My hotel is full of emperors throughout history.

In the early morning, just as dawn was breaking, the sunlight had not yet completely dispelled the thin mist.

"I didn't realize you woke up so early!"

Old Zhu looked at Li Shimin beside him and clicked his tongue in amazement.

"We thought that since you guys sleep so late, you'd wake up late!"

Li Shimin glanced at him.

"Don't you get up early too?"

"How can that be the same? It's just that we're getting older, and it's also a matter of lifestyle!"

Old Zhu glared and retorted.

He sat in the courtyard, looking at the empty surroundings, and felt extremely uncomfortable.

He usually gets up around this time to prepare for breakfast, the morning court session, and to review memorials.

But there are no memorials to approve right now, and I still need to rent some company space later. If I go back now, I won't make it in time!

Zhu Yuanzhang pondered for a moment and looked at Li Shimin.

"Shall we go for a walk?"

"OK!"

Li Shimin did not refuse.

The two strolled together to a small park built along the river near the hotel.

Lush green trees, slightly worn-out fitness equipment, and groups of elderly people doing morning exercises.

In a corner of the park, two elderly men with gray hair were sitting at a stone table, engrossed in playing Chinese chess.

The chess pieces slapped against the wooden chessboard with a "clack-clack" sound. Next to them were a thermos and a radio, from which opera music was playing softly.

On the other side of the open space, several elderly men were practicing Tai Chi slowly to the accompaniment of soothing music, their movements perfectly synchronized.

Zhu Yuanzhang watched the chess game for a while, seemingly captivated by the crisp sound of the pieces being placed and the expressions of the old men, sometimes frowning and sometimes suddenly enlightened.

He nudged Li Shimin's arm and whispered.

"Let's go over and take a look. Let's ask them something."

Li Shimin shared the same idea, so the two strolled to the stone table and stood aside to watch the game without saying a word.

The two elderly men playing chess looked up at them.

Seeing that they were two unfamiliar faces, but their demeanor was unlike that of ordinary old men, they nodded in a friendly manner and continued fighting.

After the game ended, the ruddy-faced old man who won the game casually asked a question while tidying up the chess pieces.

"These two gentlemen look unfamiliar. Did you just move here? Do you live around here too?"

Zhu Yuanzhang seized the opportunity to take over the conversation, speaking in a perfect Fengyang accent.

"Yeah, you could say that."

"Brother, we... I see you guys are living a pretty comfortable life, taking a stroll in the morning and playing some chess."

The old man laughed heartily, unscrewed the thermos, and took a sip of tea.

"I'm retired, all I want is a peaceful and carefree life!"

"Our children are all grown up and have their own families, so we don't have to worry about them. They receive a pension from the government every month, and we have no worries about food and clothing. Shouldn't we find some enjoyment in life?"

"pension?"

Zhu Yuanzhang raised an eyebrow and exchanged a puzzled look with Li Shimin.

In their society, apart from a very few distinguished elders, ordinary officials had little security after retirement, let alone ordinary people.

When you get old, you rely on your children and grandchildren or your savings. There's no reason for the government to give you money every month.

"Sir, you sound quite at ease."

Compared to Zhu Yuanzhang, Li Shimin's tone was more gentle.

"I wonder... is the tax burden heavy now?"

"Are there any forced labor services being conscripted? Are local officials still harassing the people?"

The two elderly men and two other old men who had finished their game of chess and gathered around laughed when they heard this.

The old man who won the game looked up and stared at Li Shimin with a surprised expression. After confirming that he was not from a certain Fourth Hospital, he waved his hand and said.

"Your question sounds like something out of a TV drama!"

"There's no such thing as forced labor anymore! Bridge and road construction are all done by state-funded engineering teams, and they pay us salaries!"

"As for taxes, they're all deducted from our retirement pensions, so it's not noticeable. As for government officials..."

The old man lowered his voice, his tone slightly teasing.

"Does the neighborhood committee aunties count? They're quite proactive in urging us to get vaccinated and clean up, not exactly a nuisance, but sometimes they can be a bit nagging, haha!"

Another elderly man wearing glasses added.

"Life is better now; having enough to eat and wear is the basics."

"I just worry about other things, like whether my grandson is going to school well, whether I get any serious health problems, and whether vegetable prices rise too quickly..."

"These are just minor troubles. Compared to when we were young, life is truly blissful now."

"A life of bliss..."

Zhu Yuanzhang murmured and repeated it, his gaze sweeping over the peaceful faces of the elderly people practicing Tai Chi, and then recalling Chen Mo's "pickiness" about a bucket of instant noodles.

He and Li Shimin exchanged a glance. They could both see the shock in each other's eyes.

I was indeed amazed by the skyscrapers and prosperity of this later era.

After all, no matter how prosperous or powerful it is.

If even the basic needs of ordinary people cannot be guaranteed.

Then all of this is nothing but a joke.

As for Old Zhu, he was even more emotional.

There was no war, no famine, officials dared not oppress people at will, and even the elderly received money...

Could this be the best vision of a prosperous era he could have imagined for the people when he risked his life to rebel?

It seems... right before my eyes, and so ordinary as to be taken for granted.

Li Shimin was also filled with mixed emotions.

He ushered in the prosperous reign of Zhenguan and pursued the ideal of providing for the people and ensuring their basic needs were met.

But when you hear an elderly person say that "having enough to eat and wear is the most basic requirement" and that they are worried about their grandchildren's education and health, isn't this level of "worry" a huge sign of social progress?

Li Shimin couldn't help but ask again.

"If there are years of famine or unrest on the borders, will it affect your lives?"

The elderly people laughed even harder.

"A year of famine? The country has grain reserves and emergency plans. We haven't heard of anyone starving to death here for many years."

An old man next to him also answered cheerfully.

"As for the border? That's even further away. Just look at the news; trust our People's Liberation Army!"

Upon hearing this, an elderly man immediately chimed in.

"But speaking of which, that little brat has been causing trouble again lately!"