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

The reason why Li Banghua and others did the same thing at the same time was actually very simple. The strange government office of the General Administration of Manufacturing was really too strange.

Since it is not a government office, they do not want unknown guys like Song Yingxing to participate in the imperial examinations. In any case, they still feel that these people are not qualified.

It was also for this reason that the officials of the Ministry of Rites did not solve the problem even though they knew that they could go to the General Administration of Manufacturing to solve the problem.

Having long been influenced by the idea that all other things are inferior except for studying, it is still difficult for them to tolerate being taught by some unknown craftsmen.

Compared to this, Zhang Shikang is much more suitable. This guy has a flexible mind and enough reputation. Even if he fails, the emperor will not blame them.

"You guys have colluded with each other, right?" Zhang Shikang frowned.

"No, no, Zhang Gebu is extremely talented. There is nothing in this world that can stump Zhang Gebu." The Minister of Revenue Hai Zhongqi flattered him.

"That's right. If Minister Zhang is in charge, he will definitely set a good example. When the time comes, I will definitely send officials from the Ministry of Rites to learn from Minister Zhang." said Minister of Rites Cai Guoyong.

"Ah, yes, yes."

……

"When is the Spring Examination?" Zhang Shikang asked Hai Zhongqi next to him with a bitter face.

"Minister Zhang, the Spring Examination is naturally held when the weather is warm and the flowers are blooming, usually in March." Hai Zhong explained in a rare gentle tone.

Zhang Shikang was secretly delighted, but still with an embarrassed look on his face, he said:

"Ah, I want to help out, but I don't have the time. Let me tell you that I will be getting married in March next year. Don't forget to come to the wedding."

After saying this, Zhang Shikang was extremely happy. As usual, you want to cheat me? No way. The examiner, Mr. Song, can do the job, as can Mr. Bi, and even the bearded Johann Adam Schall von Bell, are more reliable than him.

But who would have thought that at this time, Emperor Chongzhen would cut off Zhang Shikang's source of trouble:

"That's easy, didn't you ask me to grant you a marriage?

I can help you stagger your wedding date with the Spring Examination. March is a whole month, so there is enough time."

"Ah this..."

Zhang Shikang was checkmated.

"Okay, okay, I'll take the responsibility. I'm not afraid of you."

Anyway, when the time comes, we can just ask Grandpa Song and Grandpa Bi to take the blame. Who wouldn't be able to be the hands-off boss?

The court meeting finally ended in a relatively harmonious manner. No matter what, it was an unprecedented court meeting, and it was the first time that all the cabinet ministers left the meeting in a good mood.

Only Zhang Shikang showed the boss's reluctance.

In view of the unclear situation in the southeast, Zhang Shikang finally decided not to announce the change of aboriginal system in advance, and to make a decision based on the specific situation in the second half of the year.

After leaving the palace, Zhang Shikang did not go home directly, but went to the Jinyiwei Yamen.

To be honest, as the commander of the Jinyiwei, he could only go to the Jinyiwei Yamen a few times a year.

So when he arrived at the yamen, he couldn't recognize all the officials working in the Jinyiwei. Fortunately, those officials all recognized him and were all very respectful to him.

After two years of continuous expansion, the Jinyiwei now has 12,000 officials, imperial guards and other personnel serving in the yamen.

When Zhang Shikang went out to fight, the Jinyiwei Yamen was always managed by the brothers Liu Wenbing, Marquis of Xinle.

The reason why he was always able to have fun when he was on the march was not only because he paid great attention to the scout work, but also because the Jinyiwei did a good job in infiltration.

Through the Jinyiwei, Zhang Shikang could not only monitor officials across the country, understand the latest court situation, and obtain the latest news from all over the country, but also obtain the specific actions of the enemy in the first place.

Since its inception, Jinyiwei has attached great importance to the reliability and timeliness of information, and for this purpose, it has a very efficient transmission mechanism.

Xinle Hou Liu Wenbing managed the Jinyiwei in perfect order, and Liu Wenyao's memory recovery technique was perfect. No one could resist Liu Wenyao's methods.

Liu Wenyao could make the prisoners tell him anything they knew. Liu Wenyao made great contributions when the Donglin Party was exterminated last year.

Thanks to Zhang Shikang's recommendation, Liu Wenyao is now an earl of the Ming Dynasty.

While Zhang Shikang was greeting the two men, Fang Zhenghua, the director of the Eastern Depot, also arrived at the Jinyiwei Yamen with two capable men from the Eastern Depot.

"Everyone is here, please take a seat." Zhang Shikang said to everyone.

"I called you all here today to make some adjustments to the specific supervisory direction of the Embroidered Uniform Guard and the Eastern Depot." Zhang Shikang said after thinking for a while.

"My lord, please give your advice, and I will obey it." Fang Zhenghua said bluntly.

Whether it was Wang Chengen or Fang Zhenghua, or several other eunuchs who were loyal to Emperor Chongzhen, they all witnessed the miracles brought by Zhang Shikang.

Emperor Chongzhen also issued an order that both the East Factory and the Embroidered Uniform Guard were supervisory offices and were under the control of Zhang Shikang.

If Zhang Shikang gave an order, Fang Zhenghua would certainly agree.

"It is like this, the main enemy of our Ming Dynasty has shifted from domestic to foreign.

Whether it is the potential enemy, the Zheng family, the Jiannu, or the future competitors in maritime trade, they are all outside.

Therefore, we have to consider the monitoring of external forces.

In my opinion, the Eastern Investigation Bureau should still monitor the country, including officials in the court, local officials, and merchants and other classes.

But the focus of the Jinyiwei will be on the outside. I have already informed the Minister of Rites. Lord Liu can select a hundred or so smart ones to go to the Ministry of Rites to learn the foreign language.

Of course, you can also recruit some people who know foreign languages, but remember they must have a clean background. "

Zhang Shikang said after a brief pause.

Since the Ministry of Rites often received foreign guests who came to pay tribute, it had institutions dedicated to learning foreign languages, including Manchu Jurchen, French, Dutch, etc., and even dialects were taught.

But the whole learning process naturally takes time. Fortunately, the situation is relatively stable at present.

"Sir, I remember you mentioned this matter last year, and I had already started to make arrangements at that time.

Now, there are eight people in my Jinyiwei who can speak Manchu Jurchen, four people who can speak Little French, two people who can speak Big French, and three people who can speak Dutch. "Xinle Hou Liu Wenbing reported.

"Well done." Zhang Shikang said with some surprise.

Due to his busy schedule, sometimes he couldn't even remember what he had said.

“But this is not enough. Anyone who has a tributary relationship with the Ming Dynasty must have someone who understands it, at least three people.

In addition, arrangements must be made for all European countries, as well as India, Persia, and the Kingdom of Rumi.

If the Ministry of Rites does not have this language, you will have to find a way yourself. ” Zhang Shikang added.

Since we are going to do business in the future, we will inevitably encounter various troubles. We have to do maritime trade and land business as well. Of course, we have to prepare in advance.

"Oh, by the way, which small countries have come to pay tribute to the Ming Dynasty this year?"

……