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

On September 12, the 13th year of Chongzhen, Chen Yuanyuan gave birth to a daughter, and both mother and daughter were safe.

This matter was reported to Emperor Chongzhen through Duke Yingguo, who responded in a letter.

However, the tone of the letter was particularly bland, as if Brother Chongzhen was not very happy, which made Zhang Shikang somewhat puzzled.

As his close comrade-in-arms, his brother didn't even say a word of blessing on such a great occasion as him becoming a father. He is really stingy.

However, this did not stop Zhang Shikang from showing off. After all, this was the first time he became a father after more than two years in Ming Dynasty. Zhang Shikang was so excited that he danced with joy.

He first hugged Sun Weifan and excitedly told him the news, then went to find Sun Dasheng and other brothers, telling everyone he met, "I'm a father now!"

After all, Sun Weifan and Huang Degong were both in their forties and had already understood such things. They just smiled and congratulated him.

Sun Dasheng, Xu Wenyuan and other good brothers from the Second Sons Group were much happier. As good brothers who grew up together, Zhang Shikang becoming a father meant that they would become uncles.

The group of young people were excited for a full half a minute before they finally realized that a war was going on. Moreover, if it weren't for Zhang Shikang's incident, the siege would have already begun.

Zhang Shikang had to suppress his excitement and warned his brothers to fight well, and then he went back to listen to the imperial edict from his brother Chongzhen.

When Zhang Shikang wrote a reply to Brother Chongzhen about his military achievements, he attributed the merits of the Jiangjin Landing Battle and the Battle of Yongchuan to Qin Liangyu. He also stated in the letter that General Qin had fought for the court all his life, and many of his family members had sacrificed their lives for the country. He hoped that Brother Chongzhen would be generous with his rewards.

This certainly had the suspicion of asking for rewards for his subordinates, but Zhang Shikang believed that the court owed Qin Liangyu and the White Spear Soldiers too much, and that it should be compensated while the old general was still alive.

The young eunuch from the palace was not angry. When he saw Zhang Shikang finally returned, he took out the imperial edict from the wooden box and read it out in public.

"The Governor of the Four Provinces, Qin Liangyu, received the order."

Qin Liangyu, who was standing together with Sun Weifan, Huang Degong and other senior generals, was obviously stunned for a moment. When the imperial edict came at this time, everyone could think that it should be a commendation order from the court.

Regarding this battle, everyone naturally believed that Zhang Shikang should be the one who made the greatest contribution.

This is beyond doubt. As the commander-in-chief of the army, Zhang Shikang was the commander-in-chief of this campaign to suppress the bandits.

Although Zhang Shikang was slacking off most of the time, no one questioned him because everyone understood that they and the court were able to have their current status and situation because of Zhang Shikang.

Therefore, neither Qin Liangyu, the actual commander of the Battle of Yongchuan, nor Lu Xiangsheng, who previously commanded the Battle of Jingshui, had any complaints about this, and even felt that it was reasonable.

But now the first commendation order from the court was actually given to her, Qin Liangyu.

Qin Liangyu looked at Zhang Shikang with some confusion, and Zhang Shikang smiled and nodded at her.

Qin Liangyu bowed respectfully in the direction of the capital and said:

"Your Highness, Qin Liangyu has received your order."

The young eunuch spread out the imperial edict and read it out:

"The Emperor, by the Will of Heaven, proclaims:

I believe that military affairs are the backbone of the country, and those who are capable should be responsible for them and bring merit to the country.

I advise you, Mr. Qin, to be of outstanding bravery and not inferior to any man.

At a time when border troubles were raging, bandits were raging, and wars were raging everywhere, you fought bravely, put on your armor and took up your weapons, led your brave soldiers, and defended our Great Ming.

As a result, the bandits were discouraged, the battlefield became peaceful, and the people were able to work and live in peace. This was all thanks to the Qin family.

The great achievements, the broad undertakings and the peace of the southwest all depend on your loyalty, diligence, wisdom and courage.

In the battle of Yongchuan, the old general once again made outstanding contributions, the whole court was happy, and I was very pleased.

The emperor conferred the title of Marquis of Loyalty on Qin Liangyu, granted her a red-lettered iron certificate, awarded her a flying fish robe, and five hundred taels of gold.

Announce it to the world and let everyone know.

Admire this. "

In such an era where men were valued more than women, granting a woman a title of nobility was unprecedented in the entire 200-year history of the Ming Dynasty.

This decree was made with the words "imperial decree" in mind, which was meant to announce it to the world. For a woman, this was an unparalleled honor.

The generals around all looked at the eunuch who announced the decree in surprise.

When Qin Liangyu heard the imperial edict, her face was already filled with tears.

But she was still somewhat confused, or even frightened. Before this, there had never been a precedent in the Ming Dynasty for women to be conferred titles, not to mention that the emperor skipped the title of earl and directly conferred the title of marquis.

As a woman, she initially joined the army only for her husband.

As a hereditary envoy, Ma Qiancheng had the responsibility to defend the territory and keep the people safe. It was precisely because the chieftains had certain privileges that she was able to join the army.

After Ma Qiancheng was framed by a villain, Qin Liangyu had to take over her husband's job and shoulder the responsibility of managing the entire Shiqu because her son Ma Xianglin was still young.

For forty years, Qin Liangyu had only thought about protecting the country and the people and repaying the emperor's kindness, and had never thought about any reward.

She was worried that the emperor's actions would set a bad precedent and cause him to be criticized by court officials and the public.

But the emperor was not here after all, so Qin Liangyu turned her head and looked at Zhang Shikang.

Zhang Shikang smiled at Qin Liangyu with satisfaction. There was no doubt that Brother Chongzhen was still very supportive.

So what if she is a woman? In this time of crisis, whoever can help the court pacify the world will be a hero.

"Old general, you deserve it." Zhang Shikang nodded and said to Qin Liangyu.

With just this sentence, the tears in Qin Liangyu's eyes could no longer be held back, and flowed down the wrinkles on her face.

Seeing Zhang Shikang so calm, Qin Liangyu immediately understood that the Grand Marshal must have contributed to this decree, and she made up her mind.

"Your Majesty, I, Qin Liangyu, accept your order and thank you for your grace!"

Zhang Shikang smiled. Ma Xianglin and Qin Yiming, two strong men in their forties, had tears in their eyes, but because of their age and status, they tried hard to prevent the tears from flowing out.

Compared to Ma Xianglin and Qin Yiming, Ma Lingqi, who was only eighteen years old, didn't care too much. She laughed happily and then started crying, wiping her tears all the time.

Her grandmother is 67 years old this year. At this age, she should have been enjoying her retirement at home, but she knew that her grandmother often went to the Qin family ancestral hall to visit her two uncles whom she had never met.

Grandma was not as resolute as when she led troops in battle, but she had to do so for the sake of her family, for Shiqu City, and for the imperial court.

Seeing that Ma Lingqi's little face was all red from crying, Zhang Shikang wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes and said something to comfort her.

But just this little subconscious action made people around look at him in shock.

That look was even more shocking than seeing the emperor conferring the title of nobility on Qin Liangyu.

Especially Ma Lingqi's father, Ma Xianglin, his eyes were wide open, as if he had seen a ghost.

Before meeting the Grand Marshal, Ma Xianglin and Qin Yiming had often fantasized about what it would be like if their youngest daughter could marry the Grand Marshal.

Because of this incident, he was even scolded by his mother Qin Liangyu.

Of course, Ma Xianglin and Qin Yiming were just talking nonsense, or as later generations would say, they were just fantasizing.

But not long after the Grand Marshal came to Sichuan, things changed. A while ago, the commander of the Grand Marshal's personal guards had a talk with him, and the conversation was ambiguous.

Not long after, the youngest daughter told him that she wanted to join the Marshal's personal guard and do her part to help suppress the bandits.

Besides, since the Marshal asked him personally, he agreed without much thought.

But now thinking about it, it seems that there is a hidden force pushing it forward.

How many days has it been?

The Marshal made such an intimate gesture.

This girl Lingqi, she didn’t even hide!

……