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

Emperor Chongzhen had long been accustomed to Zhang Shikang, and the officials of the Honglu Temple continued to shout and perform the ceremony.

Zhang Shize walked behind his brother, took off the black cloth crown on his brother's head, and then picked up a leather hat from another tray.

Emperor Chongzhen put the leather cap on Zhang Shikang's bun as usual and said:

"Respect your dignity and be prudent. I hope that from now on, you will respect your elder brothers, get along well with your neighbors, be filial to your parents, and be a role model for other sons in the world."

"Oh." Zhang Shikang replied again.

Duke of England Zhang Zhiji, who was standing by, was grinning, thinking that this was happening in front of all the emperors of the Ming Dynasty, and the current emperor was personally crowning his son. Was his son crazy? Couldn't he just say a few more words to show his respect?

But Emperor Chongzhen was not angry at all and the ceremony continued.

Finally, Zhang Shikang was given a crown and Emperor Chongzhen gave him some words of encouragement as usual, but this time they were a little different and there were a little more.

"According to the order of the year and the month, all are served.

The brothers are all here to complete their virtue, their greatness is boundless, and they receive blessing from Heaven.

I hope that you will live up to the trust of our ancestors, make suggestions for the revival of our Ming Dynasty, make contributions to the country and society of our court, and seek well-being for the people of our Ming Dynasty.

I hope you will not trust others' words easily. I am not a heartless king, nor will I do things that will only benefit the people. The country, the people, and the people of the world are all within the plan between you and me. I will encourage you together."

Emperor Chongzhen said these words not only to Zhang Shikang, but also to those who secretly attacked Zhang Shikang's status as a powerful official. Zhang Zhiji grinned again, as he felt that the emperor was also warning him.

Zhang Shikang finally didn't say anything else this time, he really said two words.

"Ok."

Things have come to this point, and even if he wants to extricate himself, he cannot. He will most likely continue to be the fire captain in the future, which is not a happy thought.

But he has a good attitude. He will work when he needs to work and slack off when he needs to slack off.

After the third ceremony, the official from the Honglu Temple called on the recipient to pay homage to his parents. Zhang Shikang stood up and bowed to his father and mother.

Fortunately, Zhang Zhiji was able to hold his composure. Seeing his son grow up and achieve so much, although Sun had a smile on her face, her eyes were red.

Then Zhang Shikang turned around, bowed again to Emperor Chongzhen, took the cup from the eunuch and toasted to Emperor Chongzhen.

Emperor Chongzhen also picked up the cup and drank the wine.

Then the Honglu Temple official sang out the name of the emperor, and Emperor Chongzhen said:

"Now that the rituals are ready, choose an auspicious day in the month to announce your name.

Yuan's name is Kong Jia, a handsome man named Youyi, who is suitable for Gu.

"If you are protected forever, you will be safe."

In addition to learning how to tie Zhang Shikang's hair, Emperor Chongzhen has also been thinking about what name to give Zhang Shikang.

Originally, he wanted to use "Youming" as Zhang Shikang's pen name, which means protecting the Ming Dynasty, but he felt that it was inappropriate.

After much deliberation, I finally decided on the word Wuji.

There are three meanings of "no taboos". The first is not to be suspicious, the second is to be fearless, and the third is to have no need to avoid or have no taboos.

This is fully consistent with Zhang Shikang's character and style of doing things. Zhang Shikang has never been shy about doing things in the past two years. He kills people if he says he wants to kill them, and kills everyone if he says he wants to kill them.

Zhang Shikang once told him that severe punishments should be used in times of chaos, and Emperor Chongzhen deeply agreed with him.

Emperor Chongzhen hoped that Zhang Shikang would do anything without hesitation as long as it was beneficial to the Ming Dynasty and the people, and hoped that he would not be suspicious of him, just as Emperor Chongzhen himself trusted Zhang Shikang.

When the nobles and Zhang Zhiji around heard this courtesy name, they all nodded secretly, thinking that it was very consistent with Zhang Shikang's style.

However, Zhang Shikang himself had a face full of question marks.

"Wuji, Zhang Wuji?"

Zhang Shikang’s mind suddenly popped up scenes from Jin Yong’s martial arts novels, where Zhang Wuji used the Great Shift of the Universe to beat Cheng Kun to the ground, and used the Nine Yang Magic Art to knock the two Xuanming Elders to the ground.

He thought that Brother Chongzhen probably had never read Jin Yong, so how did he know Zhang Wuji?

"How is it?" Emperor Chongzhen said to Zhang Shikang with a slight smile. It seemed like a question, but in fact it was more like asking for praise.

What else could Zhang Shikang do? Everyone around was watching, so he could only grin and say:

"Very good, let's call him Zhang Wuji."

The nobles and relatives around him couldn't help feeling a little jealous when they saw how much the emperor valued Zhang Shikang.

Even Xu Wenyuan grabbed Sun Dasheng's shoulder and said:

"Great victory! This is what a real man should do."

"You are a man who thinks you are a bird. I saw you looking for Mr. Rabbit again in Nanjing. Second Brother Xu, stay away from me."

Although Sun Dasheng called him brother, he did not hide his disgust at all in his body.

After the ceremony, everyone, led by Emperor Chongzhen, bowed again in the three halls of the Taimiao, and then left the Taimiao one after another.

On the way back, the younger sister Zhang Jingyi kept calling Wuji "brother", which gave Zhang Shikang a headache.

When Zhang Jingyi was free at home, she liked to listen to Zhang Shikang telling stories. Zhang Shikang also told the story of Zhang Wuji, and he regretted it a little now.

After arriving at the Duke of Yingguo's mansion, Zhang Zhiji held a grand banquet and entertained his clansmen, which was quite a happy occasion.

After the 29th day of the twelfth lunar month, it is New Year's Eve.

Zhang Shikang didn't go anywhere that day. He ate and slept to conserve his energy. He guessed that there would be activities in the evening.

Sure enough, in the afternoon, a letter came from the palace inviting the Duke of England and his family to a banquet at the palace.

Of course, he knew in his heart that Brother Chongzhen really relied on his abilities and gambled everything on the revival of the Ming Dynasty.

Zhang Shikang was also touched, so he has been doing his best in his work over the past year.

But Zhang Shikang was always a little worried. According to his plan, he intended to put the Ming Dynasty back on track and then withdraw to enjoy life.

But now Brother Chongzhen's attitude seems to be that he will have to work for the rest of his life, which is a small worry for Zhang Shikang.

Before the sun set, Zhang Shikang and his family got on the carriage to the palace. When they arrived at the Meridian Gate, they were still greeted by Wang Chengen with a smile on his face.

Unlike last year, the palace is much more festive this year. After all, the imperial court is not short of money nowadays. There are lights and decorations everywhere, and even the palace maids and eunuchs are wearing festive costumes.

After some greetings, Zhang Shikang and his two sons sat down at the same table with Emperor Chongzhen and his son.

Crown Prince Zhu Cilang has grown half a head taller than last year. He will be twelve years old today.

Speaking of which, Zhang Shikang hasn't seen Zhu Cilang for a year. I remember that last year, Zhang Shikang had questioned Zhu Cilang soul-searchingly. I don't know if this guy has figured it out.

However, Zhu Cilang still sat very solemnly beside Emperor Chongzhen, as formal as a court official discussing matters, and lacked the liveliness that a child should have.

Emperor Chongzhen said:

"Wuji, last year I had planned to let the prince worship you as his teacher, but last year there were many trivial matters, and you were away on a campaign for a year, so it has not been implemented.

Now that Daming can finally take a breath, why not take this opportunity to let the children recognize you as their master?"

……