Chapter 134 The Final Calm

"Rong Wei, being indecisive is not a good word!"

Zhao Xinghan couldn't bear Cui Rongwei's stupidity anymore and glanced at Cui Rongwei who had been speaking unreliably.

"Uncle Zhao, I..."

After being looked at like this by Zhao Xinghan, Cui Rongwei finally realized that it seemed that Zhao had never given up the idea of ​​becoming Zhu Chengwu's wife.

Just always act very secretly and carefully!

This seems calm.

"Rong Wei, many things should be kept in your heart, don't speak them out!"

Zhao Xinghan looked at Cui Rongwei, whose embarrassment was completely shown on his face, and interrupted Cui Rongwei before he finished speaking.

Cui Rongwei's naivety really disappointed Zhao Xinghan.

“Uncle Zhao, but the Marquis once said when he was teaching me and Shilin that people should understand what they are good at and what they are not good at, and not spend energy and time on things they are not good at, because it will not be worth it.

The Marquis also said that as a warrior he was not good at scheming and plotting, so he seldom engaged in any scheme or plotting, and always put things out in the open when he spoke or acted.

I have carefully read, discerned, and summarized the Marquis's every word and action, and I find that the Marquis really likes to put things on the table.

I am also a warrior, and I am not good at scheming, so I think I should learn from the Marquis!"

However, Cui Rongwei disagreed with Zhao Xinghan's advice to keep the matter to himself.

He refuted Zhao Xinghan with reason and evidence.

Case solved!
It turns out that the fundamental reason why Cui Rongwei is so different from what he was three years ago is Zhu Chengwu.

It was Zhu Chengwu's teachings that made Cui Rongwei lose his caution and cunningness.

When Zhao Xinghan first learned the real reason behind Cui Rongwei's change, he was stunned and at a loss for words for a moment.

"Rong Wei! You only remember what the Marquis said, but you forgot the Marquis's strength!
Those who learn from the Marquis will live, those who imitate the Marquis will die!

Besides, the Marquis just likes to put things on the table, the Marquis is not without ulterior motives!"

Zhao Xinghan was giving his final warning.

……

As Cui Zongyan left the Fu'an Marquis Mansion, he began to convey Zhu Chengwu's decision to various major forces. Representatives of many major forces were gathering in the Li family in Xuzhou City.

The Li family was originally the largest family in Xuzhou Prefecture. Although its fame gradually declined with the enthronement of Zhu Chengwu, its strength and influence did not decrease at all.

Especially two years ago, when some wandering martial artists took advantage of the Marquis of Fu'an's absence from Xuzhou City and caused a big disturbance in Xuzhou City, forcing out the junior master combat power of Li family's Qilin son, the influence of the Li family began to increase again and radiate out of Xuzhou Prefecture.

As the former number one talent in Xuzhou Prefecture and a young master in his twenties but less than thirty years old, Li Shijie, the talented son of the Li family, has a great chance of becoming a master after a period of precipitation.

Although he is not as good as Zhu Chengwu, he is already better than 99% of the warriors in the Ming Dynasty.

Although the Li family and the Fu'an Marquisate were in the same city, the development of the Li family and Li Shijie would inevitably be suppressed by the Fu'an Marquisate and Zhu Chengwu. Many people in the martial arts world expressed regret about Li Shijie, the son of the Li family, saying "Why is there a martial artist when there is a genius?" However, the strength of the Li family and the future of Li Shijie were recognized by many people in the martial arts world and martial arts forces.

Three years ago, after Zhu Chengwu demonstrated his legendary martial arts performance, the Li family actively approached the Fu'an Marquis Mansion.

The Fu'an Marquisate led by Zhu Chengwu did not deliberately target the Li family.

Therefore, over the past three years, the Li family in Xuzhou City has become the boss and leader of many affiliated forces of the Fu'an Marquisate.

"Master Li, Lord Cui sent a message saying that Marquis Fu'an will come to the capital in two months, and asked us to send half of the masters of the first rank and above to accompany him. Have you received the news? What is the Li family's plan?"

A representative of a force close to the Li family asked this question.

"Elder Tang, our Li family has also received this order from Marquis Fu'an. Our Li family has a total of 44 entry-level warriors and 2 first-rate warriors. This time, our Li family will send 22 entry-level warriors, led by Shijie, to follow Marquis Fu'an to the capital."

The head of the Li family did not hide anything and told everyone the decision he made after discussing it with the old man of the Li family and Li Shijie.

As the top force among the affiliated forces of Marquis Fu'an Mansion, with its headquarters closest to Marquis Fu'an Mansion, the Li family was the first to receive the relevant news.

After receiving the relevant news, the three generations of the Li family, including the old man of the Li family, the head of the Li family and Li Shijie, held a discussion.

Before the representatives of these forces arrived, they had already discussed the final result.

"Will my nephew Shijie go there in person?"

The words of the head of the Li family made most of the representatives of the forces who came to visit feel unbelievable.

The middle-aged man who asked the question first and was called Elder Tang by the head of the Li family asked with a little shock.

Everyone understands the purpose of Marquis Fu'an's visit to Beijing this time!
A battle between the father and son Fu'an Hou, who represents the future, and Ming Wang, who controls the present.

Such a high-end game is too dangerous.

Even if Li Shijie already possesses the combat power of a minor grandmaster, he cannot guarantee his own safety 100% in such a high-end game.

If something unexpected happens to Li Shijie, a talented and promising reserve master, then the Li family...

According to common sense, even if the Li family did not dare to offend the Fu'an Marquis's Mansion, they had to respond to the call of Fu'an Marquis. Compared with the young and promising Li Shijie, for the sake of family inheritance, it was more reasonable for the old master of the Li family, the old master, to lead the team.

Unless the old man of the Li family is afraid of death and forces Li Shijie to lead the team in the name of the elder...

But according to the old man's past behavior and his regard for Li Shijie, this seems impossible...

But it doesn’t matter!

Li Shijie is now much stronger than the old man of the Li family. Having Li Shijie lead the team will be beneficial rather than harmful to the affiliated forces of Fu'an Marquis Mansion who only follow the lead of the Li family.

"This is Shijie's own decision. Shijie believes that this trip to the capital will be a great opportunity for him to make further progress!"

How could the head of the Li family not understand the reason for their shock.

Li Shijie is a talented son of the Li family who has already achieved the status of a junior grandmaster and has great potential. Logically speaking, the Li family should not allow him to participate in such a dangerous operation.

But Li Shijie himself strongly requested, and the old man and the head of the Li family were helpless.

Although they are Li Shijie's grandfather and father, Li Shijie's strength has now surpassed them.

Moreover, Li Shijie's words are well-reasoned. Actual combat is the best accumulation of experience. Marquis Fu'an started his career through actual combat.

What's more, with Marquis Fu'an in the front to attract fire, the danger Li Shijie faces is most likely within an acceptable range.

So the old man of the Li family and the head of the Li family reluctantly agreed to Li Shijie's decision.

After figuring out that the Li family was led by Li Shijie, the representatives of the affiliated forces of the Fu'an Marquisate, headed by the Li family, began to discuss how many juniors and which first-class people they should send. After entering the capital, how should they strengthen their connections, advance and retreat together, preserve their own strength, and prevent the Fu'an Marquisate from using their people as cannon fodder.

As the news spread that Fu'an Hou Zhu Chengwu had successfully achieved the status of a master and decided to go to the capital without an imperial edict two months later, the entire Ming Dynasty seemed to be in a state of confusion.

Wudang, Shaolin, Huashan... these famous and upright sects, Chang's, Fang's, Cui's... these aristocratic families, immediately convened emergency meetings of their top leaders after receiving the news.

Of course, there are also forces that have the final say from the Grandmaster, and they start to act directly under the Grandmaster's arrangement.

The capital city, where the Ming Dynasty's central court was located, fell into silence after all forces received the news that Zhu Chengwu was about to arrive.

It is like the last calm before the storm, waiting for the final and biggest wave.

"You are so lucky! Your elder brother came to the capital ahead of time! Your father is no longer interested in using your marriage to make plans!"

In the Jiaoshu Palace, Queen Zhao said this to Zhu Xiulan, who had just come of age a month ago.

Even though she had only been a virgin for a month, and even though Zhu Xiulan was still an infant when Zhu Chengwu was conferred the title, and their relationship was not very close, after Zhu Xiulan had reached the virgin age, the King Ming began to prepare for her marriage.

Fortunately, Queen Zhao and King Ming had already torn their faces openly, and protected Zhu Xiulan for a short period of time. Otherwise, Zhu Xiulan would have really fallen before dawn.

"Thank you, mother, and brother!"

Zhu Xiulan bowed to Zhao Yushan in a trance, and then bowed from a distance in the direction of Xuzhou City.

This month has been a huge blow to Zhu Xiulan, and she is now a little overwhelmed.

Zhu Xiulan originally thought that King Ming had a father-daughter relationship with her. Relying on this deep father-daughter relationship, even if King Ming had any plans, it would not fall on her.

She was able to stay out of the disputes between her parents and the fights between her brothers.

But Zhu Xiulan didn't expect that it was all her wishful thinking.

In the end, she became a pawn in her father's plot against her brother.

Even though the father knew that she was of little use as a chess piece and his plan was difficult to achieve, he still wanted to use her marriage to force his brother to the capital ahead of time.

Ming Wang's ruthlessness was beyond Zhu Xiulan's imagination.

After all, for Ming Wang, this approach was just a matter of trying to get something for nothing, but for her, it was a major event that affected her life.

In Jiaoshu Palace, Zhao Yushan and Zhu Xiulan, mother and daughter, had a night talk.

In the Qinzheng Hall, King Ming and the Crown Prince reunited as father and son.

"Father, my third brother has now become a master and will be coming to the capital soon. How should we respond?"

There was a hint of panic and frustration in the prince's voice that was difficult to conceal.

It's been three years!
King Ming has been standing on the side of the Crown Prince for three years.

But neither the father nor the son could completely suppress Queen Zhao and the Zhao family.

Now Zhu Chengwu is going to Beijing in person, and they...are doomed to failure.

In fact, at the beginning, King Ming and the Crown Prince had the advantage in the wrestling with Queen Zhao and the Zhao family. However, after the battle between Zhu Chengwu and Taoist Qingfeng in Sun City was exposed, those advantages were slowly wiped out.

The deterrent effect caused by the previous martial arts legend Sanfeng Taoist was so great that too many people did not dare to stand in the position of Ming Wang.

This time, Zhu Chengwu really benefited from the residual power of Taoist Sanfeng.

"Prince, don't panic!"

Looking at the prince who could hardly hide his panic and frustration, a hint of dissatisfaction flashed in King Ming's eyes.

Although the King understood that it was normal for the prince to behave like this.

But the position of the wise king is not the position of an ordinary person.

In the mind of King Ming, as the next successor to King Ming, Crown Prince Zhu Chengzhi should be a person who can remain calm even when faced with a catastrophe.

Even if you really fail in the end, you should die standing!
Instead of being like now, where the outcome is uncertain but we are in a state of panic all day long.

"Father, do you have any cards left to play?"

The prince looked at the calm King Ming in front of him with an expectant glimmer in his eyes.

The prince is now out of options and can only rely on King Ming for help.

But does Ming Wang really have any more cards?
If King Ming really had some cards left, why didn't he take them out earlier, suppress Zhao and Queen Zhao, and cut off Zhu Chengwu's left and right arms?

Finally, concentrate all your efforts on dealing with Zhu Chengwu, the "lonely" martial arts legend.

"Min'an escaped. I wanted to try to arrange a marriage for Xiulan and use Xiulan's marriage to force Wu Ge'er to return to Beijing!

Unexpectedly, even though Xiulan's marriage has not yet been completed, Wu Ge'er has taken the initiative to return to the capital!

Just right, just right!

Prince, you should remember that I told you that if you can't solve the problem, then solve the person who created the problem!"

King Ming looked at the prince in front of him, suppressing the slight dissatisfaction in his heart, with madness in his eyes.

The three years of struggle with Zhao Yushan and the Zhao family almost burned out the King Ming's rationality.

Ming Wang had already reached the last journey of his life. However, in this last journey, he found out that his wife, with whom he thought he had feelings, had been insincere all along.

The Zhao family, which once posed a huge threat to the throne and was finally suppressed after decades of hard work, is about to make a comeback.

All of these are unacceptable to King Ming!
“Father, are you saying to just kill my third brother?
But father, my third brother is your son after all!

And do we really have enough power to kill the third brother?"

The prince understood the meaning of King Ming’s words.

But the prince was still a little worried, fearing that this was a test from the King.

Brothers should be friendly and respectful to each other, this has always been the teaching of the Ming King.

So when the prince replied, he first pointed out the father-son relationship between King Ming and Zhu Chengwu.

But even if this was not a test from King Ming, the prince was not optimistic about killing his third brother Zhu Chengwu.

If the martial arts legend was so easy to kill, the Taoist Sanfeng would have been killed long ago. After Zhu Chengwu, the third brother, exposed the strength of the martial arts legend, the forces that feared the Taoist Sanfeng would have taken action long ago.

"Prince, I don't know if you are really worried about me suffering the pain of losing my son, or if you have other thoughts.

But I will teach you one last lesson, that is, if you are born as a king, you cannot be influenced by emotions and you cannot have the slightest mercy that should not exist.

Because of the Queen and the relationship between father and son, I developed inappropriate feelings and compassion, which led to this predicament!
For this reason, I will try every possible means to correct my mistakes!
If you finally ascend the throne successfully, remember the lesson I taught you today!"

King Ming looked at the prince, his eyes revealed madness, but his words were rational.

This was the last lesson King Ming taught the prince.

"Father, you really have a way to deal with my third brother!"

There was surprise in the prince's eyes.

Looking at the crazy, rational but confident King Ming in front of him, the prince really did not expect that King Ming actually had a way to deal with his third brother Zhu Chengwu.

"I'm sorry, Father...Father, I...I'm not..."

But just as he showed his joy, the prince remembered the instructions given by the Crown Princess before he came, and immediately suppressed his joy, and explained nervously with a halting voice.

The prince had finally managed to survive, and he did not want King Ming to think he was intolerant because of his momentary loss of control and showing his joy. He hoped that King Ming and Zhu Chengwu and his son would kill each other, eventually causing King Ming to change his mind and let the chance of survival and victory slip away.

"Okay, Prince, you don't need to explain! Don't I know you yet?" King Ming stopped the prince from explaining.

If at the beginning the Prince of Ming was still unsure whether the Prince had any one percent of concerns about him and Zhu Chengwu killing each other, then now that the Prince of Ming is sure, the Prince does not have even one percent of concerns.

"Father, I..."

The prince looked at King Ming nervously, fearing that King Ming would change his mind or hesitate because of his momentary performance.

"Prince, don't worry. Since I have decided to stand behind you, I will fight to the end! This is the style of a king!" King Ming said in a firm tone.

This one sentence dispelled the prince's worries.

(End of this chapter)