Xu Miaoqing found it amusing and said to Zhu Yunying, "I've told him several times, but he just won't listen. He's still too young and doesn't understand anything I say. I've even slapped his hand a few times, but it's no use. He cries and then tries to pull it again."

Babies this young are basically not expected to understand anything. If they do understand, they are just as precocious as Zhu Yunying, and Zhu Yunying will start to worry.

"Remember to host a banquet in a couple of days and invite Yue'er and Sang Shi to the palace." Zhu Yunying couldn't help but laugh and said, "By the way, how many families still have a stake in the Second Prince's fleet?"

Xu Miaoqing immediately replied, "Besides the second son's family, both of my sisters also have some shares. My uncle's family also has some shares. A few years ago, the second son and his family, out of respect for me, allowed the Prince of Zhongshan's mansion to also contribute some shares."

Zhu Yunying couldn't help but laugh and said, "Alright, then let's summon the three aunts who have already been summoned to the palace, and also your four sisters-in-law from the Prince of Zhongshan's residence. They really did us a great favor this time."

Xu Miaoqing had four older brothers, and even though Xu Tianfu died young, he still left behind offspring.

Unable to contain her curiosity, Xu Miaoqing took advantage of Zhu Yunying's good mood and asked, "Your Majesty, what great thing has been accomplished that makes Your Majesty so happy!"

Zhu Yunying pinched Xu Miaoqing's chin and said, "For years we've been worried that the people of our Great Ming are not having enough to eat or wear. They had already brought back some grain from Southeast Asia. This trip is even better; they found grain and oil. Just wait and see, our Great Ming's rapeseed oil will probably be no match for the tree oil from Southeast Asia."

Rapeseed oil production is indeed not as high as palm oil production, even though it requires imports and pressing. However, the Ming Dynasty's navy is growing stronger and its ocean-going navigation technology is improving, so importing large quantities of palm oil is not a bad thing.

Putting aside the question of whether it would be profitable, the sheer abundance of resources for the Ming Dynasty alone made it worthwhile for Zhu Yunying to try. Moreover, commodities like grain and oil weren't exactly cheap, so there was still a certain profit margin.

It is obvious that the profits from palm oil could not have been divided among the imperial family and relatives of the emperor in the Ming Dynasty; the Ming court also took the majority of the profits.

Xu Miaoqing couldn't help but be happy, but she was even more curious. "Your Majesty, I've only heard that there's Champa rice in Southeast Asia, where it's said to be hot all year round, allowing for year-round rice cultivation. How come the trees there can produce grains and oils?!"

It wasn't that Xu Miaoqing was short-sighted or ignorant, but rather that in that era, many people genuinely knew nothing about things outside the Ming Dynasty. Even within the Ming Dynasty itself, many were unaware of events that occurred a long time ago.

Zhu Yunying laughed heartily and said with great satisfaction, "That's pretty much the point. There really are some good things over there, and we're all drooling over them!"

It's really not fair to blame Zhu Yunying for being greedy; it's simply that Zhu Yunying saw too many valuable aspects in those places and saw them as excellent supplements for the Ming Dynasty.

It's perfectly normal for an emperor to be a little greedy, especially when he sees something that benefits the country and its people. In such a situation, it's only natural for him to be somewhat greedy.

Moreover, Zhu Yunying was a greedy man who took the Ming dynasty's rule for granted. However, it's not surprising that he also had plans and ideas for neighboring countries.

Although Xu Miaoqing was still a little confused about the situation, she didn't ask any more questions. She only needed to understand that something good had happened for the Ming Dynasty, and that was enough. That was the most important thing.

She would be happy for Zhu Yunying because her husband was the emperor of the Ming Dynasty, and she believed that under Zhu Yunying's rule, the Ming Dynasty would definitely become more prosperous and powerful.

Xu Miaoqing would also feel happy for Xiao Zhu, as her son was the crown prince of the Ming Dynasty, and this prosperous country would be handed over to Xiao Zhu in the future.

Seeing how well the Ming Dynasty is developing and how much more prosperous it is, Xu Miaoqing naturally has no reason not to be happy, and her current sense of pride is only natural.

Moreover, as the Empress of the Ming Dynasty, Xu Miaoqing was not merely a figurehead. Although she dutifully avoided paying attention to court affairs, there were still some things she was obligated to do, not just taking care of her youngest son or disciplining the emperor's other children and concubines.

Now that some members of the imperial family and relatives of the empress have made meritorious contributions, Empress Xu Miaoqing will naturally have to step forward and make some kind of gesture.

Xu Miaoqing pondered for a moment and said to Zhu Yunying, "Your Majesty, to be honest, it's not easy to reward the Second Prince and Yue'er. After all, they are Your Majesty's younger brother and sister, and it's not appropriate to bestow too much honor upon them."

It wasn't that Xu Miaoqing was stingy; the main issue was that Zhu Yunying's younger brother and sister, Zhu Yunying, were different from ordinary members of the imperial family, relatives of the empress, and nobles. It wouldn't be appropriate to give them the same rewards that were given to others.

For example, promotions and titles were of no use to Zhu Yunwen and Zhu Yue. One was already the Prince of Wu, and the other was the Eldest Princess; they were truly 'unable to be rewarded.' However, they didn't need to worry about the so-called 'highest position among officials,' as it was of no use to them.

Zhu Yunying nodded and said, "That makes sense. They don't need to be promoted or given titles. But they have done something important, so we can't let them down."

Xu Miaoqing smiled knowingly, knowing that His Majesty was still protective of his own. Others who had rendered meritorious service were certainly rewarded by His Majesty. His younger siblings, having achieved merit, were even more likely to receive some recognition.

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