The first month of the year passed quickly, and the information from Lan Yu also reached the capital.

Even though Zhu Ying was prepared, he couldn't help but be shocked when he saw the content of the intelligence.

In just one month, Lan Yu almost conquered the entire Orissa Federation, with 5,000 troops fighting 30,000 and 20,000 troops fighting 100,000.

There were a lot of exaggerated battles, and the Ming army's casualties were pitifully low.

In the most recent battle, the Orissa Federation gathered an army of 400,000, but was severely beaten by an army of 100,000 led by Lan Yu, and only 300,000 were captured.

"The millions of mouths plan sounds scary, but I didn't expect it to be a mess when it comes to fighting."

Zhu Yuanzhang ate roasted sweet potatoes and said that he missed this thing every winter.

Eating sweet potatoes by the fire seems to have become a must every winter.

Zhu Ying also picked up a roasted sweet potato and said, "There are still not enough people going to Tianzhu. I originally wanted to let a few uncles go, or other people could also go. After all, the territory of Tianzhu is not small, not to mention that there are so many people."

"The population of the entire Tianzhu region is not much different from that of our Ming Dynasty. Now, due to the relationship with Dongsheng Shenzhou, not many people want to go there."

Zhu Yuanzhang took a bite of the sweet potato and said, "That's not a big deal. We don't have to follow anyone. Even if it's your uncles, if you don't want them to go, then arrange for them to go to Tianzhu. Do you dare to say anything?"

Zhu Ying didn't know whether to laugh or cry at the domineering words. It was only because the old man had such momentum that he should consider his uncles.

The second uncle Zhu Chong and the third uncle Zhu Gang had a good personal relationship with Zhu Ying.

Now they must be coming to us for help, going to Dongsheng Shenzhou, not Tianzhu.

There was no choice before, but it is different now.

Even if he was really sent, it would be Zhu Di who went.

"Don't do things that would make people hate you. Let your uncles go wherever they want to go. There are certainly many dukes and marquises in Tianzhu who want to start a country there, so it won't be a waste of space."

Zhu Ying smiled and said.

The current situation in the Ming Dynasty no longer allows it to directly rule over a place as large as India, and ruling a population of 90 million is also a very troublesome task.

It would be better to divide India into a dozen or even twenty or thirty vassal states, so that it can last longer.

As for education, let's forget about it for now. Let's follow the current situation in India and only educate a small number of people in the upper class.

"Okay, Grandson, you make the arrangements. But we heard news from the Royal Guards that Zhang Sanfeng seems to have come to the capital. Please help us invite him to the palace."

Zhu Yuanzhang was not very interested in India. After all, it was too far away. At that time, he would just collect some taxes or something.

On the contrary, it was Zhang Sanfeng that Zhu Yuanzhang cared more about.

When the Ming Dynasty was founded, Zhang Sanfeng lived in seclusion and avoided imperial edicts, and his reputation was great throughout the court and the country.

In those days, Zhu Yuanzhang issued many imperial decrees, hoping to invite Zhang Sanfeng to the court, but unfortunately he couldn't find the person.

Originally, this matter would have been over, but unexpectedly, because of the relationship with Dongsheng Shenzhou, Zhang Sanfeng actually came directly to the capital.

This aroused Zhu Yuanzhang's interest.

Zhu Ying was also very interested in extraordinary people like Zhang Sanfeng. Apart from anything else, the fact that Zhang Sanfeng was born in the seventh year of Chunyou in the Southern Song Dynasty, and it has been 153 years since then, is already surprising enough.

According to historical records, Zhang Sanfeng died in the second year of Tianshun, at the age of 212.

In other words, Zhang Sanfeng witnessed the demise of the Southern Song Dynasty and also experienced the entire Yuan Dynasty from its establishment to its demise.

"Have the Royal Guards found him?"

Zhu Ying asked curiously.

Zhu Yuanzhang shook his head and said, "It has not really been found. If it had been found, then there would be no need for my eldest grandson to go there."

"I just heard that among the Taoists who came to the capital, someone seemed to have spotted Zhang Sanfeng. I need to ask my eldest grandson about the details."

Hearing this, Zhu Ying was a little disappointed. He thought he had really found Zhang Sanfeng.

In fact, Zhu Ying still had some faith in the fact that Zhang Sanfeng was now 152 years old. After all, he was the one who had resurrected the dead, so it didn't seem like a big deal if someone else could live for over 200 years.

Therefore, Zhu Ying was still looking forward to meeting Zhang Sanfeng to see whether he was really born in the Southern Song Dynasty and survived the entire Yuan Dynasty.

"The eldest grandson governs the Ming Dynasty and is a wise ruler in today's prosperous times. I think Zhang Sanfeng should also want to meet the eldest grandson."

"Others may not be able to find it, but if the eldest grandson goes, that may not be the case."

Zhu Yuanzhang spoke up and said that he felt his eldest grandson should be destined to be with Zhang Sanfeng. Isn't Taoism all about fate?

Zhu Ying did not refuse. He didn't have much to do right now anyway, so why not give it a try?

The next day, Zhu Ying left the palace.

Because Song Zhong went to deal with the affairs of the local Jinyiwei, Zhu Ying is now accompanied by Jinyiwei Captain Shi Di.

There is also Zuo Xiaoyu, who came from the opera theater.

Originally, Zhu Ying wanted to bring the Western Region sisters with him, but this time they were traveling in casual clothes, and the sisters were too recognizable and would easily attract attention, so he brought Zuo Xiaoyu with him.

"Your Highness, where should we go?" Zuo Xiaoyu said excitedly.

Although the palace is beautiful, with fine clothes and delicious food, it is also like a big cage.

Therefore, Zuo Xiaoyu was of course very happy to be able to go out and play with Zhu Ying this time.

"I told you, don't call me Your Highness outside. Call me Young Master."

Although Zhu Ying is already 28 years old this year, she doesn't look old at all. If you just look at her face, she looks like she is in her early twenties.

"Okay, sir." Zuo Xiaoyu pouted slightly, and Zhu Ying's heart was moved by her pretty face.

If such a beauty were to be found in later generations, he would definitely be able to kill people indiscriminately.

As the crown prince of the Ming Dynasty, Zhu Ying naturally did not need to arrange any marriages. He represented the greatest power, so his concubines all chose him for his looks.

"Let's go to the Liyuan and listen to some music first." Zhu Ying couldn't help but speak up. There was no need for him to put himself in a difficult position.

Hearing this, Zuo Xiaoyu blushed slightly.

"Sir, didn't you go out of the palace to look for the Immortal Zhang? Why did you go to the Pear Garden to listen to music?"

Zhu Ying smiled and said, "Old Immortal Zhang comes and goes without a trace, it won't be easy to find him in a short time."

In fact, Zhu Ying had already consulted the Embroidered Uniform Guards. Although there were some news about Zhang Sanfeng's appearance, no one had confirmed it, or seen it with their own eyes.

The source of the news was a Taoist priest from Wudang Mountain, who said with certainty that he saw the founder Zhang Sanfeng on the street.

But they failed to catch him. The news spread among the Taoist community, was also known by the Jinyiwei, and finally reached Zhu Yuanzhang.

No one can tell whether it is true or false, or whether the Taoist priest made a mistake.

Therefore, if Zhu Ying comes to find me, it all depends on fate.

Liyuan, about half an hour later, Zhu Ying came out with Xiaoyu.

After listening to the music, Zhu Ying became refreshed and began to wander around the capital.

The capital has changed so much now that Zhu Ying feels a little unfamiliar.

With the development of cement technology in recent years, many old places have been rebuilt and the streets have a brand new feel.

In addition to Zhengyang Avenue, there are also a wide variety of shops in other areas.

The current population of the entire city of Nanjing may have exceeded two million, not including the large number of floating population.

Therefore, no matter where you are, even in the current cold weather, it is still very lively.

Zhu Ying wandered around the capital aimlessly, but Zuo Xiaoyu showed no intention of stopping.

Whenever I see something fun or delicious, I buy it all.

Originally, there was only Jinyiwei Captain Shi Di by Zhu Ying's side, and the other Jinyiwei were naturally hiding in the dark.

But as Zuo Xiaoyu bought more and more things, more and more people followed Zhu Ying.

There was no other way. We couldn't let His Royal Highness the Crown Prince carry the things himself, and it was obvious that Shi Di couldn't lift them either. So, after getting His Royal Highness the Crown Prince's permission, he simply summoned the secret guards to help carry them.

The capital's merchandise is of a wide variety, covering almost all goods from around the world.

For merchants from other places, their own country's goods can often be sold at very high prices in the capital, such as spices, ivory, glassware, etc.

As for the people of the capital, they also have many curious needs.

Originally, according to the etiquette of the Ming Dynasty, women were not supposed to leave the house, but with the continuous influx of large numbers of foreign businessmen, including many other women, the culture of the Ming Dynasty became less conservative to a certain extent.

After all, we can't just see foreign women wandering around the streets every day, as if there were no women in the Ming Dynasty.

Therefore, some cumbersome rules are gradually being broken.

Among them, the Ming Dynasty’s school education was also gender-neutral, so the status of women was improved to a certain extent.

Nowadays, women can do many jobs and do not need to rely on men to survive.

Of course, in the dynasty era, there could be no speeches advocating women's independence, and the mainstream idea was that women should get married when they reach the age of maturity.

The sunset is earlier in winter.

After wandering around for a whole day, Zhu Ying didn't meet Zhang Sanfeng. In such a vast sea of ​​people, it was almost impossible to find someone.

Zhu Yuanzhang asked Zhu Ying to come because he wanted to try his luck.

As to whether Zhang Sanfeng is actually in the capital, no one can say for sure.

At the end of the day, Zhu Ying was quite satisfied with the current capital. Security stations could be seen on every street. They replaced the original Five Cities Military Affairs Department to maintain the capital's basic public security.

Outsiders, no matter if they are from other countries or other provinces, are relatively well-behaved when they come here. Even though Zuo Xiaoyu's beauty makes some people salivate over her, no perverts have ever appeared.

Even some rich young men just looked at her a few more times, and no bullying occurred.

After nightfall, Zhu Ying did not return to the palace.

The capital city is also very lively at night. Red lanterns can be seen hanging everywhere, lighting up the entire capital city.

The most lively place is of course the Qinhuai River, with its beauty, romance, poetry and couplets.

After taking Zuo Xiaoyu for the experience, it was already the late night.

At this time Zhu Yingcai returned to the palace.

And tonight, the one who naturally sleeps with him is Zuo Xiaoyu.

As the crown prince, Zhu Ying couldn't possibly go out to the streets every day to try his luck. Since he didn't find it in one day, he could only give up.

Zhu Yuanzhang felt a little regretful. After all, many people wanted to meet this long-lived person and perhaps get some secret recipe for longevity.

In fact, in Zhu Ying's opinion, not finding it is a good thing.

Throughout the history of the Ming Dynasty, emperors of all dynasties were extremely pursuing Zhang Sanfeng. Almost all emperors of the Ming Dynasty were looking for Zhang Sanfeng and conferred official titles on him one after another.

The History of Ming Dynasty wrote a special biography for him, and Zhang Sanfeng's deeds were recorded in the "Biography of Fang Ji".

The Ming History records Zhang Sanfeng's appearance as "tall and majestic, with a tortoise-shaped body and a crane back, big ears and round eyes, and a beard like a halberd."

At this time, good news reached the capital.

That is when Aluta came out of the forest and begged for surrender to the Ming Dynasty.

There is no way to avoid this. With the gradual arrival of the Little Ice Age, the winters are getting colder every year.

In the big forest, there are almost no living things in winter, so survival is a huge problem for the tribes following Aluta.

If we don't think of a solution, 70% to 80% of the grassland people will starve to death in this forest.

In fact, the nobles headed by Aluta did not want to surrender, but the opinions of the middle and lower levels were already very strong. Under such circumstances, a mutiny was almost a foregone conclusion.

Therefore, Aluta was forced into a corner and had no choice but to surrender to the Ming Dynasty, even though he would lose his noble status.

Of course, he also heard that Ben Ya Shi Li was living a good life in the capital, at least he had no worries about food and clothing, even though he was imprisoned.

After Aluta surrendered, the entire grassland fell completely into the hands of the Ming Dynasty.

As for the news about the Oirat, basically no one knows about it anymore. Perhaps they are living further north.

The next focus of the Ming Dynasty will be on the affairs of India and Dongsheng Shenzhou.

At Huang Guan's suggestion, Zhu Ying prepared to use a small Fu ship to explore the way first.

The Xiaofuchuan is a sailing ship that is smaller than the Baochuan. Because it is not very big, it does not need the help of the monsoon to be driven.

Its hull size is already the largest among sailing ships. Although it has a small word on it, this is relative to the treasure ship. In fact, it is a behemoth in ocean navigation. Most ocean-going ships are not as big as the small Fu ship. It is also the main battleship of the Ming Navy.

According to the map brought back by Wang Tianlu, ships can pass through the East China Sea under the Bering Strait and reach Dongsheng Shenzhou.

Therefore, Zhu Ying formed a fleet of 200 small Fu ships and headed for the Bering Strait and the Dongsheng Shenzhou after the beginning of spring.

This time, in addition to ten thousand soldiers, there were also five thousand war horses.

After ruling the grassland, the Ming Dynasty no longer lacked horses. The reason why it had 5,000 horses was mainly due to the consideration of the small Fu ships' ability to withstand ocean voyages.

If the round trip is smooth, then new routes will also be opened smoothly.

At that time, the princes of the Ming Dynasty would set out to Dongsheng Shenzhou to divide up the territory.