My father is Chongzhen? Then I have no choice but to rebel.

Our gaze shifts back to the snow-covered Deshengmen Gate in Beijing.

After a month of arduous travel, Hong Chengchou's team finally arrived at their destination.

The towering city gate tower was faintly visible in the wind and snow. The soldiers guarding the city checked the official documents and, after confirming that it was Hong Chengchou, the retired governor of Liaodong, and his entourage, they dared not delay and quickly let them pass.

The convoy slowly drove into the barbican, passed through the deep gate, and officially entered the inner city of Beijing.

Despite the inclement weather, the wide, orderly streets of the capital and the bustling scene of shops lining both sides still dazzled the newly arrived students from Liaodong, who marveled at the sight.

As for the cement road under their feet, it wasn't anything new, because the cement road from the capital to Liaodong was already more than half completed, and they had seen it before.

Hong Chengchou was eager to return home, especially to meet with Zhu Cilang, report on the situation in Liaodong, and hear about his new appointment.

He ordered the main force to first go to the guesthouse prepared for him by the court to settle down, while he himself only took a few close attendants and prepared to go directly to the Eastern Palace.

Before their departure, he gathered the eighty-odd students under a sheltered roof and solemnly instructed them:

"Gentlemen, we have arrived in the capital. You may find an inn to stay in, settle your belongings, and prepare for the exam in peace."

"If you encounter any difficulties, you may come to the inn where I am temporarily staying to find me."

His gaze swept over the young, expectant faces, and his tone became more serious:

"Remember, this is the capital city, under the emperor's nose. The rules are strict, unlike those in Liaodong. You must be careful with your words and actions, control your temper, and never quarrel or fight with others, or cause trouble."

"If you violate the laws and palace regulations, even if I have the will to protect you, I fear I will be unable to save you. Everything is for the sake of preparing for the exam!"

The students, who already held this imposing supervisor in awe, bowed deeply upon hearing this and responded in unison:
"I will heed your teachings! I will certainly fulfill my duties, study diligently for the exam, and never dare to cause you any trouble!"

Hong Chengchou nodded slightly, gave a few brief instructions, then mounted his horse and, escorted by a group of personal guards, galloped through the snow towards the East Palace.

As soon as Hong Chengchou left, the students breathed a sigh of relief, and the atmosphere became lively.

They walked in twos and threes along the streets that had been cleared of snow, beginning their search for an inn to stay in.

On the way to Beijing, Hong Chengchou had repeatedly taught them some basic rules and precautions of the capital. At this moment, although everyone was excited to enter the bustling city for the first time, they also kept his warnings in mind and dared not act rashly.

However, they arrived quite late.

As the twelfth lunar month approached, most of the candidates from all over the country who were going to Beijing for the imperial examinations had arrived one or two months in advance. In the capital, especially the high-class inns near the examination hall, the Imperial College, and the area around the imperial city, were already overcrowded and rooms were hard to find.

The students inquired at seven or eight inns, and the answer they received was always "fully booked".

Left with no other option, they had to search in the relatively remote areas in the south of the city.

Wu Shouren and Chang Yong'an also silently followed in the crowd.

They tried to keep a low profile and, like other Han Chinese students, went from inn to inquire, but they were more apprehensive than others.

After searching for about an hour, it got dark and the wind and snow seemed to get heavier.

Finally, deep in an alley called "Mishi Hutong" in the south of the city, they found a mid-range inn called "Yuelai".

The inn's facade wasn't grand, but it looked clean and tidy.

The shopkeeper was a wiry old man in his fifties, wearing a melon-shaped hat. He was busy calculating accounts on an abacus when he was taken aback at first by the sudden influx of twenty or thirty customers dressed like scholars. Then, his face lit up with the warm smile typical of businessmen, and he hurriedly came out from behind the counter to greet them.

"Oh dear! Gentlemen, you must be tired from your journey! Please come in, please come in! It's freezing outside, have some hot tea to warm yourselves up!"

As he called out, he shouted inside:

"Waiter! Quickly serve tea to all the esteemed scholars! Prepare our best rooms!"

The waiter was quick-witted; seeing this, he immediately and attentively served tea and water, wiped the tables and chairs, and was extremely respectful.

After all, these people in front of us are all successful candidates in the imperial examinations. Who knows, some of them might become successful in the future, even becoming the top scholar or the number one scholar in the imperial examinations. They would be extraordinary people, so we dare not be negligent.

The students, exhausted from their journey, were already hungry and cold. Seeing the innkeeper and waiter's warm hospitality, they were immediately impressed and decided to stay there.

"Shopkeeper, we have a large group, please arrange rooms and register us."

"That's what the older student at the head of the group said."

"Of course, of course! Gentlemen, rest assured, I've got it covered!"

The innkeeper smiled and agreed, taking out a thick shop register and writing materials from under the counter to prepare for the check-in process.

The Ming Dynasty had extremely strict management of household registration. Travel and lodging required the verification and registration of household registration documents to prevent treason.

The students took out their travel permits and household registration certificates from their bags and handed them to the shopkeeper for registration.

The shopkeeper took the documents one by one, skillfully checked the names and places of origin, and carefully copied them into the shop register.

Everything went smoothly at first, and he always had a professional smile on his face. However, when he received two slightly strange household registration documents, his smile froze instantly.

These two documents differ slightly from ordinary civilian or military household registration records in both paper quality and format.

Most importantly, in the "Household Classification" column, three glaring characters were written in clear, regular script:

Jurchen households!
The shopkeeper rubbed his eyes, thinking he was seeing things.

He had run an inn for decades, seeing countless guests from all over the country, registering Mongols, Hui people, and even Semu people from afar, but this Jurchen household...
He had never seen anything like it before!

Especially given the fierce battles between the imperial court and the Jurchens in recent years, the appearance of this thing is even more outrageous!

Moreover, it seems that the person holding these two household registrations is actually a candidate who came to participate in the imperial examination.

He suddenly looked up, staring incredulously at the two men who had handed him the documents.

It was Wu Shouren and Chang Yong'an, who were standing a little behind the crowd and looked somewhat uneasy.

The shopkeeper carefully examined their faces; their facial features and eyes, so different from those of the Han people, further confirmed the information on their household registration.

"This...this..." The shopkeeper stammered, holding up the two household registration documents, his voice filled with surprise and doubt as he asked the crowd:

"What's going on? These two household registrations say 'Jurchen household'! How come there are Jurchens among you?"

Upon hearing this, the inn's lobby fell silent instantly.

All the students' eyes were focused on Wu Shouren and Chang Yong'an.

Although the Liaodong students traveling with them already knew their identities, the atmosphere was still somewhat awkward when the innkeeper exposed them in public.

Wu Shouren and Chang Yong'an exchanged a glance, took a deep breath, and knew that this moment was ultimately unavoidable.

They stepped forward, bowed respectfully to the shopkeeper, and maintained a dignified yet humble attitude.

Wu Shouren spoke first, trying to keep his voice steady:

"Shopkeeper, these two household registrations are indeed mine and my brother Chang's. We are Jurchens who have been naturalized under the jurisdiction of Liaodong Commandery. We have changed our surnames to Han names in accordance with the imperial system and are studying the classics."

"I was fortunate enough to pass the imperial examination thanks to Governor Hong's grace, and I have come to the capital to participate in the metropolitan examination next spring. I have no other intentions."

Chang Yong'an then added:
"Don't worry, shopkeeper. Although we are of Jurchen origin, we have long been devoted to the rule of the king and abide by the law. We would never dare to have any disloyal thoughts. We are going to take the exam only to serve the court and have no other intentions."

Their tone was sincere and their manners were impeccable, attempting to dispel the shopkeeper's doubts.

The other students from Liaodong who were traveling with them had gotten to know the two of them after spending time together. Although they did not speak up to help, they did not show much surprise or rejection on their faces. Instead, they observed in silence.

However, the shopkeeper was still shocked and hesitant, as if the two household registration documents for the "Jurchen people" in his hands were hot potatoes.

Having run an inn for many years, he knew well the image of the Jurchens in the hearts of the people of the capital. If this matter was not handled properly, it might bring unnecessary trouble.

For a moment, the air in the inn seemed to freeze because of these two special household registration documents.

But soon, his face turned completely cold, his eyes filled with undisguised wariness, disgust, and even a hint of unspeakable fear.

Then, as if he had encountered something extremely unclean, he quickly pushed back the two household registration documents of Wu Shouren and Chang Yong'an, his actions clearly showing disgust.

"I'm really sorry to both of you."

The shopkeeper cleared his throat, his tone becoming stiff and distant, and he avoided looking at Wu and Chang.

"Our shop... We've just checked, and we're completely full. There isn't a single room available. Please find somewhere else so as not to delay your journey."

Upon hearing this, Wu Shouren and Chang Yong'an's faces turned deathly pale.

They weren't fools. When they entered, the innkeeper was incredibly enthusiastic, constantly mentioning "superior guest rooms," and even brought out the registration book. Clearly, there were vacant rooms available.

How come they said "fully booked" as soon as they saw their household registration?

This is blatant discrimination and rejection!
A surge of immense humiliation welled up within him, and Wu Shouren felt a rush of heat to his head. He suppressed his anger, his voice trembling slightly with emotion:
"Innkeeper! What do you mean by this? We are guests who can afford to pay! Why can others stay, but the two of us can't? Is it because our household registration says 'Jurchen' that you are treating us differently? There is no such logic in the world!"

Chang Yong'an couldn't help but step forward, his face full of indignation and confusion:
"Shopkeeper, although we are of Jurchen origin, we have long since assimilated into the Ming Dynasty. We follow the laws of the Ming Dynasty, study the classics, and pass the imperial examinations alongside Han scholars. We are here to take the imperial examinations in the capital. Why should we suffer this injustice?"

Seeing that the two had made their point clear, the shopkeeper stopped pretending, his face darkened, hands on his hips, and he raised his voice, rebuking them with a heavy Beijing accent:
"What do you mean? That's exactly what I mean! You Jurchens! You Tartars! How many of my Han compatriots did you kill in Liaodong? How much land and property did you plunder from us? Now that you've lost the war, you suddenly want to take our imperial examinations and become our officials? There's no such easy thing in the world!"

"Let me tell you, this shop serves upright citizens of the Great Ming Dynasty, and absolutely not barbarians with wolfish ambitions like you! Get out! Get out of here right now! Don't defile my place!"

As he spoke, he waved to the waiter beside him:
"What are you all standing there for? Get these two out of here! Don't disturb the other scholars' rest!"

Although the waiter hesitated, seeing the shopkeeper's resolute attitude, he had no choice but to step forward and pretend to drive Wu and Chang away.

The other Liaodong students traveling with them, though they disagreed with the innkeeper's words and actions, had been traveling together for some time and had come to think that apart from their appearances, Wu and Chang were no different from Han people in their speech and mannerisms, and were quite knowledgeable and reasonable.

Seeing them suffer such humiliation, they couldn't help but feel some sympathy, and several older students quickly stepped forward to dissuade them:
"Shopkeeper, please calm down! Why get so angry?"

"Yes, shopkeeper, although Brother Wu and Brother Chang are of Jurchen origin, they are indeed candidates for the imperial examinations personally selected by Governor Hong and recognized by the court. It is in accordance with the law for them to come to the capital to take the examinations."

"They traveled with us the whole way, followed the rules, and did nothing wrong. Why should a shopkeeper turn people away just because of their place of origin when he is running a business?"

"Please, innkeeper, do us a favor. Where are they supposed to find lodging in this freezing weather?"

However, the shopkeeper was now determined and wouldn't listen to reason.

He forcefully waved his hand, interrupting the crowd's attempts to persuade him, his tone becoming even more agitated:
"Gentlemen, you are all scholars, you understand things, and I respect you! But this matter is non-negotiable! My ancestors had relatives who died in Liaodong! This blood feud cannot be so easily erased!"

“I don’t care whether they are scholars or naturalized citizens. In my eyes, they are Jurchen slaves! My shop is too small to accommodate such ‘distinguished guests’! If you continue to speak up for them, you and your companions will have to find other jobs!”

These words were almost unreasonable and arrogant. The other students looked at each other in bewilderment and were speechless for a moment.

They weren't close to Wu and Chang, and seeing the shopkeeper's resolute attitude, even at the cost of offending all the customers, they didn't want to stand up for him, lest they get into unnecessary trouble and delay their exam preparation.

After all, if they were all kicked out, they would probably have to sleep on the streets tonight.

In the dead of winter, they would probably freeze to death.

For a moment, the atmosphere in the inn became awkward and heavy.

But the shopkeeper's hostile and insulting words were like the fuse that lit a powder keg.

Wu Shouren and Chang Yong'an were already fragile and had strong self-esteem due to their sensitive identities. At this moment, they were denounced by the shopkeeper to their faces as "Jian slaves", "Tartars", and "barbarians", and were even compared to filthy things.

They also said that they had "dirtyed the place." All the grievances they had been suppressing, their anxiety about the future, and the deep-seated inferiority complex stemming from their background all erupted at this moment!

"This is too much! This is simply too much!"

Wu Shouren was trembling with rage, his eyes bloodshot, and he pointed at the shopkeeper and roared:
“I, Wu Shouren, am upright and honest, I study the classics of Confucius and Mencius, and I abide by the laws of the Ming Dynasty! The imperial court still allows me to take the imperial examinations, how dare you, a mere innkeeper, insult me ​​like this!”

Chang Yong'an was completely enraged. He shoved away the waiter who tried to pull him away and roared:

"We are upright scholars who have passed the imperial examinations! We have official documents from the court to prove it! By what right do you expect us to leave? If you don't give us an explanation today, we will not leave!"

The atmosphere grew increasingly tense. (End of Chapter)