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After hearing what Sun Miao said, Zhao Junchen asked: "Oh? What is it?"
Sun Miao replied thoughtfully: "More than a month ago, when the governor of the three sides, Mr. Wang Zheng, was inspecting the border defense, he suddenly fell seriously ill for some reason. This incident shocked the entire officialdom of Shanxi and Shaanxi and Gansu. Shanxi Governor Li Xun, Governor of Shaanxi Province Zhang Shengde, Governor of Gansu Province Wu Min, and several general soldiers and commanders from the military town went to visit his condition, and stayed two or three times at Huamachi, where Lord Wang Zheng was stationed. days, and it is said that they had many secret conversations during this period..."
At this point, Sun Miao looked thoughtful and said slowly: "Speaking of which, from that day on, the officialdom in the northwest provinces became a little weird. The disaster relief matters that had been well prepared suddenly changed. , there was a shortage of disaster relief money and food in various places. The lower official also received a secret letter from Shanxi Governor Li Xun, stating that the disaster relief money and food provided by the imperial court to Lu'an Prefecture would be diverted elsewhere, and the three governors also issued orders, This year's autumn grain harvest from the northwestern provinces will still be collected as usual, and the more the better, and local governments will be asked to intercept and arrest victims fleeing famine, and send the victims to the governor's residence in each province..."
After hearing Sun Miao's explanation, Zhao Junchen's expression became more serious.
After Zhao Junchen thought for a moment, he asked again: "So, are there any changes in the military towns in Shanxi? Are there any abnormalities among the Shanxi merchants?"
In the northwest provinces, there are three pillars of the feudal officials, major military towns, and Shanxi merchant forces. Everything in Shanxi, Shaanxi and Gansu cannot avoid the influence of these three forces. As long as the dynamics of these three forces are determined, Zhao Junchen can deduce many things.
After thinking for a moment, Sun Miao replied: "There are no changes in the military towns in various places. They are just actively preparing to resist the invading invaders. The cities in the various states are heavily guarded, and there are a large number of troops rushing towards the three-sided army." Town support, but this was also the case in previous years, but this year's actions are particularly large, but considering that this year's fire screening situation is more severe than in previous years, so this kind of movement is not surprising. "
After a pause, Sun Miao continued: "As for the Shanxi merchants, they are also driving up prices and hoarding, but they have done the same in previous years, so it is not abnormal. The Shanxi merchants have deep-rooted influence here, so they also No one dares to care about them... However, in addition to hoarding food this year, Shanxi merchants seem to have also collected cloth, tea, medicinal materials, wine and other items. However, Shanxi merchants did not spend too much thought on these things in previous years. If If there is any abnormality, this is the only abnormal situation among Shanxi merchants."
Zhao Junchen pondered and nodded slightly, his expression changing from gloomy to bright.
On the other side, after hearing the conversation between Zhao Junchen and Sun Miao, Bao Wenjie finally noticed something strange.
Before this, Bao Wenjie had always thought that the incidents in the northwest provinces were just simple cases of corruption and fraud.
Therefore, Bao Wenjie couldn't help but change his face, and immediately thought of the worst possibility, and hurriedly asked Zhao Junchen: "Sir Zhao, it seems that the situation in the northwest is really weird. On the one hand, the officials have gathered a large number of refugees. On the other hand, a large amount of money and grain were withheld, the army was mobilized frequently, and merchants secretly hoarded goods, all hidden from the court... Is this, could it be that someone wants to rebel? "
After hearing Bao Wenjie's speculation, Sun Miao's expression also changed drastically.
If the imperial court regards the abnormal developments in the northwest provinces as evidence of rebellion, then all officials in Shanxi, Shaanxi and Gansu will be implicated, and Sun Miao will be completely ruined even if he has Zhou Shangjing as his backing.
Sun Miao, who was still calm in the situation, became really panicked this time, and quickly explained: "Master Bao, there is absolutely no way anyone can rebel and conspire. There is no way that the governors of the northwest provinces have such ambitions, let alone It is impossible to have such ability. After all, all the military towns in the northwest provinces are loyal to the imperial court, and most of the generals in the military towns are from noble families. How can they have the ability to rebel with just some disaster victims? Even if they are really alive. It is impossible for a subordinate to be unaware of the alienation. Although the northwest officialdom is a bit strange now, it definitely has nothing to do with treason. "
Seeing that Bao Wenjie's expression was still suspicious, Sun Miao finally stopped pretending that she was unaware of the abnormality of the matter, and expressed her true speculation. She said with an anxious expression: "According to the speculation of the officials, several governors The arrests of disaster victims everywhere are probably just because they are worried about the situation this year when the fire breaks out into the invaders, so they gather a large number of victims to consolidate the defense of northern Xinjiang and fill the shortage of manpower. The disappearance of the court's disaster relief money and food is just to support these victims. Although this matter is hidden from the imperial court, it is also for the imperial court's border defense plan... Mr. Bao, you are the deputy imperial envoy, and you cannot casually question the imperial court's feudal officials for rebellion, otherwise things will be out of control."
At this moment, Hong Gaogong suddenly appeared.
After entering the room, Hong Gaogong ignored Bao Wenjie and Sun Miao. He only saluted Zhao Junchen and handed Zhao Junchen several letters.
After Zhao Junchen reached out to take the letter, he opened it and read it carefully. After a long time, he sighed softly and said: "Now it seems that no one really wants to rebel, and what Mr. Sun just said is not false...but... …”
Having said this, Zhao Junchen shook his head slightly, his expression becoming more solemn.
Zhao Junchen would not simply listen to Sun Miao's information and asked Zhou Dafu to lure Sun Miao to Nanguan Village. At the same time, Zhao Junchen also sent a large number of Jin Yiwei to collect information, and even let the Jin Yiwei sneak into Lu'an Mansion and kidnap him. He contacted local military officers, merchants, and officials of Lu'an government office, and extorted information from these people.
The letters Hong Gaogong handed to Zhao Junchen just now were the intelligence collected by the Jinyi guards.
Seeing Zhao Junchen's statement, Bao Wenjie asked: "Why did Mr. Zhao say this?"
Zhao Junchen slowly explained: "While we asked Mr. Sun for information, I also asked the Jinyi guards to inquire about the information through various channels. During this period, the governors of the northwest provinces only gathered a large number of victims, money and food. In addition to In addition, they did not take any other actions, that is, they did not bribe generals from various places, nor did they evade officials from various places. Military towns in various places were still controlled by the court generals, and court officials were still in charge of the overall situation in the state capitals. There was no any control among the people. Strange rumors, except for the northern war zone, there are no restrictions on road travel between state capitals. Apparently the governors of the northwest provinces only need a large number of victims, money and food, and have no other ambitions. As Mr. Sun said, just Just relying on a few disaster victims is not enough to start an incident."
Bao Wenjie still trusted Zhao Junchen's vision and judgment.
After hearing that Zhao Junchen denied the possibility of rebellion, Bao Wenjie breathed a long sigh of relief.
However, what surprised Bao Wenjie was that Zhao Junchen's expression was not relaxed at all, but became more serious, as if something worse than rebellion had happened.
In fact, since it was deduced that the local governments in the northwest provinces had arrested more than 100,000 people fleeing famine, Zhao Junchen had guessed three possible scenarios in his mind!
The best case scenario is just like Sun Miao's speculation. The governors of the northwest provinces are gathering victims everywhere just to increase border defense manpower and consolidate the situation on the border. However, this situation is unlikely. After all, the victims do not have any combat power. Most of them are timid in character. Sending them to the frontier battlefield will not only provide no help, but will also increase the logistical pressure and the risk of chaos. Even if a certain governor comes up with this whimsical idea, he will definitely suffer. To the disapproval of others.
As for whether the situation is good or bad, just like Bao Wenjie's speculation, there are feudal officials in the northwest provinces who intend to rebel. They gather victims and withhold money and food just to strengthen their own capital for rebellion. However, this situation is the least likely, because The political environment of the Ming Dynasty meant that the feudal officials had no capital to rebel. There was no chance of success just by relying on hundreds of thousands of victims. Since ancient times, no chaos among the refugees had been led by court officials.
As for the last situation, it is the worst situation and the worst in nature. Because this possibility is too terrifying, Zhao Junchen has never dared to think about it.
But now, with Sun Miao's explanation and the intelligence collected by the Jin Yiwei, Zhao Junchen found that the possibility of this situation was getting higher and higher.
Therefore, Zhao Junchen was naturally in a serious mood.
However, Zhao Junchen summoned Sun Miao to talk privately this time just to rule out the possibility of rebellion. As long as the northwest provinces are still in the hands of the imperial court, then Zhao Junchen can go all out and start a big fight without any Any concerns, especially the 200 Jin Yiwei under Zhao Junchen. Although they cannot be counted on in a war, if they can scare local officials, it is more than enough. Even several governors from the northwest provinces will be worried after seeing the Jin Yiwei. I felt timid, let alone Zhao Junchen's status as an imperial envoy.
After pondering for a moment, Zhao Junchen raised his head and said to Sun Miao: "Master Sun, as an imperial envoy, I have something to ask you to do."
Seeing that Zhao Junchen had moved out of his identity as the imperial envoy, Sun Miao's face straightened, and he quickly stood up and saluted: "Please give me your orders, the imperial envoy!"
Zhao Junchen said coldly: "Aren't you intercepting and arresting the victims who are fleeing the famine everywhere and sending them to the Shanxi Governor? This time, I have brought a total of two to three hundred people, and I am planning to go to Taiyuan Mansion, the Shanxi Governor's residence. I still have to hide it. identity, but it is close to a war zone, and the censorship is probably strict. I have a large number of people, and it is easy to attract attention. Therefore, I plan to disguise more than 200 of my men as refugees fleeing the famine, and the remaining people will pretend to be escorts fleeing the famine. The victims are from Lu'an Prefecture, so I need you to issue a road guide for me so that I can reach Taiyuan Prefecture smoothly. By the way, I can also use this to find out the truth about how the northwest provinces are recruiting victims! "
Hearing Zhao Junchen's idea, Bao Wenjie next to him clapped his hands and praised: "This is a great plan. It can conceal your identity and find out the truth. It is really a clever plan that kills two birds with one stone!"
Zhao Junchen ignored Bao Wenjie's praise and just stared at Sun Miao and continued: "In addition, after you return to Lu'an Mansion, you must not leak the news of my presence in Lu'an Mansion to anyone. Once someone knows about it in the future, As for my whereabouts, I will only ask you!"
Sun Miao quickly assured again: "Please rest assured, your Majesty, your Majesty, the official will be tight-lipped! After the official returns to Lu'an Mansion, he will immediately prepare all the things needed for the journey, and will personally take people here." ...Well, these things can be done within today!"
So, Zhao Junchen said to Sun Miao: "In this case, without further delay, you should return to Lu'an Fucheng now!"
Sun Miao didn't waste any time. After saluting Zhao Junchen and Bao Wenjie again, he stood up and left, acting decisively.
After seeing Sun Miao's performance, Zhao Junchen finally looked satisfied.
Although Sun Miao lacks responsibility and always puts prudence and personal protection as his top priority, judging from his careful thinking and decisive decision-making, he is worthy of being the favored disciple that Zhou Shangjing values.
After Sun Miao left, Zhao Junchen turned to the thoughtful Bao Wenjie and asked: "Master Bao, after arriving at Taiyuan Mansion, I will reveal my identity to Shanxi Governor Zhang Xun and catch him off guard! At the same time! , but I want to aggrieve Mr. Bao, and it’s up to you to lead people to pretend to be disaster victims!”
At this time, Bao Wenjie was thinking about the follow-up actions. After hearing Zhao Junchen's statement, he smiled and said: "Master Zhao has such a clever plan, so the subordinates must fully cooperate."
Zhao Junchen nodded slightly, but his expression remained calm.
The abnormal situation in the northwest provinces was beyond Zhao Junchen's expectation, but this accident also had a benefit, which was that Zhao Junchen could successfully intervene in the border defense war.
If Zhao Junchen's guess is not wrong, the reason why the governors of the northwest provinces withheld money and food and gathered the victims was all because of this year's fire screening of invaders, but their stance is really despicable, so Zhao Junchen After exposing this matter, he can use his status as an imperial minister to remove these governors from their positions, take over their government affairs, and naturally intervene in the border war. Even if Emperor Deqing in the capital receives the news, he will Can't fault anything!
While Zhao Junchen was thinking, Mao Jiadong quickly entered the room and reported to Zhao Junchen: "Your Majesty, the male disaster victim is back!"
Zhao Junchen was stunned for a moment and asked, "Oh? Why did you come back so quickly? Did he catch his companions?"
Mao Jiadong shook his head and said: "He came back alone. It seems that something happened and he is clamoring to see the adults."
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