The news that the Ming Emperor had arrived in Wucheng soon reached King Zhan.

Zhu Yunwen had deliberately not told him before, so Zhu Yuanzhang naturally would not blame Prince Zhan.

After King Zhan found out, the journey which would have taken four days was completed in just two days.

In Champa’s current position, it is highly dependent on the Ming Dynasty.

Especially in terms of economy and trade, it can be said that 80% of the country's tax revenue comes from maritime trade tariffs.

Not only the royal family, but also the nobles of Champa.

Because of its geographical advantages, Champa's ships all sailed towards the Ming Dynasty to purchase high-profit goods such as porcelain and silk.

All you have to do is sell it and the money will roll in.

Besides, the Ming navy is still stationed in the port of Champa.

This was also the first time that King Zhan met the Emperor of the Ming Dynasty. Naturally, he behaved very respectfully and solemnly in all aspects, and said that he would stay in Wucheng to accompany the Emperor to celebrate the New Year.

Ananiya is a Champa princess, but she is not the daughter of Cham King Chaya. It can only be said that they are related by blood.

"Ananya, how are you doing lately?"

Cha also smiled somewhat awkwardly.

After all, he half-forced Ananiya to become the concubine of the Ming crown prince, and she even ran away.

"That's good. I don't need to worry about your conduct. My father has finally gotten what he wanted. King Zhan has given him a high position." Ananya no longer had any scruples in front of King Zhan, and she spoke more casually.

Behind her is the Crown Prince of the Ming Dynasty, and Prince Zhan is nothing compared to him.

"Of course. Your father is now the governor of the port and is in charge of all matters concerning the port." King Zhan said with a smile.

Even though Ananya's tone and attitude were very bad, he did not dare to express his dissatisfaction.

"King Zhan is really capable of making my father the governor of the port." Ananya couldn't help but sneer.

This was clearly a case of him taking advantage of her status. Ananiah knew her father's character best. Once he became the governor of the port, he would definitely brag to the sky.

Thinking of this, Ananya felt a little helpless.

But there is not much we can do.

After all, he is my biological father. Apart from the problems with getting married, he has been very good to me since I was a child.

"Tell me, what exactly do you want to do by coming to me all of a sudden?"

Ananya was too lazy to say more to King Zhan.

He came to see me specifically, so he must have a purpose.

King Cham smiled awkwardly again, and then said cautiously, "You also know that our Champa army is not very strong now, and we are always attacked by other countries."

"Now that the Ming navy is stationed at our port, it naturally intimidates many people, and the situation has improved."

"But there are always some daring ones who will attack our Champa merchant ships on the sea."

"Ananya, you don't know how much cargo our ships are losing in the western waters. The pirates over there know that we have a good relationship with the Ming Dynasty and can get porcelain and silk, so they always target our cargo to rob us."

"See if you can say a few good words to His Royal Highness the Crown Prince about this matter, so that the Ming Navy can move occasionally."

"All military pay for the Ming navy currently stationed at the port is basically borne by our Champa Kingdom. This little favor shouldn't be a big problem."

Ananiya frowned and said, "But the west is no longer the Ming Dynasty's waters. If this is the case, it will cause protests from many other countries."

King Zhan smiled and said, "Everyone knows that the Ming Dynasty is invincible on the sea. Even if some countries dare to say a few words, do they really dare to provoke the Ming Dynasty?"

"Besides, we're not really going there to catch pirates, we're just patrolling there occasionally."

"You don't know that when the Ming ocean-going fleet arrived some time ago, all the pirates in the entire sea area hid themselves. During that period, our Champa country's maritime trade increased its profits several times."

"They don't dare to provoke the Ming Dynasty at all. The mere appearance of the sea god-like ship on the sea is enough to terrify the pirates."

Ananiya is not completely ignorant. Although she has not participated in politics, she understands that there are some things that cannot be done.

After taking a deep look at the flattering Zhan Wangchaye, Ananya asked, "The royal family does not have a large share in maritime trade. These are probably the benefits that the nobles want to gain."

As for King Chaya, he is now the second generation of the new dynasty of Champa.

Most of the royal troops were basically fighting against the Kingdom of Annan.

In the confrontation with Annan, Champa has always been in a weak position, and its cities and territories have been lost continuously.

However, now that Annan has been ruled by the Ming Dynasty, the war naturally stopped.

So naturally, King Zhan wanted to participate in maritime trade.

However, in Champa, these maritime trades had long been divided up among the nobles, and even the royal family could not participate in it at will.

This requires a stepping stone.

Obviously, resolving the security issues in the waters west of Champa is the royal family's stepping stone.

Only in this way will the nobles in Champa agree.

Without the consent of these old nobles in the country, King Zhan had no way to participate in maritime trade.

If we force ourselves to participate, I'm afraid all the ships will be hit.

After final negotiations and bargaining, the current conditions were reached.

"Although I am the Crown Prince's concubine, there is a law in the Ming Dynasty that the harem cannot interfere in government affairs. Besides, I am just one of many concubines. I am not as important to the Crown Prince as you think."

Ananya shook her head and rejected King Zhan's proposal.

She knew very well that the Crown Prince would never use the Ming navy for her own reasons.

King Zhan’s smile froze a little.

He didn't expect that after saying so much, Ananya still refused in the end.

"This involves the interests of the entire Champa Kingdom." Champa King Cha also said solemnly again.

Ananiya said indifferently: "I am now the concubine of the crown prince. What does this have to do with me?"

In the Ming Dynasty, there is a saying: "Marry a chicken, follow the chicken; marry a dog, follow the dog." But in Champa, if you become someone's wife, you belong completely to your husband.

The status of women here is even lower and they have no autonomy at all.

Zhan Wangcha immediately understood what Ananiya meant.

After thinking for a while, he said, "I heard that you gave birth to a boy for the crown prince."

Ananiya nodded: "Yes, his name is Zhu Wenzhan."

Zhan Wangcha also said: "The Crown Prince will definitely inherit the throne of the Ming Dynasty and become the Great Emperor. Your child will be canonized as the Prince of the Ming Dynasty in the future."

"Just like the current King Wu, according to current tradition, when the princes of the Ming Dynasty grow up, they can leave the Ming Dynasty and become vassal kings."

"If you are willing to help Champa, I will give your father 8,000 warriors who will obey his orders and grant your father a hereditary title."

"When your child grows up, he will have his own support in Champa."

"If the Ming Dynasty is willing to help, I will agree to send troops to help him seize a piece of land and become his vassal state."

Ananya's eyes turned serious.

"You mean what you say."

Zhan Wangcha also said in a positive tone: "Of course I am serious. Would I lie to you? After all, this is not something that can be resolved in a day or two."

Ananya began to ponder in her mind.

From now on, the throne of the Ming Dynasty will undoubtedly be inherited by Zhu Wencheng, the child of Crown Princess Ye Yueqing.

The children of other people, just like the current princes, have many choices as princes.

After Ananya gave birth to her child, she began to inquire about and pay attention to these things.

It's not a secret, so it's easy to get the news.

In the future, princes can choose to become wealthy princes, enter the official career, or lead troops and become generals.

In the Ming Dynasty, no vassal states were allowed to appear, only overseas.

Of course, Ananya wanted her children to be overseas vassal kings.

And Champa is undoubtedly the best place.

If Champa sent troops to seize a piece of territory and offer it to the Ming Dynasty, it would definitely become a vassal state of its own children.

Moreover, King Zhan gave eight thousand warriors to his father, which meant that his family could also get involved in the military power, which would be equivalent to supporting Zhu Wenzhan in the future.

All of this concerns Ananya herself.

"Sure, I will ask the Crown Prince. I think he will agree for the sake of the child."

"But you have to remember that you must fulfill everything you promised me."

Ananya said in a deep voice.

Zhan Wangcha also smiled with satisfaction and said, "Don't worry, we have the same interests."

…

Zhu Ying led 3,000 cavalrymen from Wucheng to the port of Champa to comfort the navy stationed in Champa.

It is already the end of the year, and these naval officers and soldiers can only celebrate the New Year away from home.

Now that the southern tour army is coming, it is natural for them to pay a visit.

But there is no need for the old man to make this trip.

"Your servant Jin Kaishan pays homage to His Royal Highness the Crown Prince."

There was obvious excitement in Jin Kaishan's eyes.

The news that the southern tour army had arrived in Wucheng had already reached here, and many naval officers and soldiers were very eager to meet the Crown Prince.

To all the navy, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince is their benefactor.

It is because of His Royal Highness the Crown Prince that the Ming Navy has its current status.

Not only the status, but also the huge improvement in military pay, food and other aspects are all gifts from His Royal Highness the Crown Prince.

"Everyone, get up. You've done a good job. Even though we're stationed here, we haven't lost the prestige of the Ming Dynasty."

"I came here today specifically to visit the soldiers."

Zhu Ying walked forward and patted Jin Kaishan, who was kneeling on one knee, on the shoulder to show encouragement.

More than a dozen naval commanders, led by Jin Kaishan, stood up excitedly.

When Zhu Ying walked to the dock with Jin Kaishan and others, all the naval soldiers became fanatical.

"Long live His Royal Highness the Crown Prince!!!"

Huge roars and shouts echoed throughout the port. Because of the distance, they kept ringing out over and over again, like echoes on the sea.

Feeling the enthusiasm of the soldiers, Zhu Ying, surrounded by Jin Kaishan and others, began to inspect the entire navy fleet.

There were nearly 20,000 naval troops stationed in Champa.

These were all left behind when Chen Muyue returned to Annan to visit relatives.

There were 30,000 people who came at that time, and later 10,000 navy soldiers escorted Chen Muyue back to Ming Dynasty.

The excuse was still the same excuse, that is, the navy soldiers were missing and that's why they stayed there.

This port is naturally not Champa’s trading port, but a small port not far away.

Along the coast of the port, there is already a town the size of one.

After all, the soldiers can't sleep on the boat every day. It's like building a military camp, but there aren't as many rules as in the camp.

To be honest, the navy stationed in Champa actually lived a very comfortable life.

Apart from daily training, Jin Kaishan did not give very strict requirements. After all, this was not the Ming Dynasty, and there was no military supervisor to govern.

Their military pay was supplied by both the Ming Dynasty and Champa, and their supplies were very abundant.

In view of the long-term stationing mission, Jin Kaishan gave the navy more holidays.

These soldiers on leave can go to Champa's commercial port for entertainment.

The commercial port over there is crowded with sea merchants, so it is naturally very lively, with most industries represented.

Soldiers can usually spend a small amount of money to meet some needs there.

Precisely because life is good, no one suffers from severe homesickness.

Most of the naval soldiers are eager to stay here for a longer period of time.

Naturally, according to the rules of the Ming Dynasty, in about two years, the rotation will be carried out according to the five-year rotation system.

Here in the port, there are not only dozens of Fujian warships, but also two huge treasure ships.

Nowadays, treasure ships have an extremely powerful deterrent effect on the sea.

At this moment, Zhu Ying was mainly reviewing the troops on the two treasure ships.

Although it is winter now, the sun here is still very hot. It is impossible for Zhu Ying to check every boat, which would be very tiring.

In fact, the treasure ship also has very obvious shortcomings.

Because the ship was too large, most of the time the treasure ship could not be started.

Conventional wind power cannot provide much power. Without sufficient power, the treasure ship is just a decoration.

Only when the ocean monsoon comes can the treasure ship be driven.

"It would be nice to have a steamboat."

Zhu Ying actually wanted to build an ironclad steamship, but the current industrial foundation was not capable of doing so.

There is actually no big problem with ironclad ships, it mainly involves the application of steam power.

The principle of the steam engine is not complicated, but building a steam engine is not that simple.

"If there were steam engines to power the treasure ships, then the Ming navy would be able to truly rule all the seas."

'Even faraway Africa and Europe can be driven directly there.'

'India can form a powerful deterrent.'

The Ming Dynasty now had some industrial foundation, and Zhu Ying made up his mind that after returning to the capital this time, he would vigorously develop the steam engine.

Let's see if we can start the steam age ahead of time.