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

Zhang Shikang was really confused by this sudden question.

Who leaked the news?

Let him know that he will suffer the consequences.

But if you know it, then you know it. It doesn’t matter.

"It is better to collect donations than to force the people. Your Majesty, please listen to my advice. These three taxes should not be levied any more. The people really cannot bear it.

Even though I am just a playboy, I don't want to see the court in trouble. If the Ming Dynasty falls, I will suffer with it, right? "

As Zhang Shikang spoke, he glanced at Chongzhen and found that his expression had finally returned to normal.

Damn it, even though this emperor was a bit cunning, his majesty as an emperor was indeed unquestionable. He could still vividly remember the feeling of being intimidated and having the upper hand over him just now.

Accompanying you is like accompanying a tiger!

He made up his mind to help the emperor settle the issue of military pay and then continue to be a playboy.

"You are kind-hearted, but I have initiated a fundraising campaign before, and the results were not ideal."

Emperor Chongzhen took a look at Zhang Shikang and found that although this guy's words were unpleasant to the ear, it was very comfortable to communicate with him and it was much less troublesome than talking with court officials.

"Oh? I wonder how much silver Your Majesty collected last time?"

"One hundred and eighty-three thousand four hundred and twenty taels."

"Um... there are both decimal and integer numbers here, Your Majesty, let me guess, those court officials must be crying poor to Your Majesty, right?

For example, deliberately wearing patched official uniforms? Selling off property in a ostentatious manner? "

All the civil and military officials in the court, plus members of the royal family, did not have as much surplus wealth as his family!

Zhang Shikang wanted to laugh, but he had been strictly trained.

Emperor Chongzhen's expression became very strange, because it was obvious that Zhang Shikang had guessed it right, and it was even more serious than Zhang Shikang had guessed.

The most outrageous thing is that he actually believed it at the beginning and really thought that the court officials were indeed in trouble. After all, the salaries in the Ming Dynasty were not high.

Thinking about it now, he felt like gnashing his teeth, but he just couldn't stand Zhang Shikang's smug and hateful face, so he said:

"Your father only pledged 8,000 taels, and you said your family has 300,000 taels. This is a crime of deceiving the emperor, and you should be executed."

Zhang Shikang was not intimidated by Chongzhen and grinned:

"My father said that whoever dares to show up will die, and the others will never let the black sheep go."

"Then why do you dare to risk the world's disapproval?"

"If I don't take action, the three taxes will be increased, and the people will be in chaos. In a few years, everything will be over."

Zhang Shikang got angry when he heard this. If you had the ability, would this playboy donate his family property?

That was his family's money! He could spend it all even if he lived in a brothel for a lifetime.

"Your Majesty, can you tell me who leaked the news?"

There is a traitor in his team, and he must find out this black sheep.

Emperor Chongzhen frowned but did not hide it.

"Jinyiwei."

"Oh." Zhang Shikang lost his temper. After all, with so many people making so much noise in Chen's Restaurant, it was hard not to attract attention.

This is equivalent to plotting out loud, and we must be careful next time.

"According to your method, can we raise money?"

Emperor Chongzhen knew that the people were suffering. If he could raise money, he would certainly not want to break his promise to the people.

"It's not that easy. Money doesn't come from the wind. Who would be willing to give it up?

It will only be possible with the cooperation of Your Majesty, and I suggest that this plan is only for the nobles and relatives."

Emperor Chongzhen was silent again. He was evaluating the guy in front of him who called himself a dandy.

To be honest, Zhang Shikang gave him several shocks today. If he said that he was a playboy, Emperor Chongzhen would never believe it.

Although this boy spoke rudely, he could feel that Zhang Shikang really wanted to help him.

When the country was in danger, he was not only willing to donate all his property, but also tried his best to contact other children of noble families.

Loyalty is commendable.

He does have some insight. If he hadn't reminded me, I would still be kept in the dark.

This kid is loyal and knowledgeable, so he can be used.

Thinking of this, Emperor Chongzhen seemed to have made up his mind, and he finally stood up from the steps.

"Wang Daban, look at the tea."

Emperor Chongzhen sat back on the throne and did not ask about the fundraising. Instead, he stared at Zhang Shikang with a scrutinizing eye and changed the subject:

"What do you think are the current problems in our Ming Dynasty?"

Zhang Shikang almost slammed the table when he heard this. After talking for a while, he finally got to the point.

"That's too much."

He took the tea bowl from Wang Chengen, took a sip to moisten his throat, and continued:

"Let's not talk about the accumulated problems first. The most important thing for Your Majesty right now is to firmly grasp the military power and supervisory power.

This is the fundamental reason why Your Majesty should reform the bad government.”

In fact, Zhang Shikang was full of complaints. Who told you that you had neither military power nor supervisory power?

If your ancestor Zhu Yuanzhang or Zhu Laosi were still alive, he could have extorted some money from the court officials by confiscating their property. Wouldn't that be like playing?

When Zhu Yuanzhang was still alive, ministers had to write their wills in advance before going to court.

Because Zhu Yuanzhang would execute tens of thousands of officials for any major case, and this happened more than once.

Did the court officials dare to say anything?

But if you, Zhu Youjian, try it, do you believe that you will fall into the water within two months?

"But it is not easy to take back the military power from the civil officials. You have to know that since Bao Zong was captured, it took the civil officials nearly a hundred years to gradually control the military power."

In the Battle of Tumu, almost all the capable nobles and relatives of the Ming Dynasty were killed or injured. Then Yu Shaobao of the Ministry of War took the opportunity to reorganize the Beijing Camp into twelve regiments.

Although the organization of the Beijing Camp was restored later, the Five Military Commandery had lost most of its military power since then.

Today, even the power of the Five Military Commanders’ Office to recommend military commanders has been taken away by the Ministry of War, and the office has completely become a mascot.

Emperor Chongzhen frowned.

"Bao Zong? When did our Ming Dynasty have this temple name?"

"Oh, I am talking about Yingzong."

Although Zhang Shikang felt that Yingzong's temple name was not meant to be sarcastic, keyboard warriors in later generations all called him that. After all, he was the God of War of Tumu Fort, the famous Fort Zong.

Wang Chengen was already somewhat accustomed to Zhang Shikang's nonsense. Seeing that Emperor Chongzhen was in a much better mood, he said in a gentle voice at the right time:

"Your Majesty, it's time for dinner."

Emperor Chongzhen glanced at Zhang Shikang, who swallowed his saliva because he had never tasted the imperial meal.

"Bring the food, and add a pair of chopsticks.

You continue. "

Zhang Shikang was overjoyed.

"It is not advisable to emphasize civil affairs over military affairs. Your Majesty, now is a time of chaos. In times of chaos, we should use severe punishments and be decisive in killing people. Only then can we turn the tide.

Take my father for example. He is a duke and should have military power and influence everywhere. But now he can only be a mascot in the court, living a leisurely life like a rich man.

On the contrary, those sent by Your Majesty to local areas to hold military power are almost all civil officials.

Of course, I am not saying that civil officials cannot fight wars, but fighting wars should be the job of military generals. This is like a cuckoo occupying the magpie's nest, which is not conducive to the balance between civil and military affairs.

For now, Your Majesty should try his best to change this situation."

Zhang Shikang knew several talented civil officials who were all very capable in fighting, but the ratio could never be higher than that of military generals.

You can't compare your hobby with other people's careers.

"In times of chaos, severe punishments should be used." Emperor Chongzhen chewed over this sentence and looked at Zhang Shikang with admiration in his eyes.

"Your father is still capable. I will make use of him in the future."

The Duke of Yingguo was still very trusted by Emperor Chongzhen. He didn’t care before Zhang Shikang said it, but now it seems that the status of noble relatives in the court is indeed very... pathetic.

I thought that reusing Zhang Zhiji would make Zhang Shikang happy, but Zhang Shikang shook his head:

“Your Majesty, no. My father is indeed aware of the situation, but… he is old and has lost the courage or bravery that a brave man should have. This is fatal on the battlefield.

Your Majesty, you must keep this a secret from me, otherwise I may have no money to spend next month.

I think Marquis Huaining is a very suitable person. This uncle's family is extremely poor, but I admire him very much.

He is not like my father who is obsessed with business. Apart from practicing martial arts and learning military tactics every day, he is not interested in anything else.

All the civil and military officials in the court rejected him, and Marquis Huaining never made friends with anyone.

Such a lone minister, who has no other desire than to fight in battle, is just the right person to help Your Majesty eliminate the treacherous villains."

After these words were spoken, Emperor Chongzhen looked at Zhang Shikang in an even different light.

He is loyal, knowledgeable, and capable, but he didn't even recommend his own father, but instead recommended an outsider.

He sacrificed his relatives for the sake of justice and appointed people based on their talents. Who else in the court could compare with him in terms of his broad mind?

You still say you are just a dude?

You are clearly my humerus!

……