As for the question Su Xiqing was pondering, Zhao Junchen actually didn't know the answer himself.
Zhao Junchen just felt that as Linjing City got closer and closer, his mood became more and more nervous, and at the same time, he became more and more relaxed.
The reason for the tension is that the capital is different from Lu'an Prefecture. In Lu'an Prefecture, Zhao Junchen, as an imperial envoy, patrols the place on behalf of the emperor. There is almost no force that can threaten him. The only Shanxi merchant group that can compete with him is also because there are Because of Zhao Junchen, he behaved very respectfully and obeyed everything.
But the capital city is different. There, there is a supreme emperor, an upright prince, jealous and resentful political opponents, and secretly dissatisfied eunuchs. Every force can pose a great threat to Zhao Junchen, and every force cannot be easily provoked by Zhao Junchen. In fact, even the ordinary people in the capital are well-informed because they have lived in the right and wrong places of the capital for a long time, and are not as easy to fool as the people in Lu'an Prefecture.
For these threats, although Zhao Junchen had most of the countermeasures in his mind, he still could not guarantee them. Facing the complicated situation in the capital and the intricate forces, even if Zhao Junchen had the vision of future generations and the holy family of Emperor Deqing, he could not guarantee it. We can only work step by step and be extremely careful. If we are not careful, we may be in catastrophe.
However, compared to being nervous, Zhao Junchen actually felt more relaxed than nervous.
In the past two months, Zhao Junchen has been wearing a mask to communicate with people all the time. In front of the local officials of Lu'an Prefecture and the Shanxi Merchant Group, he is wearing the mask of a corrupt official with great foresight in order to convince them. in awe; and in front of ordinary people, he put on the mask of a good official who loves the people like a son, in order to improve his notorious reputation.
In less than two months, Zhao Junchen actually forgot what he looked like without a mask. Because he kept telling lies, Zhao Junchen now also didn't know how to tell the truth.
Especially the latter mask - in his last life, he was just one of the common people, and he couldn't stand those who deceived and fooled the common people. However, during his time in Lu'an Mansion, due to various reasons, he had to He has been playing his least favorite role, and the grateful and loving eyes of the people always make him feel more stressed.
The reason why he planned to transfer all the Wanmin umbrellas given to him by the people of Lu'an to Emperor Deqing, and only kept the smallest and most inconspicuous one, was to please Emperor Deqing, but deep down in his heart, Zhao Junchen was still I feel that I am not worthy of these Umbrellas.
After arriving in the capital, although there were many dangers, at least Zhao Junchen was able to take off the mask of the "hypocrite" most of the time, leaving only the mask of a "real villain". This change will indeed make Zhao Junchen double. Feel relaxed.
"After all, in my last life, I was just an ordinary civil servant. How could I have had so many thoughts, hypocrisy and deceitfulness? Perhaps, after a period of adaptation, I can be free among various masks. After the transformation, I will no longer feel the burden of fooling the people. By that time, I will be able to become a truly mature politician, right?"
Zhao Junchen thought secretly.
Yes, Zhao Junchen wants to be a politician.
Politicians and statesmen are two completely different identities, although some people often confuse the two.
The so-called politicians are mature and rational, and only have interests in their eyes. As for the safety of the country and the lives of the people, in the eyes of politicians, they are just dispensable embellishments. Everything they do is just to enable themselves to climb higher and go further. Far.
The so-called politicians have lofty feelings and serve the country and the people, even at the expense of themselves when necessary. Everything they do is just to realize their ideals and ambitions. They are perfectionists, and perfection is a bit simple.
Zhao Junchen doesn't want to be a politician. He has no ambition to change this era, and he doesn't think he has the ability. He just wants to protect himself and live comfortably in this era.
Therefore, he can only become a politician.
Because, in history, all politicians, although they are all famous throughout the ages, most of them died with their eyes open. And some of those politicians may be more infamous than today's Zhao Junchen, but most of the time, they lived a happy life.
Today, Zhao Junchen is on the road to becoming a politician, a little hesitant, but more often than not, he is still determined.
………
In the carriage, Zhao Junchen was looking through the documents in his hands - portraits of people.
As early as when he was in Lu'an Mansion, Zhao Junchen was already preparing to return to the capital. He even asked the painters to draw the faces of all the important people in the capital on paper and organize them into a volume in accordance with Xu Qingyan's description. for him to understand.
As for the situation and environment in Beijing, Zhao Junchen had discussed it with Xu Qingyan no less than ten times and already had a clear understanding of it.
But just in case, Zhao Junchen will still review it from time to time along the way to prevent any omissions.
"Master, we are arriving in the capital soon!!"
Just when Zhao Junchen was once again reviewing the appearance and conduct of the important figures in the capital, Xu Qingyan's voice sounded outside the car.
Zhao Junchen nodded and said, "I understand."
Now, seven days have passed since Zhao Junchen left Lu'an Mansion, and he hastily returned to the capital.
Zhao Junchen opened the curtain in front of the car and saw that the tall city walls of Beijing were looming in sight. The surrounding roads were gradually becoming lively and bustling. People and cars were already coming and going around Zhao Junchen's carriage at some unknown time.
"As expected of the capital city of the Ming Dynasty, it is much more prosperous than Lu'an Mansion. It is even far away from the city gate, but it is already so lively."
Zhao Junchen thought to himself, put down the curtain, took a deep breath in the carriage, and murmured softly: "We have finally arrived in the capital."
Along the way, facing the unfamiliar environment in the capital, Zhao Junchen was a little nervous and apprehensive. But when the capital really appeared in front of him, Zhao Junchen calmed down and even felt a little hopeful.
After looking at the portraits and information at hand, Zhao Junchen smiled slightly and murmured softly: "Well, I understand everything that I need to know. There shouldn't be any omissions."
At the same time as the words fell, outside the carriage, Xu Qingyan became a little arrogant because he returned to a familiar place in the capital. He casually pointed at an entourage of Zhao Junchen and said loudly: "We are about to enter the capital, are you still stunned?" What are you doing here? Why don’t you go to the mansion immediately to report and tell the people in the mansion that the young master is back? Let Mrs. Ruyi and the others prepare to welcome the young master!!”
"Understood!"
The entourage didn't waste any time and quickly headed towards the capital.
On the other side, in the carriage, Zhao Junchen, who had just relaxed a little, was stunned when Xu Qingyan said the four words "Mrs. Ruyi".
Yes, Zhao Junchen is now over 20 years old, how can he still be single? Even if there is no wife, there will definitely be concubines.
Over the past few days, Zhao Junchen had learned all about the situation in the capital and the court, but he had forgotten to learn about the situation of his wives and concubines! !
The memories that Zhao Junchen inherited are quite fragmented. Because the original Zhao Junchen was too self-centered, the memories that Zhao Junchen now inherits only have three parts. One is about his own general experience, and the other is about everything about money. The third is about the character of Emperor Deqing. As for "Mrs. Ruyi" and so on, no matter how Zhao Junchen thought about it, he didn't even have the slightest impression...
"Trouble..."
Zhao Junchen murmured to himself.
…………
The first volume "Lu'an Locust Disaster" is over, please continue to pay attention to the second volume "Silver Empire".
