Yongle Emperor's grandson: Zhu Yuanzhang with cheats, Zhu Di went crazy

Chapter 163: You talk to him reasonably, but he acts like a hooligan to you.

This time, Zheng He brought back many envoys, including the king of Ceylon. It was said that the king wanted to launch a surprise attack on Zheng He's fleet, but Zheng He directly attacked him in the capital and captured him on the spot.

Zhu Zhanjun had heard of this. It seemed that Ceylon was an island country next to India.

"Grandson, what do you think should be done with this person?"

After accepting the envoy's kneeling worship, the old man listened to Zheng He's narration of the whole incident and ordered the King of Xinan, Yaliekunail, to be brought up.

The court officials were divided into two factions regarding the punishment of Alekunail.

One faction, mainly composed of military generals, demanded severe punishment in order to deter other minor officials in the vassal states and prevent them from committing crimes again.

The other faction stated that since they had already been defeated, the Ming Dynasty should demonstrate its might as a great power and stop quibbling over trivial matters.

The lenient treatment showed benevolence and made the surrounding small countries understand the kindness of the Ming Dynasty.

The two sides argued endlessly, and each side thought they were right.

The old man didn't say anything after listening to this. Seeing his second grandson watching calmly beside him, he wanted to hear what Zhu Zhanjun thought.

Looking at the seven or eight dark-skinned people kneeling on the ground, unwilling to accept and angry, Zhu Zhanjun twitched the corner of his mouth.

Kindness. Thinking of the actions of those Indians in later generations, Zhu Zhanjun felt that mercy was not worthy of these guys at all.

This inferior race, both in terms of physique and character, should be physically wiped out just like the little pumpkin.

Zhu Zhanjun did not answer directly, but asked Zheng He.

"May I ask Commander Zheng, what do the surrounding small countries think of our Ming Dynasty?"

Zheng He paused for a moment and then said loudly: "During my voyage, the surrounding small countries have learned of the great power of the Ming Dynasty and have been greatly impressed and even yearned for it."

Zhu Zhanjun pointed at Yalekunai'er who was kneeling on the ground and said, "Does this person know that our Ming Dynasty is powerful?"

Zheng He hesitated for a moment and replied uncertainly: "Probably."

Zhu Zhanjun nodded and said slowly: "I have just listened to your ideas. Some proposed severe punishment, while others planned to forgive with kindness, showing the demeanor of a great country and the benevolence and righteousness of a great country."

"But what I want to ask is, do Renyi and the others have it?"

When these words were spoken, many people frowned.

Without waiting for anyone to answer, Zhu Zhanjun continued, "How many of you have ever left the Ming Dynasty and seen the outside world?"

"In your perception, the whole world is like the Ming Dynasty, knowing etiquette, integrity and shame."

"But is this really the case?"

Zhu Zhanjun looked at Zheng He again and said, "Commander Zheng, you are the only person known to everyone who has been to various countries. Can you answer this question for me?"

Everyone looked at Zheng He.

What Zhu Zhanjun said was right. They had only heard about the situation in foreign countries and had very little contact with them.

Facing the inquiring gazes of the crowd, Zheng He replied: "As His Royal Highness said, except for a few countries neighboring our Ming Dynasty, other countries are very barbaric, and some are even still in the slave period."

"Propriety, integrity, benevolence, justice, propriety and wisdom are almost non-existent among them. They only believe in strength and gold and silver."

Although Zheng He also wanted to treat Ceylon with appeasement, when faced with Zhu Zhanjun's questions, he chose to tell the truth.

Zhu Zhanjun nodded and said to everyone: "The world at this moment is like a huge Colosseum. We follow the rules in our own room, while the outside world only believes in blood, death and gold."

"Perhaps someone will say that if you tame wild animals and treat them with kindness, you will be able to influence them."

"I agree with this, but I want to ask you, how long do you plan to spend?"

"Ten, twenty, or even a hundred years?"

“Humans are not animals. Once domesticated, they will always follow. Human minds are complicated, and the most uncontrollable thing in the world is the human heart.”

"It is easy and difficult to make someone obey."

"The hard part is that you have to make him follow you sincerely. The easy part is that you just have to kill a chicken to scare the monkeys."

"The way of governing a country is to use both kindness and force. If you only use kindness, just look at the Song Dynasty. They were almost licking the enemy, but the result was the Jingkang Shame!"

"The emperor was naked, covered in sheepskins and crawled on his knees in the streets, princesses and imperial concubines became prostitutes, and the people were slaughtered like pigs and dogs."

"The Ming Dynasty is the Ming Dynasty that protects the Chinese people, not a good-for-nothing who only shows favors to other countries."

"If you are willing to be a dog, we in the Ming Dynasty will give you a bone. If you dare to jump out and resist, we will peel off your skin and let other countries know that the only way out is to be a dog. The fate of resisting provocateurs is death without a burial place."

Zhu Zhanjun's narration made everyone present understand what he meant.

Yang Shiqi frowned and said, "Your Highness, this idea is too narrow-minded. My Great Ming is full of grace and power. I believe that as long as we are patient and persuasive, we can make them submit to me."

"If we resort to violence and killing, it will inevitably make the surrounding countries fearful and resist our Ming Dynasty. When this spreads, our Ming Dynasty's reputation will be ruined in an instant."

"What Scholar Yang said is correct. As the sages said, repay evil with justice and repay kindness with kindness."

"The Ming Dynasty should rule the world with a gentle heart, so that all nations can submit to it."

In response to these people's speeches, Zhu Zhanjun just smiled.

It is the most irrational behavior to reason with a group of people who are just enjoying themselves.

Seeing that Zhu Zhanjun stopped talking, Yang Shiqi and others smiled. What did a little kid know about the teachings of a sage and how to govern a country?

"Grandson, why don't you say anything?"

Seeing that his second grandson suddenly remained silent, the old man felt a little confused. This was not like the character of this kid.

Zhu Zhanjun turned around and bowed to the old man: "Suddenly I feel that what the ministers said makes a lot of sense."

Yang Shiqi and others raised their chins slightly, feeling secretly proud that this guy was finally subdued by them.

However, Zhu Zhanjun's next words made them open their eyes wide.

"I think that after all the ministers' discussions, they must have come up with a solution."

"My grandson has decided to help them. I will personally recommend that several ministers follow Commander Zheng on his next voyage to Ceylon to spread his kindness and educate the ignorant people."

"puff!"

Several veteran generals couldn't help laughing and looked at Yang Shiqi and others with mocking eyes.

Sending these guys to Ceylon, a remote place like that, to educate the masses and spread the kindness of the Ming Dynasty is even worse than exile.

The king was as black as a monkey and dressed in rough clothes, trying to look more tough than the local people.

If Yang Shiqi and others were sent over there and lost the protection of the Ming fleet, what would be their fate? Wow, it’s exciting to think about it.

When faced with this kind of person, if you try to reason with him but he still acts like a hooligan, the best thing to do is to be even more of a hooligan than him.

Don’t you think that we should educate with benevolence and virtue?
Okay, I'll help you and let you go in person.

"Your Majesty, I..." Seeing that the old man seemed to be moved, Yang Shiqi stood up anxiously.

Before he could finish his words, Zhu Zhanjun was looking at him calmly.

"Why, Master Yang is unwilling? The ancient sages spread Confucian culture and traveled around the world. As a disciple of the sage, you are inheriting the sage's unique knowledge, but Master Yang is unwilling to do so."

“Is it really as the world says, that the words of saints are to be read, to control others, and not to restrain oneself?”

"Your Highness, why are you so aggressive?"

Seeing that Yang Shiqi was speechless, an imperial censor from the Censorate, who had a good relationship with Yang Shiqi, stood up.

Zhu Zhanjun glanced at the censor and said calmly, "I am just stating the facts. Since Scholar Yang believes that the teachings of the sages can educate all living beings, then don't just talk about it. Show me how to do it."

Zhu Zhanjun hated the kind of people who were harsh on their own people but lenient and kind to people from other countries.

The imperial court spends so much money every year to maintain soldiers and officials, not to let these men act as saints for the barbarian gangs.

"All right."

Seeing that his grandson was about to clash with the ministers when he attended the court for the first time as the crown prince, the old man did not want to make the two sides too awkward, so he said: "The court is moving the capital to the north, but the affairs of the south cannot be left unattended."

"I intend to let the Crown Prince take charge of the southern part of the Ming Dynasty, so that the north and south can be connected after the capital is moved in the future."

"I will take this opportunity to announce it here."

"From today on, the Southern Divine Power Palace will be established. Crown Prince Zhu Zhanjun will serve as the Grand Commander, and Jian Yi, Yang Rong, Liu Sheng, Zheng He, and Yang Shiqi will assist him."

"From now on, Crown Prince can handle matters in the south, including those of the surrounding vassal states at sea, on his own without asking for permission."

"I think the affairs of Ceylon should be handed over to the Divine Power House."

When the old man made this decision, everyone present widened their eyes.

They could accept that the Crown Prince would have his own government, as it would allow the Crown Prince to understand government affairs in advance.

He can take charge of the entire south, including the sea and the surrounding Shu Kingdom, which is equivalent to half an emperor.

Throughout history, let alone the emperor's grandson, I'm afraid even the crown prince does not have such power.

"His Majesty……"

Some people wanted to persuade the old man to take back his decision.

The power given is so great that they are afraid.

Faced with everyone's persuasion, the old man ignored them, waved his hand and left.

Zhu Pangpang, who was standing in the front of the crowd, couldn't help but sigh in his heart as he looked at his second son with a calm expression.

What is it about his second son that makes the old man admire him so much that he gives him such great power?

Although he was the crown prince and regent, he still had to consult his father on some matters and did not dare to make decisions on his own.

His second son, who had just become the crown prince for a few days, had already taken control of half of the Ming Dynasty, and the most prosperous area.

How confident is the old man in his second son?

Zhu Zhanjun actually knew that the old man had given him such great power.

Ever since his trip to the north, the old man's heart has become wild.

The old man liked the feeling of charging into battle. He didn't want to deal with countless memorials every day and be trapped in the small palace.

In the past two days, the old man and Empress Xu have been discussing going back to the north.

Zhu Zhanjun estimated that after this trip, he would rarely come back, so the South would be left to his father Zhu Pangpang.

The old man still looked down on his fat father, so he wanted his grandson Zhu Zhanjun to share some of his fat son's rights.

The old man has seen Zhu Zhanjun's performance in the past two years.

He also knew the condition of his fat son.

This Ming Dynasty will be Zhu Zhanjun sooner or later, so let him take control of it in advance and let the prosperity of the Ming Dynasty come earlier.

As long as it didn't affect his northern expedition and wandering on the grassland, and didn't directly rebel and seize his throne, Zhu Zhanjun could do whatever he wanted.

The old man left, and the court officials dispersed with much discussion.

In the huge palace, only Father Zhu Pangpang, Liu Sheng, Zheng He, Jian Yi, and Yang Shiqi were left.

Oh, and there was also Yalie Kunaier who was being held in the hall, kneeling there and no one was paying any attention to her.

Zhu Zhanjun was very happy about the old man's decision.

Although the title of "Grandson" sounds grand, it only confirms the status of the heir. If you want to do something, you will still be restricted by the court and you have to do things step by step.

But the meaning of Shenwei Mansion is different.

With the Shenwei Palace, Zhu Zhanjun could make his own decisions on some political and military matters without having to apply to the court.

He can also recruit officials in the government office on his own, and even establish a government army to fight wars and use troops abroad.

It can be said that it was a small court.

The old man's arrangement was also very appropriate.

Jian Yi was the Minister of Personnel and had many talented people under him.

Liu Sheng is from the military. Zhu Zhanjun wants to form an army, and Liu Sheng can take charge of this aspect.

Zheng He was the commander of the treasure ship, and the old man sent the navy directly here.

Yang Rong and Yang Shiqi are talented in strategy and politics and can assist in domestic affairs.

The only thing that made Zhu Zhanjun depressed was that the old man did not allocate the Shenjiying to it, and it was obvious that he wanted to take advantage of the situation.

Let Zhu Zhanjun spend his own money to build an army.

This way, the court could train an army without having to spend a penny, which was simply great.

After complaining in his heart about this old man who took advantage of his grandson, Zhu Zhanjun said to the few people who stayed behind: "I have asked someone to prepare some wine and food. Let's eat and talk while we build the framework of Shenwei Mansion as soon as possible."

Jian Yi nodded with a smile, Liu Sheng did not refuse, let alone Zheng He.

Although Yang Shiqi felt a little uncomfortable, the old man had already given the order. If he lost his temper at this time and the old man got angry and really sent him to Ceylon, he would be in real trouble.

Since this was the first time his son officially took over government affairs, Zhu Pangpang naturally had to go and show his concern and offer his own opinions.

The few of them hit it off immediately and walked out while chatting.

When they reached the door, Zhu Zhanjun remembered Yale Kunai'er and ordered Xiaohu, "Send this guy to Ji Gang and ask him to treat him well. Then tell him to select a hundred talents for me. I will be able to use them later."

(End of this chapter)