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

Seeing that Zhu Di was asking him to speak, Zhu Gaoxu grinned.

"Father, then I won't stand on ceremony."

I still need some scholars. I have established a domain in Japan, and I need to govern it and also need people to teach.

There are also all kinds of craftsmen, from building cities and post roads to tunneling mountains, river management, shipbuilding, metallurgy, firearms and gunpowder, and so on. I can't possibly be there without these people.

We also need a lot of money, food, and supplies, especially fine iron. You know what Japan is like, Father; they have nothing there. If I don't bring some with me, and we get driven back by Japan, won't it be you who loses face, Father?

As Zhu Di listened to Zhu Gaoxu's demands, his face gradually darkened.

He told Zhu Gaoxu that this person was not being polite to him at all, and really wanted everything.

"Second brother, you're really greedy, you want everything."

Money, grain, and supplies—aren't you selling your Han Prince's Mansion?

All the officials and wealthy people in the capital, who didn't give you money?

"Didn't you always look down on scholars? Why are you starting to value them now?"

Hearing Zhu Di's teasing, which seemed to be an attempt to lower the price, Zhu Gaoxu immediately looked aggrieved.

"Father, you know I have to take a lot of people with me when I go out, including the families of the Three Guards and the people in the manor. If I don't sell the Han Prince's Mansion to get some money and supplies, what will they do when I go to Japan?"

Moreover, I have to fight a war with Japan first, and only if I win will I get the territory. This is too difficult for me.

I don't want to sell all the items in the palace, but if I don't sell them, where will I get the money, food, and supplies?

Even after selling your daughter-in-law's dowry and jewelry, it's still not enough; there's still a long way to go.

The army needs to eat, drink, and relieve itself; the men brought along also need to eat, drink, and relieve themselves, and they also have to fight. How do you calculate this?

Zhu Gaoxu poured out all his grievances like beans spilling from a bamboo tube.

Zhu Di listened to Zhu Gaoxu's incessant chatter, feeling both annoyed and extremely uncomfortable.

Zhu Gaoxu talked about his hardships in every sentence, and he kept talking, even though Zhu Di knew that Zhu Gaoxu was exaggerating and that it wasn't that exaggerated.

Moreover, Zhu Gaochi made these preparations before he even decided to go to Japan, so they were full of loopholes.

But Zhu Di still couldn't bear to do it.

But Zhu Gaoxu's voice did not stop.

"Father, you said you look down on scholars. Yes, I used to look down on them, but that was before."

When I went to Japan, you told me to tame those Eastern barbarians, but they spoke Japanese, and only the powerful and wealthy could speak Chinese.

I can't just ignore those Eastern barbarians, but to manage them, I have to get rid of the Japanese language and make them learn Chinese.

Who else can I ask besides scholars to do this?

After conquering the territory, I must establish a system for it, otherwise where will the people I brought and the people they subjugated live? What will they eat?

Not only do I have to build up my domain, but I also have to deal with Japan. I have to completely incorporate my domain into the territory of the Ming Dynasty and make it a part of the Ming Dynasty. Is it easy for me?

The original reason for going to sea and establishing a fiefdom was to avoid internal strife. I took the initiative to go out, and you are all so wary of me. Are you afraid that I will fight back from that broken little island?

Do you still think that Japan is stronger than the Ming Dynasty, and that it would be dangerous for me to take over the Ming Dynasty?

If you're not comfortable with this, I'll go to Luzon. You can send your own troops to fight Japan. Go and see for yourself how easy it is to fight them. Go and conquer them and see what Japan has to offer.

If I had known this would happen, I would have preferred to have died in battle during the Jingnan Rebellion.

As Zhu Gaoxu was speaking, he plopped down on the ground, as if he were venting all his grievances.

However, in his heart, Zhu Gaoxu recalled all the sad things, trying his best to make his eyes red and hopefully shed a few tears.

This time, he really went all out to make Zhu Di suffer a huge loss.

Zhu Gaoxu had completely abandoned all notions of male chauvinism, men's restraint in shedding tears, and saving face.

Now all he wants are benefits. The more benefits he gets, the faster he can develop after he leaves, and once he has the strength, he can pick up what he has lost.

The weak have no right to ask for this or that.

Zhu Di was no longer in the mood to listen to what Zhu Gaoxu was saying; his heart was filled with guilt.

Seeing Zhu Gaoxu sitting on the ground, looking like he was about to cry and break down, my heart ached even more.

When has Zhu Gaoxu ever acted like this? Even before, no matter what he said, I would rather have a big fight with him than act like this.

In particular, Zhu Gaochi's words, "I knew I would die during the Jingnan Rebellion," pierced Zhu Di's heart like needles.

Yes, Zhu Gaochi went to Japan, what could he possibly guard against?

As for Japan, let alone the fact that Zhu Gaoxu would have to conquer it inch by inch to make it a vassal state, even if Zhu Gaoxu conquered the entire Japan, what threat would it pose to the Ming Dynasty?

Zhu Di felt somewhat guilty; at this point, why did he still harbor such great suspicion towards Zhu Gaoxu?

Thinking back to Zhu Gaoxu before, and then looking at Zhu Gaoxu's current state, Zhu Di felt a pang of pity. Had he personally driven his own son to this state?

Zhu Di slowly squatted down and sat directly next to Zhu Gaoxu.

"Second brother, you're a real man, you've fought your way up from the battlefield, don't cry."

I will give you everything you've mentioned. I will issue an imperial decree shortly to allocate funds, grain, and supplies to you from the Ministry of Revenue, and I will also allocate some from the Imperial Household Department.

I know you still have over a thousand private soldiers, and I will replenish all their weapons, armor, firearms, and gunpowder for you.

Then, transfer some military equipment, firearms, and gunpowder from the treasury to your guards.

I'll relocate another 500,000 people for you, and I'll also prepare more iron for you.

I'll have my third brother prepare the people you want, and you can take them with you when the time comes.

"Alright, stop crying and sobbing. What kind of behavior is this? People will laugh at you."

Zhu Gaoxu looked at Zhu Di in front of him, feeling both dazed and unfamiliar.

In both his past and present lives, this must be the first time he has ever seen Zhu Di with such a gentle side.

And he even knows how to comfort people, specifically him.

This was the first time Zhu Di had comforted him, and Zhu Gaoxu was momentarily at a loss for words.

At that moment, Zhu Gaoxu suddenly felt that Zhu Di was so good and so considerate.

What he couldn't achieve in his previous life, he unexpectedly accomplished in this life.

This also made him realize that Zhu Di had genuine feelings for him and truly loved him, and that it wasn't just empty talk.

But Zhu Gaoxu quickly put these thoughts aside.

Zhu Di's mood was constantly changing, and he could not be misled by Zhu Di's current gentleness.

Taking a deep breath, Zhu Gaoxu smiled, a particularly radiant smile.

All he was doing was trying to gain more benefits, and the result did not disappoint him; Zhu Di gave him quite a lot.

Zhu Gaoxu couldn't help but sigh, "Indeed, only the crying child gets the candy."

Think about what you gained in your past life when you were so obsessed with saving face that you suffered for it.

It was just an experiment, but it brought him benefits beyond his wildest imagination, so it was all worth it.

Looking at Zhu Di, Zhu Gaoxu nodded slightly.

"Father, I understand. Don't worry, I won't embarrass you on this trip to Japan!"

"Once my domain is established and I destroy Japan, Father, you can come and see my domain."

"Alright, once you've established your domain, I'll come and see for myself how you govern it."

Zhu Di smiled and agreed, suddenly feeling a sense of anticipation for Zhu Gaoxu to make his mark outside.

At least this way, he can stop worrying altogether.

At that time, Zhu Gaochi was in the Ming Dynasty, and Zhu Gaoxu was in a Han vassal state outside. They each lived their own lives, and the Ming Dynasty would no longer have those messy affairs.

The father and son smiled at each other, and then Zhu Di said solemnly, "Second son, I agree to everything you said."

But I also have one request, and you must agree to it.