Zhu Gaochi, who was only twenty-three years old by the traditional Chinese age reckoning, had spent almost the entire first half of his life in constant wandering.
He was born in his hometown of Fengyang, and was actually made the heir apparent of the Prince of Yan when he was seven years old. During his childhood, he received formal education in martial arts and Confucianism, and it can be said that he was very much liked by Zhu Yuanzhang. He was even entrusted with important tasks by Zhu Yuanzhang, and was sent to inspect the army with the heir apparent of the Prince of Qin, the Prince of Jin, and the Prince of Zhou.
If it weren't for their cousin, Zhu Gaochi and the others would practically be considered Zhu's most cherished grandson.
Zhu Gaochi knew all too well that even though they seemed to be more valued than their other brothers, compared to their elder brother who was as prominent as the moon in the sky, they could only rely on the occasional favor of their grandfather.
It can only be said that the imperial family is the most ruthless. Just because his father was enfeoffed in Beiping, and just because Beiping was to be designated as the next capital, the Prince of Yan, Zhu Yuanzhang's fourth son who was once quite fond of him, became the first prince in the Ming Dynasty to be effectively stripped of his title.
Even if they felt aggrieved and injustice, the entire Yan Prince's lineage had no choice but to accept this reality.
Because of his father's dissatisfaction with his grandfather, his father's fondness for the military, and the fact that the Ming Dynasty was now going to grant fiefdoms overseas, the Prince of Yan's lineage could only move to an unfamiliar place with their families, hoping to establish some foundation.
Despite the support of the Ming Dynasty, the Prince of Yan's lineage has had a very difficult time in Japan over the years.
They had finally managed to establish a foothold in Japan and make some progress. However, the Prince of Chu was also enfeoffed in Japan. Although there was no conflict with his sixth uncle's family, and the two families often cooperated to fiercely attack the Japanese emperor who was trying to retaliate, it was unrealistic to want to become the sole ruler of Japan.
Upon returning to the Ming Dynasty, Zhu Gaochi had many things to do. Besides formally submitting his credentials to receive investiture from the Ming court, he was also essentially seeking further assistance. Now that he had officially established the dynasty, he needed to perform the duties expected of a monarch.
Zhu Gaochi glanced at his cousin Zhu Mengwan beside him and asked with a smile, "Mengwan, what are your feelings about returning to the Ming Dynasty?"
"Throughout this journey, I've felt that our Great Ming Dynasty is still the most prosperous and wealthy," said nineteen-year-old Zhu Mengwan with a smile. "Although we brought some craftsmen and officials from the Great Ming Dynasty with us, they are still not as good as our Great Ming Dynasty."
Zhu Gaochi agreed with these points, but he also had many things to complain about.
Many of the people who went to Japan with him were from the Three Guards of the Prince of Yan, just like when Uncle Liu went to Japan he also brought the Three Guards of the Prince of Chu, as well as many craftsmen, officials, and so on. But in reality, even these craftsmen were subject to restrictions by the imperial court.
It can only be said that their cousin was extremely cunning. It's true that he supported the Ming imperial family in establishing a new country overseas, providing them with money, manpower, and weapons. However, most of the time, he also firmly controlled certain advanced skills within the Ming Dynasty.
Their technology was more advanced than that of those vassal states and barbarian tribes, and their overall military equipment was also stronger. However, compared to the Ming Dynasty, they were clearly inferior, with many weapons and equipment already obsolete in the Ming Dynasty. Most importantly, they only gave people fish, but didn't teach them how to fish.
The Ming Dynasty had always used various methods to control these vassal states that seemed to be trying to break away.
Zhu Gaochi was not particularly happy, because even though the Prince of Yan's fiefdom seemed to be developing well, and the many advanced technologies and craftsmen brought from the Ming Dynasty gave it a certain psychological advantage, it was still only in comparison to the barbarians of Japan.
Zhu Gaochi and Zhu Mengwan are not only the heirs of two vassal states, but also members of the Ming imperial family, which makes their identities seem somewhat sensitive.
Just like this time, their ceremonial procession caused considerable distress to many officials from the Ministry of Rites and the Court of State Ceremonial.
If they were to be treated with the ceremonial regalia of vassal envoys, this would be tantamount to expelling the Prince of Yan and the Prince of Chu from the imperial clan. At that point, they might be reprimanded by the retired emperor and the emperor himself, and accused of sowing discord within the imperial family.
However, following the ceremonial protocol of a prince's heir would clearly not be appropriate. Zhu Gaochi and Zhu Mengwan had brought a letter of investiture with them from an overseas vassal state, a matter of great importance.
For many scholars, in particular, the arrival of foreign dignitaries to pay tribute was an absolutely momentous event that could not be neglected in any way, as it was a reflection of the nation's strength.
Therefore, this matter puts many officials in a dilemma. They dare not make a decision easily and still need the Emperor to make the decision so that many officials can avoid making any mistakes.
Emperor Ying Shi's decision was simple: although Zhu Gaochi and Zhu Mengwan were envoys from vassal states, the Ming Dynasty had not yet formally conferred titles upon them.
Most importantly, even if they were to establish a new dynasty and be granted titles, they would still be members of the Ming imperial family, and naturally, they would be treated as members of the Ming imperial family. This is a matter of principle.
The fairly large procession continued to approach Yingtian Prefecture, and Zhu Gaochi's feelings grew increasingly complicated. He had grown up in Yingtian Prefecture and held many fond memories there.
As the two princes drew closer to Yingtian Prefecture, they gradually came into view of the massive army in the distance. Not only were the banners fluttering, but the soldiers themselves all looked incredibly powerful and strong.
Just as Zhu Gaochi and Zhu Mengwan were about to speed up, a cloud of dust appeared in the distance, and a group of people quickly approached.
Leading the way was Zhu Yunwen, wearing a prince's crown, who was also a prince of the Ming Dynasty. He was only three months younger than Zhu Gaochi, but four years older than Zhu Mengwan.
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