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This is the second time that similar emotions of surprise have appeared.
At the beginning, after Zhao Junchen discovered the corrupt current situation of the Trilateral Military Town, he discussed countermeasures with Zhou Shangjing. Although Zhao Junchen knew that this matter involved military power and was extremely sensitive, he would be jealous of Emperor Deqing once he participated in it. Zhao Junchen still wanted to find ways to improve the situation in the trilateral military town, and he also secretly made a lot of efforts.
Today, the same is true. The various agricultural reform proposals proposed by Zhao Junchen are all thankless tasks that will touch the interests of countless people. The people will not understand Zhao Junchen’s ideas and will only think that Zhao Junchen Junchen wasted money and wasted the people, but Zhao Junchen still planned to do it, even though Zhao Junchen knew that these things would be harmful to him and not beneficial at all.
Zhao Junchen has always regarded himself as a villain, but in Zhou Shangjing's view, just based on these two things, Zhao Junchen is much nobler than those mediocre people who never take responsibility.
Thinking of this, Zhou Shangjing looked at Zhao Junchen with more appreciation.
Officials who know how to form cliques for personal gain and who can stick to the bottom line are too rare.
In addition to admiring it, Zhou Shangjing also felt a little regretful.
In essence, Zhou Shangjing and Zhao Junchen are political enemies after all. Now with Zhao Junchen's rapid rise, the conflict between the two will be inevitable - in fact, Zhou Shangjing has already secretly taken action against Zhao Junchen. No surprise If so, Zhao Junchen will soon fall down hard - there is nothing he can do about it. In order to protect his own interests, Zhou Shangjing must suppress Zhao Junchen, otherwise Zhao Junchen will threaten him sooner or later.
When he was feeling complicated, Zhou Shangjing's expression was still noncommittal, and he just asked: "So, Junchen, you took action against the 'Eight Kings Shipping Company' and the Sixth Department of Nanjing, and sent Huang Yourong to Nanzhili to ransack the house for today's purpose. Prepare for things?"
Seeing that Zhao Junchen did not deny it, Zhou Shangjing was full of admiration and said: "You are really thoughtful and far-sighted. Even I can't help but admire him."
Seeing Zhou Shangjing going around in circles without giving him a clear response, Zhao Junchen felt a little helpless, but he still said with a respectful expression: "Mr. Zhou Ge, I'm so impressed. Compared with Mr. Zhou Ge, these little tricks of the younger generation are far behind." .”
Then, Zhao Junchen raised his head and looked directly at Zhou Shangjing, and asked: "So, Mr. Zhou Ge, are you willing to support the various suggestions mentioned in the memorial by this junior?"
After Zhou Shangjing was silent for a moment, he slowly said: "To be honest, I still don't believe Junchen's conclusion. It is a bit absurd to say that various natural disasters will occur more frequently in various parts of the imperial court... However, Junchen's concerns are indeed Out of public interest, and I cannot deny that the situation you are worried about, Junchen, may indeed happen, so..."
Having said this, Zhou Shangjing sighed lightly and said, "So, I will selectively support Junchen's proposals."
"What is selective support?" Zhao Junchen asked after being slightly stunned.
Zhou Shangjing replied: "Junchen, you hope that the local government will guide the people in farming according to the new agricultural book compiled by the Ministry of Household Affairs, and promote the planting of corn and potatoes. I will fully support it. I will also ask the Ministry of Personnel to discuss these matters with the officials. The assessments are combined, and strict supervision is carried out... Although the people may not understand these things, and you and I may have to bear some infamy, but everything is for the sake of the overall situation of the imperial court, and I am duty-bound."
After a pause, Zhou Shangjing continued: "As for the matter of restricting private brewing to save food and replenish the granary, I will fully support it. Although there will be some criticism, I will also help you, Junchen, to settle it."
Then, Zhou Shangjing changed the topic and continued: "But as for forcing the people to reduce planting of fruits, tobacco leaves, and cotton, I am afraid I cannot support Junchen. This matter not only harms the interests of officials, but also easily arouses resentment among the people. , will inevitably encounter a huge backlash, and the situation between the government and the opposition will be turbulent by then. As a cabinet minister, I must first stabilize the situation between the government and the opposition, so I will not only not support this matter, but will also oppose it. Junchen, you may be Well-intentioned, but the idea was too hasty."
After hearing Zhou Shangjing's words, Zhao Junchen nodded thoughtfully.
I have to say that Zhou Shangjing’s statement is very reasonable. Some policies may be good, but if used at the wrong time, they will only lead to bad consequences.
Then, Zhou Shangjing hesitated for a moment, and then said: "As for Junchen, you want the court to allocate a large amount of money to build canals, waterwheels, and dams in various places, I will neither support nor oppose everything... It all depends on your methods, Junchen... I also have my own difficulties, I have to appease my subordinates, and there is only so much I can do. I hope you will forgive me, Junchen."
After receiving Zhou Shangjing's exact answer, Zhao Junchen did not show any disappointment.
In fact, Zhou Shangjing's reply was beyond Zhao Junchen's expectations.
Therefore, Zhao Junchen stood up and thanked him: "No matter what, I want to thank Mr. Zhou Ge. Mr. Zhou Ge is willing to provide so much support, which has already satisfied this junior."
Zhou Shangjing said with a smile: "We are all ministers of the same court, and we are all doing official business for the court, so why do you need to express your gratitude to me?"
In this way, the matter of agricultural reform has come to an end.
Originally, the conversation should have ended here, and Zhao Junchen didn't want to waste Zhou Shangjing's time, so he planned to stand up and leave.
But unexpectedly, Zhou Shangjing had no intention of letting Zhao Junchen leave like this. Seeing the tea in front of the two of them gradually getting cold, Zhou Shangjing actually made a new pot of tea, obviously wanting to continue the conversation.
Seeing Zhou Shangjing's behavior, it was Zhao Junchen's turn to be confused. He couldn't think of anything else that Zhou Shangjing wanted to talk to him about.
Just when Zhao Junchen was confused, Zhou Shangjing said slowly: "Yesterday morning, your Majesty found an insignificant excuse and reprimanded the prince again... Since the prince closed his door to think about his past for the second time, this is already the sixth time for your majesty. He reprimanded him for the first time. Obviously, His Majesty is very dissatisfied with the Crown Prince. I am afraid that all the behaviors during this period are just foreshadowing. Maybe after a while, Your Majesty will officially depose the current Crown Prince and support the new Crown Prince to ascend to the throne. .”
It turned out to be for this matter!
After hearing what Zhou Shangjing said, Zhao Junchen suddenly realized,
Then, Zhao Junchen did not pretend to be confused and said: "Your Majesty continuously reprimanded the prince, probably also to test the attitude of the officials towards the prince. Unfortunately, the prince was reprimanded repeatedly by your majesty, but except for Qingliu, none of the Manchu officials The fact that one person is willing to intercede for the prince means that the prince does not have the support of the officials, and it is not an exaggeration to say that he is disloyal. In this way, His Majesty's determination to depose the prince will be even stronger."
Zhou Shangjing sighed softly and said: "It is really an eventful time... So, in Junchen's opinion, who among your Majesty's princes will become the new crown prince?"
Zhao Junchen still did not beat around the bush - when facing Zhou Shangjing, there was no need to hide many things - he answered directly: "It must be the seventh prince Zhu Hejian! This person has the most noble birth, is the right age, and has a good reputation. Although there are some hidden dangers in health, he is still the best candidate. Compared with the Seventh Prince, the few princes who have left Beijing and become kings pale in comparison. They are all praised by hundreds of officials as 'virtuous kings', so naturally they are not. He will be a qualified candidate for the crown prince."
As he spoke, Zhao Junchen's expression was slightly sarcastic.
In the Ming Dynasty, because of the lessons learned from Ming Chengzu, the court was always wary of vassal kings. If a certain vassal king showed a virtuous and wise appearance, or even had the reputation of loving the people like a son and being courteous to virtuous officials, it would be inevitable They will be suppressed by the court, and their feudal status may even be revoked; on the contrary, if a certain vassal king has always oppressed the people, is ignorant, and has an absurd style, he will become a "good king" in the mouth of officials!
After the several adult princes of Emperor Deqing were canonized as kings, they all became the most qualified "virtuous kings" of the Ming Dynasty. Although such vassal kings were praised against their will by officials, they were by no means They may have real support from the officials; as for the underage princes, most of them were from bad backgrounds and were not of the right age, but they also did not get the support of the officials.
In this way, taking into account factors such as age, origin, reputation, etc., once Zhu Heyu is deposed, the seventh prince Zhu Hejian will become the only suitable candidate.
On the other side, Zhou Shangjing obviously knew why Zhao Junchen was sarcastic.
These vassal kings of the Ming Dynasty had indeed become parasites and a drag on the Ming Dynasty. The court had to spend a large amount of money and food to support them every year. The local clans had become a major burden on the court's finances, but these vassals The kings were still not satisfied, and they continued to collect money, oppress the people, and annex land unscrupulously. Because the princes occupied tens of thousands of acres of fertile land but did not have to pay taxes, it further aggravated the poor financial situation of the Ming Dynasty.
In fact, this is one of the reasons why Zhao Junchen and Zhou Shangjing teamed up to deal with the "Eight Kings Shipping Company". Once the eight vassal kings behind the "Eight Kings Shipping Company" fell, the entire Ming Dynasty would be much easier.
However, Zhou Shangjing did not dwell on this topic, and just nodded and said: "I also believe that the seventh prince is probably the only candidate to inherit the position of crown prince. During this period, your majesty has often summoned the seventh prince to talk, which is proof... However, although I also We have collected a lot of information about the Seventh Prince, but all this information is known to everyone, as if the Seventh Prince has no secrets, but in this way, I can't see through the Seventh Prince."
Speaking of this, Zhou Shangjing stared at Zhao Junchen and asked: "I heard that Junchen, you have had several contacts with the seventh prince, and even the seventh prince's illness was cured by the famous doctor Zhang Decheng in Junchen's house. , but I wonder if Junchen, you know more about this seventh prince?"
After hearing Zhou Shangjing's inquiry, Zhao Junchen hesitated for a moment.
Then, Zhao Junchen decided to reveal some news to Zhou Shangjing.
Zhao Junchen said slowly: "Although this junior has had several contacts with the seventh prince, he did not notice anything unusual. He just felt that the seventh prince had a humble attitude and excellent demeanor. He was not as stubborn as the prince. He was very He attaches great importance to the word 'ritual' and has also studied the "Book of Rites" among the Five Classics."
Seeing that Zhao Junchen also said some well-known things, a trace of disappointment flashed across Zhou Shangjing's wrinkled old face.
If the seventh prince Zhu Hejian really becomes the next crown prince, then Zhou Shangjing knows too little about him. This situation is very unfavorable to Zhou Shangjing's future plans.
And just when Zhou Shangjing felt disappointed, Zhao Junchen suddenly said: "But, Mr. Zhou Ge still remembers Zhao Shancai?"
After Zhou Shangjing thought for a while, he replied: "Of course I remember that this person is very talented and wise. During the time when he assisted the prince, the prince had gradually established a firm foothold in the temple. It is a pity that God is jealous of talents. This person He passed away due to stomach problems not long after, and after the prince lost his assistant, the situation took a turn for the worse, and he fell into the situation he is in today."
Zhao Junchen nodded, and then whispered in a gentle tone: "Back then, just before Zhao Shancai died of illness, I met him once. Zhao Shancai told me at that time that his stomach problem was due to seven The prince was secretly poisoned, and even his teacher He Ming was killed because of the secret instigation of the seventh prince."
Hearing Zhao Junchen's words, Zhou Shangjing's expression suddenly changed.
However, before Zhou Shangjing could continue to ask, Zhao Junchen had already stood up and said to Zhou Shangjing: "However, I am not sure whether Zhao Shancai's remarks are true or false. You still need to judge everything yourself... ...But if Mr. Zhou Ge is determined to explore the truth, he still has to be careful..."
After saying that, Zhao Junchen bowed to Zhou Shangjing and said goodbye: "It's getting late. I still need to go to the Ministry of Household Affairs to handle official business, so I won't disturb Mr. Zhou Ge."
Then, before Zhou Shangjing could ask him to stay, Zhao Junchen had already left Zhou Shangjing's office room.
For a moment, only Zhou Shangjing, whose expression was changing, was left in the room.
Regarding the seventh prince Zhu Hejian, there are also opportunities for cooperation between Zhao Junchen and Zhou Shangjing, but now is not the best time for the two parties to cooperate.
And just when Zhao Junchen and Zhou Shangjing were talking about the seventh prince Zhu Hejian, Zhu Hejian also happened to come to the palace.
As a prince, he needs to go to the harem every day to greet his mother, Imperial Concubine Wan, and this day is no exception.
Because of their familiarity with each other, Zhu Hejian was quickly summoned by the imperial concubine Wan Shi after arriving in the harem.
"My son has met my mother and concubine! May my mother and concubine be blessed!"
After meeting the imperial concubine Wanshi, Zhu Hejian saluted and greeted her respectfully.
Just looking at Zhu Hejian's expressions and movements, no one can find anything wrong with him. They will only think that Zhu Hejian is a filial son who respects and loves his mother.
On the other side, the imperial concubine Wan Shi also looked like a mother who dotes on her son. After seeing Zhu Hejian, her face was filled with a happy smile and said: "Get up quickly, you and I are biological mother and son, why do we need to see each other every day?" They are all so polite."
However, when Zhu Hejian and the imperial concubine Wan Shi were talking, their eyes were extremely cold, with a hint of indifference and disgust, and they could not feel the slightest sense of closeness between mother and son.
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Second update.
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