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

He could understand that the Donglin Party impeached him, after all, they were not of the same race and their hearts must be different.

Although Zhang Shikang was determined to obtain some military equipment and supplies from Yang Sichang, he also wanted to negotiate with him, hoping that he would put the overall situation first.

After all, the Donglin Party were all watching the joke from the sidelines!

But he never expected that before Zhang Shikang went to find Yang Sichang, this bastard actually attacked him first.

Zhang Shikang thought about it over and over again, but couldn't figure out how he had offended him. What the Beijing Army did had nothing to do with his suppression of bandits. He really couldn't figure out why Yang Sichang did this.

Could it be that Yang Sichang knew what he said when he first met Chongzhen?

Zhang Shikang remembered that he had told Emperor Chongzhen at that time that anyone who proposed levying three taxes should be executed.

But if Brother Chongzhen had no problem with his brain, he would never tell anyone about this. There were only two of them in the hall at the time, and Wang Chengen personally stood guard outside the hall to prevent anyone from eavesdropping.

After thinking about it over and over again, Zhang Shikang still couldn't figure it out, so he simply gave up thinking about it. Since you, Yang Sichang, want to make the Donglin Party laugh at you, then do as you wish. I won't suffer this loss in silence.

Thinking of this, Zhang Shikang said:

"I have no grudge against Yang Gebu, why is he picking on me?

The 100,000 tons of grain and fodder that the Ministry of Revenue provided to the Beijing Army was approved by Your Majesty himself. How dare he trip them up behind their backs?

Even if Yang Sichang was interfering, how could the Ministry of Revenue dare to disobey the order? They are in cahoots with each other!"

Although Emperor Chongzhen was already dissatisfied with Yang Sichang because of the Three Taxes incident, for the sake of the overall situation, Zhang Shikang still did not regard Yang Sichang as an enemy.

It is not easy to support the mess of the Ming Dynasty. You have to guard against the enemy and other people. Is this how you play it?

"Don't worry, Shikang. I have already summoned him to the palace. I will ask him in person later."

Emperor Chongzhen was actually in a difficult situation. Yang Sichang would go out to suppress the bandits the day after tomorrow. Suppressing the bandits was the most important matter for the court at the moment, and discord between the monarch and his subjects was a big taboo.

Although it was unclear why Yang Sichang did this, Emperor Chongzhen did not want the two people he currently relied on to have any grudges against each other. He knew that Zhang Shikang was unhappy and did not plead for Yang Sichang.

Upon hearing this, Zhang Shikang snorted in his heart, ignored Emperor Chongzhen, and turned his neck to one side to express his dissatisfaction.

Emperor Chongzhen wanted to laugh when he saw Zhang Shikang's sulky expression, but he held back. It was not a big deal anyway, so he changed the subject and said:

"This morning, I received a memorial from Lu Xiangsheng, the governor of Xuanda, requesting to observe mourning for his father who had passed away.

The six ministries recommended that Chen Xinjia replace Lu Xiangsheng as the governor of Xuanda military affairs. Shikang, what do you think about this?"

Emperor Chongzhen had little knowledge of military affairs. In the past, he would generally accept the recommendations of his court officials. But now it was different. He had Zhang Shikang, a natural talent, and he wanted to hear Zhang Shikang's opinions.

Zhang Shikang frowned when he heard this. He had no idea who Chen Xinjia was, but he knew Lu Xiangsheng's name.

Lu Xiangsheng was a Jinshi, but he was better at military affairs. Not only did he make great achievements in strategy and put forward many suggestions that were beneficial to the situation of the court, he was also outstanding in specific tactics.

Although he was a civil servant, his martial arts were as good as those of military generals. He ate and slept with the soldiers in the barracks and led by example on the battlefield. People in the martial arts world called him King Lu.

The Tianxiong Army formed and trained by him not only struck fear into the hearts of many bandits, but also held its own against the Eight Banners of the Jiannu. It was one of the few powerful armies in the Ming Dynasty that could confront the Qing Dynasty head-on.

Xuanfu and Datong were surrounded by the Jianlu outside and bandits inside. Their strategic position was second only to Guanningjin. Only with Lu Xiangsheng stationed there could the imperial court rest assured.

How can such a great person be replaced? You have to know that the ancients observed mourning for three years. During these three whole years, they did not have to defend their country, but had to guard a grave and cry every day. It was such a waste, too much of a waste.

Thinking of this, Zhang Shikang said:

"Your Majesty, I do not recommend replacing Governor Lu. Xuanfu and Datong are strategically located, Shanxi and Shaanxi are home to many bandits, and we also have to guard against the Jiannu. Only Lu Xiangsheng is qualified for this position.

But his father's death is also a big deal. In my opinion, it would be better to allow him to return home to handle the funeral, but he should be asked to arrange the garrison affairs before returning home.

I have heard that in times of crisis and disaster in all dynasties, important ministers were ordered to take charge of the situation.

Three years of mourning is really too long. Governor Lu is so talented, how can he be left idle? Why not give him a month? "

The so-called deprivation of emotion means to choose between loyalty and filial piety. When the country is in trouble, the emperor will issue an edict to reduce the grief of important officials during the mourning period and make them loyal to the court.

This kind of thing happened not only in other dynasties, but also in the Ming Dynasty. Zhang Juzheng in the Wanli period did it. Yes, that's right, this guy wanted to seize the love.

Emperor Chongzhen raised his eyebrows and glanced at Zhang Shikang:

"Is Lu Xiangsheng really that important?"

The governors of various parts of the Ming Dynasty, except for a few such as Yang Sichang, were basically recommended by court officials. Emperor Chongzhen certainly met Lu Xiangsheng, but he did not think that Lu Xiangsheng had any outstanding qualities.

"Of course! Your Majesty thinks I am capable, but to be honest, when it comes to war, I feel I am not even worthy of carrying Governor Lu's shoes. I am far from that!

In my opinion, if Governor Lu could control more troops, perhaps our country would have been better off earlier.

I am not worthy of the position of the governor of the Beijing camp. I can hand over the position to Governor Lu at any time."

Normally, Zhang Shikang never hesitates to belittle himself, because this way he can have less work to do, and with less work he can have more time to enjoy life.

Only this time, Zhang Shikang really told the truth. He knew very well his own military level. How could he compare with Lu Yanwang, who could beat the bandits to tears and fight head-on with the Qing cavalry.

It’s not the same grade at all!

But when Emperor Chongzhen heard these words, they had a completely different meaning.

Emperor Chongzhen had long known that Zhang Shikang was a lazy guy, and he could think of any excuse to be lazy.

He glanced at Zhang Shikang again, and Zhang Shikang looked back at him sincerely, hoping that this old man would believe his truth.

But Emperor Chongzhen just gave Zhang Shikang a cold look.

I thought to myself: Keep acting, I don’t believe your lies.

If your talent is not worthy of carrying shoes for Lu Xiangsheng, doesn't it mean that I and even my ancestors are blind?

You can question my judgment, but you must never question the judgment of my ancestors. They are all watching us from heaven!

Even if Lu Xiangsheng really has some ability, how can his loyalty be guaranteed?

In the current court, apart from Zhang Shikang, he didn't even dare to fully trust Yang Sichang, let alone a foreign minister he was not very familiar with.

The only person he could completely trust was Zhang Shikang.

But this kid! He is so lazy. How can a young man only think about having fun? What's the point of eating, drinking and having fun all day?

Emperor Chongzhen even hoped that this kid would have some ambition, even just a little bit, so that he wouldn't have to come up with reasons every time he gave him an official position.

Of course he could force Zhang Shikang to issue an edict, and perhaps others could do it, but who knows if Zhang Shikang would quit if he was pushed too far?

It's entirely possible! He can definitely do it!

Oh, it’s such a headache.

Emperor Chongzhen gathered his thoughts and saw that Zhang Shikang was still staring at him, as if waiting for his reply, so he could only say:

“I can issue an edict to give Lu Xiangsheng a month to return home to hold funerals, but the commander of the Beijing Camp must still be you, Zhang Shikang. Don’t try to shirk your responsibility.

The court is in trouble now, and the situation is difficult. It is the time to recruit people. I know you like to be idle, but there must be a time, right?"

Emperor Chongzhen only listened to half of Zhang Shikang's suggestion. He said Lu Xiangsheng could be used, but the others were unnecessary. Not just any Tom, Dick or Harry could be the commander-in-chief of the Beijing Camp.

Zhang Shikang curled his lips and said nothing. He felt that Brother Chongzhen had changed.

"I heard that you want to select generals from the lower-level soldiers?" After complaining about Zhang Shikang's laziness, Emperor Chongzhen did not want to blame him too much, so he brought up the matter of the Beijing camp.

"Yes, I killed all the former generals at once. I didn't choose them myself. Could it be that I asked the court officials to recommend them?"

"Don't take it lightly." Emperor Chongzhen did not express his opinion, but only reminded Zhang Shikang not to act recklessly.

"Your Majesty, rest assured. How dare I not pay attention to military and national affairs? However, the soldiers in the Beijing camp are too few. After the old and weak are dismissed, there are only 24,000 left. If a war really breaks out, they won't even be able to fill the walls of our capital."

This is true. The camp of Xishan Camp is empty, and the few soldiers now have not even utilized one fifth of the space.

"Alas, I know what you mean, but... the money raised has almost been distributed. Fortunately, the people will harvest in another month, and the national treasury will be able to collect a lot of land tax. Anyway, let's discuss it then."

Emperor Chongzhen also wanted to expand the Beijing Army, but there was no extra money in the national treasury. As for the land tax he mentioned, he actually had no idea at all. There were too many places that needed money, and money was needed everywhere.

Emperor Chongzhen only hoped that Yang Sichang could wipe out the bandits as soon as possible, so that the 30,000 soldiers under his command could return to the camp and other troops could return to the border towns.

While he was thinking about it, Wang Chengen reported that Yang Sichang had arrived outside the hall, and Emperor Chongzhen asked Yang Sichang to enter the hall.

When Yang Sichang came in and saw Zhang Shikang, he was stunned for a moment, then he clasped his hands and prepared to salute Emperor Chongzhen. However, just as he bent down, Zhang Shikang's question rang out in the hall:

"Yang Sichang, did I provoke you? Why did you try to stop the Ministry of Revenue from sending food and fodder to my camp in Beijing?"

……