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

Zhu Gaochi came to Zhu Di's side, but instead of looking at Zhu Di, he turned to look at Zhu Gaoxu, his face full of shock.

"Second brother, why are you making your father angry? What do you mean by death? If you want the position of crown prince, what's wrong with me, as your older brother, giving it to you?"

"Quickly apologize to Dad, and this will be over. We can discuss it properly later, okay?"

Zhu Gaochi didn't even consider that Zhu Gaoxu had gone mad; in his eyes, it was simply impossible.

When it comes to understanding Zhu Gaoxu, Zhu Gaochi dares to say that he understands Zhu Gaoxu much better than Zhu Di.

Zhu Gaoxu looked at Zhu Gaochi, who had come to help him, and had calmed down by now.

Just now, Zhu Di hesitated to make a move, so he pinched his thigh.

Zhu Gaoxu exerted all his strength, but almost cried out in pain.

Zhu Gaoxu was well aware of his own strength; the flesh on his leg felt like it was about to die.

But none of these things concerned Zhu Gaoxu. What he truly cared about was that he had truly returned this time.

He really did return to the Yongle era!

Realizing this, Zhu Gaoxu's heart immediately began to stir.

But Zhu Gaoxu suppressed the turmoil in his heart. Now that it was real, everything that had just happened was true.

Zhu Gaoxu's mind was racing, trying to figure out what he wanted to achieve or do after returning.

He knew everything that would happen thirty years into the future.

His experience of living was equally profound.

Should we let him live the life of a carefree prince?

Zhu Gaoxu couldn't do it, and he didn't want to.

Zhu Gaoxu knew very well that even if he became a carefree prince, Zhu Zhanji would not let him go.

In my previous life, I was doing well in my fiefdom, but I was inexplicably "rebelled against"?

Every husband is not guilty, and he is guilty of his crime.

He made great contributions during the Jingnan Campaign, enjoyed high prestige in the army, and still had the support of his military associates. He was also a skilled warrior.

There are too many factors to consider, so even if he were to give up everything, Zhu Zhanji would not be at ease.

No emperor would place his hopes on others; only by taking control of himself can he truly succeed.

Besides, must I just stand by and watch the Manchus rise again? Watch the Ming dynasty perish? Watch the Han people continue to suffer those humiliations?

Although Zhu Gaoxu did not know why he was able to go to the modern era, he also did not know why he was able to return to the Yongle era after going to the modern era.

But Zhu Gaoxu seemed to understand something: since Heaven had brought him back again, it must want him to do something.

Even he himself, didn't he want to do something?

The thought of being roasted alive in a bronze vat sent chills down Zhu Gaoxu's spine.

He absolutely will not allow this outcome to happen again, never!

If you give up everything and abandon all power, you will become a fish on a chopping board, at the mercy of others.

Since you have to do something and don't want to be at the mercy of others, then you have no choice but to fight!

Throughout history, people have been doing one thing: vying to become emperor.

Now that he has returned to continue vying for the throne, he has no chance in the court or within the Ming Dynasty.

Zhu Gaochi now has considerable influence, and the vast majority of officials, from the court ministers down to the local officials, were promoted by him.

Zhu Gaochi had an overwhelming advantage in terms of support from civil officials.

As for Wu Xun, who supported him, after the Jingnan Rebellion, some died of old age, while others, like Qiu Fu and others, died in battle.

Another group gradually drifted away from him.

It can be said that his strength has not only not increased, but has actually weakened considerably.

Even if he wanted to flip the table, he no longer has the ability to do so.

Furthermore, Zhu Di's attitude was already quite clear: he supported Zhu Gaochi.

Having studied so much history in modern times and reflected on it for so many years, Zhu Gaoxu has come to see through many things.

In the Ming Dynasty, if he were to compete with Zhu Gaochi like this, he would have no chance whatsoever, and would instead repeat the same ending as in his previous life.

So now, only one path remains before him.

That means developing your own power!

Only by possessing great strength can one intimidate everyone, prevent anyone from underestimating or attacking them, thus enabling them to control their own destiny and do what they desire.

If they wanted to develop their own power, they could not stay under the noses of Zhu Di and Zhu Gaochi. They could not stay in the capital and had to go out and take up their fiefdoms!

Only by going to the domain can those things be done, and only then can success be achieved.

Furthermore, the fiefdom could not be located in a wealthy area; it had to be carefully chosen, otherwise it would still attract the attention of Zhu Di, Zhu Gaochi, and others.

The better the location, the more attention it will attract, which will be detrimental to one's development.

In all these years of modern times, he has learned a lot.

At present, one can only go to places with development potential but which are currently barren. Such places will not attract anyone's attention; people will only think that one has truly let go and will not continue to compete. Only in such places can one develop steadily and quietly become stronger.

Having made this decision, Zhu Gaoxu was once again faced with a dilemma.

In the past few years, he has indeed known about such places, and he knows quite a lot about them. Now, how should he choose?

Zhu Gaoxu didn't think about this problem for too long; he needed to deal with the immediate issues at hand.

That is to take this opportunity to express to Zhu Di his determination to go out and take up his fief.

Staying here will only lead to your death.

In that case, let's leave as soon as possible.

Whether Zhu Di would continue to use him later is no longer important.

Zhu Gaoxu looked at the grief-stricken Zhu Di, then at Zhu Gaochi before him, his gaze calm, his hands clenched into fists, and he slowly bowed.

"Greetings, Your Highness! May Your Highness enjoy boundless blessings and peace!"

After speaking, he looked at Zhu Di with a mixture of surprise and uncertainty in Zhu Gaochi's eyes.

"Father, now that the position of Crown Prince has been decided, I wish to go and take up my fief. I beg Your Majesty's permission."

Hearing Zhu Gaochi's words, Zhu Gaochi felt no joy, only endless solemnity.

Sure enough, he was right. Zhu Gaoxu wasn't crazy at all; he was preparing a big surprise for him.

Just now it was said that Zhu Di's good grandson Zhu Zhanji would not tolerate his uncle Zhu Gaoxu in the future. Now, Zhu Gaoxu has said such things at this critical juncture. Is he preparing to show the world that he, Zhu Gaochi, also has no heart to tolerate others?

Although this was merely a damage to his reputation, Zhu Gaochi cared about it immensely.

This was not only a way to win over those intellectuals, but also because he knew he had health problems and wanted to achieve perfection.

However, these are still objective facts.

Most importantly, it was Zhu Di's idea.

Having been by Zhu Di's side all these years, serving as both crown prince and regent, he knew Zhu Di's character all too well.

Just now, seeing that his position was secure, he spoke those words in front of all the ministers.

But he knew very well that there was no point in being so sure. If he dared to harbor any resentment towards Zhu Gaoxu and Zhu Gaosui, he would one day be suddenly decreed by imperial decree to strip him of his position as crown prince.

All his support was of no use to Zhu Di.

In Zhu Gaochi's view, Zhu Gaoxu's words were undoubtedly an attack on him.

He knew it; how could Zhu Gaoxu possibly accept it so readily?

Before Zhu Di could speak, Zhu Gaochi quickly said, "Second son, you're talking nonsense again. What vassal state? Father Emperor is going on a northern expedition and will need your help."

"Don't upset Father anymore. Quickly apologize to him, and he certainly won't blame you."

"Dad, the sun is so strong right now, the second son must be sunburnt. I'll take him downstairs to rest first, please don't take it to heart."

Zhu Gaoxu watched as Zhu Gaochi persuaded him while pleading with Zhu Di for mercy, a display of deep brotherly affection and a show of concern for him.

In fact, Zhu Gaoxu was quite ashamed of it.

Zhu Gaochi's words were a way of telling Zhu Di that he had been feigning madness and that he was very cunning, as if he had done it on purpose.

He also reminded Zhu Di that he needed Zhu Di's help in his northern expedition. But what was Zhu Di's help for?

Was he telling Zhu Di not to be deceived by his current appearance? Was he reminding Zhu Di of his past military exploits?

Even with his experiences in two lifetimes and having seen much in modern times, Zhu Gaochi still couldn't quite tell whether he had any feelings involved.

But Zhu Gaoxu didn't want to think about these things anymore.

Even if there were any, they would be extremely weak, and Zhu Gaochi was only worried about being affected.

Does the Heavenly Family value kinship?

Who would believe that stuff?

That's a luxury item.

No, that's wishful thinking.

And he didn't even dare to hope for it.

Zhu Gaoxu did not speak, but instead kept his eyes fixed on Zhu Di.

Right now, he just wants to see Zhu Di agree; he has no other thoughts at the moment.

There was a vast world outside, and he didn't want to stay here and wait to die.

Zhu Gaoxu believed that Zhu Di would definitely agree to let him go to his fiefdom, since he had stayed behind before only because he had been shameless enough to refuse.

Moreover, since Zhu Di had already made up his mind, it was inevitable that he would go out to take up his fief.

As long as he goes to those places outside, it won't arouse anyone's suspicion, nor will it make Zhu Di think too much.

Zhu Di also kept his eyes fixed on Zhu Gaoxu, paying no attention to Zhu Gaochi beside him.

At this moment, Zhu Di was somewhat confused. He was certain that Zhu Gaoxu had gone mad just now, judging from his appearance.

He himself fooled Jianwen by feigning madness, so how could he be fooled by Zhu Gaoxu?

But now, Zhu Gaoxu doesn't seem to have gone mad at all.

For a moment, Zhu Di was unsure.

But more than anything, there was anger.

This incident made him realize that some things seemed to be gradually slipping out of his control.

This was something Zhu Di desperately wanted to avoid.

As the emperor of the Ming Dynasty, everything should be within his control.

After a long while, Zhu Di glanced at the kneeling ministers below, and finally looked at Zhu Gaoxu.

"Your Highness, how majestic you are, daring to shout at me like that."

"Get out of here now! Go back and think it over carefully. Come find me when you've figured it out!"

Zhu Di stood with his hands on his hips, his gaze sharp, his voice harsh, yet he did not impose any substantial punishment on Zhu Gaoxu.

One sentence summed up the nature of the matter.

Zhu Di doesn't want to deal with Zhu Gaoxu right now; he wants to see what Zhu Gaoxu is up to.

He also needs to think about how to deal with his son who suddenly dared to face him so bravely.

And whether Zhu Gaoxu had truly gone mad, or had undergone some change.

Zhu Gaoxu seemed somewhat unfamiliar to him at first glance.