Wild North America 1846

Chapter 555 The fireworks in the market

Author: Portuguese toothless

Chapter 555 The fireworks in the market

After the regular weekly imperial meeting, Emperor Richard left the Qinzheng Hall with brisk steps and walked all the way back. The attendants and military attachés around him had to walk quickly to keep up.

He walked through the many palaces and came to the Xianju Palace where he lived. A group of palace maids who had been waiting here came to greet him. They lowered their heads and knelt down and said, "The slaves and maids are waiting to welcome your majesty. Long live your majesty, long live, long live your majesty."

!”

Emperor Richard said "Hmm" with a majestic expression. Under the service of the palace maid, he washed his face, drank warm tea and rinsed his mouth. He changed out of the Kowloon court dress and put on a light and simple outfit. He waved to the serving palace.

The maid withdrew.

Zheng Yuan, the head of the Royal Secretariat, who was standing aside, looked at His Majesty the Emperor with a worried expression. His brows were full of worries. After hesitating for a moment, he still spoke to persuade; "Your Majesty, you are worth a thousand dollars..."

"Zheng Aiqing, there is no need to say more, I have already made up my mind." Richard waved his hand without any doubt, causing Zheng Yuan's words to come to an abrupt end.

more than half an hour later

A black "Navajo" brand car drove out from the west gate of the palace and quickly merged into the bustling streets. After twists and turns, it left the Longshou original area where the royal family and the top nobles of the empire gathered, all the way to

Head north.

The black car finally stopped in a not too lively civilian neighborhood. The most conspicuous building nearby was the "Jingzen Temple". The Sanskrit bells and drums in the temple could be faintly heard, conveying a religious atmosphere that transcended the ordinary world.

car door open

A man in navy blue youth clothing got out of the car. He was tall and looked about twenty-six or seventeen years old. His eyes were reserved and deep. He got out of the car and looked around before taking out a pair of glasses from his pocket.

The glasses were placed on his face, immediately concealing his deep eyes.

This person was none other than Emperor Richard in disguise. He waved casually, strode toward the alley behind Jingchan Temple, and disappeared in the blink of an eye.

"Let's go, we'll arrange for people to closely monitor the streets around Jingzen Temple, and we won't miss any blind spots. We will welcome His Majesty back here in a few days, and only you and I know about this. Speaking of which... it's really

It's worrying!" Director Zheng Yuan didn't get out of the car, but looked around carefully at the surrounding environment and said with a worried look.

There were two people left in the car. Apart from Zheng Yuan, the director of the Royal Secretariat, the other driver turned out to be General Liu Wu, the commander of the Royal Guards.

He was also wearing casual clothes at the moment, pretending to be an experienced driver.

Seeing His Majesty disappear in a blink of an eye, General Liu Wu also felt tired and said: "Extraordinary people can do extraordinary things, but following His Majesty in front of you is really walking on thin ice all the time! I originally thought I could do it.

After two years of stability, who would have thought... ugh!"

How much helplessness does that long sigh convey?

Emperors of the past dynasties were not as capable as His Majesty the Holy Emperor of the Tang Dynasty. Qianlong only visited the south of the Yangtze River seven times. Since he ascended the throne, the emperor of the empire has been touring the east and south almost every year, and could not stay in the imperial capital Chang'an.

It can take as little as 3 to 4 months, and as long as 6 to 7 months. There is almost no stopping time.

By the way, I also went to Europe twice, once brightly and once darkly.

Let’s not talk about the daily private visits and out-of- palace inspections. They happen almost once or twice every month. Think about it, how annoying is it to serve such a tossing emperor?

Well now, I just used the "disguised experience" trick, and I didn't even bring any of my close friends with me. Isn't it really worrying?

"No one can change what Your Majesty has decided." Director Zheng Yuan sighed helplessly, touched his forehead and said, "You and I are both mediocre people, but Your Majesty is an eagle that cannot be restrained in a cage. It is destined to be

How can it be measured to fly freely in the sky?"

General Liu Wu said with a worried look on his face: "To tell you the truth, Lao Zheng, I am worried about your Majesty's safety. It should be noted that although your Majesty is extremely brave, after all, bullets have no eyes!"

"Your Majesty, after all, is involved in the fate of the Tang Empire, so he will definitely be able to turn disaster into good fortune. Let's go back and make arrangements first. We can only do our best and obey fate!" Director Zheng Yuan replied.

The black car didn't stay long and left quickly...

North District Police Station

The North District Police Station is one of the 19 sub-district police stations in the imperial capital of Chang'an. It is a suburban police station with 11 subordinate police stations, a total of 1,315 patrol officers, mounted police, plainclothes and police station clerks. It belongs to the middle and lower reaches of the imperial capital of Chang'an.

Divisional police station.

Near noon

Suddenly, a convoy of more than 10 black cars drove quickly into the North District Police Station compound. The lead car had the logo of the Police Administration. The military police guarding the door quickly saluted with solemn expressions, watching one car after another.

A black car sped past.

This movement was so big that the police officers from the North District Police Station came out one after another and looked at the convoy in surprise.

The door of the car opened, and a large number of police officers got out of the car, carrying the senior superintendent, superintendent, and senior superintendent on their shoulders. Some were from the Imperial Police Headquarters, and some were from the Chang'an City Police Department. Surrounded by the three figures

A middle-aged man in casual clothes strode over.

This formation scared the officers of the North District Police Station to death. After hurriedly lining up, they raised their hands and saluted, "Salute, the North District Police Department sincerely welcomes all the officers to come and inspect!"

The one walking at the front was Pan Yingsong, the police director of the General Administration of Police. He raised his hand and returned the salute with a serious expression and asked, "Where is your director?"

Before the police officers below could answer, Hou Fugui, the director of the North District Police Station, rushed down from upstairs and replied from a distance: "Sir, I am here to serve you..."

Police Minister Pan Yingsong turned around and saw the middle-aged man in casual clothes shaking his head slightly, then turned back and gave a stern order: "Everyone at the North District Police Station must assemble. The police officers above the superintendent will go upstairs for a meeting.

Others are on standby."

"Yes, sir!" Hou Fugui stood at attention and saluted with a snap. His posture was quite standard, but his already fat belly was a bit big.

The plainclothes middle-aged man stared at him sharply. Hou Fugui felt as if he had been pricked by a needle. He involuntarily sucked his stomach back in and stood up straight.

Senior police officers from superiors passed by him one after another. Only the senior police superintendents walking at the back winked at Hou Fugui and asked him to follow.

Among this group of senior police officers, the one with the lowest bouquet on his shoulder is also the senior superintendent. He is of the same rank as Hou Fugui. Needless to say, those police superintendents and senior superintendents are at least at the level of municipal bureau director and general department director. They usually want to see

It's not easy to get one.

Nowadays, there are a lot of "hoo-la-la" coming, and you can tell with your toes that something big has happened.

not long after

A large number of sharp-looking plainclothes officers arrived at the North District Police Station. After receiving their tasks, they went out in twos and threes. Dozens of streets in the entire North District were quickly placed under strict surveillance...

And at this time

Richard was sitting leisurely on the jingling tram, looking at the street scenery on both sides of the road as it receded, looking extremely comfortable.

The street scene has changed, and the tram has arrived in Beigang District.

After more than 20 years of rapid economic development, the imperial capital of Chang'an has become very large. Beigang District is adjacent to Shibei District. There are several large commercial terminals in the Beigang area, ranging from Pier 6 to Pier 11, and Pier 1 to Pier 5.

Pier No. 1 is within the Nangang District.

Beigang District also has dozens of large and medium-sized machinery factories, the famous Royal Chang'an Mint is also located in the district, and there are hundreds of various trading firms. It is a relatively lively port trade and industrial area.

It's noon

There are many pedestrians bustling on the street, and the shops selling food on the roadside exude an attractive aroma. Nearby residents bring their children to buy in front of the shops. The children are chirping and shouting, and the market atmosphere is full of fireworks.

In terms of clothing, many men wear sturdy jeans and denim jackets with fur collars. This kind of clothing is strong, warm, wear-resistant and stain-resistant, and is widely loved by the ordinary working class.

There are also many staff and students wearing youth clothing. This youth clothing is similar to the Chinese tunic suit of later generations, but only has a single-layer stand-up collar. It is less old-fashioned and more energetic and belongs to young people.

The colors also range from light to dark. Many young government employees like to wear youth-style leather shoes, which makes them look very capable and energetic.

Occasionally young girls pass by on the street, and they often attract the attention of many people.

In the Tang Empire

Young girls like to wear two types of clothing. One is Western skirts. This kind of Western skirts with many pleats and lace are more expensive and generally need to be tailor-made. The eldest ladies of aristocratic families especially like Western skirts, but those that appear on the street

not much.

The other is a more slim-fitting student skirt. This is a skirt evolved from the cheongsam. It has wide sleeves, a round collar, and a right hem. It can well outline the lines of the upper body of a young girl. The lower body is paired with a dark long skirt.

, round-toe small leather shoes, which look youthful, energetic and generous when worn.

Richard's eyes followed the figures of two young girls who were walking and chatting happily. It was probably after school at noon. The two female students were holding books in their hands, talking and laughing all the way.

In the distance, uniformed policemen could be seen patrolling the streets.

The public security in the Tang Empire was quite good. Although it cannot be said that people did not pick up lost items on the road and did not close their homes at night, vicious cases rarely broke out, and robberies on the streets were even rarer.

On the one hand, this is related to the harsh criminal laws of the Tang Empire. On the other hand, the mainstream social groups are mainly Chinese and German whites who keep their own laws. They are all family-oriented, religious, and orderly ethnic groups. Few people are willing to risk their lives.

risk.

There are almost no beggars or vagrants on the bustling streets. As soon as the police patrol these people, they will notify the Municipal Affairs Bureau to take them in and assign them a job within their capabilities.

For example, you can clean streets, clean public toilets, maintain municipal trees and facilities, participate in the construction of municipal roads and bridge projects, etc., and earn a low and meager salary.

This kind of work is tiring and tedious, and the pay is low. You have to get up before dawn to sweep the streets. It is a job that many city residents despise, and it is just suitable for these vagrants and beggars.

Because these people do not have a place to live, the Municipal Affairs Bureau provides them with uniform work houses to live in, and provides meals deducted from their salaries.

The so-called workhouse is a room where twenty or thirty people live. Each person only has a bed made of a few stones. Everything can only be placed in a wooden box under the bed. The conditions are very simple.

But compared to the British at the same time, they were much happier.

The British shelter for drunkards on the street is a Salvation Army organization established in London in 1865. It was established by William and Catherine Buchanan. Drunkards can sleep on a rope for two pence and in a coffin for four pence.

If you sleep, you can at least ensure that you won't freeze to death on the street.

This kind of municipal work in the Tang Empire was of a charitable nature, and homeless people were gathered to do some work within their capabilities in exchange for room and board and some meager income.

They would usually be beaten by the captain with a whip at four or five o'clock in the morning, and then quickly get up to wash their faces, tidy up the house, and then go to the streets to work with brooms and shovels, and they had to work until 8:30 before returning to the workroom for dinner.

After dinner, I continue working. After sweeping the street, I go to clean toilets, city parks or other places. Anyway, I don’t have any free time.

Those who cheat and cheat will be whipped all over the floor by the team leader, and punished by not eating or working twice as hard. After a few times, they will be submissive and will not dare to play these little tricks again.

It is easy for these municipal workers to get in, but it is difficult to get out. If they want to give up their municipal work and find a decent job outside, they must have the captain's signature before they can be released.

The reason for doing this

I am worried that these idle people will return to the streets if they do not change their bad habits.

Generally, homeless people or beggars who have entered the Municipal Affairs Bureau twice or three times will have to work for at least two years before they can be released and return to society to find a job to make a living.

As for those who have been admitted to the Municipal Affairs Bureau more than three times, the Municipal Affairs Bureau will change their hands and throw them into the hard labor camp, because such people no longer have the value of reform, and there is no need to work hard and spend social resources on reform. Not everyone can enjoy the whip of the captain.

.

The empire's social management creed is: Don't feed idle people.

After some renovations by the Municipal Affairs Bureau, most of the homeless people who leave will soon find suitable jobs and stabilize from then on. At the very least, they will be guaranteed not to be homeless on the streets.

In the Tang Empire, it was a crime for anyone except monks to beg for food.

Because the Tang Empire provided enough choices and sufficient supplies for everyone to have enough food and clothing, no one would go hungry as long as they had hands and feet willing to work.

Richard just wandered around the street, looking at everything, enjoying the rare ordinary life, and seemed to enjoy it.

unconsciously

He smelled the aroma of food at the end of his nose. He was waiting for instructions to pass on the meal when he suddenly slapped his forehead and laughed;

What kind of food is being sold on this street?

Yes, you have to find a meal yourself.

This seemed to arouse deep memories, and he walked happily along the street, visiting Northwest Ramen Restaurant, French Bakery, Mexican Grill, Jiangsu and Zhejiang Restaurants...

Okay...just this Jiangsu and Zhejiang restaurant.

Richard walked into the store. The waiter greeted him enthusiastically and said, "How many guests are you, sir?"

"Just one person, order some delicious dishes and find me a seat in the middle of the noise."

"Okay... can you look at the window?"

At this time, seven or eight tables of people were already sitting in the store. The waiter pointed to the unoccupied seat by the window. There were several layers of cabbage and other sundries piled on the square table, leaving only half of the tabletop.

But there was enough space for one person to eat. Richard looked around the store and saw that there were already guests at most of the tables. He reluctantly nodded and said, "Okay, let's serve a cup of fragrant tea first."

"We don't have any fragrant tea. Can Gao Mo'er bring you a bowl?" The waiter in the shop asked in his mind: "Where does this young man come from? Where can we get fragrant tea from a small shop like ours?"

"Fine."

Richard was able to correct his attitude very well and nodded in agreement.

(End of chapter)