Chapter 21. The First Influence of Power (Part 2). The Two-in-One Chapter
After returning home and changing into casual clothes, it was already approaching evening.
Zhao Junchen did not delay and took Xu Qingyan to Tianhai Tower, where he was waiting for Wen Guanliang's arrival.
For Tianhai Tower, Zhao Junchen is a big shot, so he naturally needs to do his best to please him. When he learned that Zhao Junchen was going to hold a banquet here, and the person hosting the banquet was Wen Guanliang, the Second Assistant to the Cabinet, he tried his best to prepare a table early.
A good banquet.
However, what is embarrassing is that although the banquet was set up early and Zhao Junchen came early, Wen Guanliang was still missing.
Sitting in the private room on the top floor of Tianhai Tower, looking at the darkening sky outside the window, Zhao Junchen finally became impatient after waiting for a long time and asked Xu Qingyan: "Mr. Wen Ge, did you really agree to come?
"
Xu Qingyan was also impatient to wait. When Zhao Junchen asked, he frowned and replied: "Master, when the post was sent, Wen Guanliang agreed immediately."
Zhao Junchen nodded and asked again: "Is the time correct?"
Xu Qingyan shook his head and said: "How could this be wrong? The time on the post is clearly written, it is You hour this evening."
Zhao Junchen smiled slightly and said: "In that case, it must be this Second Assistant Master who already knows about my entry into the palace this afternoon. Now that the three-province Qiuwei fraud case was suddenly closed, Zhan Shanchang was also saved by me.
He felt that he had lost face and was trying to show off to me."
After a pause, Zhao Junchen smiled again and said: "However, he is quite well informed."
Xu Qingyan said bitterly: "This is called ignorance of praise. Even Wen Guanliang dares to show off for the young master."
Zhao Junchen raised his hand to interrupt Xu Qingyan's words, and said calmly: "You can't say that. No matter how you say it, Mr. Wen Ge is still the second minister of the cabinet. Now in the court, apart from His Majesty and the chief minister Zhou Shangjing, he is the biggest, regardless of
The prestige and power are greater than ours. Now that we have made him lose face, why can't he show off to us? In officialdom, resentment must be retaliated, but it is commonplace and there is no need to get angry."
Xu Qingyan looked at the table of food and wine that was getting colder and asked: "Master, how about we continue to wait like this? Let me tell you, since Wen Guanliang is showing off to you, master, why should you give in to him? Anyway, we are
Having protected Zhan Shanchang and kidnapped Tong Huan, it is no longer possible to turn his enemy into a friend. It would be better not to do this to save face."
Zhao Junchen shook his head and said softly: "He broke the rules, we can't break them. Wen Ge's senior official is higher than me, and he is older than me. He is a superior and a senior, so it is appropriate to wait. What's more, in the officialdom
How can we distinguish friends from enemies? Today's enemies may be tomorrow's friends, yesterday's allies may be today's opponents. There must be some room for everything. Today he has lost face and we have gained reputation. Since the benefits have been obtained, give it to him.
What’s the point of saving some face?”
While speaking, Zhao Junchen took another look at the sky outside the window and said slowly: "However, although he is trying to show off to me, it's already the time, so I guess it's time to come."
Xu Qingyan curled his lips, but said no more.
………
Zhao Junchen was quite indifferent at this time, but when faced with Wen Guanliang's late arrival, he was actually a little unhappy, but it just didn't show on his face like Xu Qingyan did.
Since Zhao Junchen came to this era, he has always adhered to the principle that one more enemy is worse than one more friend. When dealing with various forces, he always had the intention of making good friends.
The same goes for today's appointment with Wen Guanliang. Although he wants to have a showdown with Wen Guanliang, he also has the intention of turning an enemy into a friend.
"Yue Rong Fang" is not only manufacturing soap these days, but is also working hard to develop perfume. The process of perfume is a bit more complicated than that of soap, but it cannot be said to be that difficult. Now it is almost successful.
After all, Wen Guanliang was the second minister of the cabinet. Although Zhao Junchen retained Zhan Shanchang for various reasons and even took away the general envoy Tong Huan and caused him to lose face, Zhao Junchen did not intend to completely offend Wen Guanliang.
Enemies may become friends, so Zhao Junchen doesn't mind giving up the perfume business to Wen Guanliang. Although perfume is not a daily necessities like soap, and the cost is low and the sales volume is large, if it is managed well, it can still make a living.
gold business.
However, after such an incident, Zhao Junchen completely stopped thinking like this.
Without him, Wen Guanliang's mind shown before and after the Qiuwei fraud case in the three provinces was too narrow-minded, and the government's methods were average. Such a person is not the best choice for alliance.
Just by looking at the way Wen Guanliang and the two other pavilion elders got off the sedan chair at the clock every morning during the morning court, you can tell what kind of people they are.
In fact, this is a matter of course.
In the final analysis, the reason why the elders in the cabinet, including Wen Guanliang, have the prestige and power they have today is because the chief minister, Zhou Shangjing, did not want to create a situation where his family was the dominant one in the court, which caused Deqing to
The emperor was jealous, so he deliberately had reservations about them.
Even so, with Zhou Shangjing's foresight, he would naturally not tolerate the rise of a figure who could truly threaten him. Therefore, whether it was Wen Guanliang, the second assistant, or the other two cabinet elders Shen Changmao and Huang Yourong, they could all succeed in the cabinet under Zhou Shangjing's nose.
The situation actually shows that their abilities are mediocre.
For such a person, even if he can't offend him, he won't offend him, but if he really offends him, Zhao Junchen is really not afraid of him.
………
While Zhao Junchen was thinking secretly, a burst of noise suddenly came from outside the private room, and then he saw the shopkeeper of Tianhai Tower staggering to the door of the private room and said quickly: "Sir, Mr. Cifu is here.
.”
Zhao Junchen nodded and took Xu Qingyan outside the private room to greet him.
Then, he saw Wen Guanliang, supported by a group of followers, walking slowly towards Zhao Junchen. Although he was nearly an hour late, he did not look anxious at all.
Wen Guanliang is now nearly sixty years old. As his name suggests, he has a kind face and a gentle temperament. He gives the impression that he is a very talkative little old man.
Of course, this is just an appearance.
Seeing Zhao Junchen greeting him in person, Wen Guanliang's eyes flashed with a trace of resentment, but the next moment, a kind smile appeared on his face. As he walked towards Zhao Junchen, he cupped his hands and said, "Oh, please keep Zhao Junchen waiting."
Sorry, something suddenly happened in my house, which delayed the time. I'm sorry."
Zhao Junchen smiled and returned the salute, saying: "Mr. Wen Ge is overly concerned. You are the senior and I am the junior. It is appropriate to wait."
While talking, Zhao Junchen had already led Wen Guanliang into the private room and sat down.
After sitting down, Wen Guanliang looked at Zhao Junchen and sighed: "Young Master Zhao doesn't know something. The reason why I came late is because I spent a lot of effort to appease my disciples and students. The Minister of Rites, Zhan Shanchang,
, was originally promoted by me, but the Qiuwei fraud case in the three provinces has come out these days. All kinds of evidence prove that it is related to him. I am dedicated to serving the country, so I should naturally avoid suspicion at this time. Originally, this matter, I
Although he would not help him, he would not harm him either. However, he never thought that he would tell others everywhere that I was cold and hypocritical, and blamed him. This made people panic. Tong Huan, the political envoy, was also me.
He single-handedly promoted me and was bewitched by him. In the past few days, I have actually become more and more distant from my husband."
Hearing Wen Guanliang's meaningful exclamation, Zhao Junchen smiled slightly, refilled Wen Guanliang's wine with his own hands, and said: "Mr. Wen Ge is kind and kind to others. All the officials in the court see it, so how can this be the case?"
A cold and hypocritical person? Mr. Wen Ge is too worried. However, I have seen Zhan Shanchang, but he is not a person who repays evil with kindness. I have never heard of him slandering Mr. Wen Ge. In the officialdom, things that rise without wind are too common.
There are so many, maybe there is some misunderstanding?"
When Wen Guanliang heard what Zhao Junchen said, his eyes narrowed, but he did not answer. He just said slowly: "According to the news I received, Your Majesty, on the advice of Minister Zhao, announced today that the Qiuwei fraud case in the three provinces has been closed?"
Zhao Junchen shook his head and said: "Mr. Wen Ge looks down on me. How can I care about this kind of thing? Your Majesty is the one who decides everything. He has made such a decree. His Majesty must have considered it."
Wen Guanliang sighed: "I know Zhan Shanchang a little bit. Although he is not lacking in ability, he is a bit greedy for money. He is related to various doubts about the Qiuwei fraud case in the three provinces. I am afraid he will be involved. Your Majesty is so early.
To close the case, in my opinion, it was out of consideration. The imperial examination is of great importance, and fraud has occurred, so it is time to eliminate the evil and do all the evil. Although Zhan Shanchang was promoted by me, if he is really related to him, as the second minister of the cabinet, I
, but I will never let him go!"
After a pause, Wen Guanliang continued: "As an assistant minister of the cabinet, I should check and fill the vacancies for Your Majesty. Although the three-province Qiuwei fraud case has been closed, I plan to continue to investigate Zhan Shanchang! And that
Tong Huan, the general affairs envoy, has always advanced and retreated together with Zhan Shanchang. It is strange that he, as the chief of the general affairs envoys department and in charge of the people's complaints in all directions, has not received any news about such a big thing as the Qiu Wei fraud in the three provinces. It is also strange.
It cannot be separated."
At this point, Wen Guanliang's words and demeanor became meaningful: "I know that these two people have been very close to you, Minister Zhao, in recent days. I believe that the fraud in Qiuwei in the three provinces is absolutely
It has nothing to do with Shilang Zhao, but Shilang Zhao must, for his own sake, break away from the two of them in time and not be bewitched by them."
Hearing what Wen Guanliang said, Zhao Junchen frowned slightly and felt enlightened.
Although Wen Guanliang's words were high-sounding, his meaning was very clear: Zhan Shanchang and Tong Huan defected to Zhao Junchen. No matter what the reason was, it was a betrayal for Wen Guanliang. In addition, because of the Qiuwei fraud case in the three provinces, Wen Guanliang
Now that his reputation has been greatly damaged, he plans to deal with Zhan Shanchang and Tong Huan, kill them as a warning to others, and stabilize the internal factions.
If Zhao Junchen does not object to this, then Wen Guanliang can forget about the past events, and the two parties may even form an alliance. But if Zhao Junchen objects, then the two sides will be enemies rather than friends, and we will fight to the death.
Naturally, Zhao Junchen had no chance of agreeing to this. After saving Zhan Shanchang, Zhao Junchen finally made a name for himself. Now everyone knows that Zhan Shanchang and Tong Huan are Zhao Junchen's people. If they watch Wen Guanliang deal with them,
Then Zhao Junchen's previous actions were not only in vain, but no one would dare to take refuge in Zhao Junchen in the future.
Therefore, Zhao Junchen smiled slightly and said softly: "Since His Majesty has decreed the closure of the Qiuwei fraud case in the three provinces, it is closed. Why do you, Mr. Wenge, pursue it so hard? If it is just because of suspicion, you must
Wouldn't a strict investigation of Zhan Shanchang and Tong Huan make all officials feel cold? Mr. Wen Ge is dedicated to serving the country, and the lower officials have always admired them, but there are some things that we should just let it go."
When Wen Guanliang heard what Zhao Junchen said, he seemed to snort slightly and said in a solemn voice: "Shilang Zhao is now deeply favored by the Holy Spirit. He is so proud of the spring breeze that he can be so polite to an old minister like me. It is really rare, but it reminds me of
Guo Cheng, then Minister of Industry."
After Zhao Junchen was stunned for a moment, he asked: "Oh? Guo Cheng, the former Minister of the Ministry of Industry? I don't know this person well, so I have to ask Mr. Wen Ge to explain it to me."
Wen Guanliang said slowly: "Shilang Zhao is young after all. It is normal for him not to know things in the past. When Guo Cheng was the minister of the Ministry of Industry, Shilang Zhao was probably still studying behind closed doors. However, Guo Cheng was not a simple person.
, his sister was the concubine Shun at that time, deeply favored by His Majesty, and Guo Cheng was also a holy family member, and for a time he was the same in both the government and the public. However, unlike Zhao Shilang, Guo Cheng relied on the holy family and always acted rampantly.
Wuji, even against the chief minister Zhou, was always against him. But he didn't know that the holy family was just a holy family. After the chief minister couldn't stand him anymore, within three or five days, everyone in the court impeached Guo Cheng.
Although His Majesty's love for Guo Chengsheng remained undiminished, he could not go against the will of the public. In the end, he could only bear the pain and send him to prison. Unexpectedly, Guo Cheng contracted the epidemic and died within two days of being imprisoned. His end was really pitiful.
."
As he spoke, Wen Guanliang looked at Zhao Junchen and smiled softly: "It can be seen from this that the Holy Family are just Holy Family. Although they can be famous for a while, the battles in the temple are based on power and means, because even His Majesty has to worry about it.
From what Bai Guan thought, it was regrettable that Guo Cheng couldn't see this clearly, and didn't know the seriousness. He offended someone who shouldn't be offended, but he didn't even have a chance to stand up."
Wen Guanliang's words were threatening Zhao Junchen.
However, Zhao Junchen's expression did not change, he smiled slightly and said leisurely: "Guo Cheng is indeed short-sighted and cannot tell who can be offended and who cannot be offended. Lord Zhou, the chief assistant, has been running the officialdom for decades and has sophisticated methods. How can he be casual?
Offended? The official is naturally different from him."
At this point, Zhao Junchen changed the topic and said: "However, in the opinion of the following officials, only the chief assistant has such ability. If it were someone else, I'm afraid he wouldn't be able to defeat Guo Cheng so easily."
?Maybe, not only will I fail to bring down Guo Cheng, but I will be bitten by Guo Cheng."
After hearing what Zhao Junchen said, Wen Guanliang finally stopped smiling and his eyes became cold.
Zhao Junchen's meaning was obvious. He could distinguish who could be offended and who could not be offended. In Zhao Junchen's eyes, Wen Guanliang was far inferior to Zhou Shangjing, the chief minister of the cabinet, and belonged to the category of "it doesn't matter even if he offends".
In fact, Wen Guanliang also knew that he was inferior to Zhou Shangjing in terms of power and means. Over the years, he had never gotten any advantage from fighting with Zhou Shangjing. He even knew that Zhou Shangjing could deal with him at any time, but he still kept him until now.
, the reason why he can sit safely in the secondary assistant position.
However, officialdom is a fair of fame and fortune. He didn't want to fight with Zhou Shangjing, but he had to fight.
Nowadays, Wen Guanliang actually does not want to fight with Zhao Junchen. He is not the Zhou Shangjing of the past, and Zhao Junchen is not the Guo Cheng of the past. He is not sure of winning.
However, in officialdom, one cannot help oneself.
Thinking like this, Wen Guanliang was not helpless, but his eyes became even colder.
There is no room for helplessness in officialdom. Wen Guanliang has long been aware of this.
I saw Wen Guanliang reaching out and touching the dishes on the table, and then said slowly: "It's my fault that I'm late. This dish is actually cold."
Zhao Junchen smiled and said: "When the food is cold, just let the restaurant waiter review it."
Wen Guanliang shook his head and said: "Although the dishes can be relived when they are cold, they have lost their original taste. However, this is still good. Compared with this, if a person makes a wrong decision, it is difficult to have it again.
Opportunity."
As he spoke, Wen Guanliang slowly stood up, cupped his hands to Zhao Junchen and said, "I'm old and can't eat cold food, so I'll take my leave."
Zhao Junchen also sighed, stood up and said, "It's my fault that I didn't entertain you well."
Wen Guanliang shook his head, said nothing more, and just led his entourage away.
"Bah! What the hell!"
Wen Guanliang had just left. Xu Qingyan, who had been silent for a long time, was already spitting.
Zhao Junchen frowned and said: "Qingyan, we are eating. Are you disgusted by this?"
Xu Qingyan said angrily: "Master, are you still eating? I'm so angry. This old guy is so arrogant that he dares to threaten the master!"
Zhao Junchen smiled slightly and said nothing more, seemingly not caring at all.
The bottom lines of the two sides were very different, and their sincerity was insufficient. After the showdown, the negotiations broke down. From now on, they will finally be enemies rather than friends.
Zhao Junchen had already been mentally prepared for this. He had neither fear nor helplessness, just calmness.
Seeing Xu Qingyan still upset and muttering something, Zhao Junchen shook his head helplessly and deliberately took down his chopsticks to eat. However, he found that the food was really unpalatable when it was cold. He finally stood up and said, "Then what Mr. Wen Ge said makes sense. The food is cold."
It's unpalatable and the taste has been lost after reliving it. It's already hard to recover, so let's go back home for dinner."
While talking, Zhao Junchen led Xu Qingyan towards the outside of Tianhai Tower.
While walking, Zhao Junchen said to Xu Qingyan: "Send someone to find Zhan Shanchang and Tong Huan. I have something to explain to them."
Xu Qingyan nodded, already understanding Zhao Junchen's thoughts, and asked: "Master, are you planning to strike first?"
Zhao Junchen smiled softly and said: "It's not that we want to strike first. I think Mr. Wen Ge has already started preparations. However, since the war has begun, we must make some preparations."
While talking, Zhao Junchen came to the outside of Tianhai Tower and sat in the sedan chair, respectfully escorted off by all the shopkeepers in Tianhai Tower.
Faintly, there seemed to be some sighing coming from the sedan chair.
On the other side, the shopkeepers of Tianhai Tower, who only heard a few words, looked at each other in confusion after watching Zhao Junchen's sedan leave.
A war started? What started a war?
They don't understand.
For ordinary people, some wars are so huge that they will be frightened. And other wars will turn everything upside down after the end, but from beginning to end, they are still unaware of it.
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