In fact, neither Zhan Shanchang, nor Tong Huan, nor even Xu Qingyan saw through the true intention of Zhao Junchen's plan. (lingdiankanshu)
The real reason why Zhao Junchen sold out nearly half of the shares of "Yue Rongfang" in one go was not to buy off Wen Guanliang's disciples, thereby completely ousting Wen Guanliang. Because in Zhao Junchen's view, if you want to bribe an official, power is as important as money. However, the current Zhao Junchen can only give them money, but cannot satisfy their desire for power.
In Zhao Junchen's view, although the shares of "Yue Rongfang" are attractive, it is simply a fantasy that Wen Guanliang's faction can fall apart.
Zhao Junchen's real purpose is just to use this action to make Wen Guanliang's already unstable officials become even more panic-stricken, causing suspicion and mutual distrust, and ultimately further weakening Wen Guanliang's power and authority. Influence.
Of course, if he could really buy some of Wen Guanliang's disciples with some shares of "Yue Rongfang", thus weakening Wen Guanliang and enhancing his own power, Zhao Junchen would also be happy to see it happen.
However, this time, Zhao Junchen was wrong. He had only been in this era for a short time, and his understanding of corrupt officials was not as profound as Zhan Shanchang, Tong Huan, and even Xu Qingyan. He underestimated the temptation of money to corrupt officials and overestimated Wen Guanliang's control over his subordinates.
For most corrupt officials, although official position and power are their foundation, money is their goal.
What's more, although Zhao Junchen could not satisfy their desire for official position and power, in fact, Wen Guanliang could not do more.
Therefore, the day after the banquet, when he went to court in the morning, Zhao Junchen was shocked to find that Wen Guanliang seemed to have no idea about his actions last night!
At least, on the surface, Wen Guanliang went to court on the clock as always, and when facing Zhao Junchen, his expression was as gloomy as ever, but other than that, he made no other moves.
Wen Guanliang is not as deep-tempered as Zhou Shangjing. If he knew about Zhao Junchen's behavior of trying to force the corner, even if he didn't show any signs, he should at least show some abnormal behavior.
"Did everyone betray Wen Guanliang last night? No one revealed the news?"
When they went to the morning court, Zhao Junchen fell behind, staring at Wen Guanliang's back, thinking secretly.
"If that's the case, that would be interesting."
Thinking like this, a meaningful smile flashed across Zhao Junchen's lips.
………
After the early morning session, go to the Yamen of the Ministry of Industry.
Zuo Lanshan, the minister of the Ministry of Industry, was sitting in his room, not interested in dealing with official duties. He just frowned and thought about something.
The situation in the temple has been stable in the past few days, and nothing major has happened. Although Wen Guanliang and Zhao Junchen have broken their faces, they are still making preparations, waiting for the opportunity, accumulating strength, and have not initiated a conflict.
But in fact, as Wen Guanliang's right-hand man, Zuo Lanshan knew very well that Wen Guanliang seemed to have done nothing these days, but secretly prepared a series of plans to deal with Zhao Junchen, and these plans were linked together. Once this link is implemented, it will definitely bring great trouble to Zhao Junchen.
The time to implement the plan is when the bet between Zhao Junchen and Prince Zhu Heyu ends!
At the banquet that Zhao Junchen had with a group of businessmen yesterday, Wen Guanliang had his own spies ambushing him. He agreed with most officials in the court that Zhao Junchen must have won the bet.
Because of this, when dealing with Zhao Junchen at that time, although Zhu Heyu was equally hostile to Wen Guanliang, they had just lost the bet and the prince's party, eager to regain their face, would inevitably become Wen Guanliang's vanguard.
In addition, Wen Guanliang has reached a tacit understanding with the other two elders - Shen Changmao and Huang Yourong. Although these two old guys are old and cunning people and will never be used by Wen Guanliang, they also do not want to see Zhao Junchen's power. rise, so when Zhao Junchen's situation is unfavorable, Shen Changmao and Huang Yourong will never miss the opportunity to add insult to injury.
As a result, with the combined efforts of the four factions, even Zhou Shangjing would be in a hurry, let alone Zhao Junchen?
By that time, even if Emperor Deqing is protecting him, Zhao Junchen will definitely lose his power.
The key to dealing with Zhao Junchen lies in Zuo Lanshan.
Zuo Lanshan has already made full preparations for this and is full of confidence.
However, after the morning session today, for some reason, Zuo Lanshan always felt that something was wrong, but he couldn't tell what exactly was wrong.
Zuo Lanshan is now in his early fifties and has long passed the age of trusting intuition. However, this feeling is so strong that Zuo Lanshan cannot ignore it.
"What's wrong?"
Zuo Lanshan thought to himself while flipping through the Ministry of Industry's notes casually.
While Zuo Lanshan was thinking deeply, outside the room, a government official reported outside the door: "Master Shangshu, Mr. Chen Dongxiang, the right servant, Mr. Wang Zhao, the doctor of the Yingqing Li Division, Mr. Liu Qi, the doctor of the Dushui Cleaning Division, Mr. Zhao Xuchen, Mr. Zhao, and Mr. Xu, the director of the Field Cleaning Department, Mr. Xu... jointly seek an audience."
Zuo Lanshan couldn't help but be surprised when the yamen officer outside the door reported more than ten names at once.
Most of these people belong to Wen Guanliang's sect. They have helped Zuo Lanshan control the Ministry of Industry over the years. In Zuo Lanshan's eyes, they are all his capable men.
We all came to see you at this time. Could it be that something big happened?
Not daring to delay, Zuo Lanshan said quickly: "Please invite them in quickly."
After a while, a group of important officials from the Ministry of Works filed in, headed by Chen Dongxiang, the right servant.
Zuo Lanshan's office room was not small, but so many people came that the room was filled to the brim.
"Why did you all come to me at once? But what happened?"
Zuo Lanshan asked quickly after seeing everyone gathered.
However, Zuo Lanshan was surprised that after these important officials from the Ministry of Industry looked at each other for a few times, they actually ignored Chen Dongxiang, the right servant who was the leader of the crowd, and all focused their attention on Liu Qi, the doctor of the Dushui Qingli Division. .
Liu Qi also came from Wen Guanliang's sect, but he has never been taken seriously by Zuo Lanshan. In fact, Zuo Lanshan has been suppressing him intentionally or unintentionally over the years.
Because this Liu Qi is not only a villain, but also an unprincipled villain. Although Zuo Lanshan doesn't think he is a gentleman, he still can't understand Liu Qi's temperament and actions.
It's just that villains have their own advantages. Villains without principles are easier to get along with than gentlemen with many principles. Because of this, Liu Qi is very popular and is better at connecting, so Zuo Lanshan also It's not good to target him deliberately.
As if feeling the surprise in Zuo Lanshan's eyes, Liu Qi smiled slightly, walked out of the queue, bowed to Zuo Lanshan, and said: "Master Shangshu, I am waiting to see you this time, but I have something to ask for. I hope you can." Don't refuse, after all, this matter is good for both of us."
Seeing the smile on Liu Qi's face, which seemed a bit like a villain's triumph, Zuo Lanshan couldn't help but frown even more tightly. His eyes scanned the people in front of him, and he finally knew where the uneasiness in his heart came from today.
After leaving the morning court, he returned to the yamen of the Ministry of Industry and Commerce. For some reason, the way the Ministry of Industry and Commerce looked at him was less respectful and more meaningful.
As a result, the Ministry of Industry, which was originally aligned with him, gave him a sense of being unable to control it.
With this thought in his mind, Zuo Lanshan's expression remained unchanged and he said slowly: "Oh? What on earth is going on? I want you to come together to ask for help? Let me tell you, as long as I can help, I will never refuse. .”
While speaking, Zuo Lanshan stared at Liu Qi closely. He knew that the problem must be with Liu Qi when everyone behaved like this.
Liu Qi was a little panicked by Zuo Lanshan's gaze, and subconsciously looked away, but still said: "That's it, Mr. Zhao Junchen, Mr. Zhao, felt that our officials from the Ministry of Industry lived in poverty, and the 'Yerongfang' he opened, In the past few days, we have been making money every day, so we have been invited to join the 'Yue Rong Fang' and the benefits will be equally shared. Mr. Zhao is so considerate of us? How can we refuse? So, today I will leave this matter. I told my colleagues, and naturally all my colleagues will not object to Mr. Zhao’s kindness..."
After a pause, Liu Qi seemed to have found the confidence to speak. He looked at Zuo Lanshan again and continued: "In this case, among all the people in the Ministry of Industry, only your opinion is undecided. I will wait for this time." Asking to see Lord Shangshu means inviting Lord Shangshu to advance and retreat with us from the Ministry of Works and join us in investing in Yuerongfang. If Lord Shangshu agrees, then it proves that Lord Shangshu and the officials below us are of the same mind. We at the Ministry of Works, from top to bottom, are still the same as before. I fully support you, if you don’t agree..."
Hearing the threat implicit in Liu Qi's words, Zuo Lanshan felt angry and said coldly: "What if you don't agree? Don't you treat me as a minister?"
Seeing Zuo Lanshan's cold tone, Liu Qi didn't dare to say anything more. She just looked at Chen Dongxiang, the right servant, for help.
After all, among these people, Chen Dongxiang is the starting point.
Following Liu Qi's gaze, Zuo Lanshan also looked at Chen Dongxiang and asked slowly: "Dongxiang, do you agree?"
Chen Dongxiang is Zuo Lanshan's right-hand man. Although he is still under forty, he is capable and has a precise vision. Although his temper is slightly gloomy, he is still the most valued by Zuo Lanshan.
Liu Qi seemed to have remembered something, but at this moment he rushed to say: "Master Shangshu, maybe you don't know how big the business of Yuerongfang is, but your subordinates know that Yuerongfang is now only He just opened a shop in the capital, and thousands of taels of silver came into his account every day. Now Mr. Zhao is planning to expand his business. In the future, every province, prefecture, and county in the Ming Dynasty will have a 'Yerongfang' shop. Then every year The amount of money entered into the account is a huge amount. Lord Shangshu, why do we become officials? Isn't it just to seek wealth? Now that Lord Zhao has praised us and given us such a huge way to make money, how can we not know how to appreciate it... …”
Halfway through his words, Liu Qi found that both Zuo Lanshan and Chen Dongxiang were looking at him coldly. His body trembled and he quickly closed his mouth.
After Chen Dongxiang snorted at Liu Qi, he finally spoke. He was not like Liu Qi, who was a villain. Instead, he had a serious face and said slowly to Zuo Lanshan: "Master Shangshu, I know that the reason why you are today , was supported by Mr. Wen Ge, and I have always been grateful to Mr. Wen Ge, but if you don't care for yourself, heaven and earth will destroy you. After entering the officialdom, we have no way out, and we need to consider the longer term. "
"What do you mean?"
Zuo Lanshan asked after being stunned for a moment.
"This time Mr. Wen Ge asked us to deal with Zhao Junchen. From the beginning, I disagreed. I meant to dissuade, but instead I was scolded, saying that I was timid and weak and could not be reused, ha!" After a sneer, Chen Dongxiang His voice and expression also became cold. "Mr. Wen Ge thought that as long as he united with the prince's party, Mr. Shen Ge and Mr. Huang Ge, he could completely defeat Zhao Junchen and leave him no chance to turn around. But he didn't know that Zhao Junchen was deeply loved by the Holy Spirit and His Majesty could not do without him. It is impossible to kill him with a stick. Even if he succeeds for a while, Zhao Junchen will definitely make a comeback in the future. When then, how will we deal with Zhao Junchen's unscrupulous revenge? "
After a pause, leaving Zuo Lanshan some time to think, Chen Dongxiang continued: "It is better to bully a white-bearded man than to bully a poor young man. This sentence is most suitable for Zhao Junchen, who offended Zhao Junchen. Mr. Wen Ge is not afraid. Sooner or later, he will return to his hometown as an official. According to official customs, when he returns to his hometown, all the rights and wrongs between him and Zhao Junchen will disappear. But what will we do then? By that time, Who can protect us?"
At this point, Chen Dongxiang's voice became even colder: "We all know the reasons for Zhan Shanchang's incident, and this time Mr. Wen Ge did not hesitate to break up with Zhao Junchen for the sake of his own face, which he has never done before. Thinking about us, how can we not be despondent after all these considerations? People who do not care for themselves will be punished by heaven and earth. Since Mr. Wen Ge never thinks about us, why should we continue to be foolishly loyal to him? Zhao Junchen wants us to invest in Yuerongfang this time ', which shows our sincerity. It is our chance to change our appearance. Now the time is right. We are not afraid that Zhao Junchen will look down on us if we join him. And Zhao Junchen has a bright future. Follow him. Not to mention the attractive business of 'Yue Rongfang'. You and I may not have the opportunity to go further in the future."
Hearing what Chen Dongxiang said, everyone present was stunned.
When Liu Qi and others talked to Chen Dongxiang about buying a stake in "Yue Rongfang" before, Chen Dongxiang agreed immediately without any hesitation, and even helped Liu Qi persuade many Ministry of Industry officials who originally thought it was impossible for Liu Qi to be persuaded. officials.
Originally, everyone thought that Chen Dongxiang did this because of the money he could bring after investing in "Yue Rongfang", but now it seems that Chen Dongxiang has already considered it.
Perhaps, even if nothing happened today, Chen Dongxiang would betray Wen Guanliang sooner or later.
On the other side, after listening to Chen Dongxiang's persuasion, Zuo Lanshan was no longer as angry as before and just remained silent.
While he felt that what Chen Dongxiang said was indeed reasonable, he also thought that Wen Guanliang's kindness to him over the years had made him hesitant and in a dilemma.
Seeing Zuo Lanshan like this, everyone looked worried.
If Zuo Lanshan finally refuses, then these people will eventually break with Zuo Lanshan.
Zuo Lanshan is their immediate boss and is hostile to Zuo Lanshan. Although they have Chen Dongxiang making the decision and Zhao Junchen as their backer, it is still a very troublesome matter.
When Chen Dongxiang saw Zuo Lanshan's hesitation, he calmed down, because Zuo Lanshan's hesitation proved that he had begun to seriously consider it.
Therefore, Chen Dongxiang continued: "Master Shangshu, please consider it carefully. At this point, whether you agree or not, Mr. Wen Ge will definitely lose his power, and his plans to deal with Zhao Junchen will definitely not be realized. After this incident, Zhao Junchen’s power will inevitably increase. Who is the loser and who is the winner? Now the situation is very clear.”
After hearing what Chen Dongxiang said, Zuo Lanshan finally made up his mind. After snorting softly, he looked up at Chen Dongxiang and said slowly: "Dongxiang, you are wrong to say that."
Chen Dongxiang was stunned for a moment, and his eyes subconsciously became deeper.
Could it be that Zuo Lanshan finally decided to be loyal to Wen Guanliang?
If so, things will be in trouble.
Who knows, Zuo Lanshan changed his tone and continued: "You call Mr. Zhao by his name, which is a lack of respect. Although Mr. Zhao has the same official rank as you, you and I both know that he will be promoted soon. He is the Minister of the Ministry of Revenue and has a bright future. Even if I meet him in the future, I will still address him as Mr. Zhao, so how can you call Mr. Zhao by his first name?"
Hearing what Zuo Lanshan said, Chen Dongxiang was slightly startled. Then he understood what Zuo Lanshan meant. He couldn't help feeling relieved, and he bowed and admitted his mistake: "I made a mistake, sir. Thank you, Lord Shangshu, for your guidance."
After admitting his mistake, Chen Dongxiang stood up and saw that although Zuo Lanshan had made his attitude clear, his face was still serious. After thinking about it, he understood that Zuo Lanshan felt that what he and his group did today was suspected of intimidation by the crowd. I feel I have lost face.
Therefore, Chen Dongxiang said again: "Master Shangshu, since you have made up your mind, please find an opportunity to tell Mr. Zhao the current position of our Ministry of Industry. After all, you are the head of the Ministry of Industry, and we, the Ministry of Industry, Now that our position has changed under your leadership, from now on we need you to fight for the interests of our Ministry of Industry."
Sure enough, after listening to what Chen Dongxiang said, Zuo Lanshan's face finally looked better.
On the other side, while Chen Dongxiang was speaking, he winked at the officials from the Ministry of Works. All the officials from the Ministry of Works also understood. As Chen Dongxiang repeatedly admitted his mistakes, he said a lot of nice things, or said, "This is the real thing." I have no choice but to do so, I just don’t want to be hostile to Lord Shangshu in the future,” or “I will definitely still follow Lord Shangshu’s lead in the future.”
And with the deliberate efforts to please everyone in the Ministry of Industry, Zuo Lanshan's expression finally returned to normal. At least on the surface, he no longer blamed everyone.
Then, Zuo Lanshan turned his attention to Liu Qi.
Noticing Zuo Lanshan's gaze and thinking that what she had just done was a bit arrogant, Liu Qi couldn't help being shocked, thinking that Zuo Lanshan was going to settle the score with the Queen.
Unexpectedly, after Zuo Lanshan hesitated for a moment, he asked: "Liu Qi, does Yuerongfang really make thousands of taels of income every day in the past few days? After buying shares, how will the distribution of this money be calculated?"
Following Zuo Lanshan's inquiry, everyone in the room became quiet and looked at Liu Qi.
They had already asked Liu Qi this question, and Liu Qi had already told them the answer, but at this time the officials from the Ministry of Industry couldn't help but want to hear it again.
Hearing Zuo Lanshan ask this, Liu Qi let out a sigh of relief. Just as he was about to say something, he heard a report from a government servant outside the room: "Master Shangshu, Mr. Li Lide, the left minister of the Ministry of Punishment, is asking for an audience."
Almost at the same time, another official came to report: "Master Shangshu, Mr. Gu Quangu, the right deputy censor of the Inspectorate, wants to see you."
After hearing the report, a look of sadness flashed across Zuo Lanshan's face.
He had probably guessed the purpose of Li Lide and Gu Quan's visit, and he knew even more clearly that Wen Guanliang was definitely losing this fight.
Although he had made up his mind to change his stance, he still couldn't help but feel sad when he thought about Wen Guanliang's next situation.
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