The change in Zhao Junchen's expression was very subtle, and it only passed by in a flash.
But Zhou Shangjing's seemingly dim old eyes were still keenly aware of Zhao Junchen's abnormal reaction.
After seeing Zhao Junchen ponder for a long time without responding, Zhou Shangjing became more and more sure of his suspicion!
"Sure enough, although His Majesty has repeatedly taken action to purge the officialdom of Shaanxi and Gansu, he still has not completely eliminated all the arrangements Zhao Junchen left in Shaanxi and Gansu... Otherwise, Zhao Junchen should not have done this in any case by replacing a Shaanxi governor with a Shandong governor.
Such hesitation!
I was not very sure at first, but I just felt that when His Majesty took action to clean up the officialdom of Shaanxi and Gansu, Zhao Junchen acted too calmly and did not react at all, so I made some speculations, and then came the test just now...
But now it seems that my guess is not wrong!
In other words, the arrangements that Zhao Junchen left in the officialdom of Shaanxi and Gansu were not seriously damaged! Moreover, he would like to use these arrangements to cause further trouble in the future!
In this case, I must take precautions secretly no matter what, and I must let Lu Yuanan serve as the governor of Shaanxi, and I must not let Zhao Junchen secretly do evil in the northwest border!"
While Zhou Shangjing was thinking secretly, Zhao Junchen weighed it for a moment and finally refused: "Lu Yuanan was dismissed just now for violating the imperial decree, so he was immediately reinstated, and his rank remained completely unchanged. It seems that
Is there something wrong?"
Zhou Shangjing's attitude became more and more gentle, but the edge hidden under such a gentle attitude became more and more sharp. He said with a smile: "Give the credit the credit and the fault the blame! Since Lu Yuanan became the governor of Shandong, although he has defied the imperial court
Although it is the fault of the New Deal, his achievements are not small. It cannot be said that he will never be able to turn around just because of one mistake..."
After saying that, Zhou Shangjing turned to look at Song Qiwen, the Minister of Civil Affairs.
Song Qiwen immediately echoed: "Lu Yuanan is a good hand in both governing politics and controlling the people. He has been excellent in the civil service evaluation for seven consecutive years, and since he became the governor of Shandong, the amount of taxes paid in Shandong has increased by nearly 40%.
He is indeed a rare talent!"
Hearing Zhou Shangjing and Song Qiwen singing harmony, Zhao Junchen couldn't help but sneer in his heart.
Everyone knows that the official office is the sphere of influence of the "Zhou Party", so the evaluation of the official department over the years is just a formality for the "Zhou Party" officials. As long as they are born in the "Zhou Party" and have
Who is not assessed and evaluated year after year?
As for the substantial increase in tax payments in Shandong, it is largely due to Zhao Junchen’s commercial tax rectification. What does it have to do with Lu Yuanan?
However, before Zhao Junchen could express his position again, Zhou Shangjing continued: "What's more, the mistakes Lu Yuanan committed can also be remedied... I have carefully studied the new agricultural policy implemented by you, Junchen, and found that
Sweet potatoes, potatoes and other crops that Junchen mainly recommends are harvested twice a year in Shandong. Although they have missed the first quarter, they can still catch up in the second quarter...
What's more, according to Junchen's current plan, the various crops planted in the first quarter of this year are not used for food or storage, but as seeds for widespread promotion in the next quarter, right? But only as seeds.
, Xuanfu’s output is already sufficient, so even if Shandong’s progress is slower, it will not hinder the overall situation..."
Obviously, Zhou Shangjing was also aware of Zhao Junchen's arrangements in Xuanfu Military Town. Even if he did not know Zhao Junchen's secret infiltration of Xuanfu Military Town, he must have been aware of Zhao Junchen's move of tens of thousands of Shaanxi-Gansu disaster victims to Xuanfu Military Town.
Matters within the Fuzhen Defense Zone.
Zhao Junchen was not surprised by Zhou Shangjing's discovery, because Zhou Shangjing's cronies were all over the world, and it was impossible to hide such a big move like the large-scale migration of tens of thousands of disaster victims from Zhou Shangjing.
However, Zhou Shangjing's sudden mention of the Xuanfu incident at this time naturally contained a hidden threat. After all, Zhao Junchen's move to relocate victims from Shaanxi and Gansu was not approved by the imperial court in advance, but was done without permission. Zhou Shangjing must be held accountable
With this incident, Zhao Junchen's arrangements for Xuanfu Town may be ruined.
So, after Zhao Junchen pondered for a moment, he finally compromised and sighed: "Since Zhou Shoufu has said this, the juniors will naturally follow suit... To put it bluntly, exchanging Shaanxi and Gansu for Shandong can be regarded as an advantage for the juniors.
Got it!"
Zhou Shangjing laughed and said: "Shandong is not only a vast plain with a long coastline, but also close to the prosperous places in the north and south. It can be said to be an important place. If Junchen can manage Shandong better, I will be happy to see it happen..."
However, in the middle of the conversation, Zhou Shangjing, who had always been calm and composed, suddenly changed his expression slightly, remained silent, then closed his eyes, and his face turned pale.
It turned out that while Zhou Shangjing was speaking, he suddenly felt a large amount of stomach acid rushing into his chest. For a while, not only did he feel burning pain in his esophagus, but he also felt an urgent need to vomit.
Therefore, Zhou Shangjing did not dare to continue talking at this time, but just endured it, hoping that his physical condition would return to normal as soon as possible.
Seeing Zhou Shangjing's condition, everyone present became nervous. If Zhou Shangjing hadn't closed his eyes and waved to them to calm down, some of them might have already rushed out of the room to look for the doctor.
After about a cup of tea, Zhou Shangjing's abnormal physical condition finally gradually returned to normal.
Then, Zhou Shangjing slowly opened his eyes, smiled apologetically at everyone around him, and explained patiently: "As I get older, my body is not as good as before, especially in the recent period. From time to time, gastric juices will rise and I want to vomit.
I also went to the doctor for diagnosis and treatment. The doctor said it was just a common stomach problem and prescribed medicine for me. I think the situation will get better soon. You don’t have to worry... Alas, people are old and everything is sad!"
Hearing that it was just a common stomach ailment, everyone in the "Zhou Party" finally felt a little relieved, while Zhao Junchen's eyes flickered, as if he had thought of something.
Then, Zhao Junchen suggested: "Senior, even if it is a common stomach problem, you should not take it lightly, otherwise the minor illness will gradually turn into a serious illness, especially since you have been taking medicine for a while, but your condition still does not improve.
The situation needs to be paid more attention to... Well, tomorrow, I will ask the two deans of the medical school, Doctor Zhang and Doctor Wen, to go to your house to diagnose you. The medical skills of these two miracle doctors are much better than ordinary doctors.
If you take less, your stomach disease may be cured faster.”
Zhou Shangjing hesitated for a moment, but quickly nodded in agreement and said, "In that case, I would like to thank Junchen for your consideration."
Zhou Shangjing trusted the medical ethics and skills of Zhang Decheng and Wen Caining, and like everyone else, Zhou Shangjing also hoped that he could live as long as possible, so naturally he would not refuse Zhao Junchen's kindness.
*
In the following time, there was no abnormal situation in this banquet. The secret confrontation between the two sides had ended. Naturally, they had to give in and make fun of each other. Everyone seemed to have forgotten the conflict. It could be said that they were enjoying themselves and chatting happily.
joyous.
During this period, Zhao Junchen took the opportunity to hint that he had guessed that Zhou Shangjing wanted to use the affairs of the Sixth Department of Nanjing to deal with the seventh prince Zhu Hejian, and hoped that he could also participate in it.
Zhou Shangjing just thought about it for a moment and quickly nodded in agreement.
However, Zhou Shangjing did not reveal his detailed plan to Zhao Junchen, but said that the time had not come yet.
In this way, about half an hour later, the banquet finally ended. After everyone said goodbye to each other, they each left Tianhai Pavilion in sedan chairs.
But he said that when Zhao Junchen said goodbye to everyone in the "Zhou Party" and sat in his sedan chair, the smile on his face instantly stopped and turned into deep fear and thinking.
"Although I have long known that Zhou Shangjing is difficult to deal with, I have always been wary of him and tried to avoid direct conflict with him... But after what happened today, I realized that my fear and precautions against him are still far from enough!
This old guy has not only been running a temple for many years and has cronies all over the world, but he is also very scheming and is used to big storms... Therefore, he has too many trump cards. Just pulling out one at random can change the situation in an instant!
Just looking at today's conversation, he has obviously noticed my arrangements on the three sides of Shaanxi and Gansu and the Xuanfu military town. Although it is not clear how much truth he has noticed and how much intelligence he has mastered, he must have started to pay attention.
These two places... Therefore, when I do things in the future, I must be more secretive!
Moreover, the matters regarding the Shaanxi-Gansu border and the Xuanfu military town were Zhou Shangjing’s bright cards to use against me, but he must also be hiding more powerful secret cards. Perhaps these secret cards are what he will use to deal with me in the future.
The real trump card... This situation is really unsettling.
Alas! I originally saw that Zhou Shangjing specially chose to meet me at Tianhai Pavilion, and he arrived early to wait for the meeting. Several core figures from the 'Zhou Party' even appeared at the same time. I thought it was because the 'Zhou Party' was weak-minded.
You can take advantage of this opportunity...
As a result... although the original idea was completed and the relationship between the two parties was eased, they were still beaten by Zhou Shangjing and were forced to compromise on the selection of Shaanxi governor...
Exchange the governor of Shaanxi for the governor of Shandong... I really can't tell whether this transaction will make a loss or a profit in the future..."
Thinking of this, Zhao Junchen's face showed a hint of hesitation again.
"Also, Zhou Shangjing's stomach ailment seems to be a little strange... Normal gastric ailments will get better soon after taking medicine, but Zhou Shangjing's stomach ailment not only did not get better after taking medicine, but it became more serious...
Speaking of which, since the Seventh Prince Zhu Hejian discovered the harmful effects of diamond powder, he believed that this substance would leave no trace when killing people, so he regarded it as his trump card...
The first sign that diamond powder is harmful to people is irreversible stomach disease... Considering that Zhou Shangjing has been enemies with Zhu Hejian many times during this period, Zhu Hejian may be really ruthless with his extreme temperament...
However, the Zhou Mansion's defenses have always been tight on the outside and tight on the inside, and Zhou Shangjing's daily diet must also undergo strict screening. If Zhou Shangjing's stomach disease is really due to Zhu Hejian's conspiracy, then how did Zhu Hejian poison him?
Let’s not mention this matter for the moment... The thing I need to consider most at the moment is, if Zhou Shangjing’s stomach disease is really related to the diamond powder... Should I take action to save Zhou Shangjing?
If I rescue Zhou Shangjing, I might be able to completely turn enemies into friends with Zhou Shangjing, or I can make Zhou Shangjing and Zhu Hejian incompatible... But it is also possible that as long as Zhou Shangjing is still in power, I will always be subject to his death.
suppress!
On the contrary, if I sit back and ignore it and let Zhou Shangjing be killed by Zhu Hejian, I will have less fear and obstacles in the future, and I will no longer have to worry about Zhou Shangjing's suppression and endless secret cards... But if the court loses Zhou Shangjing's control,
, is it good or bad?”
Thinking of this, Zhao Junchen's expression became increasingly uncertain.
*
And just as Zhao Junchen was secretly thinking about Zhou Shangjing's future destiny, Zhou Shangjing was sitting in his sedan chair, closing his eyes and relaxing, and he was also thinking about Zhao Junchen's future destiny.
"After today's conversation, I can be sure... Zhao Junchen has great ambitions, and he may bring trouble to Chao Gang in the future... But now is not the time to deal with him... At least until the court's food shortage dilemma is completely resolved.
Before that, I had to keep him for a while... Among all the officials in the dynasty, there was no one who could replace his role...
The top priority right now is the Seventh Prince Zhu Hejian... Alas, one or two of today's younger generations are troublesome... Fortunately, Zhao Junchen and Zhu Hejian are not able to deal with each other either... If they choose
If we join forces, even I will be unable to do it... But now, I can defeat them one by one..."