After Zhu Qi relayed Zhu Zhanjun's "conditions," the entire Wenhua Hall fell into a prolonged silence.
Salt, iron, tea, Maritime Trade...
These things were all the lifeblood of the nation, the most important sources of the Imperial Court's fiscal revenue.
The moment Zhu Zhanjun opened his mouth, he wanted a hand in every one of these fields. The sheer scale of his ambition left even old ministers like the Three Yangs shaken.
"Th-this is absolutely out of the question!"
Yang Shiqi was the first to recover. He said agitatedly, "The state monopolies on salt and iron are the foundation of the nation!"
"If the right to operate these industries exclusively is granted to private individuals, even if that person is an Imperial Prince, it will inevitably breed corruption and lead to competition with the common people for profit. The consequences will be endless!"
"Lord Yang, you are mistaken."
Zhu Qi refuted him neither humbly nor arrogantly. "His Highness means 'cooperation,' not 'exclusive control.'"
"Take Maritime Trade, for example. The Imperial Court can establish a Maritime Trade Office, while His Highness's fleet will be responsible for opening routes, transporting goods, and bearing all the risks. The profits will be divided between the Imperial Court and His Highness at a ratio of three to seven."
"The Imperial Court can simply reap the benefits. Why would it refuse?"
"As for salt and iron, His Highness has new smelting technologies and methods of salt production that can greatly increase output and reduce costs."
"He can likewise cooperate with the Imperial Court, benefiting both the nation and its people."
He paused, then spoke with greater emphasis. "Moreover, His Highness said that all of this concerns the period after the war."
"What matters most right now is winning this battle."
"If even the Emperor cannot be rescued, and the Great Ming's Jiangshan cannot be preserved, what meaning is there in discussing any of this?"
With one sentence, he dragged everyone's thoughts back to the cruel reality.
Indeed. With people about to die, who would care about these pots and jars?
Zhu Gaochi looked at the three trusted aides whose expressions kept changing, and a decision had already formed in his heart.
He now possessed an almost blind confidence in his son.
"Zhanjun's conditions are, in principle, accepted by this palace."
Zhu Gaochi made the final decision. "The specific details can be discussed after he returns victorious."
"Right now, what we must do is support him at any cost!"
He looked at Zhu Qi. "Go back and tell Zhanjun to act without restraint!"
"Tell him that I am here in the capital, so he has nothing to worry about!"
"Yes, Your Highness!"
Zhu Qi bowed and accepted the order before quietly withdrawing.
Time passed day by day amid this tense and bizarre atmosphere.
Military reports concerning the Ruin the Barbarians Vanguard Camp came back to the capital from the north every day, as thick as falling snow.
And the contents of every report kept shattering the understanding of the sovereign and his ministers in the capital.
"On the third day, the Ruin the Barbarians Vanguard Camp had already passed through the Great Wall's frontier passes and entered the Mobei grasslands, marching four hundred li a day."
"On the fifth day, they encountered Tatar scouts. With a single charge, all three hundred enemy riders were slain, while our side suffered no casualties! According to the report, their army possesses a repeating crossbow capable of continuous fire. Within a hundred paces, it can pierce iron armor!"
"On the seventh day, the Vanguard Camp's trail vanished into the wind and snow. It seems to have advanced rapidly toward the Great Snow Mountain. The Xuande forces have completely lost contact..."
The atmosphere in the capital slowly changed from shock at the beginning, to anticipation, and finally to deep worry.
Crown Princess Zhang was especially restless. Ever since Zhu Zhanjun had set out on the expedition, she had been unable to sleep or eat.
Every day, she personally went to the Buddhist hall to pray for her husband, her son, and the Emperor—her father-in-law—far away in Mobei.
This was the ninth day since Zhu Zhanjun's departure.
After finishing his official duties, Zhu Gaochi went to the inner palace to visit his wife.
Yet he found Lady Zhang sitting beneath a lamp, personally sewing a thick inner armor.
The armor was made from the finest deerskin, stuffed full of pure white cotton. Every stitch was exceptionally tight and fine.
"It's so late. Why aren't you resting?"
Zhu Gaochi walked over and clasped his wife's hand, his heart aching for her.
"I can't sleep."
Lady Zhang raised her head, her eyes faintly red. "Zhanjun left in such a hurry that he barely brought any decent winter clothes."
"The weather in Mobei is bitterly cold. I'm afraid he'll freeze."
"I thought I'd make him an inner armor. When he comes back, he can still wear it in spring."
Looking at the deep maternal love in his wife's eyes, Zhu Gaochi felt a pang of sorrow as well.
"Don't worry."
He comforted her. "Your son isn't that good-for-nothing brat he used to be."
"He has Divine Soldiers, divine steeds, and more money than he could ever spend."
"He won't freeze."
"That isn't what I'm worried about."
Lady Zhang set down her needlework and said faintly, "I'm worried that when he comes back this time, he'll no longer be our son who only knew how to fight crickets."
Zhu Gaochi fell silent.
How could he not understand what his wife meant?
The strength and scheming Zhu Zhanjun had displayed this time had already far exceeded the bounds of an ordinary "prince."
Once he truly rescued Zhu Di, holding unparalleled merit in his hands while commanding an invincible army and wealth enough to rival a nation, would he be content to remain merely Prince Zheng?
When that time came, how were his parents supposed to conduct themselves?
And how was Crown Prince Zhu Zhanji supposed to conduct himself?
That was the question that worried them most.
"When the carriage reaches the mountain, there will be a way through."
Zhu Gaochi sighed. "Let's wait until he returns before discussing it."
"At least, he is the hope of our Zhu family."
Just then, a burst of hurried footsteps came from outside the door.
Fang Bin, the Minister of War, burst in under the guidance of a eunuch, his face filled with panic.
"Your Highness! Your Ladyship! This is bad! Something terrible has happened!"
"What are you panicking about?"
Zhu Gaochi furrowed his brows and said displeasedly.
Before you continue