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

When everyone heard this, their faces changed. They all thought that Zhang Shikang had some incurable disease and surrounded him anxiously.

"I'm not sick, but I can't eat, drink and have fun with you guys anymore.

Come, drink this cup with me. After finishing this cup, I will leave. You guys can continue to eat and have fun. "

Zhang Shikang picked up the wine, looking like he had something important to do and didn't want to waste time talking to them.

Everyone panicked when they heard this. From childhood to adulthood, it was always Zhang Shikang who took the lead in eating, drinking, playing, and fighting together.

Now Zhang Shikang suddenly said this and wanted to draw a clear line between them. They were just teenagers with very bad tempers.

Without Zhang Shikang leading them, who will lead them to play in the future? Just now, they almost had an internal conflict because of a trivial matter. They would not accept anyone as the big brother except Zhang Shikang.

Among the group of people, apart from Zhang Shikang, Xu Wenyuan, the second son of Duke Dingguo, was the oldest. He pressed down Zhang Shikang's hand that was holding up the wine glass and said carefully:

"Brother, why do you say that? Have you brothers done anything wrong? If you have, just tell me who it is. I, Xu Wenyuan, will be the first to deal with him!"

Sun Dasheng, who had been following Zhang Shikang for a long time, was also very excited:

"Yeah, big brother. Without you, who will lead the group? Wang Jingduo? I, Sun Dasheng, will be the first to disagree!"

"Except for my eldest brother, no one else will accept me."

"Brother, you can't abandon us."

"Why?"

……

The small group was chattering away, and had never faced such a big crisis since it was formed.

There was a commotion in the private room. The waiter waiting outside the door was worried that a fight might break out, so he carefully pried open the door and looked inside. Sun Dasheng was feeling upset and had no place to vent, so he grabbed the wine jug and threw it over.

The waiter covered his forehead and went to find the shopkeeper. The shopkeeper of course knew the backgrounds of those young men upstairs, so he scolded the waiter and told him to just do his job well.

He couldn't afford to offend the group of people upstairs.

After a while of commotion, everyone was asking Zhang Shikang the reason. Some of the younger ones felt abandoned and shed tears, while most people just drank in silence, feeling aggrieved.

Seeing that the atmosphere was almost created, Zhang Shikang finally told the "truth".

"It is indeed because of the three additional taxes imposed by the imperial court. Now the national treasury is in a tight spot and the national affairs are difficult. There are the Jian Nu outside and the bandits inside.

I heard that there have been disasters in Shaanxi, Shanxi and Henan, and Your Majesty has been unable to sleep at night.

Your Majesty has been living frugally and working hard for state affairs, while we, as nobles of the imperial court and blessed by the emperor for generations, have spent our days eating, drinking and having fun.

Whenever I think of your majesty like this, I feel ashamed. Alas! "

Teenagers are the most easily influenced, not to mention that Zhang Shikang did it on purpose. As the eldest brother, he took the lead in sighing, and the other younger brothers naturally felt the same way.

Sun Dasheng looked at the meat in his hand, wondering whether to eat it or not.

"The reason why bandits are everywhere in our Ming Dynasty is because the people can't eat. Now if the court continues to increase taxes on these people who already have no way to make a living, do you know what will happen?"

"Of course they'll all become bandits. At least they'll have a way to survive."

Sun Dasheng threw the meat in his hand back onto the plate and muttered.

"No wonder my father told me that the number of bandits has increased over the past few years."

"There's a bad guy in the court!"

"Yes, your Majesty must have been bewitched by treacherous officials and villains."

Zhang Shikang waved his hand and everyone fell silent again.

"To be honest with you, brothers, I have already asked my father for permission, and I will probably go to the palace to see the emperor in the next two days.

In the future I may not have time to eat, drink, play and have fun with my brothers. I need to make progress in the future.

For your majesty, and for myself."

Zhang Shikang emphasized the words "eating, drinking and having fun", as if he was expressing his determination and also seemed to be mocking their current style.

"Brother is going to the palace to see the emperor!"

Even if they were the children of noble families, they were shocked by this matter. Although most of them had seen the emperor when they were young, this was completely different. When they were young, they all followed their fathers.

Now their eldest brother was meeting the emperor alone, and what he was talking about was a matter of great importance. Seeing Zhang Shikang's solemn and confident expression, everyone admired him even more.

In addition to admiration, yearning is also revealed on their faces. Eating, drinking and having fun for so many years is no longer new to them.

Young people like new things and have been fearless since childhood. So what if there is nothing wrong with meeting the emperor? If my elder brother goes, why can't I go?

Someone whispered:

"Brother, we agreed earlier that we would do everything together. How can you carry such a heavy burden alone? We can also go to see the emperor."

"We share happiness and difficulties. Big brother shouldn't take us with him. For such a big matter, he should take us with him."

"Yes, let's make progress together!"

"Brother, I want to make progress too!"

"Let's make progress together."

With someone taking the lead, when people hear that they can follow the big brother and accomplish great things, how can they not agree?

Sun Dasheng responded with a roar and grabbed the meat on the plate again.

"Nonsense!" Zhang Shikang said angrily.

"You think you're going to meet the emperor to play house?

Besides, I was prepared when I went to advise Your Majesty. In order to stop the treacherous ministers from levying three additional taxes, I had to find a way to raise money for the court.

My father and I have already discussed it. The Duke of England is willing to donate 300,000 taels of family property. Can you do it?

My father is aware of this, but does your father have this awareness?"

When the plot is revealed, the dagger is revealed.

The series of rhetorical questions were like knives, making those who spoke directly unable to raise their heads and feel powerless.

The atmosphere became dull, with only Zhang Shikang's voice echoing in their minds.

Sun Dasheng was full and broke the silence by wiping his mouth.

"Brother, don't worry about us. My father doesn't have much awareness, but I can help him become aware."

Sun Dasheng talked about a path that no one had ever imagined.

Yes, the father is not aware of the situation. As a son, can’t I help him?

Seeing everyone's expressions of sudden enlightenment, Sun Dasheng felt that he was a genius. Even Zhang Shikang took a second look at this guy and felt that Sun Dasheng was so adorable.

"I can also help my father to make progress. My family will give out 100,000 taels to help Your Majesty solve his problems." Someone in the crowd made a prompt decision, as if he had done something extraordinary.

"I heard from my brother that the family has 180,000 taels of silver in cash. I will donate... 200,000 taels on behalf of my father to help my eldest brother! And also to relieve His Majesty's worries!"

The one who spoke was the youngest son of Wu'an Marquis, who was only 16 years old. He had been crying just now, but now with Xu Wenyuan taking the lead, he suddenly became very motivated.

"I overheard my brother talking to my father at the beginning of the year. My family has at least 150,000 taels. Big brother, I also want to be aware of this for my father."

Wang Jingduo, who was always looked down upon as timid and cowardly, stood up straight for a rare moment.

"I'll donate 300,000 taels on behalf of my father!" Xu Wenyuan finally got the chance, and his voice was several degrees higher than that of others.

"Does your family have so much silver?" Zhang Shikang glared at Xu Wenyuan.

This is a big deal, he doesn't want a blank check.

Xu Wenyuan hesitated for a long time. He really didn't know how much cash he had at home.

"Don't be in a hurry to show your loyalty to His Majesty. Think carefully after you return. What we are doing is not a small matter. We must act within our capabilities.

If you don’t know your family’s financial situation, find a way to find it out when you go back.

If you are really determined to follow me and do great things together, please send someone to send me a message before dark tomorrow.

The most important thing is that it must be kept secret until it is accomplished. If anyone dares to leak it..."

"Whoever dares to leak it, I, Sun Dasheng, will teach him a lesson on behalf of Big Brother."

"Not only will he be beaten, but he will never be brought along for anything in the future."

"Yes, let's do it!"

Everyone quickly reached a consensus.

Zhang Shikang finally picked up the wine glass again, and the others also grinned.

This is the first time in their lives that they are so high-spirited. It is a completely different feeling from the usual fighting and playing.

"Come! Let's drink this cup together for our father!"

"Cheers, to our dad!"

The door of the private room suddenly opened and a thin figure squeezed in.

"Brother, count me in, count me in."

……