Zhu Biao nodded and then said, "Song Sheng's deployment to Liangzhou to defend against the Northern Yuan and the Western Barbarians is quite useful. However, in my opinion, this is a minor matter. Let's train the troops first, and in a couple of years when we have more time, we should deal with those remaining enemies."

Old Zhu was even more gratified. The southwest was unstable; in the Dali region of western Yunnan, the Duan family held sway over a separatist regime. The Duan family had ruled Dali for centuries and enjoyed considerable popular support. Furthermore, in other areas, the local chieftains of the northwest and southwest might also be prone to rebellion.

In order to pacify Yunnan and Guizhou, he appointed the Marquis of Yingchuan as the General Who Conquers the South, and Lan Yu and Mu Ying as his deputy generals, leading 300,000 infantry and cavalry to conquer Yunnan and Guizhou.

Now that the matter is nearing its end, the Yunnan-Guizhou region will be somewhat stabilized, and the Ming Dynasty will be more secure.

"Yes, once Yunnan and Guizhou are subdued, it will be the north next." Old Zhu looked at Zhu Biao and asked, "Biao'er, who do you think will be appointed to command the troops then?"

Zhu Biao pondered for a moment and said, "Cousin or Duke Song, then we can give Lan Yu the opportunity to join the army. Those three boys from the Chang family are unreliable, and Ying'er might have to rely on Lan Yu in the future."

Old Zhu smiled but didn't speak. The Chang family was indeed somewhat unreliable these days. However, the great general Lan Yu wasn't reserved for the Crown Prince's grandson, but for the Crown Prince himself!

Just as the father and son were still discussing, Zhu Xiong Ying entered the hall carrying a food box, looking quite helpless. "Grandpa, it's already so late? If your grandson hadn't come, would you have gone hungry?"

Old Zhu quickly stood up and said cheerfully, "We didn't serve the meal because we knew our grandson wouldn't let us go hungry, right? Come on, come on, let's eat!"

While eating a sesame seed cake, Old Zhu picked up his wine cup and took a small sip. "Ying'er, your father and I are talking about the war. In a few years, how about we go on a trip to the north?"

"Really?" Zhu Xiong Ying was taken aback, then became somewhat excited. "My grandfather conquered the world and restored the Han dynasty's lands. Let your grandson go to the north. The remnants of the Yuan dynasty are indeed annoying. Your grandson should also learn from Huo Qubing and seal the wolf's lair!"

"Bah!" Old Zhu said unhappily, "Who asked you to learn from Huo Qubing?! Our grandson is the Crown Prince, he should be in charge of military affairs. We and your father are in the capital, so you should work hard these next two years and see more of the world. When we get old, you won't be able to travel around anymore."

Zhu Biao didn't say anything, he just ate his meal quietly.

Throughout history, no crown prince has ever enjoyed such a stable position, and the power and influence within the Eastern Palace are formidable. Now, it is indeed time to consider cultivating a strong foundation for the crown prince's successor.