Chapter 2: Acquaintance
In the center of that map of China was a large footprint, fortunately made of plastic, which could be easily wiped away. When Zhong Jinwei walked over to Wang Cheng'en, he handed the map to him, saying, "Please take this down, thank you." Wang Cheng'en looked up to seek permission from Emperor Chongzhen, and then took it.
Emperor Chongzhen looked at the resolute Zhong Jinwei, and in a moment of excitement, his expression transformed into that of Guan Yu, as he urgently and enthusiastically said: "Alright, I will fully support you! No matter what official position you desire, I will grant it to you, as long as it can preserve the country and the dynasty, and safeguard the ancestral legacy!" In his excitement, Emperor Chongzhen reverted to the self-reference he had used for over a decade, changing from 'I' back to 'my'.
Zhong Jinwei took the map from Wang Cheng'en and then requested him, "Please remove the snacks, thank you."
Emperor Chongzhen now sits quietly, like a sculpture. Wang Cheng'en gazes at the silent film in the distance, knowing in his heart that something bad must be happening, yet Emperor Chongzhen does not speak and he does not dare to approach.
Zhong Jinwei felt quite embarrassed and looked up at the Emperor Chongzhen beside him, saying: "I apologize, Your Majesty, this mobile phone has been water-damaged. However, even if it hadn't been damaged, it would still be useless, as it requires satellites in the sky, as well as other mobile phones, and so on". Several people around immediately displayed expressions of disbelief.
Zhong Jinwei no longer cared and boldly stated: "This is equivalent to the juren of your era." Before Emperor Chongzhen could express any disappointment, Zhong Jinwei immediately added: "However, I possess over four hundred years of insight, which no one else has. I guarantee that you can realize your dream of the Great Ming!"
Zhong Jinwei's previous life was in technology, as a software programmer, and he worked his way up to project manager. Although he held the position of project manager, he still did not enjoy interacting with people much, finding the intrigues and power struggles too exhausting. Therefore, it was only after ten years of work that he purchased a house. Staying true to his heart, he replied to Emperor Chongzhen: "I do not need any official position; I can help you with ideas, broaden your perspective, and propose solutions to problems. After all, I graduated from a key university in the 21st century, ranked 211."
Emperor Chongzhen patiently asked once again: "Where do you come from, and why have you suddenly appeared in my imperial garden?"
At this point, Zhong Jinwei glanced at Chongzhen's expression and quickly continued the introduction: "This river is the Yellow River, and this river is the Yangtze River. Also, also, this one, this one is the world map, which is the map of the entire world"
Zhong Jinwei stared blankly at Emperor Chongzhen, and after a moment, replied: "This, Your Majesty, if I were to speak of my origins, you would surely not believe it!" After a pause, Zhong Jinwei decided to speak the truth, for he lacked the ability to think on his feet and explain away everything that had just happened; the more he tried to conceal it, the harder it became to hide.
Zhong Jinwei spoke while pulling out the map below, continuing his explanation: "Here is China, Russia, the United States, Canada..." It was all a mess, completely chaotic. In his urgency, Zhong Jinwei disregarded whether these countries were known in this era or not, and introduced the most famous countries all at once.
Wang Cheng'en did not quite believe it; if Zhong Jinwei claimed to be a celestial being exiled from the Heavenly Court, he might have been able to believe that. However, the people of later generations coming to the present seemed as if they had never even heard of it.
Zhong Jinwei quietly gazed at Emperor Chongzhen, and suddenly felt a sense of sympathy and pity for him. Including in his previous life, he also sympathized with Emperor Chongzhen, who wholeheartedly wished to be a ruler of revival, yet ended up with such a result
Zhong Jinwei spread the map on the table, placing the map of China on top. He then said to Emperor Chongzhen: "Your Majesty, this is the map of future generations, please take a look"
Chongzhen https : / / www.hetushu .com .com The emperor was clearly shaken, his body swaying slightly, but he quickly steadied himself and then asked: "Am I, am I the ruler of a fallen nation?"
Emperor Chongzhen waved his hand, signaling him to come over. This extraordinary event was a first encounter for him, and out of curiosity, he forgot his previous worries, immersing himself in the interest of clarifying the matter at hand
Emperor Chongzhen gazed into Zhong Jinwei's eyes and said, "I trust you"
Upon hearing this, Emperor Chongzhen suddenly raised his head and fixed his gaze on Zhong Jinwei. Zhong Jinwei, seeing the hopeful look in Emperor Chongzhen's eyes, clenched his fist and expressed his determination: "Although some say that the fall of the dynasty is an inevitability of history, that it is already a decayed tree beyond saving, I do not share this view. I believe that I can change this outcome and alter the fate of future generations, of course, with your support."
"What nonsense! How could that be possible?" Wang Cheng'en said with disbelief, "The ability to hear everything is more plausible, but it should be on a human body, right?"
Zhong Jinwei had just taken a step when he discovered a map on the ground. He quickly picked it up, one sheet, two sheets. Everyone else looked on at his actions.
Once everyone was in their respective places, Emperor Chongzhen raised his head and fixed his gaze on Zhong Jinwei's eyes, slowly saying: "Tell me, where is the Ming Dynasty? Has it already perished, and if so, when did it happen?"
"The truth! To speak candidly, I do not blame you!" After Emperor Chongzhen finished speaking, he felt an ominous premonition in his heart, yet he hoped to hear good news soon after.
Wang Cheng'en was also very curious to see what it was, and did not mind that Zhong Jinwei had made him do the work. He removed the pastries and casually tossed them to a nearby guard
However, at this moment, as he looked at the young man in front of him who was in pain, his compassion was deeper than at any other time.
"Indeed, indeed..." Zheng Jinwei said, explaining that he wanted to convert it into terms that Emperor Chongzhen could understand. However, it seemed a bit far-fetched to say that those who graduated from 211 universities were considered as scholars. The people currently serving Emperor Chongzhen were all jinshi, which is equivalent to having a doctor's degree from the most prestigious universities like Tsinghua or Peking University. He uttered a derogatory remark. Emperor Chongzhen listened with great respect, and although he did not understand, the tone was quite agreeable. This was equivalent to having a doctor's degree from the most prestigious universities like Tsinghua or Peking University. He uttered a derogatory remark. Emperor Chongzhen listened with great respect, and although he did not understand, the tone was quite agreeable.
After a while, he slowly raised his head and said to those around him: "You may leave for now." Wang Cheng'en glanced at Zhong Jinwei and raised his head to ask for permission: "Your Majesty, this person..." Before he could finish, Emperor Chongzhen waved his hand and said: "I believe he is not an assassin, you may leave."
Since we have crossed over, it cannot just end like this. Zhong Jinwei also slowly and firmly looked into Emperor Chongzhen's eyes and replied: "Your Majesty, do you wish to hear the truth or a lie?"
Since it has come to this point, there is nothing left but to withdraw. Wang Cheng'en, accompanied by the guards and palace maids, stood at a distance that was visible yet inaudible.
In the end, it was Zhong Jinwei who broke the silence, saying: "Your Majesty, do not be saddened. Since heaven has allowed me to traverse to your side, it must be intended for me to change this outcome"
No, this is a mobile phone. Zhong Jinwei continued to explain, "If we are not in the same place, we can use this device to communicate, and we can hear each other when we speak. For example, if I am in Guangdong Province and you are in Beijing, I can call you, and we can chat through this mobile phone."
Zhong Jinwei approached the stone table and sat down beside Emperor Chongzhen, picking up the mobile phone and introducing it: "This is a mobile phone, a communication device." Wang Cheng'en followed him over, looked at the phone, and couldn't help but say: "Isn't this a mirror?" In fact, he had already noticed that the front of the phone could clearly reflect an image.
Yes, it must be so, it must be that you have confused the era with the *picture* book. I govern diligently and personally oversee affairs; apart from the Taizu and Taizong, who else can compare to my diligence in governance? How could I possibly lose the realm and the state from my hands!" Emperor Chongzhen seemed to have grasped a lifeline, immediately interjecting and then repeating. However, gradually, his voice grew softer
At this moment, Emperor Chongzhen did not ask any further questions; he simply lowered his head and continued to look. After a considerable amount of time, he picked up the document that was pressed underneath and continued to read about the regions of China, though it was uncertain whether he could comprehend it.
Upon hearing this, Zhong Jinwei knew that the time had come to test the emperor's character. It is said that historically, Emperor Chongzhen was impetuous, suspicious, and fond of executions. However, from what he had learned, it seemed that this was a slander by the Manchus. Nevertheless, he was still uncertain about the true nature of the emperor.
Good! Emperor Chongzhen readily agreed, then paused in surprise: "Graduated from a key university, 211?"
The truth is that the Ming Dynasty will fall more than a decade later. I remember the year is 1644. You can find someone to convert the time; I don't quite remember it clearly.
Zhong Jinwei was stunned as if struck by lightning. The legendary time travel had actually happened to him. The odds were even lower than winning the lottery, because while winning the lottery is common, as of now, he was the only one who had experienced time travel!
After he finished his introduction, he paused for a moment and then said: "Your Majesty, I have here a very, very conclusive piece of evidence that can prove I come from the future"
Immediately, he discovered that his phone had been waterlogged and was unresponsive. A group of people around him watched intently as he attempted to operate it, hoping for some miracle to occur
Yes, Li Zicheng will lead his army to attack Beijing, and Your Majesty will hang himself on Coal Hill, accompanied only by Wang Cheng'en. Before dying, you wrote a blood letter accusing that it is not the emperor who brings ruin to the world, but rather the ministers who do so. This is the meaning, I do not remember the exact words.
Emperor Chongzhen saw a shiny piece of paper covered in colorful patterns, along with very small text and winding fine lines. Is this a map? A multitude of question marks appeared on Emperor Chongzhen's forehead
Your Majesty, I can be ninety percent certain that I come from over four hundred years in the future; I have traversed time and space!" Zhong Jinwei confessed
"It can be said that it has a function similar to that of a 'listening ear'; it can emit electromagnetic waves, which are then transmitted to satellites in the sky, and from there, received at locations thousands of miles away. I can show you." replied Zhong Jinwei
Zhong Jinwei let out a sigh and continued to explain a few other items: money, keys, and bank cards, but did not elaborate on them in detail
Zhong Jinwei had no room to retreat and immediately replied: "Your Majesty, if I were to deceive you, I would only choose pleasant words to say. Am I not afraid of being executed? Deceiving you brings me no benefit; I am merely speaking the truth. Unless..." The Chongzhen Emperor immediately interjected: "Unless what?" Zhong Jinwei answered: "Unless my era is not a continuation of yours, and history has deviated."
Zhong Jinwei began to explain further: "I also came here quite inexplicably. The things on me are absolutely nonexistent in your era, and you certainly have never heard of them. For example," Zhong Jinwei lifted his foot, intending to walk into the pavilion, but a nearby guard immediately grabbed him, preventing him from proceeding.
Emperor Chongzhen, after listening, painfully closed his eyes and slowly collapsed onto the stone bench. After a while, he suddenly stood up, fixed his gaze on Zhong Jinwei's eyes, and shouted: "I do not believe it, you deceive the emperor!"
The people around all had a look of confusion, yet no one spoke, all eyes were on Emperor Chongzhen
Zhong Jinwei, upon seeing the expression of Emperor Chongzhen, immediately realized that things were going awry. He had thought too simply and quickly pointed out: "Here is Beijing, here is the Bohai Sea, here is Korea, and also, here is Nanjing"