In fact, Zhao Junchen revealed the idea of commercial tax reform to Prince Zhu Heyu through Chu Jiayi, and there was a deeper consideration...
Throughout ancient and modern times, at home and abroad, for thousands of years, wherever there are people, there will be classes. 【No pop-up novel website】With hierarchy, various rules and regulations will appear.
But what is “system”?
According to the explanations of later generations of scholars, the so-called "system" refers to the rules and codes of conduct that everyone in the world abides by, and is the norms and standards of laws, etiquette, etc. formed under certain historical conditions.
However, Zhao Junchen believes that the so-called "system" is essentially a way of distributing interests and a means for vested interests to protect their own interests. Throughout the ages, although there are countless systems and regulations, good or bad, there are no exceptions.
Therefore, after traveling to this era, although Zhao Junchen clearly has the insight and vision that is hundreds of years ahead of this era, and although he clearly knows the shortcomings and backwardness of various systems in this era, Zhao Junchen has never thought about carrying out system changes.
Because Zhao Junchen knows very well that once the system changes are carried out rashly, it will inevitably affect the whole body and attract backlash and hostility from vested interests.
What are vested interests?
These are all the powerful, wealthy and famous people of this era!
And these people happened to control the power, wealth and voice of an era.
Unless more benefits can be created for these people, they will never agree to any system change that harms their own interests!
And once it arouses the backlash and hostility of these people, Zhao Junchen may not even know how he died.
Zhao Junchen never dared to think highly of himself. His purpose was always to carefully protect himself. In the era of change, only the "great men" created by the times can do things like this. But Zhao Junchen was never a "great man", he was just a mortal.
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Even so, Zhao Junchen also understood that under the existing system, he would never be able to compete with Emperor Deqing.
Without him, the military power of the Ming Dynasty had always been in the hands of the Ming Dynasty emperor.
As long as the military power was in hand, the Ming emperor was in an invincible position, and his ministers had no chance of resisting him.
Even though Zhou Shangjing was so powerful now, he seemed to be able to compete with Emperor Deqing in the temple, but this was just because Emperor Deqing didn't want to make a big deal out of things.
Zhou Shangjing's disciples and former officials are all over the world, and his reputation is high. If he rashly attacks Zhou Shangjing, it will inevitably lead to turmoil in the government and the public, and it will also be very harmful to Emperor Deqing's posthumous reputation.
Moreover, Zhou Shangjing was nearly twenty years older than Emperor Deqing. He was now in his seventies and would not live much longer, and Emperor Deqing could outlast him.
Therefore, for the sake of the stability of the country, Emperor Deqing only used his power and tactics to fight openly and covertly with Zhou Shangjing over the years.
But if Emperor Deqing can make up his mind and eradicate Zhou Shangjing regardless of the chaos in the world, he only needs an imperial edict to seal off the five cities for precaution, two factories and one guard to raid their homes and arrest people. Zhou Shangjing has no military power, no matter how powerful he is It's so overwhelming, no matter how many cronies there are, I can't resist even if I'm afraid.
If Zhou Shangjing is like this, let alone Zhao Junchen?
If Emperor Deqing wanted to punish Zhao Junchen, Zhao Junchen would not be able to resist under the existing rules and regulations.
Therefore, in addition to having the idea of a powerful minister seeking political power, Zhao Junchen also changed his previous ideas and actually had the idea of changing the existing system.
Because Zhao Junchen understood that only after the system was reformed could he seek greater power and influence and shake the absolute advantage of Emperor Deqing.
But as mentioned above, system change is by no means a trivial matter. It involves high costs and high risks. Naturally, Zhao Junchen will not act rashly.
That's why he revealed the details of the commercial tax reform to Prince Zhu Heyu through Chu Jiayi. While causing trouble for Zhu Heyu, he also used Zhu Heyu to test the waters for himself.
Only after Zhu Heyu tried to carry out reforms using radical and hasty methods but failed, in contrast, those with vested interests could accept Zhao Junchen's more moderate and appropriate reform methods.
Then, Zhao Junchen could slowly accumulate power to compete with Emperor Deqing through various changes.
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Although Zhao Junchen had many thoughts in his mind, they only happened in a moment.
While thinking secretly, Zhao Junchen had already entered the main hall of Zhao Mansion.
Seeing Zhao Junchen appear, Zuo Lanshan, Zhan Shanchang and Liu Changan, who arrived at the Zhao Mansion first, quickly stood up to greet him and greeted him respectfully.
Zhao Junchen's expression was full of gentleness. After raising his hand to indicate that they didn't need to be polite, he smiled and said, "Why are you three here so early? I haven't even prepared dinner here."
While speaking, Zhao Junchen had already walked to the main seat and sat down, and motioned for the three of them to take their seats.
After Zuo Lanshan sat down, he said with a smile: "I heard that Mr. Zhao has summoned you, so we didn't dare to neglect it. We settled the court affairs early and hurriedly came to see Mr. Zhao."
Zhan Shanchang said: "That's right, but the three adults, Tong Huan, Gu Quan, and Li Lide, have more things to do because they have to deal with the Southern Patrol's faulty cases. I'm afraid they will have to wait a little longer. I hope Mr. Zhao won't blame them. "
Zhao Junchen smiled again and said, "It's because you came early, and it's not because they came late. Who should I blame?"
Liu Changan cautiously probed: "However, Mr. Zhao, it is rare for you to call all of us here, but what happened? Is there still trouble on your Majesty's side?"
Upon hearing Liu Changan's inquiry, Zuo Lanshan and Zhan Shanchang both looked solemn.
Zhao Junchen has always acted in a low-key manner. Now, although the "Zhao Party" faction is becoming more and more powerful, Zhao Junchen rarely calls them together to discuss matters. If there is anything, he only meets with the person specifically responsible.
Now that Zhao Junchen has invited all the core members of the "Zhao Party" to a gathering, Zuo Lanshan and the others must have something important to tell them.
Recall that Zhao Junchen violated Emperor Deqing's wishes today and was summoned to the Yangxin Hall for a talk by Emperor Deqing. Although Zhao Junchen had previously promised that everything would be fine, who could predict Emperor Deqing's thoughts accurately? I couldn't help but feel uneasy.
While Zuo Lanshan, Zhan Shanchang, and Liu Changan were secretly worried, Zhao Junchen smiled and waved his hands: "Your Majesty, I have resolved his dissatisfaction. You don't have to worry. I summoned you this time, but... Because of other things.”
Seeing that the three of them were relieved and looking at him more intently, Zhao Junchen said: "Don't worry now, wait until everyone is here."
Hearing what Zhao Junchen said, Zuo Lanshan, Zhan Shanchang and Liu Changan could only suppress their curiosity and chat with Zhao Junchen first.
Not long after, Tong Huan, Gu Quan, Li Lide and others came to Zhao Mansion one after another, and Wei Huai was the last one to come.
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After all the core members of the "Zhao Party" arrived, Zhao Junchen put down the tea cup in his hand and looked slightly solemn.
Seeing Zhao Junchen like this, everyone consciously quieted down and focused their attention on Zhao Junchen.
Zhao Junchen looked around at everyone and said slowly: "I invite you all to come to the mansion today, but I have some new ideas and intend to change our policies in the DPRK, so I want to discuss it with you. one time."
Seeing Zhao Junchen's seriousness, everyone nodded and said, "Sir Zhao, please speak."
Zhao Junchen said: "It's not a big deal, but I suddenly feel that in the past few days, our actions and power expansion in the government have been a little too cautious."
Zhao Junchen's words made no sense, and everyone couldn't help but wonder. Zhan Shanchang asked: "Why do you say that?"
Zhao Junchen explained: "In fact, I don't need to say it, you can understand that since the fall of Wen Guanliang, His Majesty has been very supportive to us, just to allow us to replace Wen Guanliang and balance the forces between the DPRK and China. At the same time, we Only by competing with the various factions in the court for power can Your Majesty be able to feel at ease."
Seeing everyone nodding, Zhao Junchen continued: "But these days, we have tried our best to avoid conflicts with the three pavilion elders Zhou Shangjing, Huang Yourong, and Shen Changmao. Although we are at peace with each other and no longer have the worries of overt and covert fighting, we have also been restricted by this. Our power has grown. Although our influence in the court has gradually grown during this period, the power in our hands has not increased at all compared to the previous days. Our current plan to start with local government offices is actually forced. In desperation.
However, both the center and the local areas have basically been divided up by the three pavilion elders. The most we can do is find some leftovers to eat. No matter how hard we develop, the power in our hands will be limited. . In this way, when will our power in the court be able to compete with those three elders? Are you just hanging around like this half-dead?
What's more, the reason why His Majesty supports us is so that we can compete with the three elders for power. If we fail to take action, Your Majesty will definitely be worried about us and support others. By then, we will have missed the opportunity. "
Zhao Junchen looked calm when he spoke, but the underlying meaning behind his words shocked everyone.
Zuo Lanshan couldn't help but ask: "Mr. Zhao, do you mean that from now on, we will no longer live in harmony with those three elders, but instead compete with them for power?"
Zhao Junchen smiled softly, nodded and said: "That's it, and only in this way, can the power in our hands be truly improved. This power in the DPRK is won by fighting for it. It just so happens that His Majesty still has some interest in us. With hope, they will definitely support us from the beginning, why don’t we take advantage of the opportunity to expand our power?”
In fact, the previous decision to live in harmony with the three court elders was precisely because of Zhao Junchen. At that time, Zhao Junchen wanted to survive in the gap between ministerial power and imperial power, and only wanted to please everyone without offending both sides. Naturally, officials are restrained from competing for power with other factions.
But now, Zhao Junchen has made up his mind to become a powerful minister in the court. Naturally, he will no longer be polite to the three elders, but will fight for power with them.
Using Prince Zhu Heyu to reform the commercial tax system, disrupt the situation, and test the waters for Zhao Junchen's next actions was only part of Zhao Junchen's plan.
Competing for power with several court elders and expanding his influence is another part of Zhao Junchen's plan.
Therefore, Zhao Junchen recruited all the core figures of the "Zhao Party" together and announced the changes in the future course of the "Zhao Party"!
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There is no official who doesn't love power. After hearing what Zhao Junchen said, he thought that with the support of Emperor Deqing and the help of the Xichang forces in Zhao Junchen's hands, he would never lose no matter what. Everyone in the main hall of Zhao Mansion All looked excited.
In fact, if Zhao Junchen hadn't been suppressing them, they would have clashed with the three pavilion elders' subordinate officials long ago.
Zuo Lanshan looked energetic and said: "What you say makes sense, sir. We will do whatever you say! Sir, tell me, who should we start with first? Huang Yourong or Shen Changmao? With our current power, we can't do it." I’m not afraid of them either!”
Zuo Lanshan did not mention Zhou Shangjing, because Zuo Lanshan knew that the current "Zhao faction" might not be able to compete with Zhou Shangjing, so they could only attack Huang Yourong and Shen Changmao.
Zhao Junchen smiled slightly and said slowly: "Everyone! Not only Huang Yourong, not only Shen Changmao, but also the power in Zhou Shangjing's hands, we have to compete for it!"
When Zhao Junchen said this, everyone was shocked! To be continued. If you like this work, you are welcome to come (Subscribe to this site, reward, and your support are my biggest motivation.)
