Taichang Ming Dynasty

Chapter 53 Notice
In late October, the light snow had just passed.

The temperature in the north can no longer drop below zero, but there is still not a single snowflake in the Gyeonggi region.

The temperature swings between north and south made Guo Jujing once again feel the vastness of the Ming Dynasty. A month ago, they were still in the warm southern Guangdong, and when the temperature was high, they had to roll up their sleeves to feel comfortable. But since passing Huai'an, the cold has replaced the warmth and become the new norm.

A ship could sail for a month and still be in the same country; four seasons could exist in the same moment. This was something that most Europeans could not even imagine.

But compared to the warmth of Guangdong, Guo Jujing was more familiar with the cold of Beijing. All he had to do was close his eyes and ask for a slightly chilly breeze, and Guo Jujing would be reminded of the winter in Florence.

Almost immediately after Tianjin opened its gates, the delegation rushed to Beijing. They set out at sunrise and arrived outside Yongding Gate, located on the central axis, only when the sun was high in the sky.

Yongdingmen is the southern gate of Beijing's outer city, located in the middle of the section of the city wall between Xibianmen and Dongbianmen. "Yongding" means "eternal stability." This is not only a beautiful symbol of hope, but also a way to atone for the loss of humiliation.

In the 29th year of the Jiajing reign, Altan Khan, leader of the Tumed tribe of Mongolia, attacked Beijing from Gubeikou, initiating the Gengxu Rebellion. Altan Khan marched from Shixiaying to Miyun, then moved on to Huairou and Changping, reaching Tongzhou and plundering everywhere. Meanwhile, the population outside Zhengyang Gate increased, and the surrounding areas were left undefended. He imposed strict pacification measures, resulting in the massacre of people and livestock, a profound humiliation.
In the 32nd year of the Jiajing reign, Emperor Shizong of the Ming Dynasty, in response to the request of Zhu Bochen, a minister of the imperial court, ordered the construction of the outer city south of Beijing based on the ruins of the Jin and Yuan cities.

The vast majority of the Jesuit mission to Longhua were visiting Beijing for the first time. Along the way, they encountered many sights they had never seen before. The novelty of discovery kept them excited, even euphoric.

But when the delegation drove to the foot of the city, they were still stunned by this man-made natural barrier.

In the 28nd year of the Jiajing reign, the "Outer City Wall" was added to encompass the bustling urban area outside Zhengyang Gate. The outer city has a circumference of 14.4 li (6 kilometers), with walls 7 to 10 meters high, 11 to 11 meters thick at the top, and 15 to meters thick at the base, resembling a giant earth and stone dragon coiling above the ground.

Soon after, the delegation crossed the river and entered the trap, where they saw the massive Yongding Gate Tower. Its north side was flush with the wall, while its south side protruded outwards.

The tower is 90 centimeters higher than the city wall and is connected to it by a ramp. The tower is two stories high, five bays wide and two bays deep, and the towers are connected, reaching a height of more than meters.

Although European castles are generally between 20 and 40 meters high, they are mostly isolated military fortresses, while Yongdingmen is just a gate. What it protects behind it is not a narrow training ground, but a huge and prosperous city.

"Is this Beijing?" Business representative Dinesh Joao looked up at the hip roof of Yongdingmen and said in an incredulous tone.

"I'm afraid only Constantinople can compare with it." Merchant Władysław Amato had only heard of the prosperity of Constantinople from the mouths of bards.

"Well, that place is called Istanbul now," said Harald Brandt, a businessman who had been to Istanbul and even done business there for a while. "And I'm sure it's not as big as this."

"What are those people doing?" Dinesh noticed a group of people gathered near the city gate.

"I don't know." Władysław shook his head. "He seems to be looking at something."

"They're reading notices," Guo Jujing explained in Portuguese. "But it seems no one here can read."

"Let's go over and take a look," suggested Władysław.

"Do you know Chinese?" Harald scoffed.

"You talk as if you already know him," Władysław retorted.

"Make way!" Guo Jujing took three steps at a time and came to the edge of the crowd.

People thought a scholar had arrived, so they made way for him. But when Guo Jujing passed them, they realized he was a foreigner. "Alas. These Semites are just like Koreans; they can read but can't speak," an elderly farmer sighed with regret. "I'm afraid they can only say 'make way.'"

"Sir, I am a missionary of the Society of Jesus in Macau. I know Chinese characters and can speak Chinese." Guo Jujing was very polite.

"Oh! You can read, you are the teacher." The old farmer quickly bowed and made a not-so-standard bow.

"Then please read it to us." A few people who were not in a hurry to go into the city had been waiting here for a while.

"Notice: The Dongjishichang 'Corruption and Extortion Case' has been concluded! The criminals will be executed at Chengtian Gate on November 1st. At that time, Daming Gate will be temporarily open to the public." Guo Jujing's pronunciation is standard and powerful, and he doesn't even have a southern accent. If you only listen to his voice, you would think he is from the north.

The Dongchang case was closed so quickly? The people who heard the notice were puzzled. But because this was at the city gate, with the Jinyiwei patrolling constantly, they only pondered it in their hearts after hearing it.

"The case at the Dongjishichang?" Guo Jujing approached a young man nearby who was watching the incident and asked, "Excuse me, what case is the notice mentioning?"

"I don't know." The young man glanced at the soldier guarding the gate and shook his head repeatedly.

"I don't know either." Guo Jujing glanced over, and the crowd retreated. Anyway, they had seen the excitement and understood what was going on, so they left quickly.

Only the old farmer came over and advised, "Don't ask any more questions. If you want to go to the city, just go quickly."

"You know?" Guo Jujing asked doubtfully.

"I don't know." The old farmer thought to himself: I might know it in other places, but I definitely don't know it at the city gate.

"I understand." Guo Jujing nodded and thanked him, then returned to the team.

When the delegation arrived at the gate of Yongding, they were unsurprisingly stopped: "You Portuguese? What are you doing in the capital?"

When questioned, it was naturally Long Huamin who came forward to explain: "The Macau Jesuits received an invitation from the Ministry of Rites to come to Beijing to meet the emperor."

"Bring out the letters and customs documents." Every month, local officials come to Beijing to report on their work. Those with a higher rank have to report to the emperor in person, so the soldiers were not too surprised.

"This is a letter from the Ministry of Rites and a customs clearance document." When Long Huamin took out these two things, he took out a dozen copper coins and handed them to the soldier.

They left Tianjin with a small group, carrying nothing but their own money and possessions. Therefore, their belongings wouldn't be inspected, and they didn't have to pay an entrance fee. A few copper coins were enough to buy them some peace of mind.

"Okay. No problem. Remember to register and get your badge at the South City Military Command after you enter the city." The soldier had been paid for a few drinks, so he added a few words: "You look like you'll easily be stopped by patrol officers walking down the street. It'll be very troublesome without a badge. Save yourself some trouble."

"Thank you very much." Long Huamin thanked him.

"You're welcome." The soldier nodded and made way. "Go in quickly."

(End of this chapter)