What happened to Timur has little to do with the Ming Dynasty for the time being.

Zhu Ying has been continuously expanding his navy.

It is estimated that it will only take about two years to build enough seagoing ships.

The future is an era of sea navigation. Whoever controls the sea power will also have a huge amount of wealth. Zhu Ying has already made sufficient preparations for this.

And it was at this time that as the silver from Japan was transported to the capital, it also brought a piece of news.

Japan's Kyushu Island has been completely occupied by the Ming Dynasty.

"The Japanese royal family has learned their lesson. They know that protesting is useless. They didn't even send an envoy. I'm a little surprised."

After Zhu Yuanzhang received the news, he laughed and said.

Zhu Ying's face stiffened slightly, and he explained, "Grandpa, it's not that they don't want to send people over, it's just that these envoys haven't arrived in our Ming Dynasty yet."

As soon as this was said, Zhu Yuanzhang immediately understood why there was no protest from the Japanese envoys.

Then he asked, "Was it the second or fourth brother who did it?"

Zhu Ying's mouth twitched: "I think several of the emperor's uncles should have a share."

How could Japan not send envoys here? They must want to take a breath.

However, whether it was Prince of Qin Zhu Chong, Prince of Jin Zhu Gang, Prince of Yan Zhu Di, or Prince of Qi Zhu Gui, they had all agreed on this issue and imposed a news blockade on Japan.

All the envoys sent by the Japanese royal family were intercepted and killed on the way before they had gone far.

Even if some of you have escaped the net and reached the Ming Dynasty, it is impossible for them to travel all the way to the capital.

Although several princes have gone to Japan, it does not mean that they have no power at all within the Ming Dynasty. These things can be easily accomplished by issuing an order.

Even if the coastal authorities would not take direct action, they would find ways to help convey the message.

The Japanese envoys set out in waves and died on the way. Not to mention meeting the Emperor of the Ming Dynasty, they couldn't even enter Southern Zhili.

"That's good, so that we don't get annoyed by those people."

As long as they haven't come to the capital, just pretend they don't know. It's absolutely impossible to stop. After Japan discovered a large amount of silver mines, it is destined to have no possibility of survival.

Now the four most capable princes of the Ming Dynasty have all gone to Japan to make a fortune. One can imagine what a mess Japan is in now.

Just as Zhu Ying expected, after Zhu Gaochi did not go with him, Xia Yuanji returned on the silver-carrying ship back to the Ming Dynasty.

He didn't bring many people with him. Including Xia Yuanji, there were only three or four of them, and their families.

After returning to the capital, Xia Yuanji naturally went to the Prince of Yan's mansion to pay a visit.

"Your Highness, I am incompetent and only brought back two people this time."

There was a hint of shame on Xia Yuanji's face.

Zhu Di did not make it difficult for them to return. On the contrary, those who had gone with him before did not want to come back.

Nowadays, Japan is popular, and a large number of Han people are trying their best to go to Japan. Those who have already settled down there are not willing to come back easily for Zhu Gaochi.

Moreover, after the arrival of Prince of Yan Zhu Di, Yancheng will surely usher in greater development.

With Zhu Gaochi going to Annan, everything was starting from scratch again.

Zhu Gaochi quickly helped Xia Yuanji up and said, "Sir, don't blame yourself. This is human nature. I am very touched that you are able to come back."

Zhu Gaochi spoke these words from the bottom of his heart.

No matter what, he is just a prince, not a prince.

My father is in good health now. To put it bluntly, Zhu Gaochi may not be able to inherit the throne in another thirty-four years.

These ministers are not young anymore, and most of them are older than Prince Yan.

If nothing else unexpected happens, it means that it will be difficult to see Zhu Gaochi, the crown prince, become the King of Yan in his lifetime.

If this is the case, then following Prince Yan might lead to a brighter future.

When they first went to Japan, most of them, except Xia Yuanji, were frustrated and unable to realize their ambitions.

After arriving in Japan, he had already felt the beauty of power, so how could he give it up?

And they don't have to worry about what will happen when the Prince of Yan arrives, because the Prince of Yan himself also needs a large number of officials to help him with his work.

You can do it anywhere, why go all the way to Annan?

Even after arriving in Annan, they continued to be Xia Yuanji's subordinates.

It was different if they stayed in Japan. After Xia Yuanji left, the position of the head of civil servants was temporarily vacant, and they had new room for advancement.

Even if the Prince of Yan did not appoint a head of civil service, the civil servant similar to the prime minister was modeled after the six ministries of the Ming Dynasty.

Besides, such a transfer does not mean that I will go alone, but will also bring a large number of family members.

Under such circumstances, there were still two people willing to follow Xia Yuanji and his family back to the Ming Dynasty, which shows that they were truly confidants.

Zhu Gaochi had previously worried that Xia Yuanji would not want to come back, or that his father would not let him go, so he would have to fight alone.

Now that I see him, I finally feel relieved.

"Sir, you can take a few days' rest after you come back. His Royal Highness the Crown Prince has already made arrangements for us to follow the next naval ship to Annan by sea, which will save us a lot of trouble."

"I have been in the capital these days, with the guidance of His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, and there are many candidates who are willing to follow me to Annan to take up their posts. When the time comes, please check the specific personnel, sir."

Zhu Gaochi's tone was very polite. As the crown prince, he always addressed Xia Yuanji as "Sir" and they discussed many things together.

When Xia Yuanji heard the prince say this, he nodded slightly.

It just so happened that he also needed to pay homage to his ancestors during these few days. If he went to Annan again, he didn't know how long it would take for him to come back.

Obviously, the situation in Annan is more suitable for talents like Zhu Gaochi and Xia Yuanji.

Japan still needs to fight, but Annan has already been completely conquered and only needs to be governed.

Compared with the Japanese royal family, the Annan royal family is obviously more resigned to their fate.

After Ye Sheng abolished the so-called emperor system, Annan's retired emperor Chen Yong lost all his power.

After much thought, Chen Yong went straight to Liu Sheng.

It was no longer a matter of inviting him to the palace, but of respectfully handing him a visiting card and then visiting him in person.

On this day, Chen Yong was no longer wearing royal attire, but simple casual clothes, and there were only a few guards around him.

At the door, Chen Yong stopped the guards who wanted to come forward and said to the guard at the door, "Please tell them that Chen Yong is here to see Liu Jianshi. I have already handed in a visiting card and arranged to visit him today."

The Ming soldier on duty, of course, knew the former emperor of Annan, and immediately said, "Please wait a moment, I will go in and report."

Chen Yong nodded slightly, but the guards behind him all looked livid.

This is the real king of Annan. He had never been so humble in the past. He always summoned others in the past. Now he comes here himself and even has to wait for others to notify him.

This made the imperial guards feel very depressed.

Soon, the door opened.

Liu Sheng naturally came on his own and bowed, saying, "It is really my fault. I was still calculating the time inside. Your Highness should have arrived in an incense stick of time, but I didn't expect you to arrive early. It's my fault, my fault."

Liu Sheng said this with a look of self-blame on his face, and his tone was as respectful to Chen Yong as before, as if there was no change at all.

He was also addressed as His Highness, and it seemed that he was unaware that Chen Yong had been deprived of his power as the Supreme Emperor by Ye Sheng.

When Chen Yong heard Liu Sheng's politeness, his expression became much more comfortable.

These days, since his power and status were taken away, although he still lived in the palace, it was obvious that his life was not as good as before.

Everyone knows very well that the situation in Annan has changed. Although the Annan royal family still has some reservations, they actually no longer have any power and it is just a title.

Except for some elderly ministers, most people no longer had the intention to flatter the Annan royal family.

Especially the generals of the Ming Dynasty, even a small centurion, had no respect for the Annan royal family.

Perhaps the only one he could rely on was Princess Chen Muyue of Annan, the Moon Concubine of His Royal Highness the Crown Prince. This was his biggest fear.

These days, Liu Sheng has been thinking about what his daughter Chen Muyue said when she came back to visit her parents.

Chen Muyue told Chen Yong.

If something major happens in Annan one day, then you must not go against the Ming Dynasty.

The power of the Ming Dynasty and the Crown Prince are something that Annan cannot afford to offend. Not only Annan, but the entire Nanyang region is not worth mentioning in the eyes of His Royal Highness the Crown Prince.

Annan's only way out in the future is to follow the wishes of His Royal Highness the Crown Prince.

After figuring it out, Chen Yong simply went straight to find Liu Sheng.

Because Chen Muyue told him that Liu Sheng was not just an Inspector General, but also the eldest disciple of His Royal Highness the Crown Prince.

Although he was somewhat puzzled as to why the Crown Prince of the Ming Dynasty had such an old disciple, this did not affect Chen Yong's coming to Liu Sheng to negotiate.

After entering the lobby of Liu Sheng's mansion and exchanging a few pleasantries, Chen Yong gently waved to the imperial guards.

All the guards retreated.

Seeing this, Liu Sheng also nodded.

Soon, Chen Yong and Liu Sheng were the only ones left in the hall.

"Please ask Supervisor Liu to teach me what to do next."

Chen Yong bowed deeply and spoke in a pleading tone.

"Why is your highness like this?" Liu Sheng hurried to support him.

Chen Yong was not vague and said bluntly: "When my daughter Mu Yue came back to visit her parents last time, she told me about the identity of Liu Jianshi."

"This time, the Annan royal family has encountered such a disaster. Now we don't know where to go. But please ask Liu Jian to show us a clear way."

After saying that, Chen Yong immediately added: "I am not greedy for royal power, but this clan has so many relatives that I feel uneasy every night and have trouble sleeping."

Don't expect the Ming generals to have no intention of harming anyone. Although they haven't done anything excessive on the surface, it is naturally difficult to avoid such things as plundering and robbery.

Apart from the royal family, a large number of Annan nobles suffered terribly. Their family assets were taken away by Ming army generals, and they dared not resist.

For the Ming army, they traveled thousands of miles to fight Annan, and so many brothers lost their lives. Now of course they need a large amount of compensation.

No one dared to touch the royal family. After all, they were the relatives of His Royal Highness the Crown Prince.

But they had no scruples about the Annan gentry and nobles.

If there is any resistance, they will be arrested and detained on random charges. If there are enough people, they will be executed.

The Eastern capital of Thang Long has been somewhat restrained, but the Western capital of Thanh Hoa in Annan is completely unscrupulous.

Some nobles who had fled here cried and asked Chen Yong for help.

However, Chen Yong is also a clay Buddha who can hardly save himself when crossing the river, so how can he care about so many things?

According to the current situation, in Yu Chenyong's heart, the Annan royal family seems to have no one to rely on except Chen Muyue, who is their lifeline.

It is obvious that the Annan royal family is now more like a threshold that hinders the Ming Dynasty's rule over Annan. Many people, officials, and nobles are still obsessed with the Annan royal family.

This is like putting Chen Yong on the fire.

Preserving the royal family is obviously a temporary measure for the Ming Dynasty. Once Annan stabilizes, it is hard to say what will happen next.

Liu Sheng soothed him and said, "Actually, your Highness is worrying too much about these things."

"No matter what, Your Highness is under the care of Concubine Yue, so there is no need to worry about the safety of the royal family in the future."

"But since His Highness is here today, I will say a few more words about what His Highness the Crown Prince means."

Chen Yong's eyes lit up, and he bowed and said, "Please let Supervisor Liu tell you clearly."

Liu Sheng hesitated for a moment and asked, "Your Highness, do you know about the Japanese emperor and the shogun system?"

Chen Yong nodded and said, "Of course I know."

Liu Sheng continued, "Now, under the leadership of His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, our Ming Dynasty has achieved even greater development, whether in terms of economy, military, trade, or various infrastructure."

"Your Highness's prestige in the Ming Dynasty has reached a height that is almost the same as that of Your Majesty. Last year, the Khan of the Northern Yuan Dynasty also reached a peace treaty with Your Highness and established the Northern Yuan Mercenary Guild."

"This means that the entire north will no longer restrict the development of our Ming Dynasty. After the manpower is withdrawn, the remaining direction is maritime trade."

"Whether it's Annan or Champa, these territories that once belonged to the Central Plains dynasty have reached the time to return. This is the general trend."

Hearing this, Chen Yong felt a chill in his heart.

Is it true that the Annan royal family will end here?

Liu Sheng saw Chen Yong's worry and said, "As long as Your Highness is willing, His Highness the Crown Prince can enthrone Your Highness as the King of Annan, and the title will be hereditary and you will enjoy the salary set by the Ming Dynasty."

"But when it comes to domestic affairs and military affairs, Your Highness should just be like the Emperor of Japan and not interfere in military and domestic affairs."

"After all, Your Highness is my relative in the Ming Dynasty. This is a decision made by His Highness the Crown Prince for the sake of Concubine Yue's face."

"After this, Annan will establish a cabinet system, and several ministers will jointly handle Annan's political affairs."