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

"As a marquis, my benefactor would not be interested in the grains grown by your family.

I will set up a longevity tablet for you, and pray for you every day, hoping that you will live a long life!" said another person.

The person who spoke first thought about it and realized that this was true, but he could only scratch his head in embarrassment.

"How is the food provided? Did I tell you about the monthly silver?" Zhang Shikang asked again.

Someone immediately stood up and answered:

"In reply to the benefactor, there is a monthly salary. If you don't miss work, you will get eight cents a month.

As for the food, of course it’s not very filling.”

"Qin Erlangzi! Don't cause trouble for our benefactor!" The man named Qin Erlangzi was scolded by another older man just after he finished speaking.

I think Qin Erlangzi realized that Zhang Shikang was an important figure, and perhaps he only needed to give a few instructions to the supervisors to improve their food.

People at this time can eat a lot, especially those who do heavy work, who can eat three bowls of brown rice.

And these are just the common people. Zhang Shikang has seen how much the soldiers in the military camp eat, especially during long-distance marches and battles. If the army had not implemented food rationing, the soldiers could only finish five bowls of rice.

Zhang Shikang certainly understood what Qin Erlangzi was thinking. He was not angry, but said to the people around him:

“My fellow countrymen, the court is in a very difficult situation. To be honest, even the soldiers in the barracks don’t have enough to eat.

I think everyone can relate to the situation the court has been in over the years.

Thanks to the fact that I killed many corrupt officials last year, the court was able to catch its breath. Your Majesty has mercy on his people, that is, you, and that is why he accepted my proposal for reform.

From then on, the imperial court would give silver when recruiting civilians.

I also hope that you can have enough food, and I hope even more that the soldiers in the army can have enough food.

But you should understand that the court is still in a difficult situation now, and I know you are in a difficult situation too.

But these difficulties need to be overcome by the court and you together. It is not easy for the court to provide money and grain to support the digging of canals for our northern people. "

Zhang Shikang's tone was not loud, but he spoke calmly, as if he was chatting with his fellow villagers. The people around him, especially the elderly, could not help but believe him.

So soon, many young people began to accuse Qin Erlangzi of being greedy.

Zhang Shikang didn't care. The people's hearts have always been like this. When people are greedy, they will swallow an elephant.

Greed and selfishness have always existed widely and will never disappear.

But Zhang Shikang is no longer disappointed now. If you are poor, you should take care of yourself; if you are rich, you should help the world. Sitting in this position, he should do these things.

What the imperial court should do in the future is to promote literacy and popularize patriotic education so that they can understand the truth, because only in this way will there be more people who can help the world.

"Don't blame him too much. It's human nature." Seeing that Qin Erlangzi was about to cry because of being bullied, Zhang Shikang shook his head to stop him.

“No matter what, the imperial court has finally breathed a sigh of relief, and the people of the world have also breathed a sigh of relief.

What you need to do in the future is to work hard and grow more food.

Life will get better, and the court will one day ensure that everyone has enough food to eat.

This is my promise, Zhang Shikang. Come on, do your best! "

After Zhang Shikang finished speaking, he bowed to the militiamen and returned to the temporary camp of the Guards amid their farewell voices.

On the afternoon of April 11, Zhang Shikang led 10,000 guards to arrive at the Xishan camp.

He left all the chores in the military camp to Sun Weifan, and rode back to his hometown, the Duke of Ying's Mansion in the capital, with a team of personal guards.

His father had gone fishing with Xincheng Hou Wang Guoxing and had not been seen. Zhang Shikang greeted his mother and was just about to go to his room to lie down for a while when he received an imperial edict from the palace.

In fact, Zhang Shikang informed Emperor Chongzhen of many arrangements for this border patrol in real time through the factory guards. Therefore, he was summoned as soon as he got home, which made Zhang Shikang feel unhappy.

He thought to himself that it would be great if there was something serious, so he got on the carriage to the palace again.

Forbidden City, Qianqing Palace.

The spring day was getting warmer, and the mid-afternoon sunlight shone into the hall through the open windows. Emperor Chongzhen, who had already dealt with the memorials, was walking around the hall bored.

A month ago, he received news that his right-hand minister Zhang Shikang, with just one strategy, not only won Guan Ningjin's heart, but also wiped out a full 10,000 elite troops of the Jiannu Army in one fell swoop.

Half a month ago, he received news that the reorganization of the Huben Army was completed and all the military commanders had returned.

Even though he had confidence in Zhang Shikang's ability, when Emperor Chongzhen learned the news, he was so happy that he wished Zhang Shikang was right in front of him so that he could praise him in person.

Therefore, whenever Zhang Shikang made a request, such as giving the three titles to Zu's family and adding some honorary titles to Zu's family members, Emperor Chongzhen would readily issue an edict to approve it.

But he hadn't seen his humerus for more than two months. When the director of the East Factory told him that Marquis Guanjun had led the guards to the Xishan camp, Emperor Chongzhen immediately ordered a summons.

It’s nothing, just happiness.

If we really have to find a reason, it is that Emperor Chongzhen was a bit bored.

In the past, when the court was in financial difficulties and the country was facing internal and external troubles, Emperor Chongzhen always had endless government affairs to deal with, so he often had to stay up until midnight.

But since Zhang Shikang entered the court, especially after he no longer had to deal with military affairs related to the war, Emperor Chongzhen felt a lot more relaxed.

Later, Zhang Shikang killed almost all the officials in the court. Although there were a few newly promoted officials like Hai Zhongqi who still liked to find fault, most officials did not dare to kill those who remonstrated with him.

This meant that Emperor Chongzhen could basically handle all government affairs in the afternoon.

Then the problem arose. When Emperor Chongzhen had some free time, he actually felt a little at a loss as to what to do.

In fact, he had discovered this problem a long time ago. After handling government affairs every day, he would move around inside and outside the Qianqing Palace. Occasionally, the girl Kunyi would come over and talk to him for a while.

But it still feels boring.

People are often like this. Once they get used to being busy, they feel uneasy when they have some free time.

This went on for a long time, and as soon as he heard that Zhang Shikang had returned, he immediately summoned him.

Because that kid always finds things to do for him, and when he is bored, it is extremely interesting to listen to this kid bragging.

Emperor Chongzhen missed this boy, but he would not tell anyone else. However, his two children, Kunyi and the prince, did not hide it.

Ever since Zhang Shikang set out to patrol the border, his two children have asked many times when their master Zhang will come back.

Less than half an hour later, Emperor Chongzhen finally saw the familiar figure.

Still the familiar expression, still the complaining tone:

"Your Majesty, I have been traveling all day and am almost exhausted.

What do you want? Can't you call me tomorrow?"

……