Fei Hong's incident gave Zhu Houzhao a positive signal, that is, a certain concept of political performance he promoted gradually took shape in the minds of local officials.
For him, the next difficulty is to identify the authenticity of the performance of policy officials, and then it is simple, let those who do well be promoted, and those who do poorly should be demoted. In this way, a positive feedback is formed, and he does not have to work as hard as he did some time ago.
This was actually the reason why he was in the mood to leave the palace, rather than really causing the ministers to lose their temper.
Zhu Houzhao chose this place because it was busy outside Zhengyang Gate and was a gathering place for ordinary people.
In today's layout, on the left side of Chengtian Gate are places like the Academy and Women's Hospital, on the right side is the Evernight City under construction, and beyond Zhengyang Gate are the residences of the common people.
There was no city wall outside Zhengyang Gate, and Zhu Houzhao had such a hidden worry when he was walking on the street. Although when he was still emperor, the Tatars probably still could not enter the Gyeonggi area, but it was hard to say later.
In the absence of city walls, with so many people gathered here, once a military disaster occurs, it will be a disaster. Fortunately, there is still time to solve this problem.
In actual history, the outer city wall was slowly built over ten years during the Jiajing period.
Zhu Houzhao had his hands behind his back, followed by Liu Jin and two servants dressed as bodyguards. A total of four people were wandering on the street like this.
Naturally, there are various hawkers and shops on both sides of the street, selling steamed buns, candies, and tofu cakes. Most of the buildings are far less magnificent than those in Zhengyangmen. Of course, they have more fireworks and are not as grand as Zhu Houzhao's. It was a lot more lively when I came out last time.
There was a lot of people and a lot of life, and he looked satisfied. He even saw a group of people gathered in a circle to watch people perform acrobatics, that is, spitting fire from their mouths.
Liu Jin looked frightened and said with a grimace: "Young Master has a noble body, if something goes wrong..."
"I told you not to talk nonsense." Zhu Houzhao patted him on the back, "It's better to be straighter here. Just take a walk and see what can happen?"
"Wow! Good!"
The crowd suddenly cheered, drowning out the voices of their master and servant.
Zhu Houzhao also put on a smile and stood in the space squeezed out by the two guards.
I saw a man with his hair tied up, performing a performance with a little girl. The little girl was probably his daughter, and she was only responsible for collecting copper coins from a broken bowl, while the man put on a posture and concentrated on it.
In essence, Zhu Houzhao didn't think it was fancy, but he had never seen it in person in so many years, so he stopped here to take a look.
The flames spurted out twice, and the crowd clapped together, and he left the place, leaving behind pieces of silver of course.
Afterwards, I tasted another bite of tofu puffs, and gradually I felt like I was going shopping.
Liu Jin said: "Master, the south city looks a little run down. I heard someone said that the west city is very good. Do you want to go there and have a look?"
Zhu Houzhao shook his head, "There are many officials and disciples over there. If I encounter someone who is not good at it, it will ruin my mood, so I don't want to go. It's good here, and it's closer to the people."
"Then why not go to Shuiyunjian? There is a kind of seabass there, which is delicious and unique in the capital."
Shuiyunjian is not far from here, you can see it with just a finger. This is a new restaurant with two floors. It is not high, but it is very open. There are four signs that say Shuiyunjian, one on each door. Standing below, you can see the guardrail on the second floor. guests are drinking happily.
However, there are not many "decent" buildings like this outside Zhengyangmen. Most of them are antique shops,
"I'll stay here. If you really recommend it, then go to Shuiyunjian and buy the bass, and I'll have a try."
"This..." Liu Jin hesitated for a moment, then stared at the two guards, "Then you two stay here and I'll come as soon as I go."
Zhu Houzhao waved his hand and chased him away.
This small shop is diagonally across from Shuiyunjian, and is named Xiaozhulou. It is quite quiet. What they sell is not good food such as big fish or meat, but pasta that can fill your stomach as much as possible.
There are both pancakes and noodles.
The guests at the other tables were also informal, either with their cuffs rolled up or wearing patched clothes. Zhu Houzhao, on the other hand, was dressed in silk and satin, and looked out of place as soon as he entered.
There was no other way, so he found a table in the corner and sat down, and then spoke twice before the timid guard stopped standing.
"What would you like, sir?"
The person asking the question was a middle-aged man, and the person collecting the money was a girl.
Zhu Houzhao thought they looked like father and daughter,
However, his glance did make the middle-aged man panic. The girl was quite pretty, but if Zhu Houzhao really wanted a good-looking woman, it would be too easy for him. There was no need for him to run out and grab it himself. .
"The best-selling noodles, just serve a bowl."
The middle-aged man smiled and bowed, and when he turned around, he winked at his daughter. The little girl was very skillful, and actually put down her work and went into the back room.
Zhu Houzhao hid in the corner and watched the people eating.
At a table, some sit three people, some sit four, and listen to them chatting,
One person said: "I heard that there is a decree from the palace. The city that never sleeps will be completed in June or July. If the construction period is missed, we will not be able to afford it."
"June?"
"It originally said August."
"Don't you think the day is up to you?"
"Old Liu, why don't you say anything? I heard that your mother-in-law is pregnant again, why aren't you happy?"
The swarthy man grabbed the dough and threw it into his mouth, "I'm different from you. I have three children to raise. You can afford it if the foreman drags down the wages, but I can't."
Zhu Houzhao at the next table couldn't help but frown, but he quickly returned to his original state. He tried his best to relax and listen to the public.
But he still couldn't help but think about the rules set by the government. He remembered that it was the day's end.
Others at the same table said: "I thought this was a good idea at the beginning. Anyway, the wages will be calculated on the day of completion. If you are really in a hurry, you can ask him for it."
"The key is to complete the project." A rough voice reminded, "Although there are various constructions besides the government, the government treats us fairly well, and the others are even less reliable."
About this time, four or five more people walked in. The leader was not tall, but relatively fat. His small eyes seemed to be embedded in a pile of flesh. As he walked forward, the flesh on his cheeks became Akira, but he is dressed like a scholar in a long gown, giving him the feeling of repeatedly switching between a scholar and a street gangster.
The most important thing is that when he came to the table next to him, the people who were still talking stopped talking.
The four people he brought with him cleaned the table and poured tea for him, and all their actions were smooth and smooth.
Zhu Houzhao felt that it suddenly became quiet, so he curiously raised his head in the corner and looked to the left.
"Where's the shopkeeper!"
"Hey, here it comes. Mr. Huang, or is he the third child?"
"Nonsense, come on."
"Yes Yes Yes."
While they were talking, the people who had spoken earlier all devoured their food and were ready to leave after eating, their cheeks all bulging out.
Before they could leave, Mr. Huang said, "Why don't you guys show respect to me recently?"
The crowd didn't seem to know what to say, until someone came along and said with a smile: "Mr. Huang, we are all poor and miserable people. And I don't know what Mr. Huang likes."
"Don't talk about useless things." The short, fat man squinted his eyes, "You should know my name, Huang Benshan, if you are just eating at the foot of the imperial city. Otherwise, you still want to serve me this bowl of rice?"
"...Mr. Huang, we don't have any money either."
"Yes, Mr. Huang, the foreman doesn't pay."
Huang Benshan asked, "When will the money be distributed?"
"You have to ask the foreman."
"That boy You Jiushan has always been against me." Huang Benshan's face flashed with obvious displeasure. Seeing that he couldn't get the money, he said: "You each kowtow to me, and then you curse You Jiu." As for Shan Zuzong, let’s forget about it for now.”
Liu Jin also came back at this time. He carried the bass and ran to the emperor in a panic.
Anyway, the two parties didn't seem to notice him when they were fighting.
Liu Jin had heard these conversations outside, and his heart was trembling, but he felt better after seeing the emperor sitting firmly on the Diaoyutai.
Even so, he still whispered: "Sir, there are too many different religions and nine kinds of people in the market. Let's leave here."
Zhu Houzhao picked the tenderest piece of fish and dipped it in the fragrant sauce. When he put it in his mouth, he was really surprised by the tenderness of the fish and said, "What a craft!"
"Master!"
Zhu Houzhao glanced at him with a cold look and said, "You talk a lot today. What should I do? Do I have to listen to you?"
Liu Jin was horrified, the emperor was unhappy with him!
After that, I didn’t dare to say another word.
Fortunately, the emperor quickly changed his face and smiled, looking like he was enjoying the food.
And right on the edge,
There was a man who couldn't stand Huang Benshan and suddenly burst out, "If you bully people to this extent, I will act like a butcher and kill you today!"
The four people behind Huang Benshan suddenly moved forward.
"I'll blind you! If you dare to offend me, Huang Benshan, in the capital, I will keep you from seeing the sun tomorrow!"
"If I can't see you, I won't see you. Anyway, I won't see you if I take you with me!"
It was said that it was too late, but it was too soon. He picked up the fast piece and was about to stab someone.
Seeing someone using force, the two guards around the emperor felt as if they were facing a powerful enemy. At this time, no one could tell whether someone was deliberately creating chaos and fishing in troubled waters, so the two of them stood in front of Zhu Houzhao like a wall.
"Okay, this is outrageous!" Huang Benshan slammed the table angrily, "No one is allowed to leave today! Close the door, sir, and I will let you know why the flowers are so red."
The two guards in the palace looked at each other and nodded.
They don't agree to close the door. In a strange place and in a strange situation, they have to close the door like this. It will be inconvenient to leave.
Zhu Houzhao was a little irritable and threw Kuaizi angrily, "I can't even eat to make a living!"
Liu Jin didn't dare to raise his head, for fear that the emperor would be angry with him at this time, because he said not to come to Nancheng, not come... Here there is a mixed bag of fish and fish, and there are all kinds of fights in private, so it is easy to encounter this kind of thing.
At the same time, a guard was already standing at the door, and the other guard was following Zhu Houzhao, sticking close to him.
"Hey, there's a big fish hidden here." Huang Benshan pushed away the servants beside him and looked into the corner with raised eyebrows, "Nancheng is in chaos. I don't know what kind of wind brought the nobles here. Really, we rough guys are just noisy. , it’s not as quiet as Xicheng, how about you go to Xicheng?”
When Liu Jin heard this, he was so frightened that he flew to the sky. How...how could anyone dare to speak like this? !
Zhu Houzhao was more thoughtful. Huang Benshan was so arrogant when he saw that he was dressed in extraordinary clothes. He must have a government background.
He didn't come out of the palace for these things, but when he encountered them, he must not treat them as invisible.
Construction and employment in the city that never sleeps is a new industry. He promoted it so much in the first place just to give the people a way to survive. But in reality, the effect is compromised.
This is something fundamental and cannot be tolerated.
Otherwise, there would be no need to spend so much money and build so many houses.
Thinking like this, Zhu Houzhao asked: "Who gave you the support to show such power here?"
Huang Benshan was wrong. He felt that this young man asked about his background when he came up. He obviously lacked confidence and was afraid of the people behind him. Otherwise, he would have to ask clearly in the first sentence of what he was doing, right?
If you are capable, why are you panicking?
Thinking about it this way, his only worries were much lessened. Besides, there were all 'insiders' here, and he didn't want to be embarrassed.
"If you want to know my background, you also need to see if you are qualified! In fact, your background is not big, but it is more than enough to deal with you. Judging from your appearance, you don't look like the children of ordinary people. So, the road is facing the sky, Everyone goes to their own way, just leave quickly and don’t meddle in other people’s business!”
Zhu Houzhao smiled and said, "You are not completely brainless. But I can't leave. That one over there." He pointed at the dark man and asked, "When the government recruited workers, I remember the wages were paid once a day. Why?" , haven’t you received money for a long time?”
Several men looked at each other with some confusion in their eyes, mainly because Zhu Houzhao was a stranger to them.
"Salary... we all do it voluntarily."
"Voluntary?" Zhu Houzhao couldn't understand. He crossed his arms and asked, "What do you mean?"
"...Anyway, you will be robbed if you get it."
This answer made Zhu Houzhao's head a little congested, but he still asked patiently: "Then if I don't get it every day, can I be sure to get the full amount of wages after a period of time?"
The swarthy man and the few people around him didn't speak.
Snapped!
Zhu Houzhao figured it out, and he couldn't help being annoyed, "Lawless!"
If he thinks well, some people should be collecting so-called protection fees, so ordinary people have nothing to do. Some foremen have some strength and keep it for them, but even so, when it comes to calculating the money, they will be deducted a little. . If you encounter a bad foreman, it should be even more difficult.
Anyway, the people at the bottom are exploited at both ends.
This will happen. The officialdom is like a big funnel. The money allocated by the emperor will always be caught by this funnel.
Because no one protects this group of people, and no one speaks for them.
After understanding this, he had no intention of eating anymore and stood up to leave. There was no point in solving the whole problem and fighting with these ruffians, so he didn't want to lower himself.
If this problem can be solved by killing a few hooligans, that would be great news.
But when he left, those men were very smart and wanted to 'hitchhike' out with him.
Naturally, Huang Benshan was unwilling. He immediately ordered his subordinates, "Stop those people!"
When these men heard this, they immediately quickened their pace and walked out of the door in two steps.
"Hurry up!" Huang Benshan was anxious.
Zhu Houzhao stopped, and the two guards beside him also stopped.
"Master?"
It looks like there are instructions.
Zhu Houzhao curled the corners of his mouth. Everyone was surprised because he actually turned around and entered the small bamboo building again.
"close the door."
In the small bamboo building, all the guests had left due to the chaos just now.
Once the door was closed, there were four of them, Zhu Houzhao and five of them, Huang Benshan and his five others, plus the shopkeeper's father and daughter.
And Huang Benshan is also surprised, why does this guy still want to close the door?
Moreover, this order was much more effective than his. After saying "close the door", the two guards clicked and closed the door.
Then Zhu Houzhao pointed and said: "Beat me! Two against four, don't lose."
"Don't worry, young master." The two men bowed their hands calmly.
Huang Benshan was shocked and smiled arrogantly, "Oh, someone actually started playing tricks on me, Mr. Huang! This is really the first time! Let me tell you, in this place, no matter what the problem, I can settle it for him." !”
"Then let me tell you, no matter who you call over what happened here today, I guarantee you that he will not be able to resolve the matter. Fight!"
The bodyguard is a Lianjiazi.
Why didn't Zhu Houzhao, the crown prince and emperor for so many years, not put a few capable people around him? Although it is not Huo Yuanjia or Ip Man, it is definitely not a problem for one person to face several people.
Huang Benshan's so-called subordinates are nothing more than gangsters who are good at fighting. Even if they fight all the time, they are loose and have weak points in punching and lifting their legs.
So three times five times two was punched and fell to the ground.
In an instant, the situation changed drastically. Huang Benshan was dumbfounded, but he still warned, "Do you know who I am?! If you dare to hit me, I guarantee you that this matter will not be trivial."
"Palm mouth!"
The guard controlled him and slapped him.
Snapped!
This was not a light blow, the flesh on his face was thrown out and swaying.
"Ah!" This guy was angry, "I tell you, there is someone above me, and I, Huang Benshan, must avenge this!"
"Let him go." Zhu Houzhao pulled out a bench and sat down. "I'll give you some time, go call someone. Give me some time too, and let's all go get reinforcements and see who can find the best official."
As he said this, he winked at Liu Jin. After all, he was a eunuch who had served the emperor for many years, so he still understood. Don't be afraid of others, but once there are too many people, you need to be able to control the situation. So the emperor asked him to find some manpower.
Huang Benshan was stunned for a moment, and then laughed, "You say I'm not stupid, but I think you look like a complete fool! You still think I have no credentials under the emperor's feet? Okay! Today I will let you see, I have nothing to rely on What must it be?"
As he spoke, he kicked the people on the ground and said, "Get up. You can't die even after two punches. Go and report to Mr. Ba that someone kicked our place!"
"Okay, this is interesting. I love competing like this. My people are here too. Anyway, I'm here for fun. I just want to see how you resolve this matter!"
Huang Benshan touched his cheek. It was still burning and painful. He couldn't see it himself. In fact, the five red finger prints were quite clear.
The more it hurts, the more angry he feels.
In fact, they would never have thought of the possibility that the visitor was the emperor, because the emperor was in the palace, how could he come out?
Huang Benshan guessed that this person should be a eunuch's son, at most from the marquis's mansion. In that case, he would not be afraid, because he was beaten first, and the other person was the first to strike.
Liu Jin ran all the way, which was not easy even for him in his fifties.
The eighth master Huang Benshan said should be nearby, and he appeared within half a quarter of an hour.
Zhu Houzhao thought he was a mighty and domineering man, but he didn't expect him to be a middle-aged man with a mustache, slender eyes, and a figure like a bamboo pole.
When Huang Benshan saw him, he felt like he was seeing his biological father, "Master Ba, that's the man! Look at my face, it's swollen. This is not a slap in my face, this is clearly a slap in your face!"
When the eighth master saw Zhu Houzhao's clothes and his calm and unhurried temperament, he became more careful. It seemed that he was a tough guy.
"Your honor seems extraordinary, but I don't know where my men offended your honor, and they actually wanted to hurt him."
"...They call you Ba Ye because you are the eighth oldest or because you have a mustache?"
Zhu Houzhao spoke rudely, and Master Ba's eyes turned sharp after hearing this, "It's better to let go of enemies than to make enemies. I think it's better to be polite to your guests!"
"I guess he's the eighth oldest. Isn't that right?"
"So what if it is? So what if it's not?"
"Being eighth in the ranking means that there are seven and six in front of you. You... are not some kind of gang, right?" Zhu Houzhao turned his head, why did he ask this, because among all the possibilities, this one was his most unacceptable.
Only he can be the underworld.
If you are the eighth oldest child in the family, then the problem is not too serious.
"Smart man. I am indeed the eighth eldest, and you are the master of Huzi Hall! Your accent doesn't sound like someone from outside. Or do you mean that you have been living in a study for a long time and don't hear what is going on outside the window? You don't even know about our Xu Bang?"
Zhu Houzhao scratched his nose. Fortunately, he didn't leave today.
In an era when social security was imperfect, the gathering of so many young men was indeed the most fertile ground for the emergence of gangs. Just like water transportation, there are countless water gangs of all kinds.
But here is the emperor's feet.
"Why don't you say anything?" Huang Benshan was shouting, "I told you earlier that you hit me, and it will be very difficult to do anything good today!"
At this time, Liu Jin also came with reinforcements. He ran to Zhu Houzhao and reported, "I called for two hundred Dongchang fans."
"Too many." Zhu Houzhao blamed a little, "These parallel imports, why do we need so many people? Let's call thirty people over first, and ask them to wait by the side and not show up for the rest."
"yes."
The other side.
Master Ba also took two steps closer and said, "Don't waste time anymore. How to solve this problem today? There must be an explanation. Although my subordinate is a bit cheap, he is still loyal to me. This beating is enough." It cannot be in vain.”
"How do you usually solve it?"
"Our rule is fairness. If you slap him, you have to slap him back. Otherwise, wouldn't the Tao here be in chaos?"
"It's up to you whether it's a mess or not." Zhu Houzhao took a sip of tea and said, "Take care of this guy as well."
"yes!"
So suddenly dozens of people rushed in from the side, and the surrounding people were isolated. No one wanted to see this kind of excitement.
Ba Ye was shocked, "Who are you?"
Zhu Houzhao stood up and said, "Master Eight, right? You'd better go and bring in reinforcements. And that Master Huang, I said that no matter who this matter is today, he can't settle it! If you don't believe it, let's give it a try."
Today's trip is a bit unexpected, but he has always governed from top to bottom, and it seems that there are still some blind spots, so it is not bad to go from bottom to top today, at least it can solve one problem.
In fact, in the feudal dynasty, it was taboo for so many men to gather together, and what was even more taboo was to make their lives difficult. Such an accident could easily lead to mutiny.
So he was determined to deal with this gang or not, and he was even mentally prepared to be too involved.
——————
I have a slight fever today, and I feel weak all over. I couldn't move at all before, but now... I am working with my dizzy head. I feel like if I get some sleep, I'll feel better tomorrow.
