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Zhao Junchen was paranoid about agricultural reform, and his views were so radical that they were almost unreasonable. He was completely different from his previous rational behavior, and none of the officials could understand him.
Zhao Junchen also has his own considerations.
In addition to creating a situation where he was besieged by hundreds of officials to lower Emperor Deqing's vigilance, Zhao Junchen also really wanted to do something practical. If possible, Zhao Junchen also really hoped that the court would approve his proposal.
Zhao Junchen's current strategy is not much different from the bargaining methods of private merchants and hawkers. They ask for high prices and pay back the money, that's all.
Zhao Junchen also has some relatively moderate proposals, but if these relatively moderate proposals are directly thrown out, the officials will still fiercely oppose it, but if Zhao Junchen first puts out a very radical proposal and repeatedly uses this radical proposal to express himself A firm stance, and by the way, it also tests the psychological bottom line of the officials, and then throws out a relatively moderate proposal at the appropriate time. This relatively moderate proposal is easy for people to accept.
Now, Zhao Junchen has gradually figured out the bottom line of the officials, and after a while, he can put forward another proposal.
After the morning court ended, the officials left the Huangji Hall one after another.
Several core officials of the "Zhao Party" also gathered around Zhao Junchen as always, discussing the follow-up matters with Zhao Junchen.
Because the "Zhao Party" benefited the most from the "Beijing Inspection", the core figures of the "Zhao Party" all seemed to be in high spirits at happy events. After all, many of their cronies had also become beneficiaries.
After leaving the Huangji Hall, seeing that there were no outsiders around, Chen Dongxiang, Minister of the Ministry of Industry, first said: "Master Zhao, now that the 'Beijing Cha' matter has been settled, a total of twenty-eight court officials who are close to us have obtained In addition, there are more than ten officials who have been promoted to official positions even though they did not go to local government offices. It is really a great joy..."
Zuo Lanshan also nodded and said: "Yes, from now on, our power and influence can finally leave the capital, spread to other places, and make further progress! Your Majesty announced the results of the 'Beijing Inspection' earlier this morning. After that, I saw that most of the factions in the imperial court were jealous."
After being interrupted by Zuo Lanshan, Chen Dongxiang frowned subconsciously.
Since he attached himself wholeheartedly to Zhao Junchen, Chen Dongxiang has regarded himself as Zhao Junchen's minion, but he is only loyal to Zhao Junchen. Chen Dongxiang still looks down upon the other core figures of the "Zhao Party". Normally, Zuo Lanshan, the second-ranking figure in the "Zhao Party", is not treated with much respect. At this time, he was interrupted by Zuo Lanshan, and it was inevitable that he was a little dissatisfied.
Chen Dongxiang is an ambitious person, and he can find the direction for himself to realize his ambition at any time. Now he has set his sights on Zuo Lanshan's position, and wants to replace Zuo Lanshan as the second-in-command of the "Zhao Party".
In fact, Zhao Junchen acquiesced to Chen Dongxiang's ambitions. The limited competition within the "Zhao Party" also helped Zhao Junchen strengthen his control over the "Zhao Party".
However, Chen Dongxiang also knew that he did not yet have the ability to challenge Zuo Lanshan, so he did not express his dissatisfaction clearly, but continued: "In my opinion, taking advantage of today's opportunity, we might as well hold a banquet and invite those who are about to Gatherings of close officials who serve in local government offices not only gather people's hearts, but also take the opportunity to tell them some necessary things."
After Zhao Junchen pondered for a moment, he nodded and said: "Okay, the time will be set at You hour this evening, the location will be Tianhai Tower, and Chen Shangshu will be responsible for the notification."
When Chen Dongxiang saw that Zhao Junchen had adopted his suggestion, he couldn't help but look happy, nodded repeatedly and said: "Don't worry, Mr. Zhao, I will pass the news to them in time."
At this moment, Huo Zhengyuan suddenly stretched out his hand and pointed into the distance and said, "Master Zhao, look, Wang Baoren seems to be going to see His Majesty!"
After hearing Zhan Shanchang's reminder, Zhao Junchen turned around and saw a young eunuch leading Wang Baoren towards the royal study.
Seeing this scene, Zhao Junchen couldn't help but look thoughtful.
Huo Zhengyuan asked: "Sir Zhao, what is the purpose of Wang Baoren's sudden visit to His Majesty?"
After pondering for a moment, Zhao Junchen said slowly: "To test His Majesty's bottom line, it is just to bargain, gain benefits for myself, and find ways to reduce losses. Wang Baoren is a smart man. Now that the overall situation has been decided, he naturally knows how to Decision.”
Having said this, a smile flashed across Zhao Junchen's lips and he said: "Perhaps, the imperial center's dealings with the Six Ministries of Nanjing will go more smoothly than imagined."
Not talking about the discussion between Zhao Junchen and the "Zhao Party", it is said that Wang Baoren did not leave the palace immediately after leaving the morning court. Instead, he asked to see Emperor Deqing, and Emperor Deqing also summoned Wang Baoren soon after.
After entering the imperial study, Wang Baoren's attitude was much more humble than yesterday. He respectfully saluted Emperor Deqing and said, "Veteran Wang Baoren has met your Majesty."
Emperor Deqing still looked trusting and asked: "Why does Wang Taishi see me? Sit down and talk."
While talking, Emperor Deqing once again ordered someone to bring a stool for Wang Baoren to sit on. The scene was the same as yesterday, but Wang Baoren's mood was completely different, and he no longer looked as proud as yesterday.
In fact, after the eunuch of Yangxin Hall brought a stool for Wang Baoren, Wang Baoren did not sit down. On the contrary, his attitude became more humble. He bowed to Emperor Deqing and apologized: "Your Majesty, I don't dare to sit down. This time I ask to see Your Majesty." I came here to apologize!"
Emperor Deqing didn't seem to understand what Wang Baoren meant, and asked in surprise: "Excuse me? Master Wang just returned to Beijing, so what's the crime?"
Wang Baoren said solemnly: "The old minister visited the Metropolitan Procuratorate yesterday and asked the Metropolitan Procuratorate about the progress of the assassination case of Zhao Junchen, the Minister of Household Affairs. Then he discovered that this case was related to the Nanjing Sixth Department! It seems that a small group of officials from the Nanjing Sixth Department secretly used smuggling Making profits, and resenting Mr. Zhao for rectifying business taxes, he actually colluded with smugglers to assassinate Mr. Zhao! And the old minister, who used to be the Minister of Household Affairs in Nanjing, was completely unaware of this matter. He is really guilty! I hope your Majesty will come down. Punishment for crime!”
By now, Wang Baoren knew very well that the central court was determined to spill the dirt on Zhao Junchen's assassination to the Six Ministries of Nanjing. It was simply a concerted effort. Wang Baoren's influence in the central center of the capital was not enough, and he could not reverse the situation at all. So I came up with the idea of abandoning the car to save the handsome man.
On the surface, Wang Baoren's words were an apology to Emperor Deqing, but in fact he wanted to blame the assassination of Zhao Junchen on "a small group of officials from the Sixth Department of Nanjing" in order to protect the safety of most officials from the Sixth Department of Nanjing. mean.
However, Emperor Deqing could not understand Wang Baoren's deep meaning, but he slowly said: "Master Wang was only deceived by villains in this matter. The fault is not with you, but with those villains who deceived you! However, the words Then again, from Wang Taishi's perspective, if this matter is just a private rumor of a small group of officials, I'm afraid they can't hide it from Wang Taishi's eyes! After all, their involvement in smuggling has been going on for many years. According to Huang Yourong's impeachment The corruption of the Six Ministries in Nanjing is a large-scale matter, and most of the officials are involved. I am also inclined to Huang Yourong's theory, and only the vast majority of the officials in the Six Ministries of Nanjing are involved in this matter, and they work together. It seems reasonable to join forces to hide Taishi Wang, otherwise how can we explain things that Taishi Wang has no knowledge of!"
Emperor Deqing's words seemed to show his undiminished trust in Wang Baoren and believed that Wang Baoren was definitely not involved in the crimes committed by the Nanjing Sixth Division. However, the underlying meaning was very cold - if Wang Baoren insisted that these things were just one of the Nanjing Sixth Division, The private actions of a small group of officials mean that Wang Baoren is also suspected of not reporting the information or even protecting his party members! If Wang Baoren agrees that most of the people in the Six Ministries of Nanjing were involved in the crimes of sheltering smuggling and assassinating Zhao Junchen, then Wang Baoren has nothing to do with this matter!
After hearing Emperor Deqing's seemingly trusting but in fact cruel statement, Wang Baoren couldn't help but remain silent for a long time!
Through these words, Wang Baoren also figured out the position of the central government and knew that the Six Ministries of Nanjing were bound to face a large-scale purge and rectification.
Thinking of this, Wang Baoren's mood became heavier.
Then, Wang Baoren raised his head and asked Emperor Deqing: "But I don't know, if the crimes of the Nanjing Six Ministries are realized, how will your Majesty punish the Nanjing Six Ministries?"
Emperor Deqing said resolutely: "Since there has been widespread corruption in the Six Ministries of Nanjing, and most of the officials are audacious, disregarding the laws and regulations of the court, and even dare to assassinate important officials of the court, naturally I cannot forgive them lightly. Large-scale purges and rectifications are necessary, and all officials involved in the case, as well as those who failed to report the incident, must be held accountable and replaced!"
After hearing Emperor Deqing's expression, Wang Baoren finally made up his mind and said with a serious expression: "Old minister, I implore your majesty to be more cautious. Among the six departments of Nanjing, even if there is large-scale corruption, there are still many Loyal and diligent officials, if Your Majesty takes too big actions, I am afraid that many innocent officials will be implicated and it will easily lead to unjust cases."
The so-called "loyal and diligent officials" actually refer specifically to Wang Baoren's cronies who stayed in Nanjing.
Wang Baoren has always been decisive. After knowing that something must be done against, he began to try to reduce his losses.
The meaning of his words is very obvious, that is, he is willing to help the central court to rectify the Six Ministries of Nanjing, and is also willing to stand on the side of the central court and completely break with the Six Ministries of Nanjing, but he hopes that the imperial court can preserve his connections and not let him Many years of business operations were in vain.
Before that, Wang Baoren was certainly the leader of the Nanjing Sixth Division, but after all, the Nanjing Sixth Division was just a stepping stone for Wang Baoren. When it was time to give up, Wang Baoren would never hesitate too much.
Hearing that Wang Baoren had made a choice so quickly, Emperor Deqing's eyes flashed with appreciation.
In fact, Wang Baoren's statement also played into the hands of Emperor Deqing!
Although Emperor Deqing wanted to rectify and purge the Six Ministries of Nanjing, he did not want Wang Baoren's powerful connections to suffer too much, because Emperor Deqing also hoped that Wang Baoren would check and balance Zhou Shangjing, Zhao Junchen and others in the future.
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First update!
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