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

Emperor Chongzhen witnessed the attitudes of all the civil and military officials in the court throughout the whole process. His expression was relatively calm, but his hands inside his imperial robe were clenched into fists.

it is as expected.

Zhang Shikang had told him about this a long time ago that once the commercial tax reform began, even the nobles and relatives would stand up to oppose it.

Zhang Shikang also made the reason very clear. No matter which dynasty or era, any reform would inevitably target the vested interests.

Cutting off someone's source of income is like killing their parents. It would be strange if they didn't object.

But Zhang Shikang also said that not reforming means death, the only difference is dying early or dying late.

Everyone knew that doing so would make the court better, but almost everyone opposed it.

This is the ultimate cause of the dynasty's downfall.

But he still didn't rush to express his opinion. As the Son of Heaven, everything he said would be recorded in the official records. Before the situation became clear, he would generally not make any conclusion.

Of course, more importantly, Emperor Chongzhen knew that since Zhang Shikang mentioned commercial taxes at this juncture, he must have already had an idea in mind.

In that case, he should just watch the show seriously.

"Haha, competing with the people for profit? What a great way to compete with the people for profit!"

Zhang Shikang stood in the court, looking at the civil and military officials kneeling on the ground, and spoke in a sarcastic tone.

“I just don’t know which people you are talking about?

Are they really the lower-class people who can’t even afford to eat?

Or those merchants, gentry, and wealthy landlords?"

The lower-class people are starving to death. Yang Sichang mentioned levying three additional taxes, but I didn't see you standing up to oppose it.

Now that taxes are imposed on merchants and gentry, they will all jump out.

And there was a group of nobles and relatives, each of them was short-sighted and only focused on the petty gains in front of them. They really thought that even after the Ming Dynasty fell, they could continue to enjoy wealth and glory like the civil servants.

Zhang Shikang was actually mentally prepared for the defection of nobles and relatives. If this group of people could really be far-sighted and fulfill their duties, the court would never be in its current state.

After he finished criticizing the civil officials, he turned his attention to the two old bastards, Zhu Chunchen and Zhou Kui.

"Zhu Chunchen, do you still have the nerve to talk about conscience in this court?

Is there anything you have done conscientiously over the years?

Do you and your fellow clan members need me to list all the crimes you have committed over the years?"

Zhang Shikang's words were convincing, and what he said was not groundless. Most of them were said casually by his father Zhang Zhiji in his spare time.

Although the group of nobles and relatives was not very united, they were all in the capital after all, and they knew exactly which family had committed what crime.

But Zhu Chunchen was as thick-skinned as Zhang Shikang, and he turned a deaf ear to what Zhang Shikang said.

In short, everything else is easy to deal with, except targeting his family's wallet.

“Marquis Guanjun, I know you are thinking about the country, but I still want to remind you.

Young people should not be too impetuous. The consequences of imposing additional business taxes are very serious and you cannot afford it."

Liu Zongzhou seemed to be speaking with all sincerity, but his underlying tone was still that he scoffed at Zhang Shikang's proposal.

You are still too young.

"Don't take advantage of your age to bully me. I know what you are thinking.

If young people are not full of energy, can they still be called young people?

If all young people were like you, then the Ming Dynasty would really be doomed!" Zhang Shikang angrily retorted.

"I want to ask you why you all were so united in opposing the three additional taxes.

On the contrary, they are so united in their hatred of the enemy when it comes to reforming commercial taxes.

Do you dare to tell the truth in front of His Majesty?"

Zhang Shikang's eyes were like knives as he stared at Liu Zongzhou.

Liu Zongzhou is 61 years old this year. He has been cultivating his character for most of his life and has a very deep mind. But even so, when asked such a sensitive question, he still subconsciously dared not answer.

Zhang Shikang sneered in his heart. He looked around at Zheng Sanjun and others and said again in a contemptuous tone:

"Since you dare not say it, then I will say it for you!

Because the lower-class people have no land, no grain, and no silver, while the merchants and gentry do. The reason why you are so united in opposing commercial taxes is even simpler.

If commercial taxes are collected, merchants will have less income, and they will have less to give to you.

It's a pity that you are still standing here in neat clothes, talking about the national economy and people's livelihood, and always quoting Confucius and Mencius.

Is this how the saints teach you to govern a country?"

Zhang Shikang had wanted to say these words a long time ago, and everyone in the court pretended to be ignorant even though they knew the truth.

You are members of the Donglin Party, and you also know that I know that you are members of the Donglin Party.

You represent the merchants, gentry and big landowners, and you know that I know that you are their representatives.

But you pretend not to know and ask others to pretend not to know as well.

The important thing is to see the truth but not speak it out loud. Everyone takes the money and pretends to be ignorant together.

Okay, now I’m not going to pretend anymore and I’m going to be honest.

I just want to expose your ugly appearance right in front of you.

You are just a bunch of garbage who are wearing a moral cloak and doing despicable things!

"Champion Marquis! Stop talking nonsense. Do you know what you are saying?

You are slandering all the court officials!

Duke of England, you should know the consequences of your actions!"

Zheng Sanjun had sweat on his forehead. He didn't dare to look Zhang Shikang in the eye because he couldn't answer those questions.

Because, that's the truth.

But even so, to fight against all the civil and military officials in the court with one person's strength is like a mantis trying to stop a chariot.

At least that's what he thought.

The Champion Marquis was young and hot-tempered, and he couldn't do anything about it, but Zheng Sanjun knew that the Duke of England understood everything, and as long as the Duke of England stood up, everything could be eased.

Zhang Zhiji didn't say a word from beginning to end. As the Duke of England, he was already in the highest position in the country, and his third son was even better than him. This was an honor, but also a sickle.

But today, Zhang Zhiji knows it in his heart.

My son has already overturned the table and started gambling.

Even though he knew it was unwise to make enemies with all the civil and military officials in the court, as the Duke of Yingzhou, he shouldered the great reputation of his ancestors.

He knew in his heart that the truth was not in the hands of the majority, and he understood better what was right and what was wrong.

And in this matter, the remaining fighting spirit in my heart was aroused.

His son is right.

Even if he had to put the entire Duke of England's family at risk, he would never stop his son at this juncture.

"Sir Zheng, my son is the current champion marquis, and the title is hereditary. This is a title he earned through real military merit.

My son has demonstrated with his courage and wisdom that he has grown up and has his own opinions on state affairs.

As a father, I am deeply pleased that my son has such insights and achievements.

What my son has done is something that you dare not even think about. It is the right thing to do that can truly lay the foundation for the long-term stability of the Ming Dynasty.

Therefore, Lord Zheng, please don’t ask me to take care of it. I can’t do it, and I shouldn’t do it.”

These were Zhang Zhiji's true thoughts. He had wanted to tell his son this before to encourage Zhang Shikang to keep up the good work.

But he was also afraid that his son would become arrogant and conceited. However, he had seen everything Zhang Shikang had done over the past six months.

Regardless of whether the task was accomplished or not, his third son was worthy of being the son of Zhang Zhiji and the reputation of the Duke of England.

“I am a little curious, Lord Zheng is the Minister of Personnel and the leader of the civil officials.

Why don’t you want to answer my son’s questions?

Could it be true, as my son said, that the reason you are opposed is because you are the leaders of the merchants?

Scholars, farmers, artisans and merchants are the lowest nine classes. If you were to go along with them, wouldn't that be lowering your status?

Why? Is it really because of money?

So, above reputation and wealth, do you also put money first?

Then why do we always use the words of saints to teach others that money is nothing but external things?

Isn’t this a contradiction?”

……