Regarding Zhao Junchen's decision, Emperor Deqing and the officials were stunned at first, and then they all had their own thoughts.
In the eyes of most officials, the disappearance of disaster relief money and food is indeed inseparable from Zhao Junchen. Now that Zhao Junchen saw that this matter was exposed, he planned to go to Shaanxi, Gansu and Shanxi in person to cover up the matter. , at least you have to get rid of your own suspicions.
Of course, there are also a small number of officials who believe that Zhao Junchen is indeed worried about national affairs and wants to deal with disasters in various places as soon as possible. After all, what Zhao Junchen has done in recent times is really impressive, and this incident is Zhao Junchen's outstanding performance. As one of his achievements, Zhao Junchen naturally did not want any accidents to occur.
As for Emperor Deqing, he thought more deeply.
A large amount of money and food for disaster relief has disappeared. There is definitely a problem with the local government. Governor Li Xun of Shanxi, Governor Zhang Shengde of Shaanxi, and Wu Min, the governor of Gansu, are definitely involved. If Zhao Junchen is allowed to handle the matter personally, , it will inevitably allow him to catch many local officials. At that time, Zhao Junchen's power and influence will expand to the northwest provinces, and his powerful connections will further increase.
As for Zhou Shangjing's thoughts, they were similar to those of Emperor Deqing.
But no one expected that Zhao Junchen was so ambitious and courageous that he was willing to take risks to participate in the border war, and had already completed many layouts and preparations.
Emperor Deqing did not want Zhao Junchen to leave Beijing, nor did he want Zhao Junchen's power to be further enhanced.
However, after Emperor Deqing thought about it for a moment, he discovered that if the court really wanted to solve the missing issue of disaster relief money and food as soon as possible, Zhao Junchen was indeed the most suitable candidate.
After all, Zhao Junchen is most familiar with money and food matters. Ordinary corruption methods cannot be hidden from Zhao Junchen's eyes. This matter is related to Zhao Junchen's political performance. Zhao Junchen will definitely handle it carefully, and Zhao Junchen is the second-rank minister of the imperial court. , he would not appear weak if he came forward to investigate the governors and governors of several northwestern provinces.
So, after Emperor Deqing pondered for a moment, he finally made a decision.
"Since Zhao Aiqing took the initiative to ask for help, I will leave this matter to you to investigate... However, this matter involves more than 20 state capitals in the northwest, and the scope is too wide. Zhao Aiqing is just one person, and I am afraid he will not be able to handle it. Let's do this. I will appoint you as the Imperial Envoy to take full charge of disaster relief in the northwest provinces, and then appoint a minister as the Deputy Imperial Envoy to assist you and share the work for you..."
After saying that, Emperor Deqing looked around at the officials in the Huangji Hall, intending to find a candidate for the deputy imperial envoy.
This deputy imperial envoy must have a high enough status, be in a hostile relationship with Zhao Junchen, and have enough vision and ability, so that he can monitor Zhao Junchen and prevent Zhao Junchen from taking the opportunity to expand his power in the northwest provinces.
With such a deputy imperial envoy, in the eyes of Emperor Deqing, he had the best of both worlds. He could not only solve the problem of money and food for disaster relief as soon as possible, but also prevent Zhao Junchen from taking the opportunity to expand his power.
Finally, Emperor Deqing's eyes fell on Bao Wenjie, the Minister of Rites.
As a "princeling" general, Bao Wenjie has always been incompatible with Zhao Junchen. Today, it was Bao Wenjie who took the lead in exposing the flaw in the disaster relief money and food. Moreover, Bao Wenjie was very capable and visionary. If Zhao Junchen wanted to do something without telling Bao Wenjie, Small moves are not easy, and after Bao Wenjie leaves the capital, the power of the "princeling party" remaining in the capital will also be weakened, which will help Emperor Deqing's plan to replace the crown prince.
Therefore, Emperor Deqing said: "As for the candidate for the deputy imperial envoy, let Bao Wenjie, the Minister of Rites, be the one."
After hearing Emperor Deqing's order, Bao Wenjie was stunned for a moment, but immediately stepped out of the queue and saluted: "I obey the order!"
On the other side, Zhao Junchen took a deep look at Bao Wenjie, and then also saluted Emperor Deqing and said: "Thank you, Your Majesty! Don't worry, Your Majesty, I will definitely handle the disaster relief in the northwest properly!"
Emperor Deqing hesitated for a moment and then said: "Now is the time when the invaders are sifting through the fire. The situation in Shaanxi, Gansu and Shanxi is not stable. Maybe the Mongolian cavalry will march in at some time. So let Zhao Aiqing and Bao Aiqing go to the northwest. I
Don’t worry too much... Let’s do this, I will arrange for two hundred elite Forbidden Army troops to escort you all the way to prevent any accidents from happening to you.”
Emperor Deqing's decision was unclear whether it was for love or surveillance, but Zhao Junchen and Bao Wenjie still thanked him one after another.
In this way, as Zhao Junchen took the initiative to take responsibility and personally went to the northwest provinces to take charge of disaster relief, the morning meeting finally came to an end after many twists and turns.
After going to court, Zhao Junchen did not leave the Huangji Hall immediately, but took the initiative to walk up to Bao Wenjie, cupped his hands with a smile and said: "In the future, I will ask Master Bao for your advice!"
Bao Wenjie glanced at Zhao Junchen, his expression was more serious than in the early morning, and he bowed his hands and said in return: "Don't take the word 'advice' seriously. Mr. Zhao, you are the imperial envoy. Your subordinates are just the deputy imperial envoys. Everything must be done with Zhao."
The adults are in charge."
After a pause, Bao Wenjie asked: "Mr. Zhao, the disaster in the northwest provinces cannot be delayed. The missing relief money and food must be resolved as soon as possible. I think it is best for the two of us to get on the road as soon as possible, but I don't know what Mr. Zhao thinks?
"
Zhao Junchen nodded and said: "That's true. Let's make some preparations today and leave the capital at midnight tomorrow and meet at the west gate of the capital. How about that?"
Bao Wenjie nodded and agreed: "This is the best! In this case, I don't dare to delay, so I will go back and prepare! Master Zhao takes leave!"
After saying that, Bao Wenjie had no intention of continuing to get closer to Zhao Junchen and left directly.
Zhao Junchen glanced at Bao Wenjie's back, but shook his head slightly.
Obviously, Bao Wenjie believed that the disappearance of the disaster relief money and food was related to Zhao Junchen, so he was very defensive.
Zhao Junchen was helpless about this.
In fact, the disappearance of disaster relief grain and grass was not directly related to Zhao Junchen, but it cannot be said that Zhao Junchen had nothing to do with it.
Zhao Junchen had already planned the layout of Shaanxi and Gansu for a long time, and many things were foreshadowed by Zhao Junchen.
The determination of the wedding date, the rest after the wedding, and taking the opportunity to place the responsibility on Ma Sen were all part of Zhao Junchen's plan.
Prior to this, Zhao Junchen had always done his best on various disaster relief matters. Whether it was the preparation of money and food, the investigation of the disaster, or the coordination of resources, Zhao Junchen arranged everything personally, and there was never any mistakes.
However, the most critical link in the court's disaster relief was to distribute money and food to the people. At this time, the Ministry of Household Affairs should be supervising, but Zhao Junchen chose to take a rest at this time, leaving everything to the hands of others.
Ma Sen, who is familiar with the work of the household department, is in charge.
The administration of officials in the Ming Dynasty was already rotten, and most officials were greedy, so Zhao Junchen was very sure that after he let go, the local yamen would secretly intercept the corrupt government's disaster relief after seeing that Ma Sen was unable to control the situation.
forage.
Therefore, although the leakage of disaster relief money and food was not directly related to Zhao Junchen, it was the result of Zhao Junchen's secret connivance!
In fact, it was Zhao Junchen who pushed for the flaw in the disaster relief money and food to be exposed, just so that he could leave the capital in an upright manner and go to Shaanxi and Gansu as an imperial envoy!
However, Zhao Junchen is not omniscient and omnipotent, and he does not have all the plans. From a certain point of view, Zhao Junchen's plan seems to be successful, but at the same time it also fails.
Although Zhao Junchen had known for a long time that the local government officials would secretly embezzle money and food for disaster relief, but now at the time when the fire was sifting into the enemy, Zhao Junchen originally thought that the local officials would consider the overall situation and be a little restrained, but he did not expect the local officials to be extremely greedy.
Far beyond imagination, he actually greedily spent more than 70% of the disaster relief money and food in one go, without considering what the consequences would be if the victims rioted at this time!
In this way, after Zhao Junchen arrived in Shanxi and Shaanxi-Gansu, he had to concentrate on disaster relief. At the same time, he also had to play the role of Lord Qingtian and punish a group of corrupt officials!
Therefore, Zhao Junchen's mission this time was much more than expected.
After leaving the Forbidden City, Zhao Junchen returned to the Hubu Yamen to hand over government affairs and then returned directly to the government.
Before leaving the capital, Zhao Junchen had many things to prepare for.
When Zhao Junchen returned home, as soon as he entered the study and sat down, Fang Ru appeared immediately.
On this day, Fang Ru did not deal with other matters. She had been waiting for Zhao Junchen to return home.
After meeting Zhao Junchen, Fang Ru looked somewhat conflicted and asked, "Ms. sir, has your Majesty agreed to your leaving Beijing?"
Zhao Junchen nodded and said: "I agree, Your Majesty has no better candidate."
After hearing the affirmative answer, Fang Ru looked worried.
Shaanxi, Gansu and Shanxi were really too dangerous at this time. Not only would there be Mongolian rovers, but the victims could also lose control at any time. Although Fang Ru knew the necessity of Zhao Junchen's plan this time, she still had a vague hope that Deqing would
The emperor will reject Zhao Junchen's request to leave Beijing.
But soon, Fang Ru's expression returned to normal, and she did not continue to dwell on the matter. Now there were more important things. She just sighed secretly, took out a letter and handed it to Zhao Junchen, saying: "Mr.
, Taohong, who we arranged to stay with Zhang Yuer, sent a secret letter... Zhang Yuer's recent situation seems to be very wrong."
Zhao Junchen was stunned for a moment, then reached out to take the secret letter and read it carefully, then he looked thoughtful.
After a long time, Zhao Junchen said slowly: "Zhang Yu'er's stomach problem is very similar to that of Zhao Shancai... It seems that the Seventh Prince attacked Zhang Yu'er without our knowledge!"
Fang Ru nodded and said: "Zhang Yuer's current condition is indeed as if she has taken diamond powder... Apart from us, only the seventh prince knows how to use this kind of thing. After Zhang Yuer betrayed the seventh prince, the seventh prince
It’s natural to take revenge on her.”
Zhao Junchen frowned slightly and said slowly: "Now, the most important thing is to determine the specific way the Seventh Prince poisoned Zhang Yu'er! Looking at Zhang Yu'er's illness... she should have taken diamond powder for some time. By that time
She is still staying in our house, which means..."
Fang Ru nodded seriously and said, "There are spies of the Seventh Prince in our house!"