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

Zhu Gaoxu was stunned when he heard the words that he was to be put in charge of the country, and especially that he could be made the crown prince after demonstrating his abilities.

At this moment, Zhu Gaoxu's eyes were full of longing and desire, a burning desire for that position.

The reason he wanted to return to the Yongle era of the Ming Dynasty was to change his fate.

Especially now that the position he had longed for all his life was being placed before him by Zhu Di, Zhu Gaoxu was extremely tempted.

This was something he had always dreamed of, and even now, those thoughts in his heart were beginning to surface and devour his reason.

In this world, there are very few people or things that can tempt him.

But that position was the only exception; it was the one he had always wanted.

This is also why he was constantly intimidated and coaxed by Zhu Di in his previous life, without ever losing his temper.

Now that location suddenly seemed so within reach, he was tempted.

This temptation was too much for Zhu Gaoxu to resist, and he seemed to want to make it happen in that instant.

Despite his burning desire, Zhu Gaoxu restrained himself and maintained his composure.

Having been tempered by thirty years in the modern world and having gained insights from his previous life before and after death, he was no longer the person who would be deeply affectionate and trusting based on just a few words from Zhu Di.

Zhu Gaoxu took a deep breath and kept adjusting his breathing rhythm, trying to calm himself down.

Zhu Di's words completely disrupted his composure. At this moment, Zhu Gaoxu had to wait until he calmed down before he could continue to deal with Zhu Di.

His modern experiences have taught him that the more emotional he is, the more he needs to stay calm.

Any decision made at this point will be problematic. Only after calming down and thinking things through comprehensively can the most correct decision be made.

As a human being, Zhu Gaoxu was not surprised by emotional fluctuations; it is only natural for people to experience them.

But the real skill lies in controlling the outbursts of emotions.

With each deep breath and adjustment of his breathing rhythm, Zhu Gaoxu gradually came to his senses, and his back was already covered in sweat.

Until all reason returned, a chill filled my heart once again.

He almost agreed just a little bit more.

It was only at this moment that Zhu Gaoxu realized how dangerous things had just been.

If he were to agree to this, his plans to go and take up his fiefdom would be completely ruined.

Zhu Di would not allow him to truly become the Crown Prince of the Ming Dynasty. Everything he has done today will be in vain, and Zhu Di will see through him completely.

Zhu Gaoxu looked intently at Zhu Di, filled with admiration.

As expected, experience matters. Zhu Di's test came suddenly, catching him completely off guard.

He had already taken too many bribes from Zhu Di and experienced too much; this time, he said he would never accept them again.

Besides being a pie, wasn't it also a test by Zhu Di?

That's why we were in danger just now.

If he had agreed, Zhu Gaoxu could already guess how things would develop.

Looking at Zhu Di, Zhu Gaoxu finally shook his head and smiled.

This was still the father he knew, and even at this moment, he was still testing him and doubting him.

All that talk and casual father-son chat was just an act, a pretense to get him to open up.

She even went so far as to use such bait to lure him in order to see what he was really thinking.

Zhu Gaoxu couldn't imagine that without his experience in the modern world, even if he had returned to this time after death, he would probably have had a hard time resisting such temptations and tests.

The Ming Dynasty may be good, but it is not his.

Although the surrounding area is barren, it could all become his territory.

Thinking about these things, Zhu Gaoxu's heroic spirit gradually emerged.

His grandfather, Zhu Yuanzhang, was able to start with a bowl and build a vast Ming Dynasty. Now, as long as he can go out, with the protection of the royal palace and the troops of the Three Guards, how could he not carve out a piece of his own territory?

Since his path to becoming a second-generation heir is blocked, he can only remain a first-generation heir.

"Father, please don't test me like this anymore. I'm not joking; I have truly decided to go and take up my fiefdom."

My going out is good for everyone; people all over the world can rest assured.

As for myself, I don't think it's worth it or not. I just want to live, to live well and freely.

"Father, let me take my three guards and their families out."

Zhu Di did not respond, but stared intently at Zhu Gaoxu.

He had seen all of Zhu Gaoxu's changes in expression just now.

The purpose of bringing Zhu Gaoxu closer was to better observe the changes in him.

Zhu Di could guarantee that Zhu Gaoxu was indeed tempted at that moment; there was no faking it.

But in the end, Zhu Gaoxu managed to hide it back, and it gradually returned to normal.

For a moment, Zhu Di truly couldn't tell whether Zhu Gaoxu had genuinely come to terms with things or was deliberately concealing his true strength.

Or perhaps Zhu Gaoxu saw through his probing and temptation, and deliberately went along with it to see what he would do.

As an emperor, one must think deeply and comprehensively.

To put it another way, suspicion is a trait that emperors are destined to possess.

She treats even her own son the same way.

First comes the ruler, then the father; otherwise, where does the ruler and father come from?

Zhu Di pondered for a moment and then stopped rushing.

The more anxious Zhu Gaoxu was to get out, the less he could rush things.

Only in this way can we truly see what Zhu Gaoxu really wants to do.

It's not too late to make a decision once we truly understand Zhu Gaoxu's purpose.

Zhu Di breathed a sigh of relief, but even so, he did not intend to let this opportunity slip away.

"Second brother, I understand what you're saying. What happened before was indeed a very bad start."

But the situation is different; those things that happened before will not happen again.

And with me here, I won't let those things happen.

I know these words are not enough to put your mind at ease.

With the Oirat now growing powerful on the grasslands, I plan to personally lead an expedition against them next year, aiming to capture Mahmud and his men alive.

But now the national treasury is empty, and the army is short of winter clothing, firearms and gunpowder. You need to get me money and food, and also take care of the disaster situation in Henan and Shandong.

Next year, I will personally lead you on another expedition, and let you command an army on your own.

In this way, you will have demonstrated your civil and military achievements, and then I will have a reason to appoint you as the crown prince.

"If you promise me that you will treat the eldest son and the holy grandson well from now on, I will issue an edict when we return to the palace tomorrow, how about it?"

Zhu Di squatted down and looked at Zhu Gaoxu with a serious expression.

However, these words made Zhu Gaoxu's heart tremble again, and his lips even became a little dry.

He had to admit that what Zhu Di said was too tempting and too much for him to bear.

He only came to his senses after Zhu Di's temptation and decided to refuse, determined to stick to his own path.

But Zhu Di not only did not give up, but instead offered an even greater temptation, and was even more determined than before.

Zhu Gaoxu's breathing gradually became rapid.

Zhu Di's attacks were all aimed at his weak points.