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Nowadays, there are rumors from all walks of life in Nanjing that Zhou Shangjing's physical condition is extremely poor, and he is even terminally ill and will not die soon.
These rumors can be said to have noses and eyes, making everyone believe them without doubt.
After hearing these rumors, Wang Baoren felt extremely complicated, feeling relaxed and disappointed at the same time.
Relaxed because if Zhou Shangjing died of illness in Nanjing like this, Wang Baoren believed that he would have no obstacles and could soon return to the core of the temple and his position as a highly respected minister.
This is a matter of course, because the "Zhou Party" is too powerful and profound. After Zhou Shangjing dies of illness, Emperor Deqing will definitely dismember the "Zhou Party". However, in order to prevent Zhao Junchen from taking advantage of the opportunity to profit, and in order to stabilize the situation in the temple, Emperor Deqing will definitely reuse and support Wang Baoren when the time comes.
At the same time, Wang Baoren did not think that Zhao Junchen was a threat to him. Although Zhao Junchen's mind and methods were excellent, compared with Zhou Shangjing's impeccable and profound foundation, Zhao Junchen had too many flaws and a deep foundation. It’s too shallow and there are too many ways to target it.
The reason for the disappointment was that after Zhou Shangjing died of illness, Wang Baoren never had the chance to defeat Zhou Shangjing head-on.
Over the years, Wang Baoren and Zhou Shangjing have fought openly and secretly and plotted against each other, but they have always lost more and won less. Even if they win a small victory occasionally, they will soon be reversed by Zhou Shangjing.
So just like Emperor Deqing, this matter has become Wang Baoren's heartache. He has always wanted to use his own means and mind to unquestionably defeat Zhou Shangjing!
Wang Baoren knew very well where his complicated mood came from, but he still couldn't tell clearly whether his complicated mood meant more relief or loss.
But when Wang Baoren saw Zhou Shangjing in the Dongyuan study, he understood immediately - he was definitely more relaxed before!
Wang Baoren originally thought that since everyone believed that Zhou Shangjing was terminally ill, and all signs supported this, Zhou Shangjing must be dying even if he was not terminally ill.
But after Wang Baoren saw Zhou Shangjing with his own eyes, he was shocked to find that Zhou Shangjing, who everyone thought was about to die soon, was sitting at a tea table and looking at Wang Baoren calmly, with a smile on his face and He has a calm attitude. Although his body shape and face have obviously lost weight compared to the last time we met, he still has a rosy face, a straight waist, bright eyes, and plenty of energy!
How does this look like someone who is terminally ill and on the verge of death?
With such a physical and mental state, it is obvious that he can live for another ten years!
After seeing Zhou Shangjing's situation with his own eyes, Wang Baoren's heart immediately changed and he kept thinking about various possibilities!
Could it be said that all the rumors and signs that Zhou Shangjing was terminally ill were all deliberately spread and promoted by Zhou Shangjing himself?
Why did Zhou Shangjing deliberately spread and promote these false news? Is it a way to show weakness?
But when Zhou Shangjing received him, why didn't he pretend at all? Is it to show sincerity? Why should we show sincerity?
As he kept thinking like this, Wang Baoren felt a great sense of disappointment deep in his heart.
If Zhou Shangjing's physical condition is still good, it means that if he wants to return to the core of the temple and serve as a powerful minister in the future, he will still need to break through Zhou Shangjing's suppression and obstacles. It will not be as easy and fast as expected.
This feeling of disappointment was so strong that Wang Baoren finally figured out one thing, that is, after he heard the news that Zhou Shangjing was not going to die soon, his inner mood was definitely more relaxed than disappointed, because he had never had much confidence. Can beat Zhou Shangjing.
After understanding this, Wang Baoren couldn't help but shake his head and laugh. He was helpless and unwilling to face the cowardice deep in his heart, but he soon regained his calm and calmness.
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"Recently, there have been rumors that Zhou Shoufu is in poor health. I am a little worried and even more concerned, so I came here to visit! Now I see that Zhou Shoufu is still in good spirits.
, I feel relieved! "
While speaking, Wang Baoren gestured towards Zhou Shangjing, then pulled out his chair and sat next to the tea table, looking at Zhou Shangjing calmly.
On the other side, Zhou Shangjing has been carefully observing Wang Baoren's expression and demeanor, and he has a clear understanding of Wang Baoren's mood changes and true thoughts.
After seeing Wang Baoren regaining his composure so quickly, a hint of appreciation flashed across Zhou Shangjing's expression.
But Zhou Shangjing did not directly respond to Wang Baoren's temptation. Instead, he stood up and poured a cup of tea for Wang Baoren. He pushed the tea cup in front of Wang Baoren, sighed and said with a smile: "The last time you and I met alone to drink tea, it was ten years ago." It happened a few years ago, right?”
Wang Baoren nodded lightly and said: "It happened twelve years ago, and it's still fresh in my mind when I think about it! At that time, Zhou Shoufu and I were competing for the power of the bureaucracy, and we were constantly criticizing each other. In the end, we missed a move and ended up in a disastrous defeat. Not only He completely lost his power as a civil servant, and also completely lost the opportunity to stay in the center of the temple. He was exiled to the Six Ministries of Nanjing for retirement...
When I left the capital desolately, all my former disciples and friends had fallen into disarray, and only a few people came to see me off. And just when I was lamenting the desolation of the world, I never expected that Zhou Shoufu would show up on purpose. You said goodbye to me in person, and you were just like you are now, pouring tea for me, talking to me, and even took the initiative to analyze the key to victory or defeat in that party struggle for me! "
Having said this, Wang Baoren picked up the tea cup and took a sip, then shook his head and sighed: "The scene at that time is so vivid in my mind that I can't forget it even if I want to!"
Zhou Shangjing also sighed and said slowly: "The reason why I took the initiative to see off Grand Master Wang and have a deep talk with Grand Master Wang back then was because I had other agendas and was not well-intentioned."
Wang Baoren nodded and said with a smile: "Of course, I know! The reason why you analyzed the reasons for my defeat in that party struggle in detail was because you wanted me to understand deeply that my disastrous defeat was not It’s not unfair. Under your machination and persecution, no matter what choices I made at that time, I couldn’t change the outcome!
In other words, you just want me to know that I am no match for you in any way, and then you can completely defeat my ambitions and ambitions, leaving me unable to recover and completely depressed. After I go to Nanjing, I can retire in peace. I no longer fantasize about making a comeback and fighting you again! Then you can completely eliminate this hidden danger of mine! "
Zhou Shangjing also smiled and said: "It's a pity that my strategy of attacking people's hearts failed after all. After Wang Taishi was exiled to the Sixth Ministry of Nanjing, not only did he not be able to retire in peace and desolate, but he gradually integrated the forces of the Sixth Ministry of Nanjing and transformed the officialdom of Nanjing. The frustrated people gradually integrated into one, and their momentum gradually grew, and they gradually gained the confidence to challenge me again!
Therefore, when you were appointed as the Crown Prince and Grand Master, and you were about to return to the center of the temple, I deliberately promoted the situation and induced Zhao Junchen to propose a plan to rectify the Six Ministries of Nanjing and take back power from the Six Ministries of Nanjing. One of the reasons was to do something to you Take the fire under the cauldron and destroy all the power you have accumulated in the Sixth Department of Nanjing in one fell swoop, making all your ten years of hard work go to waste! "
A trace of resentment and pain flashed across Wang Baoren's expression, and he murmured: "Once this plan is proposed, you can unite His Majesty, Zhao Junchen, Qingliu and other central forces in the temple to target me. Naturally, I have nothing to do with it." The power of resistance! Hey, unite the strong to bully the weak, the general force suppresses others! It’s your conspiracy again!”
There seemed to be a hint of sympathy flashing across Zhou Shangjing's expression: "Yes, it's about joining forces with the strong to bully the weak and overwhelming others! I used this method to force Taishi Wang to personally eliminate all your cronies and cronies in the Sixth Department of Nanjing... To be honest, for Even I think this method is too cruel!
I was still looking forward to it, but after suffering such a heavy setback again, you should be in despair anyway, right? Unexpectedly, you not only withstood this blow again, but also became more and more courageous. You took the opportunity to exchange with His Majesty the promise that you can return to the central government and serve in the cabinet after the matter is over... Alas, if you were in another position. , I ask myself that I definitely don’t have Wang Taishi’s firm will. This is what I appreciate most about you, and it is also the most difficult thing about you! "
Wang Baoren shook his head slowly and laughed at himself: "Strong will? It's just a fear of death! For me, everything can be lost, even if
I am at an age where I know my destiny, and it is not too late to start over again, but if I lose my ambition, it will be equivalent to the death of my former self, leaving only a walking corpse lingering...
In my opinion, the vast majority of people in this world have actually died as early as their teens and twenties, but their bodies have been delayed for decades, until they finally die in their fifties and sixties. Just move and be buried! But I don’t want to be a walking zombie, so I have to become more and more courageous with every setback, and I can only remain stubborn! "
After hearing this, Zhou Shangjing's expression flashed with appreciation again: "Afraid of death...yes! I am also afraid of death! The older I get, the more afraid I become!"
Wang Baoren deliberately revealed his true feelings to Zhou Shangjing. On the one hand, he wanted to respond to Zhou Shangjing's sincerity, and on the other hand, he wanted to change the topic back to the matter of birth, old age, illness and death.
Therefore, Wang Baoren took the opportunity to test again: "Oh? With Zhou Shoufu's open-mindedness and wisdom, he is also afraid of death? Recently, there have been rumors from all walks of life in Nanjing that Zhou Shoufu is terminally ill, and various signs have strengthened the possibility of such rumors. The trustworthiness probably comes from Zhou Shoufu’s deliberate promotion, right? At Zhou Shoufu’s age, he is actually spreading rumors that he is not going to die soon. This is not a good sign. Aren’t you worried that the rumors will come true?”
Zhou Shangjing slowly shook his head: "For Master Wang, once the will is lost, even if the body is still lingering, the person is considered dead... But I have other views on life and death!
In my opinion, the sign of a person's death is not that he has lost his will and original intention, nor is his body buried in the ground, but that the achievements and legacy he has worked so hard for throughout his life have been completely destroyed, and his past deeds and His achievements have also been completely forgotten. That is death in the true sense! "
Wang Baoren couldn't help but be stunned after hearing this, and said with a wry smile: "Zhou Shoufu has stood in the center of the temple for many years. He has been a very popular minister for twenty years, and has made countless contributions and hard work to maintain the stability of the Ming Dynasty. There are also cronies and disciples all over the country. In the world, only people like Zhou Shoufu can have such a concept of life and death! And I was exiled to Nanjing by Zhou Shoufu long ago. My achievements are far from outstanding, and I have no legacy worth mentioning. Naturally, I can't I feel the same way about this concept!"
Zhou Shangjing sighed: "Yes, I have stood in the center of the temple for many years, and I have been a very popular minister for twenty years... At the beginning, I had no noble ambitions, but just wanted to get promoted and get rich as much as possible out of instinct! But as I gain more and more power, I devote more and more energy and thought to the Ming Dynasty, and I pay more and more attention to the long-term peace and stability of the Ming Dynasty... To put it bluntly, in my eyes, the Ming Dynasty is not only Your Majesty’s ancestral legacy is also my lifelong endeavor! To this day, I would rather see the decline of the Zhou family and the defeat of the “Zhou Party” than see any hidden dangers and turmoil in the Ming Dynasty! "
Zhou Shangjing's words were so decisive and firm that Wang Baoren couldn't help but feel a little moved.
At the same time, Wang Baoren was also confused, wondering why Zhou Shangjing told him these things.
While he was thinking secretly, Wang Baoren couldn't help but raise his head and carefully observe the changes in Zhou Shangjing's expression, but suddenly found a strange sign, which made his heart move.
Not long ago, when Wang Baoren met Zhou Shangjing for the first time, Zhou Shangjing was still full of energy, with a straight waist and bright eyes. He did not look like he was ill at all.
But now, after just two cups of tea, Zhou Shangjing's mental state was quickly showing signs of depression, his waist was gradually becoming weak, and his eyes were much darker, not as bright as before.
The most important thing is that it is not too hot in the room, but Zhou Shangjing's forehead is still covered with dense strands of sweat, and his breathing is much heavier.
This clearly shows a serious loss of vitality.
Could it be that...the appearance of being strong and healthy that Zhou Shangjing showed before was the real disguise? In fact, Zhou Shangjing's physical condition was indeed extremely poor. He just deliberately took some kind of tonic before meeting him, so that he could strengthen his physical and mental state?
Zhou Shangjing held on in front of him, obviously not wanting to show weakness to others, but he had clearly taken the tonic, but he still could only hold on.
Hold on for a moment...Does this mean that Zhou Shangjing's actual physical condition is worse than expected?
Thinking of this, Wang Baoren's eyes flickered.
Zhou Shangjing noticed where Wang Baoren's gaze lingered, and reached out to touch the thick sweat at his temples, as if he knew that he was about to be exposed.
Therefore, after Zhou Shangjing gave a wry smile, he simply got straight to the point and said: "So, for the long-term peace and stability of the Ming Dynasty, I have to do some things! Even if I am an enemy of the future crown prince and arouses his strong hostility, for me personally There will be endless troubles, so we won’t hesitate!”
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