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

"Sir Zhang, the chief examiner is not as complicated as you think. His Majesty will definitely arrange a deputy examiner, and most of the matters can be handed over to the deputy examiner.

As for Lord Zhang, he only needs to be responsible for setting questions and selecting candidates during the palace examination.

Of course, everything is subject to your Majesty’s decision.”

Fan Jingwen made a rare speech.

"Mr. Fan, what you said makes sense. This is exactly what I meant." Emperor Chongzhen gave Fan Jingwen a thumbs up in his heart.

"Then it is settled. After the Lantern Festival next year, the Ministry of Rites will set the specific date for the preliminary examination."

Zhang Shikang made a bitter face and gave Fan Jingwen a thumbs-down.

There was no way to push it away, so Zhang Shikang had to accept it. Considering the current situation, he said to Fang Zhenghua:

"Manager Fang, in addition to monitoring the collusion between officials and businessmen in various places and publishing newspapers, there is another matter that needs to be handled by the East Factory."

Fang Zhenghua quickly bowed and said:

"My Lord, please speak, and I will do my best."

"When rushing to various places to deal with collusion between officials and businessmen, if there is spare time, you can check the local land. The official documents and archives can only be used as a reference. You must investigate and collect evidence among the people yourself."

Zhang Shikang thought about it and said that many things needed to be planned in advance.

It is said that land annexation was very serious in the late Ming Dynasty, but until now Zhang Shikang only has such a concept. He still needs to investigate the specific situation personally.

Fang Zhenghua bowed his hands in agreement, and Emperor Chongzhen asked in confusion:

"Shikang, why are all the tasks assigned to the East Factory? What are the Jinyiwei busy with recently?"

Emperor Chongzhen felt that Zhang Shikang was being lazy, but he had no evidence.

Zhang Shikang smiled evilly when he heard this.

"Your Majesty, the Royal Guards are busy with a very important matter. It is said that your two cousins have not returned home for several days."

Emperor Chongzhen's eyebrows twitched and he was delighted, but he did not ask in front of Li Banghua and others.

He was worried that if he asked, Li Banghua would probably go on strike on the spot.

The seven people talked about tax reform for more than a quarter of an hour. This was the last court meeting before the New Year.

The Spring Festival holiday during the Chongzhen period lasted for six days, starting on New Year's Eve and ending on the fifth day of the first lunar month.

Today is the 27th day of the twelfth lunar month. According to convention, during the last two working days before the New Year, all government offices are compiling this year's performance reports to be used as a basis for the budget at the post-New Year financial meeting.

But today the relationship between the emperor and his court officials has reached a freezing point. According to feedback from the imperial guards, officials from all government offices seem to be slacking off.

However, Chongzhen did not care about this. The military and supervisory powers were personally held by Zhang Shikang. As long as there was no war, temporary chaos was inevitable, and he was mentally prepared for it.

"Shikang, when will we start?"

After Li Banghua left, Emperor Chongzhen asked hurriedly.

Zhang Shikang knew that this brother was anxious, so he thought for a moment and said:

"The Lantern Festival is tentatively scheduled for after the New Year, but the situation is unclear, so we can only take it one step at a time. It may be advanced, or it may be postponed. It all depends on whether that group of people behave themselves.

The New Year is coming, and I think I might be more relaxed during these few days."

After all, it is the Chinese New Year, and the ancients attached much more importance to the Spring Festival than later generations.

"Yes, the New Year is coming." Emperor Chongzhen repeated.

He recalled his experiences over the past six months, which seemed more exciting than those in the past few years.

Since Zhang Shikang came to the court, although there have been twists and turns, the court's financial situation has been improving at a visible pace. The new army is being trained, the factory guards are expanding, and everything is getting better.

"Shikang, you have worked hard this year. I really don't know how I would have gotten through this year without you.

Perhaps, the Jianlu are still causing trouble in the interior, and it is a blessing for the Ming Dynasty and for me to have you here. "

Emperor Chongzhen looked at Zhang Shikang with satisfaction and said sincerely.

But Zhang Shikang didn't appreciate it and even showed a look of disgust.

"Come on, Your Majesty, I'm not gay.

I have nothing to do tomorrow, so I won't attend the morning court.

I wish your majesty a happy new year. I am leaving now."

After saying that, Zhang Shikang stood up with his butt sticking up. The short wooden stool that he had disliked for half a year slid back two meters because of his butt sticking up.

Emperor Chongzhen didn't understand what "gao ga" meant, but he knew that Zhang Shikang often said weird things, so he didn't get angry and said with a smile:

"On New Year's Eve, I held a family banquet in the palace.

Tell your father to come to the palace for the banquet."

Zhang Shikang replied:

"Okay, but Your Majesty, don't forget to ask the Imperial Kitchen Supervisor to prepare some good wine and food.

We are not short of money for the time being, Your Majesty, and it is time to restore the expenses of the palace."

During this year, Zhang Shikang had eaten in the palace several times.

Except for the fundraising by nobles and relatives which was a bit generous, the other times were extremely shabby, and it seemed that Brother Chongzhen had long been accustomed to it.

But Zhang Shikang believed that as the Doctrine of the Mean says, "If you are naturally rich, you will be rich through your actions."

He didn't say anything before when the court was short of money, but now, no matter what, the court's finances have finally breathed a sigh of relief. If they continue to be so frugal, the gains will outweigh the losses.

An emperor should have the nobility of an emperor.

After saying this, he walked out of the hall. When he reached the threshold, Zhang Shikang turned around and said with a smile:

"Brother, with me, Zhang Shikang, here, our Ming Dynasty will never be short of money in the future."

After saying this, Zhang Shikang left in a graceful manner.

After Zhang Shikang left, Emperor Chongzhen stared in the direction where Zhang Shikang left in a daze. He suddenly smiled, and that smile was full of relief.

"My Lord, please follow me to the Imperial Ancestral Temple."

The New Year is approaching, and he will go to pay homage to his ancestors again, and will also report truthfully on the situation of the Ming Dynasty this year.

Of course, the main thing is to be grateful to our ancestors for bestowing such a great treasure on the Ming Dynasty.

……

Beijing, Wangyue Restaurant, top floor luxury box.

Zheng Sanjun, Liu Zongzhou and others sat down beside the sumptuous banquet, just like half a year ago, the people were still the same people.

The only difference is that now they are all white.

But even so, there was no sign of dejection on everyone's faces. Not only that, the relatively younger Fang Fengnian even had excitement on his face.

The struggle for tax reform has officially begun. They only wrote a few letters, but prices in various parts of the Ming Dynasty have skyrocketed. I heard that people in many places are already filled with resentment.

The imperial court has not yet made any effective countermeasures, which is undoubtedly a good start for them.

As long as we add fuel to the fire after the New Year, it would be best to encourage some people to stand up, surround the local government office, and act as if they cannot accept the current situation and hope that the court will stop levying commercial taxes to restore prices.

They have served in the court for many years, and based on their understanding of the current emperor, the emperor will most likely compromise.

Even if the emperor still refuses at that time, they still have other ways to deal with it.

Zhang Shikang might be a capable guy, but in their opinion, compared with the overall strength behind them, he is just like a mantis trying to stop a chariot.

Liu Yuliang took a sip of the wine and frowned slightly.

“Although everything is going well now, I still have doubts.

Since Your Majesty has already dismissed us from our posts, why are you delaying the process of letting us leave the capital?"

……