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Although Cao Wenbin's status is far inferior to that of Zhao Junchen and he is also wary of Zhao Junchen's power, in the face of Zhao Junchen's "humiliation", Cao Wenbin cannot remain indifferent or resistless. Otherwise, once this incident is spread, it will have various impacts on Cao Wenbin. will be immeasurable.
So, when everyone was silent, Cao Wenbin said expressionlessly: "Mr. Zhao, Boss Wu is my brother-in-law. Although the current situation of 'Rongfa Shipping Company' is not good, I will naturally find a way to help him solve it. Just There’s no need to trouble Mr. Zhao.”
Cao Wenbin's tone was unkind, but Zhao Junchen didn't care. He just smiled and said: "Master Cao seems to have misunderstood. I am not trying to overshadow the guest or take over, but I just want to help Boss Wu... In fact, these good intentions of mine, Not just for Boss Wu, if Master Cao is willing to accept it, I will also provide help."
Cao Wenbin's expression changed, and he was vaguely aware of Zhao Junchen's thoughts. The dissatisfaction in his heart immediately dissipated a lot, but because of some concerns, he became more cautious and alert, and asked: "Oh? I don't understand what Mr. Zhao means. "
Zhao Junchen sighed: "Although the major yamen in Nanjing have considerable power, they are just places of retirement and exile in the officialdom. They are like a pool of stagnant water with no hope of promotion... In addition, Nanjing is not as crowded with factions as the capital, and It is a place where the emperor is far away, so the six ministers in Nanjing have no constraints and all have some power. As a result, the remaining officials are naturally suppressed and do not have much autonomy, so they are inevitably in a difficult situation. …”
After a pause, Zhao Junchen raised his head and looked directly at Cao Wenbin, emphasizing his tone. He continued: "I have always thought that with Mr. Cao's talents, he has not only been trapped in Nanjing for many years, but also only served as the Minister of Household Affairs in Nanjing. It is really a bit unfair. If Mr. Cao is willing, I can recommend Mr. Cao to Your Majesty. Let Mr. Cao hold a more important official position."
After saying such words, Zhao Junchen's intention to accept and win over Cao Wenbin was clearly revealed.
Although, Zhao Junchen met Cao Wenbin this time. It was just a coincidence, but Zhao Junchen's intention to recruit Cao Wenbin for his own use was not a temporary idea.
Long before the southern tour, Zhao Junchen had carefully studied the backgrounds of all important officials in Nanjing's officialdom in order to deal with Tang Zhen, the Minister of Household Affairs in Nanjing. And the Nanjing Household Minister Cao Wenbin in front of him - he is not Tang Zhen's best friend, and has been suppressed by Tang Zhen, has no background or backing, and also knows the situation of Nanjing Household Bureau - it is Zhao Junchen who bribed and Key candidates for recruitment.
Therefore, in "Yue Rongfang", although Zhao Junchen only needed to reveal his identity, Wu Rongde would definitely give in when the difficulties were encountered, but Zhao Junchen took the initiative to give in. It was not until afterwards that he sent the name tag to the Wu family to let Wu Youzhen know who his son had provoked. All this was just to lure Cao Wenbin out and take the opportunity to win over and recruit him!
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As Zhao Junchen said. Although Cao Wenbin was a third-rank official in the imperial court and seemed to have a distinguished status, he was just an empty post. His life in Nanjing was not satisfactory and he could only live in a muddleheaded way. From this aspect. Taking refuge in Zhao Junchen is also a good choice!
However, faced with Zhao Junchen's win over and recruitment. Although Cao Wenbin was a little moved, he had some concerns. But he was still hesitant and did not respond to Zhao Junchen's hint. He just remained silent and did not speak.
According to Zhao Junchen, Cao Wenbin's talents, scheming, and methods are all ordinary. Although he is not mediocre and incompetent, he is not much stronger. If it were not for the purpose of dealing with Tang Zhen, the Minister of Household Affairs in Nanjing, Zhao Junchen would not have seen it. If you go to him, you won't actively recruit him.
Now, Zhao Junchen said so many words sincerely, but Cao Wenbin was still hesitant. Zhao Junchen couldn't help but frown slightly, feeling that Cao Wenbin was a little disrespectful.
So, Zhao Junchen said slowly: "Since we met today, Mr. Cao's attitude towards me has always been lukewarm and respectful. But I don't know if Mr. Cao is worried about something? Or maybe Zhao has inadvertently offended me. Mr. Cao? Or does Mr. Cao have any prejudice against Zhao? "
In Zhao Junchen's view, Cao Wenbin's cold reaction was due to three reasons: either he believed that Zhao Junchen was a corrupt official and was hostile to the crown prince Zhu Heyu, so he was not optimistic about Zhao Junchen's prospects; Perhaps Zhao Junchen had offended Cao Wenbin unintentionally; or perhaps Cao Wenbin was unwilling to get involved in the party dispute between Zhao Junchen and Tang Zhen.
Therefore, seeing that Cao Wenbin was silent, Zhao Junchen asked straight to the point in order to dispel Cao Wenbin's concerns.
However, Cao Wenbin's explanation was beyond Zhao Junchen's expectations.
After Cao Wenbin was silent for a moment, he suddenly raised his head and asked, "Master Zhao also said just now that Nanjing officialdom is a place of retirement and exile. So, does Master Zhao know why Xiaguan became an official in Nanjing?"
Zhao Junchen nodded and replied: "As far as I know, Mr. Cao once offended his predecessor, Wen Guanliang, and was squeezed and suppressed by Wen Guanliang, so he was transferred to Nanjing as the Minister of Household Affairs. It has been eight years now. "
This is one of the reasons why Zhao Junchen is confident that he can recruit Cao Wenbin, because Wen Guanliang was overthrown by Zhao Junchen. In a way, Zhao Junchen avenged Cao Wenbin.
However, Cao Wenbin shook his head and said with a bitter smile: "It seems that Xiaguan has been an official in Nanjing for many years, and the world has completely forgotten Xiaguan's true background. Now even Mr. Zhao has got it wrong..."
Hearing what Cao Wenbin said, a hint of surprise flashed in Zhao Junchen's eyes. He subconsciously raised his eyebrows and said slowly: "Oh? I'd like to hear the details."
"Xiaguan and Mr. Wen Ge are from the same hometown. Ever since he entered the officialdom, he has been repeatedly promoted by Mr. Wen Ge, so Xiaguan is actually a disciple of Mr. Wen Ge." Cao Wenbin said slowly: "I won't hide it from Mr. Zhao, Xiaguan The reason why he became an official in Nanjing was not because he was excluded or reprimanded, but because the Nanjing Ministry of Household Affairs had great power and controlled nearly half of our tax revenue. It was also responsible for water transportation, salt exploration and collection, and the collection and management of tax records. Mr. Wen Ge At that time, I wanted to get a piece of the pie, so I arranged for Xiaguan to serve as the Minister of Household Affairs in Nanjing, but people spread rumors. They actually thought that Xiaguan had been squeezed out by Mr. Wen Ge, so he was naturally in trouble."
Hearing Cao Wenbin's explanation, Zhao Junchen became even more surprised.
Because, after Zhao Junchen overthrew Wen Guanliang, he also took over most of Wen Guanliang's political assets. Former disciples of Wen Guanliang also changed their identities and joined Zhao Junchen's disciples. If Cao Wenbin was once a disciple of Wen Guanliang, then Zhao Junchen should at least know the news.
In fact, when they accepted Wen Guanliang's political legacy, neither Zuo Lanshan nor Zhan Shanchang. None of them mentioned the existence of Cao Wenbin, otherwise Zhao Junchen would have already accepted Cao Wenbin into his family!
While pondering, Zhao Junchen asked: "Is that so? So the reason why Mr. Cao keeps away from Zhao is because of the grudge between Zhao and Mr. Wen Ge?"
However. Cao Wenbin shook his head again and said: "That's not the case. Xiaguan is not foolishly loyal to Mr. Wen Ge... What's more, although Mr. Wen Ge was kind to Xiaguan in promoting him, he also owed him some things... Back then, Senior General Wenge... The official was arranged to go to the Nanjing Ministry of Household Affairs to compete with Tang Zhen, the Minister of Household Affairs in Nanjing. However, the official was not Tang Zhen's opponent. He had been suppressed by Tang Zhen all these years. So Mr. Wen Ge believed that the official was incompetent, so he He abandoned his subordinates in the Nanjing officialdom and never paid attention to them again..."
Said. Cao Wenbin shook his head and smiled bitterly, and continued: "Xiaguan's concern is not due to Mr. Wen Ge's kindness, but to some people around you, Mr. Zhao... Although Xiaguan is an official in Nanjing, he also knows the situation in the capital and knows the work. Zuo Lanshan, the Minister of the Ministry, has already joined Master Zhao. When Xiaguan worked for Mr. Wen Ge, he was at odds with Mr. Zuo... Come to think of it. The reason why Mr. Wen Ge abandoned Xiaguan back then was probably because of Mr. Zuo. reason."
original. Cao Wenbin's tone was still a little hesitant, but when he said this, he became much firmer and said: "I appreciate Mr. Zhao's kindness, and I am grateful for Mr. Zhao's kind invitation. But if I go to Mr. Zhao, I'm afraid There will be another dispute with Zuo Lanshan, and Mr. Zhao will be in a dilemma when the time comes, so it’s not that I don’t want to surrender, but I really don’t dare to surrender.”
Like Zhao Junchen, Cao Wenbin also made his concerns clear and straightforward.
Originally, in Cao Wenbin's view, Zuo Lanshan was the second-in-command of Zhao Junchen's faction and could be said to be Zhao Junchen's right-hand man. Zhao Junchen was never willing to offend Zuo Lanshan for his own sake. As long as he made the matter clear, Zhao Junchen would not I won't be bothered anymore.
However, after hearing Cao Wenbin's explanation, Zhao Junchen's doubts dissipated, but there was a hint of unexpected surprise in his eyes!
According to Zhao Junchen's plan, after the southern tour is over, Huang Yourong, the current cabinet minister who stayed in Beijing to assist the government, will step down, and a position will be vacant in the cabinet. However, Zhao Junchen's own qualifications and reputation are insufficient, so he can only replace Zuo Lanshan strives for a position in the cabinet, but in this case, Zuo Lanshan's status will surpass Zhao Junchen, and by then the "Zhao Party" may change the situation.
For this reason, Zhao Junchen has been taking precautions during this period, using various means to isolate Zuo Lanshan and weaken Zuo Lanshan's influence in the "Zhao Party". For example, when he alerted Li Lide some time ago, Zhao Junchen It was out of this consideration that Zuo Lanshan was asked to play the role of blackface.
Now, it is the best thing to include a third-grade official who has conflicts with Zuo Lanshan into the "Zhao Party", which will greatly benefit Zhao Junchen's plan.
In fact, even if there is no such consideration, Zhao Junchen will still recruit Cao Wenbin for his own use. Only when the inferiors have conflicts can the importance of the superiors be reflected. If the inferiors work together, then the superiors will There is a danger of being ignored - Zhao Junchen is not worried about conflicts among his subordinates. If they are as close as brothers and united as one, Zhao Junchen will be worried!
Therefore, after hearing Cao Wenbin's concerns, Zhao Junchen smiled and said: "If Mr. Cao's concerns are just these, then Mr. Cao need not worry. I promise Mr. Cao here that as long as Mr. Cao is with me in the future, then I will I will do my best to promote the relationship between Mr. Cao and Mr. Zuo. Even if I cannot promote peace, I will definitely be impartial in the future and never let Mr. Cao suffer... Unlike Mr. Wen Ge, I am very friendly to people close to me. Not only is this person generous, but he will never give up, Master Cao should have heard of this."
However, despite Zhao Junchen's assurance, he still could not dispel Cao Wenbin's concerns.
After Cao Wenbin hesitated for a moment, he declined Zhao Junchen's offer again and said, "Xiaguan has been a little discouraged over the years because of what happened back then. But he doesn't want to be easily involved in the party disputes in the court anymore, so Mr. Zhao's kindness , I can only refuse, and please forgive me, Mr. Zhao.”
Zhao Junchen sighed lightly, with a very regretful expression. But there was not much disappointment in my heart.
It is not an easy task to accept a third-rank official from the imperial court as a disciple, not to mention that this third-rank official still has some concerns in his heart.
However, Zhao Junchen believes that Cao Wenbin will definitely change his mind when things change.
At least. As Prince Zhu Heyu began to reform the Ming Dynasty's commercial tax system, whether it was Cao Wenbin or Wu Youzhen, their troubles had just begun! At that time, they could only turn to Zhao Junchen for help!
In fact, with Cao Wenbin's refusal. Wu Youzhen on the side already showed obvious regret. Obviously he hoped that Cao Wenbin would join Zhao Junchen, so that the Wu family's "Rongfa Shipping Company" could change the current situation of being half-dead. But under such circumstances, Wu Youzhen couldn't express her opinion and just sighed softly.
Everyone had their own thoughts, Zhao Junchen sighed and smiled again: "In that case, I won't force it anymore. It's just that my mind has not changed. If Mr. Cao or Boss Wu changes his mind at any time in the future, You can contact me. My goodwill towards you two will always be there.”
Next, Zhao Junchen deliberately changed the topic and chatted about some trivial matters with Cao Wenbin and Wu Youzhen. However, although Zhao Junchen's performance was very indifferent, Cao Wenbin and Wu Youzhen both felt awkward and a little uneasy after they declined Zhao Junchen.
then. But after a while, Cao Wenbin and Wu Youzhen stood up and said goodbye to Zhao Junchen. And Zhao Junchen did not continue to persuade him to stay.
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Just before leaving. Wu Youzhen took the two mahogany boxes from Wu Rongde's hands, placed the two wooden boxes in front of Zhao Junchen, and said: "Master Zhao, the dispute between Quanzi and you today is all because of these two pieces of crystal soap." , this matter is naturally Quanzi’s fault, these two pieces of crystal soap are now returned in full, please accept them, Mr. Zhao!”
After a pause, Wu Youzhen continued: "Besides, I see that Mr. Zhao seems to like this kind of crystal clear thing. It just so happened that Cao Min accidentally obtained two natural crystals many years ago. These two natural crystals It is pure, transparent, dazzling, and extremely hard. It can be cut into gold or cracked into jade. It is rare to see. The common people thought that you might like it, Master Zhao, so they gave it to you as a gift from the Wu family to apologize to you."
Originally, after taking back the two "crystal pancreas", Zhao Junchen did not intend to accept Wu Youzhen's "apology gift".
However, after hearing Wu Youzhen's introduction, Zhao Junchen was slightly stunned at first, and then changed his attention.
In front of Wu Youzhen and Cao Wenbin, Zhao Junchen opened the two wooden boxes, then lowered his head and looked carefully. He saw two pieces of "crystal pancreas" placed in the larger wooden box, and the other smaller wooden box. Inside the box, there are two crystal clear natural crystal stones!
These two crystal stones are dazzling and sparkling under the sunlight. They are so beautiful that they have a kind of beauty that makes people indulge in them. Although they have not been cut and polished, combined with Wu Youzhen's introduction, Zhao Junchen is very sure that the thing in front of him is the diamond that will symbolize love and loyalty in future generations!
"It's really diamond!?"
Zhao Junchen murmured to himself, with some thoughts in his tone that no one could guess.
Otherwise, after seeing these two diamonds, Zhao Junchen's first reaction was not how precious these two diamonds were, but another rumored use of diamonds - poisoning!
This is a statement that Zhao Junchen accidentally saw in later generations - although Zhao Junchen is not sure the authenticity of this statement - diamond has hydrophobic and lipophilic properties. When humans eat diamond powder, the diamond powder becomes It will stick to the stomach wall. After long-term friction, people will get gastric ulcers. If not treated in time, they will die of gastric bleeding. It is a chronic poison that is difficult for people to be careful about.
It is said that during the Western Renaissance, chronic poisons made from diamond powder were popular among wealthy Italian families.
What interests Zhao Junchen the most is that if this statement is true, then with the medical conditions of the Ming Dynasty, after poisoning with diamond powder, not only would it be difficult for people to be wary, but after the person was poisoned, the autopsy would not be able to detect it afterwards. There are traces of poisoning!
All in all, for some reason, after Zhao Junchen saw these two diamonds, his first reaction was that they could be used to harm people.
And, after thinking of this usage, the more Zhao Junchen thought about it, the more he thought!
In officialdom and in party struggles, eliminating corruption is always the lowest method, but it must be admitted that this method is very effective!
For Zhao Junchen, at certain critical moments and against certain enemies who are unable to resist, low-level methods such as poisoning are acceptable!
So, Zhao Junchen thought to himself: "Since I saw it and thought about it, let's accept it. Maybe it can be used in the future..."
Although, Zhao Junchen is still not sure where he wants to use it.
All these thoughts happened in just a moment. Zhao Junchen quickly closed the box again with a calm expression. No one could guess the harmful thoughts that passed through Zhao Junchen's mind!
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ps: First update today! Two chapters in one!
…(To be continued)
