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

“The power of these people is beyond your imagination, Mingli. I have been fighting against them for many years, but in fact, I have been trying my best to avoid direct conflict with them.

When I was leading troops outside, I was always trembling with fear, as if I was walking on thin ice or on the edge of an abyss. This was because generals are naturally like this, and also because of those people. "

Like an old man about to die, Yang Sichang told Zhang Shikang about his mental journey and feelings over the years.

He was very clear that after he was gone, Zhang Shikang would be the biggest imaginary enemy for the Donglin Party.

The Grand Marshal of the Army sounds like a scary title. Just being a commander-in-chief can make those people uneasy, not to mention Zhang Shikang.

He didn't want Zhang Shikang to suffer the same fate as him. There were complicated reasons why the dynasty had fallen to such a state.

But a very important reason is that the Donglin Party and the entire interest group behind them were unwilling to share the benefits with the court and the people.

Since the Tianqi period, the imperial court has been spending more than it earns, and the situation has become increasingly serious in recent years.

He had always understood and tried to save it, but failed.

"You scholars always think before you speak or do anything.

It seems that he has thought it through, but he is afraid of wolves in front and tigers behind. The final result is that he is like a wolf and a tiger. "Zhang Shikang muttered.

"Do you know why I took on the job of Grand Marshal?

The current situation is turbulent and confusing, but the longer you immerse yourself in it, the more you will be confused by their many tricks.

How can you win under their rules?

In my opinion, it’s nothing more than three words: military power, supervisory power, and financial power.

Ben came here for two reasons, firstly, to ask you if you have any unfulfilled wishes, and secondly, to listen to your opinions.

You also know that the court is in such a mess that we can’t delay any longer.

One battle will decide the outcome."

After Zhang Shikang finished speaking, he picked up the wine glass and took a sip.

When it comes to political intrigue, even a hundred Zhang Shikangs are no match for those old men in the court.

They are already familiar with the rules of officialdom, and these rules are inherently unfair.

But Zhang Shikang never thought of following their rules.

There are definitely risks, but is there anything that is risk-free?

"Your idea is indeed novel, but the Donglin Party members know the importance of military power. You must be careful of the border troops, especially Guan Ningjin.

The Jiannu invaded three times so far, all from that direction. Don’t you find it strange?

In some ways, your personality is similar to that of our emperor."

"Eager for quick success?" Zhang Shikang guessed.

There must be members of the Donglin Party among the border troops. Zhang Shikang had guessed this before. He should pay more attention to the Guanningjin Defense Line mentioned by Yang Sichang in the future.

This line of defense was mostly guarded by the Zu family and the Wu family. Zu Dashou and Wu Sangui both surrendered to the Qing Dynasty.

“If it really comes to that, you should remember that you should strike the snake at its weakest point, and the weakest point of the Donglin Party is in Jiangnan.

Perhaps you should have someone check out Donglin Academy when you have time."

Yang Sichang neither denied nor admitted Zhang Shikang's speculation, he just gave his own suggestions.

"To be their enemy, we also need to be careful of their pens. Don't let them hold us hostage. Otherwise, they can distort right and wrong with just a pen. The reputation of the Duke of England will probably be nailed to the pillar of shame. We have to be on guard."

Yang Sichang glanced at Zhang Shikang and said with a little concern.

"Hahaha! If I had to say it, it would have to be you, Yang Lianhua. I thought you had attained enlightenment, but I didn't expect you still cared so much about your reputation.

Having said so much, it’s nothing more than occupying the moral high ground. I understand.

But I don’t care about these. Since ancient times, winners have been kings and losers have been bandits, and history has always been written by the victors.

They slandered me, I don't care, just kill them." Zhang Shikang sneered.

He has so many handles that even he can't count them all, not to mention that it's easy to find excuses to accuse him of a crime.

However, this is not an era of national awakening. He wants to see whether the pen or the gun is more powerful.

This kind of situation where people occupy the moral high ground and criticize others often occurs in later generations. Zhang Shikang especially hates keyboard warriors.

"This is the first time I've heard the term 'moral high ground', but this is roughly what it means." Yang Sichang thought about it and agreed with Zhang Shikang's statement.

But he always felt that Zhang Shikang was still too risky, but as a loser, he had no right to say anything.

"Well, if you have nothing else to say, Ben will leave.

The smell here is really, too strong.”

Zhang Shikang's sudden decision to visit Yang Sichang was a sudden decision. Now not only did all the civil and military officials in the court want him dead, but the people of the world and even his brother Chongzhen were also angry. Even if he wanted to save him, he was powerless.

All I can do is see if Old Yang has any wishes.

"Nothing, please do as you please." Yang Sichang said calmly.

"Have a nice journey." After saying that, Zhang Shikang stood up and left the cell.

However, Yang Sichang's eyes were fixed on a corner of the table, where there was a small porcelain bottle the length of a finger.

There is a wooden stopper on the small porcelain bottle, which is usually used by pharmacies to store medicine.

He looked at the small bottle quietly and suddenly laughed.

He bowed in the direction Zhang Shikang was leaving to express his gratitude.

As he laughed, his eyes were filled with tears again. These tears were a mixture of reluctance and relief...

Shaoqing, he opened the cork of the small porcelain bottle, poured the powder inside into the wine jug and shook it, then poured himself a glass of wine.

Then, he straightened his clothes and hair slightly and sat upright.

He finally picked up a piece of chicken tongue with chopsticks, and after chewing it, Yang Sichang picked up the wine glass.

He looked at the small dark window of the cell that let in a faint light and murmured:

"Success or failure is nothing, Dad, my son is here."

After saying that, he drank the wine in the glass.

……

Alas, after Zhang Shikang was released from prison, he sighed with some melancholy.

For Fatty Yang, parading him through the streets was no more painful than killing him.

This is not only a complete denial of the value of his life, but also presents the side of him that he least wants to see in front of everyone.

He allowed the people to throw rotten vegetable leaves and other dirty things at his body and face.

Killing people is too cruel.

In fact, this was the real purpose of his visit to Fatty Yang. Since it was impossible to do anything, he would just let him leave quietly.

He didn't even hide anything. Anyone who checked would know that Fatty Yang's death was related to him, but he didn't care.

Just as he said, he had too many handles on him, so this one wouldn't make a difference.

Anyway, Fatty Yang is already dead, isn’t this what you want?

Go ahead and impeach him. If Brother Chongzhen listens to you, I lose.

Killing someone must also destroy his heart. Just wait, one day, I will let you have a taste of that.

As he was thinking this, he had just returned home and hadn't even sat down when Wang Chengen came to look for him mysteriously. However, he was not wearing official uniform, but plain clothes, and he didn't even bring any guards.

"Eunuch Wang, hasn't the decree been announced? Why is it coming again?"

In the morning, as soon as the imperial edict was approved, Brother Chongzhen sent Wang Chengen to the Duke of Yingguo's mansion to announce the decree.

With such great power, everyone in the Duke of Yingguo's mansion was very happy, except Zhang Zhiji and Zhang Shikang.

"We sneaked out, uncle, let's find a quiet place to talk." Wang Chengen looked around and saw that the dog was acting sneaky.

"Eunuch Wang, did you steal items from the palace and sell them off or something?" Zhang Shikang teased as he asked the servants in the mansion to leave.

"Don't joke, sir. This is a serious matter and we have to be cautious.

We came to ask you when you plan to return to the barracks."

……