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

Zhang Shikang waved his hands for a while before the military camp calmed down again.

He turned to Emperor Chongzhen beside him and said:

"Brother, it's your turn."

After saying this, Zhang Shikang seemed to feel something was wrong and whispered:

"But brother, is this reward too much? Are you serious?"

"The soldiers fought desperately to kill the enemy, so why should I care about a few titles?

Besides, in such troubled times, it is important to use military generals. Isn't this your idea?" Emperor Chongzhen asked doubtfully.

"But that's too... Never mind, as long as you are happy, brother."

Zhang Shikang thought about it and didn't continue to persuade him. He had realized that the historical records said that this brother was eager for quick success and instant benefits and was fond of ostentation, which was absolutely correct.

We can actually see something from what happened to Yuan Dudu before.

To put it bluntly, as long as this brother values you and thinks you have made contributions, he will be willing to give you honor, official position or even title.

Zhang Shikang just thought that if Emperor Chongzhen continued to act in this way and fought a few more big battles, the military camp would probably be full of nobles.

But he was not too worried. After all, the title was just a title. When the court had no money, it would not even have to pay the salary of the title.

It’s just that things are valuable because they are rare. The reason why the title is the goal that all military generals strive for is because it is scarce.

If all the generals in the military camp become lords by then, then this title will be worthless.

Maybe Brother Chongzhen will have a headache at that time, but this problem will not be difficult for Zhang Shikang. However, that is a story for later.

After the two of them whispered for a while, Emperor Chongzhen took the specific military merit book from Lu Xiangsheng, and the atmosphere around them suddenly stagnated.

Emperor Chongzhen did not read it out immediately, but first looked around at the soldiers around him. Wherever his gaze reached, the soldiers began to breathe rapidly.

Shao Qing, he coughed lightly, looked at the soldiers and said:

"In this battle, all of you soldiers have demonstrated the spirit of our Ming Dynasty. I have watched your heroic performance throughout the whole process. I am pleased to have soldiers like you.

Before the war, I promised all the soldiers that I would reward those who made military achievements handsomely.

Now, it's time to keep my promise.

All the generals, listen to the order! "

At this time, Emperor Chongzhen was no longer as reserved as he was when he first entered the military camp. He knew that the eager eyes around him were his greatest reliance.

Just as he was about to read it out, there was a commotion outside the military camp. It turned out that the entire cabinet, led by the Minister of Personnel Zheng Sanjun, arrived at the military camp.

Zheng Sanjun and the chief minister of the cabinet Liu Yuliang walked up to Chongzhen with unhappy looks and saluted. Emperor Chongzhen knew that the matter had been exposed, but he didn't care.

He nodded gently to Zheng Sanjun and others and asked them to stand up. Liu Yuliang stood up and was about to indignantly accuse the emperor of wrongdoing.

But Emperor Chongzhen just waved his hand, indicating that they could talk about it later. Liu Yuliang frowned.

All the way, he was pondering over the wording, thinking about how to express their dissatisfaction with the emperor's escape from the palace in a way that the emperor could tolerate.

But when the words were on the tip of his tongue, they were blocked by Emperor Chongzhen's casual wave of his hand, which made him feel extremely uncomfortable.

But the emperor's order was hard to disobey, so Liu Yuliang, Zheng Sanjun and others looked at each other and had to stop the engine temporarily. It didn't matter if they had a little more time.

Emperor Chongzhen regained his composure. He glanced at the military merit book and said:

"Lu Xiangsheng, the governor of Xuanda, commanded the battle of Jingshui with confidence. He should be a role model for other generals. Come forward and be conferred an honor."

Lu Xiangsheng was stunned when he heard this. Although he was in charge of the overall planning of the battle most of the time, he knew in his heart that the emperor did not think highly of him.

It was also for this reason that Lu Xiangsheng did not dare to take credit for the achievement. His name was not even at the top of the military merit list. He was really surprised that Emperor Chongzhen was the first to be rewarded.

Seeing that Lu Xiangsheng didn't move, Zhang Shikang nudged him with his elbow. Lu Xiangsheng finally reacted and immediately knelt on the ground:

"Your servant Lu Xiangsheng is here."

After saying that, Lu Xiangsheng looked at Zhang Shikang cautiously. Zhang Shikang blinked and raised his chin at him.

Lu Xiangsheng immediately understood that this must be what the uncle meant, and he couldn't help feeling grateful.

"Restore the post of Governor of Xuanda, confer the titles of Earl of Dingzhou, Grand Tutor of the Crown Prince, and Upper Guardian, and grant one hundred taels of gold."

The reward was short, but it was not simple at all. Even Lu Xiangsheng was a little surprised.

Previously, he was blamed by the emperor for the Battle of Jiazhuang, but fortunately with the protection of Zhang Shikang, he was allowed to make amends for his crime.

Being reinstated after this battle was within his acceptable range, but being made a baron after just one battle was really beyond his expectations.

The reason is simple, he was a civil servant.

Before this, with the exception of the founding fathers, every civilian official who was in charge of the military, no matter if it was Yuan Dudu or Yang Gebu, and no matter how great their military exploits were, had never been granted a title.

It's not just a title, the Supreme Guard General is the third level of military honor and a second-rank official position. Although it's only an honorary title, it's still the reason.

He was a civil official, but was awarded military honors, which was not in accordance with the etiquette system.

Whether it is a title or a military honor, it seems a bit unjustified.

Emperor Chongzhen seemed to know Lu Xiangsheng's doubts, and after conferring the title, he briefly explained:

“I have said before that those who have military merit will not hesitate to take the title.

Guan Junbo said that the title of nobility should not be determined by civil or military merit, but anyone with military merit can get it. I strongly agree with this.

From now on, the nobility will no longer be limited to civil or military officials."

This was naturally Zhang Shikang's idea. It was inappropriate to stick to etiquette in such a chaotic time. Although he did not approve of civil officials doing the work of military generals, it must be said that there was more than one civil official in the Ming Dynasty who could fight.

In Zhang Shikang's view, no matter whether it is a white cat or a black cat, as long as it can catch mice, it is a good cat.

As long as you can fight well, there is no need to distinguish between civil and military military merits.

Emperor Chongzhen agreed with this view, but in his heart he did not think highly of Lu Xiangsheng, believing that he was the same as Yang Sichang.

But he believed in Zhang Shikang, and if Zhang Shikang thought he could use him, he would use him. However, he sternly rejected Zhang Shikang's suggestion that Lu Xiangsheng should be given the first credit for this battle.

He could give rewards, but how could this merit be given to Lu Xiangsheng? In the eyes of Emperor Chongzhen, the current situation of the military camp and even the Ming Dynasty was all thanks to Zhang Shikang.

The boy may be lazy, but he is never let down when it comes to important matters.

Emperor Chongzhen roughly guessed that this guy gave the credit to others in order to bear less responsibility. Humph, he would not fall for this kid's trick.

"Your Majesty, I, Lu Xiangsheng, thank you for your grace." Lu Xiangsheng bowed down.

Lu Xiangsheng never thought that he would be granted a title one day, but he knew that this must be the instruction of his lord.

Although he thought the reward was too much, he knew Zhang Shikang's temper and realized it was useless to refuse, so he accepted it calmly.

Naturally, all the soldiers had no objection to this reward. Lu Xiangsheng already had prestige in the military camp, not to mention that this reward was announced by the emperor himself.

But this cannot represent the wishes of everyone, such as Zheng Sanjun, Liu Yuliang and other cabinet ministers who had just rushed over from the capital.

Civil officials were given titles? Military honors were also given? Are you kidding me?

The emperor does not take the ancestral system of the Ming Dynasty seriously!

This is a blatant violation of etiquette!

More importantly, Lu Xiangsheng has always been at odds with their Donglin.

After Yang Sichang fell, apart from Zhang Shikang, civil officials like Lu Xiangsheng who held military power were potential enemies of Donglin.

They would never allow the emperor to disregard the etiquette. If the ancestral system could be easily violated, the law would be illegal and the country would not exist.

This is the beginning of the country’s destruction!

……