Chapter 405: Expedition to the South Sea

In this era, those called Frangji are the Portuguese.

Portugal, a small country in the southwest corner of Europe, has a small population but advanced seafaring technology.

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

In this life, they came even earlier, and headed straight for Australia.

Zhu Yong stood up and strode outward.

Inside Qianqing Palace, Zhu Yuanzhang was reviewing documents.

Seeing Zhu Yong come in, he set down his brush.

"What is it? Is it the military report from your third brother?"

Zhu Yong handed the letter over.

Zhu Yuanzhang gave it a casual glance, then nodded, his expression unchanged.

"We understand. Lao San also sent us and your elder brother a military report, but what is the background of these Frangji people?"

"It's a small coastal nation in Europe with good shipbuilding; in recent years they've been expanding outward. They've already occupied many islands in the South Sea, and now they have set their sights on Australia," Zhu Yong said calmly.

Zhu Yuanzhang snorted and said, "They occupy lands, even on Great Ming's doorstep."

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

"Yong Er, what do you think?"

Zhu Yong thought for a moment and said, "Father, the forces in Australia are insufficient; we need to send reinforcements. Those Frangji claim they have dozens of warships behind them; true or not, we must prepare."

Zhu Yuanzhang nodded and asked, "How many should we send?"

"Twenty thousand Longxiang Army, plus the South Sea navy, will be enough."

Zhu Yuanzhang glanced at him and said, "You will go yourself?"

Zhu Yong was silent for a moment and said, "Father, the Tie Mu Er Fu has just been stabilized and cannot be left unattended; over in Australia, Shuang Er and elder brother Mu Ying are there, so nothing serious should happen."

Zhu Yuanzhang said nothing, walked back to the imperial desk and sat down.

"Biao Er? Call him in."

The eunuch delivered the message, and shortly after, Zhu Biao strode in.

"Imperial Father, second brother."

Zhu Biao glanced at Zhu Yong, saw his solemn expression, and understood what the two were discussing.

Zhu Yuanzhang told Zhu Biao about the plan to dispatch Zhu Yong on the expedition.

"Second brother, what do you think?"

"The forces in Australia are insufficient; we must send reinforcements," Zhu Yong repeated his earlier words.

Zhu Biao nodded, looked at Zhu Yuanzhang and said, "Imperial Father, I, your son, think the second brother is right; Australia is Great Ming's territory, not a single inch may be lost."

Zhu Yuanzhang was silent for a moment, then said, "Biao Er, you arrange the troops; Yong Er, you prepare, and we will set out in a few days."

Zhu Yong was startled and said, "Father, I really am going!"

"If you don't go, who will? Shuang Er has thirty thousand troops, but he has little combat experience; Mu Ying has been in the South Sea for years, his naval skill is decent, but he must guard the South Sea, which is vast and needs proper defense. Moreover, if you go, we will be at ease," Zhu Yuanzhang said, looking at him.

Zhu Yong opened his mouth, seemed about to speak, then swallowed his words.

Father was right; although there are thirty thousand troops in Australia, my third brother has hardly ever gone on campaign, and my old dad not believing Lao San was also expected.

The South Sea region is vast, and Europe has more than just the Frangji—there's also the Roman Empire and other nations, so it must be well defended.

Moreover, those Europeans come from afar; their ships are sturdy and their cannons powerful, not easy to deal with.

This expedition—who knows if we can subdue all of Europe and then garrison it; later we still have America and Africa to fight, and he is not young any more; when he grows old, he will lack the vigor to attack those places.

While he still has the spirit, he should seize the world's territories, unify the globe, so his trip to Great Ming won't be in vain.

After all, learning English is truly annoying…

"Yes, Father…" he said, clasping his fists.

Leaving Qianqing Palace, Zhu Biao and Zhu Yong walked side by side along the palace corridor.

"Second brother, when will you depart?" Zhu Biao asked.

"The sooner, the better; we don't know when the Frangji fleet will arrive. One day earlier gives us one day more peace of mind," Zhu Yong kept moving.

Zhu Biao nodded and asked, "What about the Tie Mu Er Fu?"

"Let Zhang Wuhe and Chen Heng keep watch; nothing major will happen. That area has been stable these years; as long as I'm not away too long, nothing will overturn," Zhu Yong said calmly.

Zhu Biao was silent for a moment, then said, "Second brother, this time you go to Australia, bring QiongJiong with you."

Zhu Yong glanced at him and smiled, "I had the same plan."

"You truly are my twin elder brother; our thoughts align perfectly," Zhu Biao said evenly.

Zhu Yong said nothing.

Back at Wu Wang Fu, Zhu Yong told Guanyin Nu about his upcoming trip to Australia.

Guanyin Nu was silent for a long while, then softly said, "Prince, you may go! I will stay at home."

Zhu Yong grasped her hand and said, "You have just given birth, your body hasn't recovered; I didn't want to go, but Father said I must."

Guanyin Nu shook her head and said, "Prince, you should go; if something happens in Australia, Shuang Er alone cannot handle it, but with you there, he will have a backbone."

Zhu Yong nodded.

Zhu Huanhuan walked in from outside, saw his father preparing to go to Australia, his eyes reddened but he did not cry.

"Father, when will you depart?"

"The day after tomorrow."

Zhu Huanhuan nodded and softly said, "I will pack your luggage."

Zhu QiongJiong rushed in from outside and shouted, "Father, I'm going too!"

Zhu Yong glanced at his son.

A twelve‑year‑old boy, skinny and dark, his arms full of muscle, his back straight as a ruler.

"You're leaving, what about the homework?" Zhu Yong asked.

"I'll make up for it when I return..." Zhu Qiong Jiong puffed out his chest.

Zhu Yong was silent for a moment, then said, "Fine, go pack your things."

Zhu Qiong Jiong's eyes lit up, and he turned and ran.

Guanyin Nu watched her son's silhouette and said softly, "Prince, are you really taking him?"

"Yes, he should also go out and see the world."

Guanyin Nu said nothing more.

Two days later, Yingtian Prefecture Wharf.

Fifty thousand Longxiang Army troops were ready to depart, iron armor like a forest, Flintlock Guns all swished toward the sky.

The steamship's smokestack billowed white smoke, and the whistle echoed over the pier.

Zhu Biao led Chang Wan and the children to see them off.

Zhu Yuanzhang and Empress Ma stood at the highest point of the pier, watching the formation.

Empress Ma's eyes were red, but she did not cry.

She held Zhu Yong's hand and said softly, "Yong Er, be careful on the road."

Zhu Yong nodded and replied, "Mother, don't worry."

Zhu Yuanzhang came over, patted his shoulder and said, "When you reach Australia, write to us."

"Yes, father, father, I have a suggestion: I hope you send our fourth and fifth brothers to support Australia, so that when I conquer Europe, there will be someone to guard it."

"Second son... you actually want to take over all of Europe..." Zhu Yuanzhang said, shocked, looking at Zhu Yong.

"Father, do you think it's possible..."

"Fine, we'll send an order to your fourth and fifth brothers now, to dispatch troops in support." Zhu Yuanzhang thought for a moment, then nodded and agreed.

"Thank you, father..."

Zhu Yong finished speaking, turned, and strode onto the ship.

Zhu Qiong Jiong followed behind, shouldering the Wolf Fang Club, his back straight as a ruler.

Zhu Huanhuan stood on the pier, watching his father's silhouette, and tears finally fell.

Guanyin Nu cradled the newborn Zhu Qiongwu, stood beside her, and said softly, "Don't cry, your father will return."

Zhu Huanhuan nodded and wiped away his tears.

The whistle sounded, and the fleet slowly set off.

Zhu Yong stood at the bow, gazing at the figures on shore receding into the distance.

Empress Ma was still waving, Zhu Biao stood with his hands behind his back, and Guanyin Nu held the child among the crowd.

He turned around and looked ahead.

The horizon of sea and sky stretched a thousand miles without clouds.

Australia, he has arrived.

Those Frang Machines should be arriving as well.

A faint smile curled at his mouth as he strode into the cabin.

The roar of the steam engine grew louder, the fleet cleaved the waves, sailing toward the distance.