At the beginning, it was Zhu Heyu who took the initiative to seek an alliance with Zhao Junchen and tried his best to win Zhao Junchen's trust.
But at this time, Zhao Junchen suddenly became the one trying to win Zhu Heyu's trust.
After all, under the current circumstances, once the two of them implement Zhao Shancai's plan, the initiative will fall into Zhao Junchen's hands, and Zhu Heyu's future fate will all depend on Zhao Junchen's whims.
Zhu Heyu knew very well that Zhao Junchen was a pure politician, and it would not be an exaggeration to say that he was unjust for profit! Therefore, Zhu Heyu's seeking an alliance with Zhao Junchen was only a temporary measure, but he could not believe it no matter what.
Zhao Junchen will assist him wholeheartedly from now on, and he will not dare to pin all his hopes for a comeback on Zhao Junchen.
At this time, Zhao Junchen said that Zhu Heyu's worries were unnecessary and that he would not betray Zhu Heyu in the future. This statement was too light and Zhu Heyu naturally did not dare to believe it easily.
However, Zhu Heyu accepted Zhao Junchen's attitude towards the school examination as a matter of course and had no intention of resisting. After hearing Zhao Junchen's rhetorical question, he fell into deep thought again.
However, after pondering for a long time, Zhu Heyu was still unable to find the answer.
Seeing this scene, Zhao Junchen shook his head slightly and reminded softly: "I understand the thoughts of His Highness the Crown Prince very well. You and I have had too many conflicts in the past, and we can be said to be on the same page. Now even if we are forced to join hands to form an alliance, it will still be impossible."
You have to be on guard in secret. Zhao Shancai's plan seems feasible, but after all, it is too risky. Therefore, Your Highness, it is only natural for you to worry about my abandonment of our alliance and betrayal!
However, Your Highness, when you are thinking about a problem, you should not be too deliberative, nor should you only consider your own situation. As the saying goes, 'Know yourself, know the enemy, and you will be victorious in any battle.' Now you should put yourself in my shoes and imagine the situation, and then you will find out
Many of my worries are just unfounded worries."
After being reminded, Zhu Heyu's expression moved slightly, as if he had thought of something, and he asked hesitantly: "Could it be that... Zhao Gechen, do you really hope that I will be surrounded by hundreds of officials and have a stable status? Because this is what you most want to see.
Condition?"
Zhao Junchen stroked his hand and said: "You can teach me! Your Majesty, although you have your short-term worries, I also have my long-term worries! That is your Majesty's fear! Why should your Majesty be afraid of me? It's because I have too much power.
But he is too young! Therefore, His Majesty, out of long-term considerations, will inevitably worry that after the new emperor ascends the throne, I will be powerful and uncontrollable!
In other words, the less prestige the Crown Prince and Crown Prince of the imperial court has, the more fearful His Majesty will be of me. Only when the Crown Prince Crown Prince has a high prestige, a stable position, and the sincere support of hundreds of officials, will His Majesty be more concerned about me.
If I can reduce it a little, my situation can get a little better!
Therefore, of course I will do my best to support you and assist you! Your Highness, you also know the character of the Seventh Prince Zhu Hejian. His temperament is too tolerant and gentle, and he has never been a ruthless or resolute person. This is exactly what you see.
I understand this, so I don’t want the seventh prince to inherit the throne..."
Having said this, Zhao Junchen paused for a moment and took the opportunity to observe Zhu Heyu's reaction. Seeing that Zhu Heyu seemed to agree with this statement, he added: "So, once the seventh prince becomes the new crown prince, Your Majesty, he will
I will use all means to eliminate hidden dangers before the new emperor ascends the throne, and I will become his majesty's biggest concern and primary target... At that time, I will definitely end up in a disastrous end, and my property and life will not be guaranteed! To be honest,
Whenever I think about this situation, I toss and turn and can't sleep at night!
But if Zhao Shancai's plan can be successfully realized, the situation will be completely different. Your Royal Highness, your temperament is completely different from that of the Seventh Prince. You have always had the courage to act vigorously and resolutely. Your reputation in the government and the public is also excellent, and you will not tolerate my willful behavior any more.
After you have the sincere support of all the officials, you can smoothly control the government when you succeed to the throne, and you don't have to worry about me losing control, and then I can save the lives of my family...
In short, I don't have many choices at the moment. Zhao Shancai's plan is also my best way out. If I betray you, I won't end up well... Maybe, my thoughts are also affected by this.
Zhao Shan has calculated it!...So, Your Highness, your worries are all unnecessary. Even if you don't believe in my promise, you should understand that I am a smart person who seeks advantages and avoids disadvantages!"
Hearing what Zhao Junchen said, Zhu Heyu couldn't help but ponder for a long time, his expression gradually softened, and the suspicion in his heart was reduced by most.
It is always difficult for adults to convince each other - if someone is convinced, it just means that this new point of view is more in line with his logic and interests.
This is the situation now. After Zhao Junchen's talk, Zhu Heyu finally trusted Zhao Junchen and had a little more confidence in Zhao Shancai's plan.
Because, after Zhu Heyu thought about it, he found that this plan was indeed the best way out for him and Zhao Junchen, and their interests in this regard were indeed completely consistent.
So, Zhu Heyu apologized to Zhao Junchen and said with a sincere expression: "That's it! I hope Zhao Junchen won't blame me for being suspicious just now. This plan is really too risky and too unbelievable, and it makes me feel quite uneasy.
!However, if Zhao Gechen fully assists me, such a desperate plan may not be impossible to succeed!
I also understand Zhao Gechen’s worries and worries, and I hope that Zhao Gechen will feel at ease. If I can successfully inherit the throne in the future, Zhao Gechen will definitely be the pillar of the country, and I will never do anything that will lead to the death of a rabbit and the dog’s success!”
Zhu Heyu's statement was equivalent to him trusting Zhao Junchen and agreeing with Zhao Shancai's plan. The two of them could be considered to have formally formed an alliance at this moment.
A trace of complexity flashed in Zhao Junchen's eyes, but on the surface he was sincere and nodded: "Your Highness, you said that I just mixed in private goods and evaded the important, but you are not wrong. I really want to take the opportunity to gain some benefits for myself."
, after all, I have to take into account the interests of my cronies and win their support, but I will never harm the interests of His Highness the Crown Prince...
For example, if we want to raise the salary of hundreds of officials, like the proposal of "Raising Integrity Bank", we must win the most support and try to avoid the obstacles of the ancestral system. If we hit the wall directly, I'm afraid I won't even be able to do it.
If you can't save it, how can you help His Highness the Crown Prince in the future?
Also, I have not talked about how the new crown prince should step down from the beginning to the end, because this matter will involve many despicable means. Judging from the current situation, the new crown prince is likely to step down.
It is His Highness the Seventh Prince, and Your Highness the Prince and Your Highness the Seventh Prince have always had a deep relationship. My plan will not only taint His Highness the Prince's ears, but will also make you hesitate, which is not beautiful!
However, after saying this, I still need to confirm again... Your Highness, the Crown Prince, in order to make a comeback and successfully ascend the throne, are you determined to target His Highness the Seventh Prince by any means?"
Zhu Heyu was silent for a moment again, and then nodded: "My attitude will not change. The seventh brother is definitely not a good choice to inherit the throne. He does big things without sticking to trivial matters. As long as it can prevent the seventh brother from ascending the throne, I will accept anything."
The method... Of course, it must not endanger the life of the seventh brother... After I inherit the throne, I will naturally find a way to compensate the seventh brother!"
Hearing Zhu Heyu's answer, the smile on Zhao Junchen's face became a little thicker, and he nodded: "In that case, we can talk sincerely and continue to talk in depth!"
*
Next, Zhao Junchen and Zhu Heyu had a long secret conversation in the study.
During the secret talks, it was Zhao Junchen who was mainly guiding Zhu Heyu.
Now, Zhu Heyu has taken over the task of investigating various vassal kings involved in political disorder. This matter can be said to affect the whole body. If you are not careful, it will cause fire and chaos. All priorities when doing things will be lost.
It was very important, and Zhao Junchen had to help Zhu Heyu with his advice.
At the same time, Zhu Heyu's future path choices, how to resolve the hostility of the officials, how to build up momentum, and the overt and covert cooperation between the two parties in the future were also involved in this conversation.
During the conversation, Zhao Junchen appeared to be extremely patient with his instructions, as if he was considering Zhu Heyu wholeheartedly, and Zhu Heyu also appeared to listen to the instructions humbly, seeming to have accepted everything Zhao Junchen said. Qiankun Listening to Books
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By the time the conversation ended and Zhu Heyu said goodbye and left the Zhao Mansion, it was already evening.
Zhao Junchen personally sent Zhu Heyu out of the study. Seeing Zhu Heyu's back gradually disappearing, he suddenly sighed and his expression became a little sinister.
In fact, Zhao Junchen still admired the former prince Zhu Heyu more, who was pure, straightforward, adhered to the bottom line, and could distinguish between black and white. If Zhu Heyu's character had not changed, Zhao Junchen would have been willing to confide in him, but it was a pity that such a prince Zhu Heyu
It is completely impossible to form an alliance with Zhao Junchen.
Nowadays, Zhu Heyu has matured and become more complex. He has fully accepted the gray area between black and white. Just like Zhao Junchen, the good is not thorough and the bad is not pure. Zhao Junchen's feelings towards him have also changed.
People began to cooperate and formed an alliance, but it was impossible to be honest with each other no matter what.
Today's conversation between the two seems to be frank, but Zhao Junchen still hides his little Jiujiu. I believe that Zhu Heyu is by no means unreserved. After all, the cooperation and alliance between the two are just forced.
It's just about the situation.
"I hope you will sincerely ally with me and keep your promise, and I will show you some mercy. But if you completely become another Emperor Deqing, then don't blame me for being ruthless... This game
, you are not the only one who has the qualifications to kill the donkey... Well, if that were the case, I wouldn't feel guilty..."
While muttering softly to himself, Zhao Junchen turned around and returned to the study, and called for several important staff members of the Zhao family.
After reaching an alliance with Zhu Heyu, Zhao Junchen has no intention of changing his existing plans, but many plan developments must make some modifications.
On the other side, after Zhu Heyu left the Zhao Mansion, he couldn't help but turn his head and glance at the gate of the Zhao Mansion, with the same uncertain expression.
"Judging from today's conversation, Zhao Junchen's illness is indeed all disguised. I thought that he was in poor health and would retire from the court soon, so I planned to use his strength.
, but now it seems that his plot is huge and must be guarded against! This game will probably last for a long time... But no matter what, as long as I can successfully ascend the throne, I will definitely become the final winner!
I just hope that you can stay safe and restrain your behavior and ambitions from now on, otherwise..."
While thinking deeply, Zhu Heyu's expression quickly returned to calm, he got into his sedan chair, and headed back towards the East Palace.
*
Let’s not talk about the respective gains of Zhao Junchen and Zhu Heyu from this conversation, but it is said that Zhu Heyu visited Zhao Junchen twice in a row on this day, and the long-standing secret talks between the two sides soon spread to the ears of the major forces in the temple.
, everyone understands what this means, and their reactions are also different!
At three quarters past midnight on this day, Emperor Deqing was still staying in his imperial study in the Forbidden City.
At this usual time, Emperor Deqing had already returned to the harem to rest, but today Emperor Deqing stayed in the imperial study with a rather gloomy expression. Anyone could see that Emperor Deqing was unhappy.
Everyone is trembling with fear.
Because Hong Jin and Zhu Heyu visited Zhao Junchen at the same time, when Hong Jin returned to the palace to report to Emperor Deqing, Emperor Deqing immediately learned about Zhu Heyu's visit to Zhao Junchen.
Then, Emperor Deqing immediately ordered people to closely monitor the movements of Zhao Junchen and Zhu Heyu, and also stayed in the imperial study room to wait for news.
While waiting for the news, Emperor Deqing also ordered people to bring in the files and information from Shaanxi and Gansu again, and carefully reviewed them.
After Emperor Deqing had read most of the files and information on the imperial case, a eunuch quietly entered the imperial study.
The eunuch's name was Sun He, and he was the palm print of Dongchang. He knelt in front of Emperor Deqing and reported: "Your Majesty, we have just received information that His Royal Highness the Prince has left the Zhao Mansion!"
Emperor Deqing was silent for a moment and asked: "What time is it now?"
Sun He replied: "Your Majesty, it is now three o'clock in the hour."
Emperor Deqing nodded slightly and murmured: "In other words, the prince visited Zhao Junchen for the second time, and the two talked for nearly two hours... Ha, even if they are close friends who know everything, there are very few
They talked for such a long time, right? Do you know what they talked about?"
Emperor Deqing's tone was calm, but the Dongchang eunuch couldn't help but feel a tremor in his heart. He only felt panic and quickly replied: "The conversation between His Royal Highness the Crown Prince and Zhao Junchen was in a study deep in the Zhao Mansion. We
We haven't received the exact information about the content of the conversation yet... However, according to the intelligence from the East Palace, when His Royal Highness visited the Zhao Mansion for the second time today, he returned to the study room of the East Palace and took out a secret letter.
It should be the suicide note that Zhao Shancai left to His Highness the Crown Prince before his death."
Upon hearing this answer, Emperor Deqing's expression became even more sinister.
"Zhao Shancai, Zhao Shancai, I remember that he is a distant relative of Zhao Junchen. I have always hoped that Zhao Junchen and the prince can work together. Now it seems that he has got his wish... However, I am determined to establish another prince because of his push. This person
Their actions are contradictory and have a profound impact on the prince. I am afraid that they have ulterior motives and must be guarded against..."
While muttering softly to himself, Emperor Deqing slowly closed his eyes, his expression showing some pain and helplessness.
"Lao San, Lao San, let me tell you what is good! When I thought Zhao Junchen was still useful and wanted you to ease the relationship with Zhao Junchen, you have always been stubborn and have the same power as Zhao Junchen. Now I
I have already planned to give up on Zhao Junchen, but you have formed an alliance with Zhao Junchen instead... Do you have to make things difficult for me? Don't you know that after you form an alliance with Zhao Junchen, I will only make my suppression of you stronger?
Is it getting bigger?"
Just as Zhao Junchen speculated, Emperor Deqing still had some father-son friendship with Prince Zhu Heyu. During this period, he repeatedly suppressed Zhu Heyu with unfounded charges, and he already felt a little guilty in his heart.
But soon, Emperor Deqing had regained his composure and turned his attention to the Shaanxi-Gansu files on the imperial case again.
"The Hetao war is now at its most intense. I originally planned to wait until the war is over before taking action to deal with the forces that Zhao Junchen has built on the three sides of Shaanxi and Gansu. But now Zhao Junchen and the prince have probably reached an alliance, and the court structure
There has been a change. In order to prevent any eventuality, I must take action in advance..."
*
At the same time that Emperor Deqing received the news, the seventh prince Zhu Hejian also received the news.
When he received the news, Zhu Hejian was receiving an important secret guest in his mansion.
This guest is none other than Shen Changmao, the current chief minister of the cabinet!
On this day, the structure of the temple changed, not just the alliance between Zhao Junchen and Prince Zhu Heyu!
