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

Zhu Gaochi was increasingly tempted; the angle Yang Pu had chosen was simply too ingenious.

Just then, a group of Imperial Guards entered without asking for permission and came directly to Zhu Gaochi.

"His Majesty has decreed that His Highness the Crown Prince be summoned to the palace."

"Your subject obeys."

Zhu Gaochi was startled and agreed. He then wanted to go downstairs to change his clothes, but was stopped by the Imperial Guards.

"Your Highness, please enter the palace."

Zhu Gaochi's gaze sharpened, but then he looked panicked and immediately headed towards the palace.

Yang Shiqi, Yang Pu, and the others watched as Zhu Gaochi was invited into the palace, their expressions solemn as they gazed intently at the departing Imperial Guards.

The Embroidered Uniform Guard was always a sword hanging over everyone's head.

The fact that Zhu Gaosui was the commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard made everyone even more uneasy.

The Imperial Palace.

Zhu Gaochi kept thinking about what Zhu Di would do.

Based on the current situation and available information, the only thing we can guess is the message sent back by Zhu Gaoxu.

Even so, the Embroidered Uniform Guard shouldn't have been so forceful in inviting him to the palace.

Unable to understand, he quickly arrived at the hall where Zhu Di was. He had no choice but to compose himself and cautiously walk in with a look of fear on his face.

"Father, your son is here."

"Oh, the Crown Prince has arrived."

Upon hearing this, Zhu Gaochi immediately knelt on the ground, not daring to say a word.

Zhu Di sighed as he watched Zhu Gaochi's prostrate figure.

Sometimes he really wanted to use certain things to give Zhu Gaochi a warning, but Zhu Gaochi was too clever.

Just like now, she's kneeling on the ground, not saying a word. Without him saying anything, she's acting like she's admitting her mistake first. What can he say?

"Eldest brother, you've heard about the news about the second brother in Japan, haven't you?"

The second brother is currently transporting people and supplies still in Liujiagang. Go and allocate a batch of newly built warships there to assist the second brother in the transport.

In addition, let's get the people who are preparing to relocate there moving as well.

The second son has established himself in Japan; we should relocate him there as soon as possible to prevent him from employing Japanese slaves there.

Zhu Di harbored deep disgust and contempt for those Japanese pirates.

Now he is worried that Zhu Gaochi will use a large number of Japanese people under the premise of development.

This is also why he urged Zhu Gaochi to speed things up.

Although Zhu Gaoxu was overseas, even if it was his vassal state, it was still part of the territory of the Ming Dynasty!

Zhu Gaochi's vassal state was also a tributary state of the Ming Dynasty, and truly belonged to the Ming Dynasty!

Now, the map of the Ming Dynasty's territory needs to be redrawn because the vassal states under Zhu Gaochi need to be included.

Zhu Di couldn't help but be anxious, since Zhu Gaoxu had already gone overseas. If he continued to interfere in this and that, Zhu Gaoxu would definitely have something to say.

The sooner the Han people are relocated there, the better to thwart Zhu Gaochi's ambitions.

Zhu Gaochi's heart sank even further upon hearing this.

Originally, Zhu Di was thinking of not wanting Zhu Gaoxu to develop so quickly, but Zhu Di seemed afraid that Zhu Gaoxu would suffer there, so he wanted him to speed up the process.

The newly built large ships of the Ming Dynasty were originally intended for Zheng He's fleet, but Zhu Di was willing to give them to Zhu Gaochi first, and Zhu Gaochi was even more reluctant to give them to him.

Zheng He's fleet on his voyages to the Western Ocean was highly valued by Zhu Di and was a major source of revenue for the imperial treasury.

Now that they were so eager to give it to Zhu Gaoxu first, Zhu Gaochi felt even more uncomfortable.

Did Zhu Di intend to cultivate Zhu Gaoxu overseas? Or was Zhu Di simply distrustful of him?

With these thoughts in mind, Zhu Gaochi no longer hesitated.

"Father, I will make the arrangements in a moment, but I have some suggestions regarding the relocation of people."

Japan is an island nation with scarce resources, and now that it is the second largest country in the world, it only occupies one part of the island, so it is even more lacking.

With so many people migrating there now, the second son might not be able to manage it all and wouldn't be able to take care of it.

Although they were relocated to the second-largest vassal state, these people were still citizens of the Ming Dynasty.

Going across the ocean to that place, and what the final outcome will be, could incite public resentment.

The son believed that once his second son had gained control of the entire territory of Japan and obtained more of its resources, they could gradually relocate him there. This way, it wouldn't burden his second son, and the people would have a secure future.

Zhu Gaochi didn't directly say he was going to die; he was trying to stall for time.

If this is delayed for one or two decades, and Zhu Di passes away, these policies can all be abolished at that time.

Even if he were to pass away first, there would still be Zhu Zhanji, and the plan could continue.

Zhu Di stared intently at Zhu Gaochi, unsure of Zhu Gaochi's true thoughts.

Upon careful consideration, what Zhu Gaochi said makes perfect sense.

Could Zhu Gaochi really settle all these people if he moved them there?

These people are also citizens of the Ming Dynasty, his subjects.

After a moment's thought, Zhu Di frowned.

"Eldest brother, since you know that Second Brother's territory is short of resources and has poor soil, what you should do is find a way to build trade routes with Second Brother's vassal states and help Second Brother alleviate these problems."

"The population relocation was something I promised my second son; it would be completed within five years. You don't want this old man to go back on his word, do you?"

Zhu Gaochi was stunned for a moment. How could he agree?

He did not want.

Can I disagree?

Zhu Di was pressing him hard again.

Just then, Zhu Di's voice continued to come.

"You should make arrangements for this matter and get started as soon as possible."

I also have something to say. Next year I will be preparing for a northern expedition. You need to go down and raise money and provisions now.

Next year, the Ming Dynasty will launch a northern expedition against the Oirat Mongols, with 200,000 troops, including 20,000 cavalry. The expedition will begin in the second half of the year and end the following year.

The army's winter combat equipment, including muskets, cannons, shells, bows and arrows, must be replenished in sufficient quantities.

Conscripting laborers to transport supplies, the Ministry of War also began formulating operational plans and logistical routes.

Zhu Gaochi became anxious when he heard that Zhu Di would launch a northern expedition next year with 200,000 troops, fighting from the second half of the year until the following year.

Forget everything else, she looked up at Zhu Di and felt like crying.

"Father, the national treasury is empty now, it is not a good time for a northern expedition!"

The plan to quell the rebellion in Jiaozhi had just been formulated, and there were also various disasters within the Ming Dynasty, making the people's suffering unbearable.

Moreover, the imperial court had already spent a considerable amount of money, grain, and supplies on the second prince's voyage, and mobilized numerous resources, making it truly unable to undertake the northern expedition.

Please, Father, allow the people a few years of rest and recuperation! The court truly has no money left.

Zhu Gaochi burst into tears, repeatedly begging Zhu Di to abandon the northern expedition.

Zhu Di watched this scene expressionlessly.

He had already anticipated this; he had expected opposition.

He just didn't expect that Zhu Gaochi would bring up the part about Zhu Gaoxu.

Zhu Di knew very well that he hadn't actually given Zhu Gaoxu much.

The amount given to Zhu Gaochi wasn't even enough for him to take 50,000 troops on a trip to the grasslands.

Moreover, he wasn't completely unaware of the current state of affairs in the world.

Since he came to power, he has continuously implemented benevolent policies, and more than ten years have passed, with improvements in various regions.

The Jiangnan region, in particular, is very prosperous.

"You say the people of the world are suffering, and I know they are not having an easy time."

But have you ever thought about the people in the border areas?

The people in the border areas have suffered from the plundering of the Tartars for many years, and the soldiers of the border army have fought bloody battles. Have you ever thought about them?

The Oirat Mongols have grown powerful and are poised to unify the grasslands. Once the Oirat Mongols have become fully powerful and the Northern Yuan has regained its strength, the Ming Dynasty will be in real danger!

Have you forgotten the lessons of the Song Dynasty so quickly?

Your Highness, I'll say this one last time: I'm going on a northern expedition next year. Make all the necessary arrangements.

"I'm giving you one day. Go back and think it over, then come back and give me your answer tomorrow!"

After saying this, Zhu Di did not urge Zhu Gaochi to leave, but departed on his own.

Zhu Gaochi watched Zhu Di leave, his face full of sorrow.

When Zhu Gaochi returned to the Eastern Palace, Yang Shiqi and others learned that Zhu Di was on a northern expedition and needed to raise money and supplies again, as well as expedite the relocation of people for Zhu Gaoxu. They could no longer sit still.

Neither of these are what they want.

Time passed slowly, and the next morning, a group of civil officials from the Six Ministries, the Cabinet, the Censorate, and other departments began to submit petitions, requesting Zhu Di to allow the people to recuperate and return the land to the people.

Many officials in Jiangnan submitted a memorial at the same time, stating that they had previously supported the Ming Han King's voyages at sea, which had consumed a great deal of money and supplies, and that they were now unable to raise money and supplies for the northern expedition.

In some places, it was as if rebellions had suddenly sprung up all at once overnight.

Memorials from all over the country kept appearing on Zhu Di's desk.

Zhu Di looked at the mountain of memorials piled up in front of him, his face grim.

These were all petitions urging him to postpone the northern expedition, as well as letters from various places.

At this moment, Zhu Di truly felt the oppressive power of the Ming Dynasty's civil officials.

Seeing that these officials unanimously supported Zhu Gaochi's opposition to his northern expedition next year and repeatedly mentioned Zhu Gaoxu's voyage, Zhu Di's anger continued to rise.