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

Zhu Gaochi listened to Zhu Di's words without the slightest surprise.

After thinking about it for the past few days, he hasn't come up with nothing at all.

Zhu Gaochi knew very well where he had gone wrong this time: it was because his advice to Zhu Di to postpone the northern expedition overlapped with the memorials submitted by those people.

The fact that those people caught up so quickly suggests one thing: this operation to stop Zhu Di's northern expedition looks like it was organized by him.

In this Ming Dynasty, only he possessed the power and ability to mobilize civil officials.

This is what provoked Zhu Di, causing him to be disappointed in him a few days ago, and even posing a great danger to his position as crown prince.

As for Zhu Gaoxu's matter, it was secondary, more like an incidental or accessory to the whole affair.

Besides, Zhu Gaochi was not surprised at all this time because Zhu Di was the emperor.

He knows exactly what kind of person he is, otherwise he wouldn't be so cautious at all times.

For Zhu Di, the fate of the Ming Dynasty was paramount.

Despite Zhu Di valuing the bond between his brothers and fearing they might fall out, he remained steadfast in his loyalty.

But when it comes to the fate of the Ming Dynasty, Zhu Di could abandon any of them.

Isn't that exactly what Zhu Gaochi is like now?

Having figured all this out, he finally put his heart and soul into thinking about Zhu Gaoxu's best interests and told Zhu Di everything.

He was certain that Zhu Di would not agree, not because he feared that Zhu Gaoxu would develop his power outside the region.

However, the Ming Dynasty's current situation is not much better.

Although the territory Zhu Gaochi conquered in Japan was part of the Ming Dynasty's territory, it was more of a vassal state of Zhu Gaochi himself. It was only nominally part of the Ming Dynasty, and the Ming Dynasty did not send any officials there. Instead, Zhu Gaochi controlled it himself.

To put it bluntly, the territory that the Ming Dynasty truly controls is the court's real son.

Although Zhu Gaochi's vassal states outside the Ming Dynasty were also part of the Ming territory, they were incomparable.

As he expected, Zhu Di indeed made the same choice.

Having suffered such a huge loss this time, Zhu Gaochi has not been without any improvement.

Zhu Gaochi bowed, appearing somewhat hesitant for a moment.

"Father, doing this might not be good for the second son."

I can do it quietly, so that people won't notice and won't gossip.

I've also read a lot of information about Japan these past few days. It's true that the land is poor and the people are not very intelligent.

Now that the second son has gone there, bringing so many people with him, if we don't do this, he'll probably have a very difficult time there.

Seeing that Zhu Gaochi was still thinking about Zhu Gaoxu and taking the initiative to solve the problem, Zhu Di was even more gratified.

Only now, with Zhu Gaochi in his life, has he seen the responsibilities he should fulfill as the eldest brother.

At this moment, Zhu Di stopped looking at Zhu Gaochi with a scrutinizing gaze, and his expression softened considerably.

"Big brother, I know you want to do something for second brother, but there's no need for that."

Since he has chosen to go out, we should trust him, and the court should also consider the internal affairs of the Ming Dynasty.

He wanted even more of those people when he first asked for them.

This is the path he has chosen, and no matter how bitter or difficult it is, he can only keep walking it.

Once the arrow is released, there's no turning back. Sometimes, being ruthless is for his sake.

You will be the same way. When your second child is away from home, you won't need to worry about him or restrict him.

The second son is out there, he can do whatever he wants, that's the biggest support I can give him.

Zhu Di was not out of his mind. The Ming Dynasty already needed a lot of money, grain and supplies, so how could he give more to Zhu Gaochi?

Being able to squeeze out a little bit to provide appropriate support over the next five years is already his bottom line.

He not only said it, but he also thought it.

Whether Zhu Gaochi was a dragon or a worm outside depended entirely on his own abilities.

All he could do was not to restrain Zhu Gaoxu, which was already an extraordinary act of mercy.

Look at those princes of the Ming Dynasty, which one of them has the freedom to support this action?

They treated Zhu Gaoxu as a special case.

Upon hearing this, Zhu Gaochi said nothing more.

He has fulfilled his responsibilities and obligations.

Some things are better left unsaid, as too much of a good thing can be bad.

At this moment, Zhu Zhanji, who was standing next to Zhu Di, also spoke.

"Grandpa, I want to go to my second uncle's place."

"Holy grandson, you want to go wherever you want... Hmm? You want to go to your second uncle's place? What would you do there? Why would you have such an idea?"

Zhu Zhanji's single sentence immediately drew all of Zhu Di's attention to him.

Zhu Di was shocked at this moment. Why would Zhu Zhanji have such a thought?

In fact, Zhu Di's first reaction was to refuse.

Zhu Zhanji was the successor of the Ming Dynasty appointed by Zhu Zhanji, who would bear the heavy responsibility of governing the Ming Dynasty in the future.

Although Zhu Gaochi was the crown prince, everyone knew that he was in poor health.

If something were to happen to Zhu Gaochi, then Zhu Zhanji would be the one to take his place.

But now Zhu Di wanted to know even more why Zhu Zhanji had such thoughts.

Zhu Zhanji knelt on the ground, looking at Zhu Di with a sincere expression.

"Grandfather, those places outside are ultimately not as good as the Ming Dynasty; they are far too barren."

I want to persuade my second uncle to come back so he won't suffer outside.

No matter what, Second Uncle is still a member of the Zhu family. The Ming Dynasty is his home, and his roots are in the Ming Dynasty.

Moreover, my second uncle is brave and skilled in battle. When you, my grandfather, go on a northern expedition, my second uncle can help you charge into battle.

I know that my second uncle is very hostile towards his grandson. The Jianwen incident is still fresh in his mind. But I am not Jianwen. I believe in my own abilities and can tolerate my own uncle.

"Grandfather, please let me go to Japan. I'll go and persuade my second uncle to come back, and mend our relationship."

Zhu Zhanji spoke sincerely and frankly.

It was only after Zhu Gaochi's constant persuasion over the past few days that he finally made up his mind.

Zhu Di looked at Zhu Zhanji and was greatly shocked. He never expected that Zhu Zhanji would have such a vision.

In particular, Zhu Zhanji's mention of Jianwen directly stirred up all of Zhu Di's emotions.

The following words—believing in his own abilities, being tolerant of his own uncle, being willing to take the initiative to repair the relationship, and taking the initiative to invite Zhu Gaoxu back—all of these made Zhu Di feel particularly gratified and satisfied.

Zhu Di knew all too well how much determination Zhu Zhanji had made to say these things, and how difficult it was for him to make this decision.

It was only at this moment that Zhu Di realized that his beloved grandson had truly grown up.

This boldness and courage are no less than his, and one could even say they are stronger.

Despite being extremely pleased with Zhu Zhanji, Zhu Di did not respond, but instead looked at Zhu Gaochi.

"Boss, what do you think of what the Holy Grandson said?"

"Father, it's a good thing that this child has this intention."

Since the child is confident, we should support them.

Zhu Di nodded slightly upon hearing this.

It is rare for Zhu Zhanji to have such boldness and spirit, especially at this age; he should not be constrained.

As for whether Zhu Zhanji can persuade Zhu Gaoxu to return and repair their relationship, that remains to be seen.

At this moment, Zhu Di no longer cared about it.

He knew very well that Zhu Zhanji's idea was naive.

But he appreciates this sentiment.

Now, it's time to let Zhu Zhanji go out and make his own way in the world.

This spirit and courage should be nurtured, not suppressed.

Thinking of this, Zhu Di's imposing aura gradually emerged.

"With such a holy grandson, the Ming Dynasty is destined for prosperity!"

"Holy grandson, since you have made this request, I agree."

But you'll have to wait a bit; Zheng He's fleet is coming back soon.

"Once Zheng He returns, I'll have him take his fleet and accompany you!"

Zheng He's elite fleet was the most elite navy of the Ming Dynasty, representing the pinnacle of the Ming navy and arguably the strongest naval force of the Ming Dynasty.

With Zheng He's fleet backing him up, Zhu Zhanji felt at ease.

Incidentally, if Zheng He's fleet hadn't encountered those unpleasant incidents, it could have also dealt a blow to the Japanese pirates.

Using Zheng He's fleet to fight Japanese pirates was no less effective than using cannons to kill mosquitoes.

But Zhu Di didn't care.

He wouldn't feel at ease if he didn't do it this way.

He attached great importance to Zhu Zhanji's safety.

Upon hearing this, Zhu Gaochi and Zhu Zhanji were both startled.