Chapter 14. Qiu Wei fraud case (middle). Two-in-one chapter
After hearing Emperor Deqing's move, Zhao Junchen naturally did not dare to neglect him.
However, he also knew that Zhan Shanchang must have important things to say to him, so after signaling Zhang De to wait, Zhao Junchen said to Zhan Shanchang: "Your Majesty summons, don't dare to neglect it. If Master Zhan has something to do, you might as well wait outside the palace."
How about I take a while?”
Zhan Shanchang naturally did not dare to object. Although he was anxious, he still said respectfully: "Mr. Zhao, you are too polite. Your Majesty must have something important to say when summoning you. It is appropriate for me to wait for you."
After making an agreement with Zhan Shanchang, Zhao Junchen no longer delayed and followed Zhang De to the imperial study to meet Emperor Deqing.
Along the way, Zhao Junchen and Zhang De chatted casually. Because he had received five thousand taels of silver from Zhao Junchen before, Zhang De was much more polite to Zhao Junchen, at least not so shady.
Halfway through, when no one was paying attention, Zhao Junchen took out 5,000 taels of silver notes from his sleeve, stuffed it into Zhang De's hand, and said with a smile: "When I was in Lu'an Mansion a few days ago, I wanted to thank Eunuch Zhang for taking charge of the capital.
Please inform me of the situation in China, otherwise if I am not prepared after returning to Beijing, I may be caught off guard these days."
After Zhang De took a look at the amount of the banknote in his hand, the smile on his face became thicker, and he became more polite to Zhao Junchen: "Oh, we are all working for His Majesty, there is no need to be so polite, actually.
, Your Majesty is not happy when the foreign ministers obstruct His Majesty's southern tour these days. We who serve His Majesty can't stand it. Unfortunately, we are not as capable as Mr. Zhao and are always powerless. Fortunately, Mr. Zhao, you have returned to Beijing.
It helped His Majesty breathe a sigh of relief, and our family felt happy today when we saw the speechless expressions of those foreign ministers..."
Although he said this, Zhang De took the five thousand taels of silver note and put it into his sleeve without any ceremony.
When Zhao Junchen saw Zhang De receiving the banknote, he also stated his purpose: "Eunuch Zhang, it's like this. I heard that there is an Eunuch Liu in the palace who is highly respected and respected. I have always wanted to make friends with him, but unfortunately I can't find the opportunity."
, How about Eunuch Zhang introduce me to you one day?"
Hearing what Zhao Junchen said, Zhang De was stunned for a moment, then looked at Zhao Junchen with a meaningful look, and smiled softly: "Master Zhao, you want to see Master Liu? You have great ambitions."
After a pause, Zhang De said again: "Master Liu is old. He has been focusing on running the inner library these years and doesn't like to show off. But if Mr. Zhao asks for an interview, I'm afraid he won't refuse. That's all. Let's talk about it in a few days."
Let me find an opportunity to introduce you to Mr. Zhao."
Zhao Junchen smiled and said: "Thank you so much, Eunuch Zhang."
………
The eunuchs of the Ming Dynasty were famous for their great power. Although the eunuchs' power had been purged repeatedly over the years since Emperor Chongzhen, they still controlled the twenty-four yamen of the inner court and should not be underestimated.
Although each of the twenty-four yamen in the inner court is managed by a eunuch with a palm seal, due to the different division of labor, there are also hot and cold grades.
Among them, the Si Li Supervisor is in charge of internal and external chapters, approves red papers on behalf of the emperor, and is in charge of all eunuch affairs. Even the famous Dongchang is a subordinate agency of the Si Li Supervisor, and is the most powerful.
There are also imperial eunuchs, who are in charge of the royal military talismans, and eunuchs who are dispatched to supervise the army. They have the power to mobilize the imperial army and are also quite influential.
Compared with the two major eunuch yamen - civil and military - most of the other eunuch yamen were only in charge of matters such as procurement, cleaning, etiquette, etc., but they were much less popular.
The Eunuch Liu whom Zhao Junchen wanted to get to know was named Liu Qing, but he was not from the Twenty-Four Yamen. Even many court officials were not aware that there was such a eunuch in the inner palace. However, in comparison
Among the eunuchs in charge of powerful yamen such as the Si Li Jian and the Royal Ma Jian, Zhao Junchen valued Eunuch Liu Qing more highly.
Without him, this Eunuch Liu is in charge of the inner study hall!
In the early Ming Dynasty, Ming Taizu Zhu Yuanzhang had very strict restrictions on eunuchs. In order to prevent eunuchs from interfering in politics, eunuchs were never allowed to read and read. However, during the Xuanzong period, as the power of the cabinet grew, in order to check and balance the power of the cabinet, Xuanzong of the Ming Dynasty established an internal
The study hall was used to teach the eunuchs the skills of reading and literacy. After the eunuchs became proficient in writing, all the instructions issued by the emperor were recorded with a red pen by the eunuch who was responsible for the ceremony, and then handed over to the cabinet to draft the edict, and the
Six proofreading and awarding.
As a result, the power of the ceremonial eunuch increased greatly. At certain times in the Ming Dynasty, it even surpassed the cabinet, and powerful eunuchs such as Liu Jin and Wei Zhongxian emerged.
It can be seen that the existence of the Neishu Tang, although not conspicuous and not even among the twenty-four yamen of the inner court, was a key factor in the rise of eunuch power in the Ming Dynasty. It is not an exaggeration to even say that it was the core yamen of the inner court. The Ming Dynasty
Throughout the ages, all the powerful eunuchs in the twenty-four yamen of the inner court came from the inner study hall in nineteen eighty-nine years!
And this Eunuch Liu Qing Liu is the current eunuch in charge of the inner study hall!
If Nei Shu Tang is a school for eunuchs, then Liu Qing is the principal of this school, and the powerful eunuchs in the twenty-four yamen of the inner court are the students trained by Liu Qing!
As a personal eunuch of Emperor Deqing, Zhang De also had a high status among the ceremonial supervisors, but when talking about Liu Qing, he also called him "Master Liu". This shows the great and deep influence of Liu Qing.
Now that Zhao Junchen has made friends with others, has established alliances with eunuchs, and has become his own faction in the court, naturally he needs to make friends with people like Liu Qing carefully.
In fact, although the inner transport warehouse is not among the twenty-four yamen, it is one of the most important powers in the hands of the eunuchs in the inner court. After it was taken away by Zhao Junchen, there were countless eunuchs in the inner court who resented Zhao Junchen.
If he wanted to turn enemies into friends with these eunuchs one by one, it would be too troublesome, and Zhao Junchen didn't have that much energy. However, if he could make friends with Liu Qing, most of the problems could be solved once and for all.
………
While thinking secretly, Zhao Junchen had arrived outside the imperial study room.
"Long live my emperor! Long live!"
After the announcement, Zhao Junchen entered the imperial study and kowtowed to Emperor Deqing.
"Get up."
Emperor Deqing's voice was full of coldness and seriousness.
Zhao Junchen looked up and saw that Emperor Deqing's face was even more frighteningly cold.
Zhao Junchen knew that Emperor Deqing was very unhappy now. Firstly, the southern tour was still undecided. Secondly, there were rumors of fraud in the imperial examination. Emperor Deqing was probably simmering with anger at this time.
Therefore, after Zhao Junchen stood up, he comforted Emperor Deqing and said: "Your Majesty, are you worried about things that will happen in the morning? In my opinion, it is not necessary, as long as I can increase the income of the household department by 200,000 taels within one month.
Silver, then there will be no obstacles to His Majesty's southern tour, and no one dares to say anything more. As for the cases of imperial examination fraud, they are still just rumors. It is hard to say whether they are true or false. Why do you, Your Majesty, worry about these things?"
Although Emperor Deqing summoned Zhao Junchen, he was a little absent-minded. While Zhao Junchen was speaking, he kept frowning and thinking about something.
After hearing Zhao Junchen's relief, Emperor Deqing came back to his senses and asked: "Are you really sure that you can increase the revenue of 200,000 taels of silver for the Ministry of Household Affairs within one month? If there is really no other way, I can allow you to use it.
The money in the inner treasury must be found to overcome this difficulty. If you fail to collect an additional 200,000 taels of silver for the household department after one month, I will not be able to tour the south and pay it back. If you are convicted of this, it will be fine.
It makes me feel uneasy, the crime of deceiving the emperor is not a trivial matter."
Hearing what Emperor Deqing said, although Zhao Junchen didn't know how true or false the words were, he was still a little moved.
Of course, Zhao Junchen might only be moved by two or three points in his heart, but the emotion shown on his face was full of twelve points. He said: "Your Majesty can consider me so thoughtfully, how can I let you down? How can I disappoint you?"
Please rest assured, Your Majesty, I will definitely be able to accomplish this, not to mention using Your Majesty’s private money.”
Hearing what Zhao Junchen said, Emperor Deqing couldn't help but be surprised and asked: "Have you already thought of a way?"
However, Zhao Junchen shook his head and said: "I haven't figured out a way yet, but I am still very confident in the way of opening up the source. So please rest assured, Your Majesty. If there is a way, I will report it to Your Majesty as soon as possible."
Zhao Junchen is not telling lies. He comes from later generations, has gained hundreds of years of experience, and is now powerful. For him, there are too many ways to make money. The reason why he has not thought of a specific method is just that
Because he doesn't know which one to use.
When Emperor Deqing heard what Zhao Junchen said, he couldn't help but frown slightly, but seeing Zhao Junchen's confident look, he didn't say much.
After pondering for a moment, Emperor Deqing suddenly shouted to the eunuchs in the imperial study: "You all go out and pass my order. You are not allowed to approach within ten steps of the imperial study. Anyone who violates it will be executed!"
Hearing the coldness in Emperor Deqing's voice, all the eunuchs were frightened and did not dare to delay, so they quickly left the imperial study.
For a time, only Emperor Deqing and Zhao Junchen were left in the imperial study.
In Zhao Junchen's puzzled eyes, Emperor Deqing asked: "Have you ever mentioned to anyone else the conversation between you and me in the imperial study room yesterday?"
Seeing the seriousness and coldness in Emperor Deqing's expression, Zhao Junchen finally understood why Emperor Deqing was in such a bad mood.
It was not because the southern tour was not scheduled, nor was it because of fraud in the imperial examination, or even because Zhao Junchen might lose the bet, but because the conversation between him and Zhao Junchen yesterday was actually known to Prince Zhu Heyu.
In the early morning court, Zhu Heyu's remarks actually seemed to have already known Zhao Junchen and Emperor Deqing's southern tour plan, and they were completely prepared.
For an emperor, it is undoubtedly the most serious thing for an emperor to see his every move being watched by others, without any secrets.
Zhao Junchen did not dare to neglect. After pondering for a moment, he slowly shook his head and said: "It is a matter of great importance. I have never disclosed the plan of the southern tour to anyone."
Emperor Deqing trusted Zhao Junchen quite a lot. After nodding, his expression became more serious and he sneered: "In that case, the plan for the southern tour was revealed from my side. Okay, it turned out that
You dare to put spies around me, how brave you are!"
Although the voice was low, it came from gritted teeth.
Although Emperor Deqing did not say it explicitly, he was obviously extremely dissatisfied with Prince Zhu Heyu.
If he opposed the southern tour, it was just a difference of opinion, but if he placed spies around the emperor, it would be disobedient. For Emperor Deqing, the meaning was completely different.
Although Zhu Heyu is the prince, if the prince has a disobedient heart, it is often more terrible for the emperor!
However, although Zhu Heyu somehow learned about the southern tour plan of Zhao Junchen and Emperor Deqing, Zhao Junchen felt that the spies around Emperor Deqing were not necessarily planted by Zhu Heyu.
Although Zhao Junchen has only met Zhu Heyu a few times, he thinks he knows him very well. He is a rare upright person among the royal family, but he is also a bit stubborn and full of human ethics.
It is hard to imagine that people would do such a disobedient thing as placing spies next to the emperor.
Zhao Junchen felt that the reason why Zhu Heyu was able to learn about Zhao Junchen's southern tour plan was more likely to be someone else who deliberately revealed it to him.
Moreover, the person who revealed this news to Zhu Heyu definitely had no good intentions. Regarding this, just look at how annoyed the current Emperor Deqing is.
He intended to use the help of Prince Zhu Heyu to prevent Emperor Deqing from his southern tour, and also intended to use the opportunity to shake Prince Zhu Heyu's position in Emperor Deqing's heart, and was even more capable of inquiring into the conversation between Emperor Deqing and Zhao Junchen.
, people who fully meet these three conditions...
Thinking like this, the trembling old figure of Zhou Shangjing, the chief minister of the cabinet, appeared in Zhao Junchen's mind.
"Sure enough, Jiang is still very old! If I hadn't appeared, he would have turned everything upside down without moving his expression. The whole court, including the prince and emperor, had all become pawns in his hands."
Thinking like this, Zhao Junchen secretly admired Zhou Shangjing, a powerful minister who seemed to be on his deathbed, but also became more wary.
………
After Zhao Junchen left the imperial study, he heard Emperor Deqing's voice echoing from the imperial study just a few steps away.
"Take down all the eunuchs who were serving in the royal study yesterday and interrogate them. No one can be spared and they will be tortured severely!"
While secretly sighing for those eunuchs, Zhao Junchen quickly walked out of the palace without delay.
When Zhao Junchen arrived outside the Meridian Gate, he saw Zhan Shanchang like an ant on a hot pot, with an anxious look on his face, constantly circling around Zhao Junchen's sedan.
After seeing Zhao Junchen appear, Zhan Shanchang walked quickly towards Zhao Junchen, his face full of sorrow. When he walked in front of Zhao Junchen, he knelt down in front of Zhao Junchen and cried: "Please, Mr. Zhao."
Saving Xiaguan’s life, Xiaguan thought about it over and over again, and now the only one who can save Xiaguan is Mr. Zhao!”
This period of waiting actually broke down all Zhan Shanchang's psychological defenses. In front of Zhao Junchen, he couldn't even care about basic politeness.
There were many people outside the Meridian Gate. Zhao Junchen quickly helped Zhan Shanchang up and said, "This is not the place to talk. If Master Zhan doesn't mind, can you come to my house to talk in detail?"
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PS: Can today’s total recommendations reach tens of thousands? (#^_^#) There will be another big chapter before early this morning!