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

On November 12, the 11th year of Chongzhen, 40,000 troops from the Beijing Army arrived at Deshengmen in Beijing.

On this day, the streets of Beijing were deserted.

The imperial army defeated the Jiannu head-on, which was definitely a great thing that was celebrated throughout the Ming Dynasty, and it happened twice in a row.

Ever since Zheng Sanjun and others learned that the emperor had gone to the military camp, the Ministry of Rites began to make preparations. After all, the emperor had returned victoriously from the expedition in person, so the Ministry of Rites naturally had to arrange appropriate celebrations.

Of course, returning victoriously had to be celebrated, but officials from the Ministry of Rites had always believed that this was a low-probability event. After all, the events of Emperor Yingzong were still fresh in their minds, and they had even made preparations for both scenarios.

Fortunately, we have won the battle. No matter what, everyone seems to be relieved.

Outside Deshengmen, there were not only common people, but also officials from various departments, nobles, and their children. As the emperor returned victoriously, they had to go out of the city to welcome him according to the rules.

Not long after, Emperor Chongzhen came in a carriage, followed by attendants in gorgeous costumes on both sides of the carriage.

In addition to the strong men holding yellow silk umbrellas, there are also Jinyiwei guards holding steel knives. They have stern expressions, revealing the majesty of the royal family.

These were of course prepared in advance by Fang Zhenghua who stayed in the palace. Long before Emperor Chongzhen arrived in the capital, all the ceremonial guards were waiting on the road that he had to take.

At this time, Zhang Shikang was not sitting in the carriage, but riding on his dog, walking beside the carriage of Emperor Chongzhen.

Now that he had to accept the people's celebration, it would seem a bit excessive for him to ride with the emperor again. Emperor Chongzhen did not care and even thought Zhang Shikang was very strange.

It was not until Zhang Shikang changed into a brand new python robe and hung the imperial sword around his waist that he asked others around what they thought of this outfit.

Emperor Chongzhen finally realized that this kid just wanted to show off.

However, he also understood that Zhang Shikang had never had a good reputation in the capital, from civil and military officials to ordinary people. It was no exaggeration to say that he was hated by everyone.

Now he has finally turned over a new leaf and made up for his previous sins.

Of course, this was the idea of Emperor Chongzhen.

Of course Zhang Shikang felt very happy to return home in glory, but he didn't care what others thought of him. He just wanted to experience the treatment that future leaders would receive.

He often nodded to the people around him, waved his hand and said with a smile something like "Hello, comrades, thank you for your hard work."

Zhu Zhengliang and Zhou Dasheng were also in the crowd, and both of them looked very unhappy.

"What's so great about that?!" Zhu Zhengliang muttered softly, seeming that he was still very dissatisfied with Zhang Shikang.

"Alas, it's all our fault that we couldn't endure hardship at that time. Otherwise, you and I might have obtained the title." Zhou Dasheng said with a look of regret on his face.

When they first learned that Zhang Shikang had defeated the Jianlu again, Zhu Zhengliang and his group had a dinner together, in which they belittled Zhang Shikang, Xu Wenyuan and other second-rate leaders, saying that they were just lucky.

But when they learned that the emperor was also in the military camp and had conferred titles on Xu Wenyuan, Sun Dasheng and others, no one could utter those slanderous words anymore.

Even Zhou Dasheng changed his tone, but Zhu Zhengliang was still unwilling to accept the old grudge.

"Hmph! That kid Zhang Shikang is deliberately making things difficult for us. Even if you, Brother Zhou, endure the humiliation, this kid will definitely not give us a chance. Brother Zhou, don't be childish." Zhu Zhengliang said dissatisfiedly.

"I don't think so. Zhang Shikang is already the Marquis of Guanjun, and His Majesty has granted him an iron certificate. How could he be such a villain?

But Brother Zhu, I still have to remind you that Zhang Shikang is now a favorite of my uncle, and he also controls the life and death of military towns throughout the world.

I heard that he is the boss in the military camp and is always ready to kill people. You and I must not go against him like we did before." Zhou Dasheng warned.

The story of Zhang Shikang beheading Gao Qiquan with a knife has long been distorted by the truth after fermentation among the people. Some say that Gao Qiquan framed a loyal and upright person and was chopped in half by Guanjun Hou with a single knife, while others say that he was chopped up by a butcher and fed to the dogs.

In short, there were all kinds of rumors. Zhou Dasheng was timid and was afraid that Zhang Shikang would kill him for personal revenge.

But Zhu Zhengliang still replied unconvinced:

"Why should I be afraid of him? Brother Zhou, don't encourage others to be ambitious and destroy yourself..."

"Hey, isn't this Mr. Zhu Liu? Long time no see!"

Before Zhu Zhengliang could finish his words, Zhang Shikang rode towards them on his horse.

Zhu Zhengliang's expression immediately turned from gloomy to bright, and he smiled and bowed to Zhang Shikang and said:

"Brother Zhang is so powerful! He was awarded the title of Marquis after two battles. He should be a role model for our generation!"

Zhou Dasheng was stunned, and after a moment of reaction, he grinned and said:

"Yes, knowing that Brother Zhang has made such a great contribution, I am extremely envious. I will hold a banquet in the restaurant to welcome Brother Zhang. I wonder if you would do me the honor?"

As they were talking, Sun Dasheng, Xu Wenyuan and others also ran over, all riding black horses, wearing flying fish uniforms, and with swords on their waists.

It is no exaggeration to say that they are heroic and dashing, oh, except for Sun Dasheng.

"Brother!" Sun Dasheng pulled the reins and shouted.

When he was training in the Beijing camp, Sun Dasheng still cared about his image and often dressed up. But when he arrived at the military camp, he had to worry about the war every day and even risked his life.

Sun Dasheng had already let himself go and completed the degradation of his image. The flying fish suit on him looked as funny as a bear wearing a floral skirt.

"Oh, I was wondering who it was. It turns out to be Zhu Laoliu. Is your leg okay? Can you take a few steps and let us see?" Sun Dasheng said with a smile.

After experiencing a series of fighting and killing on the battlefield, Sun Dasheng had long regarded the grudges with Zhu Zhengliang and others as a joke. Not only that, he even thought that Zhu Zhengliang was quite cute.

But his smile meant something different in Zhu Zhengliang's eyes. Zhu Zhengliang felt that Sun Dasheng was mocking him, but he did not dare to get angry. He heard from his father that Sun Dasheng killed more than 20 Jiannu Tartars in just one battle.

"It's already fine. There are too many people and we can't leave." Zhu Zhengliang forced a smile.

It's meaningless, Zhang Shikang muttered, and immediately gave up the idea of showing off. He rode Ergou and chased after Brother Chongzhen's carriage.

A group of people came and went like the wind. After a long time, Zhou Dasheng said leisurely:

"A true man, this is what you should do!"

Zhu Zhengliang on the side was still unconvinced and said in a sarcastic tone:

"If Brother Zhou is a real man, he wouldn't look for your grandfather for everything."

"You still have the nerve to laugh at me. Your flattery just now would be embarrassing for your father! I'm not like you."

"Humph, what do you know? This is called keeping a low profile and bearing humiliation!"

"You can pull it down!"

While the two were arguing, a huge cheer suddenly broke out from the crowd.

Emperor Chongzhen walked out of the jade sedan chair, stood on it and greeted the people with a smile.

Most of the people had never seen the emperor. Today, the emperor personally led the army and returned victoriously. The people were so respectful of the imperial power and happy to have driven out the Jiannu that they all knelt on the ground and shouted "Long live the emperor!"

"Brother Zhang, your third son won the battle and is now a high-ranking official. Why do you always look so sad?"

Duke Dingguo Xu Yunzhen glanced at Zhang Zhiji and asked in confusion.

Zhang Zhiji still looked like a wealthy man, but his brows seemed to be filled with worry.

"Alas, how can you know my sorrow? A tree stands out among the trees, a tree stands out among the trees!"

……