Late Ming Dynasty capitalists
The wind blowing past the main hall door was somewhat desolate, like the silhouette of Emperor Chongzhen. Tang Tong actually felt quite sympathetic towards this historical Emperor. Though somewhat self-righteous, he was truly a hardworking emperor. Unfortunately, the foundations of the Ming Dynasty were rotten to the core. Those Ming officials and rulers had forcibly eroded the once prosperous Celestial Empire, leaving it riddled with holes. No matter how hard Emperor Chongzhen tried, he could not change the Ming Dynasty's fate of destruction.
Unfortunately, when the Ming Dynasty fell, it was surrounded by a hungry wolf that devoured human life and spit out bones. Ultimately, this change of dynasty brought tragedy and disaster to the Chinese nation. However, now, thanks to the flapping of Tang Tong's butterfly wings, everything has changed dramatically. But for Emperor Chongzhen, the fate of national destruction seems unchanged.
Wang Cheng'en was a eunuch, accustomed to the intrigues of the world. If he still harbored any affection for anyone, it was undoubtedly the Chongzhen Emperor before him. Historically, when the Chongzhen Emperor was hanged on Coal Hill, none of the self-proclaimed noble scholars died for him. Only Wang Cheng'en, a eunuch despised by those noble scholars, accompanied the Emperor on his final journey. This tragedy was not only for the Chongzhen Emperor himself, but also for the entire era.
Wang Cheng'en watched the Chongzhen Emperor leave. He didn't follow him as usual. He felt a pang of helplessness and sadness for him. He knew he didn't want to be disturbed. He knew he was seeking solace.
People say that the emperor is like a fool. But the life of Emperor Chongzhen was even more tiring than that of ordinary people. He was burdened with too many responsibilities, which had long exceeded his ability to bear. Every day, he was so busy dealing with state affairs that he had almost no time to sleep. Unlike the emperor who only ate, drank, had fun and enjoyed beauties, Emperor Chongzhen was too busy to have time to be intimate with those beauties. In fact, there was no shortage of women in the palace, but Emperor Chongzhen had almost never been close to other women except the empress and Concubine Tian. It was not until Tang Tong defeated the Jiannu and conquered Mongolia that Emperor Chongzhen realized that no matter how hard he tried, he seemed to be unable to save the Ming Dynasty from destruction.
Xiao Xingzi was a eunuch in the palace of Concubine Tian. He was a young eunuch who stood guard at the gate. He had no power or wealth. So when the imperial palace budget was drastically cut, the first to suffer were eunuchs like Xiao Xingzi. Grain prices in the capital were rising daily, and the palace's supplies were becoming increasingly scarce. Recently, the budget cuts had been even more severe. Eunuchs and maids like Xiao Xingzi, who had no power or influence, couldn't even afford to eat.
By water, sea, and land, the rebels had cut off Jiangnan's grain and oil supply, preventing it from reaching the capital. If it weren't for some powerful merchants transporting grain to the capital, the capital would have already had food. Of course, it's not that the capital lacked food. The wealthy families still had plenty stored, but it was simply impossible for them to take it out. Even Xiao Tai, as uninformed as Xiao Xingzi, knew this.
The half-hungry little Xingzi was growing up. Although he was a eunuch, he still had a period of growth and development. This made Xiao Xingzi often feel hungry. He was often listless. He seemed to have no strength left. He stood in front of Concubine Tian's palace, lazily basking in the sun.
There was the sound of footsteps. The footsteps were so faint that the young man, in a daze, barely heard them. Only when someone approached did he react. A glance at him gave him a frightening sensation. It was none other than Emperor Chongzhen, the highest-ranking official in the Ming Dynasty. His expression was clearly displeased, and he stared at him with a fierce, murderous look.
"Your Majesty. Your Majesty has arrived." The boy opened his eyes and dropped to his knees. He shouted in a terrified, shrill voice. Recently, many palace maids and eunuchs had been beaten to death after being caught making a minor mistake by Emperor Chongzhen. The boy was already a frightened bird, terrified that he would be beaten to death by Emperor Chongzhen if he wasn't careful.
"Why? Do I scare you? What else have I done that's wrong?"
"The Chongzhen Emperor's voice was like the soul-binding grim reaper. Although the voice was not loud, it made the young man feel cold from the bottom of his heart.
The young man hadn't expected that despite constantly telling himself to be careful, he'd still be caught by Emperor Chongzhen. He trembled, "Hey... Your Majesty. I'm not afraid... I'm afraid..."
"Hmph. Useless creature. Come, drag him away and give him twenty lashes." Emperor Chongzhen snorted. He flicked his sleeves and walked inside. The guards protecting Emperor Chongzhen responded and dragged the young eunuch away for execution. Seeing the young eunuch's fate, the other eunuchs and palace maids knelt cautiously and kowtowed to the Emperor.
When Concubine Tian heard that Emperor Chongzhen had arrived, a hint of joy crossed her face as she came out to greet him. Concubine Tian was the most favored concubine of Emperor Chongzhen. Even Empress Zhou was not as favored as her. Whenever Emperor Chongzhen was unhappy, he would come to see Concubine Tian. Seeing Emperor Chongzhen's unhappy face, Concubine Tian knew that Emperor Chongzhen must have encountered something unpleasant today. She spoke softly and gently as she led Emperor Chongzhen into the palace.
Emperor Chongzhen would share his concerns with Concubine Tian. Hearing the emperor's troubles, Concubine Tian couldn't help but sigh inwardly. Back then, that young man from the Tang family, with only the courage of a reckless man, had come to serve as a captain in Changzhou. Concubine Tian never dreamed that he would one day rise to such a powerful position, posing a direct threat to the Ming Dynasty and even to Emperor Chongzhen's throne. Over time, Concubine Tian felt many regrets. Life is full of unpredictable events, but none more bizarre than that young man from the Tang family.
Concubine Tian's quarters weren't as spacious as the Chongzhen Emperor's palace, nor were they as gloomy and cold. Whenever he arrived there, he always felt his mood inexplicably brighten. This beautiful woman's gentle words always soothed his gloomy mood. As he embraced Concubine Tian, his mind gradually relaxed. While he lacked the passion of his youth, the joy of the brocade quilt rustling in the red waves made him forget everything.
The little guy got hurt
The wind blowing past the main hall door was somewhat desolate, like the silhouette of Emperor Chongzhen. Tang Tong actually felt quite sympathetic towards this historical Emperor. Though somewhat self-righteous, he was truly a hardworking emperor. Unfortunately, the foundations of the Ming Dynasty were rotten to the core. Those Ming officials and rulers had forcibly eroded the once prosperous Celestial Empire, leaving it riddled with holes. No matter how hard Emperor Chongzhen tried, he could not change the Ming Dynasty's fate of destruction.
Unfortunately, when the Ming Dynasty fell, it was surrounded by a hungry wolf that devoured human life and spit out bones. Ultimately, this change of dynasty brought tragedy and disaster to the Chinese nation. However, now, thanks to the flapping of Tang Tong's butterfly wings, everything has changed dramatically. But for Emperor Chongzhen, the fate of national destruction seems unchanged.
Wang Cheng'en was a eunuch, accustomed to the intrigues of the world. If he still harbored any affection for anyone, it was undoubtedly the Chongzhen Emperor before him. Historically, when the Chongzhen Emperor was hanged on Coal Hill, none of the self-proclaimed noble scholars died for him. Only Wang Cheng'en, a eunuch despised by those noble scholars, accompanied the Emperor on his final journey. This tragedy was not only for the Chongzhen Emperor himself, but also for the entire era.
Wang Cheng'en watched the Chongzhen Emperor leave. He didn't follow him as usual. He felt a pang of helplessness and sadness for him. He knew he didn't want to be disturbed. He knew he was seeking solace.
People say that the emperor is like a fool. But the life of Emperor Chongzhen was even more tiring than that of ordinary people. He was burdened with too many responsibilities, which had long exceeded his ability to bear. Every day, he was so busy dealing with state affairs that he had almost no time to sleep. Unlike the emperor who only ate, drank, had fun and enjoyed beauties, Emperor Chongzhen was too busy to have time to be intimate with those beauties. In fact, there was no shortage of women in the palace, but Emperor Chongzhen had almost never been close to other women except the empress and Concubine Tian. It was not until Tang Tong defeated the Jiannu and conquered Mongolia that Emperor Chongzhen realized that no matter how hard he tried, he seemed to be unable to save the Ming Dynasty from destruction.
Xiao Xingzi was a eunuch in the palace of Concubine Tian. He was a young eunuch who stood guard at the gate. He had no power or wealth. So when the imperial palace budget was drastically cut, the first to suffer were eunuchs like Xiao Xingzi. Grain prices in the capital were rising daily, and the palace's supplies were becoming increasingly scarce. Recently, the budget cuts had been even more severe. Eunuchs and maids like Xiao Xingzi, who had no power or influence, couldn't even afford to eat.
By water, sea, and land, the rebels had cut off Jiangnan's grain and oil supply, preventing it from reaching the capital. If it weren't for some powerful merchants transporting grain to the capital, the capital would have already had food. Of course, it's not that the capital lacked food. The wealthy families still had plenty stored, but it was simply impossible for them to take it out. Even Xiao Tai, as uninformed as Xiao Xingzi, knew this.
The half-hungry little Xingzi was growing up. Although he was a eunuch, he still had a period of growth and development. This made Xiao Xingzi often feel hungry. He was often listless. He seemed to have no strength left. He stood in front of Concubine Tian's palace, lazily basking in the sun.
There was the sound of footsteps. The footsteps were so faint that the young man, in a daze, barely heard them. Only when someone approached did he react. A glance at him gave him a frightening sensation. It was none other than Emperor Chongzhen, the highest-ranking official in the Ming Dynasty. His expression was clearly displeased, and he stared at him with a fierce, murderous look.
"Your Majesty. Your Majesty has arrived." The boy opened his eyes and dropped to his knees. He shouted in a terrified, shrill voice. Recently, many palace maids and eunuchs had been beaten to death after being caught making a minor mistake by Emperor Chongzhen. The boy was already a frightened bird, terrified that he would be beaten to death by Emperor Chongzhen if he wasn't careful.
"Why? Do I scare you? What else have I done that's wrong?"
"The Chongzhen Emperor's voice was like the soul-binding grim reaper. Although the voice was not loud, it made the young man feel cold from the bottom of his heart.
The young man hadn't expected that despite constantly telling himself to be careful, he'd still be caught by Emperor Chongzhen. He trembled, "Hey... Your Majesty. I'm not afraid... I'm afraid..."
"Hmph. Useless creature. Come, drag him away and give him twenty lashes." Emperor Chongzhen snorted. He flicked his sleeves and walked inside. The guards protecting Emperor Chongzhen responded and dragged the young eunuch away for execution. Seeing the young eunuch's fate, the other eunuchs and palace maids knelt cautiously and kowtowed to the Emperor.
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