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

Inside Jiming Temple.

Zhu Gaochi paced anxiously back and forth in the room, his brows furrowed and his face filled with worry. Finally, he sighed softly and sat down in a chair.

Just then, a figure hurried over.

"Father, all those people have arrived, but none of the ministries or the cabinet participated."

The Six Ministries went to see the Emperor on important matters, while Yang Shiqi and his cabinet members went to see the Emperor under the pretext of delivering memorials.

Three of the censors and officials who dared to speak out were arrested by Uncle San and the Embroidered Uniform Guard for shouting insults. However, the reason given was that they were arrested for corruption and collusion, and the evidence was presented on the spot.

Many censors and officials were still kneeling outside.

"Father, shouldn't you go and do something about it? Otherwise, something terrible might happen."

Zhu Zhanji felt both excited and nervous.

What's exciting is that so many people are impeaching Zhu Gaoxu, so this time Zhu Gaoxu's voyage is bound to succeed.

What's nerve-wracking is Zhu Di's attitude; he didn't show up at all from beginning to end. Despite such immense pressure, he managed to remain completely still.

With Zhu Gaosui suddenly taking down several people, Zhu Zhanji worried that it might eventually implicate the Crown Prince.

After all, many of the people outside were promoted by Zhu Gaochi, and if Zhu Di were to investigate, trouble would ensue.

Zhu Gaochi glanced at Zhu Zhanji, and he knew exactly what Zhu Zhanji was up to.

But Zhu Gaochi was even more disappointed and frustrated by this.

"Boy, your imperial grandfather is right here, and you want me to manage him? What, do you think it's time for your imperial grandfather to pass the throne to me? Or to you?"

Zhu Zhanji's pupils contracted, and his body shuddered.

"Father, don't talk nonsense, it could kill someone. I never said that."

"I'm your own son, Dad, you can't do this!"

"Heh, now you're panicking? You know people can die?"

Your grandfather was the emperor, so why are you in such a hurry?

I've told you so many times: be calm and composed when things happen, don't rush into action, and don't reveal your inner thoughts.

What you need to do now is to read books, cultivate your character, and get rid of your anxiety and impulsiveness.

Zhu Gaochi felt helpless. Zhu Zhanji was actually quite good, but in many ways, he was still immature.

He also knew that Zhu Zhanji's condition was mainly due to the fact that Zhu Gaoxu's matter was too far-reaching.

If it weren't for Zhu Gaoxu's voyage, Zhu Zhanji wouldn't have acted this way.

But in Zhu Gaochi's eyes, this was also a big problem.

As for what happened at Jiming Temple, Zhu Gaochi didn't want to care anymore.

Now Zhu Gaochi only has one thing on his mind: what is Zhu Di planning?

Based on his understanding of Zhu Di, he wouldn't believe there wasn't Zhu Di's scheme involved.

Zhu Gaochi even suspected that this was a play staged by Zhu Di and Zhu Gaoxu to achieve an unexpected goal.

The whole story boils down to Zhu Gaochi's decision to go to sea and the actions he took upon returning to the capital.

Zhu Di's attitude is now so different from what it was in a very short time.

He truly didn't believe there wasn't something fishy going on.

Zhu Zhanji watched Zhu Gaochi deep in thought, but did not disturb him, and then left.

He rushed over excitedly, only to be lectured, which made him quite unhappy.

Zhu Gaochi told him not to pay attention, but he found it very difficult to do so.

Zhu Zhanji only cared about one thing: Zhu Gaoxu's departure to his fiefdom at sea.

On the other side, Zhu Di, after meeting Yang Shiqi and the others, did not look at the memorial that had been delivered.

"I heard you guys were flogged by the Prince of Han?"

"Your Majesty, it was our lack of respect that led us to be disrespectful to the Prince of Han. We misspoke and deserve to be punished."

Yang Shiqi knelt on the ground and did not say a bad word about Zhu Gaoxu.

From the moment they arrived at Jiming Temple, they sensed the delicate nature of the situation.

Upon hearing this, Zhu Di looked at it carefully for a while, a slight smile appearing on his lips before he quickly suppressed it.

"Get up, you brat. I'll deal with him when I get back."

"Someone, bring one bottle of ointment for each person from the inner palace."

Yang Shiqi and the others expressed their gratitude and stopped talking about Zhu Gaoxu.

While Jiming Temple was bustling with activity, inside the Han Prince's Mansion.

Zhu Gaoxu watched as the items in his mansion were moved out, and even though there was money coming in, he still felt a little uneasy.

Goodbye to old things, things have changed and people are no longer the same.

He quickly dismissed these thoughts and looked gently at Wei Wanrong beside him.

"Madam, once we're out and things have settled down, I'll have even more beautiful jewelry made for you!"

He already knew that Wei Wanrong had sold her jewelry and dowry.

Since things had come to this, he didn't say anything else; he accepted the sentiment.

With his woman supporting him at all costs, Zhu Gaoxu felt that this trip had to be a success, not a failure.

A virtuous wife's power lies in keeping a man energized at all times.

Wei Wanrong, holding Zhu Gaoxu's arm, beamed with a smile: "Okay!"

She didn't care about the jewelry; she saw the rare promise Zhu Gaoxu made to her.

This seems to be the first time this has happened.

Zhu Gaoxu observed for a while, then handed over the matters here to Wei Wanrong, and went to the front hall.

"Zhu Huan, a sum of money will be sent over later. Use it to continue purchasing various supplies."

In addition, find some impoverished but upright scholars outside, find as many as possible, and take them out with you when the time comes.

You should also look for people skilled in shipbuilding, city construction, water management, blacksmithing, and firearms.

Even those who work for the local government should be brought along if they are suitable.

Go find Luo Li, Wang Bin, and Mei Qing. If you need manpower, get it from them. Don't limit your focus to the capital.

Find some good swimmers and fishermen, and bring some with you too.

"Your Highness, wouldn't we be taking too many people with us? Will the Emperor approve?"

Zhu Huan looked hesitant, and was even more worried.

On the surface, it seems like a good thing that too many people are going out, but in reality, they have to bear too much pressure.

Each additional person represents an expense, a consumption of money, food, and supplies.

Especially since they didn't know Zhu Di's attitude, all their preparations would be in vain if Zhu Di disagreed. Not only would all their preparations be for nothing, but more importantly, their money would be lost forever.

The more you prepare, the bigger the problem becomes in how to transport it.

Upon hearing this, Zhu Gaoxu said solemnly, "Go and prepare as soon as possible. Prepare plenty of food and supplies. The money I gave you is for this purpose."

Don't worry about the rest, I'll take care of it.

You need to get these things done quickly; we don't have much time left.

Zhu Gaoxu didn't explain anything. After telling Zhu Huan to go and prepare, Zhu Gaoxu immediately summoned Niu Cheng.

"Niu Cheng, go to Qiantang yourself and find someone."

Also, take the best doctor in the manor with you.

If anyone in this family is ill, do everything you can to treat them; your full cooperation is appreciated.

Niu Cheng took the information from Zhu Gaoxu with a puzzled look on his face, but then agreed.

"Yes, I'll go right away!"

As he watched Niu Cheng descend, Zhu Gaoxu gradually revealed a smile.

This was a person he had been planning for a long time.

"We'll be meeting again soon, but this time, you'll have to serve me!"

Stopping his thoughts, Zhu Gaoxu immediately summoned someone and presented him with two sets of documents.

Zhu Gaoxu did all this in order to find talented people.

Once we go out, we need talented people to support us.

The two people they were looking for were Shang Zhongxuan and Peng Yuyi.

These two people may be unfamiliar to you, but their son is quite famous.

Shang Lu and Peng Shi.

Zhu Gaoxu's only regret is that these two are still a bit too young now, and it will be at least another 10 or 20 years before they can be used.

"Nephew, I won't keep such a talented person for you."