In the evening of this day, in the Prince's East Palace.
Prince Zhu Heyu was wearing a red **** robe and was sitting in the main hall of the East Palace with an expressionless face, as if he was waiting for something.
After receiving the news of the great victory on the Weishui River, Prince Zhu Heyu was filled with shock. He repeatedly confirmed that the news was true before he could believe it - he had no idea that Zhao Junchen had accomplished such an astonishing feat!
As a result, Zhu Heyu began to think seriously about a question - how should he treat Zhao Junchen in the future?
After all the changes during this period, Zhu Heyu's temperament has finally matured a lot, and he has witnessed Zhao Junchen's various political achievements in recent years - improving finances, developing Sichuan salt, rectifying commercial taxes, combating smuggling, and rectifying agricultural affairs.
, prevented the northwest governors from begging for peace privately, and wiped out 100,000 troops of the Mongolian coalition in one fell swoop!
Each of these political achievements is extremely dazzling. As long as ordinary officials can achieve one, they can boast about it for a lifetime and pride themselves on being famous officials and virtuous officials! Like those Qingliu who surround Zhu Heyu all day long.
Great Confucians, I am afraid that none of them can be accomplished.
But Zhao Junchen accomplished all these things in just over a year. Things like improving finances and combating smuggling have already achieved remarkable results, as have things like Sichuan salt development, commercial tax rectification, and agricultural rectification.
The progress is going smoothly, and once it is finally realized, it will be a great success!
Therefore, if we say that Zhao Junchen is not a good official, it is obviously not objective. His vision, courage, responsibility, etc. are among the best among officials, and his contribution to the court and the people is even less matched by others!
Perhaps, if the court gave Zhao Junchen more time and more authority, Zhao Junchen could do more and do better, and the court and the people would get more benefits!
However, although Zhao Junchen has outstanding achievements, can he be called a good official? I'm afraid it's not the same!
How many corrupt officials are there among the "Zhao Party"? How many people's blood and sweat have disappeared because of the secret operations of the "Zhao Party"? How many evil gentry and local tyrants who prey on the common people are relying on Zhao Junchen's protection to commit evil?
So, is it because Zhao Junchen has high political achievements and strong abilities that he should be allowed to be corrupt, bend the law, form secret parties, protect cronies, and violate laws and disciplines?
Black is not black, white is not white, good and evil blend together, right and wrong are confused together, and right and wrong have become unrealistic and false concepts. Maybe this is the truth of this world.
Therefore, the world no longer insists on the distinction between good and evil, right and wrong, so people like Zhu Heyu who insist on black and white, right and wrong deserve to be in a difficult situation.
Recalling that when Zhao Shancai was still alive, he repeatedly tried to promote reconciliation and cooperation between Prince Zhu Heyu and Zhao Junchen. Zhu Heyu's mood was extremely complicated!
Perhaps Zhao Shancai had foreseen Zhao Junchen's current achievements? If Zhu Heyu had not been stubborn and chose to reconcile and cooperate with Zhao Junchen, maybe he would no longer be so desperate now? But if that was the case,
What is the difference between Zhu Heyu and those corrupt officials in the "Zhao Party"?
With such complex thoughts in his mind, Zhu Heyu also quickly changed into the prince's formal attire and waited for Emperor Deqing's summons.
After Prince Zhu Heyu came and the capital center received such important news, the court had to discuss Zhao Junchen's reward, sending troops to recover the Hetao, etc., so Emperor Deqing would definitely summon him to the imperial study room to discuss it together.
.
At the beginning, Zhu Heyu was still thinking about how he should express his position when he met Emperor Deqing, and what position he should take to be beneficial to the people of the court...
However, until it was getting late, Zhu Heyu still did not wait for Emperor Deqing's call.
Emperor Deqing seemed to have forgotten the existence of Zhu Heyu, or thought that such an important matter did not require the participation of Zhu Heyu, the crown prince and prince, in the discussion.
As a result, Zhu Heyu's heart gradually sank into the abyss.
Emperor Deqing's intention to depose was well known throughout the court, and Zhu Heyu naturally knew it too. Moreover, Zhu Heyu also knew that the ideal next prince in Emperor Deqing's mind was the seventh prince Zhu Hejian, who had the closest relationship with him.
Emperor Qing has repeatedly summoned Zhu Hejian for questioning during this period, but has not allowed Zhu Hejian to leave the capital to award the reward. When the new crown prince Wang Baoren arrived in Beijing some time ago, he also ignored the crown prince Zhu Heyu and chose to let the seventh prince Zhu Hejian go to greet him...
These signs are extremely obvious.
But no matter what, Zhu Heyu had never been completely ignored by Emperor Deqing like he was now.
This made Zhu Heyu feel that his path to the throne seemed to have come to an end.
This discovery made Zhu Heyu very angry and anxious, but besides the anger and anxiety, there was also a hint of relief.
Maybe, in this case, he wouldn't need to worry about this world where black and white are indifferent.
*
"Your Highness, there is news from the palace. After receiving the news of the great victory on the Wei River, Your Majesty and the ministers have now discussed the conclusion in the imperial study room and decided to immediately send troops to support the three sides of Shaanxi and Gansu to take the opportunity to regain the Hetao area, and
He appointed Zhao Junchen as the young master of the current dynasty, a bachelor of Dongge University, and joined the Wenhua Pavilion to assist the government. He also conferred Zhao Junchen as the new uncle of the new generation, with a salary of 800."
An old eunuch walked into the main hall of the Prince's East Palace and reported slowly and expressionlessly.
This old eunuch's name is Zhou Zheng. He was originally a great eunuch who was born in the Department of Ceremonies. He was sent by Emperor Deqing to serve Prince Zhu Heyu a few days ago.
At that time, Emperor Deqing's intention to depose had not yet been revealed. Zhu Heyu was very happy after receiving the reward, thinking that this was a sign of Emperor Deqing's protection of him.
But soon, Emperor Deqing showed his intention to depose, and the old eunuch Zhou Zheng followed Zhu Heyu at all times, closely watching Zhu Heyu's every move and word, so Zhu Heyu
Yu also understood the true thoughts of Emperor Deqing - Emperor Deqing was obviously worried that Zhu Heyu would do something desperate after discovering his deposed plan, so he arranged the old eunuch Zhou Zheng to be with Zhu Heyu.
Conduct surveillance.
At this time, after hearing the report from the old eunuch Zhou Zheng, and looking at the indifference on Zhou Zheng's face, Zhu Heyu laughed at himself, stood up slowly and said, "In this case, I no longer have to wear formal clothes and wait for my father's call.
Come on, change my clothes for me!"
Zhou Zheng was not rude and immediately walked to Zhu Heyu to help him change clothes.
But at this time, another young eunuch hurriedly entered the main hall of the East Palace and reported: "Your Highness, the Seventh Prince is here!"
Zhu Heyu was slightly stunned. He raised his hand to stop Zhou Zheng from continuing to change his clothes. He nodded with a complicated expression and said: "In that case, please invite the seventh brother to come to the main hall to see me."
Speaking of which, since Emperor Deqing showed his intention to depose, Zhu Hejian still comes to the East Palace to visit Zhu Heyu every three or two days. Zhu Heyu also still cares about Zhu Hejian's health. The two brothers seem to have a complete relationship.
no change.
In Zhu Heyu's view, Zhu Hejian did not intend to compete with him for the throne. Everything was the intention of Emperor Deqing. According to the information Zhu Heyu received, Zhu Hejian took risks many times to ask Deqing for Zhu Heyu's sake.
Emperor Qing came to intercede, so Zhu Hejian was still a good brother in Zhu Heyu's heart.
However, during this period of time, Zhu Heyu still felt awkward and awkward after seeing Zhu Hejian.
Just when Zhu Heyu was in a complicated mood, Zhu Hejian had already arrived at the main hall of the East Palace.
In front of Zhu Heyu, Zhu Hejian always looked polite and ethical, just like he always looked filial, intelligent and harmless in front of Emperor Deqing. When he saw Zhu Heyu
After that, he saluted and said hello in the same serious manner, saying: "My brother has met the prince."
Zhu Heyu quickly supported Zhu Hejian's body, shook his head and sighed: "How many times have I told you that you and I are brothers from the same mother and father. We don't need to be so polite to each other. Let's sit down and talk."
Zhu Hejian insisted: "Third brother, you are the prince and the heir apparent, and the etiquette you should have is absolutely indispensable. If I am too casual in front of you, not only will I be considered ignorant of the rules, but I will also be implicated in the three parties."
Brother, you are looked down upon by others."
If Zhu Heyu wanted to keep his position as prince, Zhu Hejian would be his biggest enemy. But after hearing Zhu Hejian's words, Zhu Heyu couldn't help but feel warm in his heart, and subconsciously turned his head to look around him.
The old eunuch Zhou Zheng, who always had an expressionless face, smiled bitterly and said, "Now you are willing to treat me as a prince."
Zhu Hejian's face was full of sincerity and he said: "Third brother, you will always be the prince and prince in my heart. I will only recognize you as the future emperor and seventh brother!"
As he spoke, he seemed to be a little emotional, and Zhu Hejian couldn't help coughing twice.
Zhu Heyu still smiled bitterly and shook his head. He said nothing more and just sat down separately from Zhu Hejian.
After the two brothers sat down, the two eunuchs behind them also saluted and greeted the two princes respectively.
Zhu Hejian's long-term eunuch Jia Lun was also respectful and courteous when facing Zhu Heyu, while the old eunuch Zhou Zheng next to Zhu Heyu always had an expressionless face when facing Zhu Heyu, but now when he sees Zhu Hejian
Instead, he smiled and seemed to be trying to please.
Seeing the contrasting behavior of the old eunuch Zhou Zheng, Zhu Heyu's brows jumped slightly.
Zhu Hejian didn't seem to like seeing the old eunuch Zhou Zheng. After nodding lightly at him, he ordered: "You and Jia Lun stay away. My third brother and I have secret matters to discuss."
After Zhou Zheng nodded in agreement, he turned and left, but did not go far. He just stood at the door of the main hall. From this distance, he could still hear the conversation between Zhu Heyu and Zhu Hejian. When Jia Lun saw Zhou Zheng's behavior
After the general performance, he also stood at the entrance of the main hall.
Seeing Zhou Zheng in such a situation, Zhu Hejian frowned and was about to reprimand him, but before Zhu Hejian could speak, Zhu Heyu raised his hand to stop him and said, "Seventh brother, it's okay. There's no need to hide our conversation from him."
After Zhu Hejian looked at Zhou Zheng, he turned to the prince Zhu Heyu and said: "Third brother, I heard that Zhao Junchen wiped out a hundred thousand Mongolian troops in the Battle of the Weishui River. Now the emperor has named him a cabinet minister and a new emperor."
Uncle Cheng!... After I received such news, I rushed to your place immediately! Third brother, this is a great opportunity for you."
While speaking, Zhu Hejian couldn't help but cough twice.
Zhu Heyu wondered: "Is it an opportunity for me? What opportunity?"
Zhu Hejian said: "Third brother, now there are rumors all over the court that your crown prince's position is unstable, and my father is not satisfied with your actions over the years. This situation must not continue, otherwise your crown prince's position will be unstable."
Your position will be really unstable! Now that Zhao Junchen has made great military exploits, he is about to return to Beijing to join the cabinet to assist the government. You can take the opportunity to show your kindness to him. As long as you and Zhao Junchen can take advantage of this time
If you have the opportunity to reach a reconciliation, you will have the support of a powerful official in the temple. This is one of the reasons. After seeing the temporary reconciliation between you and Zhao Junchen, your father will also understand your change of heart better, and maybe he will change his mind.
, this is the second one; when the time comes, with Zhao Junchen’s support and father’s care, no one will dare to question your position as crown prince!"
Seeing Zhu Hejian thinking about himself wholeheartedly, Zhu Heyu felt complicated and moved.
But Zhu Heyu was still a little hesitant about Zhu Hejian's proposal. Although he had put aside his prejudice against Zhao Junchen now and was no longer hostile, but he was not allowed to choose to cooperate with Zhao Junchen or even seek Zhao Junchen's asylum.
It’s also hard to make up your mind.
For a moment, Zhu Heyu was silent.
Seeing Zhu Heyu's reaction, a trace of surprise flashed deep in Zhu Hejian's eyes.
Zhu Hejian originally thought that Zhu Heyu would firmly oppose his proposal and would never consider cooperating with Zhao Junchen, but now Zhu Heyu appears conflicted, and it is obvious that he may agree.
But Zhu Hejian quickly hid his surprise, and just urged in an excited tone: "Third brother, you must not hesitate anymore this time. Even if you don't care about the position of crown prince, don't you care about the relationship between the two of us as brothers?"
Is it true? If this continues, how will we brothers get along with each other in the future?"
While speaking, Zhu Hejian may have been too excited, but he coughed violently.
Zhu Hejian's violent cough immediately frightened everyone in the main hall of the East Palace. Not only the prince Zhu Heyi hurriedly ran to Zhu Hejian to check the situation, but the two eunuchs Jia Lun and Zhou Zheng also hurriedly brought tea and water to Zhu Hejian and comforted him.
Backward.
After finally getting Zhu Hejian to stop coughing, Zhu Heyu quickly asked with concern: "Seventh brother, hasn't your condition improved greatly? Why is it happening again now? I haven't had such a severe cough for a long time.
I’ve seen it in you!”
After hearing Zhu Heyu's inquiry, this time it was Zhu Hejian's turn to remain silent.
Seeing Zhu Hejian's abnormal reaction, Zhu Heyu only thought that there was something hidden. He raised his head and asked Jia Lun, Zhu Hejian's long-term follower: "What is going on? Why is the seventh brother's condition recurring? Please tell me clearly.
!”
After Jia Lun hesitated for a moment, he ignored Zhu Hejian's stop and replied: "Ever since the miracle doctor in Zhao Junchen's house treated the seventh prince, the seventh prince's condition has been completely stable, but when the seventh prince's condition was...
Not long after my health improved, many rumors spread in the temple, saying that His Majesty had made up his mind to depose His Royal Highness the Crown Prince as the Crown Prince, and to appoint the Seventh Prince as the new Crown Prince... After receiving such news
After that, the Seventh Prince felt that all this happened because his body was getting better... So, he stopped taking medicine for more than half a month, and his condition recurred."
After hearing Jialun's answer, Zhu Heyu's expression was dull for a moment, and he felt extremely moved in his heart.
Because Emperor Deqing planned to appoint Zhu Hejian as his new heir, Zhu Heyu originally had some resentment towards Zhu Hejian. This was not because Zhu Heyu was petty. In fact, this matter involved his own future destiny. In Zhu Heyu's heart
It is human nature to have resentment.
But only then did Zhu Heyu realize that Zhu Hejian not only had no intention of competing with him for the throne, but also not only took risks repeatedly to speak and plead for him in front of Emperor Deqing, but also sacrificed his body without telling everyone, and everything
All to preserve Zhu Heyu’s position as crown prince!
In a moment, all the resentment in Zhu Heyu's heart disappeared. For a moment, he just felt that having such a brother made it worth losing his position as crown prince!
On the other side, Zhu Hejian turned his head and glared at Jia Lun, and said angrily: "You are the only one who talks too much! See how I punish you when I get back!"
After saying that, Zhu Hejian looked up at Prince Zhu Heyu and said with a sincere expression: "Third brother, these days, because of this matter, we brothers have always been cautious when getting along with each other, but now that we have reached this point, we have opened up.
Talk! Father, he is obviously dissatisfied with you, and he even wants me to inherit the position of crown prince! Third brother, I'm just afraid that this matter will ruin our years of brotherhood, and I don't expect to be crown prince. This paragraph
For a long time, I have only wanted to keep my reserve position for you!"
After a pause, Zhu Hejian said again: "So, third brother, you must make up your mind to make changes! Showing your favor to Zhao Junchen is a great opportunity for you to turn things around! Do you know that ever since my father hinted at the idea of changing the reserve?
Since then, how many officials from the former dynasty have contacted me secretly, just to get a share of the merits of serving the dragon? If this situation continues, your prestige among the officials will be completely lost, and by then you will even be the emperor.
He has no intention of doing so, so he has to take action to change his reserves!"
Zhu Heyu was stunned for a moment and asked subconsciously: "There are many officials secretly contacting you? Who are they?"
After asking, Zhu Heyu felt regretful and felt that he should not ask this question to make Zhu Hejian feel embarrassed.
But Zhu Hejian had no intention of hiding anything and said: "In the beginning, they were just some insignificant officials. Later, even the chief minister Shen Changmao contacted me secretly! However, I also took the opportunity to seek some benefits for you.
During this period of time, the 'Shen Party' has repeatedly cooperated with the 'Prince Party' in the temple because of my secret promotion, because I feel that if you have the help of the chief minister Shen Changmao, your position as crown prince will be more secure.
.”
"These days, the cooperation between the 'Shen Dang' and the 'Prince Dang' is actually because of you?" Zhu Heyu suddenly felt even more surprised.
Zhu Heyu naturally also knew that there had been frequent cooperation between the "Princeling Party" and the "Shen Party" during this period. He originally thought that it was just a coincidence that the two factions had the same position on these matters, but he did not expect that these things were Zhu Hejian's secret efforts.
Zhu Hejian nodded and said: "At that time, I thought Zhao Junchen was your great enemy in the DPRK, and I also told Shen Changmao some methods against Zhao Junchen, but now Zhao Junchen has made great achievements, and those methods It is no longer appropriate, third brother, you must also change your stance, choosing to cooperate with Zhao Junchen is your best way out at the moment!"
Next, Zhu Hejian persuaded Zhu Heyu for a long time, hoping that Zhu Heyu would seriously consider cooperating with Zhao Junchen.
In the end, Zhu Heyu finally nodded and said that he would seriously consider it.
After seeing that Zhu Heyu was finally no longer stubborn, Zhu Hejian also looked relieved. He seemed to think that he had achieved his goal, and after chatting with Zhu Heyu for a while, he said goodbye and left the Prince's East Palace.
Zhu Heyu personally sent Zhu Hejian outside the East Palace Gate, and repeatedly told Zhu Hejian to continue taking medicine and pay attention to his health.
Finally, seeing Zhu Hejian about to leave in a sedan, Zhu Heyu suddenly said: "Seventh brother, even if I lose my position as crown prince and my father finally supports you as the new crown prince, I will never blame you! Our brotherhood will never change!"
Hearing what Zhu Heyu said, Zhu Hejian couldn't help but be slightly stunned. A trace of indescribable complex emotions flashed deep in his eyes, but in the end he said with a solemn expression: "Third brother, don't think too much about the position of the prince. It must be yours, no one can take it away!"
After saying that, Zhu Hejian got into the sedan and left the East Palace, while the prince stood outside the East Palace for a long time. It was not until Zhu Hejian's sedan disappeared completely that he returned to the East Palace with a sigh.
The meeting between the two princes and the detailed conversation were all remembered by the old eunuch Zhou Zheng!
…
The author's area is constantly having trouble, and updates are late.
Well, the first update today is still a 6,000-word chapter.