The reason why Zhao Junchen wanted to support the development of Tongji Temple in the capital was to use the opportunity of Tongji Temple to develop believers in the capital to expand his influence in the dark and make Tongji Temple one of his important intelligence agencies. . 【Read full text】
Nowadays, Tongji Temple has begun to take shape in the capital. Not only does it have many believers among the common people, but also many low-level officials in the court and some high-level officials and people in the government have also been developed into believers by Tongji Temple. .
Since Fang Ru took over the affairs of Tongji Temple, she has bribed many of the believers to become spies lurking everywhere, secretly working for Zhao Junchen, and Tongji Temple has become a place for these spies to report news.
Of course, the use of religion to develop power, especially the nondescript teachings of Tongji Temple, is really a bit of a cult and chaos in the country. Once discovered, even Zhao Junchen will not be able to escape.
Therefore, those Tongji Temple believers who were bribed as spies had no idea who they were working for. After receiving the money, they took the opportunity to go to Tongji Temple to worship God from time to time to report the information they collected to their superiors. .
In fact, in the entire Tongji Temple, only Zhang Daoquan and a few other core figures know about the existence of Zhao Junchen behind it. In this way, once the matter is exposed, Zhao Junchen will be able to get rid of the involvement easily.
Chen Dongxiang, the minister of the Ministry of Industry, was regarded by Zhao Junchen as an unstable factor in his sect, and was naturally one of the key development targets of Tongji Temple.
In fact, there are now three people in Chen Dongxiang's house who were developed into believers by Tongji Temple, and then were bribed by Fang Ru to become spies.
in. One is the steward of Chen Dongxiang's house, one is Chen Dongxiang's favorite concubine, and there is another. It was the carriage driver who often accompanied Chen Dongxiang in and out of the government office!
It can be said that in this way, every move of Chen Dongxiang every day cannot escape Zhao Junchen's eyes and ears. As long as Zhao Junchen is willing, he can even easily know what kind of underwear Chen Dongxiang wears every day and what he eats for breakfast and dinner. food!
so. Tongji Temple quickly got the news about Chen Dongxiang's secret trip to Yue Ke Lai Restaurant for a banquet through the carriage driver. Then he quickly informed Fang Ru.
Fang Ru has always been capable and discerning. After getting the news, she immediately realized that there might be something hidden in it. He sent someone to Yue Ke Lai Restaurant to find out about the private rooms.
Although Huo Zhengyuan concealed his identity this time and ordered a banquet at Yue Ke Lai Restaurant. However, through the restaurant clerk's description and inference from other sources, Fang Ru quickly determined that the mysterious figure Chen Dongxiang secretly met at Yuokelai Restaurant was none other than Wen Wen, one of the core figures of Huang Yourong's party. Huo Zhengyuan, the great scholar of Yuange!
So, seeing how important the matter was, Fang Ru quickly reported the news to Zhao Junchen.
When Zhao Junchen got the news, Chen Dongxiang left Yue Ke Lai Inn. It was only just over an hour.
Such efficiency in this era of inconvenient communication. It was so fast, which shows how powerful the intelligence network run by Fang Ru was.
…………
In the study room of the Zhao Mansion, after sending Chu Jiayi away and listening to Fang Ru's report, Zhao Junchen couldn't help but smile.
"Not bad, not bad. I have invested so much money and attention in Tongji Temple, and now it has finally paid off. Since this time, there has been no results in Tongji Temple. I thought that I supported Tongji Temple in the first place. The idea was just taken for granted, and all the investment was already in vain, but now that I think about it, I am still too impatient."
Hearing what Zhao Junchen said, Fang Ru smiled and said: "So this is how you view Tongji Temple, sir. Unfortunately, Ru'er thought that when you handed over Tongji Temple to Ru'er, you were responsible for Tongji Temple and Ru'er. I had high hopes, but it turned out that I gave it to Ru'er because I had no hope. Poor Ru'er has been working hard on things at Tongji Temple these days, but I didn't expect that the master has given up hope at all."
There are no outsiders at this time, so Fang Ru's flattery and complaining can be regarded as a kind of fun in the boudoir.
Seeing Fang Ru like this, Zhao Junchen couldn't help but laugh and said: "I am obviously complaining about my own mistakes, so why do I make you unhappy again? How can I not be worried if you are in charge of things? This time, Chen Dongxiang's matter is only a matter of one or two I found out the truth within an hour and let me get the news. I think even if I do it myself, I can't do it better. I'm afraid I might not be as good as you in all likelihood."
Seeing Zhao Junchen's relaxed expression and not caring about Chen Dongxiang's secret contact with Huo Zhengyuan, but just joking with him, Fang Ru couldn't help but asked: "Sir, Chen Dongxiang is naturally rebellious. He met Huo Zhengyuan secretly this time. Considering that now The situation between North Korea and China is probably due to ulterior motives, sir, are you not worried at all?"
Zhao Junchen smiled softly and said: "If I didn't know about it in advance, Chen Dongxiang's sudden defection in the court might really be a big trouble. But now that I know about it, as long as I make preparations in advance, then There is nothing to worry about. After all, the advantage now is on my side, and I can cope with the changes in the situation."
Although Zhao Junchen looked relaxed, Fang Ru's eyes flashed with a cold light when she thought that Chen Dongxiang actually planned to betray Zhao Junchen. Then she bit her silver teeth and asked, "Master, how are you going to deal with this Chen Dongxiang? He is like this But you can’t let it go easily.”
To Fang Ru's surprise, after mentioning Chen Dongxiang's intentional betrayal, Zhao Junchen showed no sign of anger, but looked thoughtful.
Seeing Zhao Junchen deep in thought, obviously considering how to deal with Chen Dongxiang, Fang Ru stopped talking and just waited silently for Zhao Junchen's decision. At the same time, Fang Ru's heart was racing, thinking about the resources in her hands and which ones could help Zhao Junchen.
For a moment, seven or eight ideas flashed through Fang Ru's mind, ranging from assassination to frame-up, all of which were extremely ruthless strategies.
After all, although Fang Ru was infatuated with Zhao Junchen, she had an extreme temperament and was ruthlessly tight towards people other than Zhao Junchen - especially those who might endanger Zhao Junchen's safety.
However, something unexpected happened to Fang Ru.
I saw Zhao Junchen pondering for a long time. Suddenly he sighed softly and said, "I think I should give Chen Dongxiang another chance."
"Give him another chance?" Zhao Junchen said. Fang Ru couldn't help being shocked and asked: "Master, are you going to let that Chen Dongxiang go? He is planning to betray you, master! How can you let him go so easily?!"
Zhao Junchen waved his hand and said softly: "I understand Chen Dongxiang's temperament. With Huang Yourong's methods, I'm afraid it won't be so easy to conquer him, especially at this time. Although he met Huo Zhengyuan this time, if To say that he has made up his mind to betray me is not necessarily true."
Seeing Fang Ruyu looking at him in disbelief, obviously not agreeing with this idea, Zhao Junchen sighed again. Said: "The reason why Chen Dongxiang is alienated from me now is because I am unfair to him. Now he is in an embarrassing situation under my sect and is gradually being marginalized. It is also caused by my deliberate creation. He now wants to turn his back on me. Me. It can be said that it is a matter of course. If we were in a different place, I am afraid I would have the same thoughts.
In fact, Chen Dongxiang took the greatest credit for the reason why I was able to overthrow Wen Guanliang. Logically speaking, I should have rewarded him. However, Chen Dongxiang's ambition was too great, so instead of rewarding him, I often beat him. And treated him quite coldly, and Zuo Lanshan and the others saw my attitude. In order not to suspect me, I also deliberately distanced myself from him. As a result, Chen Dongxiang was completely marginalized under my sect. "
Fang Ru couldn't help but be surprised when she heard what Zhao Junchen said: "Since he is so ambitious, he should not be let go. Why do you plan to give him another chance, sir?"
Zhao Junchen chuckled and said: "My foundation was not yet stable at the beginning, but Chen Dongxiang's ambition was beyond my tolerance. If I used it more heavily on him at that time, he might be ignored, so I would deliberately marginalize him so that his ambitions could not be realized. However, things have changed now. My foundation in the court has been solid, and my power and influence are far from what they were at the beginning. The ambitions of my officials have become more and more important. The hair is tolerable. Those worries about Chen Dongxiang at the beginning no longer exist. In addition, Chen Dongxiang is also considered a talent. So if you give him another chance and take the opportunity to repay the justice that was owed to him, you can also let him The other officials under my sect are convinced, so why not?"
Having said this, Zhao Junchen shook his head and said leisurely: "Actually, I still have some tolerance for others. It's not a bad thing if the officials under me are somewhat ambitious. As long as they don't exceed my tolerance, I'm still happy to see them. It works. As long as I point out the direction for the realization of their ambitions, these ambitious people are actually relatively easy to control, and they will even be the best help for me to expand my power in the court. And Chen Dongxiang, to me, is exactly the same. in this way."
Hearing what Zhao Junchen said, Fang Ru had no choice but to see Zhao Junchen's clear attitude, but she did not want to disobey Zhao Junchen's intention, so she could only nod her head and said: "Since you said so, sir, then just give Chen Dongxiang another chance. At worst, I just need to keep a closer eye on him to prevent him from causing trouble."
Zhao Junchen laughed, but did not object. He just said slowly: "In the officialdom, people in high positions always have the same capacity to tolerate others as they have the power and position they have. What achievements will be achieved? If an official does not have the ambition to match his status and only knows blind suspicion, he will not achieve anything big in the end. However, you should keep an eye on Chen Dongxiang, just in case. I’m tired of you spending more time on it.”
Fang Ru was noncommittal and just asked, "Master, how do you plan to give Chen Dongxiang another chance?"
After Zhao Junchen pondered for a moment, he said: "Now that things have come to an end, I'm afraid I have to meet him in person, but under such circumstances, perhaps letting Chen Dongxiang pretend to join Huang Yourong would be a clever move... Well, Ru Son, I will write a secret letter now, and you will send someone to hand him over to Wang Ping, a doctor in the Ministry of Industry."
Wang Ping, a doctor in the Ministry of Industry, was just a fifth-rank official in the court, a small figure. This was the first time Fang Ru had heard of it, but she didn't know why Zhao Junchen would suddenly write a secret letter to such a person.
However, Fang Ru also knew that Zhao Junchen had been making plans for both the government and the public during this period, laying many unknown foreshadowings and chess pieces, many of which even people as close as Fang Ru were unaware of.
And this Wang Ping, a doctor in the Ministry of Industry, was probably one of Zhao Junchen's foreshadowing moves in the middle of the court. So Fang Ru didn't ask any more questions and just nodded in agreement.
…………
In this way, time passes unconsciously. It was approaching evening.
Chen Dongxiang has been thinking about whether to abandon Zhao Junchen and join Huang Yourong all day today, but the various official affairs of the Ministry of Industry have not been dealt with much under such circumstances. And the people coming and going in the Yamen of the Ministry of Industry and the constant flow of official duties made Chen Dongxiang think clearly. Distracted.
Seeing that he was about to call it a day and return home, Chen Dongxiang couldn't help but let out a sigh of relief and planned to return home. Sort out your thoughts carefully and decide your next choice.
In fact, Chen Dongxiang has always been a decisive person. He wanted to abandon Wen Guanliang and switch to Zhao Junchen. There was not much hesitation either. Just do it.
But this time, Chen Dongxiang was full of hesitation.
Without him, although Chen Dongxiang was very tempted by Huang Yourong's various conditions for buying Chen Dongxiang, Chen Dongxiang was not sure whether Huang Yourong could win the final victory in this party struggle between Zhao Junchen and Huang Yourong?
During this period of time under Zhao Junchen, although Chen Dongxiang was treated coldly by Zhao Junchen. Even being gradually marginalized, he watched Zhao Junchen gradually rise in the temple. Seeing the various means and scheming Zhao Junchen used to achieve his goal, Chen Dongxiang understood Zhao Junchen's ability best, and he no longer dared to underestimate Zhao Junchen.
In Chen Dongxiang's view, Zhao Junchen is not only a man of deep scheming and superb means, but also an extremely cautious and far-reaching person. Although there are many officials in the dynasty, in fact, there are only a few who can compare with Zhao Junchen. It's just a few people.
Now, since Zhao Junchen dares to initiate a party dispute with Huang Yourong, then based on Chen Dongxiang's thinking, Zhao Junchen already has a plan and certainty of victory in his heart. Otherwise, with Zhao Junchen's character, he will never provoke this easily. Party fighting.
Regarding the views of Ge Lao Huang Yourong and Chen Dongxiang, they are consistent with Zhao Junchen. However, in order to avoid the situation in the court where his family is the dominant one and arouse the suspicion of Emperor Deqing, the chief minister Zhou Shangjing deliberately left it on the facade. Just a "political opponent".
In fact, the opponents who could really pose a threat to the chief minister Zhou Shangjing, such as Wang Baoren, the Minister of Civil Affairs in Nanjing, who was about to return to the court to serve as the crown prince, had already been squeezed out of the imperial center by Zhou Shangjing early on.
It can be said that the reason why Huang Yourong was able to serve as the cabinet minister was because Huang Yourong had some abilities, but it was more because Zhou Shangjing did not take action against Huang Yourong, rather than Huang Yourong himself having the ability to compete with Zhou Shangjing.
Therefore, Chen Dongxiang actually looked down upon Huang Yourong, and did not think that Huang Yourong could win the final victory in this party struggle with Zhao Junchen.
That's why Chen Dongxiang is so hesitant now - although the conditions offered by Huang Yourong are generous, if he ultimately fails in the party struggle or even collapses because of it, then no matter how generous the conditions are now, they will be nothing more than a mirror image to Chen Dongxiang. This will make Chen Dongxiang's situation even more unbearable.
Therefore, after learning about Huang Yourong's conditions for him, Chen Dongxiang had to consider clearly how much he could improve Huang Yourong's chances of winning if he betrayed Zhao Junchen and switched sides.
If the chance of winning is too low, then Chen Dongxiang doesn't mind immediately informing Zhao Junchen about Huang Yourong's bribery to see if he can regain Zhao Junchen's trust.
However, the Ministry of Industry was busy with official duties. During this afternoon, Chen Dongxiang was distracted by too many things, but he couldn't think too much about it.
Therefore, when it was time for the government office to finish work, Chen Dongxiang did not plan to stay any longer. He just tidied up briefly and got up to go back home.
However, just as Chen Dongxiang stood up to leave, someone suddenly knocked on the door outside his office room and said, "Is Minister Chen here? I would like to see Wang Ping."
Chen Dongxiang couldn't help but be startled when he heard the voice of Wang Ping, a doctor from the Ministry of Industry.
Nowadays, all the officials in the Ministry of Industry are Zhao Junchen's subordinates, and Wang Ping is no exception.
But for this period of time, because Chen Dongxiang was ignored by Zhao Junchen, and after being noticed by his colleagues in the Ministry of Industry, they all intentionally or unintentionally distanced themselves from Chen Dongxiang, but only Wang Ping still treated Chen Dongxiang affectionately.
In addition, although Wang Ping was only a fifth-rank doctor in the Ministry of Industry, his qualifications in the Ministry of Industry were very senior, which made Chen Dongxiang respect him.
Therefore, after hearing Wang Ping's request to see him, Chen Dongxiang did not dare to neglect and hurriedly opened the door to meet him.
After opening the door, he saw Wang Ping standing outside the room with a smile, as if he had encountered some happy event, and his expression was quite happy.
"Sir Chen, I have met a happy event today. However, there are not many officials from the Ministry of Works who can be close to me. I would like to invite you to meet and share. I wonder if you can give me the honor to come to Shangxian Tower to get together?"
Outside the door, Wang Ping cupped his hands towards Chen Dongxiang and smiled.
Hearing Wang Ping's invitation, Chen Dongxiang couldn't help but hesitate.
Chen Dongxiang naturally understood what Wang Ping meant when he said, "But not many officials at the Ministry of Works can be intimate with their subordinates." It was nothing more than that after all the officials at the Ministry of Works alienated their relationship with Chen Dongxiang, But only Wang Ping still had a close relationship with Chen Dongxiang, so Wang Ping was also alienated.
Therefore, after hearing Wang Ping's reasons, Chen Dongxiang hesitated for a moment. Although he did not want to have any more entanglements and wanted to go back home to think about things, he still could not refuse after all. He could only nod and said: "In that case, then It’s better to obey than to be respectful.”
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ps: The first update today is still a two-in-one 5,000-word chapter. Please like it! (To be continued...)
