Chapter 299: Granting Fiefs Overseas

……

After the court session ended, the brothers gathered in a side hall of Qianqing Palace.

Zhu Yuanzhang sat on the Main Seat, Empress Ma sat beside him, and the several sons sat on either side.

The atmosphere was much more relaxed than in the throne hall.

Zhu Gang was the first to speak: "Imperial Father, over in Japan, those gold and silver mines… can we just dig them freely?"

Zhu Yuanzhang glared at him and said, "Dig freely? Those are imperial mines, required to be turned over in a fixed quota each year. Do you think they belong to your Prince of Jin?"

Zhu Gang forced a nervous smile.

Zhu Di, standing nearby, said, "Imperial Father, over in the Western Regions, your son has heard that the locals are fierce, likely hard to govern."

Zhu Yuanzhang nodded and said, "It may be hard to govern, but we trust you can manage it. Di, you've been clever since childhood; when you get there, listen more to the locals' advice, don't force your way."

Zhu Di clasped his fists and said, "Your son understands."

Zhu Zhen and Zhu Fu, being younger, sat at the lower seat and dared not speak much.

Empress Ma looked at these sons, and her eyes reddened again.

"In half a month we'll depart; after this, we don't know when we'll meet again."

Zhu Gang smiled, "Mother, please don't be sad; your son will be there and return each year to see you."

Zhu Di also said, "Empress Mother, rest assured; your son will write letters back often."

Empress Ma nodded and wiped the corner of her eyes.

Zhu Yuanzhang sighed and said, "Alright, stop crying; the children have promise, we should be glad."

He paused, then looked at the sons.

"Remember, wherever you go, you are princes of Great Ming; you must look after that land, govern the people there well, and not bring us disgrace."

"Your son will heed the Imperial Father's teachings!"

……

That night, Kunning Palace held a Family Banquet.

A large round table was set, and the family sat around it.

Zhu Yuanzhang sat on the Main Seat, Empress Ma sat to his right, Zhu Biao sat to the left, and Zhu Yong sat beside Zhu Biao.

Zhu Gang, Zhu Di, Zhu Zhen, and Zhu Fu took their seats in order.

The women and children sat at another table, lively and noisy.

Zhu Yuanzhang raised his cup, looked at the sons, and his eyes also reddened a bit.

"Come, let's toast you a cup, wishing you a smooth journey and a bright future ahead."

Everyone raised their cups and drank in one gulp.

Empress Ma served each of them dishes, murmuring as she did.

"Gang, you love lamb; Mother asked the Imperial Kitchen to prepare some marinated lamb for you to take on the road."

"Di, the Western Regions are cold; bring plenty of thick clothing."

"Zhen, Korea's sea breezes are strong; remember to dress warmly."

"Fu, the South Sea is humid and hot; bring all the medicinal formulas, don't skimp."

The sons responded one by one, their eyes also a little red.

Zhu Yong sat beside them, watched the scene, and a complex feeling suddenly rose in his heart.

In the histories of their past lives, Zhu Gang, Zhu Di, and the others were only enfeoffed within Zhongyuan, never given these overseas territories.

In this life, because of his emergence, everything changed.

Japan, the Western Regions, Korea, the South Sea…

These places will later become Great Ming's territories, becoming fiefs for the Zhu family's descendants.

And their generation are the Vanguard of expanding the realm.

"Second brother, what are you thinking?" Zhu Biao asked softly from beside him.

Zhu Yong came to himself and gave a simple smile.

"Elder brother, I'm wondering how vast Great Ming's future borders will be."

Zhu Biao looked at him and laughed, "Huge, bigger than you imagine."

The two brothers exchanged a smile.

……

When the banquet dispersed, it was already the late Dog hour.

Zhu Yong led Guanyin Nu and the children back to the residence.

In the carriage, Zhu Huanhuan leaned against her mother and had already fallen asleep.

Zhu QiongJiong, however, was full of spirit, perched by the window and looking out.

"Father, is the place Uncle Three and the others are going to far?"

Zhu Yong nodded and said, "Far, it takes a long boat ride."

"Farther than Australia?"

"About the same."

Zhu QiongJiong blinked and suddenly said, "Father, when I grow up, I'll also go to such distant places to see."

Zhu Yong looked at him and smiled.

"Alright, when you're grown, you may go wherever you wish."

Zhu QiongJiong grinned, his mouth missing a front tooth.

……

Returning to the mansion, it was already the Hai Hour.

Zhu Yong settled the children and returned to the main courtyard.

Guanyin Nu was sitting under the lamp reading, and when she saw him come in, she set the book down.

"Prince, are you tired today?"

Zhu Yong shook his head and sat down beside her.

"Not tired, just… I have a bit of sentiment in my heart."

Guanyin Nu looked at him and said softly, "What are you sentimental about?"

Zhu Yong was silent for a moment, then slowly said, "My fourth brother and the others are all leaving, going to such distant places; the chances of meeting again will be fewer."

Guanyin Nu grasped his hand and said nothing.

Zhu Yong looked at the night outside the window and suddenly smiled.

"Never mind, let's not talk about this; the days are still long."

He turned his head and looked at his wife.

"Guanyin Nu, tell me, will we also go to such distant places in the future?"

Guanyin Nu was startled for a moment, then smiled, "Where the Prince wants to go, I will follow wherever he goes."

Zhu Yong nodded and tightened his grip on her hand.

Outside, the Moonlight was like water.

In the distance, the faint sound of a night watchman's clapper could be heard.

……

The tenth day of the second month.

At the dock, crowds swarmed like a sea of people.

Zhu Gang, Zhu Di, Zhu Zhen and Zhu Fu's fleet set out today.

Zhu Yuanzhang and Empress Ma personally came to see them off.

Zhu Biao and Zhu Yong, both with their families, also came.

At the dock, War Flags fluttered and Drum and Music sounded in unison.

Zhu Gang stood at the bow and waved toward the shore.

"Imperial Father! Imperial Mother! Eldest brother! Second Prince! I'm leaving!"

Zhu Di stood on another ship, his posture upright and his gaze resolute.

Zhu Zhen and Zhu Fu, being younger, had slightly reddened eyes, but still forced smiles.

Empress Ma stood on the dock, tears streaming uncontrollably.

Zhu Yuanzhang stood with his hands behind his back, silent, but his eyes were also a bit red, and behind him stood Zhu Zhen and Zhu Bo's biological mother.

Zhu Biao supported his mother and said softly, "Mother, the younger brothers have all grown up; you should be happy."

Empress Ma nodded, but still couldn't help shedding tears.

Zhu Yong stood nearby, watching the scene, and suddenly recalled his own experience when he first joined the army.

At that time, he had also left his hometown, left his relatives, and set out on an unknown journey.

In the blink of an eye, more than a decade had passed.

The roar of the steam engine sounded.

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

At the dock, Zhu Yuanzhang stood with his hands behind him, unmoving for a long while.

Empress Ma leaned against him, tears streaming down her face.

Zhu Biao supported his mother, gazed at the departing fleet, and said softly, "Second brother, how long do you think they will take to arrive?"

Zhu Yong thought for a moment and said, "Japan is the fastest, about a few months; the Western Regions are the slowest, might take longer. If the railroad can be built, traveling to the Western Regions will be much faster then."

Zhu Biao nodded and said nothing further.

……

The fleet vanished at the far end of the river's surface.

The crowd gradually dispersed.

Zhu Yong accompanied his parents back.

When they reached Wu Men, Zhu Yuanzhang suddenly halted his steps.

"Yong Er."

"Father?"

Zhu Yuanzhang looked at him, was silent for a moment, and said, "Your fourth brother and the others have left; from now on… you should help your eldest brother share the burden more."

Zhu Yong nodded, smiled and replied, "Father, I understand."

Zhu Yuanzhang patted his shoulder and said nothing more.

He turned and walked into Wu Men.

Empress Ma held Zhu Yong's hand and said softly, "Yong Er, your father feels uneasy inside, but doesn't speak of it."

Zhu Yong nodded and said, "Mother, I understand."

Empress Ma sighed and also turned and went inside.

Zhu Biao came over and stood side by side with Zhu Yong outside Wu Men.

"Second brother, tell me, how far will Great Ming's territory expand in the future?"

Zhu Yong thought for a moment, looked at the distant sky, and said slowly.

"Eldest brother, I don't know, but I do know that as long as we brothers are here, Great Ming will only keep getting bigger."

Zhu Biao looked at him and smiled.

"Alright, then together, let's make Great Ming grow ever larger."

The two brothers exchanged a smile and walked side by side into Wu Men.

Behind them, the setting sun dyed the whole Imperial City a golden hue.

In the distance, on the river, the fleet's shadow had already vanished at the edge of Heaven and Earth.