……

……

The flowers bloom at two ends, one on each branch.

Let's turn the clock back to the night before.

However, it was said that after Zhao Junchen left Emperor Deqing's temporary imperial study, he quickly returned to his room.

On this day, the fighting game between Emperor Deqing and Zhou Shangjing can be described as ups and downs, dazzling, after Zhao Junchen returned to the room, he naturally wanted to think and analyze it in detail and seriously.

However, after Zhao Junchen returned to the room, before he had time to think, Xu Qingyan had already pushed the door in and reported to Zhao Junchen: "Young master, someone claims to be a subordinate in Zhou Shangjing's mansion and wants to ask to see the young master, saying that there is something important to report to the young master. ”

Now, at a time when the timing is sensitive, if the secret meeting between Zhao Junchen and Zhou Shangjing's envoy is discovered, it will undoubtedly arouse the suspicion of Emperor Deqing.

What's more, the secret cooperation between Zhao Junchen and Zhou Shangjing has come to an end so far, and Zhou Shangjing needs Zhao Junchen's secret assistance, Zhao Junchen has already done everything, and then Zhao Junchen only needs to wait for Zhou Shangjing's return, and there is no longer any need to take risks to have anything to do with Zhou Shangjing.

Therefore, after Zhao Junchen pondered for a while, he shook his head and said: "You go and reply to that person, saying that I am tired and have fallen asleep, so I will not see him, and I will talk about something after a while." ”

After getting Zhao Junchen's instructions, Xu Qingyan nodded and left.

However, it didn't take long for Xu Qingyan to enter the room again, and reported to Zhao Junchen: "Young master, that person refuses to leave, and insists on seeing the young master." said that the matter is very important, and it must be told to Young Master Yu tonight. ”

Zhao Junchen frowned slightly. He asked, "Did that person leak it, what is it?" ”

Xu Qingyan replied, "The man said. It is about the dynamics of the capital and is related to the crown prince. ”

Hearing Xu Qingyan's answer, a glimmer of essence suddenly flashed in Zhao Junchen's eyes,

At the same time, Zhao Junchen also changed his mind and said, "Since that's the case, bring him in to see me." ”

Soon, Xu Qingyan had already led a person to Zhao Junchen's room.

Zhao Junchen took a look and found that the person in front of him was also familiar - this person's name was Zhou Lu. On the surface, he is just an ordinary steward of the Zhou Mansion, but in fact, he secretly controls Zhou Shangjing's intelligence network, is Zhou Shangjing's hardcore confidant, and often served as a messenger between Zhao Junchen and Zhou Shangjing before.

After entering the room, Zhou Lu saluted Zhao Junchen very respectfully, but Zhao Junchen frowned and said: "Your Majesty is now living in the Humble Administrator's Garden, surrounded by forbidden troops and factory guards, you are so blatantly seeing me, aren't you afraid of being discovered?" ”

Zhou Lu smiled lightly. explained to Zhao Junchen: "Lord Zhao doesn't have to worry, among the forbidden army and factory guards in the Humble Administrator's Garden, there is naturally the internal response of my master, although their position is not important. But it's enough to cover up the villain's whereabouts, so the villain will never let others find out about the matter of the villain coming to see you. Please rest assured about this. ”

Zhao Junchen snorted lightly and did not continue to entangle. Just went straight to the point and asked, "Tell me, what exactly is the news you brought?" ”

Zhou Lu lowered his head and said, "My lord." My lord asked me to tell my lord that just seven days ago, the prince made a big move in the capital, announcing that he would carry out commercial tax rectification, and that the tax collection stations below the prefecture and county level would be forcibly revoked; At the same time, whether it is Huangzhuang, Junzhen, or the Yamen of the Six Ministries, it is no longer possible to temporarily set up toll booths. In this way, it has caused a backlash from hundreds of officials in the DPRK and China! However, in today's capital, it is the time when the prince's party is dominant, and even Huang Ge Lao can't suppress it, so the prince's decision was forcibly passed. ”

After a pause, Zhou Lu suddenly smiled mysteriously and said: "In fact, just a few days before the prince forcibly promoted the commercial tax reform, that is, fifteen days ago, Huang Ge saw that the situation was not good, and he was afraid that he would become the prince's scapegoat in the future, so he presented a secret letter to His Majesty, hoping that His Majesty could stop the prince's reckless actions.

According to common sense, this letter should have been sent to His Majesty's imperial case ten days ago, but unfortunately...... The messenger had an accident while he was on the way, perhaps he had eaten something unclean in the post station, and he was seriously ill, and it was only today that the messenger had come to Suzhou for a long time, if nothing else, the messenger had now presented Huang Ge Lao's secret fold to His Majesty...... It's a pity that the time is late, and the prince's commercial tax rectification plan has begun to be fully implemented. ”

Speaking of this, Zhou Lu regained his respectful attitude and said: "My lord thinks that this matter is related to some of your plans, Lord Zhao, and should be informed to you as soon as possible, so I asked the villain to inform you of the news, and I hope that Lord Zhao can prepare as soon as possible." “

On the other side, Zhao Junchen was silent for a moment and suddenly smiled.

"Zhou Shoufu is really scheming, and he actually calculated everything......" Speaking of this, Zhao Junchen nodded to Zhou Lu and said: "In this matter, although Zhou Shoufu has his own considerations, he has done me a favor after all, and when I see Zhou Shoufu, I will naturally thank him in person." ”

Zhou Lu smiled: "Lord Zhao, you are polite, in a way, you and my lord's interests are the same, perhaps...... There will be many opportunities for cooperation between you and me in the future. ”

After saying such a sentence meaningfully, Zhou Lu said goodbye and left.

Seeing Zhou Lu's figure leave the room, Zhao Junchen suddenly sighed and said slowly: "Zhou Shangjing's methods are really terrifying, and I am still far inferior to him now...... Originally, I thought that the matter of Shen Changmao and the 'Eight Kings Boat Trip' was his last hole card, but I never thought that he even calculated my plan to frame the prince Zhu and Yu...... In this game, Zhou Shangjing won! ”

*

Now, Zhao Junchen finally understands Zhou Shangjing's overall plan.

Just when Emperor Deqing was taking advantage of the Suzhou Rebellion, Zhou Shangjing seemed to have fallen into the trap of Emperor Deqing, but in fact, he secretly bribed Zhao Junchen and used Zhao Junchen to divert Emperor Deqing's attention, so that Emperor Deqing ignored other clues.

Then, just when Emperor Deqing thought that the victory was decided. Shen Changmao, who was also bought by Zhou Shangjing, suddenly threw out the matter of the "Eight Kings Boat Trip", which linked the Rebellion of the Japanese Invaders with the royal family. also made Zhou Shangjing form a temporary relationship with the reputation of the royal family, so that it would be damaged. Emperor Deqing was under the trap of throwing rats, but he did not dare to punish Zhou Shangjing easily, so he could only delay time and find other ways to break the situation.

However, at this time, under the operation of Zhou Shangjing, Emperor Deqing suddenly received the news that the crown prince Zhu Heyu had begun to rectify the commercial tax......

Zhou Shangjing is the current first assistant and an old minister of the Three Dynasties, with huge influence and deep-rooted power, if he falls. It will definitely cause chaos in the government and the opposition! However, with the political means of the Deqing Emperor, the situation can still be controlled under such circumstances.

However, if Zhou Shangjing fell at the same time, the matter of the "Eight Kings Boat Trip" was also leaked, it would inevitably cause greater chaos, and the prestige of the royal family would also be damaged. It wasn't easy - that's why Emperor Deqing hesitated.

However, at such a time, Emperor Deqing still did not give up, and still considered a way to bring down Zhou Shangjing - a pity. At this time, the crown prince Zhu and Yu suddenly began to rectify the commercial tax.

The commercial tax of the Ming Dynasty was related to the interests of all aspects. The crown prince's rectification of commercial taxes means that he will violate the interests of almost all forces—which is why Zhao Junchen calculates the prince so much—and it will inevitably cause chaos in the government and the opposition.

So. If Emperor Deqing insisted on punishing Zhou Shangjing, various factors were superimposed. It will inevitably be chaos on top of chaos, and the entire Ming Dynasty will be in turmoil, even if Emperor Deqing boasts of superb political means, he has no certainty that he can control the situation, and at that time, no one knows what will happen.

Things have developed to this point, and it is no longer important whether the "Eight Kings Boat Tour" has anything to do with the Wako Rebellion, and it can be predicted what decision Emperor Deqing will make in the end.

"Zhou Shangjing's plan can be described as interlocking, approaching the weakness of Emperor Deqing. The ingenuity of its means, the grasp of timing, and the comprehensiveness of its thinking are even more amazing...... Until now, His Majesty has lost, in order to stabilize the situation and control the situation, if nothing else, His Majesty will soon find Zhou Shangjing to compromise...... However, I also got a lot of benefits......"

Zhao Junchen thought secretly.

The reason why the crown prince Zhu and Yu will promote the rectification of commercial taxes is because of Zhao Junchen's calculations, and Emperor Deqing will receive the news, which is also expected by Zhao Junchen.

It's just that because of Zhou Shangjing, Huang Yourong's messenger actually had an "accident" on the way, and Emperor Deqing delayed receiving the news for several days, and if he wanted to stop it, it was too late!

In this way, the commercial tax rectification of Prince Zhu and Yu will undoubtedly be more in-depth and irretrievable, and Zhao Junchen's plan will be more successful.

*

The development of things was just as Zhao Junchen expected.

After Emperor Deqing received Huang Yourong's secret fold, he was immediately furious - in this era, the word "pit father" has not yet become popular, but if Emperor Deqing knows this word at this time, he will definitely feel the same way - because of the commercial tax rectification of the crown prince Zhu and Yu, in order to wipe the butt of the prince Zhu and Yu, Emperor Deqing's plan to overthrow Zhou Shangjing can only end without a problem!

However, after the anger, Emperor Deqing finally calmed down, and immediately found Zhou Shangjing, and when the two sides were talking secretly, they also made a deal.

The next day, Emperor Deqing issued a holy decree to punish Zhou Shangjing lightly for covering up the Suzhou Rebellion, but removed Zhou Shangjing from the position of first assistant and fined him for three years, but still retained Zhou Shangjing's authority and cabinet seats.

Then, Emperor Deqing issued a holy decree, announcing the end of the southern tour, and hurriedly drove back to Beijing.

It is worth mentioning that the vacant position of first assistant was obtained by Shen Changmao - this should be one of the deals reached between Emperor Deqing and Zhou Shangjing, and it is also the condition that Zhou Shangjing used to buy Shen Changmao! Otherwise, Shen Changmao would not have stood by Zhou Shangjing's side at a critical time.

If nothing else, after Zhou Shangjing returns to the capital, he will also help Emperor Deqing stabilize the situation of the government and the opposition, and clean up the mess for the crown prince Zhu and Yu with Emperor Deqing!

However, for Zhao Junchen, these things are no longer important.

Because, Zhao Junchen still has the next plan to go!

……

…… (To be continued.) )