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

Chapter 281 Closing the Hall of Mandate

Fifthly, the Ministry of War should come up with a plan and specific development strategy for Annam as soon as possible.

Meanwhile, I, the Crown Prince, have decided to build a military academy in Yunnan. The Ministry of War should select a site as soon as possible and come up with a plan. Zhu Zhanhe also assigned Mu Sheng a demanding task. Moreover, Zhu Zhanhe's last statement was quite shocking, because he planned to build a military academy!

"Your Highness!" Mu Sheng stared at Zhu Zhanhe in disbelief. He'd already been inexplicably appointed Minister of War, but now he was being asked to build a military academy! He'd never built a military academy before, and more importantly, a military school? Was that even possible? Was His Highness serious?!
"Minister Mu may have some misunderstanding about the Military Academy. It's not a purely military academy, but rather a place to select promising young talents from the army and provide them with short-term military training. This will help reduce casualties among our Yunnan expansionist troops and also cultivate future generations of talent for the army. After all, Yunnan is expanding outwards, and relying solely on talent scouting might not be enough." Zhu Zhanhe also knew that establishing a military academy in ancient times was somewhat unconventional.

After all, military knowledge is extremely advanced, far more valuable than the Four Books and Five Classics of scholars. Those in power prevented its widespread dissemination precisely to prevent rebellion! Now, Zhu Zhanhe's plan to establish a military academy was not only shocking but also somewhat perplexing to Mu Sheng. However, Zhu Zhanhe explained that it was a simple, short-term training program, not a systematic study and development, which relieved everyone.

"In that case, Your Majesty, I accept the decree." Seeing that Zhu Zhanhe said it was just a simple matter of cultivating some military talent, not a large-scale training of military personnel, Mu Sheng breathed a sigh of relief. Although he still had some doubts, Mu Sheng respectfully accepted the order.

However, Xia Yuanji frowned at this situation. He didn't believe for a second that his son-in-law had established the military academy only for short-term talent training. Given his son-in-law's tendency to think three steps ahead before taking any action, there must be a long-term plan involved! But at this moment, Xia Yuanji didn't say much. After all, the order had already been given, and if he had any objections, he could only offer some private advice.

"Next, it's time for the selection and training of the Embroidered Uniform Guard. After all, the newly conquered territory belongs to foreign tribes, so we need to strengthen supervision to prevent unrest. Therefore, Erniu, you need to speed up the training of the Embroidered Uniform Guard." Zhu Zhanhe concluded by mentioning the further selection and training.

"Your subject obeys the imperial edict," Liu Erniu replied respectfully after hearing Zhu Zhanhe's words.

"Alright, the important matters are settled. All of you, please return to your duties." Zhu Zhanhe rubbed his temples and dismissed the officials. After all, discussing so many things at once had taken a toll on his brain. Moreover, he had pondered these matters repeatedly, finding them quite mentally taxing. With the Tuolong absent, even though Zhu Zhanhe was usually energetic, he didn't have the same level of stamina as before!

"We take our leave." Hearing that His Highness the Crown Prince was dismissing them, the people present respectfully prepared to leave. After all, the matters arranged by His Highness the Crown Prince were indeed quite troublesome, and they needed to do their jobs well!
"Father-in-law, please wait a moment. I have some family matters to discuss. Third brother, please stay as well." Seeing the group about to leave, Zhu Zhanhe called his father-in-law and younger brother Zhu Zhanyi to stay. Upon hearing the young prince address his father-in-law as "father-in-law," everyone knew that there was something private to discuss, so the others left without looking back, leaving the group some space to talk.

"Your Highness?" Xia Yuanji, who was about to go back to work, stopped in his tracks after hearing his son-in-law's words. He looked at his son-in-law with a puzzled expression, wondering what his son-in-law was up to now.

"Big brother?" Zhu Zanyi bowed respectfully to his elder brother again, awaiting his instructions.

"Xiao Xizi, dismiss everyone from Chengyun Hall. You personally lead the men to seal off Chengyun Hall and guard the gate."

"Go tell the Crown Princess that I have important matters to discuss with my father-in-law at noon today, and ask her not to send any food over." Zhu Zhanhe quietly instructed Xiao Xizi.

"Yes!" Although she didn't know what important matter His Highness wanted to discuss, Xiao Xizi solemnly replied and withdrew.

"Your Highness?" "Brother?" Seeing Zhu Zhanhe's caution, Zhu Zhanhe and Xia Yuanji became serious and asked him what had happened.

But Zhu Zhanhe raised his hand to stop them from speaking, signaling them to wait a moment.

"Your Highness, it's been cleared out." After a moment of silence in Chengyun Hall, Xiao Xizi pushed open the door and said softly. With a gentle wave of Zhu Zhanhe's hand, Xiao Xizi respectfully and quietly withdrew and closed the hall door. As the door closed, the hall became somewhat dim.

"Bang!" The clear sound of Xiao Xizi closing the door was so abrupt in the empty Chengyun Hall. In an instant, Xia Yuanji and Zhu Zhanyi's gazes once again focused on Zhu Zhanhe.

"Third brother, take this document to your Uncle Xia." Facing the questioning gazes of his third brother and father-in-law, Zhu Zhanhe took out a thick document from a hidden corner under the main chair in Chengyun Hall and asked his third brother to give it to Xia Yuanji.

"Yes!" Although he didn't know what the thick scroll of documents his elder brother had handed him was, Zhu Zhanyi respectfully stepped forward to take the documents and walked towards Xia Yuanji.

"Thud!" Zhu Zhan'an, holding the document, was only a few steps away from Xia Yuanji. Out of curiosity, Zhu Zhan'an secretly glanced at the title of the document in his hand. But after just one glance, Zhu Zhan'an felt a shiver run through him, his hand lost its footing, and the document he was holding fell directly to the ground.

"Big brother." As the document fell, Zhu Zhanyan knelt down in front of his big brother with a thud, his face filled with fear and unease.

"Third Prince?" Xia Yuanji was taken aback when he saw Zhu Zhanyan suddenly drop the documents and kneel down. He didn't understand what the Third Prince was afraid of. It was just a document that had fallen to the ground.

"Get up and hand the documents to Uncle Xia." Zhu Zhanhe looked at his third brother, who was frightened and helpless, but did not blame him. He simply told his brother to get up.

"Uncle Xia, the document!" After hearing his elder brother's words, Zhu Zhanji swallowed hard, got up from the ground, picked up the fallen document, and respectfully handed it to Xia Yuanji with both hands.

"Thank you, Third Prince." Looking at the document Zhu Zhan'an handed him, Xia Yuanji softly expressed his gratitude. But soon, Xia Yuanji understood the reason for Third Prince Zhu Zhan'an's terror. Because on the cover of the document were boldly written the words: "On the Demise of the Ming Dynasty!"

"Your Highness." Although Xia Yuanji didn't know the contents of the document, he knew it was a hot potato. For a moment, even the seasoned Xia Yuanji was at a loss.

"Father-in-law, please take a look at the contents. After you've read it, you'll understand why my father and third uncle raised an army; why I, your son-in-law, didn't want to be a peaceful heir but instead had to cause trouble; and why my grandfather, the Yongle Emperor, bestowed upon me that Golden Dragon Token." Zhu Zhanhe also knew that, compared to the contents of the document, the few large characters on the cover, "On the Fall of the Ming Dynasty," would make countless officials hesitate and feel terrified.

However, for Zhu Zhanhe to truly achieve great things, he needed a capable strategist who would work wholeheartedly for him, never betray him, and whose interests aligned with his own. After much deliberation, Zhu Zhanhe concluded that Xia Yuanji was the best candidate. Xia was not only his father-in-law, but also the father of the Crown Prince's wife, and the maternal grandfather of the future eldest grandson of the Prince of Han. He was utterly loyal to the Yongle Emperor and deeply loved the Ming Dynasty. After comprehensive consideration, Zhu Zhanhe knew that Xia Yuanji was the most suitable person for him!
(End of this chapter)