Chapter nine hundred and seventy-four. Zhao Junchen fell ill (2).
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Hong Zhengshuo had just entered the Ministry of Household Affairs and was establishing his prestige. Zhao Junchen's reprimand was intended to give him a disgrace and disgrace him in front of the officials of the Ministry of Household Affairs.
But at this time, seeing Hong Zhengshuo decisively giving in and kicking the ball back, Zhao Junchen couldn't help but secretly praise this man for his shrewdness, his ability to bend and stretch, and his ability to distinguish priorities.
Hong Zhengshuo knows very well that face is only a trivial matter after all, and there will always be opportunities to save it in the future. But as long as the current dilemma of the Household Department is solved, he, as the current person in charge of the Household Department Yamen, will make great achievements, and maybe he can even covet it.
The position of the Minister of Household Affairs.
If Hu Bu wants to overcome the current predicament, he must ask Zhao Junchen to come up with an idea, so he doesn't care about Zhao Junchen's reprimand at all, as long as Zhao Junchen can come up with a solution.
Zhao Junchen naturally has ways to help the household department overcome the current predicament, but Hong Zhengshuo is a member of the "imperialist party", so Zhao Junchen naturally does not want him to take advantage.
Therefore, Zhao Junchen took a deep look at Hong Zhengshuo and said slowly: "Well... there are some ways! But whether it can be done or not depends on Hong Shilang's determination and means!"
Hong Zhengshuo quickly bowed and saluted: "Please give me some advice from Minister Zhao! If the Ministry of Revenue can overcome the current difficulties, all the officials of the Ministry of Revenue will be grateful to Minister Zhao for his kindness!"
Zhao Junchen chuckled and shook his head, and then said: "According to my opinion, if the Ministry of Revenue wants to collect enough food and grass in the shortest possible time, it must start from three aspects! First, I would like to ask for your Majesty's decree. This year, the Ministry of Revenue in Shaanxi and Gansu will
Autumn taxes do not need to go into the national treasury. After the yamen in various places in Shaanxi and Gansu collect the autumn grains, they are directly handed over to Huamachi Camp to meet urgent needs;
Secondly, the Ministry of Household Affairs sent people to negotiate with the Yamen of the Ministry of Rites to expand the number of prison donation places for the Imperial College in Zhili, Shanxi, Shaanxi, Gansu and other places next year. At the same time, it was also announced to various places that the Imperial College will only accept donations of food next year.
, food donations from Zhili, Shanxi, Shaanxi-Gansu and other places are also directly handed over to Huamachi Camp;
Finally, there is actually some food in the imperial treasury, which is the salary of the clan, nobles, and officials for the next three months... As early as four months ago, in order to support the Shaanxi-Gansu war, the imperial court had
All the stipends and rice for the first three months were exchanged for stipends and silver and distributed to the clan, nobles, and officials. Now that the court is experiencing difficulties in storing grains again, I believe that the Ministry of Household Affairs can follow the old practice and once again distribute the stipends for the next three months.
All the stipend rice should be converted into stipend silver!
Oh, by the way, you just said that the national treasury has no money now, but that doesn’t matter. Although the national treasury has no money, your majesty still has a lot of money in his private funds. You can borrow some from your majesty and wait until the autumn tax.
After it is stored in the warehouse, it will be returned to His Majesty!
In this way, it can be said that it is a three-pronged approach, which can completely make up for the logistical food and fodder gap for the frontline war! Once this year’s autumn taxes are put into the treasury, the current predicament of the Ministry of Revenue will be overcome!”
After saying that, Zhao Junchen looked at Hong Zhengshuo's expression with a smile, waiting for Hong Zhengshuo's decision.
Just as Zhao Junchen expected, Hong Zhengshuo's expression suddenly changed after hearing Zhao Junchen's method.
*
These three proposals put forward by Zhao Junchen seem to have perfectly solved the gap in logistics and food supplies during the Hetao War.
But in fact, once these three proposals are put forward, they will inevitably cause uproar between the government and the public, and disputes between the government and the people. They will not only offend many forces, but even if they temporarily solve the immediate dilemma, they will easily be held responsible and take the blame afterwards.
Zhao Junchen's first proposal seems to be a minor problem. After successive years of natural disasters in Shaanxi and Gansu, many places have received tax exemptions from the imperial court. The autumn grains collected were not much in the first place, so they bypassed the national treasury and transferred this batch of autumn grains.
Handing it over directly to Huamachi Camp, apart from being against the rules, there isn't much of a problem.
However, the reason why rules are rules is because they can effectively avoid disputes and wrangling in all aspects!
Once the autumn grain in Shaanxi and Gansu bypasses the national treasury and is handed over directly to Huamachiying, it means that the Ministry of Household Affairs can no longer monitor the money and grain status of the officials in various places in Shaanxi and Gansu, and officials from various places will have the opportunity to do something! What is the possibility of such a situation?
How serious it is and what consequences it will cause, anyone with a discerning eye can clearly see it!
In the end, once there is a financial problem in Shaanxi and Gansu, the Ministry of Household officials who originally proposed this proposal will also be in trouble!
As for Zhao Junchen’s second proposal, the problem is even bigger!
The Imperial College recruits a group of supervisors every year. The supervisors have the qualifications to directly participate in the provincial examination. They are roughly divided into four categories, namely, the examiners, the tribute supervisors, the shadow supervisors, and the regular supervisors.
Among them, "regular prisons" are also called "donated prisons". They are students who were granted permission by the imperial court to enter the Imperial College after wealthy people donated money and food to the court. Compared with the first three types of donated students, this type of prison students has always been regarded as
Being a different person has always been criticized!
From the perspective of scholars, even though I have been studying hard for ten years, I have read poetry and books, and I am full of knowledge. However, I still have to go through layers of selection and compete for many times before I have the opportunity to enter the Imperial College. But why do those rich people just
After donating a batch of money and food, you can arrange for your children to enter the Imperial College at will? Naturally, you are very unconvinced!
Over the years, whenever the imperial court expanded the number of prison donors, it would cause an uproar among scholars. The imperial officials who proposed this proposal would, without exception, be scolded by scholars all over the world!
Zhao Junchen's third proposal has even more serious consequences!
At present, not only is there money but no food in the national treasury, but the same situation is also true among the people. Therefore, food prices have skyrocketed in various places. If the salaries of officials, nobles, and clans are replaced by salary and rice, it means that their salaries
As wealth shrinks, you have to spend more money to buy the same amount of salary!
Therefore, once this proposal is made, it will be equivalent to harming the interests of officials, nobles, and the clan at the same time. The person who proposed this proposal will inevitably cause revenge and backlash from all forces!
As early as four months ago, under Zhao Junchen's instigation, Liang Fuchen had put forward this proposal, which caused an uproar at that time. Even though Liang Fuchen was a cabinet minister and had the full protection of Emperor Deqing,
, which also caused a lot of irritation, and finally calmed down the storm.
Even a high-ranking and senior court official like Liang Fuchen was disgraced after making such a suggestion. Not to mention what the consequences would be if officials whose status was far inferior to Liang Fuchen made such a suggestion.
!
Therefore, after hearing Zhao Junchen's proposal, Hong Zhengshuo suddenly discovered that Zhao Junchen had dug a deep and big trap for him, and now he was waiting for him to jump into it!
*
At this time, after seeing Hong Zhengshuo's expression changing and being hesitant to answer, Zhao Junchen asked with a smile: "What? Does Hong Shilang think there is something wrong with my proposal?"
During the inquiry, Zhao Junchen's expression and attitude were quite relaxed and calm, as if it was an easy task for the Ministry of Revenue to implement these proposals.
Zhao Junchen has now resigned from the position of Minister of the Ministry of Hubu. He came to the Yamen of the Ministry of Hubu this time just to "give guidance". The person who makes the final decision can only be the official of the Ministry of Hubu, and the person who bears all responsibilities is also the Hubu Yamen.
As a ministry official, Zhao Junchen can naturally stand and talk without pain in his back!
Zhao Junchen's attitude was quite relaxed, but Hong Zhengshuo was under great pressure and sweating like rain!
Once Hong Zhengshuo acts according to Zhao Junchen's suggestion, it means that he will offend scholars, officials, nobles, and clans all over the world at the same time. He may also become a scapegoat afterwards, not to mention coveting the Minister of Household Affairs.
If you lose your position, you may not even be able to protect your wealth and life!
Therefore, after hearing Zhao Junchen's questioning, Hong Zhengshuo did not dare to express his attitude at all, and just said: "These suggestions made by Zhao Junchen are naturally quite effective, but the matter is serious, and the lower official is just a minister of the household department.
But he doesn’t dare to make the decision at all... Otherwise, cabinet minister Zhao should personally raise these matters to His Majesty tomorrow morning when he arrives?"
Hong Zhengshuo still wanted to kick the ball back to Zhao Junchen.
However, if you want to create food and grass out of nothing, you must usurp other people's interests and benefits, which is completely offending. Zhao Junchen naturally refuses to thank you.
As early as four months ago, when Zhao Junchen was still the Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, he pushed all these offending things to Liang Fuchen. Now that Zhao Junchen is no longer the Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, he can naturally avoid it in a more upright manner.
Responsibility.
At this time, Zhao Junchen wanted to force Hong Zhengshuo to make these decisions himself, let him bear all the consequences, and then get out of the Hubu Yamen!
After seeing Hong Zhengshuo's hesitant attitude, Zhao Junchen's face suddenly darkened, his expression became stern again, and he scolded: "I have already joined the cabinet to assist the government, how can I be the one to take part in such a matter? Could it be that Hong Shilang
Do you want the cabinet to interfere with the six ministries? This is a taboo of the imperial court!
Just before today's morning meeting, His Majesty repeatedly told me not to pay too much attention to the affairs of the Household Department, but to let you officials of the Household Department take charge of your own affairs. This time I came to the Household Department Yamen just to sit in charge.
Guidance, Minister Hong, you also know these situations! Do you want to make this pavilion fail to resist the decree?
Now, I am sitting in charge, giving guidance, and have fulfilled His Majesty’s instructions! What you want to do is your own business! If the chaos in the Ministry of Revenue cannot be reversed for a long time, the logistics of the frontline war will
The food and fodder preparations have been delayed, and the person who bears the final responsibility is definitely not me! Regarding this, Mr. Hong, you must think clearly!"
Hong Zhengshuo couldn't help but panic, and he quickly excused himself: "But Xiaguan is just a minister of household affairs. This kind of matter is too important, and Xiaguan doesn't dare to make the decision at all..."
Before Hong Zhengshuo could finish speaking, Zhao Junchen waved his hand and interrupted impatiently: "Now that the Minister of Hubu has not been appointed, naturally the Minister of Hubu can act on behalf of the Ministry of Finance! What Hong Shilang said is
This is a bit of a push-over! Could it be that you don’t want Hube to overcome the current difficulties?”
Hearing what Zhao Junchen said, Hong Zhengshuo's eyes suddenly lit up and he turned to look at Ma Sen, who had always kept a low profile.
Ma Sen is the left minister of the household department, and Hong Zhengshuo is the right minister of the household department. Although Hong Zhengshuo has a stronger influence within the household department and does not pay much attention to Ma Sen on weekdays, Ma Sen's apparent identity is
After all, he is above Hong Zhengshuo.
Therefore, Hong Zhengshuo wanted Ma Sen to make the decision and bear the consequences.
However, after Ma Sen entered the Ministry of Household Affairs, although he was suppressed and unable to get ahead, he was after all an old man under Zhou Shangjing's sect, and he was definitely a smart and shrewd person.
At this time, after Ma Sen saw Hong Zhengshuo's reaction, he immediately guessed Hong Zhengshuo's wishful thinking and naturally expressed his gratitude.
Before Hong Zhengshuo could express his position, Ma Sen was the first to speak: "Speaking of which, when His Majesty appointed Hong Shilang to serve in the Ministry of Household Affairs a few days ago, he made it clear that before the candidate of the Minister of Household Affairs was confirmed,
All matters in the department are handled by Mr. Hong!
Therefore, although Minister Hong is only the Minister of the Ministry of Revenue now, he is equivalent to the Minister of the Ministry of Revenue! Therefore, whether the Yamen of the Ministry of Revenue should act according to the advice of Zhao Cabinet Minister, everything is decided by Minister Hong, and I am responsible for it.
Therefore, Minister Hong is on the lookout!"
Hong Zhengshuo quickly shook his head and waved his hands and said: "No, no, no! Although His Majesty has the decree, Zuo Shilang of the Ministry of Revenue is still Mr. Ma after all. According to the rules of the court, once the minister is unable to perform his duties, the six yamen will be headed by Zuo Shilang. This
Under such circumstances, it is naturally best for Mr. Ma to take the lead!"
Ma Sen also shook his head and waved his hands, saying: "This is just a conventional rule, it does not necessarily have to be like this! Since His Majesty has issued a clear decree, it is natural to act in accordance with His Majesty's decree! These matters should be left to Minister Hong to come forward.
Better!"
*
Both Hong Zhengshuo and Ma Sen knew that the imperial treasury was indeed out of food, and because of the sediment congestion in the canal, autumn grain from various places in the south was still unable to enter the treasury. This was the time when the Hubu Yamen was most in distress.
However, the logistics of the Hetao War must be solved as soon as possible. When everyone was at a loss, since it was Zhao Junchen who came up with clear methods, the court would most likely follow Zhao Junchen's methods in the end.
However, Zhao Junchen's suggestions can certainly help the Hetao War and the Hubu Yamen solve the current problems, but the person responsible for making the suggestions must have a thankless task and a disastrous outcome.
Since Zhao Junchen has made it clear that he is unwilling to come forward, no one dares to force him due to his status, so Hong Zhengshuo and Ma Sen turned to each other, hoping that the other party would take the initiative to propose Zhao Junchen to the court.
proposal.
Zhao Junchen's proposal was a hot potato. Neither of them dared to accept it, so they started arguing with each other in front of Zhao Junchen.
Both of them are smart, intelligent, and eloquent people. They both came up with a lot of reasons to make the other party take the blame, but no one could convince the other.
However, seeing the two people shirking their responsibilities and showing no responsibility, their prestige and image in the Ministry of Household Affairs also declined rapidly.
In this way, Hong Zhengshuo and Ma Sen argued for a long time, but there was still no result. However, after Zhao Junchen, who was sitting in the chair, saw this scene, his expression became darker and darker. It seemed that
Already extremely angry!
Seeing that the two of them were going to continue arguing, Zhao Junchen suddenly slapped the table and said angrily: "That's enough!"
Following Zhao Junchen's sudden anger, all the household officials trembled and showed awe on their faces. Hong Zhengshuo and Ma Sen hurriedly lowered their heads to listen to the instruction.
Zhao Junchen pointed at the two of them, his arms were trembling a little, obviously he was too excited and angry, and he reprimanded loudly: "Shilang Hong! Shilang Ma! You two have really disappointed me! The imperial court is currently in a difficult situation.
, you don’t want to serve with all your heart and take the lead bravely. Instead, you only focus on shirking responsibilities and protecting yourself. Are you worthy of His Majesty’s trust? Are you worthy of the salary of the court? Are you worthy of the expectations of the people?
The Hubu Yamen is responsible for the imperial court's financial revenue and expenditure. It seems to be full of benefits, but whether it is taxing people in various places or distributing expenditures in various aspects, it is all an offending job! If you don't have any responsibility, how can you do it?
Can you stay in the Ministry of Household Affairs? The Ministry of Household Affairs is a place where practical things are done, not a place for you to make money and mess around with your seniority! If you have no military plans in mind and only think about seeking advantages and avoiding disadvantages, I think you should not work in the Ministry of Household Affairs.
Get on with it!"
Having said this, Zhao Junchen seemed to be out of breath, but his mood became more and more excited. His expression was filled with sorrow and grief. He kept patting the table in front of him and shouted in a hissing voice: "Three months! I just left the house."
Three months ago! The Hubu Yamen, which used to be the model for all major yamen in the imperial court, has turned into this! After many years of hard work, the Hubu Yamen has been able to operate smoothly, and suddenly it suddenly
It has become a place that only knows how to push the envelope! All my years of hard work have been wasted..."
Then, Zhao Junchen saw that many officials from the Ministry of Household Affairs looked ashamed, and looked at Hong Zhengshuo and Ma Sen with eyes full of contempt, and he knew that his purpose of acting had been achieved.
Then, Zhao Junchen's body suddenly twitched, and then he fainted in front of all the Ministry of Household officials!
After seeing Zhao Junchen suddenly fainted, the expressions of all the Hubu officials changed drastically, and the main hall of the Hubu Yamen became a mess.
"Zhao Gechen! Zhao Gechen fainted!"
"Quick! Go to the palace and ask the imperial doctor to come over!"
"It's over! Zhao Gechen has fainted, please don't let anything happen!"
While all the officials from the Ministry of Revenue exclaimed, both Hong Zhengshuo and Ma Sen turned pale.
Once the story of this incident, especially Zhao Junchen's heartbreaking words just now, spreads, their reputations in both the government and the public will be completely destroyed, and their careers will also come to an end!
*
Zhao Junchen's coma was naturally faked.
He had long expected that Hong Zhengshuo and Ma Sen would not take responsibility and would blame each other. This situation was a great opportunity for Zhao Junchen to show off his acting skills and arouse public opinion!
Emperor Deqing hoped that Zhao Junchen could help the household department overcome the current difficulties. Naturally, Zhao Junchen would not let Emperor Deqing do so!
However, the logistics and supplies for the Hetao War could not be delayed after all, so Zhao Junchen still put forward his own suggestions out of consideration for the overall situation.
Zhao Junchen believed that the court would eventually adopt his proposal despite having no choice.
At that time, the Hetao War can proceed smoothly, and Zhao Junchen's hard work and follow-up plans will not be abandoned halfway.
But there are too many messes in the Hubu Yamen. Even if the logistics and food issues for the Hetao War are solved, there are still things such as autumn tax treasury, general revenue and expenditure report, official salaries, canal dredging, etc. that need to be dealt with!
After the war in the Hetao is over, the court will have a lot of troubles with regard to the border transfer, garrisoning, land reclamation, etc. in the Hetao area.
These things are not as urgent as the logistics and supplies for the Hetao War. Zhao Junchen naturally left them behind deliberately, which would continue the chaos in the Hubu Yamen until Emperor Deqing made a compromise and handed over the Hubu Yamen.
To Zhao Junchen!
In the end, the imperial court's financial power and food and grass turnover will still be firmly grasped by Zhao Junchen!
*
Zhao Junchen was a cabinet minister who had just made great achievements. At the height of his popularity, the fact that he suddenly fainted in the Hubu Yamen could not be covered up at any cost.
Soon, this matter had spread throughout the capital, and all forces had received the news.
At the same time, the cause of Zhao Junchen's coma, his evaluation of Hong Zhengshuo and Ma Sen, and Zhao Junchen's heartbreaking cry were soon known to everyone.
However, it was said that after the seventh prince Zhu Hejian hurriedly left the Hall of Supreme Harmony, he fainted in his sedan chair.
His personal eunuch, Jia Lun, was a calm man. After he discovered Zhu Hejian's coma, he knew that this matter must not be leaked, otherwise Zhu Hejian's plan to inherit the throne would fail.
So, Jia Lun just ordered the sedan bearers to quickly carry the sedan back to the Seventh Prince's Mansion. After Zhu Hejian's sedan arrived at the Seventh Prince's Mansion, Jia Lun dismissed everyone and personally carried Zhu Hejian back to the dormitory to rest.
Because Zhu Hejian had been sick since childhood, Jia Lun, who had always been with Zhu Hejian, also knew some medical skills. After making a preliminary diagnosis of Zhu Hejian's condition, he knew that Zhu Hejian was just severely overdrafted, and the situation was not particularly serious.
So, Jia Lun pinched Zhu Hejian's middle hard, causing him to regain consciousness.
After Zhu Hejian regained consciousness, he was still tired and dizzy. Jia Lun took out the pills he had prepared in advance and fed them to Zhu Hejian.
After about half an hour, Zhu Hejian finally regained some strength and his mind became clearer.
After seeing this scene, Jia Lun secretly breathed a sigh of relief, but his expression was still extremely calm. He just gave Zhu Hejian water and advised: "Your Highness, your body seems to be back to normal, but it is still
You can't stand any fatigue. Once you work too much, you will be in danger of falling ill... You are eager to show your physical recovery these days, and you have been overexerting your physical strength, but it is too much! If it weren't for you during this period
I have been constantly overdrafting my body, and Zhao Junchen will not take the opportunity to plot against me today, almost exposing his flaws."
After hearing Jia Lun mention Zhao Junchen's name, Zhu Hejian's expression was full of venom, and he gritted his teeth and said in a cold voice: "Zhao Junchen definitely did it on purpose! Zhang Decheng is his man, and he must have learned about me from Zhang Decheng
My physical condition! That’s why you took advantage of this opportunity to plot against me! This person’s methods are really vicious!"
After saying that, Zhu Hejian turned to Jia Lun and asked, "Are the spies we placed in the Zhao Mansion still there?"
Jia Lun shook his head and said: "Since Zhang Yu'er was poisoned last time, the spies we planted in the Zhao Mansion suddenly disappeared. To this day, no one is seen alive or dead! Since this time, the Zhao Mansion has been very vigilant.
Strong, all the spies placed in Zhao Mansion by various forces have disappeared."
Zhu Hejian said: "No matter what method is used, we must insert some more informants and internal agents into the Zhao Mansion. This person is too great a threat! I must grasp Zhao Junchen's every move in a timely manner! At the critical moment, I must also
Give him a taste of diamond powder!"
When it came to the latter part, Zhu Hejian was already gritting his teeth.
Jalen nodded and said: "I will arrange it as soon as possible!"
Zhu Hejian's mood calmed down a little, and he said: "You are right, I am really eager to express myself during this period, and it is too much... My body has not fully recovered, and I must pay attention to rest in the future, like today
Such a sudden fainting must never happen again! Zhao Junchen, the revenge you caused me to faint today will definitely be..."
However, before Zhu Hejian finished speaking, he heard someone reporting outside the dormitory: "Manager Jia, we just received the news that Zhao Junchen passed out in the household department..."