Zhu Yuanzhang Returns from Modern Times

Inside the Wuying Hall, Zhu Biao humbly sought advice, awaiting his father's next words.

He was equally curious. Now that things had come to this point, what exactly was the point that his father, the emperor, had mentioned that he had overlooked something?

Logically, there shouldn't be any omissions.

Zhu Yuanzhang said, "Biao'er, this matter is actually very simple, it's just that you didn't think of it at the time."

This matter involves road construction.

Build a road that connects Guizhou and Yunnan.

A road wide and flat enough to allow troops, supplies, and merchants to travel quickly.

Only when the roads are open can we better govern the southwest.

Let there be lasting peace and stability.

The saying "To get rich, build roads first" applies everywhere.

It's not just about getting rich; besides wealth, roads also serve various other purposes.

It can be described as of utmost importance.

Upon hearing his father's words, Zhu Biao couldn't help but gently pat his forehead.

Father is right. This is an easy thing to consider, and I have indeed been somewhat negligent.

This kind of mistake shouldn't have happened.

"This is indeed a matter of utmost importance, Luther."

"Father, you are right."

"Haha, Biao'er, am I right? This is actually a very simple thing."

It was because you didn't think of it for a moment that you made this oversight.

Otherwise, it certainly wouldn't be like this.

Next, we need to start considering road construction in the southwest.

This road construction cannot be carried out by the Han Chinese of our Great Ming Dynasty alone.

At the same time, it can also allow some tribes and chieftains along the southwest route to help with the construction.

We can teach them some relevant road construction techniques, allowing them to benefit from the experience and further embrace Chinese localization.

Accept the rule of my Great Ming.

As for the southwest, it's also necessary to assimilate and control them through commerce and other means.

Force is the foundation and the backup, but it cannot be used in every situation.

A rule established solely by wielding a knife will not last long; it will be like a castle on the beach, vulnerable to the slightest disturbance.

A wave crashes in, and everything collapses with a deafening roar, vanishing into nothingness.

Therefore, we should rely on military force as a backing and prioritize economic development.

Cultural institutions operate subtly within it.

This is the best way.

The martial arts world isn't just about fighting and killing; it's about human relationships and social interactions.

With this approach, there will definitely be a dramatic change over there.

Of course, these are just macro-level considerations and choices.

When it comes to actual implementation, all sorts of problems will inevitably arise.

These are not surprising; everything is under consideration.

However, there's no need to be too anxious about this.

Because it is inevitable.

As long as the overall policies and directions are correct and are consistently implemented, you will eventually be able to accomplish what you want to do.

Even if there are some minor problems or setbacks, it doesn't matter.

Moreover, he also believed that as education in the Ming Dynasty became more widespread, there would be an increasing number of talented individuals.

The Ming Dynasty became even more prosperous.

There is a crushing advantage in technology.

As the Ming Dynasty grows stronger, the surrounding regions become weaker.

This will make it easier to control the surrounding environment.

……

It's still very hot in June.

Even in the north, it is still very hot.

However, Naha still felt a chill running through his body.

He knew that it wasn't that he was sick, but rather that the people on the Ming side were simply too powerful.

He was so powerful that he couldn't ignore him, and it even chilled his heart.

Nahachu originally thought that he could take advantage of the chaos to escape from Ayushiridara's control, return to his tribe, and rise to power during the ensuing turmoil on the grasslands, thereby further expanding his influence.

With Ayushiridara leading the charge against the Ming people, it was more advantageous for their side to develop.

But little did he know that things would develop in a way that was completely beyond his expectations.

In his imagination, the powerful Ayushiridara, despite committing numerous abhorrent acts, was easily destroyed.

There is no room for resistance at all!
They were like clay chickens and earthen dogs in front of the Ming army, utterly vulnerable!
They had no ability to resist whatsoever.

Moreover, the Ming dynasty then implemented various policies on the grasslands.

Originally, the Han people's management of this grassland was quite extensive.

At most, it's just a matter of winning some over and suppressing others.

Maintaining order on the grasslands was enough; there was no real intention to rule them.

In reality, power in all aspects is still controlled by the heads of various departments.

There will be no excessive interference.

Who would have thought that they would actually set up so many rules now!
It seemed they were about to change the status quo and truly establish dominance over the grasslands.

In addition, there are their methods of trading with the grasslands...

The more he looked, the more disheartened he became.

If the people of the Ming Dynasty were allowed to continue in this manner...

On the grasslands, they were absolutely powerless to resist!

There was no hope of ever getting ahead!
This move is truly vicious!

It leaves people with absolutely no power to resist!
It made him feel powerless.

If Zhu Yuanzhang were to implement these arrangements successfully, the Han people's rule over the various tribes on the grasslands would be even more profound than the rule of the Yuan emperors.

This is something he doesn't want to see.

Regardless, his status and position did not allow him to witness such a thing happening.

However, many things cannot be prevented from happening simply because he wants them to.

Compared to the people of the Ming Dynasty, we are far behind.

There is absolutely no comparison.

This matter alone was already enough to surprise and upset him.

But then new news followed.

That's because King Liang actually abandoned the southwest!

They handed over many places in the southwest to the Ming army!
Upon hearing this news, his body grew even colder.

In June, I feel like I need to wear a fur coat and sit by a fire!

This coldness comes from within, an uncontrollable coldness!

Originally, he had found some consolation.

At least there's still King Liang, so they can support each other and not be left all alone.

But who could have imagined that in such a short time, the situation would change drastically, and the King of Liang would actually escape?

Once he escapes, there's no way he can come back.

This also means that now, the only one who truly stands out is oneself...

Of course, if you really count them, besides them, there was also the Oirat tribe on the grasslands.

However, those Oirat people were born with a rebellious streak, and their relationship with the royal court was not very good.

I wouldn't say I have a grudge against him, but we're not exactly on good terms either.

Not to mention that the Oirat Mongols were located in a relatively western area, far from the Ming people.

Even if they were close by, they would still be no match for the Ming people if they joined forces with him.

Under these circumstances, there was simply no way to stop the overwhelming momentum of the Ming people. The more one thought about it, the more alarming and terrifying it became.

It also made him feel colder and colder.

He was considering where their path should lead.

With the death of Ayushiridara, the fall of the royal court, and the escape of the Liang king in the southwest.

He became the most conspicuous.

Even at this point, the Ming people had already taken many actions against him.

Xu Da's side was also eyeing the situation covetously.

Now, it's time to make a decision and think about the future.

This is something that must be done, and it must be done well.

Otherwise, he will only become more and more passive and find things more and more difficult in the future.

Or rather, he doesn't have much time left.

If things continue like this, I'm afraid that before he can even make a choice, the Ming people will have already made the choice for him.
There are actually only three paths facing him now.

One option is to surrender to the Ming Dynasty and accept its terms.

From now on, their descendants will all become vassals of the Ming Dynasty and be ruled by it.

The other option is to wage war against the Ming Dynasty here.

The third option is to follow the example of the Prince of Liang and flee before the Ming army arrives, avoiding any battle with them.

Three paths lie before me, making it difficult to choose and hard to decide.

However, it's not to say that all three paths are difficult to choose.

However, two of them are difficult to choose from.

That meant surrendering to the Ming Dynasty or fleeing.

As for the path of fighting the Ming Dynasty, he felt no pressure whatsoever when choosing it.

After all, it was impossible to win a war against the Ming Dynasty; the only outcome would be certain death.

So he simply abandoned it.

He did not want to fight the Ming Dynasty.

He was torn between the remaining two paths, weighing the pros and cons: was it better to surrender to the Ming Dynasty, or to lead some people away from here?

Weighing the two options, it's hard to choose between them, as each has its advantages and disadvantages.

Surrendering to the Ming Dynasty would have provided a more stable life, but it would have also placed them under shackles from then on.

One's own power will definitely be divided in many ways, and the power that truly belongs to one's own side will become less and less.

Moreover, the longer it goes on, the more obvious this becomes.

The advantage lies in the stability of life, and the fact that the places they live in are all familiar.

As for escaping, it would allow them to maintain their authority.

But where can they escape to?
Everything was fraught with uncertainty, and no one knew what awaited them.

What will the future look like?

He was caught in a deep dilemma.

"Father, let's leave here. We can't stay here any longer."

Staying any longer will only lead to death.

Just then, the tent flap was lifted, and a man with a full beard walked in.

This person bears a six-tenths resemblance to Nahachu.

It was none other than Nahachu's son.

A son who enjoys reading Chinese books.

He was also Nahachu's most favored son.

"Leave? But where should we go? Where can we find a safe haven?"

Going north is impossible.

It's too cold over there, freezing cold. I'm afraid if a blizzard hits, we'll all freeze to death.

Nahachu first rejected the idea of ​​heading north.

Unlike the King of Liang who fled south, the further south one went, the hotter it became. Although the heat was unbearable, it was not usually fatal.

But things are different if you go north from here.

It's already cold enough here.

If you go further north, you can really freeze to death in winter.

Moreover, if they really wanted to flee north, they would have to flee far enough.

If we get too close, the Ming army might notice and discover us, which would be even worse.

"To the west."

Nahachu's son gave his answer.

"West?"

Nahachu couldn't help but frown.

Further west are the Oirat people; where can they find refuge?

"What my child is talking about is further west, there are many, many places to the west."

It won't be too cold either.

You mean the Western Regions?

Nahachu's son shook his head: "It's not the Western Regions, it's a place even further west."

My child recently read a book that recorded some of the things done by a general of the Liao Dynasty after its fall.

This man was named Yelü Dashi. He kept moving westward and developed his business in the west.

Although the records are not very detailed and do not explain exactly how it was done.

However, it is certain that he did indeed achieve great success in the west.

They gained their own power and established a country.

If Yelü Dashi could walk this road, so can we.

Why not give it a try?

Besides, our ancestors also fought their way westward to a very, very far distance.

From existing records, we can see that there were many places to the west.

After crossing some difficult-to-traverse Gobi Desert, the climate will improve further on.

Suitable for human habitation.

Moreover, although there are more people there, it is easier to attack, as there are not many fortified cities.

Especially compared to the Han Chinese dynasties, they were like clay chickens and earthenware dogs, utterly vulnerable.

If we bring more soldiers and generals with us, and as long as we don't encounter any major accidents and plan well, we can dominate the land.

It wouldn't be like this now, trembling under the Ming Dynasty's oppression, utterly powerless to resist.

Upon hearing this, Nahachu fell into deep thought.

This contemplation lasted for a long time.

Nahachu's son wasn't in a hurry and just waited on the side.

After a while, Naha stood up.

He drew his sword and slashed down fiercely.

The corner of the table was chopped off.

"Okay, we'll do as you say, head west from here."

Let's all go to the west and take a good look!

He felt that his son was right.

The Ming Dynasty was truly terrifying, and the Han people were far too powerful.

They were already so weak before, and they were trampled into the mud by them.
It seems there's absolutely no way to turn things around.

Who could have imagined that such a big change would occur in such a short time?

The Han people became so powerful that it was unimaginable, especially Zhu Yuanzhang, who was practically inhuman.

After making this decision, Nahachu did not linger and quickly packed his things to migrate.

……

Zhu Yuanzhang was currently inspecting some items at the Industrial College… (End of Chapter)