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

Chapter 372 Zhu Zhanhe's Attitude Towards the Island
With the added advantage of land distribution, Zhu Zhanhe believed that even if the soldiers were not paid for several months, there would be no problems in the army.

However, Zhu Zhanhe was truly eyeing the gold and silver mines of those four islands! Moreover, that godforsaken place even had readily available miners! How could such a temptation not entice Zhu Zhanhe?!

Therefore, Zhu Zhanhe must acquire that place as soon as possible! Besides, his younger siblings are all of marriageable age, and the expenses in the Prince's Mansion are too high! That damned place will fill the gap in the Prince's Mansion's finances!
Although Zhu Zhanhe disliked the area with its four islands, it didn't stop him from allocating those islands to one or two of his younger brothers as fiefdoms.

However, after hearing Zhu Zhanhe's words, Zhu Gaoxu's eyes behind the mask became strange. After all, they hadn't even set foot on the Ryukyu Islands yet, and this brat had already arranged the future of the people on those islands? And he even used such ruthless methods?! The Iron-Faced General Zhu Gaoxu muttered to himself in disbelief.

After all, judging from Zhu Zhanhe's arrangements, it can be said that he has basically made clear the plans for the people of that four-island region! It can be said that, apart from women of marriageable age, the rest of them are essentially being used as mining materials! Such methods are undeniably ruthless!

"Aren't you recruiting auxiliary soldiers or songstresses on that island?"
"Or do you not like the people on that island?" Upon hearing his son's murderous words, Zhu Gaoxu, who was wearing a mask, couldn't help but twitch his lips.

Although Zhu Zhanhe spoke casually, Zhu Gaoxu sensed a deep sense of impending death in his son's tone.

Because Zhu Gaoxu knew that his son's few simple words had already sealed the fate of the people of that island nation! The wrath of a king can bring about countless deaths! This is the immense power wielded by those in power!
Zhu Gaoxu could even imagine the tragic fate of the foreign tribes on that island in the future! This was not because Zhu Gaoxu pitied those foreign tribes, but simply because he lamented the power of those in power!

However, Zhu Zhanhe quickly provided an answer to the Iron-Faced General's sudden question.

"Of course I like it, how could I not?"
What I like most are the people on the island!

I like them the most when they can mine, forge iron, and grow crops for my palace!
As for auxiliary soldiers, of course we'll have to choose from among them! However, there probably aren't any good auxiliary soldiers on that island. We'll just have to select some suitable ones through a competition. As for the rest, they can all go mining!
"Even, it's not impossible to select a few singing girls from among them to serve in the Prince's mansion." Faced with his father's sudden question, Zhu Zhanhe quickly denied it. After all, although he also wanted to kill all those lackeys, he could also utilize those who could create value for him!

Besides, he'd heard the women there were quite attractive! Zhu Zhanhe, who had lived two lives, hadn't experienced it yet! He was planning to find an opportunity to make up for this regret!

To be honest, Zhu Zhanhe's explanation was utterly unconvincing. The Iron-Faced General rolled his eyes in exasperation and silently accepted Zhu Zhanhe's absurd explanation.

"Alright, since you put it that way, then after the New Year, I'll take Wang Jinghong to Japan first and pacify it."

"Back home, let the Xia family's son lead an army on his own to test his skills." Upon hearing his son's arrangement, the Iron-Faced General Zhu Gaoxu offered no objections, but rather immediately gave his support. After all, his son was now the Prince of Han! Moreover, his son's actions were perfectly reasonable!
"Occupying Japan is easy. Even if the navy is split in two, Japan's weak military force cannot resist. The key issue now is, after the occupation, who will be sent by the Prince's Palace to guard Japan? That's the real question!" Seeing that the important matters were over, Zhu Zhanhe then shifted the topic to family affairs.

It has to be said that at this very moment, Zhu Zhan is already planning the issue of granting territories to his younger brothers in the future!
"Who from your family do you want to send over?" Upon hearing his son's question, the iron-faced General Zhu Gaoxu immediately understood the meaning behind his son's words. He knew that his son wanted to settle his family members on the occupied island! Instead of making a decision for his son immediately, Zhu Gaoxu first asked for his opinion.

Because Zhu Gaochi's thinking is now very simple: his son is the Prince of Han, and he is merely a supporting general. As long as his son's thoughts and actions are not wrong, he will definitely support him firmly! Because his son deserves it!
"I haven't decided yet."

However, my son is thinking that perhaps we can start planning ahead for the Han Prince's Mansion's "Spark Plan"!
Now, Zhanqi is fifteen years old and has been training in the army for a year. He has performed quite well and has reached the age where he should get engaged.

After the New Year, Zhan'an will be fifteen years old. It's time to let him join the army and also to think about his engagement.
These two younger brothers are both very good;
My idea is to either treat this island as a fiefdom and grant it to one or two of my younger brothers;
"Since the court won't grant titles to the descendants of the Prince of Han, then I'll bestow them myself!" Zhu Zhanhe exclaimed, his voice brimming with heroic spirit. This left the iron-faced Zhu Gaoxu, who stood beside him, momentarily stunned.

Looking at his towering, spirited son before him, Zhu Gaoxu clenched his fists so tightly that his nails dug deep into his palms. He felt a pang of self-loathing for his own powerlessness!
"And your second idea?" Since it was only a preliminary idea, Zhu Gaoxu knew his son would have other thoughts. He understood his son; his son never had only one way of solving difficult problems!

"There are quite a few sisters in the Prince's mansion, and my son wants to enfeoff them on some small islands."

"My eldest sister is already engaged to the Mu family and her wedding is approaching. This small island will serve as part of her dowry from the Prince's mansion." After much thought, Zhu Zhanhe voiced his other idea. He planned to grant his sisters fiefdoms as well! Even if it was just a small island, it would still be a real fiefdom! Very respectable!

"The islands over there in Japan are quite large!" Upon hearing his son's words, Zhu Gaoxu's eyes widened in astonishment. He hadn't expected his son, his heir, to have such a magnanimous heart! He was even willing to grant real fiefdoms to his sisters in the Prince's Palace! Even if it was just a small island, it was still a real fiefdom, an immense favor!
Don't you see, even the princesses of the imperial court only have nominal titles and fiefdoms without real power?!

Zhu Gaochi immediately expressed his opinion, saying that the four islands of Japan were still too large and not suitable to be granted to his daughter as part of her dowry! In other words, Zhu Gaochi still wanted to reserve the islands for his son and grandson!
Zhu Zhanhe did not refute the Iron-Faced General's words, but continued to speak.

"There are eight younger sisters in the Prince's mansion. In total, it's just a matter of eight small islands."

Furthermore, the islands belonging to the younger sisters can only be inherited, not expanded. This way, even if the sisters marry out, it will help strengthen their connections. Zhu Zhanhe's idea was simple: the islands given to the younger sisters could only be inherited by their descendants! If the younger sisters had no descendants, the islands would be taken back!
This arrangement means that of the islands Zhu Zhanhe allocated to his sisters, only one of their descendants can inherit the title of island lord. Therefore, assuming they aren't foolish, their other offspring will certainly be sent to the Prince's residence and fully support all its actions! A win-win situation!
(End of this chapter)