Chapter 177 Have fun, I'm here
Obviously, steam warships cannot sail to the Japanese islands now.
The Ming navy was not yet accustomed to real naval battles and needed to practice against pirates and Goryeo before it could face the Japanese islands with absolute crushing power.
In the original history, the Japanese invasion always accompanied the Ming Dynasty.
In order to give enough respect to friendly neighbors, the Ming Dynasty should, after training its troops, visit its neighbors with an absolutely powerful attitude, once and for all, and never cause any recurrence.
Only when you completely beat the wolves into dogs will they bark. Otherwise, they will always run out and bite you from time to time, which is disgusting.
First, take action against Goryeo. Besides the fact that Goryeo has been a vassal state of the Chinese dynasty since ancient times, and the Ming Dynasty replaced the Yuan Dynasty, Goryeo naturally had to submit to the Ming Dynasty. In addition, Goryeo was too close to Japan.
Wadao relied on its distance from the Chinese Empire, saying that the Chinese Empire's expedition would not be worth the cost. Once Goryeo was completely incorporated into China, with Wadao and Ming Dynasty facing each other across the sea, would Wadao still dare to act so aggressively?
After Zhu Biao announced his next plan, not only did Liao Yongzhong applaud, but if it hadn't damaged his image, Zhu Yuanzhang would have jumped up and cheered.
Everyone knows that the Hongwu Emperor Zhu Yuanzhang was petty and had a bad temper, with a bloody and murderous aura. Japanese pirates had been invading the border every year since Zhu Yuanzhang founded the country. So, did he think Zhu Yuanzhang had no temper?
Let's take a look at what the official history says about the imperial edict Zhu Yuanzhang issued to coastal officials: "Tell the people to prepare their knives. When these guys come, kill them first. I decree this."
According to official history, Zhu Yuanzhang was most afraid that the people would rebel like him, so he strictly controlled weapons. However, when it came to the coastal people's resistance against the Japanese pirates, Zhu Yuanzhang simply let the people take up arms.
If it weren't for the fact that several northern and southern expeditions had greatly depleted the Ming Dynasty's national strength, making Zhu Yuanzhang unable to bear to exploit the people to go on an expedition to a "barbaric land", he would definitely have personally taken up arms and rushed to the Japanese island.
Having said that, Japan made Zhu Yuanzhang so upset, so of course Zhu Yuanzhang hated Japan even more.
"Hurry up and take over Goryeo, and then build up farmland in Goryeo. Such a large area can feed their people as well as ours!" Zhu Yuanzhang was so excited that his words seemed out of place .
Liu Ji quickly tried to smooth things over, saying arrogantly, "That's right! General Liao, quickly take over Gaoli. General Zhu and I will help you with the Emperor!"
Liao Yongzhong clasped his fists and said, "Yes, I will definitely live up to your trust!"
After saying this, he said with some regret: "I hope that when we can attack the Japanese island, I can still lead the troops."
In a few years, he will be fifty years old and will be a veteran.
Zhu Yuanzhang looked at the faint gray hair on Liao Yongzhong's temples and couldn't help feeling a little sad.
The scene of Liao Yongzhong coming to him seemed like it was just yesterday.
It took Zhu Yuanzhang only sixteen years to go from a beggar to the emperor of the Ming Dynasty, which is truly legendary.
But sixteen years is enough for the young and energetic general to have gray hair on his temples and wonder how long he can stay on the battlefield.
"You..." Zhu Yuanzhang knew that he should make a promise at this time, but because Zhu Biao was here, some words could not be said.
Zhu Biao took over Zhu Yuanzhang's words and said, "Uncle Liao, you need to exercise well, eat more, exercise more, and listen to the doctor's advice. I estimate it will take two or three years before we can fully conquer the Japanese islands. By then, Uncle Liao will be in his early fifties at most, so he should still be able to fight. Uncle Kang was able to fight against many enemies alone in Yunnan, so Uncle Liao shouldn't be too far behind."
Liao Yongzhong immediately stopped feeling disappointed and shouted, "I'm definitely better than him!"
Zhu Yuanzhang laughed and scolded, "You're awesome, but why are you yelling so loudly? It's disturbing Biao'er's ears!"
Liao Yongzhong rubbed his nose embarrassedly: "I can definitely lead the troops to attack the Japanese island, hehe, my brother is in poor health, he can only be a civil servant."
Zhu Biao immediately said, "Dad! You must tell Uncle Liao this!"
Zhu Yuanzhang also immediately replied: "Okay!"
Liu Ji, feeling somewhat disappointed by Liao Yongzhong's disappointment, said sarcastically, "What's wrong with being a civil servant? Do you look down on civil servants?"
Liao Yongzhong was horrified: "No, no, no, that's not what I meant."
Ah! How could I have spoken without thinking and offended my lord and Liu Zhongcheng?
Die!
Liao Yongzhong apologized repeatedly and was forgiven by Liu Ji, but Zhu Yuanzhang was unmoved and said he would definitely convey this message to Liao Yongzhong.
Liao Yongzhong was in agony. His brother was coming to beat him up again, and he was worried that he'd get sick from being beaten too hard. Being a younger brother was tough.
Before he submitted a memorial to Nanjing, Liao Yongzhong seemed to have received an imperial edict and was ready to go to war.
Zhu Yuanzhang said that Zhu Biao was old, so he did not want to take Zhu Biao's bed . He went to sleep with Liu Ji, and harassed Liu Ji at the same time to discuss what to do next.
Zhu Biao lay on the bed in a spread-eagle position, staring blankly for a long time.
After a while, he got up from the bed, walked to a cabinet in the bedroom, and opened a secret compartment.
This box is filled with letters from his parents to him.
Zhu Biao kept reading letters from home until his father came back.
Zhu Yuanzhang was puzzled: "Biao'er, what are you doing...let me see...a letter from home? Hahaha, your father is right here, and you are still reading a letter from home?"
Zhu Biao put the letter back and said, "I'll just take a look. Is that okay if I miss Mom? Dad, aren't you going to see Uncle Liu?"
Zhu Yuanzhang pointed at the bruises on his face and said, "I don't know what's wrong with Old Liu. He actually said that if I don't let him sleep, he will die with me, and then he fought with me."
Zhu Biao: “…”
Oh my God, my dad is so stupid, I must be thinking too much.
Zhu Biao complained, "Don't bully Uncle Liu all the time. Uncle Liu is old and has little energy. Let him sleep well."
Zhu Yuanzhang was stunned, then smiled bitterly: "Old Liu... is old too."
Seeing that Zhu Yuanzhang was sad, Zhu Biao immediately gave Zhu Yuanzhang a hug and comforted him: "Although Uncle Liu is old, he is in good spirits and in good health. He will surely be able to quarrel with Dad for many more years."
Zhu Yuanzhang chuckled and hugged Zhu Biao back, saying, "Biao'er, didn't you say that a disaster will last for thousands of years? I see that Liu Ji has such a vicious mouth and such a bad temper, he is definitely a disaster."
Zhu Biao said: "Uh... okay, Dad is right!"
Zhu Yuanzhang laughed.
Zhu Biao was extremely helpless. "Laughing so loudly at night, Dad, you are really disturbing everyone."
He quickly covered Zhu Yuanzhang's mouth and urged Zhu Yuanzhang to wash up.
In the end, the father and son slept together, chatting while sleeping until they fell into a deep sleep.
The next day, when Zhu Biao woke up, Zhu Yuanzhang had already energetically shared Zhu Biao's work.
"Biao'er, I don't think you have much to do. I'll talk to the emperor and let Chen Lin, Song Yan and Liu Lian take over your position temporarily. You can go to sea with Liao Yongzhong." Seeing Zhu Biao yawning and entering the study, Zhu Yuanzhang closed the document and said.
Zhu Biao was puzzled: "Dad, why did you suddenly let me go to sea?"
Zhu Yuanzhang said, "Haven't you always wanted to go to sea? Now with the steamship, sailing is almost danger-free. This is the first time a Ming warship has set sail. It's such an important moment. Don't you want to go and see it?"
Zhu Biao hesitated: "I do want to, but..."
Zhu Yuanzhang stood up, ruffled his son's hair, and said, "Go if you want. Besides, selling old weapons is a first for the Ming Dynasty. Since it was your idea, it's best for you to do it first so that others can follow suit."
Zhu Biao was persuaded: "If Your Majesty agrees, I will go."
Zhu Yuanzhang smiled and said, "Your Majesty will certainly agree. Your Majesty is certainly very concerned about the sale of used weapons and will not allow any failure. Only you can go, which is the safest way. Moreover, you are fluent in multiple languages, so you can save the trouble of translating in the middle, which should make business easier."
Zhu Biao took out a horn comb from his bosom and combed his hair that was messed up by Zhu Yuanzhang, saying, "That's true. But I'm worried about Zheng Ge and Zhong Ge."
Zhu Biao was very sad, wondering why he didn't have the golden finger of memory in his previous life. If he had, he wouldn't have to stay up late to study hard.
Zhu Yuanzhang ruffled his son's hair again, earning him a furious glare. "You've already taken care of everything for them outside the battlefield. From now on, they'll have to rely on themselves. Trust Wen Zheng and Wen Zhong. When it comes to fighting, their talent and bravery are no less than any Mongol general."
Zhu Biao continued combing his hair while muttering, "Of course I know... Well, okay, I won't wait for them to come back. I'm going to play in the sea first!"
Zhu Biao's final tone rose sharply, and even though he still had a hoarse voice, he managed to sound like a child in excitement.
Zhu Yuanzhang looked at the happiness clearly visible between his son's eyebrows and eyes, and felt both happy and guilty.
As the crown prince of the Ming Dynasty, Zhu Biao shouldered a heavy burden, inevitably leading to fatigue and constraints. But looking at Biao'er, Zhu Yuanzhang found it difficult to maintain the mindset of an emperor. He simply wished Biao'er could be happier. Even at work, Biao'er should be as cheerful and forthright as she had been in childhood, happily directing him and the Chen family. Happiness and a sense of accomplishment belonged to Biao'er, while fatigue was for himself and others.
Zhu Yuanzhang really hoped that Zhu Biao would reach the age of twenty soon, but now he doesn't want to do that.
He hoped that time would go slower, even slower, so that Biaoer could grow up slower and he could grow old slower.
This is not the case in history books where an aging emperor was afraid that the grown-up prince would replace him, but rather a father who wanted to protect his most beloved son from the storms for a few more years.
"Biao'er..."
"Hmm?"
"Nothing. Have fun out at sea. As long as it's safe, you don't have to rush back. I'm here in Beizhili, don't worry."
"Ahhhhh Daddy, you're the best!~"
Zhu Biao childishly jumped and danced around Zhu Yuanzhang in circles, like a naughty little bird gone crazy with joy.
