out whether they participated in the conspiracy of the Duke of Yan and the Marquis of the Northwest.

Duke Yan's younger brother Zhu Chengqing, the Crown Prince's younger sister Princess Changning and her husband Zhu Zhiying, a member of the Zuo Zong clan of the Da Zongzhengyuan, were taken away by the old Marquis Zhao.

There are only a limited number of people left in Xuzhou City, and most of them want to be like Zhu Chengcheng and get closer to you, Wu Ge'er, and the Fu'an Marquisate!
In addition, many forces in Xuzhou City, including the Li family, have clearly stated that they will follow the lead of Fu'an Marquis Mansion and Wu Ge'er.

Even the Xuzhou government office, after the prefect Fu Bisheng was bedridden and stayed indoors, obeyed our Fu'an Marquis Mansion's orders!"

None of what Gao Yao said was beyond Zhu Chengwu's expectations.

Most people in this world are "smart" and can see the situation clearly.

It's just the news that Fu Bisheng is bedridden...

At Zhu Chengwu's signal, Gao Yao continued to report: "As for the court, the two great masters of the martial arts world - Wudang and Shaolin - have not made any overt movement. However, there is a lot of news from the court. It is said that Queen Zhao and the eunuch Wang Chengen, the chief eunuch of the Ming King, had a big fight in the Jiaoshu Palace. She even cursed Wang Chengen for being unjust and made it clear that neither she nor you, the Marquis, would obey the Ming King's orders anymore. This incident has shaken most of the Ming King's palace, and the relevant news cannot be suppressed!
It is also said that Zhao Xingyi, a genius of the Zhao family, stole royal treasures and was intercepted by the Duke of Qi in Dujia Town, where he was severely injured and captured!

There is also a legend that 29 days ago, Lord Zhao raided the fiefdom of the Duke of Qi, severely injured the two sons and three grandsons of the Duke of Qi, and also captured the Duke of Qi's eldest son.

There is also a legend that twenty-three days ago, the fief of Duke Yan was also attacked by an unknown master. The half-brother of Duke Yan who was raised in the fief was killed on the spot, and Duke Yan's mother was hung on the wall of the fief, with two lines of big characters next to her, one side read "bad parenting" and the other side read "the son's debt must be paid by the mother!"
Of course these are just legends, our people have never seen them in person!

The spies we sent out witnessed only two things: one was that six days ago, Lord Zhao brought Zhao Xingyi, and Duke Qi brought his son, respectively, to the foot of Babao Mountain outside the capital. When our people rushed there, they found that Babao Mountain was full of traces of a battle, and even the peak of one of Babao Mountain was broken.

Secondly, the Tiger Fang Guards and the Thousand Mile Leopard Cavalry, two elite guards of the Zhao family, Zhao Jinhu and Zhao Jinbao, left the northern front without any orders and have now appeared in the northwest, confronting the direct troops of the Chang family in the northwest.

At the same time, the Anxi Army led by Jing'an Bo also had a tendency to move from west to northwest, but the number of Anxi Army soldiers who had clear actions was small, only 5,000 people, and their speed was not fast, only marching more than 20 miles a day. "

Quite a big move!

That’s quite a big move!
After hearing Gao Yao's report, even Zhu Chengwu couldn't help but admire Zhao and Zhao Yuguang's decision.

At the same time, I felt slightly touched.

Zhao Yuguang and the Zhao family made such a big fuss, it was an open conspiracy!

Not only to seek the king and the world!

And plot against Zhu Chengwu!
Hatred? Defense?
In the face of such heart-to-heart talk, how long can the resentment and defense last?
And Queen Zhao!
After thinking carefully, Zhu Chengwu quickly figured out her purpose.

Queen Zhao did it very obviously!

Anyone who is attentive will quickly understand what Queen Zhao means.

Perhaps she was afraid of making things complicated, and her son Zhu Chengwu would not be able to understand the meaning of her actions from a distance!
Besides, what if other people find out about this?

Can it still be said that Zhu Chengwu was unfilial to King Ming first, and then Queen Zhao stood up?
Stop being funny?

How can we prioritize these things...

Who can guarantee that King Ming and Queen Zhao did not have conflicts long ago, and that Queen Zhao did not have private correspondence with her son Zhu Chengwu?

Is this why Zhu Chengwu seemed to be unfilial to King Ming first?

In a situation like this, as long as one of the parents stands on Zhu Chengwu's side, no one in the world can label Zhu Chengwu as "unfilial".

Zhu Chengwu had to admit that Queen Zhao's action saved him a lot of trouble.

The Ming Dynasty ruled the world with filial piety!
Queen Zhao, the mother, rescued Zhu Chengwu from the unfilial situation of "having no father and no king".

“I have already entrusted the affairs of the court to my grandfather and the Zhao family.

Now let grandpa do the work!
Brother Gao, please inform everyone in Fu'an Marquis Mansion again that Fu'an Marquis Mansion will fully and unconditionally cooperate with Zhao in external announcements.

As for action, we just need to do our own thing well! "

Zhu Chengwu finally gave these instructions to Gao Yao.

Zhu Chengwu felt that his outstanding performance in the upcoming martial arts competition would be the greatest support for the actions of Zhao and Queen Zhao.

The stronger Zhu Chengwu's strength and the higher his potential, the more people will naturally stand on the side of Queen Zhao and the Zhao family.

Queen Zhao and the Zhao family will naturally have more power to compete with King Ming and the Crown Prince.

Thus buying more time for Zhu Chengwu!

The two complement each other!
"Okay, Brother Wu!"

As Gao Yao responded, the meeting between Zhu Chengwu and Gao Yao came to an end.

Dai Fayan was not in the Fu'an Marquis Mansion. He met with Zhu Xiumin, Zhao Xinghan and Gao Yao. Zhu Chengwu had almost met all the relatively important people he was going to meet this time.

I say almost because there are also Cui Shuyun and Cui Zongyan.

After all, she is Zhu Chengwu’s official wife and father-in-law.

Cui Shuyun originally wanted to keep a certain distance from Zhu Chengwu and Fu'an Marquis Mansion.

The meeting with Cui Shuyun was very simple, just a gesture to the outside world.

During the meeting with Cui Shuyun, Zhu Chengwu expressed his gratitude to Cui Shuyun for assisting Gao Yao in handling the internal affairs of the Marquis' Mansion for more than a month. Cui Shuyun appropriately expressed her concern for Zhu Chengwu, Cui Zongyan and Zhu Xiumin. After a few meaningless conversations for a full incense stick of time, which gave the outside world the impression that Zhu Chengwu and Cui Shuyun had a good relationship, Cui Shuyun left appropriately.

Everything is so tacit and just right.

Afterwards, before Cui Zongyan arrived, Zhu Chengwu met with some middle-level officials of the Marquisate and representatives of the disaster-stricken people who were settled in the Marquisate...

I expressed my concern and care for them and listened to their opinions on Fu'an Marquis Mansion...

Time passed slowly like this.

Before we knew it, the Golden Crow set in the west and the Jade Rabbit rose in the east.

This is why Zhu Chengwu wants to delegate power.

It takes too much time to be a qualified leader who does everything himself. Zhu Chengwu's highest goal is martial arts.

Therefore, in terms of political management, Zhu Chengwu must choose a good spokesperson and become a hands-off manager!

Just when another middle-level official of the Marquis' Mansion was sent away, Qiuyue finally came to report that Cui Zongyan had arrived.

"please!"

Zhu Chengwu's face straightened.

After all, Cui Zongyan is the nominal father-in-law and the benefactor who helped the eldest sister escape from the palace.

"Hello, Lord!"

As soon as Cui Zongyan saw Zhu Chengwu, he immediately bowed.

Throughout the whole process, there was not a single bit of arrogance on the part of Zhu Chengwu's father-in-law or pride in having saved Zhu Chengwu's younger sister.

He is indeed an old hand in officialdom who did not practice martial arts or cultivate his spirit, but was able to climb to a high position of the fourth rank in his forties.

"Master Cui...Father-in-law, please stop being polite.

Chengwu feels unworthy of this!

It is Chengwu who should greet his father-in-law!"

Zhu Chengwu quickly stepped forward, reached out to help Cui Zongyan up, and spoke politely.

Although with Zhu Chengwu's realm and strength, it would be more convenient for him to use his Qi to help Cui Zongyan up from a distance.

But using your hands and using your energy are two completely different levels of respect.

After some polite exchanges, Zhu Chengwu and Cui Zongyan finally sat down next to each other.

"Min An's case this time was all thanks to Cui... Father-in-law. I heard that Rong and his uncle were trapped in the palace because of this. Chengwu would like to thank him here!"

As soon as he sat down, Zhu Chengwu stood up again and thanked Cui Zongyan.

This is the attitude Zhu Chengwu had to express.

"Your Majesty, that's not right! It is an honor for me and my son to be able to do our bit for you, the Queen, and the Princess! And I believe that with Queen Zhao here, my son's life will not be in danger!"

As Cui Zongyan said this, he quickly stood up and helped Zhu Chengwu, who was bowing, up.

In this way, Zhu Chengwu and Cui Zongyan started the game of you bowing and I supporting each other again, but this time the roles were reversed.

After another round of greetings, Zhu Chengwu and Cui Zongyan sat down again.

However, Cui Zongyan's words were very interesting. He first called him the Marquis, then the Queen, and finally the County Princess.

You must know that Zhu Xiumin was the direct beneficiary, and Queen Zhao was the one who asked Cui Zongyan for help.

This speaking order...

As expected of a scholar, he is full of details and order!
Cui Zongyan’s last words are also very interesting. He said he believed it, but in fact it was a kind of verbal coercion, forcing Zhu Chengwu and Queen Zhao to save Cui Ronghe’s life.

Although the power of this verbal coercion is almost zero!

But this shows Cui Zongyan's attitude.

The attitude of at least saving Cui Ronghe’s life!

"Don't worry, father-in-law! With my mother and grandfather here, Rong and my uncle will never be in danger of their lives!"

Zhu Chengwu understood Cui Zongyan's attitude.

"I believe in Queen Zhao and Lord Zhao."

Cui Zongyan once again expressed his trust in Zhao Yushan and Zhao Yuguang.

In fact, Cui Zongyan can only believe it now!
When he chose to agree to Queen Zhao's request and let Zhu Xiumin impersonate Cui Ronghe and leave the palace as Cui Ronghe, thus having to leave Cui Ronghe in the palace, he had already made the choice to believe that Queen Zhao could save Cui Ronghe's life.

What I just said was just Choi Jong-yeon's way of saying that Choi Young-hwa is not dispensable to him, but extremely important...

Don't sacrifice Choi Young-hwa easily, and do your best to protect him.

Being at a disadvantage, Cui Zongyan seemed so powerless even with verbal threats!

This is sadness~
"Don't worry, father-in-law! Chengwu and Zhao will definitely do their best!
By the way, father-in-law, have you ever met Cui...Shuyun?

Do you have anything else to tell Chengwu when you come to the Marquis' Mansion this time?"

Zhu Chengwu first reassured Cui Zongyan.

Zhu Chengwu then began to ask Cui Zongyan about the purpose of coming to the Marquis' Mansion.

Zhu Chengwu didn't think Cui Zongyan's purpose was simple, as he took such a big risk to send Zhu Xiumin to Fu'an Marquis' Mansion.

"Thank you for your concern, sir!
Cui has already been to Shuyun's place!
My daughter has been very naughty, and I am grateful to the Marquis for his generosity in taking care of her these days.

As for Cui Mou coming to Fu'an Marquis Mansion, there are indeed other things. "

Cui Zongyan first thanked Zhu Chengwu for taking care of Cui Shuyun, and then looked at Zhu Chengwu with calm eyes.

"Father-in-law, you can speak frankly!"

Zhu Chengwu still likes straight balls as always.

"I wonder what the Marquis thinks of the world?
To be precise, how does the Marquis view the current Ming Dynasty?"

Unexpectedly, Cui Zongyan not only did not directly state his purpose, but also threw two questions to Zhu Chengwu.

"The world is too big! Chengwu can only say that the situation of the Six Dynasties was not formed overnight, and it is definitely not something that can be changed overnight.

As for the Ming Dynasty, it has been in existence for three hundred years, and its internal problems are so serious that it has reached the point where it has to undergo radical remediation!"

Zhu Chengwu vaguely guessed what his father-in-law Cui Zongyan meant.

Could it be that Cui Zongyan has even greater talent and is going to have a "Longzhong Discussion" with Zhu Chengwu in another world?
Zhu Chengwu thought with some amusement in his heart.

However, although he felt more amused than serious about it, Zhu Chengwu still honestly expressed his opinion.

With his current strength, there are very few things in this world worth Zhu Chengwu hiding from others.

Isn't it just criticizing current social ills and talking nonsense?
Zhu Chengwu was a keyboard warrior in his previous life.

Although this world does not have as much freedom of speech as Zhu Chengwu's previous life, and literary inquisitions occur from time to time, Zhu Chengwu is now strong enough to face the consequences of his words, and literary inquisitions will never come to Zhu Chengwu's head.

Zhu Chengwu had offended King Ming before because of his words. Even if he offended King Ming again because of his talk, it would not have any impact on Zhu Chengwu. After all, the more lice you have, the less debts you have!
Moreover, if you can’t settle scores with satisfaction by practicing martial arts, what’s the difference between practicing martial arts and not practicing it?

What's more, in Zhu Chengwu's deduction, breaking through to the Grandmaster level also involves the spiritual level!

(End of this chapter)