My father Yongle, building a five-good family

Chapter 59: Cutting off territory?

The so-called "give more and take less" policy, in fact, in Lao Zhu's original words, is:
"The Western Soli are known as distant tribes. They came across the sea and it is difficult to remember the years and months. It doesn't matter whether their tribute is frequent or not. It is fine if they go a lot and receive little."

However, it is obvious that this policy of returning to the heart of the country cannot influence all the vassal states.

Japan is clearly a thorn in the side.

When they came out to pay tribute, all they could hear was the envoys speaking in awkward Mandarin Chinese. Every time he uttered the name of a tribute, the officials and nobles sitting at the banquet would twitch at their mouths.

From a certain perspective, this Japanese envoy is actually a talented person.

Under the gazes of so many eyes, he had the audacity to praise an ordinary fan to such an extreme that even Zhu Gaoyu could not help rubbing his eyes.

No, isn't this just a fan? !
Zhu Gaoyu was almost beginning to doubt himself.

So he poked the third child beside him:

"Brother, look at what that is?"

Zhu Gaosui looked puzzled, "Isn't it a fan?"

Zhu Gaoyu's face suddenly became long:
"He blew with a fan for nearly a quarter of an hour... This Japanese envoy has learned the official language quite well."

Zhu Gaosui couldn't help laughing: "Japan has always been like this. This is the first time you've seen it, so you're surprised."

As he spoke, Zhu Gaosui began to feel the urge to share.

He leaned close to Zhu Gaoyu's ear and began to whisper bad things:

"I heard that Japan was in the Northern and Southern Dynasties before that. They described it as a war that shook the world, but in reality..."

Zhu Gaosui joked, "They are talking about such a tiny place as if it were a miracle. Do they really think that the Ming Dynasty was handed over to the Northern Yuan Dynasty?"

Perhaps Zhu Gaosui's words were too contemptuous. Zhu Gaochi heard it and gave a slight reminder:
"Third brother."

If you have anything to say, go home and talk.

There are so many people watching on Tianshou Festival, and who knows whether what you say can be heard by others.

Although... Zhu Gaosui's voice was very low, only the brothers sitting together could hear it vaguely.

Those who were further away, like Zhu Di, pretended not to hear the conversation between these troublesome sons.

As they were talking in private, Zhu Gaoyu heard the Japanese envoys below talking:

"Your Majesty, the Emperor of the Ming Dynasty, our country's land is barren, the people are poor, and most of them live on fishing. Sometimes the sea is rough and sailboats sink from time to time. I wonder if we can cede an island in Ningbo to use as a place to dry goods and dock ships."

The scene that was originally filled with the sounds of music, singing and dancing suddenly became quiet.

The dancers in the hall also retreated.

When Zhu Gaoxu heard this, if he had not been suppressed by the eldest and third brothers, he would have probably started to curse.

These people in Japan may not look good, but they have beautiful thoughts!
Cede the Ming Dynasty's land and give it to the Japanese?
The principle of giving more and receiving less is not really such a “thick” principle.

As the commander-in-chief of the Northern Army and a vassal king guarding an important town, Zhu Di obviously has greater say in this scenario.

He first glanced up at the higher position and saw the old man pursing his lips slightly with an unhappy look on his face. He felt more relieved about what he was going to say next.

Zhu Di only sneered and said in a deep voice:
"Tell your Ashikaga general that although the territory of the Ming Dynasty is vast, every inch of it was conquered with flesh and blood, and every inch of land is soaked with the blood of the Ming soldiers and civilians."

"Instead of thinking about how to make the Ming Dynasty cede an island, General Ashikaga should think about how to control the Japanese pirates at sea. So far, our Ming Dynasty navy has only known the enemy army, not the enemy country."

Zhu Di was a man who went to Beiping to guard the vassal state when he was eleven years old. The number of lives he had stained on his hands was simply beyond the imagination of an envoy from a vassal state. When he usually had a smile on his face, perhaps you couldn't tell anything.

But when he showed a hint of anger, the words that were about to come out of the envoy's mouth suddenly could not be uttered.

Zhu Di's tough words made Zhu Gaoyu's brothers feel excited, and even the civil servants exclaimed in their hearts.

Although Xu Huizu did not like Zhu Di very much, he had to admit that Zhu Di's words did not bring down the prestige of the Ming Dynasty.

But there was still some regret in his heart.

If only the person who said this... was Zhu Yunwen.

If His Royal Highness the Crown Prince could say these words, not only would the ministers be loyal to him and the nobles recognize him, but even Zhu Yuanzhang would look at him differently again.

Unfortunately……

Xu Huizu suppressed the distracting thoughts and complexities in his mind.

Zhu Yunwen is the grandson chosen by His Majesty and the legitimate heir. Even without all this show, the Ming Dynasty... still belongs to him.

After Zhu Di finished his words, Zhu Yuanzhang on the high platform still seemed to show no emotion. He followed Zhu Di's words and knocked a few more times. Even the Japanese envoy, who had been calm and composed, became trembling with fear. Only then did Zhu Yuanzhang stop knocking leisurely.

But no one knows what he is thinking.

When the vassal states finished paying tribute, it would be the turn of a group of young people to come forward and present birthday gifts.

The leader was undoubtedly Zhu Yunwen.

It has to be said that Zhu Yunwen, as the crown prince, was a handsome man with a clear temperament. In addition, he was dressed in formal attire, and at first glance, he did exude a rather impressive aura.

However, Zhu Gaoyu yawned.

No matter how bad the heir chosen by the emperor is, he will not be too shabby. He must have some merit.

Sure enough, although Zhu Yunwen's limelight had just been stolen by Zhu Di, when Zhu Di presented his birthday gift, Zhu Yuanzhang still laughed out loud out of respect.

He even personally asked someone to move the Nanshan pine tree to his front.

Looking at the strong branches bent into a sloppy "Shou" character, Zhu Yuanzhang was overjoyed. For a moment, he praised Zhu Yunwen, the crown prince, again and again.

"Yun Wencheng is a pure filial son. He personally took care of my father when he was ill. He will naturally take care of me in the future."

When the uncles below heard Zhu Yuanzhang say this, their expressions became complicated.

When the old man said this, could it be that he, as a son, is not as filial as his grandson?
Unintentional words are the most hurtful.

Zhu Di's heart, which had been slightly disturbed by what he had just done, calmed down again.

Somehow, he looked at Zhu Yunwen and remembered his previous conversation with Monk Daoyan.

The old man felt that the grandson he had chosen was pure and filial.

I just wonder if he has ever thought about what the Crown Prince’s attitude is towards his uncles?

Or, the old man had a clear mind and a bright vision throughout his life, but was blinded by the words of the grandson -

Win them over with virtue, control them with propriety. If that doesn't work, then take away their land. If that still doesn't work, then replace their people. If the situation is even worse, then raise an army to attack them.

Got cheated.

Is this really the case?
The second update is here, muah
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(End of this chapter)