Many years ago at Northern Wei
At a small noodles shop at the corner of the street racing the silk factory, the young Emperor Zhong and minister Zhu sat on one of the plain wooden tables at the side. Emperor Zhong had succeeded his father just eight years earlier following the death of his elder brother.
They ordered their usual dish, sat by the side and observed the other customers. Emperor Zhong wanted to be closer to the commoners, so he went out of the palace regularly and walked around the commoners to get a fresh input on the true conditions of the kingdom.
Emperor Zhong visited regular places such as tea houses and restaurants to listen to the common folks' opinions on policies and the rest. After their meals were delivered, they sat silently and listened to the conversations around them while drinking tasteless tea.
