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

Chapter 390 Winter of the Ninth Year of Xuande
In recent years, Zhu Zhanhe had noticed that Huang Zhong was diligent in his work and obedient. Therefore, after careful consideration, Zhu Zhanhe promoted Huang Zhong from a mere Vice Minister of Rites in Annam Prefecture to the last of the three members of the Grand Secretariat, the Second Grand Secretary! Of course, Zhu Zhanhe's actions were also a tactic to win over the hearts and minds of the non-Han people!
After all, the appearance of a high-ranking official from a foreign ethnic group in the core decision-making group of the Prince of Han's mansion will undoubtedly bring endless hope for advancement and promotion to countless foreign ethnic groups within Zhu Zhanhe's sphere of influence!
Just like the old Taoist priest Zhang Zhengheng adopted Yansheng by the sea.

Back then, that small fisherman by the sea is now one of the ten chief priests of Taoism in the entire Indochina Peninsula! Yan Sheng oversees all the Taoist temples in the entire Indochina Peninsula! And he does his best to train countless Taoists in Annam and even the entire Indochina Peninsula, so that they can accompany the Han Prince's army to expand and spread Taoism in all directions!
Like Huang Zhong, Yan Sheng and Huang Zhong are now the goal and hope of countless people in the Indochina Peninsula!

"I will obey Your Highness's decree!" Huang Zhong knew in his heart that he didn't have much ability. Therefore, Huang Zhong tried his best to do his best in every task assigned by the prince! He used every method and means to do his best!
Finally, heaven rewards those who persevere! Now, he, Huang Zhong, has risen from a minor interpreter in the barbarian kingdom of Annam to become one of the three chief officials of the Han King's cabinet, ruling over a vast territory and a population of tens of millions! He occupies an absolute core position of power within the Han King's court!
He is truly second only to the emperor, above all others!
"In recent years, the yield of new grain crops cultivated in the Prince's Palace has also been quite good."

Here's what we'll do: give the order to pack several boxes of high-yield seeds such as potatoes, sweet potatoes, and corn.

"I'm taking this to Beijing as a gift for the Xuande Emperor." Zhu Zhanhe wasn't surprised after learning about the latest developments in the Prince's residence.

However, after some thought, Zhu Zhanhe decided that since he was going to meet the Xuande Emperor, whom he hadn't seen for many years, he should bring some gifts. Therefore, Zhu Zhanhe ordered that some high-yield crops he had been searching for and cultivating for many years be packed into a container and delivered to the soon-to-be-deceased Xuande Emperor!
This can be seen as Zhu Zhanhe showing off to the Xuande Emperor!
"Yes!" Xia Yuanji and the others were not surprised by Zhu Zhanhe's arrangements. After all, their Han Prince's Mansion had acquired countless grain and vegetable seeds over the years through trade, expansion, and other means!
And after many years of experimentation and cultivation.

Now, Xia Yuanji can proudly announce to the whole world: all the people under the rule of the Prince of Han's Mansion will no longer starve to death!

Xia Yuanji even remembered the first time he personally harvested potatoes, and how he was stunned by the thousands of kilograms of potatoes he had harvested, such an astonishing yield.

It can be said that based solely on grain production, countless civil and military officials in the Han Prince's Palace proposed that the Han Prince declare himself emperor!

After all, such achievements could make him a ruler for all ages! However, all their suggestions were politely declined by the Prince of Han, with the reason always being that the timing was not right! This left Xia Yuanji and the others helpless!
Therefore, in the eyes of all the people and officials under the rule of the Prince of Han, their Prince Han is a reincarnation of a true dragon! A celestial being descended to earth! A reincarnation of the Daoist patriarch! A living Buddha incarnate!

It could even be described as a fragrance filling every household!

"The imperial palaces in Indochina and India should be completed as soon as possible!"
"Who knows, I might move in with my whole family sometime!" Zhu Zhanhe adopted a more relaxed tone, jokingly stating his requirements for the construction progress of the palace.

"Your Highness!" Upon hearing Zhu Zhanhe's words, Xia Yuanji and Mu Sheng couldn't help but look nervous! They weren't fools. From their prince's various actions over the years, Xia Yuanji and Mu Sheng could tell that their prince was probably really going to give up the three prefectures of Yunnan and Guangdong!

Therefore, Xia Yuanji and Mu Sheng wanted to offer some advice, but after opening their mouths, they didn't know how to persuade him.

"Hey~!"

In Yunnan, nominally, we are still vassals of the Ming Dynasty.

Over the years, the Prince's Mansion has also developed considerably with the help of the resources of the Ming Dynasty.

"This time, when I meet with the Xuande Emperor, I will take the opportunity to return the three prefectures of Yunnan and Guangdong!" Zhu Zhanhe could see the anxious expressions on his father-in-law and Mu Sheng's faces, and he knew that his father-in-law and Mu Sheng were reluctant to return the three prefectures to the court. However, Zhu Zhanhe still firmly stated his thoughts.

Hearing Zhu Zhanhe clearly state his thoughts, Xia Yuanji and Mu Sheng became even more anxious and were about to offer some advice. However, seeing their father-in-law and Mu Sheng about to speak again, Zhu Zhanhe directly raised his hand to stop them, silencing their words. "The location of Sindhu is quite good, and the river there is excellent."

Message to all armies:
From this day forward, all prisoners of war who are stubbornly resisting and all rebel forces that need to be eliminated shall be sent to repair the great river in India!
Tell Hu Tian and Qian Zhongcai to speed up the battle. I want the entire area along that river to be under my control!
Minister Xia is a water conservancy expert. Why don't you take a look and design that great river, preferably one that runs through the entire territory of India?

When will that great river be repaired and navigable throughout the entire area?
The palace in India has also been completed;

"I will ascend the throne and become emperor right here in India!" After raising his hand to stop his father-in-law and Mu Sheng from saying the words of persuasion that were about to come out, Zhu Zhanhe dropped a bombshell without hesitation!
In an instant, Zhu Zhanhe's bombshell announcement stunned Xia Yuanji, Mu Sheng, and even Huang Zhong and Zhu Qiyu, leaving them speechless.

This was the first time Zhu Zhanhe had revealed his intention to become emperor!
Previously, countless civil and military officials, including Xia Yuanji, had tried every means to persuade Zhu Zhanhe to become emperor, but Zhu Zhanhe refused for various reasons.

So this time, when Xia Yuanji and Mu Sheng heard Zhu Zhanhe's words, they stared at him in disbelief, their eyes overflowing with joy! Xia Yuanji and Mu Sheng even blushed, their bodies trembling with excitement!

At this moment, Xia Yuanji and the others couldn't bother to persuade their prince not to give up the three prefectures of Guangdong and Guangxi and Yunnan! After all, those three prefectures were nothing compared to the important matter of their prince ascending the throne and becoming emperor!
Immediately, Xia Yuanji, Mu Sheng, Huang Zhong, and the others exchanged glances, about to speak. However, before they could speak, Zhu Zhanhe interrupted them again and began to urge them to leave.

"Okay~".

After a day or two, I will set off for Beijing.

"Gentlemen, go and convey my latest instructions, and then prepare for your journey to Beijing." Zhu Zhanhe also knew how astonishing his words about ascending the throne were!

Now that he had finished speaking about his own affairs, and his cabinet ministers were about to elaborate on his ascension to the throne, Zhu Zhanhe chose to speak before his father-in-law and his ministers could begin, quickly waving his hand to indicate that they could leave.

"We take our leave!" Xia Yuanji and the others hadn't even uttered a single word of their excited farewell when their lord began to usher them out. Their faces flushed with excitement, Xia Yuanji and the others could only open their mouths, then, seeing Zhu Zhanhe waving his hand, retreated in frustration.

After exiting the Chengyun Hall, Xia Yuanji finally let out a long sigh of relief. Then, turning his head, he saw Mu Sheng and Huang Zhong, both equally excited. Clearly, from their excited expressions, Zhu Zhanhe knew that they also had something to say.

"You two~!"

Since the prince has now set his mind on something ambitious...

"Then we will give our full support!" Xia Yuanji said to Mu Sheng and Huang Zhong with a serious expression.

(End of this chapter)