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

Zhu Gaoxu looked intently at Zhu Gaochi, which was also his warning to Zhu Gaochi.

During this voyage, Zhu Gaochi was well aware of the amount of money, provisions, supplies, and manpower that Zhu Di had given him—more than Zhu Gaochi and the other civil officials and scholars would have wanted to see after he set sail.

Even with Zhu Di's imperial edict, he was certain that someone would try to withhold his money, supplies, and manpower.

With Zhu Di issuing an imperial edict, those below could find no way to delay the inevitable.

If imperial edicts were truly that effective, then whatever Zhu Di said would be carried out flawlessly by his subordinates, and there wouldn't be any other problems.

The further down one goes, the less powerful the imperial authority becomes with each subsequent level.

The idea that imperial power doesn't extend to the countryside is not just a saying.

Regardless of the era, once the imperial court issues a policy, does the local government truly implement it exactly as the imperial court has instructed?

Are all the laws that have been promulgated truly being followed by everyone?

They wouldn't dare to do it openly, but they certainly do it secretly.

While what he needed this time was not as much as what was needed for the construction of Shuntian or Zhu Di's northern expedition, it was still a considerable sum.

Add to that the population that was to be relocated, and the scholar-officials certainly wouldn't easily agree.

These people around Zhu Di dared not say anything, but during the preparations, they could make him suffer enough by delaying or stopping him with various excuses.

These tasks require not only high-ranking officials in the imperial court, but also local officials and gentry.

All these people are connected by an invisible thread: Zhu Gaochi's residence and the Crown Prince's mansion.

Zhu Di promised him something, and he wanted to get it as soon as possible. But Zhu Di alone wasn't enough; Zhu Gaochi also had to make every effort to prepare so that he could get it quickly.

Otherwise, if he delays here and there, and then goes overseas, what can he do with these people?

If they don't show their power now and make Zhu Gaochi wary, these people will only become more rampant once they leave.

But to achieve this, you can't afford to break off relations.

Once the facade is broken, these people will only become more blatant.

By keeping that thin veil of paper, they are also telling Zhu Gaochi something.

He certainly can't interfere with the affairs of the Ming Dynasty once he goes to sea, but he should think things through carefully before he does.

He's already set sail, he's already paid so high a price, he's already exiled himself. Even if he causes a major disaster, the worst outcome is still just continuing to sail.

But whether Zhu Gaochi and his group of scholar-officials could bear that outcome was another matter entirely.

To put it bluntly, with the voyage about to begin, merely engaging in empty talk is of no practical use.

Aside from gaining a verbal advantage, the other party doesn't lose anything, so why bother?

He believed that Zhu Gaochi could understand these words; otherwise, Zhu Gaochi would not be worthy of being the crown prince.

What if Zhu Gaochi pretends not to understand?

He wasn't joking when he said that.

With these people causing trouble, Zhu Di definitely won't give us all of what he promised.

Those people, just kill them.

At worst, we can just give up those things and keep going out to sea.

That's perfect. Maybe Zhu Di won't let him return to the Ming Dynasty in the future, which will actually save some trouble.

Thinking about this, Zhu Gaoxu was momentarily tempted.

Should we kill off a few of Zhu Gaochi's confidants and a few of the court officials, and then just leave?

Zhu Gaochi understood what Zhu Gaoxu meant after hearing his words.

At this moment, he also knew what Zhu Gaoxu's purpose was.

All that talk, all that talk about tearing off the mask and embarrassing him, was for this very reason.

Even Zhu Gaochi had to admit that Zhu Gaoxu's thinking was truly comprehensive, and he did not believe it simply because of Zhu Di's imperial edict.

Because at present, the people below have already complained a lot and are trying to find ways to delay the process, so that it will drag on and make Zhu Gaochi uncomfortable, and then the matter will be dropped.

He understood Zhu Di's purpose in having him prepare these things, but if he really wanted to, he had a way to do so while protecting himself.

Zhu Gaochi did not doubt Zhu Gaoxu's determination. Given Zhu Gaoxu's current situation, as long as he did not attack Zhu Di or rebel, the worst outcome would be exile overseas.

Even if Zhu Gaochi hadn't touched him, Zhu Zhanji, or crossed any lines, even if he had just killed some people in the court, the consequences probably wouldn't have been so severe as to be exiled overseas.

Especially when he saw Zhu Gaoxu's eyes growing brighter and his expression becoming more and more excited, as if he really wanted to do it, Zhu Gaochi became anxious for a moment.

After Zhu Gaochi went to sea, he automatically lost his eligibility to compete.

If Zhu Gaoxu is provoked to that extent again, he won't get anything good out of it.

Zhu Di must have had deep thoughts about him, and his subordinates would probably have opinions about him.

"Second brother, don't worry about that. I know exactly why you went to sea."

Even if the old man didn't give any instructions, as the eldest brother, how could I not help you?

It does take time to prepare those things, as you know.

Give me some time, and I'll get it ready for you as soon as possible.

Upon hearing Zhu Gaochi's agreement, Zhu Gaoxu smiled.

"Alright, I naturally trust you, brother. After all, almost all the ministers and local officials were promoted by you. With your words, there's definitely no problem."

Third brother, you should also bear witness for us; we must trust the eldest brother.

"After I go to sea, you and the eldest brother should take good care of yourselves. Brothers should stay in harmony and help out the old man."

Zhu Gaoxu's previous emotions vanished instantly, replaced by a smile.

It was as if nothing had happened at all.

Zhu Gaochi gave Zhu Gaoxu a deep look; the current Zhu Gaoxu made him feel extremely dangerous.

They called him "Big Brother" so sincerely that anyone who didn't know better would think they had a really good relationship.

This ability to change one's appearance so unpredictably is not something that ordinary people possess.

Upon hearing this, Zhu Gaosui felt a pang of disappointment.

He thought that Zhu Gaoxu and Zhu Gaochi might clash and fight, allowing him to reap the benefits.

After all that fuss, they suddenly made up without really understanding why.

At this moment, the two of them acted as if nothing had happened, so calmly that Zhu Gaosui thought he was hallucinating.

"Second brother, I will definitely take good care of the old man."

The eldest brother isn't one to go back on his word. Grandpa values ​​harmony among us brothers most, and I believe that no matter what, the eldest brother won't let Grandpa down.

Zhu Gaosui once again put Zhu Gaochi on a pedestal; now, his main enemy was still Zhu Gaochi.

Zhu Gaosui secretly hoped that Zhu Gaochi would go a little too far, and that he would help Zhu Gaochi if needed.

As long as the conflict between the two can be fully ignited, that's fine.

Unfortunately, to Zhu Gaosui's disappointment, Zhu Gaochi smiled and nodded in agreement.

"Second brother, third brother, we are all family, we are brothers, we should always be harmonious."

Alright, now that we've talked things out, let's go back.

I'll go back and get what my second child needs as soon as possible.

Zhu Gaochi left first, and Zhu Gaoxu also turned his gaze to Zhu Gaosui.

"Third brother, I'm about to set sail. The old man asked you to prepare the men for me as soon as possible."

In addition, if you still acknowledge me as your second brother, please help me prepare more talents in those fields.

After I leave, there's so much to do; those people still aren't enough.

"Don't worry, second brother. You've said it like that, what else can I say?"

I'll try to find more people in that field for you later.

Zhu Gaosui patted his chest and agreed, fully displaying his feelings.

Zhu Gaoxu laughed along, chatted for a few words, and then left.

Next, he will accelerate preparations and set sail.