"Master Zhao, why did you come here? We are all anxious to death. [Read the full text]"
Zhao Junchen came outside the Meridian Gate. As soon as he got off the sedan, Zhan Shanchang pulled Gu Quan, the right deputy inspector of the Metropolitan Procuratorate, and quickly came to Zhao Junchen, looking anxious and whispering.
Seeing Zhan Shanchang's serious face, knowing that something important might have happened, Zhao Junchen frowned and said, "I encountered something on the way and was delayed. What? But what happened?"
While talking, Zhao Junchen waved his hand, and Xu Qingyan left with the bearers knowingly.
After hearing Zhao Junchen's inquiry, Zhan Shanchang glanced at Gu Quan beside him and said in a deep voice: "Mr. Gu, you should talk to Mr. Zhao."
Gu Quan nodded, and while following Zhao Junchen towards the Meridian Gate, he said in a low voice: "Master Zhao, I have just received the news that the three senior officials of the pavilion, Zhou Shangjing, Huang Yourong, and Shen Changmao, are all dead today. We have brought information about the impeachment of the Crown Prince, and judging from this attitude, we are going to attack the Crown Prince in court this morning."
Zhao Junchen was stunned and said in surprise: "So soon? I thought they would wait a few more days until refugees from all over the country gathered in the capital before taking action. How come it's so early today?"
Gu Quan explained: "I guess it seems that because of yesterday's interception and arrest of refugees along the way by the Metropolitan Procuratorate, the reputation of the Metropolitan Procuratorate has been completely ruined. Now, neither His Majesty nor the Crown Prince can protect the Metropolitan Procuratorate anymore." Everyone in the courtyard and the pavilion elders saw that the time was right, so they took action in advance."
Hearing Gu Quan's explanation, Zhao Junchen was stunned again. He didn't expect that the source of the matter still lay with himself.
On the other side, Zhan Shanchang glanced at Zhao Junchen hesitantly, but then asked cautiously: "Mr. Zhao, this happened suddenly, everyone is waiting for you to make up your mind. What should we do in the morning? Should you follow the three cabinet elders to impeach the prince and the Metropolitan Procuratorate? Or help your majesty protect the prince?"
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originally. Zhao Junchen was still wondering, but it was just that the three cabinet ministers were going to take action against the prince and the Metropolitan Procuratorate. Although it happened in advance, it was something that had been expected. Why should Zhan Shanchang and the others be so anxious?
But now after hearing Zhan Shanchang's careful inquiry, Zhao Junchen finally understood the reason.
In recent days, Zhao Junchen and several elders have been stumbling upon Prince Zhu Heyu. On the other hand, Emperor Deqing forced Cheng Yuandao, a die-hard supporter of the crown prince, to join the cabinet. Such acts of both sides were seen by Zhan Shanchang and the others.
Although such contradictory attitudes and positions can make profits in a short period of time, the officials under Zhao Junchen are also a little confused because of this.
Not just confused. They couldn't even figure out what they should do in the morning.
If the three pavilion elders start to criticize the prince and the Metropolitan Procuratorate, will they support or oppose it?
What if the support makes Emperor Deqing dissatisfied with Zhao Junchen? Zhao Junchen cannot do without the support of Emperor Deqing!
If he objects, he will offend the three elders. Not to mention, Prince Zhu and Yu are enemies rather than friends with them, and have repeatedly made things difficult for them. In defending the prince, they are not only unwilling to do so, but they are also feeding a tiger into trouble!
That's why Zhan Shanchang took Gu Quan and hurriedly asked Zhao Junchen for advice, because they really didn't know what to do!
Seeing Zhan Shanchang's confusion and caution when asking, Zhao Junchen secretly thought: "If this continues, no matter how carefully I manage, sooner or later the factions under my sect will cause trouble!"
At this moment, Zhao Junchen once again discovered the shortcomings of relying on imperial power.
The reason why the chief assistant Zhou Shangjing underestimated Zhao Junchen was also exposed at this moment.
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However, although there were many thoughts in Zhao Junchen's heart, they were not shown on his face. His expression still showed that he was confident and capable of coping.
After pondering for a moment. Zhao Junchen told Zhan Shanchang and Gu Quan: "Go and tell everyone that in the morning, you can follow suit and impeach the Metropolitan Procuratorate. Now the reputation of the Metropolitan Procuratorate has been completely ruined. Even His Majesty will not protect them. Moreover, the Metropolitan Procuratorate has been making excuses to impeach us every day these days, and we should return some of it. But don’t impeach the prince. The time to bring him down has not yet come. If His Majesty asks you, just say some polite words."
After finally getting the letter from Zhao Junchen, Zhan Shanchang and Gu Quan both looked relieved. After nodding in agreement, they quickly left to inform other officials in Zhao Junchen's faction.
Seeing this scene, Zhao Junchen sighed secretly. Regarding his current position and situation, Zhao Junchen could only take one step at a time. There was really no way to turn things around.
While thinking to himself, Zhao Junchen looked up and saw that all the officials outside the Meridian Gate had solemn expressions on their faces, gathering in twos and threes to discuss something with each other.
The atmosphere was depressing, like the prelude before a storm.
Especially the prince's party seemed to have vaguely received the news. At this time, they all gathered around the prince Zhu Heyu, as if they were debating something. Everyone looked solemn, and they did not even notice the appearance of Zhao Junchen.
As for the three pavilion elders, Zhou Shangjing, Huang Yourong, and Shen Changmao, they also appeared outside the Meridian Gate, each surrounded by officials.
When Zhao Junchen looked at Huang Yourong, Huang Yourong probably didn't know about Xi'er yet. After noticing Zhao Junchen's gaze, he still smiled and nodded at Zhao Junchen, looking amiable.
However, given Huang Yourong's palace and his tendency to hide his sword behind his smile, even if he knew such news, he would probably still greet Zhao Junchen with a smile. However, only Huang Yourong himself knew what he was thinking.
After all, Zhao Junchen came in the evening. As he looked around, not long after, the bell on the Meridian Gate rang, indicating that Mao hour had arrived.
Along with the sound of the bell, Zhao Junchen shook his head gently and walked forward.
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Form the team, take roll call, and enter the palace.
Following the process, at the eleventh hour, Zhao Junchen and other courtiers entered the Hall of Supreme Harmony.
When the eunuch Zhang De said "Your Majesty has arrived", Emperor Deqing appeared in the Hall of Supreme Harmony. All the officials knelt down and shouted "Long live my emperor". With Emperor Deqing saying "Everyone loves you", the morning court officially began.
After Emperor Deqing sat down on the dragon throne, he seemed to have received the news and understood what would happen in the morning. His expression was slightly solemn. When he lowered his head and glanced at the ministers, his eyes were on the chief minister Zhou Shangjing, the prince Zhu Heyu, and Zhao Junchen. There was a slight pause on the body.
"I looked at the almanac today and found that the examination has been carried out on the eighth day and will end tomorrow." Emperor Deqing was the first to speak, but at the beginning, Emperor Deqing remained calm and just said Other topics: "Minister of Rites, is everything going well?"
Wu Qian, the Minister of Rites, came out and said: "Your Majesty, thanks to your Majesty's great blessing, everything goes well in the current examination and it will end tomorrow."
Emperor Deqing nodded and said: "It's spring now, and my southern tour will start soon. After the examination, the examiners will also seize the time to review the papers and conduct the final palace examination as soon as possible. Don't It will only delay my southern tour."
Upon hearing Emperor Deqing's instructions, several examiners came out of their seats and responded respectfully.
Then, Emperor Deqing pointedly said: "My southern tour is intended to spread the majesty of the imperial court and emphasize the existence of the emperor. It has a far-reaching impact and is beneficial to the stability of the country. Therefore, dear friends, you must also prepare carefully. Understand the difference between the serious and the serious. If my southern tour has a bad influence due to the selfish interests of some people, and if this influence becomes more and more serious under the exaggeration of some people, then my country, the Ming Dynasty, will not be very stable. , dear ladies, do you think this is true?"
After hearing Emperor Deqing's meaningful knock, all the officials in the court either remained silent or gave mixed responses. The atmosphere in the morning court was actually a bit awkward.
Suddenly, Zhou Shangjing stepped out of the queue and said slowly: "Your Majesty, I have something important to report!"
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ps: Second update. Keep asking for likes. (To be continued. If you like this work, you are welcome to come to Qidian.com to vote for recommendations and monthly votes. Your support is my biggest motivation. Please go to m.qidian. to read.)
