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

Chapter 98 Ryukyu Kingdom of Chuzan: The Most Successful Place of Sinicization

In the waters off the Ryukyu Islands, Zhu Gaoxu led his fleet slowly closer.

"Your Highness, Ryukyu consists of three kingdoms, each with its own port: Naha Port, Tomari Port, and Anse Port. The port ahead is Naha Port, which is occupied by the Ryukyu Kingdom of Chuzan."

Zhu Gaoxu looked at the port that was already faintly visible in front of him and gradually smiled.

"Let's go to Naha Port ahead."

"Send someone to negotiate first. If the Zhongshan Kingdom is unwilling, then conquer it!"

Zhu Gaochi did not hesitate at all; he was not so fond of these small countries.

The combined population of the three Ryukyu Kingdoms was around 300,000, which Zhu Gaochi considered a significant achievement for these three kingdoms.

There are only a few thousand soldiers. If they don't even have this much sense, then they're all good for him to do hard labor.

Zhu Gaochi's attitude towards the three Ryukyu kingdoms was much more moderate; at least he would give them a chance first.

The core of the Ryukyu Kingdom is Okinawa Island, but the people there are not the Japanese pirates.

As long as it wasn't Japanese pirates, Zhu Gaochi should have been more patient.

Well, that's about all.

Zhu Gaoxu's purpose in coming to Ryukyu was not merely to obtain supplies such as grain and iron.

This place is much poorer than Japan. What you get here is less than what you get from a trip along the coast of the Ming Dynasty. Those officials, gentry, and wealthy merchants there are probably richer than these small countries.

He came here for other reasons, to see people he was interested in.

The fleet did not stop and continued onward.

As we approached the port, we saw its simple and unrefined state and paid it no mind.

After confirming that the Zhongshan Kingdom had come to greet them, Jin Rong led 800 soldiers to follow Zhu Gaoxu off the ship, while Sheng Jian led the rest to stay on the warship and prepare for battle.

Upon reaching the shore, Zhu Gaoxu saw two people walking quickly towards him.

"Sishao, accompanied by his son, pays his respects to His Highness the Prince of Han of the Great Ming Dynasty."

"Ba Zhi pays his respects to His Highness the Prince of Han of the Great Ming Dynasty."

Zhu Gaoxu looked at the two people bowing deeply before him. They were none other than Shang Sishao, the current Prince of Zhongshan and the father of Shang Bazhi, the future King of Ryukyu.

The young Hōshi was also the first king of Ryukyu, Shō Hōshi.

As for their surnames, they were bestowed upon them by Zhu Zhanji in the fifth year of the Xuande reign.

In the present-day Ryukyu Kingdom, there is no such thing as native people not having surnames; they only gradually acquired them after being granted surnames.

Zhu Gaochi glanced at Ba Zhi, who had lofty ambitions and would eventually unify the three kingdoms, and reached out to help the two of them.

"Rise. I am currently in Hanjing and have come here specifically to visit you."

"Thank you, Your Highness Prince Han of the Ming Dynasty."

Si Shao and his son Ba Zhi were filled with unease, but dared not ask each other.

Among the three kingdoms of Ryukyu, the Zhongshan Kingdom was the most powerful, but compared to the Ming Dynasty, it was like a mayfly trying to shake a tree.

And Zhu Gaoxu, standing before them, was the most noble person they had ever seen among all the people from the Ming Dynasty who had come here—a prince of the Ming Dynasty.

Seeing that Zhu Gaoxu remained silent, Si Shao braced himself and said respectfully, "Your Highness, I have prepared a banquet in the city. I would be honored if Your Highness would deign to come and join us."

"You don't need to be nervous. I can't eat people. Just keep a calm mind."

"Go to the side. I've come over here; I have something to discuss with you, and afterwards I need you to take me somewhere."

Zhu Gaoxu offered a reassuring remark and then walked to the side.

Si Shao and Ba Zhi breathed a slight sigh of relief and quickly followed Zhu Gaoxu. Ba Zhi even used his clothes to wipe the already bright stone bench for Zhu Gaoxu.

Looking at Si Shao and Ba Zhi, who were standing there somewhat uneasy, Zhu Gaoxu immediately smiled.

"Please sit down, there's no need to be nervous. I've only come to chat with you, nothing more."

"Yes, Your Highness, thank you. This humble subject will speak frankly and without reservation."

"9

Si Shao and Ba Zhi sat on the stone bench with one side of their buttocks, their hands gripping their thighs tightly, their hearts pounding, ready to get up at any moment.

Seeing that the two were still nervous, Zhu Gaoxu did not try to persuade them further.

"You did a good job overthrowing the former King Wu Ning of Zhongshan. How are the people here living now?"

"Your Highness, I have been working tirelessly and have not dared to neglect this matter. The lives of the people are much better than before."

"His Highness the Prince of Han may inspect the garrison; the people are all grateful for the benevolence of the Great Ming Dynasty."

Si Shao and Ba Zhi immediately stood up and bowed, both feeling a little uneasy.

Their throne was seized from Wu Ning.

Wu Ning was originally the son of Chadu, the King of Zhongshan.

Chadu was also the first to establish contact with the Ming Dynasty, which made the father and son even more uneasy.

Seeing their attitudes, Zhu Gaoxu nodded with even greater satisfaction.

"Please sit down. There are no formalities here. Just be yourself."

You have done a great job. You have vigorously developed people's livelihood, introduced Han culture from the Ming Dynasty, actively requested the Ming Dynasty to relocate Han people here, and sent people to the Ming Dynasty to learn.

Although this is not the land of the Ming Dynasty, everyone here speaks Chinese, the scholars can write Chinese characters, and they are constantly learning about the culture and customs—that's quite good.

"Thanks to the trust of His Majesty the Emperor of the Great Ming Dynasty, the Great Ming Taizu Emperor bestowed the Great Unification Calendar, and from the time of King Chadu onwards, all subjects of the Zhongshan Kingdom are subjects of the Great Ming Dynasty."

Although the Celestial Empire and His Majesty the Emperor have not officially recognized each other, foreign officials have always taken this as their goal, so that all subjects can speak Chinese and use Chinese characters, just like the people of the Celestial Empire.

"The arrival of His Highness the Prince of Han is an honor for all our officials and subjects."

Zhu Gaoxu gave Si Shao a high opinion of him. Sure enough, a son who could raise someone who could unify the Three Kingdoms must be a good person.

Claiming to be an outsider, he cited the Datong Calendar bestowed upon him by Zhu Yuanzhang as an excuse to assert that he was a subject of the Ming Dynasty.

Having said that, Zhu Gaoxu no longer hesitated.

"Good, I am pleased that you have this intention, and the Ming Dynasty will also feel pleased."

Now I have set sail to take charge of all matters concerning the Ming Dynasty overseas, establishing the Han Dong Prefecture and the Han Capital, precisely to prepare for the development of the Ming Dynasty overseas.

Ryukyu is close to my capital, Hanjing. I intend to establish a prefecture here, named after Ryukyu, and establish the Ryukyu Prefecture.

"All of you are subjects of my domain, and also subjects of the Great Ming Dynasty. Are you willing to obey my commands?"

Zhu Gaochi finally revealed his purpose: to annex the Zhongshan Kingdom.

The claim that he was in charge of all overseas affairs of the Ming Dynasty was merely a matter of his word.

Because of his status, how dare these people go to the Ming Dynasty to ask questions?

When you're out in the world, you give yourself your own identity.

As for what happens later when he is discovered and Zhu Di holds him accountable, that's a matter for the future.

Once the die was cast, what could Zhu Di do besides scold him?

This place was so valuable that even the Ming Dynasty wouldn't want it. Instead, he took it over and developed it. Zhu Di should be secretly delighted. He truly expanded the territory of the Ming Dynasty, turning vassal states into areas under the Ming's actual control.

As for why Zhongshan was chosen, it's because among all the small states outside of the Ming Dynasty, Zhongshan was the most successful in Sinicization.

Even North Korea today is still lacking.

Of course, if it were Annam instead of Jiaozhi (nor the Provincial Administration Commission), then Annam would be the most successful in Sinicization.

Culture, customs, traditions, and people were almost identical to those of the Han King.

During the reigns of Emperors Hongwu and Yongle, people migrated to Zhongshan State, and everything here was developed based on the Ming Dynasty.

Now that he has taken over this place, he already has a certain foundation.

The people here also desperately want to become Han Chinese.

Aside from the smaller population and the poorer environment, Zhu Gaochi had more advantages than disadvantages.

It wouldn't take much effort to annex this place and incorporate it into his territory.

Once he gets his hands on this place, it will become an important springboard for his journey south to Southeast Asia.

Especially here, because what he values ​​is here.