The seventh prince Zhu Hejian's behavior has always been ruthless and decisive, leaving no room for error and resorting to any means to achieve his goals.
Although this style of doing things will leave hidden dangers, it is more often extremely efficient and achieves remarkable results.
Some time ago, Zhao Junchen spent a lot of energy and manpower to investigate the reconstruction of the internal factory, which took nearly three days. He finally got preliminary results, which was considered extremely efficient.
However, after Jia Lun received the task, he had already investigated the truth about the reconstruction of the inner factory that night. Not only was the intelligence network much more efficient than Zhao Junchen, but the intelligence information he investigated was also much more Detailed and true.
This is because Jia Lun's work style is in the same vein as Zhu Hejian's, and his investigation methods are also extremely straightforward.
Jia Lun first sent someone to secretly kidnap an old servant in Li Chunchen's house, and then threatened the lives of his children and grandchildren to truthfully tell the old servant Li Chunchen's recent movements and who he had had secret contact with. .
Later, Jia Lun ordered people to kidnap the officials again under the cover of night and give them to Xun Dongxun. According to the old servant's account, Xun Dongxun was Li Chunchen's close friend and the person who had the most secret contact with Li Chunchen in recent times. , the two often hid in the study and talked secretly - therefore, Jia Lun judged that Xun Dongxun probably knew the truth about the reconstruction of the inner factory.
In the end, it was a torture, coercion and inducement, and Xun Dongxun quickly confessed everything.
In this way, it only took Jia Lun half a night to complete the task assigned by Zhu Hejian.
The efficiency is high, the methods are perfect, and the unscrupulousness of the actions is jaw-dropping.
*
That night, around 3:00 p.m., Jia Lun came to the study of the Seventh Prince's Mansion again.
When he pushed the door open and entered the room, Jalen's expression was even more serious and cold than usual.
Zhu Hejian looked up and saw Jialun's expression, and immediately realized something. He frowned and asked coldly: "Have you found out? So... the Da Nai Xing Factory was indeed secretly rebuilt?"
Jia Lun nodded and said: "That's right. Not only has the inner factory been rebuilt secretly, but the person responsible for the reconstruction of the inner factory, the current director of the inner factory, is indeed the seemingly insignificant Li Chunchen! Just as His Highness expected. , Your Majesty, the reason why he secretly rebuilt the inner factory is to investigate the inner court!"
Then, Jia Lun reported his investigation process and results to Zhu Hejian in detail.
Finally, Jialun concluded with a serious expression: "Judging from the available intelligence, His Majesty may have vaguely noticed signs of infiltration in the inner court, so he deliberately bypassed the inner court forces and secretly rebuilt the Da Neihang Factory, and The factory was also given the power and responsibility to supervise the inner court!
But the good news is that Your Majesty is only vaguely aware of some signs. He is not completely sure, nor does he know where the forces behind the infiltration of the inner court come from. We have not exposed the details.
However, Li Chunchen was quite scheming about the city, and all the officials were involved in the matter. Although Xun Dongxun was his confidant and friend, and one of the core figures after the reconstruction of the inner factory, he did not know the entire situation of the inner factory, and many secrets were unknown. Only Li Chunchen knows...for example, who are the core personnel of the inner factory, and what are the specific future plans of the inner factory, etc...
At present, we only know that the strength of the inner factory is still weak and the activities are not frequent. However, several secret operations have been launched, and they have been approved and supported by His Majesty... According to Xun Dongxun, Li Chunchen has a A secret edict allows him to mobilize local garrisons of less than 3,000 people and order court officials below the fifth rank at a critical moment, which is obviously a big plan!"
After hearing Jia Lun's report, Zhu Hejian's expression became more solemn, and he said slowly: "My father's temperament has always been eager for success and publicity, but this time he was so low-key and patient about rebuilding the inner factory. Naturally, the plot is very big... You immediately send a message to Wu Xinquan. Before we find out the detailed plan and specific personnel of the Da Neihang Factory, all actions must be as hidden and low-key as possible. We must not let Father and Li Chunchen detect the flaw and seize it. handle!"
After Jia Lun nodded in agreement, Zhu Hejian asked again: "You sent people to kidnap Li Chunchen's old servants and officials, and gave them to Xun Dongxun, the two people involved in the incident. Are they still alive?"
Jialun nodded and said: "These two people are now imprisoned in a secret stronghold in the west of the city. Because our family does not know your specific thoughts, His Highness, we still keep them alive."
After Zhu Hejian thought for a moment, he said coldly: "Xun Dongxun was tortured severely, and the injuries on his body cannot be hidden. Moreover, he is also Li Chunchen's best friend and confidant, and is highly valued by Li Chunchen. Even if he is forced to work for me in the future, it will not work. It's easy for Li Chunchen to discover the flaw... In this case, just silence him! Keep your hands and feet clean and make it look like he died in an accident, just in case it's a surprise! No matter what, we can't let Li Chunchen find out that we have known about the internal factory in advance. Things to rebuild!
As for Li Chunchen's old servant, as long as he can control his children and grandchildren, he will not dare not work for us. Moreover, Li Chunchen does not pay much attention to him. He can leave a life and let him return to Li Chunchen's house and continue to act as an informant! "
After Jia Lun agreed, he saw that Zhu Hejian was lost in thought again and had no more instructions. He immediately turned around and left the study to go to work.
After Jia Lun left, Zhu Hejian murmured to himself: "The key now is this Li Chunchen!
When he first took part in the palace examination, he wrote an article called "Theory of the Hanging Sword" that shocked both the government and the public. Therefore, after entering the officialdom, he has been suppressed by various forces, but he has always been able to tolerate it. I originally thought he was just a wrong bet. An unlucky little man with no ambitions, he thought that he could be reused after he ascended the throne, but he didn't expect that this man had secretly become the factory supervisor, and even received such attention and trust from his father. He was obviously not an easy person. , the depth of his scheming can be said to be unparalleled by few... Perhaps, I have to come forward in person and try to test his roots!
It just so happens that the bloody conflict between the prince and King Fu's lineage in Luoyang City has now spread to the capital. This news cannot be concealed in any way! In this way, I will have a legitimate reason to go to the General Affairs Department tomorrow. Inquire about the information and take the opportunity to contact Li Chunchen... If you can use it for your own purposes, that would be the best, but if I find that he is too much of a threat to me..."
At the end of the sentence, Zhu Hejian's eyes were full of cold light.
For Zhu Hejian, his temple power has now taken shape, but the inner court power is still the force he relies on most. After the reconstruction of the Da Nei Xing Factory, it not only deliberately bypassed the inner court, making it impossible for him to penetrate, but also shouldered the responsibility Due to the responsibility of supervising the inner court, he was restrained, and behind him stood a keen and suspicious Emperor Deqing...
All these situations made Zhu Hejian feel as if he was facing a formidable enemy, and he was still a little impatient. He felt that his path to power was full of twists and turns. He had just managed to solve the hidden danger of Prince Zhu Heyu's comeback, but now he was... Da Nai Xingchang and Li Chunchen suddenly appeared, which can be said to be endless and annoying.
…
Just as the seventh prince Zhu Hejian had expected, the bloody conflict between the prince Zhu Heyu and King Fu's lineage was a thunderbolt, and such news could not be concealed no matter what.
That night, the relevant news had spread throughout the temple's senior officials, and everyone was deeply shocked!
If it can be said that Prince Zhu Heyu and various vassals in the past criticized each other and impeached each other as a normal phenomenon, then this time there was a bloody conflict, and the prince imprisoned the vassal king and tortured the sect. Regarding the marriage, this is simply a shocking scandal that is destined to be spread to future generations, and the entire court will be disgraced!
It was precisely because of the great impact of this incident that when the court meeting was held at 3:30 the next morning, all the courtiers outside the Meridian Gate of the Forbidden City were not absent. They all rushed outside the palace in advance. Anxiously waiting for the start of the court meeting, not daring to miss any updates.
When Zhao Junchen arrived at the Meridian Gate in a sedan chair, he first opened the curtain of the sedan chair and took a look, only to find that a large number of courtiers had gathered outside the Meridian Gate. Many old and frail ministers who had been absent from the morning court for many years also appeared one after another.
Seeing this situation, Zhao Junchen's expression was half-smiling at first, but he soon changed to a solemn expression and stepped out of the sedan.
On the other side, with Zhao Junchen's current status and influence, when he appeared, all the officials also paid attention, and a group of "Zhao Party" officials rushed towards Zhao Junchen.
"Zhao Gechen, we have been anxious, but you are finally here! Zhao Gechen is well-informed, and must have received news from Luoyang. His Royal Highness actually had a bloody conflict with King Fu's lineage, and even imprisoned the vassal. , torture, although the specific details are not yet known, but after this happens, whether His Highness the Crown Prince is justified or not, the reputation of the government and the public will be severely damaged. How should we deal with it next? Should we do our best to protect the Crown Prince? Or …Mingzhe protects himself?”
As Zuo Lanshan was sent out to become the governor of Shanxi, Huo Zhengyuan went south to take charge of the ocean-going plan. Currently, among the "Zhao Party", Chen Dongxiang, the minister of the Ministry of Industry, has the highest qualifications and status. At this time, he was the first to speak to Zhao Junchen for his opinion. .
As soon as Chen Dongxiang finished speaking, Li Chengru, the Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, said urgently: "Minister Zhao, the current situation of His Royal Highness is extremely bad. According to the news I have received, many officials have already written the impeachment memorial overnight. Waiting to add insult to injury at the court meeting... Especially those Qingliu officials, now they have completely disregarded their former feelings and are just sharpening their knives. They want to take the opportunity to depose the prince in one fell swoop and replace the seventh prince... The situation is already extremely critical, there is still hope Zhao Gechen has already made plans!"
Speaking of the latter, Li Chengru's expression was full of worry, but he only urged Zhao Junchen to make an early decision, but did not show a clear position.
Compared with the worries and anxieties of many "Zhao Party" officials, Zhao Junchen had received more detailed information yesterday, and he was well prepared. He raised his hand with a calm expression, signaling to "Zhao Party"
Everyone calmed down a little and said slowly: "This matter is indeed crucial and extremely sensitive, but there is no need to rush to make a decision on how we are going to express our stance next. I have to first find out what the other person is thinking.
That’s it!”
"Another person?" Chen Dongxiang was slightly stunned, but he quickly thought of something and confirmed: "Zhao Gechen, you mean... Zhou Shoufu?"
"Of course it's him! If he still wants to help the prince, we will get twice the result with half the effort to protect the prince. But if he is also like the Qingliu who intends to add insult to injury, even if we try our best to protect him, we are still unable to do anything.
There will also be backlash and implication... Therefore, I must find out Zhou Shoufu's attitude in advance!"
After saying that, Zhao Junchen raised his head and looked around, and soon spotted Zhou Shangjing's figure.
At this time, Zhou Shangjing was also surrounded by many "Zhou Party" officials, discussing something in a low voice with Li He, the cabinet elder, Song Qiwen, the official minister, and others.
Then, as if he sensed something, Zhou Shangjing also raised his head and looked at Zhao Junchen, his old face full of enigma.
After making eye contact, Zhao Junchen first nodded, then explained to everyone in the "Zhao Party", and then walked alone towards Zhou Shangjing's position.
At the same time, Zhou Shangjing also gave a few instructions to the people in the "Zhou Party" around him, and soon everyone in the "Zhou Party" avoided them, leaving only Zhou Shangjing standing alone.
In this way, under the attention of all parties, Zhao Junchen quickly walked in front of Zhou Shangjing.
Zhao Junchen looked respectful and bowed slightly, but then he got straight to the point and asked directly: "Soufu Zhou, His Royal Highness has gotten into trouble again. This time... will you save him or not?"