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

Wow, brother, you are still a gambler?

There was something wrong in Zhang Shikang's eyes when he looked at Emperor Chongzhen. He was 60 to 70 percent sure, but this was not gambling. If he lost, he would at most lose everything.

This is a gamble with your life!

"Your Majesty, the class that can be united is not in the court.

Perhaps, Your Majesty, you have never really cared about them." Zhang Shikang shook his head slightly.

The only people that Emperor Chongzhen could think of, apart from his relatives and officials, were probably members of the royal family.

Even though saints often teach that the people are more important than the king, even this old man often mentions the people of the world.

But does the emperor really care about the people?

I'm afraid not. This guy has never even left the capital and has no idea how the lower-class people live.

Actually, it’s not his fault. Due to the limitations of the times, this guy certainly wouldn’t think that there were other people who could influence the court.

"Oh, Shikang, please don't make things difficult for me. I really don't know." Emperor Chongzhen sighed and simply stopped struggling.

He struggled for too long, but he got deeper and deeper into it, and he almost didn't dare to trust himself anymore.

At this time, Wang Chengen came in carefully carrying a tray with three side dishes and a pot of wine on it.

He didn't dare interrupt their conversation. At Zhang Shikang's signal, he put the wine and food on the steps between the two of them and left.

"Let's drink and chat, Your Majesty. I have been traveling all day and am tired and hungry." Zhang Shikang was not polite and poured wine for brother Chongzhen and also poured himself a glass.

It was the first time that Emperor Chongzhen sat on the steps and drank, but he was already worried, and it was rare for him to have someone with whom he could talk and relieve his worries, so he naturally didn't mind.

The two of them just sat on the steps, eating and clinking glasses like ordinary people on the street.

After filling his stomach, Zhang Shikang said:

"Apart from anything else, the most important thing is still military power. We must keep the army firmly in our hands.

Only in this way will those people not dare to act rashly. Even if they dare to act rashly, we can suppress them with drastic measures.

But those who have made military achievements should not be stingy with titles. They are just some marginal titles, but they can win the hearts of soldiers all over the world. Why not do it?

When the war eases a little, Your Majesty would be best to send a trustworthy person to visit the nine border military garrisons of our Ming Dynasty.

First, to show the emperor's grace, and second, to find out the situation of each military town, so that we can have a better idea of what to do in the future."

The reason why they were so wary was that the Donglin Party members were not stupid. They understood the importance of military power, and so did they.

Hong Chengchou was only the Donglin Party's pillar in public. Who knew how many people were their people in private?

If it really comes to a life-and-death situation, anything bad could happen if there is a gap in the border town.

A border town may not have enough troops, but the border towns are all adjacent to foreign invaders. If it comes to that, they may do anything.

"From today on, I will entrust all matters concerning the war to you, Shikang. I will give you the power to control all the troops in the world at the appropriate time.

Shikang, war is a major issue for a country, a matter of life and death, a matter of survival and destruction. "

After saying this, Emperor Chongzhen held the wine glass and glanced at Zhang Shikang with a guilty look on his face.

He was a little worried that Zhang Shikang would refuse again. After all, this guy had always done this.

However, looking at all the civil and military officials in the court, he really couldn't find anyone who was trustworthy and capable.

As the Son of Heaven, if you share power with your ministers, others would be very happy if they didn't know about it.

But Emperor Chongzhen knew that Zhang Shikang was very resistant to power, so he could only talk to him half-heartedly, and at the end he did not forget to complain bitterly.

What I mean is, Shikang, the army is a matter of great importance to the court. If you entrust it to the wrong person, the country may be destroyed. I can only entrust it to you.

If you still refuse, and the Ming Dynasty falls in the future, it will be a devastating disaster for you and your family.

"I will obey your order." Zhang Shikang was very straightforward.

How could he not know the brother's difficulties? He certainly did not want to take on such a heavy responsibility, but his experience over the past six months told him that someone had to step up.

If it's not him, then it's Yang Sichang. If Yang Sichang is not good enough, then it could be Li Sichang or Wang Sichang.

Of course, although Yang Sichang had many shortcomings, he did accomplish something after all. I am just afraid that those who are promoted are incompetent people.

Then it won't just be the lower-level soldiers who will suffer, but everyone in the world will suffer.

With Brother Chongzhen's level, if he can perform stably, the possibility is not small.

When Emperor Chongzhen saw that Zhang Shikang agreed so readily, he was a little surprised for a moment, and a rare expression of joy appeared on his face.

"But I have something to say in advance. Once the internal and external troubles are resolved, Your Majesty must allow me to resign." Zhang Shikang gave a warning.

It is impossible to work forever, no matter who comes to you.

Emperor Chongzhen showed a strange expression when he heard this, and said without comment:

"I really don't understand, do you have a grudge against power?"

"Hehe, everyone has their own aspirations. I was exhausted to death in my previous life." Zhang Shikang said shamelessly.

"So this is the reason why you are lazy? No one would believe it!" Emperor Chongzhen raised his wine glass and clinked it with Zhang Shikang, teasing.

"Your Majesty, please don't change the subject. I just mentioned military power. In addition to the soldiers, the people who need to be won over the most are the common people. Haha... This wine must be 40 degrees, right?"

Zhang Shikang grimaced because of the spiciness. He didn't realize that this old man Chongzhen actually liked to drink strong liquor.

The distilled liquor on the market is only 30 degrees, and it is rare to see such a strong one.

But his words were not ambiguous. He always believed that as long as he firmly grasped the military power and as long as ordinary people did not make trouble, neither the merchants nor the Donglin Party members would be able to cause any waves.

At most they would engage in some small conspiracy, which would be nothing more than assassination, poisoning, or drowning.

The mass base is very important.

"Haha, I don't drink often, but those ordinary wines are as light as water and not very interesting to drink." Emperor Chongzhen laughed.

"Water can carry a boat, but it can also capsize it. I understand this, but the court is having trouble even paying the army's salaries and food, so how can it win over hundreds of millions of people?"

"This is only temporary. There are always more solutions than problems. Let's first reduce the burden on the people, stop paying Liao salaries, and exempt Huguang and Sichuan from land taxes.

If the matter can be accomplished, there will be money. Anyway, don't make the people suffer any more." Zhang Shikang thought for a while and said.

It’s quite outrageous to say that Liaodong had long been gone, but the imperial court was still collecting tribute from Liao.

In other words, the people at this time were more able to endure humiliation and would not cause trouble as long as they were not starving to death.

As for money and grain, he remembered very clearly that after Li Zicheng entered Beijing, he looted 70 million taels of silver. Although this historical data always made Zhang Shikang feel exaggerated, there were definitely at least 20 to 30 million taels.

Twenty or thirty million taels of silver would be like a tonic for the imperial court, which had been in deficit for years. If successful, everything would be promising.

"Well, I have an idea in my mind, and I don't think the court officials will object too much." Emperor Chongzhen nodded.

After all, exempting the people from taxes is something that people will praise, and it does not affect the interests of those people, so it is relatively easy to implement.

In addition to the army and the people, the two then talked about other forces that could be won over, and then they talked about the war with the Jiannu.

Emperor Chongzhen always became worried whenever he talked about the Jianlu.

Zhang Shikang didn't know what he remembered, and suddenly a hint of excitement appeared on his face.

"Your Majesty, do you want to end the war with the Jiannu as soon as possible?

I have an idea. If used properly, it may have miraculous effects."

Emperor Chongzhen suddenly became excited.

"Of course I do. Shikang, please tell me."

"Hey, has your Majesty never left the capital?"

……