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

Chapter 94 Zhu Gaochi's Hope for Zhu Gaoxu

Inside the main hall, Zhu Di looked at Zhu Gaochi with an expressionless face.

"Boss, what brings you here?"

Zhu Di did not vent his anger, nor did he express his emotions to Zhu Gaochi.

As an emperor, Zhu Di certainly had the ability to control his emotions.

Moreover, he didn't know whether Zhu Gaochi was involved in these matters or not.

After all, whether those people did it spontaneously or at Zhu Gaochi's behest is as different as heaven and earth.

Even though he had those thoughts when he was emotional, once reason returned, he still trusted Zhu Gaochi in these matters.

Zhu Gaochi only needed to wait until his death to obtain it; there was no need to take any risks.

Zhu Gaochi could wait, but those below him dared not wait, nor were they willing to wait.

These are also facts.

Besides knowing Zhu Gaochi's personality, this was also the reason why he trusted Zhu Gaochi.

While having supporters is a good thing, the downside is that too many supporters lead to too many opinions among subordinates, making it extremely easy to be swayed.

The only disappointment is that Zhu Gaochi's methods of managing his subordinates were somewhat weak.

Zhu Gaochi kept his head down. Even though Zhu Di had hidden it well, Zhu Gaochi still noticed something different about Zhu Di.

Unable to fathom the reason, they could only become even more respectful and humble.

"Father, news has come back from the second son. Everyone has been transported there, and the fleet has returned."

However, the second-in-command seized thirty large ships, half of which were newly built warships.

In addition, the second prince sent a fleet to the Ming Dynasty to purchase supplies such as grain and iron.

In addition, the first batch of 50,000 people relocated to my second son's location are already in place, and I plan to relocate him there as soon as possible.

Zhu Di was taken aback at first, then his lips twitched.

He knew that some of the ships transporting personnel and supplies to Zhu Gaoxu would be seized by this bastard, but he still underestimated Zhu Gaoxu's shamelessness.

He didn't even spare the newly built warships, and even seized thirty of them. He was truly someone who could forge an imperial edict, barge into the Ministry of War, and demand the military roster.

Zhu Di was not angry at all; on the contrary, he was overjoyed to hear news of Zhu Gaoxu.

He had already made preparations to send those new warships there for transport.

Even though Zhu Gaoxu was very different from before, during that period, we also got to know the newly changed Zhu Gaoxu better.

"That brat actually seized so many ships, including new warships."

"Eldest brother, what do you think of what the second brother did?"

Zhu Di feigned anger and looked at Zhu Gaochi.

Zhu Gaochi immediately knelt down and prostrated himself on the ground.

"Father, the second son needs boats, and since he's surrounded by the sea, that's why he did this."

Your son believes that since our Great Ming Dynasty is rich and prosperous, these thirty ships can be considered a gift from Father to the Second Prince, and we can rebuild them later.

"Now that the second prince has sent people to purchase grain and iron so quickly, I have already discussed it with the people in the Ministry of Revenue and will prepare them for the second prince as soon as possible."

Zhu Gaochi had a clear understanding of his role: to do his best as the eldest brother.

In fact, Zhu Gaochi was also very uncomfortable with the fact that he had detained thirty ships, including some newly built warships.

After all, those things require a lot of money, manpower and resources to do, and now that Zhu Gaoxu has been detained, it will directly increase Zhu Gaoxu's influence.

He desperately wanted Zhu Di to do something, but he couldn't say those things.

The previous incident had already shown him a great crisis.

Now Zhu Gaochi has come to terms with it. No matter how much Zhu Di helps Zhu Gaoxu, it's only been a few years anyway.

No matter how much Zhu Gaoxu develops outside, how far can he go in all these years?

As long as things proceed smoothly and peacefully until I ascend to the throne, and Zhu Zhanji takes the throne, I can then slowly deal with the mess.

Zhu Gaochi refused to believe that Zhu Gaoxu could have developed the strength to confront the Ming Dynasty in all these years.

Having figured these things out, Zhu Gaochi was determined to work in this direction.

If Zhu Di wasn't afraid of chaos in the Ming Dynasty, then he had even less to fear.

Rather than trying to stop him and making Zhu Di distrust him, it would be better for him to offer it voluntarily and let Zhu Di refuse it himself.

As Zhu Gaochi finished speaking, Zhu Di felt exceptionally gratified.

This is what he wanted to see: Zhu Gaoxu sacrificed so much to choose to go out, and Zhu Gaochi can also shoulder the responsibility of being the eldest brother.

"Since the boss has said so, I won't bother arguing with this brat."

As for the second son sending people to purchase grain and iron, since you've already made the arrangements, let's just leave it at that.

If the second prince needs these things again in the future, you should ask the Ministry of Revenue to take control of them. The Ming Dynasty is still short of them, and there aren't enough to give to the second prince.

Let him figure out what he needs himself.

Despite feeling guilty towards Zhu Gaochi, Zhu Di could still distinguish between state affairs and national affairs.

After speaking, Zhu Di pondered for a moment and then approached Zhu Gaochi.

"Boss, get up first."

I've recently realized that I'm getting old, and many things are becoming beyond my capabilities.

You're older now, and I know your health isn't good.

"When we return from this northern expedition, I'll let you take this position. It will be without any burden for you. You'll sit in that position while you're still alive. What do you think?"

"Father, I have never thought that way. I am already the Crown Prince, and I am satisfied. I am willing to remain the Crown Prince forever, which is fine with me."

Dad, please don't scare me anymore, I'm scared...

Zhu Gaochi quickly prostrated himself on the ground again, his voice trembling with sobs.

Despite not knowing why Zhu Di was saying these things, or what he had done to offend Zhu Di, he still expressed his attitude in an instant.

Zhu Gaochi was filled with exhaustion.

Ever since Zhu Gaoxu went to sea and the previous incident happened, he has been living in constant fear and anxiety.

Zhu Gaochi was truly at his breaking point.

Many times, Zhu Gaochi even hoped that Zhu Gaoxu would return to continue fighting and contending with him.

Before Zhu Gaochi changed his ways and before he proposed going to sea, when had he ever acted like this?

But now, such days happen almost every few days, and Zhu Gaochi is truly exhausted.

This is simply not a life fit for a human being.

This lamentation at this time was a accusation made by Zhu Di against him in this way many times during this period.

But he can't ignore it, otherwise there will be real problems.

Zhu Gaochi knew that Zhu Di was very suspicious, but he did not expect that Zhu Gaoxu's voyage would arouse Zhu Di's suspicion to this extent.

People only know how good the Crown Prince is, but they know nothing of his suffering.

Zhu Gaochi also gained a deeper understanding of why so many crown princes throughout history rebelled.

If he had military power, he feared he would be unable to resist rebelling against Zhu Di.

Now Zhu Gaochi only hopes that Zhu Gaoxu can return as soon as possible, and preferably not go out again after returning.

He couldn't understand what was so good about those dilapidated vassal states outside.

It would be good for him to stay in the Ming Dynasty and help him avert Zhu Di's suspicion.

Zhu Gaochi also fully understood the saying: distance makes the heart grow fonder.

Originally, Zhu Gaochi was already viewed with great suspicion by Zhu Di, but now everything has changed because of a voyage.

From the time Zhu Di used Zhu Gaochi to establish his authority at Jiming Temple, to the present day, how much has changed in such a short time?

Unfortunately, it wasn't just him; all those who supported him were either arrested or killed by Zhu Di, who showed no mercy whatsoever.

People often only realize the value of something when they lose it.

Zhu Di looked at Zhu Gaochi, calmly stood up, picked up the secret report from the Embroidered Uniform Guard, and threw it in front of Zhu Gaochi.

"You say you have no ideas? Take a good look at it yourself!"