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On the surface, the central government's plan to take over the power of the Six Ministries in Nanjing was that the Seventh Prince Zhu Hejian and the Crown Prince Wang Baoren were in full charge of the Nanjing city. However, because of the high stakes involved, Emperor Deqing was of course unable to completely delegate power. This paragraph It can be said that he has been paying close attention to the entire process. Whether it is the disturbance in Nanjing or the details of the implementation of the plan, Emperor Deqing will receive the news as soon as possible through the 800-mile fast horse.
Therefore, Zhu Hejian and Wang Baoren planned to trigger a small-scale riot in Nanjing on the ninth day of March and take the opportunity to completely isolate the Six Ministries of Nanjing. Emperor Deqing also received the news immediately.
After receiving the news, Emperor Deqing naturally did not dare to neglect and immediately summoned the elders and six ministers to discuss the matter.
Today, the center of the imperial court is the three powerful forces of the "Zhou Party", "Zhao Party" and "Xintai Zi Party", and most of the cabinet ministers and ministers are from these three factions.
Among them, Zhou Shangjing and Zhao Junchen both had secret arrangements in Nanjing, and the seventh prince Zhu Hejian went to Nanjing in person to take charge. Therefore, the high-ranking officials in the imperial court were all aware of the changes in the situation in Nanjing. The timing of relevant news is not much slower than that of Emperor Deqing.
Therefore, when the elders and ministers arrived at the Imperial Study Room, most of them were mentally prepared for what would follow, and they all had plans for the situation in Nanjing.
However, after the ministers met Emperor Deqing, Emperor Deqing's decision-making and reaction still exceeded most people's expectations.
After all, the Nanjing incident was not only related to the centralization of power in the imperial court, but also related to the abolition of the prince, so Emperor Deqing became completely serious.
It has to be said that once Emperor Deqing restrained his arrogance and became completely serious, his political skills would not be much worse than Zhou Shangjing's.
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In the imperial study room, after all the pavilion elders and ministers had arrived, Emperor Deqing first informed everyone of Wang Baoren's next plan, saying that on the ninth day of March, a small-scale riot would occur in Nanjing City against the Six Ministries of Nanjing. The imperial court center's plan to take back power has now entered its final stage.
Afterwards, Emperor Deqing looked around at all the ministers, and paused for a moment on the faces of Zhou Shangjing and Zhao Junchen, and then said slowly: "Judging from the current situation, the imperial court's plan to take over power is going well. , maybe we can achieve success in one fell swoop, but I don’t dare to be too optimistic, and I still feel a little uneasy in my heart.”
After a pause, Emperor Deqing's expression became more solemn and he added: "The uneasiness in my heart is mainly due to the civil riot that is about to happen in Nanjing City!
Although I also understand that the people in Nanzhili are still living a prosperous life, even if they participate in this riot in a moment of enthusiasm, they will never stand firm. Moreover, this riot is mainly aimed at the Six Ministries of Nanjing, not Wang Baoren, the center of the imperial court, is well prepared... But there are too many variables in this kind of thing. Once control is lost and the scale of the riot continues to expand, there is a risk of shaking the foundation of the country, so I must be extra prepared. Just enough!
Because of this, although I trust Wang Baoren's ability and means, in order to ensure nothing goes wrong, I think it is necessary to arrange for another experienced and courageous minister of the Zhu Kingdom to sit near Huaiyin Mansion, north of Nanzhili. , ready to clean up the mess at any time! "
At this point, Emperor Deqing's eyes fell on Zhou Shangjing's old face again, his expression full of determination that could not be rejected, and he continued: "I believe that only Zhou Shoufu can take on such an important task!
It just so happens that there have been floods near Huaiyin recently, so I have drafted an imperial edict, and Zhou Shoufu will go to Huaiyin personally to inspect, and take the opportunity to stay there for a while to observe the situation in Nanzhili. If the situation in Nanjing develops smoothly, Zhou Shoufu will also There is no need to take any action, but if the situation in Nanjing City is worried about getting out of control, we must immediately enter the territory of South Zhili to mobilize all forces and take over all matters to ensure that the scale of the Nanjing riots cannot spread! "
Upon hearing Emperor Deqing's instructions, the expressions of all the important ministers in the imperial study changed slightly for a moment!
There is no doubt that Zhou Shangjing is the representative figure of the imperial court. He has never left the center of power in the temple over the years, and has been fighting openly and secretly with Emperor Deqing. If it were not for Zhou Shangjing's overt and covert confrontation, Emperor Deqing's methods and character would have been impossible. Imperial power has long overridden ministerial power, instead of the current check and balance between imperial power and ministerial power.
At the same time, because Zhou Shangjing has always been sitting in the center of the temple, all the ambitious officials among the officials dare not cause trouble easily. Even Zhao Junchen has been suppressed by Zhou Shangjing recently.
This time, Emperor Deqing took advantage of the incident in Nanjing to move Zhou Shangjing away from the center of power in the temple for a period of time. Once Zhou Shangjing was lost in the temple, no one could predict what would happen during this period. kind of accident.
It can be said that in the minds of many people, the importance of Zhou Shangjing's departure from the center of the capital is even greater than the subsequent changes in Nanjing.
However, Emperor Deqing's attitude was extremely firm and his reasons were fair and just. Although several important ministers had objections, they could not find a reason to refute it for a while.
As a result, the imperial study room fell into a brief silence. No one reacted immediately. Even Zhou Shangjing seemed not to have expected Emperor Deqing's decision. After his expression changed slightly, he remained silent for a long time. no respond.
In the end, after a short period of thinking and hesitation, Ge Lao Li He took the lead to break the silence and said loudly: "Your Majesty, Zhou Shoufu is certainly a minister of the Zhu Kingdom, and it is certainly safe for him to go to Nanzhili to take charge, but Zhou Shoufu I am old, have low energy, and have been in poor health recently. I am afraid that I cannot withstand the fatigue of traveling and traveling, so I am willing to recommend myself to go in place of Zhou Shoufu!"
Later, Song Qiwen, the Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, and Zhang Boxhong, the Minister of the Ministry of Justice, also took the initiative to ask for help. Like Li He, they expressed their desire to take over the important responsibilities in Zhou Shangjing's place. The reasons they used were also the same as Li He's. They all thought that Zhou Shangjing's recent physical condition was not good and he would not be able to do so. Suitable for overworked people.
These people are all core figures of the "Zhou Party", and they all understand that Zhou Shangjing is the backbone of the "Zhou Party" and even the center of the temple. The "Zhou Party" and the center of the temple can temporarily lose their help, but they must not They could not leave Zhou Shangjing's seat, so they were all willing to take risks and shoulder this important imperial task in Zhou Shangjing's place.
However, after hearing these people's offer, Emperor Deqing didn't give them any face at all, and said coldly: "Mr. Li Ge is rich in experience and has high prestige. It is true that he can be called a minister of the Zhuguo, but you are more He is good at mediating, but he always lacks a little courage, which is fine in ordinary times, but he is not the best candidate to turn the tide... As for Song Shangshu and Zhang Shangshu, they lack experience and prestige, so they are still not the best candidates. , according to my opinion, the best candidate for this matter can only be Zhou Shoufu, there is no more suitable candidate other than Zhou Shoufu!"
At this point, Emperor Deqing stared at Zhou Shangjing and asked again: "How do you think? Zhou Shoufu has always been loyal to the emperor and the country. Are you willing to share the worries of the court again this time?"
Emperor Deqing had spoken to such an extent that even if Zhou Shangjing wanted to refuse, it would be impossible.
So, Zhou Shangjing turned his attention to Zhao Junchen, seeming to hope that Zhao Junchen would take the initiative to help him stop this matter.
However, at this time, Zhao Junchen was looking at his nose and mouth, without any reaction at all.
Seeing this situation, Zhou Shangjing's eyes flashed with disappointment, and after sighing softly, his wrinkled old face was full of fatigue, but he still raised his hands to Emperor Deqing and replied: "Since you trust me so much, Your Majesty." Old minister, of course the old minister will shoulder his responsibilities and go all out! When the morning session ends tomorrow, the old minister will immediately leave the capital and go to Huaiyin to inspect the city!"
Hearing what Zhou Shangjing said, all the ministers in the imperial study suddenly changed their minds, constantly thinking about the changes in the situation after Zhou Shangjing left the center of the capital.
Among them, compared to the other pavilion elders and ministers, Zhao Junchen, who had been watching silently and calmly, thought of more situations.
"Obviously, Emperor Deqing has received the news from the city of Nanjing and found that the plan he originally planned for Zhu Hejian to seek benefits and avoid disadvantages has been cracked, because Zhou Shangjing used the means of building momentum to push Zhu Hejian to the place where everyone expected him to be. An embarrassing situation, so Zhu Hejian must personally take charge of the situation in Nanjing...
Under such circumstances, Emperor Deqing must have been ashamed and angry. He was not only jealous of Zhou Shangjing's superior methods, but also angry that Zhou Shangjing and Zhu Hejian were making things difficult for him. That's why he was so unquestionable that he had to let Zhou Shangjing go to Nanzhi in person. Sit nearby and sit behind the scenes!
In this way, Emperor Deqing's actions were ostensibly to ensure the safety of the situation in Nanjing. In fact, they tied the merits and demerits of Zhou Shangjing and Zhu Hejian together, so that Zhou Shangjing did not dare to target Zhu Hejian too much. It was Zhu Hejian who made mistakes in handling the situation in Nanjing in the future and caused the situation to get out of control. Zhou Shangjing had to escort and clean up the mess out of his duty, creating a favorable situation for Zhu Hejian once again with no faults and merits!
At the same time, Emperor Deqing was also very aware that Zhou Shangjing was in poor health recently, but he still forced Zhou Shangjing to leave the capital in person, making Zhou Shangjing tiresome, exhausted, and exhausted. This was also a warning method to express dissatisfaction... and then waited until Zhou Shangjing left. After the capital, Emperor Deqing would inevitably take other actions, taking the opportunity to expand imperial power and suppress the power of ministers... but he picked a good time and a good excuse! "
Thinking of this, Zhao Junchen was not only wary of Emperor Deqing's methods, but also began to think about the changes in the temple situation after Zhou Shangjing left the center of the capital.
In fact, Emperor Deqing just said that among the officials in the temple, only Zhou Shangjing has the prestige and ability to turn the tide when the situation in Nanjing gets out of control. This statement is not accurate, because although Zhao Junchen is still young, his achievements in recent years have been However, his civil and military achievements are extremely outstanding and are enough to be remembered in history. Naturally, he can replace Zhou Shangjing and go to Huaiyin Mansion to inspect and take charge. Once the situation in Nanjing changes, Zhao Junchen's methods and abilities are enough to turn the tide.
Therefore, if Zhao Junchen, like Li He, Song Qiwen, Zhang Bochong and others, had just taken the initiative and expressed his intention to take on the important task in Zhou Shangjing's place, it would be difficult for Emperor Deqing to find a reason to refute.
However, Zhao Junchen had other plans in mind, so he chose to sit back and watch.
In recent years, due to Zhou Shangjing's various suppressions and constraints, Zhao Junchen has often been tied up when doing things, and has done twice the result with twice the result. Therefore, Zhao Junchen is also happy to see Zhou Shangjing temporarily leave the center of the capital. Taking advantage of this period of time, Zhao Junchen can accomplish a lot. matter.
Although it is said that after Zhao Junchen went to Huaiyin Mansion to inspect and sit in place of Zhou Shangjing, it became more convenient to communicate with Nanjing City. He could even personally direct all the forces he deployed in Nanjing City to do things, and then he could grab more benefits from Nanjing officialdom. But compared with the implementation of Zhao Junchen's other plans, the benefits of Nanjing's officialdom pale in comparison.
It was precisely because of this calculation that Zhao Junchen had no intention of stopping Emperor Deqing's plan, and allowed Emperor Deqing to force Zhou Shangjing to leave the center of the temple, intending to take the opportunity to gain benefits for himself.
"Letting Zhou Shangjing leave the center of the capital for a period of time is actually good for him... After all, Zhu Hejian has been using the channels of the imperial kitchen to make Zhou Shangjing continuously take diamond powder and damage Zhou Shangjing's gastrointestinal organs. During the time when Zhou Shangjing left the capital, This means that we are away from Zhu Hejian's secret poisoning, and our physical condition will not continue to deteriorate, and we can persist for a longer time...
Well, I can also ask Divine Doctor Zhang or Divine Doctor Wen to leave the capital with Zhou Shangjing and take the opportunity to recuperate his body... From this aspect, although I stand by and watch this time, I can still be considered worthy of Zhou Shangjing! "
Thinking of this, Zhao Junchen no longer felt any guilt in his heart. He just waited for Zhou Shangjing to leave the center of the capital and let go.
However, although the wishful thinking in Zhao Junchen's heart was rattling, as the saying goes, the agency is too clever, after Emperor Deqing saw Zhou Shangjing agreeing to his request, he turned his attention to Zhao Junchen the next moment.
"I feel relieved that Zhou Shoufu is patrolling near Nanzhili and can take action at any time to clean up the situation. Mr. Zhou Ge is worthy of being a pillar of the loyal monarch and the country. I am very relieved. If all the officials in the temple are like Zhou Shoufu If you understand justice and are selfless, what else do I have to worry about?
And now, in addition to the subsequent changes in Nanjing, I still have a worry, and that is the matter of the Liaodong military town. Ever since I accepted the Jianzhou Jurchen's tribute as a vassal, the central court has always wanted to reduce the Liaodong defense area. Otherwise, millions of taels of silver would be invested in Liaodong every year, and the imperial finances would be under too much pressure!
However, the Liaodong military town did not know how to sympathize with the difficulties of the court at all, and always acted against the will. One day it was said that there was civil unrest, tomorrow it was said that there was a mutiny, and the day after tomorrow it was said that the Jurchens in Jianzhou sent troops to provoke. In short, they were unwilling to cut military expenditures... …”
Hearing this, Zhao Junchen couldn't help but change his expression slightly again, and he had vaguely guessed what Emperor Deqing would say next.
Sure enough, Emperor Deqing continued: "Yesterday, a memorial came from Liaodong, saying that the Jurchens in Jianzhou sent troops to provoke again and took the opportunity to ask for money and food from the court. Although the memorial from Liaodong Military Town seems to be conclusive, I don't believe it. Their rhetoric, so I plan to send an important minister to Liaodong to inspect...
I also know that things in Liaodong Military Town are very complicated. The situation cannot be changed in a short time. We must figure it out slowly. This time we sent important ministers to inspect Liaodong. It is not necessary to change the current situation in Liaodong immediately, but we must take the opportunity to show it. The majesty and determination of the central government of the imperial court should give the military leaders in Liaodong a beating and let the military commanders in Liaodong understand that I and the imperial court are not to be bullied at will! "
After saying that, Emperor Deqing stared at Zhao Junchen with bright eyes and asked: "Zhao Aiqing, are you willing to go to Liaodong on behalf of the imperial court and share my worries like Zhou Shoufu?"
Emperor Deqing seemed to be asking Zhao Junchen for his opinion at this time, but his attitude was still unquestionable.
When Emperor Deqing wanted Zhou Shangjing to leave the capital and go south, the "Zhao Party" officials headed by Zhao Junchen chose to stand by and watch. Now Emperor Deqing wants Zhao Junchen to leave the capital and go north to Liaodong, which is naturally impossible. I hope everyone in the "Zhou Party" headed by Zhou Shangjing can stand up and say a fair word.
Therefore, under Emperor Deqing's inquiry, Zhao Junchen had no choice but to bite the bullet and raise the objection first, saying: "Your Majesty clearly knows that I am naturally willing to share your worries for you, but the temple's finances have just gotten on the right track, and I can't do without you. I'm afraid that after I leave the center of the capital, the temple's finances will fall into chaos again, and I'm afraid that the gains outweigh the losses..."
In fact, Zhao Junchen was willing to take the initiative to go to Shaanxi and Gansu to get chestnuts from the fire. This was because the troops stationed on the three sides of Shaanxi and Gansu were all self-respecting and fighting independently. They were not monolithic with each other, so Zhao Junchen had the confidence to use win-overs and beatings. By using various means to gradually control the civil and military officials on the three sides of Shaanxi and Gansu, they can also take the opportunity to intervene in military power.
But the situation in Liaodong Military Town is completely different. After more than a hundred years of situation changes, although the Liaodong Military Town cannot be said to be monolithic, it has formed a community of interests that advance and retreat together. Compared with the three sides of Shaanxi and Gansu, they are more united and extremely exclusive.
Therefore, even if Zhao Junchen goes to Liaodong, he cannot interfere with the military power of Liaodong Military Town, or take over Liaodong Military Town for his own use. Instead, he will bear certain risks due to the xenophobia of the Liaodong Group-over the years, The number of imperial supervisors and foreign ministers who died in the Liaodong military town has already exceeded ten fingers.
In normal times, Zhao Junchen would have just made a trip to Liaodong. After all, Emperor Deqing did not ask Zhao Junchen to immediately solve the problem of self-respect of the troops in the Liaodong military town. He just asked Zhao Junchen to try to beat the military leaders in the Liaodong military town. , but under the current situation, Zhao Junchen was unwilling to leave the temple center no matter what.
However, before Zhao Junchen had finished his rebuttal, and before several "Zhao Party" officials could echo their words, Emperor Deqing had already waved his hand and said: "Now that the imperial government's finances are on track, Zhao Aiqing will temporarily leave the temple center for a period of time." Time shouldn't matter! What's more, the Liaodong defense area is not far from the capital, and the road is relatively convenient. Zhao Aiqing's task is only to attack the Liaodong military town on behalf of the imperial court. He will surely return to the capital soon, even if the temple finance is not there. There was a little chaos during this period, but I believe things will be sorted out soon after Zhao Aiqing returns to the capital."
At this point, when Emperor Deqing saw that Zhao Junchen was still unwilling to agree, his voice suddenly turned cold and he asked: "What? Zhao Aiqing really doesn't want to share my worries?"
When Emperor Deqing spoke to such an extent, Zhao Junchen was naturally unable to continue to refute.
Moreover, from what Emperor Deqing said just now, Zhao Junchen also noticed Emperor Deqing's determination!
During this period of time, Zhao Junchen has always relied on the fact that the court's finances cannot be separated from him. He has also made it clear that once he leaves the capital, the court's finances will fall into chaos. Under normal circumstances, Emperor Deqing would consider the overall situation at this time. There would be a slight compromise, but this time Emperor Deqing made it clear that regardless of whether the imperial government's finances would fall into chaos, Zhao Junchen must leave the capital for a period of time and go to Liaodong. This undoubtedly showed that Emperor Deqing strong determination.
After noticing Emperor Deqing's resolute attitude, Zhao Junchen also knew that the matter was irreversible, and couldn't help but secretly regret in his heart.
"Emperor Deqing obviously cannot tolerate the further expansion of my temple power, so when he transfers Zhou Shangjing away from the temple center this time, he will not let me stay alone in the capital to dominate the family and reap the benefits. Therefore, I am also forced to leave the capital for a while...
Moreover, Emperor Deqing's actions today are obviously a plan to move the tiger away from the mountain. After moving Zhou Shangjing and I away from the center of the capital at the same time, he can be said to have completely lost the constraints from his ministerial power, and he can let go of many things. …
I always feel that Emperor Deqing's actions this time are extremely determined, and he must be trying to take advantage of the opportunity to make some big moves, whether it is to let Zhou Shangjing go south to ensure that Nanjing is safe, or to let me go north to defeat the Liaodong Army. Town, it was just his convenience...
But these actions of Emperor Deqing were without any warning. I knew Emperor Deqing very well, but I couldn't guess what he was really thinking at this time. This situation really made people sit on pins and needles!
well! It was also that I was too short-sighted just now. I only focused on the expansion of my own interests and did not immediately object to Emperor Deqing's arrangement for Zhou Shangjing to go out of Beijing for a tour south... Now I can only reap the consequences. "
Thinking of this, Zhao Junchen couldn't help turning his head to look at Zhou Shangjing, but found that Zhou Shangjing was also looking at him at this time. The expression on his old face was equally serious, and the eyes staring at Zhao Junchen were full of accusations. .
Zhao Junchen quickly avoided eye contact with Zhou Shangjing, and then under the gaze of Emperor Deqing, he also bowed and said: "Since Your Majesty trusts me so much, I also have no shirking responsibility! Just talk to Zhou Shoufu Normally, after tomorrow morning, I will leave the capital and head north to Liaodong!"
Seeing Zhao Junchen's surrender, Emperor Deqing nodded with satisfaction, and then after a few words of explanation to the important ministers, he asked everyone to leave the imperial study.
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But he said that after Zhao Junchen and everyone left the imperial study not far away, the first thing he did was to walk in front of Zhou Shangjing.
After the ministers and ministers saw this situation, they all walked aside knowingly and let the two powerful ministers talk alone.
Later, Zhao Junchen directly admitted his mistake, bowed to Zhou Shangjing and apologized: "Zhou Shoufu, you and the younger generation were divided and conquered by His Majesty today. They were all forced to leave the center of the temple, so that His Majesty would completely lose control in the next period of time. , this is all the fault of this junior’s short-sightedness, but it’s too late to say anything now, I just hope you can give me some pointers and give this junior a chance to forgive!”
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