……

……

Originally, according to Emperor Deqing's plan, after he discussed with the important ministers today, Zhou Shangjing's charges could be determined.

Then, Emperor Deqing would return to the capital and convene a grand court meeting to announce Zhou Shangjing's crime and punishment decision to the hundred officials, which not only overthrew Zhou Shangjing, but also strengthened the emperor's authority, so that everything was settled.

However, Emperor Deqing never expected that just when the victory was about to be revealed, Shen Changmao was actually bought by Zhou Shangjing, and the big secret of "Eight Kings Boat Travel" was exposed, which turned the situation around at once, and Emperor Deqing's plan had not yet been implemented, and it was already a dead end!

*

Therefore, after listening to Shen Changmao's statement, Emperor Deqing did not have any expression on his face, and did not say a word, no one knew what Emperor Deqing was thinking at this time, but the anger and murderous aura in his eyes were as vicious as a wolf and as sharp as a knife, but anyone could see it.

Even Zhao Junchen, after seeing Emperor Deqing's eyes, subconsciously trembled, only feeling that he saw a volcano that was about to erupt, depressing and dangerous!

For the first time, Zhao Junchen saw Emperor Deqing's really angry appearance, it was so terrifying!

The Son of Heaven was angry, blood flowed all over the field, and the emperor's deterrent power was really extraordinary.

However, Emperor Deqing's anger is also a matter of course.

For hundreds of years, the Ming Dynasty has always been very strict against the vassal kings, and if they exceed the rules, they will be severely punished.

In the prison of the Zongren Mansion in Fengyang, the central capital, a large number of royal relatives are imprisoned every year. The number is no less than 100 people, and the Ming Dynasty's strict precautionary attitude towards the royal family can be seen from this.

Now. In fact, eight vassal kings secretly united to form the "Eight Kings Boat Company", which violated the laws and regulations of the imperial court and used smuggling for profit, which naturally made Emperor Deqing feel very dissatisfied.

Of course, if he only used smuggling for profit, Emperor Deqing's feeling was only "dissatisfied". is still within the bottom line, at most it is a secret warning and punishment - for the Deqing Emperor, as long as the vassal kings do not interfere in government affairs. An An is drunk and dreaming of death, even if he occasionally does something illegal and harmless, he is still the "virtuous king" in the eyes of Emperor Deqing.

However, the "Eight Kings Boat Tour" is not just a trivial matter of smuggling. It also violated the three taboos of Emperor Deqing one after another!

First of all. In order to smuggle smoothly, the "Eight Kings Boat Company" actually bought the Jiangyin Military Town and interfered in military affairs! This means that the vassal kings behind the "Eight Kings Boat Tour" already have the capital to rebel against the Deqing Emperor, and it is difficult to say whether they will have any covetous intentions because of this.

Secondly, the "Eight Kings Boat Tour" was only for the sake of personal anger, and it was actually colluding with the Japanese to harm the people -- of course, the casualties of the common people were not a big deal in the eyes of Emperor Deqing -- but once this matter was exposed, the damage to the prestige of the Ming Dynasty royal family was absolutely unwilling to be seen by Emperor Deqing!

At last. Because of the emergence of the "Eight Kings Boat Trip", Emperor Deqing overthrew Zhou Shangjing's plan. It has failed most of the time, and it was instantly overturned by Zhou Shangjing when he was about to succeed, so that Emperor Deqing was defeated by Zhou Shangjing again and fell into a dilemma, which made Emperor Deqing feel great shame.

Of these three taboos, it is difficult to say which one made Emperor Deqing angry more.

But what is certain is that Emperor Deqing is already angry because of these things!

However, Emperor Deqing was proficient in the imperial mind and was the best at weighing the pros and cons and controlling emotions.

Therefore, although Emperor Deqing at this time was angry, he still retained a certain amount of calmness after all, and was not carried away and blindly did anything, but seriously and rationally analyzed the pros and cons and the current situation, and looked for a way to break through the dilemma.

……

Under the careful waiting of Zhou Shangjing, Shen Changmao, and Zhao Junchen, Emperor Deqing was silent for a long time, and finally spoke slowly.

Emperor Deqing skipped Shen Changmao, stared at Zhou Shangjing coldly, and asked, "Zhou Shangjing, did you find out these things?" ”

Zhou Shangjing replied: "Back to Your Majesty, these hidden secrets were found out by Zhou Suhai, the prefect of Suzhou. But because of the importance of the matter, Zhou Suhai did not dare to publicize it, but secretly reported it to the old minister, and after the old minister learned the news, he was worried that the matter would endanger the prestige of the royal family, so he simply suppressed the whole matter...... I didn't expect Your Majesty to know everything and finally find out. ”

Emperor Deqing was still expressionless, but there was a faint flash of sharp light in his eyes, and he continued to ask, "Oh? Qian Xianru was caught? Where is he now? ”

Zhou Shangjing was also expressionless, and replied slowly: "Qian Xianru colluded with the Japanese and harmed the people, which can be described as a great crime, and it also involves the prestige of the royal family, so this person must not stay!" The old minister has already made a private opinion, and all Qian Xianru and some insiders in the 'Eight Kings Boat Company' were executed, not only to conceal the news, but also to warn the feudal kings behind the 'Eight Kings Boat Company' and let them restrain themselves. ”

At the same time, Zhao Junchen seemed to think of something, and interjected: "Your Majesty, a few days ago, you asked Zhou Shangjing to investigate the truth of the Japanese Rebellion, and the explanation Zhou Shangjing gave at that time was that there were no Japanese robbers in Suzhou, but some scoundrels disguised themselves as Japanese people who were in trouble, and they had been suppressed and executed by the Suzhou government. ”

On the other side, Zhou Shangjing also nodded and said, "Lao Chen did execute Qian Xianru and others in this way, and put all the charges on their heads. After all, it was indeed Qian Xianru and others who caused the rebellion, and they deserved to be executed. ”

However, Emperor Deqing quickly grasped the crux of the matter and asked, "Oh? In this way, including Qian Xianru, all those who knew were executed, that is to say, the hidden information that Shen Changmao just told is now without any conclusive evidence? ”

After Zhou Shangjing was silent for a moment, he also admitted: "Back to Your Majesty, although these hidden facts are all true, but now, the minister really has no evidence to prove!" ”

Unexpectedly, after Zhou Shangjing admitted, Emperor Deqing did not chase after him, but said: "Since this is the case...... Regarding the matter of the 'Eight Kings' Boat Trip', I will send someone to investigate in further detail, until I investigate clearly, Zhou Shangjing, you should not move around at will, I will have someone prepare a room for you in the Humble Administrator's Garden, you will stay in the Humble Administrator's Garden for a while, during this period, you are not allowed to contact anyone! As for all the government affairs in your hands, I will leave them to the other ministers for the time being. ”

Emperor Deqing's decision was to take the initiative to take a step back, but only to seize Zhou Shangjing's authority and temporarily put Zhou Shangjing under house arrest, but he did not decide Zhou Shangjing's crime and punishment!

This also means that Zhou Shangjing may make a comeback at any time!

Regarding Emperor Deqing's decision, Zhou Shangjing seemed to have expected it, and he did not have any doubts, and simply thanked him.

Then, Emperor Deqing said: "Next, except for Zhao Junchen, you can all step down." As for the ministers who are waiting outside the study, let them leave for the time being, and when the matter is clear, I will summon them. ”

After hearing Emperor Deqing's instructions, Zhou Shangjing and Shen Changmao had different expressions, but they didn't say anything and quickly left the study.

For a while, in the study, only Emperor Deqing and Zhao Junchen were left.

……

"What do you think about the 'Eight Kings Boat Trip'?"

After Zhou Shangjing and Shen Changmao left the room, Emperor Deqing asked Zhao Junchen.

Zhao Junchen didn't have the slightest reservation, and simply said his opinion: "Your Majesty, the minister thinks that Shen Gelao's performance today is very abnormal, I'm afraid that he has been bought by Zhou Shangjing!" It is precisely because of his singing and harmony with Zhou Shangjing that Zhou Shangjing will temporarily escape the guilt...... However, Shen Changmao's statement about the various hidden facts of the 'Eight Kings Boat Trip' has no evidence, it is just a family's words, and it may not be true! Maybe it's just that Zhou Shangjing wanted Your Majesty to cast a trap in order to escape responsibility. ”

Emperor Deqing nodded, and asked again: "Then, in your opinion, how many percent of the hidden secrets of the 'Eight Kings Boat Travel' are true?" And how many percent of it is likely to be fake? ”

After Zhao Junchen pondered for a moment, he replied: "In Yichen's opinion, fifty percent of it may be false, after all, Zhou Shangjing can't produce any evidence, but there is also fifty percent of it may be true, after all, Shen Changmao's various statements are consistent with the investigation of the West Factory." ”

After a pause, Zhao Junchen said again: "However, regardless of whether this matter is true or not, Zhou Shangjing's methods have always been clever, and he will never make up those scams that cannot withstand scrutiny and investigation, so the smuggling activities of the 'Eight Kings Boat Trip' should not be fake, and in order to smooth the smuggling, he must also buy Jiangyin Military Town!" In addition, it is normal for the smuggling ship to have some contact with the pirates. Therefore, the 'Eight Kings Boat Travel' will be used by Zhou Shangjing and linked to the Rebellion of the Japanese Invaders!

The minister thinks that no matter whether this matter is true or not, it can only be investigated and dealt with secretly! It must not be announced to the public, otherwise it will cause a big turmoil, and the reputation of the royal family will be damaged, which is not conducive to the overall situation of the imperial court...... It's just that in this way, Your Majesty, you are equivalent to acquiescing to Zhou Shangjing's explanation, and I'm afraid you can only let Zhou Shangjing go for the time being. ”

After hearing Zhao Junchen's answer, Emperor Deqing was silent again.

……

…… (To be continued.) )