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

Zhu Gaoxu stood there for a long time before a smile finally appeared on his face.

Back at the Prince's residence, before he could do anything, a familiar figure appeared before him.

"Greetings, Your Highness."

"Niu Cheng, you're back so soon? Where's the person I asked you to invite?"

Looking at Niu Cheng, the commander of his personal guards, Zhu Gaoxu was first taken aback, then his face was filled with surprise.

Now that Niu Cheng is back, has the person he has been longing for also come?

As for failure, Zhu Gaoxu didn't even think about it.

The reason Niu Cheng was sent in person was because Niu Cheng was unlikely to fail.

We must see the person alive or dead; that's our bottom line.

Niu Cheng grinned and cupped his hands, saying, "Your Highness, I have invited him back, and he is in the east wing."

As expected, the prince's prediction came true; his mother fell ill at home, but her condition has improved considerably.

This man was extremely grateful to the prince and wished to personally meet him to express his gratitude.

Upon hearing that the person had arrived, Zhu Gaoxu suddenly smiled.

"Haha, good job, you did a good job."

"The east wing, right? I'll go there now."

"Your Highness, just let him come. There's no need for you to..."

Niu Cheng wanted to say something, but seeing Zhu Gaoxu walk straight over, he sighed and followed.

In his view, the other party was just a commoner, and it was only because his ancestors' graves were emitting auspicious smoke that he was able to enter the Prince of Han's mansion. Now, Zhu Gaoxu had to go in person.

But this startled Niu Cheng. Zhu Gaoxu's actions undoubtedly showed that he valued this person highly.

Zhu Gaoxu ignored all of this and went straight to the outside of the east wing.

I watched as a young man paced back and forth in the small pavilion in the courtyard, engrossed in the book in his hands.

Zhu Gaoxu arrived at the pavilion with a smile on his face, his eyes seemingly recalling something.

Although Zhu Gaoxu did not speak, the young man still noticed it.

The young man put down the book in his hand, came to Zhu Gaoxu, and bowed deeply in worship.

"This humble commoner, Yu Qian, pays his respects to His Highness the Prince of Han."

"Your Highness, Prince Xie Han, has saved my mother; I am deeply grateful!"

The young man before them was none other than Yu Qian, the Junior Guardian.

Zhu Gaoxu helped Yu Qian up, smiling as he said, "Get up. It was nothing, no need to thank me."

Zhu Gaoxu looked at Yu Qian, his eyes filled with undisguised satisfaction and admiration.

In his previous life, Yu Qian had impressed him greatly.

He was particularly aware of Yu Qian's talent, whether from his previous life or from what he had read in modern books, Zhu Gaoxu recognized it highly.

Zhu Gaoxu ignored those dark and sordid matters, and he didn't want to comment on Tumu Fortress either.

But Yu Qian's abilities are undeniable.

This is also why he sent Niu Cheng to invite him personally, simply because he didn't want to leave Yu Qian to Zhu Zhanji anymore.

Such a capable person, if left in the Ming Dynasty, will only cause internal strife.

"It was a small favor for Your Highness, but for me, it is a great kindness. How could I not be grateful? I will remember it forever!"

Yu Qian slowly stood up, feeling the warmth and kindness of this unfamiliar Prince Han of the Ming Dynasty. He was both touched and extremely puzzled.

What moved him was that Zhu Gaoxu healed his mother, and whatever the reason, it was something he had to remember and be grateful for.

He was at a loss. His family had spent a lot of money to support his education, and his mother refused to use the remaining money for medical treatment so that he could continue his studies.

Just as he was in pain, Zhu Gaoxu's men arrived.

Without saying a word, he immediately began treatment.

The best doctors in the Prince of Han's mansion used the best medicines and took meticulous care of them, even spending money to buy them food and clothing. What could he say?

What's puzzling is that he was just an unknown nobody, with only a little reputation in his hometown, and nothing else that could catch the eye of the Prince of Han of the Ming Dynasty.

Yu Qian believed himself to be exceptionally intelligent, no less so than anyone else, but his name was certainly not in the sight of Zhu Gaoxu.

But the fact is that Zhu Gaochi knew about him and even sent his personal guard commander. He also knew that his mother was sick and sent the best doctor. This level of treatment was too extravagant.

When he left, he knew that everyone in the city was jealous, envious and resentful of him. They were both ashamed that he had taken such a shortcut and envious that he had gotten lucky and caught the eye of the Prince of Han of the Ming Dynasty.

Scholars throughout the land had their own opinions and thoughts about Zhu Gaochi, and it could be said that they gossiped about him behind his back.

But when someone is truly valued by Zhu Gaochi, everyone wants to be the one who is valued.

Yu Qian really didn't know what Zhu Gaoxu wanted from him. Was it his knowledge? Or was it someone else?

But there are plenty of knowledgeable and renowned people out there.

As for plotting against others, Yu Qian found it absurd.

Unable to understand, Yu Qian stopped thinking about it and looked at Zhu Gaoxu with burning eyes.

Now that he had already met Zhu Gaoxu, he wasn't going to hold back.

At this moment, Zhu Gaoxu's voice came first.

"I have quite a few people in my residence. Seeing that you bowed without the slightest hesitation, how can you be sure it was me?"

"Your Highness, when I entered the manor, I saw that everyone inside was busy in an orderly manner."

His Highness's attire, imposing presence, and powerful physique allow him to move freely within the mansion. I suspect that, besides His Highness, there is no one else in this mansion.

"Haha, truly extremely clever."

Upon hearing Yu Qian's words, Zhu Gaoxu burst into laughter.

This insight, in ordinary circumstances, is indeed quite common.

However, this was Yu Qian's perspective as an ordinary person, yet he remained neither humble nor arrogant, showing no sign of panic. On the contrary, he was able to see through everything around him, which is quite remarkable.

So many people, when they go to an unfamiliar environment, especially a home that spans countless social classes, who can face it like Yu Qian?

Even some officials couldn't do what Yu Qian did, let alone Yu Qian, who was just a scholar at the time.

Then, Yu Qian's voice came through.

"Your Highness is too kind. May I ask, Your Highness, why did you specifically send someone to find me? What is Your Highness's intention?"

Seeing Yu Qian stare at him like that, Zhu Gaoxu gained a deeper understanding of Yu Qian's audacity and arrogance.

Historically, Yu Qian was arrogant, but he was still a Jinshi (a successful candidate in the highest imperial examinations) who entered officialdom.

Now that he was just a commoner, he dared to look him in the eye like that, which made Zhu Gaoxu admire him even more.

"If you want to know, I may tell you."

I sent someone to find you simply because I admire you.

Although you haven't achieved official rank yet, I know your abilities.

You're very smart, I can tell you that directly.

Next, I will go to Japan, outside of the Ming Dynasty, to take up my fiefdom. That will be my domain.

"I brought you here so that you might come with me and, after you have completed your studies, govern my fiefdom. Are you willing?"

Zhu Gaoxu was straightforward and didn't beat around the bush. Now, Yu Qian no longer needed him to do anything unnecessary.

Yu Qian listened to Zhu Gaoxu's words and smiled bitterly.

Sure enough, Zhu Gaoxu was really after someone else, and Yu Qian didn't know whether to be happy or sad.

At his age, without having taken the imperial examinations, he directly caught Zhu Gaoxu's eye and received such attention from Zhu Gaoxu. He should have been happy, but he couldn't be.

In his eyes, passing the imperial examinations was not difficult, and he was certain that he could serve the court in the future.

But now, everything needs to change.

After a moment, Yu Qian had no choice but to accept this unfortunate fact.

"Your Highness, do you think I have the right to refuse?"

"I am deeply grateful for Your Highness's kindness in saving my mother. I am willing to serve Your Highness with utmost loyalty."

"Haha, you're really smart."

Seeing that Yu Qian seemed to have resigned himself to his fate, Zhu Gaoxu couldn't help but laugh.

As Yu Qian said, whether you're willing or not is no longer important.

Since he has already made up his mind, Yu Qian's decision is not important.

As for now, whether Yu Qian is sincere or has other factors, as long as he goes out with him, Zhu Gaoxu believes that Yu Qian will not have any other actions or thoughts.

Regardless of what Yu Qian thought, he was always Yu Qian's savior and benefactor, someone whom Yu Qian had employed and valued when Yu Qian was in dire straits.

This fact will not change over time.

After chatting for a while and visiting Yu Qian's mother, Zhu Gaoxu left.

Next, he had more important things to deal with.