Chapter 54: You Must Strive Forward!

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An unmanned mint and printing factory? The kind of printing technology whose confidentiality ranks just below that of nuclear weapons?

Zhu Youjian sensed the presence of a massive printing facility nestled within his small world, existing outside the bounds of the mortal realm, and felt a deep sense of relief. This solved countless unnecessary troubles at once. After every dynasty’s campaign against the Japanese pirates, the reserves of silver surged, and it was high time to push for a reformation of Ming’s currency system. Whether banknotes or silver coins, each represented a revolutionary advance!

The Ming dynasty’s monetary system was notoriously chaotic. First, the Hongwu notes depreciated all the way, and later the court was forced to repeal the ban on silver, ultimately leading to the downfall of the Chongzhen era amid a silver shortage.

So long as currency production remained in the hands of the imperial court, the gentry and financial cliques would inevitably be exposed before the throne. In a dynastic empire like Ming, where the realm was the family’s domain, these magnates were like the Monkey King in the Buddha’s palm—never able to overturn the heavens! Even if they fled to the other end of the continent, it would eventually become part of the Ming realm!

With control of the currency, the fortunes of every dynasty would undoubtedly soar collectively!

With such a powerful aid as a mint and printing factory, Zhu Youjian finally breathed a sigh of relief.

When the officials had all withdrawn, he approached Zhu Qiyu and asked in a low voice, “Your Highness Prince of Cheng, are you dissatisfied with adopting the Emperor’s son as your own?”

“There’s no rush to answer. Take your time to consider.”

Zhu Qiyu, now aware of his true identity, knew that though this was a descendant from the future, he was not of his own lineage. Since the man was a celestial being, he deserved the reverence due to such. After pondering carefully for a moment, he shook his head and replied, “Absolutely no dissatisfaction!”

The crown prince was still young; if he raised him himself and employed some methods to foster affection, he would naturally become closest to him. That was an undeniable fact. Besides, Crown Prince Zhu Jianshen had been personally appointed by the founding emperor. Even given eight hundred times the courage, he would not dare show the slightest dissatisfaction—this little ancestor was truly a living treasure!

“That is good, then.”

Zhu Youjian thought of something and asked, “Who is now serving as the prince’s wet nurse?”

Zhu Qiyu answered somewhat awkwardly, “Well, the prince does have a wet nurse, but I’ve never really paid attention.”

“It should be Madam Wan. There’s no need to replace her then,” Zhu Youjian calculated. It had been two years already, so whether she was replaced or not hardly mattered.

The emperor’s nursemaid, Zhu Jianshen, was notoriously attached to his mother. Although it could be severed now, there was no need. Wan Zhen’er was by no means a villain of the ages. As for rumors of her harming imperial heirs, those were groundless. Wan Zhen’er might have played tricks among the concubines, but it was unlikely she would ever lay hands on an imperial heir.

After all, Empress Dowager Qian and Empress Dowager Zhou were still alive. Whatever quarrels Wan Guifei had with the other consorts, the two empresses might ignore. But if it escalated to harming the emperor’s progeny, things would be very different.

Wan Zhen’er was indeed favored, but to say she could openly defy both empresses dowager was sheer nonsense and unrealistic. So continuing as the prince’s wet nurse was perfectly fine—at least it matched the arc of history.

Still, one had to say, Emperor Xianzong truly had an insatiable appetite. Seventeen years old, and he still had the nerve…

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Zhu Yuanzhang reminded him, “You must take this matter to heart.”

“I will issue secret orders at once!” Zhu Qiyu replied without hesitation. Though a little puzzled, he did not inquire further—after all, it was but a trivial matter.

Zhu Youjian considered for a moment and said, “Great Ancestor, the Prince of Cheng still needs to prepare for his enthronement, and our joint campaign against the Japanese is imminent. The months for the Hongwu, Yongle, and Jianwen eras are approaching, and the seas are calm—it’s time for all the vassal princes to come to the Cloud Palace and receive their orders.”

“Very well!” Zhu Yuanzhang nodded.

Then, under Zhu Qiyu’s gaze, a party of more than a dozen people departed the timeline of the Zhengtong era.

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In the immortal realm of the Cloud Palace.

Hongwu Era: The lively young Hongwu Zhu Di was summoned, standing beside Zhu Biao, still looking utterly bewildered.

Jianwen Era: Jianwen’s Zhu Gaoxu was also brought in; much more composed, he stood beside Zhu the Fourth, quietly observing, his gaze frequently drifting toward the Hongwu group.

Yongle Era: The old Zhu Di led his three sons and a beloved grandson—their formation unchanged.

The plump Hongxi and his son had no plans to start a war for now; this campaign against the Japanese involved only the Hongwu, Jianwen, and Yongle eras.

The chosen vassal princes were: Prince Yan Zhu Di from the Hongwu era; Zhu Gaoxu from the Jianwen era; and Zhu Gaoxu from the Yongle era. One was a young father, the other two were grown sons.

Upon learning that they were to conquer Japan and be enfeoffed there, young Zhu Di was visibly excited, Yongle’s Zhu Gaoxu indifferent, while Jianwen’s Zhu Gaoxu frowned deeply.

Zhu the Fourth inquired, “Grandson, may I speak with my second son in private?”

Zhu Yuanzhang glanced at them but said nothing.

“Go ahead.”

At Zhu the Fourth’s request, Zhu Youjian set aside a secluded space for the two of them.

“So, you still refuse to accept this?”

Zhu the Fourth snorted coldly. Ever since learning that his son had dared rebel against him, he had been planning to send the second son off to a distant fiefdom. Otherwise, he could never rest easy.

“I dare not, Father!”

Jianwen’s Zhu Gaoxu lowered his head.

“You only dare not—you do not wish it so,” Zhu the Fourth shook his head.

Jianwen’s Zhu Gaoxu raised his head, demanding indignantly, “Father, didn’t you once say that as the heir suffers, I should be diligent in my efforts? Does that promise still stand?”

“If I am enfeoffed in Japan, who will sit the Ming throne in the future? Should the eldest rule? Would that not mean you deny ever having made that promise?”

A trace of guilt flickered in Zhu the Fourth’s eyes, but he answered with severity, “What the Prince Yan Zhu Di says has nothing to do with me as emperor.”

Unexpectedly, Jianwen’s Zhu Gaoxu did not react much and simply said, “Fine, now I understand.”

“What are you planning?” Zhu the Fourth frowned, a sense of unease suddenly creeping into his heart.

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Jianwen’s Zhu Gaoxu grinned, “What else? Once Japan is conquered, I’ll simply take up my fief there.”

“You’d better,” Zhu the Fourth warned uneasily.

The two exited the private space, finding a feast already underway outside.

After a day of battle at Fort Zong, everyone was thoroughly exhausted.

“Fourth, are your men, horses, and ships all ready?” Zhu Yuanzhang asked, gnawing at a leg of lamb, juices running down his chin, yet not forgetting to check.

“Don’t worry, Father.”

Both Zhu the Fourth and old Zhu Di thumped their chests in assurance.

Jianwen’s Zhu Gaoxu sidled up to young Zhu Di, scrutinized him, and sighed, “Father, you were truly young once.”

Young Zhu Di raised an eyebrow, speaking with affected maturity: “So you’re my second son? How old are you now? Let me count the days—I’ll throw you against the wall.”

“Please don’t!”

Yongle’s Zhu Gaoxu, having just finished thrashing Xuande, ran over to listen in. Hearing this, he immediately protested, “What nonsense are you spouting? Father was quite the looker in his youth! Look at that nose, those eyes—aren’t they perfectly formed?”

Hongwu’s young Zhu Di’s face darkened, and he muttered, “If I don’t throw you two against the wall, I’ll change my surname to yours!”

“See? He’s getting worked up again!”

Jianwen’s Zhu Gaoxu teased with a chuckle, then raised his hand and said to Zhu Youjian, “I’d like to have a private chat with my young father.”

“What do you want to talk about?” Zhu the Fourth, ever vigilant, immediately demanded.

“I’d like a word with him too. After all, the three of us are about to become vassal princes of Japan—we should discuss our strategy,” Yongle’s Zhu Gaoxu interjected with a sly smile.

The two Zhu Gaoxus exchanged a glance, each seeing the same mischief in the other’s eyes, understanding perfectly well.

Zhu Yuanzhang grumbled, “Go on then, if you must. What are you getting so worked up about, Fourth?”

“Yes, Father,” Zhu the Fourth replied, swallowing his anger, and shot a warning look at his second son not to speak recklessly.

Soon afterward, mist enveloped them.

Jianwen’s Zhu Gaoxu, Yongle’s Zhu Gaoxu, and the somewhat immature young Hongwu Zhu Di found themselves in a sealed space.

“What do you two want? I’m starving—get on with it,” young Zhu Di said impatiently.

The two Zhu Gaoxus exchanged a glance, then one stood to the left and the other to the right, each patting young Zhu Di on the shoulder with a grin.

“Young father, the two of us have heard that as the heir suffers, you should encourage him to diligence.”

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