The Tatars' desire to invade the border stemmed primarily from Yesuder, a descendant of Ariq Böke, who sought to establish his authority after assassinating his ruler. He ascended the throne, establishing his Khanate in the Oirat and Kyrgyz regions. After his accession, his power increased significantly, dominating the northern deserts.

Zhu Xiong Ying was naturally on high alert, and the soldiers of the Nine Border Garrisons were also ready for battle. If the Tatars attacked, many soldiers of the Nine Border Garrisons would be overjoyed, as their opportunity to make meritorious contributions and be ennobled would come.

As the crown prince, Zhu Xiong Ying was naturally aware of the current situation of the Ming Dynasty. In fact, in the north, many Han people did not identify as Han, not to mention many Mongols who were either captured or remained in the interior when the Yuan Dynasty collapsed.

Zhu De had also issued orders forbidding the speaking of Mongolian, the wearing of Mongolian clothing, and intermarriage; all were required to adopt Han surnames, thus forcibly implementing an assimilation policy. This also included the reorganization of some Mongolian officers and soldiers into military garrisons, with their families settled in the interior.

Zhu Xiong Ying understood this even better. He knew that subtle influence was important, but in this day and age, he didn't have time to wait for the people to gradually develop a sense of belonging. Force was necessary, especially in a place like Beiping, where location and status were paramount. Zhu Xiong Ying had to make the people there identify as Han Chinese.

At the same time, Zhu Xiong Ying also began to strictly prohibit smuggling and trade, because nowadays the various ethnic groups of Mongolia have basically returned to a single and fragile nomadic economy. Not to mention skilled craftsmen, they can no longer even make their own cloth and silk, and iron pots have become strategic resources, plunging the Mongolians into extreme hardship.

This is what Zhu Xiong Ying should do: weaken the opponent's strength. This is something that must be done.

Zhu Xiong Ying was in a good mood; a strict defense was absolutely necessary. Weakening the enemy was essential; he didn't possess much benevolence or internationalist awareness. As long as his own Ming Dynasty was well taken care of, that was more important than anything else.

The Mongol tribes are still embroiled in internal strife because many Mongol nobles and ministers do not recognize the legitimacy of Yesüder's seizure of the Khanate, and Mongolia has entered a period of political division, with fierce infighting among the tribes.

It seems that the Ming soldiers' preparations for war were in vain. Without understanding the internal strife, how could those people dare to fight against the Ming?

Then we must continue to maintain strict vigilance and absolutely prevent any smuggling. Aside from the soldiers and merchants at the border, some of the vassal kings are now also becoming more cautious. The Crown Prince may not act directly, but His Majesty the Emperor of Ming will punish such actions.

Even if you want to sell some tea, you need legal procedures and you must follow the rules of the Ming Dynasty.

Zhu Xiong Ying used to be relatively indifferent to local government affairs, but things are different now. Anything involving trade requires Zhu Xiong Ying's approval; the Crown Prince of the Ming Dynasty won't stand on ceremony at this time, and transporting goods across the border will be no easy feat.

In fact, even though Zhu Xiong Ying had traveled back and forth to Beiping many times since last autumn, she had been in the city for a year now, which is not a short time.

This former Yuan capital and military stronghold is now gradually taking shape. With over 100,000 artisans, plus landlords, wealthy merchants, nobles, and refugees who have been relocated here, the city is starting to thrive.

Looking at the Forbidden City, which had roughly laid its foundation and taken shape, Zhu Xiong Ying laughed, "I never expected this! The Forbidden City!"

The famous Forbidden City was indeed built by Zhu Xiong Ying, at least he was the architect. Even if it was modeled after the imperial palace in Nanjing, and even if it's still in its early stages, it at least looks somewhat presentable.

Zhu Xiong Ying was fairly satisfied. He also took the opportunity to check out Coal Hill, not so much to see if there were any crooked trees. The main reason was that Coal Hill had a special location; it would become a place for flower viewing, archery practice, banquets, and mountain climbing for sightseeing.

Wang Chengen flattered Zhu Xiong Ying, saying, "Sir, this place is high up, right on the central axis of the city, and it's also a barrier to the north of the palace, so it's called 'Zhenshan' (meaning 'guarding the mountain'). The two princess's residences and the prince's residence are at the foot of Coal Hill, and you can see them even better from here."

"Not bad." Zhu Xiong Ying said to Wang Cheng En with satisfaction, "Now we don't need to plant so many trees here, but we can raise some rare and exotic animals. We can't be careless about the Princess's residence though."

Old Zhu was a man of simple and frugal lifestyle, and Zhu Xiong Ying didn't particularly like luxury. However, she had no intention of depriving her younger siblings of comfort; she was perfectly capable of providing them with a more affluent life.

Standing on high ground and gazing into the distance, Zhu Xiong Ying was in a good mood. Even though Beiping at that time didn't seem as prosperous as it once was, and didn't yet have the grandeur of a future political center, none of that mattered to Zhu Xiong Ying.

Everything is moving in a positive direction, which is the most important thing, and it's what he's most looking forward to. These are some of his requirements.

Zhu Xiong Ying looked at Ru Chang and said seriously, "The construction of the palace and the capital is your top priority. Anyone who dares to obstruct this important matter or engage in corruption and bribery will be severely punished!"

Without Zhu Xiong Ying needing to say anything more, Ru Chang immediately accepted the order. This was an absolutely important matter, supported by the entire nation, so there could be no carelessness, and he dared not slack off in the slightest.

There's no need to worry about Ru Chang. What Zhu Xiong Ying is really concerned about is what Yan Zhen is working on right now.

Although there aren't many departments directly under the Ministry of Engineering at present, there are already quite a few skilled craftsmen. Zhu Xiong Ying is also realistically not thinking about carpenters or designers for the time being, focusing mainly on 'basic science'.

Gunpowder, firearms, blacksmiths, and lime—these are the 'strategic materials' that Zhu Xiong Ying cares about most. He doesn't have many resources to train too many craftsmen, so the Ministry of Works Academy is currently staffed almost entirely with master craftsmen and some clever young men from specially selected crafts families.

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