I was compiling the daily records during the Wanli reign

Chapter 327 Wanli Leaves the Palace! A Murder Occurs on the Street

Late at night, in the master bedroom of the Shen residence.

Gu Yue'er leaned against Shen Nian's chest, enjoying their time together as a couple.

An hour ago, they had a deep conversation with each of the three elders, and the three of them decided that they would go back to Qiantang together after the New Year.

All three of them are family-oriented.

Especially Shen's mother, who came to take care of the children. Now that Shen Yanche has grown up and Shen Zhiyi will soon be able to walk, it's time for her to enjoy her own life!
As for her father-in-law Gu Dongxing's remarriage, Shen Nian didn't say much.

He only said that if he met the right person, he could remarry, and even have more children. Shen Nian and Gu Yue'er would not mind at all. Gu Dongxing finally said two words: "Let it be."

"My husband, let's go back to Qiantang when we're old!"

Shen Nian held Gu Yue'er's fair hand and said, "No need to wait until we're old. Wait for me for another ten years. When the world is peaceful and prosperous, the government is efficient and the people are well-fed, I will retire early, and we can go wherever we want!"

Shen Nian is not a power-hungry person; he only wants to change the world.

Once the Ming Dynasty established a new order and all his ideas were put into practice, he resigned from his official post and returned to his hometown to live a life of leisure.

Being a leisurely fisherman in Qiantang is much more comfortable than being a high-ranking official in the capital who worries and stays up all night every day!
"Are you trying to make me happy?" Gu Yue'er said with a smile and rolled her eyes.

"Sleep, sleep!" Shen Nian grinned mischievously and then turned over.

……

As December arrived, the capital city became increasingly bustling.

After a busy year, most wealthy merchants from all over the country choose to spend the Spring Festival in the capital.

This place not only boasts the richest entertainment and leisure options in the entire Ming Dynasty, but it is also the best place for leaders from all walks of life to eat, drink, socialize, and exchange gifts.

Some businessmen have arranged almost all of their business for the next year just by having dinner parties in Beijing during the twelfth lunar month!

The implementation of the Single Whip Law increased the liquidity of silver and boosted consumer spending.

Shen Nian merely glanced through the local tabloids and saw an increase in news headlines such as "A certain merchant takes twelve concubines, and a certain old man in his sixties marries an eighteen-year-old courtesan." He knew that the number of people doing business in the Ming Dynasty had increased significantly this year, and many merchants had made a lot of money.

After the people of the Ming Dynasty went from being poor to rich, the first thing they thought of was not to enjoy themselves, but to take more concubines and continue the family line.

Currently, many ordinary people share a consensus: to ensure a comfortable life, farming is not an option; they must engage in business.

Some daring people even went to sea in groups, hoping to make a fortune through maritime trade and change their fate.

It's clear that people are living with more energy!
The goal of ensuring everyone has enough to eat can only be achieved through the collective efforts of the entire population.

……

On the fifth day of the twelfth lunar month, around noon, the winter sun was slightly warm.

Inside the Wenhua Hall.

The young Wanli Emperor sat on his throne, a smug expression on his face.

Below, the five cabinet ministers stood on either side.

Grand Secretary Zhang Juzheng was carefully reviewing a document. This document was not a routine memorial submitted by an official, but rather a report on the young Wanli Emperor's completion of his studies last month.

Zhang Juzheng read it very carefully.

After reading the document, he cupped his hands and said, "Your Majesty's studies last month were excellent, with no omissions. This is truly a blessing for our Great Ming Dynasty!"

The young Wanli Emperor puffed out his chest.

"Prime Minister, does that mean I am qualified to go out incognito to investigate the people's conditions for half a day?"

"Yes, Your Majesty, please select someone!" Zhang Juzheng said, bowing.

While Shen Nian was inspecting Nanjing, the young Wanli Emperor couldn't resist going incognito to inspect various government offices.

When Zhang Juzheng learned of this, he felt that this behavior was inappropriate.

Because the various government offices in the capital were supervised by the Censorate and the Six Ministries, the young Wanli Emperor's incognito inspections might not reveal the truth, which could easily cause some officials and clerks to panic, and even lead some officials to deliberately put on a show to please the young Wanli Emperor.

Finally, Zhang Juzheng discussed with the young Wanli Emperor that if the young Wanli Emperor completed his monthly studies exceptionally well, he would be allowed to travel incognito to the capital for half a day the following month to investigate the people's conditions. He could choose to go in the morning or afternoon, but not in the evening. He must be accompanied by a cabinet minister, and he could not leave the city. Each time he could only go to a small area, and the location had to be decided in advance. He was not allowed to eat or drink any food or tea outside the palace...

The so-called "incognito investigation of the people's conditions" was actually just allowing the young Wanli Emperor to enjoy half a day of leisure on the streets of the capital.

Today marks the first time that young Wanli has had the opportunity to go out.

The young Wanli Emperor looked at the five Grand Secretaries and said, "Let Minister Shen accompany me out!"

"Your subject obeys!" Shen Nian bowed to the young Wanli Emperor.

The other four cabinet ministers were not at all surprised by Wanli's choice.

Shen Nian was naturally the first choice, while choosing Zhang Juzheng would simply mean changing the daily lectures on culture to be conducted in a carriage.

"The weather is fine today. I plan to go out this afternoon to investigate the people's conditions!" The young Wanli Emperor looked at Shen Nian and said, "Minister Shen, please recommend a region!"

Shen Nian thought for a moment, then cupped his hands and said, “Your Majesty, the end of the year is approaching, and the capital is bustling with activity everywhere. The most bustling place is Zhengyangmen Street. Why don’t we take a stroll along Zhengyangmen Street and turn back when we reach Pig Market?”

"Yes!" Little Wanli nodded.

North of Zhengyang Gate, government offices stood in rows, leading directly to the Forbidden City; south of Zhengyang Gate, the streets and markets were bustling with the daily lives of ordinary people.

Just a door away, it's like two different worlds.

As the young Wanli Emperor, he grew tired of everything within the Forbidden City and indeed needed to experience the atmosphere of the common people from time to time.

The emperor's half-day trip may seem simple, but in reality, there are many things to prepare.

First, Zhang Juzheng had to consult with the two empress dowagers to ensure they were aware of the news. Second, Feng Bao had to arrange for carriages, attendants, clothing, snacks, tea, and so on. After that, Shi Qing, the commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard responsible for protecting the young Wanli Emperor, had to arrange not only the visible guards but also at least a hundred plainclothes Embroidered Uniform Guards on Zhengyangmen Street to ensure the young Wanli Emperor's safety was absolutely guaranteed.

Finally, Shen Nian, who was accompanying them, also had to make a series of preparations.

For example, quickly find out about the shops and restaurants in the area from Zhengyangmen to Zhushikou, as well as what leisure and entertainment activities are available.

Shen Nian also brought along Wang Jia, a secretary in the Imperial Secretariat.

As the official in charge of recording the emperor's daily activities, he was responsible for recording the words and actions of the young Wanli Emperor and then reporting them to the cabinet.

This kind of record doesn't need to be specific to every single sentence.

However, after the young Wanli Emperor went out, it was necessary to keep a complete record of what happened and what he was interested in, and this record would be compared with the records of the imperial guards who accompanied him.

This was done primarily to prevent the young Wanli Emperor from going to dirty places or doing anything shady.

……

Half an hour later.

After a simple lunch, Emperor Wanli ordered someone to urge Shen Nian to leave.

Not long after.

A very ordinary-looking carriage drove out of the Meridian Gate.

The carriage was quite spacious, and it was equipped with snacks, tea, dried fruit, and other refreshments.

The young Wanli Emperor sat at the very front, while Shen Nian sat to one side. A junior eunuch from the Directorate of Ceremonial sat on a small wooden stool near the door, awaiting orders.

Shi Qing, a member of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, drove the carriage himself, while Wang Jia, a secretary in the Imperial Secretariat, sat beside him.

Four mounted guards followed behind. This entourage looked like that of a wealthy merchant going out. It wasn't the most luxurious, but most people would keep their distance and dare not provoke him if he walked down the street.

Not long after.

After the carriage passed through Duanmen, Chengtianmen, and Damingmen, the area outside the window immediately became lively.

Outside the window is Qipan Street, and in front of Qipan Street is Zhengyang Gate. To the east and west of Zhengyang Gate are Guanyin Temple and Guandi Temple, respectively.

This place has become a bustling area within the capital.

Shen Nian and his group's destination was Zhushikou, due south.

Shen Nian's plan was for the carriage to take a round trip first. On the way back, if Xiao Wanli wanted to get out and walk around, he would find a teahouse for him to have some tea or listen to a storyteller for a while. Then, they would get back into the carriage and enjoy the scenery along the streets on their way back.

Let young Emperor Wanli experience it.

If you really let him go deep into the city, even if there is no danger, it is easy to disturb his mind.

Folk entertainment is diverse and very tempting.

After the carriage passed through Zhengyang Gate, the young Wanli Emperor couldn't help but let out a long breath, then rolled up the window and excitedly observed both sides of the street.

He was captivated by the noise of the streets alone.

There were people performing ventriloquism, monkey shows, acrobatics, and vendors selling candied fruit, bean cakes, and milk skin.

Even though the palace pastries in front of him were much more exquisite, he couldn't take his eyes off the pastries at the stall, constantly asking Shen Nian what this was and what that was, and then gesturing to Xiao Fangping with his eyes.

When he was out and about, he couldn't just eat whatever he wanted, but he asked Xiao Fangping to remember the names of these snacks so that he could bring some back to the palace later.

Shen Nian could easily understand Wanli's little scheme, but seeing that he was in a good mood, she pretended not to know anything.

A moment later, the young Wanli looked at Shen Nian.

"Minister Shen, the carriage will stop ahead in a moment. I've decided to first go to Scholar Sun's bookstore to get a few books, then go and watch the acrobatics we just passed. After that, I'd like to listen to Pingtan (a type of storytelling and ballad singing in Suzhou dialect), which can be done in a private room. Then, I'd like to find a teahouse to listen to a storyteller recount Journey to the West. We'll head back after sunset, how does that sound?"

Worried that Shen Nian might object, Xiao Wanli added, "Don't worry, Shen Qing, we only need to stay in each place for fifteen minutes. There's still enough time."

Shen Nian smiled at the young Wanli.

"Your Majesty's arrangement is fine in my opinion. However, if I accompany Your Majesty to do this today, then I'm afraid that in the future, it will be Grand Secretary Zhang who accompanies Your Majesty!"

The young Wanli Emperor immediately pouted.

He knew very well that it was already a luxury to be able to stop the carriage to do one thing, and that going to four places in a row to plead would only result in being "scolded".

"You can only choose one!" Shen Nian said with a smile.

"Then...then let's find a teahouse and listen to a storyteller recount Journey to the West!" Little Wanli said with a wronged expression.

Shen Nian knocked on the front door of the carriage and said, "Shi Qing, go to the Three Bowls of Tea Bookstore!"

"Yes, sir!" Shi Qing replied from outside.

Shen Nian looked at Xiao Wanli and said, "Your Majesty, the Three Bowls of Tea Storytelling Hall on this street is the best at telling the Journey to the West. The storyteller is called Zhang Tiezui, an old scholar who is over forty years old. Many book fans say that when it comes to telling the Journey to the West, he dares to claim second place and no one dares to claim first place in the capital!"

"Really? Then I must listen carefully!" The young Wanli suddenly perked up.

Not long after.

Xiao Wanli, Shen Nian, Wang Jia, and Shi Qing arrived at the Three Bowls Tea Storytelling Hall and found a corner to sit down.

Shi Qing had plainclothes Imperial Guards stationed at the table, the front door, and the back door to ensure that no accidents would happen.

When Emperor Wanli traveled incognito, guards like Shi Qing were the most exhausted and nervous.

If anything goes wrong, they will all be guilty of a serious crime.

After the four sat down, the storyteller Zhang Tiezui was telling a wonderful story.

"It is said that the Great Sage Equaling Heaven, born of nature on Flower Fruit Mountain, felt deceived because of his low rank, and thus staged a great battle outside the Thirty-Three Heavens!"

"The Monkey King took out his Ruyi Jingu Bang, as thick as a bowl, and smashed the tiles and glazed tiles in front of the Tongming Hall, causing the pillars outside the Lingxiao Hall to collapse and the jade steps to crumble... Ten thousand heavenly soldiers and generals, the Twenty-Eight Constellations, the Four Heavenly Kings, and Nezha, the Third Prince riding his Wind-Fire Wheels, were all powerless against him..."

……

Currently, the most popular story among ordinary people is Journey to the West.

The story of Journey to the West alone is enough to support countless storytellers. They know the story by heart and have made some improvements, which have been very effective.

As soon as the young Wanli Emperor sat down, he became completely engrossed in listening.

Reading and listening to books are completely different experiences. In addition, Zhang Tiezui can not only speak but also act, which makes it impossible for young Wanli to take his eyes off him.

Shen Nian looked around to check if there were any stickers with "erotic" content.

If so, Shi Qing must be ordered to tear it down immediately, otherwise Shen Nian could be impeached by the censors based on just one sticker.

In this place, drinking tea is secondary; storytelling is the main activity.

During the day, they would tell stories of Journey to the West, but at night they would talk about some explicit and erotic stories of talented men and beautiful women, and there would be scantily clad women playing the zither and singing. The latter was the key to this storytelling venue's survival and booming business in the capital.

Zhang Juzheng specifically instructed that the young Wanli Emperor could only go out during the day and had to return to the Forbidden City before sunset, largely for this reason.

As night falls in the capital, many places present a scene completely different from that during the day.

There are many vulgar pastimes.

At an age when he was curious about everything, young Wanli was simply unable to resist temptation.

For ordinary people, it is the coldest time of the year, but for wealthy gentry and merchants, this place is a den of iniquity and a haven of pleasure.

A quarter of an hour later.

Just as Shen Nian was also captivated by the storyteller, Shi Qing suddenly looked into the distance, then stood up, touching the short knife at his waist.

Shen Nian was taken aback and followed Shi Qing's gaze.

About three steps ahead of the storyteller, in front of a table in the middle.

A man in a gray cloth robe suddenly raised a kitchen knife and stabbed at a middle-aged man in a gorgeous silk dress sitting at the table.

Bang!
The cleaver struck the table, less than two inches from the middle-aged man.

The middle-aged man was stunned for a moment, then got up and ran away.

"Interest compoundes, it's like a donkey rolling in circles! I...I'm going to...kill you!" The man in the gray robe raised his knife again and slashed.

The middle-aged man quickly ran onto the stage and hid behind the storyteller.

The storyteller, Zhang Tiezui, trembled all over and was so frightened that he began to stutter.

"Hero, don't be impulsive! Don't be impulsive! Let's talk this out! Let's talk this out!"

"Get out of my way! I'm going to kill him today!" The man in gray swung his cleaver forward.

At this moment, Shi Qing and the other Imperial Guards closely protected the young Wanli Emperor, Shen Nian, and Wang Jia behind them. Their mission was to protect the young Wanli Emperor and Shen Nian, and they generally would not intervene in such violent acts that occurred on the street.

Shen Nian was also startled, never expecting such a violent act to occur in broad daylight in the bustling city.

(End of this chapter)