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

After Zhu Gaoxu finished speaking, Niu Cheng was even more confused.

If it's not about assembling a large army, and it's not about making a move, then what's the point of all this fuss and doing it so openly?

Niu Cheng couldn't understand it, but he didn't think about it much.

"Yes, Your Highness! I will carry it out immediately!"

Having followed Zhu Gaoxu for so many years, he only knew one thing: whatever Zhu Gaoxu said, he should do unconditionally.

The rest is not something he should consider, nor should he think or say.

Watching Niu Cheng retreat, and then several guards approach his house to protect him, Zhu Gaoxu shook his head and smiled.

Despite his rough exterior, he was meticulous and concerned about the safety of his place, so he specially strengthened the protection to prevent anyone from eavesdropping. How could Zhu Gaoxu not love him?

Back inside, Zhu Gaoxu began to think about what he needed to prepare for after returning home.

Zhu Di's thoughts can be partly guessed from Zhu Gaosui's arrival, and with subsequent actions, even if they cannot be completely confirmed, preparations should at least be made to ensure that everyone can be taken out.

That night, everyone was restless, and every house was brightly lit.

Inside Zhu Di's room, a black-robed monk sat upright with his eyes closed, holding a Buddhist rosary in his left hand in front of his chest, his fingers constantly rotating the rosary.

He kept chanting the contents of the scriptures while rhythmically tapping the wooden fish with his right hand.

Zhu Di lay on the couch at an angle, his right hand supporting his head, his left hand resting on his raised left leg, and his eyes tightly closed.

After a long while, when the sound of the wooden fish stopped, Zhu Di slowly opened his eyes.

"Young Master, as expected, you are the one who can calm me down."

The junior tutor that Zhu Di mentioned, who is the monk in front of him, is none other than the famous Yao Guangxiao.

Yao Guangxiao listened to Zhu Di's words without a trace of pride, remaining calm and composed as he slowly shook his head.

"Your Majesty's tranquility is not due to the efforts of this humble monk, nor to the Buddhist scriptures, but simply because Your Majesty's mind is calm and clear, thus you are at peace."

The so-called chanting of Buddha's name and reciting of scriptures is just a pretext for mental comfort; ultimately, it depends on the person.

When Your Majesty's mind is at peace, all things in nature are at peace.

Upon hearing this, Zhu Di sat up and immediately smiled.

"You have studied Buddhism for many years, and these words coming from your mouth are quite surprising to me."

"Although I have studied Buddhist scriptures for many years, it is precisely because of this that I understand that these are just excuses presented to the public."

If Buddha could save all sentient beings, how could the world be in such dire straits?

If the Buddha could have a peaceful mind, how could the world be in constant war?

As the Emperor of the Great Ming Dynasty, Your Majesty should understand that these things cannot be relied upon.

Only Your Majesty is the Buddha in the hearts of all people.

Zhu Di listened to Yao Guangxiao's calm words, his eyes flickering.

"Young Master, are you targeting me?"

"If you have something to say, Young Master, please speak frankly; I am open to listening."

Yao Guangxiao came to Zhu Di's side, sat down slowly, and did not say a word.

Pour yourself a cup of tea, pick up the cup, and take a small sip.

"I was a little thirsty after reciting scriptures. Thank you for the tea, Your Majesty."

"Haha, Young Master, if you like them, I'll have someone send some over later."

Zhu Di did not blame Yao Guangxiao at all; instead, he shook his head and smiled.

Only Yao Guangxiao could be so calm in front of him, and even openly take his things first without asking for his consent.

Perhaps, add Zhu Gaoxu, now transformed?

He had long since adapted to Yao Guangxiao's ways.

Yao Guangxiao smiled slightly and said softly, "Your Majesty's concerns are nothing more than the matter of the Prince of Han going to sea to assume his fiefdom, and whether the Crown Prince is sincere."

In truth, these things are not important to this humble monk.

Your Majesty is currently in good health, but the Prince of Han is not well aware of the outside world and wishes to go out. Your Majesty might as well let the Prince of Han go out and explore.

It is a blessing for the Ming Dynasty and for Your Majesty that the Prince of Han has this ambition; this is a good thing.

After the Prince of Han has truly met with the Emperor outside, Your Majesty will summon him back to the Great Ming. I believe the Prince of Han will understand Your Majesty's good intentions.

As for the Crown Prince, this humble monk truly does not know whether he is real or not, but such things are equally unimportant.

Given the Crown Prince's actions, the things Your Majesty is worried about will certainly not come true.

"In that case, why should Your Majesty be so concerned about gains and losses? This is not in Your Majesty's nature."

"Young Master, you make it sound so easy, but this decision is not so simple."

Zhu Di sighed deeply. What Yao Guangxiao said was indeed feasible, but as the emperor, there were some things he had to consider.

Whether Zhu Gaochi was sincere or not, he could observe further.

However, once Zhu Gaoxu leaves, the resistance he will face when he returns in the future will be considerable.

What he couldn't let go of was Zhu Gaochi's true purpose in wanting to go overseas and establish his fiefdom.

He was aware of everything Zhu Gaoxu had said.

But he still couldn't believe that Zhu Gaoxu would suddenly become so selfless, righteous, and noble.

Yao Guangxiao looked at Zhu Di and sighed inwardly.

"Your Majesty, you are not the same person you were before. Are you aware of this?"

As soon as Yao Guangxiao finished speaking, Zhu Di's mind was jolted.

Yes, he himself is no different from before.

His change stemmed from the Jingnan Rebellion; after its success, he became completely different.

Even in his youth, before and after he was enfeoffed, didn't he undergo significant changes?

Now that Zhu Gaochi has undergone these changes, why can't he accept them?

At this moment, Yao Guangxiao's voice continued to come through.

"Whatever the Prince of Han's thoughts may be, his decision to go to sea and assume his fiefdom is indeed beneficial to the Ming Dynasty, to His Majesty, and to the Crown Prince. This is inevitable."

According to the King of Han's choice of fiefdoms, Your Majesty can actually control them no matter where they are, and the outside world is all barbarian and barren land.

Your Majesty, you are far too indecisive these days.

Yao Guangxiao's heart was not so calm either.

In fact, after Zhu Di told him these things, he was also thinking about these things while chanting Buddhist scriptures.

Even Zhu Gaoxu himself was shocked when he first heard about Zhu's decision.

It wasn't that he lacked character, but rather that Zhu Gaoxu's decision was something that a normal person would find hard to imagine.

Turning the pages of history, where can one find a prince like Zhu Gaochi?

After the initial shock, Yao Guangxiao felt a deep sense of agreement and admiration for Zhu Gaoxu.

How Zhu Gaoxu came up with the idea of ​​going to sea to establish his fiefdom is not important. What is important is that after Zhu Gaoxu left, many hidden dangers would disappear.

He was also very clear about what Zhu Di was thinking.

But there are things that even he shouldn't say directly.

Only by understanding Zhu Di can one truly appreciate how terrifying he was.

Zhu Di remained silent, his mind racing as he pondered Yao Guangxiao's words.

After a long while, with the candlelight beside him having been changed twice, Zhu Di slowly spoke.

"Young Master, it's getting late, you should get some rest."

"This humble monk takes his leave."

Upon hearing Zhu Di's words ordering him to leave, Yao Guangxiao stood up, performed a Buddhist salute, and then withdrew.

Advice, when given, can be excessive; he has said what needed to be said, and the rest is beyond his control.

After Yao Guangxiao left, Zhu Di gradually revealed a smile.