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

Chapter 435 Dependent Lands 2
"Your subject obeys the decree!" Faced with Emperor Longwu suddenly entrusting him with the entire responsibility of the expedition to Korea, Mu Sheng was startled, and his bad premonition grew stronger. However, even though Mu Sheng was shaken, he still respectfully bowed and accepted the decree.

"Elder Mu!" Zhu Zhanhe then called out to Mu Sheng again.

"Your subject is here!" Mu Sheng quickly bowed again, responding to Emperor Longwu's call.

"The second and third sons are, after all, your grandsons."

They've both reached the age where they should get married. As their grandfather, you should also take care of your two grandsons' marriages.

"If we can arrange a marriage for them as soon as possible, and stabilize their minds, the battles in Korea can also give them some experience!" Zhu Zhanhe abruptly changed the subject. And as soon as Zhu Zhanhe said this, the room fell silent.

Zhu Gaoxu wore an expression that said, "I knew it!" He had vaguely guessed his son's thoughts even before Mu Sheng entered the Taihe Hall. Now, it was confirmed—he was right!

Zhu Qiyu, standing with his brothers, was also shocked. He knew that his father's actions might be the same as his own thoughts!
At this moment, only the brothers Zhu Qihao and Zhu Qihui were in the Hall of Supreme Harmony, their faces full of excitement.

"Your Majesty, how can the marriage of royal offspring be arranged?" Upon hearing Emperor Longwu's words, Mu Sheng knew that his two grandsons had no right to inherit the throne of the Dragon Kingdom!
Furthermore, Emperor Longwu was clearly planning to enfeoff Zhu Qihao and Zhu Qihui on that island in Korea! Although somewhat disappointed, Mu Sheng remained clear-headed. He knew that the marriage of a prince should not be controlled by others! Therefore, Mu Sheng quickly offered to decline the offer.

However, it's clear that Emperor Longwu, Zhu Zhanhe, didn't think that way! Zhu Zhanhe intended to use the Mu family to secure fiefdoms for his two sons! Then, he would let the Mu family continue to govern those fiefdoms for his sons! Making the most of their resources! At the same time, Zhu Zhanhe also harbored the idea of ​​weakening the Mu family's influence in the court and adding new blood to the army!

Therefore, Zhu Zhanhe interrupted Mu Sheng's refusal.

"Your Excellency Mu is mistaken."

Although the second and third princes are my princes, they are also the grandsons of the Mu family!

As a grandfather, it's only natural for you to help your grandson choose a wife.

Besides, I've been busy with state affairs all these years, and my second and third sons are almost eighteen, yet I haven't been able to arrange marriages for them. It's my mistake!
"This matter, Elder Mu, need not refuse; let's settle it here." Zhu Zhanhe directly interrupted Mu Sheng's refusal and placed the responsibility of arranging marriages for his two sons directly on Mu Sheng's shoulders! Or rather, on the shoulders of the entire Mu family!
"Your subject obeys the decree!" Seeing that he couldn't avoid it, Mu Sheng had no choice but to resign himself to his fate and agree.

"Your sons thank Your Majesty for your great kindness!" At this moment, Zhu Qihao and Zhu Qihui were unaware of what they had lost. Only at their maternal grandfather's prompting did they quickly express their gratitude to their father.

"Grand Secretary Mu, my two princes cannot go to Korea for training for nothing."

I've heard that the Jurchen lands, which are connected to Korea, are also vast. After stabilizing Korea, my sons can try to expand outwards like I have!

"After all, my sons are not those incompetent and mediocre ones!" Looking at his still somewhat bewildered second and third sons, Zhu Zhanhe stood up, pointed to the geomantic map behind him, and encouraged them.

"Please rest assured, Father, your sons will never fail your expectations!" Looking at the vast Jurchen land connected to the Korean Peninsula on the map, the young Zhu Qihao and Zhu Qihui's eyes turned red!
They are the sons of Emperor Longwu! They will inherit Emperor Longwu's responsibility to expand the territory! They will surely conquer the world and ascend to the throne!

"Go on!" After giving his instructions, Zhu Zhanhe waved for Mu Sheng and his two sons to leave.

"Your Majesty, I take my leave!" "Your Majesty, I take my leave!" Immediately, Zhu Qihao and Zhu Qihui, their faces full of excitement, followed their maternal grandfather and turned away with great pride.

A moment later, in the Hall of Supreme Harmony, only Emperor Longwu Zhu Zhanhe, Zhu Gaoxu, and the eldest prince Zhu Qiyu remained, seated on the high throne.

"Father, do you have any objections to the posthumous title of our second brother?" Watching Mu Sheng leave with his two grandsons, Zhu Zhanhe turned his head and looked at his father, Zhu Gaoxu, and asked softly about the posthumous title of his second brother.

"Renwu~!"

"King Renwu!" After a long silence, Zhu Gaochi personally drafted the posthumous title of King Renwu for his son Zhu Zhanqi!

"Alright! Yu'er, write it down and send it to the cabinet later." Zhu Zhanhe was not surprised that his father gave his second brother the posthumous title of Renwu.

After all, my second brother was indeed kind to the local people in the Ryukyu Islands. He not only reduced taxes but also brought some high-yield grain seeds with him, so calling him benevolent is not an exaggeration; and since he died in battle, calling him a warrior is also fitting.

"He'er, do you want to take down the Mu family?" After staring at his son for a moment, Zhu Gaoxu couldn't help but ask. After all, Zhu Gaoxu could see that after sending his second and third grandsons to Korea, those two little guys definitely wouldn't be able to hold out in the short term!
As the maternal family of the second and third sons, the Mu family would definitely give their full support to the two boys in building their fiefdoms, no matter what!

Furthermore, Zhu Zhanhe promised to allow his second and third sons to explore the undeveloped Jurchen lands! Given the youthful spirit, they would be irresistible to such a huge temptation! And for the safety of their two grandsons, the Mu family would certainly continue to exert considerable effort!

With this series of actions, Zhu Gaoxu knew that the Mu family's influence in the court would be severely affected! Furthermore, this move would even influence the Mu family's future strategic orientation within the Dragon Kingdom's court!

At this moment, even Zhu Qiyu stared at his father Zhu Zhanhe in shock, wanting to know his father's true thoughts!
"This time, the goal is not to eliminate the Mu family, but to weaken their influence and power in the court and even the military! And to make room for the upcoming new military generals."

Now, the soldiers are eager for battle, and it's time to give the troops a fresh start! Otherwise, some of the generals in the army might start having their own ulterior motives.

Moreover, the second and third sons are of marriageable age and will soon be granted the title of king, so now is the perfect opportunity.

Furthermore, North Korea is a good place, as it is adjacent to Ryukyu and they can support each other in the future.
Outside of Korea lies the vast, undeveloped land of the Jurchen people.

This is also an opportunity to find a good home for the second and third sons. Zhu Zhanhe's decision to send the second and third sons to Korea was truly a spur-of-the-moment thing.

Previously, Zhu Zhanhe had been pondering where to send his second and third sons to maximize their impact. The appearance of North Korea now provided Zhu Zhanhe with a suitable opportunity and justification!
"That brat, the second brother, couldn't clean up the internal affairs properly, so he was eager to expand outwards. Now look what happened, he ended up dead!"

"How can I explain this to his mother?!" Seeing that Zhu Zhanhe had already considered the issue of fiefdoms for his two younger sons, Zhu Gaoxu couldn't help but criticize his deceased son, Zhu Zhanqi.

Zhu Zhanhe consciously remained silent in response to his father Zhu Gaoxu's topic. Seeing that his son was ignoring him, Zhu Gaoxu could only glance at his son with a hint of regret and disappointment before falling silent again.

"Although the Ryukyu Islands are an island region, if managed well, it is a place where ancestral temples can be established again!"
"Second brother, you seem a bit impatient this time." Zhu Zhanhe also looked sighing after hearing his father Zhu Gaoxu's sigh.

(End of this chapter)