As the eldest son of Zhu Zhu, Xiao Xiao Zhu can be said to have inherited his father's genes. This includes not only a martial spirit but also a love of history.

In fact, Xiao Zhu's knowledge of history is only superficial. It can only be said that he is not an expert or scholar who studies the history of a particular dynasty. He does know some things from history textbooks, and he is even quite interested in some unofficial histories.

Although Zhu Yunying wasn't particularly interested in Confucian classics throughout his life, he would still attend lectures, though he wasn't willing to delve into them. Even as a child, under Empress Ma's care, Zhu Yunying frequently listened to renowned Confucian scholars lecture on history.

At most, those great Confucian scholars had their own focuses, after all, traditional Confucianism also attached great importance to history.

Little Zhu is the same way now. He's always listless when listening to lectures in the main hall, but he does try to learn some history. And every now and then, Little Zhu will ask his mother to tell him history or ask Lian Qiongqiong to tell him stories.

Of course, Little Zhu also privately asked those scholars and others to tell him about the history.

A huge map of the Ming Dynasty's territory was unfurled. In the vast Qianqing Palace, many eunuchs were also holding maps, standing by intently, ready to step forward at any moment so as not to delay the Emperor Emeritus and the Emperor from giving the Crown Prince a lesson.

Zhu Yunying glanced at little Zhu and asked, "Yin'er, what is the northernmost point of our Great Ming Dynasty now?"

Little Zhu immediately answered without hesitation, “Father, in the 29th year of Hongwu’s reign, our Great Ming launched a northern expedition and won a great victory, after which we established the Nurgan Regional Military Commission. The capital was located in Nurgan, a few hundred meters from the Black River. Father Emperor heard that the Black River meandered like a dragon, so he named it the Black Dragon River.”

Old Zhu smiled and nodded, his own grandson was successful, and his great-grandson was equally successful.

Xiao Zhu continued, “Nurgan Commandery extends northeast to Kuye, which was named Kuye by my father. It extends west to the Onon River, south to the Tumen River, and north to the Outer Khingan Mountains. The people here include Han, Mongol, Jurchen, Jilimi, Kuyi, and other ethnic groups. Most of them make a living by hunting and gathering, and most of them are unfamiliar with the king’s ways. This place is quite remote and cold, and is mostly supplemented by Liaodong.”

Zhu Yunying smiled and nodded, then asked, "Then tell me, Yin'er, why did we establish the Nurgan Regional Military Commission in this harsh and cold place, and why did we send officials to govern it? You should know that there are more than 400 of our Great Ming Guards and Garrisons there."

Little Zhu immediately said without hesitation, “Father, the Khitans originated from the Huangshui River and have invaded Goguryeo several times. I remember that the Jurchens established the Jin dynasty, which was mostly based on the Khitans’ settlements. Father, I know that you appointed leaders of various ethnic groups over there to govern their respective garrisons, gave them seals, allowed them to follow their customs, and governed their subordinates, mostly to maintain order.”

This is also true. Although the Ming Dynasty now has more than 400 guards and garrisons in Nurgan Commandery, many of them are quite 'independent' and are tribal troops. Simply put, this is also a form of 'amnesty' by the Ming Dynasty.

It wasn't that Zhu Yunying didn't want to bring Nurgan Regional Military Commission under the complete control of the Ming Dynasty all at once, but the current level of productivity and other factors simply couldn't keep up. Therefore, under these circumstances, the Ming Dynasty could only nominally rule the area, still granting many tribes living there autonomy—that was the reality.

Zhu Yunying understood this principle, and so did the old Zhu, but young Zhu might not fully comprehend it now.

This little guy is actually very greedy, just like Zhu Yunying. He's ambitious and wants everything. Who knows, he might become a great and talented emperor in the future, or he might be considered a warmongering and aggressive emperor.

Zhu Yunying looked at the little Zhu and asked with a smile, "Then, where is the southernmost point of our Great Ming Dynasty?"

Without hesitation, Xiao Zhu replied, "There are two islands to the south, one is Hainan Island, and the other is Ryukyu Island. My great-grandfather established the Penghu Patrol Office in his early years, following the Yuan dynasty system. Some years ago, my great-grandfather imposed a maritime ban, and at Tang He's request, abolished the Penghu Patrol Office and relocated the prominent families of Penghu to the Zhangzhou and Quanzhou areas..."

Old Zhu coughed and said, "Let's not talk about that. We used to defend against Japanese pirates. You don't know, we set up guerrilla units and spring and autumn garrisons in Daliuqiu. But Penghu was once a den of bandits. Besides, your father couldn't stay idle and went to Southeast Asia. We loved him, so we set up a garrison for him in Daliuqiu, which was also a re-establishment of the Penghu Patrol Office."

Zhu Yunying laughed and said to Little Zhu, "Your great-grandfather didn't re-establish the Penghu Patrol Office and set up garrisons in Daliuqiu just because he loved us. It's because the South Seas are somewhat unruly, and we have many merchant caravans in the South Seas. Setting up garrisons in Daliuqiu and Hainan is also a good way to control the South Seas."

Old Zhu immediately glared at Zhu Yunying, but didn't say anything more, which could be considered as tacit agreement.

Some things can't be hidden. Old Zhu did indeed abolish the Penghu Patrol Office at one point, and he did indeed impose a maritime ban.

If Zhu Yunying's fleet hadn't been so successful in Southeast Asia, Zhu Yunying wouldn't have placed such importance on the navy, nor would he have paid so much attention to the Maritime Trade Office as Zhu Yunying had wished.

Although Southeast Asia may seem desolate, Zhu Rongji greatly admired its spices, gems, and gold. In fact, Zhu Rongji was the type who wouldn't act without a profit; once he saw the benefits, he naturally became serious.

Little Zhu was very enthusiastic at this moment, jumping up and saying, "Great-grandfather, father, we must build big ships in the future too. The South Seas may be wild and desolate, but there are some good things there. We just don't understand. In the early days, the Silk Road passed through barren lands, but it was so powerful. In the future, we will also sell big iron pots."

Old Zhu immediately laughed and said to Little Zhu, "You can't just sell big iron pots randomly. You have to learn from us, you have to learn from your dad."

Large iron pots are indeed strategic resources, comparable to silk and porcelain. However, porcelain and silk can be sold for money, and their quality varies greatly.

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