usatvline Chapter 42 Facing Ling Luoshi, what are your chances of winning?
Chapter 42 Facing Ling Luoshi, what are your chances of winning?
"What exactly happened in Liaodong?"
"Tell me in detail."
Zhu Houzhao frowned, his expression grave.
"Yes, Your Majesty."
After a moment's thought, Yu Huatian organized his thoughts and then recounted in detail all the events that had occurred in Liaodong to Zhu Houzhao.
Including the imperial spies of the Dragon Guard Manor, who went deep into the grasslands to harass the various tribes of the Uriyangkhai.
Iron-Blooded Marquis Zhu Wushi easily took Hua Dang's head amidst the vast army.
Wang Shouren arrived in time with 100,000 troops from the capital to guard Liaodong.
Finally, General Ling Luoshi was terrified. He secretly mobilized troops to Liaodong, annihilated the Uriyangkhai, and requested to enter the capital to meet the emperor and personally report to Zhu Houzhao.
After listening, Zhu Houzhao unconsciously tapped the dragon desk with his fingers, lost in thought.
"The Dragon Guardian Manor performed exceptionally well this time, making outstanding contributions and deserving a reward."
"Wang Shouren's command was appropriate and quite good; I did not misjudge him."
"As for Ling Luoshi... did he really lead his troops back to Datong?"
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Yu Huatian nodded: "After Ling Luoshi annihilated the remnants of the Uriyangkhai, he did not stay in Liaodong for a moment and immediately led his troops back to Datong."
Zhu Houzhao nodded, then asked, "When will Wang Shouren return to the capital in triumph?"
Yu Huatian thought for a moment: "Governor Wang said that he wants to sweep through the Uriyangkhai territory, and it will take at least another month or two."
"Good, let's kill them all cleanly and eliminate any future troubles."
As for how to treat Ling Luoshi, Zhu Houzhao was still undecided at this time.
In the end, Ling Luoshi led his troops to Datong and annihilated the remnants of the Uriyangkhai, which was a great achievement.
However, he mobilized troops without Zhu Houzhao's orders.
Although it could be explained by the urgency of the situation, the unauthorized troop deployment was tantamount to rebellion, which Zhu Houzhao could not allow under any circumstances.
However, Ling Luoshi also commands hundreds of thousands of troops, and his influence within the border army is immense.
Not to mention his absolute control over the garrison in Datong, he also had nine other generals under his command, who were stationed in other border towns of the Ming Dynasty. These nine generals also obeyed Ling Luoshi's every word.
Ling Luoshi possesses power far beyond imagination; a slight misstep could bring annihilation to the Ming Dynasty.
At this time, Zhu Houzhao did not know how much of Ling Luoshi's loyalty was genuine. Before he was fully confident in dealing with Ling Luoshi, it was best not to act rashly.
"I do not permit Ling Luoshi to return to the capital to report on his duties."
"Keep a close watch on Datong's every move. If Ling Luoshi ever mobilizes even a single soldier without authorization again, report to me immediately!"
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
Zhu Houzhao unconsciously rubbed his chin, pondering how to deal with Ling Luoshi, this unstable factor.
If Ling Luoshi is loyal to him, Zhu Houzhao will not mind giving him important positions and may even delegate some authority to him.
After all, Ling Luoshi's abilities are obvious to all.
Since he took up his post in Datong, no war has ever occurred in Datong. Objectively speaking, he has ensured Datong's stability for ten years.
Regardless, he made contributions to the Ming Dynasty.
However, if Ling Luoshi harbors any wolfish ambitions or has any improper thoughts, Zhu Houzhao must eliminate him completely, no matter what!
Suddenly, Zhu Houzhao asked a question that seemed unrelated: "By the way, Yu Huatian, you have already witnessed Zhu Wushi's martial arts skills."
"I ask you, if you and Zhu Wushi were to fight with all your might, risking your lives, what are your chances of winning?"
Upon hearing this question, Yu Huatian hesitated for a moment, then gritted his teeth and replied, "Your Majesty, Zhu Wushi's martial arts have reached the pinnacle, unparalleled in the world, and his Absorbing Power Technique is a peerless skill in the martial arts world."
"If I were to fight him, even if I risked my life, I fear I would only have a 30% chance of winning."
Yu Huatian lowered his head deeply, feeling ashamed and unable to look Zhu Houzhao in the eye.
As the supervisor of the Western Depot and His Majesty's henchman, his martial arts skills were still inferior to those of His Majesty's uncle.
When Zhu Houzhao asked him about it, he was so ashamed that he wanted to disappear.
Zhu Houzhao, however, did not think there was anything wrong with this. Yu Huatian was only in his early twenties this year, and at most, he had only been practicing martial arts for less than twenty years.
Zhu Wushi has been practicing martial arts for at least thirty years and is a martial arts prodigy. If Yu Huatian has a 70% chance of winning against Zhu Wushi, that's already quite good.
Zhu Houzhao then asked, "What about Cao Zhengchun?"
"What are Cao Zhengchun's chances of winning against Zhu Wushi?"
Yu Huatian spoke frankly: "I have not had much private communication with Eunuch Cao, but I know that Eunuch Cao's Heavenly Gang Boy Skill has been practiced for more than fifty years, and his martial arts have reached the point of being invulnerable to swords and spears."
"Add to that his unique skills, 'All Rivers Flow into the Sea' and 'Diamond Body Protection Divine Skill,' and if he were to face Zhu Wushi..."
"There's at least a 40% chance of winning!"
"Forty percent?"
Zhu Houzhao nodded solemnly. It seemed that neither Cao Zhengchun nor Yu Huatian were a match for Zhu Wushi in a one-on-one fight.
Moreover, Zhu Wushi's Dragon Guard Manor is full of hidden talents, including the four secret agents of Heaven, Earth, Black and Yellow, as well as the thirty-six Heavenly Generals and seventy-two Earthly Fiends.
Zhu Wushi's power was so great that it could not be ignored.
Fortunately, Zhu Wushi did not have military power and could not command troops.
For Zhu Houzhao, the threat posed by Zhu Wushi was far less significant than that posed by Ling Luoshi.
"Then... if you were to face Ling Luoshi, what are your chances of winning?"
"Ling Luoshi?"
Yu Huatian frowned, thought for a moment, and slowly shook his head.
Zhu Houzhao raised an eyebrow in surprise: "Not even a sliver of a chance?"
"Your humble servant does not know."
Yu Huatian said solemnly, "Your Majesty, I have never seen Ling Luoshi use martial arts. He fights amidst thousands of troops, relying solely on pure physical strength and unwavering ruthlessness."
"However, I believe that Ling Luoshi's martial arts skills are by no means inferior to Zhu Wushi's."
Zhu Houzhao's pupils contracted, and he roughly understood why Yu Huatian's expression was always so serious whenever he mentioned Ling Luoshi.
A person with high martial arts skills and a large army, if he cannot become Zhu Houzhao's confidant, can only become a major threat.
"I understand. You've worked hard. Go and rest."
"Yes, Your Majesty. This humble subject takes his leave."
After bowing, Yu Huatian withdrew from the Qianqing Palace.
This time, Yu Huatian brought Zhu Houzhao a piece of good news and a piece of news that was neither good nor bad.
The military situation in Liaodong has been resolved; all that remains is for Wang Shouren to complete his campaign and return in triumph.
As for Zhu Wushi's Protectorate Manor, it seems that it is still loyal to the imperial power.
As for Ling Luoshi, he has not yet shown any uncontrollable ambitions.
But Zhu Houzhao also had to start thinking about how to deal with Ling Luoshi.
Just as Zhu Houzhao was pondering, Gu Dayong once again came to Zhu Houzhao with a tray in his hand.
Gu Dayong knelt on the ground and pleaded with Zhu Houzhao, "Your Majesty, you haven't been to the inner palace for almost a month."
"Your Majesty, I beg you, please choose one of my concubines today!"