"Stop kneeling, get up and talk!"
After what he said just now, Emperor Deqing seemed to have finally been convinced by Zhao Junchen. His expression became more relaxed. He raised his head and looked at Zhao Junchen meaningfully for a few times before speaking slowly. 【Read full text】
After hearing what Emperor Deqing said, Zhao Junchen quickly put on a grateful expression, said "Thank you, Your Majesty", and struggled to get up.
However, Zhao Junchen had been kneeling for too long before, and now Zhao Junchen's legs were numb and numb. No matter how hard he struggled, he not only failed to stand up, but also almost fell down.
Zhao Junchen's funny appearance made Emperor Deqing laugh, and his mood improved a little. He ordered the eunuchs waiting around him: "Don't just watch, go and help him up."
Seeing Emperor Deqing's expression gradually softening, the eunuchs in the Yangxin Palace let out a sigh of relief, knowing that Zhao Junchen's test was over. After hearing Emperor Deqing's instructions, they did not dare to neglect. Two eunuchs quickly came to Zhao Junchen's side and helped Zhao Junchen up.
However, although Zhao Junchen was helped up by the eunuchs, his legs were still numb and he was still a little unsteady.
Seeing the bitter look on Zhao Junchen's face, his body swaying, and tightly holding on to the eunuch beside him, Emperor Deqing shook his head helplessly and ordered: "Bring him another stool and let him sit down. say."
Hearing that Emperor Deqing asked him to sit down, Zhao Junchen naturally wanted it, but his expression was full of panic, and he kept saying: "In front of Your Majesty, in the Yangxin Hall, how can I sit down? I can just stand, my legs and feet will be gone soon." Okay, it’s okay, your Majesty, please rest assured.”
Emperor Deqing snorted softly and said: "You dared to refute my face in public in the morning, but now you dare not sit down and talk to me? You can sit down if I ask you to, what are you being pretentious about!"
While Emperor Deqing was speaking, a eunuch brought a round stool, and Zhao Junchen declined a few more words. Finally sat down.
After Zhao Junchen sat down, Emperor Deqing glared at Zhao Junchen again and said, "Thank you for making up so many high-sounding excuses! It's obviously because the Metropolitan Procuratorate has been in trouble with you and your cronies these days. , you just want to take the opportunity to retaliate, but you still seem to be thinking about the prince! In recent days, your other skills have not improved, but your eloquence has become more and more refined!"
Say it. Without waiting for Zhao Junchen to refute, Emperor Deqing waved his hand and said: "However, judging from the reasons you made up, they still make some sense after all, and you have helped the prince this morning. I will let you go once. But …”
At this point, Emperor Deqing's face turned slightly cold, he stared into Zhao Junchen's eyes, and continued: "My tolerance for you is limited to this one time, and it will not be an exception next time! If you don't say hello to me again like today, I will You make your own opinions privately. Even if you embarrass me in front of all the officials, I won’t just let you kneel until your legs are sore and numb! Do you understand what I said!?”
Zhao Junchen nodded repeatedly and said, "I understand that this will never happen again in the future."
Saying this, Zhao Junchen secretly added in his heart: "I did this today because I had no choice, and also to test your reaction. From now on, before I become a powerful force, I will really have to be more subtle."
Emperor Deqing didn't know what Zhao Junchen was thinking, but after hearing Zhao Junchen's assurance, his expression softened slightly and he said seriously: "Junchen, don't blame me for being too mean to you. This is how much I value you! Now you are full of Up and down, I trust you the most. If you are against me, I really don’t know who to trust anymore. I know you have your difficulties, but you must also be considerate of my difficulties!"
Zhao Junchen nodded. With a grateful look on his face, he said in a deep voice: "Your Majesty's kindness to me is well known in my heart, so how can I dare to violate it? Please rest assured, Your Majesty, I have realized my mistake today and will never embarrass your Majesty again in the future."
After saying that, Zhao Junchen cautiously tried again: "But what do you think of the proposals I just made?"
"Are you talking about the fact that the Qingliu family around the prince is the dominant one?" Emperor Deqing frowned slightly and nodded in thought: "Although it is alarmist, it does make some sense. There are indeed too many Qingliu around the prince now. These, the impact on the prince is indeed too great. Considering the long-term stability of this world, I must take precautions.
After the death of Grand Master Xiao, I asked the Prince for his opinion on the candidate for the next Grand Master. Unexpectedly, the Prince would recommend Wang Baoren, the Minister of Civil Affairs in Nanjing. I think this was Xiao Wenruan’s idea before his death. .
However, Wang Baoren was demoted to Nanjing for crimes. I didn't like him very much. I was a little hesitant at first, but after hearing what you said, I was a little moved. If Wang Baoren serves as the crown prince's grand master, what will happen to the crown prince in other aspects? Putting aside the help for the moment, it can also check and balance the Qingliu forces around the prince. "
While Emperor Deqing was speaking, Zhao Junchen listened calmly, but secretly sighed in his heart.
Zhao Junchen frowned when he heard Emperor Deqing mention Wang Baoren again.
…………
Previously, Zhao Junchen's tests and hints to Emperor Deqing were actually Zhao Junchen's self-recommendation, which was to show Emperor Deqing that he wanted to reconcile with the prince and even assist the prince!
The current situation has become obvious. The prince is hostile to all the major forces in the DPRK and China. If he only relies on Qingliu's support, it will not be enough to achieve anything! Moreover, it will also cause the Qingliu family to become dominant around the prince!
If Zhao Junchen can join the prince, he can not only help the prince reverse the situation, but also help check and balance the Qingliu forces around the prince. It can be said to kill two birds with one stone! There are pros and cons!
If Emperor Deqing agrees, then Emperor Deqing will make the decision, and with Zhao Junchen's full cooperation, it may not be possible to resolve Prince Zhu Heyu's hostility towards Zhao Junchen!
After understanding his shortcomings in the conflict between imperial power and ministerial power, this was Zhao Junchen's last test of Emperor Deqing!
And Emperor Deqing's answer will determine the path Zhao Junchen will choose next!
Will he completely rely on the imperial power and continue to work for Emperor Deqing loyally?
Or should we completely abandon Emperor Deqing, learn from Zhou Shangjing, and go down the road of power and chaos?
The road for the former is smooth and smooth, while the road for the latter is thorny and difficult!
But the choice of path is not in Zhao Junchen's hands!
However, Emperor Deqing gently avoided Zhao Junchen's suggestion and mentioned Wang Baoren instead!
Obviously, Emperor Deqing wanted Wang Baoren to assume the role of checking and balancing Qingliu!
As for Zhao Junchen. Emperor Deqing didn't seem to think about it at all!
Although Zhao Junchen didn't have high expectations at first, after understanding Emperor Deqing's attitude, he couldn't help but feel a little disappointed.
In fact, Zhao Junchen also understood the reason why Emperor Deqing considered this.
Zhao Junchen is too young, has too much power and influence now, and his reputation is not good.
Emperor Deqing's positioning of Zhao Junchen should be similar to Cai Jing's positioning of Song Huizong and He Shen's positioning of Qianlong. The main purpose is to use it to help the emperor attract public resentment, take the blame, and check and balance the factions in the temple, but he will never let Zhao Junchen gain power for a long time.
If Zhao Junchen and Prince Zhu Heyu come together, there will be many benefits, but with Zhao Junchen's current age and power, if Zhao Junchen is allowed to remain in power for a long time. Who knows how far it will develop in the future? When Prince Zhu Heyu ascends the throne in the future, he may not be able to control Zhao Junchen.
Therefore, Emperor Deqing would never agree with Zhao Junchen's thoughts.
"It seems that from now on, I can no longer blindly rely on Emperor Deqing. I must find a way to get rid of Emperor Deqing's influence and develop my own influence. After all, both sides will break up sooner or later!" And before that, no matter what, I have to find a way to gain power that can compete with the imperial power!"
While thinking secretly, Zhao Junchen knew that his decision would lead him to a completely different path from now on.
If we say that Zhao Junchen before just wanted to survive in the gap between ministerial power and imperial power. Being cautious and focusing on self-protection, from this moment on, Zhao Junchen has made up his mind! At some point in the future, we will completely break with Emperor Deqing! Then go to the road of treacherous officials and chaos in government!
This road is difficult to walk, but Zhao Junchen has no choice!
Perhaps because he was well prepared, Zhao Junchen was actually in a calm mood when he made this decision!
Many things. In fact, I had thought of it a long time ago, and now I just wanted to confirm it.
…………
On the other side, Emperor Deqing didn't know that it was because of his attitude. From this moment on, Zhao Junchen was completely desperate for him!
But Emperor Deqing knew the reason why Zhao Junchen had such hints.
In order to appease Zhao Junchen, Emperor Deqing's expression became more relaxed and said: "Junchen, I know that because of the prince's hostility towards you, you have been a little restless these days. After all, he is the prince and the future emperor. If he is the prince, When you ascend the throne in the future, you are worried that you will end up badly, but is this the case?"
Zhao Junchen lowered his head and said: "I dare not think so. I only know that as long as I serve your Majesty faithfully, Your Majesty will never treat me badly."
Emperor Deqing nodded and said: "As long as you understand this, you are loyal to me, how can I treat you badly? I also understand the prince's dissatisfaction with you, but you can rest assured. In the future, when the prince ascends the throne, Before, I will issue a special edict for you. By then, unless you commit the crime of treason, I will have the edict in hand, which will be enough to ensure that you enjoy your old age!"
Emperor Deqing's promise was wonderful, but an illusory promise was not enough to shake Zhao Junchen's determination just now.
What's more, Zhao Junchen already knew that Emperor Deqing definitely did not have the good character of "keeping promises".
But in his expression, Zhao Junchen showed excitement and gratitude. Regardless of his legs still being a little sore, he kowtowed to Emperor Deqing again and said with a sob: "I... thank you so much for your kindness!"
Seeing Zhao Junchen like this, Emperor Deqing showed a satisfied look and said, "You still have a long way to go in the future. How you go is up to you."
Yes, the road is still long. How to go depends on Zhao Junchen himself.
…………
Outside the Meridian Gate, Xu Qingyan looked anxious.
He has received the news that Zhao Junchen was in trouble with Emperor Deqing in the morning today. After the court, he was called to the Yangxin Hall for questioning by Emperor Deqing! I don’t know what kind of punishment is coming!
Now that the morning court had dispersed for a long time, Zhao Junchen still hadn't left the palace, so Xu Qingyan was extremely worried.
While Xu Qingyan was anxious, Zhao Junchen finally appeared outside the Meridian Gate.
Xu Qingyan rushed forward and asked repeatedly: "Master, are you okay? Has Your Majesty punished you?"
Zhao Junchen smiled and said: "It's okay, this matter is in the past. I was just a test, and it did not touch His Majesty's bottom line. How could he punish me? It will be over after I explain it clearly."
As he spoke, Zhao Junchen's expression was as restrained and indifferent as ever, but Xu Qingyan didn't know why, but he always felt that there were some inexplicable changes in Zhao Junchen.
Zhao Junchen didn't know what Xu Qingyan was thinking. He just walked towards his sedan chair and ordered: "Qingyan, you won't go to the Hubu Yamen today. You will go directly back to your home. After you return home, you will give Zuo Lanshan Lord Zuo, Lord Zhan Shanchang, Lord Gu Quangu, Lord Tong Huantong, Lord Liu Changan, Lord Li Lide, Lord Li and Lord Wei Huaiwei sent my name card and asked them to gather at the house tonight. I have something to do. Talk to them.”
As the position and path change, Party Zhao's goals also need to change!
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ps: This chapter, including the previous foreshadowing, is a turning point in the plot of the book. From this chapter on, Zhao Junchen will completely abandon his identity as a "speculator" and start on the road to becoming a powerful minister and regent! However, the text of this chapter felt wrong no matter how I wrote it. I wrote and deleted it, deleted it and wrote it, six or seven times! Today’s content bugs are still dissatisfied! It can only be regarded as smooth, but I didn’t want to delay it any longer, so I uploaded it anyway! I hope everyone can forgive me!
There’s another chapter today!
…(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.)
