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When Zhou Suhai entered the study room of Zhou Mansion, he saw Zhou Shangjing annotating an article, his old face full of kindness and seriousness.
Zhou Suhai glanced at the handwriting of this article for a moment, and a look of jealousy suddenly flashed across his expression.
He could tell at a glance that the handwriting of this article was written by Zhou Suwen.
Zhou Suhai is only the eldest grandson of Zhou Shangjing, and Zhou Suwen is the direct grandson of Zhou Shangjing!
Since ancient times, the battle between the heirs has always been an unavoidable theme among wealthy families, so the two brothers Zhou Suhai and Zhou Suwen also have a vague sense of rivalry.
In other words, it was Zhou Suhai who wanted to compete with Zhou Suwen unilaterally.
Zhou Shangjing is not an upright official, but the Zhou family is from a scholarly family. They have always had strict family traditions and strict family education. They attach great importance to the distinction between concubines and concubines. In addition, Zhou Shangjing and his first wife are very affectionate and they are in the age of knowing their destiny. He only had his grandson Zhou Suwen, so he never concealed his preference for Zhou Suwen, and everyone saw it.
For example, now, Zhou Shangjing will deliberately spare time and energy to carefully correct Zhou Suwen's articles. This is a treatment that Zhou Suhai has never received.
However, Zhou Suwen himself is indeed up to date. Not only is he personable and has an excellent image, but he is also a well-known talent in the capital. During the imperial examination last year, he defeated Zhao Shancai to become the number one scholar in the new subject. This year, he also won many awards during his tenure in the Hanlin Academy. He received unanimous praise from many Hanlin officials and believed that his beautiful articles were no less than those of Zhou Shangjing back then. He could be said to be the leader of the younger generation of the Zhou family!
In fact, Zhou Suhai's original situation was not bad. Although he was not as talented and charming as Zhou Suwen, he was quite good at dealing with people and knew the way of advance and retreat. He was supported by Zhou Shangjing in his thirties. Next, he became the prefect of Suzhou. If nothing unexpected happens, he will have a good chance to go further in the future. It is not impossible for him to become a feudal official or an assistant minister in the cabinet. His achievements may not be lower than those of Zhou Suwen.
It's a pity that Zhou Suhai's entire future has now been ruined!
In the autumn of the year before last, the Eight Kings Shipping Company colluded with Japanese pirates to invade Suzhou just for their own selfish interests, causing great losses to the government and the people. Zhou Suhai, as the prefect of Suzhou, naturally could not escape responsibility, while Zhou Shangjing, out of various public and private considerations, So he tried to suppress the matter, trying to conceal the truth and whitewash the peace.
It's a pity that Emperor Deqing still received the news, so he went on the southern tour last year. During the southern tour, he publicly exposed Zhou Shangjing's crime of deceiving the emperor. He wanted to take the opportunity to bring down Zhou Shangjing in one fell swoop, but Zhou Shangjing then In order to reveal the truth about the collusion between the clan and the Japanese pirates, Emperor Deqing was concerned about the overall situation, so he had no choice but to make the big matter a trivial one and let it go.
However, the Zhou family was still greatly affected by the turmoil. Not only did Zhou Shangjing lose his position as the chief minister of the cabinet, but Zhou Suhai also suffered a setback in his official career. He has been unemployed since returning to the capital last year to report on his duties, let alone more Going one step further, even his original official position could not be saved.
In this way, the family status gap between Zhou Suhai and Zhou Suwen, as well as Zhou Shangjing's own preference for closeness, became more and more obvious.
In recent months, there have been some rumors about this situation, saying that Zhou Shangjing has completely given up on Zhou Suhai. Zhou Suhai is also extremely dissatisfied with Zhou Shangjing's alienation. The two of them have long been inseparable.
In fact, such rumors are not unfounded. Zhou Shangjing has indeed not summoned Zhou Suhai to talk alone for a long time. It is obviously a sign of neglect. Today's meeting is the first time that the two of them have been alone together in nearly a month. .
Because of this, Zhou Suhai did have resentment in his heart, so now that he saw Zhou Shangjing personally correcting Zhou Suwen's article, he couldn't help but look jealous, and almost lost his usual job.
However, Zhou Suhai did not dare to offend Zhou Shangjing after all, and quickly recovered his calm demeanor. After entering the study, he stood aside with his hands down, not daring to disturb Zhou Shangjing's correction of Zhou Suwen's article.
After about half a stick of incense, Zhou Shangjing finally finished correcting Zhou Suwen's article. After nodding lightly with satisfaction, he finally looked up at Zhou Suhai.
Zhou Shangjing's eyes were deep and he looked at Zhou Suhai carefully. After seeing that Zhou Suhai's performance was relatively calm, he nodded gently again.
Then, Zhou Shangjing suddenly asked: "Suhai, do you know why I want to meet you alone today?"
Zhou Suhai hesitated for a moment and then asked: "My grandson doesn't know, but I hope my grandfather will make it clear. Is it a family matter or a state matter?"
Zhou Shangjing did not answer directly, but asked again: "Speaking of which, there have been a lot of rumors between the government and the public recently, many of which are about our Zhou family, and even more about our ancestors and grandchildren... Have you heard about it? Pass?"
Zhou Suhai was shocked, but he still answered honestly: "My grandson has heard some. These rumors are quite absurd. It is said that your grandpa has given up on his grandson, and his grandson is also dissatisfied with his grandfather..."
At this point, Zhou Suhai hurriedly explained: "I would like to ask my grandfather for advice. My grandson knows very well that if he didn't have your grandfather, he would not have achieved his past achievements. He only has filial piety and gratitude in his heart, and he would not dare to express his gratitude to his grandfather in any case." Dissatisfied!”
"You don't have to have too many scruples. I have indeed deliberately neglected you during this period. It's right for you to be unhappy. You can show it directly..." After saying this meaningfully, Zhou Shangjing didn't wait for Zhou Suhai. After thinking about it, he asked again: "By the way, it's been a while since you returned to the capital, and the official department hasn't arranged any new errands for you?"
"There is no news from the Ministry of Personnel. Ever since my grandson returned to the capital to report on his duties, he has been out of work. The Ministry of Personnel seems to have completely forgotten about his grandson, and there has been no new arrangement."
While answering, Zhou Suhai only felt aggrieved. Everyone knew that the Ministry of Personnel was like Zhou Shangjing's back garden. If Zhou Shangjing wanted to arrange a new official position for Zhou Suhai, it would only be a matter of one sentence, but the Ministry of Personnel has still been slow to do so. There was no response. It was obviously because of Zhou Shangjing's attitude that Zhou Suhai had been idle until now.
Zhou Shangjing's question was knowingly asking.
Zhou Shangjing seemed completely unaware of Zhou Suhai's complaints and grievances, and just sighed: "Don't blame the officials. As ministers, we must protect His Majesty's face. His Majesty's southern tour last year was to uncover the truth about the Japanese pirates in Suzhou." Although the matter was blocked by me in the end, you and I, my grandfather and grandson, were at fault after all. We must be punished to make His Majesty feel more comfortable. If the officials are too eager to arrange a new official position for you, His Majesty will not look good. , I’m afraid I’m going to cause trouble again.”
Hearing Zhou Shangjing's explanation, Zhou Suhai felt even more aggrieved. He had already heard the news. Zhou Shangjing repeatedly opposed Emperor Deqing at today's court meeting, almost making Emperor Deqing lose his temper in public, but he never took Emperor Deqing into consideration. face and mood.
As if he had guessed what Zhou Suhai was thinking, Zhou Shangjing asked again: "Speaking of which, do you know what happened in court this morning?"
Zhou Suhai nodded and replied: "My grandson also heard some news. I heard that it was my grandfather who repeatedly expressed his position in the morning, which almost made it difficult for the seventh prince to succeed. His Majesty was also very unhappy at the time..."
Speaking of this, Zhou Suhai hesitated for a moment and couldn't help but said: "Grandpa, you have not directly disobeyed His Majesty's holy will for a long time. Now the situation of our Zhou family is pretty good, and we have finally resolved His Majesty's fear and Hostility, Grandpa, if you make things difficult for His Majesty again like this, I am afraid that it will soon arouse the hatred in His Majesty's heart again, so after my grandson received the news, he has been thinking about your profound meaning, Grandpa, but he still can't understand it."
Zhou Shangjing's wrinkled old face suddenly smiled, and he was actually a little relieved: "You can't understand my deep meaning, but this is a good thing... The more ignorant you are about some things, the more harmful you will be to our Zhou family in the future. Help; if you know the situation, you will do bad things!"
Zhou Shangjing's attitude made Zhou Suhai even more confused, but after a moment of silence, he still expressed his position: "Since grandfather said this, my grandson will not dare to inquire anymore, and he will not think about it again in the future. This matter."
Zhou Shangjing smiled again and said: "You are indeed sensible. If Su Wen were here, he would definitely get to the bottom of it. He is too arrogant and always wants to understand everything and control everything. He is not like you who knows how to advance and retreat. Moderation, this may not be a good thing... Therefore, I can only leave some things to you!"
Hearing what Zhou Shangjing said, Zhou Suhai couldn't help but feel happy. He thought it was Zhou Shangjing who was going to hand over an important task to him.
Who would have thought that Zhou Shangjing's next words would make him feel as if he had fallen into an ice cave.
"Next, you go back to your residence to tidy up, and then leave the Zhou Mansion with your wife and children... Try not to contact him in the future, and try not to come back... I will find a reason to remove your lineage from the Zhou family tree! From today on, the Zhou family will no longer rely on you, and you will have to rely entirely on yourself! "
Zhou Shangjing's expression was calm when he spoke, but Zhou Suwen couldn't believe his ears. After being stunned for a long time, he said loudly: "Grandpa, why do you treat your grandson like this! Is it because of those rumors? Your grandson treats you and You have always been caring about your family! Even if you are partial to Su Wen, even if you are treated coldly during this period, your grandson never dares to complain. You can't treat your grandson like this! I am not your direct grandson, but I am still of your blood..."
Speaking of what happened next, Zhou Suwen lost control of his expression and never saw his usual Chengfu again.
Zhou Shangjing took a deep look at Zhou Suwen again, a trace of unbearableness and a rare hesitation flashed across his old face.
Finally, Zhou Shangjing sighed and explained: "I asked you to leave the Zhou family not because of those rumors... In fact, those rumors were originally spread by me on purpose! Do you understand what I said?"
Zhou Suhai couldn't help being stunned when he heard this. His expression gradually changed from grief to shock, and then from shock to worry. He asked urgently: "Grandpa, you did this... but what trouble did our Zhou family encounter?"
Zhou Suhai is a smart man. After Zhou Shangjing explained a little, he had already guessed many things. He understood that Zhou Shangjing drove him out of the Zhou family as a precautionary measure, not only to protect himself, but also to protect the Zhou family. The bloodline continues.
"I can't tell for sure now. I just have a vague premonition in my heart, but it may not come true... It's just that people are getting older and their courage is not as strong as before. They always look forward and backward, wanting to leave more escape routes! The current situation is not bad. Yes, I still control the direction of the situation, it's just a precaution.
As I said just now, don’t pry into anything from now on, and don’t think too much about anything, but there is only one thing you must keep in mind. If the Zhou family loses power in the next two years, you must be the first to stand up and report to the court. Impeach me! ...You can just look for a few specific impeachment charges. If things come to the worst, I probably won’t care about the severity of the charges..."
Seeing that Zhou Suhai wanted to say more, Zhou Shangjing's expression had returned to calmness, and he waved his hand and said, "I've made up my mind!"
In the end, after Zhou Suhai was silent for a long time, he knelt down, kowtowed, and then quietly left the room.
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