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

After all, the Beijing Camp was the emperor's personal army. Legally, Emperor Chongzhen had absolute command over it. Like the Jinyiwei, the appointment and dismissal of its officials did not require the approval of the Cabinet and the Ministry of War.

Zhang Shikang felt as uncomfortable as if he had eaten a fly, but in that era the emperor's orders were everything. Knowing that the situation was irreversible, Zhang Shikang had no choice but to stand up and walk to the dining table.

He decided to have a big meal today to vent his depressed mood.

But as soon as he walked to the dining table, Zhang Shikang regretted it.

There were only two vegetarian stir-fried dishes on the table, a plate of stir-fried winter melon with what seemed to be shredded pork, a grass carp that should have been braised, a bowl of soup made from vegetable leaves, and only rice.

"Please sit down. I haven't had a meal with anyone in a few days."

Emperor Chongzhen was probably really hungry. He gestured to Zhang Shikang to sit down and picked up his chopsticks.

"No... Your Majesty... Is this what you want to eat?"

Zhang Shikang was really shocked. Where was the Manchu-Han banquet?

I've watched a lot of Qing Dynasty palace dramas. Don't the emperors have dozens of dishes for their meals?

Although the lavish display of Man Qing was a bit exaggerated, there should be at least ten dishes, right? The food at the Duke's Mansion was more sumptuous than this!

Wang Chengen's mouth began to twitch again, and he wondered what was he talking about.

The emperor usually has one vegetarian dish, one meat dish and a soup. It’s only because you are here that a fish was added.

But he didn't say anything in the end. Although the boy's words were unpleasant to the ear, he looked at the emperor and didn't seem angry.

He had heard what Zhang Shikang had just said. He was originally the commander-in-chief of the Beijing Camp, so he knew some things, but he could not tell them, and there was no point in telling them.

He was not like Zhang Shikang, who had the support of the Duke of England. He was just a disabled eunuch who was looked down upon by foreign officials. All he could do was to serve the emperor well.

He was not upset because he was dismissed from his post as commander-in-chief of the Beijing Camp by Emperor Chongzhen. Everything he had was given by Emperor Chongzhen, and he supported all of Emperor Chongzhen's decisions.

The emperor didn't like him talking too much about state affairs, and Wang Chengen felt gratified when Zhang Shikang said those words.

This kid is outspoken, but what he says makes sense. As for how he does things, we'll just have to see how he performs when the time comes.

"Why are you stuttering? The country is in a difficult situation, so we should save as much as possible. I eat less, which is enough for you to eat."

Zhang Shikang was sitting at the table, and at such a close distance, he finally saw the patch on the red uniform of Emperor Chongzhen.

On the back of the robe, there was a patch about an inch long. The patch was made so delicately that it was almost invisible unless you looked carefully.

Zhang Shikang held the chopsticks in his hand, feeling mixed emotions.

He used to think that it was an exaggeration in some historical materials, but now it seems that it is all true.

Your Majesty is so pitiful, Zhang Shikang thought to himself.

But he didn't dare to say it, nor did he have the heart to say it. He just picked up his chopsticks and started picking up food to eat.

"Your Majesty, the Imperial Kitchen has just received a few jars of fine wine. Can I ask someone to bring some over?"

Wang Chengen, who was waiting on the side, saw that Emperor Chongzhen was in a good mood, so he smiled and asked gently.

"That's fine. I've been so busy with state affairs these days that I haven't had a drink in a month."

Soon, Wang Chengen came over with an exquisite wine jug and poured a glass for Emperor Chongzhen.

"Pour some for Shi Kang as well. I'm in a good mood today. Please drink with me."

Zhang Shikang didn't dare to say a word. He was happy every day before and drank every day. He only drank the most expensive wine in the restaurant every time.

"Your Majesty, no matter how difficult the affairs of state are, you still have to eat and drink well. Sage Lu once said that health is the capital of revolution. No matter how busy you are, you still have to exercise regularly to keep your body healthy."

This was exactly what Zhang Shikang really thought. Historical records said that Emperor Chongzhen had a lot of white hair when he was in his early thirties. Although he was only twenty-eight now, even if he was not a doctor, he could tell from his expression that it was a typical manifestation of sub-health.

Emperor Chongzhen picked up his wine glass and joked:

"It's rare that you still care about my health, but who is the Lu Saint? How come I have never heard of him? Revolution, whose life do you want to overthrow?"

"Uh... that was something I made up. As for the revolution, it was naturally to overthrow those corrupt officials. The court is in such a predicament, and all the civil and military officials are to blame. The Ming Dynasty I wrote about had a lot of silver, but in fact most of it was in their hands."

If you pull out ten and cut half of them, there will probably be leaks.

Zhang Shikang also picked up the wine glass and took a sip. This wine was not as mellow as the top-quality wines in those restaurants. It was very strong, and Zhang Shikang grimaced as he drank it.

"Don't you call yourself a dandy? How can a dandy not drink? As for those people you mentioned, they are not as easy to deal with as you think."

The words of Emperor Chongzhen were exactly the same as those said by Zhang Shikang's father.

"As for the Donglin Party, I know that to deal with them, besides controlling the military power, we also need the power of supervision. It is certainly difficult to deal with them for the time being, but as long as we have a handle, we can at least find a way to divide them."

Zhang Shikang took a bite of the dish. At that time, there were not so many rules, and people were allowed to talk while eating. Zhang Shikang took the opportunity to change the topic to the power of supervision.

The Donglin Party played an extremely important role in the messed up game of chess at the end of the Ming Dynasty. Some later generations said that it was destroyed by natural disasters, some said it was destroyed by bandits, and some said it was destroyed by the Donglin Party.

This group of people nominally claim to be working for the court, the country, and the people, and their slogans are deafening, but what they actually do is corrupt and despicable.

Although this group of people are unarmed, they use their pens as swords and their mouths as guns, and they are extremely united. Once they identify you as a political enemy, they can kill you with just a memorial of impeachment.

Although Zhang Shikang looked down upon the character of these people, he did not dare to underestimate their intelligence. Under the current circumstances, this group of people should not be provoked.

Military power and supervisory power are the most important, and they are the foundation of everything we do.

"Well, to be honest, I also have a lot of responsibility. When I first took the throne, I was not as old as you, and I made a lot of mistakes, which led to the current situation."

Chongzhen sighed slightly. In fact, in recent years, Emperor Chongzhen had been trying to find ways to curb the Donglin Party.

For example, the two most recent prime ministers Zhou Yanru and Wen Tihen, as well as nearly half of the cabinet ministers including Yang Sichang, were not members of the Donglin Party.

"As for this supervisory power, you have mentioned it to me several times. Since you care so much about it, I will appoint you as the commander of the Jinyiwei."

The Embroidered Uniform Guard is also the emperor's personal army, and the personal army among the personal army. Not only is it responsible for transmitting intelligence and supervising officials, but it is also the emperor's guard and ceremonial guard. Only the emperor's trusted men can hold this position.

"Cough cough-cough cough cough..."

Zhang Shikang was choked.

Wang Chengen quickly brought him a bowl of tea.

"Your Majesty, no. I will never obey your command even if I die."

Zhang Shikang was furious and didn't even eat. He stood up and said in a firm voice. Seeing that Chongzhen remained silent, he continued to refute:

"I think the current commander is doing a great job. He has full control over my secret gathering with my brothers. I..."

"Luo Yangxing, he disappoints me."

Emperor Chongzhen said with emotion.

If loyalty is not absolute, it means absolute disloyalty. Emperor Chongzhen would not allow such a traitor to be around him.

"That's not my turn. I'm only nineteen years old!"

"Who told me that the person I value is only nineteen years old?"

Zhang Shikang was speechless. God had pity on him. He really just wanted to come and see what kind of temper this emperor had.

If the person is nice, he can offer suggestions to prolong the life of the Ming Dynasty, which can also be regarded as prolonging the life of his own happy sex life.

But he never thought about being a clerk!

I was exhausted in my previous life, so I would never be a wage earner in this life.

It’s okay to be the commander-in-chief of the Beijing Camp. He will do the job temporarily and then report back after everything is sorted out.

But being the commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard is a long-term job, requiring him to do this and that, and he is not short of money, so why should he work for someone else?

The historical data is false, they are all lies!

How is this emperor mean? How is he irresponsible?