Chapter Three: The Imperial Capital

  "After the matter in Beijing is settled, you and I will come here to recruit 50 people. If I don't come, you will be in charge of this matter, Qin Lv will assist, it's best to find those who have nowhere else to go, with a monthly salary of one or two silver coins. We'll consider the land in Weihai later. Let's recruit them under the name of opening up wasteland for farming." Chen Xin thought for a moment and arranged this matter first.

  Zhu Guobin saw Chen Xin hand over the matter to him, and he had the intention of letting him lead these fifty people. He never wanted to be a sailor, always wanting to join the army to kill Tartars, and being an officer would be even better. His heart was excited, and he quickly agreed.

  Song Wenxian understood the underlying meaning, Dai Zhenggang and Lu Chuanzong were both henchmen, but Chen Xin didn't let them lead these people because they themselves were henchmen and had a natural affinity with these people. However, Yanggu also wanted to bring some people, who were also from the same hometown as Dai Zhenggang and his group. If all of them were close to each other, it might not be beneficial for Chen Xin's leadership. So Chen Xin decided to let Zhu Guobin take charge of this matter. "One broken hundred households need to balance." Song Wenxian muttered to himself, but looked up to Chen Xin even more, now balancing was better than adjusting after losing balance.

  Dai Zhenggang and Lu Duli were both oblivious, they were both from a background of physical labor and were completely insensitive to these things, but Chen Xin was not guarding against them, it was just an instinct born out of a power configuration.

  A few people took a boat to cross the river, arrived at the west bank, turned around slightly, and found that there were more than 100 cloth shops nearby. The dock was piled high with goods, and after turning around for a while, seven or eight pawnshops came to inquire. The few people couldn't bear it and stopped strolling around, finding an inn to stay in.

  One night passed, and several people got up early, rented three donkey carts, and headed to the capital. Along the way, the fields on both sides were still that grayish-yellow color, without a hint of green. The official road conditions were not bad, but there was a lot of dust. There were many carriages and pedestrians coming and going on the road. Haigouzi and Zhang Dahuai sat in the last donkey cart, laughing and chatting on the swaying vehicle.

  They walked all the way until afternoon, and the houses and shops on both sides gradually increased. Especially where there were bridges, there would be a market. In the fields, every now and then, there would be villages and farmhouses, and farmers sowing winter wheat in the fields also became more frequent. The clothes worn by pedestrians also got better and better, with all sorts of colors, including the bright yellow color used by emperors, which was seen several times. Some towns were as bustling as Tianjin, and the prosperity around the capital far exceeded Chen's expectations. On the other hand, there were more beggars than in other places, and people selling their bodies on the side of the road could be seen from time to time.

  Chen Xin's buttocks were sore from the jolts of the donkey cart, and the carter was pushing hard from behind. He was sitting in a single-yoke cart, which could only hold two people, and they had to sit facing each other, or it would tip over. Chen Xin carefully adjusted his posture and said to Song Wenxian opposite him: "Mr. Song, if the outskirts of the capital are already so lively, what must the city be like?"

  Song Wenxian wasn't surprised at all: "Since the Jiajing era, Beijing has been building its outer city walls, and now there are probably no less than a million people. However, there's nothing much to see inside the city, it's similar to Tianjin."

  Chen Xin listened and thought it was reasonable, just like the big cities of later generations, looking lively from the outside, but when you go there, it's not necessarily particularly good-looking or fun, besides, now the Forbidden City and other places cost money to enter.

  It wasn't until the carriage finally stopped that Chen Xin got out to stretch his limbs, and when he looked up, he saw the tall and majestic Guangqu Gate in front of him.

  In the Ming Dynasty, Beijing was divided into Outer City, Inner City, Imperial City and Forbidden City. The Inner City was built during Zhu Di's time on the basis of the original Yuan Dadu, moving south a certain distance, rebuilding the imperial palace, with the Inner City surrounding the Imperial City, and the Imperial City surrounding the Forbidden City. It is equivalent to a three-ring structure. Later, after the Tumu Crisis, it was discovered that the people outside the city had no protection, so during Jiajing's time, the Outer City was expanded. Originally, it was planned to be like Beijing's pancake, wrapping another four rings, but due to insufficient funds, the Outer City only repaired the south of the capital, turning to hug the east and west corner towers, 28 miles long, with seven gates, Guangqu Gate being the eastern gate of the Outer City.

  Guangqu Gate also has a watchtower, the gate is on the north side, and enemies need to go around to the north side to enter the city. There is a gatehouse above the gate with a thousand-jin gate that can be quickly lowered in case of an enemy attack to block the enemy from entering the city. On the outer wall of the watchtower, there is an arrow tower with four rows of shooting holes that can shoot at enemies who have crossed the moat. The watchtower, arrow tower, and gatehouse make the gate a solid defensive point, combined with the 30-meter-wide moat outside the city, making the capital city's defense system in this era the most solid and perfect one of the Ming Dynasty.

  The government soldiers near the city gate were dressed quite brightly, and there were also big guns on the city wall, but there were more beggars and people selling themselves near the city gate, with some stewards and rich-looking men selecting among them.

  Chen Xin took a look at the people selling themselves, big and small, men and women, all of them were thin as sticks, with lifeless eyes waiting to be chosen. Chen Xin shook his head and stretched his waist, while Dai Zheng and Zhu Guobin got off the car one after another. Lu Zizi's face was pale, only Zhu Guobin still had a calm expression. Chen Xin patted Zhang Dahui's shoulder and asked him: "Still noisy from sitting in the car?"

  Zhang Dahuai had already vomited twice and couldn't speak, upon hearing this he hastily shook his head. Chen Xin chuckled to himself. Now the carriage didn't have any shock-absorbing devices, and Zhang Dahuai wasn't like Zhu Guobin who often rode boats, so of course he would vomit. Hai Gouzi was the same, but there was still a silly smile on his face, it shouldn't be too uncomfortable for him.

  Chen Xin himself went to settle the fare and sent the driver away. Lu Lu Zi rested for a while, then came to Chen Xin's side and said: "Brother Chen, if we buy that house outside Chongwen Gate, it would be closer to take Guangqu Gate."

  Chen Xindian nodded, he had sent Qin Lüfang to guard this place more than a month ago. After Zhang Dahuai and the others regained some of their spirits, several people walked over the stone bridge on the moat, entered the gate tower of Guangqu Gate, and after exiting the gate tunnel, the scene in front of them suddenly opened up, and the wide Guangqu Gate Street appeared before their eyes, with the bustling crowd showing the prosperity of the capital.

  Song Wenxian said to Chen Xindao, "Brother Chen, the ten intersections in other places are all straight streets, but only the outer city of the capital under the emperor's feet is mostly winding and curved, because it was originally a street first, and then a city wall."

  Chen Xinkai joked: "Mr. Song must have come to the capital many times, this time do you want to fight again in the brothels of the capital?"

  Song Wenxian chuckled and said in a low voice, "The brothels of the capital are mostly located near Chongwen Gate and Xuanwu Gate along the West River. If things go smoothly, I also want to revisit my old haunts."

  Chen Xin was tickled in his heart by what he said, and at this time Lu Zhuzi hurried up and whispered to Chen Xin: "Brother Chen, our house is on the street outside Chongwen Gate, go west along the inner city moat and you will arrive. However, there are only four rooms. With so many people, I'm not sure if they can be accommodated."

  Chen Xindao said: "Never mind, you take Haigouz and Zhang Dahui to live there, the others will stay in the guest house."

  "What's the point of buying a house?"

  "It's for escaping, but it may not be useful, let's talk about it later. Don't tell the address to others."

  "I didn't say anything, as you instructed, nobody was told."

  "Well done, after you've settled in at the guest house, go find Qin Lüfang and have him come see me."

  "Uh-huh, got it." Lu Zizi responded in a low voice and backed down.

  Song Wenxian looked at the two of them with a mysterious expression and said discontentedly, "Brother Chen, do you have some wonderful place to go, planning to go out and have fun by yourself?"

  Chen Xin shook his head and said, "Brother has never been to the capital before, how can he have a good place to go? I brought them to the capital, planning to leave one or two people behind, build a shop here, and naturally arrange for them. In the future, if Song brother has an urgent matter, he can also bring a letter to ask them to handle it. If he comes himself, he can stay at their residence."

  Song Wenxian said with a curious tone, "That's indeed very convenient. Chen brother's cheongsam in Tianjin is quite impressive, I wonder what kind of business he plans to do by opening a shop in the capital."

  Chen Xin smiled slyly: "I haven't thought of it yet."

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  Several people booked rooms at the inn after Chen Xin got rid of Song Wenxian and others, bringing Lu Chuanzong, Haigouz and Zhang Dahui to the courtyard bought by Qin Lüfang. "Brother Chen, as you instructed, that courtyard is in Zhengdong Fang, with two alleys on both sides, and several forked lanes in the alleys, all of which can lead to the main street." Qin Lüfang reported in a low voice in Chen Xin's room at the inn. "Out of Zhengdong Fang is Chongwenmen Outer Street, where people are crowded, restaurants and tea houses are numerous, and it's easy to gather information."

  Chen Xinzan nodded and said, "The location is good. Brother Qin may need to stay in the capital for a few days. If everything goes smoothly with your appointment, you can look for a place to settle down, and I'll send someone to replace you."

  "Well, Brother Chen, what should I do now?"

  "Where is Cui Xiu's residence?"

  Qin Lü Fang said: "In Xicheng Mingyu Alley, go straight to the Ministry of War, inside Zhengyangmen Qipan Street. You asked Wēn Tǐrén to inquire last time, there is no such official in the capital."

  Chen Xin furrowed his brow, could it be that Wen Ti Ren was still at the grassroots level? Wasn't it said that Mao Wen Long bribed him? Not being an official in the capital, what's the use of bribery. "Then let's not bother with him for now."

  Lu Lu Zi stood at the edge and said, "Brother Chen, are we going to kill Cui Cheng Xiu?" Hai Gou Zi listened numbly, as if killing someone was nothing, while Zhang Da Hui showed an excited expression.

  Chen Xin fell silent for a moment, then smiled and shook his head: "No, he's the Minister of War, let alone whether we can kill him or not. Even if we could, what would be the point? That would only help the new Emperor, but this Emperor will definitely chop us off to make an account with the Nine Thousand Years."

  "Nine Thousand Years..." Qin Lv's forehead was slightly sweating, he had never thought that what he did could be connected to the mighty Nine Thousand Years, and from Chen Xin's words, it seemed that what he did could even reach the Emperor.

  The four people here are all obedient to Chen Xin's words, Zhu Guobin and Dai Zhenggang have the best skills, but they are not yet at the level of obedience to Chen Xin, Song Wenxian is just a cooperative relationship, Chen Xin did not call them to participate in this matter.

  "Mr. Lyu, have there been any impeachments by the Censorate against Cui Xiu or Wei Zhongxian in recent days?"

  Qin Lv frowned and thought for a moment before responding, "Actually, I haven't heard any news."

  "Tomorrow, you and Da Hui both go out to gather information and see who impeached them. Find his address."

  Lu Zhuizi licked his tongue: "Brother Chen, are we going to kill that imperial censor?"

  Chen Xin rolled her eyes: "Who says you have to kill him just because he asked for your address."

  "So, what about us?"

  "Pretend to kill him!"