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

Zhu Gaoxu kept his mind focused; these problems were not insurmountable.

After a moment's thought, Zhu Gaoxu immediately looked at Zhu Huan.

"It's just over 200,000 people, no problem."

Continue purchasing grain and supplies, and send people to the Jiangnan region, where there is plenty of grain.

All the money we brought back was spent; anything left in our hands was useless.

At the same time, we are making coordination and preparations so that the people here will be sent to Liujiagang in a centralized manner.

The ships will gather there to facilitate their departure.

Zhu Gaoxu now has to transport the people here first, otherwise once they set off, it will take a long time to get to the boarding point with so many people traveling together.

After arranging things for Zhu Huan, Zhu Gaoxu then summoned Wang Bin, Mei Qing, and a few others.

"Greetings, Your Highness."

"Mei Qing, go down and prepare immediately. Take the people from the manor and head to Liujiagang first."

I have already asked Zhu Huan to cooperate with you. You and Zhu Huan should discuss this together. Not only should you bring people over, but you should also bring supplies over.

Once you arrive at Liujiagang, set up your own camp. Remember to maintain order; anyone who breaks the rules will be dealt with immediately.

Zhu Gaoxu got straight to the point, made the arrangements, and stopped worrying about what Mei Qing did.

He then looked at Wang Bin.

"Wang Bin, the people selected from various places are now in place. You will choose two thousand people from among them."

You should train these people rigorously and get them into combat capability as soon as possible.

"Take the delivered weapons directly from the warehouse and re-equip everyone."

This was something Zhu Gaoxu had considered; even before venturing out, he had to expand the army in advance.

Now, his three guards plus various private soldiers have a total strength of about 20,000, plus the guards of the Prince's Palace.

Based on the number of people and supplies he took with him, he would have to leave at least three thousand soldiers behind, and that's just the minimum, to protect and maintain order.

At least another three thousand troops should be reserved for transporting food and supplies.

In other words, when he arrived in Japan, he could only field fewer than 14,000 men in the front lines.

After conquering a territory, a certain number of troops must be left behind to prevent a counterattack from the Japanese and to guard against raids by Japanese pirates.

After reducing this group further, if he wanted to expand his territory as soon as possible, he would only have around ten thousand people left.

Even with its current equipment advantage, its troop strength is still too limited.

Although these two thousand men are not enough to quench our thirst now, they can do a great deal of work once they are deployed on the battlefield.

Wang Bin was startled and hesitated for a moment.

"Your Highness, we haven't even set sail yet. If we start expanding our army now, won't it cause..."

Although Wang Bin hadn't finished speaking, Zhu Gaoxu already knew what he meant.

This is not only about whether it will arouse Zhu Di's suspicion, but also whether it will lead those civil officials, who are his enemies, to impeach and impeach him.

After all, with so many people opposing him, it would be difficult for Zhu Di to handle the situation.

Zhu Gaoxu shook his head, his expression turning solemn.

"These are not things for you to consider. Your task now is to train these people in the shortest possible time."

Once we're out at sea, there won't be as much time to do all this.

"Yes, Your Highness! Before setting sail, I will ensure the army is combat-ready!"

Without further hesitation, Wang Bin immediately signed a pledge.

Zhu Gaoxu nodded and said nothing more.

After Wang Bin left, they went to the back of the house and found Wei Wanrong.

"Madam, please prepare yourself; you may have to go ahead of me."

I've already instructed Mei Qing to prepare to take the people here to Liujiagang. I don't mind you going with her."

Looking at the beautiful woman before him, Zhu Gaoxu believed it.

Having been the Princess Consort of Han for so many years, she was not just a pretty face.

Wei Wanrong was surprised for a moment, but quickly recovered.

"Okay, I'll go prepare right away."

Wei Wanrong did not refuse, even though it was a huge test for her. But she understood one thing: if she did not step up now, she, as the mistress of the house, would become a burden and a hindrance to Zhu Gaoxu.

Empress Ma and Empress Xu were able to do these things behind the scenes for Zhu Yuanzhang and Zhu Di, and Wei Wanrong believed she could do it too.

It has to work, even if it doesn't!

Zhu Gaoxu chatted with Wei Wanrong for a while, and then left.

With my departure from Beijing imminent, there's still a lot to do.

Several days later, the people sent out to find talent finally returned.

Not only did they bring back Shang Zhongxuan and Peng Yuyi, but also several of their friends, as well as some local people who had some reputation but no official title.

Zhu Gaoxu was overjoyed; the arrival of such a talented person was a great start.

Having the title of Prince of Han of the Ming Dynasty made recruiting people incredibly convenient, Zhu Gaochi remarked with particular admiration.

After settling these people in, Zhu Gaosui suddenly appeared at the Prince of Han's residence.

"Third brother, what brings you here? It's a rare sight."

"Second brother, don't tease me. I've been busy with the Embroidered Uniform Guard lately, so I've been delayed."

"And I've been busy with that thing I promised my second brother."

Zhu Gaoxu led Zhu Gaosui to the pavilion, where the two sat down and poured wine.

Upon hearing what Zhu Gaosui said, Zhu Gaoxu's eyes flashed.

"Third brother, are you all ready?"

He always remembered the money that Zhu Gaosui gave him.

Regardless of whether it was given by Zhu Gaosui or authorized by Zhu Di, he would not refuse it in the slightest.

Zhu Gaosui drank a cup of wine, wiped his stubble-covered mouth, and slowly smiled.

"Second brother, don't you trust me to handle things?"

I've already had it sent to your estate outside, and it's all been exchanged for gold, silver, and copper coins.

I was originally thinking of exchanging some grain for you, but after thinking about it, I realized that giving gold and silver is much more practical than that. Second brother, just buy whatever you want yourself.

"Haha, third brother, you're the one who knows how to get things done."

You've done me a great favor this time, and I won't let you get away with it for nothing. Later, I'll have someone send you a fortune.

Zhu Gaoxu said in a low voice with a smile on his face, regardless of what Zhu Gaosui thought, he still needed to maintain a certain contact with Zhu Gaosui for the time being.

Wan Jin not only sounds like a lot, but it's also a considerable sum of money for him, yet he has to do it.

Sending too little would be stingy, and besides, Zhu Gaosui is the King of Zhao; if he really wanted to get these things, it wouldn't be that difficult.

After all, he had gone to sea and wanted to know news from within the Ming Dynasty, so Zhu Gaosui was an important source of information for him.

Regardless of whether Zhu Gaosui would send him genuine information, having such a channel was better than having none at all.

Zhu Gaosui gave Zhu Gaoxu a deep look, then grinned and moved closer to him.

"Second brother, then I'll accept it. There's something else I need to tell you."

The old man asked me to select some people from the Embroidered Uniform Guard to go with you and establish Embroidered Uniform Guard posts in your fiefdom.

One of my men is here, named Wu Liang. He can help you train intelligence personnel.

Everyone else knows he's one of my people, and the old man tacitly approves of it.

I will send his family over later, and you can take them with you.

This person is quite capable, much better than your Raleigh.

I have nothing else to give you, Second Brother, but this person is a token of my appreciation.

Seeing Zhu Gaoxu's winking and grinning, Zhu Gaoxu also smiled slowly.

He truly hadn't expected that Zhu Di would establish the Embroidered Uniform Guard in his fiefdom. What was he planning to do?

What he never expected was that Zhu Gaosui would be so kind as to send him a professional.

The fact that Wu Liang was sent out by Zhu Gaosui shows that he must be quite capable.

But what was Zhu Gaosui's purpose?

This was clearly prepared in advance; it didn't seem like a gift from Zhu Gaosui specifically given to him because he had given Zhu Gaosui ten thousand taels of gold.

This was truly a unique surprise for him.