"What's wrong? Since you dare to follow us to this hall, why don't you dare to say it openly? Let me ask you again, where is your territory?"
Looking at Zhu Zhen who lowered his head and dared not say anything for a while, Zhu Yuanzhang asked again with a slightly dissatisfied tone.
In fact, regarding Zhu Zhen's actions.
He was not angry, on the contrary, he was quite satisfied.
Zhu Zhen can devote himself wholeheartedly to matters like territory. In Zhu Yuanzhang's view, this means that he is sensible and knows how to do serious things.
Now the vassal king's policy of external enfeoffment has been settled, although at this time only Zhu Di has decided to enfeoff.
But don’t forget, which emperor wouldn’t want to see the expansion of territory?
Territory is the emperor's political achievements. If his sons can create a world outside the territory.
The reputation of the Ming Dynasty will also rise rapidly!
However, this was originally a very happy thing, but the moment Zhu Zhen suddenly lowered his head, Lao Zhu became a little unhappy.
After all, there was Zhu Di in front of him, roaring like thunder.
Zhu Yuanzhang still remembers his first appearance of imperial aura.
But now, Zhu Zhen is like this, compared with Zhu Di's previous performance, it is a bit unsatisfactory.
The vassal king was granted an external seal. To put it nicely, he was the vassal king of the Ming Dynasty.
But Zhu Yuanzhang knew very well that the fundamental meaning of letting these vassal kings leave the Ming Dynasty and go to vassal territory was to let them develop a dynasty of their own.
That is to let them become emperors.
How can a weak person become emperor?
"Father, please forgive me. My son, my son, has set his fiefdom in the same direction as my fourth brother. However, my fourth brother's fiefdom expansion is towards the land, while my son, my son, wants to develop a navy."
"To be honest with my father, I went to see Banxian Chu Ze before. His suggestion to me was to let him focus on developing the navy and strive to gain dominance in the sea area."
"Mr. Chu Ze's assumption is that although land warfare will be the main battlefield in the future, if Erchen can gain dominance at sea, then Erchen's navy can attack any country at any time, and at the same time, it can also send reinforcements from various locations. Other feudal lords.”
"Of all the vassal states that I have, there is a high probability that the main vassal state is located in a place called Australia. Mr. Chu Ze said that there is a huge landmass there, surrounded by sea, and it is almost a giant iron ore island! "
"My son. This is my current plan."
Maybe it was due to Zhu Yuanzhang's pressure, or maybe he knew he couldn't hide it.
All in all, after Zhu Zhen lowered his head and pondered for a moment, he just gave up.
He raised his head directly and laid everything out in front of his father.
After Zhu Yuanzhang listened to Zhu Zhen's words, his hand silently turned the globe on his desk.
This globe was remade by him.
He put one in basically every office location.
Both in terms of workmanship and painting, they are much better looking than those made by Chu Ze.
At least, it doesn't look that monotonous.
After turning around for a while, Zhu Yuanzhang successfully found the location of Australia that Zhu Zhen mentioned.
When he saw the huge landmass of Australia, Lao Zhu also frowned slightly.
The scope of this territory is so large!
It is much larger than the Ming Dynasty area.
"Your ambition is not small. Yes, yes, Chu Ze's suggestion is very pertinent. If your territory is this Australia, you should indeed develop more navy. The terrain surrounded by the sea and the enemies on the sea are your main targets. Something to watch out for.”
"Okay, now that it's decided, let's do it. But this Australian territory is quite big. You probably won't be able to use it by yourself. If your brothers choose this place in the future, remember to give in."
"This world is huge, bigger than we imagined. There is no need to make trouble over such a small amount of territory."
"Ah! Okay, okay, I will obey my father's orders!"
Zhu Zhen, who originally thought he would be reprimanded, heard Zhu Yuanzhang's words of approval.
A hint of joy suddenly appeared on his face.
His father, this is his approval!
Excited, excited, and the heartbeat gradually accelerates.
Under Zhu Zhen's excitement, his mind gradually became active.
While Zhu Yuanzhang was still turning and looking at the globe on the table, Zhu Zhen cautiously asked a question.
"Father, can I, my son, apply for a warship from my father? My route to become a vassal is from the coast. I want to form a fleet, and while exploring the route, I will examine these. Is there anything good in the place that can be introduced to our Ming Dynasty?"
"I heard Chu Ze Banxian say that there are many high-quality grains along the coast, as well as some rare fruits and spices. What I want to do is to get familiar with the sea area before joining the vassal. , and we can also bring some back to our Ming Dynasty."
"High-quality grain! You don't need to report this to me. Just go to your elder brother. From now on, you can go to your elder brother for all matters. If your elder brother can't make up his mind, just come to us again."
When he heard Zhu Zhen talking about high-quality grain seeds, Zhu Yuanzhang was obviously excited, but he soon came back to his senses.
He now wants to delegate power, and not only delegate power, but also focus on integrating the relationship between his children.
So what Zhu Yuanzhang prefers most is that from now on, all matters concerning the vassal king's external enfeoffment will be left to Zhu Biao.
He could decide the location or time of the vassal princes' external seal with a single word.
But all the subsequent preparations were left to Zhu Biao.
In this way, Zhu Biao can be regarded as taking care of his brothers.
Let’s look at the brotherhood between them.
"Okay, now we don't want to ask too much about these things. Lao Wu, we remember that your situation is quite special, right?"
The matters between the feudal prince and the prince will be left to them to discuss on their own later.
And Zhu Rui... he obviously can't go out for the time being.
Zhu Yuanzhang naturally heard about Chu Ze and Zhu Biao's experimental city plan.
So when Zhu Yu was mentioned, Zhu Yuanzhang pointed out his problem directly.
"Father, my son came here today to ask for orders to go to the country to seal the city and become a vassal. I am already ready to take over Hengyang City."
Compared with Zhu Zhen, Zhu Zhen's words are much more straightforward.
After all, he was the last one to speak, and he had been standing nearby for a long time, and he could roughly feel his father's attitude.
Moreover, he was still a vassal within the territory.
This is much simpler than his fourth and fifth brothers.
But for his fief...
Originally, he wanted to call it a feudal country, but when he thought about it, he only had a city.
Fengguo is a hammer
When he thought of this, Zhu Xi couldn't help but feel dizzy.
"Hahaha, you kid, you still feel unbalanced, don't you? Your fourth brother and your sixth brother are going out for a bloody battle. Although they have the entire Ming Dynasty as their backer, don't you think about it, how can they be absolute when they are out on the battlefield? safety?"
"Even though our Ming Dynasty has millions of soldiers, they are still beyond our reach. They have to rely on themselves at the critical moment."
"Do you know how to fight?"
What a fine person Zhu Yuanzhang is, how could he not see the imbalance in Zhu Xi's heart?
So, when Zhu Ru was feeling a little depressed, he did not forget to tease Zhu Ru half teasingly and half comfortingly.
In fact, Zhu Xi doesn't have much resentment now.
Judging from what Chu Ze said, he might be someone who wants to enter a temple in the future!
That is Sage Zhu who has to bear the incense of the people and the worship of thousands of families!
Compared with these, whether to close a country or a city is a minor issue.
No need to care.
"Father, my son is now ready. I don't know when to go?"
"We have just said these things. Don't ask me, just discuss it with your elder brother. If anything happens in the future, just go to your elder brother directly and we will retire!"
"Okay, you brothers can just settle the matter yourself. We are tired today. Your mother was probably angry this morning, so I have to go and calm her down. You guys should go away too."
"."
After Zhu Yuanzhang finished speaking, he waved his hand and let the brothers go and play by themselves.
As for himself, under the gaze of Zhu Biao and others, he stood up and left with a happy face.
When walking, it looks like the wind is blowing.
His sons have gradually put their minds on their careers.
For Zhu Yuanzhang, an emperor whose father was very thoughtful, nothing made him feel more proud and proud than seeing all his sons succeed.
But now the children are already finding their own way.
He was naturally happy and relaxed.
"Come on, come and sit at my place."
Zhu Yuanzhang left, and now the only one left in charge is naturally the eldest brother Zhu Biao.
Regarding Zhu Yuanzhang, who seemed a little irresponsible at this time, Zhu Biao could only smile and shake his head.
He knew that his father was deliberately trying to improve the relationship and cooperation between their brothers.
Therefore, he did not reject his father's kindness.
He took his brothers directly to the East Palace.
The thoughts of the brothers now all come from Chu Ze, and naturally they are extremely harmonious when discussing issues.
The meeting lasted only half an hour, and everything was finalized.
The salt mine temporarily fell into the hands of Zhu Di and Zhu Zhen, and the salt they mined was directly supplied to the court to facilitate management.
The imperial court also provided them with funds accordingly.
This can be regarded as reaching a supply relationship.
And Zhu Zhen finally got a warship and several escort ships from Zhu Biao.
At the same time, Zhu Biao also thoughtfully assigned him a group of guards and crew members.
As for King Zhou, he took his people directly to Hengyang City the day after the meeting.
Because several people have their own purposes, they act extremely efficiently.
In just a few days, the salt mine entered the formal mining stage.
The ammunition production site has also begun formal construction.
However, all the princes who had been in contact with Chu Ze were very busy at this time, but Chu Ze was rare and free at this time.
The proving ground has begun to officially get on track.
Although there will still be some minor accidents more or less every day, and occasionally someone will die.
But overall, the gains are still greater than the efforts.
Zhu Xi, a man who has always been guilty, has been running around a lot recently.
Ying Tianfu didn't have enough guilty alchemists, so he directly asked the Jin Yiwei to go to various places to arrest people.
Even if you can report the alchemist for causing trouble, you can get a bonus directly.
For a time, the area around Yingtian Mansion became a nightmare for the alchemists.
As long as you dare to talk nonsense, you will be a walking grand prize in the eyes of the people around you!
When you are busy, time always passes very quickly.
Half a month flew by in the blink of an eye.
In the early morning, Chu Ze originally got up and prepared to go to work as usual.
But as soon as he got up, the attendants at home told him news.
Prime Minister Hu Weiyong's banquet is today.
He had agreed to the other party's invitation before, and it was time to go to the banquet today.
"Uncle Fu, we are going to a banquet. Do we need to prepare so many things?"
"Sir, this is etiquette after all..."
Uncle Fu, this is the butler of Chu Ze's house.
This person was arranged by Zhu Biao for Chu Ze. I heard that he was Zhu Yuanzhang's bodyguard before.
He retired after being injured.
Now he is Chu Ze’s housekeeper.
Of course, he is also Lao Zhu’s eyeliner.
There are nine out of ten people in Chu Ze's house who are spies.
Chu Ze was naturally very clear about this, but he didn't care about it.
Anyway, although these people are all spies, they at least take care of his food and daily life.
They do their job meticulously.
Eyeliner is just eyeliner, and he has nothing to be ashamed of.
Because this was Chu Ze's first time going to someone else's home for a banquet, and it was such a formal banquet.
So Uncle Fu had already prepared various things for Chu Ze when he agreed to the banquet.
Formal clothing, exquisite gifts, even greeting cards and other messy things.
Even on the road, he did not forget to teach Chu Ze various etiquette.
What Chu Ze heard was that his head felt dizzy.
Isn't this just a meal at your door? Why are there so many rules?
"Good son-in-law, good son-in-law, please wait for me!"
Chu Ze was riding in a carriage on his way to a banquet at Hu Weiyong's house.
Behind his carriage, a familiar voice suddenly sounded.
Chu Ze turned his head and happened to see his father-in-law Lan Yu.
And following him is his uncle
Speaking of Lan Yu, Chu Ze's head suddenly got big.
Although he has visited Lan Yu's house several times, he still has not seen his wife until now.
This is simply a kind of torture for Chu Ze!
"Father-in-law!"
After hearing Lan Yu's call, Chu Ze's carriage naturally stopped.
Lan Yu, who was behind him, also jumped directly from the carriage, and then ran into Chu Ze's carriage with extremely smooth movements.
As soon as he entered the carriage, he looked around mysteriously.
Then he frowned slightly and whispered in Chu Ze's ear.
"My dear son-in-law, didn't you say that this bastard Hu Weiyong is not a good person? Why do we still come to his banquet? Aren't we making ourselves embarrassed?"
"He is approaching the end of his madness. We have the prince behind us, so why don't we come? Father-in-law, if he wants to promise us benefits later, don't be polite. Take whatever you can. Be more realistic, don't Any concerns.”
"After we get it, we will go directly to report to the prince."
"This is the only chance I can get."
(End of chapter)
