Wei's heart was filled with desolation, but looking at Zhu Gao煦's resolute face, she wiped away her tears and looked at Zhu Gao煦 with determination.
"My Lord, as your woman, as the Han Prince Consort, whether in life or death, at any time or place, I will always be with you."
Wei had already prepared herself; tonight, she was dressed in her finest, waiting for a result. If Zhu Gao煦 failed and was killed, she would accompany him.
Upon hearing this, Zhu Gao煦's heart warmed, a smile slowly appeared, and he pulled Wei into his embrace.
He didn't know Wei very well, but this simple understanding at this moment made him realize that Wei was not bad; she was a capable wife.
"Don't overthink it. The decision to go overseas is not because of tonight's events, but my own decision.
Since you are willing to come with me, starting tomorrow, contact merchants and sell everything valuable in the residence.
The maids and servants in the residence, dismiss those who should be dismissed. Give them some money and let them go home. Only keep a few people to serve by your side.
Additionally, go back to your maiden home and see if anyone is willing to come with us. If so, sell all valuable items and don't keep any money. Convert it into grain and supplies.
When going overseas this time, money will not be of much use in the early stages. Supplies and grain are the most important."
Zhu Gao煦 kept giving instructions. Since he had already decided, he was not one to procrastinate. Even if Zhu Di had not agreed yet, he would prepare first, while also trying to get Zhu Di's approval. As long as he was ready, even if Zhu Di didn't agree, he would still go out on his own.
Listening to Zhu Gao煦's instructions, Wei's eyes reddened again, and she felt incredibly pained.
"My Lord, do we really have to sell everything? Can't we keep some and take them with us?"
Looking at Wei, whose eyes were red, Zhu Gao煦's heart also ached. This was his woman, willing to suffer with him.
"Then keep some of your frequently used jewelry. Sell everything else. Don't keep anything. These items will be useless if we take them with us."
He remembered how many items were in the Han Prince's Residence. He felt a little pained too, but there was no other way. Going overseas would definitely require development, and he had to prepare enough grain and supplies.
Money was useful, but keeping some as backup was enough. After all, where he planned to go, money might not even be able to buy anything.
After giving instructions for a while, Zhu Gao煦 also felt a bit tired. His mind hadn't rested since he arrived. He led Wei directly to the bedroom.
In the early morning, Zhu Gao煦 forced himself to get up early. Although the comfort of a soft bed was enticing, he needed to overcome it now.
"Greetings, My Lord."
"Rise. Come, sit."
Zhu Gao煦 looked at the man in front of him, one of his trusted confidants, Jin Rong.
At this time, Jin Rong had not yet taken office as the Commander of Shandong Province. He was still a general under Zhu Gao煦 and had followed him for many years, earning many merits during the Jingnan Campaign.
The battalion of soldiers he commanded was currently led by Jin Rong.
One battalion of soldiers, approximately four to five thousand men. Zhu Gao煦's battalion had four thousand eight hundred men.
His guard unit had not yet been disbanded by Zhu Di, which was also considered his main army.
"Jin Rong, I have something to tell you. You have followed me for many years and are my trusted confidant. You are fully aware of the situation between me and the Crown Prince.
Now I plan to go overseas to expand my own fiefdom. I intend to establish a vast fiefdom overseas. Once I go out, I will have no constraints whatsoever.
Are you willing to come with me? Are you willing to conquer the surrounding nations and expand our territory for me?"
Zhu Gao煦 stared intently at Jin Rong. He had even been with him during the rebellion. Now that he was just going overseas, in Zhu Gao煦's opinion, the difficulty was not great.
The only drawback was probably going overseas.
But his identity was still Han Prince, and his power was still intact. Although he believed in Jin Rong, he was still a little nervous, because after going out, he would also need talent. He couldn't do everything himself, could he?
Moreover, he would have to conquer the surrounding areas. He didn't plan to just stay in that small place peacefully after going out. The world was so big. If he didn't want to go out, then he would fight his way out. After it became his own fiefdom, wouldn't he no longer need to go out?
Jin Rong was greatly startled by the words, but he didn't hesitate at all. He immediately stood up and knelt before Zhu Gao煦.
"My Lord commands, this humble general shall obey! This humble general's life was saved by My Lord on the battlefield. No matter when or where, with My Lord's command, this humble general swears to follow to the death!"
During the Jingnan Campaign, Zhu Gao煦 saved many people. At that time, he was the most formidable fighter under Zhu Di, and Zhu Di's promises to him began precisely then.
Zhu Gao煦 helped Jin Rong up, patted the dust off his body, and tidied his clothes.
"Good, I didn't misjudge you! Since you are willing to come with me, go and prepare. Bring your families with you. Once we are outside, I will never treat you unfairly!"
After receiving Jin Rong's affirmation and chatting for a while, three more people arrived.
"Greetings, My Lord."
"Wei Da, Wei Xing, Wang Yu, you three are a bit slow in arriving. Come, sit."
The three sat down, and seeing Jin Rong also there, their hearts felt incredibly heavy. With all of them gathered, something big must be happening.
Wei Da was the younger brother of Zhu Gao煦's principal wife, Wei Qingwan. Wei Xing was Wei Qingwan's cousin. Both served in Zhu Gao煦's army and had followed him since early on.
Wang Yu was a scholar recruited by Zhu Gao煦, who had been managing many affairs for him and was also his absolute confidant.
Currently, Zhu Gao煦's forces consisted of a guard unit of three thousand men and that one battalion of soldiers.
That battalion of soldiers was still under his command because he had not promptly handed over the tiger tally. Although they were all his old subordinates who had followed him before, they were nominally under the jurisdiction of the imperial court.
The guard unit was more like his private army, but it could only exist with Zhu Di's permission. These were the men who accompanied Zhu Gao煦 to the battlefield, serving as his personal guards during combat.
Now that the core personnel of both armies were basically all present, Zhu Gao煦 directly got to the point.
"After you go down, arrange everything at home. After arranging, then tell the brothers below that if anyone is unwilling to come with me, let them leave.
And for those who stay, I will give you a sum of money later. Every single copper coin of this money must be distributed to the brothers below. If anyone dares to reach out and take a single coin, don't blame this prince for disregarding old ties!
At the same time, have everyone prepare. Their families will all come along at that time. This prince will never abandon anyone!"
The army was the foundation of his livelihood, and Zhu Gao煦 regarded this as extremely important. Although both armies were composed of his old subordinates, not everyone might be willing to follow him out, who knew?
Now was the time to weed out those people to avoid affecting others.
Upon hearing this, several people stood up and assented.
Zhu Gao煦 finally looked at Jin Rong, Wei Da, and Wang Yu.
"Jin Rong, Wei Da, you two will finally compile a list of all the brothers willing to go for Wang Yu, as well as their families. Count how many people there are, clearly.
Wang Yu, you need to calculate how much grain so many people will need, how much gunpowder the army needs to store, how many ships are needed, how many supplies, and so on. Record everything and give it to me later.
Now go down and start immediately."
"Yes, My Lord!"
