In fact, Zhao Junchen revealed the idea of commercial tax reform to Prince Zhu Heyu through Chu Jiayi, and there was a deeper consideration.
…………
Throughout ancient and modern times, at home and abroad, for thousands of years, wherever there are people, there will be classes. When there are classes, there will be various rules and regulations.
But what is “system”?
According to the explanations of later generations of scholars, the so-called "system" refers to the rules and codes of conduct that everyone in the world abides by, and is the norms and standards of laws, etiquette, etc. formed under certain historical conditions.
However, Zhao Junchen believes that the so-called "system" is essentially a way of distributing interests and a means for vested interests to protect their own interests. Throughout the ages, although there are countless good or bad systems and regulations, there are no exceptions.
Therefore, after traveling to this era, although Zhao Junchen clearly has the insight and vision that is hundreds of years ahead of this era, and although he clearly knows the shortcomings and backwardness of various systems in this era, Zhao Junchen has never thought about carrying out system changes.
Because Zhao Junchen knows very well that once the system changes are carried out rashly, it will inevitably affect the whole body and attract backlash and hostility from vested interests.
What are vested interests?
These are all the powerful, wealthy and famous people of this era!
And these people happen to control the power, wealth and voice of an era.
Unless more benefits can be created for these people, they will never agree to any system change that harms their own interests!
And once it arouses backlash and hostility from these people, Zhao Junchen might not even know how he died.
Zhao Junchen has never dared to think highly of himself. He has always been careful to protect himself. 6 In the era of change, only the "great men" created by the times can do this. 5 Zhao Junchen has never been a "great man". He has never been a "great man".
Just a mortal?br />
…………
Even so, Zhao Junchen also understood that under the existing system, he would never be able to compete with Emperor Deqing.
Without him, the military power of the Ming Dynasty has always been in the hands of the Ming Dynasty emperor
As long as the military power is in hand, the emperor of the Ming Dynasty will be invincible, and his ministers will have no chance of resisting him.
Regardless of how powerful Zhou Shangjing is now, it seems that he can compete with Emperor Deqing in the temple, but this is just because Emperor Deqing doesn't want to make things big.
Zhou Shangjing's disciples and former officials are all over the world, and his reputation is high. If he rashly attacks Zhou Shangjing, there will inevitably be turmoil in the government and the public, which will also be very harmful to Emperor Deqing's reputation after his death.
Moreover, Zhou Shangjing is nearly twenty years older than Emperor Deqing. He is now over seventy years old and will not live much longer. Even Emperor Deqing can outlast him.
Therefore, for the sake of the stability of the country, Emperor Deqing only used his power and intrigues to fight openly and secretly with Zhou Shangjing in these years.
But if Emperor Deqing could make up his mind?a href='/txt/16711/4977324/'>. Determined to eradicate Zhou Shangjing at all costs, he would only need an imperial edict to seal off the city, two factories and one guard.
To raid homes and arrest people, Zhou Shangjing had no military power. No matter how powerful he was, no matter how many cronies he had, he couldn't resist even if he was afraid.
If Zhou Shangjing is like this, let alone Zhao Junchen?
If Emperor Deqing wanted to punish Zhao Junchen, Zhao Junchen would not be able to resist under the existing rules and regulations.
Therefore, after giving birth to powerful ministers seeking political power, Zhao Junchen also changed his previous thoughts and actually had the desire to change the existing system?br />
Because Zhao Junchen understood that only after the system changes can he seek greater power and influence and shake the absolute advantage of Emperor Deqing.
But as mentioned above, the reform of the system is by no means a trivial matter. The cost is high and the risks are high. Naturally, Zhao Junchen will not act rashly.
That's why he revealed the details of the commercial tax reform to Prince Zhu Heyu through Chu Jiayi. While causing trouble for Zhu Heyu, he also used Zhu Heyu to test the waters for himself.
Only after Zhu Heyu tried to carry out reforms with radical and hasty methods but failed, in contrast, those with vested interests could accept Zhao Junchen's more moderate and appropriate reform methods.
Then, Zhao Junchen could slowly accumulate power to compete with Emperor Deqing through various changes.
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Although Zhao Junchen had many thoughts in his mind, they only happened in a moment.
While thinking secretly, Zhao Junchen had already entered the main hall of Zhao Mansion.
Seeing Zhao Junchen appear, he came to Zuolan Mountain of Zhao Mansion first. Zhan Shanchang and Liu Changan quickly stood up to greet them and said hello respectfully.
Zhao Junchen's expression was full of gentleness. He raised his hand to indicate that they didn't need to be polite and said with a smile: "Why are you three here so early? I haven't even prepared dinner yet."
While talking, Zhao Junchen had already walked to the main seat and sat down, and motioned for the three of them to take their seats.
Zuo Lanshan sat down and said with a smile: "I heard that Mr. Zhao has summoned you. We didn't dare to neglect it. We settled the court affairs early and hurriedly came to see Mr. Zhao."
Zhan Shanchang said: "That's right. However, Tong Huan, Gu Quan, and Li Lide have more things to do because they have to deal with the Southern Patrol's wrongdoing case. I'm afraid it will have to wait a little longer. I hope Mr. Zhao won't blame me."
Zhao Junchen smiled again and said: "It's because you came early, and it's not that they came late. Who should I blame?"
Liu Changan cautiously probed: "However, Mr. Zhao, it is rare for you to call all of us here, but what happened? Is there still trouble on your Majesty's side?"
Upon hearing Liu Changan's inquiry, Zuo Lanshan and Zhan Shanchang both looked serious.
Zhao Junchen has always acted in a low-key manner. Now, although the "Zhao Party" faction is becoming more and more powerful, Zhao Junchen rarely calls them together to discuss matters. If there is anything, he only meets with the person specifically responsible.
Now that Zhao Junchen has invited all the core members of the "Zhao Party" to a gathering, Zuo Lanshan and the others must have something important to tell them.
Recall that Zhao Junchen violated Emperor Deqing's wishes for the first time today and was summoned by Emperor Deqing to the Yangxin Hall for a talk. Although Zhao Junchen had previously promised that everything would be fine, who could accurately predict Emperor Deqing's thoughts? I couldn't help but feel in my heart.
disturbed
While Zuo Lanshan, Zhan Shanchang, and Liu Changan were secretly worried, Zhao Junchen smiled and waved his hands: "Your Majesty, I have resolved his dissatisfaction. You don't have to worry. I summoned you this time because
Other things"
Seeing that the three people were relieved and looking at him more intently, Zhao Junchen said: "Don't be anxious now, wait until everyone is here."
After hearing what Zhao Junchen said about Zuo Lanshan, Zhan Shanchang and Liu Changan could only suppress their curiosity and chat with Zhao Junchen first.
Not long after, Tong Huan, Gu Quan, Li Lide and others came to Zhao Mansion one after another, and Wei Huai was the last one to come.
…………
After all the core members of the "Zhao Party" arrived, Zhao Junchen put down the tea cup in his hand and looked slightly solemn.
Seeing Zhao Junchen like this, everyone consciously calmed down and focused their attention on Zhao Junchen.
Zhao Junchen looked around at everyone and said slowly: "I invite you all to come to the mansion today, but I have some new ideas and intend to change our policies in the DPRK, so I want to discuss it with you.
Zhao Junchen said: "It's not a big deal, but I suddenly feel that our actions and power expansion in the government these days have been a little too cautious."
Zhao Junchen's words made no sense and everyone couldn't help but be puzzled. Zhan Shanchang asked: "Why do you say that?"
Zhao Junchen explained: "Actually, I don't need to say it, you can understand that since the fall of Wen Guanliang, His Majesty has been very supportive to us, just to allow us to replace Wen Guanliang and balance the forces between the DPRK and China. At the same time, we
Only by competing with the various factions in the DPRK for power can Your Majesty be able to feel at ease."
Seeing everyone nodding, Zhao Junchen continued: "But these days, we have tried our best to avoid conflicts with the three pavilion elders Zhou Shangjing, Huang Yourong, and Shen Changmao. Although we are at peace with each other and no longer have the worries of overt and covert fighting, we have also been restricted by this.
Our power has developed. During this period, although our influence in the court has gradually increased, the power in our hands has not increased at all compared to the previous days. Our current plan to start from the local government offices is actually forced.
In desperation
However, both the center and the local areas have basically been divided up by the three pavilion elders. The most we can do is find some leftovers to eat. No matter how hard we develop in the future, the power in our hands will only be limited.
In this way, when will our power in the court be able to compete with those three cabinet ministers? Are we just hanging around like this?
What's more, the reason why His Majesty supports us is to allow us to compete with the three cabinet elders for power. If we fail to take action, His Majesty will definitely be worried about us and support others. By that time, we
But you missed the opportunity.”
Zhao Junchen looked calm when he spoke, but the underlying meaning behind his words shocked everyone.
Zuo Lanshan couldn't help but ask: "Mr. Zhao, do you mean that from now on, we will no longer live in harmony with those three elders, but will instead compete with them for power?"
Zhao Junchen smiled softly, nodded and said: "That's it, and only in this way, can the power in our hands be truly improved. This power in the DPRK was won by fighting for it. Now His Majesty still has some interest in us."
I hope that they will support us from the very beginning, why don’t we take advantage of the opportunity to expand our power?”
In fact, the decision to live in harmony with the three court elders was precisely due to Zhao Junchen. At that time, Zhao Junchen wanted to survive in the cracks between ministerial power and imperial power, and only wanted to please everyone without offending him.
Naturally, officials are restrained from competing for power with other factions.
But now, Zhao Junchen has made up his mind to become a powerful official in the court. Naturally, he will no longer be polite to the three elders, but will fight for power with them.
Using Prince Zhu Heyu to reform the commercial tax system, disrupt the situation, and test the waters for Zhao Junchen's next actions is only part of Zhao Junchen's plan
Competing for power with several senior ministers in the court and expanding his influence is another part of Zhao Junchen's plan
Therefore, Zhao Junchen recruited all the core figures of the "Zhao Party" together and announced the changes in the future course of the "Zhao Party"!
…………
There is no official who doesn't love power. After hearing what Zhao Junchen said, he thought that with the support of Emperor Deqing and the help of the Xichang forces in Zhao Junchen's hands, he would never lose no matter what. Everyone in the main hall of Zhao Mansion
Everyone looks excited
In fact, if Zhao Junchen had not been suppressing them, they would have clashed with the three senior officials.
Zuo Lanshan looked energetic and said: "What you say makes sense, sir. We will do whatever you say! Sir, tell me, who should we start with first? Huang Yourong or Shen Changmao? With our current power, we can't do it."
I’m not afraid of them either!”
Zuo Lanshan did not mention Zhou Shangjing, because Zuo Lanshan knew that the current "Zhao faction" might not be able to compete with Zhou Shangjing, so they could only start with Huang Yourong and Shen Changmao.
Zhao Junchen smiled slightly and said slowly: "Everyone! Not only Huang Yourong, not only Shen Changmao, but also the power in Zhou Shangjing's hands, we have to compete for it!"
Hearing Zhao Junchen say this, everyone was shocked! (To be continued...)