What are the basic qualities required by a wise man and a counselor?
Calculation? Balance of interests? Manipulation of people's hearts? Manipulation?
neither
A true wise man and counselor requires only two basic qualities: one is an absolutely neutral self-position, and the other is an absolutely rational and calm mentality.
Regarding these two points, Zhao Shancai has always done well.
Most of the time, Zhao Shancai can put aside his own emotions, likes, dislikes and positions, regard "good" and "evil" as two sides of the same relationship, and look at and analyze them with an absolutely neutral stance and an absolutely calm mentality.
question.
When facing Zhao Junchen, Zhao Shancai also looked at Zhao Junchen with an absolutely neutral and calm eye. He would not be prejudiced because of Zhao Junchen's infamous reputation, nor would he feel biased because of Zhao Junchen's high power and position.
Fearful, Zhao Shancai just carefully observed Zhao Junchen's every move, word and deed, and secretly analyzed Zhao Junchen's character goals and flaws to prepare for the future struggle between Prince Zhu Heyu and Zhao Junchen.
For Zhao Shancai, although today's experience encountered some setbacks, it also allowed him to see more clearly Zhao Junchen's methods, mind, and talents. In comparison, today's chess loss was not a matter of comparison
It’s nothing, as long as you can win it back in the end, it’s not a big deal if you are schemed against, you can just scheme back in the future, you don’t need to worry about it, otherwise it will only affect your mentality, and the gain will not be worth the loss.
It is precisely because of this that after being tricked by Zhao Junchen, Zhao Shancai was neither discouraged nor angry. Not only did he remain calm as before, he even admired Zhao Junchen's mind and methods.
Especially the process of Emperor Deqing naming "Slender West Lake", Zhao Shancai saw it all. Naturally, he knew that the reason why Emperor Deqing came up with such an elegant name as "Slender West Lake" was all due to Zhao Junchen's reminder.
This is enough to illustrate Zhao Junchen's talent, learning and thinking. Everyone in the world says that Zhao Junchen is just an ignorant jester. Now it seems that it is completely ridiculous. Where is Zhao Junchen's lack of knowledge? It is clearly just hiding it too much.
Just deep
In addition, Zhao Junchen misled Emperor Deqing in a few words about Zhao Shancai's clever methods. These things are enough to show that Zhao Junchen's intelligence, talent, and knowledge are all rare choices for the emperor.
Shang Xia. There are only a few people who can be compared with Zhao Junchen.
"With such superb city methods and talents, coupled with the world's best financial management skills, although Zhao Junchen is a corrupt official, he is also a rare capable minister. If he can be used by His Highness the Prince
What a pity. He has to be the enemy of His Highness the Crown Prince... or rather, His Highness the Crown Prince cannot tolerate him... It is such a pity."
While looking at Zhao Junchen, Zhao Shancai's eyes were full of complexity and he thought to himself.
At the same time, Zhao Junchen also noticed the change in Zhao Shancai's expression. After discovering that Zhao Shancai was plotted by him, not only was he not discouraged or angry, but he just looked at himself calmly, with a hint of admiration. Such an open-minded and calm mentality. The same goes for it.
Zhao Junchen secretly admired
"It's a pity. With such a calm and open-minded attitude, Zhao Shancai already has the potential to become a top counselor. In addition, he has also inherited the imperial mentality of the former prince and grand master He Ming, which makes people dare not underestimate him.
...If he is willing to assist me, it will undoubtedly be even more powerful for me. However, such a talent cannot be used by me...It is a pity."
As if there was a tacit understanding, when Zhao Junchen was observing Zhao Shancai, he was secretly thinking about similar thoughts.
Although Zhao Junchen and Zhao Shancai have been secretly competing and observing each other, the protagonist today is still Emperor Deqing.
Next, Zhao Junchen, Zhao Shancai and Zhou Shangjing accompanied Emperor Deqing to visit several scenic spots in Slender West Lake. Emperor Deqing had just changed the name of "Guarantee Lake" to "Slender West Lake". Such a beautiful story that has left a lasting name makes Deqing
The emperor's interest in playing became more and more high. While playing all the way, Emperor Deqing could be said to have a constant smile on his face. He kept chatting with Zhao Junchen, Zhou Shangjing and Zhao Shancai, and occasionally joked a few words, which was quite approachable.
All of this seemed quite harmonious, as if Emperor Deqing's incognito game today was just an ordinary game.
However, perhaps because of Zhou Shangjing's inexplicable appearance, Zhao Junchen always felt that today's game was not that simple.
Although, during the play, Zhao Junchen had been secretly observing the expressions of Emperor Deqing and Zhou Shangjing, trying to find some clues from the changes in their expressions, Emperor Deqing seemed to be just playing happily and had no other thoughts.
Zhou Shangjing, on the other hand, still looked low-key and restrained. Zhao Junchen didn't find any clues in their expressions.
Gradually, it was getting dark, around 1:00 p.m., Emperor Deqing finally visited all the famous scenic spots in Slender West Lake, so he led everyone to the exit of the lake area, preparing to return to the temporary palace in Yangzhou.
Seeing that the game was coming to an end without any unexpected incidents, Zhao Junchen couldn't help but start to doubt his own judgment, thinking that everything was just his own care...
However, at this moment, something unexpected happened suddenly.
At that time, Emperor Deqing was about to leave in a carriage under the courtesy of Zhao Junchen, Zhao Shancai and Zhou Shangjing. Suddenly, a sad female song came from not far away, which attracted everyone's attention:
“My little girl lives in the western suburbs of Suzhou City;
Lin is on the bank of the Yangtze River, and she was originally a fisherman's daughter;
There are parents, sisters and brothers at home;
Although there are no houses or fields, there are also fishing boats;
Selling fish fertilizer every day, I don’t have to worry about food and clothing;
Father and mother are so loving, sisters and brothers are all close;
Live a life without worries, just hope that your family will be safe;
Who knew that there would be many unforeseen events in the world, such as the sudden invasion of Japanese pirates;
Killed my father and brother, harmed my sister and mother;
Only Pearl managed to avoid the disaster by hiding under the boat;
My father, mother, sister and brother were miserable, and my cries reached my ears,
Biting my lip to hold back the tears, my body remained motionless and my heart was desolate;
By the second day, everything was in a mess;
The whole village is in trouble, and the cry can be heard for hundreds of miles;
The government was afraid of being investigated, so it concealed the information;
My family is ruined and I am the only one who survives, I am lonely and helpless and no one cares about me;
I also ask all the listeners in the past to take pity on Zhu Er's unfair life experience;
Give me a few cents to help me get through today;
I can’t thank you enough, I will repay you in the next life.”
After listening to the song carefully, Emperor Deqing frowned slightly, while Zhou Shangjing's eyes flickered slightly. As for Zhao Junchen and Zhao Shancai, their expressions changed slightly.
Then, everyone looked towards the direction where the singing came from, and saw a sixteen or seventeen-year-old girl kneeling there, her clothes in ragged clothes, her face covered with dust, looking pitiful, singing and begging.
"Zhou Aiqing, listen to the meaning of this girl's song. There have been Japanese pirates committing crimes in Suzhou recently? Why have I never received any news?"
Then, Emperor Deqing looked solemn and turned to Zhou Shangjing and asked.
Following Emperor Deqing's inquiry, a breeze blew over Slender West Lake, causing slight ripples to appear on the originally calm lake.
This seems to symbolize the struggle between Emperor Deqing and Zhou Shangjing, which has since turned from dark to bright.