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

Zhu Gaoxu spoke with magnanimity, but this magnanimity was not as calm as it appeared on the surface.

He was indeed going out; this was the route he decided upon after returning to Yongle.

But was this path one that he chose voluntarily?

This was a passive choice, made when there were no other, more stable options available.

Even so, there was still a lot of unease among them. These people guarded against him like they were guarding against a wolf, fearing that he would go out and cause trouble.

Even if he spoke his truest thoughts, even if what he actually did was truly for the good of everyone, didn't both Zhu Di and Zhu Gaochi have their own concerns?

Now, saying these things in front of Zhu Gaochi and Zhu Zhanji, Zhu Gaoxu's heart was also stirred.

Zhu Zhanji spoke in a sarcastic tone, and Zhu Gaochi also spoke in a way that seemed to be for his own good but actually harbored malicious intentions. Did they really think he couldn't tell?

Although it was not his original intention to help Zhu Gaochi and his son Zhu Zhanji achieve their goals, he is now forced to do so, which is frustrating.

But Zhu Gaoxu also let go of these things.

When you are weak, a small act of impatience can ruin a great plan; you must be patient when necessary.

In just one or two decades, he will be somewhat like he was before.

Zhu Gaochi looked at Zhu Gaoxu and felt a chill for a moment. He wanted to say something, but then Zhu Di's voice came.

"Second brother, you've grown up, you think I'm too old to control you anymore, huh?"

Go back and think it over carefully. I'll settle the score with you when I get back!

Zhu Di's eyes flickered, but he still didn't punish Zhu Gaoxu while he was still angry.

Upon hearing this, Zhu Gaoxu bowed to Zhu Di.

"Father, I'm going back now."

Zhu Gaoxu retreated to the doorway, then suddenly stopped.

"Dad, I remember all the good things you've done for me."

But this Ming Dynasty cannot withstand any more turmoil; someone is destined to pay the price. I have no regrets.

Zhu Gaoxu had thought it through very clearly. As an emperor, and one who could compete with the greatest emperors in history, Zhu Di would not be swayed by emotions in his actions.

For Zhu Di, the stability of the Ming Dynasty was paramount; everything else had to take a backseat.

In that case, Zhu Di would definitely listen to what he just said.

However, Zhu Di may not be able to accept that reality, or he may not be able to make up his mind to let him go, or something else.

In any case, Zhu Di needed time.

During this time, he could only say things that emphasized the importance of the Ming Dynasty's stability and prosperity, thus reducing Zhu Di's time for reflection.

The longer he is unable to leave the Ming Dynasty, the less time he will have left.

He said this to make Zhu Di feel more indebted to him, so that he could make up for it later.

After all, it was about going overseas to assume a fiefdom, which sounded easy, but Zhu Gaoxu knew it was anything but.

If we can take more of our family's wealth abroad, we can develop faster once we're out there.

Moreover, only when Zhu Di was still alive would his development outside be less restricted.

Even after Zhu Di's passing, he believed that things would never be peaceful, even if he went elsewhere.

Without thinking about it anymore, Zhu Gaoxu left directly.

When they came outside, it was already dark, so they had to go back inside and leave the next day.

Zhu Di's eyes remained fixed on Zhu Gaoxu's departing figure until Zhu Gaoxu was far away. Then, Zhu Di closed his eyes and sighed deeply.

"Boss, you should take Da Sun back."

"Yes, Father, I'll head back now."

Zhu Gaochi glanced at Zhu Di tentatively, and seeing that Zhu Di didn't say anything, he immediately left with Zhu Zhanji.

Zhu Gaochi and Zhu Zhanji went outside, and Zhu Gaochi walked forward with a solemn expression.

Zhu Zhanji glanced back, breathed a sigh of relief, and patted his chest.

"Father, today was truly..."

"Shut up! We can talk about it when we get back!"

Zhu Zhanji was momentarily stunned when he saw Zhu Gaochi interrupt him so ruthlessly.

Because he had never seen Zhu Gaochi so serious, nor had he ever seen Zhu Gaochi be so fierce towards him.

He glanced back again and saw that Zhu Zhanji was also preoccupied, following behind Zhu Gaochi.

Inside the room, Zhu Di was alone, still pondering what had just happened.

Time passed by unnoticed, but Zhu Di paid no attention.

Even if anyone came in during that time, Zhu Di drove them all out.

After a long while, Zhu Di's solemn expression disappeared, and he gradually relaxed.

"Hehe, second brother, I underestimated you before. Now, you've really impressed me."

Zhu Di's brows were full of admiration for Zhu Gaoxu.

What he was just recalling were Zhu Gaoxu's various changes in expression and the words he had said.

Upon further reflection, Zhu Di realized that he had not shifted his mindset from his previous impression.

What Zhu Gaochi said did make him very angry at the time, but now that he thinks about it, what was there to be angry about?

Because they are all facts, and Zhu Gaoxu was merely stating what would have been a future event that hadn't happened yet but was almost certain to become a reality.

The solution proposed by Zhu Gaoxu was indeed a practical one that could solve this problem.

Identifying and solving problems—these are skills that Zhu Gaoxu lacked.

This was also Zhu Di's reflection: Zhu Gaoxu had made progress.

Even so, Zhu Di still refused to let Zhu Gaoxu go.

Zhu Di didn't believe that this was the only solution; there must be other ways, but he hadn't thought of them yet.

He was willing to make such a great sacrifice for his own son, who made outstanding contributions during the Jingnan Rebellion, and he also sent his beloved son overseas. He really couldn't bring himself to do it.

What Zhu Gaochi didn't know was that the more magnanimous Zhu Di was, and the more his image deepened, the less likely Zhu Di was to make that decision.

Zhu Di stopped thinking about it. In his view, there was still plenty of time, and there was no need to rush.

His expression gradually became serious. Now he was thinking about the words Zhu Gaochi and Zhu Zhanji had spoken that day, and the changes in their expressions.

Zhu Di was somewhat disappointed in Zhu Zhanji.

I used to view Zhu Zhanji through a lens of prejudice, but now that the lens has been removed, I can finally see him clearly.

However, Zhu Zhanji did not cause Zhu Di much trouble. Ultimately, Zhu Di still favored Zhu Zhanji and had a natural affinity for him. He only thought about strengthening Zhu Zhanji's education and believed that he could improve the situation.

What weighed heavily on Zhu Di's mind was Zhu Gaochi.

Over the years, he had come to believe that Zhu Gaochi was truly tolerant of Zhu Gaoxu and Zhu Gaosui, and was a good elder brother.

But this incident has made him have some doubts again.

Zhu Di didn't know if what he was thinking was true or false, but the moment suspicion arose, everything that had happened before began to change.

"Boss, you won't let me down, will you?"

Zhu Di muttered to himself, "Zhu Gaochi is good in every way, except that he is too scheming."

Compared to Zhu Gaoxu and Zhu Gaosui, Zhu Gaochi was the most difficult for him to control.

Zhu Di was momentarily flustered.

Even during the Jingnan Rebellion, he wasn't treated like this.

Thinking about it, Zhu Di laughed, but it was a bitter laugh.

After a moment, Zhu Di slowly spoke.

"Someone, go and invite the Junior Tutor to come and chant scriptures for me."