In the main hall of the Zhao Mansion, Zhao Junchen sat in the main seat, while all the officials of the "Zhao Party" gathered together and sat on both sides.
At this time, everyone was looking at Young Master Guo Tang with strange eyes. Some people had sneers on their faces, some had disdain on their faces, but most of them looked like they were gloating about his misfortune.
Guo Tang stood in front of Zhao Junchen, raising his head and trying his best to maintain his aloofness and pride, but his expression and movements were still inevitably awkward and stiff.
After taking a deep look at Guo Tang, Zhao Junchen said slowly: "It turns out that Mr. Guo is here to apologize! I didn't explain clearly. I thought that Mr. Guo was here to convey the imperial edict, and I wasted a lot of effort.
"
On the side, Zuo Lanshan said with a smile: "Young Master Guo has always prided himself on being a gentleman and is known for his open-mindedness. He is always straightforward in the temple and never hesitates when criticizing others for being corrupt officials.
I didn’t expect that when it was my turn, I would be vague, secretive, and careless about him.”
Chen Dongxiang also smiled and said: "Be strict with others and be lenient with yourself... Guo Shaofu is indeed a leader of Qingliu and a model of morality!"
As Zuo Lanshan and Chen Dongxiang finished speaking, everyone in the "Zhao Party" naturally burst into laughter.
It's no wonder that everyone in the "Zhao Party" couldn't stop laughing. Guo Tang's various behaviors outside the Zhao Mansion today may soon become a big joke that spreads between the government and the public.
As the saying goes, "you have to save face and suffer the consequences", in order to save face in front of the servants of the Zhao family, he made such an accident, and almost fell into the charge of falsely conveying the imperial edict, but when the incident happened, he completely gave up - such a story is enough
It has been talked about for a long time.
On the other side, Guo Tang's old face was blushing, but he still held his head high, his expression full of arrogance, pretending not to hear the sarcasm of Zuo Lanshan and Chen Dongxiang, and just wanted to end this nightmare as soon as possible.
So, Guo Tang ignored the "Zhao Party" people around him, and just said to Zhao Junchen: "According to His Majesty's order, I came to the Zhao Mansion to apologize to Mr. Zhao for your visit! This morning, some of my words were indeed not correct.
After careful consideration, you should not just say it without evidence. I am indeed negligent in this matter. I hope you can forgive me, Mr. Zhao."
Guo Tang's words were still covert and called an apology, but in fact they were just perfunctory. He didn't even think that he had done anything wrong. He just said that he was negligent. It can be said that it is without sincerity.
Naturally, everyone in the "Zhao Party" who was watching the excitement was dissatisfied with Guo Tang's performance and began to make noises one after another.
However, Guo Tang ignored him and planned to turn around and leave after leaving behind these words.
Seeing Guo Tang's actions, Zhao Junchen was not in a hurry. He just turned to Zuo Lanshan and asked: "Zuo Shangshu, if a court official acts perfunctorily and violates orders, how should he be judged?"
?”
Zuo Lanshan glanced at Guo Tang's back and said loudly: "At a small level, it is a crime of dereliction of duty, but at a serious level, it is the crime of deceiving the emperor! If it is pursued, it will not be surprising no matter how severe the punishment is!"
Zhao Junchen nodded slightly and said, "That's it!"
On the other side, after hearing the conversation between Zhao Junchen and Zuo Lanshan, Guo Tang, who was walking away, stiffened and stopped.
Speaking of which, as the leader of Qingliu, Guo Tang has publicly questioned some of Emperor Deqing's decisions more than once over the years, and he has almost made Emperor Deqing unable to come to Taiwan several times. However, the emperor's statement of doubt before he officially promulgated the imperial edict was a
It's one thing, but it's another thing to follow the imperial edict and then act against it.
What's more, when Guo Tang questioned certain decisions of Emperor Deqing in the past, he often advanced and retreated with a large number of Qingliu officials. Because the law does not punish the public, Guo Tang was naturally enthusiastic and fearless, but this time he
Without the cover of a large amount of clear water around him, and being easily grasped by others, Guo Tang naturally lost his pride and courage in resisting orders.
Finally, after hesitating for a long time, Guo Tang finally turned around to face Zhao Junchen again, and said in a stuttering voice: "I did what I did in court this morning. I made a mistake. I apologize to Mr. Zhao here!"
After saying a sentence in a stiff tone, Guo Tang's old face became even redder, and without any further delay, he hurriedly left the main hall of the Zhao Mansion, his footsteps messy, as if he had fled!
Naturally, everyone in the "Zhao Party" sneered one after another, their sarcasm unconcealed, but Guo Tang still turned a deaf ear and just wanted to escape from this humiliating place as soon as possible.
Watching Guo Tang leave in a hurry, Zuo Lanshan felt unsatisfied and asked Zhao Junchen: "Mr. Zhao, this man's apology was not sincere, so you just let him leave?"
After meeting with Guo Tang, Zhao Junchen had a calm expression from beginning to end, as if he didn't care. After hearing Zuo Lanshan's inquiry, Zhao Junchen said calmly: "Is it possible to stop him and force him to apologize again?
He is just a fake Taoist gentleman, and he is not worthy of my attention at all! I will go out of my way to make things difficult for him this time, just because I don’t like him playing tricks in front of me. But I don’t care about his apology from beginning to end.
Whether he is sincere or not... what I really care about is whether he will pay a sufficient price for his rudeness!"
Hearing what Zhao Junchen said, Zuo Lanshan nodded repeatedly. People like Guo Tang are indeed not worth Zhao Junchen's efforts and serious treatment!
This time Zhao Junchen planned to rectify Guo Tang, but he never took action personally from beginning to end. All the details were handled by the "Zhao Party" officials. Zhao Junchen just pointed out the direction for them and then waited for the results!
Thinking of this, Zuo Lanshan quickly asked Zhao Junchen for credit and said: "Don't worry, Mr. Zhao, I guarantee that Guo Tang will pay the price soon! I have already ordered my subordinates to collect all the scandals Guo Tang has done over the years.
And if he vigorously promotes it, everyone will soon know it, and Guo Tang’s reputation in life will be destroyed soon! At that time, I will want to see why Guo Tang can still be so noble!"
Chen Dongxiang also said: "The lower official has also contacted some censors in the Metropolitan Procuratorate who have little dealings with Guo Tang. When the court comes tomorrow morning, these censors will express their opinions on impeaching Guo Tang, which will inevitably affect Guo Tang's official position.
No guarantee!"
Zhan Shanchang said with a proud look on his face: "Mr. Zhao, I used to serve in the Ministry of Rites. I know the situation of the Imperial College very well. I also have a good relationship with Hu Zhen, the supervisor of the Imperial College. If nothing else, Guo Tang's
The future of my precious grandson Guo Mingtai will be ruined today! Guo Tang will definitely be heartbroken after hearing the news!"
Then, Huo Zhengyuan also joined in the fun and said with a sneer: "I have ordered the Shuntian Prefecture to seal down all the stores and warehouses of the Guo family's Sitong Trading Company, and also ordered people related to the Sitong Trading Company to be severely interrogated! No surprise.
If so, the results of this interrogation will be obtained soon! Once the 'Sitong Trading Company' is convicted of tax evasion and smuggling, the official can further seize the various properties of the Guo family. At that time, relying on Guo Tang's point
With the salary, I’m afraid the Guo family can’t even afford to eat!”
Then, the "Zhao Party" officials also reported their respective progress to Zhao Junchen.
After hearing the reports one after another from the "Zhao Party" people, Zhao Junchen remained calm on the surface and just nodded in approval, but in his heart he was a little confused about whether to laugh or cry.
At the end of the morning session today, Zhao Junchen expressed to the "Zhao Party" that he wanted to take action to rectify Guo Tang. Now it was just after noon, less than three hours before and after, and the "Zhao Party" people
They have already started their own plans one after another, and most of them have achieved preliminary results!
Such efficiency is truly jaw-dropping!
It's a pity that most people in the "Zhao Party" will only show such enthusiasm, wisdom, and efficiency when they form a party for personal gain and exclude dissidents!
If everyone in the "Zhao Party" could have such enthusiasm, wisdom, and efficiency when handling official duties, then Zhao Junchen would be much less worried in the future.
Although there was some emotion in his heart, Zhao Junchen did not show it. Instead, he had a look of approval on his face and nodded: "Thank you, everyone, things have been done well, but we have to keep up our efforts. I will wait for the good news from you all."
!... This time I took action to punish Guo Tang, not just to vent my hatred, but also to take advantage of the opportunity to establish prestige! In the future, with Guo Tang as an example, political enemies in the DPRK and China will be more likely to take action against us.
Weigh it!”
Hearing what Zhao Junchen said, everyone in the "Zhao Party" became energetic and responded one after another. They also patted their chests and promised repeatedly that they would not mention it.
After everyone in the "Zhao Party" left one after another, Fang Ru walked in from the back hall.
Zhao Junchen turned to look at Fang Ru and asked, "That person just now is Guo Tang, who impeached me in the morning. What do you think after meeting him?"
Fang Ru looked vaguely disappointed and shook her head: "My husband, you were right before. A waste like Guo Tang is really not worthy of our attention and is not worth our efforts! If he hadn't embarrassed our husband in the morning,
Ru'er is too lazy to punish him now!"
Zhao Junchen nodded lightly and said: "As long as you understand, life is full of difficulties, and who doesn't suffer from rumors? The position I am in now is the target of public criticism, and it is inevitable that I will be slandered and slandered by others, like
It was the matter of impeaching me in Guotang this morning. It will only become more and more common in the future, but this kind of thing is not worth paying attention to. You must not get emotional because of these things in the future!"
Fang Ru knew that Zhao Junchen said this to him largely just to comfort himself. Apparently Zhao Junchen still cared a little about what Fang Ru had secretly cried about today.
After thinking about this, Fang Ru was moved. She walked slowly behind Zhao Junchen, stretched out her catkins and massaged Zhao Junchen's shoulders. At the same time, she nodded and said, "Ru'er understands. Ru'er is my husband's woman, and she is generous and generous."
You must be worthy of your husband, and you will never care about such things again."
After saying that, Fang Ru felt doubtful again and asked: "However, my husband, although you say you don't care about Guo Tang's slander, you are still going to great lengths to rectify Guo Tang this time. You actually intend to completely destroy everything in Guo Tang. I am afraid that not only
Is it just as simple as revenge and establishing prestige? If that was the case, my husband should not be so violent."
Zhao Junchen nodded, without hiding anything, and explained: "Even if Guo Tang didn't impeach me in court this morning, I will definitely take action against him in the future, but his impeachment today just gave me a reason! Guo Tang
Tang now seems to belong to Prince Zhu Heyu, but according to the intelligence I collected, he has a very close relationship with the seventh prince Zhu Hejian. It is precisely because of Guo Tang's existence that the seventh prince Zhu Hejian has been gradually infiltrating the prince.
The Party's influence within the 'Taiwan Party' is also growing."
Having said this, Zhao Junchen sighed lightly, with a hint of tiredness on his face, and said: "Now, Prince Zhu Heyu is very likely to be deposed by Emperor Deqing, and Seventh Prince Zhu Hejian is the most likely new successor.
Crown Prince! But Zhu Hejian’s scheming methods are much more powerful than Zhu Heyu’s! Although he and I still have a cooperative relationship now, when he establishes a foothold in the temple, this cooperative relationship will come to an end.
So I must prepare early to nip it in the bud!”
Hearing Zhao Junchen's explanation, Fang Ru also thought thoughtfully and said: "So, since Guo Tang has a close relationship with the seventh prince, then after the seventh prince becomes the new crown prince, Guo Tang will definitely support him! Guo Tang is
After the Seventh Prince, the leader of Qingliu, gets Guo Tang's support, he will easily gain the recognition and support of the entire Qingliu! At that time, with the Seventh Prince's scheming methods, it will be easy to gain a foothold in the temple!
"
Seeing that Fang Ru understood what he meant so quickly, Zhao Junchen nodded in approval and said: "Ru'er, you are very smart and understood the essence of the matter immediately. After Zhu Hejian becomes the crown prince, I don't want him to gain a foothold too quickly.
This will not do me any good, so I will try my best to weaken the Seventh Prince's hidden power before he comes to the front. Therefore, Guo Tang must not stay here any longer! Taking advantage of today's opportunity, we can also eliminate hidden dangers.
!
In this way, when Zhu Hejian becomes the new crown prince, he will not be able to easily gain a foothold, nor will he dare to fall out with me easily... Not only will he not dare to fall out with me, but he will further seek cooperation from me! At that time, many
It will make things easier to handle!”
Seeing that Zhao Junchen had such a far-sighted vision, Fang Ru showed admiration and said with a smile: "The master is far-sighted. If the seventh prince Zhu Hejian is still hiding in the shadows as before, it will be fine. But if he surfaces, he will not be the master's opponent."
!”
While Zhao Junchen was talking to Fang Ru, young master Guo Tang finally escaped back to his mansion.
Thinking of all the humiliations he suffered in the Zhao Mansion today, Guo Tang felt angry and anxious. He vowed in his heart that he would take revenge on Zhao Junchen in the future and make Zhao Junchen regret today's decision!
However, as soon as Guo Tang stepped into the mansion, he saw Guo Wengui, the housekeeper of the Guo Mansion, rushing towards him with an anxious look on his face. At the same time, he shouted loudly: "Master, it's not good, something bad is going to happen!"
…
PS: Thank you for everyone’s encouragement! Still updating twice today!
Just write with all your heart and let everything take its course!