Zhu Yuanzhang had already seen the strength of the Three Yangs.

If these three people could assist in handling state affairs, it would be a great thing for the Ming Dynasty.

So Zhu Yuanzhang gave them all positions, the main purpose of which was to assist Zhu Yunwen in handling memorials and to accompany him in reading more books.

After this matter was settled, Zhu Yuanzhang looked at Zhu Yunwen and said:

"Next, Yunwen, you should have nothing important to do, right? If you have nothing to do, then stay in the Wenhua Hall and help me review the cabinet's memorials with the three Yangs. You should also calm down and study more."

Zhu Yunwen knew that Zhu Yuanzhang was about to begin formally training him on how to be a good emperor.

But Zhu Yunwen did have other matters to attend to, so he said to Zhu Yuanzhang:

"Grandfather, there is still a long time ahead, and I will have many more opportunities to learn how to handle state affairs. However, I have some urgent matters to attend to, so I am afraid I cannot devote all my energy to handling state affairs for the time being."

Zhu Yuanzhang was not angry when he heard this. After all, he had read the history books and knew that he had six or seven years left to live, which was enough time to teach Zhu Yunwen.

So Zhu Yuanzhang asked Zhu Yunwen, "What else do you want to do? Tell us!"

Zhu Yunwen: "I want to do something big. Once this is done, it will free the vast majority, or even all, of the people in the world from hunger. From then on, there will be no more worries about not having enough food."

Zhu Yuanzhang immediately became interested and said, "Yunzhi, do you have any ideas on how to solve this age-old problem?"

Zhu Yunwen said, "I know that there are many kinds of grain seeds overseas that our Great Ming does not have, so I want to go and find someone."

Then we will assemble a fleet of ships, with enough troops and some of the products of our Great Ming, and sail overseas to make friends with other countries.

At the same time, grain exchange and cultural exchange took place, allowing our Great Ming Dynasty to obtain even more abundant products and grains.

Among these grains are two foods called potatoes and sweet potatoes, which can greatly help solve the food problem for many people in our Great Ming Dynasty.

Therefore, this matter is of paramount importance and urgently needed. Every day we delay in bringing back these seeds will mean one more day of hunger for the people of our Great Ming.”

Although Zhu Yuanzhang had read the history of the Ming Dynasty, the history he obtained only roughly recorded the events that occurred between the founding of the Ming Dynasty and the fall of the imperial family.

Therefore, his history book contains almost no records of grains for ordinary people or matters that have little to do with the royal family.

So they had no idea who Zheng He was, nor did they know about his voyages to the Western Ocean, let alone potatoes and sweet potatoes.

So he was also confused about this matter, and asked Zhu Yunwen:

"Do the two foods you mentioned really exist in some overseas countries?"

Zhu Yunwen nodded and said, "It absolutely exists. I only need to send one person with a team to exchange them and bring back enough seeds, which will definitely solve the food problem of my Great Ming."

Seeing Zhu Yunwen's certainty, and trusting him, Zhu Yuanzhang nodded solemnly and said:

"If what you say is true, then we certainly have no reason to refuse. The only question is, who is this person you're looking for?"

Zhu Yunwen said: "In my understanding, this person may not be as good as the three Yangs in terms of political skills and talent, but he is also a rare talent. He is outstanding in military affairs, warfare and navigation."

In short, this person will be of great use to me.

Zhu Yuanzhang then asked, "So where is this person now?"

Zhu Yunwen said, "In the north, with my fourth uncle, the Prince of Yan."

Zhu Yuanzhang frowned slightly, then said to Zhu Yunwen:

"Are you going to your fourth uncle's place up north?"

Zhu Yunwen nodded, but Zhu Yuanzhang remained silent for a moment. To be honest, in the past, he had always valued and liked his son, the Prince of Yan.

It can be said that, apart from Crown Prince Zhu Biao, Zhu Yuanzhang's favorite son was probably his fourth son, Prince Yan, Zhu Di.

However, after reading the history of the Ming Dynasty, Zhu Yuanzhang did not like Zhu Di as much.

In his view, Zhu Di was indeed a good emperor, without a doubt.

But Zhu Di's descendants became increasingly bizarre as time went on.

The fall of the Ming Dynasty was inextricably linked to the various bizarre and unsavory actions and schemes perpetrated by Zhu Di's descendants.

If Zhu Di's descendants had all been dutiful emperors and as reliable as Zhu Di, Zhu Gaochi, and Zhu Zhanji, then...

The Ming Dynasty can definitely continue to prosper.

However, these emperors became increasingly eccentric as time went on, which led Zhu Yuanzhang to vow, after reading the history of the Ming Dynasty, that he would never allow the Ming Dynasty to be passed on to Zhu Di's lineage.

That being said, if Zhu Di's descendants had been more reliable and less eccentric, Zhu Yuanzhang might have even chosen to pass the throne directly to Zhu Di.

But history is history.

And Zhu Yuanzhang saw history again.

Naturally, we will not allow this terrible scene to happen again.

After all, when Zhu Yuanzhang saw those bizarre emperors of later generations, he was so angry that he cried bitterly in bed in the middle of the night.

Therefore, at this moment, he no longer had much goodwill towards Zhu Di.

Now that Zhu Yunwen had been designated as his successor, Zhu Yuanzhang naturally had to consider the threat posed by Zhu Di.

After all, in historical records, Zhu Di usurped the throne from Zhu Yunwen.

My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!