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

Although October is not over yet, the nights in Beijing are already exceptionally cold.

Yang Sichang had been kneeling on the bluestone floor outside the hall for two hours.

Fang Zhenghua had been standing beside him, and the two of them hadn't said a word. At this time, Yang Sichang didn't expect anyone to speak for him.

As early as when the emperor suddenly stripped him of his official position and summoned him to the palace, Yang Sichang knew in his heart that it was probably because of the bandits.

That matter, after all, still has hidden dangers.

Li Zicheng was defeated at the beginning, but he managed to break through and escape. Later, he ordered people to search for him for a long time. When he left Huguang, he even asked Ningnanbo Zuo Liangyu to continue the search.

But after so long, Yang Sichang knew that it was no longer possible.

When Xiong Wencan tried to appease Luo Rucai and Zhang Xianzhong, he was initially reluctant to do so. He believed that the bandits had already become roving bandits, and accepting their appeasement was only a temporary measure.

However, Xiong Wencan repeatedly assured that there would be no problems. Yang Sichang had always been alone and weak in the court, and Xiong Wencan was the only person who could be loyal to him.

Yang Sichang did not blame him too much and thus acquiesced.

But he didn't expect that his old friend would eventually die at the hands of bandits, and he didn't expect that Zhang Xianzhong, Luo Rucai and Li Zicheng would rebel again at the same time.

If it was just Zhang Xianzhong who rebelled, he might have had room to maneuver. After all, all the civil and military officials in the court knew that it was not his main responsibility to pacify Zhang Xianzhong.

Even though criticism is inevitable, it is not a complete loss.

But all the misfortunes, as if destined by heaven, broke out at the same time. Not only did Zhang Xianzhong rebel, but Luo Rucai, Ma Shouying and others also rebelled. Li Zicheng, who was surrounded and had only a dozen subordinates left, also rose up again.

Yang Sichang admitted that there was a gambling element in his behavior and he thought he had won the bet.

But in the end he lost the bet.

He knew that he was unlikely to escape death. He did not have many close friends among the senior officials in the court, and the Donglin Party would never give up this golden opportunity to attack him.

As for Zhang Shikang, the commander-in-chief of the Beijing camp who is now in the limelight and deeply favored by the emperor, he has even less hope for him.

He had never gotten along with Zhang Shikang and they had conflicts many times, but after all, they had worked together in the military camp, and his impression of Zhang Shikang had changed recently.

Zhang Shikang was not as sinister and cunning as those Donglin Party members. If he disliked someone, he would always say it to your face, and his words were certainly not very nice.

But this was the first person he had met in all his years of commanding troops who, even if he disliked him, would not make things difficult for him in the war.

In this regard, even he is inferior to others. He rarely thinks so, and even less admits that he is inferior to others.

He always felt that only he could save the court. He passed the imperial examination at the age of 22 and was promoted to governor at the age of 36.

By now, he had almost achieved all the important military positions, including governor, governor-general, and commander-in-chief.

In terms of literary achievements, he was appointed as prime minister and was conferred the titles of Taifu and Zuo Zhuguo by the emperor, the highest position among ministers.

Although he has failed now, at least he has tried his best and had his share of success.

If there was sufficient food and grass, didn't he know that collecting food locally would easily cause civil unrest?

He will surely become an important figure in history books because of this.

I just regret that I was unable to truly avenge my father. Alas, I still feel regretful after all.

His knees had lost all feeling and Yang Sichang just knelt there numbly, waiting for his final fate to come.

While he was thinking, Wang Chengen walked out of the hall.

"The Emperor asks you, do you know your crime?"

Wang Chengen's tone was not very friendly. He now hated this liar as much as Emperor Chongzhen.

It was him who brought disgrace upon the Emperor. With such a grave crime, he truly deserved to be put to death.

Yang Sichang didn't care, and even seemed relieved. He pondered for a moment and said:

"I am aware of my guilt."

The emperor didn't want to see him, so he asked Wang Chengen to question him, which was actually exactly what he wanted.

He knew that he had let the emperor down in this matter. The emperor did trust him, and he always felt a little guilty, but he did not want to be criticized in person again.

Yang Sichang could even guess that the emperor must have red eyes and a look of indignation as if he had been betrayed.

Now that things have come to this, he no longer wants to suffer the condemnation of his conscience, and of course, he will not make excuses for himself.

All is in vain, only death remains.

After receiving the reply, Wang Chengen returned to the hall.

"Your Majesty, Yang Sichang has pleaded guilty."

Even though Yang Sichang pleaded guilty and even though Zhang Shikang was still around, Emperor Chongzhen still looked very unhappy.

Because of the bandits, he not only lost all his face, but also caused the people of Huguang and Sichuan to suffer this disaster.

How could a simple confession of guilt vent his anger?

How can we be worthy of the soldiers and civilians who died in this incident?

"Humph! Transfer him to the Ministry of Justice Prison to await punishment."

Emperor Chongzhen really didn't want to see Yang Sichang. The more he trusted this man in the past, the more he hated him now. He hated him so much that he didn't even want to question him or hold him accountable. He hated him so much that he became extremely furious whenever he thought of him.

"Actually, it's Yang Sichang who is unlucky. Your Majesty, please don't get too angry."

Seeing that Brother Chongzhen's hands trembled with hatred when he mentioned Yang Sichang, Zhang Shikang had no choice but to persuade him.

There is no doubt that Yang Sichang should bear the main responsibility for this incident, but Zhang Shikang felt that it was unfair to put all the responsibility on this guy.

After all, if there had been no local grain collection and there had been no public resentment in Huguang and Sichuan, even if Li Zicheng were still alive, he would not have dared to start a rebellion so quickly because he did not have the mass base.

The renewed rebellion of Zhang Xianzhong, Luo Rucai and others was purely the result of a mistake made by the decision makers. On this point, both Xiong Wencan and Yang Sichang were guilty.

But are you, Brother Chongzhen, innocent? I have reminded you that Zhang Xianzhong is problematic, but you still didn't take it seriously, right?

If you had issued an edict earlier and directly stopped Xiong Wencan from wanting to surrender, would this have happened?

But no matter what, even if Yang Sichang only bears half the responsibility, he is still guilty of a capital crime.

"Shikang, you have never been let down like this, you don't understand." Emperor Chongzhen looked painful.

"Alas, it has already happened. It is useless to regret it. Your Majesty should let it go and focus on what he will face next.

It is getting late, I must take my leave now." Zhang Shikang bowed his hands as a gesture of greeting.

"Tomorrow morning, the court officials will certainly discuss Yang Sichang's crimes. I will also announce your appointment to the public. You should be hardworking and come to the court."

Emperor Chongzhen knew that Zhang Shikang didn't like to get up early, and after a whole day's journey, he could see that Zhang Shikang was tired, but he had to say this.

There is not much time left for the Ming Dynasty.

"Okay." Zhang Shikang said straightforwardly.

If you want to lie down better in the future, you must roll up your sleeves and work hard now.

This is actually a question of whether it is sweet first and then bitter, or bitter first and then sweet.

Emperor Chongzhen was very pleased to hear this, and waved his hand towards Zhang Shikang. Zhang Shikang walked to the door of the hall, but suddenly turned his head and said:

"I don't want to be a governor or a commander-in-chief. These titles are not distinctive at all.

Since you are going to risk your life in the future, Your Majesty, please think carefully. I want a more domineering official position."

He grinned at Brother Chongzhen, waved goodbye and left the Qianqing Palace.

Emperor Chongzhen looked at Zhang Shikang's back and suddenly smiled.

He understood that Zhang Shikang said this because he didn't want to put too much pressure on him.

This kid.

……