manynovel Chapter 115 Beijing
Chapter 115 Beijing
Riding swiftly, Zhao Yu and Lan Fenghuang arrived at Beijing, the capital of the Ming Dynasty, in no time.
Standing outside Yongding Gate with his horse in hand, Zhao Yu looked up at the towering city wall before him, his heart filled with mixed emotions.
Despite its many flaws, including constant factional strife and emperors' neglect of governance, the Ming Dynasty never submitted to foreign powers, paid tribute, or sought peace through marriage. The emperor guarded the nation's borders, and the monarch died for the country.
This kind of backbone is many times stronger than that of the Southern Song Dynasty, which he lived in.
Fortunately, Zhao Yu was alive in the Southern Song Dynasty, so there should be room for recovery.
"Wow, is this Beijing?"
Lan Fenghuang stood beside Zhao Yu, leading her horse, her big eyes curiously looking around.
"It's so impressive! It's hundreds of times bigger than the biggest village in our area. The craftsmen of you Han people are truly amazing."
"They each have their strengths." Zhao Yu withdrew his gaze. "Han people have their strengths, and Miao people have their own remarkable skills. There's no need to compare everything."
Lan Fenghuang's eyes sparkled as she chuckled, "Ah Lang, the way you say it is quite different from other Han people. When those people see us Miao people, they are either afraid or disdainful. How could anyone be like you, Ah Lang, who would say that we Miao people are powerful?"
Zhao Yu smiled but didn't reply.
He led the horse forward, saying, "Let's go, let's find a place to stay in the city first. Once we're settled, we can talk about the next steps."
It was early morning, the city gates were wide open, and people were flocking into the city.
Peddlers carrying loads, farmers driving oxcarts, scholars in long gowns, and government officials riding tall horses thronged the streets, creating a lively and bustling scene.
Although Lan Fenghuang was beautiful and charming, she was dressed in Miao attire and had a curved knife hanging at her waist, so she was clearly not someone to be trifled with.
For those who roam the world, the most taboo thing is to provoke trouble.
Therefore, there weren't many fools who dared to provoke them.
The two passed through the city gate checkpoint smoothly and entered Beijing.
Zhao Yu led his horse along the main street for about the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, and stopped in front of an elegantly decorated inn.
Looking at the plaque with the four large characters "Yuelai Inn" written on it at the entrance of the inn, Zhao Yu's expression was somewhat strange.
"Yuelai Inn... Could it really be a chain brand spanning countless worlds?"
"Hmm? What did you say, Ah Lang?" Blue Phoenix asked curiously, "What chain brand?"
"It's nothing, I've just seen too many places called Yuelai Inn along the way, so I'm just feeling a bit sentimental."
Lan Fenghuang rolled her eyes, somewhat speechless: "What's there to be sentimental about? It's just an inn name; not just anyone can use it."
"Hehe, you're right." Zhao Yu nodded. "I was overthinking it."
Having said that, he led his horse into the inn.
"Please come in, sir!"
The waiter hurried over: "Are you here for a meal or to stay the night?"
"Checking in at a hotel."
Zhao Yu handed the reins to the waiter: "Two superior rooms, and make sure my horse is well-fed with the best fodder."
"Okay! Please take care."
The waiter took the reins and shouted, "Two superior rooms upstairs!"
After following the waiter upstairs and settling her luggage, Lan Fenghuang couldn't wait to knock on Zhao Yu's door.
Before Zhao Yu could respond, she pushed open the door and sat down in the chair without any ceremony, looking him up and down.
"I say, Ah Lang," Lan Fenghuang said bluntly, "I've asked you so many times along the way, but you wouldn't tell me what you're going to do with my Gu. Now that we're in Beijing, shouldn't you tell me the truth?"
Seeing her anxious expression, Zhao Yu couldn't help but smile. "Don't rush. You must be tired after traveling for so long. Go back to your room and rest well to recharge. Tonight, I'll take you somewhere. Once we get there, you'll understand."
Lan Fenghuang stared at Zhao Yu for a long time, and seeing that he really wouldn't say, she could only purse her lips and say, "You're just being mysterious."
However, she did not ask any further questions.
She stood up, stretched, and revealed her graceful curves.
"Fine, I'll trust you this once. But if you dare to play me tonight, I'll show you what I'm made of."
After saying that, she turned around, swaying her hips, and went back to her room.
After Lan Fenghuang left, Zhao Yu walked to the door and listened to the sounds outside.
After confirming that no one was around, he had a thought, and in a flash, he disappeared from the room.
Yanhe Hall, the main hall of the imperial palace in Lin'an, Southern Song Dynasty.
Lin Chaoying, disguised as Zhao Yu, was sitting in a chair, looking at the memorials on the table with a worried expression.
Although he was wearing a human skin mask, the weariness between his brows was impossible to hide.
"Miss."
Lin Hongyu carried in a delicate porcelain bowl and tiptoed in: "I just made some candied plum blossoms. Have some first to refresh yourself."
"Just leave it there for now," Lin Chaoying waved her hand and replied without looking up.
"Oh dear, miss!"
Lin Hongyu placed the porcelain bowl on the table, walked over, and straightened Lin Chaoying's body without saying a word.
"Look at you, you've already lost weight in just a few days. What's the use of worrying? Your health is the most important thing."
As she spoke, she reached out and gently massaged Lin Chaoying's temples.
"That son-in-law is really something, where on earth has he run off to?"
Lin Hongyu complained, "Even if he is the emperor, he can't just leave this vast empire to you alone. So many days have passed, and not a single message has come back."
Lin Chaoying gave a wry smile: "You can't blame him for this."
"But..." Lin Hongyu wanted to say something more.
"Alright, that's enough."
Lin Chaoying interrupted her, picked up a memorial from the table, and sighed: "Look at these. The soldiers have no will to fight, the generals have no fighting spirit, the national treasury is empty, food supplies are scarce, and the Jurchens in the north could invade the south at any time."
"This game has become a dead end. How can we break it? Huang Yaoshi has been so busy these days that he hasn't even had time to practice his skills, but it's all to no avail. It's going to be very difficult to turn this game around."
Only by standing at the very center of this aging empire could Lin Chaoying truly see the weakness of the Southern Song Dynasty and understand why Zhao Yu was so heartbroken.
Just as Lin Chaoying was worrying, a familiar voice suddenly rang out in the hall.
"Don't panic, I'm back. I already have a solution for the money and supplies issue."
Lin Chaoying suddenly raised her head.
Zhao Yu was standing by the window, looking at her with a smile.
He jumped in through the window.
There was no way around it; even if he was the emperor, he couldn't let people know that there were two identical emperors in the palace.
"You're back!" Lin Chaoying quickly went to greet her.
Lin Hongyu was both surprised and delighted, and quickly said, "Young Master, you're finally back! Miss was so worried!"
Lin Chaoying stepped forward and approached Zhao Yu. Her nostrils flared and her eyes suddenly changed a few times.
She still had a smile on her face and instructed, "Hongyu, go outside and keep an eye on things, make sure no one disturbs us."
"Okay!" Lin Hongyu quickly agreed.
She thought Lin Chaoying wanted to be alone with Zhao Yu and have some private conversations.
So he smiled and bowed, then turned and ran out, thoughtfully closing the palace door behind him.