Ming Dynasty: I risked my life to teach the prince, the emperor begged me not to die

Chapter 219 Hot spring bath

Outside the city of Peking, light snow fell, and another winter was coming.

A carriage stopped outside the southern city of Peking. The owner of the carriage got out. He looked to be no more than thirty years old. He was wearing a cloak, holding an umbrella, and looking up at the city of Peking.

I just stood there in the snow, not knowing how long I had been watching.

As a vassal king of the Ming Dynasty, there are very few opportunities to enter Beijing in one's lifetime. Some vassal kings may find it difficult to enter Beijing in several lifetimes.

Zhu Youlang was lucky. He grew up in Peking, but since he went to Huguang to establish his fiefdom, he never set foot in the capital again.

Now that I have stepped into the capital again, I cannot help but feel deeply moved.

This time when he went to the capital, he had to ask his royal brother for salary on behalf of all the princes and royal families in the world. This was undoubtedly a difficult task. He had to embarrass his brother on the one hand, and represent the royal family of the entire Ming Dynasty on the other. No matter what the result was, it would not be a good thing for him.

The second thing was relatively easy. He wanted to bring the express delivery franchise in Huguang area under his own name, which was not a difficult task for him.

"go in."

Zhu Youlang got back on the carriage and entered Beiping. Zhang Mao and the soldiers of the Five Military Commandery had been waiting inside for a long time.

On the wide streets of Beiping, people moved aside one after another. The Jinwu Guards cleared the way in front, while the Jinyi Guards and the Dongchang maintained order. Zhang Mao clasped his fists and said, "This old minister greets His Royal Highness Prince Xing."

Zhu Youjue got off the carriage, walked up to Zhang Mao in two or three steps, and said politely, "Uncle Zhang, don't be polite. Get up quickly."

Zhang Mao chuckled, and it was obvious that they had a good relationship.

Zhu Youlang got back on the carriage, and Zhang Mao set off, taking Prince Xing straight to the palace.

……

After Zhu Youju arrived in Beijing, he did not meet Emperor Hongzhi immediately, but first asked the chief secretary of the palace to meet the owner of Shuntian Express.

Zhu Youju instructed Wu Yingyuan, the chief secretary of Prince Xing's Palace, "This is the capital, not Huguang. Be polite when you receive guests. Don't look down on them just because they are businessmen."

In the capital, they had no power at all, and Zhu Youqi did not want to be criticized, so he first instructed the chief secretary of the prince's palace.

Wu Yingyuan said hurriedly: "I obey your command."

Zhu Youqiu nodded and said, "Go ahead, we must get the express franchise in the Huguang area."

"As ordered."

Although the princes had no power in the capital, it was still easy for them to investigate someone. When Wu Changshi came to Huaihua Hutong, he even thought he had gone to the wrong place.

It is surprising that the head of such a huge commercial express delivery company lives in such a simple place.

This capital city is truly a place where hidden dragons and crouching tigers are everywhere.

There was a knock on the door and Chen Ce went to open it. In fact, the inner factory and Liu Hong had already informed Chen Ce of the information.

Chen Ce knew the other party's identity and purpose.

"My name is Wu Yingyuan, nice to meet Mr. Chen."

Chen Ce pretended not to know, and after asking the other party about his identity and purpose, he pretended to be surprised and said, "It turns out to be Wu Changshi. I am glad to see you."

Wu Changshi was not an official with airs. He was always friendly and amiable in his words and deeds. After a conversation, the two became familiar with each other.

"Mr. Chen, can you come to my house tonight to discuss something?"

There was no reason for Chen Ce to refuse. It was better to have less trouble than more. If the other party did not abuse his power, there would be nothing wrong in handing over the express delivery franchise in Huguang to Prince Xing's Mansion.

"it is good!"

Chen Ce readily agreed to Wu Yingyuan's request.

After Wu Yingyuan left, Chen Ce went to the newspaper company and called Yang Yuzhen.

There would be social events in the evening, and drinking was inevitable, so it would be useful to bring Yang Yuzhen along. In the evening, a sedan stopped outside Huaihua Hutong.

Chen Ce took Yang Yuzhen into the sedan chair and closed his eyes slightly to rest.

Yang Yuzhen seemed very excited. The sedan was very large and it was obvious that the other party was of high status.

"Godfather, where are we going?"

Chen Ce: "Attend the banquet."

"You accompany the drinking."

Yang Yuzhen groaned twice and said, "Okay! I love drinking the most."

This is to take me to see the world. After all, the people my godfather can come into contact with are all rich or noble. I am so lucky to benefit from him.

The sedan chair traveled for a distance and stopped at a remote and elegant place.

Chen Ce and Yang Yuzhen got off the sedan chair. Wu Yingyuan had been waiting for Chen Ce outside the mansion. When he saw Chen Ce, he said, "Please come in, Mr. Chen."

Chen Ce bowed and said, "I dare not. Sir Wu, please go first."

You cannot neglect the other party just because he is not an official from the capital. Even if the officials in the royal palace do not have much real power, you still have to behave politely.

Chen Ce brought Yang Yuzhen and followed Wu Changshi into the villa.

Along the way, Yang Yuzhen showed what it meant to be inexperienced.

In fact, not only Yang Yuzhen, but also Chen Ce did not know that there could be such a luxurious courtyard in the capital. After entering the courtyard, they had to sit in a sedan chair, which traveled for a while before stopping in the backyard.

The central hall is extremely luxurious, with all kinds of antiques, calligraphy and paintings on display, which are dazzling to the eyes.

Fine wine and delicious dishes had already been placed on the round table, and the dishes were mainly Hangzhou cuisine, which showed that the other party had checked Chen Ce's background.

Wu Yingyuan warmly invited Chen Ce and Yang Yuzhen to take a seat.

Chen Ce doesn't drink, so the drinking task was naturally left to Yang Yuzhen.

After three rounds of drinks, Wu Changshi came straight to the point and said, "Mr. Chen, I am a straightforward person, so I won't beat around the bush with you."

Chen Ce smiled and said, "Your Excellency, please feel free to speak."

Wu Yingyuan said: "We want Shuntian Express to franchise outlets throughout Huguang."

Ok?
Yang Yuzhen was shocked. He didn't know that Shuntian Express was also Chen Ce's property. Chen Ce had never told him about it.

What's happening here?
Is that wrong? It's Shuntian Newspaper... That's not right, newspapers can't let other people join them? They send people to directly manage newspapers across the country.

Chen Ce said readily: "Okay!"

Wu Yingyuan was stunned for a moment and said, "Master Chen didn't even make any requests?"

Chen Ce said, "What do you want to ask for? Lord Wu is so sincere in his hospitality, so I'm sure he will be honest in his business as well."

"I have no reason to refuse you."

Wu Yingyuan nodded secretly. This man was so young, yet he could own such a huge industry. He had the qualifications. This courage alone made Wu Changshi admire him!
"Mr. Chen is so forthright. I would like to thank you on behalf of the prince. I will entertain you well when you visit Huguang in the future."

Yang Yuzhen was completely confused. What was going on? What prince, what Huguang, what express delivery?
Wu Yingyuan smiled and said, "There are several natural hot springs in the backyard. We will go take a dip in them later. Each of us will have a hot spring. They are well hidden."

Chen Ce had never seen the top dignitaries of the Ming Dynasty. There was a natural hot spring in this place, and it was in someone's private yard. This was not a mansion that could be bought with money alone!
A vassal king living away from home could have such an estate in the capital, and he might even only live there once or twice in his life for decades...

Chen Ce thought about it and found it incredible.

He had never taken a hot spring bath and wanted to refuse, but Wu Yingyuan was so enthusiastic that Chen Ce agreed.

(End of this chapter)