The Ming Dynasty: A bookstore sells the history of the Ming Dynasty, leaving Emperor Chongzhen bewil

At this time, although the bookstore was as bright as day, it was completely dark outside.

Since the other party had once again expressed their intention to stop talking, Chongzhen did not insist. Indeed, as the other party said, if they continued talking, they didn't know when it would end, and they had already said too much, which Chongzhen really couldn't accept.

Today, when he came to the bookstore, he was immediately struck by the "History of Ming" and was deeply moved when he realized that this was a bookstore of the future.

Then there's the bookstore owner's explanation of the laws governing the rise and fall of dynasties, and then there's the age-old problem of land annexation...

Too much information was flooding his mind.

His head was a little swollen, and there was no point in continuing.

There is ample time.

Since I was able to come to the bookstore a second time, it means I can come again in the future.

"I'm sorry to have bothered you, sir. Thank you for your guidance." Chongzhen nodded to Zhu Ziming.

"It's alright."

Zhu Ziming waved his hand: "Anyway, I have time, and I also like to have long talks with people. It's just that I still have some things to finish today. Otherwise, I could talk to you about history over tea for a whole day and night."

Zhu Ziming wasn't being polite; normally, after he finished updating his novel, he would be happy to communicate with this crazy fan in front of him.

Although the other party may ask some strange questions and have a somewhat unusual knowledge structure, their strength lies in listening.

He not only enjoyed listening to Zhu Ziming's knowledge, listening attentively and with a strong sense of empathy, but also provided a great deal of emotional value. Some of Zhu Ziming's insights often shocked him, and that shock was genuine and not an act.

In addition, Zhu Ziming's communication with him was also a kind of intellectual exchange, which was very helpful for Zhu Ziming's writing of novels.

As the other person was leaving, he picked up the book he had been reading, the History of Ming, and said to Zhu Ziming:

"Can I buy this book?"

"Of course you can."

Zhu Ziming nodded and smiled, "I own a bookstore, how could I not sell you my books?"

The History of Ming is not just one volume, but a total of twenty-eight volumes, so Zhu Ziming found a box to pack it up and then handed it to the other party.

Chongzhen solemnly accepted it, then patted himself down several times, as if he had forgotten something, and his expression froze.

Zhu Ziming immediately noticed the other party's financial difficulties and smiled, "It's alright, I'll give it to you if you really like it."

This complete set of the History of Ming Dynasty is not cheap; it would cost seven or eight hundred yuan to buy the whole set. However, Zhu Ziming still decided to give it to the other party.

There are people who scam others out of food, drinks, or money, but there are very few who scam others out of books.

At this moment, the other party did not take out any money, but instead took out a jade pendant and handed it to Zhu Ziming.

"Sir, I can't just take yours for nothing, so I'll exchange it for this."

After putting down the jade pendant, the man left the bookstore with a complete set of "History of Ming" and disappeared into the darkness outside the bookstore.

Zhu Ziming fiddled with the jade pendant in his hand, then held it up to the light. He didn't know much about it, but he felt that the quality was quite good.

However, Zhu Ziming didn't pay any attention and casually tossed it into the cash register drawer...

……

The next morning, just as dawn was breaking, Chongzhen set off to return to the palace.

He had already stayed at the palace for two days and could not continue any longer, for a country cannot be without a ruler for even a day.

Especially now, in these turbulent times, with countless things converging on him, he dares not slack off in the slightest.

Before returning to the palace, however, he made sure to order his men to guard the Tian Shou Mountain palace. No one was allowed to enter without his written order. Although there was practically no one there on ordinary days, he still had to be careful. He didn't want the bookstore from the future to be discovered by others...

……

The Forbidden City was built by Emperor Yongle (Zhu Di) of the Ming Dynasty when he moved the capital to Beijing, modeled after the Forbidden City in Nanjing.

According to ancient Chinese astrology, Zi refers to the Ziwei Enclosure, located at the highest point in the center of the sky. It is considered the place where the Heavenly Emperor "moves in the center and governs the four directions." The Forbidden City, with its harmonious relationship between heaven and man, ingenious design, and magnificent scale, is able to contain the aura of an emperor and display his great talent and ambition, hence its name.

Legend has it that the Jade Emperor had 10000 palaces, but Emperor Yongle of the Ming Dynasty, Zhu Di, in order not to surpass the gods, built 9999 and a half rooms in the Forbidden City. All of them were brick and wood structures with yellow glazed tile roofs, blue and white stone bases, and decorated with magnificent gold and green paintings.

As the year draws to a close, the newly decorated Forbidden City is adorned with lanterns and colorful decorations to welcome the festival.

However, Emperor Chongzhen was not in a good mood when he returned here, because he had just read the ending of the fall of the Ming Dynasty yesterday, and then heard the answer that there was no solution from the young owner of the bookstore. How could he be happy?

Instead of rushing to handle state affairs, he went to Empress Zhou's palace, Kunning Palace.

Lady Zhou was beautiful and dignified, skilled in calligraphy and painting, and also knowledgeable in medicine. She was initially chosen as the Princess Consort of Prince Xin, and after Zhu Youjian ascended the throne, she was made Empress. Empress Zhou was simple and honest, not fond of extravagance, and possessed the virtues of humility and frugality. When managing the inner palace, she strictly adhered to etiquette and served as a model for the nation.

"Empress, this is something I bought on my way back to the palace. Here you go." Chongzhen took out an exquisite hairpin from his sleeve and handed it to Empress Zhou.

"Your Majesty, why are you spending so much again? I have plenty of hairpins here, there's no need for so many." Empress Zhou was used to being frugal, and Emperor Chongzhen was even more frugal than her, so she was a little unaccustomed to it for a moment.

"Don't want it? Then I'll throw it away." Chongzhen raised his hand, pretending to throw the hairpin away.

"Hey, don't throw it away! I want it! I want it!" Empress Zhou exclaimed anxiously and quickly took the hairpin.

At this moment, Emperor Chongzhen rarely showed a smile. He took the hairpin and personally inserted it into Empress Zhou's smooth hair.

"Your Majesty, what's wrong?" Empress Zhou was clearly not used to Chongzhen's sudden gentleness.

"It's nothing, it's just that I feel like I haven't had much time to spend with the Empress in the past year since she entered the palace. The Empress has been wronged," Chongzhen said gently.

"I am not wronged. Being able to serve Your Majesty is my greatest blessing."

Empress Zhou was moved, her voice choked with emotion. Emperor Chongzhen was not one to easily reveal his emotions, but the more he did, the more touching it became when he did.

Emperor Chongzhen gently embraced Empress Zhou. Although they were an old married couple, this time, there was a different kind of affection between them.

According to the History of Ming, in the seventeenth year of Chongzhen's reign, Li Zicheng captured the capital, and Empress Zhou committed suicide along with Chongzhen to die for their country.

"Don't worry, my Empress, this time it will definitely not end like this."

Emperor Chongzhen secretly made a vow in his heart...

After leaving the warm and inviting Kunning Palace, Chongzhen returned to his own bedroom, Qianqing Palace.

As expected, a whole bunch of folded paper awaited him.

Many things happen in the Ming Dynasty every day, but almost none of the reports can excite him.

The memorials were filled with reports of disasters, riots, and demands for money.

The mention of silver was the biggest headache for Emperor Chongzhen.

During the Tianqi era, the Ming Dynasty was already plagued by constant warfare and frequent disasters, resulting in tax shortfalls and a deficit. By the time it came to the Chongzhen Emperor's rule, the national treasury was already stretched thin, and the government was living beyond its means.

Faced with an empty treasury, Emperor Chongzhen was at a loss.

These folds gave him a growing headache, but he had no choice but to deal with them.

The thought that the Ming Dynasty would perish in sixteen years, while he was still dealing with these exhausting memorials, made Chongzhen somewhat anxious.

Just then, the eunuch Wang Chengen came to report: "Your Majesty, Yuan Chonghuan has come to pay his respects by imperial decree."