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

Emperor Chongzhen was of course very happy after the bandits were wiped out.

But he was only happy for half a day. When the news of the Jiannu's invasion of the pass came, Emperor Chongzhen was so shocked that he was speechless for a long time.

The memory of the last time the Jiannu entered the Pass is still fresh in our minds. Although the Jiannu were barbarians, their combat power was amazing, especially their cavalry.

The last time they entered the pass, the Jiannu attacked Changping fiercely and ravaged the capital area. In more than two months, tens of thousands of imperial soldiers died in the battle, and even more civilians were killed.

Since he ascended the throne, this time is the fifth time that the Jiannu have broken through the pass, and the trend is becoming more and more frequent.

Although the bandits were rampant, the imperial army could at least fight, and the chances of winning or losing were basically 30:70. When the bandits saw the imperial army, they would run away if they could.

But when facing the Jiannu, the imperial court's chances of winning and losing were also 30-70, but the imperial court had the 3 chance.

Emperor Chongzhen felt somewhat contemptuous and disgusted with the bandits, but he was cautious and even fearful of the Jian Nu.

"Your Majesty, Imperial Physician Cao is here. Please let him take a look at your feet." Wang Chengen requested in a low voice.

Because he was too anxious, Emperor Chongzhen accidentally sprained his ankle, which made Wang Chengen very distressed.

"No need, why hasn't Zhang Shikang come yet?"

The situation was critical now, so Emperor Chongzhen no longer cared about the pain in his feet.

A quarter of an hour ago, he had ordered Yang Sichang to lead an army of 10,000 to support Jizhou Town, and ordered the Governor of Xuanda Lu Xiangsheng, the Governor of the Three Borders of Shaanxi Hong Chengchou, and the Governor of Shaanxi Sun Chuanting to lead their troops into Beijing to defend the king.

Yang Sichang only brought 10,000 soldiers with him when he went to Beijing to offer captives. After all, he had just experienced a great war and the army needed to be reorganized.

Although Emperor Chongzhen felt that Zhang Shikang was too cautious, he still followed his advice and temporarily left the anti-bandit army in Huguang to intimidate Zhang Xianzhong who had just surrendered.

But now that the Jiannu suddenly invaded the pass, Emperor Chongzhen had no time to take care of them. He only left Zuo Liangyu's troops in Huguang, and ordered Xiong Wencan to return to Huguang immediately to take charge of the overall situation.

Following Yang Sichang's suggestion, Emperor Chongzhen issued an edict half an hour ago, ordering Cao Bianjiao, Zu Kuan and Huang Degong's troops, who were recuperating in Huguang, to immediately go to Beijing to defend the emperor.

Now Yang Sichang has gone to Jizhou Town to take charge of the overall situation. Although Xuanfu and Datong are closer, it will take at least four or five days to get to the capital. Hong Chengchou and Sun Chuanting will need ten days, and Cao Bianjiao and others in Huguang will be even farther away.

The only ones who can immediately defend the capital are the soldiers from the Beijing garrison.

Previously, the Beijing Army was in disrepair and Emperor Chongzhen had no hope for it. But now, the Beijing Army has been trained by Zhang Shikang for half a year. Emperor Chongzhen trusts Zhang Shikang, but he also wants to see what this guy is capable of.

Behind Jizhou is the capital. Although the Jiannu cannot reach the capital immediately due to Jizhou's blocking, Emperor Chongzhen is now a little scared of the Jiannu and only hopes that Zhang Shikang can come to him immediately.

In the past, he always thought that Zhang Shikang was extremely lazy, but now think about it, although this kid is indeed lazy, Emperor Chongzhen rarely sees Zhang Shikang worried, as if all his troublesome problems are not worth mentioning in front of Zhang Shikang.

For example, there was the issue of using tricks to get nobles and relatives to raise funds, the issue of the Beijing camp, the issue of supervisory power, and how to deal with the Donglin Party.

None of these problems were easy to solve, and he was even troubled by them for many years, but Zhang Shikang always came up with solutions without hesitation.

Now that the crisis has come, Emperor Chongzhen naturally thought of Zhang Shikang first. That is why, seeing that Zhang Shikang had not come, Emperor Chongzhen became more and more anxious.

"Your Majesty, I, Li Fengxiang, have returned to the palace to report your order." At this time, Li Fengxiang, the eunuch holding the pen, walked to the door of the palace and said.

"Where is Zhang Shikang?" Emperor Chongzhen frowned.

He had known that this kid liked to cheat and play tricks, and it was so late at night, he was worried that Zhang Shikang would make trouble, so he specifically instructed Li Fengxiang not to neglect him.

Just as he was getting anxious, Zhang Shikang walked in from behind Li Fengxiang.

"Your Majesty, you have to pay overtime. It's unacceptable to keep people busy in the middle of the night." Zhang Shikang yawned and said jokingly.

"I always hear you talking about overtime pay. What is overtime pay?" When Emperor Chongzhen saw Zhang Shikang, his anxious mood immediately improved a lot.

"Ha, if we don't count the morning court, the working hours in the Ming Dynasty are from 6:30 pm to 6:30 pm. If we ask people to work after that, it's naturally overtime.

"I was just joking. Why did Your Majesty summon me to the palace so urgently? Shouldn't you let me return to the capital camp as soon as possible?" Zhang Shikang said.

After all, the Jiannu had entered the pass. Zhang Shikang did not dare to be too careless about such an important matter. He brought up the issue of the Jiannu entering the pass in a few words.

But Emperor Chongzhen seemed to be chewing on Zhang Shikang's words.

"Wang Daban'er, how much silver do I have left in my treasury?" Emperor Chongzhen turned to ask Wang Chengen.

Wang Chengen had no idea what was going on, but he had always been in charge of the imperial farm, so he was naturally very clear about the accounts of the treasury.

"Your Majesty, there is still more than 12,000 taels of silver in the account."

After hearing this, Emperor Chongzhen immediately said to Zhang Shikang:

"I'll give it all to you. Is that enough?"

Zhang Shikang was dumbfounded. Any normal person could have heard that he was joking. Why did Brother Chongzhen take it so seriously?

"I was just joking, Your Majesty, how can you take it seriously? Why do I need so much silver?"

Zhang Shikang was really speechless. He was the son of a Duke's family and owned many shops in the capital alone. To a wealthy family, money was just a number.

As long as he can afford what he wants, no matter how much money he has, it doesn't mean much, not to mention that he doesn't want much.

Upon hearing this, Emperor Chongzhen frowned again.

He really hoped that Zhang Shikang could help him wholeheartedly. He did not want an official position and was not interested in money. It was also the first time he encountered an official whom he did not know how to win over.

"Your Majesty! The Jiannu have entered the pass. This matter cannot wait. If you are okay, I have to go to the Xishan camp." Zhang Shikang urged.

"Why are you in such a hurry? There are more than 10,000 people in Jizhou, and Mr. Yang has brought another 10,000 people to support us. The Jiannu can't be that fast." Emperor Chongzhen sighed.

"But what if? What if the Tartars break through Jizhou very quickly?

The situation is urgent, Your Majesty. If you delay any longer, our lives will be in danger!"

Zhang Shikang was really anxious. Apart from the few powerful men he knew, he did not dare to have too much hope in other military generals of the Ming Dynasty. It was better to rely on himself than on others.

Now the capital's city defense only has three or four thousand guards and more than a thousand people from the Five Cities Army. He must let the Beijing Camp soldiers stationed in the capital's city walls as soon as possible.

This is the only way to protect the capital city to the greatest extent, and naturally protect the family and even the brother in front of him.

Wang Chengen and Li Fengxiang were also confused. Before Zhang Shikang came here, the emperor was like an ant on a hot pot. Why is he not in a hurry now?

Looking at Zhang Shikang's anxious expression, Emperor Chongzhen suddenly seemed to have an epiphany.

It turns out this kid is afraid of death! Emperor Chongzhen thought.

……