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

When Zhu Di was unable to calm down, Zhu Gaochi took Zhu Zhanji back to the monks' quarters.

Zhu Zhan was about to close the door when Zhu Gaochi interrupted him.

"Don't close the door. We're not discussing anything shameful. It's so hot outside, a breeze is nice."

Zhu Zhanji took a look around and found it wasn't hot at all, and there wasn't much wind either.

Ignoring him, he quickly approached Zhu Gaochi, his face filled with urgency.

"Father, will Grandfather be suspicious about what happened today? Is there any follow-up?"

Seeing Zhu Zhanji's anxious expression, he whispered something and shook his head.

"This matter is both over and over. Don't overthink it. Just continue doing what you normally do."

Don't try to do anything intentionally, and don't think about anything.

Your grandfather is currently in a time of great anxiety. When you are in his presence, please be mindful of your words and do not say whatever comes to mind.

Now you should understand the consequences.

Zhu Gaochi sighed inwardly. Was this matter over?

On the surface, it seems like the past is over, but in reality, it's simply impossible.

Thinking about it now, his actions were a bit too frequent, and what he said would have been fine under normal circumstances.

In the past, Zhu Gaoxu would exaggerate the contradictions, and there would be no problem with him saying these things.

But this time, he believed Zhu Di would definitely overthink it.

What was supposed to be the moment to pinpoint his location has turned into this, leaving Zhu Gaochi somewhat flustered.

But right now, he can't afford to worry about those things, and Zhu Zhanji's affairs are not something he needs to think about.

No matter what Zhu Di did, he believed that Zhu Zhanji's position was definitely secure.

He simply couldn't figure out Zhu Gaoxu; the current Zhu Gaoxu was completely beyond his comprehension.

Suddenly being ordered to take up a fiefdom on an overseas island, with such a resolute demeanor, and speaking with such righteous indignation, completely embodying benevolence and justice, made him very uncomfortable.

He used to always have the upper hand.

Before Zhu Gaochi could think further, Zhu Zhanji's voice came through.

"Father, I know all that, but today's events are very strange."

My second uncle seems to have made up his mind to go to sea and settle down in his fiefdom. Moreover, he is extremely distrustful of us. He must have said a lot of bad things to my grandfather, which is why my grandfather treated us like this today.

"Father, since Second Uncle is going to sea to take up his fief, let's secretly help him out. It's a good thing he's going!"

Zhu Zhanji lowered his voice, wanting only to get Zhu Gaoxu out as soon as possible and fulfill Zhu Gaoxu's wishes.

Zhu Zhanji blamed everything that happened today on Zhu Gaoxu.

In his view, that was the truth. If Zhu Gaochi hadn't been doing all this in a strange and irrational way, there wouldn't have been so many problems.

Today had really frightened him. It was the first time he had ever felt fear and unease in front of Zhu Di, and that feeling was something he would never forget.

Upon hearing this, Zhu Gaochi's expression was complicated.

"Kid, you're still too green. Do you think your grandfather won't find out if you do it in secret? Or do you think the Imperial Guards under your third uncle are all useless?"

Your third uncle didn't show up today, and we don't know if your second uncle has joined forces with your third uncle. Acting rashly will only put you in a difficult and passive situation.

And you've forgotten what I told you earlier.

I'll say it again, remember this: that's your second uncle, and you're his nephew.

No matter what you think, everything you say and do must prioritize your second uncle.

Now, not only can we not help your second uncle leave the Ming Dynasty to go to sea and take up his fiefdom, but we must also firmly oppose it.

Unless your imperial grandfather agrees, this stance must not be changed.

The fact that you said those words shows that you still don't understand the core of today's events.

Go down and think it over carefully, think carefully about what you were doing today.

If you still don't understand, come back and ask me again in a couple of days.

In addition, when you have free time, you should read more books and not spend your days doing nothing productive.

This is what's giving Zhu Gaochi a headache: Zhu Gaosui hasn't gotten involved in today's events yet.

Zhu Gaoxu and Zhu Gaosui were close, and the two had joined forces, so he had to be wary of them. But now he really couldn't understand them and couldn't guess what was going on at all.

In the past, no matter what Zhu Gaoxu and Zhu Gaosui did, he could always guess their purpose.

But this time, it just felt strange to him.

The unknown, and Zhu Di's current attitude, also made him very uneasy.

As Zhu Zhanji listened to Zhu Gaochi's words, he began to feel depressed and melancholy.

It wasn't just Zhu Gaoxu's matter; Zhu Di's fickle attitude also weighed heavily on my mind.

He had always been Zhu Di's darling and had always been pampered by him. Now that things had suddenly changed, he was extremely uncomfortable.

"Father, do you think it's possible that Grandfather will eventually agree to Second Uncle's decision to go to sea and be enfeoffed as a prince?"

Zhu Zhanji, still unwilling to give up, asked Zhu Gaochi.

After much deliberation, Zhu Zhanji concluded that once Zhu Gaochi, this variable, was gone, these problems would certainly disappear.

Upon hearing this, Zhu Gaochi did not respond, but instead tapped his fingers lightly on the table.

What Zhu Zhanji said was, in Zhu Gaochi's view, very likely.

Whether Zhu Gaoxu truly wants to go out or not, the matter has reached this point, and Zhu Gaoxu is completely trapped with no choice but to go out.

Once he stays, Zhu Gaoxu will no longer be able to threaten him, because Zhu Gaoxu will not be able to get past Zhu Di.

Too much of a good thing can be bad, and Zhu Gaoxu has already gone too far in this matter.

Then, thinking that Zhu Di's attitude towards him might change, Zhu Gaochi suddenly had a flash of insight.

"What you said is very likely, and it's basically certain, because your second uncle has no choice but to go out."

However, we can't let your second uncle go out. We have to find a way to get the old man to refuse your second uncle's request and prevent him from going to sea!

Zhu Gaochi had finally figured it out. Now he didn't need to think about so much or do anything.

All he needed to do was keep Zhu Gaoxu, regardless of the consequences.

If Zhu Gaochi had stayed, everything that is happening now, and Zhu Di's attitude, would have changed drastically.

All the contradictions will be directed at Zhu Gaoxu.

As long as Zhu Gaoxu doesn't leave, then everything he's doing now is clearly for ulterior motives.

Some things, based on the outcome, cannot be thought about too deeply, because thinking about them too deeply will lead to problems.

But Zhu Di couldn't possibly have been oblivious to such a sensitive matter.

In addition, Zhu Gaochi suddenly realized that since Zhu Di's thoughts and attitudes towards him might change, once Zhu Gaoxu went out, he would have to face Zhu Di directly.

Previously, Zhu Gaochi served as a buffer, but now that buffer is gone, he will inevitably clash directly with Zhu Di, which is something he does not want to see.

Those days must have been even more painful for him than they are now.

At that moment, Zhu Gaochi suddenly realized that Zhu Gaoxu was quite important to him.

At least during Zhu Di's lifetime, Zhu Gaochi was also present, which was most advantageous for him.

After figuring this out, Zhu Gaochi felt much more relaxed.

But this ease didn't last long.

He doesn't yet know if Zhu Gaoxu has considered these things.

Once Zhu Gaoxu also considers these points, it will be difficult for him to keep Zhu Gaoxu.

While Zhu Gaochi was pondering these things, Zhu Zhanji was extremely resentful and puzzled.

"Father, it's one thing if we don't actively help him get out, but why do we have to try to keep Uncle here?"

Seeing Zhu Zhanji's incomprehension, Zhu Gaochi sighed and said, "Unless your imperial grandfather asks you, you should no longer get involved in this matter."

You are a junior, and this is not your place to interfere. You have even less right to meddle in your second uncle's fate.

You don't need to think about anything else, just remember what I just said.

Zhu Zhanji was stunned for a moment, and in the end, he could only walk out with his head down, unwilling to accept it.

Zhu Gaochi continued to ponder until Zhu Zhanji left.

As for Zhu Zhanji, there's no need for him to explain now; ultimately, Zhu Zhanji has no right to be involved in these matters.

Knowing too much is not necessarily a good thing.

"Second son, you want to go to sea and settle down in your fiefdom, but I can't grant your wish. The Ming Dynasty still needs you."