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

This is too dangerous!

However, after hearing this, Emperor Chongzhen smiled complacently and said:

"What's wrong?

I have long seen that you, boy, have never been willing to kneel down.

As for the Nine Gifts, it is just an ancient ritual. I gave it to you because I know your character. If it were anyone else, I would not allow it!"

Emperor Chongzhen had a good memory. He still remembered that when Zhang Shikang first met him, he was very reluctant to kneel down.

Although I would kneel again after that, I would hesitate every time, just waiting for him to say "no thanks".

As soon as he said that, this kid would definitely refuse to kneel.

Emperor Chongzhen did not care much about these empty rituals. Of course, this was only limited to Zhang Shikang himself.

But after playing this out over and over again, Emperor Chongzhen was a little annoyed, so he simply told the kid not to kneel.

"What? Zhang Wuji, you are afraid of this?"

Seeing Zhang Shikang pouting as if he was still frightened, Emperor Chongzhen was delighted and whispered teasingly.

"Your Majesty, I already have four children. It would be terrible if you just abandon me!" Zhang Shikang said honestly.

Chen Zhu'er gave birth to a daughter on November 19, the 13th year of Chongzhen, and Zhang Shikang named the fourth daughter Zhang Qiling.

It’s strange to say, but Zhang Shikang’s thoughts have changed a lot since he had a child.

Although I missed my parents in the past, I always felt that I was alone and could do anything with ease.

He thought he would always have this mentality, but once he became a father, he naturally had to think about his wife and children.

As his achievements grew and his power grew, Zhang Shikang couldn't help but have some bad thoughts.

Although my brother trusts him now, what about the future?

This was the first time Zhang Shikang had spoken of such a thing so seriously. When Emperor Chongzhen heard this, his face suddenly fell and he said angrily:

"I don't allow you to say such things!"

"Then why don't you just give up the Nine Gifts and just give some silver as a reward, or something else will be fine.

It is not appropriate to add these nine gifts." Zhang Shikang muttered.

"The decree has been read out in public, do you want me to change my order every day?

What if I give you something else as a reward? Do you want me to give you a higher rank?

You are already a Duke, it may not be so easy to bring it up again.

Unless... you can solve the problem in the north for me, I can still consider it."

Emperor Chongzhen's face changed rapidly. He felt that he had found the handle to control this kid.

"Your Majesty, please let me be quiet for a while. I have not had a good New Year since I entered the court." Zhang Shikang continued to pout and accepted the reward reluctantly.

The emperor and his minister were whispering to each other, sometimes laughing and sometimes angry, leaving the surrounding court officials confused.

You have to know that this happened on the street. Everyone knew that the king and his subject had a good relationship, but they didn't expect it to be so good that they would whisper to each other in public.

However, all the court officials kept their mouths shut at the same time. Some looked up at the sky, saying, "Don't believe in rumors, don't spread rumors, I didn't hear anything."

After the king and his ministers had discussed the matter, Wang Chengen continued to read:

"The imperial decree promulgates the title of Huaining Marquis Sun Weifan to the rank of Huaiguo Duke, and grants him a hereditary title of marquis. He is also granted an iron certificate, a python robe, three hundred taels of gold, and five thousand taels of silver.

Huang Degong, the Earl of Wugong, was promoted to Marquis of Wugong and a hereditary Earl. He was granted a red-lettered iron certificate, a flying fish robe, and two hundred taels of gold.

Cao Bianjiao, the Earl of Annan, was made Marquis of Annan in the Jin Dynasty. He was a hereditary earl and was granted a red-lettered iron certificate, a flying fish robe, and two hundred taels of gold.

……

Jinglu Bo Sun won a great victory and was granted the hereditary title, a red-lettered iron certificate, a bullfighting suit, and one hundred taels of gold.

Xu Wenyuan, the Earl of Bazhou, was granted the hereditary title, a red-lettered iron certificate, a bullfighting suit, and one hundred taels of gold.

Jingduo, the King of Nanpi, was granted the hereditary title, a red-lettered iron certificate, a bullfighting suit, and one hundred taels of gold.

Zheng Chong, the Marquis of Wuyi, was granted the hereditary title, a red-lettered iron certificate, a douniu suit, and one hundred taels of gold.

……

Ma Xianglin, the envoy of Shiqu, was granted the title of Marquis of Po Lu and General of the Cavalry, and was given an iron certificate, a douniu suit, and one hundred taels of gold.

Qin Yiming, the general of Wuwei, was granted the title of Fenwu Bo, an iron certificate, a bullfighting suit, and one hundred taels of gold.

Mao Yuanyi, the director of the Weapon Bureau, was awarded the title of Krupp for his contribution to firearms, and was given an iron certificate, a bullfighting suit, and fifty taels of gold.

Bi Maokang, who worked in the weapons bureau, was granted the title of Earl of Jiyun for his contribution to firearms. He was also given an iron certificate, a bullfighting uniform, and fifty taels of gold.

I hope that all military officers in the world will take me as an example, work together with one heart and one mind, and build a prosperous and peaceful Ming Dynasty.

Announce it to the world and let everyone know.

Admire this. "

With one imperial edict, the Ming Dynasty added a dozen hereditary marquises and the Marquis of Huaining was promoted to Duke of Huaiguo.

When was the last time the Ming Dynasty added a duke?

All the court officials were thinking that the reward was quite generous.

Compared with before, the efficiency of military generals in improving their titles and honors is much higher.

The repeated rewards over the past three years have made soldiers all over the world realize that as long as they dare to fight and win battles, rapid advancement to the top will be a piece of cake.

The rewards for the last two people are a bit interesting.

It turned out that they were two people who did not participate in this war. Bi Maokang's court officials knew that they were the two people who did not participate in the war, after all, they had served in the court.

But who is Mao Yuanyi? Everyone thought about it, but still couldn't guess.

However, the imperial edict did state clearly that firearms were used. According to the Sichuan battle report, the reason for the great victory this time was also related to the advantages of Ming Dynasty's firearms.

Especially the instantaneous fire gun and the large copper cannon that almost exhausted the copper mine reserves of the imperial court, I think these two people should be the main reformers.

However, the fact that he was awarded a title for his contribution to firearms still made people present sigh with admiration.

Hearing these two names, Zhang Shikang's mouth curled up. This was of course the credit for his invitation to General Mao and Grandpa Bi.

Otherwise, given Chongzhen's character, it would be impossible for him to reward these two people.

However, Zhang Shikang felt that both of them were worth it. It was precisely because of the sophisticated firearms that the Guards did not have to suffer the pain of siege.

Without these firearms, the casualties of the Guards would have been considerable.

Isn't it a great achievement if it can reduce the number of deaths in wars?

The generals who received rewards after Zhang Shikang's death were of course very happy, and among them, the happiest was the former Marquis of Huaining, Sun Weifan.

The Sun family had held the title of Marquis of Huaining for two hundred years. Finally, he had made a great contribution. He, Sun Weifan, would be a duke in the future.

Although his descendants' inherited title was downgraded, they were still hereditary marquises, but they would have to fight many battles in the future following their nephew Zhang Shikang.

As long as he keeps fighting, who says he can't keep the title of Duke?

Sun Weifan was happy, and Sun Dasheng also grinned. The father and son smiled at each other. Sun Weifan hugged his son and said excitedly:

"Son! His Majesty has rewarded us two with five thousand taels of silver.

It’s been almost three years, and our family’s debt can finally be paid off!”

……