However, this 'soft-heartedness,' even towards his own family, was always based on the premise that no one should cross Zhu's bottom line. As for his treatment of civil and military officials, Zhu was actually even more ruthless and merciless at this time.
"I plan to have my uncles, who have been enfeoffed, rest in the West Palace. I think Grandfather will also go to the West Palace to rest tomorrow." Zhu Xiong Ying began to offer advice to Old Zhu, saying, "Grandfather can also chat with his uncles and give them a lecture."
Old Zhu, who was about to say something, suddenly smiled and nodded crisply, "Yes!"
He could indeed ask, for example, whether Zhu Xiong Ying felt comfortable letting those princes live in the palace with the emperor.
After thinking about it, Old Zhu felt there was no need to ask such a question, and it wouldn't really make any sense. Everyone already knew the answers to some things, and there was really no need for the grandfather and grandson to have any ulterior motives when they were together.
Over the years, Zhu Yuanzhang had very limited opportunities to keep his sons, who had been enfeoffed, by his side. Although he didn't particularly favor these sons due to his advanced age, they were still his flesh and blood, and he cared about them deeply. Especially at this stage, Zhu Yuanzhang felt that this might be the last time he saw many of his sons, so he naturally had many thoughts on the matter.
These were naturally things that Zhu Xiong Ying cared about as well. He knew how precious time was to Old Zhu and understood that many things were indeed ruthless and direct. So it was better to be decisive and have fewer regrets; that was more important than anything else.
There's no need to think about anything ulterior motives now. With the overall situation already decided, there's no need to care about those things. Old Zhu won't easily change his mind. In fact, even in the current situation, if Old Zhu wanted to forcibly change some plans, he would definitely encounter some resistance.
At this point, Zhu Xiong Ying felt that he truly had no other thoughts about many things. Simply put, he didn't want to leave any regrets. This is the kind of magnanimity a successor should have, and Zhu Xiong Ying believed he possessed this quality.
Old Zhu was in a good mood and looked at Zhu Xiong Ying, saying, "If you were to ascend the throne, what would your thoughts be?"
Zhu Xiong Ying understood what Old Zhu meant and said, "Now that your grandson has ascended the throne, there's no need to rush to prove anything. Moving the capital there and continuing the relocation of people is probably what we should be doing now. After some time, once the southwest is stable, your grandson should also launch an attack on the north. However, it's hard to say whether to attack the north or the northwest first."
There are still some remnants of Mongol Yuan forces in the Western Regions, while the north has always been an area inhabited by nomadic peoples.
Old Zhu was silent for a moment, then said, "If there are no major changes in the southwest and northwest, we should first pacify the north. Our Ming Dynasty's elite border troops are all in the north, so it's time to deal with that area as well."
Zhu Xiong Ying did not object to these ideas; he shared similar thoughts. "These things are uncertain. We have some plans now, but there are always changes. Take Yunnan, for example. Who would have thought that Mu Chun hadn't even fought much before those people were all eager to surrender?"
Old Zhu couldn't help but chuckle, mainly because he found the whole thing quite interesting, and it could be considered a lucky accident.
Mu Chun, Lan Yu, and others drove those rebellious barbarians to places like Vietnam in the southwest. Previously, those small countries in the Indochina Peninsula that had been obedient and dared not cause trouble during the Mongol Yuan Dynasty had also provoked the Ming Dynasty many times.
Now that they see the Ming Dynasty truly driving out some rebels who have entered the country, and that the Ming army is stationed on the border, many rulers of those kingdoms are panicked. The Ming Dynasty will no longer treat them leniently; they are now protesting and united in their hatred of the enemy, while simultaneously binding and handing over those Ming traitors who have entered the country to the Ming Dynasty.
Ultimately, the Ming Dynasty is becoming increasingly powerful. Seeing that the Ming Dynasty is getting serious, some small countries and tribes are now realizing the true meaning of fear.
Let's try again. Zhu Xiong Ying knows that many things can't be rushed. Zhu Xiong Ying is indeed not in a hurry to bring the Indochina Peninsula into his territory all at once, mainly because he doesn't have enough time and energy.
However, he still needs to prepare for other things, and he still needs to be assertive.
Regarding national policies, discussions continued with Zhu Xiong Ying, who repeatedly demonstrated that he had a grand blueprint and shared the same goals. This pleased Zhu Xiong Ying; his grandson was outstanding, and he felt at ease about abdicating.
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