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"Mr. Zhao, His Majesty has a decree for you to go to the imperial study room to have an audience."
Hearing Zhang De's words, Zhao Junchen nodded thoughtfully, then turned to Zuo Lanshan and others and whispered instructions: "The situation in the DPRK is chaotic and complicated now. I can't clear my mind for a while. You guys go ahead, Let our people not act rashly for the time being, it is good to fish in troubled waters, but if the water is too deep, you may drown, so we must be careful at this time."
After Zuo Lanshan, Zhan Shanchang and others agreed, Zhao Junchen followed eunuch Zhang De towards the royal study.
While walking, Zhao Junchen thought about the reason why Emperor Deqing summoned him this time.
Today's morning meeting, Prince Zhu Heyu once again got into big trouble because of his "naïve sense of justice." If it is not handled well, the situation between the government and the opposition will be turbulent, and there may be some big trouble. .
At this time, Emperor Deqing did not seek out Zhou Shangjing, Huang Yourong, and Shen Changmao, the three powerful parties, to discuss negotiations, compromises, and secret deals. Instead, he immediately summoned Zhao Junchen to see him, which seemed very strange.
Although Zhao Junchen's power and influence have been increasing day by day during these days, the trouble caused by Prince Zhu Heyu this time is really too great. Even if Zhao Junchen tries his best, there is no possibility of change or reversal. For this point, De Emperor Qing should be very clear about this.
So, why did Emperor Deqing summon Zhao Junchen alone at such a sensitive time?
"Could it be that...Emperor Deqing discovered something and began to doubt me?"
Thinking of this possibility, Zhao Junchen couldn't help but pause slightly as he walked towards the imperial study. A solemn look flashed across his eyes.
But in just a moment, Zhao Junchen returned to normal.
"Don't think about winning. Think about losing first." This is one of the political qualities that every far-sighted politician must have.
And Zhao Junchen did the same thing at the beginning of the plan. Zhao Junchen has already considered all changes in the situation and countermeasures.
Therefore, although Zhao Junchen was shocked, he was not confused!
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At the same time, in the imperial study, Emperor Deqing was sitting behind the imperial desk, his brows furrowed and his face solemn, worrying about what had happened in court this morning.
Speaking of which, Emperor Deqing has not been in such a dilemma as he is today for many years.
Emperor Deqing never expected that Prince Zhu Heyu would be so reckless after returning to Beijing and leave no room for him. Taking advantage of the opportunity to examine the "Southern Inspection Preparation Fraud Case", not only did they wipe out all the local officials from North Zhili to South Zhili, but they also impeached the three most senior ministers in the DPRK and China in public!
When things have reached this point, there is no room for maneuver!
Therefore, Emperor Deqing must face two choices next - either fully support the impeachment of Prince Zhu Heyu and take the opportunity to attack the power and reputation of the three elders, or fully prevent the actions of Prince Zhu Heyu and prevent The confusion caused by this incident further expanded.
Otherwise, there is no other choice. Otherwise, it will only make Prince Zhu Heyu and the three major cabinet ministers unconvinced, and the situation in the DPRK and China will be difficult to control.
However, the first option will destabilize the situation between North Korea and China. The second option is to destroy Zhu Heyu's prestige as the prince.
Therefore, Emperor Deqing felt that he was in a dilemma at this time. I didn’t know how to choose for a while.
At the same time, Prince Zhu Heyu did such a stupid thing. Forcing himself into such a situation again, Emperor Deqing was even more angry.
original. Emperor Deqing sent Crown Prince Zhu Heyu to leave Beijing to handle the case. He wanted to take this opportunity to train Prince Zhu Heyu's mind and skills, so that Prince Zhu Heyu could learn some of the wisdom necessary for an emperor while fighting wits and courage with corrupt officials. !
Unexpectedly, it was just the opposite. Not only did the prince not make any progress, he became more stubborn and reckless, and caused such a big trouble in the morning!
However, after all, Zhu Heyu was the biological son of Emperor Deqing and the crown prince of the Ming Dynasty. Therefore, even if Emperor Deqing disliked him, even if he was very angry with his recklessness and uprightness, he still had to help him wipe his ass at this time!
However, because of this incident, Emperor Deqing also began to doubt whether his insistence on making Zhu Heyu the crown prince was a good choice? Can an innocent and upright person like Prince Zhu Heyu really be able to govern the Ming Dynasty in the future?
The concept that I had always insisted on was slightly shaken at this moment.
However, such thoughts were quickly forgotten by Emperor Deqing. Firstly, Zhu Heyu was the eldest prince of Emperor Deqing after all; secondly, among all the princes of Emperor Deqing, except for the seventh prince Zhu Hejian, In addition, the talents and methods of other princes are not as good as Zhu Heyu, and Zhu Hejian has always been sick and weak. Therefore, besides Zhu Heyu, Emperor Deqing has no better choice now.
"I can only teach and change things step by step. Hey, I really don't know why Heyu developed such a temper. It's really a headache. If things like today are not handled well..."
Emperor Deqing sighed, shook his head slightly, and frowned even more.
At this time, the eunuch Zhang De entered the imperial study and reported to Emperor Deqing: "Your Majesty, Mr. Zhao Junchen Zhao is here."
Emperor Deqing raised his head, an inexplicable gloom flashed in his eyes, and said, "Let him come in."
…
As Zhao Junchen guessed, Emperor Deqing had begun to doubt him.
Because, if Zhao Junchen hadn't suddenly fallen seriously ill, the prince Zhu Heyu would not have been responsible for the preparations for the southern tour. Then, under the deception of corrupt officials, Zhu Heyu naturally failed in his errand and lost his reputation. Also suffered great losses!
Then, because of Zhao Junchen's suggestion, Emperor Deqing asked Prince Zhu Heyu to personally take charge of the "Southern Tour Preparation Fraud Case." As a result, Prince Zhu Heyu was hostile to all officials in the court. What followed was another incident. Trouble!
In this way, first of all, his reputation was damaged, and then all the officials were hostile. How could Zhu Heyu's position as crown prince be stable?
It can be said that it was precisely because of Zhao Junchen's "sudden illness" and "advice" that Prince Zhu Heyu stepped into today's predicament - and what made Emperor Deqing helpless was that Prince Zhu Heyu I am still ignorant about this!
Emperor Deqing was well versed in the emperor's mind and was always suspicious. At this time, he would naturally become suspicious of Zhao Junchen.
Therefore, Emperor Deqing must investigate clearly, what is Zhao Junchen's position as Prince Zhu Heyu leads to today's predicament step by step? What kind of mentality do you have? What role did it play?
This is also the reason why Emperor Deqing suddenly summoned Zhao Junchen!
If Zhao Junchen cannot eliminate Emperor Deqing's suspicion today, then it can be expected that Emperor Deqing will definitely reserve a cell for Zhao Junchen in the sky prison! And soon, Zhao Junchen will live in it!
After all, Zhao Junchen currently has no ability to resist Emperor Deqing.
…………
Then, under the scrutinizing gaze of Emperor Deqing, Zhao Junchen walked into the imperial study and respectfully saluted Emperor Deqing: "Your Majesty, Zhao Junchen, long live my emperor!"
Emperor Deqing nodded and said slowly: "Get up."
"Thank you, Your Majesty." Zhao Junchen looked calm, stood up slowly, and asked, "I wonder why Your Majesty summoned me to see you?"
Emperor Deqing asked: "What do you think?"
At this time, Zhao Junchen naturally would not pretend to be confused. He nodded and said: "Your Majesty, is it because of what happened in court this morning? Alas, Your Highness, he is really reckless."
Emperor Deqing snorted softly and said: "You don't need to explain this. I naturally know that the prince is reckless, and I will give him a lesson later. But I invite you to see me this time, but I want to know how you are so concerned about this matter." See? The prince arrested more than 70 local officials in one go and impeached three cabinet ministers in public. Once this matter is not handled well, it will cause turmoil in the government and the public. I want to calm down this chaos, but I don’t know what to do. Where to start, so I want you to give me some advice..."
Having said this, Emperor Deqing paused slightly, then looked at Zhao Junchen's expression changes with sharp eyes, and said: "Also, although the prince is stubborn, he usually knows how to measure his measure, but today he acted so recklessly, I always feel that things are a little strange, and I think there may be someone secretly adding fuel to the flames. Junchen, you are in charge of the West Factory, do you have any news about this?"
coming!
Zhao Junchen was shocked and realized that Emperor Deqing was testing him.
Emperor Deqing's inquiry was clearly asking Zhao Junchen to give him an idea, as if he was confiding in Zhao Junchen. However, if Zhao Junchen loses his vigilance because of this, and there are flaws in his answer, or he reveals some intention, then what happens next? What greeted him was an irreversible situation!
However, on the surface, Zhao Junchen seemed to be hesitant. After hesitating for a moment, he reported to Emperor Deqing: "Your Majesty, when you say this, could it be that you are suspicious of... Dongchang?"
"Dongchang?" Emperor Deqing was slightly startled. What he said just now was just to test Zhao Junchen, but he did not expect that Zhao Junchen suddenly mentioned Dongchang.
"Yes, Your Majesty, it is Dongchang Yamen!"
Zhao Junchen seemed to have firmed up his judgment, nodded seriously, and replied in a serious tone.
"Diverting trouble to the east" is exactly what Zhao Junchen has decided to do in response to today's situation!
And Dongchang is the scapegoat that Zhao Junchen has been preparing for a long time!
"Did you get any news from there? Tell me in detail!"
Emperor Deqing frowned, seemed to have thought of something, and ordered solemnly.
…
ps: I am really touched to see that everyone is still giving rewards, leaving messages and voting, including old readers and new readers! thank you all! Because the published chapters are charged based on the number of words, I cannot write the names of every reader here, but I will keep every familiar ID in mind! Thanks again!
Well, the first update today! There will be a second update before dawn!
...(To be continued...)
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