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Sitting in the carriage, Zhao Junchen leaned against the wall of the carriage, looking thoughtful, and he didn't know what he was thinking about.

Opposite Zhao Junchen, Huo Zhengyuan sat upright, quietly waiting for Zhao Junchen to speak-he knew that Zhao Junchen suddenly invited him to go with the car, and he must have something to discuss with him--At the same time, looking at Zhao Junchen in front of him, Huo Zhengyuan's eyes flashed with vague doubt.

According to Huo Zhengyuan's understanding of Zhao Junchen, he knows that Zhao Junchen is the best at forbearance, has always been moody and invisible, no matter whether he treats enemies or friends, he has a kind attitude on the surface, never speaks ill of each other, and will not deliberately humiliate the other party - it is good to say that he is a hypocrite, or he is self-contained, but this situation is Zhao Junchen's normal state.

However, today's situation is very different, in the face of Shen Changmao, the first assistant of the cabinet, Zhao Junchen actually took the initiative to provoke and deliberately humiliate, and that arrogant and arrogant attitude was much worse than even Zhao Junchen in the past.

Although, anyone can see that Shen Changmao's intentions are not good, if Zhao Junchen takes a step back, he will be chased and beaten by Shen Changmao, but Zhao Junchen's initiative to humiliate Shen Changmao is still beyond Huo Zhengyuan's expectations.

According to Huo Zhengyuan's guess, Zhao Junchen is by no means a frivolous person, and his rash performance today must have another deep meaning.

Huo Zhengyuan is a smart person who has always liked to figure out what others think, not to mention that Zhao Junchen is now his backer? Therefore, Huo Zhengyuan naturally seriously thought about Zhao Junchen's deep meaning, but in a short period of time, even Huo Zhengyuan couldn't guess all of Zhao Junchen's thoughts, so he naturally couldn't hide his doubts.

*

Just when Huo Zhengyuan couldn't stop speculating, Zhao Junchen finally ended his thinking, glanced up at Huo Zhengyuan, and after seeing Huo Zhengyuan's puzzled look, he suddenly smiled lightly and asked: "Master Huo, are you speculating why my performance tonight is so different from usual, and I am actually aggressive and take the initiative to humiliate that Shen Changmao?" ”

After hearing Zhao Junchen's inquiry, Huo Zhengyuan couldn't help but be stunned, but quickly nodded and admitted: "That's true, Lord Zhao, your performance tonight is very different from the past, not to mention the attitude is a little frivolous, and it is even more completely torn with Shen Shoufu's face, presumably it has its own deep meaning, and Xia Guan naturally wants to figure out a thing or two." ”

Seeing Huo Zhengyuan's frank admission, a hint of appreciation flashed in Zhao Junchen's eyes.

To be honest, among the "Zhao Party", there are really few smart people like Huo Zhengyuan.

So, Zhao Junchen asked with a smile: "So, did Scholar Huo guess something?" ”

After Huo Zhengyuan hesitated for a moment, he asked Zhao Junchen tentatively, "Lord Zhao, what is your move...... But in order to reassure His Majesty? ”

Zhao Junchen's eyes were even more appreciative, and he stroked his palms and smiled: "Scholar Huo is really a clear-eyed person!" Indeed, after the official got the authority to rectify the business tax, although it was just a pilot ship, but Your Majesty he has always understood my personality, and knew that I would inevitably take the opportunity to do a big job, and at that time, to what extent my power will expand, but no one can accurately guess, so Your Majesty He must be a check and balance, so today's early dynasty, Your Majesty took back the right of the West Factory and the Inner Carrier Depot from me...... However, if all goes well with my plan to straighten out the business tax......"

Speaking of this, Zhao Junchen frowned slightly.

Huo Zhengyuan said: "Lord Zhao, you are a little worried, Your Majesty will still be a little uneasy after he takes back the authority of the West Factory and the Inner Carrier Warehouse, and further checks and balances will be carried out!" Therefore, Lord Zhao, you will take the initiative to completely tear your face with Shen Shoufu and deliberately create contradictions, so that with Shen Shoufu's checks and balances, Your Majesty will be relieved, and he will not be further restrained by you? ”

Speaking of this, Huo Zhengyuan frowned a little, and said: "Lord Zhao's considerations are certainly reasonable, but Huo thinks that Lord Zhao's actions are a bit more than worth the loss, you and Shen Shoufu are certainly a little contradictory now, but it may not be unsolvable, now just to make His Majesty feel at ease, he is completely hostile to Shen Shoufu, I am afraid there will be a lot of troubles in the future, Shen Shoufu He has always been a retributive character, and his heart is quite strong, and now he is the first assistant of the cabinet, and he has also gained a lot of prestige by using the matter of business taxes. But it is not as easy to deal with as Wen Guanliang and Huang Yourong. ”

When expressing his opinion, Huo Zhengyuan cautiously observed Zhao Junchen's expression.

Since joining the "Zhao Party", this is the first time Huo Zhengyuan has refuted Zhao Junchen's idea, although Zhao Junchen does not seem to be a stubborn person, but Huo Zhengyuan will inevitably be a little cautious.

On the other side, after seeing Huo Zhengyuan's expression change, Zhao Junchen shook his head with a smile and said: "Master Huo, you are too cautious, although your thoughts are different from mine, but after all, you are thinking about me, and I am not an opinionated person, and now I am only talking in private, so you don't have to be so careful." ”

After speaking, Zhao Junchen's expression was a little more serious, and he said: "I deliberately tore my face with Shen Changmao tonight, and there are three reasons in total: to reassure Your Majesty, which is only one of my reasons; The second reason for me to show toughness to those 'Yellow Party' officials and make those 'Yellow Party' officials have confidence in me is the third and most important reason for the next commercial tax rectification! ”

"Business tax rectification?" Huo Zhengyuan was stunned at first, but he has always been smart, and he quickly understood Zhao Junchen's deep meaning, but he showed admiration on his face, and exclaimed: "Lord Zhao, your vision is long-term, and Huo is not as good as you." ”

*

Indeed, for the imperial court's rectification of commercial taxes, Zhao Junchen and Shen Changmao's positions are completely opposite, it can be said that their political views are very different, Zhao Junchen is not only the biggest supporter of commercial tax rectification, but also the person specifically responsible for commercial tax rectification, while Shen Changmao is opposed to the commercial tax rectification, and even the spiritual leader of all officials in the DPRK and China who oppose commercial tax rectification, from this aspect, the contradiction between the two is destined to be irreconcilable.

At the same time, Zhao Junchen's specific plan to rectify the commercial tax was to unite a group of powerful businessmen to form a large-scale shipping company, and then give this shipping company certain preferential policies, and finally use the advantages of scale and policy to completely monopolize the shipping business of the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal.

However, because of Shen Changmao's opposition, the forces of the DPRK and China to obstruct the rectification of commercial taxes were very huge, and those Huizhou and Zhejiang businessmen would inevitably retreat in their hearts after seeing such a situation, which would undoubtedly seriously interfere with Zhao Junchen's plan.

Therefore, Zhao Junchen's tough stance today is also to let those Huizhou and Zhejiang businessmen understand that Zhao Junchen is enough to compete with Shen Changmao, and he is not afraid of Shen Changmao's power at all.

In this way, after the merchants of Huizhou and Zhejiang have confidence in Zhao Junchen, they will act according to Zhao Junchen's plan.

Thinking of these, Huo Zhengyuan only felt that Zhao Junchen had a long-term vision and comprehensive thinking, although he was not very old, his foresight was not inferior to those old ministers in the court, and his every move contained deep meaning, and he couldn't help but admire, and he also added a lot of confidence to Zhao Junchen's future prospects.

Therefore, Huo Zhengyuan's admiration at this time was also sincere, not just to please Zhao Junchen.

*

On the other side, seeing Huo Zhengyuan's admiring look, Zhao Junchen didn't have much pride, but said: "Scholar Huo has a good reputation, some things are not unexpected, but you and I are in different positions and look at things from different angles." ”

Hearing Zhao Junchen's humility, Huo Zhengyuan shook his head, but he didn't take it seriously.

It's just that, after thinking about it for a while, Huo Zhengyuan said again: "However, although Lord Zhao, although you are thoughtful and long-term, there are still advantages and disadvantages to this approach, putting aside Shen Changmao's hostility, tonight's matter falls into the eyes of those 'Yellow Party' officials, I am afraid that many people will think that Lord Zhao, you have a frivolous personality and make enemies everywhere, it is not a safe choice, and will abandon you, in this way, our plan to annex the 'Yellow Party' will not be able to overcome all the success." ”

Zhao Junchen didn't care about Huo Zhengyuan's worries, but said indifferently: "In this world, no matter what kind of approach you do, it is impossible to take advantage of it, you and I have all kinds of choices, often just weigh the pros and cons and choose the lesser of two evils, if my performance is weaker today, let Shen Changmao bully me, I am afraid that there will be more 'Yellow Party' officials who think I am weak and unreliable, and will also abandon me, in comparison, it is the best choice now, and a little loss is acceptable, as long as I can annex most of them." Yellow Party officials, our power in the DPRK and China will grow by leaps and bounds, and in the future, it will be completely worthy of Shen Changmao, but there is no need to ask for more. ”

After hearing Zhao Junchen's explanation, Huo Zhengyuan nodded slightly in agreement, and said again: "In addition, Lord Zhao, you deliberately humiliated Shen Changmao tonight, with Shen Changmao's character of retribution, when it comes to tomorrow morning, there will inevitably be a counterattack, and we should also prepare early." ”

Seeing that Huo Zhengyuan continued to make suggestions for himself and check and fill in the gaps, Zhao Junchen's smile became stronger, and he only felt that after he got Huo Zhengyuan's refuge, he might be able to save a lot of worry in the future in terms of party disputes in the imperial court.

However, this time Zhao Junchen still shook his head and said in a casual tone: "Regarding Shen Changmao's revenge, there is no need to worry, if Shen Changmao really wants to take revenge on me, there is no need for me to do anything, Your Majesty will naturally personally stop it...... His Majesty will never allow this to happen, at least for a short time. ”

After Huo Zhengyuan thought about it for a while, he also nodded in agreement.

Indeed, Emperor Deqing is naturally happy to see the mutual hostility between Zhao Junchen and Shen Changmao, but in a short period of time, Emperor Deqing will never allow the "Zhao Party" and the "Shen Party" to conflict, after all, because of the business and tax matters, the current situation in the court is already turbulent and chaotic, and Emperor Deqing finally managed to control the situation a little, how could he allow Shen Changmao and Zhao Junchen to cause chaos at this time?

Therefore, if Shen Changmao wants to attack Zhao Junchen tomorrow morning, but he doesn't have to deal with Zhao Junchen personally, Emperor Deqing will naturally take the lead to stop it.

At least until the situation at the imperial court stabilized, Emperor Deqing would never allow large-scale partisan conflict to occur.

On the other side, Zhao Junchen saw that Huo Zhengyuan no longer had any doubts, but he changed his words and suddenly said: "The topic of Shen Changmao is over for the time being, I invited Scholar Huo to go with him in the car, but it was for another matter. ”

After the conversation just now, Huo Zhengyuan didn't dare to underestimate Zhao Junchen's wisdom, seeing Zhao Junchen's serious expression at this time, he thought that there was something important, and hurriedly said, "Oh? I don't know what? Please also ask Lord Zhao to command. ”

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PS: Well, today's first update!

…… (To be continued.) )