"Mr. Factory Supervisor, do you want me to send someone from the West Factory to take her down?"
When Wei Huai asked this question, although his face was calm, anyone could see the anger and murderous intent in his eyes.
After all, he was responsible for the original house raids in Prince Gong'an's palace. As a result, not only did Prince Gong'an's adopted daughter Chu Jiayi escape, but if his guess was correct, this Chu Jiayi also sneaked into Zhao Junchen's house incognito.
The government has evil intentions! If it weren't for a coincidence today, Zhao Junchen and others would not know how long they would have been kept secret! We still don't know what changes will happen in the end!
Wei Huai has always regarded himself as Zhao Junchen's arm. For him, what happened is a great shame!
Since Zhao Junchen took office as the director of the Xichang Factory, a small team of Xichang fans have been stationed in the Zhao Mansion at all times. They are usually led by Qin Wei and are responsible for Zhao Junchen's safety. Therefore, as long as Zhao Junchen gives an order, he can immediately
Arrest Chu Jiayi.
However, in the face of this situation, compared to Wei Huai's anger and Xu Qingyan's surprise, Zhao Junchen behaved very calmly.
Zhao Junchen is very worried about his current identity. He is a corrupt official and a traitor. Although Zhao Junchen has thousands of reasons to explain what he has done these days, he still cannot change the nature of the matter!
Therefore, it is appropriate to be resented by others, it is appropriate to be plotted by others, it is appropriate to be assassinated, and it is appropriate to seek revenge by others.
Zhao Junchen has already been mentally prepared for this.
Similar to Chu Jiayi's situation, although this is only the first time, it may not be the last.
With a long sigh, Zhao Junchen did not respond to Wei Huai's inquiry, but picked up the health soup at hand. He took a spoonful and put it into his mouth to taste.
Seeing Zhao Junchen's actions, Xu Qingyan was shocked and quickly stopped him loudly: "Master, don't eat it. This soup was made by Chu Jiayi. She has evil intentions and the soup may be poisonous!"
Zhao Junchen's expression remained unchanged. After tasting it, he put the bowl and spoon aside and said leisurely: "It's really delicious, but it's really a pity."
After sighing, Zhao Junchen smiled when he saw Xu Qingyan's horrified look and said, "Don't worry, there shouldn't be any poison in this soup. After all, Chu Jiayi is responsible for my midnight snack cakes every night. It has been a long time, if
She really wants to poison her, but she might have done it a long time ago, so why wait until today? Even if it is really poisonous, since I have already eaten it for so many days, there is no point in taking another bite."
After hearing Zhao Junchen's words, Xu Qingyan was still a little dissatisfied, but Wei Huai showed a thoughtful expression.
After Zhao Junchen saw Wei Huai's expression, he smiled lightly and asked, "What did Mr. Wei understand?"
Wei Huai said hesitantly: "My lord is still wise and can see things clearly. As your lord said, this Chu Jiayi sneaked into the Zhao Mansion not just to murder your lord, otherwise she would be responsible for your food and drink for many days. If you want to
If you start, you have already started."
Zhao Junchen nodded, then shook his head and sighed: "If it weren't for the purpose of murdering me, this matter would be more complicated."
A glint flashed in Wei Huai's eyes, and he asked in a deep voice: "Mr. Factory Supervisor, what do you mean..."
Zhao Junchen sighed again, and then explained quietly: "Think about it, since she didn't plan to poison me, she must have sneaked into the Zhao Mansion for other reasons, but for Chu Jiayi, it was me who did the harm.
Her family was destroyed, and what could be more important than revenge?"
At this point, Zhao Junchen laughed at himself, and without waiting for Wei Huai and Xu Qingyan to answer, he asked and answered himself: "That is a more thorough revenge! It was me who caused her family to be ruined, so she can only let mine be ruined as well.
Only when you lose everything can you vent your anger."
After Wei Huai heard Zhao Junchen's speculation, the murderous intent in his eyes became stronger, and he asked: "Sir, are you saying that the reason why this Chu Jiayi sneaked into your residence is to search for evidence against you and bring him down?"
My lord, do you even want your lord to end up like King Gong'an?"
Zhao Junchen nodded and said: "Although it is just a speculation, it is almost the same. Only this explanation can explain everything. Why did she sneak into the Zhao Mansion? Why did she hesitate to take action even though she had the opportunity?
So, her refusal to contribute recipes today may not be to attract my attention to her, and to take this opportunity to get closer to me."
After Wei Huai pondered for a moment, he said: "However, I'm afraid things are not that simple. With your current power, my lord, even if she can really find evidence against you, it will not hinder you at all, unless... this Chu
The reason why Jiayi did this is also because he was ordered by others, and the person who ordered him has the power to bring down the master!"
Zhao Junchen smiled softly and said: "That's probably what I guessed. In this way, it can also explain another thing. Now that Chu Jiayi is wanted everywhere, she has nowhere to hide. She is just a little girl.
, how can we avoid the factory guard’s arrest warrant and sneak into my house without telling everyone? Someone must be secretly protecting me.”
Wei Huai said coldly: "In this case, this woman cannot be kept. She should be arrested immediately and then tortured to find out who is behind her."
Zhao Junchen shook his head and said: "No, because of this, we have to pretend that nothing happened. Not only do we want to keep her, but we also want to promote her and let her know more things."
Having said this, Zhao Junchen's expression lost the emotion he had before, and became extremely calm. He added slowly: "Of course, the things she will know are only the things I want her to know."
Wei Huai was stunned for a moment, then understood, and asked: "Sir, are you saying that we can use her in turn to deliver wrong information to the people behind the scenes?"
Zhao Junchen nodded and said to Wei Huai: "Mr. Wei, I have to work hard for you again. After all, all this is just a guess between you and me. You must find a way to confirm that this person in my house
Is Chu Jiayi the Chu Jiayi we guessed? There are coincidences with the same name and surname in the world, and we cannot wrongly accuse her because of this."
After a pause, Zhao Junchen's eyes darkened and he added: "The most important thing is, if she is really who we suspected, then we must find out who is behind her and do things more covertly.
, don’t be noticed!”
Wei Huai's eyes flashed, and then he agreed in a deep voice.
After discussing some details with each other, Wei Huai left.
After sending Wei Huai away from the house, Xu Qingyan returned to the study and looked at Zhao Junchen with a somewhat hesitant expression.
Seeing Xu Qingyan like this, and thinking of Xu Qingyan's strange and dazed expression before, Zhao Junchen understood and asked: "What? Do you have a crush on that Chu Jiayi?"
Xu Qingyan was not a gentleman. Although he was not married yet, there were several regular maids in the Zhao family who were his mistresses. Zhao Junchen already knew about this and did not interfere.
But the only one who can make Xu Qingyan so hesitant and confused is Chu Jiayi.
Involuntarily, Zhao Junchen became even more curious about this Chu Jiayi. There are not many women in this world who can impress Xu Qingyan with just her first impression.
On the other side, after hearing Zhao Junchen's question, Xu Qingyan was shocked, his face turned red, and he waved his hands repeatedly: "How could it be! I just saw her for the first time today!"
During the rebuttal, Xu Qingyan's mood calmed down a lot. But he seriously assured Zhao Junchen: "Master, if she really has evil intentions, I will not be the first to let her go. Master, don't worry, I can distinguish the priorities."
Zhao Junchen stood up and said, "Of course I'm relieved."
While talking, Zhao Junchen came to Xu Qingyan's side, patted Xu Qingyan's shoulder, and said: "Speaking of which, you are not young anymore. It's time to find a woman to settle down. I will help you find a suitable one."
, I will definitely satisfy you. But if Chu Jiayi really has evil intentions, you should stop worrying about her. Since we are enemies rather than friends, there will be no good results after all."
Xu Qingyan nodded silently.
However, Zhao Junchen is not worried about this. He believes in Xu Qingyan's loyalty, but never believes in the lasting nature of the so-called "love at first sight". Zhao Junchen believes that as long as he finds a suitable spouse for Xu Qingyan, Xu Qingyan will soon forget about today.
of stunning.
"It's getting late, let's rest."
As he spoke, Zhao Junchen took the lead and walked towards the outside of the study.
After Xu Qingyan was stunned for a moment, he quickly followed and asked: "Master, are you going to rest alone tonight, or..."
Zhao Junchen did not hesitate and said, "I will spend the night at Fang Ru's place tonight."
…………
In fact, after seeing all Fang Ru's feelings for him these days, Zhao Junchen is completely relieved about her.
In addition, after having more contact with Fang Ru and getting to know each other better, the previous barriers have disappeared.
When Zhao Junchen was pretending to be ill, it was Fang Ru who was taking care of him. As the saying goes, a man and a woman are alone, but Fang Ru did it intentionally, and the two of them were already a couple.
During these days, Zhao Junchen would spend the night at Fang Ru's place unless he was resting alone.
And Fang Ru always waited until Zhao Junchen took a rest before taking a rest, regardless of whether Zhao Junchen came to see her that night. Otherwise, she would keep waiting even if Zhao Junchen worked late.
Therefore, gradually, in Zhao Junchen's heart, Fang Ru has a status that belongs exclusively to her.
On the other side, after hearing Zhao Junchen's answer, Xu Qingyan couldn't help curling his lips.
In the past, Zhao Junchen, although he doted on Fang Ru very much, would still spend the night with other concubines from time to time. But since Zhao Junchen came back from Lu'an Mansion, although he neglected Fang Ru for a while because of his hidden secret, now
But she is already Fang Ru's "favourite".
Xu Qingyan and Fang Ru didn't like each other, so they were naturally not happy about this situation, but after all, this was Zhao Junchen's intention, and he couldn't object.
However, Zhao Junchen went to Fang Ru tonight not for the couple's romance, but for Zhu Jiayi's affairs.
If this Zhu Jiayi really has evil intentions, then outside the Zhao Mansion, Wei Huai will naturally be keeping an eye on her, but inside the Zhao Mansion, Fang Ru will need to keep an eye on her.
Zhao Junchen was very reassured about Xu Qingyan's loyalty, but he was not so confident about Xu Qingyan's abilities, so he still had to leave many things to Fang Ru.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The next day, go to the morning.
Although a lot of things happened the day before, in the morning of this day, at the very beginning, the situation was unexpectedly calm.
First, the officials reported to Emperor Deqing the news of the sudden death of the prince's grand master Xiao Wenruan. Emperor Deqing also expressed extreme sadness and said many words of nostalgia. Then he rewarded the Xiao family with many things and promoted Xiao.
The descendants of the family ordered the Ministry of Rites to discuss Xiao Wen Ruan’s posthumous title.
Although Xiao Wenruan died, he was still in great mourning.
As for the news that the refugees from Heze, Shandong Province came to Beijing to complain, although there was already a commotion in the capital, no one seemed to know about it in the early morning court, and the officials in the court did not even mention it in a tacit agreement.
Emperor Deqing did not mention this matter in order to seize the time to calm down the impact.
The prince's party did not mention this matter because they wanted to find out what happened to Qingchu.
The three major factions Zhou Shangjing, Huang Yourong, and Shen Changmao did not mention this matter, but it was because they knew that the refugees who came to Beijing to complain were not just from Heze, Shandong. In the next few days, refugees from other places began to come to Beijing.
If you file a complaint, things will only get worse! So they are not in a hurry.
As for Zhao Junchen, in order to avoid Emperor Deqing's suspicion, he even restrained his officials. Everyone in the court and above was silent.
However, seeing that today's morning meeting was about to end peacefully, something unexpected happened.
However, it was because of Xiao Wenruan's last words that all the princelings knew in their hearts. Now is the best time to recommend Cheng Yuandao, a scholar from Wenhua Palace University, to join the cabinet and become the elder of the cabinet. At the suggestion of Prince Zhu Heyu, the Ministry of Rites
Bao Wenjie, the left minister, suddenly came out and reported: "Your Majesty, it is the custom of our government that the cabinet controls the affairs of the court and affects the direction of the country. The matters are the most arduous and the responsibilities are also the most important. Generally, four to five cabinet ministers are needed to work together.
"Responsible. However, since Wen Guanliang and Wen Laoge took office, there are only three ministers in the cabinet. It has been more than three months, but it is not appropriate. I hope that your majesty will choose virtuous people to supplement the cabinet and serve the court."
Just as Bao Wenjie finished speaking, Lu Chunxiao, the right inspector of the Metropolitan Procuratorate, came out and said: "Your Majesty, I recommend Cheng Yuandao, a scholar from Wenhua Palace. Cheng Yuandao is a distinguished scholar. He has been serving in the Central Committee since the time of the late emperor.
, Jingyàn is rich, mature and prudent, and has a high reputation, so he is the best candidate to join the cabinet."
After singing and harmonizing like this, all the princelings naturally followed suit one after another, adding to the momentum in response.
In fact, some princelings have long raised the issue of Wenhuadian University Scholar Cheng Yuandao joining the cabinet. In recent days, the call for Cheng Yuandao to join the cabinet has become louder and louder. However, Emperor Deqing's attitude is ambiguous, and other factions in the DPRK have
They opposed it with all their strength, and there was no better candidate than Cheng Yuandao in the DPRK, so the matter has been delayed.
Nowadays, Prince Zhu Heyu has lost two princes and grand masters one after another, and it is also obvious that he is being suppressed by other factions in the DPRK. Emperor Deqing will definitely not sit idly by and ignore it, and will definitely find ways to help Prince Zhu Heyu increase his momentum. Xiao Wen Ruan Lin understood this clearly before he died, so he specifically told Zhu Heyu to recommend Cheng Yuandao to the cabinet today.
As expected by Xiao Wenruan, after hearing the recommendation from the princelings, Emperor Deqing also showed a clear attitude. He said slowly in thought: "Bao Aiqing is right. Now in the cabinet, there are only Zhou Aiqing, Huang Aiqing and Shen." The burden for the three Aiqings to serve as cabinet elders is indeed a bit heavy, so someone should be there to supplement them, and I have always known Cheng Yuandao, a bachelor of Wenhua Palace, and Cheng Aiqing's ability and character, to be the most suitable candidate."
Seeing Emperor Deqing's statement, the prince's party was overjoyed, especially Cheng Yuandao, a scholar from the Wenhua Palace University. He was so excited that he was about to go out to "thank the Lord for his kindness".
However, before Cheng Yuandao could express his stance, Huang Yourong suddenly appeared.
Huang Yourong maintained his usual image of a smiling tiger, and praised Cheng Yuandao when he opened his mouth: "Your Majesty, I have always respected the intellectual character of the great scholar Cheng, and the great scholar Cheng is also a leader in the literary world, among the scholars. His reputation is extremely high, and if he is appointed to the cabinet, he will indeed be able to convince the public."
Having said this, Huang Yourong nodded to Cheng Yuandao with good intentions.
However, most of the officials in the court understood Huang Yourong's style of conduct, but no one really thought that Huang Yourong was speaking for Cheng Yuandao.
Sure enough, at this point, Huang Yourong changed the topic and said: "However, although the knowledge, character, qualifications, and reputation of Bachelor Cheng are all sufficient, the cabinet is different from the Hanlin Academy in terms of ability to assist the government. That's the most important thing. In these aspects, Bachelor Cheng has some shortcomings."
Although the words contained more praise than criticism, they clearly meant opposition.
Hearing what Huang Yourong said, Lu Chunxiao raised his brows and retorted: "Scholar Cheng has been an official in the court since the time of the late emperor. For more than thirty years, how can he, a veteran of the two dynasties, lack the ability to assist the government? Mr. Huangge, when you say that, it’s an exaggeration, isn’t it?”
On the other side, Shen Changmao suddenly came out and snorted: "Scholar Cheng is certainly a veteran of two dynasties, but at the local level, he has only served as a prefect, and at the central government, he has only served as a minister. Although his qualifications are old, he has Most of them have qualifications from the Hanlin Academy. Although their prestige is high, most of them are prestige among literary scholars. As for their ability to assist in government, the veteran also thinks that they are not enough to join the cabinet. I hope your majesty will learn from it."
In the past few days, Huang Yourong and Shen Changmao have also been fighting openly and secretly, firstly for Weizhi, the second assistant in the cabinet, and secondly, for the power and responsibility of Emperor Deqing to stay in Beijing to assist the country during his southern tour, but now they have the same position and cooperate with each other tacitly.
Next, officials from the prince's party, Huang Yourong, and Shen Changmao's faction began to argue endlessly. For a time, the morning court was full of quarrels.
Seeing this scene, Emperor Deqing couldn't help but frown slightly.
It is a big deal for a minister to join the cabinet. Although he is the emperor, he cannot decide it with just one word.
"Mr. Zhou Ge, you are the chief minister of the cabinet. What do you think?"
After hearing Emperor Deqing's inquiry, Zhou Shangjing slowly walked out of the queue, with a calm expression, but said: "I, Shen and Huang, the two cabinet ministers, have the same idea. When joining the cabinet, ability should be the first priority."
After seeing Zhou Shangjing's statement, Zhou Shangjing's party also came out to respond one after another, with a huge momentum.
For a time, the prince's party was at a disadvantage.
Seeing this situation, Emperor Deqing frowned even more tightly.
Suddenly, Emperor Deqing noticed Zhao Junchen.
At this time, Zhao Junchen was not only uncharacteristically quiet, but also shrank to the back, obviously not wanting to participate in today's debate.
However, Emperor Deqing did not want to let him go.
"Zhao Aiqing." When Emperor Deqing spoke, his expression was solemn and his eyes were fixed on Zhao Junchen: "You are too quiet this morning, aren't you? Joining the cabinet is a big event. As the Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, how can you not do it?
Have an opinion? Tell me what you think."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
ps: Thank you reader Tinglou for thinking about Chongzi, and thank you all for your likes these days. Chongzi's "Regency" has indeed been discontinued for too long, and has lost most of its popularity. It is basically difficult to recommend it on the website anymore, but everyone
Thanks to the likes, this book often appeared on the member praise list, and the performance gradually recovered, making Chongzi more and more motivated to write. I am very grateful! (To be continued...)
