Emperor Chongzhen was too extreme.

Chapter 34 Expansion
Inside the Jinyiwei (Imperial Guard) headquarters.

Having learned in advance that the emperor would be making an inspection tour today, Cao Huachun led his entire Imperial Guard to wait for him at the drill ground.

now.

Upon seeing the emperor's arrival, the Imperial Guards on the drill ground were filled with excitement and knelt down, shouting "Long live the Emperor!"

For people like them.

To be able to see the emperor in person at such close range was something to boast about for years to come.

Not to mention, the emperor also gave them silver, new clothes, and new knives.
the most important is.

Ever since he killed a hundred officials in one day.

The lowest-ranking officers of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, who were most affected, were also constantly speculating about what this new emperor with his ruthless methods looked like.

So when they actually saw the young emperor, clad in armor with sword-like eyebrows and bright eyes, exuding a menacing aura.

A sense of reverence naturally welled up within me.

no way.

Such a valiant emperor perfectly matched everyone's imagination.

Zhu Youjian was very satisfied with this.

After a brief inspection of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, Zhu Youjian summoned Cao Huachun and gave him instructions:
“Arrest all the people who were on the list a couple of days ago.”

Cao Huachun was prepared for this and bowed in reply:

"This servant obeys the order. I have already located the hiding places of those on the list, but due to the large number of people, it will probably take two days to capture them all..."

Zhu Youjian interrupted him directly, saying, "Stay at the Embroidered Uniform Guard headquarters tonight, and I will draw two hundred men from the Divine Might Battalion to work on the case together."

The time wasted going back and forth would have been enough for Zhu Youjian to do many other things, so he naturally wouldn't choose to return to the palace.

"This servant obeys the decree. This servant will now go and prepare the palace for Your Majesty."

It was indeed against etiquette for the emperor to stay overnight outside the palace, let alone in a place like the Jinyiwei (Imperial Guard) headquarters.

But what was the system of rites to Cao Huachun?
Even the grandest rituals cannot compare to a single thought of His Majesty's.

He immediately began to handle the matter, and then ordered the officers of the Embroidered Uniform Guard and the Divine Might Battalion to arrest people according to the list.

For the members of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, this task was actually quite simple.

It just takes a little longer because there are a lot of people to arrest.

After all, everyone knew where those thugs and bullies lived.

Don't expect anyone to tip you off in advance.

First of all.

The lowest-ranking officers of the Embroidered Uniform Guard had no business dealings with these gangs; the benefits they received were only available to officials at the level of centurions.

Not to mention that many of them had been humiliated by the leaders of these gangs and were eager for their deaths.

Second.

Even setting aside the intimidating effect of His Majesty's execution of hundreds of officials in a single day, and the Admiral's constant admonitions, let's not even mention...

Who would collude with these filthy things when the future looks so bright?
Moreover, although some of these local thugs and bullies were clever enough to realize that something was wrong, they would not abandon their families and run away on the spot just because of some signs.

So if this is actually done, it might be easier than regular training.

After giving these instructions, Zhu Youjian did not linger any longer.

He immediately left the Jinyiwei yamen, surrounded by the Shenwei Camp's personal guards.

He wanted to slowly awaken the long-dormant dragon that was the Ming Dynasty.

Following Zhu Youjian's order.

The emperor's procession passed by a number of government offices and bustling streets.

There was no prior order to lock down the city.

Therefore, many ordinary people, officials, merchants, and peddlers in the capital witnessed the legendary emperor. The emperor's appearance instantly shook the entire capital.

Of course, it was only a shock to people's hearts.

When high-ranking officials went on tours, the common people would spontaneously kneel down or give way.

Not to mention the emperor himself, surrounded by guards and with his dragon banners raised high in a very conspicuous manner.

This is a fear etched into the very bones of the people of the Ming Dynasty.

For the passersby kneeling on both sides of the street, being able to sneak a peek at His Majesty's holy face was already a great privilege.

Who knows, their luck for the next few years will improve because of this chance to see the Emperor's face.

In one day.

Zhu Youjian led the Divine Might Battalion on a tour of the entire capital city, only returning to the Embroidered Uniform Guard headquarters as darkness fell.

Besides bringing great shock to the people of Beijing.

Zhu Youjian also gained a firsthand understanding of the layout of the capital.

For example, the miserable lives of some ordinary people, and how magnificent the mansions of some nobles and powerful ministers were.

at the same time.

Inside the courtyard of an inconspicuous mansion in the capital city.

The four cabinet ministers, along with several high-ranking officials with white hair and beards, sat expressionlessly before a table laden with food.

This courtyard may seem unremarkable on the surface.

But since it was graced by the presence of so many high-ranking and powerful court officials, it must have something special about it.

Take this room we're in right now, for example.

Bowls and plates from Ru ware, agarwood incense from the South China Sea, a dining table made of top-grade rosewood, and beams and pillars made of Phoebe zhennan wood.
There were also several maids standing to the side, their slender waists and endearing figures clearly indicating that they were special guests from Yangzhou.

Even the seemingly ordinary food on the dining table actually holds a hidden secret.

Let's take one of the dishes, clear broth cabbage, as an example.

The cabbages inside are made from the tenderest heart of hundreds of cabbages, and then the broth is made by simmering dozens of old hens.

Only after a series of intricate processes can this dish be made and served to you gentlemen.

This cabbage is worth a year's worth of hard work for a farming family.

But despite the table full of delicious food, none of the people in the room had the heart to touch their chopsticks.

The emperor swaggered out of the palace gates and even took a stroll around the capital.

How could they possibly have the appetite to eat?
finally.

It was Huang Lijie, the Grand Secretary, who broke the silence.

Since he was not currently inside the palace, his tone became more direct.

“I sent people to the Beijing Garrison before the Emperor left the palace, but Zhang Weixian used an imperial edict to suppress them.”

The crowd remained noncommittal, simply nodding slightly.

Everyone already knows about this; bringing it up now is just to start a conversation.

A moment later, another person echoed Huang Liji's words:
"I heard that besides this matter, the palace has recently been preparing a large amount of grain and supplies."

"His Majesty's move seems to indicate that he intends to go on a long trip."

　Although productivity was low in ancient times, the upper class certainly did not lack material enjoyment.

　　Leaving aside the descriptions of middle-class families in "Dream of the Red Chamber" for now

　　Take, for example, the tomb of Lady Xin Zhui excavated at Mawangdui, which contained a large number of rare foods, such as swan meat and venison.

　　There are also silk garments that can be folded up and put into a matchbox, weighing only 49 grams.
　　And this was more than two thousand years ago.
　　
　
(End of this chapter)