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

He raised the salaries of officials, but it was not a futile increase. In addition to abolishing most of the so-called privileges of the gentry, he also added requirements for assessments.

One of them is public opinion. Giving them such high salaries, allowing them to have a status and income different from ordinary people, if they do not do their job well, Zhang Shikang will never tolerate it.

"Let the Marshal know that we all came here voluntarily. The officials of the Ministry of Works also specifically told us that if there is no other labor at home, we should not respond to the call.

We usually have other brothers in our family, so we won’t miss the farming season.”

Someone answered Zhang Shikang's question loudly.

"Is there any salary? Is there any bullying? How is the food?" Zhang Shikang asked again.

As the commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, he would actually read the news from various places compiled by the Liu Wenbing brothers every day.

If he was concerned about certain aspects, he would also ask the Jinyiwei to investigate specifically.

But the summary on paper is just paper. Once he has the opportunity to go to the scene in person, he still believes more in what he sees with his own eyes.

"Yes, yes, yes! Marshal, God has mercy on us. In the past, the imperial court did not give money for conscription and labor service!

This year is different. They actually give silver, eight cents of silver a month, and food is provided!

In the past, when we worked as laborers for the court, we were often harassed by the supervisors. But this year was different. As long as we worked according to the schedule, there were no harsh words or beatings.

Look, Grand Marshal, that is the overseer."

As the man spoke, he pointed at Mao Yuanyi who was walking towards him from a distance.

As the first veteran of the Xishan Daying Workshop, Mao Yuanyi personally followed up on the projects of the entire Manufacturing Bureau.

Moreover, the Ministry of Works was only responsible for providing craftsmen and raw materials in construction and design, and Mao Yuanyi had the highest decision-making power over the entire construction project.

Mao Yuanyi arrived the earliest and naturally understood Zhang Shikang's ideas for the General Administration of Manufacturing best. Mao Yuanyi himself was also a science and engineering expert.

However, Mao Yuanyi was in a good mood at first, but when he saw Zhang Shikang, his face suddenly fell.

This was almost subconscious. In the past two years, he had expressed his willingness to join the army to Zhang Shikang more than once.

Zhang Shikang always found one excuse or another to stall him. Now, Mao Yuanyi finally realized that Zhang Shikang just didn't want him to go to the war.

"Good morning, General Mao. Have you eaten?" Zhang Shikang greeted with a smile.

"Sir, it's almost noon." Mao Yuanyi said coldly.

"Why don't you go to work? I won't be so nice to you if you delay the construction period!" Mao Yuanyi said to the laborers around him.

"Master Supervisor, even if we try our best, we will not let the Grand Marshal down and will not delay the construction."

As they spoke, a group of people began to carry building materials again and started the construction work.

"What's the matter? You're still angry, General Mao, you should know why I didn't let you go to the battlefield.

What the Ming Dynasty lacks is not generals or soldiers, but technical talents like you. How many times do I have to tell you before you figure it out?"

Of course Zhang Shikang knew why Mao Yuanyi always looked at him in a bad light. The old man was sulking and blamed Mao Yuanyi for always deceiving him and not letting him go to the battlefield.

"Sir, I am not angry." Mao Yuanyi replied.

"Come on, your face betrays you.

I will ask you one last time. If you can answer truthfully, I will take you with me next time I go to fight against the Jianlu." Zhang Shikang said very seriously.

Seeing Zhang Shikang being so serious, Mao Yuanyi said:

"Excuse me, Commander."

“Are you loyal to this country?”

"I dream of returning to the army to serve the court." Mao Yuanyi answered very calmly.

"Are you willing to give your life for this country?"

Zhang Shikang asked again, and Mao Yuanyi still did not hesitate.

"I am willing."

"Well, how heroic! I have never doubted your loyalty to the court.

But General Mao, do you know that if people like you died on the battlefield like other soldiers, it would be a great loss to the court?

You can't deny that your strengths are not in fighting on the battlefield."

Mao Yuanyi fell into deep thought after hearing this. Zhang Shikang knew that this uncle was a stubborn person, so he pointed at the group of laborers working and said:

“Look at those civilians. All they can do for the court is to lend their strength.

Look at those craftsmen. To the imperial court, their craftsmanship is everything.

If those craftsmen told me that they also had to go to the battlefield to kill the enemy, but they clearly did not have strong bodies and martial arts, they should have served the court through their craftsmanship, and dying on the battlefield would be meaningless.

The same goes for you. Please forgive me for my harsh words, but I have already asked people to investigate in detail General Mao’s military performance in Liaodong.

Your record can't be said to be without any highlights, it can only be said to be so-so.

If you can obey military orders, you can lead an army on your own, but that's all.

But in this place, in the Manufacturing General Bureau that is about to be built, you can play a greater role for the court and the entire Ming Dynasty.

If you are truly loyal to the court, you should consider things from the court's perspective, rather than just doing what you think.

What the court needs now is a General Mao who can develop more powerful weapons for the Ming army, rather than a General Mao who carries a sword and may die on the battlefield at any time.

That doesn’t make sense, you see?”

Zhang Shikang said a lot of things in one breath, and they were all his true words.

I have known this uncle for more than two years, and I know that it is difficult to communicate with stubborn guys, but he still spoke.

After hearing those words, Mao Yuanyi frowned and thought for a long time.

No one had ever spoken to him like this before. In front of most people, talking about loyalty to the emperor and serving the country would mean blood on the battlefield and death on the horse's hide.

He also yearned for such heroism. Before being summoned here by Zhang Shikang, he had been living in regret as a criminal general exiled, spending his days drinking.

Yes, he is already 47 years old this year, and the world of war and battle may no longer be suitable for him.

The reason why he was always worried about not being able to go to the battlefield was actually just his obsession.

He had lost on the battlefield and he regretted it, so he longed to return to the battlefield to regain his lost honor.

However, he is no longer young, and even if he goes back and dies on the battlefield, it will be meaningless.

After realizing this, it felt like something in my heart had melted away.

Mao Yuanyi looked at the busy construction site in the distance and the smiling laborers, then knelt on one knee and said to Zhang Shikang:

"I understand. Thank you, Marshal, for your guidance!"

“Just understand, you belong here.

If you really want to serve the court, build this place and develop more powerful weapons for the court. " Zhang Shikang was very pleased and helped Mao Yuanyi up.

Afterwards, Zhang Shikang walked around the construction site under the introduction of Mao Yuanyi and understood the general plan of the area.

Before leaving, Zhang Shikang asked again:

"General Mao, how is Mr. Song doing recently?"

When Mao Yuanyi heard Zhang Shikang mention Song Yingxing, his expression suddenly became a little strange.

"Marshal, where on earth did that fellow named Tang Ruowang come from?

He keeps asking me and Lao Song to believe in their master. It's so annoying. Lao Song has a good temper, but I guess he can't stand it anymore."

……