Just as Zhao Junchen and Niu Fude ended their conversation and hurried to the palace to meet Emperor Deqing, the seventh prince Zhu Hejian was thoughtfully reading a secret letter.
After reading the contents of the secret message, a sneer flashed across Zhu Hejian's face.
On the other side, the eunuch Jia Lun showed great understanding. After seeing the change in Zhu Hejian's expression, he immediately lit a candle and held it in front of Zhu Hejian. Zhu Hejian put the secret message in his hand over the candle.
Then he threw the burning secret letter to his feet and quietly watched the letter gradually burn to ashes.
After doing all this, Zhu Hejian nodded and said with a smile: "Not all the clan members are just drunkards. At least Zhu Hezeng's performance this time was very good! On one side, he secretly collected the evidence of the vassal kings and gave it to his third brother to confuse
The third brother impeached all the vassal kings at the same time, and on the other hand, he tried his best to encourage King Fu to unite the clans from all over the country to fight against the third brother... Haha, he is just the eldest son of the king who has no right to inherit the throne, but he can play both sides, and take everything he has.
The water is completely disturbed."
After thinking for a moment, Jia Lun slowly commented: "This Zhu Hezeng, the eldest son of Prince Fu... I always feel that he is very similar to you, the Seventh Prince, in some aspects."
Zhu Hejian nodded calmly and said: "He and I are in a very similar situation. He has no right to inherit the position of Prince Fu, and I have no right to inherit the throne. His scheming methods are all good, and he has done a lot for Prince Fu's Mansion in these years."
However, I can only make wedding clothes for Prince Fu. The same goes for me. If I hadn’t secretly cooperated with my mother and concubine to do so many things, it would not be the third brother’s turn to sit on the throne. But I have done so many things.
, in the end, I just made a wedding dress for the third brother! At the same time, the two of us were also despised. No matter how many things we did, King Fu would only value the legitimate heir, and the mother-in-law would only favor the third brother.
In addition, he and I are both unwilling and ambitious... there are too many similarities!
It is precisely because of this that when he went to Beijing to meet with his father on behalf of King Fu, I saw at the first glance that he and I were on the same side. We have been secretly communicating and cooperating secretly over the years! We
About 30% of all secret expenses came from Prince Fu's Mansion. He spent so much money in private, but Prince Fu never noticed any signs... And his performance during this period was even more unexpected.
He is so outstanding that everyone is being toyed with by him. He should not be underestimated, and should not be underestimated..."
Zhu Hejian's evaluation of Zhu Hezeng was extremely high, and his face was full of admiration.
But Jia Lun has always understood Zhu Hejian's character best, but he immediately saw the murderous intention hidden under Zhu Hejian's praise.
There is no doubt that Zhu Hezeng's outstanding performance aroused Zhu Hejian's fear.
The more he discovered that Zhu Hezeng was similar to himself in all aspects, the more Zhu Hejian's murderous intention became uncontrollable.
After all, for Zhu Hezeng, things have developed to this point. He has obtained dual commitments from Crown Prince Zhu Heyu and Seventh Prince Zhu Hejian. In the future, whether Zhu Heyu consolidates his position as crown prince and successfully inherits the throne, or Zhu Hejian succeeds in overturning the throne,
If Zhu Heyu was defeated and replaced, he would be fully recommended to succeed him as King Fu.
In this way, Zhu Hezeng will have more room for choice. He no longer can only rely on Zhu Hejian. In the future, he can choose to betray Zhu Hejian and support Zhu Heyu; he can also choose to betray Zhu Heyu and support Zhu Hejian.
Under such circumstances, no one can guarantee which side Zhu Hezeng will choose to stand on - the most important thing is that Zhu Hezeng does have some evidence that is very unfavorable to Zhu Hejian in his hands, which is enough to reverse the current situation of seizing the heir.
It is precisely because Zhu Hezeng and Zhu Hejian are so similar that if they live in a different place, Zhu Hejian believes that he will definitely breed more ambitions and strive for more benefits for himself, and he will become less and less able to trust Zhu Hezeng.
What's more, as the situation in the court continues to change, Zhu Hejian no longer relies on Zhu Hezeng's financial assistance as before. In Zhu Hejian's mind, the eldest son of Prince Fu has overfulfilled his tasks and at the same time lost all utilization.
Value, of course, can burn bridges across rivers, and the rabbit will die and the dog will be cooked.
After figuring out what Zhu Hejian was thinking, Jia Lun went straight to the point and asked without any cover-up: "Do you want to get rid of him?"
Zhu Hejian did not hide his thoughts, and said slowly: "Zhu Hezeng is the most critical witness in the hands of the third brother. If Zhu Hezeng suddenly died suddenly at this time, many of the evidence collected by the prince would be unfounded, and this pool of water would be disturbed.
What's more, Third Brother will definitely think that Zhu Hezeng's sudden death was the work of the vassal princes, and the vassal princes will think that Zhu Hezeng's sudden death is inseparable from the prince, and the conflict between the two sides will become deeper... Moreover,
After Zhu Hezeng dies, we can also reduce one variable... So, no matter what, Zhu Hezeng cannot be kept."
Jia Lun nodded and said: "In the past two years, we have also secretly bribed several people around Zhu Hezeng. One of them is still Zhu Hezeng's confidant. It is not difficult to get rid of him... Do you want to use diamond powder?
"
Diamond powder, a poison that kills invisible people and makes people suffer from illness before death, has long become the favorite method of killing people, the master and servant of the seventh prince Zhu Hejian and Jia Lun.
In the past six months, various figures in the government and the public have died of gastric hemorrhage, all of which were the work of Zhu Hejian and Jia Lun. After all, as the seventh prince Zhu Hejian gradually comes to the fore, many things in the past must be washed away.
Bai must not leave any loopholes. "Kill and silence" is undoubtedly the most effective method in this case.
On the other side, Zhu Hejian pondered for a moment, but then shook his head and said: "Don't use diamond powder this time. Although this kind of thing is easy to use, people will notice the signs if it is used too many times, and it takes effect too slowly.
I don’t want to keep Zhu Hezeng for too long...it’s better to find a way to let him die in an accident.”
There were too many ways to harm people in Jia Lun's mind, and he didn't feel embarrassed at all at this time. He immediately replied: "I will arrange it immediately, and I will see the results within half a month."
Zhu Hejian nodded with satisfaction, and then asked: "By the way, have you received any news from the emperor during this period? Since the prince's memorial to impeach the vassals was sent to the capital, the emperor not only stopped the court meeting, but also stopped the court meeting.
I don’t want to see anyone at all, even if I want to see him these days, he has rejected me... I don’t know what my father is thinking about these days, I always feel that it is a variable!"
Having said this, Zhu Hejian couldn't help but frown.
Jia Lun shook his head and said: "I don't know, we haven't received too detailed information during this period! These days, Your Majesty, he has not even seen the concubines in the harem, and has been staying in the imperial study for the night... Ever since Li Ruan entered the imperial study to run errands
After that, it will not be easy for us to collect information from the imperial study room. This person is very smart and has a very sharp mind. Everyone in the imperial study room is closely watched by him, whether it is collecting intelligence or delivering news.
It has become very difficult... He is only temporarily in charge of the Imperial Study, and when he officially becomes the eunuch in charge of the Imperial Study, it will be even more difficult for us to collect information from the Imperial Study."
Zhu Hejian was thoughtful and said: "Looking at it this way, this person can be regarded as a talent. His attitude and position must be confirmed as soon as possible. You send a message to the inner court. I will look for opportunities to meet with Li Ruan in the next few days."
, if you can’t use it for your own use, it’s better to get rid of this kind of person immediately.”
The danger of Zhu Hejian lies here. His thinking and methods are too cruel and decisive - if someone may threaten him, then get rid of him secretly; if someone cannot be used for his own purposes, then kill him directly;
People may expose their secrets, but they still have to keep them secret - in short, he will not hesitate to use the most drastic means to anyone who might stand in the way.
In Zhu Hejian's eyes, this is the most effective and direct method.
But Jia Lun was very adaptable to Zhu Hejian's style of doing things, and still nodded in agreement with an expressionless face.
After talking about Li Ru'an, Zhu Hejian fell into deep thought again.
In Zhu Hejian's eyes, Li Ru'an is just an insignificant person, and Li Ru'an's matter is just a trivial matter. A little attention is enough.
The focus now is Emperor Deqing's attitude. This is the most important thing!
In Zhu Hejian's expectation, after the incident of Prince Zhu Heyu impeaching various vassal kings at the same time, Emperor Deqing's attitude must be to fight each other fifty times. On the one hand, based on the evidence found by Prince Zhu Heyu,
Severely punishing the princes, the other side will also take advantage of the opportunity of the princes to fight back against the crown prince Zhu Heyu, formally depose the crown prince and change the crown prince, and Zhu Hejian can replace him and become the real crown prince.
However, Emperor Deqing's behavior these days has been too strange, as if he was caught in a huge entanglement and contradiction. He has not expressed his attitude for a long time, which has added some variables to this matter.
"What on earth is my father thinking... and why is he behaving in such a strange way... I always feel that there is something that I have overlooked..."
Zhu Hejian murmured to himself.
*
The Sacred Heart is unpredictable.
Since Emperor Deqing received the impeachment memorial from Crown Prince Zhu Heyu, he has not held a morning court meeting for four consecutive days, nor has he summoned all the important officials of the imperial court to discuss matters. He has also refused everyone's audience, and has been hiding in hiding.
In the royal study, no one could speculate on his thoughts and thoughts during this period.
Emperor Deqing, who could not guess his thoughts, was obviously the most difficult to deal with.
When Zhao Junchen rushed outside the imperial study, he found that most of the cabinet ministers and the six ministers had already arrived. Everyone had serious expressions and gathered together to discuss in low voices.
After seeing Zhao Junchen appear, Chen Dongxiang, the Minister of Industry, and Li Chengru, the Minister of Household Affairs, hurried to Zhao Junchen's side.
During this period of time, the relationship between Li Chengru and Zhao Junchen has become closer and closer, and he has quietly and actively cooperated with Zhao Junchen's various instructions. However, on the surface, he is not Zhao Junchen's friend. He is still the prince Zhu Heyu.
The crowd was extremely nervous at this time.
Therefore, after quickly arriving in front of Zhao Junchen, Li Chengru asked first: "Mr. Zhao Ge, you said that Your Majesty summoned us this time to impeach the princes for the purpose of impeaching the princes? His Majesty... he should stand up
On the prince's side, right? After all, Your Majesty has been dissatisfied with the vassal kings for a long time. Although the prince has made a bigger fuss this time, he is still sharing your worries after all..."
Chen Dongxiang whispered: "If nothing else, it should be for the lawsuit between the prince and the princes! I received some news that the memorials from the princes have arrived in the capital today, but except for His Majesty himself
Besides, no one has read the contents of these memorials so far. His Majesty summoned us this time, probably for this matter."
Hearing what Chen Dongxiang said, Zhao Junchen couldn't help but be a little surprised. He didn't expect that Chen Dongxiang also bought an informant in the inner court, and the level of this informant seemed to be quite high, and he could have access to certain inside information.
Since Zuo Lanshan was sent to Shanxi as governor, Chen Dongxiang has become the second-largest figure in the "Zhao Party" in the capital regardless of seniority or official position. Unlike Zuo Lanshan, who keeps a low profile and is good at cooperating, his ambitions
It's bigger, and its methods are more proactive, but I don't know whether this is a good thing or a bad thing.
While thinking, Zhao Junchen said to Li Chengru: "What Chen Shangshu said is right. Your Majesty summoned us this time, most likely because of the matter between the prince and the vassal king! As for whether your Majesty will support the prince this time,
It’s hard to say…
If it had been before today, I would have preferred that Your Majesty would have made fifty big moves each. On the one hand, he would have used the evidence he had found to depose the vassal kings who had committed the most serious crimes, taking the opportunity to weaken the power of the clan. On the other hand, he would have
I will use the reason why the prince is not doing things well to further damage the prince's prestige, or even directly replace the prince... But your majesty's behavior during this period is too strange, and I dare not make a conclusion easily now...
However, the memorials of the vassal kings were presented to His Majesty at the same time, which meant that the clans had secretly cooperated and wanted to jointly put pressure on His Majesty. This method was too much, and undoubtedly offended His Majesty's divine power.
Your Majesty's temperament will arouse arrogance in his heart. He will never compromise with the clan easily, and he may choose to protect the prince..."
Having said this, Zhao Junchen couldn't help but shake his head slightly, saying that these opinions of his were just speculations and could not be guaranteed to come true.
Emperor Deqing was undoubtedly arrogant and always believed that he could easily control everything. This also made it rare for him to be truly serious. People like Zhou Shangjing, Zhao Junchen and others often took advantage of Emperor Deqing's behavior.
The arrogant mentality strives for benefits for himself, but now that the matter involves the prince and the clan, Emperor Deqing has undoubtedly become completely serious. He has begun to think about some deeper things, and his thoughts are not as easy to guess as before.
.
Therefore, Zhao Junchen's mood at this time was unprecedentedly serious and dignified.
Zhao Junchen looked up and found that he was not alone. Now, both Zhou Shangjing, the always scheming chief minister of the cabinet, and Wang Shou, the core member of the "Emperor Party", had as solemn expressions as himself. Obviously, they could not guess.
Emperor Tu Deqing did not have any prepared countermeasures.
Next, Zhao Junchen discussed with Chen Dongxiang and Li Chengru for a few more words, but before they could come to a specific conclusion, they saw Mr. Cheng Yuandao hurried outside the imperial study.
After Cheng Yuandao arrived here, all the ministers of the cabinet and the ministers of the six ministries were all present.
Soon, a young eunuch gently pushed the door open and walked out of the imperial study. He whispered softly: "Our name is Li Ruan. From now on, we will stay in the imperial study to run errands! Your Excellencies often do this."
As important officials of the imperial court who come in and out of the imperial study, our family will inevitably meet with you all from time to time. If our family accidentally offends you in any way in the future, I hope you can understand...
Now, please, all of you, please follow me into the Imperial Study Room to meet the Holy Spirit... By the way, please allow us to say a few words, Your Majesty has been in a very bad mood these days, and I hope that all of you will be more careful when you come to see me."
After hearing what Li Ru'an said, all the ministers couldn't help but take a deep look at him, and felt that this young eunuch was not simple.
Especially the sentence "If there is anything in our family that accidentally offends you in the future, I hope you will understand." It is quite meaningful and seems to imply that the ministers will no longer be able to easily pry inside the imperial study room in the future.
News.
On the other side, Li Ruan ignored the reactions of the ministers and just turned around and returned to the imperial study, without even looking at Zhao Junchen.
…
Because of the two sessions, there were a lot of things going on in the past few days, so I will resume updating today.