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

Zhang Zhiji was an excellent speaker and had never lost a quarrel in the court.

But before this, he basically kept a low profile, and even when he had disputes with others, he always dealt with the matter rather than the person. He had never been like today, where he offended all the civil and military officials in the court at once.

But when it comes to the extreme, right is right and wrong is wrong.

Zhang Zhiji's series of questions were powerful and each question hit directly at Zheng Sanjun's weak spot.

The son laid all the filth out on the table. Although he felt that this was too hasty, since things had come to this point, he might as well spit on the filth.

"They are crazy. Both father and son are crazy. Without any evidence, they dare to slander all the officials. Your Majesty, I beg your majesty to make a wise decision!"

The chief minister of the cabinet, Liu Yuliang, shouted immediately.

He was not young anymore and always spoke in a steady manner in the court, but this time he could no longer remain calm.

Emperor Chongzhen knew that the situation was almost over and it was time for him to express his position, so he said:

"Lord Liu, regardless of whether those words are true or not, I am also curious, why are you all keeping silent about the three additional taxes? Is imposing additional commercial taxes competing with the people for profits?

Can you answer me?"

“This…” Liu Yuliang was speechless.

Duke Dingguo Xu Yunzhen stood up.

"If the deficit is not resolved, the Jiannu and the bandits will always be a threat to our Ming Dynasty.

If the Ming Dynasty exists, we will have a place to stand. If the Ming Dynasty does not exist, we will have no place to be buried after death.

The country is in a state of exhaustion, merchants have no state, and commercial tax reform is imminent.

Even if there is turmoil, it is an impending danger.

I second the motion!"

As they spoke, the Duke of Yingguo and the Duke of Dingguo bowed down one after another.

"I second the motion." Taining Marquis Chen Yanzuo and Xining Marquis Song Yude followed suit.

Among the nobles and relatives who had not stood up to oppose before, Huaining Marquis Sun Weifan, Chengyi Earl Liu Kongzhao, Xincheng Marquis Wang Guoxing, Wuan Marquis Zheng Zhijun and others all knelt down and agreed.

Most of these nobles who seconded the motion had children serving in the Beijing camp, but of course there were exceptions.

For example, Xinle Hou Liu Wenbing, and Liu Wenbing's younger brother, Liu Wenyao, the deputy governor of the Left Army Governor's Office.

The eldest of the two brothers was eight feet tall and had a majestic appearance, while the second brother was neither short nor sturdy, but had a hint of roughness and brutality between his brows.

All the fathers stood on their eldest brother's side. Sun Dasheng and Xu Wenyuan also quickly bowed down and agreed. They didn't have the same pomp and circumstance as their parents. They were almost about to say "I am the same too".

“I also think that what Duke Yingguo and Duke Dingguo said makes sense, and the commercial tax system should be changed.

All the nobles, please stand up." Upon seeing this, Emperor Chongzhen made the final decision on the matter.

However, even so, Zheng Sanjun and others still refused to give up. They knelt on the ground and begged Emperor Chongzhen to revoke his order, claiming to resign.

Although Emperor Chongzhen had a calm expression, he actually had long been disgusted with the court officials' old-fashioned tactics.

First he threatened to resign, and then he threatened to commit suicide. However, Emperor Chongzhen had been patient for too long and had already made up his mind not to compromise this time.

"Your Majesty, I am not deliberately obstructing you. The issue of commercial taxation is of great importance. If you act in this way, it will inevitably cause unrest throughout the country. This is different from the rebellion of bandits. It is a nationwide unrest. Your Majesty, please think twice and withdraw your order.

For the long-term benefit of the Ming Dynasty, Your Majesty, please revoke your order.

Or you can dismiss me from my post, otherwise I will never obey your order even if I die!" Zheng Sanjun took the lead again.

"Your Majesty, please dismiss me from my post. I would rather die than obey your order!" Liu Yuliang, Liu Zongzhou, Fang Fengnian and Xiong Mingyu followed closely.

Before the other officials had time to follow, they heard Emperor Chongzhen say lightly:

"Okay, I'm sure."

There was no sign of sadness or joy on Emperor Chongzhen's face, as if the person he dismissed was an insignificant minor official.

With just a few words, the Prime Minister, most of the cabinet ministers, and even the most important Minister of Personnel among the six ministries, all got what they wanted.

"There are other nobles who wish to resign, so there is no need to join in the fun in the court.

My fellow ministers, please think carefully. If you really want to resign, you can write a letter of resignation and submit it to me, and I will grant it.

Retreat from the court. "

It had been twelve years, and this was the first time that Emperor Chongzhen had been so tough. The tide of the times was rolling forward, and as the Son of Heaven, how could he let Zhang Shikang's efforts down?

After Emperor Chongzhen finished speaking, he stood up and left Huangji Gate, and Wang Chengen quickly followed.

But after walking a few steps, as if he had heard something from Emperor Chongzhen, he took small steps and walked up to Zhang Shikang.

"My Lord, the Emperor asked you to go to the Qianqing Palace after your visit."

After Wang Chengen left, Zheng Sanjun, Liu Zongzhou and several other people who were dismissed looked at each other, and saw indignation in each other's eyes.

Naturally they were not convinced, but no matter how capable they were, in the court, the emperor was the one who had the final say.

They could oppose the imperial edict, they could disobey and refute it, but they had no influence over matters such as appointments and dismissals.

Not to mention that this is their own wish. They can't be so shameless as to oppose even the decree of dismissal.

Although they were somewhat surprised by the emperor's decisive behavior, Zheng Sanjun and others were actually mentally prepared.

Now that things have come to this, stepping down is not a bad idea. At least I can preserve my reputation.

Interests are important, but reputation is more important. In the eyes of Liu Zongzhou and others, they are fighting for their gentry colleagues all over the world.

Even if they were dismissed from their posts, their reputation would not be ruined, but would instead make them famous among the scholars.

This is what is called losing in one place but gaining in another.

"Marquis Guanjun, I did not lie to you. Commercial taxes cannot be levied. You will understand it in the future." Liu Zongzhou said to Zhang Shikang meaningfully.

After saying this, he waved his sleeves and left the court.

The chief minister of the cabinet, Liu Yuliang, walked to the queue of censors and had an impassioned speech with his colleagues.

Zheng Sanjun shook his head slightly and whispered to the ministers behind him:

"If the emperor's policies are wrong, we should all die together to preserve our reputation.

However, for the sake of the Ming Dynasty, I beg you to cherish your useful lives and stay in the court."

Zheng Sanjun didn't say much. As the real leader of the Shilin in the court, Zheng Sanjun thought the most.

Now that the emperor has made up his mind, even if all of them resign, there is no guarantee that the emperor will agree.

If they lost their colleagues in the court, the Donglin faction would be doomed.

Although he has retired now, as long as his colleagues are in the court, the overall situation will not be chaotic.

It was precisely because he retired and lost his official position that he was able to better coordinate with the gentry of the world and cooperate to win this life-and-death battle.

Given his reputation and prestige, nothing is certain.

Those who could stand in the court were all good at dealing with people. Zheng Sanjun just gave some simple suggestions and then left the court.

"Marquis Guanjun, if you fight with them, I'd like to see how you die." Zhou Kui, Earl of Jiading, laughed.

Although he was not well educated, he had been in the court for a long time and certainly knew how powerful civil servants were.

He admitted that Zhang Shikang was capable, but his ability was still far behind that of all the civil servants.

Zhou Kui still remembers the loss of hundreds of thousands of taels.

"Then I guess you won't be able to see it. You're so old now, so you better be careful when you go out, or you might fall to the ground and die.

The most painful thing in life is dying without spending all your money.

But you don't have to worry, I will go to help confiscate the property when the time comes, hahaha!"

Zhang Shikang ignored Zhou Kui, whose hands were shaking with anger, and strode towards the Qianqing Palace.

When he met Brother Chongzhen at the Qianqing Palace, Zhang Shikang said with a smile:

"The long-awaited war has begun. Is Your Majesty ready?"

……