After ten years of accompanying me in my studies, the entire court begged me to shut up.

The once bustling and chaotic streets suddenly became deserted.

The Hongzhi Emperor stood there, watching the hordes of refugees leave the city.

This scene truly shocked him.

Mu Bin leaned closer and whispered, "Your Majesty, this matter is suspicious."

The Hongzhi Emperor looked at him suspiciously: "Speak!"

"Recruiting hundreds of people at once, what kind of work requires so many people? Even women and children are being taken care of. This kind of scale is not what ordinary merchants do."

As Mu Bin continued speaking, his expression grew increasingly grave: "In the capital, a place of great importance, a gathering of hundreds or even thousands of people is likely not a good thing."

The Hongzhi Emperor's face was gloomy.

Mu Bin's concerns are not without merit.

Migrants are a potential threat; if someone takes advantage of this situation to coerce or plot against them...

"You just said the recruitment location is in Wuqing County?"

Xiao Jinggang got up from the ground and hurriedly replied, "This servant heard it clearly, it is indeed Wuqing County."

Thinking of the man from earlier, the Hongzhi Emperor asked, "How far is Wuqing County from here?"

"It's about fifty li outside the city. If you walk fast, you can get there in half a day."

The Hongzhi Emperor looked up at the sky; the sun was still high in the sky.

His curiosity overcame his doubts, and with a flick of his sleeve, he said, "Let's go, let's follow them and see."

"Your Majesty, you mustn't!"

Xiao Jing and Mou Bin spoke up at the same time to dissuade them.

The Hongzhi Emperor, however, said, "Quickly prepare the carriage; this is an imperial edict!"

Seeing his resolute expression, Mu Bin knew he couldn't be persuaded and had no choice but to obey.

Not long after, they found a slightly worn blue-covered carriage.

Emperor Hongzhi got into the carriage, and Mu Bin drove it himself, while Xiao Jing sat at the other end of the carriage shaft.

Dozens of plainclothes Imperial Guards were scattered around the front, back, left, and right, following the refugee caravan at a distance as it headed towards Wuqing County.

The carriage swayed and rocked as it traveled for more than an hour.

Looking out of the carriage window, the Hongzhi Emperor saw that the area gradually changed from densely packed houses to open fields.

Logically speaking, Wuqing County, located between the capital and Tianjin, should have vast farmlands.

But this place is very desolate, with large tracts of land exposed with a gray and hardened surface, which is the typical appearance of saline-alkali land.

A bustling crowd could be faintly heard ahead, and the carriage stopped.

Mu Bin said, "Your Majesty, those people seem to be just ahead!"

The Hongzhi Emperor opened the carriage window and looked ahead.

On a vast expanse of gray-white land, a scene of bustling activity unfolded.

Along the river, seven or eight newly built brick kilns stand majestically, with thick smoke billowing from their tops.

Hundreds of people are busy working on the open space next to the brick kiln.

Someone struggled to shovel up the grayish-white clods of soil and throw them into the large pit that had been dug.

People were adding lime powder and water to the pit, while others were vigorously stirring it with long sticks.

Further away, someone scooped the mixed mud into a wooden mold, tapped out wet brick blanks, and neatly stacked them under the thatched shed to dry.

Others were adding firewood to the cave entrance, creating a cloud of smoke and dust.

What was just a desolate scene has transformed into a vibrant and lively place.

Xiao Jing squinted for a while, then whispered, "So it's a brick kiln! With the recent expansion of the capital and the construction of biogas digesters everywhere, the price of blue bricks has risen. This owner certainly knows how to seize the opportunity."

Mu Bin frowned and said, "His Majesty once issued an edict strictly prohibiting the unauthorized digging of fertile soil to make bricks and tiles. How dare this person so blatantly gather a crowd to extract soil? I will go immediately..."

"Wait a minute!"

The Hongzhi Emperor interrupted him, pointing to the land in the distance, and said, "Look carefully, this land is not fertile soil."

Mu Bin stared intently at the scene. He saw that the ground around the kiln was almost completely barren, with a blinding white frost of salt glistening in the sunlight. He couldn't help but exclaim, "This is... a salt and alkali stall!"

The Hongzhi Emperor's eyes were filled with complex emotions as he said, "I remember that this large area of ​​salt flats in Wuqing County was bestowed upon the Marquis of Shouning by me back then."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Jing immediately followed up with flattery: "So it's the property of the Imperial Uncle! The Imperial Uncle cares deeply for the people, recruiting refugees for work relief, relieving His Majesty's burdens. He is truly loyal to the emperor and devoted to the country, his merits are immeasurable!"

The Hongzhi Emperor did not respond, but gazed thoughtfully at the bustling kiln site.

How could the Marquis of Shouning, a spoiled brat who only knew how to fight cocks and chase dogs, have such insight and courage?

Besides, can saline-alkali soil be used to make bricks? That's unheard of!

The doubts in his heart not only did not dissipate, but became even stronger.

"Your Majesty, look at that person... isn't he His Highness the Crown Prince?"

Xiao Jing pointed ahead, his voice trembling slightly.

The Hongzhi Emperor looked closely and saw a small, thin figure in the crowd...

Following Xiao Jing's finger, Emperor Hongzhi saw a young boy in a brown shirt standing not far ahead, pointing at the kiln opening and talking to the person next to him.

That figure, that profile—

Who else could it be but his good son, Zhu Houzhao?

The Hongzhi Emperor's face changed from gloomy to somber, then from somber to pale, and finally revealed a strange expression.

After a long while, he finally managed to squeeze out a sentence through gritted teeth: "Mu Bin, go and call that kid over, but don't alert anyone else."

"I obey your decree."

Mu Bin got out of the car and walked to Zhu Houzhao's side.

Zhu Houzhao was somewhat surprised to see Mu Bin and suddenly turned around to look in the direction of the carriage.

Even from a great distance, the Hongzhi Emperor could see the expression on that boy's face.

Mu Bin whispered a few words, and Zhu Houzhao shrank his neck, gave a few instructions to the craftsman next to him, and then ran to the front of the carriage. He looked around and, seeing that there were no people nearby, he quickly climbed onto the carriage and crawled into the carriage.

"Your subject greets Your Majesty!"

Zhu Houzhao bowed respectfully, a smile plastered on his face: "Father, what brings you here?"

The Hongzhi Emperor, with a stern face, said, "I had the same question for you! Weren't you building a biogas digester? Why are you here in Wuqing County making bricks?"

Zhu Houzhao's eyes darted around, and he chuckled, "Your Majesty, this is a property I recently acquired."

"industry?"

The Hongzhi Emperor snorted coldly and continued, "As the crown prince, instead of focusing on your studies, you've started learning business? What kind of image would this have if word got out!"

Zhu Houzhao quickly replied, "Father, rest assured, I haven't revealed my identity! I've given myself a name, Zhu Shou, and they all think I'm the young master here."

The Hongzhi Emperor's expression softened slightly, but he remained solemn: "Even so, what kind of behavior is it for a crown prince like you to come here and burn bricks?"

Zhu Houzhao glanced at his father's expression and whispered in defense, "Your Majesty, I only wanted to share your burdens. It pains me to see those disaster victims in the outer city. What's the use of just giving them porridge? They eat it today, but what about tomorrow? What about the day after? I thought it would be better to find them some work so they can earn their own food."

The Hongzhi Emperor remained silent for a moment, then glanced out the carriage window.

The refugees were busy at work; some were mixing soil, some were making clay, and some were firing kilns. They were all doing their jobs in an orderly manner, but they had one thing in common: the despair and numbness they had just seen on their faces was gone.

In the distance, several rows of simple thatched huts were erected on an open space, and women were squatting by the river washing clothes, while the laughter of children could be faintly heard.

This scene was completely different from the one in front of the soup kitchen outside the city.

The displeasure that Emperor Hongzhi felt had largely dissipated without him realizing it.

He turned to look at Zhu Houzhao: "You do have a kind heart, but this brick-making business... this land, isn't it yours?"

Zhu Houzhao scratched his head and laughed, "So Father already knew! This brick-making business is a partnership between your son and someone else."

Looking at the busy refugees and then at his disheveled son, the Hongzhi Emperor suddenly felt that those ministers who spouted benevolence and morality and wrote flowery memorials were not as practical as this mischievous boy.

"This land was originally bestowed upon my uncle by my father..."

"Alright, I know everything!"

The Hongzhi Emperor waved his hand and said, "Recruiting refugees and providing work relief is at least a good thing. I won't say anything more to you, but your studies must not be neglected, understand?"

Zhu Houzhao nodded repeatedly: "Father, rest assured, my studies have not fallen behind. My tutor, Yang, even taught me chemistry!"