Ming Dynasty: A mere unruly commoner is rebelling against the heaven?

Chapter 58: Private visit via incognito!

After hearing the good news, Zhu Youtang's bad mood eased a little.

"Very good. If we continue to develop at this pace and nothing unexpected happens, the Hongzhi Baochao will be promoted from northern Zhili to the south after the beginning of next spring."

After pacing around the Qianqing Palace twice, Zhu Youtang suddenly made a decision.

"Wang Zhi, follow me out of the palace and visit incognito."

"I want to personally see how the Hongzhi Baochao is being promoted in the capital."

Wang Zhi looked up in surprise, and his face, which had been calm for years, finally changed.

"Your Majesty, this..."

Zhu Youtang looked at Wang Zhi with a sharp gaze: "Is there a problem?"

Wang Zhi lowered his head quickly and said, "Your Majesty, there is no problem, but please give me some time to prepare."

"Your Majesty, safety is of utmost importance when traveling. You must not be careless in the slightest."

"Your Majesty, even if you hurt a hair, I will never give up!"

Zhu Youtang nodded, knowing that Wang Zhi's concerns were not unfounded.

"Then I will give you half an hour to prepare."

"Yes, Your Majesty!"

After receiving the order, Wang Zhi immediately left the Qianqing Palace and returned to the Western Factory as soon as possible.

"Ma Jinzhong, Tan Lu, Jisheng!"

"Immediately lead the Western Factory to secretly inspect all parts of the capital and eliminate all potential dangers."

"Seal off the entire second floor of the capital! Seal off the entire roof of the capital!"

"Yes, Mr. Factory Supervisor!"

The three of them took the order together.

Ji Sheng was somewhat curious: "Master Dugong, why are you mobilizing so many troops?"

Wang Zhi looked cold and glared at Ji Sheng fiercely: "Don't ask questions that you shouldn't ask, go!"

"If you dare to make the slightest mistake, I will skin you alive!"

Ji Sheng shuddered and dared not ask any more questions. He immediately led the Western Factory soldiers, disguised as civilians, and secretly checked every dark alley in the capital.

At the same time, Wang Zhi put aside his prejudices against the Eastern Depot and the Embroidered Uniform Guard for the first time.

This news was conveyed to Huai En and Mou Bin.

"Your Majesty is leaving the palace for a private visit in disguise. The whole city is on alert!"

When the news that Zhu Youtang was going to leave the palace for a private visit reached Huai'en of the Eastern Factory and Mou Bin of the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

Huai En and Mou Bin were both frightened and broke out in cold sweats.

Both of them felt extremely frightened and nervous. At this moment, they all put down the things in their hands and only wanted to protect Zhu Youtang's safety during his secret visit.

In the East Factory Yamen, Huai En was roaring!

"Li Guang, Liu Jin, the two of you should quickly take the East Factory's men and secretly inspect all parts of the capital to eliminate all potential safety hazards."

"Remember, don't alarm ordinary people!"

"Yes, Lord Governor!"

In the Northern Pacification Office, Mou Bin was roaring!
"Blue Dragon, White Tiger, Vermillion Bird, Black Tortoise."

"The four of you, immediately lead the Jinyiwei and set up secret sentries in the capital to ensure that there are no blind spots in the capital."

"Remember, this must be done in secret, and no one should be alerted!"

"Yes, sir!"

All the factory guards in the capital began to operate secretly.

In a place that ordinary people could not notice, the entire capital city was under martial law.

Half an hour later, Zhu Youtang had changed into casual clothes and disguised himself as a wealthy businessman.

Accompanied by Wang Zhi, he left the Forbidden City through Donghua Gate.

At the gate of Donghuamen, Huai En and Mou Bin, who had already changed into civilian servants, had been waiting for a long time.

Next to them, there was an ordinary sedan chair carried by two people. The space was not big, only enough for one person to sit upright. When Zhu Youtang saw the two of them, his face darkened: "Two factories and one guard know about it? Then why should I go on a private visit in disguise?"

Huai En quickly explained: "Your Majesty, the factory guards are all in the dark and will never alarm any of the people."

Zhu Youtang stared at Huai En, who suddenly realized that he had said something wrong and slapped his mouth repeatedly.

"Look at my mouth, um...Mr. Huang."

Zhu Youtang got on the ordinary sedan chair and said, "Let's go to Qianmen Street first."

"Yes, Master Huang."

Wang Zhi and Mou Bin took the initiative to lift the sedan chair and walked towards Qianmen Street.

Huai En followed beside him, listening carefully and looking in all directions.

Since the Battle of Tumu, the ministers have been strictly guarding against the emperor's travels.

Whenever the emperor wanted to leave the palace, impeachment memorials would come like snowflakes.

What are these civil servants afraid of?
With the exception of Emperor Wuzong, other emperors in the middle and late Ming Dynasty spent their entire lives like canaries locked in the Forbidden City, never leaving the palace.

Emperor Sejong once returned to his old fiefdom.

The farthest place Emperor Shenzong went was to the foot of Tianshou Mountain, where he took a distant look at the Dingling Mausoleum built for himself.

Other emperors never left the palace throughout their lives.

It was said that the world belonged to the emperor, but except for Zhu Houzhao who went on an inspection tour to the south of the Yangtze River, other emperors never left the palace.

So, does this world belong to the Zhu family or to those civil servants?

Zhu Youtang will never just be a canary in the palace. In my Ming Dynasty, no one can stop me from going wherever I want.

Qianlong went to the south of the Yangtze River six times. If those wild boars from the Qing Dynasty could go there, why can’t I?

Soon, Zhu Youtang and others arrived at the street in front.

Zhu Youtang also got off the sedan chair and strolled leisurely on Qianmen Street.

On both sides of the road, shops are lined up and waiters are calling out for business.

There are crowds of tourists all around, it is very lively and bustling.

Zhu Youtang felt the hustle and bustle of this world, and a smile slowly appeared at the corner of his mouth.

This was Zhu Youtang's second time leaving the palace. The last time, the emperor was also present and all the people avoided him.

That time he only saw the buildings in the capital, but this time on a secret visit, he finally met the people of the Ming Dynasty.

Zhu Youtang felt very close to the people of the Ming Dynasty from the bottom of his heart.

They are the foundation of Zhu Youtang's rule.

Zhu Youtang, like the people of the Ming Dynasty, simply wanted to make life better for the people of the Ming Dynasty.

Having enough food to eat, warm clothes to wear and a place to stay is enough.

The people of the Ming Dynasty are the most simple and honest people. As long as they have food to eat, they will not think of rebelling.

But these wishes run counter to the interests of the Ming Dynasty's officials, the gentry, and the noble class.

Zhu Youtang has always been very clear that his enemies have never been outside the Great Wall or overseas.

His enemies are right inside the Ming Dynasty, right here in the capital!

Zhu Youtang stopped in front of a small stall selling fans.

He picked up a fan casually: "How much is this?"

The stall owner smiled and replied respectfully: "Sir, if you like this fan, I will give it to you for 180 coins."

Zhu Youtang looked at Wang Zhi beside him, and Wang Zhi quickly took out a Hongzhi treasure banknote from his pocket and handed it to the stall owner.

After the stall owner took the Hongzhi treasure note, he couldn't help but frown, looking a little embarrassed.

"Ouch, this..."

Wang Zhi's expression changed slightly and his brows furrowed slightly.

Zhu Youtang looked calm and said, "What's wrong? You don't want to accept this Hongzhi treasure note?"

(End of this chapter)