Seeing that the princes' interest had been piqued, Zhu Ying naturally wanted to tell them what better places there were besides the Ming Dynasty.

However, at this moment, Xiang Wang Zhu Bo asked hesitantly: "My nephew, can you not go out to establish a kingdom?"

As soon as these words were spoken, everyone fell silent.

Not every vassal king wants to establish a kingdom overseas.

In fact, only a few people who like to fight are interested in this idea of ​​closing off a country overseas.

Such as Zhu Di, Zhu Gang, Zhu Gang, and Zhu Zhen.

These people are naturally the first to bear the brunt.

However, Zhu Yu, the Prince of Qi, and Zhu Chun, the Prince of Shu, actually wanted to live in their current fiefdoms.

As for King Zhu Su of Zhou, he was not too worried, after all, he was already working for Zhu Ying.

King Xiang Zhu Bo had a simpler idea. As the saying goes, one should not travel far away while one's parents are still alive. Influenced by Taoist culture, there is no immortal in this world who would not recognize his relatives, so what he hoped more was to be able to stay in the Ming Dynasty.

This way I will have some time every year to come and visit my father.

But when Zhu Ying heard what King Xiang Zhu Bo said, he fell silent.

The ultimate purpose of his proposing to establish overseas states was naturally to transfer the conflicts between the vassal kings and the emperor outward.

And this also has a lot to do with his global layout.

Now, to a certain extent, it can be said that they are just drawing a big pie, such as establishing an inner court and supporting the Ming Dynasty. In fact, to a high degree, it is still necessary to establish economic control.

The most important thing is to educate the local indigenous people like Mu Ying's family, and slowly integrate them into the cultural circle of the Ming Dynasty.

Battlefield invasion is the lowest level method. For example, the Mongols ruled such a large territory, but after the collapse, nothing was left.

A large number of Mongols were also assimilated into the indigenous culture.

What Zhu Ying wants to do is to create a real Chinese cultural circle.

Even in the territories of the vassal kings, everyone wore Hanfu, wrote Chinese characters, and spoke Chinese.

China has been divided and united for thousands of years, but in the end, the meat is in the same pot. Even the Mongolianization of the Yuan Dynasty hardly had an impact on the entire Central Plains dynasty.

This is the cultural heritage.

Many neighboring countries were also impacted by Chinese culture.

So why can't we make this impact a little more violent?

In this regard, Zhu Ying will never back down.

After a long while, Zhu Ying slowly said, "My nephew doesn't want to affect the feelings of his family, but there are some things that you uncles also understand. You can't do whatever you want."

"In different positions, the way of thinking is naturally different. Being able to strive for an overseas country is already the most rare thing. Looking back at the dynasties in history, there has never been such a precedent. It is the first time in the world."

"Of course, my nephew is also very clear that everyone has their own aspirations. Not everyone likes to close the country overseas. But in this regard, I can only make some sacrifices."

"From now on, all fiefdoms within the Ming Dynasty must be taken back. The prince's salary will be calculated separately. If he leads troops to fight, he will be treated as an ordinary general. He can command troops and serve in the court."

Zhu Ying's words immediately made the King of Chu Zhu Zhen and the King of Shu Zhu Chun look a little ugly.

However, Prince of Xiang Zhu Bo looked relaxed, as if he didn't take it to heart.

The other princes were just watching the fun, each with their own ideas and plans.

"I wonder if there are any other prosperous places besides Japan?" asked King Zhu Zhen of Chu.

King Zhu Zhen of Chu was a man of both literary and martial talents, and had a relatively gentle personality.

He was very lucky. When he was born, the news of victory in Wuchang came. Zhu Yuanzhang was very happy at that time and directly appointed him as the King of Chu and his fiefdom in Wuchang.

When he was seventeen years old, he went to Wuchang to become a vassal.

Life in the fiefdom is very comfortable, and now he has made great contributions.

In the 15th year of Hongwu, the barbarians in Dayong were pacified.

In April of the eighteenth year of Hongwu, he, together with Tang He, Duke of Xin, and Zhou Dexing, Marquis of Jiangxia, put down the rebellions of the barbarians in Tongguwei and Sizhou.

In June, he led Tang He to pacify the barbarians in Jingzhou and Shanghuang. Zhu Yuanzhang praised him, saying, "Tang He said you have strategy, you are truly my son."

In the 20th year of Hongwu's reign, he conquered Yunnan and captured Alutu alive.

In the 22nd year of Hongwu, the Imperial Clan Court was first established, with Prince of Chu Zhu Zhen as the Right Clan Member.

In the 24th year of Hongwu, the Western Barbarians were conquered and a great victory was won.

Looking at all the generals of the Ming Dynasty at present, King Chu Zhu Zhen is definitely one of the best and a true commander-type talent.

Historically, even when Zhu Di seized the throne through the Jingnan Rebellion, he was very friendly to his sixth brother, Prince of Chu Zhu Zhen. Zhu Zhen cooperated and handed over his military power. He finally died at the age of 61.

The lineage of the Ming Chu King also has a long history. Some absurd things happened during the Jiajing period, but they managed to get by until the end of the Ming Dynasty, when they were destroyed by Zhang Xianzhong.

The lineage of the King of Chu had been stationed in Wuchang for nearly three hundred years during the Ming Dynasty.

Now, the choice Zhu Zhen faces is to leave the fiefdom.

Things like being able to command troops and enter the court are just polite words.

He was a smart man and knew very well that there were only two choices at the moment.

Either establish a closed country overseas, or become a wealthy prince.

After much deliberation, Zhu Zhen still couldn't bear to give up his military power and wanted to go out and give it a try.

If we could gain a foothold outside the Ming Dynasty and rely on the Ming Dynasty, perhaps we could live a more comfortable life than we do now.

After all, by that time, it could be considered a real vassal state.

Although closing off a country overseas certainly involves certain risks, Zhu Zhen felt that with his own strategic and military capabilities, it might not be that difficult to accomplish.

Zhu Ying smiled and said, "There are too many places. My nephew has been to the Western Regions, and all of you uncles know about it. This experience has given me a lot of insights."

"Many small countries are actually not poor. Take Annan for example. Although there are great obstacles between it and the Ming Dynasty, you know that the rice there can be harvested three or even four times a year."

"It's a pity that the natives of Annan don't realize that they have a treasure mountain. Many native tribes still make a living by hunting. If the people of our Ming Dynasty went there, let alone food and clothing, they would have endless rice to eat."

"If we take ten or eight years to properly manage the situation, I'm afraid that the people of Annan will have more food than they can eat, and they can even transport a large amount of food directly to our Ming Dynasty."

"You said this place is rich or not. There are actually many places like Annan. Not only Annan, but also the surrounding countries are in a similar situation."

Zhu Zhen's blood boiled when he heard Zhu Ying's words.

Many princes immediately became very excited, and even Zhu Di had a thoughtful look in his eyes.

Uneatable food, which vassal king is unaware of the meaning of this phrase? According to Zhu Ying, it is not an exaggeration to say that rice can be harvested three or four times a year.

"My nephew, some time ago, dispatched 50,000 elite troops to Annan. Was it just for this matter?" Zhu Su suddenly asked.

He was not seeking to establish Annan as a kingdom, but was interested in rice that could be harvested three or four times a year, which was very relevant to his current research.

Zhu Ying naturally understood what Zhu Su meant and replied with a smile: "Don't worry, uncle. I have already given instructions on how to get the rice seeds. I will bring them back after they arrive in Annan."

Zhu Su nodded slightly, indicating that he had nothing else to say.

Now Zhu Su just spent the whole time eating and drinking, and what Zhu Ying said basically went in one ear and out of the other.

It was because I heard about my uncle’s rice that I wanted to study it.

"I wonder if I can still go to Annan." Zhu Zhen couldn't help but ask, obviously showing interest in Annan.

Zhu Ying shook his head and said, "Annan has already sent 50,000 elite troops, and they have made arrangements there. It is unlikely for the time being, but apart from Annan, the surrounding areas are also very good, and we can also echo Annan from a distance."

"Relatively speaking, it is much more stable."

“Places like Champa, Cambodia, and Laos are also good choices.”

At this time, King Zhu Chun of Shu spoke up and asked, "These small countries that my nephew mentioned are all vassal states of the Ming Dynasty, and they all pay tribute. If I go to a vassal state and seize the throne, I'm afraid it will easily cause criticism."

Among the many princes, Zhu Chun is an exception.

He did not inherit Zhu Yuanzhang's military talent, but instead inherited his literary talent.

He liked reading and studying, and was well-versed in classics and elegant in manner. He was known as the "Shu scholar" in the court.

He had never led troops to fight in his life, but Zhu Yuanzhang didn't mind. After all, the Ming Dynasty had been established, and it didn't mean that all his sons had to be both civil and military.

Relatively speaking, Zhu Yuanzhang currently values ​​literary talent more.

It seems that Zhu Chun, who was influenced by Confucian culture, was more concerned about matters such as vassal states.

Zhu Ying looked at Zhu Chun in surprise. He didn't expect that among the vassal kings, there would be such people who would truly consider the interests of their vassal states.

Zhu Ying smiled and explained, "Uncle Eleven has misunderstood. Aren't vassal states and vassal states all subjects of the Ming Dynasty? In my nephew's opinion, the relationship between them is not that different."

"Besides, if all the uncles went there, along with the farmers and craftsmen, they would definitely make life better for the local natives. Uncle Eleven doesn't know that in the Western Regions, many small countries want to be incorporated into the Ming Dynasty, but they don't have a chance."

"Admittedly, such a situation will naturally cause some conflicts for the royal families of these small countries. Perhaps some royal families will even have opposing opinions."

"But for the people of the entire country, it's completely different."

"They naturally want to live a life of food and clothing. We can't reject the majority just because a minority disagrees."

"Besides, those royal families are not going to be abolished. When the time comes, we can bring them to the capital. The throne can still be retained, and they can also receive a generous salary in the court."

"Even their salaries can be linked to the annual revenue of the feudal state. If the feudal state develops better, their salaries can naturally be higher. Wouldn't that be better?"

Listening to Zhu Ying's sophistry, Zhu Chun subconsciously wanted to argue.

But after a moment of silence, he gave up.

Although Zhu Ying is the only one who mentioned this matter just now, everyone knows that this cannot be changed.

The three leading brothers, Zhu Di, Zhu Gang and Zhu Chong, have already agreed to this plan.

Naturally, it is difficult for the younger brothers to refute.

Zhu Chun felt it was a pity that he had to leave the Palace of the King of Shu, which he had built with great difficulty, only ten years later, and now he had to leave in tears.

In fact, in terms of relationship, the relationship between Zhu Chun and Zhu Ying is quite close.

Zhu Chun's wife was Lan Yu's daughter.

"My nephew, only my third and fourth brothers are going to Japan. My nephew just said that after Japan is completely conquered, it will be divided into three kingdoms. I wonder if there is anyone who can be selected for the third kingdom."

Zhu Chong asked.

Since he couldn't take Annan, Zhu Chong was still quite concerned about Japan.

After all, attacking Japan is a route that the Ming Dynasty must take at present, and it will be much easier with a large army to protect it.

After hearing this, Zhu Ying certainly understood what Qin Wang Zhu Chong meant, but Zhu Ying did not really want Zhu Chong to go over.

The relationship between Zhu Chong and Zhu Gang is naturally much better than that between Zhu Di. If this continues for a long time, it will definitely put a lot of pressure on Zhu Di. Zhu Ying does not want to see such a situation.

What Zhu Ying wanted to see was the addition of a weaker third party, creating a situation where Zhu Di and Zhu Gang, two tigers in Japan, were fighting each other.

Relatively speaking, such a situation can better stabilize the situation in Japan, and this balance point is not so easy to break.

Moreover, for Zhu Ying, it can also better establish a certain control over the economy.

After thinking about what Zhu Chong said, Zhu Ying said, "In fact, Goryeo is also a very good place at the moment."

"The advantage of Goryeo lies in its geographical location, which is also very important to the Ming Dynasty. It is easy to defend and difficult to attack. Its maritime trade can also be very rich."

"With Japan, the silver produced in Japan can be easily and quickly produced by sailing to Tsushima Island."

When Zhu Chong heard this, he stopped talking.

In his heart, Goryeo was indeed a very good place.

The most famous thing about Goryeo is that it was the place that the Sui Dynasty failed to conquer despite three expeditions. Although he had never been there, he had heard of Goryeo's reputation.

Moreover, Goryeo is very close to Ming Dynasty, and it can be reached by crossing the Yalu River.

Japan is just across the coast, and with maritime trade, it is relatively prosperous compared to many places in the Ming Dynasty.

Seeing that Zhu Chong did not continue, Zhu Ying did not explain any further.

Goryeo is very big. Although it is smaller than Japan overall, it is all on the mainland, not an island country.

Especially since it is connected to the Ming Dynasty, the strategic area is even more important, so it is naturally impossible to hand it all over to Zhu Chong.

But there is no need to say these words now.

At this point, the princes basically understood Zhu Ying's intentions. Although some of them were unwilling, the troublemakers among them, such as Zhu Di, Zhu Gang, Zhu Chong, and Zhu Yu, were relatively capable of fighting.

After fighting for many years and having made many contributions, the princes who hold military power still think that the suggestion of establishing overseas countries is a good one.

Besides, for someone like Zhu Di, who was daring and daring to fight, establishing overseas states was more in line with his new ideas.

All the princes who have already been enfeoffed are here.

Once we have dealt with them, there will naturally be no big problem for those who have not yet been enfeoffed. Even if they are reluctant, they have no choice but to follow the arrangements.

Zhu Ying was very satisfied with this plan.

Especially for the territory of the Ming Dynasty.

As the saying goes: The prince guards the national border, and the princes die for the country.

That's it.