"Zhao Aiqing, come to my Yangxin Hall next time. I have something to talk to you about. [Read the full text]"
After Emperor Deqing said these words, he left the Hall of Supreme Harmony without looking back.
Looking at Emperor Deqing's leaving figure, Zhao Junchen did not show much panic, but just thoughtfully.
When the officials left the Hall of Supreme Harmony, a group of "Zhao Party" officials gathered around Zhao Junchen, with expressions that were both happy and worried.
The Metropolitan Procuratorate has repeatedly opposed these people these days, and now they have finally taken revenge. Needless to say, they feel happy in their hearts. But when I think of Emperor Deqing's dissatisfaction and anger towards them at this time, I can't help but feel worried, and I just feel unsure.
Arriving in front of Zhao Junchen, Zhan Shanchang was the first to speak while he was pondering: "The Metropolitan Procuratorate has repeatedly made trouble for us these days. Now, Mr. Zhao, you have finally taught them a lesson. It is really refreshing. It has greatly improved our morale." Momentum and morale, but on His Majesty's side, I'm afraid..."
At the same time, Zuo Lanshan and Liu Changan had the same thought. They all focused their attention on Zhao Junchen, hoping that Zhao Junchen could have some plan to deal with it.
Zhao Junchen smiled, his expression full of confidence and calmness, and said softly: "Your Majesty, although there is some dissatisfaction now, we have not touched your Majesty's bottom line after all, and I have my own way to solve it, so you don't have to worry. On your side, now in the temple The situation has changed, and the influence of the prince's party will inevitably weaken for a period of time. Without the Metropolitan Procuratorate to keep a close eye on it, you must seize the time to do something."
Hearing what Zhao Junchen said, all the "Zhao Party" officials felt relieved and nodded tacitly in agreement.
Nowadays, the "Zhao Party" faction is in the period of rising power and influence, but it has been closely watched by the Metropolitan Procuratorate. When it tries to win over people's hearts and expand its power, it is always impeached by the Metropolitan Procuratorate for "forming a party for selfish purposes." Unavoidably, there are some constraints. Now that the prince's party's power in the Metropolitan Procuratorate has been severely weakened, and they will be responsible for the preparations for the Southern Tour, they no longer have time to distract themselves from other matters. This is a good time for the "Zhao Party" to expand their power.
Zuo Lanshan felt reassured, nodded and said solemnly: "As long as you, Mr. Zhao, have confidence in your heart, then we all will have confidence in our hearts. It is indeed as your Excellency said, now that we are in the center of the capital, we have it. No one dares to underestimate the influence of power, but in various provinces, prefectures, counties, and local government offices, there is still no business, and now is a great opportunity."
Gu Quan smiled and said: "Yes. Mr. Zhao, you made the prince responsible for the case of the southern tour preparation. It is really a clever move. With the prince's temperament, many local officials from Northern Zhili to Jiangnan will be convicted. As for the prince, he is charging in the front, and we can just follow behind and pick the fruits. With so many official positions vacant, we cannot let Chief Assistant Zhou and the others take advantage of them all."
Tong Huan also said excitedly: "A few days ago, I wanted to persuade my friend Duan Peng, the prefect of Baoding Prefecture, to come closer to you, Mr. Zhao. However, the next day, I was impeached by the Metropolitan Procuratorate. This matter We have just finished half of it, and we don't dare to make any more moves. We are really constrained. Now we can finally let go and do something big."
Zhao Junchen smiled, nodded, and said, "As long as you understand."
While he was talking, he saw a young eunuch walking towards him. Knowing that he was here to pick him up to take him to the Hall of Cultivation of the Heart, Zhao Junchen stopped delaying and said to everyone: "I am going to the Hall of Cultivation of the Heart. You guys." Don’t worry, just do your own thing well.”
After saying that, while all the "Zhao Party" officials nodded in agreement, Zhao Junchen was already walking towards the Yangxin Hall.
…………
When Zhao Junchen came outside the Yangxin Hall. However, he found Zhang Xiu, the eunuch in charge of Yangxin Palace, waiting for him anxiously.
After seeing Zhao Junchen appear, Zhang Xiu quickly came to Zhao Junchen and whispered: "Master Zhao, please be careful. Your Majesty, he is in a bad mood and just dropped the cup."
Zhao Junchen had expected this and was not surprised. He just nodded and said: "Thank you for reminding me, father-in-law. I also hope that my father-in-law will inform you that Zhao Junchen has come to see your majesty."
Seeing that Zhao Junchen was not panicked, Zhang Xiu said nothing more. He just turned around and entered the Yangxin Hall to report to Emperor Deqing the news that Zhao Junchen had come to have an audience.
Within a moment, Zhao Junchen was summoned.
Putting on an honest and responsible expression, Zhao Junchen lowered his head and entered the Hall of Supreme Harmony. Then he did not shout long live, but quietly knelt in front of Emperor Deqing, waiting for Emperor Deqing to speak first.
In fact, Zhao Junchen hates kneeling. He hates kneeling to others and hates others to kneel to him.
But at this time, the situation is stronger than the person, and Zhao Junchen can only kneel down even if he doesn't want to.
Moreover, Zhao Junchen knew that he might have to kneel for a long time this time.
Sure enough, after Zhao Junchen entered the Yangxin Hall, Emperor Deqing paid no attention to Zhao Junchen's intentions. He just looked down at the book with a cold face, obviously intending to give Zhao Junchen a blow.
Emperor Deqing was a little surprised when he didn't hear Zhao Junchen shouting long live and begging for mercy. He slightly raised his head and glanced at Zhao Junchen. He saw that Zhao Junchen was just kneeling pitifully in front of him, but he didn't say a word. The emperor frowned, his expression became colder, and after sneering, he ignored it and continued to review the notes on the imperial case.
However, during the review, Emperor Deqing's expression was a bit casual, and it was obvious that his attention was still on Zhao Junchen.
In this way, Zhao Junchen and Emperor Deqing, one kneeling with his head bowed and pretending to be pitiful, the other nonchalantly reviewing the excerpts, neither of them speaking, and comparing their patience with each other.
He didn't know how long he waited, but when Zhao Junchen felt that the pain in his knees was unbearable, Emperor Deqing finally spoke slowly.
…………
"You...are not going to explain anything?"
When Emperor Deqing had no more documents to review, he finally raised his head, looked at Zhao Junchen coldly, and asked coldly.
Zhao Junchen lowered his head and said: "No matter what the reason was, I still violated your Majesty's wishes this time. The crime deserves death. Even if I have to explain, I must first let your Majesty calm down."
Hearing what Zhao Junchen said, Emperor Deqing laughed angrily and said: "Ha! What you said sounds nice, but the meaning behind the words is still hinting to me that you have a reason to explain? Do you really think that I don’t know these little thoughts of yours? What makes me calm down! Aren’t you asking for mercy from me!?”
Seeing that Emperor Deqing guessed the meaning of his words, Zhao Junchen was not surprised.
With Emperor Deqing's scheming methods, how could he not understand Zhao Junchen's little thoughts? Many times, Emperor Deqing was just pretending to be confused.
However, Zhao Junchen still said: "Everything I said comes from the sincerity, and there is absolutely no meaning of being perfunctory or deceptive. I did something that went against your Majesty's wishes in the morning court today. I am really panicked in my heart, and I am even more worried about your Majesty." I couldn't listen to my explanation when I was angry, so I had to let Your Majesty punish me first. Only after Your Majesty's anger subsided, I dared to explain."
Hearing what Zhao Junchen said, Emperor Deqing finally couldn't hold back the anger in his heart and reprimanded loudly: "You also know how angry I am!? You are too courageous! You actually plan to use the prince's power in the Metropolitan Procuratorate. Uproot me! I have repeatedly hinted at you in the morning, but you have ignored me! You don’t even think about who gave you your current status! Do you feel that your wings have become stiff, and even I don’t notice it? ?”
Zhao Junchen lowered his head and said nothing, just letting Emperor Deqing scold him.
Zhao Junchen had always followed Emperor Deqing's instructions step by step, but now he violated Emperor Deqing's wishes for the first time. Under the disparity, it is conceivable that the anger in Emperor Deqing's heart could not be dissipated with a few words of rebuke.
Sure enough, Emperor Deqing's voice became louder and louder. Seeing that Zhao Junchen did not refute, he continued to scold: "I know that you and the prince have never dealt with each other, and the Metropolitan Procuratorate has been impeaching you and your cronies these days. ! But have I ever treated you badly!? Didn’t I dismiss all those impeachments? I have long said that as long as I am in office, you will be fine. What are you worried about? What are you anxious about? Is it possible that you still think about it? Want to destroy the prince? You are disobedient!"
…………
In this way, Emperor Deqing cursed Zhao Junchen for a long time. The eunuchs in the Yangxin Palace rarely saw Emperor Deqing so angry. They were afraid that Emperor Deqing would order Zhao Junchen to be killed in the next moment. After dragging them out and beheading them, they all couldn't help but sweat for Zhao Junchen after thinking of the benefits Zhao Junchen had given them on weekdays.
But Zhao Junchen just knelt down and let Emperor Deqing scold him without a word of retort, looking pitiful.
Finally, after scolding for such a long time, Emperor Deqing took a few breaths, glared at Zhao Junchen again, finally calmed down a little, and said: "Tell me, why did you do this in the morning?" ! If you don’t explain clearly, my anger will never go away!”
At this time, Zhao Junchen's legs were completely numb from kneeling for a long time, but after hearing Emperor Deqing's words, he breathed a sigh of relief.
Emperor Deqing finally wanted to listen to his own explanation.
As long as Emperor Deqing's anger subsided a little, his mind calmed down, and he could listen to Zhao Junchen's explanation, Zhao Junchen would have passed this level.
After calming down for a while, Zhao Junchen raised his head slightly, looked at Emperor Deqing, and said: "Your Majesty, I have always been loyal to you, and you know it, so how can I be willing to go against your will? It's just that today, in the morning court, In both public and private matters, I must impeach the Metropolitan Procuratorate, I really have no choice!"
What Zhao Junchen said was pitiful, but Emperor Deqing still looked unbelieving, and just sneered: "Oh? It seems you have a lot of reasons! Well, tell me and see if your reasons can convince me. !”
After a pause, Emperor Deqing added: "You talk about public affairs and private affairs. I don't want to hear the public talk now. You talk about the 'private' aspect first."
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ps: There are at least two updates today, and this is the first one. By the way, please give me a thumbs up, thank you all! (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.)
