After hearing this, Song Qili suddenly changed his expression!
Zhao Junchen's original intention was that the seventh prince Zhu Hejian was secretly plotting to kill Zhou Shangjing, and he had a way to save Zhou Shangjing's life.
But Song Qili seemed to have misunderstood what Zhao Junchen meant.
I saw Song Qili solemnly warning with a serious expression: "Chen Zhao, there are some things in this world that you must never try! Otherwise, even if you are lucky enough to succeed, you will be buried with him, and the gain will definitely outweigh the loss!"
At this point, Song Qili still felt that his warning was not serious enough, so he leaned forward and stared at Zhao Junchen closely, and warned again in a more serious tone: "If Zhou Shoufu is harmed by others, all members of our 'Zhou Party' will definitely fight him to the death."
Don’t stop! I also hope that Minister Zhao will think carefully and act carefully, and never harm others or yourself, causing chaos in the world!"
Obviously, Song Qili misunderstood Zhao Junchen and thought that Zhao Junchen wanted to harm Zhou Shangjing, so he offered Zhou Shangjing's life as reward. In fact, it was a hint that he could kill Zhou Shangjing at any time.
Zhao Junchen has always been unscrupulous, so it's no wonder that Song Qili has random thoughts.
Seeing Song Qili's fierce reaction, Zhao Junchen realized that his image in the hearts of the "Zhou Party" members was so vicious and bad. He couldn't help but shake his head, but he also felt that he had brought it upon himself.
After laughing at himself, Zhao Junchen patiently explained: "Mr. Song misunderstood! It's not that I want to harm Zhou Shoufu, but I accidentally discovered that there is a villain who wants to secretly murder Zhou Shoufu... and he is almost there now.
You succeeded! But I have a way to save the life of Chief Zhou Fu!"
Song Qili's expression changed again, and he immediately asked: "What is going on? Can Zhao Gechen reveal a little bit about it? Otherwise, I really can't believe it!"
Zhao Junchen's expression was heavy and he sighed: "Mr. Song, in the past six months or so, Zhou Shoufu's physical condition has deteriorated sharply, mainly due to serious stomach problems. But doesn't Mr. Song find it strange? All patients in the world have stomach problems.
, almost all of them are due to two situations, either irregular work, rest and diet, or being too shallow and having a short temper. However, Zhou Shoufu has always lived a regular life, is good at maintaining health, and has always been as stable as Mount Tai, neither impatient nor impetuous. Why would he also make such mistakes?
Stomach trouble? What’s more, even if the average patient suffers from stomach trouble, the stomach trouble will only gradually get worse. Who is like Zhou Shoufu, who has become so serious in just half a year? "
After hearing the doubts mentioned by Zhao Junchen, Song Qili's expression changed and he also noticed something unreasonable.
After a moment of silence, Song Qili asked coldly: "Did the cabinet minister say that someone poisoned Zhou Shoufu?"
"There is such a little-known mysterious poison that is colorless and odorless. It kills people invisible. It is attached to the internal organs and constantly wears the stomach. When the victim dies, the symptoms are exactly the same as those of serious stomach problems..."
In this way, Zhao Junchen explained in detail the working principle of diamond powder when it harms people.
Of course, Zhao Junchen only explained the relevant principles and did not tell the specific characteristics of the diamond powder. He did not even reveal the name of the diamond powder to Song Qili.
Seeing that Song Qili's expression became more serious, but still full of suspicion, Zhao Junchen said again: "In order to show sincerity, I can also reveal another secret to Mr. Song! Mr. Song is from a prominent family in Jiangnan, so he must
Have you heard of the Jiangnan talented man Zhao Shancai? I can tell you clearly that he died of this mysterious poison. Mr. Song can find out whether the symptoms of Zhao Shancai before his death are completely consistent with Zhou Shoufu! "
Of course Song Qili knew about Zhao Shancai. When he was observing filial piety in his hometown in Jiangnan, he once wanted to draw Zhao Shancai into the "Zhou Party". Unfortunately, the two sides did not agree on the conversation after they met. However, after hearing the news of Zhao Shancai's death, Song Qili still felt regretful for a long time.
, and also heard about some of Zhao Shancai’s symptoms before he “died” of illness.
Therefore, after hearing this, Song Qili generally believed what Zhao Junchen said.
Song Qili was not only Zhou Shangjing's crony, but also Zhou Shangjing's disciple. At this time, he couldn't help but feel a little panicked, and couldn't help but ask urgently: "Who poisoned Zhou Shoufu?"
This time, Zhao Junchen smiled and said nothing and did not answer.
Seeing Zhao Junchen's smile without saying a word, Song Qili understood the meaning immediately.
Who secretly poisoned Zhou Shoufu, what was this person's specific poisoning method, and how to resolve Zhou Shangjing's poisoning symptoms... These answers are all of great importance, and they are also the price offered by Zhao Junchen, so naturally they will not
Provided free of charge.
As a result, Song Qili regained his composure again and began to seriously consider the pros, cons and feasibility of this transaction.
While thinking, Song Qili's expression changed continuously, sometimes gritting his teeth, sometimes struggling, sometimes in pain, and sometimes determined.
In the end, Song Qili took a deep breath and finally made a difficult decision.
Song Qili shook his head stiffly and said: "If Zhao Gechen is willing to rescue Zhou Shoufu, I and other members of the 'Zhou Party' will definitely be grateful for their kindness and will definitely look for opportunities to repay in the future! But I cannot agree to this transaction!"
At this point, Song Qili became expressionless and said: "To tell you the disgraceful truth about being unfaithful and unfilial, Zhou Shoufu is already in his seventies and does not have much life left! If what Zhao Gechen said is true, then he is now
He was poisoned and assassinated by a villain again, and suffered from stomach problems. Even if he successfully got through this difficulty, his vitality was still severely damaged and his life was about to end. Therefore...compared to saving Zhou Shoufu, let him live a little longer.
After a year and a half, it is more cost-effective to seize the opportunity to fight for the 'popular support' and allow us, the younger generation, to establish a winning streak in the future!"
Then, Song Qili seemed to want to convince Zhao Junchen, and also seemed to want to convince himself, and emphasized: "I know very well the temperament of Zhou Shoufu. If he showed up in person to discuss this deal with Zhao Junchen, he would definitely make this decision.
!”
Zhao Junchen did not comment, but asked slowly: "Currently, Zhou Shoufu has left Beijing and gone south. The officials of the 'Zhou Party' are all headed by Song Qiwen, Mr. Song's elder brother, the Minister of Civil Affairs! If nothing else happens, Song Shoufu should be the successor designated by Zhou Shoufu.
...So, before rejecting this deal without permission, doesn’t Mr. Song need to first consult his brother? And Mr. Li and Mr. Li Ge?"
Song Qili remained firm and shook his head: "No need to ask, I know my brother very well. Although he respects Zhou Shoufu more than I do, he will definitely make the same decision in order to take into account the overall situation of the 'Zhou Party'! What's more...
...The situation in Xingzhou is about to change dramatically again, and there is no time to ask! If it causes criticism in the future, I can bear the consequences alone!"
Hearing Song Qili's reply, Zhao Junchen couldn't help but feel a little disappointed.
This kind of disappointment was not due to Song Qili's ruthless abandonment of Zhou Shangjing - the so-called teacher-student friendship, the kindness of reinvention, and inner respect were always not worth mentioning in the face of actual interests - Zhao Junchen was disappointed with Song Qili's short-sightedness.
Or it could be said that Song Qili only regained his composure on the surface, but in fact he was so distraught that he did not think of the deeper pros and cons.
After shaking his head slightly, Zhao Junchen said slowly: "Mr. Song, don't just refuse this deal. As the saying goes, you can ask for a high price and pay it back on the spot. Maybe I can also propose a higher price?"
Song Qili was stunned again: "Oh? Zhao Gechen still has more chips to trade?"
Zhao Junchen sneered: "If you add in the future status of your brother Song Qiwen, the Minister of Civil Affairs, is this price enough?"
After hearing this, Song Qili was stunned again.
But he is a smart man. After hearing the suggestion, he quickly figured out what Zhao Junchen really meant, and his expression immediately changed drastically.
*
In this world, advantages and disadvantages will always be transformed inadvertently.
If you blindly rely on your own existing advantages, when the general environment changes, the advantages you once relied on will often become disadvantages that you cannot get rid of in the future.
Similar examples can be seen everywhere since ancient times.
Human beings originated in Africa. In the primitive period, they relied on hunting to survive. Some black races had stronger physical fitness, so they naturally had an advantage. The other races could not compete with them, so they had to migrate far away and leave the African continent. But those
The black race relies too much on physical advantages. This advantage alone is enough to ensure the continuation of the tribe. Therefore, when other races migrated far away and discovered new worlds, and entered farming civilization and even steam civilization, those black races
But they are still living in the stage of safari civilization and have been unable to improve.
The Chinese civilization is not only good at farming, but also has stronger organizational power. The arable land area in China is only half of Europe, but it can feed several times the population of Europe. The extremely strong organizational power also helps the Chinese civilization to survive smoothly.
Various natural and man-made disasters, even when Chinese civilization was at its weakest in the late Qing Dynasty, large-scale plagues could still be quickly eradicated... So these two advantages once allowed Chinese civilization to flourish.
But Chinese civilization also relied too much on these two advantages. So when European civilization started the Age of Discovery due to insufficient internal resource production, and promoted the Renaissance and modern medicine because it was always unable to control the spread of the Black Death,
However, the Chinese civilization is still stuck in its own ways, content with itself by adhering to the existing land and the laws of its ancestors.
Similar examples include the pinnacle of stone tool technology of the Mayan civilization, the colonial system of Britain and France after World War II, the political system of the Soviet Union, and even the financial hegemony of the lighthouse country after the Cold War, etc.
Various civilizations prospered for a while because of their own advantages, but because they relied too much on this advantage, when the general environment version changed, the advantages they once relied on turned into a huge drag, and eventually they went from prosperity to decline.
.
The general environment is always changing, and one's own advantages are always tempting, so this situation can be regarded as an inevitable curse of human civilization.
This is true not only for civilizations and countries, but also for partisan forces.
One of the biggest advantages of "Zhou Party" was the existence of Zhou Shangjing!
Even if Zhou Shangjing's wisdom and skills are put aside, Zhou Shangjing's own prestige alone can allow him to control the behemoth "Zhou Party" with ease. The core members of Zhou Shangjing all trust him, obey him, and even rely on him.
He worships him. This advantage allows the "Zhou Party" to always unite as one and move in step.
But now, Zhou Shangjing's life is coming to an end and he is about to leave. The "Zhou Party" is at a time when the general environment is about to change, and the advantages it once had have suddenly become the "Zhou Party's" fatal weakness.
It is because Zhou Shangjing's prestige is too high, so once people know that Song Qili once refused to save Zhou Shangjing, no matter how much Song Qili emphasizes that this matter has nothing to do with his brother Song Qiwen, Song Qiwen will definitely incur "
Questions and criticisms from the vast majority of members of the Zhou Party!
Under such circumstances, is Song Qiwen still qualified to inherit Zhou Shangjing's political legacy and become the new generation leader of the "Zhou Party"?
Therefore, from a certain point of view, Zhou Shangjing's existence has changed from the reliance and advantage of "Zhou Party" to the ultimate drag of "Zhou Party". Song Qili must save him now even if he doesn't want to save him!
*
After thinking about this, Song Qili's expression changed drastically again.
Zhao Junchen was full of confidence and seemed to have a sure victory, and said slowly: "With Mr. Song's intelligence, if you think about it calmly for a moment, you will understand...the two prices proposed by this pavilion are actually
One thing!
Saving Zhou Shoufu's life is equivalent to saving your brother's future status. Giving up Zhou Shoufu's life is equivalent to giving up your brother's inheritance opportunity! No matter how sworn you are afterwards, it is your own decision.
Even if you refuse to save Zhou Shoufu, everyone will still question your brother's loyalty and filial piety! And once this kind of doubt arises, your brother will never have the chance to inherit Zhou Shoufu's political legacy!
Hey, Mr. Song is unwilling to ask his brother for instructions, obviously because he wants to bear the infamy alone. Such deep brotherly love is certainly touching, but this infamy is too heavy, and you can't bear it alone!"
Song Qili took a deep breath and looked at Zhao Junchen with guarded eyes.
He suddenly discovered that when Zhao Junchen proposed this deal, he had no room for rejection from the beginning!
The various layouts of the "Zhou Party" in Xingzhou are of vital importance to the establishment of the "Zhou Party's" future victory, but Zhao Junchen's transaction is related to the inheritance and development of the "Zhou Party"'s power.
Continuation is also of great importance!
As long as Song Qili rejects the deal, Zhao Junchen will definitely add fuel to the flames and spread rumors to cause trouble, and Song Qiwen will no longer be qualified to inherit Zhou Shangjing's political legacy.
Song Qili could cruelly abandon Zhou Shangjing, but he had to take into account his brother's future, status and reputation.
Unless Zhou Shangjing suddenly stood up and publicly stated that he was willing to die, he would never blame Song Qili for ruthlessly abandoning him, otherwise this matter would be unsolvable!
But Zhou Shangjing is now far away in southern Zhili, so it is naturally impossible for him to show up immediately to express his position.
Seeing Song Qili's expression changing again, Zhao Junchen finally became impatient and urged: "If I guess correctly, the 'Zhou Party' will soon launch its layout in Xingzhou, and Mr. Song will definitely be unable to catch up.
Discussing countermeasures with the central party members in the capital, we can only make decisions on the spur of the moment and make our own decisions! But I still hope that Mr. Song will make a decision early. If there is no decision, when the situation in Xingzhou changes again, this deal will be over.
There’s no need to talk about it!”
However, under Zhao Junchen's urging, Song Qili still remained silent.
Zhao Junchen shook his head and immediately stood up to leave, as if he was unwilling to stay here and waste time.
Seeing that Zhao Junchen was about to leave, Song Qili finally made up his mind and quickly stood up to persuade him to stay.
He forced out a smile and said loudly: "Zhao Gechen and I and other officials of the 'Zhou Party' have always gotten along harmoniously and cooperated with each other in a tacit understanding. We work hand in hand to assist His Majesty in governing the Ming Dynasty. We are not only colleagues, but also colleagues! It can be said that they are colleagues."
We have a deep friendship! Now that Minister Zhao is in trouble, it’s fine that I and other officials of the Zhou Party did not come to help out of various considerations, but we will never add insult to injury or add fuel to the fire! I hope that Minister Zhao can rest assured that from now on, I, Zhou Party, will
The Party will never interfere in the situation in Xingzhou again!"
After hearing this, Zhao Junchen immediately stopped leaving and put on a mask of affection and loyalty.
"Not only a colleague, but also a colleague! Deep friendship! These are well said! For me, Zhou Shoufu is not only a respectable elder, but also a mentor who has taught and supported me many times. Now I find that there is a villain who wants to
Of course I, Zhao Junchen, will not try to kill his old man without saving him! Don’t worry, Mr. Song, we will start preparing the detoxification method now, and once the preparations are completed, we will immediately hand it over to Mr. Song!"
In this way, in an atmosphere of deep affection and righteousness, Zhao Junchen and Song Qili finally reached a deal.
At the same time, the two sides also left each other with leeway.
…
Ps: I have started preparing to save the manuscript, so I will update it in advance today.