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

Chapter 38 Chen Ce's casual suggestion

Zhu Houzhao did not bring many eunuchs and guards from the Eastern Palace, only about ten people, so they could not move very fast.

He lifted his wide robe and ran to the Northern Pacification Office. Liu Jin followed behind him, constantly asking Zhu Houzhao to slow down.

After arriving at the Northern Pacification Office, Zhu Houzhao dispatched a hundred-man Jinyiwei team to the Huaihua Hutong in the ruins.

They had tools and the rescue speed was obviously much faster.

The smoke in the cellar became thicker and thicker, gathering in the narrow space and almost suffocating people. Chen Ce covered his mouth and nose with a wet cloth, and Wu Shuxian did the same.

The sound from above became clearer and clearer. After the piled up rubble was cleared away, one could even vaguely hear that familiar voice.

"Little brother, little brother, are you in there?"

Intermittent, anxious voice.

In the end, Zhu Houzhao even rolled up his sleeves, squatted down, and stuck out his butt, working hard to dig the earth.

"Sir, there is a gate here." Liu Jin said to Zhu Houzhao as if to seek credit.

"Pull it up quickly!"

The evening sunlight is soft and golden. Although it is winter now, this weak sunlight gives people a warm feeling.

The warm sun shone in the cellar. Chen Ce squinted his eyes, covered his mouth and nose with one hand, and blocked the light from outside with the other hand. He had never seen sunshine as beautiful as this evening.

Madam Wu and Chen Ce were standing a little far away from each other. Just now they were close together, but now there was a large distance between them, like a chasm between them.

Zhu Houzhao laughed, but why did Chen Ce feel that there was mist in this guy's eyes?

Snapped!
Zhu Houzhao slapped Liu Jin on the head with his backhand and said angrily: "Who told you to pick up so much dust? It all got into my eyes!"

Liu Jin: "..."

"Why don't you go and save people?" Zhu Houzhao roared.

"Oh oh."

Both Liu Jin and Gu Dayong were relatively tall, and Chen Ce sometimes found it funny to see Liu Jin, such a tall and strong eunuch, flattering Zhu Houzhao.

The future leader of the Eight Tiger Eunuchs now looks like a big quail.

After Chen Ce was pulled up, he greedily breathed in the fresh air outside, and did not forget to say to Liu Jin: "There are still people down there."

Just now, Zhu Houzhao and Liu Jin both focused their attention on Chen Ce and didn't notice that there was another girl inside.

Oh, it turns out that you are my neighbor.

Zhu Houzhao signaled Liu Jin to pull the person up.

Wu Shuxian was different from Chen Ce. Chen Ce did not thank Zhu Houzhao. Everything was unspoken. Zhu Houzhao understood the friendship with just a glance.

As a man, saying thank you seems very formal.

But Madam Wu was different. Even though she was still sick, she did not forget to bow and thank Zhu Houzhao and Liu Jin, saying that their life-saving grace was greater than heaven.

The ruins outside are heartbreaking to look at, and naked corpses can occasionally be seen among the ruins, which makes people feel even more upset.

Almost all the courtyards in Huaihua Hutong collapsed. Without their home, Chen Ce and Mrs. Wu seemed at a loss.

Liu Jin was careful and attentive, unlike Zhu Houzhao who kept bragging to Chen Ce, saying that he felt there was something fishy in the ruins at first sight, that he had already seen the door of the cellar, and that his eyes were very sharp.

Liu Jin said to Zhu Houzhao, "Master, they have no house."

Zhu Houzhao: “?”

"Oh yes."

Zhu Houzhao finally reacted, patted Chen Ce on the shoulder, and said, "The court has set up temporary resettlement sites on every street, and you can live there for free."

"The Ministry of Industry has already started to build houses for you. It won't be long before it's rebuilt. You can go live there for a while."

Chen Ce asked, "Is there a doctor?"

This was said on behalf of Lady Wu, who was still suffering from a cold and needed treatment quickly. Zhu Houzhao nodded and said, "We have doctors assigned to us, and they are free of charge."

Chen Ce nodded slightly. The court did a pretty good job in post-disaster relief work, which was quite humane. It was a pity that it could have been better.

Chen Ce was unwilling to say more. He took Miss Wu and staggered on Zhengyang Street, one in front and one behind. The two lonely figures were stretched out in the sunlight of Zhengyang Street.

Zhu Houzhao sighed softly.

Liu Jin also sighed and said with emotion: "How tragic!"

Zhu Houzhao: "What a perfect match!"

what?
Liu Jin followed Zhu Houzhao's gaze and discovered that he actually had the mind to appreciate this thing.

"Master, let's go back to the palace and meet the emperor!"

After Zhu Houzhao confirmed that Chen Ce was safe, he nodded and said, "Okay, let's go back to the palace."

As soon as he turned around, he saw Chen Ce walking back slowly. Zhu Houzhao patted Chen Ce on the shoulder generously and said heroically: "Little brother, you don't have to thank me. You know me, I always do things in a low-key manner. Well, if you really want to thank me, just say it, I'll just accept it."

Chen Ce said with a look of resentment: "I am older than you."

Forget it, let’s not talk about this. Let him call me whatever he wants.

Chen Ce thought for a moment and asked Zhu Houzhao, "Does the court have any other disaster relief strategies?"

Zhu Houzhao looked confused and said immediately: "How should I know? I'm not the crown prince."

Uh-huh, you're not.

Chen Ce nodded and said, "If possible, add another disaster relief strategy and let the crown prince leave the palace to represent the emperor to comfort the people."

Zhu Houzhao tilted his head and asked, "Why?"

Chen Ce smiled and said, "Think for yourself."

After saying this, he turned around and followed Madam Wu away.

……

Forbidden City, Hall of Nourishing Heart.

Under the personal supervision of Emperor Hongzhi, various departments of the court worked together to finally stabilize the natural disaster and the post-disaster work was carried out in an orderly manner.

Xu Pu is old, and as the chief minister of the cabinet, he is unable to handle many things. He fell ill due to overwork after a few days. Now the second minister Liu Jianquan has the power to represent Xu Pu in presiding over cabinet affairs.

At this time, Liu Jian, Li Dongyang and the other three were in the Yangxin Palace arranging the next matters for Emperor Hongzhi.

Offering sacrifices to heaven is currently the emperor's top priority. Feudal society emphasizes patriarchal etiquette, and the royal family attaches the most importance to it. Offering sacrifices is more important than anything else. Even though it is not practical, it must be done.

At the very least, it can let the people know that he, the emperor, treats them as his own children.

Zhu Houzhao came in a hurry, and had already adjusted his facial expression and emotions. He said sadly: "Father!"

"I told you, I told you long ago, there are signs of a dragon turning over."

"So many people died. I feel so sorry for them. I didn't persuade my father well enough!"

Emperor Hongzhi felt somewhat guilty towards Zhu Houzhao and was speechless for a moment.

The third elder nodded secretly. The prince was not as bad as the teachers in the East Palace said. Isn't that good? He cares about the people and will definitely be a wise ruler in the future!
"Father, do you have any other disaster relief strategies?" Zhu Houzhao asked.

Emperor Hongzhi had not originally intended to tell Zhu Houzhao about this, but then he thought, since his son was so sensible, there was nothing he couldn't tell him.

"I will naturally open an altar to offer sacrifices to the heavens, praying for good weather and the elimination of disasters in the Ming Dynasty."

Zhu Houzhao said, "If possible, can you add one more?"

"What?" Emperor Hongzhi looked at him suspiciously.

Zhu Houzhao said: "Let the Crown Prince... oh no, let me, your son, represent your father to go out of the palace to comfort the people?"

As soon as these words were spoken, the Third Elder's expression suddenly changed!
(End of this chapter)