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

Chapter 373 Urging the Childbirth of a Baby!
"Only those with royal blood can inherit the island!"

Moreover, I want to personally inspect each of those islands granted to them.” In the end, Zhu Gaochi silently agreed with his son’s statement, agreeing to bestow small islands as dowries upon his unmarried daughters!

The reason Zhu Gaochi changed his mind and agreed to grant his daughters the islands as fiefdoms was not because he had suddenly become enlightened. Rather, it was because he saw in his son's actions a method to strengthen internal ties within the Han Prince's Mansion and consolidate its rule in the future!

In other words, to put it more clearly, Zhu Gaochi wanted to use the islands he granted to his daughters to have their descendants help his son's descendants conquer and defend the country! This is also why Zhu Gaochi said that the person who inherits the island must have royal blood!

After all, in Zhu Gaochi's view, no matter what, it's always the family that he feels most at ease using their own products! Even if the descendants of the Prince of Han's mansion cause turmoil due to internal problems, it's just as his son said: the meat will always rot in the pot! It won't benefit outsiders!
Even so, in order to prevent his son from being extravagant and giving his unmarried sisters too large an island as part of their dowry, Zhu Gaoxu had no choice but to personally step in and check the islands that his son would give to his sisters as part of their dowry!
After all, in Zhu Gaochi's view, practical things like islands should be distributed to his sons who have the ability to explore the outside world!
Zhu Zhanhe was unaware of his father's thoughts. If Zhu Zhanhe knew his father's intentions, he might directly declare that his father had underestimated the abilities of women!

"He'er, you are now a prince of the Prince's Mansion. Which of your younger brothers will you assign the island to? It's up to you." After much deliberation, Zhu Gaoxu ultimately left the decision to his son. However, judging from the implication in Zhu Gaoxu's words, it was clear he was telling his son that the island could only be given to him, not to his daughters!
"Okay." Seeing his father's clear stance, Zhu Zhanhe had no choice but to nod in agreement.

"He'er, you are a prince now, and you have a legitimate eldest son."

You should talk to your wife and also tell your other concubines to give birth to children so that your bloodline can continue. That's the important thing!
I know that you've always cared about your younger siblings since you were little.

But now, you are not only their eldest brother, you are also the head of the Prince's Mansion!

Therefore, you must properly pass on your own bloodline and spread it widely! Finally, Zhu Gaoxu spoke his mind. These words were truly from the bottom of his heart.

After all, in ancient times, the status of the eldest son of the principal wife was unquestionable. In fact, if the eldest son died unexpectedly, his parents would have to wear mourning clothes and observe a period of mourning! This demonstrates the extremely high status of the eldest son of the principal wife!

In Zhu Gaochi's mind, or rather, in the understanding of most people in ancient times, the eldest son was the only true son! Other sons were merely foils to the eldest son, or even resources for him! Only when there was no eldest son would a suitable son be chosen from among the other heirs and groomed as the heir. The aforementioned procedures would then be repeated to ensure the legitimacy of the succession.
From Zhu Gaochi's conversation just now, it's clear that he too is a staunch defender of this feudal mindset! Everything he has belongs to his eldest son! Other sons may receive some things, but absolutely none of them can threaten his status and interests as the eldest son!
Zhu Zhanhe was not surprised by his father's urging him to have more children. So, he readily agreed.

"Father, please don't worry. The reason why Madam Xia arranged for the two girls from the Mu family to come to Annam is for this matter."

Furthermore, whichever of the two Mu family daughters gives birth to a child first will be recognized by Madam Xia and made a concubine.

Meanwhile, the selection of concubines is already underway in Annam. At that time, his son will select one or two women to serve as concubines. Hearing his father's words, Zhu Zhanhe knew that his father was urging him to have a child quickly. At the same time, his father also had some minor complaints about Xia Shi. Seeing this, Zhu Zhanhe quickly spoke up to explain, essentially defending his wife.

"That's good. However, the selection of a bride for Annam must be expedited!"
Even for the sake of stabilizing the situation in Annam, the selection of consorts should be expedited. Furthermore, ensuring they bear children is the best option! Hearing his son say that arrangements had been made, Zhu Gaoxu nodded in satisfaction. However, just in case, he still urged his son to expedite the selection process for Annam's consorts.

Furthermore, Zhu Gaoxu reminded him that the concubines Zhu Zhanhe had chosen in Annam must bear him children. After all, as the Prince of Han, he was well aware of the shady dealings within the inner quarters!

After all, only when the concubines of Annam bear children will the Annamite clans have a backbone! This is a common tactic used by the royal family! And it has never failed!

"The selection process in Annan has been arranged."

When returning to Yunnan before the New Year, the selected young ladies would be taken back with them to be taught by the matrons of the Prince's residence. Seeing that his father continued to press on this matter, Zhu Zhanhe had no choice but to continue explaining.

"After the true dragon entered your body, your power became immense! Everyone is afraid of you! This is a normal phenomenon!"

But at the same time, now is also the time when your body is at its best. That's when Xia got pregnant with Yu'er.

In the future, you should also try to favor your wives during this period. Only in this way will your offspring be able to absorb as much of your dragon energy as possible!
"You'll have to put more effort into this yourself!" Zhu Gaoxu muttered impatiently until he saw his son roll his eyes, then he shut his mouth in resignation and silently left the room, leaving Zhu Zhanhe alone in the room, lost in thought.

In truth, in Zhu Gaoxu's heart, although the so-called "Fire Seed Project" was based on his own bloodline, what he valued most was still his son's true dragon bloodline! That was what he valued most!
Zhu Gaochi's ideal plan for the "seedling" of the dragon was to be implemented through his grandsons who possessed the blood of the true dragon! His sons were merely supporting characters!

Therefore, Zhu Gaoxu always felt that the foundation of everything in the Prince of Han's Mansion must be that Zhu Zhanhe has enough bloodline successors!

After all, in Zhu Gaochi's view, even if his son lived to be 120 years old, his son still had too few offspring! If there weren't enough descendants, how many people would truly inherit his son's dragon bloodline a hundred years from now?!
Someone must truly inherit He'er's bloodline! Inherit the bloodline of the true dragon! Even better, the best outcome would be to give birth to a child like He'er, who has the true dragon integrated into his body!

Zhu Gaoxu didn't want to see He'er's descendants only able to control the alligator dragon! After all, if the bloodline of the second generation of the Han Prince's mansion could only control the alligator dragon and not integrate it into their bodies, what about the third generation? The fourth generation? Would they still be able to control the alligator dragon? This made Zhu Gaoxu suspicious!
Such an outcome was unacceptable to Zhu Gaochi! In fact, Zhu Gaochi was unwilling to gamble on such a probabilistic event!
Therefore, Zhu Gaochi had to do everything in his power to ensure his beloved son had as many children as possible! Even children born to concubines or maids, as long as they could fuse with the dragon, Zhu Gaochi would disregard his reputation and elevate such children to the position of heir apparent!

Even if it causes internal division within the Prince of Han's residence, Zhu Gaoxu is willing to do it!

(End of this chapter)