Ming Dynasty Simulator: I will be the greatest emperor of all time!

The Prince of Yan's mansion inexplicably became wealthy, which attracted the attention of the entire court. Those officials who had previously hesitated but wanted to gain merit for supporting the emperor began to flock to Zhu Di's side.

Having money means that building a new metropolis will be very smooth, and a smooth construction of a new metropolis means that one may be able to obtain the power of the crown prince.

The Crown Prince, who had previously remained calm, could no longer sit still.

If Zhu Di had actually built the new capital, solidifying the Prince of Yan's reputation as "guarding the nation's gates" for the Ming Dynasty, then the Prince of Yan's popularity among the people would have been overwhelming. In that case, whether Zhu Yunwen, the grandson of the Crown Prince, would have been the heir apparent would have been uncertain.

"Mother, Fourth Uncle is gradually gaining power. Other princes are now coming and going to the Prince of Yan's residence. Among the court officials, many are also outwardly compliant but inwardly defying our Crown Prince."

Zhu Yunwen said angrily.

Actually, he wanted to reprimand his imperial grandfather more, but he was afraid that the walls had ears and that his words about reprimanding his imperial grandfather would be overheard.

Grandpa must be senile! In his old age, he has a great desire for power and is afraid that I will take away his power, so he supports my fourth uncle to oppose me.

Zhu Yunwen studied history and the art of rulership from a young age. He knew these things: Emperor Wu of Han suppressed Liu Ju in his later years because he was afraid that Liu Ju would take away his power; Emperor Taizong of Tang favored Prince Wei in his later years in order to suppress Crown Prince Li Chengqian.

Now, it's his turn, the grandson of the emperor.

In Zhu Yunwen's view, his grandfather still wanted to pass the throne to him, but in his old age he became somewhat senile and thought of promoting his fourth uncle's power so that his fourth uncle could rival him as the crown prince.

Zhu Yunwen couldn't help but say indignantly:

"Isn't Grandpa afraid of going too far like this?"

Lady Lü snapped, "Shut up!"

"Your Majesty is wise and sage. How can one fathom the thoughts of a sage?"

Zhu Yunwen immediately fell silent.

Only then did Lady Lü calmly express her doubts:

"Where did your fourth uncle get so much money?"

Zhu Yunwen was filled with disgust for military men:

"What else could it be but the hard-earned money of the people of Yan, and the army's empty salaries?"

"These military officers are all the same, including my fourth uncle. If we want this country to enter a prosperous era, we still have to rely on civil officials, like my teachers."

Lady Lü continued:

"His Majesty now intends to support the Prince of Yan to oppose the Crown Prince, but the Prince of Yan is not the eldest son; your father is. The rightful heir to the throne still lies with us."

"The construction of the new capital will take at least ten years to complete. Your fourth uncle's idea of ​​building political prestige based on the new capital is nothing short of wishful thinking. Do you think your grandfather can still hold on..."

Zhu Yunwen listened to Lady Lü's analysis and hesitated somewhat:

"That little brat Zhu Gaoxi is staying close to Grandpa now, so our previous plans with him aren't working. Mother, do you suggest we just wait and see?"

Lady Lü shook her head:

"No, we should wait and see. Outsiders will think that our Crown Prince Palace is weak, and even His Majesty will think that our Crown Prince Palace can be bullied by others. This will not be good for you."

No great ruler likes a weak heir.

"Have Huang Zicheng and others submit a memorial stating that since the princes are close to the Prince of Yan's residence, His Majesty should send the princes back to their fiefdoms first. It is against etiquette for the princes to stay in the capital."

"To build a new capital, the Prince of Yan will need to conscript laborers. What if this incites a popular uprising?"

"Yes."

……

Zhu Yuanzhang also learned that Zhu Di was very wealthy.

After learning from the simulator that Zheng He's voyages to the Western Ocean had discovered new continents, Zhu Yuanzhang also wanted to claim credit for this achievement.

Since its founding, the Ming Dynasty had a well-developed shipping industry. It was in the Battle of Poyang Lake that Zhu Yuanzhang established his rule and took the first step towards formally conquering the world.

Therefore, Zhu Yuanzhang felt that the voyages to the Western Ocean were not only a project that could be initiated, but also a project that could be put into practice.

He had someone submit a list of all the people in the Prince of Yan's residence, and even a list of those close to the Prince of Yan's residence, which he requested from the Ministry of Revenue.

He wanted to find the Zheng He mentioned in the simulator.

Zhu Yuanzhang read through the list and surprisingly found three or four people named "Zheng He". He then ordered Song Zhong to investigate and discovered that these people named Zheng He had never even read a book.

"Our old Zhu didn't have much formal education, but he wasn't stupid. Anyone who could lead the voyages to the West must be fluent in Western languages ​​and be very knowledgeable."

Zhu Yuanzhang then removed all instances of "Zheng He".

"Could it be that this person hasn't yet pledged allegiance to the fourth prince?"

After some thought, Zhu Yuanzhang came to this conclusion.

He had no idea that Zheng He was originally called Ma He, and that the name Zheng He was a name change.

"Since we can't find Zheng He, let's start a project for his voyages to the Western Ocean."

"Summon Yu Xin, Minister of Revenue."

After summoning Yu Xin, Zhu Yuanzhang explained his purpose:

"We want to expand our fleet, go to the Western Ocean to spread the power of the Ming Dynasty, and find other lands suitable for the people of the Ming Dynasty to live on. Do you think this is feasible?"

Upon hearing the emperor's words, Yu Xin felt only the urge to resign and quit immediately.

My goodness, the Ming Dynasty has only been established for a few years, and there's been a small war every three years and a major war every five years. How much money does my Ministry of Revenue still have?

Now you want to build a new capital. Although the Prince of Yan has covered all the expenses, the people in the Ministry of Revenue still have to help out and contribute some money. This has really worried me, the head of the Ministry of Revenue.

Now you, the Emperor, are shrug your shoulders and come to me asking if we can expand the Ming Dynasty's ships?

Can you even speak like a human being? Let's not even talk about what use expanding the ships would be to the Ming Dynasty. Even if it were useful, where would the money come from? My new Ministry of Revenue isn't some golden goose that lays eggs indefinitely.

Even if you kill me today, you can forget about getting a single penny from the Ministry of Revenue!

Yu Xin looked distressed:

"Your Majesty! Building new buildings requires money, restoring people's livelihoods requires money, and fighting wars requires money. If building ships is to demonstrate national power, I believe that although it is necessary, it cannot be done now. The Ministry of Revenue's funds are mainly used for people's livelihoods and war expenditures."

Zhu Yuanzhang patiently explained:

"Just start a project. Our generation isn't really building ships, but starting a project is fine, right?"

Yu Xin was even more depressed.

If the project is approved, then the people involved in it need to be paid their salaries! My Ministry of Revenue doesn't have the money to pay salaries!!!

Yu Xin firmly refused Zhu Yuanzhang:

"Your Majesty! We have no money!"

Zhu Yuanzhang was still unwilling to give up:

"We'll only use a small amount of money from the user department."

"Your Majesty, we have no money!"

Seeing that Yu Xin was as stingy as a miser, Zhu Yuanzhang was at his wit's end.

He was also aware of the difficulties faced by the Ministry of Revenue.

He sighed and didn't make things difficult for Yu Xin anymore.

"Why don't we include the voyages to the Western Ocean in the 'Imperial Ancestral Instructions of the Ming Dynasty'? That way, when the fourth prince goes on the mission, we might get a share of the credit."

Suddenly, Zhu Yuanzhang's eyes lit up.

"Yeah, the fourth brother's got money!"

"Someone, bring us the fourth brother."

Zhu Di was busy building the new capital when he was summoned to the palace by his father, and he was a little unhappy.

What upset him even more was what the old man said next:

"Fourth brother, kneel down."

Zhu Di thought to himself, "Do you need to tell me? When we meet the emperor or our father, we are supposed to kneel and pay our respects."

"Fourth son, I have a favor to ask of you."

"Could you lend Dad some money?"