In the private room of a certain restaurant in Beijing, Zhao Jingzhong was respectfully saluting a middle-aged man.
"I've met Mr. Qian."
"No need to be polite, just sit down."
Mr. Qian said that he didn't need to be polite, but his actions were obviously very useful.
Seeing Zhao Jingzhong sitting opposite him, Mr. Qian said unhurriedly.
"Eunuch Zhao, how are you thinking?"
"Replying to your lord, I have carefully considered your lord's proposal. I have a few questions that you need to answer."
"Tell me about it."
"The whole court knows that I am a eunuch. So how can you guarantee that I will not be liquidated!"
This is the reason why Zhao Jingzhong hesitated for a long time. He could feel that Wei Zhongxian was running out of energy. But he was still unable to make a move to join the Donglin Party. It was because he was Wei Zhongxian's adopted son, and this relationship could not be washed away.
"Haha, this matter is indeed worthy of your attention. But it is actually easy to solve this matter. Eunuch Zhao only needs to pay a certificate of nomination."
"I wonder what kind of certificate of declaration your Excellency needs?"
Mr. Qian raised his head and glanced at Zhao Jingzhong, curling the corner of his mouth slightly.
"What kind of certificate of submission is what Eunuch Zhao needs to consider. After all, this matter involves Eunuch Zhao's family and life. So Eunuch Zhao himself should know best. After all, there is no such thing as a pie in the world. I want to
Whatever you get, you have to pay for it? You are right, Eunuch Zhao!"
"I understand, there is one more thing I need to clarify."
"Tell me and listen." Mr. Qian was not impatient, but listened patiently to what Zhao Jingzhong said.
In their plan, Zhao Jingzhong is a very important link. The main reason is that Zhao Jingzhong is the person closest to Wei Zhongxian. If they want to completely bring down Wei Zhongxian, they need to have a deep understanding of everything about Wei Zhongxian, find Wei Zhongxian's weaknesses, and cut off Wei Zhongxian in advance.
's wings.
For this reason, Wei Zhongxian's adopted sons are the best choices. Among them, Zhao Jingzhong, who is at the top of Dongchang, is the best choice.
"If it happens, I want to know how you will arrange the factory guards."
Zhao Jingzhong is not stupid, he can even be said to be very smart. He knows that the Donglin Party does not like factory guards, and even the entire court does not like factory guards. Therefore, he must get a promise in advance.
"That's a good question. I'm not afraid to tell you directly. If it comes to pass, it's impossible for factory guards to coexist. Only one of them can stay. And we chose you. Do we need to say more about the rest?"
"Okay, let me go back and think about it."
"It's okay to think about it, but there are some things I have to say up front. Although the emperor's body seems to have recovered, it has actually returned to full glory. Eunuch Zhao, don't make any mistakes."
Zhao Jingzhong nodded and left the restaurant.
Shortly after he left, a waiter left the restaurant in a hurry.
In Lu Xiao's yard, he was sparring with Ding Baiying on sword skills.
Lu Xiao put his right hand behind his back and only used his left hand to hold the knife. He kept blocking Ding Baiying's attacks.
At the same time, he also reminded Ding Baiying from time to time.
"This sword is too powerful. If I fight back now, you will definitely not be able to defend yourself in time..."
Just when the fight between the two was getting intense, there was a knock on the door from outside.
Lu Xiao opened the door angrily, and there was a startled Ling Yunkai outside. Ling Yunkai obviously saw Ding Baiying behind Lu Xiao. He secretly complained in his heart that he had disturbed his boss's good work, and he was afraid that he would be put in the shoes now.
"Is something wrong?"
Lu Xiao's slightly impatient voice woke up Ling Yunkai.
"Sir, I have some clues about what you asked me to investigate." Ling Yunkai said, and glanced at Ding Baiying again, his tone hesitant.
"As a member of your own family, just say so."
"Yes, sir. Today I received news that Zhao Jingzhong secretly met with Mr. Qian."
After hearing the news, Lu Xiao was silent for a moment, with several thoughts in his mind.
"It seems that Zhao Jingzhong has made a decision."
"Sir, Zhao Jingzhong has obviously betrayed the factory owner and us. How about a villain..."
"You don't need to worry about this matter. You should go to Lu Wenzhao immediately and tell him to take action immediately."
When he returned to the courtyard, Lu Xiao's face looked a little gloomy.
"What's wrong? Did the plan not go smoothly?" Ding Baiying asked softly.
"Plans always fail to keep up with changes. I knew Zhao Jingzhong had different intentions. I just didn't expect him to fall so quickly. If he completely leads the Donglin Party, all the outrageous things Wei Zhongxian has done will inevitably be exposed.
Many of these things were done by Zhao Jingzhong, and he has solid evidence. In that case, the emperor would definitely kill Wei Zhongxian in advance in order to quell public dissatisfaction."
"I don't understand, why do you have to keep Wei Zhongxian alive? Could it be that someone else wouldn't do it?"
"Haha!" Lu Xiao smiled bitterly.
"You think too simply. The tax revenue of the Ming Dynasty last year was 16 million taels. The Jiangnan area alone contributed 12 million taels. Do you believe that Wei Zhongxian died, and the 12 million taels were immediately
It has become less than a million taels."
"Is this related to Wei Zhongxian?"
"That's right. I have said it a long time ago that the current emperor's imperial mentality has been deeply rooted in his bones. All the civil and military affairs of the entire dynasty are part of his calculations.
The Donglin Party was originally the spokesperson of the wealthy businessmen in the Jiangnan area. Wei Zhongxian just fought to death with the Donglin Party. It is not that there are no other parties in the DPRK, but only the Donglin Party was labeled as a rebel party by Wei Zhongxian. Take a closer look,
There’s a mystery in this.”
"You mean, the current emperor has created the antagonism between the two of them?"
"I'm not sure, but I'm at least 80% sure. Jiangnan's tax revenue is the most important source of military pay in Liaodong. Liaodong is also a serious concern of the Ming Emperor. To improve the situation in Liaodong, the emperor will definitely do such a thing.
Therefore, no matter what, there must be a force in the DPRK that is opposed to the Donglin Party. And this force must be unscrupulous, arrogant and domineering enough to dare to levy heavy taxes from Jiangnan despite the impeachment of countless ministers in the DPRK.
Although it is a bit exaggerated, if Wei Zhongxian falls in the civil and military circles of the Manchu Dynasty, I am afraid that such a person will never be found again. Therefore, Wei Zhongxian must be kept, because as long as he is there, he can attract all the bright guns.
Hidden arrows, we can hide behind the scenes and plan."
"Then kill Zhao Jingzhong. The matter has come to this, why not be more clean and tidy. You have said that the emperor does not have much time left. We do not have much time. Let's cut the knot quickly. Kill Zhao Jingzhong and let Wei Zhongxian hold on longer.
A few days.”
"You're right. It's time for Zhao Jingzhong to die. But how he will die will be discussed after I come back. Wait for me at home. I'm going to see someone."
………………………
In a secret courtyard in the capital, Lu Xiao was waiting for the person he wanted to see.
"You're welcome and well, Eunuch Guo."
Guo Zhen asked with a panicked look.
"Is what you said true? Can you really help me get out of this quagmire?"
"Of course it's true, but I still need a little help from my father-in-law on this matter."
"You said, as long as I can do it, it won't be a problem."
"I want my father-in-law to help me enter the palace to meet the emperor. Avoid all eyes and ears and meet the emperor alone."
