Upon hearing Emperor Deqing's inquiry, Zhao Junchen couldn't help but be startled.
Although Zhao Junchen is now regarded as a second-rank official in the imperial court, and is deeply favored by Emperor Deqing, the cabinet affairs are huge and far-reaching, and are the core topic of the imperial court. It seems that it is not his turn yet.
Come and comment.
For a moment, Zhao Junchen couldn't guess Emperor Deqing's true intentions, so he asked cautiously: "Cabinet? I don't understand what your Majesty means."
Emperor Deqing smiled and further explained: "I would like to hear your views on the cabinet elders."
After saying that, seeing that Zhao Junchen had a troubled expression and seemed to be trying to push back, Emperor Deqing added: "Don't be perfunctory with me. There are only you and me here. I don't have any other intentions. I just want to know your true thoughts."
.”
As he spoke, Emperor Deqing looked serious and stared at Zhao Junchen, waiting for Zhao Junchen's reply.
Seeing Emperor Deqing's behavior, Zhao Junchen hesitated for a moment and finally replied: "The four elders in the cabinet are all highly respected seniors. As a junior, I should not comment on them at will, but since it is His Majesty who asked
, I will take the liberty to say a few words, but my knowledge is shallow. If there is any absurdity, I hope your Majesty will forgive you."
After Emperor Deqing nodded slightly, Zhao Junchen continued: "The four elders in the cabinet now are Zhou Shangjing, Zhou Shoufu, Huang Yourong, Huangge elder, Shen Changmao, Shenge elder, and Cheng Yuandaocheng. Among them, Cheng Yuandaocheng
The cabinet elder has been in the cabinet for the shortest time, only half a year, and his qualifications are slightly lower. However, his knowledge and reputation are the highest among the cabinet elders. However, although his moral articles are well written, his ability to do things is slightly worse.
In terms of personality, he is also a little pedantic. It can be said to be a fly in the ointment. However, today, people's hearts are not as old as they used to be, and there are fewer and fewer people with a pedantic temperament. From this aspect, Cheng Ge's pedantic temperament is not necessarily a shortcoming. "
After hearing Zhao Junchen's point of view, Emperor Deqing nodded again, thinking that Zhao Junchen's words were fair, and motioned to Zhao Junchen to continue.
After Zhao Junchen pondered for a moment, he then said: "As for Huang Yourong, Mr. Huang Ge is very extraordinary. Not only is he experienced and experienced, he has a sharp vision, and his methods are also very smooth. Many difficult things are left to Mr. Huang Ge to handle, which is quite like a spring breeze.
Effective... However, the word 'smooth' is both Huang Ge's advantage and disadvantage. His courage is inevitably lacking. When he deals with things, he often treats the symptoms rather than the root cause, and only temporarily compromises all parties.
Benefits... In addition, Mr. Huang Ge is also a bit greedy for power, which is inevitably a bit unsightly.
As for Mr. Shen Changmao, Mr. Shen Ge, I have the least contact with him and don’t know much about him. I only feel that he is the opposite of Mr. Huang Ge. Although he is full of courage, his methods are too drastic. He always refuses to give up until the goal is achieved, and often
It will cause a lot of turbulence and panic. Your Majesty, you rarely let Mr. Shen Ge take charge of the overall situation alone, presumably because of this concern... However, because of this, the officials in the DPRK and the Central Government are in great awe of Mr. Shen Ge's existence, and the Central Committee also
This adds a lot of majesty. From this aspect, a strong and decisive figure like Mr. Shen Ge is also indispensable to the cabinet."
Although Zhao Junchen's words were somewhat reserved, he told the truth.
On the other side, after hearing these comments from Zhao Junchen, Emperor Deqing still nodded in agreement.
However, when he said this, Zhao Junchen suddenly became silent.
After Emperor Deqing waited for a while, he saw that Zhao Junchen had no intention to continue speaking, and frowned: "What? Why did you suddenly stop talking? Among the four pavilion elders, you only evaluated three of them, right? Zhou Shangjing is a
Cabinet leader, why don’t you have any comments?”
Zhao Junchen shook his head and said: "With my knowledge, experience, qualifications and status, I am not qualified to evaluate Zhou Shoufu. In my opinion, how should I judge Zhou Shoufu's merits and demerits? Your Majesty is the only one in the whole dynasty who is qualified."
Comment.”
Emperor Deqing regarded Zhou Shangjing as an old rival, with both hostility and admiration. Under such circumstances, Zhao Junchen's evaluation of Zhou Shangjing, whether good or bad, might arouse Emperor Deqing's resentment, so Zhao Junchen
After careful consideration, Junchen decided to avoid the topic and try to push it away.
However, Emperor Deqing did not like Zhao Junchen's pushback.
Emperor Deqing frowned slightly and said in an unhappy tone, "But now I just want to know your true thoughts. Do you have to be perfunctory in front of me?"
Zhao Junchen was quite helpless. After a moment of silence, he finally said: "My evaluation of Zhou Shoufu can only be described in eight words. That is, he has mixed praise and praise, and is indispensable!"
This horoscope summary is indeed Zhao Junchen’s true thoughts.
In Zhao Junchen's view, among the hundreds of officials in the imperial court, only Zhou Shangjing is capable of presiding over the overall situation. Without Zhou Shangjing, the situation in the imperial court would inevitably be in chaos! Since Emperor Deqing came to the throne, the situation between the government and the public has been stable, and there have been occasional natural and man-made disasters.
, it never led to a big chaos, among which Zhou Shangjing’s role was definitely indispensable. Many hidden dangers were discovered and eliminated in advance by Zhou Shangjing.
At the same time, Zhou Shangjing was equally deficient in taking advantage of the situation, excluding dissidents, taking bribes, and using power for personal gain. If it weren't for Zhou Shangjing's overwhelming power, there would never be such a shortage of useful talents in the court.
, if it weren’t for Zhou Shangjing’s “leading by example”, the current atmosphere in the court would never be so bad.
"It has mixed praise and praise, it is indispensable..." After Emperor Deqing repeated Zhao Junchen's evaluation softly, he suddenly laughed and said: "These eight words are fair! However, although Zhou Shangjing is indispensable, it is a pity that his
He is over seventy years old, and his energy will inevitably be a little weak. Although he can still preside over the political situation, I don't know how many more years he can hold on. However, as you said before, the other ministers in the cabinet have their own merits.
However, after Zhou Shangjing leaves, it will be difficult for them to replace Zhou Shangjing."
Having said this, Emperor Deqing sighed lightly, seeming very worried.
On the other hand, after hearing Emperor Deqing's words, Zhao Junchen became even more confused about Emperor Deqing's true intentions.
Emperor Deqing's southern tour was obviously to deal with Zhou Shangjing, so why did he suddenly start emphasizing Zhou Shangjing's indispensability?
Just when Zhao Junchen was doubtful, Emperor Deqing said again: "However, the strengths and weaknesses of Huang Yourong and Shen Changmao complement each other. If they cooperate with each other tacitly, they can be reused, or they can make a smooth transition... However, in recent days,
Since then, the relationship between the two of them has become closer and closer, and they have gradually merged. However, I am a little worried that if the cabinet is handed over to them, the central committee will become the two of them.
Yu Weiran plans to find an important minister who has different political views from theirs to join the cabinet..."
At this point, Emperor Deqing seemed to feel that he had taken the topic too far, and shook his head and said: "A few days ago, I came to play chess with Zhou Shangjing during my leisure time. Seeing that Zhou Shangjing's energy was quite low, I was filled with emotion and inevitably thought too far.
However, if there is a personnel change in the cabinet, it will only happen after Zhou Shangjing takes office. Fortunately, Zhou Shangjing has no intention of taking office now, and it seems that he can persist for a few more years. There is no need to rush into my thoughts."
While speaking, Emperor Deqing looked at Zhao Junchen meaningfully.
However, Zhao Junchen's expression changed drastically because of Emperor Deqing's words.
Temptation! Emperor Deqing is nakedly tempting Zhao Junchen!