Chapter 288: Zhu Shuang's Journey to Australia

Zhu Xiongying suddenly stood up, ran to Zhu Shuang's side, looked up and said: "Third Uncle, can you help me bring this to Second Uncle?"

He pulled a small cloth pouch from his bosom, opened it, and inside was a small wooden hammer.

It was made by himself, carved crookedly, but every cut was done with care.

Zhu Shuang took it, his eyes reddened even more.

"Alright, Third Uncle will definitely deliver it."

Zhu Huanhuan also walked over, holding a small pouch embroidered with kangaroo and rhea patterns.

"Third Uncle, this is embroidered by me for Father; please bring it to Father."

Zhu Shuang took it, patted her head and smiled: "Huan Huan is really well‑behaved."

Zhu Qiong Jiong squeezed in, looked up and said: "Third Uncle, I also want to go to Australia, I want to see kangaroos!"

Zhu Shuang laughed, squatted down and looked at him, saying: "Jiong Jiong, you are still young; when you grow up, Third Uncle will take you to see kangaroos."

Zhu Qiong Jiong pursed his lips, but still nodded.

The family banquet lasted until the end of the Rooster hour before finally dispersing.

Empress Ma held Zhu Shuang's hand, escorted him to the gate of Kunning Palace, tears in her eyes.

"Shuang'er, when you get there, remember to write back."

Zhu Shuang knelt and bowed his head, saying: "Mother, your son‑servant has noted it."

……

April 28, early morning.

Yangtze River Dock, a sea of people.

Fifty massive steamships were moored on the river, masts like a forest, the steam engines' rumble rose and fell.

On the dock, twenty thousand soldiers lined up awaiting departure, thirty thousand soldiers and civilians with elders and children were boarding gradually.

Merchants' goods piled into small hills: cotton cloth, ironware, grain, farming tools, various seeds and livestock.

Craftsmen carried toolboxes, making final checks on their equipment.

Herds of cattle and sheep were driven onto dedicated transport ships, their bleats and moos blending together.

Zhu Shuang stood at the foremost part of the dock, with Zhang Wuhe and a group of generals behind him.

Zhu Yuanzhang, Empress Ma, Zhu Biao led their family members, personally seeing them off.

"Shuang'er, take care," Zhu Yuanzhang patted his shoulder.

Zhu Shuang knelt, kowtowed three times to Father Emperor and Mother Empress.

Empress Ma helped him up, adjusted his collar, eyes red, yet could not speak.

Zhu Biao stepped forward, handed him a brocade pouch.

"Third brother, this is my written 'Australia Strategy', you can read it on the road; when you arrive, follow it, you won't go wrong."

Zhu Shuang took it, solemnly stored it.

Zhu Xiongying ran over, tugged his sleeve and said: "Third Uncle, you must bring the wooden hammer to Second Uncle!"

"Certainly..." Zhu Shuang patted his head.

Zhu Huanhuan also ran over, handed the small pouch to him.

Zhu Shuang took it, smiling: "Don't worry, Third Uncle will definitely deliver it."

Zhu Qiong Jiong was pulled by his mother, struggled a few times but couldn't break free, and could only shout from afar: "Third Uncle, kangaroo! Kangaroo!"

Zhu Shuang laughed and waved at him.

The auspicious moment arrived.

Zhu Shuang finally glanced at Father Emperor and Mother Empress, glanced at elder brother and sister‑in‑law, glanced at nephew and niece, then turned, took long strides onto the "Qin King".

The steam engine's rumble grew louder.

The fleet slowly set off, leaving the dock, heading toward the river's center, toward that distant horizon.

On the dock, Zhu Yuanzhang stood with his hands behind his back, standing still for a long while.

Empress Ma stood beside him, tears streaming down her face.

Zhu Biao supported his mother, whispered: "Mother, Third brother has grown; you should be happy now."

Empress Ma nodded, but the tears still would not stop.

Zhu Xiongying stood by his father, gazing at the departing fleet, suddenly said: "Father, when I grow up, I also want to go to Australia."

Zhu Biao looked down at him, smiling: "Alright, when you grow up, Father will let you go."

……

The fleet sailed out of the Yangtze estuary, entering the East Sea.

The sea wind was strong, the sails were fully billowed, the steam engine never ceased.

Zhu Shuang stood at the bow, gazing at the boundless sea, his heart surged with ten‑thousand‑foot ambition.

Zhang Wu walked over, smiling: "Prince Qin, in another month we will be able to see Australia."

Zhu Shuang nodded, suddenly asked: "Zhang Wu, how is my Second Prince faring over in Australia?"

Zhang Wu said: "His Majesty is doing quite well, just very tired; every day he inspects mines, handles native affairs, and plans new exploration routes."

"When the generals left, His Majesty lost a ring of weight."

Zhu Shuang was silent for a moment, then said: "When we reach Australia, I will help Second Prince share the burden."

Zhang Wu smiled: "If His Highness knows you say that, he will surely be pleased."

Zhu Shuang also smiled.

In the distance, sea and sky met as a line, a few seabirds flew by.

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

It hurt so much then, so aggrieved.

But now looking back, that was all Second Prince's kindness to them.

"Second Prince, I'm here," he said softly.

The sea breeze blew, carrying his voice toward the distance.

…

May 28.

Australia, North Bank.

Zhu Yong stood on the pier, gazing at the black dot in the distance gradually becoming clear.

After a month of sailing, the fleet finally arrived.

He wore a dark-colored ordinary robe, standing with his hands behind his back, a faint smile on his face.

Behind him were rows of newly built wooden houses, piles of ore, busy soldiers and craftsmen, and the indigenous people already tamed.

The black dot grew larger, gradually revealing the outline of the fleet.

Fifty steamships, vast and majestic, covered the entire sea surface.

The lead ship bore a huge "Qin" flag on its hull; it was Zhu Shuang's flagship.

Zhu Yong's mouth twitched, murmuring, "That kid, really came."

The fleet slowly docked, and the gangplank was lowered.

Zhu Shuang was the first to rush down, sprinting to Zhu Yong's side and hugging him tightly.

"Second Prince!"

Zhu Yong patted his back, laughing, "Alright, alright, you're grown up, still like when you were a child."

Zhu Shuang released him, looked him up and down, and suddenly his eyes reddened.

"Second Prince, you've lost weight."

Zhu Yong chuckled, "You say that the first time you see me, alright, you must be tired from the road! Rest first, I'll give you a welcome drink tonight."

Zhu Shuang shook his head, "Not tired, Second Prince, take me to see the mines."

Zhu Yong glanced at him and smiled.

"Alright, then let's go see the mines first."

The two brothers walked side by side forward, with soldiers and civilians continuously disembarking behind them.

Zhang Wu, with the commanders, busily arranged matters; squads of soldiers lined up, groups of civilians carrying the elderly and young, curiously observing this strange land.

In the distance, a herd of kangaroos were hopping, and a few rheas poked their heads at the edge of the forest.

"Second Prince, is that a kangaroo?" Zhu Shuang pointed at the distance.

"Yes, kangaroo, I'll catch a few for you later."

"What about that one!"

"Rhea, runs fast, but can be caught."

Zhu Shuang kept asking, and Zhu Yong kept answering.

After walking for half an hour, they arrived before a massive mine.

The cliff face was exposed, green‑blue ore glinting with an eerie sheen in the sunlight.

Countless indigenous people were busy at the mine, using crude tools to extract ore, load it onto carts, and transport it.

The supervising soldiers wore plate armor, carried Flintlock Guns on their backs, and patrolled back and forth.

Zhu Shuang stared in amazement.

"Second Prince, this… so much ore?"

Zhu Yong nodded and said, "This is only one of them; over there are even larger copper, iron, and coal mines, everywhere."

He pointed at the continuous mountains in the distance, saying slowly, "Shuang, this continent is larger than we imagined; I alone cannot explore it all."

"Now that you're here, we brothers together will explore this continent thoroughly, from end to end."

Zhu Shuang looked into Second Prince's eyes and nodded heavily.

"Second Prince, I follow you."

Zhu Yong smiled, patting his shoulder.

The setting sun stretched the brothers' shadows long and long.

In the distance, the sea breeze blew, bringing the fresh scent of eucalyptus.

The twilight of Australia was tranquil and magnificent.

And the future of this continent has only just begun.