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As he spoke, Zhou Shangjing's expression was calm and he looked like he could talk easily.

However, seeing Zhou Shangjing's expression, as if he was well prepared and well prepared, Zhao Junchen was a little unsure.

Since coming to this world, the person who makes Zhao Junchen unable to see his true identity the most is undoubtedly Zhou Shangjing in front of him. Although Zhao Junchen now holds a pair of trump cards against Zhou Shangjing, does this trump card have any effect?

Zhao Junchen is actually not very sure of how much effect it can have.

Moreover, judging from Zhou Shangjing's attitude, he seems to be well aware of Zhao Junchen's trump cards. All the previous actions were just to force Zhao Junchen to show off his cards in advance! - In fact, if Zhou Shangjing hadn't suddenly attacked today and took the initiative to force him,

, Zhao Junchen would never reveal his trump card so early.

However, now that things have happened, Zhao Junchen can only give it a try if he wants to take the initiative.

After thinking about this, Zhao Junchen sighed softly in his heart, but on the surface he looked calm and said: "Since the chief minister said so, I will take the liberty to ask. However, there is something in the junior's inquiry.

There are many speculations, and if they are inappropriate, I hope that the chief minister will forgive me."

Zhou Shangjing still looked gentle and easy to talk to, nodded and said: "You're welcome, just ask."

"As far as I know, Mr. Chief Assistant, you have never opposed His Majesty's decision on some insignificant matters over the years. However, when His Majesty wanted to tour the South last year, you changed your normal attitude and firmly opposed it, but

I don’t know why? Could it be that after His Majesty’s southern tour, some of your interests will be threatened?” Zhao Junchen looked at Zhou Shangjing carefully and asked tentatively.

However, Zhou Shangjing's expression did not change at all. He just smiled softly and said, "I guess you have other questions to ask, Junchen. It's better to finish them in one go, so that it will be more convenient for me to answer."

Seeing Zhou Shangjing's expression, Zhao Junchen felt a little frustrated, but his expression became more and more calm, and he continued to ask: "Junior has received news that His Majesty did not originally have any plans to tour the south, but he received a letter from Wang Baoren, the Minister of Civil Affairs in Nanjing.

After sealing the seal, I suddenly came up with the idea of ​​​​cruising to the south, but I don’t know what is written in the seal? Will it affect His Majesty’s decision and attitude?"

After Zhou Shangjing sighed softly, he did not comment, but just used his eyes to signal Zhao Junchen to continue talking.

Zhao Junchen raised his brows and asked: "Your Majesty, during his previous tours to the south, you, the Chief Assistant, always stayed in Beijing to assist in government affairs and take charge of the overall situation. Why did you take the initiative to accompany him south during this tour? What's the purpose?

Why?"

At this point, without waiting for Zhou Shangjing to answer, Zhao Junchen asked again: "Also. As far as I know, your eldest grandson Zhou Suhai, Mr. Zhou, is now serving as the magistrate of Suzhou, and I have also vaguely heard some rumors.

In June last year, a group of Japanese pirates came to the vicinity of Suzhou. They burned, killed and looted everywhere, committing all kinds of evil. They caused great losses to the people of Suzhou. However, this junior has read through all the memorials sent to the court from Suzhou last year.

But I didn’t see any relevant news, and I asked the Chief Assistant for advice. Is this because someone deliberately suppressed the news? Or are the rumors about Japanese pirates false?"

After talking about all the speculations in his mind, Zhao Junchen looked at Zhou Shangjing in front of him again, without blinking, carefully observing the changes in Zhou Shangjing's expression.

Zhao Junchen's meaning is very clear. Last year, Japanese pirates caused chaos in Suzhou and caused great losses. Just because the prefect of Suzhou was Zhou Shangjing's eldest grandson, Zhou Suhai, Zhou Shangjing concealed the news, but in the end he still let Nanjing's Minister of Civil Affairs

Wang Baoren got the news, and Wang Baoren secretly reported the news to Emperor Deqing. Next, whether Emperor Deqing planned to tour the south, or Zhou Shangjing opposed the southern tour, or even after the southern tour became a conclusion, Zhou Shangjing decided to accompany him south.

The overt and covert fights, the turmoil, all come from this!

And these news and speculations are Zhao Junchen's trump card against Zhou Shangjing!

Originally, Zhao Junchen planned to show off his cards to Zhou Shangjing when he arrived in Suzhou. Then he could naturally force Zhou Shangjing to retreat and hand over some benefits and benefits to Zhao Junchen.

However, today, under Zhou Shangjing's implicit threat, Zhao Junchen showed his trump card in advance.

However, after showing his trump card and seeing that Zhou Shangjing's expression did not change much, Zhao Junchen couldn't help but frown slightly, unable to guess Zhou Shangjing's true thoughts.

Under Zhao Junchen's scrutiny, Zhou Shangjing was silent for a moment, then suddenly smiled and said slowly: "I have tried my best to hide this matter, but after all, I still can't hide it from smart people like you, Junchen. Just through

A trace of clues can reveal the general outline of the matter. I am indeed right about you... However, if it is just based on some guesses, Junchen, you will not regard them as reliance. Well, Junchen, you have been here many times during this period.

By sending people to Jiangnan, I am afraid that some conclusive evidence has been collected now, right?"

When Zhou Shangjing said this, he undoubtedly admitted it.

But such a frank attitude made Zhao Junchen stunned.

Zhao Junchen would not be surprised if Zhou Shangjing denied, defended, found someone to blame, and made excuses, but Zhou Shangjing admitted it so frankly, which made Zhao Junchen even more confused about Zhou Shangjing's true intentions.

However, after hearing Zhou Shangjing's inquiry, Zhao Junchen still nodded and replied: "The chief assistant has a keen eye and his guess is good. Although he encountered some obstacles, after sending people to investigate several times, the junior has indeed mastered some relevant information.

witnesses and evidence.”

Zhou Shangjing sighed and said: "Junchen, you guessed it right. In June last year, a wave of Japanese pirates appeared in Suzhou. They were only a few dozen people. However, the troops in South Zhili have been neglected for many years and they were unable to stop them.

It caused a lot of losses, and after I got the news, I was confused for a while. I felt that once your Majesty knew about this matter, not only would I be in trouble, but my eldest grandson Zhou Suhai would also be ruined in his life, so I secretly cooperated with the Minister of War in Nanjing.

Jiang Bin, Southern Zhili Governor Su Changzhen and others suppressed the news. After all, they were also responsible for this matter, so they were still cooperative."

As he spoke, Zhou Shangjing shook his head and added: "However, there is no airtight wall in the world, so Wang Baoren still got the news. Then he informed His Majesty in a secret letter that Your Majesty has been wanting for these years.

This is an opportunity to bring me down, so I came up with the idea of ​​a southern tour... Hehe, if I guessed correctly, your Majesty, after arriving in Suzhou, he will frequently visit privately incognito, contact the people, collect evidence, and take the opportunity to bring him down.

I understand this. I was opposed to the Southern Tour in the first place, and after the Southern Tour became a foregone conclusion, I took the initiative to accompany him south, just to find a way to continue to cover up this matter."

Zhao Junchen didn't know how to respond to Zhou Shangjing's confession, so he remained silent, just waiting for Zhou Shangjing to continue speaking.

Zhao Junchen knew that Zhou Shangjing forced him to show off his cards today and took the initiative to tell the truth. There must be a deep meaning in it, so he was not in a hurry to speak.

Although Zhou Shangjing also holds some trump cards about Zhao Junchen, he can stop Zhao Junchen's plan to frame Prince Zhu Heyu at any time. But compared with Zhou Shangjing's concealment of the Suzhou Japanese pirate rebellion, after all, it is a small thing and cannot be compared to the big one.

——Even if Zhou Shangjing stops Zhao Junchen's plan, it will only make Zhao Junchen waste some of his efforts and planning. But if Zhao Junchen reveals that Zhou Shangjing concealed the Suzhou Japanese pirates' rebellion, then Zhou Shangjing will not be far away from his downfall and loss of power.

From this aspect, Zhao Junchen's trump card is undoubtedly bigger.

Therefore, if a political transaction is conducted, Zhao Junchen can also gain more benefits.

However, in front of the scheming Zhou Shangjing, Zhao Junchen miscalculated again.

Seeing that Zhao Junchen was silent, Zhou Shangjing suddenly smiled and asked: "Now that I have answered your question, Junchen, without any deception, so, Junchen, what are you going to do next?"

Zhao Junchen shook his head and said: "Juniors dare not make the decision on such a big matter, but it depends on your attitude, the chief assistant."

Zhou Shangjing smiled softly and said calmly: "I don't have any attitude. It depends on your choice Junchen... But if Junchen helps me cover up this matter, I will also help with the changes in the capital."

Junchen, please cover it up and let your majesty know the news later. After all, in this regard, I and Junchen have the same position... Of course, if you are unwilling to help me, Junchen, I will never embarrass Junchen, let alone Junchen.

I won’t stop Junchen from your plan, I just won’t help you.”

Seeing that Zhou Shangjing had no intention of seeking help from him, he did not even threaten Zhao Junchen with the fact that Zhao Junchen wanted to frame Prince Zhu Heyu. He also looked confident, as if he expected that Zhao Junchen would help him cover it up.

He became more and more confused, so he didn't answer immediately. He just pondered in silence and thought about it carefully. He felt that Zhou Shangjing had another deeper meaning.

However, before Zhao Junchen could think about it clearly, the carriage had already driven outside Emperor Deqing's Xuzhou Palace, gradually slowed down and finally stopped.

Then, outside the carriage, an envoy from the Xuzhou Palace respectfully asked Zhou Shangjing and Zhao Junchen to get out of the carriage.

The conversation was interrupted at this time.

Zhou Shangjing seemed to have no intention of continuing the conversation, and just said slowly: "Now the southern tour has only reached Xuzhou, and there is still some distance and time from Suzhou. Junchen, if you have some doubts in your heart, don't worry, just think about it slowly.

, I think with your intelligence, Junchen, you can think it over clearly."

After a pause, Zhou Shangjing seemed to have thought of something again, and added: "Junchen, you should have discovered by now that I have done everything possible to stabilize my power in the court over the years.

All the officials who could threaten me, such as Wang Baoren, Tang Zhen, etc., have been pushed out of the center of the court by me. The only ones left are Huang Yourong, Shen Changmao, Wen Guanliang and others. However, in my eyes, Junchen, your scheming,

Your methods and knowledge are by no means inferior to those of Wang Baoren and Tang Zhen. Considering your age and growth, Junchen, you will only be better than them in the future. However, I have never suppressed you, Junchen. Instead, I will often help you secretly, and add

Junchen, your opponents during this period have all been Huang Yourong, Shen Changmao, Wen Guanliang and others, which is why it has developed to this point, but Junchen, have you ever considered why I have never suppressed or excluded you?"

After saying that, Zhou Shangjing smiled slightly and got off the carriage first.

Next, Zhao Junchen entered the Xuzhou Palace and chatted with Emperor Deqing with the officials. Seeing that it was getting late, Emperor Deqing also looked a little sleepy. Zhao Junchen and the officials took the initiative to say goodbye.

.

Then, Zhao Junchen came to his room. He sat in front of his desk, closed his eyes and meditated, and continued to think about his conversation with Zhou Shangjing.

Zhou Shangjing's performance was unpredictable and he seemed to have a plan in mind. Naturally, Zhao Junchen wanted to understand Zhou Shangjing's deep meaning.

Especially Zhou Shangjing's last words had a profound meaning, which vaguely made Zhao Junchen realize something.

After thinking hard for a long time, Zhao Junchen slowly opened his eyes with a wry smile on his lips. His expression was full of admiration, and he murmured in admiration: "I see... He is indeed Zhou Shangjing, with his precise vision and long-term layout.

What I can do now is that no wonder Emperor Deqing has been unable to bring him down over the years... It seems that I have to help him cover up the Japanese pirates' rebellion in Xuzhou..."

After thinking for a long time, Zhao Junchen finally understood what Zhou Shangjing meant and why Zhou Shangjing was so confident. He thought that Zhao Junchen would definitely help him cover it up.

Because, under the current situation, Zhao Junchen can only continue to develop steadily and complete the original plan by helping Zhou Shangjing cover up the Japanese pirate rebellion in Suzhou!

And this situation was formed under the secret promotion of Zhou Shangjing!

…

During this period of time, Zhao Junchen gradually rose up in the court, and his power gradually increased. The mentality, methods, and vision he displayed could vaguely threaten Zhou Shangjing's status. However, Zhou Shangjing never showed any intention to suppress Zhao Junchen.

He only occasionally provoked the relationship between Zhao Junchen and Emperor Deqing.

Zhou Shangjing's attitude is completely opposite from before. It can't help but make people feel strange.

Originally, Zhao Junchen thought that this was because Zhou Shangjing was worried about the affairs in Suzhou, and did not want to make a big move before the situation was determined. But when he thought about it, he realized that Zhou Shangjing's considerations were more far-reaching than imagined.

Zhou Shangjing did not take action to suppress Zhao Junchen. The reason is actually very simple, because Zhou Shangjing saw that Zhao Junchen had enough means, enough ambition, and was smart and calm enough!

Because Zhao Junchen had sufficient means and the support of Emperor Deqing, his opponents were only Huang Yourong, Shen Changmao, Wen Guanliang and others, coupled with Zhou Shangjing's deliberate tolerance and secret connivance, so when it came time for the southern tour, Zhao Junchen

The power will increase to a level that no one dares to underestimate.

Also because Zhao Junchen has enough ambitions, Zhao Junchen will definitely not be able to tolerate the threat of Crown Prince Zhu Heyu, and will definitely try every means to shake Crown Prince Zhu Heyu's status as crown prince. Therefore, when it comes to the southern tour, there will definitely be chaos in the temple.
To be continued...