As Wang Baoren and the seventh prince Zhu Hejian went to the palace to meet the saint, the court officials who greeted Wang Baoren dispersed one after another.
At the same time, the news that Wang Baoren went to Beijing quickly reached the ears of powerful officials.
In the Prince's East Palace, Prince Zhu Heyu had a rather complicated expression after receiving the news, with both joy and worry.
According to the idea of Prince Zhu Heyu, Emperor Deqing transferred Wang Baoren to the capital to serve as the crown prince's grand master, just to assist him and make up for his shortcomings in strategy and scheming.
The former crown prince Xiao Wenruan and Zhao Shancai both recommended Wang Baoren to Zhu Heyu before their death, believing that with the assistance of Wang Baoren, the crown prince Zhu Heyu would be able to secure his position as crown prince and successfully ascend the throne.
Therefore, Zhu Heyu also attached great importance to Wang Baoren.
But at the same time, Zhu Heyu also knew Wang Baoren's background very well. He knew that Wang Baoren was once one of the powerful officials in the imperial court and once threatened Zhou Shangjing's status, but he was eventually defeated by Zhou Shangjing.
People like Wang Baoren must be scheming and unscrupulous in their actions, so Prince Zhu Heyu was a little unsure whether he and Wang Baoren could get along happily.
In addition, the fact that Emperor Deqing sent the seventh prince Zhu Hejian to greet Wang Baoren this time, coupled with the recent rumors circulating in the capital, also made Prince Zhu Heyu a little wary.
"If my father really has the idea of deposing me, and wants to make the seventh brother the new crown prince, then what should I do? Do we want my seventh brother and I to become brothers?"
"Father...could it be that he can't tolerate me at all?"
"Or should I use the plan Mr. Zhao left before his death to protect myself? But that plan is really not what I want..."
Thinking of this, Zhu Heyu's mood was full of contradictions and confusion, and there was also a hint of bitterness.
*
While Prince Zhu Heyu was thinking a lot and was at a loss, someone also secretly visited Zhou Shangjing in Zhou Shangjing's mansion and delivered detailed news to Zhou Shangjing.
This man is none other than Wang Baoren’s favorite protégé, Wang Youlun, deputy censor of the Metropolitan Procuratorate!
In fact, since Wang Baoren was defeated by Zhou Shangjing, Wang Youlun immediately abandoned Wang Baoren and switched to Zhou Shangjing's disciples.
However, Zhou Shangjing did not disclose the matter due to various considerations, and still kept Wang Youlun and Wang Baoren in close contact. On the surface, Wang Youlun had always been loyal to Wang Baoren and could be called a model of consistency, but in fact Wang Youlun had already
Wang Baoren has been completely betrayed.
Over the years, Wang Youlun has been able to rise steadily, from a small sixth-grade official to a third-grade official, not because of his brilliant methods, but entirely because of Zhou Shangjing's secret support!
At this time, Zhou Shangjing sat on the rocking chair with his eyes closed. After quietly listening to Wang Youlun's report, he nodded lightly and said: "You did a good job! I asked you to stay under Wang Baoren's sect just for today.
usefulness!"
Wang Youlun asked cautiously: "Mr. Ge, have you anticipated Wang Baoren's comeback?"
Zhou Shangjing slowly explained: "Of course I had expected it a long time ago. After I defeated Wang Baoren, it stands to reason that Wang Baoren should have completely lost power, but Your Majesty specially protected Wang Baoren and sent Wang Baoren to Nanjing to serve as the Minister of the Ministry of Civil Affairs.
Wang Baoren can accumulate strength to make a comeback, and he can be used to check and balance me in the future... The so-called emperor's mind is nothing more than a way of balancing, and it is not difficult to guess your majesty's mind."
Wang Youlun complimented with admiration on his face: "Mr. Zhou Ge, you are a clairvoyant and know everything about everything. How can Wang Baoren be your opponent? I'm afraid your Majesty's expectations will be disappointed."
When facing Wang Baoren, Wang Youlun's attitude was extremely respectful, but when talking about Wang Baoren in front of Zhou Shangjing, Wang Youlun's expression was full of contempt. It is not an exaggeration to say that the two of them were completely different.
Regarding Wang Youlun's performance, Zhou Shangjing was still noncommittal, but slowly opened his eyes and asked: "So, you have told Wang Baoren that the seventh prince may become the crown prince?"
Wang Youlun nodded quickly and said: "Everything has been told to Wang Baoren. After Wang Baoren knew the news, his attitude towards the seventh prince immediately became much closer."
Zhou Shangjing nodded again and said: "Wang Baoren went to Beijing to take up a post this time to assist His Highness the Crown Prince. No matter whether His Highness the Crown Prince is Zhu Hejian or Zhu Heyu, it makes no difference to him... However, Zhu Heyu's
His temperament is not in line with his, and the two of them may not be able to get along happily, but if the prince is replaced by Zhu Hejian, Wang Baoren will be reused! I asked you to tell Wang Baoren this news, so that Wang Baoren and Zhu Hejian can establish a good relationship in advance, so that they can be used in the future.
Save time, no need to test each other..."
Seeing Wang Youlun's expression of confusion, obviously not understanding what he meant, Zhou Shangjing did not explain in detail, but just told him: "Next, you have two tasks in total. One is to keep an eye on Wang Baoren and inform me of Wang Baoren at any time.
The other trend is to wait until Zhu Hejian becomes the new crown prince, and then gradually get close to Zhu Hejian through Wang Baoren, and must try to become Zhu Hejian's confidant. By that time, I will have another task for you."
It turns out that Zhou Shangjing’s real target is the seventh prince Zhu Hejian, and Wang Baoren is just a passing target!
After hearing Zhou Shangjing's instructions, Wang Youlun finally understood Zhou Shangjing's true thoughts and nodded quickly: "Don't worry, Mr. Ge, I will try my best to handle it."
Next, Zhou Shangjing told Wang Youlun some things, and then asked Wang Youlun to leave.
After Wang Youlun left, Zhou Shangjing's eyes flashed with deep thought, but he remembered Zhao Junchen's hint to him a few days ago that the former prince and grand master He Mingnai died at the hands of the seventh prince Zhu Hejian!
Since that day, Zhou Shangjing has paid attention to the seventh prince Zhu Hejian, and now he is taking advantage of Wang Baoren's appointment as the crown prince's grand master to find out the details of the seventh prince Zhu Hejian!
"It would be best if all these are Zhao Junchen's lies, but if He Ming really dies at the hands of the seventh prince Zhu Hejian, then this Zhu Hejian will be too dangerous and is definitely not a good candidate for the crown prince!"
When Zhou Shangjing thought of this, a gleam of light flashed through his seemingly cloudy old eyes.
*
While Zhou Shangjing was thinking about the seventh prince Zhu Hejian, Zhao Junchen also received news that Wang Baoren had come to Beijing.
After getting the news, Zhao Junchen pondered for a moment, and then told Xu Qingyan: "Send someone to call Zhang Yu'er. I have something to tell her."