Chapter 212 The Clown
Ming Palace, outside the meeting hall.

The Duke of Qi, who had just been forced to change his position by Zhu Chengwu, looked at the confident Zhu Chengwu, and at Zhu Wusi, Marquis of Xibei, Earl of Jing'an and others who were still standing behind Zhu Chengwu. The Duke of Qi, who had just changed his position and persuaded some people to change their position with him, began to get anxious.

When the Duke of Qi spoke just now, he did use some deceptive tactics. These tactics were a secret of the Zhu family and were extremely covert and difficult to detect.

However, due to its secrecy, this method is not very effective in deceiving people and making them obey orders.

For the technique to work, the person being treated must have the intention to do so.

It can be said that such means are just an amplifier, not a generator that creates something out of nothing.

As the supreme grandmaster, Zhu Chengwu was aware of the tricks used by Duke Qi.

But at the same time as he noticed that Duke Qi was using some means, Zhu Chengwu also simultaneously discovered the nature and effect of the means used by Duke Qi.

Therefore, Zhu Chengwu did not stop the Duke of Qi from using his methods.

With the world's best military force as his foundation and the confidence that he could defeat everyone even if everyone on the scene turned against him, Zhu Chengwu just watched the Duke of Qi fearfully and secretly carrying out his tricks with a mentality of watching a joke.

After all, at most, for Zhu Chengwu, it would just mean fighting a guerrilla war for a longer period of time...

While silently watching the Duke of Qi perform his method, Zhu Chengwu even took the opportunity to understand the working principle of this method to see if it could serve as a reference to trigger Zhu Chengwu's thinking and further progress.

This intention was also one of the reasons why Zhu Chengwu watched Duke Qi carry out his methods.

When the Duke of Qi used his tricks, he was not sure whether Zhu Chengwu, the supreme grandmaster, could discover or had already discovered his hidden tricks.

But as long as Zhu Chengwu doesn't stop it, it will be a good thing for Duke Qi!

Zhu Chengwu has clearly expressed his intention to kill him and destroy the lineage of Duke Qi.

The Duke of Qi naturally had to use all the means at his disposal to resist and fight to the end.

If Zhu Chengwu didn't discover his hidden hand, it would only mean that Zhu Chengwu's claim of being the supreme grandmaster was exaggerated.

If Zhu Chengwu found out but did not stop it, the Duke of Qi would make Zhu Chengwu pay the price for his arrogance.

However, although Zhu Chengwu did not stop the Duke of Qi from using his methods, the final result was still far beyond the Duke of Qi's expectations.

Although under his covert tactics and under the leadership of Hu Yingchun and Yang Yuangao, many high-ranking officials of various forces changed their positions on the spot and stabbed Zhu Chengwu in the back.

But just as Zhu Chengwu did not value them, Duke Qi also did not care about them.

To the Duke of Qi, these ordinary first-rate and powerful leaders are not important.

What are really important are the Grandmaster Yangshen and minor Grandmasters such as Marquis of Xibei, Earl of Jing'an, and Zhu Wusi.

Anyone below the level of Junior Grandmaster, including first-rate Yin Gods, can only become cannon fodder in the current situation.

The Duke of Qi signaled Hu Yingchun and Yang Yuangao to change their positions first with his eyes, not for their own sake, but to create an atmosphere that would slightly influence the choices and positions of Grand Master Yang Shen and Junior Grand Masters such as Marquis of Xibei, Earl of Jing'an, and Zhu Wusi.

However, the Duke of Qi never expected that even with the influence of his secret means and the atmosphere created by Hu Yingchun and Yang Yuangao's previous change of positions, the Grand Masters Yangshen and Junior Grand Masters such as the Marquis of Xibei, the Earl of Jing'an, and Zhu Wusi remained unshakable.

This is different from what the Duke of Qi expected!
You should know that according to Duke Qi's understanding, Northwest Marquis Chang Qingshan and Fu'an Marquis Zhu Chengwu have an old grudge. Back then, Northwest Marquis once joined forces with Duke Yan to stop and kill Zhu Chengwu, who had just obtained the high-level rare treasure, the Earth's Core Fire Lotus, and had not yet become a master.

Moreover, the daughter-in-law of Marquis Xibei is the younger sister of the late King Zhu Chengzhi and the biological aunt of the current King Ming.

More than 20 years ago, under the persuasion of Zhao, Jing'an Bo briefly took refuge with Zhu Chengwu, but Zhu Chengwu suddenly disappeared, which not only harmed Zhao, but also deeply affected Jing'an Bo.

A military master who is still only an earl until now is enough to show how deep the grudge Zhu Chengzhi and Fang Huiju have towards the Earl of Jing'an, and how seriously the Earl of Jing'an has been marginalized over the years.

That is to say, Earl Jing'an had just defected to Zhu Chengwu not long ago, and it was difficult to surround and kill the master, and killing masters one after another would not have a good impact. In addition, Earl Jing'an was also very sensible and surrendered early. Zhu Chengzhi and Fang Huiju only marginalized Earl Jing'an, otherwise Earl Jing'an might have been killed by Zhu Chengzhi and Fang Huiju long ago.

Having been affected so severely, it is impossible for Earl Jing'an to not have any resentment towards Zhu Chengwu, the cause and instigator of everything!

As for the junior master Zhu Wusi, who is known as the best under the grand master, it is well known that he is at odds with Zhu Chengwu.

Before he and Gu Santong, their sworn brothers, became enemies, they had joined forces to attack the city of Xuzhou.

If Duke Qi said that Marquis of Xibei, Earl of Jing'an and Zhu Wusi were very loyal to Zhu Chengwu, he would never believe it!
They were just like the former Duke of Qi himself. They had to surrender to Zhu Chengwu and stand on Zhu Chengwu's side only because of the intimidation of Zhu Chengwu's overwhelming military force!

It was precisely because he knew the real reason why Marquis of Xibei, Earl of Jing'an, and Zhu Wusi, who surrendered at the same time as him, surrendered to Zhu Chengwu that the Duke of Qi wanted to shake the positions of Marquis of Xibei, Earl of Jing'an, and Zhu Wusi.

Moreover, the Duke of Qi has a certain personal relationship with the Marquis of Xibei, the Earl of Jing'an, and Zhu Wusi.

The Duke of Qi believed that his experience just now would also cause a certain degree of grief for the Marquis of Xibei, the Earl of Jing'an and Zhu Wusi.

Driven by all these factors, and with the means secretly mobilized by the Duke of Qi, the Duke of Qi believed that there was a high probability that the Marquis of Xibei, the Earl of Jing'an, and Zhu Wusi would change their positions.

As long as one of the three people, Xibei Hou, Jing'an Bo and Zhu Wusi, changes his position, the other two may be affected and change their positions one after another.

Once the Marquis of Xibei, the Earl of Jing'an and Zhu Wusi all change their positions and the balance of power changes, the remaining Grandmasters Yangshen and Junior Grandmasters will have the basis to change their positions accordingly.

This is the real plan of the Duke of Qi.

Unfortunately, the Duke of Qi thought too well!
Or maybe it could be said that due to his desire to live, the Duke of Qi could only daydream and hope like this.

Because this is the only possibility for the Duke of Qi, after being forced to change his position, to face the now strong, ruthless and merciless Zhu Chengwu and still be able to defeat him.

However, contrary to the Duke of Qi’s fantasy, the fact is that those who can achieve the status of Grand Master Yang Shen and Junior Grand Master are not ordinary people, nor are they puppets.
How could they not see clearly what the Duke of Qi was thinking, and how could they not understand the risks of changing their stance now?

The Grand Master Yangshen and the small clans present did not have any loyalty to Zhu Chengwu. They surrendered to Zhu Chengwu for one and only one reason, and that was Zhu Chengwu's powerful threat of force. They did not want to confront Zhu Chengwu head-on and risk their own death and the extinction of their clan in a gamble that they would most likely lose.

This was their thinking when they surrendered to Zhu Chengwu, and their thinking has not changed now.

Even though there were a few Grand Master Yangshen and Junior Grand Masters who were influenced by Duke Qi and began to have some ideas.

But seeing that the other Grandmaster Yangshen and junior Grandmasters around them were not moving, did they dare to move?
You have to know that people’s hearts are hidden. Even if they have reached a verbal agreement in advance, they may not dare to abandon the invincible Zhu Chengwu because their “teammates” may change their decisions, not to mention that there is no tacit understanding now...

With Zhu Chengwu present at the scene, no one dared to use secret methods such as voice transmission to communicate.

Using the secret sound transmission in front of Zhu Chengwu, the supreme grandmaster, was it really because he felt that his own hesitation was not exposed fast enough?

Without reaching an agreement in advance and unable to communicate on the spot, Duke Qi wanted to rely on his few words to make the Grandmaster Yangshen and the Junior Grandmasters of the same level decide to betray Zhu Chengwu one after another...

The Duke of Qi really thinks too idealistically!
Although the Duke of Qi used the secret technique collected by the Zhu royal family that could influence the decisions of others, the strength of this secret technique was not very high due to the pursuit of secrecy.

Moreover, there is no similar secret technique in this world that can completely influence the thoughts of Grandmaster Yangshen and the junior grandmasters! You must know that Grandmaster Yangshen has almost reached the ceiling of martial arts in this world.

If the Yangshen Grandmasters and Junior Grandmasters could be influenced at will by a secret technique, that would be truly a fantasy.

If one wants to make Grandmaster Yangshen and minor Grandmasters such as Marquis of Xibei, Earl of Jing'an, and Zhu Wusi change their positions, one still has to use an open strategy like Zhu Chengwu's that uses absolute military force to intimidate.

This kind of "secret technique" is invincible.

The secret technique of the Duke of Qi, which was similar to cramming at the last minute and trying to make a difference, could not have much influence on the choices, decisions and positions of the Grand Master Yangshen and minor Grand Masters such as the Marquis of Northwest.

"Ignore my nephew, Marquis of Xibei, Earl of Jing'an... do you really want to follow the traitor Zhu Chengwu all the way to the end, and finally be killed by the traitor Zhu Chengwu, and then regret it?"

The Duke of Qi looked at the Grandmaster Yang Shens such as Marquis of Xibei, Earl of Jing'an, and Zhu Wusi with an unpleasant expression.

The first step, which was almost useless, was successful, but the crucial second step was blocked.

The Duke of Qi looked grim as he made his final effort.

However, Marquis Xibei, Earl Jing'an, and Zhu Wusi ignored him and pretended he didn't exist. Their eyes were always on Zhu Chengwu, with obvious determination on their faces.

It can be seen that she is deeply afraid of being misunderstood by Zhu Chengwu!
"And Wang Taoshan, Yang Yanwu, Cui Shuyun... do you really think Zhu Chengwu is a good candidate for the king?

If you now help the tyrant to commit atrocities, you will surely bring disaster to the people of the world and become sinners for all eternity! "

Seeing that he was unable to persuade Marquis Xibei, Earl Jing'an and Zhu Wusi, the Duke of Qi immediately changed his target and set his sights on persuading other Grandmaster Yang Shens such as Wang Taoshan, Yang Yanwu and Cui Shuyun.

As long as the Yang Shen of one Grandmaster is shaken, the Yang Shens of other Grandmasters are likely to follow suit.

The Duke of Qi was silently looking forward to it.

However, the facts disappointed the Duke of Qi again. Wang Taoshan, Yang Yanwu, Cui Shuyun and other masters of Yangshen did not care about this jumping clown who was about to die.

"That's it! Now that it's over, it's my turn!
If there are still those who want to change their stance, then act quickly!
If no one wants to change their stance, everyone should leave the Ming Palace. I am enough here!"

Just as the Duke of Qi was jumping around like a monkey and chirping like a crow, Zhu Chengwu spoke.

The first thing Zhu Chengwu said was something that no one expected.

Zhu Chengwu actually asked everyone to leave the Ming Palace.

This…

"My Lord, why use a butcher knife to kill a chicken? We can kill them all. You are about to ascend the throne, so it is not appropriate to stain your hands with blood at this time!"

Just as the Duke of Qi and the Duke of Yan on the opposite side were solemnly alert because of Zhu Chengwu's sudden words, and the "sea of ​​people" behind Zhu Chengwu were astonished by his words, Wang Taoshan on the side suddenly stood up and interrupted.

"So that's how it is..." Looking at Wang Taoshan who stood up, the others realized that the scene in front of them was a "double act" between Zhu Chengwu and Wang Taoshan, and muttered secretly in their hearts.

"My Lord, what Wang Yangshen said is right! Why use a butcher knife to kill a chicken? Kunpeng Gang Nie Dahai is willing to share your worries!"

After realizing that Zhu Chengwu and Wang Taoshan were acting in collusion, someone immediately stood up and followed Wang Taoshan's words to express his opinion.

"Bai Yongcheng of the Bai family is willing to be the sharp blade in the hands of the Marquis, please grant me your wish!"

After Nie Dahai, someone else immediately stood up.

While he stood up to express his opinion, Bai Yongcheng was still scolding himself in his heart, "I told you to hesitate, I told you to hesitate, you are lagging behind others! You are really not as good as flattering others!"

I saw people coming forward one after another to show their loyalty.

The leader was Wang Taoshan, an old man who had been with Zhu Chengwu since he first appeared in the world. The second person to step forward to respond was a member of the Kunpeng Gang who had a close personal relationship with Zhu Chengwu for more than 20 years...

Many of the remaining people, with an idea in their minds, were determined to stand up and follow.

Even if he didn't dare to be the first to come forward and offer suggestions or flatter Zhu Chengwu because he was unsure of the psychological changes of the supreme grandmaster, at least at this critical moment of showing loyalty, he shouldn't lag behind others too much...

After all, many times, leaders can't remember who has expressed their loyalty, but they can definitely remember who has not.

"Shuyun, follow the Marquis' orders! Everyone, step back!"

However, just as they were about to stand up and show their loyalty, Cui Shuyun, the only female Yangshen present and also Zhu Chengwu's wife, spoke up.

Cui Shuyun directly vibrated the power of her soul and said in a deep voice.

The voice carrying the spiritual power of the Yang God level had great penetration and wide spread, and rang in the ears of everyone present.

Afterwards, Cui Shuyun directly ordered everyone to step back.

Cui Shuyun's words stunned all those who were hurriedly trying to keep up with Wang Taoshan and others' pace of flattery.

On the contrary, the statement made by the heavyweight figure Cui Shuyun made them stop their impulsive behavior instantly. They began to turn their attention to Zhu Chengwu, Cui Shuyun, Wang Taoshan and other parties involved, trying to determine Zhu Chengwu's true attitude and decide whether they should follow Cui Shuyun or Wang Taoshan.

"Hmm~~~"

As their eyes fell on Zhu Chengwu, they carefully observed every subtle change in Zhu Chengwu, and suddenly realized that Zhu Chengwu's expression was wrong.

Zhu Chengwu was looking at Wang Taoshan, who was the first to make the suggestion, with an inexplicable expression.

Although Zhu Chengwu's expression was inexplicable, it was familiar to everyone present.

Because they had just seen this expression.

When Zhu Chengwu attacked the Duke of Qi just now, the expression on his face when he looked at the Duke of Qi was exactly the same as it is now.

This…

Everyone who discovered this fact was immediately shocked and sincerely thanked Cui Shuyun for interrupting them.

No wonder Cui Shuyun had to use the spiritual power of the Yang God level to increase the power and intensity of her voice when she replied just now.

Cui Shuyun is saving them!

(End of this chapter)