Chapter 401: Thirty Thousand Dragon‑Charging Army

Zhu Biao sat back at the desk, opened Zhu Shuang's booklet, and read it page by page.

Zhu Yong stayed, sitting beside him drinking tea.

"Second brother, what do you think of this matter..." Zhu Biao asked without raising his head.

Zhu Yong set down his tea bowl and said, "Elder brother, I think Third brother's worry is justified; those people can reach Australia, so they can reach Great Ming. Australia is far from our homeland, they can't attack us in a short time.

But if we let them establish a foothold in Australia, it will become a big trouble later."

Zhu Biao lifted his head and said, "You mean they will use Australia as a springboard to attack Great Ming?"

"It's only a matter of time," Zhu Yong said calmly, but his tone was very certain.

"Those Europeans are different from us; when we capture a piece of land, we aim to let the people live well, but when they capture land, they aim to loot. Australia has gold mines, copper mines, iron ore; to them it's a piece of fat meat."

Zhu Biao remained silent for a long while.

He recalled the Hongwu Third Year, when Second brother presented that World Map, and Imperial Father pointed at "America" on the map and said, "It notes there are gold and silver mountains." At that time he still thought those places were too far from Great Ming to reach.

Now, others have already reached Great Ming's territory.

"Tomorrow morning, I'll go tell Imperial Father," Zhu Biao closed the booklet.

Zhu Yong stood up and said, "Elder brother, then I'm going back too; Guanyin Nu is still waiting."

Zhu Biao nodded and escorted him to the doorway.

The two brothers part ways at the entrance of Wenhua Hall.

Zhu Yong rode his horse back, the night wind brushing his face, cool and whistling.

He still mulled over the matter of that fleet in his mind.

Europeans, yellow hair, blue eyes, soft‑sailed ships.

In this era, those who could sail far to Australia were either the Portuguese or the Spanish.

Both nations are maritime powers, their ships sturdy, their cannons powerful, and their ambitions fierce.

In the history of the previous life, they bypassed Africa, reached India, then Southeast Asia, and finally arrived at Great Ming.

But that was a matter of decades later.

In this life, because of Great Ming's rise, many things have changed.

The Timur Empire was destroyed early, the Ottoman Empire was crippled early, and the route for Europeans to the East was opened early. They arrived faster and earlier than in the previous life.

But that's also good.

Coming early gives Great Ming's army a chance to practice.

A faint smile curled at his mouth as he urged his horse to go faster.

Returning to the Wu Prince's Residence, the backyard was still lit.

Zhu Huanhuan was supporting Guanyin Nu on a walk in the courtyard; seeing Zhu Yong return, Guanyin Nu laughed, "Prince, has Shuang'er returned?"

"Returned," Zhu Yong sat down on the corridor, taking the tea handed over by Zhu Huanhuan.

Guanyin Nu walked over, sat beside him, and said, "Shuang'er returned this time—does he have business?"

Zhu Yong gave her a glance.

This woman, with delicate thoughts, cannot be hidden from.

"Something's happened over in Australia; Third brother returned needing troops," he said briefly.

Guanyin Nu did not ask further, just nodded.

She has followed him for so many years, knows his temper.

He will speak what should be said; asking about what shouldn't be said is useless.

Zhu Huanhuan stood aside, whispering, "Father, over at Third Uncle's side, there shouldn't be any trouble, right?"

Zhu Yong shook his head and said, "No, with your father there, what trouble could arise..."

Zhu Huanhuan smiled.

Night deepened, the lights of the Wu Prince's Residence went out one by one.

Zhu Yong lay on the bed, yet could not sleep. Those matters kept turning in his mind.

The Europeans arrived, earlier than in the previous life.

Over in Australia, although Zhu Shuang requisitioned twenty thousand soldiers, twenty thousand is not enough...

The Australian coastline is so long that just defending it would require many people.

Moreover, the Europeans might not only attack Australia; they could bypass it, strike South Sea, attack Wa Country, or assault Great Ming's mainland.

These matters must be thought out in advance.

He turned over, closed his eyes.

Forget it, I'll discuss with elder brother tomorrow.

Early the next morning, Zhu Yong entered the palace.

In Qianqing Palace, Zhu Yuanzhang was having his morning meal. Empress Ma sat beside him, holding a bowl of porridge, sipping it slowly.

"Father, Mother..." Zhu Yong entered, bowing properly.

Zhu Yuanzhang set down his chopsticks, glanced at him and said, "So early?"

"Elder brother and Third brother will come shortly; I have matters to discuss with you."

Zhu Yuanzhang nodded, ordering a eunuch to bring another set of bowls and chopsticks.

Zhu Yong did not hesitate, sat down and ate.

The porridge was millet porridge, accompanied by a few small dishes, light and tasty.

Halfway through, Zhu Biao and Zhu Shuang entered.

Zhu Shuang's complexion was a bit more solemn than yesterday, but his spirit was fine.

He must not have slept well last night; there was a hint of darkness under his eyes.

"Imperial Father, Imperial Mother…" the two performed the salute.

Zhu Yuanzhang waved his hand and said, "Sit, eat while you speak."

Zhu Shuang sat down, lifted his bowl of porridge, took a sip, then set it down.

"Imperial Father, your son has a matter to report."

Zhu Yuanzhang looked at him and said nothing.

Zhu Shuang recounted the whole affair of that fleet from start to finish, much the same as yesterday's account but in greater detail.

When he mentioned those men wounding his Imperial Troops, his tone grew cold.

When he spoke of sinking those two ships, his tone was flat, as if commenting on fine weather.

Zhu Yuanzhang, after listening, set down his chopsticks and leaned back against the chair.

"Where is the sea chart?" he asked.

Zhu Biao fished the parchment from his bosom and handed it over with both hands.

Zhu Yuanzhang took it, unfolded it, and studied it for a long time.

"Biao Er, what do you think?" he placed the sea chart on the table.

Zhu Biao said, "Imperial Father, I think Third Prince's concerns are justified; those people can come in one or two ships, and then in ten or twenty ships."

Australia's forces are insufficient; we must send additional reinforcements.

Zhu Yuanzhang looked at Zhu Yong and said, "Yong Er, what about you?"

Zhu Yong set down his bowl of porridge: "Father, I share the same view as the eldest brother; not only must Australia receive extra troops, but South Sea, Wa Country, and Great Ming's coastline must all strengthen their defenses."

The fact that these people could travel from such distant lands to Australia shows their navigation skills are not lacking; if they can locate Australia, they can locate Great Ming.

Zhu Yuanzhang was silent for a moment, then looked at Zhu Shuang and asked, "How many men do you want?"

Zhu Shuang hurriedly replied, "Replying Imperial Father, twenty thousand will suffice."

Zhu Yuanzhang snorted, "Twenty thousand, for what? Australia's coastline is so long that scattering twenty thousand men would not even make a splash."

Zhu Shuang opened his mouth, seemed about to speak, then swallowed it back.

Zhu Yuanzhang stood, clasped his hands behind his back, and walked two steps in the hall.

"Biao Er, how many men does the Longxiang Army in the capital have now?"

Zhu Biao replied, "Replying Imperial Father, the Longxiang Army now numbers fifty thousand, all stationed in the capital region."

Zhu Yuanzhang nodded and said, "Give Shuang Er thirty thousand, and let him take them back."

Zhu Shuang's eyes brightened, and he knelt quickly, "Thank you, Imperial Father!"

Zhu Yuanzhang waved his hand, signaling him to rise.

"Shuang Er, over in Australia, keep a close watch; those yellow‑haired, blue‑eyed people—one comes, we kill one; two come, we kill a pair.

We cannot lose even an inch of Great Ming's land."

Zhu Shuang straightened his back and said, "Imperial Father, rest assured, your son understands."

Zhu Yuanzhang again looked at Zhu Biao and said, "Biao Er, go back and tell the Ministry of War that South Sea, Wa Country, and Great Ming's coastline, each port must strengthen its defenses.

Especially South Sea, being close to Australia; if those people bypass Australia, their first stop will be South Sea."

Zhu Biao answered with a nod.

Zhu Yuanzhang returned to the table, lifted his bowl of porridge, took a sip, then set it down.

"Shuang Er, when will you depart?"

Zhu Shuang replied, "Replying Imperial Father, I wish to stay at Yingtian Prefecture for half a month to accompany Imperial Mother, then return."

Zhu Yuanzhang nodded and said nothing further.

Leaving Qianqing Palace, Zhu Shuang let out a long sigh.

"Second Prince, that just now scared me," he lowered his voice.

Zhu Yong glanced at him and asked, "What are you afraid of?"

"I was afraid Imperial Father wouldn't agree! I didn't sleep all night, kept thinking about it. I didn't expect Imperial Father not only agreed but also gave an extra ten thousand," Zhu Shuang said, wiping sweat from his forehead.

Zhu Yong said nothing further.

His father, that man, says nothing but is very clear in his heart.

When trouble arises in Australia, he is more anxious than anyone.

That is his son's territory, the frontier of Great Ming.

Whoever stirs it, he worries alongside them.

When Zhu Shuang left, Zhu Yong went to see him off.

At the city gate, Zhu Shuang rode his horse, clad in iron armor, a sword slung at his waist, with thirty thousand Longxiang Army behind him, a vast, endless procession.

"Second Prince, please return!" Zhu Shuang said from the horse, clasping his fists.

Zhu Yong nodded and said, "When you reach Australia, write to me."

"Will definitely write." Zhu Shuang grinned, then turned his horse, waved his hand broadly, "Depart!"

The thirty thousand troops began to move slowly, the sound of hooves like a muffled thunder.

Zhu Yong stood at the city gate, watching the column gradually recede until it vanished at the end of the official road.

The wind blew in, carrying the scent of early‑spring grass.

He inhaled deeply, turned, and walked back.

In Australia, Zhu Shuang will guard, preventing a great chaos.

But the nation behind that fleet will eventually return.

When that time comes, Zhu Shuang alone will not be able to handle it.

A faint smile curled at his mouth as his steps quickened.

I should go to the Ministry of Works to see how the internal combustion engine is coming along.