Zhao Junchen's acting skills are not as natural and just right as Fang Ru's. This kind of thing actually requires talent the most. But after these days of officialdom training, Zhao Junchen has been able to think one thing in his heart and another on his face.
, he kept telling lies without changing his face.
Therefore, after hearing the words of relief from Emperor Deqing, Zhao Junchen looked calm and composed, but anyone could see the emotion and excitement in his expression. He was pressed down by Emperor Deqing and sat against him.
Behind the bed, Zhao Junchen's voice was full of weakness and self-blame, and said: "Your Majesty, I have caused you trouble. You left the palace like this. If word spreads..."
Emperor Deqing waved his hand and prepared what Zhao Junchen would say, with a gentle voice: "I already know your condition. It is due to overwork and depletion of mental and physical strength due to state affairs. In this case, I have come to visit you.
, it’s just natural.”
While speaking, Emperor Deqing suddenly sighed and said: "However, it is true that you have caused me some trouble. Now because you suddenly fell ill, I have no close friends to entrust with the preparations for this southern tour."
, several cabinet elders have recommended some candidates, and the prince also has his own candidates, but each has its own shortcomings, and they are not as reassuring to me as you."
Emperor Deqing was full of emotion, but the corner of his eye was fixed on Zhao Junchen's reaction.
Although Zhao Junchen looked weak, he had a resolute look on his face. Without thinking, he said hastily: "Your Majesty, my health is fine. I can recover in just a day or two. It is rare that the treasury is abundant now. Your Majesty, you are worried about this southern war."
The expectations for the tour are extremely high. Others do not know His Majesty's thoughts. I am afraid that it will be difficult to satisfy Your Majesty. I am not arrogant, but I am afraid that there is no other suitable candidate for this matter except me. Therefore, I would like to ask Your Majesty to entrust the arrangements for the Southern Tour to
I will never disappoint Your Majesty."
As he spoke, Zhao Junchen seemed to want to prove that he was fine, and tried to get up, but as expected, he fell to the bedside again.
And such actions seemed to have consumed the last remaining bit of Zhao Junchen's physical strength. While his body was unable to move, the guilt and anxiety on his pale face became more and more obvious.
Seeing Zhao Junchen like this, Emperor Deqing had not expressed his opinion yet, but Fang Ru, who followed Emperor Deqing in, couldn't help but sobbed softly again. Her eyes were red as she watched Zhao Junchen struggle.
His eyes were filled with distress, and he wanted to stop him, but after looking at Emperor Deqing, he bit his teeth lightly and hesitated without taking any action.
While Fang Ru's behavior attracted the attention of Emperor Deqing, it also reminded Emperor Deqing of Fang Ru's previous words - "Master, he has been busy with government affairs these days. When reviewing the documents, he often delays it until midnight."
I can't rest in the future, and my appetite is quite poor. I eat less every day than before. Although I want to advise, the master just can't listen. He only talks about the current financial affairs of the DPRK.
It's getting bigger and bigger, money is hard to come by, and now there are a lot of expenses, so I have to take good care of it for Your Majesty..."
The two factors were connected. Even though Emperor Deqing still had some doubts about Zhao Junchen's sudden illness, he still couldn't help but feel a little moved in his heart.
Patting Zhao Junchen on the shoulder again, Emperor Deqing said slowly: "Junchen, since the national treasury is abundant now and all kinds of money are coming in and out, why do you have to keep an eye on it so closely? You can just have a rough grasp of all the accounts. You didn't before.
He once said to me, "If you are neither deaf nor mute, you are not a family man. Why do you need to be so clear-sighted now? I know that you almost pushed the imperial court into a desperate situation for some cloth and satin a few days ago."
Zhao Junchen sighed, and his tone became weaker. He seemed to hesitate for a moment, and then finally said: "Your Majesty, it is precisely because the treasury is rich in money now that I must keep a close eye on it. Your Majesty, didn't you say before that you want to imitate Jiangnan?"
Garden, should we build a royal summer resort? I have been thinking about this matter these days, and I have even chosen the location. It is in Rehe, where it is mild and rainy in summer, cool and pleasant in autumn, and it is not far from the capital.
, it is a rare summer resort, but it is very expensive to build it like this. I have the trust of Your Majesty, and I am in charge of both sides of the treasury. Naturally, I need to make early preparations. Now I can save an extra penny to build that summer resort in the future.
At that time, the available money will be a little more generous, and the only thing is to satisfy His Majesty."
Zhao Junchen's answer was obviously unexpected by Emperor Deqing.
He didn't expect that Zhao Junchen's purpose was actually this.
After a moment of silence, Emperor Deqing did not answer. Instead, he changed the topic and said slowly: "I came to see you this time and brought Wen Caining with me. Dr. Wen's medical skills have always been the best in the imperial hospital.
Let him diagnose you, and I will feel at ease."
As he spoke, Emperor Deqing turned his head and ordered Wen Caining: "Mr. Wen, please come and diagnose Junchen to see what's going on with Junchen's body."
Wen Caining nodded, raised his head, and stretched out his hand to feel Zhao Junchen's pulse.
However, as soon as his fingers were placed on Zhao Junchen's wrist, Wen Caining couldn't help but be stunned.
Without him, Zhao Junchen's arms were too cold.
This is because, since the emergence of Emperor Deqing, Zhao Junchen has pressed a jade stone under his armpit. Although this method can control the pulse, it also hinders blood circulation. As time goes by, the body temperature in the arm will decrease.
reduce.
Using this method to modify the pulse, the body temperature will drop, and the skin will become stiff, which is the biggest flaw.
However, as Fang Ru said, such a low-level trick could not be hidden from the barefoot doctors who walked among the people, but it was easier to hide it from the imperial doctors who always only treated the dignitaries due to their experience and knowledge.
Therefore, although Wen Caining felt strange, he could not explain the reason. He could only blame it on his physical weakness and wind and cold. He suppressed his doubts and continued to diagnose Zhao Junchen.
After the pulse diagnosis, Wen Caining asked Zhao Junchen about his physical condition and feelings. Finally, with some hesitation, he reported to Emperor Deqing: "Your Majesty, Mr. Zhao's pulse is indeed strange. It is extremely weak and comes and goes. But combined with
Mr. Zhao’s description suggests that he is suffering from physical damage caused by overwork and needs more rest.”
With Wen Caining's report, the last remaining doubt in Emperor Deqing's mind was finally completely eliminated.
However, Zhao Junchen looked anxious and asked Wen Caining: "I wonder how long it will take to recover? It's an eventful time now, and my body can't delay it."
Hearing Zhao Junchen's impatient questioning, Emperor Deqing sighed and patted Zhao Junchen on the shoulder and said: "Junchen, although you are ill, life, old age, illness and death are always unsatisfactory. You can rest assured and recuperate. Over there at the Ministry of Revenue."
, I won’t let others interfere, don’t worry, it’s just that other people will be responsible for the various arrangements for the southern tour.”
Seeing that Zhao Junchen seemed a little unwilling, Emperor Deqing sighed again.
With no more doubts in his mind, Emperor Deqing suddenly said, "Junchen, I have suffered a lot these days, not only because of the money arrangements in the court and the intrigues in the temple, but also because of what the prince has done these days."
I'm afraid what I did will make you restless, right?"
Zhao Junchen looked shocked. After hesitating for a moment, he remained silent.
Emperor Deqing said slowly: "I am here to leave you a truth. As long as you work hard for me, and as long as I am still in office, no one in this temple will embarrass you."
"As long as you serve me faithfully, and as long as I am still in office, no one will make things difficult for you in this temple."
Not long ago, Emperor Deqing left after saying these words.
Most of the Zhao family went to see Emperor Deqing off. Although Zhao Junchen wanted to see him off, he was stopped by Emperor Deqing.
At this time, Zhao Junchen was sitting on the bedside, recalling Emperor Deqing's assurance in his heart, with a look that seemed both happy and worried.
This time Emperor Deqing visited incognito, Zhao Junchen and Emperor Deqing each got what they wanted.
Emperor Deqing confirmed Zhao Junchen's "condition." Zhao Junchen received this assurance from Emperor Deqing.
In other words, at this moment, Zhao Junchen finally understood Emperor Deqing's bottom line for him.
In fact, Zhao Junchen's main purpose of pretending to be ill this time was to show his loyalty and use all means to impress Emperor Deqing as much as possible. In addition to increasing his status in Emperor Deqing's heart, he also took the opportunity to test Emperor Deqing.
Attitude and bottom line towards yourself.
As for the cooperation with Zhou Shangjing, Huang Yourong, and Shen Changmao, and the frame-up of Prince Zhu Hetan, they were just incidental.
Although Emperor Deqing's incognito visit was beyond Zhao Junchen's expectation, even without this incognito visit, Zhao Junchen would still stage a drama of "going to court while sick" tomorrow morning. It's just that
The effect was not as obvious as it is now.
"As long as I am loyal and as long as you are still in office, can I be sure to have no worries?"
Recalling Emperor Deqing's assurance, Zhao Junchen murmured to himself, but he didn't look happy or relaxed.
For an emperor, this guarantee was the ultimate favor, but Zhao Junchen understood that the guarantee was just a guarantee, but whether Emperor Deqing could abide by it was another matter. "Keep your word."
Qualities such as "keeping promises" do not belong to emperors. The so-called "gold words" and "honest words" are just a disguise. If turning over a book is like turning over a book, I'm afraid no one is more skilled than emperors.
More importantly, Emperor Deqing set two preconditions for this guarantee, one is "continue to be loyal." The other is "he is still in power."
These two guarantees are themselves contradictory arguments.
If he continues to serve Emperor Deqing loyally, given Emperor Deqing's temperament, Zhao Junchen will inevitably have to take the blame for Emperor Deqing. As a result, Zhao Junchen's reputation among the government and the public will become more and more bad. When Emperor Deqing abdicates,
Or a hundred years later, under the change of dynasties, as the saying goes, one emperor and one courtier, how can the newly ascended emperor let Zhao Junchen go?
"Gaozong had made similar guarantees to Qin Shuan, Shizong to Yan Song, and even Qianlong to He Kun, right? Although they were just useless verbal guarantees, knowing the bottom line of Emperor Deqing's attitude made him feel at ease.
Some, at least, if I make bigger moves next time in the temple, with this guarantee, Emperor Deqing will also turn a blind eye to me, right?"
Emperor Deqing's bottom line attitude towards Zhao Junchen has always been a stone weighing on Zhao Junchen's heart.
But now, after understanding the bottom line of this attitude, Zhao Junchen began to think about more profound things.
Just when Zhao Junchen was thinking about his next plan, there was a light knock on the door.
"Master, I'm back."
But it was Xu Qingyan’s voice.
Xu Qingyan had no talent for acting, so when Emperor Deqing came, although Fang Ru's status was not suitable, Zhao Junchen still left all the responses to Fang Ru.
Facts have proved that Fang Ru did a very good job, even beyond Zhao Junchen's imagination. The reason why Zhao Junchen was able to win the trust of Emperor Deqing was Fang Ru's various performances before and after.
As for Xu Qingyan, in order to prevent him from revealing his flaws, Zhao Junchen asked him to stay away temporarily.
"come in."
As Zhao Junchen finished speaking, Xu Qingyan opened the door and walked in.
"Your Majesty has left?"
Xu Qingyan nodded and said, "I just left."
Zhao Junchen asked again: "Has the news of His Majesty's si visit been spread?"
Xu Qingyan smiled and said: "Although His Majesty ordered this visit to be kept secret as much as possible and not to be known to others, several officials from the DPRK and China who came to visit the patient, under our arrangement, happened to see His Majesty leave. In this way
Come, I'm afraid that within a day, both the government and the public will know about your Majesty's visit."
Zhao Junchen nodded and said softly: "It's just right. The Holy Family is something that is meant to be shown to others. Although the more is not the better, there are always some uses. In the next period of time, I will pretend
The disease is far away from the court, and what happens in the temple can only be watched and cannot be directly intervened. At this time, there will always be some people who are lucky and want to get some advantages, so that the officials understand how much your majesty values me.
Let them be more scrupulous."
Xu Qingyan praised: "The young master still understands."
While the two were talking, Fang Ru also pushed the door open and entered.
At this time, Fang Ru was smiling, her eyes were looking forward, and she was full of flattery, but there was no trace of worry from before.
While secretly praising Fang Ru's acting skills, he saw some expectation in Fang Ru's expression and understood Fang Ru's thoughts. Zhao Junchen smiled and waved to Fang Ru, and Fang Ru also came to Zhao Junchen's bedside.
.
"You did a good job today. Our Majesty is the most suspicious. Without your performance, I am not completely sure if I want to eliminate the doubts in his mind."
While talking, Zhao Junchen patted Fang Ru's white and tender hands on the bed and said, "It's my luck to have you by my side to help me."
"My lord, your plan is not right."
Hearing Zhao Junchen's praise, Fang Ru looked even happier, like an innocent child who got his favorite candy.
On the other hand, Xu Qingyan, who was standing next to him, suddenly snorted softly.
He still couldn't stand Fang Ru.
Seeing Fang Ru's happy look, Zhao Junchen was secretly thinking, should he give Fang Ru more trust and let her do more things for him?!