…
…
However, Emperor Deqing did not know that the reason why Zuo Lanshan had repeatedly submitted secret documents to him in recent days, and also vaguely revealed his dissatisfaction with Zhao Junchen in the secret documents, was all due to Zhao Junchen's instructions. .
Rectifying commercial taxes, forming a joint shipping company, and taking the opportunity to control the criminal evidence of hundreds of officials is certainly one of Zhao Junchen's plans. It is also one of Zhao Junchen's plans to bring Zuo Lanshan into the cabinet and take the opportunity to intervene in cabinet affairs; In Zhao Junchen’s view, the two plans are independent of each other and do not interfere with each other, but they are also complementary and interlocking!
Zhao Junchen knew very well that if he wanted to take the opportunity to control the evidence of the crimes of the officials, he would never be able to hide it from the eyes of Emperor Deqing, and it would definitely arouse Emperor Deqing's fear.
However, if Emperor Deqing really wanted to reverse the corruption in business taxation, he would not stop Zhao Junchen - which also went against Emperor Deqing's original intention - especially when Emperor Deqing was secretly forced by Zhao Junchen , has now clearly stated its stance of supporting commercial tax rectification. If Zhao Junchen's commercial tax rectification ultimately fails, Emperor Deqing will not look good.
Under such circumstances, Emperor Deqing had no choice but to find another way to restrain Zhao Junchen's growth in power.
Emperor Deqing's means and strength are extremely powerful. Now Zhao Junchen's plan has not been completed and he does not have much resistance. Even if Emperor Deqing does not interfere with Zhao Junchen's plan, he still has many ways to achieve his goals.
Therefore, what Zhao Junchen has to do is to secretly guide Emperor Deqing's eyes and let Emperor Deqing use the method Zhao Junchen wants to deal with Zhao Junchen himself. In this way, the situation will develop in the direction Zhao Junchen expects. .
Therefore, after returning to the capital, Zhao Junchen secretly instructed Zuo Lanshan to submit the secrets to Emperor Deqing, and the secrets faintly revealed his dissatisfaction with Zhao Junchen. After Emperor Deqing saw Zuo Lanshan's secrets, he You will definitely be interested. After seeing that Zhao Junchen's power has increased too fast, it is very likely that he will use Zuo Lanshan to split the "Zhao Party" - after all, this is the best method, with the highest probability of success and investment. With the lowest risk, as long as the method is more subtle, it will not cause Zhao Junchen's dissatisfaction.
However, Zuo Lanshan is not strong enough and has no confidence to fight against Zhao Junchen. Even if he breaks with Zhao Junchen publicly, the final result will only be that the "Zhao Party" loses a minister of the Ministry of Industry who has lost real power, and Not much impact.
Therefore, if Emperor Deqing wants to use Zuo Lanshan's help to split the "Zhao Party" and inhibit the growth of Zhao Junchen's power, he first needs to enhance Zuo Lanshan's strength and reputation!
Zuo Lanshan is now a second-rank official in the imperial court. If he wants to continue to increase his strength and reputation, the only way is for him to go one step further and become a cabinet minister!
It just so happens that in today's cabinet, Huang Yourong's status is no longer worthy of its name and is in jeopardy, and he needs to be replaced...
With all these factors in mind, Zhao Junchen has listed all the conditions for Emperor Deqing. One can only imagine what choice Emperor Deqing will make in the end!
This was Zhao Junchen's series of plans - first, he secretly encouraged Prince Zhu Heyu to rectify business taxes, creating a huge mess. In the end, while Prince Zhu Heyu was hostile to all officials, Huang Yourong would also be implicated, and he would lose his position as the elder of the cabinet. Then Zhao Junchen took over the task of rectifying business and taxation, taking the opportunity to collect evidence of the crimes of hundreds of officials, enhancing his own power and influence, and attracting businessmen from Hui and Zhejiang to help; finally, seeing that Zhao Junchen's power was about to be uncontrollable, Emperor Deqing There will inevitably be suspicion, and Zuo Lanshan took the opportunity to express his dissatisfaction with Zhao Junchen, triggering Emperor Deqing's idea of splitting the "Zhao Party". In order to successfully split the "Zhao Party", Emperor Deqing must strengthen his Zuo Lanshan's strength helped Zhao Junchen win Zuo Lanshan into the cabinet!
This series of plans can be said to be interlocking and complementary to each other. It took Zhao Junchen a full year to arrange it, and it also consumed Zhao Junchen’s countless efforts and energy! If all can be realized, then Zhao Junchen can not only attack political opponents in North Korea and China and enhance his own strength, but also make great achievements and intervene in cabinet affairs!
Now, Zhao Junchen's serial plan has been completed for the most part, and only the last step is left!
As for whether Zuo Lanshan will fake it after joining the cabinet and really stimulate the ambition of an independent school, it depends on Zhao Junchen's future methods!
*
Because Zhao Junchen hosted a banquet for merchants from Hui and Zhejiang, many people stayed up all night.
On the second day, many ministers looked sleepy, obviously due to lack of rest.
However, no matter how exhausted they were, the officials still kept their spirits up and paid close attention to the situation in the morning court.
After all, Zhao Junchen's banquet with Huizhou and Zhejiang merchants last night had a far-reaching impact. There will definitely be reactions during the morning session today. Ministers headed by Shen Changmao who oppose the imperial government's rectification of commercial taxes will definitely try to stop Zhao Junchen. plan, it will inevitably lead to another open and covert fight.
In this regard, all the officials are waiting to see and preparing secretly.
However, when the morning court officially began on this day, a more important thing diverted the attention of the officials!
*
"If you have this early warning, you will leave the court if nothing happens!"
Under the respectful welcome of hundreds of officials, after Emperor Deqing arrived at Huangji Hall, the eunuch Zhang De stepped forward and shouted.
As Zhang De finished speaking, under Shen Changmao's secret instructions, several "Shen Party" officials planned to go out to impeach Zhao Junchen.
After all, when Zhao Junchen hosted a banquet for Huizhou and Zhejiang businessmen last night, he had too many things to take advantage of. First of all, he played word games. He clearly stated that the court's preferential policies would only be given to one shipping company for pilot testing. However, Zhao Junchen decided to Thirty-seven powerful shipping companies united together; secondly, when Zhao Junchen hosted a banquet for Huizhou and Zhejiang merchants, he actually admitted in public that Hubu was secretly involved in smuggling. Such remarks naturally aroused the interest of political opponents in North Korea and China. ; In the end, Zhao Junchen acted beyond his authority and privately gave a large number of benefits and privileges to Hui and Zhejiang merchants without the consent of the court...
All of these can make a big fuss and make Zhao Junchen stumble hard!
However, before several "Shen Party" officials had time to speak, they saw that Wang Shou, the Minister of War, had already taken the lead and reported to Emperor Deqing with a serious expression: "Your Majesty, I have my own report!"
Emperor Deqing nodded and said, "Speak!"
Among the important ministers, Wang Shou has always been the most low-key. Now seeing him speak first and with a serious expression, as if something important was going on, the officials also shifted their attention and focused on Wang Shou.
Wang Shou said slowly: "Your Majesty, when you were on your southern tour, you appointed Cabinet Secretary Huang Yourong to stay in Beijing to assist the country. However, Huang Yourong failed to live up to His Majesty's trust during his stay in Beijing to assist the country. Since he was foolish and incompetent, He was unable to control the situation between the government and the opposition, which led to turbulence in the government and opposition; he also formed cliques for personal gain, suppressed dissidents, and fabricated evidence to frame ministers, resulting in many colleagues in the government and China being wronged. After Your Majesty returns to Beijing, all officials will be resentful of Huang Yourong's actions that harmed the country. Impeachment for many days in a row! Up to now, Huang Yourong has been infamous and his reputation has been completely ruined..."
After saying that, Wang Shou raised his voice and said in an extremely firm tone: "Therefore, I believe that Huang Yourong is no longer suitable to hold the position of cabinet. Even if your majesty cares about Huang Yourong because I cannot bear to punish him, this matter cannot be done again." If the delay continues, please ask Your Majesty to remove him from his post and appoint another worthy person!"
As Wang Shou finished speaking, there was a moment of solemnity in the Huangji Hall.
Before that, seeing that Huang Yourong was about to lose power, all the officials happily beat up the loser and kept impeaching Huang Yourong for his various evil deeds. However, Shen Changmao defended it with all his strength, and Emperor Deqing and Zhou Shangjing also did not express their positions for a long time. , so although Huang Yourong seemed to be in danger, he still did not fall, and the matter continued to be delayed.
Now, Wang Shou, a core member of the "Emperor Party", suddenly appeared and expressed his intention to ask Emperor Deqing to remove Huang Yourong from his position as Pavilion Elder. Does this mean that Emperor Deqing has finally made up his mind and Huang Yourong will finally fall?
In fact, this was a matter of course. With Zhao Junchen officially taking action to rectify commercial taxes, Huang Yourong had completely lost his use value to Emperor Deqing, and he would naturally be abandoned.
The downfall of a pavilion elder is definitely a major event that shakes up the government and the opposition. The situation between the government and the opposition will also undergo great changes, and countless opportunities will naturally arise.
As a result, all the officials became excited.
However, perhaps because the officials were not excited enough, after Wang Shou's words fell, Song Qiwen, the Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, also came forward to second his opinion: "Your Majesty, I also agree with Wang Shangshu's point of view. The current situation of Mr. Huang Ge is no longer good. It is suitable to remain in the cabinet, and I hope that your majesty can determine the merits and demerits of Mr. Huang Ge during his stay in Beijing to assist the country as soon as possible, and confirm the new candidate for Mr. Huang."
Then Zhang Bochong, the Minister of Punishment, also came out and said: "Your Majesty, I also believe that Mr. Huang Ge's current situation, if he continues to stay in the cabinet, will be a hundred harms to the court but no benefit. I hope your Majesty will learn from it!"
As Song Qiwen and Zhang Bochong finished speaking, the officials felt refreshed again.
After all, Song Qiwen and Zhang Bochong are close confidants of Ge Lao Zhou Shangjing, so they naturally represent Ge Lao Zhou Shangjing's attitude.
Then, Zhao Junchen also came out to speak: "Your Majesty, the cabinet is the core of the temple and is related to the normal operation of the court. It is the most important. However, as far as I know, since your Majesty returned to Beijing, Mr. Huang Ge was impeached by hundreds of officials. , now his reputation has been completely lost, he himself has lost his ambition, and can no longer fulfill his duties as cabinet minister. He is no longer suitable to stay in the cabinet. Your Majesty, please choose another worthy person!"
As soon as Zhao Junchen finished speaking, Zuo Lanshan, the minister of the Ministry of Industry, also echoed, saying: "Your Majesty, I also agree with the views of Wang Shangshu, Song Shangshu, Zhang Shangshu, and Zhao Shangshu. I hope that your majesty will choose another one with sufficient reputation, experience, and ability." A capable and important minister must take over Mr. Huang Ge's position, otherwise the reputation of the cabinet will be damaged and the prestige of the imperial court will be adversely affected."
The speeches of Zhao Junchen and Zuo Lanshan were within the expectations of the officials. After all, the hostile relationship between Huang Yourong and the "Zhao Party" was well known to the world.
However, following the speeches of Zhao Junchen and Zuo Lanshan, five of the six ministers in the court expressed the same view. Except for Lin Wei, the minister of the Ministry of official affairs of the "Shen Party", they all believed that Huang Yourong He is no longer fit to hold the position of cabinet minister.
Although Huang Yourong has been impeached by hundreds of officials during this period, the grand occasion like today is unprecedented.
It can be said that even if Emperor Deqing has not yet made up his mind, he will seriously consider it after seeing such a situation. What's more, Emperor Deqing seems to have already made up his mind?
"Huang Yourong...is finally going to fall!"
At this moment, similar thoughts flashed through the minds of all the officials.
Then, naturally, there was another situation where everyone was pushing against the wall. Hundreds of officials followed the five ministers to speak, and they all believed that Huang Yourong was no longer suitable to stay in the cabinet. During this period, many officials once again listed Huang Yourong's evil deeds. The only sign was that they not only wanted Huang Yourong to be overthrown, but also wanted Emperor Deqing to punish Huang Yourong!
On the other side, Lin Wei, Zhang Cheng and others, as old men of the "Yellow Party", have now changed their identities and become members of the "Shen Party", but they still have a certain degree of loyalty to Huang Yourong. Seeing that Huang Yourong has been All the officials could not bear the siege and wanted to go out and speak to Huang Yourong.
Even though Huang Yourong will eventually leave the court, Lin Wei, Zhang Cheng and others still hope that Huang Yourong can maintain a certain degree of dignity when he leaves.
However, just as they were about to go out to speak, they found that the chief minister, Shen Changmao, was staring at them with a cold expression, as if to warn them not to express their stance easily.
Nowadays, most officials of the "Yellow Party" have taken refuge in Zhao Junchen, and Lin Wei, Zhang Cheng and others have also taken refuge in Shen Changmao. It can be said that the power of the "Yellow Party" has been divided between Zhao Junchen and Shen Changmao, so For Shen Changmao, Huang Yourong had lost his use value. Under such circumstances, how could Shen Changmao be willing to go against the general trend of the court and continue to defend Huang Yourong?
In fact, from Shen Changmao's point of view, he had already forgotten his past relationship without adding insult to injury.
After Lin Wei and Zhang Cheng saw Shen Changmao's secret warning, they paused slightly before taking a step forward. After looking at each other again, they both sighed secretly, retracted their steps, and gave up on Huang Yourong. maintenance.
Now that Lin Wei and Zhang Cheng have joined Shen Changmao's sect, they naturally have to take Shen Changmao's attitude into consideration. Although they are loyal to Huang Yourong, they must also consider their own future. This is reality.
Under such circumstances, under the siege of hundreds of officials, Huang Yourong, who had been silent in the court for many days, finally slowly came out.
His face seemed expressionless and desolate.
Then, Huang Yourong actually saluted Emperor Deqing, knelt down in front of Emperor Deqing, buried his head and said: "Your Majesty, when I stayed in Beijing to assist the country, I betrayed your Majesty's trust. Not only was I unable to control the situation between the government and the opposition, but I also failed to control the situation between the government and the opposition. I have made many mistakes, and I really feel unworthy of the emperor's kindness. Now that I have no face to continue to stay in the temple, I ask for your majesty's permission for me to retire and return to my hometown!"
Obviously, Huang Yourong was not willing to stay in the court and take advantage of today's opportunity to finally express his attitude.
However, after hearing Huang Yourong's speech, Zhao Junchen secretly shook his head.
Emperor Deqing seemed to be tolerant, but in fact he was harsh. In his eyes, corrupt officials in the court were fat pigs raised by him, just waiting to be fattened before being slaughtered. Wen Guanliang was an example! And Huang Yourong has been an official for decades and is naturally not clean. Now he just admits his mistake and wants to leave the court without incident? How can it be!
Sure enough, after hearing Huang Yourong's speech, Emperor Deqing frowned, but remained silent and did not speak. He just turned his eyes to Zhao Junchen.
…
Well, two chapters in one.
…(To be continued.)
