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

On the battlefield, one must compete with the enemy in a battle of wits and courage; in the court, one must also compete with the court officials in a battle of wits and courage.

The implementation of any new policy is a destruction of old malpractices and will encounter all kinds of strange opposition.

Zhang Shikang could actually understand the depression in the hearts of Hai Zhongqi and others.

But this is the truth. Anyone who dares to stop the revival of the Ming Dynasty will be the enemy of him and his brother Chongzhen.

There is no need to be merciful to the enemy.

Although the method Zhang Shikang proposed was not very glorious, it made Hai Zhongqi feel uncomfortable as if a piece of dog shit was stuck in his throat.

But the truth is there, and the law cannot hold everyone responsible. If this is really the case, the Confucian scholars in the world will not know who to curse.

Curse all the court officials? Do they dare? Do they still want to be officials?

Therefore, the biggest difficulty in the reform of the imperial examination system was perfectly solved with the concerted efforts of Zhang Shikang and Emperor Chongzhen.

Everyone began to discuss the specific content of the reform, and Zhang Shikang suggested that science and engineering must be placed on the same level as the Jinshi subject.

It cannot be like the Ming Suan exam in the Sui and Tang dynasties, where even if one passed the exam, one could only become a minor official of the eighth or ninth rank. In that case, there would be no point in changing it or not.

After the biggest problem was solved, Hai Zhongqi and others did not object to this item much.

There was only a dispute over the admission ratio, and it was finally decided that the ratio of science and engineering to Jinshi was four to six.

That is to say, with a fixed number of admissions each year, four are selected from science and engineering subjects, and six are selected from the Jinshi subject.

As for the specific examination contents of science and engineering, Zhang Shikang did not discuss it with Li Banghua and others. He believed that although these cabinet ministers were knowledgeable, they were still far behind Bi Maokang, Wang Zheng, Song Yingxing and others when it came to professional knowledge of science and engineering.

The court meeting lasted until noon. After Li Banghua and others left in frustration, Zhang Shikang thought his brother would invite him to have lunch.

After the court meeting ended, Emperor Chongzhen left the Qianqing Palace with a heavy heart.

Zhang Shikang had nothing to do, so he followed Brother Chongzhen, wanting to see what he was going to do.

After leaving the Qianqing Palace, the two turned left and right and walked to a garden inside the palace.

There were double the number of guards standing at the two entrances and exits of the garden. Zhang Shikang was a little confused at first, but as soon as he entered the garden, his face was filled with black lines.

But in the center of the garden, all the precious flowers and plants had been removed, leaving a large open space.

The open space was divided into several pieces by fences, most of which were still empty, with only traces of the original flowers, plants and trees being removed.

One of the plots of land had already been planted with sweet potato vines. Emperor Chongzhen was worried that the vines would die if they were not planted early, so on the night he received the seeds, he ordered Wang Chengen to quickly make room.

He also felt that it was not good for an emperor to do these things if seen by outsiders, so not only did he double the number of guards in this small garden, but he also prohibited his concubines from entering and leaving at will.

"Your Majesty, can you tell me why you suddenly like farming so much?"

Zhang Shikang watched Brother Chongzhen pick up the hoe and actually hoe the ground, and couldn't help but ask curiously.

Emperor Chongzhen did not say a word, but just loosened the soil clumsily. After working for a while, he panted and said:

“I have been busy with government affairs for more than ten years, and I have only seen plants and trees, but I don’t know them.

Mr. Yangming once said, "Knowing but not doing is not knowing."

I only know about spring flowers and autumn fruits from books, but I have never truly felt a bouquet of flowers blooming, nor have I ever seen spring flowers and autumn fruits with my own eyes.

I went to the farmland that day and saw the green seedlings swaying in the wind and growing vigorously.

I have no other thoughts but to see with my own eyes how these seedlings take root, sprout, and become fruitful. "

After Emperor Chongzhen finished speaking, he started hoeing the ground again.

Zhang Shikang was confused by what he heard, and had an expression of bewilderment. He felt that it was a bit nonsensical, so he scratched his head and was about to leave the garden.

"Why haven't you taken the prince and Kunyi out to study recently?

Wuji, since you are their master, you should be responsible for teaching them.

If there is nothing urgent to do in the afternoon, go and take them with you. If you don’t know the affairs of the people, how can you truly understand them?”

"No, Your Majesty, teach the Crown Prince to understand, but why do you have to bring Her Royal Highness the Princess along?"

Zhang Shikang actually never really understood that there was always some benefit in lecturing the prince and letting the child know how complicated the world was.

But weren't the princesses of the Ming Dynasty all raised like greenhouse flowers in the palace, and when they reached the age, they would just find a prince consort and be done with it?

Why should he teach?

Kunyi is a strange girl. Ever since he ran away with his brother and sister last time, she would blush whenever she saw him.

"You'll understand later."

After saying this, Emperor Chongzhen continued to farm.

Zhang Shikang was completely confused. He couldn't figure it out, so he simply gave up thinking about it and headed straight for the Wenhua Hall.

Wenhua Palace is where the prince usually studies. When Zhang Shikang arrived at Wenhua Palace, Princess Kunyi was also studying.

The brother and sister were very happy to see Zhang Shikang coming. After Zhang Shikang took them around the capital, the great principles in the books seemed to no longer attract Zhu Cilang.

So Zhang Shikang packed up the brother and sister and took them away despite the displeased look on the face of the teaching official, whom he did not even know.

He first took the brother and sister to the Xishan Camp and informed Bi Maokang and others that the court was planning to reform the imperial examination system and include science and engineering subjects in the assessment.

This incident caused an uproar among Bi Maokang and others. Wang Zheng even burst into tears after hearing the news. As a veteran official and scientist, he was well aware of the importance of science and engineering to the national economy and people's livelihood.

Of course, they have been immersed in the Ming officialdom for decades and they also know how much resistance the reform of the imperial examination system will encounter.

Even though Zhang Shikang's words were downplayed, several white-haired old scientists still bowed to Zhang Shikang very solemnly to express their admiration.

Of course, Zhang Shikang did not come here to show off, but to call a meeting of science and engineering leaders such as Wang Zheng, Bi Maokang, and Song Yingxing to discuss the specific subjects and assessment standards of science and engineering.

After all, everyone has their own expertise. As a qualified hands-off manager, Zhang Shikang knows best how to select and assign the right people to the right positions.

Upon hearing this, Wang Zheng and others excitedly assured that they would not disappoint Zhang Shikang's expectations and promised to get the matter done.

Zhang Shikang waved his hand and took Zhu Cilang and his sister to a construction site not far from the General Manufacturing Administration.

It was a porcelain workshop built by a group of nobles who jointly raised funds. Since they provided enough money, the porcelain workshop was basically completed although it took only more than two months.

The nobles had large families, great wealth and many connections, and in more than two months, they not only built the workshop, but also hired all the workers and craftsmen.

It can be said that everything is ready, only the east wind is missing.

The ones keeping an eye on the porcelain workshop today are the ones who care most about the future of trade, Chen Yanzuo, Marquis of Taining, and Song Yude, Marquis of Xining, two of the eight assistant managers of Liansheng Chamber of Commerce.

After a conversation, Chen Yanzuo said happily:

"My dear nephew, our porcelain workshop has been built, but this plaque has been waiting for your calligraphy!"

“Yes, Duke Dingguo wanted to write it himself, but we both vetoed his idea.

Nephew, as our leader, of course this plaque must be written in your calligraphy!" Song Yude said half flatteringly and half seriously.

Zhang Shikang's face was full of black lines.

Calligraphy...are you two brothers serious about this?

His calligraphy was well-known in the military camp for being ugly. The military orders he wrote were not even as good as those of the old generals who could not read.

But this did not pose a problem for Zhang Shikang. He smiled and glanced at Zhu Cilang and said:

"Your Highness, why don't you write it?"

……