However, items like large iron pots and tea could not be sold casually, and many other ironware items were even more restricted. Even if one occasionally engaged in business, it required the court's approval. Zhu Yunying would undoubtedly value this technological advantage highly.

Old Zhu agreed with these points, saying to Little Zhu, "If Japan can have inexhaustible silver mountains, there must be good things elsewhere too. We used to look down on Southeast Asia, always thinking it was unstable. But now look at it again, there are plenty of spices and gold. I remember our Ming Dynasty's fleet also brought back a lot of rice from Southeast Asia."

The areas of the Indochina Peninsula may not seem large, but their climate is ideal for agriculture. Two harvests a year is common in places like the Jiangnan region of the Ming Dynasty and south of the Yangtze River. However, in the Indochina Peninsula, three harvests a year is a very simple matter.

Not only is the climate good, but the soil is also very fertile, so growing grain is no problem at all, and the Ming Dynasty also needs grain.

Old Zhu also supported this. Spices, gems, or gold were things that only wealthy families could afford. Moreover, Old Zhu knew very well that in chaotic times, food was the most essential thing, more important than anything else.

In chaotic times, a bag of grain can save a life. But a bag of gold sometimes doesn't offer much benefit.

Therefore, Zhu Yuanzhang supported both official and unofficial Ming Dynasty fleets traveling to and from Southeast Asia, mainly because he saw the enormous benefits. Even though the Ming Dynasty didn't currently face any food shortages, with more grain piling up in granaries, Zhu Yuanzhang felt no pressure; he was simply happy to see it happen.

After all, Zhu Yunying was planning to wage war in Annam, and Zhu himself understood this. Governing the southwest, or launching a future campaign against Annam, would require a large amount of money and supplies. Fujian, Guangdong, Guangxi, and Yunnan were all bases for the Ming Dynasty, and even more money and supplies were needed.

With a grin, Little Zhu said, "We know that after we conquer Annam, we will bestow titles upon the royal family. We will also receive some benefits from our military campaigns. In the future, we will also have to pay tribute to our Great Ming with jewels, spices, and plenty of grain. We will also provide them with ironwork."

Hearing Zhu Yunying say this, both Old Zhu and Little Zhu laughed. They were very happy that Little Zhu had this understanding.

The Ming Dynasty indeed had abundant wealth and resources, a large army and many generals, and a formidable national strength. They would certainly bestow titles upon members of the imperial clan in the future.

There's no problem with bestowing titles upon members of the imperial clan; allowing them to establish states around the Ming Dynasty is a good thing. However, this is a time when no one acts without self-interest, and these vassal states are, in a sense, indirectly protecting the Ming Dynasty. There's no harm in such an arrangement.

Furthermore, even if such vassal states seem remote and desolate, they are not entirely without merit, and the Ming Dynasty can still profit from them.

The Ming Dynasty dispatched hundreds of thousands of troops to conquer cities and territories and help establish the nation. However, for the next few decades, it would have to consider paying annual tributes of money, grain, and jewels. If there was a shortage of some daily necessities, the Ming Dynasty could generously engage in trade; everyone would benefit!

Hearing what little Zhu said, Zhu Yunying smiled happily, it seemed that some of his education had had some effect. Little Zhu's insights were indeed quite 'profound', showing more foresight than many ministers in the court.

Historically, Chinese civilization has been an agrarian civilization, and it has not been particularly enthusiastic about the ocean. Even though maritime trade seemed very developed during the Tang and Song dynasties, they were still more focused on agriculture.

Looking at little Zhu, Zhu Yunying said, "Yin'er should also understand that an army cannot move without supplies. If we are to send troops to Annam in the future, places like Fuzhou and Guang will naturally be extremely important. So, Yin'er, tell me, how did Fuzhou and Guang come about?"

Little Zhu thought for a moment and said, "It seems that the Fujian Military Commissioner was only established during the Tang Dynasty. Before that, it was the land of Baiyue, probably Minyue. In the early years, Minyue rebelled, and Emperor Wu of Han sent troops to quell the rebellion. During the Three Kingdoms period, the Eastern Wu also governed these areas extensively. In the early years, the Lingnan region was plagued by miasma and was considered a wild and uncivilized place. Since the Tang and Song Dynasties, it has become increasingly stable."

Zhu Yunying couldn't help but laugh, overjoyed. "I'm so happy that Yin'er has such insight. Let's not even talk about Fuguang. Those places used to be in Lingnan, and many people looked down on them. Let's not even talk about those places. Even our current Yingtian Prefecture wasn't highly regarded before. These things need to be developed gradually, just like Jingxiang now."

Large-scale development takes time; it's not something that can be done in a year or two, nor can it be accomplished by one or two generations.

Little Zhu might seem a bit confused, but for Old Zhu, it's something easily understood. Perhaps there are some things that people don't want to ponder, but if you think about them carefully, they become quite interesting.

It is said that the Jiangnan region is a land of fish and rice, and even during the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods, the Jiangnan region was considered 'prosperous'. However, many people know that the main power of Chinese civilization at that time was still in places like Guanzhong, which was the real focus of the struggle for power.

Zhu Yuanzhang, who once ruled the world, knew that the Jingxiang region was a treasure land, but certainly not comparable to Jiangnan.

However, in recent years, Zhu Yunying has been busy relocating some people to Jingxiang from the very beginning, and has also transferred some military garrisons to Jingxiang, vigorously developing Jingxiang.

Previously, he thought it was time-consuming and laborious, but as more and more land was reclaimed in Jingxiang and the grain production there increased, Old Zhu felt more and more that his precious grandson was very farsighted and worthy of being the successor he personally chose.

Think back to those years when Chen Youliang and his men occupied the Jingxiang region, but the Jingxiang region at that time was not as prosperous as it is now.

Zhu Yunying had some doubts about the idea that the Jingxiang region would become the next prosperous land of fish and rice, and he felt that Zhu Yunying was exaggerating. But now, thinking about it again, the Jingxiang region really does have extraordinary potential.

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