……

……

Between speaking, Zhou Shangjing's expression was calm, and he looked very good at talking.

However, seeing Zhou Shangjing's look, as if he had a bamboo in his chest and had been prepared, it made Zhao Junchen a little uncertain.

Since coming to this world, the person who makes Zhao Junchen most unable to see the root is undoubtedly Zhou Shangjing in front of him, although Zhao Junchen now has a deck of hole cards in his hand to deal with Zhou Shangjing, but whether this deck of hole cards has any effect and how much effect it can have, Zhao Junchen is not too sure.

Moreover, looking at Zhou Shangjing's attitude, he seems to have a good idea of Zhao Junchen's hole cards, and all the previous ones are just to force Zhao Junchen to have a showdown in advance! - In fact, if it weren't for Zhou Shangjing's sudden attack and initiative today, Zhao Junchen would never have shown his hole cards so early.

It's just that now, if Zhao Junchen wants to take the initiative, he has only one try.

Thinking of this, Zhao Junchen sighed lightly in his heart, but on the surface, he looked calm, and said: "Since Lord Shoufu said so, the junior took the liberty to ask, but in the junior inquiry, there are many speculations, if it is inappropriate, I hope that Lord Shoufu Haihan." ”

Zhou Shangjing still looked very good-talking and gentle, nodded and said, "You're welcome, just ask." ”

"As far as the younger generation knows, Lord Shousuke, over the years, you have never opposed His Majesty's decision on some inconsequential matters, but when His Majesty wanted to tour the south last year, you changed your normal state and resolutely opposed it, but I don't know why? Could it be that after His Majesty's southern tour, some of your interests will be threatened? Zhao Junchen looked at Zhou Shangjing carefully. Tentatively asked.

However, Zhou Shangjing's expression did not change at all. After just smiling lightly, he said, "Presumably Junchen, you have other questions to ask." It's better to ask in one go, so that it is convenient for the old man to answer. ”

Seeing Zhou Shangjing's expression, Zhao Junchen was a little frustrated in his heart, but his expression became more and more calm, and he continued to ask: "The younger generation once got the news that His Majesty originally had no intention of touring south, but after receiving a secret letter from Wang Baoren, the secretary of Nanjing's ministry, he suddenly had the idea of touring south, but he didn't know what the secret was in. What exactly is written? Will it affect His Majesty's decision and attitude? ”

After Zhou Shangjing sighed lightly, he was noncommittal, but just motioned Zhao Junchen with his eyes to continue.

Zhao Junchen raised his eyebrows, and asked again: "Your Majesty, he has been on a few southern tours before, Lord Shoufu, you have always stayed in Beijing to assist the government and preside over the overall situation, why did you take the initiative to accompany you to the south on this southern tour?" What is the purpose? ”

Speaking of this, without waiting for Zhou Shangjing to answer, Zhao Junchen had already asked again: "There is more." As far as the younger generation knows, your eldest grandson, Lord Zhou Suhai, is now serving as the prefect of Suzhou, and the younger generation has vaguely heard some rumors. It is said that in June last year, a group of pirates wandered to the vicinity of Suzhou, and they burned and looted everywhere, and did all kinds of evil. It brought great losses to the people of Suzhou, but the younger generation looked through all the folds that Suzhou sent to the court last year. But I didn't see the relevant news.,The younger generation also asked the first assistant to teach.。 Is this someone deliberately suppressing the news? Or is it true that the rumors of the Japanese are false? ”

After saying all the speculations in his heart, Zhao Junchen looked at Zhou Shangjing in front of him again, his eyes did not blink, and he carefully observed the changes in Zhou Shangjing's expression.

Zhao Junchen's meaning is very clear, last year there were Japanese robbers in Suzhou, and caused great losses, just because the Suzhou prefect is Zhou Shangjing's eldest grandson Zhou Suhai's relationship, Zhou Shangjing concealed the news, but after all, Wang Baoren, the secretary of Nanjing, got the news, and Wang Baoren secretly reported the news to Emperor Deqing, and then whether Emperor Deqing planned to tour south, or Zhou Shangjing opposed the southern tour, and even after the southern tour became a foregone conclusion, Zhou Shangjing decided to accompany him to the south, all from this!

And these news and speculations are also Zhao Junchen's hole cards against Zhou Shangjing!

Originally, Zhao Junchen planned to have a showdown with Zhou Shangjing when he arrived in Suzhou, and then he could naturally force Zhou Shangjing to retreat and hand over some benefits and benefits to Zhao Junchen.

However, today, under the vague threat of Zhou Shangjing, Zhao Junchen still showed his hole cards in advance.

It's just that after showing his hole cards, seeing that Zhou Shangjing's expression didn't change much, Zhao Junchen couldn't help frowning slightly, and he couldn't guess Zhou Shangjing's true thoughts.

Under Zhao Junchen's scrutiny, Zhou Shangjing was silent for a moment, then suddenly smiled and said slowly: "I have tried my best to hide this matter, but after all, I still can't hide it from a smart person like Junchen...... However, if it is just based on some speculation, presumably Junchen you will not regard it as a reliance, well, Junchen, you have sent people to Jiangnan many times during this time, I'm afraid you have collected some conclusive evidence now, right? ”

When Zhou Shangjing said this, he undoubtedly admitted it.

But such a frank attitude made Zhao Junchen stunned.

If Zhou Shangjing denied, defended, found someone to scapego, or excused himself, Zhao Junchen would not be surprised, but Zhou Shangjing admitted it so calmly, but it made Zhao Junchen more and more unable to understand Zhou Shangjing's true intentions.

However, hearing Zhou Shangjing's inquiry, Zhao Junchen still nodded and replied: "Lord Shoufu is as wise as a torch, and his guess is good, although there have been some obstacles, but under the investigation of several times, the younger generation has indeed mastered some relevant witnesses and evidence. ”

After Zhou Shangjing sighed, he said: "Junchen, you guessed right, in June last year, there was a stream of wandering Japanese robbers in Suzhou, but there were only dozens of people, but the Nanzhili military equipment was abandoned for many years, and it couldn't be stopped, causing a lot of losses, and after the old man got the news, he was also confused for a while, and felt that once this matter was known to His Majesty, not only would the old man be in trouble, but the old man's eldest grandson Zhou Suhai would also be ruined for the rest of his life, so he secretly united Jiang Bin, the secretary of the Nanjing Military Department, and Su Changyi, the governor of Nanzhili, and others. suppressed the news, after all, they are also responsible for this matter, so they are quite cooperative. ”

Between words. Zhou Shangjing shook his head and said, "However." After all, there is no impermeable wall in the world, and this incident still let Wang Baoren know the news. Then he used a secret letter to inform His Majesty that His Majesty had been trying to bring down the old man all these years, and this was an opportunity, so he had the idea of touring south...... Hehe, if the old man guessed correctly, after his majesty arrived in Suzhou, he would frequently make private visits, contact the people, collect evidence, and take the opportunity to bring down the old man, and the old man understood this. At the beginning, he opposed the southern tour, and after the southern tour became a foregone conclusion, he took the initiative to accompany him to the south, precisely to find a way to continue to cover up this matter. ”

Zhou Shangjing confessed like this, Zhao Junchen didn't know how to deal with it for a while, so he was silent, just waiting for Zhou Shangjing to continue.

Zhao Junchen knew that Zhou Shangjing forced himself to have a showdown today, and took the initiative to tell the truth. There must be a deep meaning in it, so there is no hurry to speak.

Although, Zhou Shangjing also has some hole cards about Zhao Junchen in his hands, and he can stop Zhao Junchen's plan to frame the crown prince Zhu Heyu at any time. But compared to Zhou Shangjing's concealment of the Suzhou Rebellion, it is a small thing after all, and it is not the same - even if Zhou Shangjing stopped Zhao Junchen's plan. It will only make Zhao Junchen waste some effort and planning, but if Zhao Junchen exposes Zhou Shangjing's concealment of the Suzhou Japanese rebellion. Then Zhou Shangjing is not far from falling and losing power.

In this regard, the hole cards in Zhao Junchen's hand. Undoubtedly bigger.

Therefore, if a political transaction is carried out, then Zhao Junchen can also get more benefits.

However, in front of the scheming Zhou Shangjing, Zhao Junchen miscalculated again.

Seeing that Zhao Junchen was silent, Zhou Shangjing suddenly asked with a smile: "Now, the old man has answered Junchen's question, and there is no deception, then, Junchen, what are you going to do next?" ”

Zhao Junchen shook his head and said, "For such a big thing, the juniors don't dare to call the shots, but it depends on your attitude, Lord Shoufu." ”

Zhou Shangjing smiled lightly and said indifferently: "The old man doesn't have any attitude, the next thing is just to see Junchen's choice...... It's just that if Junchen you help the old man cover up this matter, then those changes in the capital, the old man will also help Junchen cover up a thing or two, so that His Majesty will know the news later, after all, in this regard, the old man and Junchen Your position is the same...... Of course, if Junchen is unwilling to help the old man, the old man will never embarrass Junchen, let alone stop Junchen's plan, but he will not help you. ”

Seeing that Zhou Shangjing didn't have the slightest intention of asking for help, and didn't even threaten Zhao Junchen with the fact that Zhao Junchen wanted to frame the crown prince Zhu Heyu, he looked like he was in the chest, as if he expected Zhao Junchen to help him cover up, Zhao Junchen became more and more confused, so he didn't answer immediately, just muttered, thought about it carefully, and only felt that Zhou Shangjing had another deep meaning.

However, before Zhao Junchen could think about it, the carriage had already reached the outside of Emperor Deqing's Xuzhou Palace, and its speed gradually slowed down, and finally stopped.

Then, outside the carriage, an envoy from the Xuzhou Palace respectfully asked Zhou Shangjing and Zhao Junchen to get off the carriage.

This conversation was interrupted at this time.

And Zhou Shangjing didn't seem to have the intention of continuing to talk, but said slowly: "Now that the southern tour has only arrived in Xuzhou, there is still some distance and time from Suzhou, Junchen, if you have some doubts in your heart, you don't have to worry, think about it slowly, presumably with Junchen, your intelligence, you can definitely think about it clearly." ”

After a pause, Zhou Shangjing seemed to think of something again, and added: "Junchen, you should have discovered that the old man has done everything to stabilize his power in the court over the years, and all the officials in the court who can threaten the old man over the years, such as Wang Baoren, Tang Zhen, etc., have all been squeezed out of the center of the court by the old man, and the rest are only Huang Yourong, Shen Changmao, Wen Guanliang and others, but in the eyes of the old man, Junchen, your scheming, means, and insight are by no means inferior to Wang Baoren and Tang Zhen. Considering Junchen's age and growth, you will only be better than them in the future, but the old man has never suppressed Junchen you, but often helps secretly, plus Junchen, your opponents during this period of time are all Huang Yourong, Shen Changmao, Wen Guanliang and the like, so it has developed to such a point now, but Junchen, have you ever considered why the old man has never suppressed and excluded you? ”

After speaking, Zhou Shangjing smiled slightly and got out of the carriage first.

Next, Zhao Junchen entered the Xuzhou Palace and accompanied Emperor Deqing with hundreds of officials to say some gossip. Seeing that it was getting late, Emperor Deqing's expression was also a little sleepy. Zhao Junchen and the hundred officials took the initiative to leave.

Then, Zhao Junchen came to his room. Sitting in front of the desk, he closed his eyes and pondered, continuing to think about his conversation with Zhou Shangjing.

Zhou Shangjing's expression is unfathomable, and it seems to be a bamboo in his chest, Zhao Junchen naturally wants to understand Zhou Shangjing's deep meaning.

Especially Zhou Shangjing's last words, which had a deep meaning, vaguely made Zhao Junchen realize something.

After thinking for a long time, Zhao Junchen slowly opened his eyes, with a wry smile on the corner of his mouth. His expression was full of admiration, and he muttered, "I see...... It is worthy of Zhou Shangjing, the accuracy of his vision and the long-term layout are far beyond my reach today, no wonder Emperor Deqing has been unable to bring him down all these years...... It seems that I have to help him cover up the chaos of the Xuzhou Wokou......"

After thinking about it for a long time, Zhao Junchen finally understood Zhou Shangjing's deep meaning, and finally understood why Zhou Shangjing was so successful. thought that Zhao Junchen would definitely help him cover up.

Because, under today's shape, Zhao Junchen can only help Zhou Shangjing cover up the rebellion in Suzhou, so that he can continue to develop steadily and complete the original plan!

And this shape shì. It was also formed under the secret promotion of Zhou Shangjing!

……

During this period of time, Zhao Junchen has gradually risen in the court and gradually increased his power, and his mind, means, and vision have been expressed. It can already vaguely threaten Zhou Shangjing's status, but Zhou Shangjing has never expressed his intention to suppress Zhao Junchen. Only occasionally provoked the relationship between Zhao Junchen and Emperor Deqing.

Zhou Shangjing's attitude is diametrically opposed to the past. It can't help but feel strange.

Originally, Zhao Junchen thought that this was because Zhou Shangjing was worried about the affairs of Suzhou, and it was better to be still, and he didn't want to make a big move before the shape was undecided, but at this time, in retrospect, he found that Zhou Shangjing's considerations were more far-reaching than he imagined.

Zhou Shangjing did not suppress Zhao Junchen, the reason is actually very simple, that is, Zhou Shangjing saw that Zhao Junchen had enough means, enough ambition, and was smart and calm enough!

Because Zhao Junchen has enough means, and has the support of Emperor Deqing, his opponents are only Huang Yourong, Shen Changmao, Wen Guanliang and others, plus Zhou Shangjing's deliberate tolerance and secret connivance, so when it comes to the southern tour, Zhao Junchen's power will increase to the point that people dare not underestimate it.

Because Zhao Junchen has enough ambition, Zhao Junchen will definitely not be able to tolerate the threat of the crown prince Zhu Heyu, and he will definitely try his best to shake the princely status of the prince Zhu Heyu, so when it comes to the southern tour, there will inevitably be a lot of chaos in the temple.

And because Zhao Junchen is smart and calm enough, Zhao Junchen will never only take into account the immediate interests and make decisions on impulse, but will consider in detail, calmly analyze, and choose a path that is really beneficial to him.

Therefore, during this period of time, Zhou Shangjing tolerated Zhao Junchen's expansion of power in the temple, because Zhou Shangjing understood that when Zhao Junchen's power expanded to a certain extent, he would definitely help Zhou Shangjing cover up the affairs of Suzhou!

The reason is actually very simple.

Zhao Junchen's current power is already eye-catching, but because there is a behemoth like Zhou Shangjing that attracts the eyes of Emperor Deqing, Zhao Junchen's power is not conspicuous, and even Emperor Deqing will deliberately support Zhao Junchen, so as to balance Zhou Shangjing's influence in the court!

However, if Zhou Shangjing falls, then for Emperor Deqing, Zhao Junchen's survival will be very eye-catching, and considering Zhao Junchen's age and future growth, Emperor Deqing will inevitably suppress it, and this situation is something Zhao Junchen never wants to see!

It can be said that for Zhao Junchen, Zhou Shangjing is a towering tree that shelters from the wind and rain, and before Zhao Junchen is not strong enough and ready for everything, the fall of Zhou Shangjing will definitely do more harm than good to Zhao Junchen!

Therefore, at this time, Zhao Junchen must not let Zhou Shangjing fall, and must help Zhou Shangjing cover up.

Then, because Zhao Junchen has enough ambition and has been deliberately framing the crown prince Zhu Heyu, Zhao Junchen can't let Zhou Shangjing fall!

Because, once Zhou Shangjing falls, a large power vacuum will be formed in the DPRK and China, and the temple-shaped shì will also usher in a period of chaos, which will attract the attention of everyone in the government and the opposition, and will dilute the impact of the crown prince Zhu Heyu's reform of commercial taxes. Even, the crown prince Zhu and Yu will temporarily abandon the plan of commercial tax reform because of the fall of Zhou Shangjing, and instead compete for the power vacuum formed after the fall of Zhou Shangjing, so that Zhao Junchen's plan will also end without a problem!

In the end, it is precisely because Zhao Junchen is smart enough that Zhao Junchen can understand these shapes, so Zhao Junchen will understand the necessity of helping Zhou Shangjing!

In addition, if Zhao Junchen was unwilling to help Zhou Shangjing cover up the affairs of Suzhou, then Zhou Shangjing would definitely cause the chaos caused by Zhu Heyu's reform of commercial taxes in advance, so as to attract the attention of Emperor Deqing!

And with Emperor Deqing's single-minded pursuit of stability, if the chaos caused by the crown prince Zhu Heyu's reform of commercial taxation broke out in advance, then even if Emperor Deqing had already mastered the evidence of Zhou Shangjing's crime, in order to avoid further chaos in the court, he would temporarily let Zhou Shangjing go - this should be one of Zhou Shangjing's later moves.

It's just that if the chaos of the crown prince Zhu Heyu's reform of commercial taxes is triggered in advance, then the damage brought to the crown prince Zhu Heyu by this plan will be greatly reduced, coupled with the support and protection of Emperor Deqing, then Zhu Heyu's position as the prince is still stable, and Zhao Junchen's long-planned plan is tantamount to laughing.

…………

Thinking about this, Zhao Junchen sighed at Zhou Shangjing's vision and methods.

Presumably, Zhou Shangjing started to lay out very early, even if Zhao Junchen's power did not develop to such a point now, he would have other ways to force Zhao Junchen to help him, even if Zhao Junchen did not dig a trap for the crown prince Zhu and Yu, he would find ways to create other chaos.

Moreover, Zhao Junchen believes that with Zhou Shangjing's foresight, I am afraid that there are other follow-up moves, and all kinds of targets for Zhao Junchen are just part of Zhou Shangjing's plan.

Thinking of this, Zhao Junchen shook his head and smiled bitterly, and sighed: "Sure enough, Jiang is still old and spicy, and I am in the game, but I am aware of it...... Now, I can only find a way to help him cover up the affairs of Suzhou. ”

However, just when Zhao Junchen began to think about how to help Zhou Shangjing cover up, Xu Qingyan suddenly pushed the door in and reported: "Young master, Su Changyi, the governor of Nanzhili, asks to see you." ”

……

PS: Well, 5,000 words big chapter. Happy Juneteenth, I wish you all carefree and eternal childlike innocence!

…… (To be continued......) I1292