Chapter 208. Intrigue and governance are two completely different disciplines (2).
Sitting in the living room of Zhou Mansion, Zhao Junchen waited for Zhou Shangjing's arrival with a calm expression. While sipping tea leisurely, he looked at the decorations in Zhou Shangjing's mansion. This was Zhao Junchen's first visit to Zhou Shangjing's mansion.
Naturally, I am curious.
While looking at it, Zhao Junchen couldn't help but have a flash of surprise in his eyes.
Without him, unlike Zhou Shangjing's low-key and restrained behavior, the decoration of Zhou's mansion is unexpectedly luxurious and noble. Even compared to Zhao Junchen's current mansion, it is probably even worse. The table in front of him
A chair, a flower and a vase, all are treasures that are hard to find on the market. Just the decorations in the living room are probably worth more than one hundred thousand taels in total.
And this kind of luxury and nobility hints at how rich and superior the owner here is. If you lack some confidence in your heart, you may feel restrained unconsciously when you first enter this place.
"I originally thought that Zhou Shangjing's mansion would be more elegant and simple this week, but I didn't expect that it would be completely opposite to what I imagined."
Zhao Junchen shook his head slightly and murmured to himself.
Zhao Junchen just said it casually, but Xu Qingyan who was accompanying him had sharp ears and actually heard Zhao Junchen talking to himself.
I saw Xu Qingyan curling his lips and looking as if he was taking it for granted. He leaned over and said to Zhao Junchen: "Master, what's so strange about this? Although Zhou Shangjing is said to have power over the country and is a great scholar in the literary world, he is not an upright official.
, the money he has amassed overtly and covertly over the years is much more than ours, but he is too powerful. So no one dares to speak against him. Moreover, Zhou Shangjing is famous for being particular and enjoying himself, and his mansion is also
How could it be any worse?"
After all, this is Zhou Shangjing's mansion. Although there are no other people around, it is not good for people in Zhou Shangjing's mansion to hear Xu Qingyan's comments about Zhou Shangjing. So after hearing Xu Qingyan's words, Zhao Junchen frowned slightly and planned to scold him a few times.
sentence.
Unexpectedly, without waiting for Zhao Junchen to reprimand him, Xu Qingyan actually spoke out some truth based on his self-taught "corrupt official theory" and "villain philosophy".
"Let me tell you, young master. Since you returned to Beijing, your life has been too simple. It is completely unworthy of your status and wealth. Not only do you not care about eating and drinking in style, but you also let people in the mansion take away the valuable things in the mansion.
All the expensive furnishings and utensils were put away. This is not good. If you ask me, you should be like Zhou Shangjing, show off as much pomp and style as possible, and the mansion should be as luxurious and noble as possible, so as to convince the people below.
And peace of mind.”
Zhao Junchen was slightly stunned and asked: "What do you mean?"
Xu Qingyan explained in a matter-of-fact manner: "Master, think about it. How many percent of the people in this world are smart people? I'm afraid it's not even half a percent, right? Most of them are just stupid and snobbish people. To these people, Master.
Only when you are very dignified and ostentatious on weekdays will they feel that the young master is powerful and powerful, and then they will feel awe and clinging to you. Then with the clinging and awe of these people, master, you will be powerful.
Bigger and stronger. If Master, you just keep a low profile, those stupid people may think that Master, you have low power, and they will underestimate Master."
After a pause, Xu Qingyan continued: "What's more, young master, you are no longer alone in the court. You also have many cronies and dependants. For those cronies and dependants, you are not only their backer and supporter.
The leader is also their role model. Only if you live a luxurious life, young master, they can understand the reason of following the young master to have meat. If you, young master, live a simple life like ordinary people, it seems like
There is no profit, if they follow the young master, what else can you do?"
Speaking of this, Xu Qingyan concluded: "Master, our reputation among the government and the public is just like this. No matter how low-key and simple we live in the future, we may not be able to change it. In this case, it is better to be high-profile, but there will be no benefit."
The ostentation, style, and official airs are all just for others to see."
Hearing what Xu Qingyan said, Zhao Junchen was surprised, but he couldn't refute it.
Although these "corrupt official theories" and "villain philosophy" of Xu Qingyan sound disgusting, it must be admitted that they do have basic logic that can be justified.
After all, the "villain philosophy" is also a philosophy, and the "corrupt official theory" is also a theory. They have been able to prevail among the government and the public for thousands of years, naturally because they are very effective.
For a moment, Zhao Junchen actually had the idea of discussing it in detail with Xu Qingyan.
As the saying goes, "When three people walk together, there must be a teacher." Although Xu Qingyan is uneducated and has no skills, he does understand the thoughts of villains and corrupt officials far better than Zhao Junchen.
However, before Zhao Junchen could speak, the sound of footsteps suddenly came from outside the living room.
According to the time, it should be Zhou Shangjing who came to greet Zhao Junchen.
Therefore, Zhao Junchen did not have time to talk to Xu Qingyan in detail. He just turned around and glared at Xu Qingyan, signaling him not to talk nonsense next, then stood up and walked towards the door of the living room to greet him.
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When Zhao Junchen arrived at the door of the living room, he looked up and saw that it was Zhou Shangjing, the chief minister of the dynasty, walking toward the living room with a group of followers.
Although Zhou Shangjing was the chief minister of the dynasty, with power, qualifications and status far above Zhao Junchen, he did not show any airs about Zhao Junchen's sudden visit.
"Unexpectedly, Junchen is here. He is really a rare visitor. Speaking of which, I and Junchen have been officials in the same court for many years, but Junchen, this is your first time as a guest in my house. I am really overjoyed."
Before Zhao Junchen could salute, Zhou Shangjing laughed loudly from a distance.
Hearing Zhou Shangjing's polite words, Zhao Junchen smiled slightly and saluted: "Junior Zhao Junchen, I have met Mr. Chief Assistant and took the liberty to visit and disturbed Mr. Chief Assistant's rest. I hope Mr. Chief Assistant will not take offense."
As Zhao Junchen finished speaking, Zhou Shangjing had already arrived in front of Zhao Junchen, looking at Zhao Junchen with eyes that seemed to be full of admiration. After helping Zhao Junchen up, he smiled and said: "Junchen, what are you talking about? But it is with me."
We are getting closer and closer. Since you and I are officials in the same court, we will have great opportunities to work together in the future, and our relationship will only become closer and closer. How can we be so polite? Come, come, come, follow me to the living room.
Sit down and talk."
While talking, Zhou Shangjing took Zhao Junchen to the living room and seated the guests and hosts. After Zhou's servants served tea again, Zhou Shangjing picked up the tea cup and took a sip. He looked up at Zhao Junchen and saw Zhao Junchen.
Junchen looked a little solemn, and finally stopped being polite and asked: "Junchen, you came here unexpectedly this time, and your expression seemed a little solemn, but what happened in the court?"
At this point, although he had received a secret report and knew that Zhao Junchen's purpose of coming was probably related to the three northwest sides, in order to be on the safe side, Zhou Shangjing still slowly added: "However, Junchen, you and Ge Lao Huang Yourong have been together for the past two days.
The fight in the court is going on, and you actually have the upper hand. I can't help but look at you Junchen with admiration. But if it is about this party dispute, there is no need to ask me. I am old and my energy is inevitably weak. Now I just focus on
The imperial court is powerless to deal with the partisan struggles between the imperial court and the central government."
Zhao Junchen smiled softly and said: "I have indeed had some unpleasantness with Mr. Huang Ge in recent days, but these are just trivial matters. How dare I trouble you, the Chief Assistant? This time, I asked to see the Chief Assistant just now.
I learned about an important matter and would like to ask Mr. Chief Assistant for your opinion."
After hearing what Zhao Junchen said, Zhou Shangjing looked at Zhao Junchen with a more cordial look.
As the date of Emperor Deqing's southern tour was getting closer and closer, the timing became more and more sensitive. Zhou Shangjing was not willing to participate in the dispute between Zhao Junchen and Huang Yourong at this time, so if Zhao Junchen came to him this time for the sake of the party,
Zhou Shangjing would definitely refuse politely. But if Zhao Junchen was doing it for the northwest three sides, Zhou Shangjing would be willing to take the opportunity to cooperate with Zhao Junchen to lay a solid foundation for the next cooperation between the two parties.
"Oh? But I don't know what it is that makes Junchen value it so much?" Zhou Shangjing looked surprised and asked again knowingly.
Zhao Junchen didn't know that Zhou Shangjing had already learned through a secret report that Xu Wenqing, an aide to Liang Fuchen, the governor-general of the three sides, had visited him this morning. He thought that Zhou Shangjing really didn't know, so he reported Xu Wenqing's visit to him.
The request of Liang Fuchen, the governor of the three sides, and the current corrupt situation of the three northwest sides were explained to Zhou Shangjing one by one.
After explaining it, Zhao Junchen looked solemn and continued: "Master Chief Assistant, Xu Wenqing is a close aide of Liang Fuchen, the governor of the three sides, and Liang Fuchen is by no means the kind of alarmist. In a year or two, Liang Fuchen will
When I return to the imperial court, I will definitely be put into great use by His Majesty. If it were not absolutely necessary, he would never ask for a favor from me. I am afraid that the three-sided defense has indeed become frighteningly corrupt! The chief minister has become frightened.
Sir, the defense of the three sides is of great importance, and the foreign races in the north have always been eyeing and ambitious. If something unexpected happens, it may be a catastrophe for the entire Central China!"
After hearing Zhao Junchen's explanation, Zhou Shangjing's expression became more serious.
After all, in a certain respect, Zhou Shangjing and Zhao Junchen are the same kind of people. They usually engage in corruption and bribery, and form cliques for personal gain, but they can still distinguish between right and wrong and priorities. Deep down in their hearts, while making profits for themselves, they also
There has always been a bottom line for everyone to be an official.
Therefore, like Zhao Junchen, Zhou Shangjing immediately realized the seriousness of the matter after learning about the current status of military affairs on the three northwest sides! (To be continued, please search Piaotian Literature, the novel will be better and updated faster!