Chapter 234: Immigration

……

At the beginning of March, Zhu Yong returned to Borneo.

Just upon arriving at the dock, he saw Xu Da standing there, holding a letter in his hand.

"Prince, a letter from Yingtian," Xu Da said as he approached.

Zhu Yong took it; it was in Zhu Biao's own handwriting.

He opened the envelope, unfolded the paper, and the familiar script came into view.

"Second brother, receiving your letter feels like meeting you."

Imperial Father received your battle report, was so happy that he walked three circles in Qianqing Palace, repeatedly saying, "Our second son is truly capable, giving us a proud face."

Imperial Mother was also pleased, but she worried about you more, having the elder brother write to ask whether you were injured, whether you ate well, whether you missed home.

Guanyin Nu and the children are all fine; that boy Qiong Jiong can already run all over the ground, his strength is great, chasing Xiong Ying; Xiong Ying cannot outrun him, gets so upset he cries. Huan Huan can now recite a dozen poems and even write his own name.

Elder brother here, everything is going smoothly. Jiangnan's Spinning Wheel has already been promoted, this year's spring tax is twenty percent higher than last year's, the white sugar trade is also good, and over in Fujian another two sugar factories have opened, bringing in a flood of silver.

The Ministry of Works has already produced three thousand Flintlock Guns, the Ministry of War is training new troops, and over at the steam engine, the Ministry of Works has refined a version, extending its lifespan considerably, and it is already being used in several Workshops.

Regarding the South Sea matters, Imperial Father and elder brother both support you; officials will be dispatched gradually, and immigrants will be sent in batches. Just go ahead and do it; the family has elder brother holding things up.

Take care of your health, don't overexert yourself.

Elder brother, personally.

Zhu Yong finished reading, and the corner of his mouth curved.

He carefully folded the letter and tucked it into his chest.

"Is everyone at home all right?" Xu Da asked.

"All fine," Zhu Yong said, "that boy Qiong Jiong can run now, chasing Xiong Ying, and Xiong Ying can't outrun him."

Xu Da laughed, "That boy, at a glance looks like he has a promising future."

Zhu Yong nodded and looked toward the distant sea.

The setting sun sank in the west, and the sea surface was covered with golden afterglow.

The outline of Zhenhai City gradually became clear in the dusk.

Dock, pier, barracks, city walls…

Everything proceeded in an orderly fashion.

"Xu Shu, you say, what would Imperial Father and elder brother think when they see the lands we have taken…?" Zhu Yong asked.

Xu Da thought for a moment and said, "His Majesty would certainly be pleased, Crown Prince would be even more pleased, after all, this is opening new frontiers and expanding territory, a feat for ten thousand generations."

Zhu Yong nodded and said nothing more.

What he was thinking, in fact, was more than that.

Conquering the South Sea is only the first step.

Next, even farther places await them.

Australia, America, Europe…

Those places are the truly vast Heaven and Earth.

But, no rush.

One step at a time.

First master the South Sea, secure a foothold, then think of other things.

……

On the fifth day of the third month, the first batch of immigrants arrived.

Five hundred households, over two thousand people, boarded ten large ships, set out from Quanzhou in Fujian, rocked at sea for more than a month, and finally reached Borneo.

At the dock, Zhu Yong personally greeted them.

The ships docked, the small boats were lowered, and the immigrants, supporting the elderly and carrying the young, stepped onto this unfamiliar land.

Their faces showed fatigue, unease, and also anticipation.

An elderly man with graying hair, holding a five- or six-year-old boy, walked up to Zhu Yong and knelt with a thud.

"Commoner humbly requests audience with Prince!"

Zhu Yong helped him up and said, "Elder, get up quickly, you've had a hard journey."

The elder raised his head, tears streaming, "Prince, I, a commoner, have lived sixty years, never dreamed I could come so far."

The commoner thanks the Prince for his whole family, thanks the Emperor, thanks the court, for giving us a way to live.

Zhu Yong patted his hand, "Elder, from now on this will be your home, cultivate the fields well, live your days well, and if any difficulties arise, feel free to approach the authorities."

The elder nodded repeatedly.

The immigrants gradually disembarked and were assigned to a temporary camp outside the city.

There, tents had already been set up, and food and fresh water prepared.

In the next few days, officials will allocate land to them, distribute seeds, farming tools, and draft oxen.

When houses are built and the land cleared, they will be able to settle properly.

Zhu Yong stood on the dock, watching those people, silent for a long while.

Chang Yuchun walked over, whispering, "Prince, what are you thinking about?"

Zhu Yong shook his head and said, "Nothing, I just feel that these people are the foundation of Great Ming in the South Sea."

Chang Yuchun nodded and said nothing more.

In the distance, the sun was setting.

The sea surface glittered with ripples.

A new day was beginning.

……

March 12, Zhu Yong summoned Chang Yuchun to the government office.

"Chang Shu, I have something to discuss with you," Zhu Yong said.

Chang Yuchun sat down, "Prince, you may speak."

"I want to send you to scout the south, from Borneo heading further south; there's a vast sea area, and I've heard there are several large islands larger than Borneo. Take a few ships and see if those islands have people and whether they're suitable for building cities."

Zhu Yong pointed at the map and said.

Chang Yuchun's eyes lit up, "Alright! Your junior has long wanted to see the south."

Zhu Yong laughed, "No rush, prepare first. Bring plenty of Dry Rations and fresh water, bring several men, and if a storm comes, take shelter quickly; don't force it."

"Your junior understands," Chang Yuchun said.

Zhu Yong added, "I'll tell Uncle Xu Shu. After you leave, Wang Baobao will take over your mission."

Chang Yuchun nodded, then suddenly asked, "Prince, are you planning to take over the entire South Sea?"

Zhu Yong was silent for a moment, then said, "Whatever can be taken, we'll take."

Chang Yuchun took a deep breath and smiled, "Alright! Following you, this life is worthwhile."

Zhu Yong also smiled.

The two exchanged a glance; everything was understood without words.

……

February 15, Chang Yuchun led five ships with three hundred men, departing from Zhenhai City heading south.

At the dock, Zhu Yong, Xu Da, and Wang Baobao stood on the pier, seeing the fleet sail away.

The sails drifted farther and farther, eventually disappearing over the horizon.

Xu Da whispered, "Prince, General Chang's expedition may take several months to return."

"It's fine; he's out exploring, we'll hold the home front. When he brings back news from the south, we'll decide our next move," Zhu Yong said.

Wang Baobao said, "Prince, your junior has a suggestion."

"Elder Brother, please speak."

"In the South Sea, there are many islands and many pirates. Should we build a few fortresses at key straits and station troops? First to fend off pirates, second to control the shipping lanes," Wang Baobao said.

Zhu Yong nodded and said, "Elder Brother is right; later I'll have people survey and pick good spots to build fortresses."

The three turned and walked back.

Behind them, the sea breeze brushed, and waves crashed against the shore.

On Zhenhai City's walls, Great Ming's flags fluttered in the wind.

This sea area is gradually becoming Great Ming's inner sea.

……

March 20, Zhu Yong received Zhu Biao's second letter.

The letter said the second batch of immigrants was already on the way, about eight hundred households.

There is also a group of craftsmen coming to the South Sea to build a Quanzhou Shipyard, a sugar mill, and a salt field.

At the Ministry of Works, the steam engine has been improved again; now it can operate for half a year without breaking.

Ten thousand Flintlock Guns have been produced, equipping two battalions.

At the end of the letter, Zhu Biao wrote, "Younger brother, Elder Brother asked you something: do you think Great Ming's ships can sail farther? For example, to the places marked on the map as 'Australia' and 'America'?"

Zhu Yong read it, then was silent for a long while.

He took up his brush to reply.

"Elder Brother, yes, certainly. Once the South Sea is stable, we'll go south, then east. Wherever we reach, we'll plant Great Ming's flags. The world is vast. If our generation moves forward a step, the next generation gains a bit more security. Di Yong."

After finishing the letter, Zhu Yong walked to the window.

Outside the window, Moonlight spilled onto the sea surface, the waves glittered.

In the distance, a few night‑voyaging ships were slowly passing, their lights flickering.

He suddenly recalled the history books he had read in a previous life.

Those books wrote that during the Age of Exploration, Westerners spent hundreds of years traversing the whole world.

But Great Ming, which originally had the world's strongest fleet and the most advanced navigation technology, chose a naval ban at the moment it should have set sail.

In the end, they were surpassed by those Westerners, fell behind, and were beaten.

In this life, he will completely change history.

He will make Great Ming's fleet sail to every corner of the world.

He will make those Westerners unable to even get a sip of broth.

Thinking of this, a smile curled at the corner of his mouth.

He looked back at the map's vast blank sea areas.

There are still many things to do.

No rush, take it step by step.

Start with the South Sea.

Master this sea area, secure a foothold, then head south, then east.

One day, Great Ming's flags will be planted across the whole world.