Daming: At the start of the showdown, Lao Zhu was stunned

Chapter 999 Arriving at Annan
Ren Ang's words made Li Jibai quite undecided. After thinking it over again and again, he decided to send someone back to Annan to ask his cousin, Li Jili, the powerful official of Annan, for his opinion.

Ren Ang quickly informed Zhu Su of this matter. After Zhu Su learned about it, he informed Zhu Biao and Zhu Lao, and then began to prepare for the journey to Annan.

Although Li Jibai had just written to Annan, Zhu Su was already certain that Li Jili would agree to this matter.

There is no other reason. Inviting Zhu Su to Annan would bring more benefits than disadvantages to Li Jili.

Zhu Su has now established an image of a "master" in Li Jibai's place, and Li Jibai will certainly report this to his cousin Li Jili. In addition, with the blessing of Zhu Su's status as the King of Zhou, he is probably no less popular in Annan than Song Lian.

Then, for Le Qui Ly, it would also be able to enhance the influence of Annan's new learning and indirectly increase the influence of his Le family.

Moreover, Zhu Su is a descendant of the Ming Dynasty royal family. If he gets along well with this King Zhou, his Li family will have the support of the Ming Dynasty in the future...

No matter whether the Ming Dynasty will really support the Li family, as long as the people of Annan see that the Li family has invited King Zhou of the Ming Dynasty, everyone will think that the Ming Dynasty is on good terms with the Li family.

The Ming Dynasty was the suzerain state of Annan. By making friends with the royal family of the suzerain state, the Li family could greatly increase their influence in the Annan court.

As for setting up a concession for Zhu Su...this is not something that Annan cannot agree to.

There is no Ming Dynasty concession in Annan now, but Annan’s neighboring country Champa does have a Ming Dynasty concession. This concession is garrisoned by the Ming Dynasty’s South China Sea Fleet, and the Ming Dynasty operated it into a trade transit station in the South China Sea on the Maritime Silk Road.

Because of this Ming Dynasty trade transit station, many foreign merchants and Ming Dynasty merchants flowed into Champa, stimulating the development of Champa's commerce and bringing considerable wealth to Champa's treasury.

Champa and Annan had always been at odds with each other, and economic advantages would translate into victory on the battlefield. The wealth brought by the Ming Dynasty must have caused Annan to suffer a lot, and the Annan people must have coveted the concession.

Therefore, it was a good thing for Annan to be able to apply to the Emperor of the Ming Dynasty to establish a concession in the name of welcoming King Zhou of the Ming Dynasty.

But Zhu Su tried to get Annan to take the initiative to request the establishment of a concession, and naturally he did not go there specifically to provide benefits to Annan.

The country of Annan has a relatively long and narrow terrain. Although it was part of China in its early years, it has been an independent country for a hundred years now, and the people in the country have long forgotten what China is.

Therefore, the Ming Dynasty would inevitably resort to military means to attack Annan in the future. If the Ming Dynasty attacked Annan from the south to the north by land, the Annan people would inevitably rely on the narrow and long strategic depth, fighting and retreating, and engaging in guerrilla warfare with the Ming Dynasty. It would be extremely difficult for the Ming Dynasty to pacify Annan.

Moreover, the Ming Dynasty only borders the northern part of Annan. After Annan is established as a county in the future, even if the imperial court wants to radiate its influence to Annan, it will be difficult to affect the southern region of Annan.

But if there was a concession in the central part of Annan that had been operated by the Ming Dynasty for a long time, it would be different.

You know, as the sovereign of Annan, the Ming Dynasty had the power to station troops and administer in the concession. Facing the long and narrow strategic depth of Annan, the Ming Dynasty could have taken a two-pronged approach. On the one hand, the troops of Li Wenzhong and Lan Yu, who had long been sharpening their swords, would attack Annan from the Yunnan-Guizhou border; on the other hand, they could move troops into the concession, and the long and narrow terrain of Annan would instantly become their weakness.

The Ming Dynasty could simply send troops from the concession to cut the Kingdom of Annan in half, making it impossible for its leader to take care of itself.

With the concession, the Ming army could easily land in Annan from the coastline, which was equivalent to stabbing Annan directly in the heart of the country as soon as the battle started.

Moreover, the concessions are not only an excellent handle for managing Annan, but also a good example. The Ming Dynasty could have managed the concessions well, so that the Annan people in the concessions could have seen with their own eyes the difference between being under the rule of the Ming Dynasty and under the rule of the Annan ruler. Under such a difference, many people would have chosen to cheer for the Ming Dynasty and voluntarily become its obedient subjects. This would have prevented many unnecessary rebellions.

You should know that in Yingzhou (Wakoku), it was precisely because of the existence of numerous concessions that many Japanese people yearned for the powerful and prosperous Ming Dynasty, thus making Wakoku one of the most important sources of cheap labor for the Ming Dynasty.

The rule of the Japanese king became a mere formality under the public opinion of surrendering to the Ming Dynasty.

Therefore, allowing the Ming Dynasty to establish a concession in Annan was the "price" Zhu Su offered for Annan to invite him, and he was also certain that Annan would definitely accept this price.

Zhu Su also thought that with the example of Japan, Le Qui Li might be wary of the Ming Dynasty's request to establish a concession in Annan.

However, Le Qui Ly was not an Annan saint, he was an ambitious man who attempted to usurp the throne in history. And ambitious people have one common characteristic, which is:

One's own interests will definitely be far higher than national sovereignty.

Even though he knew that allowing the Ming Dynasty to establish a concession might leave hidden dangers for the Kingdom of Annan, Li Jizhen would definitely agree.

After all, plotting to steal a country is a gamble... Le Qui Ly, who has already coveted the throne of Annan, would not mind using the country as a bargaining chip and betting it on the gambling table.

……

Sure enough, a few months later, Li Jibai visited Zhu Su again after a long absence. This time, he stated his request very directly:

"Your Highness, I, Annan, would like to establish a concession in the country, and invite you to give lectures in the Annan concession...I wonder if you are willing?"

"Of course I am willing. But as far as I know...there is no concession of the Ming Dynasty in Annan?"

After hearing what he said, Zhu Su pretended to be surprised, but in fact he already knew that he must have received Li Jilin's reply.

As expected, Li Jibai said next: "I have received a letter from the central government requesting the establishment of a concession."

"I think that with the kindness of your emperor, he will certainly agree to my request."

Zhu Su pretended to be surprised and then said that if the Ming Dynasty really established a concession in Annan, he would definitely ask Zhu to go to Annan when the time came. Li Jibai was overjoyed and asked the Ministry of Rites to see the Emperor of the Ming Dynasty the next day and handed over the letter of request to establish a concession.

"We have Annan, who is respectful and humble, and serves the Celestial Empire. Therefore, we grant their request and establish a concession to show that the Ming Dynasty and Annan are of one mind and will prosper together."

Zhu Yuanzhang's reply to the letter from Annan came quickly. After secret discussions between Zhu Su and Zhu Yuanzhang, the Ming Dynasty decided to build the Ming Concession in a deserted seaside village east of Thang Long Citadel, the capital of Annan.

Li Jibai readily agreed to the Ming Dynasty's request. He had already received a secret letter from his cousin Li Ji'e, in which he was told that even if the Ming Dynasty wanted some coastal towns in Annan, he could give them generously. As long as the Ming Dynasty's concessions were within the Li family's sphere of influence, it would be fine.

The east of Thang Long City is exactly the area where the power of the Le family can radiate. Moreover, the Ming Dynasty only wants a deserted village, so what can't it give?
But in fact, the territory that the Ming Dynasty demanded from Annan was an excellent port that could accommodate thousands of treasure ships entering and leaving. In the future, it would become the third most prosperous city in Annan: Haiphong City.

The establishment of the Annan concession went very smoothly, with both the Ming Dynasty and Annan enthusiastic and motivated. After the establishment of the concession was successfully established, Li Jibai immediately invited Zhu Su again.

This time, Zhu Su readily accepted Li Jibai's invitation and mentioned the matter to Zhu Yuanzhang during the court session. Soon, the news that His Royal Highness the King of Zhou would go to Annan to spread knowledge spread throughout the streets and alleys of Yingtian Prefecture.

The heated discussion among the scholars further confirmed that it was a correct decision to invite Zhu Su.

Li Jibai returned to his country first and reported to Li Jili. Before leaving Beijing, he once again expressed to Zhu Su his expectation of going to Annan to give lectures. Zhu Su also expressed his expectation of going to Annan and said that since he could go to Annan to spread the new learning and education, he would spare no effort.

Two months later, Zhu Su's fleet also sailed along the river from Yingtian Prefecture into the sea, and then headed all the way to Annan.

"Your Highness, I think that is the concession of our Ming Dynasty in Annan." On the treasure ship, Sanbao looked at the map and compass in his hands, then pointed to the land in the distance and said to Zhu Su.

Sanbao was a eunuch newly granted to Zhu Su by Zhu Di. He was originally a prisoner captured when the Ming Dynasty pacified Yunnan. After being castrated and entered the palace, he became a eunuch in the palace.

Since Old Zhu learned that Zhu Su was a time traveler, he has had a strong desire to explore and discover those "celebrities" in the later Ming Dynasty. It goes without saying that he is interested in Yu Qian and Yu Shaobao, and he is also very interested in the legendary experience of "Zheng He's voyages to the West".

Therefore, he had secretly searched in the palace to see if there was the eunuch who would make great contributions to the Ming Dynasty in the future. And this Sanbao was the person that Zhu Yuanzhang thought might be the candidate for "Zheng He", so he kept him by his side to train him carefully and observe his heart.

Out of fear of the Jingnan Rebellion in history, Zhu Yuanzhang would not assign this "Zheng He" to his fourth son Zhu Di again. But if he was really "Zheng He", it would be a waste of talent to keep him in the palace and bury his sailing talent.

It just so happened that Zhu Su's personal eunuch Xiangdeng was already old. Therefore, when Zhu Su traveled to Annan this time, Zhu Su assigned Sanbao, the "Zheng He", to Zhu Su's team, and asked him to be the eunuch who took care of Zhu Su's food and daily life and accompanied Zhu Su to Annan.

"Yes." Zhu Su put down the telescope in his hand and nodded. Sanbao was very talented in observing sea charts. The direction he pointed to was definitely the concession of the Ming Dynasty. He had already seen the Ming Dynasty dragon flag flying on the shore.

Obviously, it was the Nanyang Navy that arrived here first to build a concession and had already planted the flag of the Ming Dynasty on this land that originally belonged to Annan.

The fleet began to move towards the concession. As they saw the concession getting closer, they saw many soldiers wearing the uniforms of the Nanyang Navy, busy building the concession port.

Seeing the huge fleet of treasure ships approaching the shore, the Ming army in the concession suddenly became lively.

The person who built the concession wharf here was Zhu Su's old friend Li Jinglong. Since the battle with Chen Zuyi, Li Jinglong has been active in Southeast Asia, patrolling the South China Sea for the Ming Dynasty. Seeing Zhu Su's fleet coming, Li Jinglong happily came to the wharf to greet them.

After some formalities, Zhu Su happily grasped Li Jinglong's arm and said, "Jiujiang! It's been years since we last met. Are you okay?"

"Well, I've gotten a lot tanned and look more manly."

"Uncle Wu, too. I heard that you had a baby boy. Please don't blame me for not being able to come over to congratulate you!" Li Jinglong was also very close to Zhu Su. After being exposed to the wind and sun on the sea, this former dandy young man now looked like a typical son of a military family.

After the two exchanged pleasantries, Li Jinglong talked about the port and said, "It's very fast to build a port with cement, but it will take time to build ordinary houses. I heard that Uncle Wu wants to teach and preach in Annan? Although the dock is ready for use, I'm afraid it will take some time to build houses."

Zhu Su nodded to show his understanding, and then said: "The construction of facilities such as the city wall can be postponed. We can first focus on building houses for people to stay in. If we are short of manpower, we can also recruit local people from Annan."

"This time in Annan, the struggle is more about words than fighting, so we don't need to rush to build the city walls for the time being."

Li Jinglong blinked and nodded to show that he understood. Zhu Su was about to inspect the surroundings when he heard someone coming over in a hurry and saying, "Your Highness, Prince Zhou, the young master."

"The Annan Pingzhang Li Ji'e has come with all the Annan officials to welcome Your Highness."

"Li Jilin?" Zhu Su and Li Jinglong looked at each other, both surprised at how well-informed Li Jilin was.

It had only been a few hours since I landed, and the Li family had already sent people to greet me?
This matter could not be refused, Zhu Su and Li Jinglong immediately cheered up and met with Li Jiyi and the officials of Annan who came to greet them outside the concession port. Li Jiyi was of medium height, with a long beard under his chin, and he looked quite graceful. His face was kind, like an honest elder, and he smiled before he spoke, looking like an honest man.

If this man had not just deposed the emperor of the Chen Dynasty of Annan, and Zhu Su knew from history that this man would eventually usurp the entire Kingdom of Annan... I'm afraid he would have been fooled by his extremely deceptive appearance.

"Hahaha, your Majesty the King of Zhou has come to our country in person. It is really an honor for our country." Li Jiyi said very humbly when he saw Zhu Su. He even led the officials of Annan to perform a very standard kneeling ceremony to Zhu Su: "The humble official Li Jiyi, on the order of our King of Annan, has come to welcome your Majesty the King of Zhou."

"No need to do that, please stand up, please stand up." Zhu Su called out. But he felt an inexplicable chill in his heart. The more humble Li Ji's attitude was, the more he felt that this person was not someone he could easily get along with.

Anyone who shows courtesy to others must have something to ask for. Li Ji's enthusiasm towards me shows that he has a big plan for me!
(End of this chapter)