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

"You are extremely talented and have the ability to rule the world. Our ancestors gave you to me. If I cannot recognize people and assign them to the right positions, how can I face them in the future?" Emperor Chongzhen said again.

His voice was not loud, and there was no one else in the hall except Wang Chengen.

But Zhang Shikang still didn't say a word. He had heard such words too many times, and humble words seemed hypocritical, not to mention that he was not full yet.

After eating two pieces of durian, he felt a little sick, so he broke off a piece and handed it to his brother Chongzhen. However, Emperor Chongzhen waved his hand to refuse, and even had a look of disgust on his face.

He doesn't like this stuff, it stinks.

Zhang Shikang didn't care. He put the piece of durian back on the table and continued to explore other delicacies on the table.

It must be said that since the court's economic situation improved, under Zhang Shikang's repeated persuasion, the diet of the Ming Emperor has made a qualitative leap.

There are six dishes and two soups, including beef, pork, fish and chicken, and they all taste great.

For the emperor of the Ming Dynasty, the show was certainly not as grand as that of Man Mouqing, but it was definitely enough.

Emperor Chongzhen didn't know if he had no appetite, but he still didn't pick up his chopsticks. Instead, he picked up the wine glass and took a sip.

“You have really worked hard these past few years.

Now that everything is in ruins and reforms are ongoing, common sense dictates that I should honor my promise."

When saying this, Emperor Chongzhen's expression was full of loss. As soon as Wang Chengen poured the wine, Emperor Chongzhen picked up the wine cup again and drank it all.

"But Wuji, do you know?

The Ming Dynasty had more than 100 million people, a vast territory, and an army of more than one million.

Reform, national defense, people's livelihood, trivial matters in various places, big and small, are numerous and often like a tangled mess.

When I ascended the throne at the age of seventeen, I was arrogant and felt that governing a large country was like cooking a small fish.

A great scholar of the Song Dynasty said that half of the Analects of Confucius could rule the world. I had the same thought at that time.

But you saw what happened later, nothing is easy.

The implementation of any national policy is fraught with difficulties, with officials and gentry opposing it.

Even if no one objects, the implementation will still be half-hearted and will change its nature when it reaches the people.

I now know that Confucian classics are meant for people to read.

It’s just for show.”

After a few drinks, Emperor Chongzhen seemed to open up. His voice was not loud, as if he was looking back or confiding.

The emperor of the Ming Dynasty was not alone, and there were many people who could talk to him in confidence, such as Wang Chengen, Fang Zhenghua and others, who were all good listeners.

But they are just listeners. These servants are loyal, but they only follow orders in everything. It is not interesting to chat with them.

But Zhang Shikang is different. When he is unhappy, he will say it directly and even dare to get angry in front of him.

Although this may seem outrageous to outsiders, Emperor Chongzhen had long been accustomed to it and felt that this was his true nature.

He once missed the time when he personally led the army to fight two years ago, when the imperial court was in great difficulty.

Zhang Shikang said that he wanted to drag him to work with the soldiers on the front line to generate power for love.

He ate and lived with Zhang Shikang, and chatted and laughed with the soldiers. When he couldn't sleep at night, he woke up the boy and asked him to chat with him.

Talk about the situation in the Ming Dynasty, the national economy and people's livelihood, and everything else.

Zhang Shikang often talked nonsense, even pointing at the stars above his head, saying that most of those stars were like the sun, and that they were actually floating in the air and other nonsense.

Emperor Chongzhen had read many books, and it was from that time that he knew what it was like to be a friend as described in the books.

Yes, at least for him, before he was seventeen, he had no friends.

After the age of seventeen, there is even less.

He originally thought that he and Wuji would become an unprecedented tale of a king and his subject, and that Wuji would always help him until they were both very old.

But after only a few years, this guy started to back down frequently and even threatened to resign from his official position.

Whenever Emperor Chongzhen thought of this incident, he felt as if something was weighing on his heart.

"My virtue is better than those of the lower class, but not as good as those of the higher class.

When I was in power, I was able to handle government affairs well, but I lacked strategic foresight.

Maintaining the status quo cannot make the people sleep peacefully. Even if we try our best, we can only maintain the status quo. The country is too big, and a small matter can affect the entire body.

This is why I refuse to agree to your resignation.

Although I am mediocre, the people are not at fault.

As long as I am in this position, I will create a prosperous era for all people, even if it means hardship for you."

The hall was unusually quiet, with only the smacking sound of Zhang Shikang eating and the slightly low voice of Emperor Chongzhen.

He didn't want Zhang Shikang to feel depressed about his resignation. He had his own difficulties. If you want to wear the crown, you must bear its weight.

If he gave up the opportunity to let the people live a better life just to make Zhang Shikang live comfortably, he would be a tyrant.

If he were given another chance, he would still do it.

Zhang Shikang had finally finished eating. He wiped his mouth, picked up the wine cup and clinked it with Emperor Chongzhen.

"Your Majesty, why are you being so sentimental? You're making me look like a scumbag."

After saying that, Zhang Shikang took a sip of the wine. The distilled liquor was very strong, and it made him grimace.

"I am not stupid, so I understand your majesty's difficulties.

Besides, Your Majesty, are you thinking too much?

Let’s not talk about the issue of military power. I didn’t say that I would completely ignore it.

It's just that I've been too busy in recent years and want to take a break. Your Majesty is too impatient.

I was born and raised here. My family has enjoyed the country's grace for three hundred years and has shared the honor and disgrace with Your Majesty. Your Majesty's words sound as if I am about to run away.

Where can I run to?"

Zhang Shikang snatched the wine jug from Wang Chengen and poured a glass for his brother Chongzhen and himself.

Emperor Chongzhen looked slightly surprised when he heard this.

"You often told Marquis Jinglu and the others that you wanted to go overseas, to Europe and America."

In the early years, a foreign vassal presented a complete map of the world, and Emperor Chongzhen probably knew the locations of Europe and America.

It is thousands of miles away from the Ming Dynasty, especially North and South America, and one has to cross the ocean. It is said that it takes a year to make a trip there.

"Well, Your Majesty, if you ask me, I do want to go, and I will definitely go.

But I didn't say I would never come back after I went there. No matter how good that place is, it can never compare to our Ming Dynasty.

We Han people believe in returning to our roots, so how could I possibly settle down in a foreign vassal state?"

After hearing this, Emperor Chongzhen immediately smiled.

Zhang Shikang was lazy and liked to play, and he always talked about going out to sea. Emperor Chongzhen was certainly not afraid that Zhang Shikang would temporarily resign from his official position. He was just afraid that this guy would disappear once he went out.

"That's fine, that's fine."

Emperor Chongzhen kept muttering with a smile.

"Actually, Your Majesty has been very impressive in the past two years. As the Son of Heaven, how can you be so self-deprecating?

I still say the same thing, the world is vast and state affairs are complicated, but there are only two points that are most important. As long as these two points are grasped, the sky will not fall.

First, military power, and second, public support. As long as these two are not compromised, no one will dare to act rashly, and everything will be fine."

Zhang Shikang clinked glasses with Emperor Chongzhen again, and after pondering for a moment, he continued:

"As for your Majesty's concerns, I have considered them and they are nothing more than a question of long-term goals."

People in the world have different personalities and talents. Some are good at execution and can do well as long as they set reasonable goals.

However, the establishment of goals and future planning are shortcomings.

This is understandable. After all, when it comes to foresight, Zhang Shikang is second to none, and no one in the world dares to claim to be first.

After a pause, Zhang Shikang continued:

"That's easy. Your Majesty, please summon the ministers and we can discuss it together and come up with a five-year plan or something."

……