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

early morning.

Inside the Prince of Han's Palace.

"Your Highness, a major incident occurred at Jiming Temple yesterday. The Censorate and numerous officials impeached Your Highness before the Emperor."

It is said that His Majesty departed from Jiming Temple today. Should Your Highness go and greet him upon his return to the palace?

Below, Zhu Huan looked worried, his face full of concern.

I heard the news late last night and was so worried that I barely slept a wink.

If Zhu Huan remembers correctly, this is the first time in the Yongle reign that so many people have impeached someone.

Even though Zhu Gaoxu told him not to worry yesterday, how could he not worry now that things have developed to this point?

Upon hearing this, Zhu Gaoxu showed no concern whatsoever; instead, he laughed.

"Zhu Huan, you should think of it this way: so many people impeaching me is actually a good thing."

"Hmm? Good news? Your Highness, are you...?"

Zhu Gaoxu's lips twitched as he watched Zhu Huan hesitate for a long time before finally not saying what he wanted to say.

He knew all too well what was to come.

This guy was his subordinate after all, but now that he's become so amiable, people dare to say anything to him.

In the past, Zhu Huan would never have dared to be so presumptuous.

"Zhu Huan, why can't you see this clearly at a time like this? The more people who impeach, the more likely it is that the plan to go overseas and establish a fiefdom will be realized."

Zhu Gaoxu smiled. "Those people's impeachment?"

I'm sorry, but he didn't care at all. He stopped caring from the moment he started doing those things.

Now, as long as he can gain benefits and get Zhu Di to agree to let him go, nothing else matters to him.

Zhu Huan was taken aback, then bowed deeply to Zhu Gaoxu.

"Your Highness is truly talented; I admire you greatly."

"Alright, go and prepare those things."

While Zhu Gaochi was making preparations, Zhu Di had already returned to the capital.

Seeing the empty city gate, Zhu Di's face darkened, and he immediately headed towards the palace.

"The news has been sent that the Prince of Han has entered the palace."

"Yes."

Zhu Di returned to the palace, looked at the empty hall, took a deep breath, and gradually loosened his clenched hands.

But when he arrived at the top, Zhu Di was dumbfounded again.

"Where is my inkstone! Where are my writing brushes and inkstone! And where is my finest rosewood table! My..."

Zhu Di could no longer contain himself and began to fly into a rage.

The eunuchs and imperial guards below trembled and all knelt on the ground.

Zhu Di was furious and wanted to smash something to vent his anger, but he found that he had nothing to smash.

Fortunately, Zhu Gaoxu at least left him a chair.

Zhu Di, who had been angry for a long time, looked at the people below and was immediately furious.

"roll!"

Zhu Di did not pursue the matter further, since these people did not dare to actually stop Zhu Gaoxu.

While waiting for Zhu Gaoxu to arrive, Zhu Di had someone bring him a book and began to read it, as if only in this way could he calm his mind.

After a long while, footsteps sounded, and Zhu Gaoxu walked into the hall. As Zhu Gaoxu bowed, the book in Zhu Di's hand flew quickly toward Zhu Gaoxu.

Zhu Gaoxu, who had just entered, quickly bent down to make way, and then looked at Zhu Di with displeasure.

"Dad, what are you doing? I didn't do anything to you, did I? You almost hit me..."

"You unfilial son! Look at the mess you've made! Where are my things?!"

Zhu Di instinctively wanted to slam his fist on the table, but his hand missed. He then put his hands on his hips and stared at Zhu Gaoxu with his fierce eyes.

Seeing Zhu Di's fury, Zhu Gaoxu was not intimidated at all and grinned.

"Father, don't be so petty. I'm about to go to sea, but you don't support me. I have no choice but to come to the palace to find someone myself."

That sister-in-law was very shrewd; she hid all the good stuff, so I had no choice but to take these worthless things.

Also, I saved you a chair, so as long as you have a seat...

"Haha, good, very good, second brother, should I thank you for leaving me a dragon throne?"

"If you're so capable, why don't you take this dragon throne too? Do you dare?"

A glint flashed in Zhu Di's eyes, but he showed no joy at the fact that the Crown Princess had saved him a lot of good things.

Upon hearing Zhu Di's words, Zhu Gaoxu's eyes lit up.

"Father, are you serious? Do I really want to take it?"

Seeing Zhu Gaoxu's eyes shining, as if he really wanted to take away the only remaining dragon throne in the hall, Zhu Di immediately facepalmed.

How did he end up with such a blockhead?

Can't this person tell whether it's the truth or sarcasm?

"Second brother, what exactly do you want to do? Explain yourself."

Seeing Zhu Di suddenly bring up serious matters, Zhu Gaoxu felt bored.

If Zhu Di had simply nodded in agreement, he would have actually taken the dragon throne out to sell.

Although no one dares to buy this thing openly, it could definitely fetch a fortune if sold secretly.

Stopping his thoughts, Zhu Gaoxu suddenly became extremely serious, looking solemnly at Zhu Di.

"Father, I wish to go to sea and settle down in a fiefdom. Everything I am doing now is in preparation for this. Please grant my request."

Zhu Di looked at Zhu Gaoxu, his eyes flickering, but he remained silent.

After a long while, Zhu Di's sigh echoed in the hall.

"Second son, you've been saying you want to go to sea and establish a fiefdom. Where do you want to go?"

Zhu Gaoxu was momentarily stunned. He had already prepared himself for Zhu Di to disagree or for him to have to spend a lot of time persuading him, but unexpectedly, Zhu Di suddenly softened his stance.

At this moment, Zhu Gaoxu couldn't care less about anything else; he was quickly thinking about what to say.

Whether to tell the truth or to create a smokescreen has become a huge choice.

From the moment Yao Guangxiao persuaded him to go to Japan, Zhu Gaoxu knew very well that Yao Guangxiao would inevitably persuade Zhu Di as well.

Zhu Di is also very likely to be persuaded by Yao Guangxiao, after all, it is Yao Guangxiao's advice that Zhu Di will consider carefully.

If he were to mention going to Japan now, it would inevitably cause people to overthink things.

If Zhu Di had truly heeded Yao Guangxiao's advice, he could not have revealed it to the East himself, otherwise he would have lost many benefits.

But what if Zhu Di didn't think the same way about other places? Did he actually agree with the places he suggested?

After a moment, Zhu Gaoxu made a decision.

"Father, I want to go to Luzon to take up my fiefdom!"

Luzon is located in Southeast Asia, far from the Ming Dynasty. Only in this way will my elder brother and my nephew be able to accept me in the future.

I can also seek to protect myself on the island.

Zhu Gaochi was gambling at this moment, gambling that Zhu Di had already made arrangements for him to go to sea and take up his fiefdom, and gambling that Yao Guangxiao's advice to Zhu Di would have an effect.

Even if he were to go to Luzon, it wouldn't be unacceptable to him.

Zhu Di looked at Zhu Gaoxu for a moment, then slowly withdrew his gaze.

"Since you insist on going to sea to establish your fiefdom, I will not stop you."

However, you shouldn't even think about Luzon.

I'll arrange a place for you: Japan.

"If you wish to go, I will issue an order."

If you don't want to go, then stay in the Ming Dynasty obediently.

Zhu Di was conflicted, but in the end he made this rational choice.

Zhu Gaoxu did not show any surprise upon hearing this, since Yao Guangxiao had already mentioned it, but he did frown.

"Japan? Father, do you want me to go and deal with those Japanese pirates?"

Zhu Di nodded and said solemnly, "Since you want to go to sea, then go and solve the problem of the Japanese pirates for the Ming Dynasty. From now on, the Ming Dynasty's coast will no longer be harassed by Japanese pirates, and the court will not have to spend a lot of money and grain to set up a Japanese pirate army."

Going to Japan would be much more difficult than going to Luzon. Would you still be willing to go to sea and settle down there?