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

Inside Zhu Gaoxu's monk's cell, he sat in front of the door, gazing at the night sky and enjoying a brief moment of tranquility.

Zhu Gaoxu was constantly reviewing the events of the day, pondering whether his words could persuade Zhu Di to allow him to leave.

As for Zhu Gaochi and Zhu Zhanji, Zhu Gaoxu didn't even think about them.

His goal was always simple: to get Zhu Di to agree to let him go to sea and take up his fief.

What was originally a very ordinary and simple matter has become increasingly complicated, giving him a headache for a while.

"Why is that? You said time and again that I was shamelessly unwilling to go to my fiefdom, but now that I want to go, why don't you agree?"

Zhu Gaoxu also had his own questions, namely, what exactly was Zhu Di thinking?

Is it possible that the emperor's thought process is different from theirs?

Although he had made up his mind, even if Zhu Di disagreed, he could simply select some trusted confidants and leave.

But that's the worst-case scenario.

The story of eight hundred people sounds inspiring, but more than anything, it's filled with helplessness.

If it weren't for limited resources, who would willingly lead eight hundred men into a bloody battle? They were all forced into it.

Whether it was Li Shimin or Zhu Di, if they truly had the means to have more people, only a fool would have brought only eight hundred.

Now, if he could just take the three guards out, why would he bother to go through trouble by only taking his trusted men?

Going out to build and develop a territory without any prior experience or resources is simply too difficult.

In addition, it would be somewhat inconvenient for him to go to the places he planned to go without taking a large army with him.

After pondering for a long time, Zhu Gaoxu stopped thinking about it, as the more he thought about it, the more confused he became.

"Never mind, I'll start preparing as soon as I get back tomorrow!"

Zhu Gaoxu was also furious. If Zhu Di really didn't want him to leave because of those concerns, then he shouldn't blame Zhu Di for completely angering him and making Zhu Di leave in a fit of rage.

So what if he does some foolish things? He wants to see just how much Zhu Di can tolerate.

No matter what, Zhu Di wouldn't kill him.

He still has that confidence.

As long as people don't die, and as long as Zhu Di doesn't agree, then go all out and do whatever it takes to die!

If the proper, upright path doesn't work, then one can only find another way, resorting to crooked and unorthodox methods.

A tree dies when transplanted, but a person thrives. How can a living person let themselves die from holding in their pee?

As Zhu Gaoxu came to his senses, a figure emerged from the dim candlelight, its form obscured for a moment.

"Second brother, why are you sitting here?"

"Third brother, look at this vast night sky. Is the distance within or outside the Ming Dynasty?"

The night sky is so beautiful now, seemingly so close, but have you ever tried to chase after it, only to find that the distance doesn't shrink no matter how hard you try?

Zhu Gaoxu did not look at Zhu Gaosui who was approaching, but continued to look at the night sky, his expression filled with longing.

The starry sky—without modern experience, he simply couldn't imagine that it could be pursued by human power.

Zhu Gaosui looked up at the brilliant night sky, scratched his head, and turned to look at Zhu Gaoxu.

"Second brother, how about I have someone from the Imperial Medical Academy come and take a look at you?"

Zhu Gaosui really didn't know what to say; at this moment, Zhu Gaoxu seemed somewhat ill to him.

Zhu Gaoxu's face darkened, and he almost choked.

"Third brother, if you can't speak properly, then don't speak at all. You've ruined such a beautiful moment."

"Hehe, second brother, it's not my fault, you were the one who went crazy first."

However, this night sky must be within the territory of the Ming Dynasty; under the vast sky, all land belongs to the emperor.

Even this night sky can only belong to the Ming Dynasty!

Zhu Gaosui sat down next to Zhu Gaoxu with a smile and responded seriously.

Upon hearing this, Zhu Gaoxu shook his head.

"Third brother, what you said is not right. Even on the ground, the territory of the Ming Dynasty is limited, let alone in the night sky."

The saying "Under the vast sky, all land belongs to the emperor" sounds good, but the Ming Dynasty is far from achieving that.

"Once I go out to assume my fiefdom, do you think I can expand the territory of the Ming Dynasty to the point that all land belongs to the emperor?"

"Second brother, why do you insist on leaving the Ming Dynasty to take up your fief? If you don't want to be too close to the capital, you can go to Jiaozhi, or Zhuya Island, or even Xiaoliuqiu."

These places are just as bad, but at least they're within the Ming Dynasty, which is better than going to those even worse islands, isn't it?

Moreover, the imperial court's control over these areas is not strong. If you want, you can still send troops out to expand the territory of the Ming Dynasty. Isn't that good?

Zhu Gaosui was in a state of confusion. He had initially thought that Zhu Gaoxu was having an illness, but he did not expect that he had these thoughts.

Zhu Gaoxu smiled and shook his head, looking at the night sky, and said softly, "Third brother, you don't understand. You can't judge anything by its appearance alone."

The islands outside may be barren, but that's because they haven't met the right people yet.

Moreover, being so close, no emperor would feel at ease.

I don't want to live a life of imprisonment, nor am I content to be just a rich man, and I certainly don't want to die.

"The Ming Dynasty is not mine. I want to go out and build my own fiefdom, so that in the future, when people in the Ming Dynasty talk about the Han Kingdom, they will say that it was founded by the Han King of the Ming Dynasty. Wouldn't that be even better?"

When the restlessness subsided, Zhu Gaoxu's heart was filled only with longing for the outside world.

In this era, no one else knows how much potential those places outside hold, but he does.

If Heaven grants it to us and we do not take it, wouldn't we have come all this way in vain?

This will incur divine retribution.

Emperor Taizu Zhu Yuanzhang once used a bowl to drive out the Tartars, restore China, and establish the Han Chinese Ming Dynasty.

Now, as the Prince of Han of the Ming Dynasty, he commands a large army and builds Han vassal states abroad, encompassing the four seas and eight continents as his territory. What kind of prosperous era will the Han people enjoy?

Back then, when people talked about Zhu Gaochi, who didn't express their admiration?

Even if one is reborn twice, who wouldn't want to leave a lasting name and be praised by the world?

When an opportunity presents itself, would you choose to remain mediocre and unproductive, or would you choose to gamble everything and try your luck on that path to success?

Zhu Gaoxu didn't know what the others would choose, but he didn't want to be reborn into a life that was still dull and lackluster.

Rather than living a mundane and unbearable life, dying a glorious death is also a form of praise.

Looking at Zhu Gaoxu's profile, Zhu Gaosui realized that Zhu Gaoxu seemed to be in a trance.

Suddenly, he developed an almost fanatical fascination with overseas regions, as if the vast Ming Dynasty was no match for those overseas lands.

Zhu Gaosui was immediately jolted awake. This idea was somewhat terrifying and impossible.

At least he now understands one thing: Zhu Gaochi's determination to leave the Ming Dynasty and go to sea to establish his fiefdom is unshakable.

In his heart, Zhu Gaosui also felt a sense of admiration for Zhu Gaoxu.

He admired the perseverance and magnanimity with which the person was able to give up everything for the Ming Dynasty and make this decision.

Because he himself cannot do it.

"Second brother, since you've made up your mind, I won't say anything more."

I have connections within the Embroidered Uniform Guard. On the day the old man agrees, I'll have them go out with you.

They can help you build intelligence and train the personnel in that area.

In addition, the Embroidered Uniform Guard confiscated many items, and I kept some trinkets. If you need them, Second Brother, I'll get them for you later.

"Take good care of yourself while you're overseas, Second Brother. If you need anything, just write to me. I'll help if I can!"