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

Chapter 436 Inheritance and Fiefdom

In Zhu Zhanhe's view, his second brother Zhu Zhanqi was still impatient!

If my second brother could have a few more years to consolidate the entire Ryukyu Islands, then there would be no worries about the rear. At that time, with the advanced firearms of the Dragon Kingdom, defeating Korea would be more than enough.

After all, even the smallest rebellion can cause considerable turmoil in the Ryukyu Islands! Those small, sparsely populated countries fear power more than morality! Good internal control within their fiefdoms is fundamental! Unfortunately, in the end, my second brother became arrogant!
This time, Zhu Zhanhe could only say that his second brother was too impatient, which was a real pity!
"Not only the second brother, but all your other brothers, the vassal territories you granted them, weren't they all larger than my original Yunnan fiefdom?!"

"None of them have ever suffered hardship, they just can't stand it!" Zhu Gaoxu sighed with regret and disappointment at the death of his second son.
After all, throughout history, Zhu Gaochi had never seen a case where his eldest son granted his younger brothers such large fiefdoms!

Some of the fiefdoms that were granted out were so painful for Zhu Gaochi himself to see!

Any one of those fiefdoms, if managed well, could easily establish an ancestral temple and ensure the continuation of a dynasty for centuries! But the second son, Zhu Zhanqi, was a disappointment; he ruined his own life and even died! What a useless son! Zhu Gaoxu grumbled inwardly to his deceased son.

Although Zhu Gaochi also loved his second son, he had no choice but to accept the reality of the situation. Furthermore, Zhu Gaochi couldn't remain immersed in grief; he still had to continue contributing to the strength of the Dragon Kingdom!

"What about the area around Poros? What are you going to do with it?!" After lamenting the death of his second son, Zhu Zhanqi, due to his recklessness, Zhu Gaoxu asked the most crucial question: what should be done with that large island region in Australia?

After all, that island in Australia is still under construction even now!
However, since Australia is too far from Hanting and the area is too large, various construction projects are really difficult to carry out!
Even now, four years into the Longwu era, that vast island is still under construction!
Zhu Gaoxu could even foresee that while his son, Emperor Longwu, was on the throne, it would be fine with him keeping order in the court. But once Emperor Longwu was gone, his grandson might not be able to control this vast territory at all! That place, Poros, would definitely find an opportunity to break away from the Dragon Kingdom and become independent!
After hearing his father Zhu Gaochi's words, Emperor Longwu Zhu Zhanji naturally knew what his father was worried about. However, at this moment, he really didn't have any good solutions that would achieve multiple goals at once!
"Sigh~!" Zhu Zhanhe turned his head slightly and glanced at his eldest son, Zhu Qiyu, who was bowing his head and remaining silent, before letting out a soft sigh.

But in the end, Emperor Longwu Zhu Zhanhe decided to tell the truth and express his thoughts.

“Father, I was thinking that if one of my concubines were to give birth to a child who could fully inherit the bloodline of the alligator dragon, I would then leave the place of Varos as a fief for Yu’er.”

"At that time, I will pass the throne to someone else, and then I will directly enfeoff Yu'er in Polos." Zhu Zhanhe said with a sigh, amidst the horrified gazes of Zhu Gaoxu and Zhu Qiyu.

Hearing his son's words, Zhu Gaoxu opened his mouth but said nothing. After all, up to this point, he shared the same thoughts as his son!

Ignoring his son's horrified expression, Zhu Zhanhe continued speaking.

“The land of Varos is vast, and its territory is comparable to the entire Dragon Kingdom.”
It is also rich in minerals and has fertile land; it is truly a land chosen by heaven. If developed well, it will surely become a land of abundance, and its legacy will last for thousands of years.

But now it seems I was overthinking things!

That place has become a burden on the Dragon Kingdom. Zhu Zhanhe shook his head with a sigh, his face full of lament.

To be honest, Zhu Zhanhe had also fantasized that his dragon could be passed down to future generations, protecting the Dragon Kingdom's foundation for ten thousand years! But reality was so cruel. Even though Zhu Zhanhe was full of energy and had different wives and concubines every day, not a single child could carry on his complete bloodline!
This made Zhu Zhanhe, even while in the Corpse King's Palace, realize that such a thing was impossible. Although he continued to pursue his dreams with his wives and concubines, he devoted himself even more diligently to cultivating his offspring. He even had Zhu Qiyu participate in political affairs at a young age to gain experience! Now, although Zhu Qiyu did not have the title of Crown Prince, he already had the responsibilities of one. Even the Crown Prince's residence, with its three tutors, three junior tutors, six bureaus, twelve departments, the Court of Imperial Sacrifices, the Guest Household, the Imperial Tutor, and the Imperial Attendants, was fully staffed!
This is one of the reasons why Zhu Zhanhe never established a crown prince, yet there were no objections in the court!

"Your son has disappointed you, Father." Upon hearing his father Zhu Zhanhe's words, Zhu Qiyu's eyes reddened, and he knelt directly before Zhu Zhanhe.

After all, Zhu Qiyu was also suffering in silence! He was older than his younger brothers and had monopolized the alligator dragon for ten years! However, to date, he could only command the alligator dragon to move, but could not allow it to enter his body, and there was not even the slightest sign of it entering his body!

Although this result put him ahead of his brothers by many years, the fact that he couldn't be as harmonious with the alligator as his father was still a source of dissatisfaction for most.
After all, he was already over twenty, married, and had children. He knew very well that he had everything except the title of crown prince! You could say he was already the emperor in the making!
Now, Zhu Qiyu heard his father worrying about his future and opening up such a large area of ​​land! But now, that land has become a burden, and Zhu Qiyu was filled with shame!
In fact, Zhu Qiyu was also very clear that if one day his father really gave birth to an offspring who could perfectly inherit the bloodline of the alligator dragon, he would have no right to inherit the throne!
However, now, after hearing his father's deep love for him, he hopes that his father can truly have an heir who can perfectly inherit the bloodline of the alligator dragon!

"Sigh~!" Zhu Gaoxu sighed silently after hearing his son's words.

"Yu'er, get up."

Dad doesn't blame you.

I'll leave that place, Varos, to you, Father.
You are already married and have your own children, and you will have even more children in the future.

Father doesn't ask for much; all I ask is that your offspring can perfectly inherit your talents.
Who knows, one of your offspring might gain the approval of the alligator dragon in the future!

While Father is still alive, I will help you build up the land of Varosa as well as possible;

In the future, if your father is no longer here, you must take advantage of his remaining prestige and manage the land of Varosa well.

"Bolos is the last way out that Father Emperor left for your lineage," Zhu Zhanhe gently helped his son, who looked annoyed, to his feet and comforted him softly.

Zhu Zhanhe's meaning was clear: he still intended to leave the land of Australia to his eldest son! If his descendants were unfilial in the future and truly lost this land, then the land of Poros would be the last resort he left for his eldest son's lineage!
Furthermore, perhaps one day, his eldest son's offspring will awaken their bloodline and perfectly inherit the bloodline of the alligator dragon!

It has to be said that men are truly amazing; their feelings towards their first child are always different. After all, the feeling of becoming a father for the first time is always different from the feelings of becoming a father for the second, third, or countless times! Perhaps this is why Zhu Zhanhe favored his eldest son!

"Sigh~!" Zhu Gaoxu sighed upon hearing his son Zhu Zhanhe's words. He knew that what his son, the Longwu Emperor, said was true!
Then, Zhu Gaoxu turned to look at his eldest grandson, and his face was filled with helplessness.

(End of this chapter)