Wang Youlun, the most high-profile figure in the temple in recent times. He was originally the former pavilion elder and the favorite disciple of the current crown prince and grand master Wang Baoren. Now he has switched to the sect of the quasi-prince, the seventh prince Zhu Hejian, for only a few times.
After the contact, he has become the most trusted confidant in Zhu Hejian's mind.
At the same time, taking advantage of the dispute between Prince Zhu Heyu and the vassal forces, because of Wang Youlun's self-recommendation, he also gained the attention of Emperor Deqing and regarded him as a responsible and capable loyal minister.
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But secretly, Wang Youlun had actually taken refuge with Zhou Shangjing, the chief minister of the cabinet, and was an important chess piece secretly laid by Zhou Shangjing. All of Wang Youlun's actions during this period, whether he took the initiative to investigate the vassal's crimes, or changed his family to join the Seventh
Prince Zhu Hejian was actually instructed by Zhou Shangjing.
At the same time, with the explicit or covert support of Emperor Deqing, the seventh prince Zhu Hejian, and the chief minister of the cabinet Zhou Shangjing, Wang Youlun's future is limitless!
However, on the road to Luoyang in the past few days, Wang Youlun seemed to be beautiful and calm on the surface, but in fact he was worried and hesitant.
This is because, after he was appointed as the imperial envoy, he was immediately summoned by Emperor Deqing to have a conversation alone. After Emperor Deqing summoned Wang Youlun, he actually asked Wang Youlun to disclose the information of the vassals during the investigation of their crimes.
The crime was related to the forces of the "Zhou Party" and was directed at Zhou Shangjing, the leader of the dynasty.
Emperor Deqing's order was naturally in a dilemma for Wang Youlun, who had already been completely impressed by Zhou Shangjing and regarded himself as Zhou Shangjing's confidant.
Afterwards, of course Wang Youlun secretly asked Zhou Shangjing for advice, but Zhou Shangjing's response was vague. He just asked Wang Youlun to do things according to Emperor Deqing's will. He had his own plan to deal with Emperor Deqing's scheme, and he would not let it go afterward.
Wang Youlun takes responsibility.
With Zhou Shangjing's attitude, he seemed to have everything in his mind and wisdom, but his answer was too vague, so Wang Youlun still couldn't help but feel worried.
After all, just like the view of Prince Zhu Heyu, the power of the "Zhou Party" and the feudal sect are extremely huge. The two sides will inevitably come into contact during their daily activities, and there will definitely be many times of cooperation and collaboration between them intentionally or unintentionally.
It happened, and there are traces of it. Under such circumstances, it is too easy to connect the crimes of the vassals with the "Zhou Party"!
Wang Youlun still has some confidence in his abilities. He believes that if he goes all out according to Emperor Deqing's instructions, the "Zhou Party" and Zhou Shangjing himself will inevitably face a huge disaster in the future, and he cannot imagine it at all.
What kind of countermeasures did Zhou Shangjing have to completely avoid this disaster?
With such complicated feelings, Wang Youlun quickly arrived in Luoyang - in order to avoid exposing his true identity, he did not dare to waste time along the way. It can be said that he traveled at high speed and under the stars.
When Wang Youlun entered Luoyang, he quickly met Luoyang officials who were waiting to greet him at Luoyang Station.
Among the welcoming team, the leader was naturally Zhang Bozhen, the governor of Henan, and Zheng Yicheng, the prefect of Luoyang, was not far behind Zhang Bozhen.
After seeing the people greeting them, Wang Youlun took a serious look at them first, and then his expression became serious.
This is because, in this welcoming team, there are actually two most critical figures missing - Prince Zhu Heyu, and King Fu Zhu Citong!
Crown Prince Zhu Heyu and Prince Fu Zhu Citong certainly have honorable status. If it were normal times, there would be no need to condescend to show up to greet Wang Youlun. However, Wang Youlun is now an imperial envoy, representing Emperor Deqing and the central court. However,
Zhu Heyu and Zhu Citong still did not show up to greet them. In this case, they can be prosecuted for the crime of disrespect!
Thinking of this, Wang Youlun felt a little uneasy in his heart. He just felt that his mission this time might not be smooth sailing.
However, Wang Youlun still seriously underestimated the complexity of the matter!
Just as Wang Youlun was thinking secretly, a group of Luoyang officials headed by Zhang Bozhen rushed to Wang Youlun. After saluting the imperial edict in Wang Youlun's hand, they saw Zhang Bozhen saying eagerly: "Your Majesty, Imperial Envoy,
You are finally here! The current situation in Luoyang City is extremely complicated. I feel powerless and do not dare to make the decision at all. Now that you have finally arrived, someone can finally take charge of the overall situation!"
Hearing Zhang Bozhen's complaint, Wang Youlun's expression became more serious, and he immediately asked: "What happened? Even Governor Zhang was helpless?"
Zhang Bozhen explained with a grimace: "Just six days ago, Prince Fu's eldest son Zhu Hezeng died suddenly from poisoning. The murderer has not yet been identified; and four days ago at Shenshi in the afternoon, His Royal Highness suddenly asked him to investigate the real culprit of the poisoning case of Prince Fu's eldest son.
For this reason, people were sent to seal off the entire Prince Fu's Mansion. Everyone from Prince Fu on down was placed under house arrest and searched and interrogated extensively!
However, His Highness Prince Fu immediately expressed that he could not bear the humiliation and ordered all the guards and servants of Prince Fu's Mansion to resist. There was also a sword conflict with the factory guards under His Royal Highness the Crown Prince. In the end, three factory guards and eleven guards of Prince Fu's Mansion were killed.
With their servants, the riot was not stopped until His Royal Highness the Prince sent an order to mobilize the Luoyang City defenders to suppress it!
After this incident, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince took the opportunity to take control of the warehouse and accounts of Prince Fu's Mansion, and also took the opportunity to interrogate a large number of senior figures in Prince Fu's Mansion, during which there were many severe tortures. In the end, he still failed to find out the poison of the eldest son.
The real culprit of the murder case 'accidentally' found many evidences of Prince Fu's palace illegally annexing land, smuggling, tax evasion, interfering in local government affairs, human trafficking and oppressing the people over the years. He also found some forbidden items in the palace that violated the rules.
, it can be said to be conclusive evidence!
In addition, Prince Fu's actions of causing riots, assassinating imperial envoys, and killing factory guards were all unjustifiable, so Prince Fu and everyone in Prince Fu's residence have been completely detained by His Highness the Crown Prince, and they are treated like ordinary prisoners.
Alas, it is really no small matter that things have developed to this point. Now not only the people in Luoyang City are panicking, but after the news reaches the center of the imperial court, it will probably cause a shock in the temple! Of course, the lower officials would not dare to make the decision on such a major event.
I am helpless and waiting for you, the Imperial Envoy, to take charge of the overall situation!"
Zhang Bozhen did not know that Wang Youlun, like him, was also a confidant of Zhou Shangjing, the chief minister of the cabinet. Therefore, although his attitude was humble at the moment, he had a completely business-like attitude and had no intention of revealing the truth to Wang Youlun.
On the other side, after hearing Zhang Bozhen's report, Wang Youlun's expression suddenly changed. He felt that the development of the situation had far exceeded his expectations and was completely out of control. For a moment, he didn't know how to deal with it.
After a moment of panic, Wang Youlun finally discovered the key to the matter and asked again: "Where is His Royal Highness? Where is His Highness now?"
Zhang Bozhen shook his head and sighed, and continued: "The official was about to report. His Royal Highness, he searched for evidence overnight and interrogated the relevant personnel. He said that the evidence of the crimes of King Fu's lineage was conclusive, so there was no need for him to continue to stay.
Luoyang, so at 3:30 in the morning two days ago, he led his factory guards to leave Luoyang City and headed towards Huguang, saying that they were going to the Huguang area to further collect evidence of the crimes of the vassals...
His Royal Highness the Crown Prince is not only the current crown prince, but also an imperial envoy of the imperial court. How dare I stay? But I never thought that less than a day after His Highness the Crown Prince left Luoyang City, I suddenly received news that the imperial court was planning to make arrangements again.
A new imperial envoy takes over the responsibilities of His Royal Highness the Crown Prince!
Naturally, Xianguan did not dare to neglect, and immediately sent out fast horses to chase His Highness the Crown Prince. Unfortunately, His Highness the Crown Prince obviously wanted to investigate secretly, and hid his whereabouts after leaving Luoyang City, and the men sent by Xianguan could not be found at all.
To His Highness the Crown Prince, let alone report to His Highness the Crown Prince about the new imperial envoy arranged by the imperial court!"
Speaking of this, Zhang Bozhen's face was full of pain and helplessness, as if this matter had nothing to do with him.
On the other side, Wang Youlun's expression was slightly colder. He was also a veteran in the officialdom. When things had developed to this point, how could he not guess that the reason why Prince Zhu Heyu left in a hurry was to avoid him and was unwilling to hand over power and responsibilities?
However, in this situation, although Wang Youlun knew it well, he could not fault it.
When things have developed to this point, Wang Youlun can't expect to catch up with Prince Zhu Heyu. His first priority right now is to stay in Luoyang City and clean up the mess for Prince Zhu Heyu!
At this moment, Wang Youlun felt that he was being plotted.
"In this case, it is useless to stay here and talk more. We will enter Luoyang City immediately. This imperial envoy must meet with Prince Fu as soon as possible and ask for the details of the matter before reporting the news to the court."
After saying this coldly, Wang Youlun immediately returned to the sedan chair and ordered the bearers to rush to Luoyang City as soon as possible.
But at the same time, Wang Youlun could probably guess that Emperor Deqing's plan would most likely be difficult to realize.
Next, Prince Zhu Heyu will probably cause chaos one after another, and he will have to continue to clean up the mess for Prince Zhu Heyu. These things will be enough to consume all his time and energy!
*
Several flowers bloom, one on each side.
At the same time Wang Youlun entered Luoyang City, there was still an undercurrent in the center of the capital.
And this time, the person at the center of the whirlpool is Zhao Junchen, whose position seems to have gradually become stable!
On this day, after Zhao Junchen left the morning court, he did not go to Wenyuan Pavilion to handle official court affairs. Instead, he returned to Zhao Mansion in advance and met with a mysterious person.
The origin of this mysterious man is also extraordinary. He is the rising star of the Zheng family in Taiwan, Zheng Ming, the third grandson of Annan Bo Zheng Zhilong!
During this period of time, under the orders of Zhao Junchen, academicians Huo Zhengyuan and Zheng Ming have been secretly discussing cooperation matters between the two parties.
Yesterday, we finally negotiated an outcome that was acceptable to both parties, and it can be said that everyone gained something.
In short, the Zheng family will fully assist our shipping plan, including but not limited to providing excellent nautical charts, assisting in training sailors, reselling some ocean-going ships at low prices, sharing contacts and information from Southeast Asian countries, providing escort support, etc.; in addition,
, Zhao Junchen will also have full authority to act as the agent for the smuggled goods transported by the Zheng family to the inland, and the profits will be divided into 30% and 70%; finally, the Zheng family will also try their best to recruit various related talents from Western countries for Zhao Junchen;
At the same time, when Zhao Junchen launched his ocean-going plan, the Zheng family also wanted to take away 20% of the profits; and Zhao Junchen also needed to clear up official relations for the Zheng family, allowing them to build several new shipyards along the coasts of Jiangsu and Zhejiang, and more
They must also provide them with a large amount of wood and various tools at low prices to support the operation of the Zheng family's shipyard; finally, they must assist the Zheng family in recruiting a large number of immigrants to enrich Taiwan;
Zhao Junchen was quite satisfied with this result, and the cooperation with the Zheng family was completely finalized.
If nothing else happens, this cooperation will last for a long time and will have far-reaching influence.
After negotiating the terms of cooperation, Zheng Ming once again requested to meet with Zhao Junchen through Huo Zhengyuan. Seeing that the cooperation had been reached, Zhao Junchen naturally would not avoid meeting again, so he agreed.
The time for the meeting was set after the morning dynasty on that day, and the location was set in the Zhao Mansion.
However, it was said that when Zhao Junchen returned to Zhao Mansion, he quickly met Zheng Ming secretly in the small study, while Huo Zhengyuan and Xu Qingyan sat beside him to accompany him.
After the two parties met, Zhao Junchen first looked at Zheng Ming carefully, and then nodded with satisfaction.
As a rising star of the Zheng family and the front-runner to succeed him, Zheng Ming is obviously a smart, shrewd and well-established young man. He did not show any restraint under Zhao Junchen's gaze, but only greeted him with a normal expression.
His attitude is neither flattering nor arrogant, which makes people very fond of him.
Since he is determined to cooperate with the Zheng family for a long time, Zhao Junchen naturally hopes that the more smart and capable the Zheng family members are, the better.
After arranging for Zheng Ming to sit down for tea, Zhao Junchen quickly started a conversation with Zheng Ming.
At the beginning, there was nothing surprising about the conversation, and the atmosphere was considered harmonious. First, Zheng Ming handed over to Zhao Junchen the secret letter and gift from Ann Bo Zheng Zhilong, and expressed the Zheng family's admiration for Zhao Junchen.
After Zhao Junchen read Zheng Zhilong's secret letter, he immediately wrote a reply and handed it over to Zheng Ming for delivery. He also expressed his admiration for Zheng Zhilong and ordered someone to select a more valuable item from the Zhao family's warehouse.
Valuable treasures as a return gift.
Next, both parties expressed their sincerity for cooperation, imagined the wonderful scenario of this cooperation, and agreed on the means of future negotiations. Everything was normal.
Zhao Junchen originally thought that the conversation would end in such an ordinary way.
"There is one thing that I must emphasize again here. The profit sharing from smuggling between us and the Zheng family is limited to gold and silver property. However, all grain smuggling businesses will not participate in the sharing. They must all be transported within
Lu! I hope Mr. Zheng will keep this in mind and tell Yu Annanbo to know, so as to avoid disputes between the two of us on this matter in the future.
At the same time, I also hope that the Zheng family’s fleet can transport more grain to the inland in the future. If it is ordinary property and treasure, we will be responsible for selling it for the Zheng family and will share 30% of the profit. But if it is grain, we will not only have
You get as much as you want, and only half of the profit will be taken away, so as long as the Zheng family finds a way to transport grain to the inland in the future, profits will definitely be guaranteed!"
At the end of the conversation, Zhao Junchen once again emphasized to Zheng Ming one of the most important things in his heart right now.
Hearing Zhao Junchen's emphasis, Zheng Ming nodded in agreement with a serious expression, and then couldn't help but ask: "Is the food shortage in the inland provinces so serious? Even Zhao Gechen would be so worried?
"
Zhao Junchen nodded gently with a sullen face, his eyes gloomy.
In the past few years, with the slow arrival of the Little Ice Age, natural disasters in various parts of the imperial court have become more frequent, and food turnover has become increasingly tight. Private food prices have gradually approached the limit of acceptance by the people, even Zhao Junchen
I also gradually felt powerless.
This year, Zhao Junchen has received news from various places in the past few days, saying that Beizhili, Henan, Hubei, Shanxi and other places have hardly seen any snowfall in several months!
As the saying goes, "Auspicious snow heralds a good year." There is also a proverb among the people, "Three layers of wheat quilt in winter, sleep with steamed buns on your pillow in the coming year." However, many areas have not received snowfall this year, even if they will not encounter drought, floods, or locust plagues in the future.
Due to troubles such as war, the grain fields during this year's autumn harvest will probably not look good.
Moreover, as the natural phenomena of the Little Ice Age become more apparent, the reduction in food production in various places will probably become even more severe.
In order to suppress the increase in private food prices and ensure the basic emotional stability of the common people, God knows how much effort Zhao Junchen has put in during this period.
Therefore, how to collect more food has become one of the most important things in Zhao Junchen's mind right now.
In fact, Zhao Junchen no longer thinks about how to feed all the people of the Ming Dynasty. As long as the people do not starve to death in the wilderness on a large scale in the next few years, Zhao Junchen can give his achievements a passing grade.
On the other side, after seeing Zhao Junchen's expression, Zheng Ming became more and more aware of the seriousness of the matter, and sighed: "Zhao Gechen is now responsible for supervising the household department. If there is a big problem with the court's food, I am afraid he will have to bear all the responsibilities."
... Considering the current rumors about Zhao Gechen among the people, it is no wonder that Zhao Gechen is particularly nervous."
After a pause, Zheng Ming added kindly: "But Minister Zhao can rest assured that if something happens to you in the future - of course, just in case - our Zheng family, as your reliable ally, will
Taiwan will always be your most reliable escape route!"
When Zhao Junchen heard this, he couldn't help but frowned, as if he didn't know what Zheng Ming said at all, and asked: "Rumors? Are they related to this pavilion? But I don't know what the rumors Mr. Zheng said are.