Bringing the Railway to Daming

Chapter 119: The King of Qin is Cruel, Demoted to Successor [Subscribe]

This steward had followed Zhu Chong in his early years and knew very well that this prince was not only unsympathetic to his subordinates, but also cruel at heart.

He was afraid that the answer would not satisfy him, so he hurriedly said, "I will send someone to inquire about it right away."

Zhu Chong said, "Report within an hour and a half. No delay."

"I will remember this."

After the steward left, Zhu Ying washed and ate with the help of the servants in the palace.

Although he had mostly traveled by boat and was not tired, he still fell into a deep sleep after the massage from the maid after dinner.

It turned out to be a nightmare.

He dreamed that Zhu Yuanzhang blamed him for not caring about the people and abusing the palace maids, and chased him with an exaggerated bloody sword.

As he was running, the third brother suddenly appeared and knocked him to the ground.

"Father, we helped you catch the second brother!" Zhu Ying shouted excitedly.

Zhu Yuanzhang walked over with a gloomy face, shouted angrily, "Evil beast", and chopped at his neck with a knife.

He struggled but couldn't get free, and screamed in panic, "Father, spare my life!"

But the moment he begged for mercy, the sword had already fallen!

Zhu Chong suddenly opened his eyes and subconsciously touched his neck and head, feeling sweat all over his head. Only then did he realize that what he had just experienced was all a dream.

"Somebody come!"

Four maids filed in.

Zhu Chong thought that the four maids were in the bedroom, so he asked, "Did you hear anything just now?"

The maids' expressions suddenly changed and they all shook their heads subconsciously.

As soon as Zhu Chong saw it, he knew that his last cry of "Father, please spare my life" was probably heard by these maids.

Suddenly, he felt murderous intent.

But he knew that if he killed the maid for such a small matter, his father would definitely punish him severely.

Unable to shake off his murderous intent, he could only vent his anger, shouting, "Come here, drag these bitches out and slap their mouths until they're broken!"

"Your Majesty, spare your life!"

The four maids were so frightened that their faces turned pale. They all fell to the ground and begged for mercy.

When Zhu Chong saw that the guards who came in didn't move, he angrily said, "Didn't you hear my order?"

The guards did not dare to hesitate any longer and dragged the maids out and slapped them in the face.

Zhu Chong also called several maids to help her dress and comb her hair.

"Where's Manager Niu? Call him over."

Niu Guanshi came over quickly and took the initiative to say, "Your Majesty, I have found out everything about Prince Consort Liu and brought you this."

After saying that, he handed over a thin but large book as if presenting a treasure.

Zhu Chong took it and looked at it, and saw four big white words written horizontally on the black cover - Natural Science.

There is also a color picture below.

Instead, a huge bolt of lightning struck, igniting flames all over the ground and emitting light all around (with a black background).

As a prince, Zhu Chong not only saw many paintings, but also collected some.

In his opinion, this painting was just a bit novel, and there was nothing outstanding about its painting skills or artistic conception.

He flipped it open and saw some confusing content. He glanced at it and asked impatiently, "What is this? What does it have to do with Liu Kuan?"

Manager Niu said, "Your Majesty, this old servant sent someone to buy this from the bookstore under the name of Liu Mansion. Look at the signature. This book was written by Liu Kuan."

Zhu Chong said, "I want to hear about Liu Kuan. What good is it for you to buy a crappy book?"

Manager Niu knelt down hurriedly in fear. "Your Majesty, please calm down. I have also collected some other information and was about to report it to you..."

Zhu Chong kicked him and said, "Just say it!"

Steward Niu knelt again and said, "It is said that Prince Consort Liu appeared with the immortal bridge, so the folks say that he is a banished immortal sent from heaven."

"Appeared with the bridge?" Zhu Chong frowned, surprised and confused.

Manager Niu said, "That's just a rumor among the people, no one knows whether it's true or not."

"continue."

"Now, Prince Consort Liu is a deputy minister in the Science and Technology Department of the Ministry of Industry, responsible for building trains..."

After a while, Manager Niu told Zhu Chong all the relevant information he could get on the street, whether true or false, and answered a few questions. Only then was he let go.

"It seems that even if my third brother-in-law is not a banished immortal, his origins are definitely not simple, and he holds a great importance in my father's heart."

"I don't know how many years I'll be staying in the capital this time, but I can't afford to offend this person."

"If possible, get closer to him, or even become friends with him."

After coming to his senses, Zhu Chong asked the time and prepared to go to the palace.

When he arrived in the yard, he saw four maids standing there, each with a swollen cheek and bleeding from the corners of their mouths.

Zhu Chong was not satisfied - this was far from enough to smash his mouth!

Just as he was about to yell at the guards to continue beating him, he saw a eunuch hurried over, led by the doorman.

"Your Highness Prince Qin, the Emperor has sent this servant to urge you to come to the palace—Your Highness Prince Jin has already arrived."

"I understand. I'll go right away."

Zhu Chong had no choice but to put aside the matter of punishing the maid and enter the palace with his entourage and eunuchs.

Arriving at Fengxian Hall, Zhu Chong discovered that besides Zhu Ying, Zhu Biao was also there. He immediately bowed and said, "Your son pays homage to the emperor, the father, and the crown prince."

Zhu Biao smiled and nodded.

"Stand up," Zhu Yuanzhang said calmly. "Since Second Brother is here, please tell me in detail about the overseas vassalage."

"Yes."

Zhu Biao responded and began to tell the story - including the content of Liu Kuan's initial proposal of the strategy of establishing vassal states overseas in Fengxian Hall that day, as well as some scattered words Liu Kuan said to him later.

After listening, Zhu Yi was still in deep thought, but Zhu Chong's eyes were already shining.

It was also the first time he knew that overseas was so rich and there were so many unowned lands.

If the Ming Dynasty could really build a giant ship that was not afraid of the ocean waves and could transport people safely, then establishing a vassal state overseas would be a good choice.

By then, even if he could not become a real king or local emperor in the vassal state, the emperor was far away and his father would not be able to control him even if he wanted to.

If he went farther, it would take him a year to go back and forth by sea.

By then, let alone killing one or two palace maids, even if he did something ten or a hundred times more excessive, the capital might not even know about it.

When my father dies and my elder brother takes the throne, it will be even more impossible to control him.

Coming back to his senses, Zhu Chong immediately shouted, "Father, this overseas vassal is indeed a very good idea. I fully agree with it!"

After saying that, he didn't forget to wink at the third brother.

Zhu Ying was equally tempted by the idea of ​​establishing a vassal state overseas, but he remained somewhat calmer. He asked, "Father, if I establish a vassal state overseas, what relationship will it have with the Ming Dynasty? Will it be similar to a vassal state?"

"A vassal state?" Zhu Yuanzhang snorted. "Third brother, you're really audacious! The relationship between the Ming Dynasty and a vassal state is merely one of monarch and subject in name only. Their military and political power are independent, and the Ming Dynasty won't interfere with the succession to the throne."

"You are our sons, your eldest brother's brothers. Even if you establish a nation overseas, how can you be equated with a vassal state?"

"Besides, their vassal states were acquired by their royal families and have little to do with our Ming Dynasty. But can you establish a country overseas on your own?"

"If you establish a vassal state overseas, we will not only have to provide money and food, but also relocate the people there. Even the guards you have now are provided by us."

"Tell me, why do you think that establishing a vassal state is equivalent to a vassal state?"

Upon hearing this, Zhu Ying muttered, "If we establish a vassal state overseas, we will also be subject to many restrictions like we are now. I would rather stay in the Ming Dynasty."

"Do you think you're under too many restrictions now?" Zhu Yuanzhang laughed, then sneered, "Let me tell you, if we really implement the policy of enfeoffment overseas, the princes who remain in the Ming Dynasty will only be subject to more restrictions!"

"Now you have tens of thousands of guards, can lead troops in battle on the border, and even mobilize the people of your fiefdom to build palaces for you and collect gold, silver and treasures."

"But after the implementation of the policy of enfeoffment abroad, the princes who remain in the Ming Dynasty will have a maximum of 3,000 guards. They are not allowed to interfere in the civil affairs of their fiefdoms, and their words and actions must be supervised by the officials of their fiefdoms. As for leading troops into battle, forget it!"

Upon hearing this, Zhu Ying couldn't help but shout angrily, "Then I don't agree with this nonsense of establishing vassal states overseas!"

At this time, Zhu Biao spoke.

"Third brother, for the sake of the Ming Dynasty and our descendants, establishing vassal states overseas is a necessary measure."

"Also, if you can establish a country overseas, although it won't be equivalent to a vassal state, it will still be much freer than staying in the Ming Dynasty."

"The military and political affairs of the vassal states will be entirely under the control of the vassal kings. They will only need to obey the military orders of the imperial court. When the court needs them, they will lead the vassal state's army to cooperate with the imperial army to attack overseas hostile forces."

"The rest is just sending tribute every year, maintaining trade with the Ming Dynasty, and allowing the Ming Dynasty to explore, mine, and open workshops in the vassal state."

"On the other hand, if you stay in the Ming Dynasty, not only will you be subject to the restrictions that Father mentioned, but your titles will also be downgraded."

"The heir apparent of a prince can only inherit the title of a county prince, and the heir apparent of a county prince can only inherit the title of a general. And so on. If the descendants fail to make great contributions, they will become commoners after a few generations."

"Of course, if you truly become a commoner, you won't be bound by the vassal system. You can engage in business, take the imperial examinations, and even join the army, just like ordinary people."

Inheriting the title by downgrading it?

Not to mention Zhu Xing, even Zhu Chong, who had been in favor of establishing overseas vassal states from the beginning, was stunned.

You know, Zhu Yuanzhang wanted his descendants to be the eldest lineage and rule the Ming Dynasty forever. At the same time, the bloodlines of the princes would also be supported by the court for generations.

Many ministers advised Zhu Yuanzhang openly and secretly at that time, but failed to make him change his mind.

Therefore, they never expected that Zhu Yuanzhang would have such a huge change of thought.

Zhu Chong originally went overseas just to escape Zhu Yuanzhang's control, but he actually had some hesitation in his heart.

But now that he understood the great power of the vassal kings in their vassal states, and the severe constraints and suppression they would face if they stayed in the Ming Dynasty, he no longer had any hesitation.

As for Zhu Ying, he immediately changed his mind and said, "Since my father and elder brother have made up their minds, I am willing to become a vassal overseas!"

At this time, Zhu Yuanzhang said: "Don't worry, we have so many sons. Your eldest brother will also have many sons in the future. However, the court has limited money, food and manpower."

"Therefore, not every prince can be granted an overseas fiefdom. He must meet our requirements."

Are there any requirements for establishing vassal states overseas?

Zhu Chong and Zhu Ying were both stunned.

Zhu Chong then asked anxiously, "Father, what do you want? It's not difficult, right?"

Zhu Yuanzhang said, "I haven't thought about the specific requirements yet, but it's nothing more than making you more capable and able to govern the area with your own abilities, so that you don't lose your life if you go overseas."

"Given your current abilities, you two are definitely not qualified for overseas fiefdoms. Hence the second priority I mentioned this morning—re-enter the Great Hall to study and be trained by me alongside the other underage princes!"

Zhu Chong felt that as long as he could be granted a fiefdom overseas, it would be acceptable for him to go back to the Ohondo to study for a few years.

He had read most of those books anyway, and although his grades weren't very good, they were definitely easier to read than when he was younger.

So he said happily: "Father, I am willing to return to the Great Hall to study and receive training, and I only hope to be granted an overseas vassal as soon as possible."

After changing his mind, Zhu Ying also wanted to go overseas as soon as possible to become his king, so he followed and said, "So do I."

Hearing the two eldest sons' opinions, Zhu Yuanzhang inexplicably smiled and said, "Big brother, show the new rules for managing the princes to the second and third sons."

Zhu Biao was actually happy when he thought of something. He replied "yes" and handed the two prepared books to Zhu Chong and Zhu Xing.

　First update.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)