Chapter 24: The Fall of the Nation, The Extinction of the People

The sneering faces of the little devils appeared before Zhu Yuanzhang, chattering away in a language he could not understand, their laughter brazen and contemptuous as they mocked Old Zhu. Although the words escaped him, the moment the little devils brandished their firearms and stabbed down, the meaning was clear enough.

Using people as medicine, cutting open bellies to extract infants, boiling children alive, wanton slaughter—some devils even used bayonets to pull infants from pregnant women’s wombs just to gamble on whether the child was male or female. As scene after scene unfolded before their eyes, everyone present felt their rage and horror reach a fever pitch.

"Kill! Crush these damned vermin!"

"Destroy their nation, wipe out their kind! Nothing less will vent our fury!"

"Fourth, heed my command—during your dynasty, you must annihilate the nation of the Japanese for us! If there is any opposition in court, I will personally send the Hongwu Embroidered Uniform Guards to deal with it!"

Zhu Yuanzhang’s imperial countenance was twisted with fury, his chest burning as if a blazing fire scorched his heart and lungs. This insignificant stretch of land, politically chaotic, with its few villages fighting among themselves, had never drawn his attention. Yet who could have imagined that in later generations, these beasts would run rampant upon this land, committing every imaginable evil, their deeds akin to those of wicked spirits.

The scenes just witnessed were too vivid, as if personally experienced. Even when the Mongol Yuan ravaged the Central Plains, he had never felt such helplessness or such fury.

"Yes, Father, your son will remember!"

Zhu Di and Zhu Si’s faces were grim; their feelings mirrored Old Zhu’s. They could barely restrain their urge to dispatch troops at once to sweep through the Japanese lands.

Zhu Gaochi was even more furious. The consequences of the Fat One’s rage would be severe—the colossal machinery of the Yongle dynasty would be set in motion, crushing all before it.

Zhu Biao clasped his hands and said:

"Father, your son believes that to utterly destroy Japan would expend tremendous national resources. Moreover, their land is surrounded by the sea; if large numbers flee to become coastal pirates in revenge, it will bring endless calamity."

"Better to send a prince to govern, incite strife among the island factions, let them slaughter each other. Once the population is greatly reduced, migrate Ming citizens there and thoroughly sinicize the remnants of Japan!"

Hearing this, Zhu Yuanzhang's expression softened as he looked at his eldest grandson.

"Excellent, the Crown Prince’s words are the best plan!"

Zhu Youjian nodded in agreement.

After all, it wasn’t only revered teachers who sailed to Japan in later generations. During the Jiajing and Wanli years, defeated generals who could not survive political strife in Japan also took to the seas as pirates, causing considerable trouble for the Ming coastal regions.

If Japan were forced to become a nation of pirates, it would require even greater resources to subdue them—an unworthy effort. To split their factions, let them destroy one another, then sinicize what remains, is indeed the best strategy.

Truly, the Ming’s most brilliant Crown Prince!

Far-sighted, precise, and ruthless in execution!

With this single plan, within a century Japan would vanish, gradually fading into the river of history.

Zhu Biao’s benevolence is largely a contrast to Zhu Yuanzhang’s severity. In fact, this Crown Prince is no gentle soul. The two are much like so:

Zhu Yuanzhang: Kill them all—three thousand cuts!

Zhu Biao: Father, that’s too cruel—grant them poisoned wine.

In the end, death is inevitable; Zhu Biao merely shortens the process.

"Good! These devils, worse than beasts, I shall see them die in their mothers’ wombs!"

After a moment’s thought, Zhu Yuanzhang nodded in agreement, then turned to ask, "Grandson, which of my sons should be sent to govern the Japanese islands?"

"In my opinion, a prince capable of maintaining order must go; otherwise, if unable to subdue the cunning Japanese, the plan to destroy them may fail."

Zhu Youjian considered this, replying tactfully.

"Very well, for Hongwu’s side, let Fourth go. He could use the experience." Zhu Yuanzhang, sharp as ever, understood at once and nodded.

Zhu Di and Zhu Si, thick-skinned as they were, kept their expressions neutral, though inwardly they feigned sympathy for their younger selves.

"Grandson, do you think the Yongle and Jianwen dynasties can send someone to suppress Japan?"

Zhu Yuanzhang pondered. Fourth's sons were few—just three. The eldest, Gaochi, was his chosen successor and could not be spared. The remaining choice lay between the second, the Prince of Han, and the third, the Prince of Zhao.

"Either will do!"

Zhu Youjian glanced at them and said, "Let the two ancestors decide for themselves."

"Very well, you may speak." Zhu Yuanzhang did not insist, nodding as he looked to his two sons.

"Father, I think my second son, Zhu Gaoxu, should go. He’s brave, restless, and can keep order." Zhu Di thought for a moment, then spoke.

Hm?

Zhu Si’s expression shifted; he was unsure. Last time in the Hall of Enjoyment, the second son spoke up for him, allowing him to succeed the throne legitimately. Since then he had planned to make the second son Crown Prince—the foundation must not be shaken!

The third son, the youngest and most favored, was never beaten or scolded, and still too young to shoulder such responsibility, so naturally he was excluded.

Thus, only the eldest, Zhu Gaochi, remained. Though gentle by nature, he was capable enough. Suppressing Japan would be no problem, and he was about to name Gaochi.

But why would Zhu Di send the second son to govern Japan?

If so, would he still make Gaochi Crown Prince?

Zhu Si tested the waters: "Father, I plan to send my third son, Zhu Gaosui, to Japan. He’s clever enough—has often stirred up trouble between his elder brothers. Sending him to sow discord in Japan should be no problem."

"Why not send the second?" Zhu Yuanzhang frowned.

"Well... mainly because the second is so filial. He’s been by my side in war, weathered hardships. He deserves to rest."

Everyone present was clever enough to understand the real meaning. Only Zhu the Fat’s expression grew noticeably dim, while the others remained calm.

Old Zhu furrowed his brow and waved his hand. "Enough. If you want your third to go, let it be. His age isn’t an issue—I’ve met the child. He’s clever and resourceful, a real schemer. Once he arrives in Japan..."

Seeing his father about to settle the matter, Zhu Si hurried to add, "Father, actually, my eldest could go as well. Gaochi is strategic and capable—I’d trust him to suppress Japan."

"Absurd!"

Zhu Yuanzhang could not endure it any longer, scolding angrily, "Sending the Crown Prince to govern Japan—do you have manure for brains? If anything happens to Gaochi, the foundation of the realm is shaken. Will Ming fall in your hands?"

"But... there’s still the second son," Zhu Si replied, flustered.

Zhu Yuanzhang was furious. "Now I see! After all these twists and turns, you intend to make the second son Crown Prince! He’s restless like you—after your generation’s wars, you want him to wage another!"

"I’ve fought all my life, barely giving the people a few peaceful days. Now you start again—are the people of this realm beasts of burden, able to endure three generations of such torment?"

"Gaochi is benevolent and steady, a ruler who brings peace and stability—a true emperor for the people. What does your second son have? When he governed during Yongle, his handling of affairs was abysmal. You would make him Crown Prince? I truly don’t see what you find in him!"

Zhu Si was berated thoroughly, stammering, "The second is very filial..."

Zhu Youjian suddenly raised his brows with interest, remarking, "Ancestor, your filial son and virtuous grandson seem to be up to something extraordinary!"

...