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

Inside the east monks' quarters of Jiming Temple.

Zhu Gaoxu sat in the chair with his eyes closed, constantly processing the events of the day.

After a long while, Zhu Gaoxu slowly opened his eyes, came to the mirror, and looked at himself in the mirror.

"Phew...it seems it's true, it's all true."

Even after returning to the Yongle era, Zhu Gaoxu couldn't help but double-check his return.

He was initially worried that he might close his eyes and return to the modern world.

I just tried, but it didn't work; he's still here.

Having received complete affirmation, a huge weight was lifted from my heart.

Stopping thinking about it, Zhu Gaoxu began to ponder what he really wanted to do and to what extent he wanted to achieve this sudden return to the Yongle Emperor of the Ming Dynasty.

I've thought about this question countless times before, but each time I've come up with a different answer.

At first, he hated Zhu Zhanji to the core and wished he could kill him.

Later, he wanted to go back and fight again to become emperor.

But after turning twenty in the modern world, perhaps he suddenly matured a lot, or perhaps the torment of twenty nights and modern life made him forget those things and stop thinking about these issues.

Now that we've reached this point in time, even after some brief reflection, Zhu Gaoxu still needs to think things through.

If you don't even know what you want to do or what you want to achieve, what's the point of talking about what to do next?

After a long while, Zhu Gaoxu's expression gradually became firm.

"At this point, the choices I can make are actually limited. If I want to achieve those things, I still have to go out and take up a fiefdom, leave the Ming Dynasty and take up a fiefdom!"

Now that he has a second chance, he must not only change his own destiny, but also the destiny of the Ming Dynasty and the Han people.

Zhu Gaoxu didn't know if he could do it, but he had to give it a try.

Those things are still too far away for him right now. What he needs to do now is change his destiny, build his own power, and have his own strength.

"Where should they go to take up their fiefdom?"

Zhu Gaoxu frowned slightly, already starting to think about where to go next.

When a decision is made, Zhu Gaoxu is not one to hesitate or drag things out.

This is also a habit that has been developed in modern times.

Born in the mountains, I had to shoulder many responsibilities from a young age, and these responsibilities represented things.

If you are indecisive and hesitant in doing things, how can you possibly succeed?

Especially considering that they successfully obtained their doctorates under those conditions, many of them have honed their skills over the past thirty years.

And some things I realized in my previous life.

Even so, Zhu Gaoxu was still somewhat undecided when considering where he should go to his fiefdom.

"Europe? North America? Australia? Or somewhere else?"

Zhu Gaochi was genuinely hesitant. These places were all places that could support his development, were far enough away from the Ming Dynasty, and allowed him to change history.

However, while these places are desirable, he cannot possess them all at present.

You can only choose one specific place from these directions.

But this gives you more options.

However, after only a moment, Zhu Gaoxu suddenly shook his head and smiled.

"It seems I'm overthinking it."

Zhu Gaoxu suddenly realized that if he were to go out to assume his fiefdom, he would definitely need to take people with him.

Without having to think about anything else, I had to take my own palace guards and the Three Guards of the Han Prince of the Ming Dynasty with me.

After all, if he went out alone, it wouldn't be about building and developing his territory, but rather about being exiled to his death.

But if we want to take these people out, we can't just take these people.

These people have families, and all of those families must be taken away with them.

Otherwise, what if someone misses their family after they're taken out?

If he were to go outside and a mutiny were to break out in the army that was the foundation of his livelihood, even if it didn't kill him, it would prevent him from doing anything else.

But if he takes them all with him, would these people be willing to leave the Ming Dynasty with him?

More importantly, Zhu Di's attitude was crucial.

Even if these people were willing to go out with him, they would still need Zhu Di's permission; otherwise, the Ming Dynasty would not be able to leave.

Even if Zhu Di agreed, the question of where to go would still be a crucial one.

A large number of horses are needed on land, and a large number of ships are needed at sea.

Moreover, the places he goes must be places that Zhu Di can trust, otherwise Zhu Di would not agree to let him go.

We also need to reassure Zhu Gaochi that he won't be constantly watching him or secretly causing him trouble.

Therefore, the only option available is the area surrounding the Ming Dynasty.

Whether Zhu Di would agree to the European and North American policies is one question, but whether he would have sufficient funds and resources to support them is another major issue.

After thinking for a while, Zhu Gaoxu quickly set his sights on Southeast Asia or Japan.

Once they went to sea, as long as they developed navigation, it would be convenient enough to go to Europe, North America, or other places.

More importantly, it puts everyone at ease.

What everyone fears most about the Ming Dynasty is its three major battalions and its advanced firearms.

These are all true, but the most powerful force was the Ming Dynasty's navy.

On land, there are still people who can compare with the three battalions equipped with advanced firearms.

But at sea, and in the world at large, no power could challenge the Ming Dynasty's navy.

In this era, the Ming Dynasty's navy was the strongest in the world.

With Zheng He's voyages to the Western Ocean, Zhu Di's understanding of overseas regions was also quite extensive.

Zhu Di could easily command those small countries outside the capital if he wanted to.

In this situation, his departure to the sea was enough to put everyone's minds at ease.

Having determined this direction, Zhu Gaoxu's expression turned solemn.

The places at sea that could support his development were still in the East and South Seas, so there weren't many options left.

It can't be too close, nor too far, and it needs to reassure everyone while also supporting the development of the territory after I go there. In other words, it needs to have certain resources and people.

Before long, Zhu Gaoxu had a place set in his mind.

But after focusing his thoughts on this, Zhu Gaoxu hesitated again.

He hesitated for only a few breaths before his expression hardened.

"This is it! Perfect as a starting point for change!"

Once he knew where he was going, Zhu Gaoxu felt much more relaxed.

As for other things, Zhu Gaoxu wasn't thinking about them at the moment.

There's no problem dealing with those issues once we get back.

The most important thing now is to obtain Zhu Di's consent.

Rather than wasting time in the Ming Dynasty, it is far more precious to go out and explore the vast world.

When the final decision was made, Zhu Gaoxu stood up and immediately prepared to go find Zhu Di.

However, at that moment, the door was pushed open, and a figure hurriedly walked in, then closed the door behind him.

Seeing this, Zhu Gaoxu had no choice but to stop and quietly sit back down.