"The New Year has not even arrived yet, and the war is about to begin. I never thought that I could fight such a rich war before."

"After all, I underestimated those places in Southeast Asia. I used to think they were all barbaric places, but now I find out that they have so much food."

"Why didn't other dynasties discover this precious land?"

Zhu Yuanzhang sat at the door of the main hall of Kunning Palace, watching the snowflakes falling outside.

With the arrival of winter, the weather has become colder and colder. It seems that every new winter will be colder than the previous one.

In fact, this is not an illusion.

Zhu Ying accompanied Zhu Yuanzhang and said: "In history, except for the newly founded dynasties, all dynasties were in internal turmoil and political struggles. Most emperors could not even control the country, so how could they have the heart to fight foreign wars."

"The threat from the grasslands kept most dynasties on their toes. If there were no trains, even the Ming Dynasty would have no idea how many years it would have had to guard against the grasslands."

"Even so, it took tens of millions of dollars to pacify the grassland, but in the end, the Oirat still escaped, Alutai disappeared, and the only one who was captured alive, Bayanchur, had actually lost his power in the grassland a long time ago."

"But at least we won."

When Zhu Ying spoke, there was some worry in his eyes about the old man.

Every day in winter is so sad for the elderly.

Therefore, in the Qianqing Palace and Kunning Palace, there are large vats of boiling water everywhere twelve hours a day, and the boiling hot steam spreads everywhere, minimizing the impact of the cold on the old man.

In fact, some time ago, Zhu Ying wanted to persuade the old man to go to Southeast Asia to escape the cold, but the old man refused.

Zhu Yuanzhang said that the capital was very lively this year and he didn't want to go far away.

In fact, Zhu Ying knew it because several princes had returned.

Even though he often scolded his sons as rebellious, these sons still had importance in Zhu Yuanzhang's heart.

A grandson is one thing, a son is another.

Since Zhu Biao's death, Zhu Yuanzhang paid more attention to his sons. This may be because his eldest grandson was too outstanding and he had no place to teach him.

"Second brother... Third brother... Fourth brother, these guys are really good at fighting."

"Unlike your father, I always wanted him to be a wise king who could rule the world better, but I trained the second son and the others to be generals. When they were very young, I took them to fight in the east and west and let them live in the military camp."

"Speaking of which, as their father, I still have to take some responsibility for their current situation, especially the fourth brother."

"Apart from his ability to fight, the fourth child is a complete idiot when it comes to studying. At his age, all he thinks about is killing people all day long, and he doesn't read more to cultivate his sentiments."

"It's my fault, actually. I was a little careless when he was little."

"At least his Gao Chi still makes us somewhat satisfied. The other two grandsons are just like him, and they only know how to fight and kill."

"Hey, Gao Chi's biggest problem is that his health is not good."

Zhu Yuanzhang was a little rambling when he spoke, and there was some reminiscence in his eyes.

The arrival of winter made his body weak, and he caught a cold a few days ago. Winter is a complete disaster for such an old man.

Zhu Ying didn't let the old man attend the recent court meeting. He had to take care of his health first.

Zhu Ying listened to the old man's words and remained silent. He knew that the old man was helping to speak for the emperor's uncles.

Now that Japan has been pacified and divided into four provinces, the position of the feudal lords has begun to become awkward, not to mention that Japan still has a large amount of mineral deposits.

Before, because they were resisting Ashikaga Yoshimitsu, the feudal lords' private actions were not a big deal. But now that Ashikaga Yoshimitsu has been imprisoned in the capital, the situation is naturally different.

"Gao Chi is already married and has a child. It's not appropriate for him to travel around. It's better for him to stay in the capital."

"The capital is rich and prosperous. It's good for Zhanji to grow up here. He can gain more experience. I went to see little Zhanji. He looks smart and clever. He can be better trained in the capital."

Zhu Ying replied softly, reaching out to move the blanket covering the old man upwards to better block the cold wind.

Zhu Yuanzhang nodded slightly. He knew what his eldest grandson meant. He wanted to take back the fiefdoms of the former vassal kings.

Zhu Yuanzhang was not surprised by this decision. In fact, it was a good thing for his sons.

On the contrary, it would be a bad thing to let them stay in the vassal state forever.

In terms of means, the sons are no match for the eldest grandson. It's okay when he is around, but if he goes there, I'm afraid there will be a battle between uncle and nephew.

"We heard that India is very big and relatively rich. Your uncles are all good at fighting and they can defeat the barbarians on the grasslands. They should not be able to defeat the places in India."

"Lan Yu is leading hundreds of thousands of troops over there, and he can open up the situation first. When this winter is over, let those useless uncles of yours go over there as well."

Zhu Ying replied, "Okay, I'll listen to Grandpa."

…

Prince Yan's Palace in the capital.

We have a special guest here today.

The reason why it is described as special is that he has lived here for many years.

"I, Daoyan, greet His Royal Highness the Prince of Yan."

Zhu Di looked at Yao Guangxiao in front of him with a dazed look in his eyes.

In the year of the 15th year of Hongwu, when Empress Ma died, Yao Guangxiao followed Zhu Di to Beiping. They were together for nearly ten years. Zhu Di did not look down on Yao Guangxiao because of his identity as a monk. Instead, he regarded him as a close friend.

"Daoyan, it's been so long since we last met, your beard has turned white."

Today, Zhu Di is already feeling somewhat sad. If it were not for Zhu Ying, perhaps Daoyan would have always been by his side giving him advice.

The last time I had contact with Daoyan was during the initial expedition to Japan, but in the end the two of us never met.

Later Daoyan went to Goryeo, and there was no chance for us to meet again.

Because of their special relationship and the fear of arousing the Crown Prince's suspicion, the two did not exchange letters.

"I am already old. After so many years, I have naturally grown old. But Your Highness is becoming more and more majestic, just as he was in the past." There was a hint of sigh in Daoyan's tone.

At his age, he doesn’t have many friends now, but if he talks about his confidant, Prince of Yan Zhu Di is definitely one of them.

"Hahaha, you old bald ass, it's windy outside, come inside and have some tea."

Zhu Di laughed heartily, thinking it was a blessing to see his old friend.

Daoyan was not polite either. He was not unfamiliar with the Prince of Yan's Mansion and followed Zhu Di into the house.

The room was warm, there was a fire burning in the stove, and tea was brewing.

"You dare to come to me now, aren't you afraid that the news will reach the ears of the Crown Prince?"

"In this capital, is there anything that the Crown Prince could not know about? Now the Jinyiwei Yamen is in the hands of the Crown Prince."

"I heard that you had a good time when you were the imperial tutor in Goryeo. I have heard about you before. Now you have returned to the capital to retire."

"That's right. You're old now. You don't have to run around like a young man anymore. The prince has done a good job in this regard."

Zhu Di asked the servants to leave and personally picked up the teapot to pour tea for Yao Guangxiao, just like he did in the past.

Yao Guangxiao was not polite and took the teacup directly.

"The days in Goryeo were indeed quite comfortable for me. I was able to use my skills to their full potential. Although Goryeo is a small place, it is still quite good. I have to thank the Crown Prince for that."

"The reason why the Crown Prince asked me to leave the Prince's side was because I was still immature and therefore acted more cautiously."

"Now that the Ming Dynasty has developed to such a scale under the rule of the Crown Prince, there is nothing to worry about."

"So when I heard the news that the King of Yan had returned, I came here. I just wonder if the King of Yan thinks I am too old."

Zhu Di heard this but did not respond directly.

After thinking for a while, he said, "It seems that the mage has heard some news and has made his own judgment."

"But why bother doing this? Wouldn't it be better to spend your old age in the capital instead of running around with me?"

Zhu Di immediately guessed what Yao Guangxiao was thinking, and also guessed why Yao Guangxiao came.

This shows that Yao Guangxiao must have received the news from somewhere and concluded that he could not return to the vassal state and would be sent by the crown prince to India to fight.

Of course, this possibility is the greatest for Zhu Di, and he has been prepared for it long ago.

Zhu Di also understood the meaning of Yao Guangxiao's last sentence, and he wanted to follow along again.

In fact, in Zhu Di's view, there was no need to do so, because he sincerely felt that it was the best choice for Daoyan to retire in the capital.

"Perhaps I am indeed a bald donkey, and have never had a pure mind."

"I still have trouble understanding what the prince did back then. To be honest, the original proposal came from this humble monk."

"This broken body may still hold out for a few more years, which can be regarded as a way of repaying the prince's kindness in the past."

Daoyan said slowly.

He always felt guilty. Although the Crown Prince had made great contributions to the Ming Dynasty, it was Daoyan who suggested bringing the Crown Prince to the capital.

In the end, many of his and Zhu Di's plans came to nothing because of the Crown Prince.

"Why do you have to do this? Who could have thought of what happened back then?"

"But the mage insisted, and I have no reason to refuse you. As of now, the Crown Prince has no need to care about our affairs."

"Master, you came here today, I think you already know that I am going to India."

Zhu Di sighed and then asked.

Yao Guangxiao nodded: "Indeed, there have been some rumors in the palace. As for the affairs of the vassal states, both the court and the princes are very clear. His Majesty is still alive, so he will naturally not allow the uncle and nephew to fight."

"It is a foregone conclusion that the prince will go to India."

"India is rich, and I can learn more by following the prince."

"Come to think of it, the Crown Prince has no intention of stopping me. Perhaps he can support my idea a little more."

"Two years ago, I and the Crown Prince compiled the Central Plains mythology system, which has been widely circulated until now. The Crown Prince also wants to spread this mythology throughout the world. This is a dispute between sects."

"Buddhism is flourishing in India, and the Crown Prince has long wanted to educate them with the myths of the Central Plains. Otherwise, how can we win the hearts of the people of India with force alone?"

Zhu Di nodded. He naturally knew that India was the birthplace of Buddhism.

He had also read the Central Plains mythology system compiled by Taisun and Daoyan. It played a great role in education, especially in places like India where religious beliefs were flourishing.

"Since the Master has thought it through, there is no reason for me to refuse. From now on, I will rely on you more."

Zhu Di was naturally very happy.

Before this, Yao Guangxiao had always been Zhu Di's military advisor. It was with the help of Yao Guangxiao that he was able to develop very well in Beiping.

His return now is naturally like adding wings to a tiger for Zhu Di.

However, while Yao Guangxiao was discussing matters concerning India with Zhu Di, he did not know that at this moment in the capital, some members of the expeditionary force that had gone to the Dongsheng Shenzhou had already returned.

After more than a month, Wang Tianlu and others finally returned to the capital.

The familiar yet unfamiliar capital city brought tears to Wang Tianlu and his companions' eyes.

They really didn't expect that they would be able to come back one day. When they joined the expedition, they already had the idea of ​​burying their bones in a foreign land.

After five years of twists and turns, they are finally back today.

Because after Wang Tianlu arrived in Shanghai on a ship of the East China Sea Navy fleet, he directly boarded a steam ironclad ship and returned to the capital via the military channel, so their news only reached the palace a little earlier.

Upon receiving the news, Zhu Yuanzhang immediately ordered Wang Tianlu to enter the palace.

Even Zhu Ying was very surprised. He didn't expect that after five years, he finally got news from America.

At this moment, he had no doubt that Wang Tianlu did not go to America. After all, although he did not draw a map, the general route was basically the same.

Zhu Ying was also a little curious. Why did Wang Tianlu and a dozen others return to Ming Dynasty early? Was it because the expeditionary force encountered some accident?

After thinking about it, Zhu Ying felt that it was impossible. At present, the American continent could not offer any decent resistance to the Ming army.

Even without firearms, how could those American tribes defeat the expeditionary forces wearing armor?

Even if there were only a few thousand people left, they would not be able to contend with the Native Americans who were still in the tribal era.

Of course, these questions will be answered one by one as Wang Tianlu enters the palace.

In any case, the news of the discovery of the American continent would inevitably spread throughout the Ming Dynasty.

As long as Zhu Ying built a steam-powered ironclad ship route to the Bering Strait and even to America, it would mean that the American continent would fall into the hands of the Ming Dynasty.