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"Your Majesty, please rest assured, I will never let you down!"
In the imperial study room, Zhao Junchen promised emphatically.
After hearing Zhao Junchen's assurance, Emperor Deqing thought that Zhao Junchen understood the meaning of his words, so he nodded with satisfaction and said: "I am naturally relieved that Junchen is doing things."
Then, the monarch and his ministers laughed in perfect agreement.
However, Emperor Deqing did not know that what Zhao Junchen wanted to express was completely different from what he imagined.
After that, Emperor Deqing chatted with Zhao Junchen for a few more words and then let Zhao Junchen leave.
But he said that after Zhao Junchen left the Forbidden City, it was already approaching noon.
Outside the Meridian Gate, after seeing Zhao Junchen appear, Xu Qingyan, who had been waiting for a long time, hurried forward to greet him and asked: "Master, you are finally out. Should we go back to the house now or go to the Hubu Yamen?"
Zhao Junchen nodded and said, "Well, after the morning court, His Majesty invited me to talk alone in the imperial study, so it took some time."
While he was talking, Zhao Junchen came to his sedan chair, sat in the sedan chair with Xu Qingyan waiting on him, and then said: "Send someone back to tell Ru'er that I won't be going back to eat at noon today, and neither will we." Go to the Hubu Yamen and go directly to Tianhai Tower!"
Xu Qingyan asked in confusion: "Tianhai Tower? Master, do you want to go to Tianhai Tower for lunch?"
Zhao Junchen replied calmly: "When you go to Tianhai Tower, of course you have to entertain guests! Then send someone to Huang Yourong's house and invite Huang Yourong to come to Tianhai Tower for the banquet. Then say that I have important matters to discuss with him."
Xu Qingyan was stunned for a moment, and couldn't help but ask again: "Huang Yourong? This old guy has lost power now. It's not an exaggeration to call him a street rat. Why does the young master deliberately entertain him? And Huang Yourong and the young master have a grudge in the past, so it may not happen I agree to the young master’s banquet. If this old guy finally refuses the young master’s banquet, we will waste time and lose face..."
Zhao Junchen smiled softly and said: "Although Huang Yourong has lost power now, he may not be completely useless. What's more, there are never useless people in this world. As long as they are used properly, even Huang Yourong, who has completely lost power, will Played a key role at certain times... In addition, Huang Yourong's current situation is precarious, and Shen Changmao can no longer help him. At this time, he is just thinking of ways to protect himself, and my banquet today is a one-time event for him. Opportunities, so he will never care about those disputes in the past... However, just in case, I sent someone to invite Huang Yourong and made it clear to him that I will only wait for him at Tianhai Tower for an hour. If he comes at a quarter past noon, If he hasn't shown up yet, then I won't see him and ask him to think clearly. Once the opportunity is missed, he will never be able to seize it again."
Xu Qingyan nodded and said: "I understand, I will send someone to take care of it right away."
*
At the beginning, when Wen Guanliang was about to fall and lose power, Zhao Junchen hosted a banquet for Wen Guanliang in Tianhai Tower, persuaded Wen Guanliang to give up his useless struggles and fantasies, and obediently "donated" most of his family wealth to Emperor Deqing, and then he had no worries. return to their hometowns for retirement.
At that time, Zhao Junchen also hosted a banquet for Huang Yourong and Shen Changmao at the same time. When Huang Yourong and Shen Changmao saw Wen Guanliang, who was about to fall, their attitudes were dismissive and contemptuous. They were not even willing to talk to Wen Guanliang, which made Wen Guanliang feel bad. A huge humiliation.
Ironically, just when Huang Yourong was about to fall and lose power, Zhao Junchen also hosted a banquet for Huang Yourong in Tianhai Tower, even in the same private room in Tianhai Tower.
Feng shui takes turns. Thirty years in Hedong and thirty years in Hexi probably refer to this situation.
In the private room, all kinds of dishes and drinks were ready, and Zhao Junchen had been sitting in the private room waiting for the guest Huang Yourong to appear.
But after noon, seeing that an hour was about to pass, Huang Yourong still didn't show up.
While waiting, Zhao Junchen's attitude was indifferent, he seemed not to be anxious or impatient at all, he was just thinking about his own affairs quietly, but Xu Qingyan's patience was average. Seeing that the time set by Zhao Junchen was coming, Huang Yourong still There was no sign of showing up. Xu Qingyan finally couldn't bear it anymore and confirmed to Zhao Junchen: "Master, is this old guy Huang Yourong really not coming?"
Zhao Junchen said calmly: "Be patient, hasn't the time come yet? Huang Yourong has always cared about appearance. In the past, he always showed up at the clock in the morning. Although he is about to fall, I am afraid that he is reserved in his heart. It’s still hard to give up. I was his former political enemy in the DPRK and China. Now, even if I want to help him, he will still take care of his face and will never rush to see me... If what I expected is true, This time Huang Yourong will still show up at the last minute... He won't fail to come, it's just that it will be later, we can just wait a little longer."
Xu Qingyan had always been convinced of Zhao Junchen's judgment. After hearing Zhao Junchen's explanation, Xu Qingyan snorted and said sarcastically: "This old guy Huang Yourong is just a fallen phoenix, and he can't let go of the past! He deserves to collapse." !”
"There is no need to pay too much attention to such a trivial matter, and there is no need to worry about it. Since Huang Yourong wants face, let's just give him face. As long as we can get actual benefits in the end..." Zhao Junchen looked with a hint of sarcasm. , said slowly: "Actually, face must be earned by one's own strength. How strong a person is, how much face he will have. With strength, face will naturally come with it. You don't need to pay special attention to those. People who care too much about their appearance are often those who are strong on the outside but weak on the inside. Why bother with such pitiful people..."
Xu Qingyan nodded repeatedly and said, "That's right! Huang Yourong only has face left now..."
Zhao Junchen's guess was good. Huang Yourong did appear at the right time.
Xu Qingyan just said something and was about to ridicule Huang Yourong again when suddenly the voice of the shopkeeper of Tianhai Tower came from outside the private room.
"Master Zhao, Mr. Huang Ge is here!"
After hearing the report, Zhao Junchen smiled and said to Xu Qingyan: "Look, isn't he here? Huang Yourong is the former pavilion elder after all. He cares about face, so I will give him face. Let's go! Follow me to greet him outside the room. !”
After saying that, Zhao Junchen stood up and walked towards the door of the private room, preparing to greet Huang Yourong in person.
Xu Qingyan was a little reluctant, but after seeing Zhao Junchen's attitude, he did not dare to go against it. He just muttered a few words and followed Zhao Junchen to greet Huang Yourong.
*
When he came to the door of the private room, Zhao Junchen looked down and saw Huang Yourong climbing up the steps and walking slowly towards the private room on the second floor.
At this time, Huang Yourong no longer looked like a smiling tiger like before. His expression was full of seriousness, and his expression was closer to that of Shen Changmao. It seemed that Huang Yourong thought that as long as he had a colder attitude, he could maintain his previous dignity.
Seeing Huang Yourong's appearance, Zhao Junchen felt a little sarcastic in his heart, but on the surface he looked humble. He quickly walked to Huang Yourong, saluted Huang Yourong proactively and said, "Junior has met Senior Huang. Huang Yourong is willing to come." It is a great honor for me, this junior, to attend the banquet.”
Seeing Zhao Junchen's attitude, Huang Yourong's expression was a little complicated.
It seems a little relaxed, but also a little unbelievable.
Nowadays, Huang Yourong has been completely abandoned by Emperor Deqing. Not only has he lost his position as Pavilion Elder, but he has also encountered a lot of impeachment and criticism. The villains who add insult to injury are everywhere, making Huang Yourong quite embarrassed.
Originally, Huang Yourong had reached a deal with Shen Changmao. Huang Yourong handed over all his powerful contacts to Shen Changmao, and Shen Changmao guaranteed that Huang Yourong could return to his hometown safely and smoothly. Unfortunately, Zhao Junchen intervened and directly bribed the bachelor Huo Zhengyuan. And through Huo Zhengyuan, nearly half of the members of the "Yellow Party" were annexed, making it impossible for Shen Changmao to succeed. Although Shen Changmao is already the chief minister of the cabinet, his strength is far less powerful than imagined. Now he is busy protecting himself, and also There was absolutely no strength to protect Huang Yourong.
As a result, after Huang Yourong lost power, it was naturally difficult for him to escape, and he felt even more panicked, worried that he might end up with no guarantee or a good death...
At this time, Zhao Junchen suddenly invited Huang Yourong to a banquet. Huang Yourong immediately guessed what Zhao Junchen was thinking. He knew that Zhao Junchen wanted to make a deal with him and needed to do something by himself. Then Zhao Junchen would help him escape from the temple gang. Water, smooth return home.
Although Huang Yourong was not sure whether Zhao Junchen could cross the river and burn down the bridge, nor whether Zhao Junchen had the ability, at this time, Zhao Junchen had become Huang Yourong's life-saving straw, and Huang Yourong naturally would not turn a blind eye.
Therefore, after receiving Zhao Junchen's invitation, Huang Yourong hesitated for a moment and finally agreed.
However, after all, Huang Yourong has been a cabinet minister for more than ten years, and it is inevitable that he has some pride that cannot be abandoned. He and Zhao Junchen were once political enemies, and they were on the same page. Therefore, although Huang Yourong accepted Zhao Junchen's invitation, he was a little worried. He would be deliberately humiliated by Zhao Junchen, so Huang Yourong showed up late, and then put on a serious face, hoping to save some dignity.
However, what Huang Yourong never expected was that when he was still the pavilion elder, Zhao Junchen's attitude towards him could be described as quarrelsome and unyielding. But now that he has fallen out of power, Zhao Junchen's attitude towards him has become... So polite and courteous.
Therefore, after seeing Zhao Junchen's attitude, Huang Yourong felt a little relaxed but also a little incredible.
In a complicated mood, Huang Yourong was actually a little dazed.
…
ps: Well, first update! If nothing else, there will be three updates today!
……(To be continued.)m.
