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

Although Zhang Shikang was a rare talent in the eyes of Emperor Chongzhen, he had also seen Ma Lingqi, a girl with heroic spirit. She was worthy of him in terms of both appearance and family background.

It was also for this reason that although Emperor Chongzhen had a prejudice against this boy's sudden marriage, he did not use his status as the emperor to separate the couple.

"Your Majesty, what are you talking about? Am I that kind of person?"

When Zhang Shikang heard this, he immediately puffed out his beard and glared. Oh, he had no beard, he just glared at Brother Chongzhen.

He felt that the old man was questioning his charm. Take Zhang Shikang for example. He was 1.75 meters tall, which was nothing in later generations, but was considered tall in those days.

In the military field, he also led the Guards to win many victories, and even famous generals such as Sun Chuanting and Lu Xiangsheng felt inferior to him. Of course, Zhang Shikang did not take it seriously.

In domestic affairs, a series of reform measures brought about a new situation in the Ming Dynasty. Although the civil and military officials in the court did not like him very much, they could not criticize him on this point.

In terms of talent, he was admired by even talented women like Liu Rushi for his few copied poems.

Alas, there is nothing we can do. It’s because the light of the successor to the nine-year compulsory education is so dazzling.

"Hmph, hard to say."

Seeing Zhang Shikang's smug look, Emperor Chongzhen shook his beard and said.

"Then I will appoint Zhang Ma as the guerrilla general of the imperial guards. It is up to you to decide whether to go to war."

After saying this, Emperor Chongzhen seemed reluctant and continued:

"She is your wife after all. On the battlefield, swords are merciless. It is best not to let her fight."

"Hehe, Your Majesty, don't worry, I know what's going on." Zhang Shikang responded casually.

He originally thought that this brother might give Ma Lingqi a position as a close attendant such as deputy commander of the guards, but he didn't expect that he would give her a formal position in the guards.

But he didn't think much about it. As long as he had an official status, those guys in the barracks wouldn't be able to say anything about him. After all, taking his woman to war was likely to attract criticism.

"Alas, I recently read the records of the previous emperor. For decades, our Ming Dynasty has been defeated repeatedly by the Northern Tartars and is as afraid of them as a tiger. I have also experienced this in the past few years. The situation of internal and external troubles and financial difficulties is still before my eyes."

Emperor Chongzhen's expression suddenly became melancholy, but it couldn't be said that he was melancholy. There was also a hint of complacency in his contemplation.

Zhang Shikang raised his eyebrows, thinking that this statement was similar to that of a guy named Chiang Kai-shek, and thought to himself that he must not create a plot that showed that he had the advantage.

“I didn’t expect that after three years, we would be able to change our attack and defense. This is all thanks to you, Wuji.

I have been thinking recently that if you, Wuji, had led the army a few years earlier, I wonder how many people would have been saved from death."

Emperor Chongzhen said this, and seeing that Zhang Shikang was a little absent-minded, he immediately dispelled those useless sentiments and turned the topic back to the war:

"Do you have a specific battle plan for this expedition?"

There is no specific battle plan. I just do nothing in battle and just rely on recklessness!

Although he thought so in his heart, Zhang Shikang said:

"Warfare is a game of deception. The situation is ever-changing. All I can do is to adapt to the situation. Oh, I still say that firearms are the future. In this battle, I have already used firearms as the main force."

Of course, it is impossible to have no plan. Zhang Shikang believed that Huang Degong, Sun Weifan, Wu Sangui, Lu Xiangsheng and others must have detailed views on this battle, but he has not asked about the details yet.

"It makes sense."

Emperor Chongzhen nodded. He was a layman in war, and considering Zhang Shikang's glorious military record, he instinctively believed Zhang Shikang's perfunctory response.

"You will be gone for at least several months. It's really hard for you." Emperor Chongzhen seemed to feel a little apologetic, which was rare.

He knew Zhang Shikang's character. He was extremely lazy, but he still ran around for the court in the past three years.

So, brother, how are you going to express it? Zhang Shikang narrowed his eyes, seeming to have some expectations.

A reward of silver? A house? Or a promotion?

None of this seemed to appeal to him.

It would be best if he could unload the heavy burden on his shoulders, especially the job of Grand Marshal of the Army, which he himself felt was a bit abnormal.

After he was relieved of his duties, he had made up his mind to go sailing to the sea to experience the customs and practices overseas, and to take a look at the situation in Europe and see how sacred the Holy Roman Empire was.

It seems that there is an empire called the Ottoman Empire, which seems to be in its heyday now. The world is so big, and he wants to go and see it.

While hesitating, he heard Emperor Chongzhen say:

"After next year or the year after, Kunyi will be fourteen years old. I want to marry her to you."

After saying this, Emperor Chongzhen looked at his favorite minister.

This decision had actually been made a long time ago, but Kunyi was still young, so Emperor Chongzhen and his wife had been discussing whether to wait.

Based on Emperor Chongzhen's understanding of Zhang Shikang, he thought that this guy was different from ordinary people and had not shown any eagerness to start a family before, so he thought he could wait a little longer.

But in the past two years, this guy went to the south of the Yangtze River and brought back seven women. He also went to Sichuan and even found a wife.

Emperor Chongzhen was worried that if this continued, he would find it difficult to keep this kid by his side. Who would then help him revive the Ming Dynasty?

This is something that absolutely cannot be allowed to happen.

For this purpose, Emperor Chongzhen and his wife had discussed it last night and made the matter of marrying off their daughter public.

There were stupid fruits on the stupid tree. Zhang Shikang was hit by the stupid fruit and became stupid. He opened his mouth but lost the ability to organize language for a while.

"No... Your Majesty, are you... are you serious?"

He tried hard to find a joking expression on Emperor Chongzhen's face.

This really shocked him. I treat you as my brother, but you want to be my father?

During this period, he often took Zhu Cilang and his sister to travel around the capital, especially when they went to Tianjin, Zhang Shikang discovered that Kunyi treated him a little differently.

But Zhang Shikang just thought that the girl had matured early and was in the ignorant stage of falling in love for the first time, so he didn't take it too seriously.

Now it seems that something is not right. Could it be that the girl got the instructions from her brother? ?

How old is Kunyi? He just turned twelve this year, or in lunar years!

Damn it! Even if he is fourteen next year, he is just in junior high school. Is this marrying a wife or raising a child?

"I'm not joking." Emperor Chongzhen said seriously.

This is the only way to tie Zhang Shikang together tightly.

If Zhang Shikang were the son-in-law of the Ming Dynasty, his future children would also have the blood of the Zhu family flowing in their veins.

This kid would wholeheartedly help him revive the Ming Dynasty, even for the sake of his own descendants.

Fortunately, Kunyi also liked this boy very much, so Emperor Chongzhen felt that he was not making a random match.

Zhang Shikang still found it impossible to accept the news.

"But... Your Majesty, I am already married! Can I let Princess Kunyi do it..."

Zhang Shikang wanted to ask, could it be that Princess Kunyi should be made a concubine? But he was too embarrassed to say it out loud, as he felt that it would be too disrespectful to the royal family.

"I think this is inappropriate. There are thousands of good men in the Ming Dynasty. Your Majesty, please think twice!"

……