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

Chapter 297 Zhu Zhanhe's Imperial Nature

"Long live His Highness the Crown Prince!" At first, it was just a few soldiers shouting, but as time went on, it evolved into a shout from the entire crew of the main ship. Later, the shouts even affected the soldiers on several surrounding ships; finally, all the officers and soldiers of the entire navy began to join in the frenzied shouting.

"Long live the Crown Prince! Long live the Crown Prince! Long live the Crown Prince!"
Long live the Crown Prince! Long live the Crown Prince! Long live the Crown Prince!

"Long live the Crown Prince! Long live the Crown Prince! Long live the Crown Prince!" Finally, the shouts of all the soldiers gradually changed into a unified "Long live the Crown Prince!" The shouts were so awe-inspiring and moving that it seemed as if even the sky above the sea was trembling!
After a long while, the soldiers finally calmed down from their intense emotions and their mood gradually returned to calm.

"General Wang, the rest is up to you." Seeing the atmosphere calming down, Wei Jizhong showed a satisfied expression. After all, he had done a very good job boosting morale this time!

"Thank you so much, Uncle Wei!" At this moment, facing Wei Jizhong, who could control a true dragon, Wang Jinghong was filled with serious emotion. He knew that Uncle Wei, who could control a giant dragon, was absolutely the navy's next trump card! He was also His Highness the Crown Prince's most trusted confidant! Otherwise, anyone would have kept such a terrifying dragon under their own control, instead of sending it to the army!
"Signal with flags to summon all naval officers of the rank of centurion and above to the flagship for orders!" Wang Jinghong suppressed his shock and gave the order to the messenger beside him.

"Yes!" The messenger accepted the order without hesitation and left. However, judging from his excited state, he was clearly quite shaken by the appearance of the alligator dragon.

After about the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, several hundred key personnel from the navy gathered on the flagship, whispering among themselves, clearly discussing the awe-inspiring and captivating alligator dragon they had just witnessed.

"Silence!" Wang Jinghong stood on the fourth deck of the main ship, watching the naval admirals whispering among themselves on each deck, and frowned as he shouted.

"I have gathered all the officers here today to announce a few important matters."

"Firstly, by order of His Highness the Crown Prince, the Dragon Tamer Wei Jizhong and his two disciples are hereby ordered to bring His Highness's supreme true dragon to the navy. This is to strengthen the navy's overall strength and fully assist the navy in its expansion into Annam!" Wang Jinghong's first words were a bombshell. Immediately, the soldiers on the ships erupted in commotion again, as everyone was still very curious about someone who could control a true dragon.

"Wei Jizhong, along with his two apprentices, greets all the generals. I hold no official rank or position; I am merely here to assist you in your operations. I hope you will all provide guidance and instruction in the future!" Indeed, Wei Jizhong had not been assigned any military rank upon joining the navy; he had entered directly as a commoner. Therefore, he spoke very politely to everyone. After speaking, Wei Jizhong and his apprentices withdrew, thus completing their initial introduction to the naval officers and soldiers.

The naval officers and sailors on all levels of the ship stared intently at the unassuming middle-aged man before them, trying to imprint this impression on their minds. They knew that another formidable figure had indeed arrived in the navy—a man they absolutely dared not mess with!
"The second thing I'd like to announce is the land allocation plan for Yunnan's external development. This is the issue of land allocation after development that everyone is most concerned about!"

The order was that each centurion, upon returning home, must clearly explain the contents to his soldiers, and promptly inquire about any parts they did not understand.

The third matter, to be announced by Commander Xia, concerns the selection requirements for students of the Prince's Military Academy! Wang Jinghong, unconcerned about the surprise and eagerness of the crowd, simply pulled a thick document from his robes, slowly opened it, and began to read. "Regarding the Yunnan land allocation plan for external expansion..." Wang Jinghong slowed his speech as much as possible, knowing that the document contained a considerable amount of information, which might be difficult for the soldiers, whose general understanding was limited, to comprehend. Therefore, he explained it in great detail.

"Gentlemen, regarding the selection requirements for the Prince's Military Academy." After Wang Jinghong finished reading the document, he didn't give the soldiers any time to react. Instead, he immediately made way for Xia Xuan to explain the selection requirements for the academy. Xia Xuan stepped forward without hesitation and began to explain the selection process for the academy in great detail. He knew clearly that this notice in his hand was a coveted stepping stone for countless poor students, a real and tangible advantage!

Everything went very smoothly, just like in the army. After all the content was explained, the soldiers' deafening roars continued, with soldiers constantly shouting "Long live!"
The work in Annam is progressing smoothly. Land is being developed where needed, fields are being measured where needed, and soldier rosters are being compiled where needed. Everything is moving forward in an orderly manner.

Meanwhile, in Yunnan, Zhu Zhanhe was extremely busy. Today, he was once again grabbed by his father-in-law Xia Yuanji, Mu Sheng, and several newly appointed vice ministers, and cornered in Chengyun Hall.

"Greetings, Your Highness!" Still in the Chengyun Hall, several key officials, led by Xia Yuanji, bowed respectfully to Zhu Zhanhe.

"No need for formalities. Gentlemen, let's get straight to the point. Don't bother with these empty formalities." Zhu Zhanhe was getting a headache just looking at this minister under his command. He had promised his wife, Xia, that he would accompany her to the garden at noon today, but now it seemed there was no chance at all. Zhu Zhanhe could only roll his eyes helplessly and silently complain in his heart.

“Your Highness, etiquette must not be disregarded.” Upon hearing Zhu Zhanhe’s words, Song Zhegui, the Vice Minister of Rites, stepped forward and respectfully corrected Zhu Zhanhe.

"Vice Minister Song is right; it was I who was presumptuous." Looking at the stern Song Zhegui, Zhu Zhanhe was already regretting appointing him as Vice Minister of Rites. This man was quite capable, but most importantly, he kept nitpicking at Zhu Zhanhe's shortcomings, demanding he correct his mistakes. It was driving Zhu Zhanhe crazy. "I'm your boss, you know! Why are you nitpicking me every day?!"
"Your Highness, the Embroidered Uniform Guard, the military, and the scholars who have gone to Annam have begun to survey the fields in the occupied areas. Thanks to the close cooperation of the military, things are progressing very smoothly. It is expected that in another ten days or so, we will be able to compile a list of the fields in Anzhou Prefecture." Xia Yuanji, seeing his son-in-law rolling his eyes, quickly stepped forward to give a work report, and immediately began to report on important matters, which effectively shut Song Zhegui up.

However, what alarmed Xia Yuanji most was the sheer thoroughness of the purge of various factions in Annam carried out by Hu Tian and the military! Or rather, it was a ruthless and complete purge. Otherwise, the land survey in Yunnan wouldn't have progressed so smoothly!
"Oh, it seems Hu Tian and his men are quite diligent! Tell Hu Tian to minimize the losses suffered by the people!" Zhu Zhanhe, after hearing his father-in-law's report, knew that Hu Tian and his men had thoroughly eradicated the local Annamese forces in the occupied areas! However, he still reminded Hu Tian not to harm the common people. In Zhu Zhanhe's eyes, the people were the most valuable people!

"Yes!" Hearing his son-in-law's words, Xia Yuanji's heart skipped a beat. He knew that his son-in-law didn't care about the power structure of Annam, after all, they had almost been wiped out by his son-in-law! What his son-in-law cared about most was the common people he could actually control in the future, yet who posed no threat to him! What an emperor's mindset! Xia Yuanji couldn't help but sigh inwardly.

"The matter of the Yunnan ocean-going merchant fleet has been discussed with officials in Guangdong and Guangxi, and they have no objections. It is currently under construction. However, after the construction is completed, we still need to find a candidate for the management official." Xia Yuanji once again brought up the important matter that his son-in-law was concerned about.

(End of this chapter)