Chapter 150: Martial Power
“Father, even if we missed a good opportunity because we didn’t reach an agreement with Wudang Shaolin in advance!
But it’s not too late to mend the situation now!

As long as we work together with Wudang and Shaolin, Zhu… Third Brother will definitely not be our opponent!"

The prince advised like this.

The prince could never understand why the Zhu court and Wudang and Shaolin did not want his third brother Zhu Chengwu to rise, so they did not join forces in the first place?

Now that Zhu Chengwu and Shaolin are both defeated, why don't they take advantage of Zhu Chengwu's serious injury and immediately join forces to attack Xuzhou City?

Remember it’s never too late to mend!
Why did King Ming say there was no chance now?
"Prince, your understanding of human nature is still not deep enough!
For you, your biggest threat is Wu Ge'er, so naturally you want to eliminate this threat of Wu Ge'er at all costs and with all your strength.

But for me and the Zhu royal family, this is not the case!
Before, the reason why I didn’t take joint action with Wudang and Shaolin!
Because we both want the other to take the lead!

Do the work yourself!

There has always been both cooperation and competition between the three major forces of the Zhu court, Wudang and Shaolin!
And we think that as long as one side goes all out, it will be enough to "suppress" Wu Ge'er...

It’s just that Wu Ge’er’s strength is beyond our expectations!

Wu Ge'er's connections and the masters hidden in secret are beyond expectations!

so…"

Having said that, Ming Wang sighed.

The fact is done, there is no regret medicine in the world!

No matter how much we say now, it will just be hindsight and will not help.

“Also, the reason why I don’t contact Wudang Shaolin to make up for the loss now is because it’s too late!

The battle between your brother Wu Ge'er and the four great masters of Shaolin Temple had a huge impact!

He fought against the three great monks alone, not only gaining the upper hand, but also killing the monk Wuwo...

Wu Ge'er's reputation increased again!

Because of the death of the monk Wuwo, the Shaolin Temple and Wu Ge'er are indeed at war to the death. Taoist Qingfeng has also intervened in the battle between Wu Ge'er and the three great monks of Shaolin. As long as we invite them, Wudang and Shaolin will most likely agree to our request.

At least for now, Wudang and Shaolin still oppose Wu Ge'er's "anti-Wu" faction and have the absolute initiative and upper hand!
But if we take action now, can we really completely destroy Wu Ge'er?

Who can guarantee that your brother Wu Ge'er will defend Xuzhou City to the death...

Also, even if Wu Ge'er defends Xuzhou City to the death, can we definitely win?

You have to know that in the Ming Dynasty, there were not only the Zhu court, Wudang and Shaolin who had masters!
In the past, the Zhu Dynasty and Wudang Shaolin have always held the initiative and the dominant position. The masters of other forces would hide themselves, and only our Zhu Dynasty and Wudang Shaolin would follow their lead.

However, once given the opportunity, who knows how many of them will stand against our Zhu Dynasty and Wudang Shaolin!
After all, because of interests and positions, the Zhu court and Wudang and Shaolin had used their strength and momentum to oppress them.

Now, it is clearly their chance to turn the tables and take revenge!

And Wu Ge'er is not even 30 years old yet, his future is visible to the naked eye...

After this battle, no one can predict how many more masters will stand on Wu Ge'er's side!
Among other masters, there are many masters who secretly want to replace Wudang and Shaolin...

Even if it was Li Xunhuan and Shen Tianjun, after having already taken action once, they might not give me the face to take action again!
Your younger brother Wu Ge'er is not only powerful in combat, but more importantly, he is too young and has great potential for the future. He can dominate the Ming Dynasty martial arts world for a long time.

Although Li Xunhuan and Shen Tianjun value friendship and loyalty, no one can predict whether they will go all out to eliminate Wu Ge'er for the sake of loyalty and to eliminate hidden dangers, or whether they will betray us and join Wu Ge'er for the sake of safety and family inheritance..."

The Ming King has a good grasp of people's hearts and thinks a lot about them.

Thinking too much may be the characteristic and instinct of smart people!
What's more, Ming Wang is not just an ordinary smart man, he is also a political veteran.

Naturally, I am even more distrustful of human nature!

"No way~

Father!

But even if Li Xunhuan and Shen Tianjun did not intervene, even if there were a few masters who were dissatisfied with our Zhu Dynasty and Wudang Shaolin, and a few masters who forgot their principles for the sake of profit, with the foundation and strength of our Zhu Dynasty and Wudang Shaolin, it would be enough..."

The prince was just about to say that with the power of their Zhu court and Wudang and Shaolin, they were enough to surround and kill Zhu Chengwu.

I suddenly calculated the strength comparison between the enemy and us in my mind.

I couldn't say anything at that moment!

The four great masters of Shaolin Temple were either killed or injured.

Wudang Taoist Qingfeng was seriously injured in order to kill Gongsun Yiyang. When Taoist Sizhu and Huashan Divine Sword Feng Qingyang were "making friends through martial arts" on Huashan, they stopped him and both he and Feng Qingyang were injured.

The direct descendants of King Ming, the Duke of Qi and the Duke of Yan, were both defeated when they fought against Zhao Yuguang and others from the Zhao family.

Ming Wang's hidden power - Wu Gensheng, was also seriously injured by the top master who suddenly appeared from Zhu Chengwu's side.

The Zhu court and Wudang Shaolin now no longer have the ability and strength to go to Xuzhou City and forcibly surround and kill Zhu Chengwu.

Even if the grandmaster-level fighters of the Zhu Dynasty and Wudang and Shaolin have recovered from their injuries, Zhu Chengwu's side will be almost the same.

"No wonder my father said there is no chance!" The prince felt extremely bitter.

"Prince, you only have two choices now! Either you immediately bow down to Wu Ge'er and ask for peace, or even give up the position of crown prince to Wu Ge'er; or you completely join forces with the 'anti-Wu' faction in Shaolin Wu and fight Wu Ge'er to the end!"

Ming Wang mentioned the old saying again.

"Father, what choice do you think I should make?"

The prince's expression became increasingly bitter.

"Prince, I am about to die!
Whatever you choose, it doesn't really make much difference to me.

After all, whether it's you or Wu Ge'er, although there is a difference in closeness between us, and although I prefer you, my blood is flowing in your bodies!
The throne of the Ming Dynasty will eventually belong to the Zhu family and my son!"

When things had developed into what they were now and he was about to die and unable to change the reality, Ming Wang finally figured it out.

In other words, even if the King of Ming didn't want to understand, there was no other way.

It’s better to do it yourself!

"Father..."

The prince did not expect that the King would give such an answer.

But when the prince thought about it carefully, he felt that what the King said was indeed reasonable.

However, there is not much difference between these two choices for the dying King Ming, but there is a big difference for the prince.

“But on the other hand, I hope you choose the first one!
If you keep fighting, your chances of winning are too small!

Your younger brother Wu Ge'er is too strong, has too much potential, and his future is too bright!

As long as he can sacrifice his face, even if you destroy all the forces under his command, as long as he survives, he can always make a comeback!

In other words, Wu Ge'er can fail countless times, but you cannot fail once!
And even if you can keep winning, what about your sons and grandsons?

Wu Ge'er is already more than ten years younger than you, and coupled with Wu Ge'er's martial arts skills... it is almost certain that he will live longer than you!
What's more, facing Wu Ge'er, you may not be able to win even this time!"

King Ming looked at the prince's "weak" eyes and finally gave his advice.

Honestly speaking, King Ming did not want to give this advice.

Because no matter what kind of suggestion it is, it will most likely lead to the prince's complaints in the end.

After learning that Zhu Chengwu had the upper hand in the battle with the three great monks of Shaolin Temple, but both sides suffered heavy losses and then returned to Xuzhou City, the Ming King began to "rule by inaction" for the next Ming King and to "have no desires or demands" for what would happen after his death.

King Ming did not want to intervene in the dispute between his two sons, the Crown Prince and Zhu Chengwu.

Because Zhu Chengwu has obvious advantages, King Ming has to start considering his "reputation after death".

It's late now, but...

However, in the end, King Ming couldn't bear it when facing the prince's confused and "weak" eyes.

"Father, can I really not win?

I am your eldest son, the crown prince of the Ming Dynasty, and the most legitimate heir to the Zhu royal family. Religion and etiquette are all on my side!"

The prince was like a doll that was about to break. His eyes were full of hope as he looked at the King, as if he wanted to get his affirmation and comfort.

But King Ming knew that giving the prince hope now would be the most cruel thing to do.

"Prince...

Religion and etiquette are indeed behind you.

But unfortunately, who made martial arts exist in this world?

The truth in your mouth can never beat the power in your hands!
The truth is only on the tip of the blade!
Once I am gone, without my suppression and the trouble of favors, for the sake of the future and to reduce losses, I am afraid that even the Grand Zongzhengyuan and Zhu clan members may not support you! "

Ming Wang's tone was equally bitter. Ming Wang had to admit that his son Wu Ge'er's understanding of the nature of the world was even better than his father's.

He immediately grasped the "bull's nose" of martial arts.

In fact, let alone the prince.

If this continues, even the "king" of the Zhu royal family, who has been the ruler of the Ming Dynasty for more than 30 years, may not be able to suppress the "military desire" of the Zhu family and the court.

After all, majesty and human relationships can only bind for a while, but cannot control for a lifetime.

In the face of Zhu Chengwu's martial arts power, one day the Zhu family and the court will surrender, abandon the Ming King, and surrender to Zhu Chengwu.

This is also the fundamental reason why the Ming King, who saw through everything, began to "rule by inaction" and "let nature take its course" for the next Ming King.

In fact, Ming Wang has no good and effective way to deal with it.

Fortunately, King Ming’s own time is approaching!
He doesn't have to face the "sad" scene that is about to come.

……

After returning to the Prince's Mansion, the Prince told Princess Fang Huiju the entire process and results of his communication with King Ming.

Crown Princess Fang Huiju is the Crown Prince's real strategist.

Moreover, as the Crown Princess and the mother of the Crown Prince's legitimate son, Fang Huiju is the Crown Prince's most trustworthy "partner" in the fight for the throne.

"Father, what you said makes sense! But you forgot a little bit!
Your Highness, your relationship with Marquis Fu'an cannot be said to be good.

Let’s not talk about the conflicts before the title of Marquis of Fu’an.

The Marquis of Fu'an was crowned queen, but we were not idle either...

Your Highness, even if you are willing to admit defeat, will Marquis Fu'an be willing to accept your defeat and give you a good result?

it is good!
Even if Marquis Fu'an accepts your surrender for the sake of his brother, what about the supporters of Zhao and Marquis Fu'an?

Will they tolerate the existence of a former crown prince like you, Your Highness?"

Princess Fang Huijue expressed her opposition to King Ming's suggestions in both her words and deeds.

The conflicts between the Prince's Mansion, the Fang family and the Zhao family had long been irreconcilable.

Before, when the conflict was at its most intense, Zhao Yushan, the queen of the dynasty, risked the wrath of the world and personally shot her eldest brother, Fang Xuedao, the head of the Fang family, to death in the Fang family residence.

Under such a contradiction, King Ming made the Crown Prince surrender to Marquis Fu'an. I don't know what King Ming was thinking.

Once the prince surrenders, the forces under his command will instantly lose the courage to continue confronting and fighting against Marquis Fu'an, and the huge prince's mansion will instantly collapse.

Without the power to rely on, I would really be a fish in the chopping board!
"Hui Yu, do you think we should fight to the end with the Third... Marquis of Fu'an?

But as my father said, I have carefully considered that our chances of winning are too small...

If we fail, I'm afraid that everyone in our Prince's Mansion will have a bad ending!"

The prince understood what the strategist Fang Huiju meant.

But, is it that the prince does not want to resist and does not want to defeat his third brother, Zhu Chengwu, Marquis of Fu'an, in a fair and open manner?
There is a huge gap in strength between the enemy and us.

"Your Highness, do you think that if you admit defeat to Marquis Fu'an now, he will let everyone in the Prince's Mansion go?
And are you really willing to do that?"

Fang Huiqi asked back.

“Of course I’m unwilling!
But given the situation, what can we do?
Just as my father said, once he passes away, I'm afraid neither the Grand Chamber of Imperial Clan nor the Zhu clan will support me anymore!
By then, the gap in strength between us and Marquis Fu'an will be even more obvious!"

The prince was speechless.

He also didn't expect that one day he, who held the righteousness of religious etiquette, would be forced to surrender by the martial arts power of Marquis Fu'an.

If the prince had known this earlier, he would definitely have studied martial arts well when he was young.

Instead of listening to the opinions of those "great scholars" who shout about religious etiquette, they should focus on culture and neglect military affairs.

If the prince was also a master, even if Marquis Fu'an was extremely talented, he would not be like he is now, without any power to resist.

As long as he has the strength to fight, the prince will resist to the end.

“Your Highness, who said that the Grand Zongzhengyuan and Zhu clan members would not stand on your side?
Let’s not talk about the conflict between Duke Yan and Marquis Fu’an for now.

Just talking about the stance and philosophy...

Your Highness, do you really think that your father persuaded the Duke of Qi, the Duke of Yan, and the Youzhang You elders...they really just relied on your father's favors?"

Fang Huiju seemed to have no comment on King Ming's idea and the Prince's concern.

"Huiyi, you mean..."

There was a gleam in the prince's eyes as he looked at Fang Huiqi.

"Marquis Fu'an is also my father's son after all.

With the power that Marquis Fu'an has shown now, if Your Highness fights to the death with Marquis Fu'an, not only will the brothers kill each other, but one of them will die. The power of the royal family Zhu will also be greatly lost...

Perhaps it is because of such considerations that father suggested that Your Highness surrender to Marquis Fu'an!
But in fact, as long as we are determined, we may be able to compete with Marquis Fu'an.

Religious etiquette and public opinion are all behind you, Your Highness. As long as we show our strength and let them see the hope of winning... the Da Zongzhengyuan, Zhu clan, You Zhang and other etiquette and legal factions will definitely stand on your side!

After all, they all know that rules and etiquette are the foundation of the Ming Dynasty's rule and the best way to maintain their power and status!
If Marquis Fu'an is allowed to ascend to power through his martial arts, then the Ming Dynasty will not only be ruled by Marquis Fu'an alone, but will also fall into the evil cult of the law of the jungle."

Crown Princess Fang Huiju first speculated and explained why King Ming gave such advice to the Crown Prince, and then pointed out the confidence that their Crown Prince's Mansion still had some strength to fight.

“Religious rituals…

Not bad!

We still have a fighting chance!
But how can we make them see the hope of winning and support us again? "

When the prince heard Fang Huiqi's words, a light flashed in his eyes.

The prince has been against his third brother, Marquis Fu'an, for so long, and he has always had the upper hand. Now the prince is asked to admit defeat and submit to Marquis Fu'an. This is really a death sentence for the prince.

If there is no other way, then so be it!
As long as there are other ways and a chance of fighting, the prince will never make this choice.

But then the prince thought of the biggest problem in what Princess Fang Huiju said.

How can the Prince’s Mansion make others see the hope of winning and support the Prince’s Mansion again?
You have to know that there is not even a grandmaster in the Prince’s Mansion right now.

"Your Highness, you know that I have been practicing the art of spiritual cultivation.

After decades of practice, I am now on the verge of achieving Yang Shen.

As long as I have more help, I am confident that I can achieve Yang Shen in a short time!"

Fang Huiju from the Prince's Mansion made a shocking statement.

You have to know that as the prince's cousin, the princess is only 41 years old now.

At the age of 41, Fang Huiju is about to achieve Yang God. His talent in refining the spirit is truly beyond expectations, and it also makes the prince overjoyed.

"Hui Yu, I remember that the soul-refining method you practiced was the Painting of Rivers and Mountains handed down from the Fang family!"

The prince confirmed again excitedly.

The Painting-Landscape Technique is not only the main method of spiritual cultivation for the Crown Princess, but the Crown Prince’s mother also practiced the Fang family’s method of spiritual cultivation.

"Yes, Your Highness!"

The Crown Princess answered in a low voice, with anticipation flashing through her mind.

“I remember that there was once a rare treasure in the Zhu family’s secret vault - Songshan Inkstone.

It fits perfectly with your Fang family's painting-like landscape secret!

This book was something my mother had always coveted, but unfortunately she never managed to find it until her death.

By the time my father ascended the throne and found the Songshan Inkstone with the help of the imperial court, my mother had passed away a long time ago!

Fortunately, because this is something my mother has always desired, my father did not give the Songshan Ink Stone away as a reward.

If I remember correctly, this Songshan Inkstone is still in the Zhu family's secret vault.

I'll go find my father right now!

Huihui, there really is God’s will in all things!
My mother is in heaven helping me!
How can I, Zhu Chengzhi, admit defeat so easily! "

The prince's words were passionate and tough.

(End of this chapter)