Tokyo Sky Street, which leads directly to the Imperial City, is like a huge piece of silk, spread flat on the ground, powerfully dividing the entire capital. On the road, dust is inevitably flying, and when cars and horses pass by, there is always smoke and dust everywhere.
On Tianjie Street in front of the Imperial City Square, several municipal staff affiliated with Kaifeng Mansion were working hard to clean up under the bright sun. Nowadays, whether in Xijing or Tokyo, the government pays more and more attention to the health of the city.
After the newly built capital, there was a period of time when sewage flowed across the capital and the stench filled the sky. Emperor Liu noticed this during his tour and expressed his dissatisfaction. So Kaifeng Prefecture quickly issued new health management regulations and launched a city cleaning campaign.
The effect was immediate, and since then, Kaifeng's sanitary conditions have become increasingly better, and even if it's not dirt-free, it's still refreshing.
As a super city with a population of over one million, sanitation is naturally a big problem, especially as the city develops rapidly and people's lives become increasingly affluent. The various types of garbage and pollution generated every day are a huge burden for the capital.
Of course, most of it is domestic waste. Although it is cumbersome, it is easy to solve. It only requires some manpower and financial resources. In this regard, Kaifeng Prefecture also invests a fixed amount every year.
For example, Tianjie Street and Imperial City Square, which are the facades of the capital, naturally have higher hygiene requirements, and the cleaning staff arranged by Kaifeng Prefecture are even more "elite soldiers and strong generals."
The weeping willows beside the road were lazy, and the shadows of the trees swayed freely in the breeze under the sunlight. Stepping under the shadow of the trees, a figure walked slowly and steadily, and quickly attracted the attention of the workers.
He didn't ride in a car or ride a horse. He was all alone in white clothes, but his purpose was very obvious, heading straight to the imperial city on the north side of the square. This young man does not look very strong, he should be a scholar, his eyes are firm and his expression is serious.
All the way to the foot of the Imperial City, more than ten feet away, I stopped and looked up at the majestic and towering Imperial City. A trace of hesitation finally flashed in my awe-inspiring eyes, but it soon turned into determination again. I took a deep breath and started to move forward.
The suspicious appearance naturally attracts attention, especially the guards of the Imperial City, the Xuandemen guard officer, carrying a saber, quickly walked out of the block, his eyes were guarded, and his tone was full of oppression: "Who are you? Dare to trespass into the Imperial City Forbidden city!"
Obviously, the person in front of him, with his neat white body, could be seen at a glance that he was neither an official nor a noble. Facing the officer's shouts and questions, the young man suppressed his uneasiness and bowed solemnly: "Student Xu Shilian is a scholar of Jinke. He has a hidden secret. I sincerely request to see His Majesty and face my grievances!"
Hearing the purpose of his visit, the officer was a little surprised. When he was surprised, he couldn't help but sneered: "Where did the scholar come from? It's really fantastic. Do you want to see His Majesty whenever you want? Since you are a scholar, if you have any grievances, go to the Ministry of Rites, the Ministry of Personnel, or Kaifeng Go to the palace, the Forbidden Palace is not the place you should be, retreat quickly, I won’t care!"
"Students must meet His Majesty today!" Hearing this, the young man named Xu Shilian took a deep breath and said stubbornly.
Seeing this, the officer also showed an angry look on his face. He felt that this person was uninterested and said in a cold voice: "I have tried to persuade you with good words. If you don't know what to do, and you are struggling here, I will ask you to go to jail. I will stop you from provoking provocations in the forbidden palace." crime!"
Hearing this, Xu Shilian did not get entangled with Qiu Ba, and moved to pass the officer. In response to this, the officer reacted very quickly, and the anger on his face turned into evil spirit. With a "crack", a dazzling light flashed, and the steel knife in the hand of the palace guard officer was directly placed on Xu Shilian's neck.
"Bold scholar, you dare to break into the palace gate without permission. If you dare to take a step forward again, I will be executed immediately!"
The officer didn't mean what he said. In fact, the scholar had already felt the sharp edge on his neck. If he hadn't stopped in time, his throat would have been cut.
Sweat broke out on his forehead and his body tensed. When Xu Shilian saw this murderous officer, he was afraid that if he really chopped him off, it would be even more unjust.
After swallowing, Xu Shilian raised his hand and pointed to the officer's side and back, and said with a slight trembling: "Students don't dare to break into the palace, they just want to go there!"
The officer turned around and looked in the direction of Xu Shilian's finger. There was a pavilion outside Xuande Gate. Inside the pavilion, there was a huge cowhide drum, which was the Dengwen Drum.
In this way, the officer finally came to his senses, looked at Xu Shilian, checked his eyes, relaxed his guard a little, withdrew the knife, and said in a deep voice: "You have to go to court!"
"Exactly!" Xu Shilian calmed down, nodded repeatedly, and gave an affirmative answer.
With that said, Xu Shilian stepped forward, and this time, the officer did not stop him. However, when Xu Shilian was running up to the pavilion, he stopped him from behind and said in a comforting tone: "Scholar, you have to think about it! It is easy to beat this drum, but it is difficult to end it! I would like to advise you. , if there is no great grievance, it is better not to get into trouble!"
Xu Shilian paused for a moment, probably feeling that there was no malice in the officer's tone. He turned around, cupped his hands again, and said with a determined expression: "Thank you for the advice! However, the student is not here for his own grievances, and has suffered more for everyone in Jinke." Unjust students. This drum must be beaten!"
Seeing that his will was firm, the officer stopped speaking to stop him and stepped aside, but still stared at Xu Shilian with a little curiosity in his eyes.
This Dengwen drum has been set up outside the imperial city since the founding of the country, but over the years, it has not been sounded many times. When Emperor Liu first succeeded to the throne, many common people or sages in the field came to see the emperor through this.
Of course, going to court is not free of cost. Even if you don't have to bear the imperial rod or the nail board, if there is no convincing enough reason or a serious enough matter, you will eventually be held accountable and punished. That would not be provoking the imperial ban, but would be akin to deceiving the emperor.
Xu Shilian, on the other hand, continued his actions, stood in front of the Dengwen drum, took the hammer off the drum stand, pondered for a while, gathered all his strength, and hit the drum head higher than his head heavily.
"Boom! Boom! Boom!"
When the first drum sounded, the officer knew that there was going to be a disturbance in the court. The officers under the imperial city were not ordinary Qiu Ba, who had some experience. He was a scholar of Jinke. From his simple description, the grievances involved were definitely not ordinary grievances.
The sound of the drums went from weak to strong, from slow to fast, not to mention shaking the entire city of Tokyo, but at least a quarter of it was there. The penetrating power of the drum sound is also very strong. Maybe there is only a little tail sound left in the Chongzheng Hall where Emperor Liu lives, but from the time the first hammer is sounded, there is no way out.
The deafening sound of drums attracted the attention of everyone in the imperial city. People busy in the square couldn't help but stop and watch. Lu Duoxun, who had just landed from the car and was about to enter the palace to meet the saint, was also attracted. The palace guards still stood at their posts, but their eyes couldn't help but glance towards Denwen Pavilion.
"What's going on?" A veteran with a strong build and a strong face came out and asked with a frown.
This is Andingbo Li Jian, then the deputy commander of Suwei. He heard about the agitation and was inspecting the imperial city. This military commander can be considered a veteran. Although he has gone to battle to kill enemies, he has no famous achievements. However, he is also the only person among the nobles of the Manchu Dynasty who can be relied upon to confer titles to Emperor Liu Su Wei. He Su Wei It has been almost twenty-seven years since I was banned.
Upon seeing this, the officer hurried forward, saluted, and introduced the situation quickly and concisely. Hearing this, Li Jian didn't have much emotion on his face. He just looked at Xu Shilian with a little curiosity, who was beating a drum over there and not forgetting to cry out for injustice. He directly ordered: "Send someone immediately to report this matter to Your Majesty! In addition, , take this person to the palace gate to wait for the edict!"
"yes!"
After receiving the order, the guards immediately carried it out efficiently. After beating the drum, Xu Shilian seemed even more calm and obeyed the arrangements obediently. He then walked through the palace gate and headed towards the palace city.
"General Li!" Lu Duoxun's voice came, stopping Li Jian who was about to turn around.
Lu Duoxun naturally knew the general stationed in the palace. However, Li Jian was not very familiar with Lu Duoxun, but he knew this person after all.
Li Jian responded politely, but Li Jian seemed distant. It is true that he never made friends with foreign ministers. Lu Duoxun didn't take it seriously and asked with a smile: "What happened when I heard the drum sound?"
"Deng heard the drum sound, freedom and injustice!" Li Jian said coldly.
Regarding his attitude, Lu Duoxun's eyes flashed with a little dissatisfaction, but his smile did not diminish, and he took the initiative to invite: "The general is about to enter the palace, and I am about to enter the palace to meet the saint. Can you and I go hand in hand?"
Li Jian turned around and walked towards the palace. Seeing this, Lu Duoxun followed closely behind him. He suddenly felt that entering the palace this time became more interesting, at least there was excitement to watch.
