Ming Dynasty: Is a mere unruly commoner rebelling against heaven?

Chapter 58: A Private Visit!

Zhu You樘's terrible mood finally improved after hearing these good news.

"Very good. If this momentum continues without any unforeseen circumstances, the Hongzhi Treasure Note can be promoted from Beizhili to the South after the spring of next year."

Zhu You樘 paced back and forth in the Qianqing Palace a couple of times before suddenly making a decision.

"Wang Zhi, accompany朕 out of the palace for a private visit."

"朕 wants to see for himself how the Hongzhi Treasure Note is being implemented in the capital."

Wang Zhi raised his head in surprise, his face, usually as still as an ancient well, finally changed color.

"Your Majesty, this…"

Zhu You樘 looked at Wang Zhi, his eyes like torches: "Is there a problem?"

Wang Zhi quickly lowered his head: "Replying to Your Majesty, there is no problem, but please grant your臣 some time to prepare."

"Your Majesty's safety is of utmost importance when traveling, and there must be no negligence."

"Even if Your Majesty loses half a strand of hair, your臣 will deserve to die ten thousand times!"

Zhu You樘 nodded, knowing that Wang Zhi's worries were not without reason.

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

"Yes, Your Majesty!"

After receiving the order, Wang Zhi immediately withdrew from the Qianqing Palace and returned to the West Factory.

"Ma Jinzhong, Qin Lu, Ji Sheng!"

"Immediately lead the West Factory agents 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 rooftops of the capital!"

"Yes, Director!"

The three of them took their orders in unison.

Ji Sheng was a little curious: "Director, why such a mobilization?"

Wang Zhi coldly glared at Ji Sheng: "Don't ask what you shouldn't ask, hurry up!"

"If there is even the slightest mistake, this Director will have you skinned alive!"

Ji Sheng shivered and dared not ask any more questions. He immediately led the West Factory agents, disguised as civilians, and secretly investigated every dark alley in the capital.

At the same time, Wang Zhi set aside his prejudices against the East Factory and the Embroidered Uniform Guard for the first time.

He conveyed the message to Huai En and Mou Bin.

"His Majesty is leaving the palace for a private visit, the whole city is on alert!"

When the news that Zhu You樘 was about to leave the palace for a private visit reached Huai En of the East Factory and Mou Bin of the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

Huai En and Mou Bin were both shocked into a cold sweat.

Both of them felt extremely panicked and nervous. At this moment, they put aside all their affairs and focused solely on protecting Zhu You樘's safety during his private visit.

In the East Factory's yamen, Huai En was roaring!

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

"Remember, don't disturb the ordinary people!"

"Yes, Director!"

In the Northern Garrison Division, Mou Bin was roaring!

"Qinglong, Baihu, Zhuque, Xuanwu."

"You four, immediately lead the Embroidered Uniform Guard to set up secret哨 in the capital to ensure there are no blind spots in the capital."

"Remember, it must be done secretly, and no civilians are allowed to be disturbed!"

"Yes, Sir!"

The factory guards throughout the capital were all operating secretly.

In places where ordinary people could not detect, the capital had already been placed under full alert.

Half an hour later, Zhu You樘, who had already changed into ordinary clothes and was dressed as a wealthy merchant.

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

At the entrance of Donghua Gate, Huai En and Mou Bin, who had long since changed into civilian clothes, had been waiting for a long time.

Beside them, there was an ordinary small sedan chair carried by two people, not very spacious, only enough for one person to sit upright.

Zhu You樘's face darkened slightly after seeing the two of them: "The two factories and one guard all know? Then what's the point of朕's private visit?"

Huai En quickly explained: "Your Majesty, the factory guards are all in the dark and will definitely not disturb a single civilian."

Zhu You樘 stared at Huai En. Huai En suddenly realized that he had misspoke and repeatedly patted his mouth lightly.

"Look at my mouth, um… Lord Huang."

Zhu You樘 sat in the ordinary small sedan chair: "Let's go to Qianmen Street first."

"Yes, Lord Huang."

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

Huai En followed closely, listening in all directions and watching in all directions.

Since the Tumubao Incident of Emperor Yingzong, the ministers had been strictly guarding against the emperor's travels.

Whenever the emperor wanted to leave the palace, the memorials of impeachment would fly in like snowflakes.

What exactly were these civil officials afraid of?

Except for Emperor Wuzong, the other emperors of the mid- and late-Ming Dynasty were like canaries locked in the Forbidden City, never leaving the palace.

Emperor Shizong had once returned to his old fiefdom.

The farthest place Emperor Shenzong went was to the foot of Tianshou Mountain, taking a distant look at his own Dingling Mausoleum.

And the other emperors never left the palace in their entire lives.

It is said that the world belongs to the emperor, but except for Zhu Houzhao who went to Jiangnan for inspection, the other emperors never left the palace.

Then, does this world belong to the Zhu family or those civil officials?

Zhu You樘 will never be just a canary in the palace. 朕's Ming, the places朕 wants to go, no one can stop.

Even Qianlong went to Jiangnan six times, those Manchu wild boars can go, why can't朕 go?

Soon, Zhu You樘 and others arrived at the front street.

Zhu You樘 also got off the sedan and strolled leisurely on Qianmen Street.

On both sides of the road, merchants were lined up, and shop assistants were hawking their business.

The surrounding tourists were weaving and bustling, so lively.

Zhu You樘 felt the atmosphere of the world and a slight smile slowly appeared on the corner of his mouth.

This was Zhu You樘's second time out of the palace. The last time there was an imperial procession, and all the people avoided it.

That time he only saw the architecture of the capital, but this time, during his private visit, he finally saw the people of the Ming Dynasty.

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

They were the foundation of Zhu You樘's rule.

Zhu You樘 and the people of the Ming Dynasty were the same, their wishes were nothing more than to make the lives of the people of the Ming Dynasty better.

Enough to eat, enough to wear, and a place to live.

The people of the Ming Dynasty were the most simple people, and as long as there was a bite to eat, they would not think about rebelling.

But these wishes were contrary to the interests of the officials of the Ming Dynasty, the gentry and powerful families, and the noble class of the Ming Dynasty.

Zhu You樘 had always been very clear that his enemies were never outside the pass, nor overseas.

His enemies were inside the Ming Dynasty, inside this capital!

Zhu You樘 stopped in front of a small stall selling fans.

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

The stall owner's face was full of smiles, and he respectfully replied: "This guest, if you like this fan, then it will be 180 wen for you."

Zhu You樘 looked at Wang Zhi beside him, and Wang Zhi quickly took out a Hongzhi Treasure Note from his arms and handed it to the stall owner.

After the stall owner took the Hongzhi Treasure Note, he couldn't help but frown, his face a little embarrassed.

"Oh, this…"

Wang Zhi's expression changed slightly, and his brow furrowed slightly.

Zhu You樘's expression remained the same: "What's wrong? You don't accept this Hongzhi Treasure Note?"