Beijing, the private room of a restaurant. Zhao Jingzhong was respectfully saluting a middle-aged man.

"I've seen Lord Qian."

"No need to be polite, sit."

This Lord Qian said that there was no need to be polite, but his actions were obviously very useful.

Seeing Zhao Jingzhong sitting opposite him. Master Qian said unhurriedly.

"Father-in-law Zhao, how are you thinking about it?"

"Back to my lord, Xia Guan carefully considered my lord's proposal. There are a few questions that need to be answered by adults. ”

"Tell me about it."

"The whole court knows that I am a eunuch. So how can adults guarantee that I will not be liquidated! ”

This is the reason why Zhao Jingzhong hesitated for a long time. He could feel that Wei Zhongxian's qi was exhausted. However, he was unable to make a move to defect to the Donglin Party. is because he is Wei Zhongxian's righteous son, and this relationship really can't be washed away.

"Hehe, this matter is indeed worth your attention. But it's easy to solve this problem. Zhao Gonggong only needs to pay a vote. ”

"I wonder what kind of petition you need?"

Master Qian raised his head and glanced at Zhao Jingzhong, and the corners of his mouth twitched slightly.

"What kind of vote is a question that Zhao Gonggong needs to consider. After all, this matter involves the net worth and life of Zhao Gonggong. Therefore, Zhao Gonggong himself should know best. After all, there is no such thing as pie falling in this world. What do you want to get, what do you have to give? You're right, Gonggong Zhao! ”

"I see, there's one more thing that needs to be clarified by adults."

"Tell me about it." Lord Qian was not impatient, but listened patiently to what Zhao Jingzhong said.

In their plan, Zhao Jingzhong is a very important part. The main thing is that Zhao Jingzhong is the closest person to Wei Zhongxian. In order to completely defeat Wei Zhongxian, they need to know everything about Wei Zhongxian in depth. Find Wei Zhongxian's weaknesses. And cut Wei Zhongxian's wings in advance.

For this reason, Wei Zhongxian's several righteous sons are the best choice. Among them, Zhao Jingzhong, who is at the top of the East Factory, is the best choice.

"If it happens, I want to know how the adults will arrange the factory guards."

Zhao Jingzhong is not stupid, and can even be said to be very shrewd. He knew that the Donglin Party didn't like the factory guards, and even the entire court didn't like the factory guards. So get a promise in advance.

That's a good question. I'm not afraid to tell you directly, if it happens. It is impossible for factories and guards to coexist. Only one of the two can be left. And we chose you. Is there much more to say about the rest? ”

"Okay, let me go back and think about it."

"It's okay to think about it, but there are some things I have to say earlier. The emperor's body, although it seems to be recovering, is actually back to light. Zhao Gonggong should not make mistakes. ”

Zhao Jingzhong nodded and left the restaurant.

Not long after he left, a shopkeeper left the restaurant in a hurry.

In Lu Xiao's courtyard, he was learning knife skills with Ding Baiying.

Lu Xiao held his right hand behind his back, holding the knife only in his left hand. Constantly blocking Ding Baiying's attack.

At the same time, he also reminded Ding Baiying from time to time.

"This knife is too strong, if I fight back at this time, you will definitely not be able to defend yourself......"

Just when the two were fighting fiercely. There was a knock on the door outside.

Lu Xiao opened the door angrily, and it was Ling Yunkai who was startled outside. Ling Yunkai obviously saw Ding Baiying behind Lu Xiao. secretly complained in his heart, disturbing the good things of his boss, and now I am afraid that he will not be wearing small shoes.

"Something?"

Lu Xiao's slightly impatient voice woke up Ling Yunkai.

"Lord Hui, the matter you asked me to investigate has an eyebrow." Ling Yunkai said, glancing at Ding Baiying again, his tone a little hesitant.

"Your own people, just say it."

"Yes, sir. Today I received news that Zhao Jingzhong secretly met with Master Qian. ”

Hearing the news, Lu Xiao was silent for a moment, with a few thoughts in his mind.

"It seems that Zhao Jingzhong has made a decision."

"My lord, Zhao Jingzhong is obviously betraying the factory and betraying us, do you want to be a villain......"

"You don't have to worry about this matter, you go to Lu Wenzhao right now and tell him to act immediately."

Back in the courtyard, Lu Xiao's face was a little gloomy.

"What's wrong, isn't the plan going well?" Ding Baiying asked softly.

"Plans don't always keep up with change. I know that Zhao Jingzhong has different intentions. I just didn't expect him to fall so quickly. If he is thoroughly oriented to the Donglin Party. The angry things that Wei Zhongxian did will inevitably be exposed.

Many of these things were done by Zhao Jingzhong, and he has tangible evidence. In that case, in order to appease the people's grievances, the emperor would definitely kill Wei Zhongxian in advance. ”

"I don't understand, why do you have to let Wei Zhongxian live, can't you just change someone?"

"Huh!" Lu Xiao smiled bitterly.

"You're thinking too simply. The Ming Dynasty's tax revenue last year was 16 million taels. The Jiangnan area alone contributed 12 million taels. Believe it or not, Wei Zhongxian died, and 12 million taels immediately became less than 1 million taels. ”

"Is this related to Wei Zhongxian?"

"That's right. I said a long time ago that today's emperor, the emperor's heart technique has long been deeply rooted in the bone marrow. The Manchu Dynasty was all in his calculations.

The Donglin Party was originally the spokesperson of wealthy businessmen in the Jiangnan area. And Wei Zhongxian just fought with the Donglin Party. It is not that there are no other parties in the DPRK and China, only the Donglin Party was beaten as an anti-party by Wei Zhongxian. If you take a closer look, there is a mystery in this. ”

"You mean, the current emperor has created an opposition between the two of them?"

"I'm not sure, but I'm at least 80% sure. The tax revenue in Jiangnan is the most important source of military salary in Liaodong. Liaodong is also a big problem for the Ming Emperor. For the sake of the situation in Liaodong, the emperor definitely did this kind of thing.

Therefore, no matter what, there must be a force in the DPRK and China that is opposed to the Donglin Party. Moreover, this force must be unscrupulous and arrogant enough to dare to withstand the impeachment of countless ministers in the DPRK and China and levy heavy taxes from Jiangnan.

Although it is a bit exaggerated, in the civil and military affairs of the Manchu Dynasty, if Wei Zhongxian falls, I am afraid that such a person will never be found again. Therefore, Wei Zhongxian must be kept, because as long as he is there, he can attract all the open guns and arrows, so that we can hide behind the scenes and plot. ”

"Then kill Zhao Jingzhong. That's it, so why not be clean. You've said it all, the emperor doesn't have much time left. We don't have much time. Just cut through the mess with a quick knife. Kill Zhao Jingzhong and let Wei Zhongxian hold out for a few more days. ”

"That's right, Zhao Jingzhong has indeed reached the time to die. But I'll talk about how I'm going to die when I get back. Waiting for me at home, I went to meet someone. ”

………………………

In a hidden courtyard in the capital, Lu Xiao waited for the person he wanted to meet.

"Don't come unharmed, Gonggong Guo."

Guo Zhen asked with a flustered face.

"You're telling the truth, can you really get me out of this quagmire?"

"Of course it's true, but I still need a little help from my father-in-law."

"You say, as long as I can do it, it's not a problem."

"I want my father-in-law to help me enter the palace to meet the emperor. Avoid all eyes and ears and meet the emperor alone. ”