When Zhou Shangjing mentioned these two words, Song Chengren also looked serious and nodded lightly.
Zhou Shangjing's statement was a bit unclear, but Song Chengren completely understood his meaning.
The so-called "compromise" and the so-called "concession" also mean different meanings in the eyes of different people.
In Song Chengren's eyes, the Ming Dynasty was governed jointly by the imperial court and the Jin gentry, and no one could dominate the other. Therefore, sometimes the Jin gentry needed to make concessions to the court, and sometimes the imperial court needed to compromise with the Jin gentry.
In Zhou Shangjing's eyes, the Ming Dynasty was jointly governed by the emperor and civil servants, and no one could do without the other. Therefore, sometimes the imperial power needed to give in to the ministerial power, and sometimes the ministerial power needed to compromise to the imperial power.
All in all, no force on either side can seek to punish others without self-interest or push others too far, otherwise it will definitely lead to anger and resentment, and the country will be overturned.
In the eyes of Zhou Shangjing and Song Chengren, this is the way to balance, the way to last, and it is also the unbreakable supreme law!
Therefore, a qualified emperor must be aware of propriety and have awe.
Emperor Deqing, for example, fully understood this truth. Although he would always look for opportunities to expand imperial power, he would always do so in moderation and never break the balance.
If Emperor Deqing discovers that his plan to expand imperial power may upset the balance and cause serious consequences, he will definitely stop in time, quickly suspend the plan, and then try to mend the rift with the civil servants and gentry to stabilize the situation.
Just like when Zhang Su, the commander-in-chief of Jizhen, sent people to assassinate Zhou Shangjing, Emperor Deqing, even though he knew that Zhou Shangjing's death would help him expand his imperial power, he still immediately stopped him and saved Zhou Shangjing's life.
Emperor Deqing was very happy to bring down Zhou Shangjing, and he often fought with Zhou Shangjing in battles of wits and scheming with each other. However, this kind of battle must be carried out within the existing rules and must not break the framework or cross the bottom line!
Therefore, even though Emperor Deqing had various shortcomings, and even though Emperor Deqing often tried to overthrow Zhou Shangjing, Zhou Shangjing still believed that Emperor Deqing was a qualified emperor, and was still willing to be loyal to Emperor Deqing.
Although people always plot against each other, more often than not they work together to stabilize the situation and have a tacit understanding.
But in the seventh prince Zhu Hejian, Zhou Shangjing could not see these advantages at all!
This is the real reason why Zhou Shangjing rejected Zhu Hejian.
If you carefully observe Zhu Hejian's process and methods of ascending to the top, you can find that this person often floutes the rules, breaks through the bottom line, and always uses methods outside the tacit framework to achieve his intentions regardless of the cost or consequences.
Such a person can be said to have no sense of propriety and no respect. After taking office, he will certainly not understand the principles of compromise and concession, and will definitely abuse the imperial power unscrupulously. In the end, the civil servants will become disloyal and the gentry will rebel!
Zhou Shangjing can tolerate Zhu Hejian's coldness and ruthlessness, he can tolerate Zhu Hejian's ruthless methods, and he can even tolerate Zhu Hejian's extreme temperament, but he cannot tolerate Zhu Hejian's ignorance of compromise and concession!
At the same time, it was precisely out of this consideration that Song Chengren actively assisted Zhou Shangjing.
Otherwise, even if he is a close friend, Song Chengren will never let the Jiangnan Song family offend a future prince, prince, or even a future emperor for Zhou Shangjing!
*
After nodding lightly with a serious expression, Song Chengren sighed: "That's right! A prince, or even an emperor, must know how to give in and compromise, and must also know how to be proportionate and reverent... Although we used to be dissatisfied with what we have now.
His Royal Highness is a prince, but this prince at least listens to the advice. Although he does things regardless of the cost, his "regardless of the cost" is only for himself. When facing the overall situation of the country, he is still cautious and does not dare to cross the thunder!
In fact, our dissatisfaction with His Highness the Crown Prince is mainly because he only knew how to follow the advice of the Qingliu people in the past and completely ignored our opinions. However, it is not a big deal. As long as we are willing, we can soon change ourselves and wear
The upper level of Qingliu's skin is definitely even clearer than Qingliu! That's why we have never deliberately made things difficult for His Highness the Crown Prince!"
At this point, Song Chengren's expression became more serious, and he said slowly: "But this Seventh Prince... Alas! It seems that he can do anything at any time, regardless of the consequences, regardless of the cost! If such a person is allowed to inherit the throne, he will
terrible!"
Zhou Shangjing's expression was calm at this time, and he said leisurely: "That's why I deliberately intensified the conflict between the Jin gentry and the Huangzhuang eunuchs in Southern Zhili, triggering a conflict between the imperial power and the gentry power! Let the seventh prince choose between his own short-term interests and
Make a trade-off between the long-term interests of the overall situation! Then he sent a message through Wang Baoren to let him understand that I had begun to doubt his character and had set up a trap for him to jump into!
If he knew a little bit about the principles of compromise and concession, he would definitely ask to see me, bow his head to me, pray for my forgiveness, and also implore me to resolve the situation and let him go. Although this approach is not good for his own prestige, it is also
It can easily arouse His Majesty's strong dissatisfaction, damage his short-term interests, and may even cause changes in the dethronement of the crown prince, but it will undoubtedly be beneficial to the long-term interests of the government and the opposition...
At that time, I don’t mind changing my ways. Not only will I no longer be hostile to him, I will even take the initiative to help him restore his prestige and holy scroll! On the contrary, if he is short-sighted, impatient, only caring about his own short-term interests, and only wants to maintain
With his own prestige and sacred scrolls, he only hopes to confirm the abolition of the crown prince as soon as possible, and only wants to eliminate the hidden danger of me, even at the risk of shaking the long-term stability of the overall situation. This proves that he is hopeless, and naturally cannot be allowed to do so.
He inherits the great power of the country!"
Song Chengren fully agreed with Zhou Shangjing's views and fully believed in Zhou Shangjing's wisdom and skills.
However, Zhu Hejian was not an ordinary person after all. He was the candidate for the crown prince favored by Emperor Deqing. Therefore, after Song Chengren hesitated for a while, he couldn't help but ask: "Is your follow-up plan foolproof? Are you sure that this seven-year-old man can succeed?"
The prince fell into a pit and couldn't climb out?"
When Song Chengren asked, he was naturally hoping that Zhou Shangjing could give him a positive answer so that he could feel completely at ease.
However, Zhou Shangjing slowly shook his head and said: "If there are no more variables, it will be absolutely foolproof! But... there are still two variables!"
Song Chengren was shocked and asked quickly: "Oh? What are the two variables?"
Under Song Chengren's gaze, Zhou Shangjing calmly picked up the tea and took a sip, and then slowly replied: "Jiang Zheng! Lu De! These two talented young people with ambiguous positions are the best in my eyes."
Two variables! Hey, life is really scary!"
"Jiang Zheng? Lu De?" After hearing the answer, Song Chengren became more and more confused and asked again: "I know Lu De. He is a promising young man of the Lu family. He has a bright future. Since Zhao Shancai died of illness,
He is recognized as the number one talent in the south of the Yangtze River, and compared to Zhao Shancai, who always gives people a sense of alienation and self-awareness, Lu De is very good at making friends with people and has great influence among young scholars.
It is indeed not to be underestimated, but to say that he is a variable that can affect Zhou Shoufu's follow-up plan is to think too highly of him, right? And what is the origin of Jiang Zheng?"
Zhou Shangjing's old face was full of emotion, and he said slowly: "I have been fighting with political opponents all my life, and I have also come into contact with countless important officials in the court, but the only person in the officialdom that I truly admire from the bottom of my heart is
Just three and a half!
Many people regard Wang Baoren as my strongest enemy in the past, but he can only be regarded as half of me. Although this person's scheming skills are not as good as mine, his perseverance and determination and stubbornness that never give up, I ask myself.
Far from it, I have repeatedly put him at the end of his rope, but he can always wait for an opportunity to make a comeback, which is as troublesome as applying dog-skin plaster;
One of the people in the officialdom that I really admire is Zhao Junchen. Although his foundation is still shallow and he has many flaws, the several outstanding achievements he has achieved in recent years are absolutely impossible for me to do, so even if he is young,
Qingqing can only be my grandson, but I still admire him... Well, it would be nice if he had less ambition;
The second is Yang Xun, a great scholar who has recently resumed his official position as Minister of Dali Temple. This person’s knowledge, ambition, and character all make me ashamed, especially the legal studies and laws he has expounded in recent years.
The concept of family is equivalent to creating a new school, and may even replace the mainstream of Confucianism and become the guideline for the imperial government to govern the country in the future. It can be said that he is a great master, destined to leave his name in history... Although this Yang Daru has always looked down on me,
But I still have full respect for him;
The third is He Ming, the former crown prince and grand master. This man is well versed in the emperor's mind. No matter his knowledge, strategy, or skills, he is no weaker than me. I fought with him several times in the past, but never gained the upper hand. He finally quit.
The officialdom is just because he is tired of the temple affairs, not because he was defeated by me...
It's a pity that when He Ming came out to serve as the crown prince and grand master again, he was wiped out by the so-called "mountain bandits", and his student Zhao Shancai soon died of the so-called "stomach disease". These two things are very likely to happen.
It has something to do with the Seventh Prince! Especially Zhao Shancai's 'stomach disease' is very similar to my current situation. Thinking of the tragic situation when he died of illness, I am also frightened!"
Hearing Zhou Shangjing's emotion, Song Chengren nodded in agreement, but his expression became more and more confused, and he didn't understand why Zhou Shangjing wanted to talk about these things.
After Zhou Shangjing took another sip of tea, he finally answered Song Chengren's question and said: "This Jiang Zheng is the direct disciple of Yang Xun and Yang Daru. He has inherited Yang Daru's knowledge and concepts, and has a profound understanding of imperial laws.
But after Yang Xun returned to office, he left Yang Xun's side for some unknown reason. Instead, he joined Zhao Junchen's disciples and became Zhao Junchen's staff. After Zhao Junchen accepted him as his disciple, he quickly sent him to Nanjing to let him
He assisted Huo Zhengyuan in manipulating the situation in Nanjing on behalf of the 'Zhao Party'...
Huo Zhengyuan is a smart man, but he has a weak temperament and always looks forward and backward. When Jiang Zheng once studied with Yang Xun, it is said that he often argued with Yang Xun face to face. He was obviously a person with a firm stand and very strong ideas, so before he
After coming to Nanjing, although he was nominally assisting Huo Zhengyuan, due to the different personalities of the two people, when things actually happened, Jiang Zheng might be the one to make the decision!
In this way, Jiang Zheng will have the opportunity to represent Zhao Junchen and exert the influence of the giant "United Shipping Company"... In addition, he is well versed in the laws of the imperial court, so when he takes action, he must be justified and have a good reputation. Naturally, he can
It affects the direction of the situation!"
Zhou Shangjing spoke highly of Jiang Zheng, but after all, he was just an unknown young man, so Song Chengren could not help but feel a little disapproval at first.
However, when Zhou Shangjing mentioned the existence of "United Shipping Company", Song Chengren couldn't help but his expression froze.
This behemoth, founded by Zhao Junchen himself, has gained great influence in Jiangnan in just two years, gradually uniting all forces in Jiangnan. Even the Song family has joined the "United Shipping Company"
One of the members, no matter who has the support of this behemoth, is undoubtedly a variable that cannot be underestimated.
After Zhou Shangjing shook his head slightly, he then said: "It stands to reason that I and Zhao Junchen have a tacit understanding in the southern Zhili territory, especially when it comes to matters concerning the Seventh Prince. The two sides should cooperate with each other, but Jiang Zheng... seems to be someone else."
I had some ideas, so I sent people to secretly contact Huo Zhengyuan several times, hoping to win the full cooperation of the United Shipping Company. Huo Zhengyuan would not refuse my proposal at first, but Jiang Zhengze repeatedly raised objections, which made Huo Zhengyuan hesitate.
, so this variable must be guarded against!”
After Song Chengren nodded lightly, he asked further: "If this Jiang Zheng may succeed Huo Zhengyuan and operate the 'United Shipping Line' on behalf of Zhao Junchen, it is indeed necessary to guard against it, but... Mr. Chief Assistant, why do you still treat Lu De as such?"
As a variable? I often meet this young man, and although I admire him very much, I don’t think he is qualified to be a variable!”
Zhou Shangjing's smile was meaningful and he said leisurely: "As I said just now, in addition to Yang Xun and Zhao Junchen, among the three semi-official people that I admire, there is also He Ming who is well versed in the emperor's mind! He Ming back then
After leaving the temple, he went to Yingtian Academy to teach and preach. It was during that time that he accepted Zhao Shancai as his direct disciple... But does he really have only one direct disciple, Zhao Shancai?"
…
PS: Let me talk about two more things that people occasionally ask about. One is Q group. There is no Q group in this book. The first few Q groups have all been blocked because everyone likes to discuss some sensitive issues in the group, including QQ accounts of bugs.
It has also been blocked, so Chongzi will wait until the book is finished before establishing a book club; secondly, Chongzi has never deleted any chapter reviews, but sometimes after modifying the chapter content, the system will swallow the comments.
