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

"Sir, it's not that I don't want to accept this treasure note," the stall owner said with a troubled expression. "It's just that this one of yours is too big, a full string of cash, and I can't make change."

Hearing this, Wang Zhi's expression returned to normal.

Zhu Youcheng glanced at Wang Zhi, who immediately rummaged through his pockets again, but couldn't find a Hongzhi treasure note worth less than a string of cash.

In the end, it was Mou Bin who took out a Hongzhi treasure note with a face value of two hundred Wen and handed it to the stall owner.

The stall owner happily accepted it and was about to make change when Zhu Youcheng waved his hand.

"No need to make change. I want to ask, what do you think of the Hongzhi treasure notes?"

Although the stall owner didn't know who Zhu Youcheng was, he could tell from his extraordinary clothing and the attendants around him.

More importantly, Zhu Youcheng's strong aura of authority told him that this person was definitely not to be trifled with.

The stall owner first thanked Zhu Youcheng happily, and then told the truth.

"We originally didn't accept these Hongzhi treasure notes, but they can be exchanged for copper coins at any time in the capital's branch."

"And it is said that there are officials who are buying these Hongzhi treasure notes at high prices, so we are now accepting them as well."

"But I still think this treasure note is not safe, and it may become worth only one Wen at any time."

"So, before I go home later, I have to go to the capital's branch to exchange it for copper coins before going home."

The stall owner's answer represented the voice of most of the people in the capital, and it was similar to what Zhu Youcheng had guessed.

Zhu Youcheng nodded, left with his fan, and asked Wang Zhi, "Where is the capital bank? Take me to see it."

"Yes, Lord Huang."

The capital branch was on the main street ahead, not far from here. After a short walk, Zhu Youcheng arrived in front of the capital branch.

At this time, there was a long queue outside the capital branch, guarded by Xichang agents with swords on both sides.

These Xichang agents had been responsible for the security of the capital branch since its opening, and the people were very familiar with them.

But unlike the previous period, those queuing in front of the capital branch at this time were ordinary people of the capital, mostly local merchants.

They had received Hongzhi treasure notes, and because they didn't trust them enough, they quickly came to exchange them for silver.

Zhu Youcheng knew that this kind of thing couldn't be rushed. Trust was more valuable than gold.

When the people were used to being able to exchange treasure notes for silver at any time, they would have more confidence in the treasure notes and would be more willing to hold them.

Zhu Youcheng strolled around the capital branch and found that it was well-organized and managed in an orderly manner.

Everything was on the right track, showing a thriving scene.

Zhu Youcheng walked out of the capital branch with satisfaction, and seeing that it was still early, he didn't want to return to the palace so soon.

"Let's just walk around in the capital. This worldly atmosphere is the living and breathing Ming Dynasty."

"Yes, Lord Huang."

Wang Zhi and the other two followed behind Zhu Youcheng, protecting him.

Zhu Youcheng admired the various aspects of the people's lives around him, and felt a sense of satisfaction in his heart.

This is the Ming Dynasty, these are the people, that I am protecting.

...

Hami Garrison, the autumn wind was bleak.

This was an important military institution on the border of the Ming Dynasty, located in eastern Xinjiang.

The Hami Garrison bordered Turpan to the west and Suzhou to the east.

It was the main route from Xinjiang to the interior, and had been the throat of the Silk Road since ancient times, known as the "gateway to the Western Regions, the guard of China" and the "gateway to Xinjiang."

It was first established during the Yongle period, and after several changes of hands, it was finally taken back by Han Shen, the governor of Hami, in the fourteenth year of Chenghua.

The Ming Dynasty officially conferred Han Shen as the Prince of Zhongshun, guarding the Hami Garrison.

Soon after, the son of Sultan Ali of the Eastern Chagatai Khanate, Sultan Ahmed Khan of the Turpan Khanate, married the Ming Dynasty's Prince of Zhongshun, Han Shen, forming an alliance.

This night in the Hami Garrison, there was singing and dancing.

Beautiful girls and strong young men lit bonfires in the Hami Garrison, singing and dancing.

Everyone raised their glasses of wine to congratulate Prince Zhongshun Han Shen, who was sitting in the main seat, and also to congratulate Ahmed Khan.

Tonight was the grand wedding of Han Shen's son marrying Ahmed Khan's daughter, and everyone was intoxicated by the peace and beauty of the night.

Han Shen sat in the main seat, raised his glass, and laughed loudly.

"Ahmed Khan, from now on, our two families will be in-laws, which means we are one family."

"Your Turpan Khanate and my Great Ming will usher in a rare period of peace, congratulations, congratulations!"

Ahmed Khan also laughed loudly, raised his glass, and clinked it with Han Shen's.

"Your Highness, Prince Zhongshun of the Great Ming, it is my honor to be able to marry you. Without further ado, I'll drink it all!"

After speaking, Ahmed Khan drank the wine in his glass in one gulp.

"Good!"

Han Shen laughed and also drank the fine wine in his hand in one gulp.

When he put down his glass, a trace of hatred and ruthlessness flashed across Ahmed Khan's originally smiling face.

Before the fourteenth year of Chenghua, the Hami Garrison was occupied by his father, Sultan Ali, and guarded by Ya Lan.

But Han Shen took advantage of the death of Sultan Ali and the instability of his succession to unite with the Chijin and Handong Garrisons, leading an army of ten thousand to advance on Hami.

Ya Lan was defeated and fled, and Han Shen successfully recovered the Hami Garrison.

This was a permanent pain in Ahmed Khan's heart, and he was deeply ashamed of it.

After years of lurking and development, Ahmed, who had now split from the Eastern Chagatai Khanate, had established the Turpan Khanate.

The current Turpan Khanate was strong and prosperous, and it was a good time to seize the Hami Garrison in one fell swoop!

"Your Highness, Prince Zhongshun, I'll toast you another cup!"

Ahmed Khan held a wine glass and came to Han Shen's front.

Han Shen smiled and stood up: "In-law, there's no need to be so polite between you and me..."

Before Han Shen could finish speaking, his expression suddenly froze, and then he glared at Ahmed Khan with anger: "You... despicable and shameless..."

Ahmed Khan pulled out a bloody dagger from Han Shen's back, and quickly stabbed him four more times, and Han Shen died instantly.

The movement in the main seat quickly attracted everyone's attention.

The people who were originally drinking happily all stood up and looked at Ahmed Khan in horror.

"Ahmed, what are you doing!"

"Ahmed, how dare you assassinate the Great Ming's Prince Zhongshun!"

"Assassination! Someone come and protect him! Prince Zhongshun has been assassinated!"

"..."

Ahmed Khan coldly swept across the panicked crowd of the Great Ming, and roared loudly at his subordinates: "Do it! Quickly open the city gate and welcome Ya Lan into the city!"

The people of the Turpan Khanate, after hearing Ahmed Khan's order.

Immediately threw down the wine glasses in their hands, took out daggers from their arms, and killed the Great Ming guests who had just clinked glasses with them.

An even smaller team immediately went to the city gate and opened it.

In an instant, screams, screams, and roars rang out.

The banquet that was originally full of laughter and joy instantly turned into a bloody massacre.