Ming Dynasty: Ask Zhu Yuanzhang to abdicate at the beginning

Chapter 557 Zhu Di's Operations in Europe! The Treasures of a Mysterious Eastern Power!
"A land granted by imperial decree?" Xu Miaoyun looked deeply at her son Zhu Gaochi, her tone carrying a complex emotion.

Everyone knows that the reason their family left their homeland and came to this distant Europe was because they were implicated in Zhu Gaochi's rebellion.

The so-called "imperial decree" was nothing more than Zhu Yunwen randomly drawing a place on a world map and then casually saying, "This land is granted to you."

As for how to truly control this land, that depends entirely on the abilities of Zhu Di and his son.

To put it bluntly, whether or not this "imperial decree" is issued makes little difference in essence.

Of course, Zhu Yunwen was not entirely without "sincerity".

At the very least, he allocated Zhu Di several hundred elite soldiers, as well as corresponding ships, supplies, and, crucially, firearms and cannons.

It was this military support that became the key to their smooth voyage.

Otherwise, the "friendly" tribes and countries along the way probably wouldn't have been so "friendly".

The states in the Persian region all revered military might; they were only "friendly" to the strong and ruthlessly slaughtered the weak.

Not to mention their different beliefs.

If they hadn't possessed overwhelming military power, they would have burned Zhu Di and his followers long ago, considering them damned heretics.

It was only through firearms and cannons that Zhu Di and his family were able to become ambassadors of civilization and be welcomed by them.

As for the many tribes and countries on Kunlun Continent, they are still in a primitive stage of eating raw meat and drinking blood, and they are extremely cruel to outsiders.

The only "language" they could understand was the sound of muskets and cannons.

“Europe is more civilized than Kunlun,” Zhu Di interjected. “Zheng He’s fleet has already visited many countries in Europe.”

According to Zheng He, they all showed extreme admiration for the civilization of the Ming Dynasty.

"I believe that as the King of Europe, personally appointed by the Emperor of the Ming Dynasty, they will certainly welcome me with open arms."

As they traveled, the hatred that Zhu Di and Zhu Gaochi had originally harbored for Zhu Yunwen gradually dissipated.

The reason is also very simple.

The world map that Zhu Yunwen bestowed upon them, which he had personally drawn, was outrageously accurate.

Although the maps are often vague about specific countries and tribes, their accuracy in terms of geographical location is chilling.

Zhu Di was well aware that Zhu Yunwen had never been to these remote regions, and that most of the old maps treasured in the Ming court were far from the actual situation.

So how exactly did Zhu Yunwen create such an accurate world map?
This was something that neither the father nor the son could understand.

Zhu Di and Zhu Gaochi could only conclude that Zhu Yunwen must have received divine guidance, otherwise it would have been impossible for him to do so.

That is why they no longer dared to harbor hatred towards Zhu Yunwen.

Even though they were thousands of miles apart, they still addressed him as "Emperor" with reverence, their words filled with awe.

It can be said that Zhu Di and Zhu Gaochi were completely convinced of Zhu Yunwen's abilities.

That kind of deep-seated admiration is far more profound than any forced command.

Xu Miaoyun was also an extremely intelligent woman, and naturally she understood the "subtext" in Zhu Di's words.

However, she was far less optimistic than Zhu Di.

Xu Miaoyun pointed her slender finger to a magnificent castle on the coast and said with concern, "A European country that can build such a sturdy castle must be a force to be reckoned with."

"Although we have muskets and cannons, our supplies are limited."

"We've used up seven or eight tenths of our ammunition along the way."

"Previously in Persia, we suffered heavy losses in our battles against the Hormuz Kingdom."

"Later, when we passed through Kunlun Continent, we used quite a lot of it."

"Although we tried to make our own gunpowder using rudimentary methods each time we went ashore to rest, the quantity was meager and the quality of the newly made gunpowder was incomparable to the superior gunpowder produced by the Ming Dynasty's military factories."

"Without sufficient high-quality gunpowder, our muskets and cannons will become useless decorations."

"I'm afraid that by then, these European countries won't be so friendly towards us."

Zhu Di nodded slightly, but remained extremely optimistic: "What you said makes sense."

"That is precisely why we must take advantage of the name of the Ming emperor's 'imperial decree'."

"Don't forget that Zheng He's massive fleet had previously visited many countries in Europe."

"Their fleet was far larger than ours now, with more people and better weapons, leaving a very deep impression on the European countries."

"Our visit here is a perfect opportunity to take full advantage of this situation and borrow the tiger's power."

Xu Miaoyun suddenly realized.

It turns out that the "land granted by imperial decree" that the son and husband kept mentioning actually meant this!
Are they planning to use the Ming Dynasty's name as a banner to pave their own way?
But will this trick really work?

A lingering doubt remained between Xu Miaoyun's brows.

"Don't go ashore yet," Zhu Gaochi suggested. "Let's head straight to Venice."

According to Zheng He, that place was the commercial center of Europe, not only extremely prosperous, but also keen on foreign trade.

"The nobles there are even more eager to acquire rare and exotic treasures from the outside world."

His eyes gleamed with shrewdness as he continued, "We also brought some items unique to the Ming Dynasty with us. These things are like rare treasures overseas."

"Moreover, we have collected a lot of rare and exotic items along the way, which can be 'rewarded' to those merchants who are eager for wealth in exchange for their support."

After listening to Zhu Gaochi's suggestion, Zhu Di nodded in agreement: "Europe is indeed very different from Kunlun Continent. The commercial atmosphere here is much stronger, and there are many large cities with prosperous commerce and large populations."

"However, most of them are located deep inland, such as Paris, the capital of the famous Valois dynasty."

"Among the many cities along the Mediterranean coast, the most prosperous and famous is none other than Venice, the city of water." Zhu Gaochi continued, "For a long time, these European regions have had no direct contact with our Central Plains Ming Dynasty. All information was transmitted through merchants from Persia and other places as intermediaries."

"Therefore, news about the Middle Kingdom has been embellished and distorted beyond recognition in the process of being passed down by word of mouth."

"In the eyes of European nobles, the distant Middle East was a mysterious, incredibly rich, gold-rich, and incomparably powerful country."

"The visit of Zheng He's massive fleet further reinforced this idea."

"We must make full use of this and turn it into our advantage."

Zhu Gaochi was calm and meticulous by nature.

The trials and tribulations he endured at sea over the past few years have given him a deeper understanding and insight into the world, and he has been further tempered in harsh environments.

“Our fleet sails along the coastline not far from the shore, which is relatively safer,” Zhu Gaochi continued.

The vast ocean is unpredictable, and they have encountered many storms and waves over the years.

Sailing in places where you can see land always gives you a sense of security and peace of mind.

"However, in this way, the people of Europe will be able to see our sailing ships clearly."

Zhu Gaochi's eyes flashed with a sharp light, and he put forward a bold idea: "In my opinion, before we arrive in Venice, we can send people ashore to deliberately spread the news."

"Tell the nobles and common people of Europe that the richest prince from the East, with a vast collection of rare treasures, is about to visit the water city of Venice with a huge fleet."

"This might have unexpected and remarkable effects, giving us a head start."

Upon hearing this, Zhu Di pondered for a moment.

He understood Zhu Gaochi's intention: to attract European nobles and thus elevate his own status.

However, such a grand display would inevitably attract the covetous eyes of thieves from all over Europe, causing unnecessary trouble.

However, as the King of Europe, "bestowed" by the Emperor of the Ming Dynasty, how could he possibly fear a few petty thieves?

Zhu Di laughed heartily and decisively said, "Do as you say!"

……

A Ming Dynasty prince is leading a fleet laden with countless treasures on his journey to Venice!
This news swept across Europe like a whirlwind.

"My God, is this news true? That mysterious Eastern power has actually sent a fleet to Europe again, and this time it's a distinguished prince?"

At a lavish aristocratic banquet in Florence, a richly dressed middle-aged nobleman, unable to contain his shock, exclaimed in surprise.

"The news has spread along the southern coast, and many people are said to have witnessed their ships."

Another elderly nobleman chimed in, his tone unequivocal: "Those ships have towering masts and enormous sails, their hulls are astonishingly large, and their structures are extremely complex and ingenious. Looking across the world, perhaps only that distant Eastern power could build such behemoths; it must be them without a doubt."

"That powerful Eastern country, isn't it called 'Da Ming'?"

A young nobleman, looking worried, said uneasily, "I've heard that the character 'Ming' means sun and moon, and that the Great Ming refers to the lands illuminated by the sun and moon as its territory. If that's true, wouldn't they be terrifyingly powerful? Won't they send troops to conquer us?"

"Probably not." A noblewoman parted her lips slightly, a smile on her face: "Last time, didn't the Ming Dynasty send an envoy named 'Zheng He' with a huge fleet to Europe?"

In her deep blue eyes, the scene from that time came to mind: "Their ships were so majestic and huge, with terrifying cannons covering the decks, and soldiers wielding incredibly powerful muskets."

"However, they were extremely elegant and polite."

"They made it clear that this trip was solely for friendly trade and would bring peace, not war."

The woman seemed to be transported back to that heart-fluttering moment, her tone becoming sweet and infatuated: "I, I really love that man named Zheng He!"

"He's so tall and handsome, with such an imposing presence... Oh my god, how wonderful it would be to spend a beautiful night with him!"

Upon hearing this, the surrounding nobles burst into good-natured laughter, filling the banquet hall with a relaxed and pleasant atmosphere.

However, if this noblewoman knew that Zheng He was a eunuch, she would probably be greatly disappointed.

"Elena!" A middle-aged, pot-bellied, and ugly nobleman roared with displeasure, "I have pursued you for so long and given you countless precious gifts, but you have always ignored me."

"And now, you're still fantasizing about sleeping with Zheng He from the Ming Dynasty? You're utterly shameless!"

Startled from the sudden outburst, Elena snapped back to her senses, a seductive smile still lingering on her face.

She said coquettishly, "Gregor, I was just making a little joke. You're a gentlemanly nobleman, can't you even take a joke like this?"

Elena blinked her beautiful eyes, displaying her unique feminine charm to the fullest, and her voice became exceptionally soft and charming: "You know, I have always been a very conservative woman, and I would never get close to a man casually."

Her gaze shifted, filled with longing and envy, as she looked at Gregor: "Gregor, if you really like me, could you buy me some treasures from the Ming Dynasty in the East?"

Elena's eyes sparkled with longing for exotic treasures: "I adore the silk of the Ming Dynasty, and I am even more enamored with their exquisite porcelain, as well as all sorts of rare and exotic treasures... My God, I can't resist anything from the Ming Dynasty!"

She paused slightly, as if pondering, then quickly continued, "Gregor, if you are willing to go to Venice and generously purchase some treasures from the Ming Dynasty for me, I...I..."

Elena hesitated for a moment, then finally gave Gregor a smile that made his heart flutter. "I'll definitely give you a chance to pursue me. Perhaps we can even have a romantic candlelight dinner together."

Upon hearing this and seeing Elena's captivating beauty, Gregor was completely mesmerized, his heart pounding in his chest.

Elena is a universally acknowledged beauty in Florentine aristocratic circles. If he had the chance to win her heart, he would give anything, even if it meant going bankrupt.

“Of course I would!” Gregor exclaimed excitedly, gesturing wildly and babbling incoherently, “It would be my greatest honor to serve Miss Elena!”

He patted his chest and assured them, "Don't worry, as long as that Ming prince's fleet arrives in Venice, I will do everything I can to purchase some rare treasures from the Ming Dynasty in the East for you!"

"Oh my god, that's wonderful!" Elena was overjoyed. She reached out her slender hand and gently touched her red lips, then extended it towards Gregor, offering him a seductive flying kiss.

As she turned around, Elena's eyes were filled with the cunning of someone who had succeeded in their scheme, while Gregor was completely absorbed in the sweet fantasy she had woven.

……

(End of this chapter)