Looking at the current world, the Ming Federation, the European Union, and the Holy Britannia Empire were currently recognized as the three superpowers in the world! Any one of them could easily sweep through other small countries! Well, although there were only three small countries left, it could not be denied that the three big countries had a transcendent status in the world. However, although they were all three poles of the world, there were always differences in strength! Unfortunately, the current Great Ming Federation was at the bottom in the eyes of the outside world.
Due to the economic crisis that swept through the Ming Dynasty in the middle of the last century, the Ming Dynasty had been losing blood for more than half a century. This caused its national strength and international influence to be greatly reduced. This could be seen from Japan, which was located next to the Ming Dynasty. Although it was still respectful to the Ming Dynasty on the surface, it was secretly submissive. Not long ago, during the Hukou Conference, they had secretly increased their share of the British Empire's export. All of this made the Great Ming Embassy furious!
Of course, all of this had nothing to do with Zhu Jingkun for the time being. This was the first time in his life that he had walked out of the Forbidden City. At first glance, he was completely attracted to everything outside the palace.
The capital is the place where the sage emperor went. It is close to Liaojie in the east, Taihang Mountain in the west, Shuomo in the north, Jundu in the back and the Central Plains in the south. It is surrounded by mountains and rivers and has the air of true dragon.
Before the Yuan Dynasty, Kublai Khan ordered a generation of masters Liu Bingzhong and Guo Shoujing to build Dadu City and set the capital here. After the fall of the Yuan Dynasty, Emperor Chengzu Zhu Di of the Ming Dynasty ordered the divine monk Daoyan to re-plan and design it with the method of geomancy. For a time, the atmosphere of the capital of the emperor became more and more vigorous. There were red walls and yellow tiles of the Forbidden City, golden pavilions of the dignitaries in the east and west cities, and even courtyards of countless civilians in the south city.
Now, with the passage of hundreds of years, skyscrapers covered the sky and broad roads made of cement…Countless modern buildings surrounded this ancient city at an unprecedented speed.
Until now, only the tall and majestic city walls silently watched the passage of time. Every cornerstone and brick of the city recorded the vicissitudes of time, witnessed the rise of the former world conqueror, the Mongolian Empire, and also witnessed the heroic bearing of the Ming army singing the song of victory more than 600 years ago!
The Anding Gate, which was built during the Hongwu period, was the key to the north of the capital city wall facing south. It was the main road to enter and exit the capital from the north.
However, in another time and space, the fate of this gate was full of misfortune. In the last dynasty founded by the foreign tribes, the Anding Gate was the first to be attacked by the Anding Gate when the allied forces of England and France came across the sea. Then, this decadent dynasty that " would rather ally with its allies than its slaves " did not put up any decent resistance. From the emperor to the nobles, all the upper rulers fled frantically, sending the vast capital to the invaders 'cavalry for nothing! Then, the barbican and gatehouse of Anding Gate were demolished a few years later to build a ring railway. Finally, with the arrival of that new era, this huge gate that represented the feudal imperial power also came to the end of its life...
Zhu Jingkun didn't know about the tragedy that had happened in another plane. He only looked at everything in front of him with some fascination. On the bluestone paved street, the pedestrians were all dressed in Ming Dynasty clothes. When they met acquaintances, they all cupped their hands and bowed. Coupled with the original Ming Dynasty architectural style on both sides of the road, the arched eaves made people feel as if they had traveled back in time to the Ming Dynasty hundreds of years ago. However, the street lamps and the signboards on the shops on both sides of the street made him realize that this was not the Ming Dynasty from a hundred years ago. This kind of ancient charm and modern scene made Zhu Jingkun linger!
However, as he walked, he noticed the problem. Because there were not many pedestrians on the street, as the foot of the emperor, the capital of the Ming Dynasty, once the political and economic center of the world, this was obviously illogical!
When he reached a deserted commercial street, he finally realized that something was wrong. This was the capital! How could a commercial street in the capital's prime location be so deserted? This clearly didn't make sense!
However, Li Xingke was already used to it. He could only sigh and say,"Your Highness, this is Great Ming's current situation. You've seen it for yourself. Even the capital is like this, let alone other cities!”
Zhu Jingkun's expression was very ugly. His tender and delicate face was so gloomy that water could be squeezed out. He had nothing to do these few days. Yesterday, he ignored the advice of the two and insisted on going out of the palace to inspect the people. He originally had the idea of taking a stroll, but after walking five streets and seeing such a scene, Zhu Jingkun was now furious. Star Carving's words made his mood even worse. He thought about how Star Carving had stopped him from leaving the palace yesterday. It seemed that it was not a matter of safety, but that he did not want him to see this situation.
Looking at Zhu Jingkun's ugly expression, Xue Zhi, who had followed him out, advised gently,""Your Highness, please calm down. In fact, you look much better now than you did 30 years ago! I heard the nannies in the palace once tell me that all the cities of the Ming Dynasty were as quiet as ghost towns at night, but after the emperor ascended the throne, the situation of the Ming Dynasty improved a lot. This servant predicted that at this rate, in a few years, these commercial streets would become lively again.”
Filled with dissatisfaction, Zhu Jingkun and the other two came to another commercial street. This time, it was finally different. They saw that the surrounding people were bustling with activity. Compared to the other deserted places, this place was not only bustling with traffic, but also bustling with people. The shops on both sides of the street were also open, and it looked like business was booming…
Zhu Jingkun, who was strolling among them, finally managed to calm down. This was the capital, after all! However, he quickly felt that something was wrong. With his sharp eyes, he saw something amiss from the crowd. The pedestrians here were all dressed in expensive clothes. Not only were they dressed in silk and satin, but they were also dressed in gold and silver…Such clothes and dressing were definitely not something that the current commoners of the Ming Dynasty could afford!
Moreover, under the current policy of 'equal wealth', almost all the personal property of the commoners was confiscated. Only the basic materials distributed by the imperial court could satisfy their stomachs. However, this policy spared the aristocrats who occupied a large amount of social wealth. Under such circumstances, how could ordinary people have the spare money to shop here? Only these dignitaries, nobles, and relatives could come to this shopping paradise.
Thus, his face, which had just eased up, quickly turned ashen. Zhu Jingkun could not help but curse," Which idiot issued such a policy? Even a child like me can see that it's very unrealistic. Is that idiot's brain clamped by a door or kicked by a donkey? Hurry up and get him over here. I promise I won't beat him to death.”
Looking at Zhu Jingkun who was jumping and cursing, Xue Zhi was so scared that she quickly covered his mouth. Fortunately, this was the bustling East City, so not many people noticed. If these words were heard by others and spread to the imperial court, it would cause quite a stir.
Dawnstar, who was also shocked, carefully came over and whispered,"Your Highness, this decree was issued by the previous emperor. He is your imperial grandfather. Are you sure you want to beat him up?”
" Boohoo…" Zhu Jingkun's expression, which was filled with righteous indignation, quickly fell when Xue Zhi covered his mouth.
At noon, in a foreign fast-food restaurant in the capital. The three of them sat in the corner and were speechless. Zhu Jingkun, who had no appetite, was dragged here by the two of them, wanting to make do with a meal.
"Your Highness, do you know what the consequences are if someone with ill intentions hears what you said just now?" Dawnstar said with a bitter expression. The Ming Crown Prince had actually publicly insulted the previous Emperor. If this were to spread, it would be terrible!”
Zhu Jingkun also had a conflicted look on his face." Of course I know. I was too angry just now. But when I thought that such a ridiculous plan would come from Great Ming, I couldn't help it!" However, the one who came up with this decree was my imperial grandfather. I'm so depressed now and want to beat someone up!”
Zhu Jingkun clenched his fists after he finished speaking, looking at the two people in front of him eagerly. Sister Xuezhi was a girl, of course she was skipped. Hence, under Zhu Jingkun's burning gaze, Li Xingji could not help but shrink back, his scalp tingling as he said,""Your Highness, you are a gentleman now. As the saying goes, a gentleman uses his mouth, not his hands. Violence is wrong. You must calm down!”
Zhu Jingkun revealed a smile, but this smile was cold to the bone."I understand, but even a gentleman has his moments when he is in a bad mood. I believe that the sages will understand my momentary impulsiveness.”
Xue Zhi couldn't stand Liu Yu's strange smile and said helplessly,""Your Highness, it is said that when you are in a bad mood, you should eat more. This servant will go and order first, please take a seat first!”
Seeing Xue Zhi go to the front desk to order food, Zhu Jingkun immediately leaned on the table dejectedly and said gloomily,""Star Carving! Why do you think the late emperor did this? I don't believe that my royal grandfather wouldn't be aware of these problems.”
"Your Highness, not only are you unable to understand this matter, even my father is unable to understand it no matter how much he thinks about it. You must know that back then, the entire imperial court was fully in accordance with this order to govern the country, but not a single official objected.”
Zhu Jingkun listened and said with a darkened face,""Could it be that the Great Eunuch is using the name of the former Emperor to suppress the Imperial Court to carry out this decree?”
Li Xingke shook his head." I'm not sure about that. Father did not tell me in detail about what happened back then. It seems like he doesn't want me to know about this?"”
"That's true. There's no point in pursuing this now. The most important thing now is to immediately reform and change the current predicament. Otherwise, if this continues, Da Ming will be consigned to eternal damnation!”Zhu Jingkun said solemnly.
" Your Highness is right." Li Xingke nodded in agreement." The country's economy is like stagnant water. The national treasury is so empty that it can't even pay for military expenses." Now, Britain was eyeing them from the outside, and India was at odds with them. It can be said to be internal and external!"
Zhu Jingkun lowered his head and pondered,"If there must be some changes, then what can I do?" Should she discuss with her father about what countermeasures she had in mind…
Just as Zhu Jingkun was deep in thought, Xue Zhi walked over with a tray. However, the woman following behind him attracted their attention, especially her long green hair!
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