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

The prefect of Luoyang was a fourth-rank official, while the provincial governor was equivalent to a provincial governor, a second-rank official, of the same rank as the ministers of various ministries.

Being promoted from a prefect to a provincial governor is a promotion across levels. Generally speaking, this requires recommendation from the cabinet.

But there is no doubt that Zhang Shikang currently has this ability.

Upon hearing this, Chu Hanchen, with tears in his eyes, clasped his fists slowly and solemnly, then lifted the hem of his official uniform and bowed deeply to Zhang Shikang.

"Your humble servant Chu Hanchen... obeys your orders! If I cannot do this, I am willing to die!"

He knelt not because of his own promotion, but for the starving people in Henan.

Fifteen thousand dan of rice, more than 20 million jin, if used properly, how many lives can be saved!

As soon as Chu Hanchen knelt, all the people around him, regardless of gender, age or status, all knelt down before Zhang Shikang.

They also heard what Zhang Shikang said. They had endured this cold winter and now they finally didn't have to starve to death.

Zhang Shikang knew about the sufferings of the people and had seen them suffering more than once, but such a scene still moved him greatly.

There were thousands of people present, and except for the occasional noise made by children, all the people kowtowed respectfully to him to express their gratitude.

Zhang Shikang suddenly smiled, something rolling in his eyes, but he looked towards the blue sky stubbornly and said:

"I think you guys don't know who I am yet. I am the person who is called a traitor by people all over the country.

My name is Zhang Shikang.

There are many purposes for this expedition, but the most important one is to ensure that all the people in the world have land to farm.

I think you all already know about the notice posted in the city. When I first entered the city, I heard someone reading it.

I, the Grand Marshal of the Army, Zhang Shikang, swear on my life that everything stated in those proclamations is true.

As long as I, Zhang Shikang, and your Majesty are here, in the near future, all tillers will have their own land.

Please inform each other and tell those who want to cause trouble to stop making trouble and return to their registered places. Wait for two months, or at most three months, and all national policies will be implemented.

Everyone, please stand up."

As soon as Zhang Shikang lowered his head, the stubbornness in his eyes fell out.

But no one among the people, including Chu Hanchen, was willing to stand up.

"Hey, I'm still young, it's not nice to accept such a gift."

He was angry with many people and sometimes even refused to give face to Emperor Chongzhen. However, he knew very well that the people around him were ignorant and numb, and could easily be misled to do bad things, become refugees, and rebel.

He still couldn't get angry.

"Henan is a pitiful place. It has suffered disasters year after year, including drought, locust plagues, and bandits. Nine out of ten houses are empty. It is difficult to live here, and even harder to survive."

When this was said, many people thought of their deceased relatives and felt sad.

Since the reign of Emperor Tianqi, Shanxi, Shaanxi, Henan, and even Shandong have all been like this. In ordinary people's homes, there are people who have died of famine, either starving to death, dying of disease, being killed by bandits, being killed by soldiers, or being eaten by others...

Women who have lost their men are the weakest. They hold their babies in their arms and cover their mouths, not wanting to make any sound but unable to stop.

The sound was like resentment, longing, crying and complaining, which was heartbreaking.

“However, now that the court has money, we will distribute land this year so that you can have farmland.

Next year, the imperial court will spend a huge amount of money to dig canals in Shanxi, Shaanxi, and Henan. Even if we use up all the silver in the treasury, we will certainly make sure that you will no longer suffer from drought."

Zhang Shikang said in a proud voice.

The Little Ice Age is now at its peak, and droughts in the north and other areas will continue and will last for a very long time.

To solve the current drought, digging wells and canals is a stupid method, but with today's industrial level, it is the most effective method.

Sometimes, Zhang Shikang even wished he could have a clone.

One clone was sent to form a scientific research team for the Ming Dynasty, set up a research institute and conduct various experiments to improve the industrial level of the Ming Dynasty.

One clone went to reform the imperial examination, opened new schools, and even opened the first university in East Asia, dividing the imperial examination route into many routes, with students majoring in engineering, science, arts, and agriculture, and students who knew chemistry, physics, and mathematics...

One clone was responsible for the conquest. First, he restored the autumn-leaf begonias of China, and then he defeated the island countries in the east, making them use the same writing system and the same writing system, but he destroyed their language, culture, and nation...

One clone was responsible for navigation, leading the Ming fleet to Europe, Libya, and America, bringing back the silver mountains and high-yield crops in a way that was different from the Europeans...

Off topic.

"Don't ask where the silver comes from, I'm busy confiscating the property!

There are countless corrupt officials in the south and north of the Yangtze River waiting for me to confiscate their property, and countless landlords waiting for me to take over their land.

Get up quickly, and don't delay me from confiscating your property."

Zhang Shikang joked.

These words made the Henan men who were kneeling around couldn't help laughing, and many of them laughed even though they had tears on their faces.

"I'm waiting, Grand Marshal. I'll set up a tablet for you at home. I'll kowtow to you every day and ask God to protect you and keep you safe on your expedition!"

"I'm waiting too. I have some prestige in our village. When we all have land, I will call on the villagers to erect a monument for the Marshal!"

"Why does the Marshal speak with a Henan accent?"

"Not so bad, hey, maybe the Marshal's ancestors have some Henan blood in them."

"Who cares? Whoever gives me land is my ancestor."

"The Grand Marshal is really handsome, but I wonder if he has a wife."

"Shuanzhu, please stop it. Even the bandits would look down on your daughter."

……

A group of people were chatting with each other, and although they were using vulgar words, smiles began to appear on their faces.

A long-lost smile.

Chu Hanchen received the order to transport grain. He just said that those who helped move the grain would have porridge to drink in the evening, and then all the people started to move.

Zhang Shikang sighed. He knew that he didn't need to say much. As long as he fulfilled his promise, the people would spread the word.

He understood instantly why he couldn't get angry even though he knew that these people were ignorant, short-sighted, and selfish.

When they saw a truly good official, such as Chu Hanchen, they would kneel down before him and beg for favors on his behalf.

This is called simplicity, because a certain quality will never be destroyed in their hearts.

This kind of character is called conscience.

He recalled what someone in later generations had said, that just like him, facing this devastated land, his eyes were filled with tears.

Because he loves this land deeply.

Looking at the people busy at work, Zhang Shikang smiled with satisfaction.

"Zhang Shikang, you dared to take my food and kill my personal guards. You are usurping power and committing treason!

I will never forgive you, I will never forgive you! I will go to see His Majesty."

"Stop yelling, fat old man, do you see that prison van?

I found it specially for you. It will be your exclusive car for the rest of your journey.

You are so fat, you must have three highs. I will help you lose weight starting today.

Why don't you thank me now, Marshal?"

……

PS: I really sit from noon to midnight. My back and waist ache, and my bulging intervertebral disc can't bear it anymore. After thinking about it, I decided to ask for a reward. What if someone really gives me a reward?