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

Inside the imperial palace of the Ming Dynasty.

Zhu Di was the first to receive news of Zhu Gaoxu's presence in Japan.

Looking at the report delivered by the Embroidered Uniform Guard in his hand, Zhu Di felt both surprise and complicated emotions, and after a long while, he let out a long sigh.

In fact, Zhu Gaochi's victory over the Japanese army was not surprising to him.

In Zhu Di's view, the Japanese army was incomplete and their weapons and equipment were inferior to those of the Ming army in the first battle that Zhu Gaoxu went to. He was bound to be defeated in the hasty battle.

What he didn't expect was that Ashikaga Yoshimochi of Japan had mobilized an army of 100,000, including 20,000 elite troops.

Zhu Gaoxu only had 10,000 men on the battlefield.

As a result, 100,000 men, including 20,000 elite troops, were routed by Zhu Gaochi with only 10,000 men.

The battlefield details that were transmitted back were so compelling that Zhu Di was at a loss for words.

It's not really a big deal that 10,000 men defeated 100,000 Japanese troops.

After all, he knew the composition of the Japanese army of 100,000, and knew that they could easily be defeated.

The fact that they were able to achieve a near-total annihilation surprised Zhu Di.

What Zhu Di couldn't understand even more was why the Ming Dynasty's coastal areas were so helpless against the Japanese pirates, who were so weak.

The Ming army and the Japanese pirates had clashed before; those Japanese pirates were not weak at all.

There is also a factor at play here: the Japanese pirates were always out there raiding, and in many ways they were much stronger than the so-called large army in Japan.

This problem troubled Zhu Di somewhat, and he had almost thought of it.

However, according to the news that Zhu Gaoxu sent back from Japan, the Japanese pirates' fighting strength was only so-so.

Thinking about the coastal areas again is another reason why Zhu Di sighed with mixed feelings.

Because of this discovery, he has already noticed something fishy.

Zhu Di stopped thinking about that question and instead considered Zhu Gaoxu's situation in Japan.

According to his expectations, Zhu Gaoxu could not have achieved such results so quickly.

Even if the Japanese army is not strong, due to the terrain, as long as they defend well, it will be difficult for Zhu Gaochi to attack.

Zhu Di cursed Ashikaga Yoshimochi in his heart as a fool for leading a large army to fight a positional battle against Zhu Gaochi, instead of a decisive frontal battle.

If he doesn't die, who will?

Thinking of this, Zhu Di couldn't help but want to curse Zhu Gaoxu for being stupid.

How could Ashikaga Yoshimochi have escaped like this? Will a war break out?

After gathering his thoughts and reviewing the events in his mind, Zhu Di felt mostly gratified.

Zhu Gaochi's great victory over the Japanese army also served as a way to vent his anger.

A tiny island nation dared to refuse his investiture, voluntarily severed ties with the Ming Dynasty, detained Ming people, and constantly harassed the Ming coast.

He has wanted to deal with Japan for quite some time now.

Now that Zhu Gaoxu has almost wiped out the elite Japanese forces in one battle, not only has he achieved a great victory, but he has also gained a foothold in Japan, so he no longer needs to worry.

Now that Zhu Gaoxu has achieved a great victory, he will now do what he didn't do before.

"Summon the King of Zhao to the palace!"

A short while later, Zhu Gaosui hurried over.

"Father, I'm here."

"Hmm." Zhu Di slowly spoke, seeing Zhu Gaosui with his head down.

"The news from the second son has come back. You're in charge of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, you know that?"

Zhu Gaosui's heart skipped a beat, his expression changed for a moment, but he still nodded.

"I see."

At this moment, Zhu Gaosui had no time to marvel at or be amazed by Zhu Gaoxu's fighting prowess, which nearly wiped out 100,000 Japanese soldiers with only 10,000 men.

Zhu Gaosui was already surprised when he heard the news.

He knew his second brother was good at fighting, but after all these years, he didn't expect him to still be so good at it.

Even more unexpectedly, Zhu Gaoxu quickly established himself in Japan, and the vassal state was thus established.

I thought I could do something for Zhu Gaochi, but now it's all just empty talk.

Now, Zhu Gaosui only cares whether Zhu Di will pursue the matter.

He never mentioned placing his own people around Zhu Gaochi or infiltrating his own people among Zhu Di's men.

Zhu Di gave Zhu Gaosui a deep look and said softly, "Go and spread the news of the Second Prince's great victory in Japan, especially to the surrounding countries, so that they can witness the glory of our Ming army."

"Also, those people I told you not to alert the enemy, go down and close the net."

Everyone involved was imprisoned.

"Take this list. All these people are connected."

Zhu Gaosui was startled and took the list from Zhu Di's hand.

Whether these people were colluding or not is no longer important, because the Embroidered Uniform Guard will be able to produce evidence of their collusion.

"Father, I'll go and make the arrangements right away!"

With Zhu Di's permission, Zhu Gaosui went outside, his excitement barely concealed.

After waiting for so long, it has finally begun.

He was waiting for this operation to make a name for himself and compete for that position.

In less than half a day, news spread that Zhu Gaoxu had nearly annihilated a Japanese army of 100,000 with only 10,000 men.

When the people heard the news, they were all thrilled and excitedly went around trying to share their joy with others.

When Wu Xun heard the news, most of them cheered for Zhu Gaoxu, and some even slapped their thighs, wondering why they hadn't gone.

This is no small feat.

However, the civil officials almost all remained silent upon hearing this news.

Inside the East Palace.

Yang Shiqi, Yang Pu, and others gathered together, their expressions solemn.

"Gentlemen, the King of Han is truly brave and valiant, nearly annihilating a hundred thousand Japanese soldiers with only ten thousand men."

As Yang Shiqi finished speaking with a hint of melancholy, no one in the group responded.

Praise Zhu Gaoxu?

impossible.

Did he call Ashikaga Yoshimochi stupid?

They were afraid these words would get out, after all, they were all subjects of the Ming Dynasty.

The more comfortable Zhu Gaoxu was outside, the more wary they became, and the less they wanted to see that scene.

These people were all mortal enemies of Zhu Gaochi, and they feared that once Zhu Gaochi gained power, he would settle scores with them.

It was thought that Zhu Gaoxu's voyage to Japan to assume his fiefdom would keep him bound there.

They could tolerate a Zhu Gaochi who couldn't develop, they could wait until Zhu Di died before settling accounts with him.

But now, it is clear that Japan is no longer able to restrain Zhu Gaoxu.

Once Zhu Gaochi's vassal state was established and the relocated population was transported there, his strength would inevitably increase, which was something they did not want to see.

However, even if they had any ulterior motives, no one dared to act on them.

None of them could withstand the pressure from Zhu Di.

At this moment, Zhu Gaochi, who had finished his lunch break, came out.

"What happened?"

Seeing the solemn expressions on everyone's faces, Zhu Gaochi's heart sank.

When Yang Shiqi recounted the events, Zhu Gaochi also fell silent.

This was so different from what he had imagined that even Zhu Gaochi found it hard to accept.

It wasn't just Yang Shiqi and his ilk who were afraid; he was also afraid that Zhu Gaoxu would become increasingly successful outside.

In fact, they all knew that Japan, being such a small place, had no development potential whatsoever.

Zhu Gaoxu's desire to develop the country was nothing but a pipe dream.

But as long as they see Zhu Gaoxu getting better and better, even if it's just a little bit of increase in strength, they feel uneasy, as he will always be a hidden danger.

"Your Highness, why don't we talk to the Emperor about the fact that there are far too many people being relocated there?"

"Now that the King of Han has just established himself in Japan, and Japan is poor in resources and has infertile land, relocating so many people there would actually be detrimental to the King of Han."

Zhu Gaochi glanced at Yang Pu, who was speaking, and was suddenly very moved.

Trying to persuade Zhu Di directly would be futile, as he knew it would be pointless.

However, this method has the potential to succeed.

After all, as the eldest brother, he was always thinking of his younger brother.

He was a benevolent elder brother, and even more so, a benevolent crown prince.

What if people who migrate there die?

But they are all subjects and commoners of the Ming Dynasty.