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When Zhao Junchen returned to the capital, there were only three or four days left before the New Year's Eve.
After returning to the capital, Zhao Junchen went directly to the palace to meet Emperor Deqing without any delay.
Emperor Deqing quickly summoned Zhao Junchen in the imperial study, and Zhao Junchen reported the results of the negotiation in detail and carefully analyzed the pros and cons of the agreement for Emperor Deqing.
Zhao Junchen was a little dissatisfied with this negotiation agreement and felt that the Ming Dynasty had suffered a loss. However, Emperor Deqing was very satisfied and even praised Zhao Junchen for his ability to do things well.
Then, out of his own public spirit, Zhao Junchen focused on describing the scheming and vision of Jianzhou Jurchen Khan Xuan Ye, believing that under the leadership of Xuan Ye, Jianzhou Jurchens would definitely become a serious problem for the Ming Dynasty in the future. Threats will also increase day by day.
"Your Majesty, after I met Xuan Ye, the Jurchen Khan of Jianzhou, I thought that this person was deep and scheming, and that he had a far-sighted vision and a combination of hard and soft methods. He was truly an extremely rare and powerful person... Jian The Jurchens in Jianzhou have encountered a serious food shortage in recent years, and it is only a temporary predicament. However, as long as the Jurchens in Jianzhou can be relieved, under the leadership of a figure like Xuan Ye, I am afraid that they will definitely become the leader of the imperial court in the future. A serious problem."
After hearing Zhao Junchen's report, Emperor Deqing did show some vigilance, but it was just some vigilance. He said slowly: "It is indeed necessary to be careful. You did the right thing this time and restricted both sides. When the Jianzhou Jurchen caravan enters the territory of the Ming Dynasty, it must also report to the Ministry of Household Yamen. This can greatly limit the penetration and recovery of the Jianzhou Jurchen caravan, and it can also use the Ming Dynasty's The caravan in turn spied on the Jianzhou Jurchen's true identity... Well, this matter will be left to the factory guards to keep an eye on, and the Ministry of Household Yamen will also provide assistance. When you go back, you can draft a memorial and give it to me, and explain it to me in detail. Let’s look at the regulations for this matter, and I will discuss it with the elders afterwards.”
After a pause, Emperor Deqing's expression became more excited and expectant, but he changed the topic and said with a smile: "Besides, there is one more thing you did well, which is to take advantage of this opportunity. Let Monan Mongolia and North Korea, which are under the Jurchen control of Jianzhou, also submit to me and pay tribute!
Since the Jurchens became more powerful in Jianzhou, the imperial court has gradually lost control over Monan Mongolia and North Korea. Now that these two parties have once again professed tribute to me, it is a great event that is no less than regaining their territory... Wait until five days From now on, my birthday will be a grand event for all nations to come to court. It was just like this when the Han and Tang Dynasties were in their heyday. A hundred years later, the history books will definitely be marked with thick ink! Alas, the time is just too short, Monan Mongolia is okay, but I don’t know if North Korea’s envoys can catch up..."
Speaking of the latter, Emperor Deqing began to worry about gains and losses again.
Seeing that Emperor Deqing was only thinking about the scenery on his birthday, and conveyed his warning with just a few words, Zhao Junchen couldn't help but feel a little anxious, and said again: "Your Majesty, I just rely on the strength of the Ministry of Household Affairs and the factory guards. There are still some shortcomings. I am afraid that it is difficult to prevent the Jianzhou Jurchen's little tricks. That Xuan Ye's methods should not be underestimated. If he fails to respond at the slightest moment, he will see the flaws!
According to my opinion, when the imperial court was on guard against the Jianzhou Jurchens, it should at least involve Liaodong Town, Xuanfu Town, and Jizhou Town to act together. After the Jianzhou Jurchen caravan entered the Ming Dynasty, its main scope of activities should be Beizhi It is within the territory of Beizhili, so the local governments in Beizhili must also work hard to cooperate..."
Hearing Zhao Junchen mention Xuan Ye's threat again, Emperor Deqing looked a little impatient and waved his hand: "I understand. You can explain these things clearly in the memorial. After I read your memorial, I will naturally understand After discussing with the important ministers, you are now also an assistant minister of the cabinet, and you will naturally have the opportunity to express your position when the time comes."
"Your Majesty is wise, I understand!"
Seeing Emperor Deqing's performance, Zhao Junchen also knew that his performance was a bit urgent, so he immediately stopped mentioning it and just sighed in his heart.
Now is the most prosperous day in Emperor Deqing's life. Under such circumstances, it is naturally difficult for him to listen to Zhao Junchen's good words and advice.
After all, the performance of the Jianzhou Jurchens in recent years has been relatively peaceful. During this period, the imperial army has achieved many great victories in the Shaanxi-Gansu and Hetao areas, civil and military officials have praised their virtues, and the Jianzhou Jurchens and affiliated forces have voluntarily surrendered. Emperor Deqing had become a little forgetful. He believed that his civil and military skills could be regarded as a generation of heroes, and he no longer took the Jianzhou Jurchens seriously.
In fact, Emperor Deqing was still a little unhappy when he heard that Zhao Junchen "exaggerated" the Jianzhou Jurchen threat and repeatedly praised Aixinjueluo Xuanye's abilities and methods. The implication of the description is that Xuan Ye is stronger than himself.
In Emperor Deqing's mind, this was absolutely impossible! The Ming Dynasty was stronger than the Jianzhou Jurchens, and Emperor Deqing believed that he was also stronger than Aixinjueluo Xuanye. Under such circumstances, how could the Jianzhou Jurchens threaten the Ming Dynasty? Naturally, I thought Zhao Junchen was exaggerating.
Seeing that Zhao Junchen did not mention it anymore, Emperor Deqing concealed the unhappiness in his expression, once again praised Zhao Junchen for his ability in doing things, then rewarded Zhao Junchen with several palace treasures, and then let Zhao Junchen leave. .
After accepting Emperor Deqing's "heavy reward", Zhao Junchen's expression was naturally flattered, but when Zhao Junchen exited the imperial study, his originally joyful expression gradually became more solemn, and then... A long sigh.
"My power is still too small. Although I have joined the cabinet to assist the government, I still do not have the final decision-making power... I clearly see a hidden danger right in front of me, but I am helpless and cannot change too much. I just watch it. Seeing this hidden danger getting bigger and bigger..."
While he was thinking secretly, Zhao Junchen's expression returned to normal again, but his eyes were faintly fluctuating, but no one could guess what he was thinking at this moment.
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After leaving the palace gate, Zhao Junchen returned to Zhao Mansion in a sedan chair.
On the way, Zhao Junchen opened the curtains of the sedan chair and looked at the people on both sides of the road who were busy preparing for the New Year, and felt a little envious in his heart.
This kind of envy is full of hypocrisy, but it exists.
In recent years, private food prices have soared, and people's lives have become increasingly difficult. However, people do not have more choices, so they are content as long as they can have enough to eat every day and have some extra money in their hands. I feel very happy.
Of course, for such a seemingly small and insignificant goal, the vast majority of people are still unable to achieve it, but they do not expect more.
Zhao Junchen was different. As his choices increased and his strength became stronger, not only did he not feel satisfied, but he increasingly felt an unbearable sense of restraint and depression!
Therefore, Zhao Junchen's ambitions are getting bigger and bigger.
When Zhao Junchen was still the Minister of the Ministry of Hubu, he wanted to become the Minister of the Ministry of Hubu; when Zhao Junchen became the Minister of the Ministry of Hubu, he wanted to compete with several powerful ministers in the court; when Zhao Junchen was powerful enough to compete with several ministers, When the old prime minister was contending with him, he was thinking about joining the cabinet to assist the government and influence the direction of the temple situation...
Today, Zhao Junchen has joined the cabinet to assist the government, and his power and influence has gradually become equal to that of Zhou Shangjing... Then, Zhao Junchen discovered, as expected, that he wanted more, more.
Perhaps, from the very beginning, when Zhao Junchen chose to take the initiative to get involved in the imperial party disputes and exhaustively manage his own overt and covert forces, his goal was never just for "self-protection."
"I run around day after day just to be hungry, so I have to eat and think about clothes; I put down the silk clothes to wear, but I don't think the house is low when I raise my head; I build tall buildings and mansions, but there are few beautiful wives in front of my bed; I marry all the beautiful wives and concubines, and Consider that there is no horse to ride in front of the door; spend money to buy a high-headed horse, and the horse will follow less in front and behind; hire dozens of domestic servants, and be bullied by others if you have money but no power; once Quanquan reaches the county magistrate position, he also says that the official position is small and powerful Humble; once he climbed to the old position in the pavilion, he thought about ascending to the throne every day; one day he sat facing the world in the south, and thought about gods coming to play chess; Dong Bin played chess with him, and asked where was the ladder to heaven; before the ladder to heaven was lowered, the king of hell The card dealer comes to urge you; if this person's time has not come, it is still too low to climb up the ladder..."
This poem "Ten Insufficiencies" was written by Zhu Zaiyu of the previous dynasty, and Zhao Junchen had read it once by chance.
Perhaps because of the catchy nature of this poem, Zhao Junchen memorized it on the spot and has not forgotten it to this day.
At this time, Zhao Junchen could not help but recite the song "Ten Insufficiencies" softly, repeating it several times.
At the end, he even made up a little tune by himself, clapped his thighs, closed his eyes, and sang softly.
When the sedan arrived at the Zhao Mansion, Zhao Junchen's behavior returned to normal again.
After returning to the Zhao Mansion, Zhao Junchen originally wanted to go to the back house to meet his wives and concubines and report to them that they were safe.
However, as soon as Zhao Junchen walked into the Zhao Mansion, he heard a report from the house steward, saying that several Huizhou merchant leaders - Lin Yunpu, Bai Mingyu, Dai Fengfu and others had arrived at the Zhao Mansion not long ago and were now waiting in the living room of the mansion. Waiting for Zhao Junchen's interview.
After hearing the report, Zhao Junchen shook his head helplessly and said: "These Huizhou merchants are really well-informed. I have only just returned to Beijing for an hour, and they have already received the news and rushed to the house to wait for me, and they did not let me go." Take a short break..."
While complaining, Zhao Junchen also changed the direction of his footsteps and walked towards the living room of Zhao Mansion.
*
Although he complained a little about the eagerness of the Huizhou merchants to seek an audience, when Zhao Junchen entered the living room of the Zhao Mansion, he changed into a smiling face and said first: "Sorry, everyone! After I returned to Beijing, I first went to the palace. One trip to report to His Majesty the surrender of Jianzhou Jurchens took a lot of time, but it made all the big bosses wait for a long time!"
Seeing Zhao Junchen appear, Lin Yunpu, Bai Mingyu, and Dai Fengfu quickly stood up and saluted.
The last time they saw Zhao Junchen was more than half a year ago, when the "United Shipping Company" was established. At that time, Zhao Junchen was still a notorious minister of the Ministry of Household Affairs, but now Zhao Junchen is already a cabinet minister with great military exploits and fame throughout the world. Well, the status is quite different, so after seeing Zhao Junchen, these Huizhou merchants became more humble.
Lin Yunpu said quickly: "Zhao Gechen has a high position and is the pillar of the country. Naturally, he has many things to do every day. I and the others are willing to wait no matter how long they are. As long as Zhao Gechen doesn't think I'm disturbing him!"
Bai Mingyu said flatteringly: "We are visiting Zhao Gechen this time mainly for congratulations! After hearing about Zhao Gechen's illustrious military exploits in Shaanxi and Gansu, he also joined the cabinet to assist in government affairs, and was canonized as the Immortal New Chengbo by His Majesty. , the Huizhou merchants and I were all overjoyed, and hurriedly rushed to the capital, wanting to congratulate Minister Zhao in person!"
Later, Dai Fengfu took out a gift list from his sleeve, held it in both hands and handed it to Zhao Junchen. He said with a smile: "This is a little thought from me and other Huizhou merchants. Please accept it."
After Zhao Junchen asked the three people to waive the gift, he accepted the gift list and put it aside casually. He seemed not to care about the importance of the gift list, but his enthusiasm for treating these three people quietly became much more real.
Next, Zhao Junchen and the three Huizhou merchant leaders chatted for a while. Zhao Junchen told them some things about Shaanxi and Gansu, which made the three people applaud and take the opportunity to please. Zhao Junchen reported to Zhao Junchen the situation of "United Shipping Company" in the past six months. The results were also gratifying and the profits were huge. Zhao Junchen couldn't help but nod his head in praise.
Later, Lin Yunpu inadvertently mentioned that Zhao Junchen was about to promote commercial tax rectification in the northern provinces, and seemed to want to participate.
Regarding Lin Yunpu's temptation, Zhao Junchen directly refused without changing his smile.
The north is the sphere of influence of Shanxi merchants, and the south is the sphere of influence of Huizhou merchants. When Zhao Junchen promoted commercial tax rectification in the southern provinces, he did not allow Shanxi merchants to participate. Now the northern provinces are about to promote commercial tax rectification. , Zhao Junchen naturally would not let Hui merchants participate.
Just like Emperor Deqing always tried to balance the power of various factions in the temple, Zhao Junchen also played with mutual checks and balances between Huizhou merchants and Shanxi merchants, and would not make either party too powerful or let both sides have financial resources. Check and balance each other with influence, and then Zhao Junchen can easily control them.
What's more, the commercial tax rectification plan of the northern provinces is not only Zhao Junchen's consideration to increase the fiscal revenue of the imperial court, but also a flesh and blood thrown to the Shanxi merchants, just to divert the attention of the Shanxi merchants and make them stop paying attention. It was a smuggling business with Jianzhou Jurchens and various Mongolian ministries.
Therefore, if Huizhou merchants are allowed to participate in the commercial tax rectification plan of the northern provinces, Shanxi merchants will not only be dissatisfied, but their profits will also be reduced, and they may restart the business of smuggling and collaborating with the enemy, which Zhao Junchen will never tolerate.
Seeing Zhao Junchen's attitude, Lin Yunpu and others were not too disappointed. This was something they had expected. They just wanted to test Zhao Junchen's attitude and did not hold out much hope. After Zhao Junchen refused directly, they didn't mention it anymore.
Then, these Huizhou merchants started talking about another matter - and this matter was the real purpose of their visit to Zhao Junchen.
Bai Mingyu suddenly sighed and said, "Before I came to the capital to visit Cabinet Minister Zhao this time, I heard a piece of news... It was said that the former chief minister of the cabinet, Shen Changmao, collapsed because he used the water transport company of the Yamen. About smuggling!
Alas, since the establishment of the "United Shipping Company", the imperial court's commercial tax has been extremely low. As the chief minister of the dynasty, Shen Changmao still made profits through smuggling for a mere small profit and risked the disapproval of the world. This matter is really too great. No, I hate tax evasion and smuggling the most in my life. After hearing about this incident, I was very angry. No wonder His Majesty dismissed him from his official position. "
Before Bai Mingyu joined the "United Shipping Lines", he was once the largest smuggler in the Jiangnan region, but this time he spoke righteously and had an awe-inspiring face.
On the other side, Dai Fengfu had an attitude of caring about the country and the people, and immediately raised questions: "The imperial court's removal of Shen Changmao's position as chief minister is certainly very satisfying, but this time the water transport yamen used public equipment for private purposes and lent the canal boat to Shen Changmao. Isn't there any fault in smuggling for profit? From a villain's point of view, the fault of the Water Transport Yamen is even greater than that of Shen Changmao! But the court only held Shen Changmao accountable for his crimes and did not mention a word about the fault of the Water Transport Yamen. It’s unfair!”
Lin Yunpu also nodded solemnly and said: "Yes, the water transport yamen has great long-term disadvantages. All the officials in the yamen are greedy and reckless. Taking advantage of the convenience of water transport, there are a large number of smuggling incidents every year. This time it was just Shen Changmao. It’s just bad luck that happened. In fact, Shen Changmao’s smuggling amount is just the tip of the iceberg for the Water Transport Yamen... If the imperial court wants to completely crack down on smuggling in the Beijing-Hangzhou Canal, it must not ignore the evil deeds of the Water Transport Yamen!”
Bai Mingyu secretly observed the change in Zhao Junchen's expression and said: "Actually, as the scale of our 'United Shipping Company' becomes larger and larger, the authority of the water transport yamen has become somewhat redundant! The imperial court transports goods to the center of the capital every year Although the grain and silver are related to the country's foundation, the water transportation yamen will make some mistakes every year when transporting grain and silver. It can be said that it is half the result with twice the effort... If you ask me, the imperial court might as well take care of the water transportation. Directly hand it over to our "United Shipping Company". With the strength of our "United Shipping Company", after taking over the responsibility of water transportation, not only will the cost be lower, but it will also not be like the water transportation yamen, which is generally used for public and private purposes and is inefficient. It is also for the imperial court. a good thing!"
After hearing the speeches of these Huizhou merchants one after another, Zhao Junchen finally understood the real purpose of their visit to him.
It turns out that it is human nature to be greedy!
As the "United Shipping Company" grew in size and business became better and better, the ambitions of Huizhou merchants became stronger and stronger.
By now, they have become an eyesore to the Caoyun Yamen, and even want to annex some of the powers and responsibilities of the Caoyun Yamen!
Regarding the changes among Huizhou merchants, Zhao Junchen was both pleased and vigilant!
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