Zhu Di: My fourth son is a great emperor of all time?

Chapter 111 The Boy Who Scattered Money
Zhu Di leaned wearily against the dragon throne, his gaze once again fixed on the sky. On the screen, a large, round, iridescent pearl was magnified in close-up, shining brilliantly.

This star pearl, named 'Tears of the Sea Kingdom,' fetched an astronomical price at Xunzhou Port. The proceeds were used entirely to purchase new muskets, reinforce coastal defenses, and provide relief to the families of those who died fighting against Japanese pirates. The pearl, though seemingly tearful, shines brightly and is priceless; it is also a testament to the unwavering loyalty of the people and soldiers of Xunzhou in defending their homeland.

“Tears of the Sea Kingdom…” Zhu Di murmured, repeating the name, his eyes deep.

"Boss." Zhu Di's voice carried a hint of barely perceptible fatigue and decisiveness.

"I hereby issue an edict. Order all provincial administration commissions and military command commissions along the coast to thoroughly investigate the true situation of the Japanese pirate raids and the malpractices of the garrison naval forces, and submit a report within a specified time! Anyone found to have neglected their duties or allowed the pirates to harm the people shall be severely punished! In addition... send my oral message to Zhang Fu, telling him that he has taken a good sister! Prince Qi... has found a good princess! Let them... do a good job in Xunzhou!"

Zhu Gaochi's heart skipped a beat, and he quickly bowed and replied, "Your subject obeys the decree!" He understood that his father's decree was both a result of the grim reality revealed by the heavens and the stimulation of the Xunzhou model, and also implied a kind of... tacit approval, or even expectation, of what Prince Qi and his wife had done in Xunzhou.

Zhu Gaoxu stood to the side, his face gloomy and his fists clenched.

Looking at the radiant "Tear of the Sea Kingdom" in the sky, and then at the complex light in his father's eyes, he felt for the first time so clearly that the fourth prince was not a simple person.

With such a capable wife, the husband can only be even more capable. However, too many eyes are now on the fourth son's wife, while Zhu Gaoxu is now seething with hatred for the fourth son. He knows very well that this cannot be the result of the fourth son's wife alone.

Inside the council hall of Prince Qi's mansion, Zhu Gaoshuo slammed a heavily ink-stained plan onto the long table, glancing around at Wang Ao, Zhang Fu, and several core officials and artisan leaders from Xunzhou below him.

"Gentlemen, the threat of Japanese pirates is like a malignant tumor clinging to the bone; it cannot be eradicated without swift and decisive measures and a long-term strategy! My mind is made up. From this day forward, I will implement the 'Xunzhou Defense and Physical Strengthening Strategy,' with only one goal—to mobilize the entire population to become soldiers!"

Zhu Gaoshuo formulated a plan, and there was only one thing left to do: implement and carry it out.

"The whole nation is a soldier?!" As a military general, Zhang Fu immediately grasped the weight of this phrase, his eyes flashing with a sharp light, but then he frowned.

"Your Highness's ambition is admirable! However, the people are weak. Fishermen and farmers may be physically able due to their labor, but they are inevitably overworked. This is not a land of longevity. Moreover, we have no training equipment. How can we form an army?"

"Good question!" Zhu Gaoshuo pointed to the first page of the plan.

"The foundation of a strong army lies first and foremost in a strong populace! Without a strong populace, an army is like a sandcastle! The first step of my plan is to strengthen the people of Xunzhou from the very foundation!"

He took a deep breath and threw out the core clause that would leave any first-time listener speechless.

"Firstly, starting next month, all registered citizens under the jurisdiction of Xunzhou, regardless of gender or age, will be provided with at least two eggs daily by the Prince's granary!"

"Pfft—!" A craftsman who was drinking water spat it out and coughed violently.

Wang Ao's eyes almost popped out of their sockets.

"Your Highness! Two...eggs every day?!"

His voice changed. Eggs! In these days, the eggs laid by chickens raised by ordinary farmers are mostly saved up to exchange for oil and salt, or given as a rare treat to nourish the breadwinner, the sick and weak, or pregnant women. For ordinary people, it's a rare treat to be able to eat them every ten days or half a month.

Zhu Gaoshuo remained expressionless, as if he were talking about something perfectly ordinary.

"Secondly, Emperor Taizu of the Ming Dynasty encouraged animal husbandry in the early years. Our Xunzhou is located by the sea and has many meadows, which are perfect for raising sheep. The Prince's Palace will fund the establishment of sheep flocks in various villages, with each household taking turns to graze them. The sheep milk produced will be centrally boiled and then distributed free of charge to each household every day! In particular, we must ensure that young children, women, and able-bodied men participating in the training have enough to drink!" The council hall fell into complete silence, even the sound of breathing became cautious.

Free! Eggs! Goat milk!

This can no longer be described as "showing compassion for the people," it's simply... a miser descended to earth!
No, even the most generous spender wouldn't be this extravagant!

Zhang Fu swallowed hard, his voice hoarse.

"Your Highness... this move... is too costly for the royal palace to bear, and what in the world is there a free lunch? If this continues, the people will become lazy, which is not good!" He was really anxious. Was his brother-in-law out of his mind because of the shock of the sky?

Zhu Gaoshuo's gaze swept over the shocked, confused, and even slightly disoriented looks in the crowd, yet he remained unusually calm. He picked up a thin booklet from the table, an outline he had compiled based on his knowledge of nutrition from later generations.

"I know what you're thinking. Wasteful? Extravagant? Raising lazybones?" A cold yet fanatical smile curled at the corner of his lips.

"But tell me, what do those fishermen in the sky who dare to ram their wrecked boats into the Japanese pirates' warships rely on? Is it their passion? True! But how many enemy ships can they sink with their passion, which comes from an empty stomach and skinny bones? How many times can they wield their swords and spears?"

He suddenly raised his voice.

"A strong physique is the foundation of courage, endurance, and strength! Eggs are the essence of heaven and earth, rich in nourishing nutrients for muscles, bones, and flesh! Goat milk is gentle and nourishing, strengthening the internal organs, and especially beneficial for children's growth! What I want is not a group of emaciated, submissive subjects who would be blown away by the wind, but warriors with strong muscles and bones, full of energy and blood, who can wield a sword, draw a bow, and chase down bandits when it matters! This is the foundation of a nation in arms!"

He pointed to the section at the back of the plan concerning the organization of militia, rotational training, and the manufacture of makeshift weapons.

"Without this first step of 'spending money,' the subsequent training will be like a tree without roots or water without a source! It will only ruin a bunch of people who are already starving! I'm determined to spend this 'military expenditure'!"

Zhu Gaoshuo's eyes were sharp as knives as he scanned the entire room.

"As for money and provisions? Pearls, shell carvings, sea salt, new types of fish... I have my own ways of making money! If the royal palace is not enough, I will increase the source! But this step must not be omitted! Your Majesty!"

"Your subordinate is here!" Wang Ao stood up straight with a start.

"You will oversee the allocation of grain reserves and the raising of poultry and livestock! The egg supply will begin with the chicken farms in the Prince's directly affiliated estates, military settlements, and workshops, and will gradually be extended to the general public. We will encourage people to raise chickens, and the Prince's government will purchase surplus eggs at market prices! The introduction of sheep, grazing, and the establishment of milk stations will be coordinated by you and Zhang Fu. We must ensure that they are initially established within three months! The necessary funds will be allocated from the 'Maritime Trade Reserve Fund'!"

"Zhang Fu!"

"The general is here!"

"You are fully responsible for the militia's organizational structure, rotational training regulations, and the design and manufacture of basic weapons! Remember, the intensity of training must be increased gradually, in sync with the nutritional rations! I want to see real results, not just empty gestures!"

"The rest of you, each perform your duties! This is the foundation of Xunzhou's survival and prosperity. I, the King, cannot allow it to fail, nor can I tolerate any negligence! If you have any doubts, look at the sky! Look at the blood shed by those fishermen! Look at why they could shout 'Even if they die, they will be punished!' Our people deserve the best nourishment! Disperse!"

Zhu Gaoshuo spoke with absolute certainty.

(End of this chapter)