Chapter 494: All Nations Come to Pay Tribute!

Soon, outside the Fengtian Hall, the plaza was teeming with people.

Upon the high dais.

Four seats stood in position.

Zhu Yuanzhang, Zhu Biao, Zhu Ying, and Zhu Wenxi each took their seats.

Now.

As Zhu Wenxi grew older, Zhu Ying had consciously begun training him to handle state affairs; especially during scenes such as this, where ten thousand nations came to pay tribute, Zhu Wenxi naturally had to accompany them.

Once Zhu Yuanzhang, Zhu Biao, Zhu Ying, and Zhu Wenxi were seated, the foreign monarchs upon the hall floor did not hesitate for a single moment.

One after another, they knelt upon the ground.

Then, they shouted in unison: "Long live the Emperor! Long live the Crown Prince! Long live the Imperial Grandson! Long live the Successor!"

Looking out across the expanse.

These foreign tribes possessed diverse skin tones and included both men and women. Although their appearances differed from the Han people of the Central Plains, they all spoke Chinese.

Furthermore, some of the foreign monarchs spoke Chinese quite fluently.

"Rise, all of you."

As the Emperor of the Great Ming Empire, Zhu Yuanzhang spoke to the foreign monarchs in a cold tone.

A moment later.

These foreign monarchs shouted in unison once more: "Your servants thank the Emperor!"

To tell the truth.

Most of the foreign monarchs were visiting the Imperial Capital and the Imperial Palace for the first time. Therefore, when they saw the grandeur of the palace, they were filled with profound emotion.

Moreover.

When these foreign tribes looked upon Zhu Yuanzhang, Zhu Biao, Zhu Ying, and even Zhu Wenxi, they felt a powerful imperial majesty, not daring to utter a single whisper in the plaza.

"Speak up, everyone. Tell me how development is progressing in your respective lands."

As Zhu Yuanzhang's voice fell, the faces of the foreign monarchs below the dais all showed expressions of panic.

After all.

No one dared to be the first to step forward.

Seeing that no one spoke for a long time, Zhu Yuanzhang proactively raised his voice slightly.

"What? Are you all mute?"

Clearly.

Once Zhu Yuanzhang finished speaking, the hundreds of foreign monarchs felt their hair stand on end. Everyone knew very well that if Zhu Yuanzhang became angry, they would certainly not meet with a good end.

Thus.

The monarch of England steeled himself and stepped forward.

This English monarch spoke to the four figures on the high dais with utmost respect: "Reporting to the Emperor, this humble servant is the monarch of the Kingdom of England."

"Currently, after ten years of development, England's people live in peace and prosperity, and we have already established a large number of workshops."

"All the people of England are fiercely loyal to the Great Ming Empire!"

"This humble servant also thanks the Great Ming Empire from the bottom of his heart for the assistance provided to England!"

Having finished speaking.

The English monarch knelt directly before Zhu Yuanzhang and performed the kowtow.

Upon the high dais.

Seeing the attitude of this English King, Zhu Yuanzhang was somewhat satisfied. He spoke with a calm demeanor: "If I remember correctly, England is an island nation, is it not?"

"Island nations lack grain the most."

"Currently, how is England's grain production?"

As soon as Zhu Yuanzhang finished speaking, the English monarch naturally did not dare to hesitate. He immediately reported: "Thank you for your concern, Emperor. Although England is an island nation, we do not lack grain."

"Since the people of England learned the irrigation techniques of the Great Ming Empire, grain production has seen meteoric growth over these ten years."

"Additionally, since England is surrounded by the sea on four sides, the people can also subsist on seafood."

Zhu Yuanzhang nodded again; he was quite satisfied with England's current development.

"Very good."

"Ten years ago, England was considered a strong power in the West. Now that England has become our vassal state, it must naturally develop well."

"Furthermore, the most important point is that whether it is your royal family or the common people, you must be loyal to the Great Ming Empire."

"If I were to learn that England is disloyal to the Great Ming, do not blame me for being unkind."

To tell the truth.

When Zhu Yuanzhang finished this sentence, the English monarch was instantly drenched in a cold sweat.

"Please rest assured, Emperor! Whether it is the royal family or the commoners, England is sincerely loyal to Your Majesty and to the Great Ming Empire!"

"During these ten years, no rebellions have occurred in the nation of England!"

At this time, Zhu Biao, acting as the Crown Prince, took the initiative to speak: "This is a gathering of ten thousand nations. What gifts has your country, England, brought for His Majesty?"

As he spoke.

The English monarch immediately had men carry in over a dozen chests of gold.

"Reporting to the Crown Prince, this is a small token of sincerity from the nation of England. We hope the Emperor, the Crown Prince, the Imperial Grandson, and the Successor will accept it in spirit."

Seeing so much gold, a slight smile appeared on Zhu Yuanzhang's face.

Then.

Zhu Yuanzhang said with a smile: "Not bad. Your country, England, has indeed shown sincerity."

"In that case, we shall accept this gold."

Subsequently, Zhu Yuanzhang beckoned to the Imperial Guards in the plaza. Soon, the dozen or so chests of gold were carried away by the guards.

After the English monarch finished speaking, the monarchs of France, Moscow, and other Western European countries also spoke one after another. Among them, most of the Western洲 monarchs presented gifts of immense value.

This brought Zhu Yuanzhang great gratification.

Finally.

The monarchs of Northern Europe, Eastern Europe, and other regions also followed suit, each demonstrating their own sincerity.

However... when it came to turn for Southern Europe, the atmosphere changed abruptly.

After all, most of the Southern洲 lands were quite barren and contained many deserts; thus, the strength of these Southern洲 nations was actually the weakest.

There were even many commoners in these Southern洲 nations who could not even eat their fill.

Naturally, these Southern洲 nations did not possess much strength.

But even so, these Southern洲 nations offered their very best gifts to Zhu Yuanzhang.

As the monarch of the Aksumite nation, he was the first to step out from among the officials.

This Aksumite monarch had dark skin, but his teeth were remarkably white.

Without a word, this monarch went straight to kowtow and saluted the four figures on the high dais.

"This humble servant is the monarch of the Southern洲 Aksumite nation. Since Aksum became a vassal state of the Great Ming Empire, the lives of the Aksumite people have been changing for the better every day."

"This humble servant is sincerely loyal to the Great Ming Empire!"

"This is a small token of my sincerity!"

Having finished, the Aksumite monarch had his attendants bring over a dozen chests of ivory and various animal hides before Zhu Yuanzhang.

Although Zhu Yuanzhang was somewhat dismissive of these gifts, he understood the situation in the Southern洲 and thus did not get angry.

"Mhm, we accept them."

"Currently, the development of the Southern洲 is the most backward in the entire Great Ming Empire. As the monarch of the largest nation in the Southern洲, you ought to play a leading role."

"I hope that after you return, you can earnestly formulate policies to allow the people of Aksum to enjoy a good life soon."

Although the entire Southern洲 consisted of vassal states of the Great Ming Empire, in a sense, the people of the Southern洲 were also Zhu Yuanzhang's people.

Therefore, Zhu Yuanzhang naturally hoped that the lives of the Southern洲 people would continue to improve.

Upon hearing Zhu Yuanzhang's words, the Aksumite monarch hurriedly knelt before him and said in a high voice: "Your servant obeys!"

"Please rest assured, Emperor, Aksum will certainly follow the development of the Great Ming Empire!"

...

In the time that followed, other Southern洲 monarchs also expressed their thanks to Zhu Yuanzhang and presented their respective gifts.

Finally.

Zhu Yuanzhang spoke to the foreign monarchs: "It was truly not easy for you to travel thousands of miles to reach the Imperial Capital this time. I am very gratified."

Zhu Yuanzhang paused for a few seconds, his gaze sweeping over the diverse foreign monarchs in the plaza, before continuing: "I know that ten years ago, or even earlier, many of your nations were ancestral enemies."

"But now, you are all vassal states of the Great Ming Empire. Therefore, I hope that nations that were once enemies can live in harmony."

"Only by working together and standing united can everyone develop better."

As Zhu Yuanzhang's voice fell, the monarchs in the plaza immediately accepted the command, shouting in unison: "Your servants obey! Please rest assured, Emperor, we shall certainly live in harmony!"

Zhu Yuanzhang was quite satisfied with the attitude of these monarchs. Then, he turned to Zhu Ying beside him and said: "Xiongying, you should say a few words as well."

Zhu Ying nodded, stood up from his chair, and said: "Now, the entire world is one family. Just as Imperial Grandfather said, we must naturally live in harmony."

"Additionally, I also hope that your nations will cooperate with one another. For example, the Southern洲 possesses many trees; the nations of the Western洲 and Eastern洲 can purchase timber from the Southern洲."

"Currently, the shipbuilding industries of the Western洲, Eastern洲, and even the Northern洲 are already quite advanced, even possessing steam merchant ships. You can strengthen commercial cooperation with each other."

"Of course, the Great Ming Empire will continue to support the development of all regions, and the Governors of each region will formulate development policies."

"Your main task as monarchs is to resolutely execute the policies of the Governors."

In Zhu Ying's view, the development of the Central Plains of the Great Ming Empire was already quite successful, but other regions, especially places like the Northern洲 and Southern洲, were still quite backward.

Therefore, if the Great Ming Empire wanted to increase its comprehensive national strength, the other regions had to develop in coordination.

Regarding the matters proposed by Zhu Ying, the foreign monarchs naturally did not dare to object and accepted the orders one after another.

Finally.

Zhu Biao, as the Crown Prince, also spoke: "You have all traveled vast distances and spent much time to arrive at the Imperial Capital. Since you have come with such difficulty, stay in the Imperial Capital for a few more days."

"You can take the opportunity to observe the development of the capital. When you return, you can model the construction of your own nations after the capital."

"If there is anything you need, feel free to request it from the local Governor. If it is a reasonable request, once the Governor reports it to the Imperial Court, the Court will provide assistance."

Upon hearing that the Great Ming Court would assist in their development, the foreign monarchs were naturally quite excited, hurriedly kneeling on the ground to thank Zhu Biao!

"Your servants thank the Crown Prince!"

After Zhu Biao finished speaking, Zhu Yuanzhang, sitting on the dragon throne, turned his gaze toward Zhu Wenxi.

In terms of seniority, Zhu Wenxi was Zhu Yuanzhang's great-grandson. In daily life, Zhu Yuanzhang was naturally quite fond of this great-grandson.

Thus.

Taking advantage of this opportunity of the ten thousand nations paying tribute, Zhu Yuanzhang hoped to give Zhu Wenxi more practice.

"Wenxi, you say a few words as well."

"After all, you are also an heir to our Great Ming Empire. Tell us your views."

Hearing Zhu Yuanzhang say this, Zhu Wenxi immediately nodded, and then he proactively stood up from his throne.

However.

Zhu Wenxi did not speak immediately, but instead swept his gaze across the foreign monarchs in the plaza.

After a few seconds, Zhu Wenxi spoke slowly: "It has now been ten years since the Great Ming Empire unified the world. Within these ten years, the Great Ming Empire has entered a stage of rapid development."

"Currently, in the Central Plains, the households of the people are very prosperous. This is sufficient to prove that the policies of the Great Ming Empire are correct."

"When you return to your respective territories, you must also tell your local people what you have seen and heard in the Imperial Capital. At the same time, you must take the capital as your goal and accelerate your construction!"

"In the next ten years, if any nation develops more rapidly, the Imperial Court will naturally provide rewards!"

As Zhu Wenxi's voice fell, the hundreds of foreign monarchs also bowed to him...

After the court assembly ended.

Zhu Yuanzhang was in a good mood, so he specially hosted a banquet for these foreign monarchs who had come from afar, as well as the officials of the Imperial Court.

Within the great hall.

Everyone drank heartily.

After the banquet ended, Zhu Yuanzhang, Zhu Ying, Zhu Biao, and Zhu Wenxi strolled through the Imperial Palace.

Looking at the moonlight, Zhu Yuanzhang could not help but remark: "Xiongying, it truly is a scene of ten thousand nations paying tribute now. All of this is your credit."

Zhu Ying said with a smile: "Old man, you are being too modest. This is not Xiongying's credit, but the credit of our entire family."

...

The next day.

Many foreign monarchs had already personally entered the Imperial Capital to tour, observe, and, of course, learn.

All monarchs yearned to develop their own countries to be like the Imperial Capital.

However.

They were also very aware that the development of the Great Ming capital had consumed immense human and material resources. For an ordinary nation, even if they gathered the strength of the entire country, it would be impossible to reach the level of the capital.

Therefore, it was absolutely impossible to copy the capital's development entirely. For this group of foreign monarchs, this trip to the capital could only be for strolling and sightseeing.

Of course.

Many foreign monarchs also went shopping in the capital.

Among the most popular items for these foreign monarchs were Triceratops, Pterosaurs, and so on.

Especially the Pterosaurs.

A considerable number of foreign monarchs purchased a significant quantity of Pterosaurs before leaving, though these Pterosaurs were naturally under control, with everything being managed by the Great Ming.

It was impossible to allow these foreign tribes to use them against the Great Ming.

... (End of Chapter)