Although Xu Youzhen has now realized the gap between himself and Zhu Jian, the old fox, he will not belittle himself.
Xu Xueshi himself walks on the edge of a knife, and naturally has his own tricks when it comes to intrigues.
In fact, since entering the Zhu Mansion, he has had two questions in his mind. One is why Zhu Yi is here. Zhu Jian has just made this very clear.
However, in addition to this, Xu Youzhen's other doubt is that Zhu Jian had no choice but to avoid Zhu Yi out of such secret thoughts and plans. Why did he choose an occasion where he was also present to elaborate on it?
Explain these.
If it was just for him to finally convince Chen Xun, it was actually unnecessary.
With Xu Youzhen's current position, if he wants to gain a foothold in the Supreme Emperor's party, he must rely on Zhu Jian. Therefore, as long as Zhu Jian gives him this task, he has to do it whether he wants to or not.
Although Zhu Jian and Xu Youzhen usually have a good relationship, Zhu Jian treats Xu Youzhen like a kind elder, and Xu Youzhen treats Zhu Jian like a respectful and humble student.
But in fact, Xu Youzhen was very clear in her heart. He and Mr. Zhu Ge were far from being able to have a heart-to-heart relationship.
The biggest reason why they have a good relationship, even if it only seems to be true, is that there are too few civil servants who are important and deeply involved in the Supreme Emperor's party.
When Zhuge Lao faced this group of ancestral relatives, he needed someone to charge forward and wave the flag, and Xu Youzhen just needed someone to support him, so the two formed this relationship.
This is essentially a kind of cooperation and exchange. If you really want to talk about feelings, I'm afraid it won't be the same. I really think that Mr. Zhu Ge appreciates him a lot, so he wants to cultivate him more. Then Xu Youzhen doesn't have to hang out in the court.
.
Under this kind of relationship, would Mr. Zhu Ge let him hear such an important and secret plan? Moreover, just now, he was really serious, confiding in his heart and expressing his concerns for Xungui?
But screw it!
You know, even with such a close relationship between Chen Xun and Du Ning, Chen Xun would not explain many of the court's intentions to Du Ning.
This is not a matter of trust, but it is unnecessary. The more people know about these things, the more dangerous they will be.
Why do we need to explain something that can be done without any explanation?
Therefore, no matter how amazing Zhu Jian's plan just revealed was, Xu Youzhen remained vigilant in his heart.
This is one of his essential qualities as a covert frontline personnel.
Therefore, when Zhu Jian finally asked him to persuade Chen Xun, Xu Youzhen immediately realized that there must be a deeper intention hidden behind it.
His first reaction was whether he had made some mistake, which aroused Zhu Jian's suspicion.
However, he quickly rejected this idea.
This possibility is very small!
Although he was secretly in contact with Shu Liang, this Eunuch Shu did not ask him to do anything.
It's just an occasional message, and it's all delivered through people in Dongchang, so the security is very high.
Apart from this, he has not done anything that harmed Zhu Jian or even Nangong's interests.
On the contrary, he also did some things for Nangong. Take the last attack on Xiangting as an example. He secretly brought the poison sac used by the murderer into the palace.
Therefore, Zhu Jian had no reason to doubt him.
If it is not suspicion, then it can only be a simple test.
To put it bluntly, among the influential ministers of the Supreme Emperor's party nowadays, basically all of them have experienced "life and death" for the Supreme Emperor.
Although the British government was not very popular with him because of Huichang Bo's incident, Zhang Fu actually lost his life in order to welcome the Supreme Emperor back.
The Chengguo Duke's Mansion was the only nobleman who clearly supported the Crown Prince by displaying carriages and horses in the court. He stepped forward many times during the prince's departure from the cabinet, the Spring Hunting Ceremony, and even later when Shu Liang forced the palace.
Chen Mao, Marquis of Ningyang, once plotted the Zhennan King case in order to welcome the Supreme Emperor back. He was deprived of his title and imprisoned. He narrowly escaped death. Ningyuan Marquis Renli, well, I won’t mention this.
Even Jiao Jing, the most inconspicuous person, was a relative who had been deeply relied upon by the Supreme Emperor. He secretly contacted Yang Shan, Xu Bin and others to welcome the Supreme Emperor back when he was hunting in the north.
Zhu Jian himself was of course no exception. In order to welcome back the Emperor, he gave up the opportunity to become the governor of Shaanxi and a reserve member of the Qi Qing Dynasty. Instead, he chose to be transferred back to the capital. He went to Wala alone twice as an envoy and successfully welcomed back the Emperor.
For these things, they all paid a huge price to prove their worth and loyalty. It is precisely because of these that they can get together even though they have different concepts and ideas.
But, what about Xu Youzhen?
He first entered this small group through a letter of recommendation from Li Xian, the Minister of Rites.
If we say that Li Xian himself has some weight, he was one of the officials who were highly valued by the Supreme Emperor before the Northern Expedition, and he also fought for the Crown Prince to join the cabinet, so he was demoted from his place.
So, Xu Youzhen herself has really never done anything to prove herself.
Therefore, many times, he could only listen in when this group of people discussed matters, and even without Zhu Jian's support, he might not even be able to get in.
The reason is nothing more than the lack of a strong certificate of nomination.
This time, Zhu Jian told him so much. In fact, many of the contents involved things that cannot be known to outsiders.
So, this is both an opportunity and a trial.
By doing this, Zhu Jian was telling Xu Youzhen that as long as he is willing to work hard and loyally for the Supreme Emperor and the Crown Prince, he will have access to more and more secrets, and the help he can get from the Supreme Emperor's party will also be
It will get stronger and stronger.
However, if he still has reservations, then... no, since Zhu Jian has revealed so much without hesitation, Xu Youzhen actually has no way out.
At this time, if he had the slightest refusal or reluctance, he absolutely believed that Zhu Jian in front of him would turn against him without hesitation.
Therefore, there is actually only one way before him...
"Don't worry, Ming Gong. His Royal Highness is the foundation of the country. I, Qingliu, have always been the first choice for officials in the East Palace. I should do my best to assist the East Palace."
Xu Youzhen thought for a moment and then opened her mouth to answer.
The sincere words immediately put a smile on Zhu Jian's face.
These two sentences are simple to say, but there are two key points in between. One is that Xu Youzhen has picked up the identity of Qingliu again and regards himself as Qingliu. This actually implies that he will pick up the identity of Qingliu before.
connections.
Secondly, saying that Qingliu is the first choice for officials in the East Palace means that he will do his best to win Qingliu into Zhan Shifu.
This is Zhu Jian's purpose.
What he wanted was not just for Xu Youzhen to persuade Chen Xun and force a few people into the East Palace.
In fact, the reason why Zhu Jian valued Xu Youzhen for such a long time was not just because he was in Zhan Shifu and had access to the prince.
More importantly, Xu Youzhen's identity as Qingliu is of great use to Zhu Jian.
In particular, most Qingliu people value their status. If it sounds good, they should pay attention to the reputation of being a scholar. If it sounds bad, they will just fish for fame and reputation.
It is rare to find someone like Xu Youzhen who works wholeheartedly and can be exploited.
Therefore, what Zhu Jian really valued about Xu Youzhen was precisely his latter two qualities.
With these two points, he can do things that Zhu Jian cannot.
Therefore, in fact, for Xu Youzhen, the certificate of nomination he needed to submit was to use his connections and the help of the Supreme Emperor's party to build the East Palace into Qingliu's base camp, in order to help the Crown Prince and the Supreme Emperor regain control of political resources.
Only by achieving this can Xu Youzhen truly be on an equal footing with Zhu Yi and others and have the same right to speak.
The atmosphere in the flower hall became more relaxed, and Xu Youzhen could clearly feel that the vague scrutiny in Zhu Jian's eyes slowly dissipated, and he returned to the image of a kind elder, saying.
"Yuanyu, I know your thoughts. Although the country is safe now, the Tian family is in turmoil. If you are not careful, it will be a disaster, but it is also an opportunity."
"As long as His Royal Highness the Crown Prince can grow up smoothly and inherit the throne in the future, you will be a minister of Conglong, so why worry about your official career not being smooth?"
"As for matters in the court, you don't have to worry. I, the Duke, and others will find ways to deal with it. What you have to do is to take good care of His Highness. This is the fundamental thing. Do you understand?"
"Don't worry, Ming Gong, students will do their best!"
Xu Youzhen lowered her head and held her hands in hand. She and Zhu Jian seemed to get along with each other, but in fact, they both had their own thoughts in their hearts...
Qianqing Palace.
Today was not the day of the early court. Zhu Qiyu had been processing the memorial for most of an hour before he got the news that Shu Liang was asking for an audience.
After being called in, Eunuch Shu reported all the news he had just received.
"...Your Majesty, before the slave entered the palace, Chen Shangshu had already been staying at Yu Cifu's place for half an hour. I guess the conversation was about this matter."
As the admiral of Dongchang and the emperor's number one lackey, Eunuch Shu has always been very clear about his position.
You should do it yourself, and be thorough in everything, but you should not ask too many questions yourself.
Nowadays, the East Factory and the Jinyiwei are separated from each other. The East Factory is responsible for spying on information inside and outside the capital, while the Jinyiwei is responsible for escorting and performing secret tasks ordered by the emperor.
Although the two are not clearly divided, they can be considered to have reached a new balance. They are no longer in the state of overt and covert struggle for power.
Up to now, Eunuch Shu can confidently say that he, the admiral of the East Factory, must have received the news earlier and more comprehensively than Jin Yiwei about the disturbances inside and outside the capital.
But on the contrary, he also knew that Jin Yiwei was responsible for many important tasks, of which even he only knew a little bit about.
For example, there are now a large number of Jin Yiwei manpower ambushed at the border. Government merchants and even smugglers who are active in the mutual trade all have a vague shadow of Jin Yiwei.
In addition, although the young man from the Ren family in the previous episode went to a place completely different from the border, the secret letter Shu Liang handed over before leaving the capital must have contained ways to use the local Jin Yiwei.
It can be seen that during this period, Commander Lu was not idle, and what he was doing secretly was probably beyond his imagination.
Of course, these Eunuch Shu are just curious at most, and it would be best to get some inside information occasionally, but he will never deliberately pry.
This is his duty, and he has always done it very well!
As for another duty, of course it is to never get involved in politics.
He did whatever the emperor told him to do, and he investigated whatever he asked. However, unless the emperor took the initiative to ask questions, Eunuch Shu never expressed any opinions or made any suggestions.
Therefore, after he finished telling the news he had received, he stood by silently without saying a word, waiting for the emperor's instructions.
Zhu Qiyu had long been accustomed to Shu Liang's thoroughness. He put down the memorial in his hand, pinched his brows, and soon made a decision and ordered.
"Xu Youzhen, let him do whatever he is told. As for the outcome, he doesn't need to worry about it. I have my own arrangements."
"As for Zhu Yi, since there are some objections, let's wait for a while to deal with the matter of Xun Wei and do other things first."
Winning over Qingliu Pavilion was an opportunity for Zhu Jian to make meritorious deeds for Xu Youzhen, but it was also a test.
Judging from Xu Youzhen's current 'position', this matter has no disadvantages for him. If he doesn't do it, or doesn't try his best to do it, it will arouse suspicion.
Relatively speaking, Zhu Yi's range of activities is much larger.
It should be said that Xu Youzhen is still in a relatively immature stage. No matter in terms of means or strategies, she is not as good as Cheng Guogong who was active on the secret front and accumulated rich experience.
For Xu Youzhen, the only reason he wanted to reject Zhu Jian was to worry about being targeted and suppressed, which was obviously not a convincing reason.
However, Zhu Yi has mastered the professional skills of pleasing both sides.
In fact, the people behind the matter of Xunwei are nobles from various families, and Zhu Yi is active in the middle. Whether he does it or not, he has a way to appease the emotions of all parties.
In this regard, Zhu Qiyu still trusted him.
As soon as he thought about this, the figure of an old guy who dozed off every day suddenly flashed in his mind. Could it be that this is the so-called origin of family education?
In the lobby of the Ministry of Rites, Uncle Hu Dazong was holding his own purple clay pot and was having a headache about how to deal with the difficult guy Shen Yi. For some reason, he suddenly sneezed.
Rubbing his nose, Hu Hui was a little confused, but despite this, he put down the teapot in his hand, stretched his body, and reinvested in the paperwork in front of him...
After giving these two instructions, Zhu Qiyu suddenly thought of a certain young figure, looking into the distance and asked.
"Speaking of the Xunwei, I sent Yang Jie and Sun Yong to Xuanfu and other places to select the vanguard of the army a few days ago. How is the process now?"
This question was not asked by Shu Liang, but by Hua En who was standing beside him.
As the chief steward of Qianqing Palace, he knows more about such matters involving government affairs.
However, as expected, Wynn shook his head and said.
"Back to your Majesty, there is no new news from the Ministry of War and the Imperial Guards."
The Ministry of War is the official channel, and the Jinyiwei is the secret channel.
There is no news from both, indicating that this matter is still at a stagnant stage.
The purpose of selecting the vanguard of the government army is to form a young army. It should be said that this matter is not difficult. The Battle of Oara has just ended two years ago, and there are many soldiers in the frontier army who have merit and qualifications.
No matter how carefully you choose, after several months, you should have results.
However, this progress has been delayed.
As for the reason, Zhu Qiyu knew it well.
After pondering for a moment, he ordered.
"I ordered my subordinates to urge me to complete the selection before the end of the year!"