Chapter 49. Beside the Douhua stall (Part 1). Two-in-one chapter
If the original Zhao Junchen had a domineering temperament and short-sightedness, and only knew how to seek favors from Emperor Deqing, Zhou Shangjing would naturally not notice it, and there were too many ways to deal with it.
However, no one could have imagined that after a trip to Lu'an Mansion, Zhao Junchen not only changed his temperament, but also acquired the government's methods. Although Wen Guanliang was just a mediocre person in Zhou Shangjing's eyes, he could kill Wen Guanliang so cleanly and neatly.
The solution, even if it was due to various reasons, was enough to make Zhou Shangjing take a high look at Zhao Junchen.
Now Emperor Deqing is mixing sand with each other for Zhou Shangjing and Zhao Junchen. What he wants is not only clear to Zhou Shangjing, but also Zhao Junchen. However, the emperor's methods are both conspiracy and justice.
As a minister, it is difficult for him to effectively resist if he is plotting for Yang. At best, he can only defy the Yang.
Liu Changan is still on his way to take office, and Ma Sen is also taking over the work in the Ministry of Civil Affairs, so the two factions of officials, Zhou Shangjing and Zhao Junchen, can still live in peace with each other.
But when Liu Changan became the Minister of Civil Affairs and Ma Sen became the Minister of Household Affairs, even if Zhao Junchen and Zhou Shangjing could maintain restraint and calmness, the officials under them would also face an open and covert conflict.
In the officialdom, people have no choice but to do what they want. If you cannot guarantee the interests of the officials under you, then the officials will abandon you. Under the conflict of interests, even if they knew that Emperor Deqing intended to do it, Zhou Shangjing and Zhao Junchen, in order to avoid ending up
Wen Guanliang's disastrous end also forced them to conflict with each other.
Zhou Shangjing is not afraid of this kind of conflict and hostility. He has been accustomed to it after decades of officialdom. However, some things that happened in the south of the Yangtze River and Emperor Deqing's upcoming southern tour disrupted his plan and limited him to
A passive place.
Therefore, Zhou Shangjing had to make preparations early, and Fang Ru, in Zhou Shangjing's eyes, was a useful chess piece.
Once this chess piece is used, Zhou Shangjing can even force Zhao Junchen to make a deal with him during Emperor Deqing's southern tour.
And this transaction is what Zhou Shangjing is most concerned about now.
"Japanese pirates..."
After Xue Gui left, Zhou Shangjing murmured to himself in the empty main hall. The city was as deep as him, and there was a bit of hatred in his tone at this time.
………
While Zhou Shangjing was planning Zhao Junchen, not far from Xueshi Hutong was the residence of Prince Xiao Wenruan.
As the Prince's Grand Master, he has always been specifically responsible for all the teachings given to Prince Zhu Heyu.
Xiao Wenruan has always had his own opinions on how to teach Zhu Heyu.
In Xiao Wenruan's view, Emperor Deqing was not a good emperor. He had limited ability to govern the country, but he was very happy with his achievements. He was also obsessed with the emperor's ideas. He repeatedly tolerated corrupt officials for the sake of the so-called overall stability, which led to the current Ming Dynasty's official governance.
If it is corrupted, the people will suffer, and after a long time, great chaos will occur.
Therefore, under the guidance of Xiao Wenruan, the temperament of the prince Zhu Heyu was completely opposite to that of Emperor Deqing. He was capable and upright, and he was close to virtuous ministers and far away from villains. He knew the ethics of human conduct and hated evil as much as enemies. In Xiao Wenruan's eyes,
Such a Zhu Heyu was the ideal emperor in his heart.
However, the things that have happened in the court these days have made Xiao Wenruan doubt whether his decisions were wrong!
Xiao Wenruan is old and has not been to the morning court for a long time, but the things that happened in the morning court cannot be hidden from his eyes and ears.
The ideal emperor in his eyes, Zhu Heyu, has been unable to defeat even Zhao Junchen, a corrupt official who has just become popular. How can such a prince be a good emperor in the future? Xiao Wenruan was surprised, but also
Start to re-examine your past views and practices.
"Did I really do something wrong?"
Thinking like this, Xiao Wenruan sighed softly.
Hearing Xiao Wenruan's sigh, Lu Chunxiao couldn't help but be startled and asked: "Teacher, why are you sighing? But what are you worried about?"
Lu Chunxiao is not only the Right Imperial Envoy of the Metropolitan Procuratorate, but also a student of Xiao Wenruan. At this time, he is reporting to Xiao Wenruan the current situation of the Metropolitan Procuratorate.
After hearing Lu Chunxiao's question, Xiao Wenruan coughed twice, raised his head and said, "It's nothing, you can continue talking."
"Yes." After Lu Chunxiao agreed respectfully, he continued: "Ever since Mr. Li Chengru Li was appointed as the Zuodu Censor of the Metropolitan Procuratorate, the students have been working together with him to rectify the Metropolitan Procuratorate. However, Li
Although your Excellency and I are the chiefs of the Metropolitan Procuratorate, due to the nature of the Metropolitan Procuratorate, those censors have the right to participate in impeachment proceedings, and they have repeatedly violated the law. Although Mr. Li and I have tried our best, we are still making progress.
Not big."
Having said this, Lu Chunxiao looked tired. It was obvious that the intrigues these days had made him exhausted physically and mentally.
More than ten days have passed since Zhao Junchen was promoted to the position of Minister of Household Affairs. As for Emperor Deqing's official position adjustment, unlike Zhao Junchen and Zhou Shangjing, who were still dragging their hands in handing over power, Li Chengru announced it as early as the next day.
He took up his post at the Metropolitan Procuratorate, and together with Lu Chunxiao, began to carry out some rectification of the Metropolitan Procuratorate.
Unfortunately, more than ten days have passed. Such rectification has not only failed to achieve any results, but has made the situation in the Metropolitan Procuratorate even more chaotic.
Seeing the tired and guilty look on Lu Chunxiao's face, Xiao Wenruan sighed and said slowly in his usual weak voice: "Don't worry, this is normal. The Metropolitan Procuratorate is the mouthpiece of various factions in the officialdom and is the most powerful.
It’s so complicated that all the important ministers in the court are keeping an eye on it. If you want to straighten it out in a short period of time, it would be difficult to do it, and it would also make things difficult for you and Mr. Li.”
Lu Chunxiao said quickly: "It's the students who have troubled the teacher."
Xiao Wenruan nodded and said slowly: "I am old and in poor health. You often follow His Highness the Crown Prince. You should also remind the Crown Prince more. Before we completely control the Metropolitan Procuratorate, we must not interact with the Central Government again."
Those people started a conflict. Your Majesty appointed Mr. Li Chengru to serve as the censor of the Zuodu of the Metropolitan Procuratorate. I think he had the intention of protecting His Highness the Crown Prince, and also to examine His Highness the Crown Prince's ability. If His Highness the Crown Prince can completely control the Metropolitan Procuratorate, he will be the mouthpiece of the imperial court.
Once you have it in hand, you are already in an invincible position, so rectifying the Metropolitan Procuratorate is the top priority right now. At this time, don't be distracted or provoke others at will."
After Lu Chunxiao responded respectfully, Xiao Wenruan saw that the worry on his face was not diminishing, sighed, and continued: "You don't have to worry, now the left and right inspectors and censors are all our people, and the Metropolitan Procuratorate is
Although the corrupt officials and treacherous ministers in the court have planted some nails in the gathering place of Qingliu in the court, we have the advantage after all. Even if those nails have their own backers, as long as they are patient, the Metropolitan Procuratorate will not make any mistakes.
.”
While talking, Xiao Wenruan coughed a few times, and his expression became more and more lost. After all, he was too old, even older than Zhou Shangjing. Just talking like this made him exhausted.
.
Seeing Xiao Wenruan like this, Lu Chunxiao couldn't help but look worried and said, "Teacher, don't worry, Mr. Li and I will definitely take care of things."
While talking, Lu Chunxiao did not dare to delay Xiao Wenruan's rest any longer, and Lu Chunxiao was about to stand up and leave.
However, just as Lu Chunxiao was about to turn around and leave, Xiao Wenruan suddenly said: "Send someone to Hunan to ask He Ming whether the old guy is still strong. Now my body is getting worse. In a few days,
, I am going to resign to Your Majesty. For the position of Crown Prince and Grand Master, I would like to recommend him to take over. If he is willing, you can ask him to come to the capital as soon as possible."
Although Xiao Wenruan's tone was calm, Lu Chunxiao looked shocked!
The He Ming in Xiao Wenruan's mouth was the prince's grand master before Xiao Wenruan, but unlike Xiao Wenruan, he was better at teaching the ways of the emperor, but these things were not in line with the temperament of the prince Zhu Heyu. Emperor Deqing seemed
He didn't want Zhu Heyu to be exposed to these things too early, so he asked He Ming to retire and return home, even though He Ming was only in his early fifties at the time.
After He Ming retired and returned to his hometown, Xiao Wenruan succeeded him as the Crown Prince and Grand Master, and he held the position for more than ten years.
After the shock, Lu Chunxiao quickly asked: "Teacher, are you planning to become an official? You know, the prince cannot live without you."
Xiao Wenruan smiled and said: "I am old, and I have also figured it out. I have been the prince's master for too long and have had too deep influence on the prince. It is not a good thing. Moreover, the prince should learn other things now."
."
Lu Chunxiao made a rare retort: "But, He Ming, the prince doesn't like him, and your majesty doesn't like him either..."
Xiao Wenruan shook his head: "So, you have to hide this from the Crown Prince first. After I resign in a few days, His Majesty will also appoint He Ming as the Crown Prince's Grand Master. Even if the Crown Prince doesn't like He Ming anymore, it's a done deal.
But I can't object anymore. As for His Majesty... after what happened these days, Your Majesty will agree."
After hearing what Xiao Wenruan said, Lu Chunxiao hesitated for a moment and finally agreed.
When Lu Chunxiao left, Xiao Wenruan, who had already made up his mind, did not show any signs of relief on his face.
As he said before, he taught Zhu Heyu for too long and had a profound influence on Zhu Heyu. Zhu Heyu's temperament has now been finalized.
At this time, can Zhu Heyu still accept He Ming's tactics?
Thinking of Zhu Heyu's upright temperament, Xiao Wenruan was not sure at all.
………
Naturally, Zhao Junchen did not understand Zhou Shangjing and Xiao Wenruan's various thoughts and actions. He had his own plans.
In the next nearly half a month, Zhao Junchen still focused his main energy on the integration of the forces under his sect. In Zhao Junchen's view, no matter what happens in the future, the most important thing is to stabilize the foundation and internal stability.
The most important thing.
Through Zhao Junchen's efforts, this integration has begun to bear fruit. At least, those old and new officials who have taken refuge in Zhao Junchen are now familiar with each other, understand who is theirs, and understand what they need to do under Zhao Junchen.
Somehow, I also understood Zhao Junchen’s temperament and rules.
On the other side, with the help of Fan Binqi's overt enemies and secret friends, after half a month of discussion, he redid the household accounts and finally got the approval of Emperor Deqing on this day.
But in fact, before getting the approval of Emperor Deqing, the relevant officials of the Ministry of Revenue were already redoing the accounts. Now that they are almost completed, all that needs to be done next is just to save face.
As for the new accounts of the Accounts Department, even if they are not perfect and without loopholes, it is difficult to find any faults.
It can be said that until this time, the Household Department was truly under the full control of Zhao Junchen. It was impossible for other factions to cause trouble for Zhao Junchen through the Household Department.
Because, no matter how they reviewed the new accounts of the Ministry of Accounts, Zhao Junchen and everyone in the Ministry of Accounts, at least on the books, were completely honest officials.
As for the old accounts of the Department of Accounts, in a few days they will disappear together in an accidental fire in the Yamen of the Department of Accounts.
………
Having eliminated a hidden danger, Zhao Junchen was in a good mood that day. The self-deprecating self-deprecation he had felt nearly half a month ago had been hidden deep in Zhao Junchen's heart again.
After the morning court, on the way back home, he was sitting in a sedan chair. The scent of bean curd wafted over him. Zhao Junchen smiled slightly and said, "Stop the sedan chair."
Xu Qingyan, who was following the sedan, heard Zhao Junchen's voice and saw the familiar bean curd stall on the roadside. He understood what Zhao Junchen was thinking and subconsciously curled his lips.
Since having a meal of tofu curd at this stall by chance nearly half a month ago, Zhao Junchen has often come here to eat a bowl of tofu curd after the imperial court. Now he has become a regular customer of this stall and seems to like the taste here.
.
Xu Qingyan didn't understand this very well. In his opinion, the tofu puffs sold at this stall only tasted average.
However, Xu Qingyan would not question such a trivial matter, so he ordered the bearer to stop the sedan and wait quietly outside the sedan.
After a while, Zhao Junchen, who had changed into casual clothes in the sedan, got out of the sedan and walked towards the bean curd stall with Xu Qingyan.
On the other side, as Xu Qingyan waved, the bearers carried the empty sedan and left on their own. This was Zhao Junchen's special order. He did not want to attract other people's attention at this time.
Following Zhao Junchen, Xu Qingyan complained: "Master, let me tell you, since you like the tofu bread here so much, you might as well hire this old man who makes tofu bread in our house and let him cook it every day.
I make the tofu puffs just for you, young master, so that we can save ourselves from crowding with these common people every day. Besides, I think the taste of the tofu puffs here is just average, not as delicious as the ones made by the chefs in the mansion."
Zhao Junchen smiled and said: "What do you know? Eating tofu puffs here is not just for eating tofu puffs, but also for the fun. Since this tofu puffs are common people's food, we can only eat them with these common people."
Tasty."
Xu Qingyan shook his head and said nothing more. He didn't understand what Zhao Junchen said, so he couldn't refute it.
After passing through the bustling crowd, Zhao Junchen led Xu Qingyan to the bean curd stall. Today's morning session ended early and it was now the time for people to have breakfast. There were no empty seats around the stall.
"We have to wait again."
Xu Qingyan muttered.
Zhao Junchen shook his head and laughed. He didn't say anything more, he just stood there and waited quietly.
In fact, as Xu Qingyan said, the tofu puffs sold at this stall have an average taste, not even as good as the chefs in the Zhao family, but Zhao Junchen just likes to eat tofu puffs here.
Nearly half a month ago, Zhao Junchen was still feeling a little confused. By chance, he had a bowl of tofu noodle here. At that time, except for Xu Qingyan next to him, no one around him knew his identity, and
He was just one of the common people. Sitting among the noisy people, eating crude food that he had not eaten for a long time, Zhao Junchen actually felt a long-lost sense of peace in his heart.
Therefore, coming here to eat tofu puffs is not because the tofu puffs here are delicious, but because Zhao Junchen wants to find back the memories and feelings he had when he was just a commoner here, so as to retain his growing reputation.
The rarer the original intention.
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ps: Today’s second and third updates, two chapters in one!