Chapter 236: Preparing to Respond to Heaven

Zhu Yong finished reading, folded the letter, and placed it together with Zhu Yuanzhang's letter.

"Lord Liu, thank you for your effort; first go rest at Zhenhai City, and we will discuss matters tomorrow," Zhu Yong said.

Liu Wenyuan took his leave.

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

Zhang Wu walked over, whispering, "Prince, when shall we set out?"

Zhu Yong thought for a moment and said, "In three days! These few days I must arrange all affairs in the South Sea."

……

In the next three days, Zhu Yong was so busy his feet never touched the ground.

First he summoned the Prefects of each prefecture and the stationed military commanders for a meeting, assigning the upcoming tasks.

Prefect Manzhe Boyi reported that the local natives had largely submitted, but a few fled into the mountains and occasionally emerged to harass.

Zhu Yong ordered troops into the mountains to eradicate them, leaving no lingering threat.

Prefect Java reported that the military settlements of the two prefectures had reclaimed fifty thousand mu, planting corn and sweet potatoes, and in two months the first harvest would be ready.

Zhu Yong nodded, telling him to continue expanding the settlements to achieve self‑sufficiency within three years.

Prefect Zhancheng reported that the port was being expanded and should be completed by year‑end.

By then, Zhancheng will become one of the South Sea's largest trading ports.

Zhu Yong told him to speed up, hire more craftsmen, and stock more materials.

Prefect Siam reported that the area had many temples and the monks wielded great influence.

They had already won over the abbots of several major temples to help pacify the populace.

Zhu Yong nodded, saying the monks could be used, but do not let them meddle in state affairs.

Prefect Zhenla reported that the local climate was hot and humid, with severe miasma, causing many soldiers and migrants to fall ill.

Zhu Yong had someone copy a prescription for preventing miasma for him, so he could compound the medicine and distribute it to troops and civilians.

Prefect Pugan reported that the area was rich in jade and ruby, and merchants had already begun mining.

Zhu Yong instructed him to set regulations: mining must pay taxes and cannot be done indiscriminately.

……

March 25, evening.

Zhu Yong held a banquet at the government office, inviting Xu Da, Wang Baobao, Liu Wenyuan and other senior officials and commanders to dine.

The banquet was simple: local seafood paired with fine wine brought from Yingtian.

After three rounds of wine, Xu Da raised his cup and said, "Prince, this cup I, your humble servant, offer to you. In the past six months in the South Sea, you have led from the front, charging into battle, conquering this ten‑thousand‑li Maritime Frontier.

Your humble servant, over fifty years old, has never seen a prince like you."

Zhu Yong lifted his cup and was slightly taken aback; when had he ever led from the front this time? His hammer had never moved even once.

He was actually annoyed about this.

Nevertheless, he kept silent and simply said earnestly, "Xu Shu, you flatter me; it was all of us together who fought."

Everyone laughed.

Wang Baobao said, "Prince, while you are away, your humble servant will certainly help General Xu guard this side of the South Sea; when you return, this place will surely be even livelier."

Zhu Yong nodded and said, "Elder Brother handles affairs, I am at ease."

Liu Wenyuan also said, "Prince, rest assured; I will do my utmost to govern these prefectures well, and in three years turn the South Sea into Great Ming's familiar land."

Zhu Yong looked at him seriously and said, "Lord Liu, the South Sea here has a hot, humid climate and heavy miasma; the people are not as honest as those in Zhongyuan. You must take extra care, but also look after your health."

If anything arises, consult General Xu; if truly uncertain, write a petition to Heaven, and Imperial Father and elder brother will decide.

Liu Wenyuan rose, bowed solemnly and said, "I will faithfully remember the Prince's teachings."

……

March 26, early morning.

Zhenhai City dock.

Zhu Yong stood on the pier, with Zhang Wu, Chen Heng and three hundred Imperial Troops of the Longxiang Army behind him.

Two steamships were moored at the dock, black smoke billowing from their smokestacks.

Xu Da, Wang Baobao, Liu Wenyuan and others stood nearby, their expressions solemn.

"Prince, smooth sailing," Xu Da said, clasping his fists.

Zhu Yong nodded and said, "Xu Shu, I entrust the South Sea to you."

"Prince, rest assured, your humble servant will definitely guard this Maritime Frontier," Xu Da replied.

Wang Baobao stepped forward, suddenly kneeling on one knee and saying, "Prince, take care."

Zhu Yong helped him up, patted his shoulder and said, "Elder Brother, take care; when the South Sea stabilizes, go back to see Guanyin Nu. She misses you."

Wang Baobao's eyes reddened slightly, and he nodded.

Zhu Yong turned, strode onto the steamship.

The sailors on board began to work, untying ropes, raising the sails, and the steam engine emitted a rumble.

Zhu Yong stood at the stern, watching the dock recede farther away.

Xu Da, Wang Baobao, Liu Wenyuan and others were still there, waving at him.

On the dock, the immigrants, merchants and soldiers gathered and waved at his ship.

Zhu Yong also waved.

The ship sailed farther, the figures on the dock grew smaller, and finally vanished from sight.

The sea breeze brushed past as Zhu Yong stood at the stern, motionless for a long while.

Zhang Wu walked over, softly saying, "Prince, the wind is strong out there; come aboard!"

Zhu Yong shook his head: "It's fine, watch a little longer."

Zhu Yong looked at the distant horizon, thinking of the people of Yingtian Prefecture.

Father, mother, elder brother, Guanyin Nu, Huan Huan, Qiong Jiong…

And those brothers.

Half a year has passed; I don't know how they are doing.

The steamship cut through the waves, heading north.

Behind, the Maritime Frontier of the South Sea stretched away, receding bit by bit.

But those newly built cities, those farms being cleared, those ports under construction, those natives who were submitting…

They were already part of Great Ming.

……

On March 29, the fleet passed Champa and made a brief stop for resupply.

The Prefect of Champa boarded the ship with officials to pay respects and report the recent situation.

The port expansion was progressing smoothly and could be completed by year's end.

The military settlement was thriving; the corn had already tasselled.

A few native chieftains caused trouble and were wiped out by the garrison.

Zhu Yong nodded and offered a few words of encouragement.

The fleet continued northward.

On April 3, it passed the northernmost cape of Champa.

On the cape, a battery had been built, its guns pointing toward the sea.

The garrison, seeing the fleet pass, waved flags from the battery in salute.

Zhu Yong stood at the bow and waved to them.

……

On April 7, the fleet passed the Qiongzhou Strait.

In the distance, the outline of Hainan Island could be seen.

On the sea, several fishing boats were casting nets; the fishermen, upon seeing Great Ming's steamship, stopped, knelt at the bow, and kowtowed.

Zhu Yong sent a messenger to tell them to get up and fish properly.

……

On April 12, the fleet arrived at Guangzhou Port.

On the dock, the Provincial Administrator of Guangdong, accompanied by officials, greeted them.

Zhu Yong disembarked, briefly met them, and inquired about Guangdong's situation.

The Provincial Administrator reported that this year the weather was favorable, the harvest abundant, and commercial taxes were twenty percent higher than last year.

Since the South Sea was taken, trade in Guangzhou became livelier, with ships coming and going daily.

Zhu Yong nodded and told them to keep up the good work.

That evening, he stayed in Guangzhou for a night.

Early the next morning, he continued northward.

……

On April 18, the fleet entered the Yangtze River Estuary.

The river widened, and the scenery on both banks grew increasingly familiar.

Fields, villages, towns, passed one by one.

Zhu Yong stood at the bow, looking at those familiar sights, and felt a sudden surge of emotion.

Half a year.

Finally back.