Chapter 963: Forbidden City, you leave quietly, I come quietly

(0963)

【Today's third update is delivered!】

Northern Zhili, capital, and Forbidden City.

The Forbidden City in the middle of the night seemed particularly quiet. The wind and sand that usually raging seemed to have completely disappeared. In the quiet night sky, there was no sound. There was no sound of wind, no sound of insects, and no sound of humans. It seemed that this was a completely isolated area from the outside world.

This kind of suppressed calmness makes people feel very uneasy in their hearts. It is like being in prison. Everything about you seems to be not under your control. This feeling will indeed make people collapse. Once the connection with the outside world is cut off, no matter how calm a person is, he will not be able to calm down.

Emperor Chongzhen was alone, wandering in the dark yard. Looking from a distance, his figure looked particularly thin. He was in his twenties, but his face looked like an old man in his forties or fifties. His face was indeed too haggard. His figure was indeed too thin, as if a gust of wind would blow him up.

The national destiny of the Ming Dynasty was so dim that Emperor Chongzhen had no intention of eating. He basically ordered a little bit of it for three meals a day, and it was fine. Even if Wang Chengen wanted to persuade him, he didn't know where to start. When Empress Zhou was still in the Forbidden City, the situation was a little better. Occasionally, Empress Zhou would guide the imperial chef, or cook in person, to make something for Emperor Chongzhen that he could eat, barely satisfy his physical needs.

However, three months ago, Empress Zhou had already brought several princes, Concubine Tian, ​​Concubine Yuan and others to Shuzhong. After they left, Chongzhen's appetite became even worse. Sometimes, if he didn't eat for a day, his face naturally became more and more haggard every day. Anyone with a discerning eye could see that Chongzhen was a bit self-abuse. He felt that he had no ability to save the Ming Dynasty, so he adopted the method of self-harm to gain psychological comfort.

The Forbidden City, which was quite complete and quiet in the past, is now in a mess. There are things scattered everywhere on the ground. No one takes care of the flowers and plants in the yard. A large number of chrysanthemums are scattered in the yard, and no one cleansed them. When the chrysanthemums withered, it should be the end of September and early October. Now, it is already November.

No matter from any angle, what Chongzhen saw was a dilapidated scene. This made his already very dark mood look even darker. He stood among the pile of rotten chrysanthemums, looked down at the dilapidated chrysanthemums, and looked up at the dark sky. His inner depression seemed even more serious.

Most of the palace maids and eunuchs have left early, which makes the huge Forbidden City look particularly deserted. There are only a very small number of people who are still staying in the Forbidden City. The one with the largest number of people should be considered the Jinyiwei. The reason for their stay is that Emperor Chongzhen has not left yet. In order to protect Emperor Chongzhen's safety, they must stay in the Forbidden City.

In the past, when the emperor left the Forbidden City, he had to make great contributions. He had to worship the world first and then inform his ancestors. After this procedure, you would not have to take a step out of the palace gate in less than ten days or half a month. When leaving the Forbidden City, the vast convoy and guards would have to extend at least ten kilometers. The forward had already arrived in Changping, and the team behind had not left the capital.

But this time, Chongzhen really didn't have the face to worship the world and inform his ancestors. He was going to leave quietly without anyone knowing it. It was already embarrassing to be forced to leave the Forbidden City. If the ancestors knew it, he would be even more embarrassing. If it weren't for the desperate persuasion of the cabinet and a group of ministers, Emperor Chongzhen would never have left the Forbidden City and the capital easily.

Originally, according to Chongzhen's character, he would rather die in this Forbidden City and apologize for his death. However, the ministers in the cabinet said that the Ming Dynasty still had most of its territory, and theoretically there was hope of turning the tide. If Emperor Chongzhen went like this, the Ming Dynasty would really have no hope of revival. In the world, Chongzhen was the only one who could save the Ming Dynasty!

There is no doubt that the cabinet's words were just to make Emperor Chongzhen run away quickly and not to delay time. The Hu Ben Army had pacified Liaodong and was about to come to the capital in a blink of an eye. If Emperor Chongzhen was still hesitant, the Hu Ben Army cavalry would *** the front line of Changping, and they could not even leave.

"The Emperor..."

Wang Chengen whispered behind Chongzhen.

All preparations for evacuating the capital have been completed. At this moment, all the ministers of the Cabinet, Six Ministry, Censorate, Dali Temple and other departments, as well as royal relatives, senior officials from the three camps, Jinyiwei, and all senior officials from the East Factory were waiting for the appearance of Emperor Chongzhen. As long as Emperor Chongzhen appears, they will leave quickly.

"Let's go!"

Chongzhen sighed helplessly.

It was Emperor Chongzhen's idea to choose to leave the Forbidden City late at night. The people in the capital were basically separated. Looking around, the streets were empty. However, Emperor Chongzhen didn't know that he thought that if he left during the day, many people would see him. Chongzhen really didn't want others to see him in a mess.

After coming out of the West Warehouse, there was already a soft sedan chair waiting. After getting into the sedan chair, Chongzhen leaned listlessly against the back of the sedan chair, his mind was blank, and he didn't know what he was thinking. After a while, his thoughts returned to reality and looked at the soft sedan chair he was riding in bored.

According to the emperor's majesty, the sedan chair that the emperor rides in should be a large sedan of thirty-six people. The space inside the sedan must be at least half that of the Xihunting Pavilion. In the past, when the worship ceremony was held at the Temple of Heaven, Chongzhen was riding in such a large sedan chair. However, now, what Emperor Chongzhen saw was a narrow space. When he opened the curtain, he found that there were only four people carrying the sedan chair. There were two in the front and two in the back.

This is the first time Emperor Chongzhen has sat in such a small sedan chair. To be honest, Chongzhen was not used to such a narrow sedan chair, and felt that his legs could not be stretched out. However, he had no choice. Because if he wanted to escape from the shadow of the Hu Ben Army as soon as possible and to go to Chengdu Prefecture as soon as possible, he had to ride in such a sedan chair.

After leaving the capital, Chongzhen had to pass through Changping, Yanqing, Huailai, Baoan and other places, and then arrived at Xuanfu. Then he went from Xuanfu to Datong, Taiyuan, Xi'an, Hanzhong, and then to Chengdu. These roads were not easy to walk, and the emperor's 36-*** sedan chair could not move at all. Only a light sedan chair could run as fast as possible.

When leaving the Forbidden City, Chongzhen couldn't help but lift the curtain and looked back. Behind him, in the hazy darkness, it was the location of the Forbidden City. From the outside, it was so majestic, so solemn, so dignified, and so unattainable. To be honest, Emperor Chongzhen really was reluctant to leave the Forbidden City.

The Forbidden City is the home of Emperor Chongzhen. He lived here for a full ten years. For ten years, almost his footprints were left in every corner of the Forbidden City. For Chongzhen, the Forbidden City was no longer just a home, but also entrusted all the hopes and ambitions of Chongzhen. His career started from here.

When Emperor Tianqi was seriously ill, Chongzhen never thought that he would become the Nine Five Lord of the Ming Dynasty so soon. When Emperor Tianqi was in danger, he called him to the front of the Dragon Bed and was about to hand over the huge country to Chongzhen, Chongzhen felt a little dreamy. All of this was really a bit unrealistic!

Here, he had a life of worry and even dared not eat in the palace. He only dared to hide a few big cakes in his sleeves, for fear that Wei Zhongxian would poison the food. It was not until Wei Zhongxian was overthrown that he was the real master here.

It’s a pity that all this is going to go away.

The Forbidden City is about to change its master again.

Why is this happening? Emperor Chongzhen really couldn't understand. He thought that his hard work in handling political affairs was among the top among the hundreds of emperors in history. Even Taizu Zhu Yuanzhang was not as active and diligent as him. But why could not his hard work be exchanged for the revival of the Ming Dynasty?

Could it be that I really have no ability to manage such a country well? Could it be that I really have no blessings and become a qualified emperor? Could it be that I am really not suitable to be the master of the Forbidden City? Even if my brother passes the throne to him, it is a beautiful mistake? Could it be that the Ming Dynasty is really going to perish in his own hands?

Emperor Chongzhen forced himself to not let himself look back, so as not to be sad. However, when the sedan chair left the capital, he couldn't help but turn back again. He knew very well that after leaving the capital, he should not have the chance to come back. It was not that he didn't want to come back, but that others were unwilling to let him come back. In the future, the capital would belong to a man named Zhang Zhun.

From any perspective, Emperor Chongzhen could not believe that Zhang Zhun would become the new master of the Forbidden City. When he ascended the throne, Zhang Zhun didn't know where he was! However, in just a few years, Zhang Zhun caused so many storms and eventually drove him away and became the new master of the Forbidden City.

"Zhang Zhun..."

Chongzhen silently muttered this name.

...

"Ah Yeh!"

Zhang Zhun, who was sleeping, suddenly sneezes.

Liu Xianqian, who was sleeping beside him, was awakened by the sound of sneezing. She raised her head, looked at Zhang Zhun, and looked around, but found nothing special, so she continued to sleep.

...

On the third day after Emperor Chongzhen left the capital late at night, Zhang Zhun came to the east gate of the capital with his guards. All the Ming troops in the capital had been withdrawn. Outside the capital, there were troops of the Hu Ben Army. Zhang Zhun's arrival immediately aroused the warm welcome from the soldiers.

Zhang Zhun rode a white dragon horse and stood outside the east gate of the capital, looking at everything in front of him with his head held high. In front of him was an ancient and young city. In front of him was the capital of the Ming Empire. In front of him was the core of the power of the Ming Empire.

This is the capital!

This is the Forbidden City!

This is the national power center!

How many people have worked hard for their whole life to become the masters here or become part of them, but they have not succeeded in the end. How many people have been ruthlessly stepped on the soles of their feet when others are climbing up and eventually disappeared completely. The capital, the two simple words represent so many meanings!

From the Ming Empire, the capital, this city has always been the core of China's power and has been extended to the 21st century. For a time traveler from later generations, Zhang Zhun still has many feelings that do not belong to this era. When he thought of how many people would work hard for a Beijing household registration in the future, Zhang Zhun couldn't help but feel deeply moved. It was a small Beijing household registration, which caused so many people to suffer!

In fact, strictly speaking, Zhang Zhun, after coming to this world, raised the banner of rebellion, wasn’t the purpose of it also for a permanent Beijing household registration? If there was an ID card in this era, his ID card address should be the number xxx for the Forbidden City of Beijing. If there was an ID card number, his number should be xxxxx0000001.

Thinking of this, Zhang Zhun really thought a little about whether to establish a special ID card system when the new empire was founded in the future? However, Zhang Zhun gave up this idea later. The household registration system of the Ming Empire was too perverted and seriously restricted the progress of society. If he had another set of ID cards, it would not be a historical progress, but a historical regression.

By the way, even in later generations, there are very few countries that implement the household registration system. In most countries, people can move freely and will not be bound to a certain place or a certain unit. You should not turn your back on history.

"grown ups!"

Yang Qianqiang came up and stood attentively saluted.

"Um."

Zhang Zhun nodded and raised his hand to give him a gift.

The Keng Battalion led by Yang Qianqiang had entered the capital early and controlled the commanding heights inside and outside the capital. The White Tiger Legion led by Hao Linyong searched in many places in the city to prevent any remaining threats. At every crossroads in the city, there were soldiers of the Tiger Army standing solemnly and staring at the surroundings with vigilance.

However, at this time, the capital had not had much population. When the supply of materials was very tight, a large number of people in the capital had already escaped from the capital, settled in other places controlled by the Hu Ben Army, and took root and resurrection. The remaining powerful people also left when Chongzhen left the capital. Now, there may be less than 10,000 people left in the city.

The most prosperous time of the capital was during the Chenghua period. The total population of the capital exceeded 1.3 million. Among them, the permanent population exceeded 1 million. In the world at that time, the population of the capital was definitely among the best. However, more than a hundred years later, the capital had only less than 10,000 people!

It is probably difficult to restore the former glory of the capital. In Zhang Zhun's plan, the capital should be the political, cultural, technological and transportation center of the new empire, but there is no economic center. He is preparing to temporarily deprive the capital of the capital to reduce the pressure on the capital. After all, from an economic perspective, the capital does not have an advantage.

In order to meet the needs of the capital's large population, a large amount of materials must be transported from Jiangnan, and the overall transportation cost is quite high. Therefore, Zhang Zhun planned that the first task of rebuilding the capital was to reduce the population of the capital. He had a preliminary idea, which was to control the population of the capital to less than 300,000 people.

"Sir, the city is safe."

Not long after, Hao Linyong came to report on a horse.

"Enter the city!"

Zhang Zhun nodded and said in a deep voice.

Surrounded by the guards around him, Zhang Zhun quietly entered the capital. His arrival was like the departure of Emperor Chongzhen, all of which were quiet. There were no flowers, no applause, and no crowds to greet him. Some were just dust in the sky. In winter, the wind and sand in the capital began to rage again.

Zhang Zhun came in from Chaoyang Gate in the east, walked forward along the straight street, and came to the outside of the Forbidden City. Outside the Forbidden City, there were usually high alert and idle people were not able to get close to it. However, at this moment, outside the Forbidden City, there were no one else outside the Forbidden City except for a few sentinels of the Hu Ben Army.

Standing in front of the Forbidden City, Zhang Zhun was indeed full of thoughts. To be precise, it was not the first time he saw the Forbidden City. In later generations, he had visited the Forbidden City three times. However, in later generations, he only came to visit as a tourist. This time, he arrived as the new owner of the Forbidden City.

That's right, it's the new owner of the Forbidden City. When Zhang Zhun saw the solemn palace wall outside the Forbidden City, he decided to put the future center of imperial power in the Forbidden City. There was not much humility in Zhang Zhun's character, especially after tasting the bone-aberaging taste of power, he was even more reluctant to give up the power in his hands.

"Yang Qianqiang!"

Zhang Zhun suddenly shouted.

"arrive!"

Yang Qianqiang hurried over.

"Send someone to seal the Forbidden City!"

"No one is allowed to enter except for maintenance and cleaning personnel!"

Zhang Zhun said with a cold expression.

"Sir, don't you... stay in there overnight?"

Yang Qianqiang asked hesitantly.

"No!"

"I don't live in it!"

Zhang Zhun shook his head.

He wants to live in the Forbidden City.

However, it is not the time to check in.

The current Hu Ben Army has not yet completed the national unification. As the supreme commander of the Hu Ben Army, he must set an example and continue to maintain the style of hard work. Otherwise, once he, the leader, begins to become decayed, begins to be intoxicated by the bright lights and wine, and starts to have a tragedy of Huang Chao and Hong Xiuquan.

"Walk!"

"Go to Jingshan!"

Zhang Zhun turned his horse's head and ran towards Jingshan.
To be continued...