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

Zhu Di couldn't understand why Zhu Gaochi wanted to go outside. Did he look down on the Ming Dynasty that much?

If that's the case, then what was the purpose of his arduous Jingnan campaign?

Throughout history, countless people have risked their lives for that position and for control of this land, but for Zhu Gaochi, it was all so worthless.

Zhu Di was unable to think about or understand this problem for a while, but he soon faced a choice.

So you believe Zhu Gaoxu has truly come to terms with everything? And truly doesn't care about these things anymore?

But Zhu Gaoxu's two reactions just now were stronger than the last. This was not fake, and it was absolutely true. He could see it clearly.

This sign indicates that Zhu Gaoxu has not given up.

So what Zhu Gaoxu is saying now is very likely a strategic retreat, a way of forcing him forward.

However, since Zhu Gaoxu still wanted to continue competing, he had no reason not to be tempted by what he had just said, and no reason to refuse.

To compete for that position against the odds, one must be prepared to seize every opportunity.

Even if the opportunity is full of traps, you must seize it and chase after a glimmer of hope.

Zhu Di was in a dilemma for a moment, as he was unsure what Zhu Gaoxu was thinking.

Unable to understand these things, Zhu Di stopped thinking about them and said in a deep voice, "Second son, I didn't expect you to be so eloquent. You usually present yourself as a warrior, but now you can't help yourself, can you?"

Take a good look at yourself in the mirror. Are you the kind of selfless person?

Is he wholeheartedly devoted to the imperial court, the Ming Dynasty, and everyone else?

If you were really like that, you wouldn't have caused me so much trouble!

Look at your pointed mouth and monkey-like face, where is the appearance of an emperor?

What, are you trying to force me like this now? Do you really think I'm afraid to let you out?

Zhu Di's words were harsh, but his eyes were constantly watching Zhu Gaoxu's every move.

Now that calm and rational conversations haven't gotten him what he wants, he'll try a different approach. He refuses to believe that Zhu Gaoxu can tolerate this any longer.

He knew Zhu Gaochi's character very well.

When the closest people turn against each other, they often point their sharpest knives at each other's weakest points.

Now Zhu Di wants to break Zhu Gaoxu's defenses and force him to tell his true feelings.

Upon hearing Zhu Di's words, Zhu Gaoxu showed no anger whatsoever; instead, he smiled.

These words sound so familiar.

In his previous life, he had been told the same thing, which led to a big argument with Zhu Di.

These words still came from Zhu Di's mouth.

He had no idea what Zhu Di was thinking. This man wanted to have a heart-to-heart talk with him, and no matter what he said, he wouldn't get angry.

He's only said what's on his mind, simply wanting to go out and take up his fief, and now he's being so aggressive.

But he clearly expressed his true thoughts, so why didn't Zhu Di believe him at all?

Shaking his head slightly, Zhu Gaoxu was not bothered by these words. He put away his smile and spoke softly.

"Father, I do not have the countenance of an emperor, so I will not compete."

I've already said it, you don't need to keep testing me, it's pointless.

My desire to leave the Ming Dynasty and find a fiefdom on an island is not to force you, nor is it out of selflessness; it is purely for the sake of the Ming Dynasty.

My sole purpose in doing this is to protect myself.

I want to live, I want to live freely and unrestrained, I want to live with some power.

I'm giving up everything in the Ming Dynasty. All I want are the soldiers of the Three Guards and their families. If they're willing to come with me, I'll take them with me.

These aren't excessive, are they?

"Father, let me leave. What good will it do you if I stay, except cause you trouble?"

Zhu Di stared intently at Zhu Gaoxu. At that moment, he suddenly began to believe that Zhu Gaoxu had truly let go of everything and wanted to leave.

Even so, it still couldn't dispel Zhu Di's suspicions.

The reason why Zhu Di was unwilling to believe it was because Zhu Gaoxu's change was so drastic and sudden, leaving him no time to adjust.

Many of Zhu Di's guesses were still based on the ideas of Zhu Gaoxu.

Now, Zhu Di could truly believe that Zhu Gaoxu had changed.

But whether he has truly become what he sees now, or whether he has become increasingly cunning, he doesn't know.

"Second brother, are you still going to continue with the strategy of retreating to advance? Although I am old, I am not senile."

You want to go out and take up your fiefdom, to some small island outside, why do you dislike me so much?

Or perhaps you want to find a place outside, somewhere the imperial court can't reach, to recuperate and rebuild your strength.

"Once I'm gone, and the eldest brother is dead, and the eldest grandson takes over, will you follow my example and fight back, launching another Jingnan campaign?"

Seeing that Zhu Di was launching another attack, Zhu Gaoxu had completely given up on it.

Now he could see that Zhu Di was hesitating repeatedly.

His departure to take up his fief was inevitable.

However, whether he proposed it himself or went directly overseas, Zhu Di was unsure of what he really wanted to do.

Having figured this out, Zhu Gaoxu adjusted his thoughts.

"Father, are you so lacking in confidence in the Ming Dynasty's elite navy and the three major battalions? These are the elite forces that you built up yourself."

I merely took my three guards from the Prince's Palace and went to those small islands overseas. Do you really think I have the strength to fight back?

Your good grandson is not Jianwen, and I am not your father. Don't you even have this much confidence?

Do you still think I went out just to find another way to die?

If I really wanted to continue fighting, I would be even less likely to seek refuge on a small island overseas.

Father, put those thoughts aside, I really won't compete anymore.

What's so great about being an emperor? Look at you, working day and night, and you can't even manage everything by yourself.

Then look at the eldest brother; for the sake of the country, his body has become like that.

I do not respect the eldest brother, especially my eldest nephew.

I helped you conquer this world, so why should they reap the benefits without lifting a finger?

But the reality is that I can't win the argument, and I don't want to fight anymore.

Rather than staying in the Ming Dynasty and being coveted by everyone, I'd rather go out and be a carefree prince. At least in my fiefdom, I can live freely and unrestrained. Wouldn't that be wonderful?

Zhu Gaoxu revealed another part of his thoughts, just to keep escalating the situation and make Zhu Di completely believe him.

Now that he has said everything he needed to say, he has nothing to hide except for concealing part of his purpose.

If Zhu Di still doesn't agree to this and still won't let him off the hook, then don't blame him for throwing in the towel; nobody will have an easy time.

If they couldn't communicate verbally, it would only give Zhu Di a headache, so much so that he would have no choice but to let him go.

At this moment, Zhu Di's face also darkened quickly.

He wasn't angry at all; he just wanted to try and find out what Zhu Gaoxu was thinking.

But what Zhu Gaoxu said was truly infuriating.

Especially the look in his eyes when he teased him, it made Zhu Di want to punch him.

But Zhu Di was mostly happy. At this moment, he was almost certain that Zhu Gaoxu had truly come to his senses.

He repeatedly mentioned going overseas to settle down in a fiefdom, and kept urging him to agree.

If this is a strategy of retreating to advance, then it has clearly gone too far.

He now understands Zhu Gaoxu's predicament.

Ultimately, it all stemmed from distrust of Zhu Gaochi, and especially Zhu Zhanji.

Thinking about all this, Zhu Di pondered how to solve the problem.

As for letting Zhu Gaochi go out to take up his fief?

He could agree to the idea of ​​being enfeoffed as a prince, but he was extremely reluctant to agree to the idea of ​​leaving the Ming Dynasty to be enfeoffed overseas.

Zhu Gaoxu was, after all, his son, and he didn't want to see his son suffer like that.

But now, how can we alleviate Zhu Gaoxu's concerns?