Chapter 287: Zhu Shuang

The fifteenth year of Hongwu, the tenth day of the fourth month.

Yingtian Prefecture, Qianqing Palace.

The sun had already shifted westward, and the light inside the hall was somewhat dim.

Zhu Yuanzhang sat behind the imperial desk, a Memorandum clenched in his hand, his brows tightly knit.

The Memorandum had been entrusted by Zhu Yong to Zhang Wu to bring back; it was a thick stack, spanning more than thirty pages.

It detailed everything from Australia's geography and landscape, to the types of minerals discovered, and then to the conditions of the indigenous tribes, leaving no detail untouched.

In the final few pages, Zhu Yong wrote a special passage...

"Father, this Australia is far larger than we imagined; I have been away for several months and have surveyed less than half. Copper, iron and coal mines are everywhere; a casual dig would supply Great Ming for several hundred years.

But this place lacks people, severely lacks them. The two thousand plus I brought over, plus the captured prisoners, total no more than thirty thousand. That few people, scattered across this continent, cannot even stir a splash of water.

I wonder, could we send Third Brother Zhu Shuang here? Though this youngster is usually unruly, his spirit is high, his courage great, daring to venture and act; with Australia so vast, it suits him perfectly.

If Father agrees, we shall grant him Australia, let him bring people over and govern this land; with me watching from the side, no great chaos will arise.

Once we have a firm foothold here, it will become another foundation of Great Ming.

Zhu Yuanzhang set the Memorandum down and lifted his gaze toward Zhu Shuang standing in the hall.

The twenty‑five‑year‑old Zhu Shuang wore a dark princely regular robe, standing upright, his face tinged with a hint of unease.

He had been urgently summoned back to the capital by the Imperial Father, and throughout the journey he kept pondering what had occurred.

Was there trouble in the fiefdom?

Or had he himself committed some error again?

But looking at the Imperial Father's expression, he didn't seem angry; he was assessing him—why assess him!

"Zhu Shuang," the Emperor began.

"I am here," Zhu Shuang bowed.

Zhu Yuanzhang handed the stack of Memoranda to him and said, "Take a look; it was written by your Second Prince."

Zhu Shuang took it and flipped through page by page.

The more he read, the brighter his eyes became.

"Australia… larger than Great Ming… copper and iron mines… grant it to me?" he raised his head, his voice tinged with disbelief.

Zhu Yuanzhang nodded and said, "Your Second Prince said that place lacks people; if you are willing to go help, we will grant Australia to you."

Zhu Shuang stood there stunned, unsure how to respond.

Australia.

He had heard his Second Prince say that from Yingtian Prefecture heading southeast, a steamship would take over a month.

There are kangaroos, emus, countless minerals, and never‑seen black‑skinned natives.

The Second Prince had been there for more than half a year; the ore he brought back filled the Ministry of Works' warehouses, and the animals he returned left the entire city's populace staring in amazement.

Now, the Imperial Father intends to grant that land to him?

"Zhu Shuang, your Second Prince wrote in his letter that you are spirited and bold, daring to venture and act. We have thought it over and indeed it is so; you have been unruly since childhood, and keeping you to live peacefully in a fief would likely stifle you."

Zhu Yuanzhang spoke again.

He rose, walked to Zhu Shuang's side, and patted his son's shoulder.

"Over in Australia, everything is new, nothing exists, everything must be built from scratch. If you go, you must lead people to clear land, to mine, and to deal with the natives yourself.

It will be a bit harsh, but if you succeed, you will become a regional lord."

Zhu Shuang lifted his head, looking into the Imperial Father's eyes.

In those eyes were expectation, trust, and a hint… of pride.

He suddenly recalled his childhood, the year the Second Prince formally recognized his lineage, when he and Fourth Brother skipped school to fight crickets, and the Second Prince grabbed him and slapped his palm.

At that time he thought the Second Prince was fierce and terrifying.

Later he learned that the Second Prince truly cared for them.

Later still, the Second Prince trained him in martial arts, taught him warfare, and instructed him how to command troops.

He watched with his own eyes the Second Prince sweep across battlefields, seeing him crush the once‑arrogant enemies into a torrent of defeat.

He idolized the Second Prince, always aspiring to become a person like him.

Now, the Second Prince is sending him to Australia.

"Father, I am willing," Zhu Shuang knelt and bowed solemnly.

Zhu Yuanzhang smiled, helped him to his feet and said, "Very well! We knew you wouldn't be cowardly."

He turned and walked back behind the imperial desk, picking up another drafted Imperial Edict.

"Zhu Shuang, receive the grant."

Zhu Shuang knelt again.

"By the Mandate of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: The lands of Australia, far across the great ocean, with vast soil and abundant produce, my second son Prince Wu Zhu Yong, for his achievements in expanding territory and establishing mines, is truly a minister of the state.

Now I specially appoint Prince Wu Zhu Yong as Governor‑General of Australia, overseeing all military and civil affairs there, and enfeoff my third son Zhu Shuang as Prince of Qin, granting him Australia, to assist Prince Wu in managing Australia, expanding borders and solidifying Great Ming's foundation forever. So be it."

Zhu Shuang bowed and said, "I receive the decree, thank you!"

Zhu Yuanzhang set the Imperial Edict down, his smile deepening.

"Rise, Zhu Shuang; when you reach Australia, heed your Second Prince's words, do whatever he commands, and do not act on your own accord.

That boy looks simple‑minded, but his heart knows better than anyone."

Zhu Shuang stood, gave a firm nod, and said, "I understand."

"Also, your Second Prince wrote in his letter that the natives there are many but do not submit to civilization; when you go, capture those who should be captured, kill those who should be killed, do not be soft‑handed.

But one point: you must not mistreat, nor arbitrarily kill prisoners. Those you capture should be put to work, made to mine, and made to serve Great Ming.

If they work well, they eat; if not, they starve. Understood?" Zhu Yuanzhang paused briefly and said.

Your son understands.

Alright, go down and get ready! Your Second Prince has sent Zhang Wu back to fetch people, twenty‑thousand soldiers, thirty‑thousand militia, and also merchant craftsmen, all prepared for you.

We set out on April 28; use this time to prepare well.

Yes.

Zhu Shuang left the Qianqing Palace, his steps so light it seemed he might take off.

……

Four days later, Kunning Palace.

Empress Ma held a family banquet to see Zhu Shuang off.

In the hall two tables were set: the men sat at one, the women and children at the other.

Zhu Biao arrived with Chang Wan and Zhu Xiongying; Zhu Xiongying wore a sapphire robe, sat properly beside his father, but his eyes kept turning toward Zhu Shuang.

Zhu Gang and Zhu Di are stationed abroad and cannot come.

Zhu Su and Zhu Zhen, the younger ones, sit at the lower seat, all proper.

Zhu Yong is absent; his seat is empty, but Empress Ma had a set of bowls and chopsticks placed, saying it was "for Yong Er".

Zhu Shuang sat at Zhu Biao's lower seat, smiling, though his eyes were a bit red.

Empress Ma held his hand, chattering away.

"Shuang'er, when you get there, listen more to your Second Prince; the climate there is different from ours, bring more clothes, and the food might not suit your taste. Mother had the Imperial Kitchen make some pickled vegetables for you to eat on the road…"

Zhu Shuang responded one by one, his voice a little hoarse.

Zhu Yuanzhang sat on the Main Seat, watching the scene, silent, but his eyes held a hint of reluctance.

This boy has been restless since childhood, never failing to trouble him.

But now he truly has to leave, to such a distant place; his heart still feels reluctant.

"Shuang'er…" he began.

Zhu Shuang looked up.

Zhu Yuanzhang lifted his wine cup and said, "Here, a toast to you. When you reach Australia, drink well, and don't embarrass our old Zhu family."

Zhu Shuang raised both hands with the cup and drained it in one gulp.

"Imperial Father, rest assured, your son will definitely drink well."

Zhu Biao also lifted his wine cup, smiling, "Third Brother, over in Australia, with your Second Prince there, I am at ease. If you need anything, feel free to write back.

The steamship is fast; it can deliver in just over a month."

Zhu Shuang nodded and said, "Thank you, Elder Brother."