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

Looking at the scene before him, Zhu Gaoxu suddenly felt a pang of pity for Zhu Gaochi.

Despite being the crown prince, he was like a mouse before a cat in front of Zhu Di.

A single word from Zhu Di could send someone trembling and crawling on the ground in fear.

Dealing with state affairs was tiring enough, but having to be constantly intimidated by Zhu Di like this was exhausting enough.

He even suspected that Zhu Gaochi's health was not only due to his own physical exhaustion, but also possibly because he had been too frightened by Zhu Di, which may have even caused him to develop a heart condition.

But these thoughts quickly dissipated.

Zhu Gaochi was often frightened by Zhu Di, but wasn't he just as easily frightened?

Moreover, he ate the most of Zhu Di's flatbread.

Zhu Gaochi was still the crown prince and would eventually become the emperor.

But what about him?

They lost everything, and in the end, they were tortured.

As for pleading for Zhu Gaochi, Zhu Gaoxu had no intention of doing so.

Zhu Gaochi had to maintain a facade of brotherly affection because he was the crown prince and the elder brother.

He had absolutely no need for that.

Moreover, Zhu Gaochi was clearly there to cause trouble, so why should we plead for him?

Zhu Gaoxu really couldn't do it.

Zhu Gaoxu now considers himself not a petty person, but he is definitely not that magnanimous towards Zhu Gaochi.

Right now, all he wants to do is watch the show.

Zhu Gaochi was on the verge of collapse upon hearing Zhu Di's words.

Zhu Gaochi wanted to cry, and he was truly exhausted.

Zhu Gaoxu was right next to Zhu Di, so why didn't Zhu Di ask him directly? How could Zhu Di know why Zhu Gaoxu wanted to leave the Ming Dynasty and go to sea to take up his fiefdom?

If only he knew the reason, all these problems wouldn't have occurred.

Although he didn't know why Zhu Gaoxu made this decision, at this moment, Zhu Gaochi really wanted to help Zhu Gaoxu and let him go out.

If Zhu Gaochi hadn't been around, he doesn't know how much less he would have suffered at Zhu Di's hands.

Feeling frustrated and helpless, Zhu Gaochi raised his head, opened his mouth but didn't say anything, kept looking back and forth between Zhu Di and Zhu Gaoxu, and finally lowered his head to Zhu Di.

"Father, I really don't know. I still don't understand what happened."

At this time, Zhu Gaochi did not advise Zhu Gaoxu to speak rashly without knowing the specifics of the matter, as he knew very well that it would only draw Zhu Di's attention to him.

The only certainty about Zhu Gaochi is that Zhu Gaoxu left the Ming Dynasty to go to his fiefdom overseas, and Zhu Di could not persuade him otherwise.

The preceding questioning seemed more like Zhu Gaoxu confiding in Zhu Di that he, along with Zhu Zhanji whom Zhu Gaoxu had mentioned earlier, would challenge him.

In the rush, Zhu Gaochi had already guessed most of the situation.

Upon hearing this, Zhu Di sighed softly, then squatted down and approached Zhu Gaochi.

"Boss, tell me the truth. When you're in my position, when you're the emperor, can you tolerate the second-in-command? What will you do to him?"

Zhu Di's voice was soft and calm, revealing no emotion whatsoever.

But the more this happened, the more Zhu Gaochi's heart skipped a beat.

Here it comes. He guessed right; Zhu Gaoxu must have been trying to sow discord between Zhu Di and Zhu Gaochi.

Zhu Gaochi raised his head, looked at Zhu Gaoxu, and then looked resolutely at Zhu Di.

"Father, the second son is my younger brother, and I am the eldest brother. In the Ming Dynasty, there must be a place for the second son to stay."

The second son is the Prince of Han of the Ming Dynasty, he was, he is, and he will be in the future.

If Father does not believe me, I am willing to resign from my position as Crown Prince to prove my sincerity.

At this moment, Zhu Gaochi showed no weakness whatsoever, and met Zhu Di's gaze with unwavering resolve.

Zhu Gaochi understood very well that this kind of thing was the most difficult to explain.

Whether it was convincing or not depended entirely on Zhu Di's own thinking.

All he could do was stand firm, leave himself no way out, and completely dispel Zhu Di's doubts.

Hearing this, Zhu Di felt extremely gratified.

He could tell that Zhu Gaochi was not lying, and he believed what Zhu Gaochi said.

Even if Zhu Gaochi hadn't said it, he knew he wouldn't have done that.

He trusted Zhu Gaochi's abilities and knew Zhu Gaochi's style of doing things.

Zhu Di gently patted Zhu Gaochi's shoulder, then looked at Zhu Gaoxu.

"Second brother, you heard that too. I'm giving you a chance now."

If you stay now, I will agree to the eldest brother's resignation and let you become the crown prince.

I'm giving you time to think it over carefully before giving me an answer.

Zhu Gaochi's pupils contracted, and he stared at Zhu Di with wide eyes, full of disbelief.

He didn't believe Zhu Di was unaware of his purpose in saying this, but he never expected Zhu Di to actually do it.

Zhu Gaochi wanted to say something, but ultimately held back, shifting his gaze to Zhu Gaoxu with extreme nervousness.

He said he didn't want the position of crown prince, but he didn't really intend to give it up.

Even though he knew that the possibility of Zhu Di deposing him as crown prince without cause was very low, almost impossible, his heart was still in his throat at this moment.

Zhu Gaoxu, who was watching the play, suddenly felt his throat go dry and couldn't help but swallow when he heard Zhu Di's question.

Zhu Gaoxu knew very well that Zhu Di was still testing him; this was a side effect, but it also increased the temptation of the stakes.

But even knowing it's a test, I just can't help but feel tempted!

Zhu Gaoxu realized that Zhu Di was truly wicked.

Zhu Gaoxu thought that Zhu Di already knew his thoughts, and he also believed that Zhu Di had no doubts. However, he did not expect Zhu Di to do this suddenly.

Even though Zhu Di told him to think it over carefully, Zhu Gaoxu knew that the longer he remained silent, the more trouble would ensue if he eventually refused, and it would make Zhu Di overthink things.

Zhu Gaoxu bit his tongue, forcing himself to fully wake up.

Since we've already decided on this path, we have no choice but to see it through to the end.

All the temptations he faces now, though they may seem alluring, will instantly turn into deadly poison once he takes them.

With his gaze clearing and his expression returning to calm, Zhu Gaoxu spoke slowly.

"Father, I've already said it. I don't want that position, and I won't fight for it anymore. I just want to go out and take up my fief."

As Zhu Gaoxu finished speaking, Zhu Gaochi, who was standing to the side, showed no joy, only solemnity.

At this moment, Zhu Gaoxu seemed unfamiliar to him, and he felt that Zhu was so troublesome and dangerous.

Zhu Gaochi realized that he needed to pay more attention to Zhu Gaoxu.

This kind of Zhu Gaoxu is terrifying.

Zhu Di's face showed some regret for a moment, but after the regret, his eyes were full of relief, and he couldn't help but nod.

At this moment, Zhu Gaoxu saw his former self.

Zhu Gaoxu already resembled him, and Zhu Di was particularly pleased with his decisiveness and imposing manner just now.

Only now did Zhu Di completely stop thinking about it and fully believe that Zhu Gaoxu had given up everything just to go out and take up his fief.

But understanding this made things even more complicated for him.

Does this mean that the relationship between Zhu Gaochi and Zhu Zhanji was even more irreconcilable?

After all, Zhu Gaoxu only wanted to leave because of Zhu Zhanji. Now that Zhu Gaoxu is more determined to leave, doesn't that mean the conflict between the uncle and nephew is getting bigger?