In the eyes of Zhu Yuanzhang and others, the launch of the Southern Tour was nothing more than a trip to enjoy the sights and sounds of the country.

But in fact, it will have a huge impact on the situation of the entire Eurasian continent.

The news in the official gazette quickly began to spread, and the people who were most concerned were, of course, merchants from all over the country, or maritime merchants.

This was a very clear signal sent by the imperial court, which was the importance it attached to Southeast Asia.

At this time, in Nanjing City, not long after Zhu Yuanzhang and others left, people from several families gathered together.

A large courtyard with three entrances was extremely expensive in the capital, with the starting price being hundreds of thousands of strings of precious coins.

This is an inevitable result of the market economy, and even Zhu Ying has no way to restrict it.

There were quite a few servants in the yard, but compared to the price of the house, their meager wages were not worth mentioning.

Inside the house, the heads of the three major families met.

"I was right. The imperial court wants to annex the entire Nanyang and turn it into the Ming Dynasty's back garden."

"Only His Royal Highness the Crown Prince would have such an idea. This will bring immeasurable benefits to our future industry."

Fang Ying spoke up.

He was nearly forty years old and had a pair of sharp eyes, but his skin was a little dark, which was caused by being at sea for a long time.

The Fang family was originally a small family, perhaps it could not even be called a family, but Fang Ying was very visionary. In recent years, he successfully acquired a lot of wealth by analyzing the court's policies. He was a true example of starting from scratch.

"Boss Fang's vision has always been so unique, but the last time the Crown Prince restricted the sale of land, Boss Fang suffered a lot of losses."

"If I spend so much money to mess around with the land in Nanyang this time, I don't know if it will end up like last time."

There was a hint of sarcasm in Yuan Qing's tone. It was not his fault. Last time, he was persuaded by Fang Ying to invest a lot of money in land, but now he has lost a lot of money.

Now Fang Ying is encouraging everyone to tinker with the land in Nanyang, which makes him somewhat uninterested.

Fang Ying looked at Yuan Qing, not showing any sign of anger, and just said, "Yes, you lost a lot, but I lost even more."

"But Mr. Yuan has made a lot of money by following me over the past few years. Compared to the losses, it is only one or two tenths. If Mr. Yuan doesn't want to work with me, just leave. There is the main door over there. Am I going to stop Mr. Yuan from leaving?"

When Yuan Qing heard this, a hint of anger and shame flashed across his face, but in the end he remained silent.

Just as Fang Ying said, we have made a lot of money in the past few years, and the family assets have increased several times. It is definitely impossible for us to leave.

But he still muttered: "When you had no money, it was our Yuan and Chen families who invested in you, so you had the capital, otherwise how could you have earned so much."

Fang Ying snorted coldly when he heard this, and his emotions were obviously fluctuating: "It's just a few hundred thousand coins. I have always remembered your kindness in my heart, so every time there is an opportunity to make money, I will bring your two families together. Now you tell me this, do you want to use up all this kindness?"

Fang Ying was really angry this time. He had already given enough rewards to the Yuan and Chen families, including now.

If he's still not satisfied, then he can just go it alone.

Although such risks will become very large.

"It's not necessary. It's just a small amount of money. It's not worth it to break the relationship between our three families."

"Mr. Yuan, don't mention such things again in the future, otherwise you will know the consequences."

Chen Mu stepped forward to mediate and said that he was the oldest, already in his fifties, and naturally had the highest prestige among the three families.

"I lost my composure just now. Listen to Mr. Chen." Yuan Qing said immediately.

Among the three families, the Chen family is a coastal family, and many matters concerning maritime trade are carried out by the Chen family.

If the relationship between the three parties breaks down, then maritime business will be extremely difficult for the Fang and Yuan families.

After hearing this, Fang Ying also chose to let go of what had just happened.

"Mr. Fang, please continue to tell me your thoughts. I have always supported you. No business is smooth sailing. It is normal to have some losses. Besides, this matter cannot be entirely blamed on you. Who knew that the court's crackdown would be so strong?"

"Under the impact, Fang Sheng's reaction was very quick and he recovered a lot of losses. This is enough."

Chen Mu said affirmatively.

Fang Ying nodded slightly, and then said: "This is actually my fault. I knew that the sale of land in Daming would definitely be interfered with by the court, but I mistakenly thought that it would take some time to proceed. I didn't expect the Crown Prince's rectification to come so quickly."

"But this also made me realize a problem, that is, within the territory of the Ming Dynasty, no matter how high the profit is, it is best not to touch the business prohibited by the Crown Prince, otherwise, I don't know when it will be rectified without even a hint of news."

After a brief pause, Fang Ying continued, "This time I am targeting the industries in Nanyang because I am considering that His Majesty's southern tour will surely drive the development of Nanyang on a large scale."

"In the trade with Southeast Asia, those rare goods no longer have any advantages for us. The only direction is the grain industry."

"We can't do this in Ming Dynasty, but in Nanyang, no one cares about this. As long as we buy enough land first, we will definitely be able to produce a lot of food."

"The growth of grain is a stable business. Although Daming seems to have high-yield crops now, in fact, the grain gap is still very large. Even if we can't hoard grain and sell it, even if it is at a par price, it is a long-term and stable income for our three families."

"The most important thing is that if a disaster strikes the Ming Dynasty and causes a reduction in grain production, our three families can donate grain to the imperial court and make meritorious contributions. Even if we are given a small title, it will be a great honor for our three families."

"Not only can we get rid of our identity as merchants and benefit future generations, but we can also get recognition from the imperial court and gain enough advantages in maritime trade."

"On the contrary, even if it doesn't reach what I mentioned above, looking into the future, a large number of Han people will pour into Southeast Asia, which will inevitably cause the price of land to rise. The land we have stored can also be sold at a high price."

"No matter from which aspect, we are completely invincible."

Fang Ying was very confident in his analysis this time. He had already set his sights on the grain industry in Southeast Asia.

In fact, the reason why the Ming Dynasty wanted to hoard land, even if it went against the Crown Prince's wishes and they knew there might be problems, was to earn more capital.

Unfortunately, in the end, not only did I not make any money, but I lost a lot.

"What Fang Sheng meant was how much he was prepared to invest this time."

Chen Mu asked after pondering for a moment.

Yuan Qing also turned to look at Fang Ying, wanting to see how much he had invested this time.

Fang Ying smiled and said, "I think all my properties in the capital will be sold out in the next few days. I don't have many family members, only about ten people, and they will all follow me to migrate to Champa this time."

Yuan Qing said in disbelief: "You are crazy. You want to move your whole family to Champa. Are you going to give up all the assets of the Ming Dynasty?"

There was a hint of doubt in Chen Mu's eyes.

The main reason is that Fang Ying played too big this time.

Even the properties in the capital are being sold. Is he going to gamble his entire fortune?

Fang Ying bowed slightly and said with a smile: "To be honest with you two, I have already caught up with His Royal Highness the King of Wu, and this time I am heading to Wucheng."

"King Wu has just arrived in Champa and his men are short of manpower. This is a good time to help him. I have thought it through this time."

"Although Wucheng is far away from the Ming Dynasty, I have read in the court reports that your majesty will still go to Champa during this southern tour. This shows that your majesty still has His Royal Highness the King of Wu in his heart. Then the future development of Wucheng will definitely be supported by the Ming Dynasty."

Fang Ying sighed softly: "The capital is good, and the prosperity is like a dream. The changes in just a few years have exceeded people's imagination."

"There are many opportunities to make money here. You can make a fortune by doing some small business, but this is not what I want."

"The capital city is not a place for me to rise. No matter how much money I make, I am still just a businessman without an official position."

"What the Ming Dynasty lacks the least is merchants."

"There are not many big businessmen in the capital, but in the eyes of those nobles, they are nothing. We are lucky and have encountered good times. We can do some small business, but we are not even qualified to enter the big business."

"Now the only chance is to go out."

"I won't force you to come with me, but for me, going to Champa is my last chance. If you are willing, you can invest some money and do the grain business in Nanyang together."

"Let me say this first. If there is ever a day when the Ming Dynasty rules Southeast Asia, the grain trade will definitely be in the hands of the government, just like the Ming Dynasty today. What I'm talking about is only during this period of time."

"I can't guarantee how long I can do this, but I think more than ten years should be no problem."

Fang Ying was speaking directly.

He analyzed very clearly that once the Ming Dynasty ruled Southeast Asia, grain trade would definitely be impossible, but by that time, he believed that he would definitely find a better trading channel.

Originally, he had not made such a decision, but His Majesty's southern tour really strengthened his thinking.

After hearing this, Yuan Qing and Chen Mu remained silent for a long time.

They are not like Fang Ying, where only one person can make decisions at home, and it is even more impossible for them to move the entire family.

After all, their roots in the Ming Dynasty are already very deep, so there is no need to take this risk.

After seeing the attitudes of the two families, Fang Ying understood that Nanyang would probably not invest too much this time.

The grain industry is not highly profitable, which is inconsistent with their previous earnings.

This meeting was actually also a farewell for Fang Ying.

What the two could not have imagined was that the seemingly insignificant Fangying would become a major grain producer in Champa in just a few years, and with that, they would obtain the coveted official position and accrue a huge fortune in Champa.

It was not just Fang Ying who saw this. The signal released by Zhu Ying was already very clear.

Others would naturally not go all out like Fang Ying, but investing in the Nanyang industry has become inevitable.

Among them, the ones with the biggest share in maritime trade were not the big maritime merchant families of the Ming Dynasty, but the four feudal kings far away in Japan.

After acquiring huge wealth, he could not start a war with Japan because he did not have the permission of the imperial court, so he could only occupy Kyushu Island.

Obviously, the four princes are definitely unwilling to accept this.

Whether it is Zhu Chong, Zhu Gang, or Zhu Di, they all have great ambitions, but now they are restricted to Kyushu Island of Japan, so they must find a way to break the impasse.

The key to breaking the deadlock lies in maritime trade.

Yancheng, Kyushu Island.

Zhu Di looked at Xu Yihua with some displeasure and asked, "What does the rebellious son say?"

Not long ago, Zhu Di sent a letter to Zhu Gaochi through maritime trade, asking Zhu Gaochi to support Zhu Di's maritime trade business.

After all, although Zhu Gaochi is not in charge of Annan now, he definitely has considerable power in Annan.

As long as Zhu Gaochi cooperates with Zhu Di and the two sides interact in maritime trade, huge profits will inevitably be generated.

Between Japan and Annan, there is the Ming Dynasty, a dumping ground. With the title of overseas vassal king, it is not easy to make money.

When Xu Yihua heard Zhu Di's words, she said unhappily, "Your Highness, why do you say Chi'er is the Crown Prince? It's not nice to address him like that."

Zhu Di turned his head slightly, as if he didn't hear it.

This term "rebellious son" is an old custom.

In any case, Zhu Di didn't like his eldest son very much from the bottom of his heart. In recent years, his two second sons had always been by his side in battles, and his eldest son rarely saw him, so naturally there would be a difference in their feelings.

"Chi'er wrote in the letter that he would follow the prince's arrangements in everything, and also sent his regards to the prince. He said that he missed him very much after not seeing him for so many years." Xu Yihua said.

Zhu Di snorted coldly: "Hypocrisy, he still misses me? Isn't he hoping that I will die soon so that he can inherit the throne of King of Yan?"

"Tell him clearly in your reply that he should stop thinking about this little fortune. It's just a title for him."

Xu Yihua looked at his two second sons who were looking happy, and did not refute Zhu Di.

She knew that these words were meant for her two younger sons.

As for Gao Chi, he had never thought about his own business.

If the current person in charge of Annan is greedy for money, the properties under his command will be no less than those of the current prince.

"Usually, the prince complains about Chi'er not writing to him, saying that he doesn't have the prince in his heart."

"Now the letter has come, the prince said Chi'er was hypocritical again."

"They all came out of my belly. Why is the prince so prejudiced? Even if he can't fight in the battlefield, he is still the prince's son and the prince of the Prince of Yan's Mansion."

Xu Yihua couldn't help but complain a few words.

Zhu Di felt embarrassed when he heard this, so he said with some impatience: "Alright, alright, let's leave it like this, he is considered sensible and obedient."

Then he instructed his second son Zhu Gaoxu: "Tomorrow you will pass this news to your uncles and tell them that we can now open up sea trade with the South Seas."

Trade with Southeast Asia is currently something that the four major vassal kings attach great importance to.

It's not just about trade, what's more important is the influx of private soldiers into Luzon.

And Annan is a key place here.