The Ming Dynasty: Starting with taking Old Zhu on a journey to the future

The Duke of Ying's Mansion.

The mansion gates were tightly closed. Inside the main hall, Marquis Dingyuan, Wang Bi, looked solemnly at Duke Ying, Fu Youde, who was standing to the side.

"Please say something, sir!"

Fu Youde held his teacup, blew on it lightly, and asked in a flat tone, "What do you want me to say?"

Wang Bi was extremely anxious.

"His Majesty is advanced in years, and now, due to the death of the Crown Prince, he is to be severely punished."

"There are very few of us left in this generation. If we just sit here and wait to die, what good will come of it for us?"

At the beginning of this month.

With a single imperial edict, the emperor stripped them of their military power and placed them under the command of Prince Zhu Gang of Jin.

They all returned to Beijing to report on their duties.

But as soon as he returned to the capital, he heard that Liang Guogong Lan Yu had plotted a rebellion and had been arrested and imprisoned.

Although he has not yet been executed.

Given the emperor's personality, it was only a matter of time before he executed Lan Yu.

With Lan Yu dead, it was their turn.

Fu Youde glanced up and asked, "What do you want to do?"

"We should form alliances and counter-alliances!" Wang Bi said solemnly.

Strategic alliances?

"You want to rebel?"

"It's not rebellion, it's resistance."

Fu Youde smiled indifferently. How could he resist? It would be a futile effort.

Once their military power was stripped away, it would be easy for the emperor to kill them.

Rather than resisting, it's better to be sensible.

"To oppose His Majesty is to face certain death."

"Today, I'll pretend you were never here."

After saying that, Fu Youde turned and left.

Wang Bi sighed deeply.

They had no choice but to leave.

Meanwhile, a servant standing by the window recorded every word of their conversation.

……

outside the palace.

Jiang Huan took the list given to him by the emperor and walked out of the palace gate.

He spotted Lan Chen waiting there at a glance.

"Want to go together?"

Jiang Huan shook his head: "His Majesty has given some instructions."

"Fine, I'll go look around by myself."

Looking at the booklet in Jiang Huan's arms, Lan Chen didn't say anything.

He immediately turned around and went home.

Looking in the direction Lan Chen left, Jiang Huan whistled.

Several Imperial Guards disguised as ordinary citizens stepped forward.

"grown ups."

"Follow him."

It is both surveillance and protection.

Lan Chen walked on the streets of Yingtian Prefecture, the capital of the Ming Dynasty.

Commerce naturally flourished.

A wide variety of goods are on display.

However, I don't have any money.

When he was still the son of the Duke of Liang, he was quite wealthy.

Now they don't have a single penny.

Jiang Huan provided food and lodging, but it's unclear whether Zhu De will reimburse these expenses.

Based on my understanding of Zhu Yuanzhang, I estimate that he wouldn't reimburse me.

After all, Jiang Huan volunteered for the mission, so what expenses would he be reimbursed for?

unconsciously.

Lan Chen then walked to a restaurant.

The waiter immediately stepped forward: "Sir, would you like some drinks? Our Pear Garden Restaurant is one of the best restaurants in the entire Yingtian Prefecture. We guarantee you'll want to come back again and again!"

Lan Chen waved his hand in response.

"I'll come back when I have the money."

Upon hearing that Lan Chen had no money, the waiter at the restaurant immediately stopped smiling and looked at Lan Chen with disdain.

"What are you doing wandering around here if you have no money? You poor wretch." He muttered under his breath.

Lan Chen immediately became quite angry.

"Wait, did you build this road? I don't have money, can't I even stroll around?"

The waiter just rolled his eyes.

He couldn't even be bothered to acknowledge Lan Chen.

Rather than arguing with a penniless poor person, it's better to continue selling to passersby.

Perhaps one or two people will go into the restaurant and dine there.

Before Lan Chen could continue speaking...

Something suddenly smashed directly onto the waiter's head.

He was immediately beaten until his head was bleeding profusely.

Upon seeing this, the waiter flew into a rage: "Damn it, who hit me?!"

"You snobbish jerk!"

Look in the direction of the sound.

A young man came into view.

"Are you trying to cause trouble?"

"Shopkeeper! There's trouble!"

At a command, more than a dozen burly men rushed out of the restaurant.

The Imperial Guards responsible for protecting Lan Chen quietly placed their hands on the hilts of their swords.

Chen Yuan snorted coldly: "Look carefully, see what I used to smash it."

Upon hearing this, the waiter looked down at the ground.

silver?

Upon seeing the silver, the waiter's expression instantly changed: "Sir!"

Chen Yuan laughed heartily: "Here's the money for you."

"Thank you for the tip, sir! Would you like some wine?"

Chen Yuan walked to Lan Chen's side and placed his hand naturally on Lan Chen's shoulder.

"Give us the best private room!"

After saying that, she winked at Lan Chen.

Before Lan Chen could agree, Chen Yuan pulled him directly into the restaurant.

Chen Yuan immediately took out a bag of silver and tossed it to the waiter: "Bring me the best wine, and all the good food!"

"Today, I'm not leaving until I'm completely drunk!"

Looking at the young man before him, Lan Chen couldn't help but ask, "Who are you?"

Chen Yuan immediately cupped his hands in greeting: "I am Chen Yuan, and I cannot stand these people who look down on others."

Chen Yuan? Is there such a person among the powerful and wealthy in the capital?

He doesn't have the spoiled, arrogant air of a second-generation rich kid; he's a man of strong character.

Well, it's normal that I don't know since I've been staying at home all year round.

He only knew Li Jinglong and Zhu Gaoxu, who were relatively famous second-generation officials in history.

Lan Chen didn't think much of the invitation from a stranger.

To be honest, ever since I transmigrated here, I've been eating simple meals.

I haven't tasted the delicacies from the mountains and seas of the Ming Dynasty yet.

It's worth a try.

Anyway, it doesn't cost any money.

Soon, a table full of delicacies from land and sea were served.

Chen Yuan simply grabbed the food with his hands and ate it.

Lan Chen was somewhat surprised to see Chen Yuan eating like this.

Chen Yuan looks like he's been starving for days.

Seeing that Lan Chen didn't touch his chopsticks.

Chen Yuan took a pig's trotter and put it directly into Lan Chen's bowl.

"Brother, don't be shy, eat up."

Lan Chen slowly put down his chopsticks.

I have no appetite at all.

In less than the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, Chen Yuan had devoured all the food.

After finishing his meal, Chen Yuan picked up the wine jug and poured it into his stomach.

After only one sip, Chen Yuan choked and coughed repeatedly.

He clearly doesn't drink alcohol often.

"Waiter."

"Sir, what are your orders?"

Chen Yuan pointed at Lan Chen: "Kowtowing to him, and I'll give you some more silver."

Clearly, Chen Yuan was helping him vent his anger.

While Lan Chen was pondering, Xiao Er didn't hesitate and immediately knelt down and kowtowed several times.

"Sir, please forgive me for my rudeness earlier."

After saying that, the waiter looked at Chen Yuan and said, "Sir, are you satisfied? If not, I can kowtow a few more times."

for him.

You can get a silver reward by kowtowing a few times.

For a sure-fire way to make money, dignity is nothing.

The money he earns from tips in one day is enough to keep him working for several months.

Chen Yuan looked at Lan Chen and said, "How's that, brother? Is that enough? If not, make him kowtow a few more times."

Lan Chen looked at the kneeling waiter and slowly said, "I have no deep-seated hatred for him. I've vented my anger, that's enough."

Compared to people like Xiao Er, he was more curious about who Chen Yuan really was.

Why would Chen Yuan help him vent his anger?

Upon hearing this, Chen Yuan snapped, "What are you standing there for?!"

The waiter immediately stood up: "Sir, don't worry, I won't do it again!"

Done.

Chen Yuan then threw a bag of silver at the waiter again: "Get out."

Even though he was hurt by the blows, the waiter still smiled.