After hearing what Zhao Junchen said, all the "Zhao Party" officials in the main hall couldn't help but be shocked.
When did Zhao Junchen, who had always been reserved and low-key, become so ambitious and ambitious? Not only did he have to compete for power with Shen Changmao and Huang Yourong at the same time, but he also had to provoke his chief minister Zhou Shangjing?
Isn't this looking for death?
Thinking of how the "Zhao Party" faction would be counterattacked by the three cabinet elders in the future, everyone turned pale.
After Zhan Shanchang and Zuo Lanshan looked at each other, Zhan Shanchang finally spoke first: "Sir, are we too anxious to do this...?"
Zuo Lanshan also nodded repeatedly and said: "Yes, sir, why don't we take it step by step? We are going to break up with three pavilion elders at the same time. With our current power and influence, I'm afraid we won't be able to cope with it."
Gu Quan also said calmly: "Actually, it's okay for Huang Yourong and Shen Changmao. We are not afraid of them after all, but Zhou Shoufu..."
As Zhan Shanchang, Zuo Lanshan and Gu Quan expressed their opinions, all the "Zhao Party" officials expressed their agreement. Only Wei Huai from Xichang looked thoughtful and did not express his opinion.
Although everyone objected, Zhao Junchen looked confident. After a gentle smile, he explained: "Actually, the current situation in the temple was created by Zhou Shangjing, because in the current situation , We, Huang Yourong, Shen Changmao and others cannot threaten Zhou Shangjing at all, and His Majesty will not doubt Zhou Shangjing excessively, and Zhou Shangjing can firmly control the overall situation and obtain the greatest benefits, so he will definitely try his best to maintain it. The current situation in temples.
And if we want to expand our power, we will break this situation. We will inevitably face Zhou Shangjing's suppression. It can be said that if we people want to succeed, no matter how cautious we are, we will sooner or later become hostile to Zhou Shangjing. In this case, Why should we still worry about whether we will offend Zhou Shangjing? Since we want to make some trouble, we might as well make it big, since sooner or later we will be suppressed by Zhou Shangjing. Why not have an open fight with him from the beginning? fight?"
Although Zhao Junchen said this, these reasons still failed to convince everyone. All the "Zhao Party" officials also looked worried, silent and did not agree.
After all, Zhou Shangjing has been in charge of the court for decades. His power and majesty have long been deeply rooted in the hearts of the people. Zuo Lanshan, Zhan Shanchang and others are well aware of Zhou Shangjing's powerful methods. Now that Zhao Junchen wants to rashly go against Zhou Shangjing, what will they do? Able to make decisions easily?
…………
Seeing that everyone was still unable to make up their minds, Zhao Junchen frowned slightly and couldn't help but sigh secretly.
He had a reason to do this, but because it involved many secrets, he couldn't explain it to them clearly.
In fact, the reason why Zhao Junchen wants to provoke Zhou Shangjing, Huang Yourong, and Shen Changmao at the same time is not because Zhao Junchen does not know how high the sky is, but because Zhao Junchen understands that when Prince Zhu Heyu starts the business tax reform, the situation in the court will inevitably change. It was chaos. Under such circumstances, both Emperor Deqing and Zhou Shangjing, for the sake of the world, would definitely try their best to stabilize the situation and prevent any changes from happening that would further disrupt the situation.
At that time, if Zhao Junchen wants to take advantage of the chaotic situation to fight for power, he will inevitably be suppressed by the combined efforts of Emperor Deqing and Zhou Shangjing. If he wants to gain any benefits, it will be impossible.
Therefore, Zhao Junchen had to rush into conflict with the three pavilion elders before the situation became chaotic. Only in this way could the situation be further confused; the situation in the temple could be further separated from the control of Emperor Deqing and Zhou Shangjing;
Only in this way can we expand our power in the following chaotic situation and gain more benefits for ourselves.
The most important thing is that once the prince Zhu Heyu started the commercial tax reform, even if Zhao Junchen offended the three elders, no matter how unfavorable the situation was, with the mentality of Emperor Deqing and Zhou Shangjing trying their best to maintain stability, it would be easy to get out of this situation.
Nothing is lost by escaping from a conflict.
…………
But with such considerations in mind, Zhao Junchen could not explain it clearly to the "Zhao Party" officials.
However, Zhao Junchen's next plan must have the full cooperation of these people.
Therefore, after Zhao Junchen hesitated for a moment, he finally decided to show some of his trump cards to reassure Zuo Lanshan and Zhan Shanchang.
In fact, since Zhao Junchen entered the temple, Zhao Junchen has been deeply worried about Zhou Shangjing's scheming and scheming methods. Just in case, Zhao Junchen has prepared several trump cards to deal with Zhou Shangjing. Although these trump cards
It's not enough to shake Zhou Shangjing's foundation, but it can also make Zhou Shangjing compromise at a critical moment.
So, while everyone was silent, Zhao Junchen slowly spoke.
"My lords, have you ever thought about why there was so much resistance when His Majesty wanted to tour the South? It was not until I returned to Beijing and settled the money for the Southern Tour that I finally came to a conclusion?"
Everyone couldn't help but be surprised when Zhao Junchen suddenly mentioned something unrelated. Li Lide subconsciously said: "Isn't it because of the prince's strong opposition? If not..."
Midway through his words, Li Lide suddenly froze, because Li Lide suddenly thought that the prince's influence in the court would not be able to stop Emperor Deqing at all.
The only person in the entire court who could do this was Chief Assistant Zhou Shangjing.
Therefore, Li Lide asked: "Sir, are you saying it's Zhou Shangjing?"
Zhao Junchen nodded with a smile and said: "Yes, if Zhou Shangjing hadn't also opposed His Majesty's southern tour, how could the situation have been stalemate? It's just that the prince's attitude was the most cunning, which made Zhou Shangjing's opposition less conspicuous, but everyone
Don't you think it's strange, sir? You know, over the years, as long as Zhou Shangjing's interests are not touched, Zhou Shangjing has rarely opposed His Majesty's wishes face to face."
Hearing what Zhao Junchen said, all the "Zhao Party" officials were thoughtful.
Indeed, when Emperor Deqing wanted to tour the south, there was a lot of resistance. The fundamental reason was not the opposition of the prince's party, but the opposition of Zhou Shangjing! Only Zhou Shangjing could stalemate with Emperor Deqing in the temple.
But why would Zhou Shangjing go against Emperor Deqing because of a mere southern tour? For Zhou Shangjing, he had offended Emperor Deqing for nothing, but it had no benefit. It could be said to be a matter of great harm and no benefit.
Seeing everyone thinking deeply, Zhao Junchen continued: "There is another strange thing. After the southern tour was confirmed, why did Zhou Shangjing give up the good job of staying in Beijing to assist the government instead of accompanying him south?
What good will this do to him?"
Upon hearing Zhao Junchen's inquiry, all the "Zhao Party" officials were stunned again.
For the officials in the DPRK and the Central Government, the benefit of accompanying him on the southern tour is nothing more than gaining some favors. With Zhou Shangjing's current status and power, how could he care about this favor? But the job of staying in Beijing to assist the government is
With great power in hand, it is easiest to seek benefits, but Zhou Shangjing actually gave up on his own initiative, which is even more unusual.
Just when everyone was thinking secretly, Zhao Junchen reminded: "Everyone must know that the eldest grandson of our chief minister, Zhou Suhai, is now serving as the magistrate of Suzhou Prefecture. Because several of Zhou's sons may have died early.
, or lack of ability, this Lord Zhou Suhai is now highly valued by the Chief Assistant, and he is even very likely to be the next head of the Zhou family."
Hearing the hints behind Zhao Junchen's words, everyone's expressions changed.
Zuo Lanshan asked cautiously: "My lord, are you saying... there is a big accident in Suzhou that will endanger Zhou Suhai's career. So he was suppressed by the chief minister. However, once His Majesty tours the south, it is very likely that he will
Exposed, that’s why the Chief Assistant will try his best to stop His Majesty from his southern tour, and after failing to stop it, he wants to accompany him on the southern tour?"
Zhao Junchen did not admit it, but he did not deny it either. He just looked enigmatic and said with a smile: "There were rumors among the people that there were Japanese pirates in Suzhou a few days ago. Because the local government was not prepared enough, those Japanese pirates
They even invaded Suzhou City and plundered it. Although they were driven away in the end, the east side of Suzhou City was already in a mess."
At this point, Zhao Junchen shook his head and sighed: "However, after all, it is just a folk rumor. After all, the court has not received any news. It must be false. Otherwise, Zhou Suhai and Lord Zhou's career will be completely ruined. Speaking of which, Suzhou's
The scenery and culture are what people yearn for the most. Now that we are about to tour the south, I can take the opportunity to accompany Your Majesty to visit."
Hearing what Zhao Junchen said, the expressions of all Zhao Party officials changed.
If Zhao Junchen's suggestion comes true, then using this as a trump card, even if he cannot defeat Zhou Shangjing, it will be enough to make Zhou Shangjing give in.
…………
In the end, although all the "Zhao Party" officials were still a little worried, with Zhao Junchen's insistence, they finally agreed to Zhao Junchen's next plan.
When leaving Zhao Mansion, everyone looked solemn.
After all, they were going to be hostile to three pavilion elders at the same time. Although Zhao Junchen looked confident, they still felt a little unsure.
After everyone left, only Wei Huai stayed in the main hall of Zhao Mansion, as if he had something to report.
Zhao Junchen's expression became more solemn. He looked at Wei Huai in front of him and asked slowly: "Those refugees gathered outside my house to beg me for justice. Who inspired them? Has the West Factory found out?
"
Wei Huai shook his head, nodded again, and said: "I haven't found out clearly, but I can probably guess who is behind it."
Zhao Junchen was stunned for a moment, frowned and said, "How do you say that?"
Wei Huai explained: "Xichang did find some clues, but after half of the pursuit, all the clues were broken, and we could no longer pursue them, so there was no way to find out who was behind the scenes. But..."
When Wei Huai said this, Zhao Junchen already understood what he meant. After sighing, he said: "However, even your Xichang can't find out the root cause. As far as I know, the power that can do this is in Beijing."
There are only three factions, and among these three factions, the only one who has the motive to do this is Zhou Shangjing."
The three factions mentioned by Zhao Junchen refer to Emperor Deqing, the seventh prince Zhu Hejian, and the chief minister Zhou Shangjing.
But Emperor Deqing never expected Zhao Junchen's reputation to change, and the seventh prince Zhu Hejian had no need to do so. Only Zhou Shangjing could take advantage of Zhao Junchen's improved reputation to drive a wedge between Zhao Junchen and Emperor Deqing.
It seems that when Zhao Junchen planned to attack Zhou Shangjing, Zhou Shangjing also planned to attack Zhao Junchen.