Seeing Zhao Junchen walking towards him, Zhou Shangjing was slightly startled, and a hint of an unexplainable smile flashed in his eyes.
Then, Zhou Shangjing said to everyone on the left and right: "This Zhao Junchen has come to talk to me in person... He has always been smart, and he must have guessed that our target today is his 'Zhao Party'. You said, he is here to challenge this time." Are you there? Or are you here to beg for mercy?"
Zhang Bochong, the Minister of Punishment, snorted lightly and said: "I think Shen Changmao is now the chief minister of the cabinet and is in the limelight. After we impeached Zhao Zhenghe, he also became a coward. Not only did he not dare to resist, , and they are afraid that we will take advantage of the victory to pursue... Shen Changmao, as the chief minister, has always had a strong personality, and this is still the case. This Zhao Junchen is just a minister, young and cautious, so how can he dare to fight with us? A head-on confrontation? Naturally, he met with the Chief Assistant to seek peace!"
On the other side, Song Qiwen, the Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, shook his head slightly and said: "I'm afraid that may not be the case. Zhao Junchen's character may seem to be gentle, but in fact he is a man of hidden dangers. He is bold and careful. He must not be underestimated. His current power and influence are certainly He may not be as good as us, but he may not give in. He is very different from someone like Shen Changmao who is fierce and has a weak heart. I am afraid he is here to challenge me."
Then, after thinking for a moment, Grand Scholar Li He also expressed his support for Song Qiwen's statement, saying: "I have only received a sinecure in recent years and have not had much contact with Zhao Junchen, but I also know that when Zhao Junchen was not yet powerful, , did not have any support from cronies, but still dared to compete head-on with Wen Guanliang, the second assistant at the time, and completely defeated Wen Guanliang, and incorporated Wen Guanliang's powerful connections. Although his power and influence today is not as good as that of the first assistant, the gap is still big. It’s not as out of reach as when Wen Guanliang was his enemy. Zhao Junchen refused to give in at that time, so how can he compromise now? In my opinion, Zhao Junchen is at least here to find out what’s true.”
Hearing the views of Song Qiwen and Li He, Zhang Boxhong was a little unconvinced and said: "You two adults think too highly of Zhao Junchen. In the past, Zhao Junchen was beaten and scolded like a grandson in front of His Majesty and the Crown Prince. We know that he is a coward by nature, bullying the weak and afraid of the strong, but how can he have such ambition to dare to compete with us?"
Seeing several core members of the "Zhou Party" arguing endlessly because of Zhao Junchen's attitude, Zhou Shangjing smiled softly and said: "There is no need to argue, you will understand when you meet..."
After saying that, Zhou Shangjing also lined up the "Zhou Party" people in front of him and greeted Zhao Junchen.
At this time, Zhao Junchen had arrived and stood not far away from the "Zhou Party". Under the various gazes of the officials, Zhao Junchen still looked calm, just waiting quietly for Zhou Shangjing's arrival.
As Zhou Shangjing moved to Zhao Junchen, the officials' expressions became more serious. Although they were still far away and could not hear the voices of Zhao Junchen and Zhou Shangjing, they still kept their eyes peeled, secretly guessing about the two people. Apart from the content of the conversation, most of them were slightly nervous.
Although the officials were nervous, after Zhao Junchen and Zhou Shangjing met, the atmosphere was unexpectedly relaxed, and there was no atmosphere like a war was about to begin.
When Zhou Shangjing came to Zhao Junchen, Zhao Junchen was the first to salute and said: "I have met Senior Zhou. Speaking of which, since the end of the southern tour, the junior has been busy with mundane affairs and has not visited the senior to ask for advice. I feel very regretful. "
Zhou Shangjing seemed to be smiling but not smiling, and said: "Junchen's talents and talents are far beyond those of his peers. He has a gap in his heart, and he has always been determined. Once he has made up his mind, he will not go back on it easily. What else do you need to ask me for advice?"
Although the world is big, there are probably only a few people who can teach wise ministers, and I think I am not one of them."
Zhao Junchen shook his head and said: "Senior, you are ridiculous. How dare you compare with the seniors for your little cleverness."
Zhou Shangjing also shook his head and said: "Everything I said is true and there is no hypocrisy. Junchen, I have seen everything you have done in recent years, and I am very impressed in my heart. Compared with Junchen, I am nothing but
It’s just that I’m more seasoned with experience.”
Zhao Junchen sighed and said: "The seniors value the juniors so much, the juniors should not be willing to be enemies with the seniors. If they are enemies, the juniors hope that the seniors will look down on the juniors, so that the juniors can have a slight chance of victory."
Zhou Shangjing coughed lightly and sighed: "Actually, at this time, I don't want to be an enemy of Junchen? But I have come to this step. It seems majestic and glorious, but many times I can't help myself.
, after a vacancy appeared in the cabinet, everyone was eyeing it, and everyone in my family regarded this position as something in their pocket. If I don't take it, I'm afraid I will be blamed."
After hearing Zhou Shangjing's emotion, Zhao Junchen was silent for a moment, and then asked: "Senior, don't you know the principle of the mantis stalking the cicada and the oriole behind? Although the junior is far inferior to the senior, if he resists desperately, the senior may not be able to relax.
To win, if others get a glimpse of the opportunity during this period, both seniors and juniors may suffer losses."
Zhao Junchen's words are naturally a metaphor for Emperor Deqing.
Zhao Junchen believed that Emperor Deqing's encouragement to confront Zhou Shangjing yesterday must have been for the sake of profit.
Zhou Shangjing naturally knew this very well.
However, Zhou Shangjing didn't care about Zhao Junchen's warning, and just said: "If the mantis' method is clever, the oriole may not necessarily benefit!"
Zhao Junchen asked rhetorically: "If the cicada is alert enough, the mantis may not be able to prey on it. Not only will the mantis fail to achieve its goal, but it will be at a loss. Even with clever means, the oriole will still find an opportunity."
Zhou Shangjing was still unmoved and said calmly: "It seems that who wins in the end between the cicada, the mantis and the oriole depends on their respective methods."
Zhao Junchen took a deep look at Zhou Shangjing and saw that Zhou Shangjing had no intention of changing his mind. He nodded and said: "Yes, after all, I want my subordinates to see the truth."
After saying that, Zhao Junchen said nothing more, saluted Zhou Shangjing again, then turned and left.
Although Zhao Junchen was fully prepared, he was still unwilling to start a war with Zhou Shangjing unless it was absolutely necessary. He met Zhou Shangjing in advance this time just to confirm and see if there was room for recovery.
If there is room for Zhou Shangjing's attitude, a lot of losses can be reduced.
Now, the answer is obvious.
Zhao Junchen didn't want to see this answer, but he was already prepared in his heart, so he didn't feel too disappointed. He just returned to the front of the "Zhao Party" people, with a calm smile, and slowly announced: "Everyone
, I went over to ask just now, Mr. Zhou Ge's target today is indeed us, and his attitude is resolute, there is no room for redemption, so let's not take chances anymore and prepare to go to war."
When everyone in the "Zhao Party" agreed, Zhao Junchen turned around again and looked at Zhou Shangjing again, secretly recalling Zhou Shangjing's unintentional words in his heart: "At this time, I don't want to be an enemy of Junchen."
"Since Zhou Shangjing mentioned the word 'now', does that mean that sooner or later he will be my enemy in his heart? If so, why did he secretly help me so many times before?"
Zhao Junchen was thoughtful, secretly guessing Zhou Shangjing's true thoughts.
At the same time, Zhou Shangjing also returned to the "Zhou Party".
Zhou Shangjing looked around at Song Qiwen, Zhang Boxong, Li He and others, and then said slowly: "Song Qiwen, Li He and you two guessed it right. Zhao Junchen is indeed here to challenge. Go ahead and make the people below be more vigilant. Things today are not as easy as yesterday, and Zhao Junchen is not as tough-tempered and easy to deal with as Shen Changmao. If he rebounds violently, he may encounter a big trouble today."
As Zhou Shangjing finished speaking, everyone in the "Zhou Party" also agreed one after another.
And just when "Zhao Dang" and "Zhou Dang" made up their minds, a majestic bell suddenly rang above the Meridian Gate, and the Meridian Gate slowly opened, which meant that the morning dynasty was about to begin.
All the officials, either looking forward to it or nervous, lined up and filed into the Meridian Gate, preparing to attend today's morning court.