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

The girls were all startled and quickly stood up to salute. Kou Baimen's face turned red with shame.

"No need to be so formal. I have been busy with trivial matters recently, so I finally made time today."

Zhang Shikang said to the girls while smiling.

"Sit down and continue chatting. I saw you guys were having a great time just now, weren't you?"

But Zhang Shikang continued speaking. None of the girls were as shameless as him, and none of them knew how to respond.

"My humble concubine greets the Marquis." Chen Yuanyuan was the first to bow and salute.

Liu Rushi also bowed with the other women, but still stood blankly in the living room.

"Don't be so polite. To be honest, I hate these false formalities.

You can't hide in the military camp, you can't hide in the court, you can't hide anywhere.

This is my temporary home now. I want to be more comfortable in my own home. Do you think this is too much?"

Zhang Shikang's words were relatively mild, but these were actually what he really thought.

He knew that in this era, etiquette and laws were indeed above everything else, and he could go with the flow in the barracks and at court.

But after a tiring day, when he returns home, he just wants to relax and be at ease.

It's so comfortable to be around pretty girls and chat.

But these pretty girls are always pretentious, which makes them feel uncomfortable and uneasy.

Chen Yuanyuan quickly sat down obediently, Liu Rushi also sat down, Kou Baimen quietly stuck out his tongue and sat down with the other girls.

"That's right, you should be more comfortable at home. I am out there killing people and ransacking houses every day.

Do you think I look like a murderous maniac? Right?" Zhang Shikang said with a chuckle.

Kou Baimen thought to himself, it looks like that now.

"Killing people and confiscating their property is unavoidable, because they are too greedy and don't want to let the people live.

You are all still young and you don’t understand many things. They call me a traitor to the country, but whether I am a traitor to the country or not is not up to them to decide. It is the people who have to decide.

Damn it, why are you talking about state affairs again, bah!" Zhang Shikang slapped his mouth.

Kou Baimen thought to himself, Sister Yuanyuan is lying, she's using dirty words and is so vulgar.

These girls are all pretty. It must be said that the beasts in Qinhuai River have very sharp eyes.

All seven of them were extremely talented, beautiful and artistic. Liu Rushi was gentle, Chen Yuanyuan was petite and charming, and Zhang Shikang didn't even know the names of the others, but he only saw that Kou Baimen was very white.

"Well, I can't remember the names of anyone except Rushi and Yuanyuan, so how about... introducing yourself first?

I’ll give you an example.”

No matter how strong a person is, he must have weaknesses. For example, Zhang Shikang could debate with a white-bearded old man in the court and win a battle on the battlefield, but he was not very good at picking up girls.

But this is not a problem for him. As long as he is thick-skinned enough and other buffs are stacked high enough, everything will not be a problem.

Zhang Shikang didn't care about the girls' reactions and immediately stood up and coughed twice.

It's as if to say, back off, I'm about to start showing off.

"The one standing before you is the son of the Duke of Ying of the Ming Dynasty, the hereditary champion marquis, the governor of the Beijing camp, the prince's grand tutor, the grand tutor, the grand protector, the pillar of the country, the commander of the Jinyiwei, and the great marshal of the world's troops who are mighty and powerful."

This series of titles reminded Zhang Shikang of a girl called Dragon Mother. He thought about it and felt that his title was still not long enough, at least not as long as Dragon Mother's.

Phew—Zhang Shikang was deliberately very cocky when he spoke, and Kou Baimen couldn't help laughing out loud.

"Don't laugh, I haven't finished yet, be serious." Zhang Shikang pretended to be serious.

"On weekdays, I like swimming, fitness, delicious food and sleeping. It's your turn now."

Seeing that Zhang Shikang suddenly became serious, Kou Baimen thought that Zhang Shikang was going to talk about his hobbies of governing the country, maintaining peace and pacifying the world.

I didn't expect Zhang Shikang would say that he likes swimming, fitness, food and sleeping. Doesn't this translate into eating, drinking and having fun?

She wanted to laugh again, but she held it back this time.

"I'm not lying to you. No one would believe me if I told them. I really don't want to be an official in so many positions.

Alas, in this whole world, I guess only our current emperor believes it.

It's your turn." Zhang Shikang said self-deprecatingly.

He doesn't think there's anything he can't talk about in his hobbies. What's wrong with eating, drinking and having fun? People live in this world not just for work.

Besides, he's doing a pretty good job.

I've been a firefighter for the Ming Dynasty for almost two years. Can't I just enjoy myself?

"Rushi, let's start with you?" Zhang Shikang pointed at Liu Rushi after sitting down.

In fact, Liu Rushi was not used to being called that by Zhang Shikang. This was only the second time they met. The last time was when he saw Qian Qianyi jump into the river. They didn't say a few words and Zhang Shikang left soon because he was busy with work.

Ru Shi is her courtesy name, and courtesy names are usually only used by people who are very familiar with her. Her real name is Yang Ai, although most people don't know it and only know that her name is Liu Yin.

But Liu Rushi had no way to deal with Zhang Shikang.

"My little girl Liu Yin."

"So your name is Liu Yin. I thought your name was Liu Rushi." Zhang Shikang said bluntly without any hesitation.

"Rui Shi is my courtesy name. My Lord, you haven't mentioned your courtesy name yet." Liu Rushi asked.

Zhang Shikang scratched his head when he heard this, seeming a little embarrassed.

"I just turned twenty and haven't had time to give myself a courtesy name yet."

Seeing how funny Zhang Shikang was, Kou Baimen chuckled again.

But Zhang Shikang's next words made everyone stop laughing.

"But His Majesty said that he would personally preside over the ceremony for me when I return this time. I think His Majesty has also thought of a name for me."

Liu Rushi was slightly surprised, and Chen Yuanyuan also opened her round little mouth.

They all knew that Zhang Shikang was a wealthy and noble man, but they didn't expect him to be so noble.

His Majesty, that’s His Majesty!

Who in the whole world could be worthy of the coming of age ceremony performed by the current emperor?

"But our Majesty is not very talented in literature. Who knows if he will give me a random nickname." Zhang Shikang muttered again.

What? He is still not satisfied? He dares to slander the emperor?

The girls were all stunned.

"Don't talk about me, are you done now? That won't do! We haven't even talked about interests and hobbies yet!" Zhang Shikang said very seriously.

Upon hearing this, Liu Rushi felt much more relieved. She was the oldest among the girls, two years older than Zhang Shikang, and had the most stable personality.

From Zhang Shikang's words and deeds, she immediately saw that Zhang Shikang was a person who was not bound by red tape and dared to speak and act.

And, it’s very real, isn’t it?

Unlike the so-called literati and scholars in Nanjing, they always say one thing in public and do another in private, and have done countless despicable things.

For example, Qian Qianyi. Whenever Liu Rushi thought of this person, she just felt disgusted.

On the contrary, looking at Zhang Shikang again now, Liu Rushi suddenly felt at ease.

"Rushi likes poetry." Liu Rushi replied gently.

"Poetry is great! I also like poetry and can recite it!" Zhang Shikang said with a smile.

"It's a lie, I don't believe it." Seeing that Zhang Shikang was both easy-going and interesting, Kou Baimen boldly expressed his opinion.

"Who are you looking down on? Bring me paper and pen, and I will write a poem for you on the spot!" Zhang Shikang said with his eyes wide open.

……