Zhu Xiong Ying smiled and said to Old Zhu, "Grandpa, when we go to fight Goryeo and take back the four counties of our Han people, that will be a great achievement for you. I think it will only take three to five years, and you will definitely be able to see it."
Old Zhu remained noncommittal, then continued, "Once we take over Goryeo, we can consider sending troops to the northern desert. My idea is that the Tatars are currently powerful, so we can send troops from Liaodong and Goryeo, or from Beiping and Taiyuan. You can then launch a full-scale northern expedition, and the northern border will be safe."
Zhu Xiong Ying was not so optimistic, saying, "Grandfather, it can't be said that it's a one-time solution. It's just that those people won't have the strength to go south for a short time. These nomadic peoples can't be defeated, so they flee. They've already fled back to the northern desert, and they can continue to flee north."
Old Zhu ignored Zhu Xiong Ying and continued, "But whether to develop the Western Regions or pacify Lingnan is a dilemma."
Zhu Xiong Ying also fell silent, feeling some pressure as well; this choice was not easy to make.
Simply put, heading south would certainly bring some benefits. However, the South Seas are still quite wild and untamed, and the miasma is difficult for many soldiers from the Central Plains to bear. Moreover, sufficient benefits cannot be obtained there in the short term; the Ming Dynasty may need decades, or even longer, to see any returns.
However, regardless of the circumstances, we definitely need to take over the South Seas, as its potential is indeed quite great.
However, the Western Regions are not particularly reliant on the Silk Road these days. But they can still bring back some benefits from there, and the opening of trade routes can also establish connections with Central Asia.
Furthermore, if Zhu Xiong Ying were to abandon a place like the Western Regions, he would be a sinner for all time. He genuinely needed to reclaim the Western Regions from the nomadic tribes. The current map of the Ming Dynasty was not yet complete.
The grandfather and grandson were happily conversing, thinking about how to build an even greater empire for their descendants. They were both incredibly ambitious and full of confidence, believing they had every right to create a golden age, build a magnificent dynasty, and leave behind a powerful empire.
Confidence is certainly not lacking, because the Ming Dynasty appears to be developing on the right track. As long as they are given some time and act according to the established plans, there is naturally nothing to worry about.
Back at the Eastern Palace, Zhu Xiong Ying was in a good mood because he saw his chubby son.
Seeing Zhu Xiong Ying holding her son, Xu Miao Qing said with a smile, "Your Highness, I congratulate you on your pregnancy."
Zhu Xiong Ying was stunned for a moment, then became happy, "The concubine is pregnant?"
"The concubine hasn't been feeling well these past two days, so I had someone from the Imperial Hospital come and take a look at her," Xu Miaoqing said with a smile, then said to Zhu Xiong Ying, "Your Highness should go and report the good news to the Emperor, and also visit the concubine."
Zhu Xiong Ying beamed and said, "This is indeed good news. Let's go to Grandfather's place now. Wang Cheng En, go and call the concubines. We're going to Grandfather's place for a meal."
This was definitely a joyous day, and such good news naturally needed to be shared. Although Zhu Xiong Ying understood that in Old Zhu's eyes, Lian Qiong Qiong's child might not be valued much, at least the family line had started, which was something to be happy about.
Although Old Zhu is no longer a lonely old man, Zhu Xiong Ying is well aware of his inner turmoil. Therefore, it is natural to report such good news to Old Zhu.
Lian Qiongqiong felt a little embarrassed, but at this moment she was mostly happy. She naturally didn't dare think about other positions; being able to bear a child for the Crown Prince was enough to make her happy. Moreover, her child would at least be a prince or princess, allowing her to rise in status through her son.
"Ah!" The cute but fierce Zhu Wenyin was restless and could no longer tolerate his unscrupulous father. He opened his mouth and bit him.
Zhu Xiong Ying laughed and joked with her chubby son, but she was a little puzzled. "You can walk now, why are you so reluctant to speak? I've been calling you 'Dad' for a year now, it's time you spoke!"
Zhu Wenyin didn't speak. He wasn't in a hurry to call him "father" yet; he would wait a little longer.
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