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

Zhu Gaoxu did not dwell on the two choices Yao Guangxiao had given him. Neither of these choices, if discussed in depth, would likely reveal where he was going.

A detailed discussion of Jiaozhi?

Anyone with eyes can see that place is not a safe place.

Instead of going to Jiaozhi, it's better to choose a prosperous place to take a chance.

Anyway, it's all the same.

As for discussing Japan in detail?

If they were to continue the discussion, it would inevitably make Yao Guangxiao think twice.

Sometimes, a few words from Yao Guangxiao could change the outcome for Zhu Di.

The more Yao Guangxiao wanted to know where he was going, the less he wanted Yao Guangxiao to guess.

Even if what Yao Guangxiao said was correct, especially his views on Japan.

Asking Yao Guangxiao about Southeast Asia was also a question on his mind.

Why wouldn't Yao Guangxiao think he would choose to go to Southeast Asia? Or go somewhere even further away?

Listening to Zhu Gaoxu's words, Yao Guangxiao was momentarily unsure of what Zhu Gaoxu was thinking.

In fact, after learning that Zhu Gaoxu wanted to go to sea to assume his fiefdom, he thought about it alone until late at night, thinking about the places Zhu Gaoxu might go.

After much thought, he concluded that these two places were the most suitable.

He remembered that Zhu Di had told him that one of the reasons Zhu Gaoxu wanted to go out and take up his fief was to use his own abilities to expand the territory of the Ming Dynasty, and he did not want to waste his talents.

To achieve this, we need population, resources, and logistics support.

As for Southeast Asia, which small island in Southeast Asia can meet this condition?

Yao Guangxiao frowned, pondering the news from the Southeast Asian countries.

In fact, Yao Guangxiao had a deeper understanding of the Southeast Asian countries.

Because of Zheng He's voyages to the Western Ocean, the countries of Southeast Asia were located around the shipping lanes.

Without much time to think, Yao Guangxiao could only slowly speak, meeting Zhu Gaoxu's gaze.

Is Hanwang interested in the islands of Southeast Asia?

"Young Master, I didn't say that. I just wanted to hear your opinion on the islands of Southeast Asia."

Seeing that Yao Guangxiao was still trying to get information out of him, Zhu Gaoxu refused to listen at all.

Helpless, Yao Guangxiao had no choice but to begin explaining.

"Why does the King of Han need to ask this humble monk? Among the islands of the South Seas, Luzon is too small, with insufficient barbarian population, scarce resources, poor land, and a hot and humid place, surrounded by stormy seas."

If the King of Han wanted to avoid wasting his abilities, he might not be able to do so.

Furthermore, Luzon was a vassal state of the Ming Dynasty, and the Governor-General of Luzon, Xu Chai Lao, was appointed by His Majesty through imperial decree.

Java and other places face the same situation, and the Ming Dynasty's elite fleet is located in Southeast Asia. If the Prince of Han goes there, how can he feel at ease?

Although Borneo is large, it is bordered by Malacca and has many small kingdoms with sparse populations and scarce resources. Its varied terrain also makes it a hot and humid place.

Those places were too close to the Ming Dynasty, bordering Zhuyai and south of Jiaozhi.

Since the Prince of Han is unwilling to take up a fiefdom within the Ming Dynasty, these places are probably not what the Prince of Han desires either.

Further afield, there are areas like Zema and Rosas.

But that place is too far away. Although I don't know the details, I think His Majesty wouldn't allow the Prince of Han to be too far away.

"I am quite curious as to what aspects of Southeast Asia the King of Han values."

Zhu Gaoxu listened quietly, and his tension completely disappeared; he felt very relaxed.

At this point, he understood that the two suggestions Yao Guangxiao had given him were actually Yao Guangxiao's guesses about where he was going.

Yao Guangxiao's assessment of the Southeast Asian countries is not entirely wrong, but he only mentioned a portion of them.

It could be said that he was selective in what he said, seemingly trying to discourage him from going to Southeast Asia.

As for the mention of Zheng He's elite fleet, Zhu Gaoxu understood that this was both a fact stated by Yao Guangxiao and a warning.

Zhu Gaoxu took a sip of tea and slowly smiled, "Young Master is probably mistaken. With my abilities, none of the countries in Southeast Asia can stop me."

As for my skills, I will not waste them. With my abilities, how could those small countries possibly resist me?

As for whether I will feel at ease, I am naturally at ease.

Zheng He's fleet was elite, but it carried a heavy responsibility. I was in Southeast Asia, not doing anything shameful.

Moreover, I am the Han King of the Great Ming Dynasty, so why would I worry about the elite navy of my Great Ming?

The places in Southeast Asia that the Junior Tutor mentioned, such as Manila and Rosas, are indeed too far away. Even places like Java are quite far away.

I am merely leaving the Ming Dynasty to take up my fiefdom; I am not leaving the Ming Dynasty altogether.

"I think Luzon, or perhaps Ryukyu Island, would also be quite suitable."

The more Zhu Gaoxu spoke, the brighter his eyes became.

The place he wanted to go was indeed Japan.

However, if he says it himself, Zhu Di will probably still have some reservations.

Now that Yao Guangxiao was saying these things, Zhu Gaoxu suddenly thought, could he use Yao Guangxiao's words to tell Zhu Di about his own goals?

He himself said that Zhu Di would be suspicious.

But if Yao Guangxiao went to persuade him without knowing where he wanted to go or whether he wanted to go to Southeast Asia, wouldn't the success rate be even greater?

Yao Guangxiao wanted to use him. Although Yao Guangxiao did it for the Ming Dynasty, for the Han people, and for the greater good, he was ultimately just using him.

Could he then turn the tables and take advantage of Yao Guangxiao?

If it's really as he thinks, then he's actually saved himself a lot of trouble.

Even if it's not what he thinks, it won't cause any major problems.

If it succeeds, you'll make a fortune; if it fails, you won't lose anything.

The more lightly Zhu Gaoxu spoke, the heavier Yao Guangxiao's heart became.

This is so different from what he expected; it shouldn't be like this.

He spent the whole night thinking about where Zhu Gaoxu might go, and after much deliberation, only these two places were the most suitable.

And he did indeed want Zhu Gaoxu to identify his fiefdom as Japan, which is why he waited for Zhu Gaoxu to come out so early.

Looking intently at Zhu Gaoxu, he truly understood what Zhu Di had said.

That was Zhu Gaoxu; he had changed, changed a lot.

Based on his brief understanding of Zhu Gaoxu, the Zhu Gaoxu before him was more composed, calm, patient, and thoughtful than before, and no longer showed his emotions on his face, making him difficult to read.

Although he couldn't understand it, Yao Guangxiao didn't want to give up.

Since Zhu Gaochi was going to go to sea, the most beneficial thing for the Ming Dynasty would be to take up a fiefdom in Japan.

He had to make this happen.

"King Han, you should know that almost all the countries in the South Seas are vassal states of the Ming Dynasty."

In the sixth year of the Yongle reign, King Manarajana of Brunei, along with over 150 relatives and ministers, came to the Ming Dynasty. He once wanted to annex his territory to the Ming, but the Ming Dynasty did not agree.

In the same year, King Brunei died in the Ming Dynasty. His son, Hawang, was granted permission by His Majesty, and the Ming Dynasty sent troops to escort him. The troops were stationed there for a year, and only after Hawang's throne was secure did the army return.

It is evident that all the countries in Southeast Asia regard the Ming Dynasty as their superior nation and suzerain state, and all major matters are decided by reporting to His Majesty.

If the Han King were to travel to Southeast Asia and attack various countries, the neighboring countries of the Ming Dynasty might lose faith in the Ming.

Such an attack has truly caused the Ming Dynasty to lose face.

Even if we gain the islands in the South Seas, the losses outweigh the gains.

Moreover, if the Ming Dynasty needs it, all it takes is an imperial edict from His Majesty; there is no need for the Prince of Han to go.

If the King of Han intends to go to Southeast Asia, I urge him to reconsider.