"You can't escape." Zhu Yuanzhang said for no reason.
Li Qing was shocked. Could it be that he had heard his little calculation too loudly?
But Zhu Yuanzhang continued, "Actually, it's not difficult to escape. The rare thing is that you have to get the news from the government in advance, which is not easy.
Even if you escape and there is a wanted warrant, it is difficult to guarantee that you will not be arrested again. Even if you can disguise yourself and escape from being wanted, what happens next?
If you want to escape the pursuit of the government, you have to run far away, preferably across several provinces, otherwise you will be easily caught. But do you have the customs clearance documents?
Even if you have it and successfully pass the test, will you know the local accent?
It is almost impossible for an outsider to integrate into the local area silently!"
Zhu Yuanzhang looked at him faintly, "Take a step back, you are extremely smart and learned the local dialect before arousing suspicion, but... you are not much better.
Because you lose your household registration when you run away, even if you have money, you can't build a house or buy land, let alone settle down.
Also, refugees are not protected by Ming law, and bandits also like refugees the most, because no one cares about killing people and stealing goods.
It is impossible for you to bribe the government to apply for household registration. It is not a crime for the local government to exploit the refugees. It does not matter if they collect money but do not do the work. If they do the work, it violates the Ming Law...
Based on this, there are only two possible consequences of escaping. One is to become a bandit, but it is equivalent to going against the court and has little chance of survival. The other is to find a barren mountain to hide and never leave the mountain for the rest of his life, becoming a savage!
Even if you steal a wife, your sons and grandsons will be just like you and can only become refugees and savages!"
Zhu Yuanzhang breathed a sigh of relief and asked with a smile, "So...are you still running?"
"No more running away...ah no, the grassroots never thought of running away."
Li Qing sneered, he finally knew that his master had a lot of skills, but he would not go down the mountain easily, and he was not allowed to go down the mountain casually.
But even so, Jin Yiwei still came to the door, which shows that escaping is really the last resort.
He also understood why Queen Ma told him to hide in a deep mountain and old forest and not go out easily.
It turns out that in ancient times, not having a household registration was even more serious than in later generations. In later generations, at least the survival of black households was not a problem. In this era, without a household registration, you don't even have human rights.
Sigh... It seems that my previous thoughts were too simple and I need to think about it in the long term.
Li Qing felt worried. Although Queen Ma's life-saving charm was useful, it was ultimately limited. Although he had been living in the mountains and forests before, at least he had an unscrupulous master to talk to. If he really wanted to live alone in the mountains and forests, he would have to be crazy.
Can't drop it.
He couldn't cure Queen Ma's illness, even if his master came, so he had to start elsewhere if he wanted to survive.
For example: political opinions!
He learned from Empress Ma that although Zhu Yuanzhang was a bit cruel in his methods, he was actually a good emperor. His evaluation of him was roughly the same in history books. As long as he performed well enough, survival should not be a problem.
"What are you thinking about again?"
Li Qing regained his composure and smiled dryly: "The common people are a little confused as to why the emperor would promote me to be your personal bodyguard."
"Because you have a clean background and have nothing to do with officials in the DPRK or China." Zhu Yuanzhang said, "Is this a good enough reason?"
"Uh... Your Majesty, a commoner is also a refugee."
Zhu Yuanzhang turned his head and looked at the scenery outside, "It will no longer be the case in the future, and there is no need to call yourself a commoner or a minister!
Also, although we have killed many people, we only killed those who deserved to be killed.
You don’t have to be frightened, as long as you are loyal, you will be fine.”
"Yes, Cao... I obey your order."
Li Qing secretly sighed: This time he has been involved, and it will be difficult to escape unscathed.
…
Zhu Yuanzhang really kept his promise this time and took him around the capital for a long time. During the period, he also bought many children's toys and kept talking about who to give this to and who to give that to.
Li Qing didn't know who he was, but he was really surprised by the fact that Zhu Yuanzhang looked like this. He even wondered whether Lao Zhu was suffering from schizophrenia.
When he returned to the palace, Zhu Biao was still reviewing memorials in the imperial study. His eyes were dull and his face was haggard.
"Father, you've been playing for a long time, and I'll leave the rest to you." Zhu Biao rubbed his brows, "I'm a little tired."
"You are tired and so are we." Zhu Yuanzhang glared and said, "Take the memorial back and read it slowly."
"...I obey my orders."
Zhu Biao had no choice but to pack up the remaining memorials and leave.
Li Qing saw that it was getting late, so he said, "Your Majesty, please leave first."
"Wait a moment and receive the reward before leaving."
"yes."
Li Qing nodded, his impression of Zhu Yuanzhang slightly better.
Soon, Xiao Guizi came in with a tray, which read: Feiyu suit and embroidered spring knife.
It turned out to be just the regular uniforms of the Jin Yiwei, but I was still looking forward to it... Li Qing thanked him for the kindness and exited the Imperial Study Room.
——————————————
In the eunuch duty room, a group of eunuchs came up to flatter Li Qing and congratulated him on his promotion. The flattery gave him goosebumps all over his body.
The Jin Yiwei is majestic, but in terms of rank, he is just a bodyguard at best, right?
A eunuch seemed to have read his thoughts and explained, "Sir, please don't underestimate this flying fish suit. It is not something that ordinary people can wear."
Li Qing asked strangely, "Don't all Jin Yiwei wear this?"
Seeing everyone looking at him strangely, Li Qing supplemented, "I also heard what others said."
The eunuch said with a flattering smile, "There are many royal guards, but there are only a few who can wear flying fish clothes. Apart from the royal guards who are responsible for the emperor's ceremonial guard, there are only commanders, governors, and colleagues who can wear them."
Li Qing was startled. The Jin Yiwei who arrested him before were all wearing casual clothes. At that time, he thought they were trying to keep a low profile. The flying fish uniform was not the standard for Jin Yiwei!
He lowered his head and looked at the Feiyu suit. The fabric was exquisite and the graphics were exquisite. It was said to be a fish, but it looked like a python. I don't think it would cost more than ten taels of silver just to wear this suit.
It seems that Zhu Yuanzhang plans to use me... Li Qing secretly breathed a sigh of relief. Since he plans to use me, he will not kill me easily.
Another layer of protection for your brain!
Li Qing was in a good mood. He looked at the flattering eunuch with a kind smile and said, "I am new to the palace and I don't understand many of the rules in the palace. Can you please explain a few things to me?"
He knew that although these eunuchs were at the lowest level, they were very knowledgeable about everything in the palace and were well-informed. There were many benefits in establishing a good relationship with them, and they might be of great use at critical moments.
These eunuchs also happily fawned over him, especially Li Qing, who never showed any disgust or contempt from the beginning to the end. He treated them as equals to normal people, which greatly comforted their remaining self-esteem.
Immediately, I knew everything I could say, and I couldn’t say anything without saying anything.
After a long conversation, Li Qing learned a lot about this palace, and by the way, he also had a general understanding of Jin Yiwei.
The highest commander of Jinyiwei is the command envoy, and under his jurisdiction are Tongzhi, Qianshi, and Zhenfu envoys. The following are Qianhu, Baihu...
——
The next day.
Li Qing took off his patched green shirt and wore a flying fish suit, which made his figure become more slender and taller. The black hat on his head made him look like a crown jewel, and he was extraordinarily handsome.
At dawn, Li Qing went to Qianqing Palace.
The prince and grandson were greeting Queen Ma. When they saw him coming, they were startled at first, and then looked frightened as if they were seeing a god of plague.
Empress Ma felt sorry for her children and grandchildren and waved her hand, "Please step aside!"
All the princes and grandsons, as if they had been granted amnesty, bowed and immediately left the palace.
After they left, Queen Ma asked the waiting maid to leave, and then she turned her attention to Li Qing.
"You are a handsome young man."
"Your Majesty, thank you." Li Qing was a little embarrassed.
Empress Ma sighed softly, "It will be difficult to take off these clothes once you put them on."
Li Qing was speechless, silent for a moment, and then said softly, "My Lady, can the treatment begin?"
"Well... let's get started!"
Li Qing took a deep breath and plucked the strings...
Half an hour later, after the last note was played, Li Qing got up tiredly and was about to say goodbye, but Zhu Yuanzhang came.
"I am here to see you, Your Majesty."
"Well, no courtesy." Zhu Yuanzhang hurriedly waved his hand and walked straight to the couch, "Sister, how do you feel?"
"Much better." Empress Ma chuckled, "This Li Qing's piano skills are very good."
Zhu Yuanzhang looked back at Li Qing, nodded and said, "This dress suits you very well. You go back and rest for a while. Go to the imperial study in an hour. We have something for you to do."