Zhou Shangjing's tone was gentle and calm, but the content was no less than a bombshell. Both Emperor Deqing and Zhao Junchen were shocked for a moment. Look.
Especially Emperor Deqing, after hearing Zhou Shangjing's explanation, his body swayed and he almost fell!
Zhao Junchen is indeed the most adept at flattering the sycophants. After discovering Emperor Deqing's condition, he quickly stepped forward and held Emperor Deqing's arm. His expression was concerned and anxious, and he comforted him repeatedly: "Your Majesty, please don't be angry. , you must take care of the holy body, let's listen to the detailed explanations of Mr. Shen Ge and Zhou Fu first, after we completely understand this matter, we may be able to find a solution."
However, although Zhao Junchen comforted Emperor Deqing, his emotions were fluctuating.
Just last night, after being reminded by Li Lun, Zhao Junchen probably guessed what Zhou Shangjing's trump card would be, which was to form a mutually beneficial relationship with the imperial power. If Emperor Deqing defeated Zhou Shangjing, the imperial power would also Suffering great damage, at this time, Emperor Deqing might give up the attack on Zhou Shangjing.
However, although Zhao Junchen guessed the general direction, he could never think of a specific method. After all, Zhou Shangjing was the representative of ministerial power, and he and the imperial power were in mutual opposition. How could he tie his honor and disgrace to the imperial power?
Now, when Zhou Shangjing finally showed his trump card, Zhao Junchen finally understood Zhou Shangjing's specific method!
Overseas trade has always been a profitable business with daily profits. However, the Ming Dynasty has always pursued a sea ban policy and did not allow merchant ships to go to sea, thus banning overseas trade. During the Longqing period, the sea ban policy was slightly relaxed, but it was still subject to many restrictions. management and restrictions.
However, money and silk are attractive enough to make people take risks. Therefore, the consequence of the Ming Dynasty's maritime ban policy was the proliferation of maritime smuggling. Many merchants and dignitaries secretly participated in this to make huge profits. Therefore, there will be such a background as the "Eight Kings Shipping Company" It is not surprising that there is a deep smuggling ship business. After all, the Ming Dynasty vassals also loved silver.
Zhou Shangjing took advantage of this and took advantage of the situation to link the Japanese pirate rebellion in Suzhou with the "Eight Kings Ship Line".
As a result, Zhou Shangjing's previous actions were no longer to protect his tribe and bully the emperor, but to endure humiliation and maintain the prestige of the royal family. He suddenly changed from a heinous criminal to a loyal minister with good intentions. This immediately put Emperor Deqing into a dilemma.
Things had reached this point, and upon reflection, Emperor Deqing had only two options left.
First, continue to investigate Zhou Shangjing's various crimes and pursue them relentlessly, taking advantage of this rare opportunity to bring Zhou Shangjing down completely.
But it is conceivable that if Emperor Deqing did this, he would have to investigate the matter of "Eight Kings Shipping Company". Even if Emperor Deqing did not investigate clearly, Zhou Shangjing would definitely publicize the matter of "Eight Kings Shipping Company"! At that time, the actions of the Ming Dynasty vassals who illegally smuggled, colluded with Japanese pirates, and harmed the people will inevitably cause an uproar between the government and the public. The reputation of the Ming Dynasty royal family will inevitably plummet because of this, and even attract the common people. Their hostility towards the royal family. As a result, although Emperor Deqing overthrew Zhou Shangjing, his goal of consolidating imperial power was not achieved, and he only caused a turmoil. The gain outweighed the loss.
Emperor Deqing naturally did not want to see such a situation.
The second is to conceal the truth, and no longer pursue the Japanese pirate rebellion on the surface. Zhou Shangjing's various crimes are also treated lightly. As for the various crimes of the "Eight Kings Shipbuilding", they are left to the factory guards secretly.
Process it, and then gently remove the whole thing, just pretend it never happened.
However, this means that the game between Emperor Deqing and Zhou Shangjing ended with the complete defeat of Emperor Deqing! He obviously had an absolute advantage, but was defeated by Zhou Shangjing at the last moment when the winner was about to be announced.
In a certain sense, Emperor Deqing was almost toyed with by Zhou Shangjing!
With the pride of Emperor Deqing, such an ending is equally unacceptable!
However, by this time, Emperor Deqing had no other choice but these two options.
From a certain perspective, no matter what Emperor Deqing chooses, he will always be the loser in this game of battle!
Therefore, it is no wonder that after Emperor Deqing heard Zhou Shangjing's explanation, he was dizzy for a moment and almost fell down. On the one hand, he was angry at the lawlessness and daring behavior of the Ming Dynasty vassals, and on the other hand, Emperor Deqing was self-conscious
I was humiliated, so I felt a little ashamed and angry!
But he said that after hearing Zhao Junchen's relief, Emperor Deqing calmed down a little and finally calmed down a lot.
Then, Emperor Deqing stood firm, waved his arm again, and pushed away Zhao Junchen's support. He just stared at Shen Changmao and Zhou Shangjing and asked through gritted teeth: "Tell me all the news you know."
Come out! 'Eight Kings Ship Company' is just smuggling, why does it collude with Japanese pirates to harm Suzhou? I want to know the most detailed information!"
Seeing Emperor Deqing acting like this, he was extremely out of character. A trace of pride flashed in Shen Changmao's eyes, and he slowly explained: "Your Majesty, this time the Japanese invaders invaded Suzhou, the most severely damaged place was Lijiaji. Of course.
, In Suzhou, Lijiaji is a famously wealthy place, and it is natural for the Japanese pirates to regard it as a piece of fat. But in fact, as far as I know, the reason why the Japanese pirates harmed Lijiaji is another reason.
There is an inside story."
Having said this, Shen Changmao paused deliberately, waiting for Emperor Deqing's questioning.
However, what Shen Changmao finally received was not Emperor Deqing's questioning, but a yellowstone paperweight!
It turned out that Emperor Deqing was now eager to know the detailed information about the collusion between the "80,000 Ships Company" and the Japanese pirates. However, when he saw that Shen Changmao not only failed to give a serious explanation, but instead complied with the situation, he became furious.
In normal times, Emperor Deqing could still maintain his grace, but now when he was extremely shy and angry, how could he maintain his grace? In anger, he grabbed the yellow stone paperweight on the table and threw it at Shen Changmao.
!
Fortunately, Emperor Deqing's aim was poor. He was clearly aiming at Shen Changmao's head, but he only hit Shen Changmao's shoulder. Otherwise, if the emperor smashed Mr. Ge's head, it would have caused another minor disturbance.
After being hit by the paperweight, Shen Changmao had always been pampered, so how could he hold back the pain? Naturally, he couldn't help but scream loudly.
Then, Shen Changmao's screams suddenly stopped!
It turned out that while he was screaming, Shen Changmao saw Emperor Deqing's eyes being cold, ruthless, and full of murderous intent.
Such a look was very scary. Even though Shen Changmao had always been cold and stern, he subconsciously shuddered. In his fright, he actually forgot about the pain on his shoulder.
Then, I heard Emperor Deqing say in a cold voice: "Now I just want to know the detailed information about the Eight Kings Shipping Company colluding with the Japanese pirates to harm Suzhou. I don't want to hear you beating around the bush and trying to sell things out. I'm in a bad mood right now and I don't have the patience!"
After hearing Emperor Deqing's ultimatum, Shen Changmao finally did not dare to neglect, and quickly told in detail the specific reasons why the "Eight Kings Shipping Company" colluded with the Japanese pirates to harm Suzhou.
It turns out that the reason why Lijiaji is a famously wealthy village in Suzhou is because Lijiaji is located at the intersection of the Yangtze River and several tributaries, and its geographical location is very good.
Qian Xianru, the shopkeeper of "Eight Kings Shipping Company", took a fancy to the geographical advantage of Lijiaji and wanted to build a warehouse in Lijiaji as a distribution center for smuggled goods of "Eight Kings Shipping Company".
At the beginning, everything went very smoothly. Because of the existence of Lijiaji, the smuggling efficiency of "Eight Kings Shipping Company" was greatly improved.
However, when the people in Lijiaji discovered the smuggling activities of the "Eight Kings Shipping Company", they became greedy and repeatedly asked for money from the "Eight Kings Shipping Company". They also threatened the "Eight Kings Shipping Company" and claimed that the "Eight Kings Shipping Company" If the "Shipping Company" does not give them enough benefits, then they will go to the Yamen to report the smuggling crime of "Eight Kings Shipping Company".
The shareholders behind the "Eight Kings Shipping Company" are eight vassal kings of the Ming Dynasty. Although they have a profound background, at this time they are a bit cautious, fearing that things will get worse, so they are more tolerant and give in, but it is the common people of Lijiaji who They are becoming more confident and fearless.
In the end, after the "Eight Kings Shipping Company" had repeated conflicts with the people of Lijiaji, Qian Xianru personally came to Lijiaji to mediate. Unexpectedly, not only did he fail to mediate successfully, but he suffered a lot of humiliation and threats.
So, Qian Xianru became so angry that she contacted the Japanese pirates and planned to teach the people of Lijiaji a lesson.
However, what Qian Xianru never expected was that the Japanese pirates were far more ferocious than the rumors. He obviously just wanted to teach the people of Lijiaji a lesson, but he did not expect that the Japanese pirates burned the entire Lijiaji. As a result, most of the people in Lijiaji were killed, and Heshang Village and Xilin Village near Lijiaji also suffered great losses.
However, at this time, Qian Xianru could no longer regret it and could only cover the Japanese pirates' departure in a hurry.
It is precisely because of the cover of Qian Xianru that the Japanese pirates can come and go freely, treating the patrol water troops in Jiangyin Military Town as decorations!
In fact, due to smuggling, everyone in Jiangyin Military Town had already been bribed by the "Eight Kings Shipping Company".
ps: This chapter was originally a 4,000-word chapter, but just when Chongzi was about to finish writing it, the computer suddenly restarted, leaving only 2,000 words. I really wanted to cry without tears.
Well, the first three thousand words are incomplete, please forgive me!
(To be continued.)
When the ground comes down and the clouds come down, come to the pavilion and you can get the view.]