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

What Cao Bianjiao said was almost an explicit indication.

I'm looking for a good partner, and I think you're the right person for me.

All the way from Huguang to the capital, Cao Bianjiao was thinking about this question.

He went through all the court officials that His Majesty currently valued in his mind and found that there were very few to choose from. He did not like nor was he good at currying favor, so Yang Sichang was definitely not suitable, not to mention that Yang Sichang had already made things difficult for him several times.

Apart from Yang Sichang, Cao Bianjiao felt that other cabinet ministers, including the chief minister Liu Yuliang, were not suitable. Firstly, they were not of the same kind. It was said that the Donglin Party was heavily bribed, and he only knew how to fight wars and did not have much money. Secondly, he felt that these people were not trusted by the emperor.

After much selection, the only one left was Zhang Shikang, the admiral of the Beijing camp who was suddenly appointed half a year ago.

It's quite funny to say that when Cao Bianjiao learned that Zhang Shikang was only nineteen years old, he immediately ruthlessly crossed out Zhang Shikang in his heart.

He felt that this big shot was too young and unreliable.

But after arriving in the capital, he gradually changed his view. He found that the soldiers in the Beijing camp had changed their appearance. Not only were they all strong and vigorous, they were also very arrogant, as if they were very powerful.

This was completely different from his impression of the numb beggar soldiers in the Beijing camp. Later, he heard that Zhang Shikang had spent half a year training them. Cao Bianjiao was surprised for a long time.

This is not the most important thing. Three days ago, when he just arrived in the capital, he met Zhang Shikang. At that time, Zhang Shikang had just returned from the palace in a rage, as if he was rejected by the emperor because he wanted to go out of the city to fight.

Cao Bianjiao remembered very clearly that Zhang Shikang dared to be angry with the emperor and even cursed at him, showing no respect for the emperor at all.

This was not the most outrageous thing. The most outrageous thing was that less than half an hour later, Wang Chengen from the Imperial Household Department came in person. Cao Bianjiao thought that Wang Chengen was sent by the emperor to reprimand or even punish Zhang Shikang.

Unexpectedly, Wang Chengen came to comfort Zhang Shikang with a smile, saying that His Majesty was worried that he would be tired from fighting, and that it would be far more comfortable to stay in the capital than outside in the wind and sun. His Majesty also said that if Zhang Shikang felt bored, he could go back home and live like that.

Cao Bianjiao was stunned when he heard this. He had been outside in the wind and sun for more than ten years, and the emperor probably even forgot what he looked like.

This... His Majesty trusts too much, no, he dotes too much on this 19-year-old admiral of the Beijing Camp, right?

It was also from that day on that the image of Zhang Shikang's thighs lingered in the mind of Cao Bianjiao, who had just attained enlightenment.

He was quite cautious, because Qi Shaobao was powerful and had made outstanding contributions. However, after the death of Zhang Juzheng in the court, Qi Shaobao was also suppressed, and was finally impeached and dismissed from office. He died in poverty and frustration in his hometown.

He didn't want to end up like that, but Cao Bianjiao later felt that he was overthinking. Zhang Shikang was only 19 years old, still young, and his father was a hereditary duke, and he was also favored by the emperor.

He also observed the generals he knew, such as Sun Weifan and Wen Bangguo, and found that these generals also trusted Zhang Shikang very much, which showed that Zhang Shikang would not bully his subordinates casually.

After much analysis and consideration, Cao Bianjiao finally decided that this powerful figure was not only young but also reliable. He not only had the protection of the Duke but also the favor of the Emperor.

The thighs are so big and thick, even bigger than an elephant’s!

Not to be missed.

"So what?" Zhang Shikang gave a strange smile.

Upon hearing this, Cao Bianjiao immediately threw the wine bowl on the table, lifted up his battle robe and knelt on the ground.

"I am Cao Bianjiao, your lackey, and I am willing to follow you. If you tell me to go west, I will never go east."

Zhang Shikang was shocked and thought, are you serious?

"Brother Cao, there is no need to do this. Please get up quickly. Please get up quickly." Zhang Shikang hurried over to help Cao Bianjiao up, but Cao Bianjiao just refused to get up.

"If you agree, I will get up. I have used all my money to buy wine, and I don't have much to honor you, but I can rob you later.

There are beauties too. Last time when we fought Li Zicheng, he had a very beautiful young lady, but I got drunk and accidentally killed her. Next time, I will definitely keep her for you, sir."

He no longer wanted to go through the days of fighting on the battlefield and having his military achievements snatched away by others. He also no longer wanted to bow his head and flatter civil officials, fearing that they would say bad things about him in the court.

There is only one chance, he must seize it. He is no longer the young man he was a few years ago, he needs a strong thigh!

"Stop, stop, stop. It's not enough even though I agree. Get up quickly." Zhang Shikang managed to help Cao Bianjiao up.

He was worried that if he didn't stop him, this guy would probably give up his wife.

He roughly understood the thoughts of these border army generals. The officialdom of the Ming Dynasty was indeed like this, which was frustrating.

On the other hand, although Zhang Shikang had no interest in power, helping to protect these people who could fight would allow him to live a safe and comfortable life in the future, and it was just a piece of cake.

If he doesn't appreciate it, he might look for other powerful people. If he has good intentions, it's fine. But if he doesn't, it will be a hidden danger in the future.

However, he did not fully agree with it. Most of the blame should be borne by the old man in the palace.

As the Son of Heaven, he was unable to make full use of his talents and was always fooled by his court officials. Zhang Shikang never doubted that this brother wanted to make the Ming Dynasty a better place, but he just didn't have the ability.

"Hey! Since the Lord agrees, I feel relieved, hehe."

Cao Bianjiao was grinning foolishly, which was completely different from the expression he had when he was analyzing the way of training troops just now. Zhang Shikang just felt torn. Not to mention, it was pretty damn cute.

"Can you help me analyze why His Majesty doesn't agree with me leading the troops to the battle?"

Zhang Shikang really couldn't figure it out, and was even a little desperate. He wanted to use the Jiannu to test the combat effectiveness of the Beijing camp soldiers, but he wanted to see how Lu Xiangsheng was doing even more.

If Lu Xiangsheng really met with an accident, don't let him know who did it, otherwise they will be in trouble.

Cao Bianjiao had just gotten close to the powerful, so he was naturally very attentive, but in the end all he said was nothing more than what Emperor Chongzhen had said, and was even a little evasive.

"Sir, leading troops outside is really not as good as in the capital. There is not even clean water to drink. There are also many mosquitoes outside. Even though it is late autumn now, the mosquitoes are worse than those in summer. And..."

"Stop, stop, stop, Cao Bianjiao, what did you just say? Where is your loyalty? Are you trying to fool this admiral now?"

Zhang Shikang could see that Cao Bianjiao was trying to scare him, and even his tone was similar to that of Brother Chongzhen, so he stared at him and questioned him.

Seeing that Zhang Shikang was angry, Cao Bianjiao dared not say anything. Seeing that Zhang Shikang was still staring at him, as if he would not give up until he told the truth, he hesitated for a moment before saying:

"I think, Your Majesty... Your Majesty may be afraid that something might happen to you. My Lord, swords have no mercy on the battlefield..."

……