I am the prince of the Ming Dynasty, I don't give up

Chapter 260 Knocking on the Palace
Mr. Guan rested in the inn for two days. After the initial novelty wore off, he began to feel anxious again.

The bundle in his hand contained the hopes of tens of thousands of folks in Neiqiu County. He would be unable to sleep or eat well until the book for all people in it was delivered.

Moreover, when he arrived in the capital, he realized that the political situation in the capital was very bad. There were voices everywhere opposing His Majesty's decision to lower the price of salt, especially the His Majesty's helper, the Prince of Jing, who was now being wanted by everyone.

This made him even more anxious. He wanted to hand in the Book of All Peoples as soon as possible. However, after arriving in the capital, he realized how big the capital was, how many rules there were, and how unfamiliar he was with the place. He couldn't find a way to hand in the Book of All Peoples.
He was also afraid that the book he had submitted would be destroyed by officials who opposed the low price of salt, and he would be doomed to death.
Other villagers who came to Beijing also encountered the same difficulties.
Just when they were getting anxious, Cao Tingyun appeared again.

At this moment, Cao Tingyun looked more radiant and proud than he was two days ago.

During these two days, he was summoned personally by Zhu Houxuan. Zhu Houxuan was very interested in the fact that the people took the initiative to form a railway protection team. He asked a lot of questions about this and fully affirmed the important role he played in this matter.

Cao Tingyun naturally told everything he knew. It was the first time he met the legendary figure, the King of Jing, and Zhu Houxuan's affirmation of him made him extremely excited.

"You have been active around Shunde Prefecture and don't know what's happening in other places. I've read the promotional booklet you wrote. It's very well written! It has also caused a huge response in other places." Zhu Houxuan exclaimed.

"The people of Shunde Prefecture took the initiative to form a railway protection team. People from many other prefectures and counties also took action. They braved the severe cold to guard the various stations of the Royal Group. They helped us reduce a lot of losses and also arrested many people who wanted to destroy the various stations. The people support our Royal Group so much, and we should not let them down," Zhu Houxuan said with great emotion.

Cao Tingyun's blood boiled after hearing this. He had not expected that the propaganda booklet he wrote would play such a big role. However, he was still relatively sober and quickly said, "Tingyun dare not take credit for it. It is all thanks to my colleagues in the Propaganda Department."

In the end, Zhu Houxun even personally saw Cao Tingyun off.

This made Cao Tingyun flattered. He didn't expect that the legendary King of Jing would be so approachable.
When Cao Tingyun thought about the scene of that day again, he felt as if he was dreaming.

Because his achievements were recognized by Zhu Houxuan, Sun Gong, the Minister of Propaganda, decided to entrust him with an important task, and let him be responsible for guiding the village elders to submit the book to the people.
"Mr. Cao!" When Mr. Guan saw Cao Tingyun, he felt like he had seen a relative and went up to him and held his hand tightly.

"Mr. Cao, why are you back?" Mr. Guan said excitedly.

"I've finished my work and came to see you, old man. I promised the folks in Neiqiu County to take good care of you," Cao Tingyun said with a smile.

When Grandpa Guan saw Cao Tingyun, he felt like he had found a backbone, because he knew Cao Tingyun was from Beijing.
"Mr. Cao, I have been unable to eat or drink these past two days because I really can't find a way to submit the book to the people. Mr. Cao, you are from the capital and are more familiar with the capital than we are. What do you think we should do to submit the book?" Grandpa Guan said as he pulled Cao Tingyun into the guest room. Soon, more than a dozen village elders came into the guest room. Grandpa Guan was not idle these past two days and connected many village elders who came to the capital for the same purpose.

Now these dozen or so village elders are looking at Cao Tingyun with eager eyes.

Cao Tingyun did not disappoint the elders and said, "I understand your feelings and the important responsibilities you bear. These past two days I have been thinking about how you will handle the matter of the Book of All Peoples."

Cao Tingyun looked around at the village elders and said, "After much thought, if I want to personally hand over the Book of the People to Your Majesty, I can only go to Chengtian Gate to knock on the gate."

"Knock on the Palace Gate." The village elders exchanged glances with each other. They had all received some education, and many of them had the title of scholar. Naturally, they knew what knocking on the palace gate was.

"I heard that His Majesty has been quite diligent recently and attends the morning court every day. As long as we knock on the gate of Chengtian Gate when the morning court is about to end and make a louder noise, His Majesty will be inside the palace behind several walls. As long as he hears our voices, he will most likely accept the letter from the people that we hand in," said Cao Tingyun with a sharp look in his eyes.

"This..." More than a dozen village elders began to discuss in a low voice. Many of them felt a little afraid when they heard that they were going outside the imperial city.

"I think Mr. Cao's idea is very good, or it is our only way. What are you still hesitating about?" After hearing what Cao Tingyun said, Mr. Guan felt suddenly enlightened. He slammed the table and said.

The other village elders looked at Grandpa Guan in astonishment.

"We are all half-buried in the ground, and we don't know how many days we can live. What do we have to be afraid of?" Grandpa Guan looked at the villagers around him earnestly, "I know knocking on the gate will cause a big fuss, but I am not afraid to knock on the gate at all, because I am more afraid that my children and grandchildren, and my fellow villagers will not be able to eat cheap salt!"

Mr. Guan’s words were so inspiring that the expressions of the surrounding elders began to relax.

"You have heard and seen in the capital these days how bad the situation is. Many treacherous ministers do not want the price of salt to go down. It is His Majesty who has been suppressing those treacherous ministers. We all know how many bad things those treacherous ministers have done outside the capital. If we don't even help ourselves at this time, then no one can help us. We will have let down the expectations of our fellow villagers." Grandpa Guan continued.

The village elders were gradually convinced by Grandpa Guan and overcame their fear.
"There are actually quite a few loyal ministers in the court who support Your Majesty in lowering the price of salt. We might run into them when we knock on the palace gate, and they might be able to speak for us." Cao Tingyun continued to encourage the elders.
The village elders present quickly reached a consensus and decided to go to Chengtian Gate to knock on the gate tomorrow.
There are already more than 200 village elders who have arrived in the capital. Under the arrangement of the Royal Group, they all live not far away. With the help of Cao Tingyun, the village elders quickly connected and decided to act together tomorrow.
That night, Mr. Guan slept very restlessly. Maybe he was too excited, but he didn't fall asleep until dawn, and then he was woken up by the rooster.
(End of this chapter)