Japanese pirates, that really is a problem.

Because Japan currently implements a maritime ban, although their handicrafts have separated from agriculture and developed independently, they are still underdeveloped. Therefore, many things, especially daily necessities, still need to be imported.

Before becoming emperor, Zhu Yuanzhang repeatedly sent envoys to Japan, hoping to bring the Japanese pirates under control. However, due to the country's division and confrontation, these missions yielded no results, and the pirate raids became increasingly frequent. As a result, these pirates were plundered everywhere.

Zhu Xiong Ying argued and made a scene, repeatedly citing the enormous profits brought by maritime trade during the Song Dynasty. However, Old Zhu remained steadfast, believing that such actions were detrimental to coastal defense.

Besides the Japanese pirates, there are still remnants of Zhang Shicheng, Chen Youliang, and others who still occupy overseas.

"Grandfather, I only need 30,000 taels of silver to purchase some silk and porcelain. I will absolutely not bring gold, silver, copper coins, weapons, horses, or people with me." Zhu Xiong Ying massaged Old Zhu's shoulders and said, "Moreover, I am now the Grand Steward of the Imperial Treasury. If my royal treasury is full, I can accomplish more things."

Old Zhu squinted his eyes contentedly and said, "You also practice martial arts, so how come you don't have any strength in your hands?"

Zhu Xiong Ying gritted his teeth and said with increased force, "Grandfather, just open the Maritime Trade Offices in the three regions and allocate a few ships to your grandson."

Zhu Biao, who was reviewing the memorials, said, "The Maritime Trade Office has already been abolished. If it is re-established, it will be another huge expense. If we give you a few ships, we will have to recruit more crew members."

"Father, this is the first time I've ever wanted to ask for a job, and you should support me!" Zhu Xiong Ying said shamelessly. "If I earn any money, I will definitely help you with the selection of candidates."

If Zhu Xiong Ying hadn't been standing behind Lao Zhu, Zhu Biao would definitely have thrown the calligraphy brush at him.

Old Zhu smiled and said, "Biao'er, your offspring are still a bit few."

Old Zhu definitely has the right to speak on this; his twenty-third son has just been born. That means Zhu Xiong Ying, who is already twelve years old, already has an uncle who is not even a month old!

Zhu Biao ignored these questions and said directly, "Father, my harem is fine, but what about Ying'er's marriage?"

Zhu Xiong Ying knew that his marriage was essentially a 'political marriage'. However, as the Crown Prince, he was destined to sit on the dragon throne in the future. This meant that his principal wife would be the Empress.

Zhu Xiong Ying quickly said, "Grandfather, I just want a gentle and magnanimous Crown Prince Consort. I don't want someone with bound feet, and preferably someone with fair skin and long legs. I don't like someone too thin or too fertile. How about I go and take a look when the imperial concubines are selected?"

Zhu Biao chuckled and said to Zhu Xiong Ying, "Don't talk nonsense. The Crown Prince's Consort is not a concubine selected for the imperial concubine selection. We'll wait until after the Crown Prince's Consort is born, and then we'll select concubines according to your wishes."

Old Zhu laughed and said to Zhu Xiong Ying, "Ying'er, we originally thought you wanted us to help you find someone like your imperial grandmother or your mother."

“Grandmother is too strong, and I don’t want to be controlled anymore. Mother Consort, Mother Consort is brave and decisive, I still think it would be better to choose a gentle one.” Zhu Xiong Ying said shamelessly with a grin, “I have seen what Grandfather and Father went through back then.”

Old Zhu and Zhu Biao laughed too; their wives were both quite assertive and not easy to control.

Zhu Xiong Ying continued to try his best to please him. He estimated that in another year or two, barring any unforeseen circumstances, they would be discussing marriage. However, he couldn't make that decision himself.

Zhu Xiong Ying had actually given up on the idea of ​​marriage. She thought that getting married first and then falling in love was a process she could accept.

For him, the most important thing right now is making money. Or rather, proving his abilities. This is what Zhu Xiong Ying cares about most and is very sensitive about. This attempt can also be seen as his attempt to change some policies.

Faced with Zhu Xiong Ying's persistent nagging, Zhu Biao suggested, "Father, why don't we let Ying'er give it a try? He's put his heart into this matter, let him try for a year or two."

Old Zhu was silent for a moment, then said seriously, "Biao'er, if it were anything else, we would agree. But the Maritime Trade Office was only abolished two years ago, and we're already rebuilding it? That's a minor matter; we're worried about coastal defense."

“Grandfather, I’ve thought about this too,” Zhu Xiong Ying quickly said. “The Maritime Trade Office will be reopened, but only in the name of the Imperial Family. This is a business of the Imperial Family. If it proves successful in the future, we can gradually open it up further.”

Old Zhu squinted and asked, "That's not impossible, even a small-scale operation is fine, so you can give up on it later. But Ying'er, do you have anyone you can use?"

Zhu Xiong Ying quickly said, "I sent Wu Zhong and Feng Cheng to train troops half a year ago, so they must have soldiers under their command. Grandfather, please send another reliable eunuch. I plan to have my second uncle and cousin go again."

The eunuchs were 'military supervisors', but the people in charge were Chang Mao and Li Jinglong, who were also relatives of the emperor.

Zhu Biao chuckled and said, "Father, am I right? He asked Wu Zhong and those people to train troops earlier, and we knew he had something on his mind. Fighting the Japanese pirates and strengthening coastal defenses are true, but so is his business dealings."

Zhu Xiong Ying ignored the teasing and said smugly, "I also sent people to find some old people. I asked those merchants who went to Southeast Asia and Japan in the past. They said that the goods from our Great Ming Dynasty would sell for ten or twenty times more there!"

Old Zhu nodded and said, "Fine then, I'll give you two years. If you don't achieve anything and mess up our big plans, see how we deal with you!"

"Grandpa, if I don't do this job well, you can spank me!" Zhu Xiong Ying said confidently and expectantly. "But if I succeed, Grandpa, please don't steal the imperial treasury. I want to accomplish something great."

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