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It has to be said that after hearing Emperor Deqing's hint, Zhao Junchen was really tempted for a moment. Chapters are updated the fastest
Today, there are only four powerful and influential factions in the court, namely the Prince's faction with the highest reputation, Zhou Shangjing's faction with the strongest foundation, Shen Huang's faction after Shen Changmao and Huang Yourong joined forces, and the extremely rapid development momentum in recent times. Zhao Junchen’s group!
According to Emperor Deqing, if Zhou Shangjing withdraws from officialdom, the cabinet will be controlled by Shen and Huang. At the same time, in order to prevent the Shen-Huang faction from monopolizing power, it is necessary to introduce an important court official with "different political views" into the cabinet and become the new cabinet minister, so as to achieve the effect of mutual checks and balances.
The so-called "different political views", according to Zhao Junchen's understanding, are differences in factions.
In other words, the candidate for the new cabinet elder will definitely not be from the Shen Huang faction. Emperor Deqing will only choose from the Zhou Shangjing faction, the Prince faction, and the Zhao Junchen faction!
Among them, once Zhou Shangjing left the temple, Emperor Deqing would never want Zhou Shangjing's influence to continue. Therefore, Emperor Deqing would never agree to "Zhou-sent" officials entering the cabinet, becoming cabinet elders, and inheriting Zhou Shangjing's political legacy!
On the other hand, although the Prince's faction has a good reputation, it lacks influential ministers of the imperial court. Moreover, Cheng Yuandao of the Prince's faction has only been in the cabinet for only half a year, so it is unlikely that the new cabinet minister will be an official of the Prince's faction.
Then, apart from the Zhou Shangjing faction and the Prince's faction, the only faction that has "different political views" from the Shen Huang faction is the Zhao Junchen faction.
Among Zhao Junchen's faction, there are two officials with enough status to join the cabinet. One is Zhao Junchen himself. The other one is Zuo Lanshan, Minister of Industry.
Therefore, didn't Emperor Deqing's words hint to Zhao Junchen that once Zhou Shangjing left officialdom, he would support Zhao Junchen or Zuo Lanshan to enter the cabinet and become the new cabinet minister?
This way. After hearing Emperor Deqing's hint, how could Zhao Junchen not be tempted?
However, the temptation only lasted for a moment. Soon, Zhao Junchen's mood had returned to calmness.
*
After calming down, Zhao Junchen discovered. Emperor Deqing's temptations and hints were actually very problematic.
First of all, the content of Emperor Deqing's suggestion has a basic premise, that is, Zhou Shangjing leaves the temple and retires from officialdom, and then there will be a vacancy in the cabinet and a new cabinet minister will be filled! If Zhou Shangjing has not withdrawn from officialdom. Then the hints of Emperor Deqing will naturally not come true!
Obviously, Emperor Deqing was well prepared and was about to attack Zhou Shangjing! All the hints now are also to lure Zhao Junchen to take action and deal with Zhou Shangjing together with him - after all, whether Zhou Shangjing retires or is dismissed due to crimes, there will be vacancies in the cabinet, and Emperor Deqing's hints will also come true. When the dagger meets. Emperor Deqing believed that Zhao Junchen would definitely make a choice!
Of course, Emperor Deqing was a person who only believed in himself until everything was ready. Only then did he start to win over Zhao Junchen. Before that, he did not reveal the slightest news to Zhao Junchen. In this regard, although Zhao Junchen was a confidant and favorite of Emperor Deqing, Emperor Deqing also had a lot of trust in Zhao Junchen. limited.
but. Thinking of Zhou Shangjing's scheming appearance, Zhao Junchen couldn't help but hesitate - Emperor Deqing was well prepared. What happened in Suzhou is also an excellent opportunity, but will Emperor Deqing be able to defeat Zhou Shangjing? Doesn't Zhou Shangjing have any countermeasures? I'm afraid not necessarily!
Secondly. Emperor Deqing's various hints were actually full of misleading! Although it will make people think a lot, Emperor Deqing never made a clear statement on the specific candidate for the new cabinet minister, only vague hints.
However, the word "hint" cannot be stated clearly, nor can it be considered accurate! If Zhao Junchen helped Emperor Deqing defeat Zhou Shangjing, but Emperor Deqing regretted it afterwards, wouldn't Zhao Junchen have achieved nothing in vain?
If you think about it carefully, there are actually many people who are qualified to compete for the position of Pavilion Elder! You must know that Wang Shou, the Minister of War, and Liang Fuchen, the governor of the three sides who are about to expire, are all die-hard confidants of Emperor Deqing. If Emperor Deqing wants to strengthen his control over the cabinet, he may not support them in joining the cabinet! After all, as long as Emperor Deqing is willing, Wang Shou, Liang Fuchen and others will become important court officials with "different political views" at any time! In addition, Wang Baoren, the Minister of Civil Affairs in Nanjing, is about to be transferred back to Beijing to become the new Crown Prince and Grand Master. With his qualifications, reputation, and ability, he will also be a strong candidate!
From this aspect, Emperor Deqing's hints and temptations just painted a big pie for Zhao Junchen. It looked delicious, but he may not be able to eat it!
Finally, and the most important thing - even if Emperor Deqing finally defeated Zhou Shangjing, he fully supported Zhao Junchen or Zuo Lanshan's entry into the cabinet. Is this situation necessarily a good thing for Zhao Junchen?
I'm afraid not necessarily!
Regardless of ancient and modern times, at home and abroad, the word "qualifications" is extremely important in officialdom! Zhao Junchen's qualifications are too young. If he wants to join the cabinet, he will definitely encounter great resistance. In comparison, although Zuo Lanshan is attached to Zhao Junchen and has less power and influence, he who joins the cabinet The hope is actually much greater! In this way, after weighing the pros and cons, in order to gain a greater chance of winning, Zhao Junchen could only support Zuo Lanshan's entry into the cabinet!
However, in this way, the reason why Zuo Lanshan could join the cabinet was, firstly, because Emperor Deqing defeated Zhou Shangjing, and secondly, because of Emperor Deqing's strong support. In comparison, although Zhao Junchen also contributed, but Far inferior to Emperor Deqing. Under such circumstances, after Zuo Lanshan joins the cabinet, he will only be grateful to Emperor Deqing, and Zhao Junchen's control over Zuo Lanshan will undoubtedly be reduced a lot. By that time , the "Zhao Party" may be at risk of splitting!
From this point of view, although Emperor Deqing's hint is tempting, for Zhao Junchen, it is difficult to say whether it has pros or cons!
*
The cabinet is not only the core of the temple, but also the maker of the court's policies. Zhao Junchen naturally wants to get involved in the cabinet!
In fact, Zhao Junchen also had his own plan regarding the cabinet - that is, to use the opportunity of the southern tour to persuade Prince Zhu Heyu to reform commercial taxes, causing chaos in the court, and the auxiliary minister Huang Yourong would eventually be implicated and become a scapegoat. Lamb, in this way, when Huang Yourong sadly leaves officialdom, a position in the cabinet will also be vacant!
After considering all the pros and cons for this vacant cabinet seat, Zhao Junchen will also fight for Zuo Lanshan! Compared with Emperor Deqing's hint, on the surface the result is not any different!
However, compared with the former, the latter can better guarantee Zhao Junchen's control over Zuo Lanshan!
After all, Huang Yourong was brought down by Zhao Junchen's design, and the lessons learned from another predecessor, Wen Guanliang, were enough to make Zuo Lanshan understand Zhao Junchen's methods and make Zuo Lanshan fearful! In addition, Zuo Lanshan also became the elder of the cabinet with Zhao Junchen’s full support. Zuo Lanshan will also be grateful to Zhao Junchen!
In addition, during this period of time, Zhao Junchen has been driving a wedge between Zuo Lanshan and other "Zhao Party" officials. The combination of various conditions is enough for Zuo Lanshan to still only follow Zhao Junchen's lead after becoming the elder of the cabinet. " "Zhao Party" will not be in danger of splitting!
Therefore, compared to Emperor Deqing's hints of uncertainty, Zhao Junchen believed in himself more and was more willing to implement his plan step by step!
*
Thinking of this, Zhao Junchen no longer had any interest in Emperor Deqing's hint.
However, thinking of the role he played in front of Emperor Deqing, Zhao Junchen still showed a look of heartbeat, his breathing was deliberately quickened, and he said: "Your Majesty, you have a far-sighted vision and a sacred heart. I really admire you." In my opinion, your majesty’s idea is indeed feasible. If Zhou Shoufu takes office in the future, the two cabinet elders Shen and Huang will join forces to control the overall situation. In addition, in order to balance one and two, it is indeed necessary to introduce a person with different political views. Important ministers enter the cabinet!"
As he spoke, Zhao Junchen deliberately emphasized the words "different political views" as if to emphasize himself.
Seeing Zhao Junchen's reaction, Emperor Deqing nodded with satisfaction.
Zhao Junchen cannot do without the support of Emperor Deqing. If Emperor Deqing is willing, he can force Zhao Junchen to deal with Zhou Shangjing with him!
However, Emperor Deqing was unwilling to do this unless it was absolutely necessary - luring him with benefits would not only mobilize Zhao Junchen's enthusiasm, but also reduce Zhao Junchen's resistance. Why not? Anyway, just drawing a big pie is enough!
However, Emperor Deqing didn't know that Zhao Junchen had his own plan!
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ps: Well, there are two updates today, this is the first one!
…(To be continued)
