The Ming Dynasty: A Modern Return, Building an Overseas Empire

Chapter 102 Either compensate this king, or deeply experience the might of the Ming Dynasty's army.

King Vikara Mahahana of Majapahit looked solemn, feeling the pressure and aura of Zhu Gaochi, his heart filled with turmoil and hesitation.

In fact, he could provide the tribute items required for the imperial court, but he was somewhat unwilling to accept it.

He was willing to pay tribute to the Ming Dynasty because there was indeed a huge gap between the two countries.

But Zhu Gaochi was ultimately just a prince of the Ming Dynasty, and one who had already lost power and was now adrift at sea.

Today, this prince went to sea and established a fiefdom, and he needs to pay tribute. What about other princes tomorrow?

Does the mighty Majapahit Kingdom really need to pay tribute to so many people?

With these thoughts in mind, Vikramavahana also exuded confidence, and gradually made up his mind.

Vikramavahana gambled that the Ming Dynasty would not send troops against a prince who had lost a battle and was now a destitute sailor.

Just then, Vikramavahana felt the person beside him tug at him, and seeing the person nod, he hesitated for a moment.

Hearing the soft whispers of the person beside him, he gradually lost his spirit.

Zhu Gaochi was Zhu Di's eldest son. Although he lost the internal power struggle, if they dared to be disrespectful to him, Emperor Zhu Di of the Ming Dynasty would very likely send troops to fight them.

Vikramavahana gradually softened and became respectful.

"Please rest assured, Your Highness the Prince of Han, I will pay tribute to Your Highness from now on."

"Please, Your Highness, come closer so that I may prepare the tribute."

Seeing Vikramavahana agree like that, Zhu Gaoxu felt a little regretful.

It was thought that things would escalate quickly, but unexpectedly, Vikramavahana eventually backed down, and Zhu Gaoxu had no choice but to accept it.

"I will not go in. I will wait for you on the ship. I will give you one hour. I will wait here."

Who entered the country of Boyi?

Zhu Gaoxu had never thought of that.

A wise man does not stand under a dangerous wall; he didn't want to wander around inside and never be able to get out.

Although the possibility is low, it doesn't mean it's impossible.

After all, things aren't always harmonious here.

After Vikramavahana left, Niu Cheng and the others beside Zhu Gaoxu breathed a slight sigh of relief, at least their right hands were no longer gripping the hilt of their swords.

Just now, if Vikramavahana had dared to offend Zhu Gaoxu or make any move, he would have been the first to die.

"Your Highness, should we send troops from Hanjing? With just five thousand soldiers, we can surely storm their capital and capture Vikramawahana alive!"

Sheng Jian soon arrived at Zhu Gaoxu's side, eagerly requesting to fight.

In Sheng Jian's eyes, a small country that dared to put on airs in front of Zhu Gaochi deserved to die!

Zhu Gaoxu gazed ahead, then shook his head with a smile.

"No rush. This country is destined to be destroyed, but not now."

"Once we've stabilized things in Handong and dealt with the Japanese, then we'll come and destroy this country."

Now that he has established his authority, Zhu Gaoxu is not in a hurry to send troops.

Even if he reorganizes all his troops and suspends the development of Handong, he can only send troops to teach Majapahit a lesson, but still cannot occupy the territory.

He wasn't that stupid to suspend development for at least one or two years just to vent his anger, and to waste money, food and resources.

Suddenly remembering something, Zhu Gaoxu turned to look at Sheng Jian.

"This Vikramavahana is not convinced. Go down and lead the army to prepare for battle."

Adjust all gun muzzles and prepare to load shells at any time!

"Yes, Your Highness!"

Sheng Jian's heart tightened, and he immediately went down.

As the time set by Zhu Gaoxu slowly approached, a massive fleet gradually arrived from the direction of Manja Boyi.

There were more than thirty ships, all of them warships.

Zhu Gaoxu watched this scene with a cold smile.

This is a show of strength to him; being able to assemble more than thirty warships in such a short time shows that it's only a portion of them.

Among these warships were several large ships, only slightly smaller than the warships he had brought.

That's all we can see right now.

However, Zhu Gaoxu could guarantee that, although both were large ships, Manja Boyi's ships would be far inferior in terms of speed, stability, and other aspects.

The shipbuilding technology of the Ming Dynasty is now unparalleled.

If Majapahit's naval fleet could rival that of the Ming Dynasty, there would be no need for him to pay tribute to the Ming.

"Trying to show off your strength in front of me? I won't tolerate that!"

"Order Sheng Jian: all cannons, aim at the front of the enemy warships, and fire right up to the enemy ships!"

As Zhu Gaoxu issued his military order, Niu Cheng, along with his personal guards, stood around Zhu Gaoxu with heavy shields.

Shang Bazhi, also wielding a long sword, stood close to Zhu Gaoxu, keeping a watchful eye on the scene ahead in a fighting stance.

When Sheng Jian received the military order, a murderous glint flashed in his eyes.

"Load the lead bullets! Fire!"

Apart from the warship carrying Zhu Gaoxu, the rest of the warships had already turned around and were facing the direction of Majapahit.

All the cannons were launched, and as the fuses were lit, a loud bang was heard, and the cannonballs fell in front of or beside the Majapahit navy fleet.

Several cannonballs even pierced through two unfortunate warships.

The Majapahit navy was thrown into chaos, and Vikramavahana on the ship stared wide-eyed.

He never expected that Zhu Gaoxu would attack him.

It should be noted that Zhu Gaochi brought out fewer than ten ships, even including the transport ships that were unable to fight.

When faced with the request from his subordinates to go to war, Vikara Mawahana ultimately refrained from doing so.

They did have firearms and cannons, but their cannons were far inferior to those of the Ming army.

The cannonballs they used were still stone projectiles, which were several meters short of the 100-meter range, and their power was far inferior to that of the Ming army's cannons.

He knew he couldn't capture Zhu Gaoxu today. If he retaliated, the next force to arrive would be the same elite Ming fleet led by Zheng He that he had seen before.

Just looking at that fleet, he couldn't muster the slightest thought of resistance.

After a round of artillery fire, the Majapahit navy halted its advance.

Soon after, a small boat arrived, and after explaining their purpose, Vikramavahana himself came.

"This humble prince pays his respects to His Highness the Prince of Han of the Great Ming Dynasty. This is all a misunderstanding. I have disturbed His Highness the Prince of Han of the Great Ming Dynasty. I deserve to die."

Looking at Vikramavahana before him, his attitude had become far more subservient than before, appearing exceptionally humble.

Zhu Gaoxu smiled slowly. As expected, he still had to show his fists. Only fists could intimidate people.

"Now, in addition to the annual tribute, you also need to pay me and my army a sum of money for mental distress."

And what about the shells we just ate, the wear and tear on the cannons, etc.? You can't expect me to pay for all of that myself, can you?

"Either compensate me for my losses, or let me give you a profound experience of the might of the Ming Dynasty's army. The choice is yours."

While you are sick, I will kill you.

Although it may not reach that level, Zhu Gaochi will not be lenient in the slightest towards a small country that he will definitely have to deal with in the future.

Vikramavahana's heart skipped a beat. Although he didn't understand what compensation for emotional distress meant, he could still grasp the meaning from the words themselves.

"I wonder how much His Highness the Prince of Han of the Great Ming Dynasty needs? I will do my best to prepare it."

Zhu Gaoxu glanced at Shang Bazhi, who then took out another list.

Vikramavahana's hands trembled after reading it.

But in the end, he didn't say anything and had to go back and have people prepare.

Not only did they prepare a large amount of money, food, supplies, spices, iron, and other materials, filling all the ships brought by Zhu Gaoxu, they also thoughtfully gave Zhu Gaoxu five large ships to transport these supplies.

Zhu Gaochi was very satisfied. As expected of a powerful country, he had gained more here than he had in all his previous gains combined.

"Your Highness, shall we return now?"

Hearing Sheng Jian's question, Zhu Gaoxu shook his head.

"Not for now, let's continue west to the Old Port Pacification Commissioner's Office!"

Zhu Gaochi felt a burning desire in his heart; he wanted to see the true wealth of the Ming Dynasty overseas before he would leave.

That was his true destination.