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

Zhang Shikang looked very proud after he said this.

No matter how many reasons you have, as the emperor, you can't go back on your word, right?

All the civil and military officials in the court looked at Emperor Chongzhen and then at Zhang Shikang, and felt that the world was so different.

Especially Li Banghua and Hai Zhongqi, they looked at each other and saw a hint of shame in each other's eyes.

The reason why they have always been concerned about the military power being in the hands of one person is mainly because they are worried that power will be abused and the country will no longer be a country.

But they also had to admit that concentrating military power in the hands of one person was incredibly efficient, especially when the person holding military power was a person of extraordinary talent.

What Zhang Shikang did in recent years was seen by Hai Zhongqi, Li Banghua and other people who care about state affairs. Although his actions were eccentric and domineering, the effect was beyond reproach.

The emperor had complained more than once in the past, blaming them for impeaching Zhang Shikang at every turn, saying that Zhang Shikang had no interest in power at all and was even afraid of it like a tiger.

Although they thought Zhang Shikang was extremely talented at that time, they did not believe what the emperor said.

But now, in this prestigious court, Li Banghua suddenly began to believe it.

He was the hereditary Prince of Wuying, one of the Three Dukes, and held the world's military power. He had long been in the highest position among the officials. If he had the intention of rebellion, the Ming Dynasty would have perished long ago.

But this prince, who was only in his early twenties, was so angry with the emperor because he didn't want to take on any more responsibilities.

Li Banghua has been secretly observing Zhang Shikang. He has seen countless people and can tell what is in a person's heart from their micro-expressions.

He was very sure that this guy was really determined to resign from his post.

Hai Zhongqi also believed it, and a different light flashed in his eyes.

He and Li Banghua looked at each other and nodded at the same time.

"As the Son of Heaven, my words are law." Emperor Chongzhen said calmly.

Looking at Zhang Shikang's depressed expression, Emperor Chongzhen felt a little happy for some reason.

Once upon a time, this kid always made him very angry and depressed.

As things turn, who will God spare?

Zhang Shikang finally breathed a sigh of relief after hearing this.

"Thank you, Your Majesty, for your grace. The Tiger Guards and the Imperial Guards are currently as steady as old dogs, and their morale is high. I will hand over all the rosters and the deployment arrangements for each military garrison to Your Majesty after I receive your approval.

I have brought the Imperial Sword and the Marshal's Seal. Now, Eunuch Wang, please give them to His Majesty for his inspection."

Finally free, Zhang Shikang was so happy that he had even thought about how to celebrate after leaving court.

But at this time, the voice of Emperor Chongzhen sounded again:

"I did say at the beginning that when the world is at peace and the Ming Dynasty is revived, you will be allowed to return your military power.

Today, the Jiannu and Zheng clans still exist, and the people still don't have enough to eat. If we call this a revival, won't we be laughed at by future generations? "

Zhang Shikang immediately became furious.

"Your Majesty, didn't I just say that the Jiannu are no longer a concern? As for the Zheng family, I have a plan. At worst, I can go to the southeast again next month and make sure this matter is resolved."

Zhang Shikang didn't really care about Zheng Zhilong.

Firstly, this guy is old, and his only ambition is to maintain the status quo and continue to monopolize the shipping routes to make money.

Compared with the risk of rebellion, Zheng Zhilong may care more about fame and fortune. If the court does not care about face, it only needs to promise not to engage in maritime trade and mention the title to this guy again. I guarantee that he will be very happy.

Of course, doing so is only a temporary solution and not a fundamental solution, so Zhang Shikang would not do that.

Secondly, in the Battle of Guanshan, he had completely shattered Huang Taiji's dream of becoming a great power. Zheng Zhilong also suffered a setback in the East China Sea and had obviously realized the power of the Ming Dynasty court.

In the past two months, Zhang Shikang has received several letters from Zheng Zhilong. Compared with the sarcastic letters before the Battle of Guanshan, those letters were mild in wording. Although they did not say surrender, they had implicitly expressed their willingness to bow to him.

He also promised him huge profits. As long as Zhang Shikang helped the Zheng family maintain the status quo, he was willing to pay him two million taels of silver every year as a political donation.

Two million taels of silver was nearly half of the actual tax revenue collected by the imperial court in previous years, which was a considerable amount.

But Zhang Shikang’s main point is to read the message but not reply.

If he wanted to be greedy for money, the silver cellar at home would have been filled up long ago. Even his brother Chongzhen had told him that it was okay to be a little greedy.

He had originally planned to take a good rest before dealing with the Zheng family, but now that this old man was bringing up Old Zheng, the worst that could happen was that he would just make another trip.

"Well, you are indeed worthy of being my right-hand man! The affairs of the Zheng family will be handed over to you." Emperor Chongzhen praised.

Whether it was the Jiannu or the Zheng family, one relied on the army and the other relied on the navy, both were considered powerful enemies of the court. As for what he said just now, if someone else had said it, Emperor Chongzhen would have thought that person was bragging.

But since these words were said by Zhang Shikang, he believed them.

Emperor Chongzhen even felt very happy. With this kid in the Ming Dynasty, his life as the emperor was so easy.

And the people of the world are so lucky.

Zhang Shikang frowned again. He no longer trusted this old man and thought it would be safer to explain it clearly.

"If I can pacify the southeast, Your Majesty will surely agree to my request, right?"

While the emperor and his minister were talking, all the civil and military officials in the court remained silent.

It's just because the conversation between the two was too outrageous and it's something you've never seen before.

The ball was kicked to the feet of Emperor Chongzhen by Zhang Shikang again, but Emperor Chongzhen was as steady as an old dog.

"Wuji, pacifying the Zheng family is not the same as your resignation as the Marshal of the Army."

"How can it be different? Your Majesty, you must keep your word!"

Zhang Shikang's tone was a little anxious. He was indeed a little uneasy and felt that this brother had changed.

"I know you are anxious, but don't worry.

Wuji, you just said it, what I promised was peace in the world and the revival of the Ming Dynasty, I don’t deny it!

But even if you destroyed the Jiannu and pacified the Zheng family, at best you could only pacify the world.

Isn't this the restoration of the Ming Dynasty that has not yet been completed? "

Although Emperor Chongzhen's words were calm, his expression was somewhat unconfident. He looked around but did not stop at Zhang Shikang.

This was the first time he spoke like this in front of Zhang Shikang, just like Zhang Shikang had always made him angry like this in recent years.

It must be said that Emperor Chongzhen felt quite proud and comfortable.

However, when Zhang Shikang heard this, it was a completely different story. He immediately became angry.

"Your Majesty, the bandits have been eliminated, the tillers have their land, and the treasury has a stable tax revenue. Although the people are still in trouble, at least they are not starving like before. Moreover, with the continuous construction of canals in several northern provinces and the promotion of new crops, the situation will naturally improve year by year.

Isn’t this still ZTE?”

Zhang Shikang explained seriously.

In those days, it was harder than climbing to the sky to ensure that the people had enough food to eat. Even in later generations, the real battle against poverty was only gradually completed around the millennium, not to mention the current level of agriculture.

As far as Zhang Shikang knew, even during the so-called Kangxi and Qianlong eras of prosperity, the common people only avoided starvation.

The Kangxi and Qianlong eras were not a prosperous era for the common people, but a prosperous era for the upper aristocracy.

Seeing Zhang Shikang's anger, Emperor Chongzhen looked somewhat reluctant, but for the long-term stability of the Ming Dynasty, Emperor Chongzhen had to make a decision that went against his conscience.

"I don't think so."

Zhang Shikang was really anxious.

"Your Majesty, aren't you cheating?"

……