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Zhao Junchen couldn't help but be confused when he heard that Emperor Deqing had left him. 【Read full text】
But Zhao Junchen didn't say much, he just stopped and waited quietly for Emperor Deqing's instructions.
After the elders and the six ministers left one by one, the door of Yangxin Hall was also closed. Emperor Deqing looked at Zhao Junchen for a few times, and then suddenly asked: "Speaking of which, Junchen, at your current age, It’s almost twenty-five, right?”
Zhao Junchen couldn't help but be startled when he heard Emperor Deqing's inquiry.
Emperor Deqing was well versed in the art of imperial thinking, and every word he spoke had profound meaning. He had also asked Feng Po's age before, but that was to hint that Feng Po had taken the initiative to resign and become an official. Now he asked about Zhao Junchen's age, but he didn't know what the article was about.
Looking up secretly, he saw Emperor Deqing's expression gentle, as if he was just chatting with Zhao Junchen.
Suddenly, Zhao Junchen remembered a piece of information he had obtained from the inner court a few days ago. Could it be... his marriage?
Zhao Junchen's eyes flashed slightly and he replied: "Your Majesty, please remember clearly that I am twenty-four this year. I was born in July, and I will be twenty-five in a few months."
Emperor Deqing nodded slightly and said thoughtfully: "In the final analysis, life is nothing more than 'getting married and establishing a career'. Now if you talk about 'establishing a career', at the age of less than twenty-five, He has become the Minister of Household Affairs and a second-rank official in the imperial court. This is certainly too young, but when it comes to 'starting a family', it is really too late to be married at the age of twenty-four."
Hearing what Emperor Deqing said, although Zhao Junchen was mentally prepared, his mood was still a little complicated, and he didn't know how Emperor Deqing would arrange his marriage.
While Zhao Junchen was thinking secretly, Emperor Deqing's expression became gentler and he asked with a smile: "Now there is no news about your marriage. Although you are not anxious yourself, I am a little anxious for you. Now There is no way to delay it like this... Junchen, do you have a girl from a family that you like? If you like it, you can tell me clearly and I will make the decision for you. "
Zhao Junchen smiled bitterly and said: "Your Majesty, you also know that since I entered the court as an official, I have devoted myself to court affairs. I have no energy or mind to think about more. In addition, there are few opportunities to meet women of the right age, so naturally I can't find any." I found the person I like, so the marriage was delayed."
Emperor Deqing looked like he was considering Zhao Junchen wholeheartedly. He shook his head and sighed: "Junchen, it is certainly a good thing for you to be diligent in government affairs, but you cannot delay your marriage. This is a major event that affects your whole life. If you can find a good wife, A good match will help you a lot in the future, not to mention if you get married. People can also be more mature in nature. They will no longer be a young boy in the eyes of others, and they will value you more, whether in public or private, and to you. There are only advantages and no disadvantages.”
After a pause. Emperor Deqing waved his hand and said: "I ignored this matter in the past, but now that I have thought of it, I can no longer sit idly by. Junchen, you are loyal to me and work hard. I can't treat you badly." you."
While speaking, Emperor Deqing reached out and saw eunuch Zhang De holding three copies of the post and delivering them to Zhao Junchen.
Zhao Junchen was stunned again. He took a look and found that each of the three posts contained a portrait of a woman. Also written below are the names, life experiences, birth dates, and other text of these three women.
Obviously, these three women were the marriage candidates that Emperor Deqing was looking for for Zhao Junchen.
Emperor Deqing smiled and said: "In recent days, I have been thinking about your marriage, and I am also among the younger members of the family who are distinguished ministers in the court. I have carefully selected three women of the right age for you. They are: Su Xiuning, the eldest daughter of Su Changzhen, the governor of southern Zhili, Chen Zhirong, the second daughter of Chen You, the Duke of Jing, and Cui Qianxue, the granddaughter of Cui Mian, the former cabinet minister... These three girls are now of the right age, and both in appearance and family background , are all worthy of you, I even specially asked for their portraits, Junchen, can you take a look at them and see if you like any of them?"
Zhao Junchen asked in confusion: "Their family...are actually willing to marry me?"
Emperor Deqing's face flashed with displeasure and he said: "Junchen, why do you have to belittle yourself? Now you have achieved such an achievement at a young age. Although there are countless young talents in the whole court, who can compare with you?" Bi? Although the three of them are considered noble, getting married to you is the good thing they want, so how can they not be willing?"
Hearing what Emperor Deqing said, Zhao Junchen remained silent. He just followed Emperor Deqing's instructions and opened the post in his hand to read carefully.
…………
In fact, the main reason why Zhao Junchen is still unmarried is because of Zhao Junchen's infamous reputation among the government and the public, and the hostile relationship between Prince Zhu Heyu and Zhao Junchen!
But regarding this point, both Emperor Deqing and Zhao Junchen himself tacitly chose to avoid talking about it just now.
In this era, when a man marries a woman, the most important thing in marriage and marriage is "well-matched". And Zhao Junchen has now become a second-rank official in the imperial court at a young age, and has won the favor of Emperor Deqing. He seems to have a bright future. Therefore, between the government and the public, the only people who are qualified to marry Zhao Junchen are those from the Ming Dynasty. Honored nobles from generation to generation, as well as some powerful ministers in the temple.
However, Zhao Junchen's reputation among the government and the public was too bad, and his hostile relationship with the crown prince Zhu Heyu was well known to everyone. As for those families who were qualified to marry Zhao Junchen, the people in charge of the family were all well-known. People with sharp eyes can naturally understand it - even though Zhao Junchen is in great glory now, when Prince Zhu Heyu ascends the throne, I am afraid that Zhao Junchen will be executed.
Therefore, in order to avoid being implicated in the future, these wealthy families who are qualified to marry Zhao Junchen will naturally not marry Zhao Junchen just for temporary gain.
As a result, it also caused the embarrassing situation that although Zhao Junchen was extremely powerful in the court, he was still unable to get married. The qualified wealthy families were unwilling to marry him, but the small family who was willing to marry Zhao Junchen households, but often lack the qualifications.
Therefore, although Zhao Junchen is now twenty-four years old, which is already past the marriageable age in this era, he still has not gotten married, which is a strange thing in the temple.
It was precisely because of this consideration that Zhao Junchen was so surprised when he saw the list of three companies in his hand.
Su Changzhen, the governor of Southern Zhili, Zhang You, the Duke of Jing, and Cui Mian, the former cabinet minister, should all be able to see Zhao Junchen's hidden dangers and would never want to marry Zhao Junchen.
But now looking at Emperor Deqing's attitude, it is obvious that these three families have acquiesced to the possibility of marriage with Zhao Junchen.
"I'm afraid. Emperor Deqing must have used some means to persuade these three families. He either promised some benefits or secretly exerted pressure."
Zhao Junchen thought secretly.
…………
Between deep thoughts. Zhao Junchen opened the three posts in his hand and took a closer look.
There was not much content in the post, just the names, family background, age, appearance, birth dates and other information of the women from the three families - but Zhao Junchen was not interested in this information.
On the other hand, the three portraits sandwiched in the post are quite lifelike, depicting all the features of the women from the three families. It is obvious that the painter has extraordinary skills, and may be the handiwork of the royal painter in the palace.
First, there is Su Xiuning, the eldest daughter of Su Changzhen, the governor of Southern Zhili. She has a slim figure, a delicate face, and exquisite facial features. It seems to have an endearing temperament;
Chen Zhirong, the second daughter of Chen You, Duke of Jing, has a beautiful figure and clear eyebrows. Even from the portrait, you can still feel a touch of charm. There is a beauty mark between the eyebrows, but it adds to the charm. Speaking of portraits alone, among the three women, she has the best appearance;
As for Cui Qianxue, the granddaughter of Lao Cui Mian in the front cabinet, she seems to be young, but she is also a beauty, petite and plump. A pair of big eyes are quite eye-catching, and his expression is lively and charming;
But for the portraits of these three women, although Zhao Junchen pretended to read them carefully, he still didn't care.
What he really cares about is the families these three women represent behind their backs!
Su Xiuning is the eldest daughter of Su Changzhen, the governor of Southern Zhili, but Su Changzhen is a local official. But he is one year older than Feng Po, the former Minister of Punishment. He is now in his seventies, and I am afraid that he will retire and return to his hometown in the near future.
Chen Zhirong is the second daughter of Chen You, the Duke of Jing. However, although the Duke of Jing is a hereditary noble, his influence in the court has never been great - but he heard the title "Duke of Jing". Zhao Junchen always felt a little familiar, as if he had seen it somewhere before, but he couldn't remember it for a while.
As for Cui Qianxue, she is the granddaughter of Cui Mian, the former cabinet elder. Although Cui Mian is the former cabinet elder, his methods and scheming are probably not as good as those of Huang Yourong and Shen Changmao today. He has been sitting in the position of the cabinet elder for three to five years. Then he retreated. The only thing worthy of praise is that this person always cherishes his own life when doing things, so although he is incompetent, he never leaves anyone behind.
After carefully thinking about the family backgrounds of these three women, Zhao Junchen couldn't help but sneer in his heart, and immediately understood the true intentions of Emperor Deqing.
Zhao Junchen knew very well that as his power and influence in the court increased, Emperor Deqing's attitude towards him gradually changed.
In the past, Emperor Deqing always adopted an attitude of "complete control" over Zhao Junchen. Zhao Junchen's every move in the court was subject to Emperor Deqing's instructions. If there were any private actions, once they did not comply with Emperor Deqing's instructions, He would be reprimanded by Emperor Deqing.
At that time, Zhao Junchen had no power to compete with Emperor Deqing, so he could only be cautious and obey orders.
Nowadays, Zhao Junchen and Huang Yourong have shown no less power and influence than the current court elders in the party dispute. In the eyes of Emperor Deqing, their importance has increased significantly, but they can no longer control them as they did before. Therefore, the attitude towards Zhao Junchen has changed from "complete control" to "both enveloping and guarding against".
Today, Emperor Deqing asked Feng Po to retire early and return to his hometown, thus cutting off the possibility of Zhao Junchen's crony Li Lide taking over as Minister of the Ministry of Justice, and then handed over the position of Minister of the Ministry of Industry to Ye Shanghong, a disciple of Zhou Shangjing. This was not only to provoke Zhao Junchen The hostility between Zhou Shangjing and Zhou Shangjing was also due to his precautions against Zhao Junchen.
And now, he is arranging a marriage for Zhao Junchen, just for the purpose of winning over.
However, the three women selected by Emperor Deqing for Zhao Junchen did not have much power and influence in their families. Obviously Emperor Deqing did not hope that Zhao Junchen would expand his power and influence again through this marriage, and he was still very cautious. obvious.
I am afraid that in the eyes of Emperor Deqing, Zhao Junchen's current power and influence in the court is no longer suitable for increasing.
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While Zhao Junchen was thinking secretly, Emperor Deqing smiled and asked: "Junchen, how are you? These three portraits are all made by palace painters, so you don't have to worry about the portraits not being consistent with the real people. I have also seen that the looks of these three women are all top choices. I heard that they are all girls with virtuous temperaments and are good matches. Which one do you like?"
Seeing Zhao Junchen's hesitation, Emperor Deqing thought that Zhao Junchen was thin-skinned. Then he smiled and said: "Between you and me, the monarch and my ministers, there is no need to worry about anything. Just tell me whoever you like, and I will personally marry you."
Zhao Junchen shook his head and sighed: "Your Majesty, this is difficult for me. I still need to consider the important matter of marriage carefully. Although Your Majesty, you have considered it so carefully for me, I am extremely moved. But in a hurry, I really can’t decide.”
After saying that, Zhao Junchen raised his head and said tentatively: "Otherwise, your Majesty will make the decision for me."
Now the women from these three families. Zhao Junchen really didn't know how to choose and was hesitating.
But Zhao Junchen would not leave all his marriage choices to Emperor Deqing. This was just a trial.
Emperor Deqing shook his head and laughed, and said: "It is better for you to make your own decisions about marriage. I have worried enough about you, and I will not choose for you anymore. What's more, you are now a high-ranking minister of the imperial court. It's not me. Your prince and grandson, it’s not convenient for me to decide for you..."
After a pause, Emperor Deqing saw that Zhao Junchen's expression was still full of hesitation, and said: "Well, I also know that asking you to make a hasty decision is also embarrassing for you. You should also think about it for a few days, not to mention After all, a portrait is just a portrait. No matter how good the painter's skills are, he can't depict everything, let alone express the expression and mind of a real person...
……kindness. Well, it just so happens that Su Changzhen, the governor of Southern Zhili, returned to Beijing to report on his duties. Three days later, I will hold a small royal banquet in the palace. All the three Mian families were called to the palace for the banquet, and asked to bring their respective families. When the time comes, Junchen, you will also go to the palace to accompany you, and you can also take the opportunity to meet the girls from these three families. I want to meet the real person when the time comes, and Junchen, you will also feel in your heart. How about having more ideas? "
Emperor Deqing was so interested that he even went to great lengths to hold a royal banquet in order to arrange Zhao Junchen's marriage. Naturally, Zhao Junchen could not refuse.
Therefore, Zhao Junchen raised his head, put on a moved expression, and said: "Your Majesty, you have thought so carefully for me, and even held a palace banquet specifically for my marriage. I am moved and frightened. From now on, I can only act with loyalty." , I will retaliate to the death..."
Emperor Deqing looked at the moved Zhao Junchen in front of him, nodded with satisfaction, and said with a smile: "In today's peaceful and prosperous times, there is no need for you to swear to death, as long as you remember my kindness to you."
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Next, after Zhao Junchen and Emperor Deqing chatted some more, Emperor Deqing asked Zhao Junchen to leave.
When Zhao Junchen walked out of the Meridian Gate, he found Zuo Lanshan, the minister of the Ministry of Industry, waiting for him there.
After seeing Zhao Junchen appear, Zuo Lanshan hurriedly greeted him.
Obviously, Zuo Lanshan was very dissatisfied with the distribution of these real power vacancies during today's meeting between the elders and the six ministers. Zuo Lanshan felt that he had suffered a big loss, so he kept waiting for Zhao Junchen outside the palace and wanted to ask Zhao Junchen Ask for advice.
"Master Zhao, you are finally here." Zuo Lanshan looked full of annoyance and sighed: "I didn't expect that Your Majesty would suddenly decide on the replacement candidates for the vacancies in the court today. We were caught off guard, but after eating After suffering a big loss, he originally planned to win the position of Minister of the Ministry of Justice for Li Lide, but ended up falling into the hands of Zhou Shangjing's faction, making Lin Chengze the new Minister of the Ministry of Justice, and the vacancy of Minister of the Ministry of Industry was also occupied by Zhou Shangjing's disciple Ye Shanghong Got it, we finally pulled out the nail that Huang Yourong planted in the Ministry of Works, but Zhou Shangjing got in again, ugh..."
Zhao Junchen saw that Zuo Lanshan looked unhappy, but he said with relief: "That's all, who made us short of manpower? We can only suffer this immediate loss. However, I finally won the job of Shandong Chief Envoy for Li Lide. Nowadays, due to the "Preparation for the Southern Tour" in Shandong Yiyi, there are a large number of official vacancies. We can also take the opportunity to promote some officials for our own use to make up for the lack of background. In the long run, this may not be a bad thing. What's more, Li Lide does have some qualifications. It is natural for him to go to a local place to gain some experience and then return to the center in the future to become a six-part minister like you and me. So Mr. Zuo, you don’t have to be upset. There are many things now. There’s no rush…”
After hearing Zhao Junchen's comfort, Zuo Lanshan's expression finally relaxed a little. After nodding in agreement, he asked curiously: "By the way, Mr. Zhao, I don't know why Your Majesty left you in the Yangxin Hall to discuss secretly." thing?"
Zhao Junchen smiled bitterly and said: "Your Majesty, he sees that I am old but still unmarried, so he plans to act as a matchmaker for me..."
Halfway through his words, Zhao Junchen suddenly remembered the inexplicable feeling of familiarity he felt when he saw Duke Jing, but regardless of Zuo Lanshan's surprise, he asked: "By the way, Mr. Zuo, do you think of Duke Jing's family?" Know?"
Zuo Lanshan was stunned again. After thinking for a moment, he replied: "Does Your Majesty intend to let Duke Jing's family marry Mr. Zhao? I am not familiar with Duke Jing's family. I only know that this family has always kept a low profile. The influence in the court is not great... By the way, I remember that the seventh prince Zhu Hejian had arranged to marry Chen Luoyi, the eldest daughter of the Duke of Jing a few years ago. Although the seventh prince's health has not been very good, he has not been married for a long time. There is no formal marriage, but the relationship between Duke Jing and Your Highness has always been close..."
After hearing Zuo Lanshan's words, Zhao Junchen's eyes flashed.
"Oh? Is the eldest daughter of the Duke of Jing's family betrothed to the seventh prince Zhu Hejian? This is interesting. If I finally get married to the Duke of Jing's family, wouldn't I become a brother-in-law with the seventh prince?"
As he spoke, Zhao Junchen seemed to be smiling but not smiling.
…
Well, it’s still two chapters in one.
