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

Chapter 104 Zhu Zhanji and Zheng He

Outside Han Dong Prefecture, Zhu Gaoxu returned with his fleet.

"Phew~ I'm finally back."

As he approached his territory, Zhu Gaoxu was filled with excitement.

He hadn't expected that this trip would take nearly three months.

It was almost three months. He spent most of that time at sea. Heaven knows how he survived.

Even though he had already pushed the speed of the sailboats to their maximum during that period, that speed was still limited.

It wasn't so obvious when he went there, but when he came back, every ship was fully loaded, which caused him a lot of trouble.

Zhu Gaoxu now only hopes that the warships he had previously commissioned to be built will yield some results. If the new sailing ships have not yet been built, the round trip to the South Seas will be truly unbearable.

It is near Handong Bay, formerly known as Namba Bay, which has been renamed.

When Zhu Gaoxu saw numerous large ships sailing around and the harbor was also full of large ships in the distance, he was momentarily stunned.

"When did so many ships appear here? Both major ports are almost full?"

In an instant, Zhu Gaoxu's face darkened.

Based on the time he was away, even if all the manpower were building ships, it would be impossible to build so many.

After examining the timber, it needs to be cut, dried, and coated with tung oil, among other processing techniques, before the next step of construction can proceed.

Those processes all take time to complete.

Moreover, Zhu Gaoxu had given them the task of building more advanced sailing ships, which clearly made it impossible to build so many ships in such a short time.

Even if we reduce or ignore all those processes, and disregard the creation of new sailboats, we still couldn't produce that many with today's production lines.

That leaves only one possibility: these ships don't belong to him!

"Niu Cheng! Send someone back to find out exactly what happened!"

"Sheng Jian! Pass down the order: prepare for battle!"

With the military order relayed, everyone began to prepare.

As they drew closer and could clearly see the Ming and Zheng banners flying on the warships, Zhu Gaoxu had a premonition.

Niucheng returned shortly afterward.

"Your Highness, we've confirmed it. It's the Crown Prince and Zheng He, who led the voyages to the Western Ocean!"

Zhu Gaoxu nodded, his heart filled with surprise.

It's understandable that Zheng He came here; although it's hard to understand, it's not shocking.

But Zhu Zhanji also came. What does that mean?

Was Zhu Di distrustful of him? Did he want Zhu Zhanji to reap the rewards? Or was there some other reason?

Regardless of the reason, given how much Zhu Di valued Zhu Zhanji, he wouldn't have sent Zhu Zhanji.

Stopping his thoughts, the fleet slowly entered the port. Upon hearing this, Zhu Gaoxu disembarked, and Zhu Huan, Zhu Zhanji, Zheng He, and others came over.

"Second Uncle, you're finally back! I've come to see you."

"Greetings, Your Highness the Prince of Han."

Zhu Huan bowed and stood aside, Zheng He bowed respectfully, and Zhu Zhanji bowed slightly before Zhu Gaoxu.

Zhu Gaochi gestured to help Zheng He up without saying anything, then looked at Zhu Zhanji.

"Nephew, what brings you here?"

Zhu Gaoxu did not have much affection for Zheng He.

It's true that he made great contributions to the voyages to the Western Ocean, but his relationship with Zheng He was really not good.

To be precise, Zheng He's relationship with most people was not good. Apart from being attentive and loyal to Zhu Di, he was single-mindedly focused on his voyages to the Western Ocean.

Why did Zheng He like to sail to the Western Ocean? He did not deny other reasons, but Zhu Gaochi was more inclined to believe that: once the fleet left the Ming Dynasty, Zheng He would be the top leader.

He didn't believe anyone wouldn't be captivated by the allure of having the Ming Dynasty's most elite navy on the outside, and the sheer power it brought.

Within the Ming Dynasty, Zheng He was just a minor eunuch, known as Sanbao.

Within the Ming Dynasty, no one would pay attention to such a person.

But outside of the Ming Dynasty, there was Zheng He, the captain of the Ming Dynasty's most elite fleet.

In the blink of an eye, one can destroy a nation and control the fate of everyone outside.

Within the Ming Dynasty, Zheng He was called the "Three Treasures Eunuch," and he dared not complain.

What should we call it when the voyages to the Western Ocean began after the Ming Dynasty?

He truly didn't believe that there were people in the world who could completely ignore these things, given the extreme contrast brought about by this power.

Zhu Zhanji met Zhu Gaoxu's gaze and bowed to him.

"Second Uncle, your nephew has come to take you back to the Ming Dynasty, to bring you home."

Zhu Gaoxu couldn't help but raise an eyebrow, looking at Zhu Zhanji with a meaningful smile.

"Nephew, is it that the old man wants to advance the northern expedition ahead of schedule, and has sent you to deliver a message?"

"Second Uncle, it's not because of the Northern Expedition. It's because I want to bring you back to the Ming Dynasty, and I specifically asked the Emperor for permission."

Zhu Gaoxu stopped smiling and looked intently at Zhu Zhanji.

In fact, Zhu Zhanji had a rough idea when he said his first sentence.

He couldn't think of any other reason besides this for Zhu Di to agree to let Zhu Zhanji come to him in person.

But why do I always feel something strange inside?

In his previous life, this person roasted him alive in the same jar, which is why the names "braised chicken" and "clay pot chicken" came about.

Now that they've come specifically to take him back, hearing these words, Zhu Gaoxu felt nothing but disdain.

Zhu Zhanji would really have that thought; he would rather tomorrow be the end of the world.

In order to impress Zhu Di and demonstrate that he could ease tensions with him, he personally came to see him.

In Zhu Gaochi's eyes, Zhu Zhanji's hypocrisy and cunning were even more sophisticated and outstanding than Zhu Gaochi's.

In this respect, the student has completely surpassed the teacher.

Especially since they brought Zheng He's fleet along, isn't that a sign of worry and distrust?

They thought he would do something like that, so they deliberately brought Zheng He along to make him wary.

Even though Zhu Zhanji clearly knew in his heart that their relationship had reached that point, he still came, and Zhu Di agreed to let Zhu Zhanji come.

This would be both appropriate and justifiable, and it could also improve the public's perception of this benevolent grandson.

Using him as a tool to boost his reputation and fame, Zhu Gaochi genuinely harbored thoughts about Zhu Di for a time.

Haha, Zhu Zhanji is holding a lollipop, and Zheng He is holding a spiked club. It's like having a sweet date on one side and an iron rod on the other.

Having calmed his mind, Zhu Gaoxu stopped thinking about it.

Anyway, he'll only return to the Ming Dynasty a maximum of two times. After that, he won't be alone when he returns.

He can only endure these things now.

"Nephew, I know you have such a heart."

Go back to the Ming Dynasty and tell the old man that I will return before his northern expedition next year.

Now that my home is here, I won't go back.

9

Zhu Gaoxu refused without the slightest hesitation.

Sending him back to the Ming Dynasty seems like a kind gesture, but if he really goes back, the Ming Dynasty will be the abyss that swallows him up.

Zhu Zhanji listened to Zhu Gaoxu's reply with a worried expression, but he felt relieved.

In Zhu Zhanji's mind, he was just going through the motions; if Zhu Gaoxu actually agreed, he would truly collapse.

"Second Uncle, let's go back. This place is barren. I've been here for a while now."

Money, food, and supplies are scarce here, and the land is poor. Nephew and his grandfather couldn't bear to see their second uncle suffer outside.

If my second uncle insists on taking up his fiefdom, finding a prosperous place within the Ming Dynasty would be a hundred times better than staying here.

Within the Ming Dynasty, if Grandfather misses you, Second Uncle, he can summon you at any time.

Second Uncle, why suffer so much outside? Take my advice and come back to Daming.

Grandfather, my father, and my third uncle are all waiting for you, Second Uncle, to come back.

Zhu Zhanji spoke with great emotion and sincerity, earnestly and patiently offering his advice.