While Zuo Lanshan was teaching Zuo Kuiwen about eagle fighting, the seventh prince Zhu Hejian had already received the detailed discussion between Emperor Deqing and the elders in the imperial study today.
After receiving the news, Zhu Hejian quickly became furious.
"Asshole! No wonder Shen Changmao can't secure his position as the chief minister of the cabinet. He is a complete idiot! He can't understand such an obvious change in the situation! I was blind when I chose to cooperate with him!"
While speaking, the Seventh Prince Zhu Hejian smashed all the utensils on the desk in front of him and tore off all the books and papers.
Facing Zhu Hejian's venting of anger, his long-term eunuch Jia Lun still stood by with an expressionless expression, showing no intention of stopping him.
Jialun has followed Zhu Hejian for many years and understands that Zhu Hejian's temperament is the most resolute and cold. The current venting of anger is only temporary. After Zhu Hejian vents his anger, he will regain his calm and will never let his anger interfere with his judgment again.
Sure enough, after Zhu Hejian vented for a while, his expression quickly returned to calmness and rationality.
Then, Zhu Hejian slowly sat back behind the desk, closing his eyes and thinking deeply.
Zhu Hejian's physical condition has never been very good. Now maybe he was too excited when venting his anger, and he coughed from time to time when he was thinking.
Jia Lun brought Zhu Hejian a cup of tea to soothe his throat at the right time.
After Zhu Hejian took the tea and drank it all, he sighed softly, with some unforgivable self-blame in his voice, and said slowly: "Maybe it's because my father's intention to depose the prince has become more obvious, which makes me a little carried away. Oh! I didn’t expect that a flaw would be revealed at this time.”
Jia Lun listened quietly and did not interrupt, because he knew that Zhu Hejian just wanted to use these words to reorganize his thoughts.
I saw Zhu Hejian continue to say: "Some time ago, my father called me to ask questions, and his words were all about me. During the period, he also asked me what should be done if Zhao Junchen becomes the last one in the future. I have thought about this matter for a long time, that is, in name, Zhao Junchen should be promoted to the cabinet to assist the government, and then Zhao Junchen should be promoted as a feudal official on the grounds that Zhao Junchen lacks experience in governing local areas. Zhao Junchen's power base is mostly In the center of the capital, it will be easy for him to disintegrate after he leaves the capital. When Zhao Junchen is recalled to the capital, Zhao Junchen will have no resistance. So I told my father two ancient sayings, namely, ' "Do not mention prefectures and counties, do not consider Taiwan provinces" and "The prime minister must start from the prefecture"... My father was very satisfied with my answer at that time!"
After a pause, Zhu Hejian continued: "Since this period of time, I have also taken advantage of the opportunity that Shen Changmao was unable to secure his position as chief minister to contact him secretly. This Shen Changmao was because Zhao Junchen once wanted to annex the Shen Party. ', but I hated Zhao Junchen to the core, and asked me how to deal with Zhao Junchen. At that time, I didn't think much about it. I also told him, 'Don't plan for prefectures and counties, don't plan for Taiwan Province' and ' The prime minister must start from the state department' these two ancient sayings!"
Having said this, Zhu Hejian smiled sarcastically and said: "My original idea was that by the time Zhao Junchen has the qualifications and merits to serve in the cabinet, it will be at least five or six years later, and the financial situation of the imperial court will be completely improved. Once things get better, and Zhao Junchen is no longer inseparable, he can confidently and boldly send Zhao Junchen as a feudal official, so he came up with this idea!
But the development of the current situation is completely different from what I originally imagined. Zhao Junchen's achievement of annihilating the Mongolian army of 100,000 in one fell swoop was enough for him to join the cabinet to assist the government without any controversy. It was also because of the war between Shaanxi and Gansu, and the imperial court's Not only has the financial situation not improved, but the gap in money and food is getting bigger and bigger. At this time, the court is increasingly inseparable from Zhao Junchen's financial management methods. How can he be allowed to be released as a feudal official? If he still wants to deal with Zhao Junchen , naturally we have to think of other means!
But I never thought that this Shen Changmao was so stupid, completely ignorant of the changes in the current situation, and had no patience at all. He only knew how to show off my ideas in front of my father. Not only did he completely copy my ideas, he even The ancient sayings quoted are also the same!
In addition, I have always had a close relationship with the officials of the 'Taiwan Party'. During this period, I have been secretly promoting the merger between the 'Taiwan Party' and the 'Shen Party'. Such signs will inevitably cause the father's disapproval. I realize...all these circumstances are added together, and given my father's vigilance and suspicious temperament, he will inevitably doubt the role I play, and furthermore, he will also suspect that all the gentleness and courtesy I have shown before are all disguises! But it is The plan for me to take over as the crown prince has gone awry!"
At this time, Jia Lun finally spoke slowly and said: "I received news that after your Majesty's discussion with all the ministers, he quickly summoned the factory supervisor of the East and West Second Factory, and maybe he would let the factory guards secretly Investigate your highness’s secret contacts with Shen Changmao, Cheng Yuandao and others..."
Having said this, Jia Lun hesitated for a moment, and couldn't help but said: "Your Highness, I have always felt that you have secretly infiltrated the 'Prince Party' before you took over the position of Crown Prince. The Party', the Zhao Party and other factions seem to have acted too hastily! It is better to handle these matters after the official title of crown prince is obtained, otherwise flaws will easily be exposed. Now not only His Majesty may have a suspicion , Zhao Junchen is even more afraid of you, these are all variables."
Zhu Hejian shook his head slowly, but without any regret, and said: "If I had waited for me to take over the position of Crown Prince, not only would it be too late for many things, but everyone would be watching closely by then, so I would have to avoid suspicion and not be able to do it myself. Let’s do it! The position of prince and crown prince may seem glorious, but it is also the most dangerous and embarrassing. He is half king and half minister, both king and minister, and even more so when he is suspicious of his ministers. If he does not have any power, not only will the officials look down upon him, but he will also be looked down upon by officials. The father will be disappointed, and he may be replaced at some point, and it will be difficult to control the situation in the court after he ascends the throne. However, if he actively expands his power, he will be feared and secretly colluded by the powerful ministers, and the father will be suspicious and suppressed... Hehe , Don’t look at my father, he seems to be very fond of me at the moment, but after I officially become the crown prince, he will have a different attitude!"
Zhu Hejian's attitude was still firm, and he said slowly: "So, if I want to secure my position as the crown prince, I must have a certain amount of power and influence before the official title is confirmed. Secretly infiltrating the 'Prince Party' is just a matter of course. The title has its own meaning, but most of the officials from the "Prince Party" are too immature to be relied upon. Now Shen Changmao cannot hold his position as chief minister. This is a great opportunity for me to secretly cooperate with him. Sooner or later, he will collapse. By the time he collapses, it will be almost time for me to officially step into the forefront, and I will be able to accept the power of the "Shen Party". By then, I will also have the "Princeling Party". With the support of the 'Shen Dang', the status of the Crown Prince and Crown Prince will soon be consolidated! If not, I am afraid that I will have to face repeated spies from my father, Zhou Shangjing, Zhao Junchen and others... The current situation of the third brother , it’s a precedent!”
Obviously, Zhu Hejian just felt that he was not cautious enough, but did not think that he had acted too hastily.
In a way, this is not only Zhu Hejian's character advantage, but also Zhu Hejian's character flaw.
Hearing Zhu Hejian's statement, Jia Lun did not question it anymore, but just asked: "But now your Majesty, he may have become suspicious. Once your Majesty sends someone to secretly investigate, it will be hard for us to avoid all the things we have done over the years."
We found that after repeated rectifications at the East and West Second Factory, our control has declined a lot."
After Zhu Hejian pondered for a moment, he slowly said: "Father, he should not be too suspicious of me. It's just that he is proficient in the emperor's mental skills, so he will subconsciously have doubts in his heart after noticing the slightest sign! Now the matter can be undone,
As long as we can completely dispel my father's suspicions before they become bigger, this matter will naturally be over!"
Jalen asked again: "How should we deal with it?"
But Zhu Hejian stood up and said, "Let's go, come with me to visit His Highness the Crown Prince!"
…
Sorry, I suddenly felt that some plots should be deleted and left for later description, so this chapter was updated late and the word count is relatively small. Please forgive me.
Also, thank you everyone for reminding me, the PS of the previous chapter has been deleted.