Chapter 96: Die for You
Although he was dissatisfied with the practices of government offices at all levels and aristocratic families in Xuzhou.

But Zhu Chengwu did not reject the kindness they showed at this moment.

One person's strength is weak, but many people's strength is great!

With the current strength of the Fu'an Marquisate, it is difficult to rescue all the affected people quickly and in time.

Moreover, people’s hearts are hidden, so who can guarantee that the people in Fu’an Marquis’ Mansion can do better than the government offices and aristocratic families at all levels in Xuzhou?

Zhu Chengwu is just one person after all, and if he wants to carry out his will, he must use people.

Whether it is people from the Fu'an Marquis Mansion or people from government offices at all levels and aristocratic families in Xuzhou.

As long as the government offices at all levels and the aristocratic families in Xuzhou can act according to his will, Zhu Chengwu can turn a deaf and blind eye to many things.

Zhu Chengwu can let bygones be bygones for what happened in the past!

After all, Zhu Chengwu is just an ordinary, selfish person.

He is not the kind of moralist or paladin who cannot tolerate any grain of sand in his eyes.

In fact, Zhu Chengwu has been an ostrich for more than 20 years!
After everything was arranged, Zhu Chengwu said goodbye to everyone and set out alone to return to Fu'an Marquis Mansion.

The government offices at all levels and the aristocratic families in Xuzhou did not want to send Zhu Chengwu away.

But after seeing Zhu Chengwu's firm attitude, no one dared to send Zhu Chengwu back regardless of his wishes.

This is the same as Zhu Chengwu’s drinking culture in his previous life.

Those who can't stand the drinking culture are often those who have low status, little say, and cannot refuse others' urging to drink.

For real big shots, no one dares to persuade them if they don’t want to drink. For them, there is no such thing as drinking culture.

It's just a change of place and a meal!

On the way back to Fu'an Marquis Mansion, Zhu Chengwu began to recall, reflect and think alone.

Recalling everything that had happened from the time Duke Yan suddenly showed up at Marquis Fu'an's Mansion and he ended his retreat to the present.

Reflect on his behavior and words to see if there are any inappropriate responses and whether there are better ways to deal with them.

Think about what he should do next after creating this fait accompli.

Zhu Chengwu always knew that he was ordinary.

Therefore, Zhu Chengwu has long been self-aware and constantly reminds himself to think more!
Didn’t Zhu Chengwu have a saying in his previous life, which goes: Even a fool will make one right after a thousand mistakes!
Zhu Chengwu thought he was just ordinary, but not stupid enough to be a fool.

A fool may make one wise decision in a thousand.

If he thinks more, he will gain more!
Make fewer mistakes!

Just when Zhu Chengwu was alone, quietly brainstorming, the Marquis of Fu'an's Mansion arrived!

Thinking while walking, he will not go wrong and his thoughts will be clearer. This is the "superpower" that Zhu Chengwu has possessed since his previous life!
Before Zhu Chengwu arrived at Fu'an Marquis Mansion, many people had already gathered at the gate of Fu'an Marquis Mansion.

They were waiting for Zhu Chengwu's arrival eagerly and orderly.

The first person was none other than Cui Shuyun, the wife of the Marquis of Fu'an, who was the person with the highest status in the Marquis' Mansion except Zhu Chengwu and was also the person who was apparently closest to Zhu Chengwu.

After all, it was at the main gate of the marquis' mansion, in full view of everyone, and Cui Shuyun, the wife of the marquis' mansion who had gone through the three books and six ceremonies, naturally held the title of righteousness.

Standing first, it is reasonable!
Everyone knows now that the "Fire Lotus" sent by Cui is the "Earth Core Fire Lotus", a high-level treasure of heaven and earth that is many times more precious.

Although it was cheated by the Lord...

But after the fact that Cui's "Fire Lotus" was actually the high-level rare treasure of heaven and earth, the "Earth Core Fire Lotus" was revealed, everyone knew that Cui Shuyun's position as the wife of the Marquis' Mansion was becoming more and more stable!
The target was the Marquis of Fu'an, and even if it was just for the sake of gossip in the world, he would show some courtesy to Cui and Cui Shuyun before they made a big mistake.

After Cui Shuyun, there were the three heroes of the Hou Mansion, Zhao Xinghan, Gao Yao, and Dai Fayan.

After these days of recuperation, Gao Yao's injuries have mostly recovered and he looks good.

Dai Fayan seemed even more high-spirited!

As Zhu Chengwu became famous in one battle, the status of this chief of the Foreign Affairs Office, who had originally followed Zhu Chengwu to Xuzhou to be conferred the title and was also known as one of the "Three Heroes of the Marquis' Mansion", would inevitably rise.

Dai Fayan was even thinking about whether he should step into the Dai Chamber of Commerce that drove him out with his left foot or his right foot after Zhu Chengwu returned to the capital and ascended the throne.

But the last of the three heroes of the Marquis' Mansion - Zhao Xinghan, had an expression of excitement and happiness on his face, but his fatigue could not be concealed.

After Zhu Chengwu revealed the "Earth Core Fire Lotus" and displayed his extraordinary strength, Zhao Jinniu, Zhao's uncle, had already looked for him many times in just one day and one night!

Although there was no explicit questioning or blame!

Although there is no way to prove that Zhao Xinghan knew before that Cui’s “Fire Lotus” was actually the “Earth Core Fire Lotus”!
But Zhao Xinghan could sense that his cousin Zhao Jinniu already had opinions and doubts about him.

After that, there were the four close maids Chunhua, Xiayu, Qiuyue and Dongxue and a group of potential talents discovered by the Fu'an Marquis Mansion, who were the backbone of the Internal Affairs Department, the External Affairs Department and the Guard.

It is worth mentioning that Su Xiangqi, who was placed with great expectations by Dai Fayan, and all the general flags of the guard team including Zhao Xingye were in this queue.

The outermost ones are representatives of some affiliated forces, such as Qiuyue’s father, Deputy Leader Qiu of Xiaodao Gang, etc.

As for the lower-level people related to the Fu'an Marquis Mansion, they are not qualified to appear on this occasion.

Even in Zhu Chengwu's previous life, when he welcomed important superiors, there was a problem of standing order and attendance qualifications.

What's more, this is a world with strict hierarchy!
Now, this is the first time Zhu Chengwu returns home after revealing his true strength and becoming a martial arts legend in one battle.

Much later than everyone in Fu'an Marquis' Mansion had expected, Zhu Chengwu appeared in their sight while walking and thinking about the next steps.

"Welcome back to the mansion!"

Seeing Zhu Chengwu arrive, these people bowed in unison.

Zhu Chengwu, who was considering the follow-up actions, was also shocked when he saw the many people from Fu'an Marquis Mansion standing at the gate of the mansion.

Why are all the important people from Fu'an Marquis Mansion coming out?
Even Cui Shuyun, the trading partner, showed up!

But Zhu Chengwu reacted immediately.

After all, Zhu Chengwu is just not smart, not stupid!

In addition, I have been in a high position for such a long time in this life, and I have seen a lot of things, so I am naturally familiar with them.

His return home this time was originally an ordinary one, but after the people in the Marquis' Mansion acted on their own initiative, it contained considerable political significance.

When Zhu Chengwu saw the many welcoming personnel at the gate of the Marquis' Mansion and their orderly standing, he reacted immediately.

After the results of today's battle spread, Zhu Chengwu understood that it was a foregone conclusion that he would become famous in one battle.

After all, it was the first time in hundreds of years since the establishment of the Ming Dynasty that there was clear evidence of a successful counterattack against the Grand Master.

Who was the last warrior who had clear evidence and successfully defeated the Grandmaster?
It is the legendary martial arts Grandmaster Sanfeng!

What's more, Zhu Chengwu is the legitimate son of King Ming!
And he is the legitimate son of King Ming who has ideas about that position!

After the news spread, there would inevitably be many people and forces that would pay more attention to Zhu Chengwu. After Zhu Chengwu received widespread attention from all major forces, the Fu'an Marquis Mansion would also become the focus of investigation by all interested parties.

For those forces who want to get close to Zhu Chengwu and bet on Zhu Chengwu, who should they please, who should they get close to, through whom should they surrender to Zhu Chengwu, who should they give gifts, and what are the standards?
These will all be differentiated according to the status of the person they choose in the Fu'an Marquis Mansion!

These are all benefits!

In addition, Zhu Chengwu has now shown the talent and ability to create his own magical skills, unique martial arts, and forbidden techniques!

As long as Zhu Chengwu values ​​me, why would I have to worry about learning martial arts?
Plus the resources of Fu'an Marquis Mansion!

This is another benefit!
Why did Zhao Xinghan, Dai Fayan and others follow Zhu Chengwu, be loyal to him and fight for him?
Isn’t it all about profit?

So, when Zhu Chengwu was walking in Xuzhou City, doing his best for the people affected by the disaster...

While everyone in Fu'an Marquis' Mansion was rescuing the disaster-stricken people according to the requirements sent back by Zhu Chengwu, they had also tacitly prepared a grand ceremony to welcome Zhu Chengwu back home.

Even the standing positions were arranged tacitly during the fight.

After all, in the eyes of many of them, the closer and more prominent their position is, the more likely they are to get the attention of Zhu Chengwu, who is now in a "good mood" and "famous in one battle"!

It can also better show the outside world their "important" status in Fu'an Marquis Mansion.

Even though Zhao Xinghan, Gao Yao and Dai Fayan have already achieved success and fame, and do not need to use this method to deepen their impression in Zhu Chengwu's mind, or to show the outside world their important position in Fu'an Marquis' Mansion, they each have a group of younger brothers following them.

These younger brothers did not leave a deep impression on Zhu Chengwu!
If the big brother cannot consider the younger brothers and fight for their interests, then don't expect the younger brothers to always follow you loyally.

And power and status, after all, are based on people!

This is the will of the masses in a small area!
In order to make this welcoming ceremony appear grand and impeccable, even Cui Shujun, who was thinking of breaking off relations with the Fu'an Marquis' Mansion and parting ways sooner or later and did not want to participate in such a show, was persuaded by Gao Yao, Dai Fayan, the second elder of the Cui family, Xiao Wei and others.

Gao Yao, Dai Fayan and others did not want the outside world to suspect the relationship between Zhu Chengwu and Cui Shuyun, the newlyweds.

The second elder of the Cui family and Xiao Wei did not want Cui Shuyun to have a rift with Zhu Chengwu, who was now on the rise.

Although Marquis Fu'an cheated Cui, the personal loss was not small, but almost none.

No matter whether it is the "Fire Lotus" or the "Earth Core Fire Lotus", according to the current situation of the Cui family, it is impossible for the members of the faction of the second elder of the Cui family or the female member Cui Shuyun to "enjoy" it!
The "Earth Core Fire Lotus" is now in Zhu Chengwu's hands. Zhu Chengwu has already gained power. The best option now is to maintain a good relationship with Zhu Chengwu in order to exchange more benefits from him.

“Everyone is here!

They are all very energetic!"

Zhu Chengwu looked at the crowd of people in front of him and his tone seemed gentle.

Zhu Chengwu is not a nitpicking person.

As the saying goes, one cannot be so selfish as to think that others are not selfish.

When you are so selfish that you think you are the only one who is selfish and cannot tolerate others being selfish, then you are not far from being abandoned by everyone!

"It's all thanks to the Marquis's great blessing!"

Zhu Chengwu had just finished speaking when Cui Shuyun and the three heroes of the Marquis' Mansion had not yet responded when a rough yet flattering voice suddenly rang out.

Zhu Chengwu looked towards where the voice came from and found that it was Deputy Leader Qiu of the outermost Xiaodao Gang who was speaking.

Looking at the gaze cast by Zhu Chengwu and the glances from all around, Deputy Gang Leader Qiu raised his head proudly.

It seems that she was quite pleased with his quick answer!

However, Deputy Gang Leader Qiu didn't know that at this moment Qiu Yue wished she could sew his mouth shut.

It's so unruly!

Did he really think that a meaningless flattery and an unruly behavior could make him shine and make the Marquis look at him with a higher regard?

And does he know that by doing this, he will arouse public anger?

Qiuyue could already imagine how the people around her were secretly criticizing and mocking her and her father in their hearts!
Even the Marquis, his wife, Chief Steward Gao, General Zhao, and Chief Steward Dai might have some opinions about her and her father!

When I get back, I'll ask my second uncle to remove my father from his position as deputy gang leader. If he continues to show up in public like this, not only he but the entire Qiu family will be implicated.

Qiuyue once thought that her grandfather was partial because he did not pass the position of leader of the Xiaodao Gang to the father of the eldest son, but to the second uncle of the second son.

Because of this, Qiuyue was dissatisfied for a long time!
After going through so many things, Qiuyue finally realized that it was not that her grandfather was partial to her second uncle.

It's obvious that my father Langni is hopeless!
She shouldn't have used her influence in the family to force her father to the position of deputy gang leader after gaining the Marquis's attention.

The idea of ​​helping my father and my second uncle compete for the position of gang leader is completely wrong!
It must be dispelled immediately!

Just when Qiuyue was thinking about how to remove her father from the position of deputy gang leader, a voice interrupted Qiuyue's thoughts.

It also temporarily relieved Qiuyue's embarrassment.

"Deputy Gang Leader Qiu is wrong!

It’s not all thanks to my good fortune!
It is the result of everyone’s concerted efforts!
Without everyone's efforts, Fu'an Marquis Mansion would not have developed to its current level!

Chengwu still remembers what conditions we were under when we first came to Xuzhou Prefecture!
Now, what are the conditions?
Here, Chengwu would like to thank everyone for their dedication and hard work! ”

Zhu Chengwu looked at Deputy Gang Leader Qiu, smiled, then turned to face everyone and spoke.

"My Lord, it's serious!
Everything is thanks to the Marquis's planning!
We have only played a small and insignificant role under the command of the Marquis!

With the Marquis's talent and genius, even without us, he can still achieve great success and become a great master and a martial arts legend!
Without the Marquis, we might have died in that corner long ago, and even our bodies might have been eaten by wild dogs!

If the Marquis doesn't give up!
Fa Yan said that he is willing to die for the Marquis in this life! "

This time, Dai Fayan, one of the three heroes of the Marquis' Mansion, did not give others a chance to interrupt and directly took over Zhu Chengwu's words.

At the end, Dai Fayan bowed deeply.

"I am willing to die for you, my Lord!"

As Dai Fayan bowed, Gao Yao and Zhao Xinghan bowed almost at the same time.

Such unhesitating and uniform movements made Zhu Chengwu not believe that the three heroes of the Marquis' Mansion had not informed each other in advance.

They were still sighing that Dai Fayan was worthy of being one of the three heroes of the Marquis' Mansion and worthy of being the head of the Foreign Affairs Department who was in charge of external affairs of the Marquis' Mansion. The other people who could speak saw the uniform movements of the three heroes of the Marquis' Mansion, were stunned for a moment, and then they all reacted and bowed down in the same manner.

The boss didn’t even inform me, that’s so mean!

Fortunately, I was focused and reacted quickly!
At this moment, countless subordinates of Gao Yao, Zhao Xinghan, and Dai Fayan were secretly cursing them for being unrighteous.

"I am willing to die for you, my Lord!"

The neat sound spread far.

It caused ripples in the city of Xuzhou.

　Added update for the seventh milestone (1/2)

　　
　
(End of this chapter)