After hearing the report, Zhu Hejian couldn't help but feel shocked, thinking that the timing of Zhou Shangjing's arrival was really unlucky.
If Zhou Shangjing arrived earlier, Zhu Hejian could have a confrontation with Zhou Shangjing and take the opportunity to test Zhou Shangjing's follow-up plan, so he could see what he was doing and adapt accordingly.
If Zhou Shangjing had arrived later, Zhu Hejian would have had plenty of time to convince the Jin Yiwei and the military attaches of the Nanjing garrison to go to the tiger's den with righteous words and implement the hostage exchange plan.
But Zhou Shangjing's arrival time happened to be neither too early nor too late. It happened to be just when Zhu Hejian had just laid everything down and was about to implement the follow-up plan. This gave Zhu Hejian neither the opportunity to test the opponent nor the time to take the lead. This kind of neither up nor down
The feeling is extremely uncomfortable.
While feeling uncomfortable, Zhu Hejian also noticed something fishy and asked: "Only Zhou Shoufu came here? Where is Huo Zhengyuan and Academician Huo? Are they traveling with Zhou Shoufu?"
The Nanjing garrison who reported the news was slightly startled, shook his head and said: "The villain only saw Zhou Shoufu coming alone, and did not find the great scholar Huo coming with him."
After hearing this, Zhu Hejian became more and more serious, as if facing a formidable enemy.
Zhou Shangjing arrived at Nanjing Shantang obviously much later than expected. It stands to reason that Huo Zhengyuan, who was traveling with him, is also missing...
Why did Zhou Shangjing delay his trip? Where is Huo Zhengyuan currently and what is he doing?
This situation is quite suspicious.
It is very possible that Zhou Shangjing and Huo Zhengyuan are plotting something secretly, intending to harm themselves!
Thinking of this, Zhu Hejian subconsciously turned his head to look at Lu De.
Unknowingly, Zhu Hejian had begun to regard Lu De as his confidant, and would seek advice from Lu De as soon as possible after encountering problems.
However, there was currently too little information, and Lu De could not provide any advice. He just shook his head slightly at Zhu Hejian, saying that they should wait and see what happens now.
Zhu Hejian had no other choice but to suppress his uneasiness, put on a respectful and humble look, and said loudly: "Shoufu Zhou is here in person. We must welcome him as soon as possible, and we must not lose our etiquette."
After saying that, Zhu Hejian turned around first and headed towards Zhou Shangjing's position, while Lu De and other military attachés followed Zhu Hejian one after another.
Halfway through, Lu De took two quick steps and rushed to Zhu Hejian's side, and suggested softly: "Your Highness, something is wrong! At present, not only is Zhou Shangjing arriving late, Huo Zhengyuan is nowhere to be found, and even Lian Xi, Xu Shoubei, and the head of the Song family are missing.
There is something wrong with the whereabouts of these people. They left Zhanyuan just a little later than the two of us. Logically speaking, they should have arrived by now, but they have also been nowhere to be found. Perhaps the situation in Nanjing has changed.
Changes...students believe that just in case something unexpected happens, we must push forward the planned plan as soon as possible and completely control the variables!"
Zhu Hejian nodded slightly, indicating that he knew what he was doing.
The next moment, Zhu Hejian saw Zhou Shangjing's figure from a distance, and saw that Zhou Shangjing was also walking towards him tremblingly. He immediately quickened his pace and came to meet Zhou Shangjing.
Then, Zhu Hejian raised his hand and waved away Zhou Shangjing's entourage. He personally supported Zhou Shangjing's skinny body like a close junior, and asked with concern: "Zhou Shoufu, why are you here in person? The Nanjing Shantang matter is not a trivial matter.
, no matter how serious it is, although the lives of more than a hundred hostages are at stake, after all, it is just a group of bandits making trouble, and it is not worthy of your personal appearance!
The juniors will have to deal with the matters here. It is better for you to stay in the East Garden and continue to recuperate. If you are alarmed and delay your recuperation just because of this matter, doesn't it mean that the juniors are incompetent? Or...
…First Assistant, you don’t trust this junior and think that I can’t handle this matter properly?”
This statement seems to be respectful, but under closer inspection, there is an aggressive questioning meaning.
Zhou Shangjing's old face was full of appreciation, he shook his head and said with a smile: "It's not a problem, it's not a problem, I can barely maintain my physical condition, and I won't delay my cultivation just because of running around! I came here mainly for the consideration of Your Highness...
…
A group of ruthless bandits with unknown origins broke into the charity hall and took a large number of hostages. Normally, this kind of thing would not require my personal intervention, but the situation is different now. It is at the time when His Highness is taking charge of the Nanjing government. The timing is
It is extremely sensitive. If the matter here cannot be properly resolved, His Highness' reputation in government and the public will be seriously damaged!
And the reason why I came to Nanjing is to protect His Highness according to His Majesty's order. How can I sit back and ignore it at this time? That would not only betray His Majesty's respect, but also betray His Majesty's trust... So...
, Whether it’s public or private, I have to come to the scene in person to take charge!”
Zhu Hejian sneered in his heart, feeling that Zhou Shangjing was extremely hypocritical. He was clearly trying his best to stumbling upon himself, and wanted to prevent him from taking over the position of crown prince, but on the surface, he seemed to be thinking about himself wholeheartedly.
Just as Zhu Hejian was about to answer the call, another Nanjing garrison hurriedly came to report that the prince and grand master Wang Baoren had arrived.
But only Wang Baoren came. For some reason, the important figures who had left Zhanyuan with Wang Baoren and planned to come to Shantang, such as Nanjing garrison eunuch Xi Cheng, Nanjing garrison Xu Shengying, Song family head Song Chengren and others did not show up.
Zhu Hejian did not intend to greet him in person this time. He just turned to Lu De and gave Lu De a look, asking Lu De to greet Wang Baoren on his behalf, while he himself wanted to accompany Zhou Shangjing to continue to fight and seize the time to test Zhou Shangjing's true intentions.
.
After Lu De turned around and left, Zhu Hejian was still concerned and asked again: "These days, I have heard that you are in poor health, and I have repeatedly wanted to visit you in the East Garden, but you have always been blocked by the old head of the Song family.
, saying that I would try my best not to disturb your rest, so I had no choice but to suppress my eagerness and sent someone to collect a batch of precious medicinal materials and send them to Dongyuan. I hope you will get well as soon as possible... But I don’t know how your current health is? I heard
Is the stomach disease getting worse? Can the situation improve? "
This chapter is not over yet, please click on the next page to continue reading! In terms of hypocrisy, Zhu Hejian is no worse than Zhou Shangjing, or even worse.
After all, the reason why Zhou Shangjing suffered from stomach disease and the reason why his stomach disease worsened rapidly after arriving in Nanjing was all because of Zhu Hejian's secret poisoning. But at this time, Zhu Hejian could also express his concern without any psychological burden.
Zhou Shangjing took a deep look at Zhu Hejian, shook his head and sighed: "Because of Dr. Zhang's wonderful diagnosis and treatment, my stomach disease has not worsened again, but it has not been improved smoothly. It can only be said to be barely maintained... Alas, this time
Stomach problems appear without warning, and get worse without warning... Hey! This situation is like being assassinated!"
After hearing this, Zhu Hejian's heart skipped a beat, feeling that Zhou Shangjing's words meant something.
But the next moment, Zhou Shangjing shook his head and smiled bitterly: "Unfortunately, I have investigated repeatedly and found no suspicious signs. After Doctor Zhang diagnosed me, he also believed that the stomach disease was just due to my old age and physical weakness!
In fact, I hope that I have been poisoned and assassinated, which means that there is an antidote. But if it is just because of old age and frailty, it means that there is no cure and my destiny is about to end...
"
As he spoke, Zhou Shangjing's old face was full of desolation, as if he had accepted his fate of passing away.
Zhu Hejian couldn't figure out Zhou Shangjing's true thoughts for a while, so he could only comfort him casually: "Zhou Shoufu is overly concerned. You are a lucky person, so you must be out of the way..."
Then, Zhu Hejian changed the subject and repeated the old saying: "However, since your body has not recovered yet, and you came here just to support the juniors, then the next affairs of Nanjing Shantang will be decided by the juniors, and you will
Don’t worry too much, okay?”
Zhu Hejian initially thought that Zhou Shangjing would definitely compete with him for control, or at least try his best to intervene.
Who would have thought that after Zhou Shangjing heard his proposal, he immediately smiled and nodded in agreement: "Of course His Highness will make the decision! I came here just to share the pressure for Your Highness, and I will not overwhelm him or take away His Highness's opportunity to perform.
...If His Highness can resolve this matter smoothly, I will be happy and relaxed!"
Next, Zhou Shangjing looked up in the direction of the Nanjing Shantang and asked slowly: "I don't know... how far has the situation in the Nanjing Shantang developed? How does His Highness plan to deal with the group of gangsters in the Shantang?
Rescue the many hostages in the charity hall?"
Zhu Hejian never expected that Zhou Shangjing would hand over the initiative to him so readily. He couldn't help but be slightly stunned, and he became increasingly confused about Zhou Shangjing's true intentions.
And just when Zhu Hejian was about to answer Zhou Shangjing's inquiry, he saw Lu De coming in a hurry with the prince and grand master Wang Baoren.
At first, Wang Baoren ignored Zhou Shangjing, and first explained to Zhu Hejian: "I hope your highness will forgive me, but the situation in Nanjing has changed again. Shortly after your highness left Zhanyuan, I, Xu Shoubei, the head of the Song family, and Xi Zhenzhen guarded them.
I originally wanted to come as soon as possible, but I didn't expect that all the forces in Nanjing City became more and more restless without warning, and the conflict with the Jinyiwei became more and more intense. For a time, there was even the danger of a sword fight.
, Commander Xi and others did not dare to neglect, so they had to rush to various places to control the situation and stabilize people's hearts, so I am the only one who can come here to assist His Highness in handling the affairs of the Nanjing Shantang."
Zhu Hejian frowned and nodded: "This is natural. The situation is now sensitive, and Xu Shoubei, the head of the Song family, and Xi Zhenshou are all key figures. Naturally, they should give priority to maintaining the overall situation! As for Nanjing Shantang
There is no need to involve everyone's energy and delay the overall situation and business matters."
After Wang Baoren thanked Zhu Hejian for his understanding, he finally turned to look at Zhou Shangjing and asked meaningfully: "But I can't understand why all the forces in Nanjing City were so restless at the same time without warning? Just
It seems like there is a big shot hiding behind the scenes, fanning the flames! Zhou Shoufu, what do you think?"
Zhou Shangjing's expression did not change, he slowly shook his head and said: "I have been staying in the East Garden for this period of time, focusing on cultivating my body. I have no time to pay attention to the situation. I don't know much information. I am afraid that I cannot provide any advice, which has disappointed Grand Master Wang...
But I believe that although the situation in Nanjing is a little chaotic tonight, as long as Xu Shoubei, the Song family leader, and Eunuch Xi work together to maintain stability, there is no need to worry about the situation getting out of control. We are still focusing on dealing with the Nanjing Shantang.
Things are better."
Wang Baoren sneered and asked: "Of course, the matter in Nanjing Shantang needs to be resolved quickly, but after all, it is just a group of gangsters making trouble, and it is just a scabies disease! But if there are really people hiding behind the scenes to add fuel to the flames and incite civil unrest,
It’s just like treason, so we must strictly investigate the truth!”
Obviously, Wang Baoren suspected that all the forces in Nanjing City were becoming more and more restless without warning, and they did not hesitate to confront the Jin Yiwei. He had received secret instructions from Zhou Shangjing, and Zhou Shangjing's actions were to divert the tiger away from the mountain and drag down the guarding eunuch.
Cheng and Nanjing garrison Xu Shengying.
As long as the guarding eunuch Xi Cheng and the Nanjing guard Xu Shengying are held back and they are unable to arrive at Nanjing Shantang in time, it means that Zhu Hejian has lost two major helpers and cannot mobilize the two violent forces of Jin Yiwei and Nanjing garrison at will.
The organization also caused Zhu Hejian to lose his biggest trump card.
Zhu Hejian is obviously aware of this, but he is not willing to directly break up with Zhou Shangjing yet, so he cannot directly show doubts like Wang Baoren.
In addition, Zhu Hejian only wanted to solve the Nanjing Shantang matter as soon as possible and cover up his crime of secretly raising dead soldiers, so Zhu Hejian raised his hand to stop Wang Baoren's aggressiveness and said slowly: "What Zhou Shoufu said is reasonable, our top priority is
, we still need to arrest the gangsters in the charity hall as soon as possible and rescue a large number of hostages in the charity hall... As for Grand Master Wang’s suspicion that someone is hiding behind the scenes to incite civil unrest, there will still be plenty of time to slowly investigate the truth. "
After a pause, Zhu Hejian continued: "This junior arrived here earlier and has roughly figured out the situation. First, I will inform the two seniors about the current situation. There is one more thing... I also need to consult the two seniors.
Views."
Then, Zhu Hejian told Zhou Shangjing and Wang Baoren the current situation in the Nanjing Shantang in detail, and also explained the conditions put forward by the gangsters in the Shantang, that is, the gangsters were willing to release the people inside the Shantang.
Many hostages, but the condition is that Zhu Hejian goes to danger personally and becomes the new hostage of the gangsters.
Zhu Hejian was walking and talking, and everyone soon arrived not far from the gate of Nanjing Shantang, where they could observe the specific situation of Nanjing Shantang up close.
When Zhu Hejian mentioned the conditions proposed by the gangsters, his expression was obviously hesitant, and he seemed to have intended to agree to the conditions of the gangsters.
After listening to Zhu Hejian's briefing, the reactions of the two old foxes, Zhou Shangjing and Wang Baoren, were very similar. They were both thoughtful and their eyes flickered. It was obvious that they had figured out many things in an instant.
These two are both extremely shrewd old foxes who are accustomed to the wind and rain. Based on the existing information, they have more or less guessed the true relationship between the gangsters in the Shantang and Zhu Hejian, and they have also roughly guessed Zhu Hejian's follow-up plan.
.
Obviously, the gangsters in the Shantang were actually the dead men that Zhu Hejian secretly raised, and the "hostage exchange" conditions proposed by the gangsters were most likely just a co-acting act between Zhu Hejian and his dead men.
After Zhu Hejian became a hostage, the government forces no longer dared to act rashly, and Zhu Hejian was able to successfully protect his dead soldiers from being rounded up by the government, leaving his crime of secretly raising dead soldiers undocumented.
The next moment, Zhou and Wang also spoke in unison, expressing their opposition "firmly"!
Wang Baoren's expression was full of anger, he shook his head and cursed: "That's unreasonable! These gangsters are really a group of lunatics! They just threaten the court, but they actually want His Highness to become their new hostage? But what kind of valuable status does Your Highness have? And
How can they be reduced to hostages? How can they be compared with those orphans, widows and children in the charity hall? Humph! Not to mention that they only held hundreds of hostages, even if they held thousands of hostages, they were not worthy of exchange by His Highness.
!These ruthless bandits are convinced that His Highness loves the people like his own son and is benevolent and righteous, so they have such delusions, but we cannot put the cart before the horse!"
After hearing Wang Baoren's objection, Zhu Hejian's eyes flashed with joy.
The next moment, Zhou Shangjing also shook his head repeatedly and said: "His Highness has a reputation as a virtuous man, so these gangsters have such delusions that His Highness might agree to their conditions, just to save the hundreds of hostages in the charity hall.
Personally involved in danger, willing to accept their mercy... But it is just a wishful thinking! Those hostages are a group of orphans and widows who no one cares about. They are not the same as the value of His Highness. Even if all the hostages die unexpectedly, they are not worth the harm of His Highness.
Not a single hair!"
After hearing Zhou Shangjing's statement again, Zhu Hejian, Wang Baoren, Lu De and others couldn't help but be stunned.
They never expected that Zhou Shangjing would completely agree with Wang Baoren's statement.
Wang Baoren was Zhu Hejian's political ally. At this time, he naturally wanted to find ways to support Zhu Hejian, so he expressed his opposition "firmly".
At this time, Wang Baoren must publicly express his opposition, otherwise he will deliberately push the current prince into danger, which will not only arouse suspicion and criticism from all parties in the government and the public, but Emperor Deqing will also think that he underestimated the prince's safety afterwards, which will further affect his heart.
do not like.
But at the same time, Wang Baoren had to find a way to promote Zhu Hejian's follow-up plan, so when he expressed his objections, he deliberately left a lot of excuses, saying that Zhu Hejian loved the people like a son, and that Zhu Hejian had a valuable status and was related to Zhu Hejian.
The hostages in the charity hall cannot be compared. These reasons all seem to be very correct, but they can be easily refuted.
As long as Zhu Hejian talks about some high-sounding truths, such as "the people value the king," such as "benevolent people love things," or "the people of the world support the heavenly family, and as a prince, how can I abandon the people and ignore them?"
, "As long as I can save innocent people, I have nothing to fear even if I go to the tiger's den" and so on, they can directly occupy a high moral position. In addition to refuting Wang Baoren's objections, these remarks can also be passed on as a good talk, making Zhu Hejian's ruling and opposition parties
Reputation skyrocketed!
Therefore, Wang Baoren's attitude seemed to be against the exchange of hostages, but in fact it left Zhu Hejian more room for development and secretly supported Zhu Hejian's follow-up plan.
However, when Zhou Shangjing expressed his opposition, the content of his reasons was exactly the same as Wang Baoren's. He repeated Wang Baoren's statement without any new ideas. He also expressed opposition on the surface, but actually supported it, as if he was also secretly promoting Zhu Hejian's follow-up plan. This is very strange.
.
For a time, Zhu Hejian became increasingly unclear about Zhou Shangjing's true intentions. He just concluded that Zhou Shangjing must have other plans and became increasingly vigilant.