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The plan has developed to this stage. After overthrowing Zhu Heyu, who should sit as the new crown prince, and who should sit in this position will be most beneficial to Zhao Junchen. This is something Zhao Junchen must seriously consider. . 【Read full text】
As for leaving the position of the crown prince vacant, it was certainly in Zhao Junchen's best interest, but Zhao Junchen gave up the idea after just a moment's consideration.
If a country does not have a crown prince, the world will be uneasy. Neither Emperor Deqing nor the civil and military officials of the Manchu Dynasty will agree to let the crown prince's position remain vacant. In this case, if everyone is opposed to it, even if Zhao Junchen has another chance means, but it is impossible to achieve the goal.
As a result, Zhao Junchen didn't have many choices left.
In the Ming Dynasty, the rule of establishing a crown prince was that "there should be direct descendants, and no direct descendants should establish elders."
In this dynasty, the queen has no heirs, and the biological mother of the crown prince Zhu Heyu and the seventh prince Zhu Hejian is the imperial concubine Wan of this dynasty. This imperial concubine is quite knowledgeable and has a gentle temperament. Although she is a little older now , but was still favored by Emperor Deqing.
Although Emperor Deqing had many children, the princes he gave birth to in his early years were either deposed due to affairs or died early due to illness. The seventh prince Zhu Hejian can be regarded as the oldest prince besides Zhu Heyu.
In this way, after the fall of Zhu Heyu, the seventh prince Zhu Hejian will be the first choice for the new crown prince, regardless of his origin or age.
However, if you take into account Zhu Hejian's long-term illness, there are more variables.
Some mature and prudent ministers will inevitably object on this basis.
And this variable and opposition. This is exactly what Zhao Junchen wants to happen!
In fact, although Zhu Hejian has shown goodwill to Zhao Junchen many times, deep in Zhao Junchen's heart. But he doesn't want Zhu Hejian to become the new crown prince!
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"Zhu Hejian, the seventh son of Emperor Deqing... Judging from the intelligence collected so far, this person's power is unfathomable. He clearly covets the throne, but he can win the trust and favor of Emperor Deqing and Zhu Heyu. He has been using his frailty and illness to delay his departure from the capital to be crowned king, waiting for the opportunity in the political center of the capital. His ambition can be said to be decisive and ruthless. In order to show his kindness to me, They even don’t hesitate to destroy their own weak body! Although people like this are cruel to themselves, they are even more cruel to others, and they are often the most cruel and ruthless! They are also ambitious and greedy for power. To me, they are absolutely He is a perfect candidate for the new crown prince!"
Thinking back on Zhu Hejian's information. Zhao Junchen frowned slightly.
Zhao Junchen is still young. But he has already become one of the powerful officials in the court. When the new king succeeds to the throne, he is very likely to become the next Zhou Shangjing - even more powerful than the current Zhou Shangjing!
Once Zhu Hejian became the new prince, as the future emperor of the Ming Dynasty, he was full of enthusiasm for power and desire for control, but he never wanted to see such a situation happen!
By that time, Zhu Hejian's hostility towards Zhao Junchen may not be lower than that of Zhu Heyu now!
And people like Zhu Hejian. Although he is weak and sickly, he is much more difficult to deal with than Zhu Heyu!
In a way. With Zhu Hejian's character and methods, he was even more difficult to deal with than Emperor Deqing!
Although Emperor Deqing was a little overjoyed with great achievements, after all he was a person who took the overall situation into consideration. Although Zhou Shangjing was in the court to compete with him, in order to avoid turmoil in the country and for his own future reputation, he only used the emperor's tactics and tactics over the years to fight against the emperor. Zhou Shangjing slowly dealt with it, but never had the idea of using force.
But if it were Zhu Hejian, with his decisiveness and ruthlessness, he might not be as patient and rational as Emperor Deqing.
With all these factors in mind, Zhao Junchen was naturally not willing to let Zhu Hejian become the future crown prince!
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"However, although to me, Zhu Hejian is not the best candidate for the new crown prince, but among the other princes, no one has the qualifications and ability to compete with him. His long-term frailty is his only weakness. There is also room for me to move, but if Emperor Deqing insists, or if Zhu Hejian suddenly improves a lot, then all this will not be an obstacle."
Thinking of this, Zhao Junchen sighed softly. After all, his current power and influence are still small. Major events such as the establishment of a prince, which are related to the next hundred years of the Ming Dynasty, are always decided by Emperor Deqing. Even if Zhao Junchen No matter how much I want to interfere or influence, I am still somewhat powerless.
However, although once Zhu Hejian became the crown prince, his character would inevitably be hostile to Zhao Junchen, and his scheming methods would be far more difficult to deal with than Zhu Heyu. However, Zhao Junchen did not treat Zhu Hejian as such. Zhu Heyu was so afraid.
Otherwise, Zhao Junchen would not have defeated Zhu Heyu so quickly. Instead, he would have created a bigger opponent for himself!
This is because, firstly, Zhu Hejian is not upright and has no handle like Zhu Heyu; secondly, Zhu Hejian knows how to compromise and give in before accomplishing things, which allows Zhao Junchen to calmly arrange and accumulate strength; thirdly, it is also The most important thing is that Zhu Hejian is frail and sick, and when the time comes when he has to, Zhao Junchen doesn't mind taking advantage of this!
In the officialdom, the scheming government is certainly scary, but what really makes people fear are people like Zhu Heyu who have absolutely no handles, who are upright and will never give up until they achieve their goals.
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"However, in the final analysis, who should be the future crown prince still depends on the attitude of Emperor Deqing."
While thinking secretly, Zhao Junchen had the idea of going to the palace to explore Emperor Deqing's mouth.
By the way, the news that Prince Zhu Heyu is about to return to Beijing should also be reported to Emperor Deqing, so that Emperor Deqing can understand how efficient Xichang is in his hands.
And just after Zhao Junchen made his decision, Xu Qingyan also completed the task assigned by Zhao Junchen and returned to the study.
"Qingyan, I remember that Mr. Zuo Lanshan, Minister of the Ministry of Industry, sent a hundred-year-old purple zhi to the mansion a few days ago. Is this possible?" Seeing Xu Qingyan return to the study, Zhao Junchen asked before he could report the mission. Just asked.
Xu Qingyan was slightly stunned. After thinking about it for a while, he nodded and said, "That's what happened. Zuo Lanshan was extremely rich in his position in the Ministry of Industry, but since he joined the young master, his attitude has been quite respectful and he often asks There are some treasures in the house, among which there is indeed a black Ganoderma lucidum. I heard that this black Ganoderma lucidum is a good thing. It protects the mind, replenishes energy, strengthens bones and muscles, has a good color, and can prolong life. I was thinking about soaking it in wine for you, young master. Woolen cloth."
Zhao Junchen ordered: "No need, such a good thing, of course you have to go out respectfully. Take it and follow me to the palace."
"Going to the palace?"
Xu Qingyan was stunned for a moment, then turned to look out the window.
At this time, it was already dusk, and the sunset outside the window was shining red.
Zhao Junchen smiled and said nothing, just stood up and walked out of the study first.
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ps: Sorry, because I changed departments, I was dragged out for a drink by some colleagues from the original department, and I didn’t get home until almost ten o’clock, so the word count in this chapter is relatively short.
...(To be continued...)
