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The next morning, after receiving the imperial edict from Emperor Deqing, Zhao Junchen immediately asked to see Emperor Deqing and wanted to discuss the arrangements for his return to Beijing.
Of course, taking the opportunity to find out Emperor Deqing's next plan was also one of Zhao Junchen's purposes.
As a close favorite of Emperor Deqing, Zhao Junchen still had some privileges. For example, when Zhao Junchen asked to see Emperor Deqing in the past, he was always summoned quickly.
But today's situation is a little different. After arriving outside Emperor Deqing's temporary imperial study, Zhao Junchen reported his intention and waited for nearly half an hour, but still failed to be summoned by Emperor Deqing. .
Obviously, Emperor Deqing was dealing with some important matters and had no time to summon Zhao Junchen.
Zhao Junchen was naturally curious about this, but unfortunately there were no familiar eunuchs around, so Zhao Junchen could not inquire in detail.
Just when Zhao Junchen was getting impatient, the door of the temporary imperial study finally opened, and the commander of the Jinyiwei Hong Jin, the factory director of the East Factory Feng Desheng and other senior factory guards filed out one by one. All of them had serious expressions and serious expressions.
Seeing the appearance of these people, Zhao Junchen's eyes flashed with deep thought.
Zhao Junchen is not only the Minister of Household Affairs, but also temporarily in charge of the West Factory, and can be regarded as one of the senior officials of the factory guard. However, when Emperor Deqing summoned the top management of the factory guard, he only missed Zhao Junchen. The profound meaning of this naturally made Zhao Junchen think more.
the other side. After Hong Jin, Feng Desheng and others saw Zhao Junchen, they didn't show much abnormality. They just nodded to Zhao Junchen and left in a hurry.
It seemed that there was something urgent that they needed to deal with.
Looking at the backs of Hong Jin, Feng Desheng and others, Zhao Junchen frowned slightly and kept guessing about the content of their conversation with Emperor Deqing.
While Zhao Junchen was thinking secretly, a young eunuch came to Zhao Junchen. He said to Zhao Junchen: "Master Zhao, you can now face the saint."
Zhao Junchen nodded and said, "I understand."
Then, Zhao Junchen collected his thoughts and turned around to enter the temporary imperial study.
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After entering the temporary imperial study room, Zhao Junchen looked up and was stunned again.
Just yesterday, Emperor Deqing was in trouble. First, Shen Changmao exposed the evil deeds of the "Eight Kings Ship Company", and then there was news from the capital about Prince Zhu Heyu's rectification of business taxes. In the end, Emperor Deqing's long-planned plan to overthrow Zhou Shangjing also suffered a complete failure...
It stands to reason that even if Emperor Deqing was not furious at Long Yan at this time, he should still be angry.
However, after Zhao Junchen observed secretly. However, they found that Emperor Deqing's expression at this time was not only devoid of anger, but also very calm, but his eyes were much gloomier than usual.
After seeing Emperor Deqing's expression, Zhao Junchen secretly admired him - if Zhao Junchen himself had suffered so many and such great setbacks, he might not be able to control his emotions like Emperor Deqing.
In some respects, Zhao Junchen had underestimated Emperor Deqing in the past.
However, Zhao Junchen was a little surprised. But on the surface, he remained calm and only respectfully saluted Emperor Deqing to say hello.
Then, Zhao Junchen bowed his head and said: "I have just received the imperial edict and learned that your Majesty has finished your southern tour and is preparing to return to Beijing. I have your majesty's trust and am responsible for many matters related to the southern tour, so I quickly drafted it I have written a memorial listing all the arrangements and preparations on the way back to the capital, and please His Majesty to review it."
After speaking, Zhao Junchen took out a memorial from his sleeve, handed it to the young eunuch at the side, and presented it to Emperor Deqing through the young eunuch.
After Emperor Deqing took the memorial, he only read it briefly, then put it aside and said slowly: "Junchen, you understand my thoughts! According to your arrangements, I can arrive in the shortest possible time. Returning to the capital is good, it suits me very well..."
At this point, Emperor Deqing paused for a moment and suddenly asked: "However, my plan to return to Beijing was without warning. But Junchen, not only did you not ask me why, you also guessed that I was eager to return to Beijing. My thoughts... Is it possible that you already know the specific reason why I returned to Beijing? "
Hearing Emperor Deqing's inquiry, Zhao Junchen was secretly shocked.
The reason why Emperor Deqing hurried back to Beijing was naturally to clean up the mess of Prince Zhu Heyu's business tax rectification. The person behind this matter was Zhao Junchen, so Zhao Junchen naturally knew it best.
However, in front of Emperor Deqing, Zhao Junchen must not show any trace, otherwise Zhao Junchen would not be able to explain his source of information, nor could he explain why he did not report it to Emperor Deqing in time after knowing the information.
So, Zhao Junchen quickly explained: "I don't know the specific reason for your return to the capital, but your majesty suddenly issued a decree to return to the capital. I thought that something big must have happened in the capital, so I boldly guessed that your majesty must be I am eager to return to Beijing, so when I arrange my trip back to Beijing, I mainly focus on saving time. However, such a major event must involve confidentiality. Since Your Majesty did not take the initiative to inform you, I did not dare to ask. After all, the DPRK and China All major matters require your Majesty's Sacred Heart to make your own decision, and all I need to do is do our jobs well."
After receiving Zhao Junchen's reply, the doubts in Emperor Deqing's eyes dissipated a little.
Then, after Emperor Deqing thought for a moment, he finally told Zhao Junchen the truth.
After all, the news about the prince's rectification of business taxes could not be kept secret for long. Zhao Junchen would know about it sooner or later, so Emperor Deqing did not intend to deliberately hide it from Zhao Junchen, otherwise it would only alienate the relationship between the two.
In addition, Prince Zhu Heyu's business tax rectification plan will inevitably cause a big turmoil, and Zhao Junchen's household department will eventually be needed to help wipe the mess, so Zhao Junchen knew the news in advance and was able to prepare in advance.
So Emperor Deqing took out a copy and passed it to Zhao Junchen through the eunuch beside him. He also said: "This secret document was sent by Huang Yourong. Take a look."
After Zhao Junchen got the secret book, he immediately started to take a closer look.
After a while, Zhao Junchen seemed to have just learned about this, showing shock on his face, and murmured: "Rectify business tax?! This, this... His Highness the Crown Prince is really reckless!"
Emperor Deqing sighed softly, a trace of fatigue and helplessness flashed in his eyes. Said: "Now. Do you know why I let Zhou Shangjing go and why I hurried back to Beijing?"
Zhao Junchen closed the secret fold, nodded and said: "Your Majesty, the rectification of business taxation will be carried out every year in our government, but it is just a small matter, because the fact of business taxation is so sensitive, and a single move can affect the whole body. Once we go further, it will inevitably cause chaos in the government and the opposition. Under such circumstances, your Majesty, it is most urgent that you rush back to the capital to stabilize the situation between the government and the opposition."
Emperor Deqing nodded and asked: "So, what do you think of the prince's rectification of business taxes?"
After Zhao Junchen thought for a moment, he said: "Your Majesty, I think there are many doubts about this matter, and it may not be that simple."
There were some things that Emperor Deqing would think of even if Zhao Junchen didn't mention them, so Zhao Junchen simply took the initiative to mention them.
really. After hearing Zhao Junchen's statement, Emperor Deqing was not surprised and just said: "Oh? Tell me."
Zhao Junchen said slowly: "There are four doubts in total! First, the prince has always been upright. After discovering many shortcomings of commercial tax, it is not surprising that he wanted to rectify it, but the timing of his rectification What a coincidence. Just when Your Majesty was about to overthrow Zhou Shangjing, His Highness the Crown Prince suddenly rectified the business tax... Perhaps, the reason why His Majesty the Crown Prince rectified the business tax was because some people took advantage of him. indefinite."
The "certain people" mentioned by Zhao Junchen naturally alluded to Zhou Shangjing.
Although the cooperation between Zhao Junchen and Zhou Shangjing has just come to an end, there are never permanent allies in the temple. In order to reduce his suspicion and divert Emperor Deqing's attention, Zhao Junchen did not hesitate to dump dirty water Splashed it to Zhou Shangjing.
Obviously, Emperor Deqing also held the same suspicion. After hearing what Zhao Junchen said, Emperor Deqing suddenly snorted coldly and said slowly: "What you said makes sense, but under the current situation, I also We can only stabilize the situation between the government and the opposition first, and then plan for the aftermath... As for those who have ulterior motives, although I will not let them go, I can only settle the accounts later!"
"Your Majesty is wise." After Zhao Junchen complimented him, he added: "The second doubt is that Mr. Huang Yourong is staying in Beijing to assist the government! With his means and influence, it is not difficult to stop the prince's actions. , but the final result is exactly the opposite... This is surprising. Perhaps, there is someone behind the scenes who is adding fuel to the flames and helping His Royal Highness achieve this."
Obviously, Zhao Junchen's words still poured dirty water on Zhou Shangjing.
With the previous foreshadowing, Emperor Deqing would only think of Zhou Shangjing at this time!
Zhao Junchen repeatedly poured dirty water on Zhou Shangjing, not because of any hatred between him and Zhou Shangjing. In fact, among all the civil and military officials in the court, the person Zhao Junchen admired the most was Zhou Shangjing!
However, only if Emperor Deqing continues to hate Zhou Shangjing, continues to target Zhou Shangjing, and continues to focus most of his attention on Zhou Shangjing, will Zhao Junchen be given space and time to develop.
Therefore, Zhao Junchen could only frame Zhou Shangjing - in a way, Zhou Shangjing could be regarded as having too many debts to worry about.
In fact, this was also one of the purposes of Zhao Junchen's plan to frame Prince Zhu Heyu!
On the other side, Emperor Deqing's face became more and more gloomy, and he just nodded and said: "Keep talking."
Zhao Junchen continued: "The third doubt lies in the time when His Majesty received the news! I read Huang Yourong's secret document. According to Huang Yourong, as early as twenty days ago, His Highness the Crown Prince had already stated that he wanted to rectify the situation. After two more days, Huang Yourong saw that he could not stop His Highness the Crown Prince, so he submitted a secret document to Your Majesty, hoping that you could stop His Highness the Crown Prince... However, it was not until last night that this secret document was It was delivered to you, but the delay was too long, and it completely delayed Your Majesty’s opportunity to stop His Highness the Crown Prince.”
After a pause, Zhao Junchen continued: "In addition, it's not just Huang Yourong's secret! Rectifying business taxes is a top priority. Although His Royal Highness the Crown Prince did not adjust the tax rate, he only canceled many private tax collection stations set up by prefectural and county yamen. , but it is still enough to shock the government and the public. Under such circumstances, not only Your Majesty, I have been in charge of the Ministry of Household Affairs for many years, but I only learned the news today. This situation may not be a bit strange... Could it be that besides Huang Yourong, there are Didn't any other ministers report the news to your Majesty? This is absolutely impossible! The only explanation is that the messengers had accidents on the way, which cut off your Majesty from the news in the capital, so you were unable to receive the news for a long time!"
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…(To be continued.)
