Chapter 286: Prince Auspicious

Zhu Biao fell silent for a moment, then said softly, "Second brother, you've emptied half of Australia."

Zhang Wu laughed, "Prince said Australia is huge; this is just the beginning."

At the dock, the natives were gathered onto an open space and temporarily fenced off with wooden railings.

The townsfolk stood at a distance, watching, pointing, and chattering.

A bold child picked up a stone to throw, but a nearby soldier shouted him down.

"Don't throw it; this was brought back by Prince Wu, and if it's damaged… they'll punish you."

The child, frightened, withdrew his hand.

Zhu Xiongying stood outside the fence, watching those black children.

Those children also looked at him, their eyes showing fear, curiosity, and a hint of… he didn't know what.

The smallest child, about two or three years old, was so thin his ribs were visible, curled in his mother's arms, occasionally lifting his head to reveal a pair of big eyes.

Zhu Xiongying watched him for a while, then took a piece of cake from his own arms, hesitated, and handed it to the nearby soldier.

"Give it to him."

The soldier stared briefly, took the cake, walked to the fence, and handed it to the child.

The child dared not take it, and his mother pulled him back.

The soldier placed the cake on the ground, turned, and left.

The child stared at the cake for a long time, finally couldn't resist, reached out, grabbed it, and shoved it into his mouth.

Zhu Xiongying watched, a slight smile appearing at the corner of his mouth.

Zhu Biao walked over, saw his son's action, said nothing, and gently patted his shoulder.

…

At noon, the convoy marched grandly toward the Imperial City.

Kangaroos, rhea, and mole rats were packed into a specially made wagon, parading through the market.

Parrots were hung on the carriage frame, chattering nonstop.

"Eat! Eat!"

"Prince, good fortune!"

"Hello! Hello!"

The townsfolk followed behind, watching, their laughter continuous.

"These birds speak better than people!"

"Tomorrow we'll also raise one!"

The natives were loaded into the rear wagon, locked in cages, and shipped like cargo to a pre‑built camp outside the city.

A woman, looking at those frail children, couldn't help saying, "Those children are so pitiful…"

Someone nearby immediately replied, "Pitiful? They're slaves; Prince Wu lets them work and gives them food—that's a great mercy."

"Right, right, if they fall into someone else's hands, they'd probably… lose their lives."

The chatter gradually faded.

…

In Qianqing Palace, Zhu Yuanzhang sat behind the imperial desk, looking at the report Zhang Wu presented, his smile growing broader.

"Eight million jin of copper ore, three million jin of iron ore… Good! Good! Our second son really knows how to surprise us…"

He handed the report to Zhu Biao beside him, then looked at Zhang Wu and asked, "How's Yong Er? Has he lost weight, turned darker…?"

Zhang Wu replied, "Your Majesty, the Prince is fine, but… he misses home; he repeats it many times a day."

Zhu Yuanzhang nodded, fell silent for a moment, then said, "When will he return?"

Zhang Wu paused, then said, "Prince said there are still many places in Australia left to explore; it will take at least a year."

Zhu Yuanzhang furrowed his brows, "One year?"

Zhu Biao said beside him, "Imperial Father, second brother always sees things through; Australia is so vast, it's hard to go there… gathering more minerals would benefit Great Ming."

Zhu Yuanzhang sighed, "We know, but in our hearts… never mind, let him go."

He turned to Zhang Wu again, "What does Yong Er say about those natives?"

Zhang Wu repeated Zhu Yong's words.

Zhu Yuanzhang nodded, "He is right; they must not intermarry with Great Ming people, nor be adopted by the populace; they should remain slaves for life, working for Great Ming to atone."

Zhu Biao said, "Imperial Father, your son has already had a camp built outside the city, settled for now; when second brother returns, we'll see how to arrange it."

"Fine." Zhu Yuanzhang stood, walked to the window, and watched the deepening spring scenery outside.

"This Australia truly is a good place."

…

Outside the city, a native camp.

Simple wooden sheds had been erected; women with children crowded inside, while men were gathered elsewhere, tied together in a row with rope.

A soldier carried a large pot over, the pot filled with steaming mixed‑grain porridge.

The natives smelled the aroma, their eyes brightening.

The porridge was portioned out, one bowl per person, children first.

The frail children clutched their bowls, devouring greedily, the heat making them gasp, yet they couldn't stop.

The overseeing Hundred Household Officer stood aside, looked at the children, and sighed.

"They're all lives, after all."

A nearby soldier whispered, "Hundred Household Officer, why does Prince Wu take them back?"

The Hundred Household Officer glared at him and said, "Why! Mining, farming—Great Ming's lands are so vast now, leaving them idle would be waste."

The soldiers pulled their necks in, daring not to ask again.

The Hundred Household Officer glanced at those aborigines again, then turned and left.

……

Wu Wang Fu.

Guanyin Nu returned to the residence with two children, and Hu Bo was already leading subordinates to greet them at the door.

"The princess has returned, little prince, little princess, at last you're back."

Zhu Qiong Jiong leapt from the carriage and rushed into the residence, running while shouting, "I want to see the kangaroo, I want to see the kangaroo!"

Guanyin Nu shouted from behind, "Don't run! Change your clothes before you look again!"

Zhu Huanhuan took her mother's hand and said softly, "Mother, will those black children stay in Great Ming forever?"

Guanyin Nu lowered her head, looked at her, paused in silence, and said, "Probably."

Zhu Huanhuan thought for a moment and said, "They're so pitiful."

Guanyin Nu patted her head, saying nothing.

……

Eastern Palace.

Zhu Xiongying sat in the study, a book spread before him, yet he could not read it.

Chang Wan walked in, saw her son's expression, and laughed, "What's that, still thinking about those aboriginal children?"

Zhu Xiongying lifted his head, hesitated, and said, "Mother, that child is so thin—will he starve to death?"

Chang Wan was silent for a moment, then walked over and sat beside him.

"Xiong Ying, you must remember, you are the Imperial Grandson of Great Ming; some matters are beyond our control. Those children were brought back by your second uncle, so naturally they fall under his arrangements."

Zhu Xiongying lowered his head and whispered, "But…"

"There is no 'but'. They are captives, they are slaves; this is their fate. If you can give them a piece of cake, that is already compassionate."

"Don't overthink the rest." Chang Wan's voice was gentle yet firm.

Zhu Xiongying was silent for a long time, then gently nodded.

……

Night fell.

Inside and outside the Imperial City, lights flickered.

On the Street of Yingtian Prefecture, people were still discussing the events of the day.

"Those kangaroos are really huge!"

"The parrots can even talk, how fun!"

"Those black people, where do you think they came from?"

"I heard my great‑grand‑aunt's son's sister's brother's sister's son's son say it's Australia, and Prince Wu brought them back from Australia."

"Where is Australia?"

"I don't know, but it's over the sea, very far away."

The chatter gradually faded into the night.

Outside the city, in the aboriginal camp, a bonfire was lit.

Women cradling children huddled in the wooden shed, occasional low cries occasionally rising.

The men were bound together, squatting on the ground, gazing at the stars above.

Those stars were exactly the same as those of their hometown.

But home could no longer be returned to.

Beyond the camp's fence, sentries patrolled back and forth.

In the distance, the walls of Yingtian Prefecture flickered faintly in the night.

The night wind blew, bringing the scent of spring.

And a faint whiff of blood.