Hearing Zhang Bin's resolute stance, Zhu Yunwen did not say anything to force him.

He was simply fiddling with the sand table in front of him.

"I don't think Lord Zhang's ambition lies in this, otherwise why would he have been studying military strategy all this time?"

"Can you tell what kind of formation is on the sand table in front of me?"

Zhu Yunwen looked at it for a long time and saw that there were two groups of troops lined up in square formations on the sand table, one ring inside the other, all neat and orderly.

"Sir, is the formation on this sand table a chain formation?"

After Zhu Yunwen finished speaking, Zhang Bin's eyes widened suddenly.

"Your Highness actually understands formations? This is indeed a linked formation, but there are still some aspects of this formation that need improvement. I am currently thinking about how to make it flawless!"

Zhu Yunwen examined the situation for a long time, made slight modifications to several of the groups, and Zhang Bin suddenly understood and laughed heartily.

"I see!"

The young eunuch watched as the two men with shovels made changes to the sand table, and then suddenly burst into childlike laughter, completely bewildered.

"I never expected that Your Highness would be my confidant. It is rare to find a true friend in this life. I agree to go to the training ground with Your Highness!"

Zhu Yunwen was overjoyed, knowing that with Zhang Bin's help, he was like a tiger with wings.

"Then I'll wait for you to join us, sir!"

Even after leaving the Bureau of Military Affairs, Zhu Yunwen's mind was still filled with the array formation on the sand table.

If we want to actually execute this formation, we'll probably need more soldiers; our five hundred men alone are simply not enough to hold it up.

Even relying on Zhu Yuanzhang to expand military strength wouldn't work. The soldiers of the Ming Dynasty were skilled at bullying the common people, but in a real battle, they would probably have been routed long ago.

Zhu Yunwen saw this clearly.

He had already memorized the history of the Ming Dynasty, and although it was not obvious now, some drawbacks had not yet manifested.

"Your Highness, where are we going now?"

"Go find the trade envoy!"

The carriage sped through the streets and soon arrived at the Trade Office.

This place is nothing compared to the Department of Civil Service; it's like heaven and hell.

The gates of the Trade Office were plated with a thin layer of gold, indicating that the officials here were quite wealthy.

Come to think of it, all merchants who wanted to pass through customs smoothly needed an official document issued by the Trade Office, and even a few hundred taels of silver might not be enough to get that document.

Upon hearing that His Highness the Crown Prince was coming, the officials lined up at the gate early to greet him.

"Your Highness, I am late!"

Logically speaking, the imperial court usually doesn't concern itself with the affairs of the Trade Office except for inspecting tax revenue. Could it be that His Highness the Crown Prince has come today because he has received some news?

Thinking of this, the trade envoy couldn't help but tremble.

"I have come here today to discuss something with you, something that concerns the prosperity of our Great Ming Dynasty. I hope you will report back truthfully!"

Everyone lowered their heads, afraid to speak, lest they be held accountable for saying something wrong.

"What are your opinions on our Ming Dynasty establishing trading ports? Dongdao and we reached a trade agreement some time ago, but why is there still no result?"

The envoy stepped forward and bowed deeply.

"It is my dereliction of duty. The establishment of treaty ports can provide protection for merchants traveling to and from the port and can also promote the economy of our Great Ming."

"But recently, Japanese pirates have been rampant, and there's really nothing we can do!"

Zhu Yunwen already knew this outcome; he remained silent and simply looked at everyone.

"Your Highness is unaware that our merchant ships may be hijacked by Japanese pirates as soon as they arrive at the port."

"That's right, those people kill without blinking an eye, and countless merchants have lost their lives under their blades."

"The key point is that those people not only killed and robbed, but they didn't even spare the wives and children of the merchants!"

"Your Highness, you have no idea how terrible the scene was; there was truly nothing we could do!"

Before Zhu Yunwen could even open his mouth, he was already getting a headache from the barrage of questions from the envoys.

“If we do not open trading ports, a large amount of goods will be unable to be transported out, especially to the coastal vassal states.”

Zhu Yunwen tried his best to suppress his anger.

After all, as long as the Japanese pirates are not eliminated, the trade will be delayed.

"There is no problem with opening a port, but for security reasons, I suggest that this matter be put on hold for now!"

Zhu Yunwen was really angry this time, and he slammed his hand on the table.

"Those are all excuses! When you're trying to skim profits, why aren't you afraid of the trouble?"

Upon hearing the Crown Prince's words, the trade envoys all knelt down.

"We confess our guilt!"

Zhu Yunwen was so angry with them that he had a headache. He said he was guilty, but he was determined not to change.

"I will discuss this matter with my grandfather. As for the Japanese pirates, the Ming Dynasty is protected by Heaven. Why should we be afraid of a few bandits?"

Everyone agreed.

Zhu Yunwen came out of the Trade Office and cursed viciously.

He finally understood why his grandfather was always so angry after court!

It would be impossible to deal with this group without some tricks up your sleeve. If cutting through thorns requires a sharp sword, Zhu Yunwen is willing to be the one to wield it!

After leaving the Trade Office, he returned to his small town, and seeing the harmonious scene there, he finally felt much calmer.

He called over the people in charge of the town to discuss the extradition, although there were difficulties in carrying it out.

However, these people showed no intention of leaving the group, and even readily complied with Zhu Yunwen's requests.

"Your Highness, please be careful. We will definitely carry out the extradition as requested!"

Zhu Yunwen nodded. Without these people, the Ming Dynasty would probably be hopeless!

The workers worked overtime through the night and completed the task in just two days.

Zhu Yunwen felt like a million alpacas were galloping through his mind. These were truths that the common people knew, but the well-read officials were completely unaware of them.

It's laughable when you think about it!

A pool of water appeared on the coaching field, and no one knew what it was for.

Some even speculated that it was used for the soldiers to bathe.

The mountains and rivers they were brought over to were somewhat icy, but the rough men weren't afraid.

Zhu Yunwen looked at the pool in front of him, feeling a mix of emotions he couldn't quite describe.

In the imperial court.

Zhu Yuanzhang listened to everyone's political discussions with a dark expression.

"Your Majesty, the anger of the people cannot be quelled until the Japanese pirates are eliminated!"

"That's right, this is the thirty-seventh merchant ship to be hijacked, and this time the hijacked merchant ship is a foreign merchant, which may cause trouble in the future."

"Your Majesty, the number of refugees has been increasing recently, and riots have broken out in many places!"

Zhu Yuanzhang did not express his opinion, but silently turned the ring on his hand.

“We have considered what you all have said, but right now… the Crown Prince is trying to find a way to quell the Japanese pirates.”

Upon hearing this, the ministers deflated like punctured balloons.

They were well aware of the Crown Prince's actions these past few days. His attempt to open a treaty port had been rejected, so he turned to courting Zhang Bin.

Everyone knows that guy is completely clueless about military operations, except for his theoretical knowledge!

Then an official spoke up: "Your Majesty, the ministers that His Highness the Crown Prince has won over..."

"When did I ever try to win over my subjects?" Zhu Yunwen's voice rang out!