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Zhou Shangjing's tone was gentle and calm, but the content was no less than a bombshell. Both Emperor Deqing and Zhao Junchen were shocked for a moment.
Especially Emperor Deqing, after hearing Zhou Shangjing's explanation, his body swayed and he almost fell!
Zhao Junchen is indeed the most adept at flattering the sycophant. After discovering Emperor Deqing's condition, he quickly stepped forward and held Emperor Deqing's arm. His expression was concerned and anxious, and he repeatedly comforted: "Your Majesty, please don't be angry. , you must take care of your holy body, and let's listen to the detailed explanations of Mr. Shen Ge and Zhou Shoufu first. After we completely understand this matter, we may be able to find a solution."
However, although Zhao Junchen comforted Emperor Deqing, his emotions were fluctuating.
Just last night, after being reminded by Li Lun, Zhao Junchen probably guessed what Zhou Shangjing's trump card would be - that is, forming a mutually beneficial relationship with the imperial power - if Emperor Deqing defeated Zhou Shangjing , the imperial power would also be greatly damaged. At this time, Emperor Deqing might give up his attack on Zhou Shangjing.
However, although Zhao Junchen guessed the general direction, he could never think of the specific method. After all, Zhou Shangjing was the representative of ministerial power, and he and the imperial power were in mutually antagonistic relationships. How could he tie his honor and disgrace to the imperial power?
Now, when Zhou Shangjing finally showed his trump card, Zhao Junchen finally understood Zhou Shangjing's specific method!
Overseas trade has always been a business that makes money every day and makes huge profits. However, the Ming Dynasty has always pursued a sea ban policy and did not allow merchant ships to go to sea, thus banning overseas trade. By the Longqing period, the sea ban policy was slightly relaxed, but it was still subject to many restrictions. management and restrictions.
However, money and silk are attractive enough to make people take risks. Therefore, the consequence of the Ming Dynasty's maritime ban policy was the proliferation of maritime smuggling. Many merchants and dignitaries secretly participated in this to make huge profits - hence the emergence of the "Eight Kings Ship Company" It is not surprising that such a smuggling shipyard has such a profound background. After all, the Ming dynasty princes also loved silver.
Zhou Shangjing took advantage of this and took advantage of the situation to connect the Japanese pirate rebellion in Suzhou with the "Eight Kings Ship Line".
In this way, Zhou Shangjing's previous actions were no longer to protect his tribe and bully the emperor, but to endure humiliation and maintain the prestige of the royal family. He suddenly changed from a heinous criminal to a loyal minister with good intentions. Emperor Deqing immediately fell into a dilemma.
Things have developed to this point. If you think about it carefully, Emperor Deqing only has two options left.
First, continue to pursue Zhou Shangjing's various crimes and pursue them relentlessly, taking advantage of this rare opportunity to bring Zhou Shangjing down completely.
But it is conceivable that if Emperor Deqing did this, he would have to investigate the matter of "Eight Kings Shipping Company". Even if Emperor Deqing did not investigate clearly, Zhou Shangjing would definitely publicize the matter of "Eight Kings Shipping Company"! At that time, the actions of the Ming Dynasty vassals who illegally smuggled, colluded with Japanese pirates, and harmed the people will inevitably cause an uproar between the government and the public. The reputation of the Ming Dynasty royal family will inevitably plummet because of this, and even trigger public anger among the people. They were hostile to the royal family. As a result, although Emperor Deqing overthrew Zhou Shangjing, his goal of consolidating imperial power was not achieved. He only caused a turmoil in vain, and the gain outweighed the loss.
Emperor Deqing naturally did not want to see such a situation.
Second, they concealed the truth and no longer investigated the Japanese pirate rebellion. Zhou Shangjing was also given a lighter sentence for various crimes. As for the various crimes of the "Eight Kings Ship Company", they were left to the factory guards secretly. Deal with it, and then gently remove the whole thing, just pretend it never happened.
However, this means that the game between Emperor Deqing and Zhou Shangjing will ultimately end with Emperor Deqing's complete defeat! He clearly had an absolute advantage, but he was reversed by Zhou Shangjing at the last moment when the outcome was about to be announced. In a certain sense, Emperor Deqing was almost toyed with by Zhou Shangjing!
With the pride of Emperor Deqing, such an ending is equally unacceptable!
However, by this time, Emperor Deqing had no other choice but these two options.
From a certain perspective, no matter what Emperor Deqing chooses, he will always be the loser in this game of battle!
Therefore, it is no wonder that Emperor Deqing felt dizzy and almost fell down after hearing Zhou Shangjing's explanation. On the one hand, he was angry at the lawlessness and boldness of the Ming Dynasty vassals. On the other hand, Emperor Deqing was self-conscious. I was humiliated, so I felt a little ashamed and angry!
*
But he said that after hearing Zhao Junchen's relief, Emperor Deqing calmed down a little and finally calmed down a lot.
Then, Emperor Deqing stood firm, waved his arm again, and pushed away Zhao Junchen's support. He just stared at Shen Changmao and Zhou Shangjing, gritted his teeth and asked: "Tell me the news you know." Tell them all! 'Eight Kings Ship Company' is just smuggling, why do they collude with Japanese pirates to harm Suzhou? I want to know the most detailed information!"
Seeing Emperor Deqing in this state, he was extremely out of character. A trace of pride flashed in Shen Changmao's eyes, and he slowly explained: "Your Majesty, the most severely damaged place in Suzhou by the Japanese pirates this time was Lijiaji." . Of course, Lijiaji is a famously wealthy place in Suzhou, and it is natural for Japanese pirates to regard it as a piece of fertilizer. But in fact, as far as I know, the reason why Japanese pirates harmed Lijiaji is There is something else going on."
Having said this, Shen Changmao paused deliberately, waiting for Emperor Deqing's questioning.
However, what Shen Changmao finally received was not Emperor Deqing's questioning, but a yellowstone paperweight!
It turned out that Emperor Deqing was now eager to know the detailed information about the collusion between the "80,000 Ships Company" and the Japanese pirates. However, when he saw that Shen Changmao not only failed to explain seriously, but instead complacently pretended to be unreasonable, he suddenly became furious.
In normal times, Emperor Deqing could still maintain his grace, but now that he was extremely shy and angry, how could he still maintain his grace? In anger, he grabbed the yellow stone paperweight on the desk and threw it at Shen Changmao!
Fortunately, Emperor Deqing's aim was not good. He was clearly aiming at Shen Changmao's head, but he only hit Shen Changmao's shoulder. Otherwise, if the emperor smashed Mr. Ge's head, it would have caused a minor disturbance. A small disturbance.
After being hit by the paperweight, Shen Changmao had always been pampered, so how could he hold back the pain? Naturally, he couldn't help but scream loudly.
Then, Shen Changmao's screams suddenly stopped!
It turned out that while screaming, Shen Changmao saw Emperor Deqing's eyes - cold, ruthless, and full of murderous intent.
Such a look is very scary. Even though Shen Changmao has always been cold and stern, he subconsciously shuddered. In his fright, he actually forgot about the pain on his shoulder.
Then, I heard Emperor Deqing say in a cold voice: "Now I just want to know the detailed information about the Eight Kings Shipping Company colluding with the Japanese pirates to harm Suzhou. I don't want to hear you beating around the bush and trying to sell things off. I'm in a bad mood right now and I don't have the patience!"
After hearing Emperor Deqing's ultimatum, Shen Changmao finally did not dare to neglect, and quickly told in detail the specific reasons why the "Eight Kings Shipping Company" colluded with the Japanese pirates to harm Suzhou.
*
It turns out that the reason why Lijiaji is a famously wealthy village in Suzhou is because Lijiaji is located at the intersection of the Yangtze River and several tributaries, and its geographical location is very good.
Qian Xianru, the shopkeeper of "Eight Kings Shipping Company", took a fancy to the geographical advantage of Lijiaji and wanted to build a warehouse in Lijiaji as a distribution center for smuggled goods of "Eight Kings Shipping Company".
At the beginning, everything went very smoothly. Because of the existence of Lijiaji, the smuggling efficiency of "Eight Kings Shipping Company" was greatly improved.
However, when the people in Lijiaji discovered the smuggling activities of the "Eight Kings Shipping Company", they became greedy and repeatedly asked for money from the "Eight Kings Shipping Company". They also threatened the "Eight Kings Shipping Company" and claimed that the "Eight Kings Shipping Company" If the "Shipping Company" does not give them enough benefits, then they will go to the Yamen to report the smuggling crimes of "Eight Kings Shipping Company".
The shareholders behind the "Eight Kings Shipping Company" are eight vassal kings of the Ming Dynasty. Although they have a profound background, they are a little cautious at this time. They are afraid that things will get worse, so they are more tolerant and give in, but it makes the people of Lijiaji They are becoming more confident and fearless.
In the end, after repeated conflicts between the "Eight Kings Shipping Company" and the people of Lijiaji, Qian Xianru personally came to Lijiaji to mediate. Unexpectedly, not only did he fail to mediate successfully, but he suffered a lot of humiliation and threats.
Therefore, Qian Xianru became angry and contacted the Japanese pirates, intending to teach the people of Lijiaji a lesson.
However, what Qian Xianru never expected was that the Japanese pirates were far more ferocious than the rumors. He clearly just wanted to teach the people of Lijiaji a lesson, but he did not expect that the Japanese pirates burned the entire Lijiaji. As a result, most of the people in Lijiaji were killed, and Heshang Village and Xilin Village near Lijiaji also suffered great losses.
However, at this time, Qian Xianru could no longer regret it and could only cover the Japanese pirates' departure in a hurry.
It is precisely because of the cover of Qian Xianru that the Japanese pirates can come and go freely, treating the patrol and water force in Jiangyang Army Town as decoration!
In fact, due to smuggling, everyone in Jiangyang Army Town had already been bought by the "Eight Kings Shipping Company".
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ps: This chapter was originally a 4,000-word chapter, but just when Chongzi was about to finish writing it, the computer suddenly restarted, leaving only 2,000 words. I really wanted to cry without tears.
Well, I’ll post 3,000 words first. The content is incomplete, so please forgive me!
…(To be continued.)
