Huo Zhengyuan is very smart. He can calmly identify the situation and accurately analyze Zhao Junchen's hidden worries. He is a rare discerning person.
Because of this, Huo Zhengyuan was not willing to seek refuge with Zhao Junchen, and deliberately distanced himself from Zhao Junchen after meeting him.
At the same time, Zhao Junchen was not a fool and could also guess Huo Zhengyuan's concerns. Therefore, Zhao Junchen did not directly win over Huo Zhengyuan, but described the current temple situation to Huo Zhengyuan in the name of small talk.
The words are simple but profound, but they also dispel Huo Zhengyuan's worries.
Facts have proved that Zhao Junchen's strategy is effective.
If Zhao Junchen had gone straight to the point to recruit Huo Zhengyuan after seeing him, Huo Zhengyuan would have already stood up and left before he could finish his words.
But now, because of Zhao Junchen's insinuating hints, Huo Zhengyuan began to seriously consider the feasibility of joining Zhao Junchen.
After Huo Zhengyuan was silent for a moment, he suddenly said: "Master Zhao has good eyesight. In recent times, the situation in the temple has been strange and changeable. Even I was confused by the chaos in front of me and could not see through the essence. However, Master Zhao actually
He has a keen eye for fire and is able to understand even the smallest details, which is truly admirable."
At this point, Huo Zhengyuan changed the topic and said: "However, after all, Mr. Zhao is a little younger and has a little less qualifications. He is not qualified to enter the cabinet. Otherwise, he will definitely contribute more to the court. It is really
Pity……"
After saying that, Huo Zhengyuan seemed to be very regretful, sighing and shaking his head.
But in fact, Huo Zhengyuan's words revealed to Zhao Junchen his other concerns, that is, Zhao Junchen was too young, too junior, and had not entered the cabinet. His status was also insufficient.
For Huo Zhengyuan, this is a very realistic concern.
Huo Zhengyuan was a great scholar of the current dynasty, with a high status. If he took refuge with Zhao Junchen, it could be said that he was "condescending". It would not look good on his face.
In addition, Zhao Junchen is already in the second rank at a young age. He seems to have a bright future, but it is also full of unpredictability. With Huo Zhengyuan's status and qualifications, there is no need to take risks with Zhao Junchen!
After hearing Huo Zhengyuan's hint, Zhao Junchen remained calm. He smiled slowly and said: "Yes, the position of cabinet minister is a powerful one, and anyone would want it, but Junchen is really too young.
It seems to be hopeless in a short period of time... However, I can't eat hot tofu in a hurry, so I'm not in a hurry. As long as I work slowly, many things will fall into place."
Huo Zhengyuan was slightly startled and asked, "Oh? Mr. Zhao seems to be full of confidence in himself?"
Zhao Junchen shook his head and said: "It's not that I have full confidence in myself, it's just that I have little confidence in the current cabinet ministers."
"Oh? How do you say it?" Huo Zhengyuan asked.
Zhao Junchen's expression became more serious. He said slowly: "Since Academician Huo has asked, I will explain it more frankly. It's just that what I say next is a bit sensitive. I hope Academician Huo won't publicize it."
go out!"
After receiving Huo Zhengyuan's guarantee, Zhao Junchen began to comment: "There are several cabinet elders in the current cabinet, namely Shen Changmao, Shen Shoufu, Zhou Shangjing, Zhou Ge elder, Huang Yourong, Huang Ge elder, and Cheng Yuandao, Chengge elder! Among them, Shen Shoufu currently seems to be
He is proud of the spring breeze, but his methods and character are not enough to control the temple. His status and strength do not match. In the end, it will just be 'the higher you stand, the harder you fall'! In my opinion, the chief minister of the cabinet
Sooner or later, he will return his position to Zhou Shangjing. At that time, I am afraid it will be the time for him to step down..."
After hearing Zhao Junchen's comments, Huo Zhengyuan subconsciously nodded in agreement.
Huo Zhengyuan saw Shen Changmao's hidden worries and ignored Shen Changmao's solicitation yesterday. Otherwise, Huo Zhengyuan would now be a cadre of the "Shen Party".
Zhao Junchen continued: "As for Mr. Zhou Shangjing, Mr. Zhou Ge... his vision, methods, intelligence, etc. are all extremely brilliant. No one in the whole court can stand shoulder to shoulder with him! However, Mr. Zhou Ge is too old. How many years can I stay in the cabinet when I am older? Not to mention His Majesty’s attitude.”
Zhao Junchen's views were completely consistent with Huo Zhengyuan's, so Huo Zhengyuan still nodded in agreement.
At this point, Zhao Junchen ignored Huang Yourong and said: "There is also Mr. Cheng Yuan, Cheng Ge. He is a close confidant of His Highness the Crown Prince. It is precisely because of this status that he can enter the cabinet and become the cabinet minister." Lao... However, once the crown prince's status becomes unstable, can Cheng Yuandao still stay in the cabinet?"
Finally, Zhao Junchen concluded: "So, the current cabinet ministers each have their own hidden dangers. If my predictions are correct, in the near future, the cabinet will definitely usher in a major reshuffle. I am afraid that all the cabinet ministers will have their own hidden dangers." All the old faces will leave! By that time, the level of seniority will no longer be an issue, and the name of Mr. Ge may not be as valuable as it is now. What do you think, Bachelor Huo?"
Zhao Junchen's words are all speculative. They can be described as rhetoric and armchair talk.
However, it was precisely this kind of telling that made Huo Zhengyuan fall into deep thought.
Because Huo Zhengyuan understood the deep meaning of Zhao Junchen's words.
That is, although my status and qualifications, Zhao Junchen, are certainly insufficient, but if you, Huo Zhengyuan, want to change the family, do you have a better choice? The other cabinet elders have deep qualifications and high status, but they each have their own worries. , if you, Huo Zhengyuan, take refuge with them, you might be implicated at some point! In that case, why not take refuge with me, Zhao Junchen? In any case, "distant worries" are always stronger than "near worries"!
What's more, the status of Prince Zhu Heyu, whom Zhao Junchen seemed to be "far concerned about", is now unstable.
Therefore, after listening to Zhao Junchen's story, Huo Zhengyuan fell into a brief silence.
Zhao Junchen was not in a hurry, just waiting quietly for Huo Zhengyuan's reply.
After a moment of silence, Huo Zhengyuan suddenly looked up at Zhao Junchen and asked: "Master Zhao has always been cautious and reserved. He is not a superficial person who gets carried away! He will never reveal his thoughts to others at will! However, when Mr. Zhao had a banquet with Mr. Huo today, they actually had a casual conversation and their words were much more casual... I'm afraid Mr. Zhao had some other agenda for meeting with Mr. Huo today, right? "
Hearing Huo Zhengyuan's inquiry, Zhao Junchen secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
Zhao Junchen was not worried about Huo Zhengyuan questioning him frankly. He was only worried that Huo Zhengyuan would always avoid talking about it and talk about him.
Now, Huo Zhengyuan's frank questioning shows that Huo Zhengyuan has been persuaded by Zhao Junchen, and has given Zhao Junchen the opportunity to negotiate conditions, offer prices, and express his advantages!
So, Zhao Junchen stood up, lowered his posture low enough, and said slowly: "I am here today to seek talents! I only hope that my relationship with Academician Huo can go further!"
That night, Zhao Junchen and Huo Zhengyuan talked for a long time in the Diaohe Tower. They didn't end their conversation until the moon was on the branches.
From the initial insinuation to the final frankness, the relationship between the two has quietly changed.
That night, Zhao Junchen revealed many things to Huo Zhengyuan, such as that Zhao Junchen would promote Zuo Lanshan, Minister of the Ministry of Industry, to the cabinet, and that Zhao Junchen would use the opportunity of commercial and tax rectification to expand his power, and so on.
Huo Zhengyuan is a smart man, so Zhao Junchen can't hide too much from him.
It was precisely because of Zhao Junchen's confession that Huo Zhengyuan gradually gained confidence that Zhao Junchen had a promising future.
As a result, Huo Zhengyuan finally let go of his reserve and expressed his willingness to work for Zhao Junchen in the future. Only Zhao Junchen followed his lead!
Just like that, Zhao Junchen now has another general under his command!
However, at this time, no one knew about Huo Zhengyuan's change of position. In the eyes of outsiders, Huo Zhengyuan was still Huang Yourong's confidant and an important member of the "Yellow Party"!
In fact, according to Zhao Junchen's plan, Huo Zhengyuan will still be lurking among the "yellow party" for a while!