When Zhu Hejian met with people from all walks of life in Nanjing, he had been secretly observing the situation and further confirmed his own conclusions.
It is obvious that Nanjing's officialdom is currently experiencing extremely serious divisions and is full of contradictions.
Moreover, this kind of division and contradiction is reflected in all aspects of all walks of life in Nanjing.
Not only were the six ministers of Nanjing in conflict with each other, but the high-level officials and the middle- and lower-level officials in Nanjing were also alienated and indifferent. As for Nanjing officials and the gentry and merchants in Nanjing, they were still wary of each other and hostile to each other.
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Especially Wu Xingren, the Minister of Civil Affairs in Nanjing, and Wang Zheng, the Minister of Household Affairs in Nanjing. When they welcomed Zhu Hejian, they almost got into a fight because of a disagreement, which made all walks of life in Nanjing feel ashamed.
In the end, due to the embarrassing atmosphere among all walks of life in Nanjing and the farce between Wu Xingren and Wang Zheng, the ceremony to welcome Zhu Hejian also ended very quickly.
After Zhu Hejian saw this situation, he did not feel angry at all. He still maintained a gentle and elegant image. He also personally intervened to resolve the conflict between Wu Xingren and Wang Zheng, and received praise from all walks of life in Nanjing.
But then, Zhu Hejian declined the welcome banquet from all walks of life in Nanjing, saying only that he and his party were tired from traveling and traveling, and hoped to rest as soon as possible.
Zhu Hejian is a well-known quasi-prince, and he came to Nanjing this time to shoulder the important task of worshiping his ancestors. Naturally, Nanjing officials did not dare to neglect, and prepared the best residence for Zhu Hejian, which is known as the "Zhan Garden".
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Zhanyuan was originally occupied by the descendants of Zhongshan King Xu Da. At this time, they had moved out overnight and gave up all Zhanyuan to Zhu Hejian.
However, after people from all walks of life in Nanjing left one after another, the Crown Prince and Grand Master Wang Baoren personally brought Zhu Hejian to Zhanyuan in the name of leading the way.
Taking advantage of this opportunity, the two careerists Zhu Hejian and Wang Baoren finally had the opportunity to meet alone.
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"Zhanyuan Garden has always been famous for its elegant and exquisite layout, among which the steep rockery is the most famous... There are many strange peaks, quiet and elegant, such as Taihu Stone, Immortal Peak, Fan Pavilion, etc., which are all the best scenery in the world.
If His Highness the Seventh Prince has free time in the next few days, he must take the opportunity to visit, and he will not be disappointed!"
After welcoming Zhu Hejian into Zhanyuan, Wang Baoren led Zhu Hejian to the Jingmiao Hall of Zhanyuan. It is a condescending place with a platform and railings, allowing you to take in most of the scenery of Zhanyuan.
At this time, Wang Baoren was standing on the platform of Jingmiao Hall, raising his hand to introduce the various scenery in the garden to Zhu Hejian. His expression was calm and calm, and he was neither hurrying nor hesitant nor cautious when raising his hands and feet.
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On the other side, Zhu Hejian looked at Wang Baoren thoughtfully and secretly, only to feel that Wang Baoren's image at this time was very different from his impression.
This was not the first meeting between Zhu Hejian and Wang Baoren. When Emperor Deqing appointed Wang Baoren as the Crown Prince and Grand Master and recalled Wang Baoren to the capital, Zhu Hejian came out to greet him personally. This was also the first meeting between Zhu Hejian and Wang Baoren.
But after that meeting, Zhu Hejian's evaluation of Wang Baoren was very average, because Wang Baoren was too sharp at the time, as if he was emphasizing that he was still honest and ambitious, but his performance was too deliberate, and instead seemed eager and indifferent.
Feeling guilty.
Subsequently, Wang Baoren also quickly suffered a big setback. Under the joint calculation of the top leaders of the temple center, he had to go out personally and completely clean up Nanjing's officialdom. Now he also had to assist the court center to take back power from the six Nanjing ministries.
You must know that Wang Baoren served as the Minister of the Ministry of Civil Affairs in Nanjing for more than ten years and was deeply rooted in Nanjing's officialdom. The Six Ministries of Nanjing was the foundation of his power. Most of the former high-ranking officials of the Six Ministries of Nanjing were his close friends.
Friends, cronies and cronies.
But after Wang Baoren was calculated and forced by the central court, he had to dig his own foundation and personally eradicate his friends and confidants... For Wang Baoren, this situation can be described as extremely cruel and aggrieved!
If ordinary people were hit like this, they would probably be in despair long ago. However, Wang Baoren not only did not fall into despair at this time, but also restrained the sharp edge he once deliberately showed, becoming more restrained, calm, and calm.
After discovering this, Zhu Hejian nodded secretly and thought in his heart: "Wang Baoren was once Zhou Shangjing's confidant and a powerful political opponent. His will, means, scheming, etc. are all extraordinary!
Back then, he would have been easily plotted by the imperial court center and had to dig his own foundation and frame his relatives and friends. This was partly because the enemies he encountered at that time were too powerful, including the joint cooperation of his father, Zhou Shangjing, Zhao Junchen and others.
No matter what the calculation is, no one will be able to do anything in this situation and be forced to submit. On the other hand, it is also because Wang Baoren has stayed in the officialdom of Nanjing for too long at that time and has lost his former sharpness and sharpness...
But now, after suffering these blows, Wang Baoren seems to have regained his former sharpness and sharpness, and has once again become the powerful political opponent that Zhou Shangjing was once afraid of!
Although he is not as sharp as when we first met him, and instead restrains his ambitions, compared to when we first met, Wang Baoren now looks more like an old man with great ambitions!"
Thinking of this, Zhu Hejian's attitude became more humble. After Wang Baoren finished the introduction, he smiled and said: "Master Wang is very interested. The younger generation has already heard of the famous name of Zhanyuan, and has always longed for it. Now that I can be here in Zhanyuan."
Living temporarily can be regarded as fulfilling a wish...
However, this time I came to Nanjing, this is the first time that I have taken on the important responsibility of the imperial court, so I am naturally worried. If the tasks assigned by the imperial court are not successfully completed, I am afraid that I will not be in the mood to visit Zhanyuan."
The important responsibilities of the imperial court mentioned by Zhu Hejian were naturally not the ancestor worship in Nanjing, but the central government's plan to take over power from the six ministries in Nanjing.
Seeing Zhu Hejian mentioning business, Wang Baoren smiled slightly, then stretched out his hand to lead the two of them back to the main hall and sit down with each other.
After they sat down separately, Wang Baoren also looked at Zhu Hejian seriously for a few times, and then said leisurely: "I have received your Majesty's secret order, and I will handle the affairs of the Sixth Department of Nanjing together with His Highness the Seventh Prince!
Although this matter is of great importance, it is not difficult in itself! Not only because the central government of the imperial court has planned it for a long time and has a thorough plan, but also because the current six ministers of Nanjing are all incompetent people, and they are manipulated by the imperial court.
The power of resistance...
Hey, in the past, those six ministers of Nanjing, although they were all losers of the party in the center of the temple, they were also scheming and capable people. But now these six ministers of Nanjing, if it were not for the central government wanting to target the six ministers of Nanjing,
He will be kicked out of officialdom a long time ago, so there is nothing to fear!"
Speaking of this, Wang Baoren's expression was a little complicated, as if he was missing those relatives and friends who were framed by him and imprisoned, but he quickly calmed down and continued: "The situation has developed to this point, under my secret guidance.
Next, the Six Ministries of Nanjing are already in danger, and the imperial court's plan against the Six Ministries of Nanjing has reached the final step, which is to secretly provoke a riot against the Six Ministries of Nanjing, and then seize the opportunity to take over power!
Speaking of which, this step is not difficult, but once a riot occurs, the situation can easily get out of control, and naturally there are many variables. Therefore, although this step is not difficult, it is quite risky...
However, I have your Majesty's secret decree, and now I have mobilized several troops from the surrounding garrison in advance and secretly stationed them near Nanjing. Once a riot situation breaks out of control, I can send troops to suppress it at any time, so even if it is
There are some risks, but these risks are also controllable, and His Highness the Seventh Prince does not need to worry at all."
Hearing Wang Baoren's words, Zhu Hejian nodded, but his expression was still a little worried.
After noticing this situation, Wang Baoren smiled slightly and directly pointed out Zhu Hejian's true thoughts and asked: "Actually, His Highness the Seventh Prince, you are not worried about the Nanjing Sixth Department at all, but you are worried about the trap Zhou Shangjing set for you in Nanjing.
A trap, or maybe they are worried that Zhou Shangjing and Zhao Junchen will take advantage of you to leave the capital center to secretly interfere, right?"
Zhu Hejian couldn't help but be stunned. He didn't expect Wang Baoren to realize his true thoughts so quickly, and he also knew the situation in the center of the capital very well.
Therefore, Zhu Hejian did not hide anything and sighed: "To be honest, this junior came to Nanjing to take on important responsibilities all because of the secret persecution of Zhou Shoufu."
After seeing Zhu Hejian's frankness, Wang Baoren nodded with satisfaction and said, "Actually, as early as half a month ago, I deduced that His Highness the Seventh Prince would come to Nanjing for a visit."
"What? Wang Taishi, you have already deduced what happened today? More than half a month ago, Zhou Shoufu just proposed the Nanjing matter to the junior. The junior and the father have never made up their minds. Why are you, Wang Taishi?
Did you foresee this?"
This time, Zhu Hejian was really surprised.
At the same time, Zhu Hejian also became more and more sure of his judgment, that is, after Wang Baoren suffered previous setbacks, he had regained his former sharpness and sharpness, and once again became the official political opponent that Zhou Shangjing once feared!
After hearing Zhu Hejian's shocked inquiry, Wang Baoren shook his head slightly and said softly: "This time, Zhou Shangjing actually acted a little too hastily. The traces of the layout were obvious, so it is not difficult to guess what he was thinking...
As early as half a month ago, I discovered that the content of the imperial newspaper seemed to praise His Highness the Seventh Prince, but in fact it was putting His Highness on the fire grill and forcing the Seventh Prince to perform actual results to prove himself.
His responsibility and courage... At the same time, I have also arranged some informants in the capital, so that I can receive the latest situation of the capital center at any time, and also understand the changes in public opinion in the capital center during this period!
That old guy Zhou Shangjing, since his plan is to target His Highness the Seventh Prince, he must not give up until he achieves his goal. However, under the current situation of the court, there are not many places left for His Highness the Seventh Prince to prove his responsibility and courage, or there is a loophole.
The stable governance of the region, or the reduction of military resources in Liaodong, but these two places are too dangerous. Even if His Highness the Seventh Prince is willing to go, His Majesty will not agree...
Well, maybe there is also the matter of Sichuan Salt, but if this matter is to be done well, it will definitely take too long, and His Majesty is equally unwilling...
Counting over and over again, wouldn’t it be that the only thing left that can save time and risk is not great, but can also prove the courage of His Highness the Seventh Prince? So, I have actually been waiting for His Highness the Seventh Prince for a long time.
Now that your Majesty is here, you can roughly guess the current concerns of His Highness the Seventh Prince... During this period of time, Zhou Shangjing has been very hostile to His Highness the Seventh Prince..."
Hearing this, Zhu Hejian sincerely complimented: "Master Wang is wise!"
After Wang Baoren heard the compliment, he did not show any pride. He still spoke in a calm tone and asked slowly: "But I have always been curious, how did you offend Zhou Shangjing, Your Highness, the Seventh Prince? As far as I know, I
, Zhou Shangjing has always been well versed in restraint, advance and retreat, and logically speaking, he should never be in trouble with the Seventh Prince like this."
Regarding Wang Baoren's inquiry, Zhu Hejian was also puzzled. Although he guessed that Zhou Shangjing's change in attitude might be related to Zhao Junchen, he was not sure, so he could only shake his head and said: "As for where Zhou Shoufu's inexplicable hostility comes from, the juniors also have no idea.
I’ve always been puzzled.”
Wang Baoren carefully observed Zhu Hejian and did not see any flaws, but did not continue to investigate. He just sighed: "In this case, we can only wait until all related matters in Nanjing are over, and I will personally inquire about Zhou Shangjing after returning to the capital.
Yes! With Zhou Shangjing’s power and influence, if he is hostile to His Highness the Seventh Prince, His Highness the Seventh Prince will definitely have difficulty in the future, and this situation must be changed!"
Zhu Hejian also empathized and nodded in agreement. If it weren't for Zhou Shangjing's repeated obstacles, he would have been an upright crown prince now.
Wang Baoren continued: "But at present, when Zhou Shangjing is hostile to His Highness the Seventh Prince, he has specially arranged His Highness the Seventh Prince to Nanjing. It is very possible that he has set a trap here. It is no wonder that His Highness the Seventh Prince will
Worried...
However, after I made the inference in advance, I have been secretly paying attention to this matter for His Highness the Seventh Prince, and now I have discovered some signs!"
Hearing this, Zhu Hejian suddenly became energetic!
Wang Baoren has discovered the trap set by Zhou Shangjing in advance?
This situation is really possible! After all, Wang Baoren was once Zhou Shangjing's official rival. His scheming methods are not much different from Zhou Shangjing's, and Nanjing City has always been Wang Baoren's territory. Even after digging his own foundation, Wang Baoren
The influence of forces in Nanjing cannot be ignored.
Under such circumstances, Wang Baoren may have really discovered the trap laid by Zhou Shangjing!
So Zhu Hejian quickly stood up, bowed to Wang Baoren and said, "Please give me some advice from Grand Master Wang!"
Wang Baoren accepted Zhu Hejian's salute calmly, and observed Zhu Hejian silently for a moment, then shook his head and sighed, saying: "Actually, you should also understand Zhou Shangjing's method and style. This person is best at taking advantage of the situation and using evil schemes to suppress others!
Therefore, even if I predict his plan, if I try to completely stop it, it will be counterproductive... Because of this, as the saying goes, it is better to block than to block, and in the end it still depends on your own decision, Your Highness, the Seventh Prince!"