Late Ming Dynasty: Oops, I am surrounded by the Donglin Party

In the spring of the eleventh year of Chongzhen, Beijing, the Duke of Ying's Mansion.

Zhang Shikang rubbed his temple and opened his eyes. What came into view was an ancient house that was familiar yet unfamiliar. The memories of his past life and the present life blended in his mind. His head was swollen and there was a dull pain in the back of his head.

This is... traveling through time. In the previous life, I believed the lies of the capitalists, worked hard from dawn to dusk every day as a wage earner, and ended up dying suddenly at a young age working in a triathlon.

"Master...Master is awake!"

The purple-clothed maidservant who was guarding the bed saw Zhang Shikang rubbing his head. She was dazed for a moment before she raised her voice and exclaimed in surprise.

"This is... during the Chongzhen period? The young master of the Duke's Mansion." Zhang Shikang half-asked and half-muttered, his mind a little confused.

The maidservant in purple didn't know what was going on and didn't even dare to raise her head before she just hummed softly.

Then he picked up a bowl of water and carefully fed Zhang Shikang a few sips, asked in a low voice to ask the master to come over, and then carefully retreated.

"This little girl seems a little...afraid of me?"

Zhang Shikang only thought for a moment and realized that the original owner of this body was not a good person, just a typical playboy.

He picks on hooligans, hangs out with girls, chases lunatics, teases fools, bullies small vendors, and molestes decent women. He does everything all day long except doing good things.

His reputation in Beijing cannot be described as being rude and mean, it can only be described as being disliked by everyone.

The reason why he could live a good life was simply because he had a good family background. The Duke of Yingguo was no ordinary nobleman in the Ming Dynasty.

Our ancestor Zhang Yu followed Emperor Wen in the campaign to quell the rebellion and was listed by Emperor Wen as the first meritorious minister in the campaign. He was posthumously conferred the titles of Duke of Rong and King of Hejian, and was allowed to be enshrined in the Taimiao.

Later, his son Zhang Fu conquered Annan and Mobei, and made great contributions to Emperor Wen. He was granted the title of Duke of Yingguo, which was inherited by his descendants and was allowed to be enshrined in the Taimiao.

During the 276 years of the Ming Dynasty, even when the eunuchs such as Wang Zhen, Liu Jin, and Wei Zhongxian were wreaking havoc on the government and persecuting officials, they were able to remain standing in the court.

As the third son of the Duke of Yingguo, and the youngest and most pampered prince, with such a background, he could almost walk sideways in the capital as long as he did not rebel. It was almost impossible for Zhang Shikang not to develop some bad habits of a dandy.

"Being a dandy boy is not bad either." Zhang Shikang muttered.

In his previous life, he struggled for a living and lived worse than a dog. In this life, he wants to do whatever he wants and live a more comfortable life.

Wait...is it the eleventh year of Chongzhen now?

As soon as he thought of this time, Zhang Shikang felt unwell.

In his previous life, he didn't smoke or drink, and his only hobby was history. Of course, most of his hobbies were reading historical novels, and he naturally also dabbled in the Ming Dynasty.

The Ming Dynasty lasted for 276 years. It started with a bowl and ended with a rope. The beginning naturally refers to Zhu Yuanzhang, who was once a beggar.

And the ending is exactly what we see today as the Chongzhen Dynasty. The Ming Dynasty fell in the 17th year of Chongzhen. Counting the time, there are only six years left.

In other words, a dandy can be one, but only for six years.

Six years later, the city of Beijing was finally opened by treacherous ministers, Emperor Chongzhen hanged himself in Coal Hill, and the entire family of Duke Yingguo died.

Blanch!

Zhang Shikang cursed inwardly, but things had come to this point, and if he didn't want to wait for death, he had to do something.

While he was thinking about it, there was a commotion outside, and a wealthy old man dressed in brocade came in, surrounded by a crowd of people.

"My son! Daddy has not slept well these past two days. You finally woke up."

The contemporary British prince had a smile on his fat face, followed by a noble lady and a middle-aged man of about thirty years old with a steady look.

The noble lady was naturally Zhang Shikang’s biological mother, Ms. Sun, and the middle-aged man with a steady and kind face was Zhang Shikang’s brother, Zhang Shize, the eldest son of the Duke of Yingzhou.

"It's all that little bastard Zhu Zhengliang's fault. Kang'er, let me take a look.

Hey, Kang'er, can you promise your mother to fight less in the future? Aren’t teahouses and taverns fun?

At worst, you can go to a brothel and listen to some music. There are plenty of places for entertainment in the capital. If you don’t have enough money, just tell me.”

Sun looked at her youngest son, her face full of heartache.

Zhang Shikang's face darkened when he heard this, and he thought to himself that his mother really loved her son.

It would be fine if the mother doted on her son, but as the father was one of the top nobles in the dynasty, he thought the father would encourage him. However, the following words made Zhang Shikang's three views explode.

Zhang Zhiji sat down at the table, drank a sip of tea and took over the conversation.

"Your mother is right. Recently, a courtesan came to Tingfeng Tower from Yangzhou. Of course, Dad heard about it...heard that she is both talented and beautiful.

There are many talented people in Tingfeng Tower, and there is also Wangyue Tower and Jiaofangsi, each of which has its own merits. It is also interesting to go there occasionally to show off your elegance. "

Seeing that Sun looked at him with a strange look, Zhang Zhiji just smiled and didn't take it seriously.

His brother Zhang Shize also came to the bedside. Seeing his earnest look, Zhang Shikang felt that he had finally found a serious person.

But as soon as his brother opened his mouth, Zhang Shikang was completely stunned.

"Shikang, your parents are right. When you are bored, just use it as a pastime. There is a restaurant called Qingfenglou in the west of the city. You may not know that there is a new black boxing place under this restaurant.

Every two or three days, this place would organize martial artists to fight each other, including foreigners, and it was very lively.

But that place is full of good and bad people, so if you go there, remember to bring a few servants with you.

Of course, if you really run into trouble, don’t be afraid. Just tell us our name and no one will dare to cause you trouble.”

Birds of a feather flock together. My goodness, there must be a reason why the original owner became a playboy.

Every morning she would listen to stories in the teahouse, and in the afternoon she would listen to music in the brothels. I heard that all the girls in the Jiaofangsi were daughters of officials.

You can also go to the underground boxing gym to watch performances. I have heard that ancient people had very powerful kung fu, unlike the later generations where most of the kung fu is just fancy stuff. I have to go and see it when I have time.

There were new and interesting things every day. If Zhang Shikang hadn’t known that the Ming Dynasty would soon fall, he would have felt that he was blessed by God.

"Listen to my father's advice. It's better not to go to that place as much as possible. Even if you go there, you are not allowed to place any bets. There are not many rules left by our ancestors, but gambling is the only thing that cannot be touched. That thing can kill you.

Compared to this, it won't do you any harm to listen to some music and imitate the elegance of those pedantic scholars.

Speaking of foreigners, I heard from the servants that those foreigners brought something called Tanbagu from overseas. Eating it can not only cure diseases, but also strengthen the body.

Dad has been busy lately, if you see him, bring him some to try."

Zhang Shize probably also heard of this thing, so he took over the conversation and said:

"Dad, I came across this a few days ago and tried it. Although it's called eating, it's actually eating the smoke while lighting it. It's very choking and not very tasty."

"But it's strange, I've been thinking about this for the past two or three days."

"Brother, you are talking about tobacco, right? That thing is addictive." Zhang Shikang finally got the chance to speak.

It is no wonder that the Ming Dynasty fell. In addition to the title of Duke of England, his father was also the Left Governor of the Rear Military Governor's Office, and his elder brother was the Associate Governor of the Rear Military Governor's Office.

One of the top leaders and the other the second-in-command were in charge of one-fifth of the garrison troops in the Ming Dynasty. Although the garrisons had long since declined, they still had a say in military matters.

But now looking at the character of my father and elder brother, the fall of the Ming Dynasty was not unjust.

However, Zhang Shikang never doubted the love of his parents and brothers for him. Just based on this point, he could not let that loser Li Zicheng succeed in his rebellion.

"Tobacco? I've never heard of it. It's called tobacco. Since it's addictive, forget it.

Son, there are many fun places in Beijing. You can go wherever you want and do whatever you want.

Listen to your father and don't fight anymore. You've been weak since you were young, and those bastards are no match for you.

Zhu Zhengliang's father, Zhu Chunchen, was not a good person either, but at least he was a duke like his father.

Our ancestors have been friends for more than 200 years. Even if Dad goes to his house, you can't hit him back with a club on the back of the head. It's not worth it!"

Zhang Zhiji looked serious and earnest, which was unusual for him.

"Dad, I want to make progress."

Seeing his father so serious, Zhang Shikang sat up from the bed and spoke very seriously.

"You can sleep with whoever you want, as long as your dad is here."

Zhang Zhiji responded almost subconsciously, but after he thought about it, he showed a look of horror.

"What? Progress?"

……