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

There were many famous generals and ruthless people in the Ming Dynasty. After all, the Ming Dynasty had a huge population base, which was completely different from the Jianzhou Jurchens, whose entire tribe had only a few hundred thousand people.

But the Ming Dynasty still perished.

Ultimately, people cannot make full use of their talents.

Look at the kind of people Brother Chongzhen used. It was okay in the early days, but it became more and more outrageous as time went on.

Chen Qiuyu, Li Jiantai, and Wei Zaode are all just some random people who are so scared of the Jian Nu that they are happy to welcome the new master as soon as the city gates open.

Zhang Shikang had a question some time ago: when did Lu Xiangsheng die? He couldn't understand how such a powerful man could die so easily.

So when he heard that Lu Xiangsheng had a grudge against Yang Sichang, he immediately became alert.

Because of what happened before, Zhang Shikang knew very well that Yang Sichang was a petty-minded person with no tolerance for others.

When this kind of person goes to the battlefield, he will never allow others to have opinions different from his own. Anyone who dares to disobey will definitely be made to suffer.

Although Zhang Shikang didn't dare to conclude, after a careful analysis, he felt that the probability was still very high.

So he immediately decided that he must find a way to go to the front line. This had nothing to do with the Beijing camp soldiers' desire to make merit. Zhang Shikang just didn't want such a tough guy to be killed by his own people in the end.

That death would be totally not worth it.

More importantly, if the tough guy died, I would definitely not have a peaceful life in the future, and I might have to go to that tough guy.

That's not good. He still feels more comfortable being a playboy.

Therefore, the tough guy must be alive.

"My dear nephew, I know you want to make a contribution, but..."

"When did I want to make a contribution? And this has nothing to do with making a contribution. Lu Xiangsheng must be alive!"

Sun Weifan was interrupted by Zhang Shikang before he could finish his words.

"Lu Xiangsheng is going to die? How do you know?" Sun Weifan frowned when he heard this.

"I just know it, Uncle Shi, I have to go into the palace, I leave this place to you." As he said this, Zhang Shikang walked out of the city gate tower wearing armor.

It was naturally difficult to explain the prophecy, and Zhang Shikang did not intend to explain it. He got off the city wall, rode on Ergou, and headed towards the imperial city.

In less than two quarters of an hour, Zhang Shikang arrived outside Chengtian Gate, handed his warhorse to the soldier on duty, and ran towards Wumen.

Inside the Meridian Gate is the Forbidden City, and no outsider was allowed to enter without the emperor's decree. He had no choice but to send someone to pass the message. After waiting for about twenty minutes, he saw Wang Chengen hurried over in small steps.

"Why did Admiral Zhang suddenly come here? Is there any urgent military information?" Wang Chengen looked anxious. It's wartime now and anything can happen.

"No, I have something to ask His Majesty."

As he spoke, Zhang Shikang walked towards the Qianqing Palace. Wang Chengen greeted the general on duty and told him that he was summoned by the emperor, then he followed him.

Zhang Shikang didn't say a word along the way, he just jogged along. Before Zhang Shikang noticed, Wang Chengen was already out of breath.

"Your Majesty, I ask to fight the Jiannu!"

As soon as he entered the Qianqing Palace, Zhang Shikang bowed and made his request.

This made Emperor Chongzhen and Wang Chengen a little confused. Emperor Chongzhen frowned and said:

"Shikang, at this critical moment of life and death, how can you mess around?"

The capital city is now defended by Zhang Shikang's more than 20,000 soldiers. If the Beijing camp troops are allowed to attack, what will happen to the capital city?

If any other minister had made this suggestion, Emperor Chongzhen would have been furious and killed people.

But Emperor Chongzhen trusted Zhang Shikang and knew that this boy had always had an eccentric personality, so he was not angry.

"Admiral Zhang, be careful with your words." Wang Chengen also reminded quietly.

Emperor Chongzhen had sent him to the Xishan camp several times to check on the military training. Wang Chengen knew about Zhang Shikang's ability and his loyalty to Emperor Chongzhen.

Not only that, Wang Chengen spoke for Zhang Shikang more than once. For example, when Zhang Shikang just went to the Xishan camp, he shouted "Are kings, princes, generals, and ministers of different species?" The court officials wrote a box of memorials to impeach him, and Wang Chengen often made excuses for Zhang Shikang.

He felt that Zhang Shikang had talent and was loyal, but he was too young and did things too hastily.

Otherwise, how could a normal person propose to lead troops to attack at this time?

"Your Majesty, I know this plan is risky, but since Your Majesty didn't think of it, how could the Jian Nu think of it?

Moreover, the capital city is strong and has powerful artillery, with 10,000 people guarding the city. Even if the Jiannu attack, they will not be able to achieve any results in a short time.

The main force of the Jian Nu army has all moved south. As long as Your Majesty agrees to my attack, we can block them in Baoding Prefecture, and the Jian Nu army will not have the opportunity to attack the capital."

Zhang Shikang thought about it and continued to request.

What he said was true. The Jiannu entered the pass mainly with cavalry. They came here to plunder supplies and had no intention of attacking the city or defending it.

During the two hundred years of the Ming Dynasty, whether it was the Mongolian Tartars or the Jurchen Tartars, whenever they invaded the border, they basically focused on looting, and most of them chose to do so around autumn.

The reason is not complicated. The winter on the grassland is not easy, and the Tatars need more food and slaves to survive the winter.

Beijing City had never been truly breached since Zhu Di ordered its construction until the end of the Ming Dynasty. Unless the Ming army turned a blind eye and allowed the Jiannu to continue bombarding with cannons, could the Jiannu cavalry rely on war horses to attack the city?

No matter how good his reasons were, Emperor Chongzhen was already terrified of the Jian Nu and could not take the risk. He just said:

"I know you have just completed your military training and are eager to show your prowess, but how can the capital city take such a risk?"

What I mean is, what do you want to do by leaving me in an empty city?

What Emperor Chongzhen said was already very serious. If he hadn't still held high hopes for this kid, he would have directly ordered a replacement.

"I don't want to show off. There is no point in showing off something as dangerous as fighting a war."

Zhang Shikang knew that nothing could be done and just stood there, feeling angry.

He couldn't say that Lu Xiangsheng was going to be killed by the narrow-minded Yang Sichang. Not to mention that he had no evidence, Yang Sichang had just made a huge contribution. Saying this would be tantamount to openly sowing discord, which would make him unpopular with both sides.

But brother, if you kill all those tough guys one by one, who will still work for you?

Perhaps because he saw Zhang Shikang was sulking, Emperor Chongzhen changed his tone after a moment and said:

"Shikang, I will not allow it unless I do. Even if I agree reluctantly, how can the court officials agree?"

What Emperor Chongzhen said was true. All the Donglin Party members in the court had their families and wives in the capital. If the capital was turned into a deserted city at this critical juncture, they would fight to the death.

"How about this? In half a month at the latest, Cao Bianjiao, Zu Kuan and other troops from Huguang will arrive in the capital. If there is a war then, I will allow you to fight."

Emperor Chongzhen thought about it and said that this was already his biggest concession, even though he did not trust the border troops led by Cao Bianjiao and others.

In the eyes of Emperor Chongzhen, the border troops were capable enough but lacked loyalty. They would not obey orders without pay and would often mutiny.

He was able to do this just because he didn't want Zhang Shikang to feel uncomfortable.

Emperor Chongzhen said this, which was considered to be excessive care for him, so Zhang Shikang had to give up and left the Qianqing Palace with a little disappointment.

Emperor Chongzhen glanced at Wang Chengen and seemed to be very uneasy.

"Wang Daban'er, this kid won't give up, right?"

……