Travel back in time and become Chongzhen, watch me turn the tide

Chongzhen's words were like a boulder dropped into a calm lake, instantly stirring up a thousand waves and leaving everyone stunned, unsure how to react. For a moment, the air seemed to freeze, a stillness shrouded in silence, the only sound being the faint rise and fall of everyone's nervous and doubtful breathing.

The so-called Donglin Party, Qi Party, etc. during the Ming Dynasty were completely different from the political parties of later generations.

Political parties at the time were political groups spontaneously formed by scholars and officials based on shared interests and ideals. They lacked a rigid organizational structure and clearly defined political goals. Membership was defined in a vague manner, with no strict procedures for joining. They often came together based on similar political views.

Factional strife has been a constant scourge for dynasties since ancient times, like a malignant tumor, silently eroding their very foundations. The Ming Dynasty is now in deep trouble and on the verge of collapse, and factional strife is a key factor in its downfall. Consequently, emperors of all dynasties have held factional strife in a deep abhorrence, viewing it as a scourge. Ministers, fully aware of the risks involved, dare not openly declare their affiliation with a particular party, carefully concealing their partisan leanings.

But at this moment, Emperor Chongzhen actually proposed to establish a political party in a grand manner. This shocking move made everyone present confused and bewildered, and it was really difficult to guess the deep meaning behind it.

"Your Majesty, all under heaven belongs to the king, and all the people of this world are his subjects." Seeing that everyone was silent, Hou Fangyu had no choice but to bite the bullet and speak boldly, "We are all your majesty's subjects. What difference does it make whether we join this party or not?"

"Chaozong, that's a good question!" Chongzhen nodded slightly, a flicker of approval in his eyes. He said, "As the emperor, the people of the Ming Dynasty are all my subjects. But among these people, how many are truly loyal to the Ming Dynasty? And outside the territory of the Ming Dynasty, how many people, although not citizens of the Ming Dynasty, are still concerned about the Ming Dynasty?"

His voice was steady and powerful, echoing in the silent space. Everyone held their breath and listened attentively.

"This..." Zhang Huangyan pondered for a moment and then said, "Your Majesty, do you mean that the relationship between the people and the common people is as subtle and complex as this?"

"That's right!" Chongzhen nodded again, his expression solemn. "Of course, there's more to it than that. The establishment of my political party is by no means a rash act. This party will have a clear organizational structure and political goals, which is completely different from previous parties."

"Political goal?" Huang Zongxi asked softly with a puzzled look on his face.

"Yes," Chongzhen said with a resolute gaze, "our goal is to achieve the unification of the Ming Dynasty in the short term and restore its former territory and glory. Ultimately, our goal is to achieve a prosperous era of great harmony, where the elderly have a place to live, the strong have jobs, the young have opportunities to grow, and the widowed, the orphaned, the disabled, and the disabled are all cared for."

"Let the elderly have a place to live, the strong find employment, the young have a place to grow, and the widowed, the orphaned, the lonely, and the disabled all be provided for..." Huang Zongxi muttered to himself, repeatedly savoring Chongzhen's words. His eyes gradually gleamed with excitement, and he said, "If such a grand wish can be realized, Your Majesty will surely be a wise ruler of all ages, and his reputation will last forever."

"If it is to achieve this goal, we are willing to join," Zhang Huangyan said excitedly, his blood boiling. His voice trembled slightly with excitement, and his eyes were full of determination and resoluteness.

"I am willing..."

"I am also willing..."

Everyone responded, and for a moment, the sounds of response rose and fell, echoing throughout the space.

"Hahaha." Chongzhen laughed heartily upon seeing this. His laughter was hearty and heroic. He said, "I know that you people always put the people first in your hearts. Such sentiments are truly a blessing for the Ming Dynasty."

"Your Majesty, we..." Hou Fangyu's heart sank when he heard Chongzhen's words. Thinking that Chongzhen had misunderstood him, he hurriedly wanted to explain. However, before he could finish his words, Chongzhen raised his hand and waved gently, indicating that he didn't need to say more.

"That's right, I was expecting you to do just that." Chongzhen said with a smile, "Since that's the case, my party is now officially established. I'm sure no one will challenge me for the position of the first party leader."

"Your Majesty, what is the name of our party?" Huang Zongxi asked.

"Let's call it the People's Party!" Chongzhen said with a smile on his face and high spirits: "The purpose of our party is to serve the people wholeheartedly. What do you think?"

"The People's Party serves the people, great!" Huang Zongxi couldn't help but applaud, his eyes full of admiration and recognition.

"Then can anyone join the People's Party?" Zhang Huangyan asked after a little thought.

"Of course not." Chongzhen shook his head slowly, his expression serious. "My next step will be to draft the People's Party's program and charter. Those who wish to join the People's Party must first be advanced elements among the people, possessing noble character, outstanding talents, and firm convictions. Only then will we seriously consider accepting them. Furthermore, those who recognize the People's Party's program and charter, are willing to devote themselves wholeheartedly to the organization, actively participate in all its affairs, and unwaveringly implement the Party's resolutions."

"So strict?" Hou Fangyu was slightly stunned, with a look of surprise on his face, and blurted out.

"Of course. People's Party members must be the vanguard fighters among the people, the ones with the highest consciousness and the strongest convictions. They are not ordinary people who can easily join..." Chongzhen said with a firm look, leaving no room for doubt.

"That's right, that's right..." Hou Fangyu and others nodded in agreement after hearing this. Although they were a little surprised at the harsh conditions for joining, they also knew that this was a big deal that concerned the future of the Ming Dynasty and they could not afford to be negligent in the slightest.

Chongzhen's establishment of the People's Party was not a whim, but the result of careful consideration.

Today, the Ming Dynasty court appears calm on the surface, but once it gets back on track, the past party struggles will surely revive and make a comeback.

Why assert that factional strife is bound to recur? A simple review of the historical process leading to the establishment of the Southern Ming Dynasty reveals the reason. Prince Fu was enthroned as emperor not because of his ability to govern and maintain peace, but rather out of self-interest by Ma Shiying and others. Shi Kefa, obsessed with choosing an emperor based on his own political convictions, hesitated and delayed, ultimately leading to Prince Fu's ascension to the throne.

After Prince Fu ascended the throne, Ma Shiying and his ilk quickly rallied around him, forming a powerful faction. They launched a fierce attack on the Donglin Party, eliminating dissidents by any means necessary, and quickly seized control of the Southern Ming court. At that time, the most influential officials at court were concerned not with the rise and fall of the nation, but rather with the interests of themselves and their respective interest groups. Consequently, ever since Zhu Yousong ascended the throne, the Southern Ming was plagued by constant factional strife and the smoke of war. Busied with power struggles, no one seriously considered how to recover lost territory, let alone even the most basic defensive strategies.

Chongzhen, understanding the course of history, naturally wouldn't waste precious time and energy on endless buck-passing among officials. He knew the most urgent task was to concentrate all available human and material resources to prepare for the Qing army's southward advance. Only by successfully resisting the Qing attack and gaining a firm foothold in the Southern Ming half of the country could he consider recovering lost territory and realize his ambition to turn the tide.

However, it would be difficult for him to achieve such a difficult goal on his own. He urgently needed a group of knowledgeable people who were loyal to him, or to the Ming Dynasty, to work together to overcome the difficulties, rather than getting bogged down in mutual attacks and internal friction.

After much deliberation, he came up with the most convenient and effective solution: establishing a political party. After all, he came from a later era, and the teacher's example of using political parties to unite people and promote successful revolutions was clearly before him, a model worth learning from and emulating.

Had this happened during peacetime, or even if he had time-traveled back to the early years of the Chongzhen Emperor, he might not have taken such action. However, the current situation was critical, and his life was in imminent danger. His survival hung on a thread. In such a pressing situation, he naturally acted in whatever way would produce the quickest results. Just like his confiscation of the Puzhou Wang family's property and his exploitation of the Lianghuai salt merchants, while somewhat impulsive, it was the most efficient and effective way to proceed in the current predicament.

"Impermanent decree." Chongzhen said solemnly, "Imperial decree grants to Huang Zongxi, Chen Zhenhui, and Mao Xiangtong the title of Jinshi, and appoints them as Doctors of the Imperial University; Fang Yizhi is appointed as a Doctor of the Imperial University; Zhang Huangyan is appointed as the Left Secretary of the Ministry of Rites, and Zheng Sen is appointed as a Rite Officer, serving in the Grand Council."

"Your Majesty, what about me?" Seeing that everyone who came this time had been properly arranged, Xia Wanchun couldn't help feeling a little lost. He made up his mind and asked with courage.

"Haha, that's a good question!" Chongzhen was delighted to see Xia Wanchun had the courage to ask such a question at such a young age. After thinking for a moment, he said, "It's not that I don't want to make arrangements for you, it's just that you are still young..."

"Your Majesty, I am already thirteen years old this year," Xia Wanchun said unconvincedly, "Gan Luo became prime minister at the age of twelve. I am now one year older than him."

"Good, you have ambition!" Chongzhen smiled and nodded in praise, saying, "Then how about you follow Zhang Huangyan to the Ministry of Rites and become a clerk in the Grand Council, just like Zheng Sen did?"

"Thank you, Your Majesty!" Xia Wanchun was overjoyed when he heard this and immediately knelt down to express his gratitude.

"Hahaha..." Chongzhen laughed out loud again, and his laughter echoed in the palace for a long time, as if he was full of infinite expectations and confidence for the future.