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

But it is not so easy to change the thinking of an adult. Although Emperor Chongzhen could not refute it, he felt that such a thing would never happen.

In fact, he had met several Europeans. Johann Adam Schall von Bell had presented him with books before, and the little Frenchman had also met him once.

Those Europeans would kneel down before him respectfully. They just wanted to ask him to open up Ming Dynasty’s maritime trade and do business with Ming Dynasty.

Moreover, those European countries were so far away from the Ming Dynasty that Emperor Chongzhen did not think that there would be such a big conflict that would necessitate a war.

But seeing Zhang Shikang was so determined, he could only say:

"I can allow you to forge cannons, but if the lack of copper coins leads to unrest, I will hold you accountable."

Since he thinks that we should vigorously develop the copper cannon, then let's develop it. Anyway, this guy is a jack of all trades. If there are any problems, let him solve them.

"Alas, Your Majesty, I only regret that I didn't bring a cell phone with me, otherwise I would have let you take a look at those treaties no matter what." Zhang Shikang sighed.

He had already seen that the old man still didn't really believe what he said, and only based on his trust in him did he allow him to continue using copper, which was in short supply in the Ming Dynasty, to cast copper cannons.

He remembered that he had read a book called Carrying AK to Ming Dynasty. The stupid protagonist in the book not only brought more than a hundred guns to Ming Dynasty, but also brought a cell phone.

Just tell me if it’s outrageous or not?

If Zhang Shikang had a mobile phone now, he must be allowed to see what the scene would be like if the Eight-Nation Alliance arrived at his doorstep.

Emperor Chongzhen could not win the argument with Zhang Shikang, and Zhang Shikang could not accept Emperor Chongzhen for a while. After the two of them talked at cross purposes for a while, Zhang Shikang left the palace.

However, before leaving, Emperor Chongzhen agreed. After finishing government affairs the next afternoon, he would follow Zhang Shikang out of the palace to inspect the projects he mentioned.

However, when Zhang Shikang left this time, the palace had already prepared a carriage for him.

Wang Chengen and Zhang Shikang rode in the same carriage. Wang Chengen was originally going to the Duke of Yingguo's Mansion in person, and Zhang Shikang just took him along.

Behind the carriage, there were several groups of people, including a group of Jinyiwei generals and a group of eunuchs.

Those eunuchs were holding boxes of various sizes in their hands. They were the rewards Zhang Shikang received after he was conferred the title of Duke of Zhenguo. In addition to the Duke's official uniform, ivory plaques and imperial edicts, there were also other things bestowed by Emperor Chongzhen.

When Zhang Shikang returned home, his father Zhang Zhiji did not go fishing, but was with his mother Sun, and the whole family was waiting to receive the imperial edict.

There were two dukes in the same family. Before this, only the Xu family had such a family in the entire Ming Dynasty. However, Duke Wei was stripped of his title for participating in the rebellion.

Theoretically speaking, their Zhang family is now the only noble family in the Ming Dynasty with two dukedoms.

This is a great honor for any family.

Moreover, Emperor Chongzhen still gave the iron certificate this time, and it was still a hereditary title of Duke. Since the reign of Emperor Chengzu, the Ming Dynasty had never conferred the title of Duke, let alone hereditary title.

The title of Marshal of the Army above Zhang Shikang might be more honorable, but everyone understood that it was just a military position. Even if Zhang Shikang could hold it forever, it would be impossible for him to pass it on to future generations.

The problem is that even if Zhang Shikang could raise a son of extraordinary talent in the future, and even if the current emperor or his future successor agreed to let his son inherit the position of Marshal of the Army, the Zhang family would definitely not dare to accept it.

That's the real way to die.

The Zhang family received Wang Chengen's team very grandly. Zhang Shikang exchanged a few words and went back to his house. He didn't care about fame, wealth or power. He only knew that he was very tired and wanted to sleep.

The next day, Zhang Shikang got up very late, stretched, ate a few bites of food, then put on his shorts and started exercising.

Even though he always wanted to lie down, what he thought of as lying down did not mean literally lying in bed all day long. Rather, it meant not having to work and being able to do whatever he wanted. Of course, he could also do nothing.

Zhang Shikang believed that no matter what position or status one was in, one must have a good body, as the saying goes, the body is the capital of revolution.

No matter what, Zhang Shikang had to run fast enough, otherwise there would be too many assassins and he would be finished if he was not careful.

Zhang Shikang ran and did frog jumps around the inner courtyard of the Duke's Mansion. Fortunately, the servants in the Duke's Mansion were already used to it and let Zhang Shikang do whatever he wanted.

After lunch, Zhang Shikang took a carriage and headed towards the imperial city with a large group of guards.

This time he brought a full thousand personal guards with him. He came to the imperial city to pick up Brother Chongzhen from the palace.

Soon, Brother Chongzhen, dressed in casual clothes, boarded the carriage under the protection of Fang Zhenghua and dozens of palace guards.

Along the way, Zhang Shikang chatted with Emperor Chongzhen, who would occasionally lift the curtain of the carriage to look outside. He had not left the palace since his last imperial expedition, and he still felt fresh about the outside of the palace.

Emperor Chongzhen still did not make a big fanfare this time, but left the palace dressed as a royal family member. He was only 30 years old this year, and standing next to Zhang Shikang, apart from looking a little old, he did not look too out of place.

The carriage took half an hour to arrive at the Xishan camp. Along the way, Zhang Shikang kept muttering about when he could find rubber.

One of the main reasons why the carriage runs slowly is that it has wooden wheels. If it runs too fast, people will feel unbearable. The factory guards have actually been looking for this thing, but they have not found it until now.

Zhang Shikang got off the carriage, and Emperor Chongzhen followed Zhang Shikang into the Xishan camp.

The soldiers in the camp saluted respectfully when they saw Zhang Shikang, but no one paid attention to Emperor Chongzhen because he was wearing casual clothes.

Zhang Shikang brought Emperor Chongzhen directly to the firearms workshop in the Xishan camp, where the firearms workshop was bustling with activity.

Bi Maokang and Johann Adam Schall Johann Adam Schall von Bell were discussing something over some papers on the table, while a group of craftsmen were melting copper and making molds.

"Greetings, Lord Marquis!" Seeing Zhang Shikang coming, Bi Maokang quickly stopped what he was doing and saluted Zhang Shikang.

"Master Bi, maybe you should call him Master!" Fang Zhenghua reminded with a smile.

Bi Maokang then noticed Fang Zhenghua, but he was wondering why Fang Zhenghua followed him. When he glanced at the people around Fang Zhenghua, their eyes widened.

Bi Maokang had previously served in the imperial court and had even become a high-ranking official in one of the six ministries, so naturally he knew Emperor Chongzhen.

Bi Maokang was about to salute when he saw Emperor Chongzhen shook his head slightly, signaling him not to make it public.

The craftsmen here are working hard. If his identity is exposed, no one will be able to do anything.

Bi Maokang could only salute Emperor Chongzhen, and then go to remind Johann Adam Schall von Bell, who had also met Emperor Chongzhen. He was frowning and concentrating on calculating something, and did not even notice someone coming to the workshop.

After being reminded by Bi Maokang, he excitedly ran over and knelt down in front of Emperor Chongzhen.

This was the second time that Johann Adam Schall von Bell met the Emperor of the Ming Dynasty. Although Bi Maokang did not allow him to make it public, he still refused to observe the proper etiquette.

Tang Ruowang was still very excited. Now he not only got to know the Marshal of the Ming Dynasty, but also met the Emperor of the Ming Dynasty again.

Thinking that once he had completed the cannon casting task, the Ming Dynasty would definitely help him spread the glory of the Lord, Tang Ruowang stood up and saluted Zhang Shikang again, saying:

"Marshal! I have good news for you. There has been a breakthrough in the development of the copper cannon!"

……