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As early as thirty years ago, before Emperor Deqing ascended the throne, Liang Fuchen was already the most trusted minister of Emperor Deqing, and he has always been loyal and hard-working over the years.
With Liang Fuchen's qualifications and status, he could actually join the cabinet to assist the government. If he wanted to stay in the center of the capital, no one could force him. At the same time, the environment on the three sides of Shaanxi and Gansu was harsh, and everyone was in trouble. You know, but Liang Fuchen stayed in Shaanxi and Gansu for nearly ten years for the sake of the overall interests of the imperial court and to consolidate the military power of Emperor Deqing. He made more contributions and worked harder than anyone else, but he reaped very few benefits. , but Liang Fuchen never complained.
Emperor Deqing also saw Liang Fuchen's performance, so Emperor Deqing trusted Liang Fuchen far more than others, and regarded Liang Fuchen as his true confidant.
After Liang Fuchen came to the palace for an audience, Emperor Deqing was also very happy, and quickly sent away the seventh prince Zhu Hejian, the prince's grand master Wang Baoren and others, leaving only Liang Fuchen to talk alone. His attitude was very open and honest, and he did not hide anything. your true thoughts.
"In the past two years, the situation in the temple has changed. Huang Yourong, Wen Guanliang and others in the cabinet have fallen one after another. Zhou Shangjing has also lost his position as assistant. On the contrary, Zhao Junchen has quickly risen and formed his own faction. The situation in the court has been shaken. The central government and the Everything is a little unstable, and even I sometimes feel powerless and unable to control the overall situation..."
In front of Liang Fuchen, Emperor Deqing did not hide his physical and mental exhaustion. His expression and tone were tired, and he said slowly: "I also know that there are some hidden dangers in the border situation now. You can't do it without you to control the overall situation in Shaanxi and Gansu. But I still transferred you back to the capital, because the center of the capital is the foundation of the country. If the center of the capital is slightly chaotic, the entire country will be in chaos, so I need you to come forward and help me control the situation."
At this point, Emperor Deqing shook his head and sighed: "I can now understand that the relationship between the emperor and his ministers is often a natural enemy. No matter how much trust and respect I give them, They still have their own little calculations, and when they have a little bit of their own interests, they immediately separate from me. The more I accommodate them, the more they will be submissive and have unfulfilled desires, just like you from beginning to end. There are really very few ministers who can be loyal... Therefore, Liang Fuchen, I will definitely rely on you more and more in the future, and you must not let me down."
Liang Fuchen is about the same age as Emperor Deqing. He is also in his early fifties. He has gray hair and a messy beard. His weather-beaten face is covered with deep wrinkles. He is tall and slightly thin. If he were not in official uniform, he would look He looks no different from an ordinary old farmer, but his expression is firm and solemn, and his eyes are shining, but he also gives people an indescribable pressure.
After hearing Emperor Deqing's words, Liang Fuchen said solemnly: "Your Majesty, rest assured, I will do my best to share your worries for your Majesty!"
Unlike other powerful ministers in the temple, Liang Fuchen was never good at speaking or debating, and he was never one to be boastful or eloquent. But as long as he spoke and promised, he would do his best.
Emperor Deqing knew Liang Fuchen's character very well. After hearing Liang Fuchen's assurance, a look of relief flashed across his expression.
Then, Emperor Deqing asked: "Do you know the recent changes in the situation in the temple?"
Liang Fuchen nodded and said: "Before I went to Beijing, I had already inquired about the new Trilateral Governor Wang Zheng, and I already knew what was going on."
Emperor Deqing also nodded and said: "Since you already know it well, I don't need to waste my words. Your tasks in the temple from now on are mainly three points. First, try to weaken Zhou Shangjing's influence as much as possible. Zhou Shangjing is already a powerful person. I have been in power for many years. If I continue, the court will only know Zhou Shangjing and not me. Secondly, I will keep an eye on Zhao Junchen. Although this man's power cannot be compared with Zhou Shangjing, he is too young. If he is allowed to If he continues to develop, he will be more troublesome than Zhou Shangjing in the future, and in the end he will help me control the cabinet, but there is no rush in this matter, you can take your time."
After hearing Emperor Deqing's instructions, Liang Fuchen frowned slightly.
In Liang Fuchen's view, Emperor Deqing's eagerness to deal with Zhou Shangjing and suppress Zhao Junchen was a bit too eager and was not conducive to the stability of the country.
Although Zhou Shangjing was a powerful minister, he was also the backbone of the imperial court. Apart from Zhou Shangjing, there was no other official in the Manchu Dynasty who had Zhou Shangjing's experience, vision, and prestige, who could stabilize the situation in the temple and plan the direction of the imperial court. As for Zhao Junchen, he is also indispensable. Without Zhao Junchen's hard work and bold development, the imperial court's money and food turnover would have collapsed long ago.
In the end, Liang Fuchen did not directly refute Emperor Deqing's statement, but just said: "I believe that no matter what your Majesty thinks of Zhou Shangjing, he is already old and it will be difficult for him to persist for a few more years. Your Majesty had better make preparations in advance. We are looking for a minister who can succeed Zhou Shangjing in terms of qualifications, reputation, experience, etc. Otherwise, after Zhou Shangjing leaves the temple, no one in the court can take charge of the overall situation, and there may be turmoil... Your Majesty, with all due respect, the court is still far away. Don’t open Zhou Shangjing.”
Having said this, Liang Fuchen hesitated for a moment and then added: "Besides, until the court's money and food are completely filled, I'm afraid it will be inseparable from Zhao Junchen."
Liang Fuchen's doubts did not cause Emperor Deqing's displeasure. Instead, Emperor Deqing nodded in agreement.
However, Emperor Deqing did not change his mind and just said: "Of course I also understand these principles. I have already thought about the replacement for Zhou Shangjing, and it is you Liang Fuchen! With your qualifications, reputation, vision, and means, With my full support, there will be no problem in succeeding Zhou Shangjing in the future. As for Zhao Junchen... I just don't want his power to expand too fast. I plan to suppress it a little and won't really take action to deal with it. After all, the court's merchants Tax rectification, Sichuan salt restructuring, agricultural rectification and other matters are still inseparable from him."
Hearing Emperor Deqing's explanation, Liang Fuchen was stunned again, but he didn't expect Emperor Deqing to value him so much and regard him as Zhou Shangjing's successor.
At the same time, Emperor Deqing's evaluation of Zhao Junchen was also thought-provoking.
The imperial court is currently inseparable from Zhao Junchen, because the imperial court's commercial tax rectification, Sichuan salt restructuring, and agricultural rectification and other matters still need Zhao Junchen to preside over. What about after all the rectification and other things are completed? Does Emperor Deqing no longer need Zhao Junchen?
At the beginning, Zhao Junchen's position in the heart of Emperor Deqing was very clear. He was a fat pig raised by the imperial court. From time to time, he would take the blame for Emperor Deqing and attract public anger. After the new emperor ascended the throne, he would kill him to establish his authority and quell public resentment... …
Liang Fuchen has always been very clear about this.
But now, as Zhao Junchen becomes more and more powerful, Emperor Deqing is still at his peak in the Spring and Autumn Period. If Emperor Deqing keeps Zhao Junchen until the new emperor ascends the throne, I am afraid it will be difficult for the new emperor to deal with Zhao Junchen. In this way As a result, Emperor Deqing's positioning towards Zhao Junchen seemed to have undergone many changes.
According to Emperor Deqing, Zhao Junchen is now to the imperial court, just like Shang Yang was to the Qin State during the Warring States Period. He has changed from attracting public resentment to attracting official resentment. Emperor Deqing wants to use Zhao Junchen to reform the bad policies of the Ming Dynasty. After the bad government was reformed, the court's money and food were certainly abundant, but Zhao Junchen became the target of thousands of people, and he could then be easily thrown away.
Although Emperor Deqing didn't say it explicitly, it seemed to be what he meant.
After noticing Emperor Deqing's thoughts, Liang Fuchen was neither overjoyed because of Emperor Deqing's regard for him nor sad because of Emperor Deqing's attitude towards Zhao Junchen. He still looked calm, but fell silent for a moment. After a moment, he slowly replied: "Since your Majesty has already considered it in your mind, I can rest assured!"
Emperor Deqing smiled and said: "I value you far more than any official. You must act seriously. Of course, I will give you my full support. You don't have to have any scruples."
"Thank you, Your Majesty!" After Liang Fuchen expressed his thanks, he changed the topic and said, "Your Majesty, I still have some concerns in my mind, which are matters involving Shaanxi and Gansu! There has been drought in Shaanxi and Gansu for three consecutive years. The people They are almost unable to make a living. They only rely on the government's relief. If they are not careful, it will cause a big chaos! In addition, the Mongolian Tatar territory in the north is also in serious disaster. They have been invaded repeatedly in the past two years. It is not easy for me to They were blocked outside the pass, but the major military towns on the three sides were gradually unable to maintain. Now that Lord Wang Zheng has replaced me as the governor of the three sides, it will take some time to become familiar with the military and political affairs of the three sides. It is about to come to the autumn harvest again. At this time, there will be intruders at any time, but we have to be on guard! I sincerely request your Majesty to allocate a large amount of food and grass and elite soldiers and generals to the three sides of Shaanxi and Gansu to prevent internal and external troubles!"
After hearing Liang Fuchen's suggestion, Emperor Deqing remained silent.
After a long time, Emperor Deqing said slowly: "Let me consider this matter! It is feasible to mobilize soldiers to enter the three sides of Shaanxi and Gansu... but the imperial court currently does not have more food and grass."
Liang Fuchen couldn't help but was stunned and asked: "As far as I know, the state treasury has been improving day by day under Zhao Junchen's management in recent years. Why is there no food and grass turnover?"
Originally, Liang Fuchen thought that the court would have some difficulties that he had not thought of!
However, Emperor Deqing's next answer made Liang Fuchen suddenly feel cold in his heart!
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