As Zhou Shangjing's old rival, although he always lost more than he won when calculating against each other, Wang Baoren always believed that he understood Zhou Shangjing well enough.
In Wang Baoren's view, Zhou Shangjing has never been a selfless person. Of course he has a public mind that takes the overall situation into consideration, but he also definitely has a lot of selfishness. The way to be an official is to "take into account both public and private matters."
On the premise of stabilizing the overall situation of the imperial court, Zhou Shangjing always tried his best to obtain various benefits for himself and his party members. On the premise of ensuring the vested interests of himself and his party members, Zhou Shangjing always tried his best to do something beneficial for the Ming Dynasty; that is, not
He will affect the overall situation of the court because of his own selfish interests, and he will not harm his own selfish interests for the sake of the overall situation of the court.
All in all, Zhou Shangjing is best at balancing the relationship between "public interests" and "private interests" and never lets the two conflict with each other.
In the past few days, Wang Baoren, in his spare time, had made a detailed analysis of Zhou Shangjing's true attitude and handling of the new agricultural reform policy, and was quite amazed by Zhou Shangjing's clever skills.
In Zhou Shangjing's view, the food shortage dilemma in the Ming Dynasty was imminent, and changes must be made quickly, so the new agricultural reform policy was an imperative. However, this new policy harmed the interests of the Jin gentry all over the world and extremely
It may shake the foundation of one's own power.
If other people encounter this situation, they will definitely be in a dilemma and can only choose between "justice" and "self-interest".
But how did Zhou Shangjing deal with this problem?
He first acquiesced in the formulation and implementation of the new agricultural reform policy because he had to assist Zhao Junchen in reversing the food shortage dilemma in the Ming Dynasty. Then he made arrangements in Xingzhou, setting a trap for Zhao Junchen and trying to destroy Xingzhou.
Agricultural reform in the state, because he must give his supporters an explanation and an opportunity to vent.
This approach seems to be self-contradictory and fighting against each other, but if combined with what is happening in Luzhou Prefecture, we can roughly infer Zhou Shangjing's true intention.
When Zhao Junchen implemented the new agricultural reform policy, he first selected ten state capitals as pilot projects.
Among these ten state capitals, Laizhou in Shandong, Xingzhou in Beizhili, and Luzhou in Shanxi are the most critical.
Shandong Laizhou is covered with a large number of saline-alkali lands and a vast area of cultivated land, but most of it is inferior land, which is most suitable for the promotion of the new agricultural reform policy. Moreover, one of the members of the "Zhao Party", Shandong Chief Minister Li Lide, is personally watching
this matter.
Therefore, once the new agricultural reform policy in Laizhou goes smoothly and achieves remarkable results, it will not only greatly enhance the persuasiveness of this new policy, but also allow Li Lide to achieve outstanding political achievements and rise to the top, and the "Zhao Party" can also take the opportunity to expand its power again
.
Unfortunately, because one of the members of the "Zhou Party", the former governor of Shandong, Lu Yuan'an, worked hard to obstruct it, the agricultural reform and promotion in Laizhou did not go smoothly, and for a time there was no progress.
In the end, although Zhao Junchen temporarily overthrew Lu Yuanan, it was still a step too late. All the cultivated land in Laizhou had been planted with millet, wheat and other old crops, so he missed the best opportunity to promote the new agricultural reform policy.
.
As for Xingzhou in North Zhili, it is close to the capital and has convenient transportation. It also has members of the "Zhao Party", and Liu Zimin, the co-president of Xingzhou, personally supervised the matter.
Once the new agricultural reform policy in Xingzhou progresses smoothly and achieves remarkable results, the influence of the new agricultural reform policy can be quickly spread, and Liu Zimin can become a dazzling new star in the temple.
But Zhou Shangjing promoted a civil uprising in Xingzhou, which almost disrupted the agricultural reform in Xingzhou.
If Zhao Junchen hadn't arrived in Xingzhou in time, if Zhao Junchen hadn't pulled out his trump card and used Zhou Shangjing's life as a bargaining chip to reach a deal with the "Zhou Party", if Zhao Junchen hadn't happened to carry a large amount of gold with him, the agricultural affairs in Xingzhou would have
The reform may have ended in failure.
If we only look at these two moves by Zhou Shangjing, I am afraid everyone will think that Zhou Shangjing wants to obstruct the implementation of the new agricultural reform policy out of selfish motives.
But in fact, Zhou Shangjing did not create any obstacles to the new agricultural reform policy in Luzhou Prefecture from beginning to end. Instead, he secretly supported and vigorously assisted!
This is because Sun Miao, the prefect of Luzhou, was a disciple of Zhou Shangjing, and Wang Chun, Shanxi's chief envoy in charge of agricultural affairs in Shanxi, was also a member of the "Zhou Party".
Although Zuo Lanshan, the governor of Shanxi, is one of the core members of the "Zhao Party", not only has he been in office for too short a time, but he was once an assistant minister in the cabinet and has no further room for promotion, so even within Luzhou Prefecture
The new agricultural reform policy was implemented smoothly and achieved remarkable results, but Zuo Lanshan and the "Zhao Party" could not gain much practical benefits.
Because of the locust extermination that year, the people of Luzhou had a very good impression of Zhao Junchen and believed in him. Zhao Junchen traveled to Shaanxi and Gansu last year. When he passed through Luzhou, he personally promoted agricultural reforms to the people of Luzhou.
Due to the various benefits of the New Deal, Luzhou has the best mass base and the least resistance to implementing agricultural reforms.
Under such circumstances, if the new agricultural reform policy in Luzhou ultimately fails, no matter the central government or the people, they will not blame the members of the "Zhou Party" for their poor performance.
For the imperial court, since the agricultural reforms in various places have ultimately failed, it can only prove that the agricultural reforms themselves are not in line with reality. Naturally, they will not blame the several "Zhou Party" members who presided over Luzhou's agricultural policies.
.
For the common people, their willingness to participate in the new agricultural reform policy is entirely because they trust Zhao Junchen and has nothing to do with their parents and officials in the country. Therefore, they will only blame Zhao Junchen for misleading them, and will not vent their anger on the "Zhou Party"
"Official.
On the contrary, once the new agricultural reform policy in Luzhou is successfully promoted and the results are significant, the "Zhou Party" officials who supervise the matter can take all the credit and benefits, and even take advantage of the situation to take away the agricultural reform from Zhao Junchen
The dominance of the New Deal!
After all, the new agricultural reform policies personally supervised by members of the "Zhao Party" all failed, while the new agricultural reform policies supervised by members of the "Zhou Party" were all great successes. Therefore, although the new agricultural reform policies were initiated by
You, Zhao Junchen, proposed it first, but it should be handed over to the "Zhou Party" to fully take over!
By then, the "Zhou Party" will not only have relevant real power, but also assume relevant responsibilities, and gain influence, political achievements, and promotion channels. Coupled with Zhou Shangjing's secret guidance, naturally they will not continue to resist agricultural reforms.
Instead, they will gradually become supporters and promoters of the new agricultural reform policy.
In this way, Zhou Shangjing could not only promote the full implementation of the new agricultural reform policy, but also resolve the resistance of the "Zhou Party" forces, and take the opportunity to take the power of agricultural affairs into his pocket.
, let the "Zhou Party" forces learn the taste and take advantage of it.
This is Zhou Shangjing's clever method of "taking into account both public and private matters", and it is also what Wang Baoren admires most about Zhou Shangjing.
*
But at this time, after hearing Zhou Shangjing's statement of "doing whatever it takes" and seeing Zhou Shangjing's firm look, Wang Baoren realized for the first time that he could not understand Zhou Shangjing at all.
What happened that made Zhou Shangjing such a decisive attitude without any hesitation? He actually gave up his usual way of being an official of "taking into account both public and private matters". He would rather put himself in danger and have endless troubles, so he must give it a try.
?
Wang Baoren originally thought that Zhou Shangjing deliberately planned to make things difficult for the seventh prince Zhu Hejian in Nanjing City, just to counter the expansion of imperial power, but now it seems that things are not that simple!
Imperial power and ministerial power always ebb and flow. Sometimes the imperial power overpowers the ministerial power, and sometimes the ministerial power counteracts the imperial power. But overall, no one can do without the other, and no one can destroy the other. Zhou Shangjing, as one of the ministerial powers,
Representatives, there is no need to care about temporary victory or defeat, and there is no need to give up self-interest and risk everything in order to resist the temporary expansion of imperial power.
Therefore, Zhou Shangjing must be keenly aware of something. This matter must be extremely hidden, so that Wang Baoren did not notice the abnormality at all, and it must be extremely critical, enough to affect the rise and fall of the entire Ming Dynasty, so Zhou Shangjing would rather
It's about taking risks and putting everything on the line.
Thinking of Zhou Shangjing's various plans deliberately targeting the Seventh Prince Zhu Hejian, Wang Baoren suddenly thought of a possibility. His expression changed slightly, and he vaguely thought of the key point.
Only the future emperor of the Ming Dynasty is qualified to influence the rise and fall of the entire Ming Dynasty!
Could it be that Zhou Shangjing has a very bad opinion of the seventh prince Zhu Hejian himself?
Thinking of this, although he knew that there was no one else in the study, Wang Baoren still lowered his voice subconsciously and asked: "Zhou Shoufu, do you doubt His Highness the Seventh Prince..."
Zhou Shangjing shook his head and sighed: "Don't Grand Master Wang think that our Seventh Prince has some similarities with the then Sui Yang Emperor Yang Guang?
Yang Guang was not the prince of the Sui Dynasty at first. The prince of the Sui Dynasty at that time was his brother Yang Yong. This man had a tolerant personality and was straightforward and frank. Although he had some flaws, if he was patiently trained, he still had a chance to become a prince.
A wise king. However, such a good-quality prince was repeatedly punished and disgusted by Emperor Wen of the Sui Dynasty. Naturally, Yang Guang's backstabbing and frame-up were inevitable...
At the same time, Yang Guang lived a frugal and simple life, treated courtiers respectfully, and was extremely humble. He had the best reputation among the princes of the Sui Dynasty, and gradually became the favorite and most respected prince of Emperor Wen of the Sui Dynasty. Then he took away
His elder brother Yang Yong inherited the throne of the Sui Dynasty...
But what happened next, Wang Taishi, you also know that all Yang Guang's frugality and obedience were just disguises. After he ascended the throne, his true colors were revealed soon after he came to the throne. He was not only arrogant and extravagant, but also rebellious and reckless. Therefore, the Sui Dynasty quickly
The second generation died..."
Wang Baoren frowned and said: "In this way, there are indeed some similarities, but if you make malicious assumptions based on these few similar signs, I am afraid it is a bit misleading, right?"
Zhou Shangjing shook his head again: "Of course it's not just speculation and speculation... Master Wang, let's take a look at the various supporting evidence I have collected in recent years!"
While talking, Zhou Shangjing took out a booklet from his arms and handed it to Wang Baoren.
Wang Baoren's expression was solemn, and he quickly lowered his head to look through it. He saw many names densely recorded in the book, and their identities and origins were marked at the back. Some were court officials, some were private businessmen, some were the sons of nobles, and some were
Some were eunuchs in the inner court.
At the same time, this book also roughly records what these people have done and the subsequent impacts caused by these things.
After reading all the contents carefully, Wang Baoren quickly concluded a rule.
As long as we examine it carefully, we will find that these people all seem to have some kind of connection with the seventh prince Zhu Hejian, and what they have done in the past has caused various adverse effects on the prince Zhu Heyu, or made Zhu Hejian
Yuban failed in his job, or made Zhu Heyu make more enemies, or worsened Zhu Heyu's reputation in the government and the public...
The most important thing is that since the seventh prince Zhu Hejian gradually came from behind the scenes to the stage and the signs of taking over the throne became more and more obvious, these people, without exception, all died in a short period of time!
There is absolutely no such coincidence in this world!
Therefore, these people were most likely pawns in Zhu Hejian's hands, but as Zhu Hejian was about to take over the throne, in order to erase traces of criminal evidence and completely clear himself, he killed them all.
After thinking of this possibility, Wang Baoren couldn't help but take a breath of air, his expression changed, and he was silent for a long time.
While Wang Baoren was flipping through the booklet, Zhou Shangjing's complexion was getting worse and worse, his mental state was also gradually showing signs of depression, and he was sweating continuously on his forehead.
Obviously, as Wang Baoren speculated, Zhou Shangjing's physical condition was extremely bad, and he had just used tonics to maintain his condition in order to bluff him.
But Zhou Shangjing still overestimated his physical condition. Even after taking supplements, he still couldn't persist for a long time, and he soon showed his weakness in front of Wang Baoren.
At this time, Zhou Shangjing simply stopped trying to hide it and said slowly: "Master Wang, you have also seen my physical condition with your own eyes. Even if I took the tonic before meeting you, I can still only keep it short."
In just a short moment... Hey, if I can't even take the tonic to prop up my body, I'm afraid I'm going to die soon...
But before I passed away, I still couldn't rest assured about the Ming Dynasty. If the Ming Dynasty was handed over to an emperor who was ruthless, deep-tempered, sinister, ruthless, and extreme, I'm afraid the Ming Dynasty would soon be ruined by him! So!
, I will not hesitate to set up a trap against His Highness the Seventh Prince!"
After hearing Zhou Shangjing's frankness, Wang Baoren was moved again, but after hesitating for a long time, he still shook his head and said: "I can probably understand Zhou Shoufu's worries... but all Zhou Shoufu's doubts are only based on a series of circumstantial evidence, and there is no conclusive evidence.
Proof! These statements alone are not enough to convince me to join you in suspecting the Seventh Prince, let alone to convince me to join forces with you to target the Seventh Prince!"
Zhou Shangjing sighed softly and advised: "Of course it's not just these circumstantial evidences! In the past six months, I seem to have been deliberately making things difficult for the Seventh Prince, but in fact I am not just deliberately trying to be his enemy, but
Constantly promoting changes in the situation, forcing the seventh prince to make constant choices, from which we can deduce his true nature based on this series of choices!
This is true when we are in the capital! It is true when we are in Nanjing! When faced with various choices, as long as His Highness the Seventh Prince shows the true bearing of a wise king, even just once, I will quickly abandon my prejudices and no longer quarrel with him.
Enemy, it's a pity... Every time His Highness the Seventh Prince faces a choice, his final choice is not what a wise king should look like!"
Afterwards, Zhou Shangjing raised his finger and kept counting in detail what Zhu Hejian had done in recent years!
"When I was in the capital, I secretly encouraged the Qingliu people to betray the Crown Prince and switch to him. However, he quickly accepted all the Qingliu people as his disciples, easily betrayed the Crown Prince's brother who had always been confidant to him, and allowed Qingliu to do it.
They continued to slander the prince; Shen Changmao was once an ally of His Highness the Seventh Prince in the DPRK and China, and he was very helpful to him. But after I brought down Shen Changmao, he also turned against him and was ruthless. Not only did he not rescue him, but he took advantage of the opportunity.
Annexed the former 'Shen Party' forces;
When I forced him to go to Nanjing in person to preside over the plan to take over power, he only wanted to avoid responsibility and take advantage of it... and when he arrived in Nanjing reluctantly, he revealed his true nature.
!Everything he does is superficial. He is used to cheating and whitewashing the peace. When he encounters real difficulties, his first reaction is to protect himself. When he encounters benefits, he does not hesitate to take advantage of them at all costs..."
As he spoke, Zhou Shangjing's tone became weaker, but also more determined, and he said coldly: "And now... I have put the last chance to make a decision in front of him, just to see if he can't avoid it.
When he has to deal with a difficult problem personally, what method will he use? If he still chooses the wrong answer this time, then I will definitely let him suffer the consequences!"
Having said this, seeing that Wang Baoren was still hesitant and unwilling to express his position, Zhou Shangjing leaned forward and looked directly at Wang Baoren with a pair of old eyes, making Wang Baoren completely unable to avoid it. He then said: "Master Wang, I know very well that the Seventh Prince belongs to His Majesty."
The next crown prince is the prince you want, and you are the crown prince and grand master who assists the crown prince Zuo. It is unrealistic for you to easily make up your mind to become his enemy!
But Wang Taishi, you have been sitting on the sidelines for a while, probably because the matter of the crown prince's dethronement has not yet been settled, and now you come to the East Garden to visit me, because there is news from the capital that your Majesty has sent a message.
The Crown Prince has been placed under house arrest, and the dethronement of the crown prince seems to have been finalized, so you no longer have any scruples and want to personally assist the seventh prince, right?
But I can clearly tell Grand Master Wang that there are still variables in the replacement of the throne. I will never let the seventh prince successfully take over the throne! So I hope that Grand Master Wang can seriously consider public and private matters, and will still sit on the sidelines! And!
, To be honest... with my current state of energy, I am afraid it will be difficult to resist your alliance with the Seventh Prince, so I will confess my true feelings to you. I hope you can understand my good intentions!"
When it came to the latter part, Zhou Shangjing, who had always been calm and confident, actually used a begging tone that was extremely rare.
Faced with Zhou Shangjing's begging, Wang Baoren couldn't help but be moved for the third time.
In the end, Wang Baoren stood up slowly, bowed deeply to Zhou Shangjing, and said: "I have understood Zhou Shoufu's good intentions, and naturally I admire him, but... this matter is of great importance, and I can give it another day to consider it carefully.
time."
Seeing that Wang Baoren was still unwilling to agree to his request, Zhou Shangjing couldn't help but look disappointed, but he didn't press for it. He just sighed: "I hope Grand Master Wang will consider it carefully, put the country and the country first, and the overall situation first!"
After hearing this, Wang Baoren seemed to be touched and immediately nodded in agreement.
*
About a quarter of an hour later, Wang Baoren finally said goodbye to Zhou Shangjing and left the East Garden.
After stepping out of the gate of the East Garden, all the solemnity and excitement in Wang Baoren's expression quickly converged and disappeared. Instead, a trace of contempt and sneer appeared.
In fact, Wang Baoren had no feeling or admiration for Zhou Shangjing's sincere and heartfelt words from beginning to end. Instead, he was deeply disappointed and even felt a little disgusted!
You, Zhou Shangjing, a powerful minister and corrupt official who has always used all means to seize power and gain for many years, are you worthy of talking about the great justice of the court and the long-term prosperity of the country?
On the other side, after seeing Wang Baoren appear, several of his close aides quickly came to meet him.
One of the staff lowered his voice and asked: "Master Wang, did you successfully meet Zhou Shangjing? What is his physical condition? Is he terminally ill as rumored?"
Wang Baoren sneered and said: "I have already met Zhou Shangjing. His physical condition is indeed extremely poor. Even if he is not terminally ill, he must be at the end of his life! The point is... he has completely lost the courage and ambition he once had and has become
We have become an old man who looks forward and backward, relies on his old age and only knows how to suppress others! When a person is about to die, his ambition will also be lost! From now on, Zhou Shangjing has nothing to fear! Sad! Sigh!"
After saying that, Wang Baoren walked towards his sedan chair, lifting the curtain of the sedan chair while waving his hands and saying: "Let's go, we should also go see His Highness the Seventh Prince! We have been leaving him alone for a while, just because we want to
We have to wait for the opportunity to help me in times of need and let him take the initiative to promise something to me... and now is the best time for me to end my life!"
Zhou Shangjing believed that Zhu Hejian was the next Emperor Yang Guang of the Sui Dynasty. All his modest and gentle appearances were all disguises, but in fact he was a ruthless, deep-set, vicious, extreme and reckless man.
Wang Baoren was actually willing to believe Zhou Shangjing's judgment, but he didn't care!
Compared with Zhou Shangjing, who is old and dying and has lost all ambition, and only knows how to eliminate hidden dangers as much as possible and is unwilling to see any changes, Wang Baoren is full of confidence and believes that he can completely control a character like Zhu Hejian, and can even take advantage of Zhu Hejian's true nature.
Get more benefits for yourself!
Heartless? Deep in the city? Vicious and ruthless? Extreme and reckless?
Emperors with such a temperament can be seen throughout the dynasties. There are not many emperors who have many Zhu and Jian, and there are not many emperors who have less Zhu and Jian. In Wang Baoren's eyes, it is not worth sacrificing himself!
*
But Wang Baoren didn't know that after he left the study, Zhou Shangjing also quickly restrained his weak and weak appearance, his waist gradually returned to straightness, and his seemingly dull old eyes also regained their determination and shrewdness.
At the same time, the miracle doctor Zhang Decheng, who was sent by Zhao Junchen to take care of Zhou Shangjing, quickly opened the door and entered the study. With a cold face, he took out a pack of fine needles and pricked several acupuncture points on Zhou Shangjing's body, and then handed him a pill.
In front of Zhou Shangjing.
"Zhou Shoufu, although your physical condition is not as bad as rumored, it is definitely not good! Although your stomach disease symptoms are temporarily under control, there are still no signs of improvement! You are a rare person. In fact,
We don’t have much time left to live, so I hope you can cherish your body as much as possible... This kind of thing will never happen again!"
It turns out that the various signs of weakness that Zhou Shangjing showed in front of Wang Baoren just now, whether it was his body being weak or suddenly sweating, were his real disguise, and they were made use of Zhang Decheng's medical skills in order to make Wang Baoren despise him.
Underestimate yourself and believe that you are already doomed.
As the saying goes, what is imaginary is what is real, and what is real is imaginary. Only this strategy of changing the imaginary and the real can successfully deceive smart people like Wang Baoren.
In fact, the rumor that "Zhou Shangjing is terminally ill" and various related signs that have been circulating in Nanjing recently are Zhou Shangjing's deliberate actions!
In order to make the fake show real and foolproof, not only all walks of life in Nanjing now believe that Zhou Shangjing's life is not long, but even the core members of the "Zhou Party" in the capital have been misled and deceived by Zhou Shangjing and have no idea about Zhou Shangjing's illness.
Believe in important things.
But with Zhou Shangjing's shrewdness and wisdom, how could he not be aware of Zhu Hejian's secret poisoning?
Before Zhou Shangjing made things difficult for Zhu Hejian, Zhou Shangjing had no signs of stomach disease. But after he took action against Zhu Hejian, he suffered from stomach disease without warning, and his condition worsened rapidly!
After Zhu Hejian left the capital, Zhou Shangjing's stomach disease was quickly under control, but when Zhou Shangjing also arrived in Nanjing and came into contact with Zhu Hejian again, the stomach disease suddenly worsened again!
Where is such a coincidence?
Therefore, after Zhou Shangjing discovered that his stomach disease symptoms suddenly worsened again a few days ago, he decisively stopped all external diet, thus directly cutting off Zhu Hejian's poisoning plan from the source.
As for Zhou Shangjing's stomach disease symptoms, it is true that he has worsened again, and his physical condition is indeed getting worse, but he is definitely not terminally ill as rumored!