The Stories of Mine in the Ming Dynasty of China in 1368

Torture devices like the cangue, the head - hoop, the horse - blocking stick, and the finger - nail - piercing device... As Li Qing listened to Liu Qiang's introduction, his scalp tingled.

It was too brutal!

He picked up a brush full of iron nails and asked, "What is this...?"

"Lord, you have a discerning eye." Liu Qiang smiled. "Scrubbing is a unique torture method of our Jinyiwei. Pour boiling water over the prisoner's body, and then, while it's still hot, use an iron brush filled with iron nails to scrub the scalded area vigorously until the white bones are exposed..."

"Okay, I get it." Li Qing quickly interrupted. "Can a prisoner endure such torture?"

"Of course not." Liu Qiang said proudly. "So far, there has never been a mouth that our Jinyiwei couldn't pry open."

Li Qing was speechless. Under such torture, even an iron - like person couldn't bear it. There was no other way but to confess. With such methods, he wondered how many unjust cases there were.

Fortunately, at this stage, the Jinyiwei only targeted officials and didn't interfere in civilian affairs. Otherwise, the harm would be even greater.

...

After more than an hour, Li Qing had a deeper understanding of the Jinyiwei. He also had a general understanding of the basic information of the other nine thousand - households within the Jinyiwei, as well as the associates, assistant military affairs officers, and Zhenfu envoys.

As noon approached, Li Qing's stomach growled. "Hundred - household Liu, go and call the familiar brothers. Let's have a simple meal."

The ways of the world and human relations are always necessary. For him, an airborne Jinyi thousand - household, to sit firmly in this position, it is essential to win the hearts of his subordinates.

Otherwise, if his subordinates all feigned compliance while actually going against his orders, he would become a mere figurehead.

Since he had already been caught in this "whirlpool", he could only survive according to the rules of this era.

He didn't have lofty ambitions, nor was he a sage. He just wanted to live well in this world where royal power was supreme.

Of course, if possible, he still wanted to do some good deeds. But if he couldn't, he would not hesitate to choose to blend in with the crowd.

Liu Qiang nodded with a smile. This time, his promotion to deputy thousand - household was entirely due to Li Qing. If it were up to him, he probably wouldn't be able to get the position of deputy thousand - household even after another ten years of hard work.

...

In a quarter of an hour, more than ten people including Li Qing left the Zhenfu Division.

"Liu Qiang, which is the most famous restaurant nearby?"

"It must be the Drunken Immortal Tower. It's one of the top - notch restaurants in the entire capital." Liu Qiang rubbed his hands and said. "However, the food there is not cheap. It would cost at least ten taels for a meal for all of us."

"Lead the way!" Li Qing had five hundred taels in his pocket and didn't feel the slightest bit nervous.

"Lord, you're generous."

Liu Qiang chuckled and said to the brothers behind him, "The thousand - household lord is treating us. You're in for a good meal."

"Thank you, thousand - household lord."

Everyone's faces were beaming with joy. Their monthly salary was only two taels, and even with some occasional extra income, it was only about three taels. They simply couldn't afford it.

Li Qing took in all their expressions and a faint smile appeared on the corner of his mouth. Sure enough, the power of money worked in any era.

The Drunken Immortal Tower was located next to the imperial city. It only took less than half an hour to walk there. The restaurant occupied a large area and was decorated luxuriously, with two floors.

The downstairs area was for dining, while the upstairs was for listening to music. There were also private elegant rooms. Most of the guests in the restaurant were nobles, meritorious officials, and wealthy gentry.

As soon as Li Qing took his seat, the waiter greeted him with a big smile. First, he poured a cup of tea for Li Qing, and then served tea to Liu Qiang and the others.

"Sir, this is our restaurant's menu." The waiter smiled obsequiously. He was clearly a worldly person, flattering but not timid.

Li Qing took the menu and flipped through it, then put it down. "Bring one serving of each of the signature dishes. Money is not a problem. We need to make sure my brothers have enough to eat and enjoy the food."

"Sure thing, sir." The waiter bowed and nodded. "Please wait a moment, sir. I'll have the kitchen start cooking right away."

When the Jinyiwei saw how generous their thousand - household was, they felt a strong sense of closeness. Especially since their Jinyiwei unit currently had only over a hundred people. With Hundred - household Liu promoted to deputy thousand - household, ten hundred - household positions were suddenly vacant, presenting great opportunities.

In the Jinyiwei, it was a hierarchical system. If they wanted to be promoted to hundred - household, they had to rely on Li Qing, so they naturally didn't dare to be negligent in the slightest.

Listening to their flattering words, Li Qing couldn't help but feel a sense of pleasure. He finally understood why the ancients were so enthusiastic about power.

The restaurant was very efficient. Less than two quarters of an hour later, the dishes started to be served. The waiter promptly brought two small jars of wine.

"This is our restaurant's signature mung bean wine. It not only tastes excellent but can also relieve summer heat. Since this is your first time here, sir, please have a taste. If you like it, come often in the future. This is our little token of appreciation."

The waiter skillfully revealed that it was a free gift while giving Li Qing enough face.

"You're thoughtful."

Li Qing nodded and said to everyone, "You all have to be on duty this afternoon. Drunkenness can cause problems. After these two jars are finished, we won't order more. Everyone, eat more food."

"What the lord said is right." Everyone nodded in agreement.

Liu Qiang opened the wine seal and poured a cup for Li Qing first, and then for himself. "This subordinate offers a toast to the lord."

"This subordinate offers a toast to the thousand - household lord."

Li Qing raised his glass with a smile, drained it in one gulp, said a few polite words, and urged everyone to eat.

There were over thirty dishes such as braised goose, marinated pigeon, beggar's duck, sweet - and - sour fish, etc. Li Qing ate to his heart's content, and the group of Jinyiwei were also dripping with oil from their mouths.

After having enough to eat and drink, seeing that everyone was still finishing up the food, Li Qing wasn't in a hurry to leave. Looking around at the wealthy and noble people, he asked curiously:

"Liu Qiang, who runs this restaurant?"

Liu Qiang slightly shook his head. "This subordinate doesn't know either, but it's rumored that the backer behind this restaurant is someone from the royal family."

"No wonder..." Li Qing glanced at the second floor, coughed softly, "Is the second floor really just a place for listening to music?

Ah... what kind of look is that? I'm just curious."

Liu Qiang touched his nose. "In reply to the lord, during the day it's for listening to music. When night falls... hehehe..."

Li Qing understood immediately. Visiting brothels was not against the law in this era. As the saying goes, when in Rome, do as the Romans do... "Cough cough, is it expensive?"

"Well... this subordinate doesn't know either." Liu Qiang said awkwardly. "But it surely isn't cheap. This is a top - tier brothel. The ones this subordinate goes to are third - rate..."

After a pause, he tried to save face, "There are real beauties even in those shabby places. It's all the same in the end."

"Yeah, I'm just asking." Li Qing also hypocritically stated his position.

Seeing that everyone had finished eating and drinking, Li Qing said loudly, "Waiter, the bill."

The waiter trotted over and smiled obsequiously, "Sir, it's a total of fifteen taels and five hundred wen. I'll round it down to fifteen taels."

Li Qing paid the money, led the group out of the restaurant, and looked back at the three gilded characters "Drunken Immortal Tower", thinking to himself, "Run by the royal family. Is it Old Zhu or the Crown Prince?"

He then shook his head. One was the emperor and the other was the crown prince. How could they be involved in such a thing.

It probably wasn't those imperial princes and princesses either. They were too young and didn't have the ability. The grown - up princes had all been enfeoffed and probably didn't dare to reach their hands back into the capital.

Who could it be?

Forget it. Whoever it is, since others can come, I can come too. I'm not getting something for nothing.

Returning to the Zhenfu Division, Li Qing watched the daily training of the newly recruited Jinyiwei for a while, and then took a big stroll around the yamen before returning to the palace.

The eunuch's duty room was empty. At this time, they were all working. Some were serving people, and some were cleaning the chamber pots. Everyone was doing their own job.

Through these days of getting along, Li Qing had also learned something about these eunuchs. They were all unfortunate people who had chosen to become eunuchs in the palace because they couldn't make a living.Of course, they could also be considered lucky. The most miserable ones were those who self - emasculated to enter the palace but weren't selected.

Compared to famous eunuchs in the Ming Dynasty like Liu Jin and Wei Zhongxian, the eunuchs at this time were quite law - abiding. They were merely the royal family's servants.

Li Qing lay on the bed, looking at the ceiling. These few days had been more eventful than the ten years he'd spent in the mountains. He had to be constantly on guard. Although his material conditions had improved, he still preferred the quiet and leisurely life in the mountains.

He suddenly missed his master.

He wondered where the old man was now and how he was doing... Li Qing sighed softly and took out the book written by his master, Zhang Lata, from his包袱 (should be "bundle" or "package") to pass the boring time.

...

Early the next morning, Li Qing came to the Qianqing Palace as usual.

When the imperial princes and princesses saw him, they disappeared in a flash as if seeing a plague god. Empress Ma leaned on the bedside couch, listening to the zither music with her eyes half - closed. Her face was relaxed and slightly comfortable.

After playing a piece, Li Qing's true qi was almost exhausted.

He let out a breath. "Your Majesty, may this servant take your pulse?"

Empress Ma nodded slightly and rolled up her sleeve. "Is it time to enter the next stage of treatment?"

"Your Majesty is wise!"

Li Qing nodded. He placed his fingers on Empress Ma's wrist and concentrated on feeling the pulse.

"Li Qing, there's no one else here at the moment. Can you tell me the truth?"

Li Qing was silent for a moment. "What does Your Majesty want to hear?"

"How long can I still live?"