Chapter 125: Pseudo-Longzhong Discussion
"The disease is serious, and the bone needs to be scraped to heal the wound...

Lord, can you please explain it in detail? "

Cui Zongyan became interested and sat up straight, looking at Zhu Chengwu.

"The Ming Dynasty only has so much land. If the land is annexed, the people... forget it, it's not appropriate to say that! The people of the Ming Dynasty can still survive!

Let's put it this way! If we count the dynasties before us, every dynasty had a lot of work to do in the early days, was prosperous in the early and middle stages, struggled to maintain itself in the middle and late stages, and was lifeless in the late stages! It's all like this!

This is because people are selfish, and because of human selfishness, the means of production will continue to be concentrated in the hands of a small group of people.

In the early days of the country, no one was rich and the gap between the rich and the poor was not big. Although there was a lot of work to be done, people were hopeful and naturally full of vitality.

In the early and middle periods, due to the joint efforts of everyone in the entire dynasty, the dynasty ushered in its first period of prosperity.

Although everyone could still make a living in the middle and late stages, as time passed, the means of production became highly concentrated, and various classes and barriers had been formed, such as aristocratic families, powerful factions, and academic cliques in academies. The dynasty could only be maintained with difficulty.

By the end of the late period, ordinary people, who made up the majority of the middle and lower classes, gradually saw the reality clearly and understood that classes could not be crossed and barriers could not be broken. However, because of the warriors and spirit cultivators, they could not resist successfully and could only start to give up. Naturally, the entire dynasty began to become lifeless!
In my opinion, the Ming Dynasty has now fallen into its late stage.

Although my father is diligent and may have seen the current problems in the Ming Dynasty, he has no ability to change them and can only try his best to maintain the superficial prosperity of the Ming Dynasty.

The best way to change all this is to take the initiative to move to another place, start over, and rebuild the country from the ruins, just like the five dynasties before them...

Or, like Emperor Guangwu of the Han Dynasty, he could tear everything down with the help of others and rebuild it...

But logically speaking, this method can only last for a few hundred years, after which everything will return to its old ways.

However, among the five dynasties, the Sui Dynasty, which lasted the longest, has been in power for nearly two thousand years!
Nothing makes sense anymore..."

Although he is a reincarnated person with memories of his past life, Zhu Chengwu is ultimately just an ordinary person who can only discover but not solve many problems.

This was also a common trait of Zhu Chengwu’s keyboard warriors in his previous life.

"Your Highness is still young, but he is already a genius to have such insights. It is a blessing for the Ming Dynasty!
Cui is a humble man, but I am willing to serve you like a dog and a horse, and cure the Ming Dynasty's chronic disease!"

Zhu Chengwu felt that he was very ordinary and could only discover many problems but not change them.

But after hearing what Zhu Chengwu said, Cui Zongyan's eyes lit up. Finally, he stood up, bowed to Zhu Chengwu, and made a firm statement.

"Means of production" "rotten"...

These easy-to-understand new words made Cui Zongyan feel that Zhu Chengwu had a talent for politics.

The fact that he could see things so thoroughly and even use the other five dynasties and Emperor Guangwu of the Han Dynasty as examples also shows that Zhu Chengwu put his heart into thinking and discovering.

Although Zhu Chengwu has not found a solution yet, a prince who is talented, hardworking and willing to solve the Ming Dynasty's chronic problems is enough for Cui Zongyan.

For Cui Zongyan, it is enough to achieve superficial revival!
As a descendant of the powerful Cui family, Cui Zongyan has sympathy and compassion for ordinary people, but to be honest, it is not much.

The reason why Cui Zongyan was willing to work hard to cure the Ming Dynasty's chronic illness, even at the risk of his legitimate son Cui Ronghe and his own life and future, was all just for himself.

Cui Zongyan is a sophisticated egoist.

The Cui family heritage, Cui Ronghe, Cui Rongtian, and Cui Shuyun, none of these are as important in his heart as himself.

But at the same time, Cui Zongyan knew clearly what he wanted?
For the sake of money, he could marry Cui Shuyun's mother when he was young.

For the sake of his future, he could take the risk of supporting Cui Zongji and be willing to be Cui Zongji's vanguard.

For the sake of his career, he could also marry Cui Shuyun to the Marquis of Fu'an's Mansion.

Now that Cui Zongyan has plenty of money, a good official position and a clear career path, he has set higher goals.

That is the reputation after death.

Everyone is doomed to die!
But some people die as lightly as a feather, while others die as heavy as Mount Tai. Some people die quietly, while others are still remembered by future generations thousands of years after their death.

There is no big deal between life and death!
What people fear most is death!
But death is inevitable!
Therefore, some people devote themselves wholeheartedly to their children because in their eyes, their children are the continuation of their lives.

But for Cui Zongyan, he wanted his name, words and deeds to be remembered thousands of years later.

For him, this is the real continuation of his life.

After all, there are so many ancestors in the world, but how many of them do people know?

But Zhang Liang, Wei Qing, Huo Qubing, Zhuge Liang of the Han Dynasty, Zhang Sun Wuji, Di Renjie of the Tang Dynasty...

Although these people are not the ancestors of most people in the world, most people in the world still remember them firmly in their hearts.

For Cui Zongyan, there is another layer of insurance.

That is the fact that Cui Shuyun is Zhu Chengwu’s legal wife.

Even if his final plan to go down in history failed.

His bloodline may also become the next Ming King after Zhu Chengwu.

As the grandfather of King Ming, the probability of him being remembered by the world is much greater than that of an ordinary leader of the second branch of the Cui family.

Zhu Chengwu was stunned by Cui Zongyan's sudden loyalty.

Although Zhu Chengwu had some guesses about Cui Zongyan's purpose, Cui Zongyan's words of loyalty came too quickly and too suddenly.

Moreover, Cui Zongyan still has the title of Zhu Chengwu's father-in-law.

But Zhu Zhu Chengwu is Zhu Chengwu after all.

He quickly came to his senses and put the subject aside for the time being.

Although Cui Zongyan declared his allegiance to Zhu Chengwu, it was still up to Zhu Chengwu to decide whether to accept the pledge or not.

As a famous martial arts legend and the legitimate son of King Ming, there are countless people who want to pledge allegiance to Zhu Chengwu. If Zhu Chengwu accepts everyone's loyalty without thinking twice, the power of Fu'an Marquis' Mansion will be on the verge of collapse.

Zhu Chengwu still needs to screen who he wants to accept their loyalty!

Standpoint, loyalty, ability... these are all what Zhu Chengwu needs to consider.

After temporarily putting aside the topic of Cui Zongyan's loyalty, Zhu Chengwu began to "chat" with Cui Zongyan again.

If it was Cui Zongyan who was testing Zhu Chengwu at the beginning to see if he was worthy of his "loyalty", then now it was Zhu Chengwu who was testing whether Cui Zongyan was capable of great use and worthy of his loyalty!

Most things in the world are two-way choices.

The real top students are never bound by family ties or other relationships. What they care about most is ability and loyalty.

Cui Zongyan is such a person, and Zhu Chengwu is also trying to become such a person.

Therefore, when Cui Zongyan decided whether to be loyal to Zhu Chengwu, and when Zhu Chengwu considered whether to accept Cui Zongyan's loyalty, neither of them took Cui Shuyun's existence as the most important reference.

Of course, Cui Shuyun's existence is a plus for Zhu Chengwu and Cui Zongyan, which is inevitable.

As Zhu Chengwu and Cui Zongyan talked more and more deeply, the father-in-law and son-in-law became more and more satisfied with each other.

After all, both of them are rational people, and both sides know what they want most and what they are willing to pay for it.

Cui Zongyan wants power, but Zhu Chengwu dares to give it up!

At the same time, Cui Zongyan's ability also greatly shocked Zhu Chengwu.

After all, he was a person who did not practice martial arts or cultivate his spirit but was able to reach a high position of the fourth rank in his forties.

Although Choi Jong-yeon has reached his current position thanks to Choi's help and his good social skills and high emotional intelligence, it would have been impossible if Choi Jong-yeon himself did not have the ability.

In the end, Zhu Chengwu accepted the loyalty of his father-in-law Cui Zongyan.

But Zhu Chengwu did not give Cui Zongyan any position.

Although Cui Zongyan had completely offended King Ming by secretly taking Zhu Xiumin, the Princess of Min'an, out of the palace, he could not return to the capital for the time being.

However, Cui Zongyan's fourth-rank official position had not been removed by King Ming.

Although Zhu Chengwu fought for the throne and shouted the slogan "You don't have to be a prince to become a Ming king", as the legitimate son of Ming king, Zhu Chengwu could not deny the legitimacy of Ming king's rule. Therefore, Zhu Chengwu could not give Cui Zongyan the official position of Fu'an Marquis Mansion.

Unless Zhu Chengwu decides to give up all the fig leaf.

However, not giving Cui Zongyan an official position in the Marquisate does not mean that Cui Zongyan cannot participate in the affairs and management of the Marquisate.

After all, the Fu'an Marquisate was Zhu Chengwu's independent kingdom.

And Cui Zongyan is Zhu Chengwu's father-in-law.

Zhu Chengwu gave Cui Zongyan the right to represent him and Cui Shuyun, the wife of the Marquisate, in coordinating matters inside and outside the Marquisate.

It was also because whether Cui Zongyan was given an official position in the Marquisate or not, it would not affect Cui Zongyan's participation in the internal affairs of the Marquisate in the name of him and Cui Shuyun, so Zhu Chengwu left a little fig leaf for King Ming and the central court and did not give Cui Zongyan an official position in the Marquisate.

Otherwise, who will take care of the Ming King and the central court?
hmm~~

Just as Zhu Chengwu finished talking with Cui Zongyan, Qiuyue sent Cui Zongyan out of the yard. When Zhu Chengwu was about to take a rest, he suddenly sensed a strong aura suddenly appeared in the Fu'an Marquis Mansion.

That was not the aura of Gao Yao and Zhao Xinghan, but it was stronger than the aura of Gao Yao and Zhao Xinghan, two top masters.

Huh~~

Zhu Chengwu flew up and went straight to meet him.

"Who are you? What are you doing in the Marquis of Fu'an's mansion?"

Zhu Chengwu asked sternly.

Every master has his own territory and his own territory.

Even Zhao Yuguang, Zhu Chengwu's maternal grandfather, took the initiative to move to the Xuzhou government office to stay after discovering that Zhu Chengwu's fighting ability had reached the true master level, leaving enough safe space for both of them.

Zhu Chengwu could completely regard the visitor's unannounced arrival as a provocation to him.

What's more, it is dark now and the person who comes is wearing a black veil.

“Everyone in the world says that Marquis Fu’an defeated two masters in one battle, but I really don’t believe it!
Come, give me a hand!"

The visitor spoke in a sharp voice, and his words were full of doubts about Zhu Chengwu's military achievements.

After saying that, he raised his hand and slapped Zhu Chengwu in the face.

"Hmph...you don't know your own limitations!"

Zhu Chengwu snorted coldly and went forward without fear.

Although the visitor's aura was strong, it had not yet reached the level of the Duke of Yan or the Marquis of the Northwest.

In other words, he is at most a minor grandmaster.

In this case, what does Zhu Chengwu have to worry about?

The palm wind comes, and there are gusts of cold wind!
It shook Zhu Chengwu's mind.

The Yin-attributed palm technique of the visitor can not only affect the body, but also shake Zhu Chengwu's mind.

It is definitely a unique martial art at the ultimate level!
Without reaching the Grandmaster level, only the ultimate martial arts skills could have the ability to influence Zhu Chengwu's mind.

Little Grandmaster!
It was just as Zhu Chengwu expected.

Even if one doubts Zhu Chengwu's record of defeating two masters in one battle, anyone who dares to test Zhu Chengwu personally must at least have some real skills.

"Fire Palm~"

Zhu Chengwu’s palm was merciless.

The flash of fire and the incomparable masculine energy dispersed the gloomy wind surrounding Zhu Chengwu.

Faced with the heat wave, even a minor master-level figure like the attacker had to withdraw.

A simple great-mastery level fire-attribute palm technique is already difficult to deal with.

What's more, it is said that Zhu Chengwu has a high-level rare treasure of heaven and earth with fire attribute and a powerful secret technique with fire attribute.

When facing fire, you still need to be careful.

Um~
The attacker retreated, and Zhu Chengwu was about to take advantage of the situation to chase him, but suddenly he felt dizzy and stumbled.

poisonous!

Zhu Chengwu looked at the attacker with a deep gaze.

"Marquis Fu'an, how does my arsenoside taste?"

Seeing Zhu Chengwu stop and sway slightly, the attacker's shrill and proud voice sounded again.

"No problem! Drink~"

Zhu Chengwu snorted coldly, and the aura around him shook, expelling all the poisonous gas from his body and dispersing it.

Tiangang Boy's Kung Fu has been improved many times by Zhu Chengwu. While it has lost its offensive and defensive properties, it has already achieved the ultimate foundation-laying attribute of a magical skill.

The ability to resist almost all poisons is one of the characteristics of the improved Tiangang Tongzi Kung Fu.

After all, with a strong foundation, one's resistance to poison will naturally be stronger.

Just like Zhu Chengwu in his previous life, he had a strong body and was difficult to be infected by the cold virus!
Seeing Zhu Chengwu forcing out the poison from her poisonous sand with just the burst of his breath, the attacker's pupils trembled.

"Duyi, Brother Kunpeng!"

A shrill voice began to call out to her companions.

Listening to the attacker's call, Zhu Chengwu's eyes revealed a look of understanding.

Following the attacker's call, two figures appeared around them again.

But after these two figures appeared, they did not attack Zhu Chengwu.

She did not cover her face with a black veil like the previous attackers, but revealed her true face.

It doesn't look like he came to Fu'an Marquis' Mansion to cause trouble for Zhu Chengwu!

"Jin Duyi, a lone traveler from the Great Wall, greets Marquis Fu'an!"

"Nie Kunpeng of the Jiangnan Giant Whale has met Marquis Fu'an!"

As soon as the two appeared, they began to greet Zhu Chengwu.

"you…"

The attacker looked at the scene in front of him with a look of surprise in his eyes.

This was different from what they had initially discussed.

"My lady, when you called out our names, the Marquis must have already guessed our identities!

There is no need to hide your identity and test it anymore!

And although you only fought with the Marquis once, you should have a rough idea of ​​his strength, right?"

The man who called himself Jin Duyi appeared later, turned to look at the surprised attacker and explained.

"Brother Du Yi is right! Sister, you have experienced the Marquis's strength yourself, and Brother Du Yi and I have also witnessed it with our own eyes! There is no need to continue testing him!"

The elderly man who called himself Nie Kunpeng also said the same thing.

It's not that they broke their previous agreement to jointly test the strength of Zhu Chengwu, the Marquis of Fu'an who has recently shaken the martial arts world, but that there is really no need to continue testing Zhu Chengwu's strength.

(End of this chapter)