Ming Dynasty: The Crocodile King of Han Prince Zhu Gaoxu's Family

Chapter 256 The Imminent Foreign Expedition
"As for what my Han Prince's Mansion intends to do, I can tell you clearly here: two things!" Seeing that everyone was not very willing to believe his words, Zhu Zhanhe prepared to tell them about his future plans. Zhu Zhanhe held up two fingers and gestured to the crowd.

"The first thing: ocean trade!"
I know some people will bring up the maritime ban when this is brought up. But that's my problem, not yours. Therefore, I, the Crown Prince, need large-scale shipbuilding in Guangdong and Guangxi. Of course, this must be done on a large scale without affecting the lives of ordinary people!
"Furthermore, I know that many powerful families along the coast are secretly engaged in overseas trade. Go back and tell them to behave themselves, pay their taxes, and absolutely not to fall into my hands." Zhu Zhanhe clearly told everyone, "I am going to go to sea. You don't need to worry that I will rebel against the court. I also know that some of your powerful families are involved in overseas trade, but you should all behave yourselves and not anger me!"

"The second thing: Expand into the outer borders!"
There are so many lands beyond the Ming Dynasty, but those lands are ultimately in the hands of foreign tribes, not our own. Therefore, I believe it is best that those lands remain in the hands of our own people!
Moreover, we must leave enough land for our children and grandchildren. Zhu Zhanhe told the officials of Guangdong and Guangxi without any hesitation that he wanted to fight, but not internally. He wanted to expand outwards and fight against foreign powers! He also used the land, which no one could refuse, as an excuse, and everyone's breathing became rapid.

"Since this involves sending troops, we should also talk about the conscription issue that you are concerned about."

As for the young and able-bodied people of Guangdong and Guangxi, whether they are willing to join the army and fight alongside me, you can all watch. If they are unwilling, my Prince of Han's Mansion will absolutely not force any commoner to join the army." Looking at the ugly faces of the officials from Guangdong and Guangxi, Zhu Zhanhe knew that they were outwardly compliant but inwardly resentful. However, Zhu Zhanhe didn't care, because he would use overwhelming military force to make everyone submit!
"I will not dismiss a single official in Guangdong and Guangxi, but the Embroidered Uniform Guards in various regions will supervise everyone!" Zhu Zhanhe knew that although Guangdong and Guangxi had been taken without bloodshed, there were still many potential problems. After all, the officials in front of him were the biggest problem! Therefore, the supervision of the Embroidered Uniform Guards was inevitable!

"Furthermore, I will grant the chief officials or deputies of some local prefectures, circuits, and administrative offices the right to submit reports directly to me. As for who these people are, you need not know."

Therefore, I hope everyone will be meticulous in their work. Since Zhu Zhanhe knew that the officials before him were key to maintaining his rule, he would not allow them to truly unite. He had to divide and conquer them from within to benefit his rule! And the Qing Dynasty's secret memorials were a good choice!

Sure enough, upon hearing Zhu Zhanhe's words, the seasoned veterans before him all paled. They knew perfectly well what it meant for local officials to bypass their superiors and submit a memorial to the emperor! Previously, subordinates' memorials required review by their superiors, and some issues could be handled internally. But with a secret memorial now out, everyone was on edge! However, at this moment, the situation was beyond their control, and they could only accept it.

Since this was, after all, his first formal meeting with the officials from Guangdong and Guangxi, Zhu Zhanhe knew he couldn't push them too hard, so he didn't put any more pressure on them.

"My fellow officials, especially the two provincial governors, please compile basic information about your respective regions within a month and submit it to Yunnan. I will be waiting for your news in Yunnan."

Also, it is necessary to clearly state how many ocean-going vessels each region can produce each year, as well as information such as taxes levied.

In my opinion, the maritime businesses of powerful families are nothing more than small-scale operations. Only with the support of my ocean-going fleet can there be true ocean trade, isn't that right?" Zhu Zhanhe first gave everyone enough time to go back and sort out local information. Then, he used his own ocean-going fleet as a bargaining chip to entice the support of local powerful families.

It can be said that Zhu Zhanhe's carrot-and-stick approach made the officials of Guangdong and Guangxi feel uneasy, both loving and hating it. They knew how powerful maritime trade would be with the support of the ocean-going fleet! Finally, the officials of Guangdong and Guangxi exchanged glances discreetly and couldn't help but let out a long sigh.

"We will obey His Highness's orders." In the end, the two provincial governors of Guangdong and Guangxi took the lead, and everyone expressed their agreement with the Crown Prince's request.

"Second brother, it's getting late. Prepare lunch and entertain everyone properly for me." Zhu Zhanhe also wanted to entertain everyone himself, but if he were present, it would make everyone feel uncomfortable. Therefore, Zhu Zhanhe thought it better to let his subordinates get to know each other first and then hide himself away.

"Yes!" Upon hearing his elder brother's words, Zhu Zhanqi's eyes lit up instantly. He respectfully stepped out from the crowd and bowed to Zhu Zhanhe.

"Respectfully seeing off His Highness the Crown Prince!" Zhu Zhanhe then left the room first amidst the bows of the crowd. As Zhu Zhanhe departed, the atmosphere in the room visibly warmed up.

Lunch was sumptuous, and everyone gathered together, toasting and exchanging drinks. Although there was still some awkwardness, they chatted and gradually got to know each other better. Everyone knew that they would be colleagues from now on. As evening approached, Zhu Zhanqi and his men escorted the Guangdong delegation out of Kunming. That night, Zhu Zhanhe gathered everyone together again for dinner at the Guangxi Provincial Administration Office.

However, everyone seemed distracted during the meal, as their gazes frequently lingered on the head of the table, behind Zhu Zhanhe, where a huge geomantic map hung! This was a geomantic map of the universe, essentially a world map from the Ming Dynasty!
Everyone could guess that the Crown Prince was displaying this geomantic map because he was about to fulfill his promise to the soldiers after conquering Guangdong and Guangxi! This also meant that those of them present would also benefit greatly. Therefore, everyone kept glancing at Zhu Zhanhe with great anticipation.

This scene left the five chief officials of the Guangxi Provincial Administration Office looking at each other in bewilderment, completely baffled.

"Is no one in the mood to eat?" As perceptive as Zhu Zhanhe was, he could naturally sense everyone's eager gazes. However, he calmly finished all the food before putting down his chopsticks and bowl and said to everyone with a smile.

"Brother, everyone is a little nervous." Among everyone present, Zhu Zhanqi and Zhu Zhanhe are the closest, after all, they are brothers. So, Zhu Zhanqi also stood up eagerly and said to his elder brother Zhu Zhanhe.

"Now that everyone has finished eating, I have some tasks to assign you!" Zhu Zhanhe slowly stood up, turned around and walked to the geomantic map, speaking to everyone.

"Please give your instructions, Your Highness!" As soon as Zhu Zhanhe finished speaking, the officials below immediately stood up excitedly and echoed in unison. This scene left the officials of the Guangxi Provincial Administration Commission stunned. Although they didn't know what had happened, they hurriedly stood up and bowed respectfully to receive the instructions of the Crown Prince.

"The entire army will withdraw from Guangdong and Guangxi tomorrow!" Zhu Zhanhe's first words instantly invigorated the officials in Guangxi, who breathed a long sigh of relief.

"Yes, sir!" the generals from Yunnan responded in unison, their eyes gleaming with fervent light.

"Tomorrow, the navy will board the ships, the army will break camp, and the entire army will march straight to Jiaozhi by both land and sea!"

The navy will hinder the Annam coast, while the army will launch a full-scale attack. If you encounter resistance, you are permitted to act as you see fit!
"I only care about the results!" Zhu Zhanhe stood in front of the geomantic map, pointed to Jiaozhi, the administrative center of Annam, and told everyone, "Take this place first. If you encounter any stubborn places, you can deal with them yourselves. I only care about the results, I only want the land!"

"Yes, sir!" The enthusiastic shouts from the crowd in the room left the officials of the Guangxi Provincial Administration Commission dumbfounded.

"After Annam, Cambodia, Laos, Siam, I want Yunnan surrounded by the sea!" Zhu Zhanhe pointed to the map and told everyone that it wasn't just Annam; he, the Prince of Han, wanted to take over all the places outside the Yunnan border!

"Yes!" Zhu Zhanhe's words instantly ignited everyone's enthusiasm to its peak!

(End of this chapter)