My father is Jiajing

"Your Majesty, rest assured!"

The King of Qin was full of confidence: "I have recruited three hundred elite guards, each of whom can fight ten men!"

The King of Chu also said, "I have a craftsman in my household who is skilled in making firearms. He can be taken overseas."

King Zhou wiped his sweat: "I have money! I can hire guards!"

Zhu Zaiji nodded: "In that case, you may all go back and prepare. One month from now, I will issue an edict clarifying the location of your fiefdoms and the details of your relocation."

After the three princes left, Zhu Zaiji immediately summoned Li Chunfang and several trusted ministers.

He walked to a huge world map, his finger tracing the coastline of the Ming Dynasty, stopping at several blank areas.

"Minister Li, look here—Borneo has fertile land, suitable for King Zhou; the Luzon Islands are strategically located, perfect for King Chu; as for King Qin..."

Zhu Zaiji's finger moved to the huge island in the south. "Let him go to New South Island (New Zealand). There are gold mines there that he has been dreaming of. There are also abundant grassland resources, suitable for grazing horses and raising cattle."

Li Chunfang stared at the map in astonishment, took a deep breath, and exclaimed, "His Majesty is so familiar with overseas geography! These places are not even recorded in detail in Zheng He's nautical charts!"

Zhu Zaiji smiled but did not answer.

As a time traveler, he certainly knew the importance of these places in later generations.

Now, he will rewrite history with his own hands and let the flag of the Ming Dynasty be planted all over the world!
"Pass down the decree."

Zhu Zaiji's eyes gleamed. "Order shipyards across the country to expedite the construction of ocean-going vessels, and the Ministry of Revenue to prepare sufficient provisions for the immigrants. Remember, all these expenses will be borne by the three princes. If they don't have the money, construction will be halted or delayed until the money arrives."

"Otherwise, it would seem as if we were too eager to send them away, which would not be a good sign for other vassal kings who want to move out in the future."

"Therefore, this matter needs to be done with both urgency and scarcity. Otherwise, it would be difficult for these vassal kings to simply take out the wealth they have accumulated over one or two hundred years and leave it in the Ming Dynasty to continue creating new wealth."

"The minister obeys the order."

Li Chunfang bowed and accepted the order, but hesitated and said, "Your Majesty, there is something I do not understand."

"speak."

"Why must we relocate the vassal kings overseas? If the goal is to expand our territory, wouldn't it be better for the imperial court to directly send officials?"

Zhu Zaiji smiled meaningfully: "Minister Li, do you know how many vassal kings my Great Ming Dynasty has?"

"During the reign of Emperor Taizu, twenty-four kings were enfeoffed, and now the family has multiplied to more than a hundred families."

"Exactly."

Zhu Zaiji nodded, "How much silver do these princes spend on the national treasury every year? How much fertile land do they occupy? If we relocate them all overseas, we can not only save on expenses, but also improve the vast coastal borders under the rule of the Ming Dynasty. Wouldn't that be killing two birds with one stone?"

"Moreover, I have already made this matter very clear before. It is possible for the court to directly send officials to complete direct management, but in some places, it may take up to a year for an official to take office."

"What if these officials have an accident on the way and are impersonated, or what if these officials develop ulterior motives and start to build their own power base after arriving at their destination?"

"If the imperial court were to suppress them, the cost would be too high. If we just ignore them, wouldn't all the overseas territories follow suit and descend into chaos?"

"Therefore, the best way now is to relocate and enfeoff these princes. Move these princes to places they like, so that they can continue to contribute to the Ming Dynasty. The court can simply govern them according to some past experience."

Li Chunfang suddenly realized what was happening, and then bowed again, saying, "Your Majesty is wise!"

"also."

Zhu Zaiji continued, “The vassal kings are different from the officials appointed by the court. What they establish overseas are vassal states of the Ming Dynasty, not ordinary colonies. They will bring the culture and system of the Central Plains to those places, making them truly a part of China.”

At this point, Zhu Zaiji's eyes gleamed with ambition, and he couldn't help but exclaim excitedly, "Minister Li, imagine what it would be like a hundred years from now, when the flags of our Great Ming are planted all over the world, and the Chinese language of the Great Ming has become the universal language of all nations?"

Li Chunfang was so overwhelmed by these grand ambitions that she was speechless and could only bow deeply in reverence.

The imperial edict was issued soon.

The Zhou king was granted the land of Borneo, the Chu king was granted the land of Luzon, and the Qin king was granted the land of Xin Nanming (Xin Nanming).

The news caused a stir in the government and the public, drawing worldwide attention!

Some conservative ministers submitted a memorial opposing the move, arguing that it was "abandoning the ancestral lands."

Zhu Zaiji directly refuted this in front of the court: "Foolish view! The overseas territories are not abandoned by me, but acquired by me! In the past, Zheng He sailed to the Western Ocean, which enhanced our national prestige; today, the vassal kings move overseas, which expands our territory! This is a great achievement for all time!"

The dissenting voices were quickly suppressed.

After all, the expenses of relocating the princes were borne entirely by the princes themselves. The court not only didn't have to spend any money, but it could also reclaim the princes' fiefdoms in the Central Plains. Why wouldn't it be a win-win situation?
In the following months, the three princes began intensive preparations.

King Zhou sold most of his property to raise enough silver; King Chu forcibly conscripted artisans from his fiefdom, causing quite a stir; King Qin, on the other hand, recruited a group of miners from Shanxi with a large sum of money, preparing to make a big splash in the new Nanming.

The recruitment of immigrants is also in full swing.

Hearing that large amounts of land could be allocated overseas, many landless farmers signed up.

The most attractive thing was the promise made by the King of Qin—each immigrant family would receive a thousand acres of land and would not have to pay taxes for twenty years!

By October of the seventh year of the Longqing reign, everything was ready.

Three massive fleets departed from Tianjin, Shanghai, and Ningbo respectively, carrying three vassal kings and tens of thousands of immigrants, sailing to distant overseas destinations.

Zhu Zaiji stood atop the lighthouse in Tianjin Port, watching the last ships disappear below the horizon. The autumn sun shone on his face, casting a satisfied smile.

"Your Majesty, it's getting windy, let's return to the palace."

Feng Bao reminded him softly.

Zhu Zaiji nodded, and as he turned away, he left with the words: "Tell Li Chunfang that by this time next year, I want to see more memorials from vassal kings voluntarily relocating their fiefdoms."

The sea breeze howled, as if responding to the ambitions of this time-traveling emperor.

The maritime era of the Ming Dynasty also began at this moment, opening a magnificent prelude.

It is destined to leave a significant mark on history!
Time flies, and in the blink of an eye, it is the eighth year of the Longqing reign!
The first snow of the eighth year of the Longqing reign fell on the golden glazed tiles of the Forbidden City. Zhu Zaiji stood in front of the window of the warm pavilion in the Hall of Diligent Governance, stroking a secret memorial from Borneo in his hand.

"King Zhou acted quickly, building the royal city in just three months."

Zhu Zaiji chuckled and handed the secret memorial to Li Chunfang beside him, saying, "Take a look, my lord."

Li Chunfang respectfully accepted the secret report with both hands. The report detailed the Zhou King's actions in Borneo, including recruiting natives to cultivate 5,000 hectares of fertile land, discovering pepper forests stretching for dozens of miles, and even finding placer gold along the riverbank.

"Congratulations, Your Majesty."

Li Chunfang immediately offered her congratulations.

Then he sincerely praised, "King Zhou has lived up to the expectations of the emperor; Borneo has already begun to take shape."

Zhu Zaiji's gaze was deep, and he unceremoniously presented his reward!

"By imperial decree, the King of Zhou is granted the Nine Bestowments, and is permitted to establish official posts and offices in Borneo, and to take charge of military and political power."

Li Chunfang paused in her hand, ink dripping onto the paper and spreading: "Nine bestowals? Your Majesty, isn't this... a bit too fast?"

"Fast?"

Zhu Zaiji turned around, his eyes gleaming with a light that Li Chunfang couldn't decipher. "The King of Chu wiped out three pirate groups in Luzon and opened a sea route to Siam; the King of Qin found the gold mine I told him about in the Southern Ocean. Don't such achievements deserve the Nine Bestowments?"

"Moreover, it is precisely because of the allure of the Nine Bestowments that they are willing to give up their superior lives in the Ming Dynasty and go overseas to explore new lands. Therefore, I cannot be stingy."

Li Chunfang took a deep breath and bowed to Zhu Zaiji, saying, "Your subject will now draft the decree."

The following day, three imperial edicts were sent overseas, bestowing upon the King of Zhou, the King of Chu, and the King of Qin the Nine Bestowments—chariots and horses, clothing, musical instruments, vermilion doors, a platform for receiving guests, tiger-like guards, axes and halberds, bows and arrows, and black millet wine.

This was the highest honor a subject could receive, symbolizing near-independent military and political power.

The news spread like wildfire, instantly reaching the residences of all the princes of the Ming Dynasty.

None of them expected that the King of Zhou, the King of Chu, and the King of Qin would receive the Nine Bestowments so quickly.

Chengdu, the Shu King's Palace. "The Nine Bestowments?!"

Shu King Zhu Xuanqi shoved away the singing girl in his arms, his obese body sprang up from the soft couch, "Does that distant and useless Zhou King deserve the Nine Bestowments?"

The aide bowed and said, “It is absolutely true. King Zhou not only received the Nine Bestowments in Borneo, but was also allowed to set up his own government offices and collect taxes, making him virtually a regional lord.”

A glint of greed flashed in the eyes of the King of Shu, who asked unwillingly, "What does Borneo produce?"

"According to rumors among merchants, the Prince of Zhou has discovered a large pepper forest, as well as gold dust. The pepper transported back to the Ming Dynasty last year was worth no less than 500,000 taels of silver."

"Five hundred thousand taels!"

The King of Shu's breathing quickened. His fiefdom in Sichuan brought in only 200,000 taels of silver a year, and the imperial court took 30% of that.

"I, too, wish to be relocated!"

The same scene played out in the palaces of various princes.

The Prince of Lu, the Prince of Dai, the Prince of Jin, and more than ten other vassal kings all had the same idea and immediately requested permission to enter the capital to pay homage.

Zhu Zaiji did not stop so many princes from coming to the capital to pay homage, after all, he knew perfectly well why they were coming.

On the 20th day of the twelfth lunar month, as the end of the year approaches, the Forbidden City is decorated with lanterns and colorful decorations.

Zhu Zaiji summoned Li Chunfang to the Hall of Diligent Governance, with more than a dozen memorials laid out before him.

"have a look,"

Zhu Zaiji pointed at the memorial and laughed: "The Prince of Shu wants to move his fief to Sumatra, saying that it is close to the Western trade routes; the Prince of Lu has his eye on Java, saying that the land there is fertile; the Prince of Dai is even more outrageous, wanting to go to some 'Eastern Continent,' saying that Your Majesty once mentioned that there are thousands of miles of fertile land there."

Li Chunfang said with some panic, "Your Majesty, I'm afraid that so many vassal kings will be relocated at the same time."

"What are you afraid of?"

Zhu Zaiji interrupted Li Chunfang and continued, "I wish they would all go overseas. During the reign of Emperor Taizu, twenty-four princes were enfeoffed, and now their descendants have multiplied to over a hundred, consuming nearly half of the national treasury's revenue each year. If they could all find their own way to make a living, the silver saved by the court would be enough to build ten dikes along the Yellow River!"

Li Chunfang suddenly realized and exclaimed with delight, "Your Majesty is wise! This is the wonderful application of the 'Decree of Grace'!"

"good."

Zhu Zaiji nodded in satisfaction, “Back then, Emperor Wu of Han used the Edict of Grace to weaken the feudal lords. Today, I will do the opposite—use even greater favors to make them voluntarily leave the Central Plains.”

Just then, Feng Bao rushed in: "Your Majesty, thirteen vassal kings, including the Prince of Shu, the Prince of Lu, and the Prince of Dai, are waiting outside the Meridian Gate, requesting an audience with Your Majesty."

Zhu Zaiji and Li Chunfang exchanged a smile: "Announce."

The thirteen princes filed into the Hall of Diligent Governance.

Some of them were over fifty, while others were in their prime, but their eyes all shone with the same longing.

After the ceremony, Zhu Xuanqi, the Prince of Shu, was the first to speak, saying, "Your Majesty, I have heard that the Prince of Zhou and others have been granted the Nine Bestowments, and I greatly admire them. I wish to follow their example, move my fief overseas, and expand the territory of the Great Ming!"

"I am also willing to go!"

"Your subject requests permission!"

The princes all knelt down and pleaded for permission, their voices echoing throughout the palace.

Zhu Zaiji feigned surprise: "Why is this, everyone? Life overseas is harsh, and I truly cannot bear to see my relatives suffer there."

"emperor!"

Prince Zhu Tingqi of Dai proclaimed loudly, "Your Majesty, I am not afraid of hardship! I have heard that the Eastern Continent is a land of vast fertile plains. If we can move our fiefdom there, we will surely create a new world for the Great Ming!"

A hint of surprise flashed in Zhu Zaiji's eyes.

He did mention Dongzhou in a casual conversation, but he never expected it to reach the Prince of Dai and be remembered by him.

Prince Lu, Zhu Yitan, was even more cautious, saying, "Your Majesty, I only seek a safe haven, not the honors of the Nine Bestowments."

Zhu Zaiji observed the expressions of the various princes—the Prince of Shu was greedy, the Prince of Dai was ambitious, and the Prince of Lu was clearly forced to come. He already had a plan in mind.

“Your loyalty is commendable, but moving the fiefdom is no small matter.”

Zhu Zaiji slowly said, "How about this, I will hold a banquet in Hanyuan Hall in three days, and we will discuss this matter in detail then."

That night, Zhu Zaiji secretly summoned Li Chunfang to the palace.

"Minister Li, tomorrow you will invite the princes to visit the 'Overseas Products Exhibition' in the name of the Grand Council."

Zhu Zaiji smiled and said, "Put out the gold ore that King Jing sent back, the pepper that King Zhou sent back, and the pearls that King Chu sent back, and add some gemstones from India and carpets from Persia."

Li Chunfang understood: "Your subject understands. When profit is involved, people will act without being ordered."

The following day, the side hall of the Military Affairs Office was filled with dazzling jewels and colorful decorations.

The princes were dazzled by the sights. The Prince of Shu held a handful of South Sea pearls, admiring them dearly; the Prince of Dai marveled at a gold nugget; and even the cautious Prince of Lu was dazzled by the gems from India.

"Your Highnesses."

Li Chunfang spoke up at the opportune moment, "These are merely tributes presented to His Majesty by overseas vassal kings. As far as I know, the Zhou King has ten bushels of such pearls in his private treasury in Borneo; and the Qin King's gold mine in Xin Nanming produces no less than a hundred taels of gold per day."

The princes' breathing became heavy.

"Lord Li!"

The King of Shu asked impatiently, "Does Sumatra have such products?"

Li Chunfang smiled at the Prince of Shu, "Spices from Sumatra are more valuable than gold. If Your Highness is interested, I have a copy of 'The Record of Products from All Seas' here for your reference."

That night, all thirteen princes simultaneously revised their memorials, raising the price for relocating their fiefdoms.

Three days later, a banquet was held in Hanyuan Hall.

Zhu Zaiji sat in the main seat, with the other princes seated in order. After several rounds of drinks, the Prince of Shu was the first to make his move.

"Your Majesty, I am willing to offer two thousand hectares of fertile land in Sichuan, one million taels of silver, and funds to build twenty warships, in exchange for the relocation of my fiefdom to Sumatra!"

The Prince of Dai immediately followed up: "Your subject offers three thousand acres of Datong horse farm, five hundred elite cavalry, and one hundred thousand catties of iron, and wishes to go to Dongzhou!"

Other vassal kings followed suit, and for a time, Hanyuan Palace became as noisy as a marketplace.

Zhu Zaiji raised his hand to signal for silence: "I am very pleased with your enthusiasm. However, the overseas lands each have their own advantages and disadvantages, and cannot be allocated arbitrarily." He looked at Li Chunfang, "Minister Li, present the 'Map of the Four Seas'."

Four eunuchs carried a huge map into the hall.

The princes craned their necks, and saw that the map detailed the products, climate, and indigenous conditions of various overseas regions.

"Everyone, please see!"

Zhu Zaiji pointed to the map, "Sumatra is indeed as the King of Shu said, rich in spices, but the local natives are fierce and need to be guarded by strong troops; North America has fertile lands for thousands of miles, but the distance is far, and a round trip takes two years."

The princes listened intently, occasionally letting out exclamations of amazement.

"Therefore, I have decided to allocate suitable locations to my brothers based on their respective strengths. The Prince of Shu possesses the ability to build a powerful army, so he can go to Sumatra; the Prince of Dai has lofty ambitions, so the vast and sparsely populated southern part of the Eastern Continent is just right for him; the Prince of Lu is of a gentle nature, so he can go to the relatively stable Java."

This allocation took into account the strength of each vassal state while also subtly creating a balance of power—dispersing powerful vassal kings to distant locations to prevent them from uniting.

As for the Nine Bestowments ceremony...

Zhu Zaiji paused deliberately, and seeing that the princes were holding their breath, he continued, "Whoever expands the territory by a thousand miles, I will certainly reward without hesitation!"

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