Jiangnan is so prosperous. Even the Jiangnan of the Ming Dynasty today is the most prosperous place in the world.

But Zhu Ying didn't like it.

Three years ago, after Zhu Ying stabilized his base in the Western Region grasslands, he allowed a caravan to go there.

However, because there were too many noble clans, he returned with a complete failure.

In Zhu Ying's opinion, the areas along the Ming Dynasty's borders were more comfortable, where they could do whatever they wanted.

The emperor is far away and the sky is high. Apart from not provoking the Ming army, in other aspects, Zhu Ying can arrogantly say that this is my territory.

With a powerful weapon like snowflake salt paving the way, whether it is officials from the border of the Ming Dynasty, ministers of many small countries, or royal families.

Including many tribes on the grassland and many forces in the Western Regions, all of them have deep contacts with Zhu Ying.

It was claimed that the snowflake salt came from overseas merchants. After early primitive accumulation, Zhu Ying established a huge interest system through the agency system.

The more people get, the greedier they become, and Zhu Ying is no exception.

In the current Ming Dynasty, it was impossible to rebel, so he had the idea of ​​founding a country overseas very early on.

Zhu Ying now has a small-scale firearms research base, but the progress is so disappointing.

It's been two years and we haven't made a usable one yet. It's just a firework at best.

After all, firearms craftsmen were almost all controlled by the Ming government.

The foundation of those researchers is too poor, and it takes a lot of time and effort just for the basic training.

Even with the vision of later generations, Zhu Ying estimated that it would have taken at least ten years to reach the current level of Ming Dynasty firearms.

If the Armory Bureau could get a few experienced craftsmen, it would be enough to cover several years of research.

It seems that we have to go to the capital.

"Notify the heads of the Chamber of Commerce to immediately break up into smaller groups and head to the Jiangnan region. Don't be afraid of spending money, and don't be afraid of losses."

"Arrange hundreds of people to go there and wait for my orders at any time."

After thinking for a long time, Zhu Ying gave Zhang Bo another instruction.

It is not certain that we can turn now, but if we can, we may really turn. The subsequent retreat must be planned first.

"Yes, Boss, I'll arrange it right away."

Although Zhang Bo did not understand what his boss meant, his boss was in charge and all he had to do was obey his orders.

After arranging everything and having dinner, Zhu Ying went back to her room to rest when it got dark.

There weren't many entertainment activities at night these days. Maybe there were in Jiangnan, but after dark in Beijing, the streets were quiet, except for a few brothels which still had lights on.

Elsewhere, it was already pitch dark.

Zhu Ying has little interest in women at the moment. He lives on the edge of a knife and spends more time wandering.

Starting a family is currently a luxury for Zhu Ying.

Zhu Ying has already achieved two of the three five-year plans.

The first five years, building your own power: completed.

The second five-year period: consolidate the basic foundation and expand influence: accomplished.

The third five-year period: developing industry, manufacturing firearms, and opening up overseas countries: in progress.

"I think after this trip to the capital, I should be able to find a place to grow steadily."

Zhu Ying, who was sitting at the desk, couldn't help feeling a little proud at this moment.

Not every person from later generations can achieve such an achievement in the early Ming Dynasty.

"It's a pity that you can't see all this, father."

After a brief moment of pride, Zhu Ying felt a little emotional again.

Zhu Ying is no stranger to Nanjing.

Ten years ago, when Zhu Ying woke up, he turned into a child about eight or nine years old.

The father Zhu Ying was referring to was the adoptive father who adopted him at that time.

His adoptive father was a traveling merchant named Zhu, who traveled around for many years and found him on the bank of the Yangtze River outside Nanjing.

My adoptive father’s ancestors were refugees at the end of the Yuan Dynasty. In the early days of the Ming Dynasty, they settled in a village in Huai’an and started business.

The adoptive father's wife died during childbirth and gave birth to a son. During the wandering life with her adoptive father, she caught a cold and died.

Zhu Ying was about eight or nine years old at the time and had no memory of his original self, so he had to pretend to have amnesia.

Seeing that Zhu Ying was about the same age as his deceased son, the adoptive father concluded that this was the son sent to him by God.

So he adopted Zhu Ying.

Because his adoptive father's son had died of illness on the road, the adoptive father took Zhu Ying on a business trip for a few years and then returned home claiming that Zhu Ying was his biological son.

My adoptive father was away on the road doing business all year round and seldom came home, so the villagers didn't care much about him.

The name Zhu Ying came from the fact that when her adoptive father picked her up, she was almost naked with only some tattered pieces of cloth on her body.

The strip of cloth was incomplete, but at a certain point in the tear zone, one could vaguely see the word "English" embroidered in gold thread.

The adoptive father’s son didn’t have a real name, only a nickname called Goudan, so he simply named him Zhu Ying.

That piece of cloth is still kept by Zhu Ying and placed in the territory of the Western Regions.

The cloth is Shu brocade, extremely luxurious.

Obviously, the previous incarnation must have had a good background.

He was just drowned in the river. I guess it was either because of the downfall of his family or because of infighting among the clan.

Zhu Ying was too lazy to pay attention.

This is not the future. It would be extremely difficult to find it with just a piece of rag, and you can't even tell what the situation is.

The past is gone like the wind, just live your life well.

…

The next morning, people gathered outside the Prince of Yan's mansion.

Among them, the most eye-catching one is a carriage, which was obviously prepared for Zhu Gaochi.

Zhu Di didn't want to take his eldest son with him, but there was no way because that was the etiquette and law.

When the crown prince died, if Zhu Di had brought his second son to pay his respects, he would have been criticized by the censors.

Even his father, Emperor Zhu Yuanzhang, dared to challenge him.

Can't afford to offend.

Inside the Prince of Yan's mansion, a guard reported to Zhu Di.

"Your Highness, there was no abnormality in Zhu Ying's location last night. He has just come to the palace with his luggage and will arrive soon."

Upon hearing this, Prince of Yan Zhu Di smiled and said, "This boy is quite sensible. Tell them to prepare to set off immediately."

"Yes, Your Highness."

As soon as the guard left, Yao Guangxiao arrived.

"Master Daoyan, are you also planning to go to the capital together?" Zhu Di asked while looking at Yao Guangxiao's backpack.

"I haven't seen some old friends in the capital for a long time, so I'm going to contact them this time. By the way, I'll help Your Highness keep an eye on Zhu Ying to prevent him from missing out on important matters." Yao Guangxiao explained.

Zhu Di nodded. Yao Guangxiao had a very good network of contacts in the capital. The leaders of Taoism, Confucianism and Buddhism all had close relations with him.

It may be of great help in some aspects.

"Then the master and my son, Zhu Ying, will ride in the same car together."

Zhu Di said considerately that Yao Guangxiao was not young anymore and riding a horse was too tiring. Although the carriage was a little bumpy, it was still better than riding a horse.

"Thank you, Your Highness." Yao Guangxiao bowed and expressed his gratitude.

At this time, outside the Prince of Yan's Mansion, Zhu Ying had arrived with more than a dozen of his men.

Zhu Gaochi had been waiting at the door for a long time, and when he saw Zhu Ying, he greeted him intimately.