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

Hearing Zhu Di's gentle words of comfort, Zhu Zhanji felt much less tense.

Yes, he was Zhu Di's most beloved eldest grandson, and he was destined to become the Crown Prince. No one could compete with him, so why should he be afraid of anything?

As long as he doesn't say those things, there won't be any major problems.

As for minor mistakes, he is still young, and with Zhu Di's favor towards him and the words Zhu Di said, he will not be blamed for anything. What is there to worry about?

The complex situation was particularly troubling for Zhu Zhanji, and at this moment, he could only use the simplest method to avoid those dangers.

After thinking about what Zhu Gaochi had told him before he entered, Zhu Zhanji slowly spoke.

"Grandpa, when the time comes, I think my second uncle should leave your side and go to his fiefdom."

The practice of princes being enfeoffed is an ancestral instruction left by the founding emperor. The fact that my second uncle continues to remain in the court is already a testament to the emperor's extraordinary benevolence.

And I imagine Second Uncle wouldn't have made things difficult for Grandfather back then, wouldn't you say, Second Uncle?"

As Zhu Zhanji spoke, he gradually became more composed and his confidence increased significantly.

In his view, what he said was perfectly acceptable, and now no one could find fault with him.

The practice of princes being enfeoffed after reaching adulthood was indeed established by Zhu Yuanzhang. Now, none of his uncles, that is, Zhu Di's brothers, are any different.

However, things changed during the Yongle reign. Neither Zhu Gaoxu nor Zhu Gaosui went to their fiefdoms; they both remained in the court.

Zhu Zhanji also had his own ulterior motives. Since Zhu Di had asked him to speak, he could use it to remind Zhu Gaoxu that it was time to go out and take up his fiefdom, and not to shamelessly continue to stay in the capital.

While Zhu Zhanji was feeling smug, Zhu Di looked at him with a blank expression, revealing neither joy nor anger.

Zhu Gaochi shook his head and sighed inwardly. He knew all too well what Zhu Zhanji was thinking.

These tricks were not only effective in front of Zhu Di, but they could also be seen through by Zhu Gaoxu at a glance.

Zhu Gaochi was momentarily stunned. He had been constantly instructing Zhu Zhanji, but now he had forgotten everything.

Zhu Gaochi knew he couldn't wait; he had to speak up for Zhu Zhanji, otherwise Zhu Di and Zhu Gaoxu would definitely have their own ideas.

It's not a big deal if Zhu Gaochi has ideas; the key is Zhu Di's ideas and attitude, that's the crucial point.

What Zhu Di just said about bestowing the title of Crown Prince upon Zhu Zhanji after his coming-of-age ceremony and marriage—those are all baseless rumors.

Even if Zhu Zhanji were not yet the Crown Prince, Zhu Di could easily strip him of that title with a single word.

Just as Zhu Gaochi was about to speak, Zhu Gaoxu's voice suddenly came.

"It is indeed the eldest nephew who knows the rules. It was indeed decided by the founding emperor that princes would go out to their fiefdoms after they came of age."

Father, you heard it too. I've been in the capital for so many years now, it's time for me to go out and take up my fief.

"I beg Father's permission to leave the Ming Dynasty and choose a fiefdom on a small island overseas!"

Zhu Gaoxu bowed respectfully to Zhu Di, his expression solemn and his voice resounding.

He knew that Zhu Zhanji was trying to embarrass him, that he was shameless and that he was disregarding ancestral teachings and stubbornly refusing to go out and take up his fief.

Even if he didn't realize it this time, Zhu Di, Zhu Gaochi, and Zhu Zhanji were magnanimous and didn't pursue the matter.

He already knew in his previous life that Zhu Zhanji was a hundred times more hypocritical and cunning than Zhu Gaochi, so he wasn't surprised at all.

Zhu Zhanji was willing to use this tactic, which suited his wishes perfectly.

He was supposed to go out and take up his fiefdom, but Zhu Di had always disagreed.

Now that Zhu Zhanji is targeting him, it's actually doing him a favor.

But Zhu Zhanji's kindness was something he truly remembered.

Upon hearing Zhu Gaoxu's words, Zhu Gaochi immediately knew he was in trouble.

As expected, Zhu Di's expression immediately darkened.

"Second son, I'm still the old man in charge of this family. What's the rush?"

Zhu Di kept a serious face, trying his best to show a smile, and first calmed Zhu Gaoxu down.

He then turned his head, completely extinguishing his smile, and looked at Zhu Zhanji with an increasingly imposing aura.

"Grandson, I'm not old yet, are you already so eager to drive your second uncle away?"

When you were a child, your second uncle treated you well, and he would always bring you the spoils he got from the battlefield.

"His staying in the capital is my decision. Are you saying I'm disrespecting the ancestral teachings of the founding emperor?"

puff~

"Grandfather, that's not what I meant, grandson..."

"Grandson, what do you mean by that?"

Zhu Zhanji looked terrified, lowered his head and lay directly on the ground, his whole body trembling slightly.

The initial smugness has now vanished completely.

When faced with Zhu Di's questioning, he stumbled over his words.

However, even if he wanted to explain, Zhu Di didn't give him a chance and interrupted him as he continued to press for an explanation.

Zhu Zhanji trembled, barely able to utter a single word.

"Father, the child is still young and doesn't understand. He definitely didn't mean that."

"How to arrange things for the second son is definitely up to you, Father..."

"Your Highness! Did I ask you a question? Why are you in such a hurry?"

"Or do you think I'm too old, and that's why you're so eager to climb the social ladder?"

Zhu Gaochi originally wanted to say a few words in support of Zhu Zhanji, but when he heard Zhu Di's question, he immediately knelt on the ground again.

This time, however, Zhu Gaochi showed no panic whatsoever, and met Zhu Di's gaze with a calm and resolute expression.

"Father, he is your eldest grandson and the second son's eldest nephew. Besides, the child is still young, so how could he possibly have such thoughts?"

This child is not scheming at all. Father, if you ask him to tell the truth, he will tell the truth without any malice.

In this family, in this world, it has always been you, Father, who has been in charge.

The son, who is the crown prince, was given to him by his father; how could he possibly have such thoughts?

If you're determined to find fault, you'll always find a pretext. Please, Father, put aside your suspicions and let our family live in peace.

If Father truly doubts his son, doubts this child, then his son is willing to take him to Shuntian and live in seclusion in the countryside.

"Haha, great, very good!"

They've all grown up and are starting to pressure me, right?

Are you trying to force me to resign? Do you think I wouldn't dare?

Zhu Di stared intently at Zhu Gaochi, then suddenly burst into a sorrowful laugh.

Zhu Gaoxu looked at Zhu Di, his heart filled with mixed emotions.

At that moment, he couldn't tell whether Zhu Di was genuinely saddened or just putting on an act.

But that laughter also stirred a sense of pity in people.

Zhu Gaochi looked at Zhu Di with a sincere expression, his eyes gradually becoming moist, yet his resolve remained firm.

"Father, that's not what I meant. I wouldn't dare or could not."

During this period, Henan and Shandong suffered from severe drought, and my son has been busy with national affairs.

The land of Jiaozhi has been plagued by rebellions year after year, requiring a large army to quell them and the support of the imperial court.

You are preparing to conquer the Oirat Mongols next year, and your son is also raising money and military funds to prepare for the army's expedition.

I'm so tired. I work from dawn till dusk every day, and I have to deal with national affairs until late at night, sometimes even all night long.

Now that Father has such doubts, my heart is filled with bitterness and pain.

I can't live like this anymore...

As he finished speaking, Zhu Gaochi lay on the ground, weeping uncontrollably, like a... child.

Seeing this scene, Zhu Gaoxu asked himself honestly, he really couldn't do what Zhu Gaochi did.

His experiences in two lifetimes taught him that he had to bear all the suffering and hardship himself.

A real man can overcome any obstacle.

Even when I cry, it's only in the dead of night, when I find a quiet corner to cry alone, and then I feel healed.

When a new day arrives, those hardships are once again buried deep in one's heart.

Even if it were just for show, to express some feelings, he really couldn't bring himself to cry like that in public.

Zhu Gaoxu admired Zhu Gaochi for a moment for this reason.

It was so natural, so seamless that no trace of it could be seen.

Even he felt a pang of sadness for Zhu Gaochi at this moment.