In the early morning of the next day, all the officials went to the morning court as usual.
Sure enough, Zhu Qizhen was as usual... not coming!
It's no wonder that he doesn't like to get up early on weekdays, especially in the cold winter months. How comfortable it is under the quilt!
It wasn't until three o'clock in the morning when all the officials had retired, that he opened his sleepy eyes and sat up from the bed.
Queen Qian had already washed and dressed up, and said with a smile: "Your Majesty, you are awake, and I will help you get dressed."
Two beautiful palace maids twisted their waists and walked in with broken steps, holding various clothes in their hands. Queen Qian took them and helped Zhu Qizhen dress neatly.
"Your Majesty, breakfast is ready."
The meals in the palace are not all delicacies. In the morning, they are just rice porridge and steamed cakes, plus two side dishes and a few snacks.
Wynn waited for a long time until he saw a maid removing the bowls and chopsticks, then he came in to report.
"Your Majesty, I have already arranged the things you ordered yesterday."
Zhu Qizhen asked: "Which place did you choose?"
"Back to the emperor, there are three imperial villages near the capital, namely Tangshan Village in Changping County, Baita Village in Sanhe County, and Factory No. 4 Guanzhuang outside Chaoyangmen. The closest one to the capital is Factory Guanzhuang No. 4 outside Chaoyangmen."<
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Zhu Qizhen nodded and stood up: "Then let's go!"
Wynn hurriedly said: "Your Majesty, please wait a moment while I arrange the guards and chariots!"
Zhu Qizhen waved his hand and said: "Don't be so troublesome. Just tell Fan Zhong and ask him to arrange for a few guards to change into civilian clothes and follow me near me!"
Wynn was a little undecided. The emperor left the palace and acted so hastily. If something went wrong, he would have a few heads that could be chopped off...
Zhu Qizhen glanced at him impatiently: "Hurry up, what's the ink mark on?"
Wynn hesitated and said: "The emperor's safety is the most important thing. With fewer followers, what should we do if someone is harmful to the emperor? In my opinion, it would be safer to summon more Han generals to protect me."
Zhu Qizhen seemed to have heard something funny and said: "Is it possible that there are rebels under my nose? I am walking around in front of my house, and I have to bring a hundred and eighty guards with me. I am not afraid of people laughing if I spread the news."
?"
Wynn was stunned by these words and was speechless.
At that moment, he no longer insisted, but said: "I will prepare the chariot."
Zhu Qizhen waved his hand: "I'm riding a horse!"
Wynn hurriedly said: "Your Majesty, the road is bumpy and the carriage is not as comfortable as the chariot..."
Zhu Qizhen said impatiently: "I am not a fool, so stop talking nonsense and hurry up and get ready!"
Wynn shivered with fright. After bowing, he turned around and trotted away. Queen Qian beside him said softly: "Your Majesty, Wynn also has good intentions. Don't blame him."
Zhu Qizhen smiled and said: "I don't really blame him. By the way, have you arranged what I told you last night?"
Queen Qian said: "We have arranged for female officials to go and do the statistics. Your Majesty, I have something to say, I don't know whether I should say it..."
"What can't we talk about as husband and wife?"
"The emperor asked for statistics on the maids in the palace. I don't understand. Are you planning to... abolish the number of maids in the palace?"
"That's right!"
Zhu Qizhen nodded and said: "There is a saying among the people that once you enter the palace, it is as deep as the sea. They also have parents and brothers. Once you enter the palace, if you become a concubine and a noble person, your family will be able to benefit from it.
However, most of them can only be a palace maid for the rest of their lives, serving tea and water every day, doing laundry and cooking. Don’t you think it’s a pity that their youthful years are wasted like this?”
"But... it has always been like this..."
Queen Qian has a kind heart, but she can't escape the shackles of history. In her heart, aren't these things taken for granted?
Since ancient times, whoever has been an emperor has not had seventy-two concubines in three palaces and six courtyards, and three thousand beauties in the harem. Otherwise, what is the purpose of being an emperor?
As for these three thousand beauties, just as Zhu Qizhen said, only a handful have the chance to stand out.
Don’t think that you can get ahead just by entering the palace.
If you want to get ahead, you must first be favored by the emperor. To put it bluntly, you have to be slept with by the emperor. Then, you have to conceive a dragon seed!
Queens and concubines are all carefully selected. The emperor's marriage is a national matter, which needs to be led by the Ministry of Etiquette and negotiated by various ministries. First, it is checked whether the person's life is innocent, and then whether she is beautiful, and then through the empress dowager, etc.
Only with the consent of the elders can the final decision be finalized.
The emperor himself was not involved in the whole process.
As for ordinary palace maids, the selection process is also quite cumbersome. After entering the palace, if you are lucky and are favored by the emperor, you will be qualified to serve in the palace.
If you become pregnant, you will be named a nobleman. If the child is a prince, you will be further named a concubine.
No matter how lucky you are, if the prince becomes the prince or even the new emperor, then he will really succeed.
However, if the emperor slept with her and she was not pregnant, it would be a disaster!
It's best to pray that you can die in front of the emperor.
Because such a palace maid will inevitably appear on the list of people buried with her.
Ordinary women can remarry if their man unfortunately dies, but not in the palace. If the emperor's woman remarries, even if you dare to remarry, who dares to marry?
Zhu Qizhen knows that many concepts cannot be changed for a while, but it doesn't matter, you have to take the first step in everything.
The New Deal is about to be implemented, and human resources are very precious. Men have to go out to work, and women cannot be idle.
You can go to textile factories, cloth workshops, tailor shops, etc., places suitable for women to work.
All in all, the old concept of leaving the door open and staying behind must be eradicated.
Since you want to open this mouth, you should take the lead first!
There are so many people in the harem, apart from those who have slept with each other, of course, they are all slept with by the God of War brother before the time travel. However, since I have taken over this body, of course I have to take over.
The rest are all tallied up, and you can choose whether to leave the palace according to your own wishes.
For those who are willing to leave, the palace will provide them with money and contact the local government to accept them. For those who are willing to stay, especially those who are old and have no place to go, we must try to improve their treatment in the future. In short, human resources cannot be wasted.
"There are some things that I can't explain clearly at the moment. I'll explain them to you slowly later!"
Although Empress Qian didn't quite understand, she didn't say anything more. She just nodded and went down to make arrangements.
After leaving Fengtian Gate, Fan Zhong had prepared three horses. Zhu Qizhen was now moving fluently. He turned over and got on the horse. However, he saw Huaien climbing up tremblingly. After trying several times, he could not climb up. It seemed that
I’ve never ridden a horse.
Zhu Qizhen couldn't stand it anymore and said, "You'd better take the car!"
Wynn's face turned pale: "Your Majesty, please don't punish your slaves. How can the Emperor ride a horse and your slaves ride in a car?"
"It's okay. You ride in the car and I ride the horse. If I really encounter an assassin, I will run to you, don't you think so?"
Wynn:......
In desperation, he had to choose the smallest royal chariot, even so, it was quite conspicuous.
The bright red car body is about one foot high, seven feet wide, and nine feet long. There are four pure white horses in front. The driver is a Han general, but he is wearing casual clothes.
Wynn carefully got on the carriage. The carriage was very spacious, with a set of red lacquered tables and chairs, and a curtain made of brocade with real dragon patterns painted on it. Because it was winter, there were two charcoal pots placed in the corner.
, the entire carriage is warm and comfortable.
I heard the coachman shouting "Drive", and the carriage rumbled and started slowly.
Sitting in such a luxurious and comfortable carriage, Wynn felt uneasy. Anyway, this life is worth it!
The carriage left the palace, walked through the streets and alleys, and walked all the way to Chaoyang Gate. After walking about five miles, a wheat field appeared in front of them.
At this time, it had just snowed in Beijing, and the wheat seedlings were covered with ice and snow. The vast white was dotted with a little green, which was a unique scene.
Wynn quickly got out of the car and said, "Your Majesty, this is Village No. 4!"
There were people waiting in front to greet you. The young eunuch at the head was about fifteen or sixteen years old. He was thin and had a shrewd look on his face. He shouted in a high-pitched voice: "Your Majesty, the Royal Horse Supervisor, is here to serve Xiao Jing and come to see the Emperor!" When Zhu Qizhen heard the name, he paused in his heart. He felt that it sounded familiar. In his memory, this person seemed to be one of the few eunuchs with a good reputation. The specific details were unknown, but he definitely had a heart of loyalty.<
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"Get up!"
After Zhu Qizhen finished speaking, he walked towards the village. Huai En, Xiao Jing and others hurriedly followed.
Behind Xiao Jing, there were several dealers who were about to step forward, but were stopped by Fan Zhong.
When Xiao Jing saw this, he turned back and said to Fan Zhong with a smile: "Zhongwu Hou, these are the heads of the Huangzhuang. On weekdays, when our family is away, they are responsible for all the affairs of the village, so let me
Let them follow."
Fan Zhong glanced at him sideways and asked, "Are these people reliable?"
Xiao Jing quickly said: "Don't worry, Marquis Zhongwu, he is a good citizen who has lived in Zhuangzi for generations. Our family can guarantee that it is absolutely reliable!"
Fan Zhong then said: "Then follow, remember to keep them far away, and only come closer when the emperor summons them."
"Yes, yes, just follow the instructions of Marquis Zhongwu!"
Seeing that the emperor was about to enter the village, Xiao Jing hurriedly chased after him. Wynn grabbed him from behind and asked in a low voice: "Last night the emperor suddenly wanted to visit the emperor's village. We just wanted to inform you. Time is tight. How are you prepared?"
Like?"
Xiao Jing lowered his voice and replied: "After I got the news, I immediately sent people to clean the village and the best house in the village. It was too late to pave the loess road. As for the farmers in the village, I have already informed them
Don't go out and stay at home. Only a few people are showing off in the fields. Otherwise, wouldn't it be too fake if the emperor sees no one everywhere?"
Wynn nodded and said: "This is the only way we can do it. Now we just hope nothing happens, otherwise we can't afford it!"
Xiao Jing couldn't answer his words, and secretly wondered in his heart, he didn't know what the emperor was thinking. He suddenly wanted to see Huangzhuang, and the one he chose was Zhuangzi that he managed. I really don't know if it was a good thing or a bad thing?
Zhu Qizhen entered Zhuangzi leisurely. Looking around, he saw that the scale was not small. Most of the houses were made of yellow mud with walls and thatch roofs. The roads were fairly smooth, but narrow, and were obviously paved with new soil.
There are many willow trees planted on both sides of the road. Judging from their diameter, they are at least ten years old. It is winter, and the leaves have fallen off and are bare.
Xiao Jing came forward and carefully led the emperor and his entourage to a courtyard.
The courtyard is neatly made of green bricks and black tiles. The gatehouse is a bit shabby. The two doors are open. There are already two rows of guards standing at the door. There are even two guards with bows and arrows on the roof, looking at the surroundings vigilantly.<
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Zhu Qizhen couldn't help frowning and said to Wynn: "Didn't I tell you not to bring so many guards?"
Wynn looked a little confused, scratched his head, and then looked at Xiao Jing.
Xiao Jing bowed and said: "Your Majesty, these are the Tiqi from Dongchang. I know that the Emperor is coming..."
Zhu Qizhen waved his hand impatiently: "Okay, okay, get out of here!"
Xiao Jing hurriedly ordered the guards to withdraw, and then said: "Your Majesty, this is Zhuangtou's home. The servants have been arranged. Your Majesty, please come in and rest."
Zhu Qizhen stepped into the yard. He was faced with three main houses and a wing room on each side. Some flowers and plants were planted in the yard. The window paper of all the houses was white and flawless. You could tell at a glance that they were newly installed.<
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The huge yard is spotless. It seems that it has been sprinkled with water and the dust cannot be picked up by walking.
When I came to the main room, there was a brand new carved red sandalwood table in the middle. On the table was a blue and white porcelain tea set. Behind the table was a rosewood Taishi chair. There were several seats on both sides.
It looks like it has been carefully arranged.
Zhu Qizhen sat down on the Grand Master's chair, raised his hands and said: "You all should sit down, I am going on patrol in casual clothes today, and there are not so many rules."
Huaien quickly said he didn't dare, and Xiao Jing waved his hands repeatedly. How dare he have the courage to be on an equal footing with the emperor?
However, Zhu Qizhen became impatient and said: "I told you to sit down, what nonsense are you talking about!"
Wynn leaned forward and sat on the chair next to him, only daring to sit a third of the way. Seeing this, Xiao Jing had no choice but to sit down too.
"Xiao Jing, please tell me the general situation of this imperial village first."
Xiao Jing's butt had just touched the chair. Hearing these words, he quickly bowed and stood still.
"Your Majesty, this village is called No. 4 Changguan Village. It has more than 20,000 acres of land, 386 households, and a population of 2,135, including about 800 adult males."<
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Zhu Qizhen asked: "How much grain was produced last year?"
"Back to the emperor, there was very little rain last year, so the harvest was not good. The total amount of grain was more than 15,000 shi."
Zhu Qizhen nodded and asked: "How many livestock are there in the village?"
"There are thirty-five cattle and fifty mules and horses."
In Zhuangzi, which has more than 2,000 people, there are only less than a hundred cattle and horses, which is enough to show that current farming still mainly relies on human power.
Zhu Qizhen thought for a while and asked: "How do you usually water the land here?"
Wynn was worried, thinking that you were asking all kinds of questions. If it were him, he might not be able to answer any of them.
Xiao Jing said, "Irrigation of the fields mainly depends on the river outside the village. However, since last year, the river has gradually dried up. The slaves have dug several wells for drinking and irrigation purposes in the village."
Zhu Qizhen nodded secretly in his heart. It can be seen that Xiao Jingban is very attentive to his work and is a reliable person.