Under the gaze of Emperor Deqing, Zhao Junchen said solemnly: "Your Majesty, please forgive me for my limited energy and poor health. Now I am just participating in cabinet discussions and supervising the finances of the Ministry of Revenue, which has taken up most of my energy.
In addition, I have to supervise the construction of a new garden palace for His Majesty, and I really am unable to take care of more things."
Upon hearing what Zhao Junchen said, Emperor Deqing could not help but be stunned at first.
Zhao Junchen not only did not take the opportunity to ask for more benefits and power, but instead actively requested permission restrictions? What kind of condition is this?
But on second thought, Emperor Deqing quickly "guessed" Zhao Junchen's "true thoughts."
Ever since Zhao Junchen presented a few printed apples to Emperor Deqing as an "auspicious sign", Emperor Deqing had the strong idea of going to sea to find immortals - just like many things before, Emperor Deqing still gave it to Emperor Deqing.
This matter was handed over to Zhao Junchen.
Zhao Junchen still agreed to Emperor Deqing's decree at first, but his attitude on the surface was reluctant, as if he had suffered a big loss.
After all, according to the common view during the Ming Dynasty, building ships to go to sea was a bad policy that wasted money on the people and damaged the national strength. Once Zhao Junchen took charge of this matter, not only the Ministry of Revenue would have to share various expenditures with the internal funds, but also in the future
If it triggers controversy between the government and the opposition, they will inevitably take the blame and take responsibility.
At this time, Zhao Junchen's hint was also obvious - he could take the lead in impeaching Crown Prince Zhu Heyu, but he was unwilling to take over the matter of going out to sea to find immortals.
After understanding Zhao Junchen's hint, Emperor Deqing couldn't help but feel secretly angry!
After the endless glory on his birthday, Emperor Deqing no longer cared much about imperial achievements such as civil and martial arts, but he became more and more passionate about things like going to sea to find immortals and asking about immortality. If
If it weren’t for the mutual impeachment between Prince Zhu Heyu and clans from various places in the past few days, Emperor Deqing might have already sent an order to the Ministry of Industry to build a giant ship. Who would have thought that before Emperor Deqing could take actual action, Zhao
Junchen wanted to give up his job, which naturally made Emperor Deqing very disappointed and angry.
If Zhao Junchen's bargaining method at this time was to ask for money and power, Emperor Deqing might give it some thought, but there was no way Emperor Deqing would agree to this matter.
As a result, Emperor Deqing's originally gentle expression suddenly turned gloomy again, and he snorted coldly: "Zhao Junchen, are you bargaining with me? Don't think that I don't know your little thoughts, but you are still unwilling to give in.
You are responsible for me going out to sea to find immortals! Let me tell you, you cannot refuse this matter either!
Don't forget, the prince will cause today's troubles with clans from all over the country. The original reason was that your household officials secretly colluded with the feudal princes to secretly edit the land atlas! I have never held you accountable for this matter.
You are already extremely gracious! Now that you are asked to take the lead in impeaching the crown prince to quell the chaos, it also gives you a chance to make up for your mistakes! Not only do you not feel grateful for the emperor's kindness, but you think that you have been wronged.
Threatening to bargain with me?... Your courage is really getting bigger and bigger! Do you really think that I dare not punish you for your crime?"
Seeing Emperor Deqing's fierce reaction, Zhao Junchen not only did not panic, but a smile flashed in his eyes.
Of course, Zhao Junchen still showed enough respect and awe on the surface.
Zhao Junchen naturally knew how great the benefits and significance of building ships to go to sea were, and had been jealous of them for a long time. Naturally, he would not let anyone else be responsible for this matter.
In the final analysis, Zhao Junchen's statement at this time is still a method of "retreating in order to advance".
In this world, when you have something indispensable, "retreating to advance" is often a very useful tactic.
After seeing Emperor Deqing's angry expression, Zhao Junchen understood that his method worked, and Emperor Deqing could not do without him in this matter.
Zhu Heyu was obviously not indispensable to the imperial court and Emperor Deqing, so after he used the method of "retreating to advance", the effect was only to preserve his own reputation and make Emperor Deqing a little soft-hearted. However, Zhao Junchen
It was completely different, enough to make Emperor Deqing temporarily confused.
Therefore, despite Emperor Deqing's aggressive appearance now, he will inevitably make concessions in the end.
Sure enough, after Emperor Deqing angrily reprimanded Zhao Junchen for a few words, he saw that Zhao Junchen just lowered his head and remained silent. He neither refuted him in person nor immediately surrendered and showed weakness. After being silent for a long time, the anger in his heart grew stronger, but
But his tone softened slightly, and he said: "I have high hopes for going out to sea to find immortals. I leave this matter to you because I trust you the most. How can you bear it?
Did you live up to my expectations? Of course, I also know that your physical condition has not been good recently, and your court duties are also very heavy, but this matter does not require you to be responsible for every detail. You only need to stay in the capital.
Just take charge of the overall situation, but how much more burden will this add to you?"
Seeing Emperor Deqing starting to talk sincerely, Zhao Junchen looked helpless and finally raised his head and said: "If that's the case, I have a few more requests, and I hope your majesty will definitely grant them."
Emperor Deqing asked: "What is the request?"
Zhao Junchen said while thinking: "First of all, I hope that the matter of going out to sea to find immortals can be kept as low-key as possible, and it must not be made known to everyone, otherwise it will inevitably attract criticism from the government and the public. If that is the case, I am afraid that I will have to do it."
We are too busy to take care of the criticism from the government and the public, and we have no energy to do practical things... According to Chen's wishes, let's just do this and not talk about it."
For Zhao Junchen, he hopes that the matter of building ships and going to sea can be carried out as low-key as possible. Worrying about criticism from the government and the opposition is only one aspect. The main reason is that he does not want the various forces in the government and the opposition to get a share of the pie after seeing the benefits.
Emperor Deqing did not guess Zhao Junchen's little thoughts, but he nodded directly and said: "The imperial court's policy of banning the sea has not changed, so naturally it is better to carry out this matter in a low-key manner."
Zhao Junchen continued: "Secondly, according to His Highness the Crown Prince's vision, the power of the vassal kings in various places will definitely be severely damaged this time, and the 'Eight Kings Ship Shop' they used to make money will definitely be sealed by the court. As far as I know, this
'Hachio Shipbuilding' has always been secretly running a smuggling business. It has more than twenty large ships that can go to sea, and it also has hundreds of experienced sailors. I hope that Your Majesty can use the ships and sailors of 'Hachio Shipbuilding'
Let me handle everything."
Emperor Deqing still nodded directly and agreed: "This is a good idea. With these ships and sailors, not only can a lot of initial investment be reduced, but the progress of going to sea to find immortals can also be accelerated a lot. I am sure."
Zhao Junchen added: "Finally, as His Majesty said, even if I am responsible for going out to sea to find immortals, I can only stay in the center of the capital to take charge of the overall situation. It is impossible to be micro-managed and supervise everything. It is best to send
Send an official who is trustworthy and capable enough to stay at the southeastern coastal port for a long time and be responsible for the specific matters of going to sea to find immortals... I think that the most suitable candidate is the great scholar Huo Zhengyuan!"
Regarding this matter, Zhao Junchen had communicated with Huo Zhengyuan a long time ago. Huo Zhengyuan's ability and mind were enough to take on such an important task. Now there was just a reason to arrange Huo Zhengyuan there, and Emperor Deqing would not have any doubts.
After Emperor Deqing pondered for a moment, he asked: "Huo Zhengyuan is thoughtful and has a close relationship with you, so he is a suitable candidate... But if the matter of going to sea to find immortals is not suitable for publicity, what reasons do you think should be used to arrange for him to go there?
More appropriate?"
Zhao Junchen already had a case in his mind, but he still showed a look of serious thought, and replied after a moment: "The imperial court has begun to gradually take over power from the Six Ministries of Nanjing, and some chaos has gradually appeared in Fujian and Zhejiang, so I will arrange it for Huo Zhengyuan
In the name of appeasing the imperial envoy, on the surface, he was asked to stabilize the place, but in fact, he was asked to be responsible for building ships and going to sea. At that time, all he had to do was find a reason for the instability of the place, and Huo Zhengyuan could stay in the southeast.
It is enough to return to Beijing once a year to report on my work, and it will not arouse any suspicion."
Emperor Deqing thought again for a moment, then nodded and said: "It's quite thorough, just do it according to your ideas."
Seeing that Emperor Deqing agreed to his proposal again and did not infer his true plan, Zhao Junchen's expression remained calm, but he couldn't help but feel a little excited.
During this period of time, Emperor Deqing has been keeping an eye on Zhao Junchen's expansion of power in Shaanxi and Gansu, and has been doing his best to suppress Zhao Junchen's influence in Shaanxi and Gansu. However, he did not know that Zhao Junchen was in the Ming Dynasty.
There are more layouts towards the southeastern territory!
In the current southeast direction of the imperial court, the governor of South Zhili is an ally of Zhao Junchen, and the former cabinet minister Huang Yourong. If nothing unexpected happens, the Zheng family in Taiwan will soon form an alliance with Zhao Junchen. Businessmen from Hui and Zhejiang have always followed Zhao Junchen's lead.
The Guangdong General Soldier was Zhao Junchen's military henchman Zhang Chengxun, and the "United Shipping Company" secretly infiltrated the local government offices along the Yangtze River and the Beijing-Hangzhou Canal... It can be said that Zhao Junchen's power in the southeastern territory of the Ming Dynasty had already gradually taken shape, but
These forces have never been able to integrate, and there is a lack of cooperation and care between them, so naturally there is no climate.
But if Huo Zhengyuan is allowed to have the status of imperial envoy and patrol the southeast for a long time on behalf of the imperial center, he can not only be responsible for shipbuilding, going to sea, smuggling, etc., but also gradually unify all the forces deployed by Zhao Junchen in the southeast.
It only takes a few years for Zhao Junchen's influence in the southeast to catch up with that of Shaanxi and Gansu!
After calming down the excitement in his heart, Zhao Junchen was still a little reluctant on the surface and said: "In this case, I dare not live up to His Majesty's holy hope, and I will definitely do my best to arrange a fleet for Your Majesty to go to sea to search for immortals as soon as possible.
But after all, there is little hope in this matter, and I cannot guarantee anything. If nothing is achieved in a few years, I hope that your majesty will not blame you and choose someone else who is worthy."
Seeing that Zhao Junchen finally stopped making requests, Emperor Deqing secretly breathed a sigh of relief and nodded: "I am not an unreasonable and ignorant king, so naturally I will not force... However, since the immortal has given me the auspicious fruit,
As long as we, the monarchs and ministers, are sincere and persevere in searching for the immortal way, we will definitely gain something."
Hearing what Emperor Deqing said, Zhao Junchen secretly shook his head helplessly, understanding that Emperor Deqing was already obsessed with finding immortality. After he arranged his fleet to go to sea in the future, he was afraid that he would have to search for some overseas treasures from time to time.
Only by fooling Emperor Deqing.
*
After leaving the Imperial Study Room, Zhao Junchen thought for a moment and did not go to Wenyuan Pavilion to handle court affairs with the other pavilion elders. Instead, he left the Forbidden City and planned to return directly to the Zhao Mansion.
By the way, Zhao Junchen also sent someone to contact the great scholar Huo Zhengyuan and the Minister of Household Affairs Li Chengru, inviting them to the Zhao Mansion for a secret discussion. What happened in the Imperial Study Room today was more or less related to them, and they must be contacted in advance.
Communicate.
Especially Li Chengru, the Minister of Household Affairs, who was still loyal to the prince Zhu Heyu on the surface. His willingness to cooperate with Zhao Junchen during this period was all because of Zhu Heyu. Now Zhao Junchen was forced by Emperor Deqing to soon
He will take the lead in impeaching Zhu Heyu for his crime of oppressing the clan at the court meeting. Zhu Heyu will also be deposed due to Zhao Junchen's impeachment...
In this case, Zhao Junchen must have a showdown with Li Chengru, and let Li Chengru make a choice as soon as possible - whether he will follow Zhu Heyu to the dark side, or whether he will completely surrender to Zhao Junchen.
On the way back to the Zhao Mansion, Zhao Junchen had been secretly thinking about what kind of conversation strategy he should use after meeting Li Chengru. After all, Li Chengru is now the highest official in the Ministry of Household Affairs. If Zhao Junchen wants to continue to control the Ministry of Household Affairs, it will not matter.
There was no way around him, so he didn't want to completely fall out with Li Chengru because of his upcoming impeachment of Zhu Heyu. It would be best if he could take the opportunity to let Li Chengru completely change his family.
Just like this, while he was thinking secretly, time passed very quickly. When Zhao Junchen came back to his senses, he found that his sedan chair had already arrived in front of the main entrance of Zhao Mansion.
"Master! I'm back!"
When Zhao Junchen stepped down from the sedan chair, he heard a very familiar voice.
Surprised, Zhao Junchen looked up and immediately saw Xu Qingyan's appearance.
Xu Qingyan's trip between Taiwan and Beijing took only more than two months, but it was much less time than Zhao Junchen expected. Looking at Xu Qingyan's tanned skin, one knew that Xu Qingyan must have taken the sea route.
At the same time, Zhao Junchen knew that Xu Qingyan's trip to Taiwan was very fruitful just by looking at Xu Qingyan's proud and eager expression.
Therefore, Zhao Junchen smiled happily and nodded: "Just come back!"