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This is the second time that a similar feeling of surprise has appeared. Pen ~ fun ~ pavilion www.biquge.info

At the beginning, after Zhao Junchen discovered the erosive status quo of the trilateral military town, he discussed countermeasures with Zhou Shangjing, although Zhao Junchen knew that this matter involved military power, extremely sensitive, and once he participated in it, he would be suspicious of Emperor Deqing, but Zhao Junchen still wanted to try to improve the situation of the trilateral military town, and secretly made a lot of efforts.

Nowadays, the same is true, Zhao Junchen's various agricultural reform proposals are all thankless things, which will touch the interests of countless people, and the people will not understand Zhao Junchen's thoughts, and will only think that Zhao Junchen will work hard and lose money, but Zhao Junchen still intends to do it, although Zhao Junchen also knows that these things are harmful to him and not beneficial.

Zhao Junchen has always regarded himself as a villain, but in Zhou Shangjing's opinion, with these two things alone, Zhao Junchen is much more noble than those Qingliu who do nothing and never take responsibility.

Thinking of this, Zhou Shangjing looked at Zhao Junchen in his eyes, and the meaning of appreciation became even stronger.

It is too rare for such an official to know how to form a party for personal gain and be able to stick to the bottom line.

In addition to appreciation, Zhou Shangjing faintly regretted it.

In essence, Zhou Shangjing and Zhao Junchen are political enemies after all, and now with the rapid rise of Zhao Junchen, the conflict between the two will be inevitable - in fact, Zhou Shangjing has already secretly dealt with Zhao Junchen, if nothing else, Zhao Junchen will soon fall on a big heel - this is also something that can't be helped, Zhou Shangjing must suppress Zhao Junchen in order to ensure his own interests, otherwise Zhao Junchen will threaten him sooner or later.

When the mood was complicated, Zhou Shangjing's expression was still noncommittal, and he just asked: "So, Junchen, you took action to deal with the 'Eight Kings Boat Travel' and the Nanjing Sixth Division, and let Huang Yourong go to Nanzhili to raid his house on a large scale, just to prepare for today's events?" ”

Seeing that Zhao Junchen did not deny it, Zhou Shangjing was full of admiration and said: "It is really thoughtful and long-term, even the old man can't help but admire it a little." ”

Seeing Zhou Shangjing going around in circles, he just didn't give himself a clear response, Zhao Junchen felt a little helpless in his heart, but he still said with a respectful expression: "Zhou Ge Lao is too praised, compared with Zhou Ge Lao, these small methods of the younger generation are far behind." ”

Then, Zhao Junchen raised his head and looked directly at Zhou Shangjing and asked, "So, all the suggestions mentioned by the junior in the song, are you willing to support Zhou Ge?" ”

Zhou Shangjing was silent for a moment, and then said slowly: "To be honest, the old man still doesn't believe in Junchen's reasoning, and it is really absurd to say that various natural disasters will occur more and more frequently in various parts of the imperial court...... However, Junchen's concerns are indeed out of public intentions, and the old man can't deny that Junchen's worries about the situation may indeed happen, so ......"

Speaking of this, Zhou Shangjing sighed lightly and said, "Therefore, the old man will have the choice to support Junchen's proposals." ”

"What is selective support?" Zhao Junchen was slightly stunned and asked.

Zhou Shangjing replied: "Junchen, you hope that the local yamen will guide the people in farming and the promotion of corn and potato cultivation in accordance with the new agricultural book compiled by the Ministry of Households, and the old man will give full support. It will also make the officials combine these things with the evaluation of officials, and strictly supervise them...... Although, the people may not understand these things, and you and I may have to bear some infamy, but for the sake of the overall situation of the court, the old man is also duty-bound. ”

After a pause, Zhou Shangjing said again: "As for restricting folk brewing and filling the grain depot with saving grain, the old man will also give his full support, although there will be some criticism, but the old man will also help Junchen settle down." ”

Then, Zhou Shangjing changed his words and continued: "But as for forcing the people to reduce the planting of fruits, tobacco leaves, and cotton, the old man may not be able to support Junchen, this matter not only damages the interests of hundreds of officials, but also easily arouses public resentment, and will inevitably suffer a great backlash, and the situation between the government and the opposition will be turbulent at that time." As an auxiliary minister of the cabinet, the old man must first stabilize the situation in the government and the opposition, so the old man will not only not support this matter, but will oppose it, Junchen, you may be out of good intentions, but this idea is really too hasty. ”

Hearing Zhou Shangjing's words, Zhao Junchen nodded thoughtfully.

I have to say that Zhou Shangjing's statement is very reasonable, some policies may be good, but using the wrong time will only lead to bad results.

Then, Zhou Shangjing hesitated for a moment, and then said: "As for Junchen, you want the imperial court to allocate a large amount of silver to build canals, waterwheels, and dams in various places, the old man will neither express support nor opposition...... It's all up to Junchen and your means...... The old man also has the difficulties of the old man, he must appease his subordinates, and these are the only things he can do, and I hope Junchen will forgive me one or two. ”

After getting Zhou Shangjing's exact answer, Zhao Junchen did not show any disappointment.

In fact, Zhou Shangjing's reply was beyond Zhao Junchen's expectations.

Therefore, Zhao Junchen got up and thanked him: "In any case, the juniors have to thank Zhou Ge Lao, Zhou Ge Lao is willing to provide so much support, which has already made the juniors satisfied." ”

Zhou Shangjing said with a smile: "Everyone is a minister of the same court, and they are all for the official affairs of the court, so why should Junchen be thanked." ”

In this way, the matter of agricultural reform came to an end.

*

Originally, the conversation should have ended here, and Zhao Junchen didn't want to delay Zhou Shangjing's time, so he planned to get up and say goodbye.

But unexpectedly, Zhou Shangjing had no intention of letting Zhao Junchen leave like this, seeing that the tea in front of the two was gradually cold, Zhou Shangjing actually made a new pot of tea, obviously wanting to continue the conversation.

Seeing Zhou Shangjing's performance, it was Zhao Junchen's turn to be puzzled, and he couldn't think of what Zhou Shangjing had to talk to about him.

Just when Zhao Junchen was puzzled, Zhou Shangjing said slowly: "Yesterday morning, His Majesty found an inconsequential reason and reprimanded the prince again...... Since the crown prince thought about it behind closed doors for the second time, this is the sixth time that His Majesty has reprimanded him. Obviously, His Majesty is already very dissatisfied with the crown prince, and all the performances during this period of time are probably just a kind of foreshadowing, maybe after a while, His Majesty will officially depose the current prince and support the new prince to take the throne. ”

It turned out to be for this thing!

After hearing Zhou Shangjing's speech, Zhao Junchen suddenly said,

Then, Zhao Junchen did not pretend to be confused, and said: "Your Majesty continues to reprimand the prince, I am afraid it is also to test the attitude of the hundred officials towards the prince. It's a pity that the crown prince was reprimanded again and again by His Majesty, but except for Qingliu, none of the Manchu officials were willing to intercede for the prince, saying that the prince did not get the support of the officials, and it would not be an exaggeration to say that he was detached from morality, so that His Majesty's determination to depose the prince would be even stronger. ”

Zhou Shangjing sighed lightly and said, "It's really eventful...... So, in Junchen's opinion, who among His Majesty's several princes will become the new crown prince? ”

Zhao Junchen still didn't go around in circles-when facing Zhou Shangjing, there was no need to hide many things--replied directly: "It must be the Seventh Prince Zhu Hejian!" This person is from the most noble background, the right age, and has a good reputation, although there are some hidden dangers in the body, but he is still the best candidate. Compared with the Seven Princes, the princes who have left Beijing to be crowned kings are a little dwarfed, and they are all 'virtuous kings' praised by hundreds of officials, so they will naturally not be qualified candidates for the prince. ”

As he spoke, Zhao Junchen's expression was slightly sarcastic.

In the Ming Dynasty, because of the lessons of Ming Chengzu, the imperial court has always been wary of the vassal kings, if a certain vassal king shows a virtuous and wise appearance, and even has a reputation of loving the people like a son and a corporal of etiquette, he will inevitably be suppressed by the imperial court, and even be revoked from the feudal state; On the contrary, if a certain vassal king has been oppressing the people, ignorant and ignorant, and has an absurd style, he will become a "virtuous king" in the mouth of hundreds of officials!

After several adult princes of the Deqing Emperor were canonized as kings, they all became the most qualified "virtuous kings" of the Ming Dynasty. As for the underage princes, most of them were from bad backgrounds and were not of the right age, but they also did not get the support of the officials.

In this way, combined with factors such as age, origin, and reputation, once Zhu Heyu was deposed, the seventh prince Zhu Hejian became the only suitable candidate.

On the other hand, Zhou Shangjing obviously also knew why Zhao Junchen met and ridiculed.

These vassal kings of the Ming Dynasty have indeed become the parasite and drag of the Ming Dynasty, and the imperial court needs to spend a large amount of silver and food to support them every year, and the local clan has become a major burden on the imperial court's finances, but these feudal kings are still not satisfied, and they are still unscrupulous to collect money, oppress the people, and annex land, because the vassal kings occupy tens of thousands of acres of fertile land but do not have to pay taxes, which further aggravates the bad financial situation of the Ming Dynasty.

In fact, this is also one of the reasons why Zhao Junchen and Zhou Shangjing joined forces to deal with the "Eight Kings Boat Tour", once the eight vassal kings behind the "Eight Kings Boat Tour" fell, then the entire Ming Dynasty would be much easier.

However, Zhou Shangjing did not dwell on this topic, but just nodded and said: "The old man also thinks that the Seventh Prince is probably the only candidate to inherit the throne of the prince, and His Majesty often summons the Seven Princes to talk during this time, which is proof of this...... However, although the old man also collected a lot of information about the Seven Princes, all of this information was well-known to passers-by, as if the Seven Princes had no secrets, but in this way, the old man was a little unable to see through the Seven Princes. ”

Speaking of this, Zhou Shangjing stared at Zhao Junchen with his eyes and asked: "Old man, I heard that Junchen, you have had several contacts with the Seventh Prince, and even the Seventh Prince's illness was cured by Zhang Decheng, a famous doctor in Junchen's Mansion, but I don't know if Junchen you know more about this Seventh Prince?" ”

After hearing Zhou Shangjing's inquiry, Zhao Junchen hesitated slightly.

Then, Zhao Junchen still decided to leak some news to Zhou Shangjing.

Zhao Junchen said slowly: "Although the younger generation has had several contacts with the Seven Princes, they have not noticed anything abnormal, but they just feel that this Seventh Prince has a modest attitude, excellent demeanor, and is not as stubborn as the prince. ”

Seeing that Zhao Junchen also said something well-known, a trace of disappointment flashed on Zhou Shangjing's wrinkled old face.

If the seventh prince Zhu Hejian really will become the next crown prince, then Zhou Shangjing knows too little about him, and this situation is very unfavorable to Zhou Shangjing's future layout.

And just when Zhou Shangjing was disappointed, Zhao Junchen suddenly said again: "However, does Zhou Ge still remember Zhao Shancai?" ”

After thinking for a while, Zhou Shangjing replied: "Naturally remember, this person can be described as talented and wise, during the time when he assisted the prince, the prince has gradually gained a firm foothold in the temple, but unfortunately he is jealous of talent, this person died not long after due to stomach problems, and after the prince lost his assistance, the situation also took a sharp turn and fell into today's situation." ”

Zhao Junchen nodded, and then said in a soft tone: "At the beginning, just before Zhao Shancai died of illness, I met with him, and Zhao Shancai told me at that time that his stomach disease was because of the assassination of the Seven Princes, and even the murder of his teacher He Ming was because of the secret instructions of the Seven Princes. ”

Hearing Zhao Junchen's words, Zhou Shangjing's complexion changed suddenly.

However, without waiting for Zhou Shangjing to continue to ask, Zhao Junchen had already stood up and said to Zhou Shangjing: "However, whether Zhao Shancai's remarks are true or false, the younger generation is not sure, and everything needs to be judged by Zhou Ge yourself...... But if Zhou Ge has the heart to explore the truth, it is better to be careful......

After speaking, Zhao Junchen bowed to Zhou Shangjing and said goodbye: "It's not too early, the juniors still need to go to the household department to deal with official business, so they won't bother Zhou Ge Lao." ”

Then, before Zhou Shangjing could open his mouth to stay, Zhao Junchen had already left Zhou Shangjing's office room.

For a while, there was only one Zhou Shangjing left in the room, whose face was uncertain.

Regarding the matter of the Seventh Prince Zhu Hejian, there are also opportunities for cooperation between Zhao Junchen and Zhou Shangjing, but now is not the best time for the two sides to cooperate.

*

And when Zhao Junchen and Zhou Shangjing were talking about the seventh prince Zhu Hejian, Zhu Hejian also happened to come to the palace.

As a prince, he needs to go to the harem every day to say hello to his mother, the imperial concubine Wan, and this day is no exception.

Because of the familiarity between the family and the road, after Zhu Hejian came to the harem, he was soon summoned by the imperial concubine Wan.

"Erchen has seen his mother! Blessed mother! ”

After seeing the imperial concubine Wan, Zhu Hejian saluted respectfully.

Just looking at Zhu Hejian's facial expressions, no one can find any fault, they will only think that Zhu Hejian is a filial son who respects his mother.

On the other side, the imperial concubine Wan also looked like a mother who doted on her son, and after seeing Zhu Hejian, she smiled with relief on her face, and said: "Get up quickly, you and I are biological mothers and sons, why bother to be so polite when we meet every day." ”

However, when Zhu Hejian and the imperial concubine Wan were talking, the eyes of both parties were extremely cold, faintly revealing a sense of indifference and disgust, and they couldn't feel the slightest sense of closeness between mother and son.

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The second more.

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