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After the court meeting, Emperor Deqing summoned Zhao Junchen alone in the imperial study.
Speaking of which, Zhao Junchen and Emperor Deqing have not been alone together for a long time.
In a way, this is also a sign that the relationship between the two of them, the monarch and his minister, has gradually drifted apart, and they appear to be in harmony but are inseparable from each other.
After meeting Zhao Junchen, Emperor Deqing's attitude was very cordial, but he was no longer as casual and wanton as before. At the same time, Zhao Junchen's attitude was also very respectful and humble, but he was no longer as obedient as before. .
During the conversation, Emperor Deqing first cared about Zhao Junchen's current health, and then asked Zhao Junchen for some opinions on court affairs, including the Hetao War, the Six Ministries of Nanjing, commercial tax reform, etc., and even focused on the Ministry of Household Affairs. The issue of interest after borrowing money from Emperor Deqing.
However, Emperor Deqing never asked Zhao Junchen about the plight of water transportation - logically speaking, this is the most important thing for the court at the moment and what Emperor Deqing is most concerned about at the moment.
This is because Emperor Deqing knew very well that with the current situation of the court, it would be absolutely impossible to solve this water transportation problem in a short time if ordinary means were used!
Therefore, if you want to do something unusual, you must use unusual means, and such unconventional means will inevitably cause a lot of controversy.
Therefore, in this case, Emperor Deqing would never take the initiative to ask, and Zhao Junchen would never take the initiative to mention it. If Zhao Junchen finally successfully solved the water transportation problem without causing too much controversy, then everyone would be happy, Deqing Emperor Qing no longer had to worry about water transportation, and Zhao Junchen once again made great contributions.
But if the water transportation problem cannot be solved in the end, or if too much controversy arises after solving the water transportation problem, then Zhao Junchen will bear the responsibility alone, and Emperor Deqing does not need to help Zhao Junchen because he did not know about it beforehand. Share the stress.
In this regard, although the relationship between Zhao Junchen and Emperor Deqing was no longer what it used to be, their tacit understanding still remained.
After talking for a while, Emperor Deqing suddenly took out a memorial from his hand and said: "This is a memorial you sent to me before you returned to Beijing. It said that you hoped that the imperial court would punish Li Xun, the governor of Shanxi. At that time, it is best not to affect Li Xun’s family...but have you considered the situation of An Nanbo and Zheng Zhilong?"
Zhao Junchen nodded and said: "It is true. Li Xun is the descendant of Zheng Zhilong's adoptive father Li. If Your Majesty, you implicate Li Xun's clan, it will mean that the bloodline is cut off. No one knows how Zheng Zhilong will react after receiving the news. ...You also know that Uncle Annan has always listened to orders and not announced. The court is currently in troubled times, so it is best not to deliberately provoke him! Just punish Li Xun severely, leave the lives and future of the Li Xun tribe, and then ask Annanbo Send him a decree telling him that the court is doing this just to give him face, and I believe Annanbo will appreciate it."
After hearing Zhao Junchen's explanation, Emperor Deqing looked a little unhappy.
As the emperor of the Ninth Five-Year Plan, Emperor Deqing has long been accustomed to the arbitrary power of Qiankun, and hates being forced to sell one's face. The Ananbo Zheng family has long been a worry for the court. Now, before Ananbo Zheng Zhilong can react, The imperial court had to take his reaction into consideration and make concessions first, which made Emperor Deqing even more unhappy.
Seeing the change in Emperor Deqing's expression, Zhao Junchen said softly: "Your Majesty, this suggestion is also for the overall interests of the court! With your wisdom, you can naturally see that. In recent years, various places have frequently encountered natural disasters, Grain harvests often failed, and the national grain stocks ran out from time to time, and the grain gap expanded every year. I demolished the east wall to make up for the west wall, and managed to maintain the basic turnover without causing too much chaos...
However, this is only a temporary measure after all. Private food prices have doubled in recent years, and the people are all miserable! The imperial court only has so much arable land, so it will be difficult to significantly increase the food supply, and it will take more than two years for the minister's agricultural reforms to see significant results..."
Having said this, Zhao Junchen smiled bitterly and said: "Of course I have ways to make money, but money is becoming less and less valuable now. I often can't buy food even with money in my hand! This situation continues If we go on, I am worried that the court will encounter a big trouble that cannot be solved sooner or later!...
Therefore, I had no choice but to plead for Li Xun's people, because I wanted to take the opportunity to show favor to the Zheng family of Annan Bo, and then find some new channels to buy grain through the Zheng family. The Zheng family has a huge fleet, and its scope of operations includes China. Dozens of small countries outside the country can definitely help the court tide over the difficulties in the past two years! "
After hearing Zhao Junchen's explanation, Emperor Deqing still looked hesitant.
Emperor Deqing was also aware of the court's food worries, but after all, it was not an imminent trouble, so he did not want to take the initiative to show favor to the Annan Bo Zheng family.
Zhao Junchen knew that Emperor Deqing always had a good face, so he persuaded him again: "However, this is just to take advantage of the Annanbo Zheng family for a while! When the minister's agricultural reform, commercial tax reform, Sichuan salt development and other measures are all seen After achieving the results, the court no longer needs to worry about money and food!
By that time, the imperial court will not only have an endless supply of money and food, but also have great military achievements in attacking Mongolia in the north to regain the territory. The morale of the people is not lacking. The Annan Bo Zheng family will no longer be the opponent of the imperial court. Your Majesty, what do you want at that time? It is easy to force the Zheng family to bow their heads and submit! "
This time, Emperor Deqing's expression softened slightly, and he was finally moved.
After pondering for a long time, Emperor Deqing asked again: "In this memorial, you also recommended Zuo Lanshan, the elder of the government, to leave the capital and go to Shanxi to succeed the governor of Shanxi. Is this also for your next commercial and tax rectification plan? "
Zhao Junchen still nodded and said: "Your Majesty is wise, he can see through the thoughts of the ministers and others at a glance! As the United Shipping Company is on the right track, the commercial tax rectification of several southeastern provinces of the imperial court has achieved initial results. In just half a year, the imperial court's commercial tax revenue It has more than tripled, and there will be more and more in the future!
Therefore, my next goal is to carry out commercial tax rectification to several northwest provinces, follow the successful example of the United Shipping Company, and unite Shanxi and Shaanxi merchants to serve the imperial court! What's more, Shanxi connects Zhili and Shaanxi-Gansu. After the imperial court officially regained the Hetao area, this position is also crucial. It is related to the logistics supply of Shaanxi-Gansu and the Hetao area, and must not be underestimated!
In this way, there must be an important court official with sufficient authority in Shanxi! After much deliberation, I decided that Mr. Zuo Ge of Zuo Lanshan was the most suitable person. Not only was he of sufficient weight, but he also knew some things about commercial and tax rectification. With him as the governor of Shanxi, various policies of the imperial court could be implemented quickly. "
Emperor Deqing thought for a long time again, and finally nodded: "In that case, let's do what you said about these two things! Tomorrow morning, I will announce Zuo Lanshan's appointment... However, the court contacted Annan Bo Please stop interfering in the matter, I will naturally send another suitable person to Fujian to contact Zheng Zhilong, you just need to help make some suggestions."
Although Zhao Junchen's various arguments are reasonable, Emperor Deqing will never allow Zhao Junchen to establish too close a relationship with the Annan Bo Zheng family.
If these two forces colluded, even Emperor Deqing would have a headache.
In comparison, the appointment of Zuo Lanshan as governor of Shanxi is just a small matter. Although it expands Zhao Junchen's power and influence, all this is to reverse the situation where the court's finances are unable to make ends meet. As long as the court's finances are completely improved. If things go on the right track and there are no worries in a short period of time, Emperor Deqing will no longer have to rely on Zhao Junchen's methods. It may not be that difficult to eradicate Zhao Junchen's power by then - at least, that's what Emperor Deqing thinks now. of.
Emperor Deqing didn't know that Zhao Junchen had already sent his envoy Xu Qingyan, who was already escorting Li Xun's family members and rushing towards Fujian.
But on the surface, Zhao Junchen still looked submissive and quickly agreed.
After talking about these serious matters, Emperor Deqing talked some more about family matters with Zhao Junchen, and also deliberately praised Zhao Ying'er, who was now the concubine Hui. He said that Zhao Ying'er had always behaved as a virtuous woman after entering the palace and won the favor of Emperor Deqing. I like it, and I will look for opportunities to elevate Zhao Ying'er's position in the future.
This is obviously another deliberate show of goodwill and comfort.
Speaking of Zhao Yinger, Emperor Deqing seemed to have thought of something, and suddenly asked: "The maid who has been serving Concubine Hui...the woman named Zhang Zhaodi, do you know anything about her? What is her family background? Why did she stay with Concubine Hui to serve her? ?”
Upon hearing Emperor Deqing's inquiry, Zhao Junchen showed just the right amount of doubt and thinking, as if he couldn't immediately think of who Zhang Zhaodi was.
After thinking for a moment, Zhao Junchen shook his head and said: "Well... before Concubine Hui entered the palace, I had met Zhang Zhaodi several times. I only remember that she was a sensible and obedient woman, and her family background was not very good, so she became Concubine Hui’s maid, but after all, she is just a maid, and there is a difference between her and me, so I haven’t spoken to her a few times, but I don’t know much about the details.”
After a pause, Zhao Junchen asked again with a puzzled expression: "If Your Majesty is curious about Zhang Zhaodi's life experience, why not ask her in person? Of course she would not dare to hide it!"
After hearing this, Emperor Deqing's eyes flashed with helplessness.
On the surface, Emperor Deqing praised Zhao Ying'er for being a virtuous woman, but in fact Emperor Deqing had already had enough of Zhao Ying'er's ridiculing cleverness and jealous, shallow and bad character. It was only because of Zhao Ying'er and Zhao Junchen that relationship, so I deliberately tolerate it until now.
It can be said that if Zhao Junchen collapsed today, Emperor Deqing would send Zhao Ying'er to the cold palace that night and would not tolerate it for a moment longer.
However, Zhang Zhaodi next to Zhao Ying'er is completely opposite to Zhao Ying'er. Her temperament, personality, appearance, etc. are all the type that Emperor Deqing likes. It also attracted the attention of Emperor Deqing, who always wanted to bring Zhang Zhaodi into the palace. It's a pity that Zhao Ying'er's temperament is too jealous. As long as Emperor Deqing pays a little attention to Zhang Zhaodi, Zhang Zhaodi will be abused by Zhao Ying'er afterwards, making Emperor Deqing feel guilty and has been unable to attack Zhang Zhaodi. Understanding is not enough.
It is precisely because of this that Emperor Deqing asked about Zhao Junchen today.
After thinking about it, Emperor Deqing just felt tired and sighed slowly: "As a woman, it's better to be more generous."
Seeing that Zhao Junchen looked confused again, Emperor Deqing did not explain much, but just nodded and said: "I am tired, so I won't keep you anymore. You can go to the Hubu Yamen as soon as possible to take charge of the water transportation matter! Since you I have already boasted about Haikou at the court meeting, and the water transportation issue must be resolved as soon as possible, otherwise I will not be able to protect you."
And just when Zhao Junchen was bowing to say goodbye and about to step back and leave, Emperor Deqing suddenly added: "By the way, I heard that you have been very close to the prince these days... But you also understand my feelings, prince. The abolition is related to the foundation of the imperial court, and it must be decided by my universe. This matter does not allow anyone to interfere. You'd better not cause trouble to me... Speaking of which, Lao Qi's condition improved, and it was also because of your government. It's because of the diagnosis and treatment by the miracle doctor Zhang here. You and Lao Qi have this kind of friendship and have always been on good terms. Why do you want to go far away when you are close? When you return to Beijing, I deliberately arranged for Lao Qi to greet you. What is the purpose of it? You should also think about it carefully and don’t let me down!”
Hearing Emperor Deqing's veiled warning, Zhao Junchen was slightly startled, but still bowed his head respectfully and replied: "I understand!"
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In the imperial study, Emperor Deqing was thoughtful after Zhao Junchen left.
According to Emperor Deqing's original plan, when Prince Zhu Heyu was deposed in the future, Zhao Junchen should have been an important promoter who played a key role.
At that time, Zhao Junchen will arouse the suspicion of officials, the hostility of Qingliu, and the criticism of the government and the public. His reputation, which has been gradually reversed, will once again become in disarray.
However, Zhao Junchen refused to report his illness after returning to Beijing, and Zhao Junchen suddenly formed an alliance with Prince Zhu Heyu, which completely disrupted Emperor Deqing's wishful thinking.
"Things have changed, but it is not necessarily a bad thing! After Lao San handles the feudal king's affairs and returns to the capital, I will have a showdown with Zhao Junchen and let him help promote the deposed matter! I don't believe it. Zhao Junchen will still be there by then. Do you dare to disobey me? At that time, Zhao Junchen will betray his alliance with Lao San, and he will be infamous again! There is no room for change in this matter! "
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On the other side, after Zhao Junchen left the Imperial Study Room, he also walked thoughtfully outside the Meridian Gate, intending to go to the Hubu Yamen to take charge of water transportation matters.
However, when Zhao Junchen was about to take the sedan, he found Li Chengru standing not far away, waiting for him with a complicated expression.
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