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

Zhu Wusi naturally witnessed this scene.

He didn't make a fuss.

He simply stood up and asked, "Chongba, where's the toilet here?"

I don't know if my stomach can't handle such delicious food.

I felt a little uncomfortable in my stomach right after eating.

Zhu Yuanzhang quickly stood up: "We'll take you there."

Zhu Wusi shook his head: "No need, you guys eat first, just tell me the way."

Zhu Yuanzhang immediately summoned Wang Sancai to lead the way.

The emperor's feet must not be defiled.

Therefore, there were no fixed toilets; people used latrines instead.

Whether it was the emperor and his concubines, or eunuchs and court officials, they all used latrine buckets in the palace.

The chamber pots were placed on the outskirts of the Qianqing Palace.

It took about half an incense stick's time to reach the place where the manure buckets were placed.

Looking at the manure bucket.

Zhu Wusi frowned.

"Shall we sit here?"

Wang Sancai nodded with a smile: "Yes."

Half an incense stick later.

Zhu Wusi got up to wipe his bottom, while Wang Sancai presented a piece of silk with both hands.

Zhu Wusi was taken aback when he saw the silk cloth Wang Sancai handed him: "Use this to wipe?"

"Silk is reserved for His Majesty's exclusive use. You are the retired emperor, so naturally you will use this as well."

Although he did not accompany the emperor on his time-traveling journey.

However, as a personal eunuch, he was aware of Zhu Wusi's identity.

Zhu Wusi touched the silk, feeling a pang of heartache.

"Could you find me a bamboo strip? I'm not used to using this."

Seeing this, Wang Sancai handed Zhu Wusi a brand new bamboo slip.

After wiping himself off, he simply pulled up his pants and left.

"Are we really okay with this?"

"Don't worry, someone will deliver it to the outskirts of the city every day to sell to farmers."

Although it's not very valuable, it's still a source of continuous income.

Just as Zhu Wusi was passing by the East Palace gate with Wang Sancai, preparing to return to the West Palace.

On the way, they happened to meet the Crown Princess Lü.

Wang Sancai immediately bowed to Crown Princess Lü and said, "Greetings, Crown Princess."

Zhu Wusi stood there, stunned.

Who is the Crown Princess? Is she the Crown Prince's wife?

Should I bow?

He was momentarily at a loss.

Wang Sancai had already finished his greetings and was preparing to continue walking with Zhu Wusi.

Lady Lü, dressed in magnificent attire, glanced at him lightly.

He frowned slightly as he looked at the old beggar who hadn't bowed to him.

Before Lady Lü could speak, her maid, Li Yan, shouted, "You old hag, how can you not bow when you meet the Crown Princess?!"

Wang Sancai's heart skipped a beat.

Good heavens!

Saying that could cost you your head.

He quickly said, "How dare you insult him like that? He is His Majesty's honored guest. How dare you, a mere servant, utter such arrogant words! Apologize immediately!"

Distinguished guest?

Judging from the old man's clothes, he is most likely a farmer from some remote and impoverished area.

"Distinguished guest? He's just a country bumpkin, reeking of rottenness. If you didn't know better, you'd think he was some kind of beggar."

Perhaps because of the Crown Princess, Li Yan showed no intention of apologizing.

Lady Lü did not intervene.

Even from this distance, she could smell a pungent, sweaty odor mixed with the smell of mud.

She didn't exactly hate it, but she definitely didn't like the smell.

Moreover, the old man hadn't even bowed when he passed by.

The old man made me uncomfortable, so it wouldn't hurt to give him a few words of advice.

As for the distinguished guest mentioned by Wang Sancai.

In her eyes, it was nothing more than the emperor's spur-of-the-moment decision.

As early as the fifteenth year of the Hongwu reign.

At that time, His Majesty had just abolished the prime minister system and was too busy with many state affairs.

He then followed the advice of Fan Min, the Minister of Revenue, and established four assistant officials.

Select some honest and simple scholars from peasant backgrounds to serve as officials.

The seasons change, with each season having its own political representatives.

The ideal was beautiful, but the reality was harsh; these people failed to meet the emperor's expectations.

They often make mistakes because they are too naive and know nothing about politics.

Ultimately, this policy was implemented for one year before being abolished in the fifteenth year of the Hongwu reign.

The appearance of this old man in the palace probably means that His Majesty wants to establish something like the Four Assistant Officials.

It was just a fleeting moment.

Ultimately, governing the country still depends on scholars.

Hearing these derogatory remarks, Zhu Wusi smiled bitterly: "It's alright, she's right, I do smell a bit bad."

"If the smell bothers them, it's okay to say a few words."

Even though he was the emperor's father, he had lived a simple and honest life, and when faced with verbal abuse...

I instinctively backed down.

They believed in the principle of "it's better to avoid trouble."

The more Zhu Wusi yielded, the more arrogant Li Yan became.

Just because she smelled some sweat, she became unforgiving: "You do have some self-awareness."

"Eunuch Wang, are you planning to bring a stinking beggar to see His Majesty?"

"It's fine if the fumes affect us, but if they affect His Majesty, can you bear the blame?"

Zhu Wusi sighed softly.

I wasn't prepared to get entangled and wanted to leave.

Unexpectedly, Li Yan blocked Zhu Wusi's path: "You think you can just leave like that?"

Zhu Wusi was, after all, an old man, and his imposing presence and loud voice were no match for the palace maid before him.

"I didn't mean to, I apologize to you."

Li Yan sneered, "You didn't bow when you met the Crown Princess just now, which is extremely disrespectful."

"Entering the palace without washing off the smell, covered in filth, defiling the pure land beneath the Emperor's feet, is a great disrespect. He shall be slapped twice."

Wang Sancai's expression changed drastically.

I had long heard that Li Yan, the maidservant of the Crown Princess, relied on her status as a member of the Crown Princess's family.

He was always arrogant and domineering in the palace.

Unexpectedly, this person was not only arrogant and domineering, but also incredibly stupid.

I've already reminded myself, you're a guest of the emperor, a guest of the emperor.

And yet they still act so aggressively.

I could no longer tolerate it.

Wang Sancai took two steps forward and slapped Li Yan across the right cheek.

His tone was no longer friendly: "Who do you think you are? Get out of my way!"

Lady Lü was somewhat surprised.

Wang Sancai actually hit his own maid?

Li Yan was also stunned by the beating.

Lady Lü slowly stepped forward and asked, "Eunuch Wang, what is the meaning of this?"

In the past, he might have shown deference to the Crown Princess.

After all, the Crown Princess was the mother of the Imperial Grandson Zhu Yunwen.

She is the one who will manage the harem in the future.

If one wants to continue working in the palace, one naturally cannot afford to offend anyone.

But today, even if we don't want to offend them, we will.

Otherwise, if the Emperor Emeritus were to suffer any injustice, I wouldn't have enough heads to lose.

"Your Highness, I advise you not to be so unforgiving."

"This old man is His Majesty's distinguished guest."

Until this moment.

Only then did Lady Lü realize the seriousness of the matter.

Wang Sancai was His Majesty's personal eunuch, and it was impossible for him to have a conflict with him unless absolutely necessary.

But now, for the sake of an old man, they dare to hit their own people.

Who exactly is this old man that Wang Sancai would risk offending him to protect him?

After a moment's thought, Ms. Lü slapped Li Yan across the left cheek.

She bowed and said, "I have failed in my duty to manage my subordinates. Please forgive me, sir. When I return to the palace, I will punish her severely!"

Seeing this, Zhu Wusi didn't take it to heart, and just smiled slightly: "It's nothing serious."

Wang Sancai sighed softly to himself.

Severe punishment? Just a verbal reprimand, and maybe not even that.

In the past, this matter might have simply been dropped.

No one would offend the Crown Princess for the sake of someone insignificant.

But this time, it can't be resolved with just a few words.