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Under Huo Zhengyuan's suggestion, Lin Youlun and Situ Erhan continued to debate fiercely on the pros and cons of everyone from the "Yellow Party" switching to Shen Changmao.
However, Huo Zhengyuan had already arranged these things in advance, so Lin Youlun and Situ Han had already arranged how they should express their views, how they should refute each other's views, which issues should be focused on, and which issues should be deliberately avoided. The debate seemed heated, but it was just scripted.
At the same time, as a group of "yellow party" officials listened to the debate, their thoughts were quietly guided and gradually changed. The idea of taking refuge with Shen Changmao gradually became less firm than before.
*****
I saw that Situ Han still looked determined to join Shen Changmao, and said: "Brother Lin, what you said is wrong. Shen Fu has been in officialdom for many years. He is naturally experienced and clever, so how can he not be able to control his subordinates?" Official? Now is the time when Shen Fu is thirsty for talents. As long as we people like us join him, how can we be treated badly? As long as he can restrain his officials, we will never have any conflict with those "Shen Party" old men. ! As for our interests being damaged, it is even more nonsense. Now is the critical period for Shen Fu to expand his power. If we take refuge in the past, it will be the bones of that rich horse. If Shen Fu treats us badly, he will be in trouble in the future. How can we convince the world? Regarding this point, Shen Fu must be clear in his heart, but Brother Lin is overly worried."
Lin Youlun still sneered and said: "If his own interests are not violated, Shen Fu can certainly control his officials, but now Shen Fu has taken too big a step and not only wants us people to join him. , and even more so by using the business tax affairs to build momentum, I am afraid that many court officials will defect to him in the future. And if we defect to him, it will only be part of it, the icing on the cake. Shen Fu may not take us too seriously. On the contrary, because we people have similar backgrounds and are closely related to each other, they will be afraid and deliberately suppress..."
After a pause, Lin Youlun continued: "The most important thing is. Shen Fu has so many officials join him in one go. Although it seems that he has become more powerful, the power in his hands has not actually increased. He How to distribute the benefits? As a result, the benefits and opportunities available to everyone will become smaller, and many people will inevitably be dissatisfied. At that time, I am afraid that some of the benefits of those of us will have to be allocated to others. Give it to someone else!”
Situ Han said: "Shen Fu's power is expanding rapidly now. He may not be able to gain more authority..."
However, before Situ Han could finish speaking, he was interrupted by Lin Youlun: "More power? Where does it come from? Can he seize the Ministry of Personnel and the Imperial Academy from Zhou Shangjing? Or can he seize the capital from the prince?" Procuratorate? I’m afraid he can’t even interfere with Zhao Junchen’s Ministry of Household Affairs and Ministry of Works! The distribution of power in the imperial court has long been fixed, and no matter how fast he develops his power, he may not be able to gain real benefits!”
After hearing Lin Youlun's rebuttal, Situ Han remained silent, but he acquiesced in the view that Shen Changmao might not be able to defeat Zhao Junchen.
In fact. Not just Situ Han, but all the "Yellow Party" officials did not think there was anything wrong with Lin Youlun's views.
after all. The "Yellow Party" and the "Shen Party" can be considered old rivals. The two parties have fought openly and covertly over the years. They have always been in a situation of equal success and failure. The "Yellow Party" and Zhao Junchen had a partisan dispute some time ago. At that time, he was suppressed by the "Zhao Party" from beginning to end. "Yellow Party" officials also have their own judgments on the strength comparison between Zhao Junchen and Shen Changmao.
Although Shen Changmao is now a cabinet minister, his status is more noble than that of Huang Yourong, and his power and reputation are also stronger than that of Huang Yourong. But he still may not be able to defeat Zhao Junchen for sure.
After all, Zhao Junchen not only had superb methods, was good at grasping the situation, and won the favor of Emperor Deqing, but Zhao Junchen's power was concentrated in the Ministry of Household Affairs and the Ministry of Works, and he ran these two yamen like an iron bucket. It is extremely difficult for outsiders to get involved, but unlike Huang Yourong and Shen Changmao, they seem to have huge power, but their power is too widely distributed and extremely scattered. Every yamen has intervened, but every yamen cannot establish an absolute advantage. Easily defeated by opponents one by one.
From this aspect, Zhao Junchen's foundation is actually stronger than that of Shen and Huang.
In fact, this is also the strength of Zhou Shangjing - Zhou Shangjing's power is more widely distributed than Shen and Huang, and his momentum is more powerful. However, Zhou Shangjing's power foundation is very stable, and has always combined the Ministry of Personnel and the Hanlin Academy. The big yamen is firmly in his hands - these two yamen have the responsibility of assessing officials and training officials respectively, so Zhou Shangjing has students all over the world and has stood firm for many years.
After Lin Youlun refuted Situ Han's point of view, he took advantage of the victory and continued: "Also, brother Situ, don't think that after Shen Changmao became the cabinet minister, he was really inferior to ten thousand people. We all know how he became the Cabinet Assistant. He just took advantage of the fight between His Majesty and Zhou Shangjing. In terms of strength, scheming, and means, he is far inferior to Zhou Shangjing... Hehe, I think Brother Situ, you also know how dangerous it is to seize a high position without corresponding strength. In my opinion, Zhou Shangjing will take back the position of assistant sooner or later. By that time, Shen Changmao will become more and more serious today. With unlimited glory, his fate in the future will be even more miserable, and if we take refuge with Shen Changmao, we will also be implicated in the future, and I am afraid we will have to find another way out."
As Lin Youlun finished speaking, Situ Han fell silent again.
As if prearranged, Lin Youlun won the debate.
Such a result made all the "yellow party" officials present look uncertain.
Obviously, these views of Lin Youlun were very weighty and once again shaken their intention to seek refuge with Shen Changmao.
Then, everyone was conflicted and finally remembered the host of the party, but they all focused on Huo Zhengyuan.
Huo Zhengyuan has always been the intellectual courage of the "Yellow Party". At this time, everyone in the "Yellow Party" still wants to hear Huo Zhengyuan's views.
Under the gaze of everyone, Huo Zhengyuan pondered for a moment, and then asked Wang Xin, Zuo Tongzheng of the General Affairs Department: "Master Wang, what do you think about this matter?"
Huo Zhengyuan's inquiry can be said to be very particular.
At the beginning, under the calculation of the seventh prince Zhu Hejian, Wang Ye, the son of Wang Xin, the general secretary of the "Yellow Party", and Dong Qing, the nephew of Sima Zhuo, the right general secretary of the "Shen Party", had a fierce dispute in a brothel. There was a conflict, and eventually Wang Ye beat Dong Qing seriously. This incident also directly contributed to the breakdown of the Shen-Huang alliance, making it impossible for Huang Yourong to suppress Prince Zhu Heyu's plan to rectify business taxes.
It is precisely because of this that Wang Xin has been the target of criticism from officials of the "Shen Party" during this period, while Huang Yourong is also resentful and does not like to see him. In this way, it is difficult for the "Yellow Party" people to seek refuge with Shen Chang. Naturally, Wang Xin was firmly opposed to Mao Mao's matter.
Therefore, after hearing Huo Zhengyuan's inquiry, Wang Xin immediately said: "Master Huo. I think what Master Lin said is reasonable. If we want to find a new way out, then this way out must not only ensure our immediate interests, but also provide We have to protect him for a long time, otherwise it is not worth entrusting ourselves to him. Although Shen Fu is currently in a high position, there are many hidden worries, but it may not be a good way out. "
Then. According to the pre-arrangement, Huo Zhengyuan's cronies also spoke out. They expressed their opposition to taking refuge with Shen Changmao, and each had several reasons.
For a time, the situation reversed, and it seemed that opposition to taking refuge with Shen Changmao had become the mainstream idea within the "Yellow Party".
And such changes have once again increased the doubts of the "Yellow Party" people about Shen Changmao.
At this moment, Huo Zhengyuan nodded. He finally expressed his position and said slowly: "Actually, the matter of taking refuge in Shen Fu is just Huang Gelao's idea, but for this idea. Whether it is Lin Shangshu, Zhang Shaofu, or myself, I don’t quite agree, which is why Lin Shangshu and Zhang Shaofu did not attend this gathering. Now Mr. Huang Ge is personally persuading them..."
Humans are social animals and are most likely to follow the crowd.
Because of the argument between Lin Youlun and Situ Han, everyone in the "Yellow Party" was already hesitant. At this time, they found that the great scholar Huo Zhengyuan, the Minister of Rites Lin Wei, the young master Zhang Cheng, the General Secretary Zuo Tongzheng Wang Xin and others were not They are willing to take refuge in Shen Changmao, and the attitudes and stances of these people naturally play a decisive role.
Although it was Huang Yourong's idea to take refuge with Shen Changmao, Huang Yourong was about to collapse, so who would really care about Huang Yourong's thoughts?
Therefore, soon some "Yellow Party" officials asked Huo Zhengyuan: "Since there are so many hidden dangers in taking refuge with Shen Fu, we do not necessarily have to follow Huang Ge's wishes... We also asked Academician Huo to give us some advice. In your mind, where is the way out for us people? Is it to seek refuge with Zhou Shangjing?"
Huo Zhengyuan shook his head and said: "Although Zhou Shangjing is powerful and scheming, it is precisely because he is so strong that he has more for us than us and less for us. After we surrender to him, we may not be taken seriously. In addition, Zhou Shangjing has always been His Majesty. He is a thorn in his side and a thorn in his flesh. There will definitely be a fight between His Majesty and him in the future. If we take refuge with Zhou Shangjing, we may be implicated, but it is not safe... The most important thing is that Mr. Zhou Ge is really too old. Already..."
After hearing Huo Zhengyuan's reasons, all the "Yellow Party" officials nodded in agreement.
Over the years, they all watched the overt and covert fights between Emperor Deqing and Zhou Shangjing, and were unwilling to participate easily. Moreover, Zhou Shangjing was indeed too old, and they didn't know how many years he could stay in office, but he would certainly not be able to protect them for a long time.
In fact, so far, Zhou Shangjing's age has always been the biggest hidden danger for "Zhou Party", and everyone with a discerning eye can see this.
While everyone was contemplating, Huo Zhengyuan said: "As for my idea... it may be a bit sensational to say, but I do have a good reason, that is... we might as well join the 'Zhao Party'!"
"Zhao Dang? Zhao Junchen?"
After hearing Huo Zhengyuan's point of view, everyone in the "Yellow Party" was surprised and felt that it was unreliable.
Just as Huo Zhengyuan had worried beforehand, although Zhao Junchen was strong enough, he was too young, too junior, and had not yet entered the cabinet. In the eyes of the "Yellow Party", it was by no means a good way out.
However, Huo Zhengyuan had already anticipated everyone's reaction and had already made arrangements.
I saw Lin Youlun stood up to speak again, and asked before everyone could object: "Master Huo has always been resourceful and cautious. Since Master Huo wants to take refuge in Zhao Junchen, he must have given full consideration. But I also asked Academician Huo to explain his reasons, otherwise we and others would not be able to understand."
Following Lin Youlun's words, everyone in the "Yellow Party" forgot their objections and turned their attention to Huo Zhengyuan's reasons.
Huo Zhengyuan looked thoughtful and said slowly: "I have three reasons; one. Zhao Junchen's rise is still short. Although he has become powerful, his momentum is still small. If we join him, we will be a help in times of need. The situation can also attract his full attention and he will never treat us badly, and Zhao Junchen's current strength is no less than that of several senior ministers in the court. But it is also enough to protect us and ensure our vested interests."
Seeing that everyone had thoughtful expressions on their faces, as if they were considering it seriously, Huo Zhengyuan remained calm and continued: "Secondly, Zhao Junchen is different from Shen Fu and Zhou Ge Lao. Because of the matter of rectifying business taxes, the prince's The position is already a little unstable, so Zhao Junchen's future situation is very good. He is not like Shen Fu who has short-term worries. He is also not like Mr. Zhou Ge who is far-sighted. He can look forward to the long term and is enough to protect us. For a long time.”
Hearing Huo Zhengyuan's reason, everyone in the "Yellow Party" nodded secretly.
In the eyes of ordinary people, the only hidden danger to Zhao Junchen's future is Prince Zhu Heyu. Now Prince Zhu Heyu is in big trouble because of business tax rectification. Then Zhao Junchen is naturally worry-free and has a bright future.
From this perspective, taking refuge in Zhao Junchen may not be a bad choice.
Then, Huo Zhengyuan said: "In addition, Zhao Junchen is famous for being generous to his subordinates. I heard that all the officials under him secretly bought shares in his 'Yue Rongfang', and everyone made a fortune every day. In addition, Zhao Junchen also controls the two oil and water bureaus, the Ministry of Household Affairs and the Ministry of Industry, and now he is involved in the rectification of business and taxation. As long as we take refuge in Zhao Junchen, the benefits will definitely be indispensable. "
After hearing Huo Zhengyuan's reason, everyone in the "Yellow Party"'s eyes lit up.
After Huo Zhengyuan's reminder, they suddenly discovered that there would be so many benefits for them after taking refuge in Zhao Junchen!
Especially the matter of commercial tax rectification, everyone knows how much benefit it contains. Originally, they were not in favor of commercial tax rectification, because commercial tax rectification will harm their interests, but if they can participate in it, and Greater benefits can be obtained, which is another way of saying it.
Compared with interests and advantages, the original position is not important, and Zhao Junchen's qualifications and age are equally unimportant.
As a result, everyone in the "Yellow Party" was a little tempted.
While tempted, a "Yellow Party" official hesitated and said: "But we just had a conflict with the 'Zhao Party'. If we take refuge with Zhao Junchen, I'm afraid..."
Huo Zhengyuan shook his head and said: "About this, you don't have to worry. We and the 'Shen Party' have been criticizing each other for too long, and the mutual hostility is too deep. Therefore, we and the 'Shen Party' officials are all There are many conflicts, but the conflict between us and the "Zhao Party" is still short. The conflicts between us are limited to Huang Gelao and Zhao Junchen, and have not yet penetrated into everyone. Now Huang Gelao is about to retire from officialdom. Then the conflict between us and the ‘Zhao Party’ will naturally cease to exist.”
At this moment, Chen Dongxiang suddenly spoke: "Actually, someone from the 'Zhao Party' contacted me a few days ago, saying that as long as I return to the 'Zhao Party', all past events can be forgotten."
After hearing what Chen Dongxiang said, the "yellow party" officials were refreshed again!
They didn't know Chen Dongxiang's undercover identity. They only thought that Chen Dongxiang was a traitor to the "Zhao Party" and had deep conflicts with the "Zhao Party". If Zhao Junchen could even forgive Chen Dongxiang, then the past relationship between them and Zhao Junchen Grudges don't even matter.
In addition, Zhao Junchen's attitude is enough to show Zhao Junchen's sincerity.
As a result, everyone in the "Yellow Party" began to seriously consider taking refuge in Zhao Junchen, but the more they thought about it, the more they felt that taking refuge in Zhao Junchen might be a reliable way out.
Seeing the changes in the expressions of the "Yellow Party" people, Huo Zhengyuan's eyes once again flashed with a hint of pride, knowing that this matter was mostly successful.
As long as the "Yellow Party" people have such thoughts, even if they cannot make an immediate decision, as long as they lead a group of people to take refuge in Zhao Junchen, a chain reaction will immediately occur.
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ps: This chapter has a lot of words, so it took me two days to finish it. Please forgive me.
Well, two chapters in one.
...To be continued.
