The Seventh Prince Zhu Hejian, this extremely deep-rooted, scheming and unscrupulous careerist, is finally stepping out of the background and onto the stage.`
In this way, in addition to Emperor Deqing, Zhou Shangjing, and Zhao Shancai, another figure worthy of Zhao Junchen's attention appeared!
Zhao Junchen had already expected this situation, but when the day actually came, Zhao Junchen still felt a faint sense of pressure.
In fact, Zhu Hejian's mental ability is probably not as good as that of Zhou Shangjing, nor does he have the righteousness and political skills of Emperor Deqing, nor is he as virtuous and famous as Prince Zhu Heyu. But in a certain respect, Zhu Hejian brought
However, Zhao Junchen's pressure was stronger than that of these three people.
This is because Zhu Hejian's power is extremely deep, his methods are the most ruthless, and his acting style is not as traceable as Emperor Deqing, Zhou Shangjing, or Zhu Heyu. His strength is still hidden to this day. For Zhao Junchen
, Zhu Hejian’s existence can be said to be full of unknowns.
The unknown often represents danger!
Only by knowing yourself and the enemy can you be victorious in every battle, but Zhao Junchen's understanding of Zhu Hejian is only the tip of the iceberg, so Zhao Junchen naturally has no confidence in dealing with Zhu Hejian.
Although Zhao Junchen and Zhu Hejian currently have a cooperative relationship, Zhu Hejian is obviously not a broad-minded person and may not be able to tolerate Zhao Junchen's existence. The two are likely to turn against each other in the future, so Zhao Junchen has always had a soft heart for Zhu Hejian.
alert.
"It seems that Zhu Hejian will soon turn from darkness to light... However, this is not necessarily a bad thing. Zhu Hejian's biggest advantage in the past was that he was hidden in the dark. No one could detect his plans and actions, but he was in
After the exposure, the biggest advantage was lost, and I could just take the opportunity to test his true abilities... The position of prince is certainly enviable, but this position is also a crater. Even if he can sit on it
.You may not be able to sit still..."
Zhao Junchen thought secretly.
On the other side, seeing Zhao Junchen looking thoughtful and not answering his own question, Prince Zhu Heyu frowned even more. He asked, "Why, aren't you willing?"
Looking at the prince Zhu Heyu in front of him, a trace of pity flashed in Zhao Junchen's eyes - although this man was a bit pedantic and stubborn, he was definitely a good brother. He devoted his heart and soul to the seventh prince Zhu Hejian and did his best. However, the seventh prince
However, the prince Zhu Hejian has been taking advantage of his brotherhood to covet his position as prince. He is always plotting against him secretly. I don't know when the prince Zhu Heyu will realize this.
For a moment, Zhao Junchen wanted to tell Zhu Heyu the truth.
However, Zhao Junchen finally endured it.
Because Prince Zhu Heyu would never believe his warning, and Zhao Junchen also hated doing useless work.
In the end, Zhao Junchen just lowered his head and replied: "Of course I am willing to do my best for the royal family. Please rest assured, Your Highness. After the court meeting is over, the first thing I will do after returning to the palace is to personally deliver the famous doctor Zhang De to the seventh prince."
In his house."
The key point of Zhao Junchen's words lies in the word "personally".
Because, Zhao Junchen suddenly discovered that by taking advantage of this opportunity to diagnose the seventh prince's condition, he could have honest and fair contact with the seventh prince Zhu Hejian - in normal times, foreign ministers like Zhao Junchen would not be able to contact the prince at will.
But with the request of Prince Zhu Heyu, this meeting will not arouse too much suspicion.
Then, Zhao Junchen can also take the opportunity to test the true and false status of the seventh prince Zhu Hejian.
On the other side, after hearing Zhao Junchen's answer, Prince Zhu Heyu did not notice the deeper meaning of Zhao Junchen's words, and just nodded with satisfaction.
At this point, Prince Zhu Heyu had achieved his goal. Naturally, he did not want to talk to Zhao Junchen anymore, so he planned to turn around and leave.
However, when he turned to leave, Prince Zhu Heyu suddenly thought of something again. He paused slightly, but once again set his sights on Zhao Junchen.`
Then, after Prince Zhu Heyu hesitated for a moment, he spoke again: "In recent days, people have repeatedly mentioned you to me, saying that only you, Zhao Junchen, have the ability to reverse the chaotic current situation of our commercial taxation...
Taking this opportunity, I would like to ask you, are you really sure that you can reverse the current situation of commercial taxation in the imperial court?"
Zhao Junchen also hesitated for a moment, and finally said truthfully: "I have some ideas, and I'm about 60 to 70 percent sure."
"Sixty to seventy percent?" After hearing Zhao Junchen's answer, Prince Zhu Heyu was slightly startled - he knew the difficulty of commercial tax rectification, so his confidence of sixty to seventy percent was definitely not low - and then shook his head.
Said: "If there is no exaggeration, this is already a very high degree of certainty, but even if it is true, I will never allow you to be responsible for this matter! Even if my father's attitude has been decided, I will definitely cooperate with him.
The emperor will fight hard according to reason!"
After hearing the remarks of Prince Zhu Heyu, Zhao Junchen just remained silent, without questioning the reasons or refuting.
However, although Zhao Junchen did not question or refute, Prince Zhu Heyu went further and said: "Because you are a corrupt official! If the matter of business tax rectification is handed over to you, I don't know how many people will pay for it, and how much money will be spent on the court tax."
If you are greedy for ink, then only the court and the people will be harmed! The only ones who will benefit will be you morons!"
Regarding what Prince Zhu Heyu said, from a certain point of view, Zhao Junchen was really unable to refute it.
Nowadays, although Zhao Junchen has not committed corruption and misappropriation for a long time, Zhao Junchen's subordinates are a group of greedy cowards, but Zhao Junchen has to borrow their strength, so once Zhao Junchen is responsible for the rectification of business tax
In this matter, there will inevitably be a group of people who pay tribute to the people, and the court's tax money will be secretly embezzled.
Zhao Junchen was completely unable to change this situation in a short period of time. At most, he could only control it slightly.
Of course, although Zhao Junchen will not take the initiative to commit corruption, after Zhao Junchen's officials become corrupt, they will also take the initiative to hand over a large part of the stolen money to Zhao Junchen. From this aspect, Zhao Junchen is also considered to be corrupt.
However, although he could not refute what Prince Zhu Heyu said, Zhao Junchen had a different view on the views expressed by Prince Zhu Heyu.
Therefore, Zhao Junchen finally stopped being silent and suddenly asked: "I have something unclear about you, please give me some advice."
Prince Zhu Heyu was slightly stunned, but still said: "Go ahead."
Zhao Junchen asked: "The most basic duty of an official is to make political achievements? Or is it to be honest and self-responsible? Does an honest official have to be a good official?"
Hearing Zhao Junchen's inquiry, Prince Zhu Heyu was not a pure fool. He quickly guessed Zhao Junchen's meaning, but remained silent and did not answer.
Then, Zhao Junchen asked again: "Xiaguan, give me an example. Of course, this is just an example... If Xianguan can increase the treasury revenue of 10 million taels of silver for the imperial court every year without harming the people's interests,
Among them, another three million taels of silver were wasted, but the imperial court could still increase the treasury income by 7 million taels of silver every year. So is this a good thing or a bad thing? Another official can only increase the treasury income for the imperial court every year.
Three million taels of silver, and it can be paid into the national treasury in full without any loss, so who is better or worse than this person compared to the lower official?"
After Prince Zhu Heyu sneered, he asked: "What you call 'loss' is corruption, right? Over the years, are you just using this reason to accept bribes with peace of mind? Even if you can really add a thousand to the national treasury."
An income of ten thousand taels of silver does not mean that you have the right to embezzle three million taels of silver!"
Zhao Junchen sighed softly and said: "His Royal Highness the Crown Prince is right, but your words are just evasive and do not answer my question."
Prince Zhu Heyu snorted coldly and said: "Hmph! Why should I answer your question? Your question is inherently flawed! Why can't there be someone who can increase the treasury income of 10 million taels of silver for the imperial court and also increase the income of the treasury?
Will all this money be turned over to the national treasury?"
Obviously, during this period of time, although Prince Zhu Heyu's stubborn character has not changed, his logical thinking ability has increased a lot, and he has not fallen into Zhao Junchen's logical trap.
Unfortunately, Zhao Junchen's inquiry not only involves logic, but also involves reality.
So, Zhao Junchen replied: "Your Highness, unfortunately, no one can do these two things at the same time! Even if such a person is a perfect person, not only has outstanding ability, but also can be honest and self-responsible, but he can't do things well."
Sometimes, you always need the help of the officials below. Once you lose the support of the officials below, no matter how powerful the person is, he will only accomplish nothing! But the people under him cannot all be perfect people. There are no perfect people in this world.
There are not so many, and we cannot use up human standards to demand everyone!
In fact, no matter who wants to achieve great things, they must find ways to motivate their subordinates and let them see the benefits of doing things wholeheartedly. For some things, they can only turn a blind eye.
Otherwise, not to mention dampening the enthusiasm of your subordinates, your energy will be dispersed and all of it will be spent on rectifying the moral code. In this way, how can you still achieve anything?"
What Zhao Junchen said seems to have some truth, but unfortunately these truths are completely contrary to the cognition of Prince Zhu Heyu. Therefore, as soon as Zhao Junchen finished speaking, he was subconsciously rebuked by Prince Zhu Heyu: "Here's nonsense!"
However, after the rebuke, Prince Zhu Heyu could not find any specific arguments to refute Zhao Junchen's views for a while.
As a result, Prince Zhu Heyu could only stare at Zhao Junchen with disgust, and the atmosphere became deadlocked for a while.
Fortunately, at this moment, the door of Huangji Palace slowly opened.
This means that the big court meeting is finally about to begin.
Therefore, Prince Zhu Heyu glared at Zhao Junchen fiercely, then turned and left.
Looking at the back of Prince Zhu Heyu as he left, Zhao Junchen sighed softly.
Prince Zhu Heyu is an idealist, like a white lotus emerging from the mud unstained, but Zhao Junchen is a realist covered in dirt, and they really don't talk much about each other. These are two kinds of things.
Completely different concepts, extremely divergent, and most difficult to unify.
However, Zhao Junchen only sighed for a moment, and his mind quickly focused on the upcoming court meeting.