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

"My dear nephew, what you said makes sense. If that happens, those guys can still be officials, but we will have our property confiscated and our clan exterminated.

Alas, my dear nephew, apart from doing business, we don’t know how to fight a war, right?

Even if I want to help you, I can't do much." Xining Marquis Song Yude said worriedly.

Since the middle and late Ming Dynasty, the balance between civil and military affairs has long been broken. Although some of the nobles and relatives now serve in the Five Military Governor's Office, everyone knows what the Governor's Office is like.

The Wei-suo system had long been in name only.

In addition, the emperor has never had any expectations or care about these nobles. Apart from running the shops left by their ancestors, they have almost become mascots in the court.

"There will be opportunities. What's wrong with doing business? There are more than one way to serve the country. Don't underestimate the way of business.

You all should know that the Southern Song Dynasty also had powerful enemies in the north, which was very similar to our Ming Dynasty.

But even though the Southern Song Dynasty gave silver to people everywhere, there was still a lot of silver in the treasury when the country was destroyed. Why?

This is the benefit of doing business!"

During the Song Dynasty, commerce was prosperous. Even though the court imposed many heavy taxes, the common people did not suffer from starvation like they do today.

Although the two Song dynasties were weak, they were really rich.

Zhang Shikang sometimes thought that if the Ming Dynasty had that much wealth, there would be no place for Li Zicheng and Huang Taiji.

According to Zhang Shikang's idea, if this crisis could be overcome, he would definitely find ways to improve the financial problems of the Ming Dynasty in the future.

As the saying goes, a penny can make a hero fall, and without money, you can't do anything.

The Ming Dynasty has always been too inward-looking and neglected overseas. You should know that Ming Dynasty's silk, tea and porcelain have always been best-sellers overseas, especially porcelain, which only nobles and royal families can afford in Europe.

Rather than letting the money go to the smugglers along the coast, it would be better to make more money by doing it yourself.

After some calculations, it is found that the Age of Discovery has arrived these days, and there are endless opportunities and possibilities in the ocean.

But that's all later. No matter what, he ended up standing on the opposite side of the Donglin Party. Although his uncles and uncles were not capable of great things, they could always help him hold up the court.

"Boy, no wonder His Majesty trusts you so much. Are you also painting the same rosy picture for His Majesty?" Duke Dingguo Xu Yunzhen teased.

After all, Xu Yunzhen was knowledgeable and experienced, and he knew that even if Zhang Shikang's plan was possible, it would be a long time in the future.

Zhang Shikang grinned when he heard that.

“But what the Zhang family kid said is right, we should share the wealth and adversity.

My old brothers, please stop being short-sighted. Otherwise, how will we explain to our ancestors when things get tough?

You can't say, 'Ancestor, the Ming Dynasty was defeated by us?'"

What Xu Yunzhen said was humorous, but none of the nobles present could laugh.

"Alas, please don't praise him anymore. I have never heard of such a great power. It is still unknown whether it is a blessing or a curse."

British Duke Zhang Zhiji sighed.

He had known that the emperor might use his third son, but he did not expect that the emperor would bomb right from the start.

In the past, even when Yuan Chonghuan and Yang Sichang were valued, they were at most given the title of commander-in-chief, controlling the troops in several provinces or border towns.

Now, he controls the whole world and holds the power of life and death.

He probably understands the emperor's temper. If he trusts you, everything is fine. If he doesn't trust you, nothing is fine.

Just look at what happened to Yuan Chonghuan and Yang Sichang.

"Brother Zhang, why are you so discouraged? Everyone knows about the battle of Jiazhuang. They fought against the Jian invaders head-on and captured the fake Qing prince alive. Is this something that an ordinary person can do?

I think your Zhang family has become prosperous this time." Taining Marquis Chen Yanzuo comforted him.

"That's right, how can the two of them compare to your third son? Do they have our support behind them?

Nephew, just work for His Majesty. If you really fail in the future, don't worry, I'm here for you!" Xining Marquis Song Yude patted his chest and said.

"Hmph, you two have been asked to say all the nice things, and it's only because your sons are serving in the Beijing camp." A noble relative on the side said sarcastically.

"Hey, Old Li, what are you talking about? It's your son's fault that he ran away with the playboy from the Chengguo family less than a day after he arrived at the military camp."

Seeing that the two were about to argue, Zhang Shikang quickly stepped out to smooth things over:

"My uncles and aunts, please don't quarrel. As long as you have the ability and ambition, the gate of the Beijing camp is always open to them.

But my nephew still said that there is more than one way to save the country, and there will always be a place for you to be useful in the future."

After much persuasion by Zhang Shikang, the two men finally shook hands and made peace.

"Your Majesty is so resolute this time. I think those civil servants will not get away with it," said Song Yude.

"Marquis Xining is right. I have never seen His Majesty gamble with the fate of the country."

After saying that, everyone looked at Zhang Shikang. The fate of the country was at stake, but wasn't that also a bet on the fate of all their families?

If the Ming Dynasty were to perish, they would not be able to survive.

"My dear nephew, you have to work hard!"

Zhang Shikang began to have a headache.

……

Outside Qianqing Palace.

The open space outside the hall was filled with kneeling court officials. More than three hours had passed, and many officials were exhausted, but they still encouraged each other and refused to bow to the emperor.

The elderly, supported by the young officials, would stand up and rest for a while when they were tired of kneeling, and then continue to kneel loudly to advise the emperor in the hall.

Emperor Chongzhen was already angry, and he became even angrier when he thought about what the court officials had done over the years. He believed that these officials had no intention of doing good for the Ming Dynasty at all.

He then ordered Fang Zhenghua to drag out the dozen or so censors from the Censorate who had shouted the loudest and give them twenty beatings with the cane.

He didn't want to make a big deal out of things, and he deliberately avoided people who were too old.

However, the court officials became even more excited.

To those who do not understand, being beaten with a stick in the court may seem like a bad thing, but it is not the case for these civil servants.

Civil officials who speak frankly have always been respected by the gentry, and those who are punished with caning in the court are even more respected by scholars all over the world.

Although it was the body that suffered, the spirit will be recorded in history forever.

Until the afternoon, not only did few of the ministers leave, but the situation became increasingly intense.

Emperor Chongzhen was annoyed by being stuck in the Qianqing Palace, and in anger he shouted outside:

"I have made up my mind. Anyone who dares to advise me again will be beaten to death!

Fang Zhenghua, you go outside and watch. If anyone is still making remonstrations after a quarter of an hour, I will record it and dismiss everyone from their posts!"

Under normal circumstances, Emperor Chongzhen would never have issued such an order. After all, he needed these ministers to help him govern the country no matter what.

But Emperor Chongzhen has never been as determined as he is today. He gave his court officials a chance, and he gave it to them for eleven years.

But no one knew better than him what these eleven years had been like.

He was extremely disappointed that these people wanted to be vassal vassal.

But Zhu Youjian did not want to be a king who lost his country!

Zhang Shikang never let him down, but he had to fight for it as long as there was a slight possibility.

For this purpose, he did not hesitate to break with all the civil servants in the court.

……