……

……

On this day, Zhao Fu also received the news that Zhao Junchen had returned to the capital.

Zhao Junchen went to Shaanxi and Gansu to do business this time, and he went for three months, and experienced many wars, and the daughters of Zhao Mansion were both thinking and fearful day and night.

After receiving the news of Zhao Junchen's return to the capital, the women of the Zhao Mansion breathed a sigh of relief in their hearts, but they were also full of joy.

Fang Ru has always been inexplicably excited and busy, preparing for all kinds of things to welcome Zhao Junchen back to the mansion, and the servants and maids of the Zhao mansion are all busy under her command;

Zhang Yuer seems calm on the surface, but she has been wearing makeup and dressing up since she got up in the morning, and she is still trying to match clothes and jewelry until noon, wanting to welcome Zhao Junchen's return with her most perfect appearance;

As for Cui Qianxue, the wife of the Zhao Mansion, she cooked by herself with the assistance of Chu Jiayi, and she was also busy all morning, preparing a large table of delicious dishes, all of which Zhao Junchen likes to eat on weekdays.

waited until three o'clock in the afternoon, the three girls received the news and learned that today's court meeting was finally over, so they came to the main hall of the Zhao Mansion together and waited for Zhao Junchen's return, and everyone looked like they were looking longing.

But in the end, the third daughter did not wait for Zhao Junchen's return home, but waited for the holy decree of Emperor Deqing to entitle Cui Qianxue as the first lady.

In order to welcome this holy decree, the Zhao Mansion was in a hurry again, and after finally sending away the angel who delivered the decree, Fang Ru and Zhang Yuer's expressions were a little complicated, but Cui Qianxue and Chu Jiayi were more and more happy.

After all, Emperor Deqing's reward was only given to Cui Qianxue alone, which represented the recognition of the imperial court, and Cui Qianxue gradually restored her relationship with the Cui family, and her position in the Zhao Mansion was as stable as Mount Tai.

In this era, the status of the main room and the side room is so far apart, no matter how beautiful and intelligent Zhang Yuer is, even how Fang Ru is trusted by Zhao Junchen, it is impossible for Emperor Deqing to consider the two of them when rewarding Zhao Junchen.

But soon, the daughters of the Zhao Mansion received the news again, saying that Zhao Junchen rushed directly to the Hubu Yamen after going down to the court, not only would he not return to the Zhao Mansion for dinner at noon today, but also because the mess of the Hubu needed to be dealt with as soon as possible and the task was extremely heavy, Zhao Junchen might not return to the Zhao Mansion to rest tonight, maybe he would have to spend the night in the Hubu Yamen.

After receiving such news, not only Fang Ru and Zhang Yu'er's two daughters were more and more disappointed, but even Cui Qianxue couldn't be happy - compared to the first-grade lady rewarded by the imperial court, Cui Qianxue still hoped that she could see Zhao Junchen return home sooner.

*

In the main hall of the Zhao Mansion, Cui Qianxue looked at the whole table of exquisite dishes in front of her, but she didn't have any intention of moving chopsticks.

This table of dishes is specially prepared for Zhao Junchen by Cui Qianxue who has been busy all morning, if there is no Zhao Junchen at the same table, no matter how delicious these dishes are, it will make people lose their appetite.

Seeing Cui Qianxue's white and delicate face full of loss, Chu Jiayi asked softly, "Madam, should you put away this meal?" Wait until the master returns home to warm up and eat again? ”

Cui Qianxue reluctantly smiled and shook her head: "No need, the meal is ready, the two sisters are waiting at the table to eat, where is the reason to put it away?" What's more, what kind of identity is the master, and how can he eat old dishes and old meals? In late autumn, food is perishable, and these meals should not be left for long...... It doesn't matter, I'll do it when the master returns home. ”

After speaking, Cui Qianxue picked up the chopsticks and said to Fang Ru and Zhang Yuer's two daughters: "Two sisters, let's dine!" The master is not here, we can't go hungry, the two sisters try my craft. ”

Fang Ru picked up the chopsticks with a cold face, but his willow eyebrows were raised, his apricot eyes were wide, his expression was full of pungency, and he couldn't help complaining: "Your Majesty is really unkind!" Doctor Zhang had already said when he just returned to the house, the master's current body is the most unbearable, who would have thought that His Majesty would not give the master a chance to rest at all, the master just returned to the capital, and he added a heavy burden to the master, so that the master went to the household department to clean up the mess non-stop!

Ha! How did the mess of the household department come about, doesn't Your Majesty know it himself? If it weren't for his eagerness to suppress the influence of the lord and wantonly purge the lord's cronies in the household yamen, how could the household yamen have today's chaos? In this way, he was embarrassed to let the master help him clean up the mess!

It's just a reward of some insignificant gold and silver jewelry, ginseng and lingzhi, and a first-class lady of the edict, just want to appease the lord while eating dumb losses while selling his life, do you really think that others are fools? ”

At this time, in the main hall of the Zhao Mansion, in addition to Zhao Junchen's three wives and concubines, they were the henchmen and maidservants of these three wives and concubines, so Fang Ru had no scruples when he spoke.

When she heard Fang Ru mention "Mrs. Yipin's Destiny", Cui Qianxue's expression was a little embarrassed.

When she got the imperial court seal just now, Cui Qianxue was still quite grateful to Emperor Deqing, but now she thinks that her father-in-law has to drag his sick body to work for the imperial court, and she also feels that Emperor Deqing is not close to people, so she can't help but nod her head in agreement.

Seeing that Cui Qianxue actually took the initiative to nod in agreement with Fang Ru's words, Chu Jiayi behind her couldn't help but feel a little helpless - Cui Qianxue's coquettish temperament still had no essential change, so she didn't notice the insinuation and faint targeting of Fang Ru's words.

On the other side, Zhang Yuer's beautiful and moving face was full of thought.

After carefully considering the current environment of the imperial court and Zhao Junchen's personality, Zhang Yu'er's expression moved slightly, and her bright eyes turned to Cui Qianxue, but she chuckled: "Actually, this table of dishes is the brainchild of Madame, even if you keep it for the time being...... If Yu'er expected it to be true, the master should be returning home soon. ”

Cui Qianxue was slightly stunned, and asked puzzledly: "The master is going back to the house soon?" But the lord just sent someone to inform him that not only will he not go back to the house for dinner at noon today, but even if he is tonight, he may not go back to the house to rest, maybe he will have to stay in the household yamen for the night, listening to the master's meaning, maybe he will have to stay in the household yamen for a long time......"

At the same time, Fang Ru was thoughtful and faintly thought of something.

Zhang Yu'er looked smiling and smiling, and slowly explained: "Madam, you also heard Sister Fang Ru say just now, the chaos in the household department is completely because His Majesty is targeting the master, but how can our master not fight back?" Don't forget, the master had already 'fallen ill' once when he was in Huamachi Camp, and now even if he 'fell ill' again, it would not be an accident! Once the old man 'falls ill', the situation in the household department will continue to be chaotic, and the battlefield logistics, autumn tax storage, and annual income distribution will all be delayed...... At that time, His Majesty will have to ask for the master! ”

When explaining, Zhang Yuer's beautiful eyes couldn't help but shine with excitement, as if she was extremely looking forward to the next development of the situation.

Once Zhao Junchen suddenly fell ill...... Zhang Yuer's personality has always been restless, and she has always been afraid that the world will not be chaotic, and she can't wait to see the chaos in the temple and the situation of Emperor Deqing.

After Cui Qianxue heard the word "sick", her expression suddenly changed greatly, but she was not stupid, and she quickly understood that what Zhang Yuer said about "sick" was just Zhao Junchen's deliberate disguise, and she couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief.

On the other side, Fang Ru glanced at Zhang Yu'er, and had to admit that Zhang Yu'er's insight was above her own.

Then, Fang Ru said with a serious expression: "Speaking of which, the master pretended to be sick once in order to trap the crown prince Zhu Heyu, and His Majesty personally rushed to our mansion to investigate, this time I am afraid that it will not be unexpected...... In that case, let's prepare in advance! ”

*

Just as the three daughters of the Zhao Mansion were discussing, Zhao Junchen rushed to the household yamen in a sedan chair.

It is late autumn now, it can be said that the wind is cold to the bones, and Zhao Junchen's physical condition is indeed not good, even if the environment of the sedan chair is closed and can block the wind and cold, he still feels that his body is cold, and he can't help but wrap the fox fur on his body.

Then, Zhao Junchen began to think about all the things before and after today's court meeting, and sorted out his thoughts in his heart.

"It's true that my body can't bear it, and I must rest for a while, otherwise I will die of illness before His Majesty can deal with it...... Speaking of which, Your Majesty knows that my physical condition is not good, but he still asks me to work hard, and it may not be that he does not have such thoughts...... Once I die of exhaustion, not only will the hidden dangers of the Zhu family's future be eliminated, but the 'Zhao Party' will also be scattered, and no one will speak for me, and when the time comes, he will only need to weave some charges casually, and he can confiscate my family property and enrich his inner money......"

While thinking in secret, Zhao Junchen's expression did not show any disappointment and sadness.

Things have developed to this point, and Emperor Deqing's hostility has long been expected.

What's more, it is not only Emperor Deqing who is plotting against Zhao Junchen, but Zhao Junchen is also plotting against Emperor Deqing, everyone has bad intentions, and the two sides have never had a real relationship of trust, Zhao Junchen naturally will not be saddened by Emperor Deqing's viciousness.

Then, Zhao Junchen thought of Zhu Hejian, the seventh prince, and Zhou Shangjing, the elder of the pavilion.

In addition to Emperor Deqing, these two are also opponents that Zhao Junchen can never ignore.

"Today is a great opportunity for Zhu Hejian to officially go to the front of the stage, but he suddenly left the Taihe Palace, if nothing else, it must be that he can't bear it! It's a pity that his true physical condition was not exposed this time, and this person's perseverance and ruthlessness were really unexpected...... I deliberately tricked him this time, and with his character, I will inevitably take revenge back, and I must be secretly careful. ”

"Also, when Zhou Shangjing congratulated me after the court dispersed today, he said meaningfully, 'You must pay attention to your body when you are working in the household department', and I don't know if he has already guessed my next plan! However, even if he guessed my plan, I would not be afraid of him, because I had already guessed his final plan...... Zhou Shangjing is certainly scheming and spicy, but he is old after all, and he must think about what happens after death, this is his biggest weakness! ”

Prior to this, Zhou Shangjing had always been the most feared figure in Zhao Junchen's heart, because Zhao Junchen had never been able to guess Zhou Shangjing's true purpose.

But just a few days ago, Zhao Junchen received the news that Zhou Shangjing fully supported his entry into the cabinet and auxiliary government, and considering that Zhou Shangjing had been trying to resolve the conflict with Emperor Deqing all these years, and he did not hesitate to take risks in order to protect his grandson Zhou Suhai last year, Zhao Junchen finally roughly guessed Zhou Shangjing's final plan!

All in all, Zhou Shangjing just wanted to train Zhao Junchen to become Emperor Deqing's henchman and number one enemy, divert Emperor Deqing's attention, and then take the opportunity to turn enemies into friends with Emperor Deqing! And his ultimate goal is to keep the Zhou family's long-term wealth!

Today, Zhou Shangjing's plan has been more than half successful.

From this point of view, Zhao Junchen is also a little hindsight.

But after Zhao Junchen guessed Zhou Shangjing's goals and plans, he was certainly afraid of him in his heart, but he was no longer afraid of Zhou Shangjing targeting him.

This is because, according to Zhou Shangjing's plan, he will not use all his strength to deal with Zhao Junchen at present, and will even further connive at Zhao Junchen to expand his power.

What's more, after Zhao Junchen understood Zhou Shangjing's final plan, he also understood Zhou Shangjing's weaknesses, and he would have countermeasures in the future.

"However, this also means that after my strength is further strengthened, Zhou Shangjing will inevitably assist Emperor Deqing and become my enemy in order to resolve the conflict with Emperor Deqing! This must be prevented as soon as possible! Once Zhou Shangjing and Emperor Deqing join forces, even if I complete all my layouts, I may not have a fifty percent chance of winning...... In this case, it is best to give Zhou Shangjing a plan of 'drawing salary from the bottom of the kettle'......"

And just as Zhao Junchen was thinking in secret, he suddenly found that his sedan chair had stopped.

Then, Zhao Junchen heard Zhao Dali's report outside the sedan chair.

"Lord Zhao, the household yamen has arrived."

*

When Zhao Junchen stepped out of the sedan chair, he raised his eyes and looked towards the yamen of the household department.

At this time, the officials of the household yamen had already received the news and rushed to greet Zhao Junchen outside the gate of the household yamen.

Even Ma Sen, the left attendant of the household department, who was born in the "Zhou Party", and Hong Zhengshuo, who was born in the "Imperial Party" and was the new right attendant of the household department, also rushed outside the household yamen in advance to wait for Zhao Junchen to appear.

The household yamen is still familiar to Zhao Junchen, but these household officials in front of him are a little unfamiliar to Zhao Junchen.

Most of the henchmen that Zhao Junchen was familiar with were gone, and they were replaced by many fresh faces, which were obviously members of the "Imperial Party" that Emperor Deqing had recently installed into the household department.

At the same time, after Zhao Junchen was promoted to the cabinet, the position of the head of the household department has not yet been decided, and it is currently vacant.

After seeing Zhao Junchen walk out of the sedan chair, all the officials of the household department, under the leadership of Ma Sen and Hong Zhengshuo, saluted Zhao Junchen one after another, and said in unison: "Xiaguan and others greet Zhao Gechen!" ”

Zhao Junchen tightened the fox fur on his body again, walked in front of the household officials, and said with a smile: "You don't have to be polite, although I am now in the cabinet and auxiliary government, I am also from the household department, and I am most familiar with this place, everyone is their own people, so let's go in and talk." ”

After speaking, Zhao Junchen took the lead in walking towards the main hall of the household yamen, and Ma Sen, Hong Zhengshuo and others also hurriedly followed.

After everyone arrived at the main hall of the household yamen, Zhao Junchen was still sitting on the familiar throne, looking around at the household officials in front of him.

Ma Sen is also an acquaintance, he originally held the position of the household servant, completely because Emperor Deqing wanted to provoke the conflict between Zhao Junchen and Zhou Shangjing, so he mixed sand and nails into the sphere of influence of both sides, Ma Sen of the "Zhou Party" became the household servant, and Liu Changan of the "Zhao Party" became the servant of the Ministry of Officials.

During this period of time, all the core officials of the "Zhao Party" have been in trouble, even Zuo Lanshan is in danger, only Liu Changan is still sitting firmly in the position of the servant of the ministry, obviously Emperor Deqing's idea of wanting to cause a conflict between Zhao Junchen and Zhou Shangjing has not changed.

It is precisely because of this that Ma Sen has always been secretly excluded in the household department, and he has never had any power or influence, and after Zhao Junchen glanced at him a little, he no longer paid too much attention to it, and instead focused on Hong Zhengshuo.

Hong Zhengshuo is about forty or fifty years old, with a slender figure, a very elegant appearance and temperament, but a pair of eyes are a little small, looking like the soybean eyes of a mouse, but it also makes him a little more shrewd.

He was originally Wen Guanliang's doorman, serving as the fat messenger of the salt envoy Tongzhi, but when Wen Guanliang was knocked down by Zhao Junchen, he took the door of Wang Shou, the secretary of the military department, in time, and became a marginal figure of the "imperial party".

Hong Zhengshuo's shrewd calculations are also extremely famous, and he is quite good at turnover, and Emperor Deqing obviously has high hopes for him to take the position of the household squire this time.

As Emperor Deqing continued to install members of the "Imperial Party" into the household department, Hong Zhengshuo has now become the most powerful person in the household department.

At this time, Hong Zhengshuo obviously also noticed Zhao Junchen's attention to him, but he looked down and respectful, and just took the lead in arching his hand: "According to Your Majesty's will, during the period when Zhao Gechen is in charge, all the big and small matters of the household department, the upper and lower officials, everything is dominated by Zhao Gechen!" Now all the officials of the household department are here, and Zhao Gechen is also invited to give a lecture. ”

Zhao Junchen nodded lightly and said slowly: "Among the colleagues, some of them are old people who have followed the Household Department for many years, and some of them are new faces who have recently joined the Household Department, but the Cabinet has now left the Household Department, and you will be treated equally!" If you do your best, you will be rewarded, and if you do things perfunctory, you will be punished!

Nowadays, the household department is at the time of the most onerous task every year, and the autumn tax collection of the yamen in various places, the distribution of annual salaries to hundreds of officials and clans, and the statistical summary report of this year's treasury revenue and expenditure are all of great importance and need to be done as soon as possible! At the same time, the logistical supply of the Hetao war is the top priority and a top priority! ”

After speaking, Zhao Junchen's gaze turned to Hong Zhengshuo and asked, "Hong Shilang, how are the logistics supplies for the Hetao war being prepared now?" Benge has just returned from Huamachi Camp, but he knows that the grain and grass on the three sides of Shaanxi and Gansu are only enough for a month! Considering that the armies from all walks of life are now rushing to the northwest to support, the consumption of grain and grass on the three sides of Shaanxi and Gansu will be further accelerated, so the household yamen must prepare all the grain and grass within half a month! At the same time, the front-line soldiers should also speed up their preparations for rewarding their military merits, and they must not be delayed for too long! ”

After hearing Zhao Junchen's inquiry, Hong Zhengshuo said with a bitter face: "Qi Zhao Gechen, the logistics grain and grass for the front-line war are only about thirty percent ready, and there is still a gap of seventy percent!" As for the silver for the military merits of the front-line soldiers, it has been fully prepared and can be transported to Shaanxi and Gansu at any time to be distributed to the soldiers...... It's just that after sending out this batch of bounty silver, the treasury will be completely depleted of silver. ”

After hearing Hong Zhengshuo's answer, Zhao Junchen had no surprise at all.

The current situation of the household department, Zhao Junchen is the clearest, there is still some silver, but there is no grain at all, if it is not for the current autumn tax storage period, the autumn grain from all over the country has entered the treasury, this situation will inevitably make the monarchs and ministers of the court and the central government difficult to sleep.

At the beginning, in order to support the war on the three sides of Shaanxi and Gansu, Zhao Junchen also deliberately took out the food of hundreds of officials and clans for emergency, which can be seen from the embarrassment of the imperial court's grain storage.

Now, Hong Zhengshuo can still take out 30% of the grain and grass needed for the front line, which means that he has done his best during this time.

However, although Zhao Junchen understands the hardships of the household department, he has now left the household department, and Hong Zhengshuo is not his own friend, so naturally he will not have any understanding.

So, Zhao Junchen's expression suddenly darkened, and he reprimanded: "The progress is too slow!" The front-line soldiers can receive the silver reward for military merit a later day, but can they not eat later? There is actually a seventy percent shortage of logistical grain and grass, and once such news is spread, it will inevitably seriously affect the morale of the front-line soldiers. ”

Hong Zhengshuo hurriedly complained: "I still hope that Zhao Gechen will see that the household department really has no grain in stock!" The autumn tax in various places has not yet been sent to the capital, and the household department is also without rice! I heard that the Beijing-Hangzhou Canal was still blocked during this time, and the speed of autumn grain storage was even slower...... During this time, in order to prepare for these three percent of grain and grass, Xia Guan has already tried his best. ”

Zhao Junchen didn't listen to the explanation at all, and said: "For major military affairs, this cabinet only looks at the results!" Even if this cabinet understands your suffering, can the enemy on the battlefield still understand your suffering? If the soldiers can't eat enough, can these explanations of yours feed them? There is such a big shortage of grain and grass, everything can only be said to be dereliction of duty and incompetence of the household department! Only the incompetent will make excuses for their dereliction of duty! ”

Hong Zhengshuo lowered his head and said: "Zhao Gechen reprimanded!" But the treasury is indeed out of grain at present, and the lower officials are indeed helpless, but the lower officials know that Zhao Gechen must have a way, and the household department has never had trouble under Zhao Gechen's governance over the years, and Zhao Gechen's means and vision are far from being comparable to those of the lower officials...... So, what should I do next, please show Zhao Gechen! ”

Hong Zhengshuo is indeed a shrewd person, although he was disgraced by Zhao Junchen, he did not talk back and explain again, and immediately admitted his incompetence, but also kicked the ball back to Zhao Junchen's feet!

……

Well, it's still a big chapter of 6,000 words.

Tomorrow at noon, this book will be limited to free, I hope I am in a good state, I can write more, and let everyone read more words for free, which is an opportunity to repay everyone for these years.

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