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

Chapter 91 When you're out in the world, you have to give yourself an identity; the overseas leader of the Ming Dynasty!

Zhu Gaoxu spoke gently with a warm expression, but the temperature inside the room gradually dropped.

Seeing that cold sweat was starting to appear on Li Fangyuan's forehead and that his body was trembling slightly, Zhu Gaoxu laughed even harder.

Zhu Gaoxu was very fond of the hidden mission that Zhu Di had given him when he went out to find Jianwen.

Although this task would put him under a lot of pressure, after all, Zhu Di valued Jianwen immensely.

It could be said that he would trade his life for Jianwen's. If Zhu Di could watch Jianwen die with his own eyes, he would probably hesitate and not refuse outright.

Zhu Di's high regard for Jianwen was a double-edged sword for him.

It's not just about pressure; it's also a crucial means of suppressing smaller countries like we do now.

Other small countries may not fully understand the significance of Jianwen's position in Zhu Di's eyes, but the people of Korea certainly do.

Now he can't send troops, but he still wants to get what he wants, so isn't this a perfect excuse?

He used the power of the Ming Dynasty to bully others, which was somewhat shameful, but Zhu Gaochi didn't care about it at all.

Now, he only wants what he desires; the rest will be dealt with naturally when he has the time.

Before we have the strength, it would be such a waste not to use the Ming Dynasty, such a good backer.

As for trouble, that's Zhu Di and Zhu Gaochi's business. Could those two really chase him all the way overseas and give him a piece of their mind?

Zhu Gaoxu believed that Li Fangyuan would agree.

The pressure from the Ming Dynasty, especially from the Yongle Emperor, was something no small country could withstand.

No small country would willingly gamble with its own annihilation.

Especially since the Ming Dynasty's military might was at its peak, and he had just defeated the Japanese army in Japan, he could also let those who had never witnessed the Ming Dynasty's military might see the Ming army's fighting strength.

Meanwhile, in the South Seas, and even in the Indian Ocean and the Arabian Peninsula, Zheng He's fleet was also promoting the Ming Dynasty's abundant martial prowess.

Who dares to ignore the pressure from the Ming Dynasty? Who dares to risk facing the Ming Dynasty's military might?

Once outside, Zhu Gaoxu never intended to be a dutiful prince.

Since we've already set sail, why not become a representative of the Ming Dynasty overseas? What's wrong with that?

Zhu Gaoxu even thought that Zhu Di would probably prefer to see him wreak havoc and stir up trouble outside, rather than see him fighting to the death with Zhu Gaochi in the Ming Dynasty.

Li Fangyuan and Tong Kong were trembling at this moment, their faces filled with disbelief. They couldn't believe that Zhu Gaoxu had actually rejected them.

Did Zhu Gaochi really accept defeat in the Ming Dynasty? Was he really willing to leave the political center of the Ming Dynasty?

Are you really content to wander outside of the Ming Dynasty?

This was a common view among people of that era, and it also reflected Li Fangyuan's lack of information about the Ming Dynasty.

In fact, not only Li Fangyuan, but in the eyes of anyone who was unaware of the situation, Zhu Gaoxu was a loser who was driven out after losing the internal power struggle in the Ming Dynasty.

Even after experiencing so much, Li Fangyuan still couldn't easily come to her senses.

He may have limited information about the Ming Dynasty, but how could he not know anything about its key figures?

That's why he dared to say those things in front of Zhu Gaoxu.

At this moment, Li Fangyuan knew that he had fallen into a very passive position.

However, what was even more fatal was Zhu Gaoxu's last sentence.

He harbored the Jianwen Emperor of the Ming Dynasty, who was overthrown by Zhu Di, and also harbored the orphans of the Jingnan Rebellion!

As Zhu Gaochi said, once Zhu Di found out, would it still matter whether he had harbored any enemies in Korea or what the truth was?

At that point, whether it was true or not was no longer important.

When you are suspected or doubted, it's best to have something that is being doubted.

Countless historical experiences and lessons have fully demonstrated this point.

Zhu Gaoxu, in particular, had a deep understanding of this.

Because Zhu Gaoxu himself was a firsthand witness to it.

History tells of how Zhu Zhanji suspected him of rebellion, and how he ultimately met that fate.

If he had really been plotting a rebellion, perhaps he wouldn't have ended up in that situation.

After a while, Li Fangyuan came to his senses, his expression turned serious, and he stood up and respectfully approached Zhu Gaoxu.

"Your Highness, you are overthinking this. How could I possibly do such a thing? My title was bestowed upon me by His Majesty the Emperor of the Ming Dynasty. How could I possibly betray His Majesty's trust?"

Before I came to see His Highness the King of Han today, I drank some wine and got drunk, so I was talking nonsense.

Xiao Wang is getting old now and can't remember many things, and for a moment he even forgot what he had just said.

All I remember is that His Highness the Prince of Han has encountered difficulties since leaving the Ming Dynasty to go to sea. As a subject of the Ming Dynasty and my country is a vassal state of the Ming Dynasty, how can I bear to watch His Highness the Prince of Han suffer overseas?

Please rest assured, Your Highness, I will immediately make preparations, mobilizing grain, iron, money, and other supplies from the imperial treasury for Your Highness's use.

Furthermore, His Highness the King of Han's vassal states and smaller states engage in trade, and His Highness the King of Han's goods are to be sold in smaller states. This is an honor for the smaller states, and they will certainly promote it. How could they possibly accept His Highness the King of Han's money?

These are all things that my humble king and my small kingdom should do; please accept them, Your Highness, King of Han.

Zhu Gaoxu looked at Li Fangyuan, who was unusually respectful and showed no sign of anger. He felt both admiration and apprehension. He thought that Li Fangyuan would not live for more than a few years and would only be the king of a small country. Otherwise, he would definitely be a prominent figure.

If Li Fangyuan were placed in the Central Plains, with the same background, he believed that such a person would definitely achieve even greater success.

In situations like these, they are able to suppress their emotions and still make such decisions.

Most people couldn't do what Li Fangyuan did.

Small countries have their own sorrows, especially when there is a superpower standing next to them that seems to have no end in sight.

But what does all this have to do with Zhu Gaoxu?

Now, he only needs to be responsible for the people within his own domain.

"Brother Fangyuan, you are a smart man, and I admire you very much."

Since I have received Brother Fangyuan's favor, I naturally have to help him in return.

Regarding the matter of Tsushima Island, I will send troops there afterward. Brother Yoshiyuki, you can prepare a large army to rescue your people. After that, we brothers will jointly guard Tsushima Island.

After all, Tsushima Island is a bulwark for the southern part of Korea, and I will not make things difficult for you.

As for the business matter, since you have agreed, I am not the kind of greedy and domineering person.

You also need to be responsible for your people; the agreed-upon 30/70 split will not change.

At that time, 30% of the profits from doing business in North Korea will be directly given to you, or to North Korea, whichever you decide.

Regarding the Jianzhou Jurchens, I will return to the Ming Dynasty next year, and I will be able to speak with the Ming Emperor about this matter in person. You will no longer need to worry about the Jurchens raiding the border.

Brother Fangyuan, can you rest assured now?

Having taken something from someone else, Zhu Gaoxu knew he should do something for them in return.

After all, if Ri Bang-won and North Korea are pushed too far, they might face retaliation someday.

The Ming Dynasty had the power to disregard Korea and all other small countries.

But he himself doesn't have that ability right now.

Even when leveraging the power of the Ming Dynasty, there needs to be a limit.

Once you go too far, it's like overdoing it, and you'll suffer the consequences.

Just now, although I rejected Li Fangyuan's requests, what I've agreed to now can be considered a partial solution, right?

Li Fangyuan listened to these words, her heart filled with bitterness and helplessness.

The Zhu Gaochi he knew was a reckless and impulsive man who lacked strategy.

Moreover, he once looked down on Zhu Gaoxu.

Despite holding military power, he was forced by Zhu Gaochi to flee the Ming Dynasty because he could no longer stay there.

Looking at him now, he was hardly a warrior!

He was truly impressed by their cunning.

For a moment, Li Fangyuan didn't know whether to marvel at how abnormal the Zhu family of the Ming Dynasty were, or whether he himself was too weak.

By this time, he had pretty much figured out Zhu Gaoxu's methods.

After all, the cards are already out in the open.

By the time we figured it out, it was too late.

At this moment, Li Fangyuan valued Zhu Gaoxu even more than those people in the Ming Dynasty.

After all, the Ming Dynasty wouldn't really do anything to him.

But Zhu Gaoxu is right next to North Korea!

"Yes, Your Highness, I will obey. Thank you for your consideration."

Seeing that Li Fangyuan was so sensible, Zhu Gaoxu then spoke up.

"I have heard that Brother Fangyuan has a son named Tao?"