"We haven't even arrived yet, and the war is about to start again. We never thought we could fight such a rich war before."
"After all, we underestimated those places in Nanyang. We used to think they were barbarian lands, but now we realize that they have so much food."
"You said why other dynasties didn't discover this treasure land back then."
Zhu Yuanzhang was sitting at the door of the main hall of Kunning Palace, looking at the falling snowflakes outside.
With the arrival of winter, the weather has become colder and colder. It seems that every new winter will be colder than the last winter.
Actually this is not an illusion.
Zhu Ying accompanied Zhu Yuanzhang: "Historically, except for the newly founded dynasties, no one was in the midst of internal strife and political strife. Most emperors could not even control the country, so they had no intention of waging foreign wars."
"The eager gaze of tigers on the grassland has made most dynasties exhausted. If there were no trains, even the Ming Dynasty would not know how many years it would have to guard against the grassland."
"Even so, tens of thousands of treasures were spent to pacify the grassland. In the end, Wala was allowed to run away. Arutai was missing. The only one who could be captured alive was Benya Shili. In fact, he had long since disappeared in the grassland.
gained power.”
"But at least, we won."
When Zhu Ying spoke, there was a bit of worry for the old man in his eyes.
For the elderly, every day in winter is so sad.
Therefore, in Qianqing Palace and Kunning Palace, there are large vats of hot water everywhere at twelve hours every day, and the boiling heat spreads everywhere, minimizing the impact of the cold on the old man.
In fact, some time ago, Zhu Ying wanted to persuade the old man to go to Nanyang to escape the cold, but the old man refused.
Zhu Yuanzhang said that the capital was very lively this year and he did not want to go far away.
In fact, Zhu Ying knew it was because several vassal kings had returned.
Even though he often scolded his rebellious sons, in fact, Zhu Yuanzhang still had the weight of these sons in his heart.
A grandson is one thing, a son is another.
Since Zhu Biao's death, Zhu Yuanzhang paid more attention to his sons. This may be because his eldest grandson was too good and he had no place to teach.
"Second, third and fourth, these guys have a way of fighting."
"Unlike your father, we have always wanted your father to be a wise king who can better govern the world. As for the second brother, we are training him as generals. When they were very young, we took them with us.
Fighting in the West and living in a military camp."
"Speaking of which, we, as the father, still have to bear some responsibility for the situation they are in now, especially the fourth child."
"Besides the ability to fight, the fourth child is a complete idiot in studying. At such an age, all he thinks about is killing people all day long, and he doesn't read much to cultivate his sentiments."
"Speaking of which, it's our fault. We were a little negligent when he was a child."
"At any rate, we are somewhat satisfied with his lofty ideals. The other two grandsons just follow his behavior and only know how to fight and kill."
"Hey, the biggest problem with Gao Chi is that he is in poor health."
Zhu Yuanzhang was a little chatty when he spoke, and there was still some memories in his eyes.
The arrival of winter has made his body weak, and he was still infected with wind and cold a few days ago. Winter is a complete disaster for such an old man.
Zhu Ying didn't let the old man go to the recent court meeting. He had to take care of himself first.
Zhu Ying was slightly silent as he listened to the old man's words. He knew that the old man was helping to speak to several of the imperial uncles.
Now that the Japanese country has been pacified and divided into four provinces, the position of the vassal king has begun to become embarrassing, not to mention that the Japanese country still has a large number of mineral deposits.
In the past, because of the resistance to Ashikaga Yoshimitsu, the feudal princes made small moves in private, which was nothing. Now that Ashikaga Yoshimitsu has been imprisoned in the capital, the situation is naturally different.
"Gao Chi is already married and has a child. It's not like running around. It's better to stay here in the capital."
"The capital is rich and prosperous. It will be good for the child Zhan Ji to grow up here. It will give him more experience. I went to see little Zhan Ji. He looks very smart. I can better train him in the capital."
Zhu Ying replied softly, and at the same time reached out to move the blanket covering the old man upward to better shield him from the cold wind.
Zhu Yuanzhang nodded slightly. He knew what the eldest grandson meant, which was to take back the vassal kingdom of the original vassal kings.
Zhu Yuanzhang was not surprised by this decision. This was actually a good thing for his sons.
On the contrary, it would be a bad thing to let them stay in the feudal country.
In terms of means, the sons are completely inferior to the eldest grandson. It was fine when he was alive, but if he were gone, it would probably not be a war between uncle and nephew.
"We heard that Tianzhu is very big and relatively wealthy. Your imperial uncles are very good at fighting. Barbarians in the grasslands can win. The places in Tianzhu should not be a problem for them."
"Lanyu has led hundreds of thousands of troops over. He can open up the situation first. After this winter is over, let your uncles who are not angry come over too."
Zhu Ying heard this and replied: "Okay, listen to grandpa."
——
Prince Yan's Mansion in the capital.
A special guest came here today.
The reason why it is described as special is because he has been living here for many years.
"The poor monk Dao Yan, pays homage to His Highness King Yan."
Zhu Di looked at Yao Guangxiao in front of him, his eyes a little dazed.
At that time, in the fifteenth year of Hongwu, the year when Empress Ma died of illness, Yao Guangxiao followed Zhu Di to Peiping, and they stayed together for nearly ten years. Zhu Di did not look down upon Yao Guangxiao because of his status as a monk, but instead regarded him as a close friend.
.
"Daoyan, after so many years of separation, your beard has turned white."
Today, Zhu Di is already a little embarrassed. If it weren't for Zhu Ying's relationship, maybe Dao Yan would have been making suggestions by his side.
The last time I had contact with Dao Yan was when I was first conquering the Japanese country, but in the end the two still failed to meet.
Later, Daoyan went to Goryeo, and there was no chance to meet him.
Because of the special relationship and the fear of arousing the grandson's jealousy, the two did not exchange letters.
"The poor monk is already old. After so many years, he has naturally aged. On the other hand, Your Highness is becoming more and more majestic now, just like he was back then." Dao Yan also sighed a bit in his tone.
At his age, he doesn't have many friends anymore. In terms of close friends, King Yan Zhu Di is definitely one of them.
"Hahaha, you old bald donkey, it's windy outside, hurry up and drink tea."
Zhu Di laughed heartily. It was a blessing to see his old friend.
Dao Yan was not polite. He was not unfamiliar with Prince Yan's Mansion, so he immediately followed Zhu Di into the house.
The room was warm, a fire was burning in the stove, and tea was brewing.
"You guys, you still dare to come to my place now, and you are not afraid that the news will reach my grandson's ears."
"In this capital, is there anything that Taisun can't know about? Now the Jinyiwei Yamen has been completed in Taisun's hands."
"I heard that you had a good life when you were a national master in Goryeo. I have heard about you all the time. Now you can be considered as returning to the capital to take care of your retirement."
"That's right. When you are older, you don't have to run around like a young boy anymore. My grandson has done a good job in this regard."
Zhu Di asked the servant to leave, and he personally picked up the teapot and poured tea for Yao Guangxiao, just like before.
Yao Guangxiao was not polite and took the teacup directly.
"Those days in Goryeo were indeed relatively comfortable for the poor monk, and his abilities were put to good use. Although the place in Goryeo was a bit small, it was still pretty good.
I have to thank my grandson."
"My grandson asked the poor monk to leave the prince's side because he was still young at that time and acted a little more cautiously."
"Now that the Ming Dynasty has developed to such a scale under the governance of Taisun, there is nothing to worry about."
"So when the poor monk heard the news that King Yan was back, he came over. I don't know if King Yan thought the poor monk was too old."
Zhu Di heard this, but did not answer directly.
After thinking for a while, Wei Wei said: "It seems that the Master has heard some news and made his own judgment."
"But why bother? Wouldn't it be better to spend your remaining years in the capital? There is no need to travel around with me and be tired."
Zhu Di immediately guessed Yao Guangxiao's thoughts and also guessed why Yao Guangxiao came.
This shows that Yao Guangxiao must have got the news from somewhere and judged that he would not be able to return to the vassal state and would be sent to Tianzhu by his grandson to fight.
Of course, this possibility is also the greatest for Zhu Di, and he has been prepared for it long ago.
Zhu Di also heard the meaning of Yao Guangxiao's last words. He wanted to follow him again.
In fact, in Zhu Di's opinion, there is no need to do this, because he truly feels that it is the best choice for Dao Yan to retire in the capital.
"Perhaps the poor monk is really a bald donkey and has never had six pure roots."
"It is still difficult for me to understand the prince's thoughts about what happened back then. Speaking of which, the original proposal came from the mouth of a humble monk."
"This broken body may be able to last for a few more years, and it can be regarded as a way of repaying the prince for his kindness."
Dao Yan said slowly.
He had always felt guilty in his heart. Although his grandson had great merits for the Ming Dynasty, it was Daoyan's suggestion to bring his grandson to the capital back then.
In the end, many of his plans with Zhu Di came to nothing because of his relationship with the grandson.
"Why is it so? Who would have thought of what happened back then?"
"However, the Master insists that I have no reason to turn you away. Today, my grandson no longer has any need to interfere with our affairs."
"The Master came here today, and he must have already known that I am going to Tianzhu."
Zhu Di sighed and then asked.
Yao Guangxiao nodded: "Indeed, some rumors have spread in the palace. As for the affairs of the vassal state, both the court and the princes are very clear about it. Your Majesty is still here, so he will naturally not allow the fight between uncles and nephews to happen.
"
"It is a foregone conclusion that Your Majesty will go to Tianzhu."
"Tianzhu is rich and prosperous, but a poor monk can learn more by following the prince to see it."
"Speaking of which, Taisun has no intention of stopping him. Perhaps Taisun can be more supportive of the poor monk's ideas."
"Two years ago, the poor monk and Taisun compiled the Central Plains mythology system, which has been widely circulated to this day. Taisun also wanted this myth to be spread throughout the world. This is a sectarian dispute."
"Buddhism in Tianzhu is prosperous, and Taisun has long wanted to educate it with the mythology of the Central Plains. Otherwise, how can he win the hearts of the people of Tianzhu by force alone."
Zhu Di nodded. Tianzhu can be said to be the birthplace of Buddhism, so he naturally knew it.
He has also seen the Central Plains mythology system compiled by Taisun and Daoyan. It has a great effect on education, especially in a place like Tianzhu where belief is prosperous.
"Now that the Master has thought it through, I naturally have no reason to refuse. From now on, I will rely on the Master more."
Zhu Di was naturally very happy.
Yao Guangxiao had always been Zhu Di's military advisor before. It was with Yao Guangxiao's help that he could develop well in Peiping.
Returning now is naturally equivalent to adding more power to a tiger for Zhu Di.
However, Yao Guangxiao and Zhu Di were discussing matters about Tianzhu, but they did not know that at this moment in the capital, someone from the expeditionary force to Dongsheng Shenzhou had already returned.
After more than a month, Wang Tianlu and others finally returned to the capital.
The familiar yet unfamiliar capital made Wang Tianlu and his party burst into tears.
They really didn't expect that they would come back one day. When they participated in the expedition, they already had the idea of burying their bones in a foreign land.
Five years have passed in circles, and today they are finally back.
Because after Wang Tianlu arrived in Shanghai on a ship of the Donghai Navy Fleet, he boarded a steam ironclad directly and returned to the capital through the military channel, so their news only reached the palace a little early.
After receiving the news, Zhu Yuanzhang immediately sent an order to let Wang Tianlu enter the palace.
Even Zhu Ying was very surprised. He didn't expect that after five years, he would finally get news from America.
He did not doubt at this moment that Wang Tianlu did not go to America. After all, although he did not draw a map, the general route was basically the same.
Zhu Ying was also a little curious as to why Wang Tianlu, a dozen people, returned to Daming in advance. Could it be because the expeditionary force encountered some accident?
After thinking about it, Zhu Ying felt that it was impossible. There was no decent resistance for the Ming army in the American continent.
Even without firearms, how could those American tribes defeat an expeditionary force wearing armor?
Even if there are only a few thousand people left, the Native Americans who were still in the tribal era cannot compete.
Of course, these questions will naturally be answered one by one as Wang Tianlu enters the palace.
No matter what, the news of the discovery of the American continent will inevitably spread throughout the Ming Dynasty.
As long as Zhu Ying builds a steam ironclad route leading to the Bering Strait and even to the Americas, this means that the American continent will fall into the hands of the Ming Dynasty.