Chapter 12. Making a Gambling Covenant (Part 2). Two-in-One Chapter
Zhou Shangjing's proposal was very tempting, but after thinking for a moment, Zhao Junchen still chose to refuse.
In fact, there was nothing to hesitate about this issue from the beginning.
Emperor Deqing is Zhao Junchen's only support in this era. It is no exaggeration to say that without Emperor Deqing, Zhao Junchen would be nothing. Emperor Deqing's favor is the foundation for Zhao Junchen to have the powerful position he has today.
Therefore, at least in a short period of time, Zhao Junchen would never betray Emperor Deqing.
Compared with the vague promise of joining the cabinet, for Zhao Junchen, Emperor Deqing's support was more practical.
Therefore, although Zhou Shangjing's eyes were full of expectation and encouragement, Zhao Junchen still said with a helpless expression: "The chief minister really praises the lower official. The lower official is just a minister of the household department. What's the point of the official's petty words?"
Can you stop His Majesty from going on a southern tour? I'm afraid the Chief Assistant is joking."
Zhou Shangjing took a deep look at Zhao Junchen and said, "Junchen had better think about it again. The opportunity is rare and joining the cabinet is not an easy task."
Zhao Junchen also sighed and said: "I also want to do it, but unfortunately it is beyond my ability. I am afraid that I will live up to the high expectations of the chief minister."
Seeing Zhao Junchen's firm attitude, Zhou Shangjing sighed slowly, shook his head, and murmured: "That's all..."
While talking, Zhou Shangjing patted Zhao Junchen on the shoulder, then turned and left.
Although Zhou Shangjing left, Zhao Junchen's brows furrowed more and more tightly. He really couldn't understand why Zhou Shangjing would rather let himself join the cabinet and decentralize power than let Emperor Deqing tour the south?
Looking at Zhou Shangjing's trembling back, Zhao Junchen suddenly felt that he understood something.
Although Zhou Shangjing is a powerful minister, at his age, he may pay more attention to the continuation of the power of his family's descendants than his own position of power.
Thinking of this, Zhao Junchen waved to the court official who had been most attentive when talking to him before.
Then, I saw this official running up to Zhao Junchen, with a humble smile on his face, and said: "Zhan Shanchang, the right minister of the Ministry of Rites, has met Mr. Zhao."
After hearing Zhan Shanchang's words, Zhao Junchen couldn't help but be startled. He didn't expect that this official who was extremely humble to him was actually of the same rank as him.
Zhao Junchen looked carefully, and sure enough, the official robes on this man were exactly the same as his own. He was about forty years old. It was rare to be able to hold the position of a third-grade minister at such an age. Although he was not as good as Zhao Junchen, it was still considered rare.
However, precisely because this man was able to hold the position of Minister of Rites at the age of about forty, he must have strong backers in the court. If this is the case, why would he deliberately try to please himself?
Although there were some doubts in his heart, Zhao Junchen did not want to think about it carefully at this time, and just said: "It turns out to be Mr. Zhan. There were so many people and confusion before that he didn't notice that you and I are actually of the same rank, so I treated him lightly."
Hearing what Zhao Junchen said, Zhan Shanchang looked flattered and said repeatedly: "No, no, Master Zhao is really polite. It should be right. Master Zhao, you are in charge of the household department alone, and you are the royal family. No one can compare with the lower officials.
"
Zhao Junchen frowned slightly and said slowly: "Master Zhan is wrong. Since you and I have the same rank, how can you call yourself a lower official? What's more, the Ministry of Revenue belongs to the imperial court and your Majesty. Today's household
The Minister of the Ministry of Finance is Mr. Li Chengru, so why is it that I am the only one in charge of the Ministry of Household Affairs?"
Zhan Shanchang had a look of panic on his face and said hurriedly: "It's my subordinate. I... I was negligent. Master Zhao is absolutely right."
Zhan Shanchang was originally going to call himself "my official", but he felt that such a title was a bit arrogant, so in the end he changed it to something as nondescript as "I am here".
Zhao Junchen shook his head and laughed, but cut to the chase and asked: "Sir Zhan, do you know if any of the chief minister's descendants are serving in Jiangnan?"
Although Zhan Shanchang didn't know why Zhao Junchen asked this question, he still said: "As far as I know, Lord Zhou Suhai, the eldest grandson of Lord Chief Assistant, is now serving as the magistrate of Suzhou Prefecture."
Zhao Junchen nodded, but his brows furrowed even more tightly.
It seems that something big has happened in Jiangnan, or at least in Suzhou!
It was rare to have a private conversation with Zhao Junchen, so Zhan Shanchang was ready to seize the opportunity to close the relationship between the two. However, before he could open his mouth, the bell rang above the Meridian Gate, and the Meridian Gate slowly opened.
Morning morning finally started.
As the Meridian Gate opened, the three elders in the cabinet, except Zhou Shangjing, the chief minister - Huang Yourong, Wen Guanliang, and Shen Changmao, finally arrived late and got off the sedan almost at the clock, which made Zhao Junchen suspicious. , did these three people arrive a long time ago, just to show off and wait for the bell to ring before they show up, otherwise how could they be so clever?
"Master Zhan, let's enter the court."
After nodding to the three pavilion elders, Zhao Junchen said to Zhan Shanchang, but found that Zhan Shanchang looked extremely strange when he saw the three pavilion elders.
Hearing what Zhao Junchen said, Zhan Shanchang hesitated to speak, but finally nodded and followed Zhao Junchen into the palace.
………
After entering the Hall of Supreme Harmony, Zhao Junchen seemed very low-key, just standing in his position, occasionally nodding to others, but never saying much.
Although, many people know that Zhao Junchen is the key figure in today's morning meeting.
With Zhao Junchen returning to Beijing, whether Emperor Deqing can tour the south depends on today's morning meeting.
After waiting for only a cup of tea, I heard a eunuch scream loudly: "Your Majesty has arrived~~~ All the ministers kneel down to welcome~~~"
The voice was quite familiar, but it was Eunuch Zhang De and Zhang whom he had met a few days ago.
"Long live my emperor! Long live!"
As the ministers knelt down, Zhao Junchen took a peek and saw that Emperor Deqing looked very excited today, his face was red, his eyes were bright, and his beautiful beard was about to float.
"Get up."
As Emperor Deqing finished speaking, Zhao Junchen and all the courtiers stood up, waiting for Eunuch Zhang to shout the routine "If anything happens, report early, if nothing happens, withdraw from the court."
However, Zhang De seemed to have completely forgotten about it and just stood aside without saying a word.
In the silence, Emperor Deqing spoke.
"These days, I have asked you to submit excerpts to discuss the pros and cons of the southern tour. I have read all the excerpts you submitted, and I am very disappointed! As ministers, none of you can understand the profound meaning of my desire to tour the south! Instead, I found out There are many excuses to stop my southern tour!"
Emperor Deqing snorted coldly and continued: "You have only four reasons for stopping me from patrolling the south. First, the southern tour has no practical significance and is unnecessary; second, as the emperor, I should be stationed in the capital. Third, my southern patrol disturbed the people and mobilized troops; fourth, my southern patrol cost a lot of money and the household department lacked money. These reasons may seem sufficient, but in my opinion, they are quite ridiculous, or they may not be affordable. After careful consideration, it may be easily solved, but you are using these excuses to hinder my southern inspection tour, which is simply pedantic and incompetent in the extreme!"
Hearing what Emperor Deqing said, Zhao Junchen only felt that these words were vaguely familiar. After a while, he recalled that he had said these words to Emperor Deqing. Emperor Deqing repeated them in front of the ministers at this time, and also
Just changed a few words.
Emperor Deqing ignored the expressions of the ministers and continued: "Let's talk about the first question first. In your eyes, my southern tour is purely a face-saving exercise and has no practical significance. This is really pedantic and outdated.
I think, our Ming Dynasty has a vast territory, and it is most likely to cause various problems. Zhejiang, Anhui and other places are also important towns of salt and grain, so we must not lose anything. It is necessary for me to inspect the places, emphasize the emperor's existence, spread the emperor's majesty, and let the emperor's majesty spread.
As a result, local officials and local elders were in awe of the imperial court, strengthened the connection between the central government and the local government, and understood the people's livelihood and sufferings. Aren't these the significance of the southern tour?"
While the ministers didn't know how to tell the difference, Zhao Junchen secretly cursed: "I also said these words..."
At the same time, Zhou Shangjing's expression changed as he stood in front of the ministers.
Emperor Deqing continued: "Let's talk about your second reason. As the emperor, I should be in charge of the capital. I should not leave lightly, otherwise troubles will easily arise. This reason is even more ridiculous. If I leave the capital, the whole world will be destroyed.
There will be trouble. Is it my problem? Or is it your ministers' problem? What's more, when it comes to national construction, your various views are competing with each other, and each has its own truth. I won't go to the place to understand it in practice.
How can we formulate national policies? Do we just listen to your words? If you use this reason to stop me from patrolling the south, you will be punished!!"
Zhao Junchen secretly cursed: "These are the words I said..."
After Zhou Shangjing heard these words, his expression became even weirder.
Seeing that the ministers had nothing to say, Emperor Deqing was unreasonable and continued: "As for the problem of disturbing the people's power and mobilizing the troops, we just need to make some changes to solve it better. The main reason why my southern tour will disturb the people's power is
For the construction of the palace, it is necessary to recruit people and occupy private houses. However, my southern tour is for the country and the people, so why do I have to live in the palace? When I get to the place, I can live in a Jiangnan garden at will. In this way,
How can it disturb the people?"
Zhao Junchen sighed secretly: "I came up with this idea..."
However, although Zhao Junchen was slightly dissatisfied with Emperor Deqing's plagiarism, he would never speak out.
The reason why Zhao Junchen told this to Emperor Deqing yesterday was so that Emperor Deqing could be in the limelight at this time.
Surrendering to his own preferences, making his own ideas, and letting the emperor steal the limelight have always been the only way for a minister to win favor.
…
On the other side, Emperor Deqing was very proud when he saw that his rebuttal had left all the courtiers speechless. Although he tried his best to look serious, the smile on the corner of his mouth could be seen by anyone.
come out.
"As for what you said about the high cost of the southern tour and the lack of money in the Ministry of Revenue... Is Zhao Aiqing here?"
Upon hearing Emperor Deqing's summons, Zhao Junchen quickly stepped out of the queue and said: "Your Majesty, I have calculated that if Your Majesty does not build a palace, the two hundred thousand taels of silver for the southern tour will be more than enough. The Ministry of Household Affairs will still take this money."
It’s got to come out.”
According to Zhao Junchen's plan, Emperor Deqing visited the south and stayed in gardens in the south of the Yangtze River instead of palaces. However, most of those famous gardens in the south of the Yangtze River were in the hands of wealthy merchants from Huizhou and Zhejiang. It was a big deal for the emperor to stay there.
I am honored to take this opportunity to hint to those merchants from Huizhou and Zhejiang that it can be easily solved with just a few hundred thousand taels of silver.
However, the court could not clearly explain the matter of asking for bribes from businessmen, so Emperor Deqing and Zhao Junchen could only deal with it vaguely.
After hearing Zhao Junchen's answer, Emperor Deqing nodded with satisfaction, looked around at the ministers, and asked: "In that case, what else can you say about my southern tour?"
Facing Emperor Deqing's inquiry, all the officials in the court focused their attention on Zhou Shangjing, the chief minister of the cabinet, and the princes Zhu and Yu.
Previously, the courtiers opposed Emperor Deqing's southern tour, and these two were the main force.
However, Zhou Shangjing did not speak, with a dull look on his face, as if he had never objected to Emperor Deqing's southern tour.
Although Emperor Deqing's previous rebuttal was unintentional, Zhou Shangjing did conceal some things from Emperor Deqing. Feeling guilty, he always felt that Emperor Deqing's words meant something. At this time, he naturally did not dare to refute again.
.
On the other side, Crown Prince Zhu Heyu frowned when he saw Zhou Shangjing being a coward. He felt that he was a bit weak and weak, but he still said: "Father, I have something to say."
Emperor Deqing also frowned and said slowly: "Tell me."
Sensing Emperor Deqing's dissatisfaction, Zhu Heyu felt a little aggrieved, but he still said: "What the father said is indeed quite reasonable. I have nothing to say about it, but as far as I know, now Hubu Yu
The maximum amount of silver is no more than 100,000 taels, so how can it be used by the emperor for his southern tour? Zhao Junchen falsely claimed that the Ministry of Household Affairs can provide 200,000 taels of silver. This is actually a crime of deceiving the emperor. I hope my father will tell you clearly."
Before Emperor Deqing could speak, Zhao Junchen had already stepped forward and said: "Your Majesty, I am not lying. There are currently 3.7 million taels of silver in the household department, and a mere 200,000 taels of silver can still be withdrawn."
Zhu Heyu sneered and said: "The amount of silver in the household department is completely different from the amount of silver left in the household department. Zhao Junchen, you said this, but do you want to fool His Majesty and the court officials? There are still more than three million taels of silver in the household department.
Of course it’s true, but most of that silver is useful, either for officials’ salaries or for border defense military expenses. Putting these aside, how can there be 200,000 taels of usable silver left?”
On the other side, Li Chengru, the Minister of the Ministry of Hubu, also came out and said: "Returning to Your Majesty, what the prince said is correct. Although the Bank of Hubu has a lot of silver, the remaining silver is definitely not enough to reach 200,000 taels. If your Majesty does not believe it, you can
Accountant."
Listening to Li Chengru's words, Zhao Junchen frowned slightly. He had already dismissed Li Chengru. Even Li Chengru could only estimate how much money the household department still had. Therefore, Zhao Junchen did not think that Zhu Heyu and Li Chengru knew the details of the household department.
Details.
However, Zhao Junchen was unwilling to confront them. Otherwise, under the promotion of the prince's party, he would have to audit the accounts of the Ministry of Household Affairs. In this case, it would be equivalent to giving them a reason to interfere with the Ministry of Household Affairs. Zhao Junchen would naturally not do it.
.
However, just as Zhao Junchen was about to say something, Zhu Heyu was the first to say: "The reason why Zhao Junchen said that there are still more than 200,000 taels of silver in the household department is that if he is not deceiving the emperor, he is probably trying to move other silver funds."
, Father, it is a grave crime to overstep one's authority by arbitrarily moving money from the household department! In short, in my opinion, Zhao Junchen's words and deeds today are either deceiving the emperor or overstepping his authority! Please tell me, father!"
Hearing what Zhu Heyu said, Emperor Deqing frowned even more, but at this time, he couldn't favor Zhao Junchen, so he just asked Zhao Junchen: "Zhao Aiqing, what do you have to say about the prince's words?
?”
Zhao Junchen did not panic, but smiled slightly and said: "Your Majesty, although the prince's words seem reasonable, he underestimates the ability of the humble ministers. The way to manage money is nothing more than increasing revenue and reducing expenditure. The silver of the household department,
Everyone has his own use, and I will not do anything to reduce expenditures, but if it comes to increasing revenue and collecting more money for the treasury, it is only a mere two or three hundred thousand taels of silver, I ask myself, I am still confident."
Zhu Heyu sneered and said: "You make it easy, two hundred thousand taels of silver, how can you say that you have it? My father will be on a southern tour after the spring of next year, and the central area will also need several months to prepare, leaving
The time you have to prepare the silver is only a month. How can you find two hundred thousand taels of silver in such a short period of time?"
Zhao Junchen sighed and said: "I might as well make a bet with His Highness the Crown Prince here, on whether I can raise two hundred thousand taels of silver within one month without moving the money in the household department. How about that?"
"
Before Zhu Heyu had time to speak, Emperor Deqing suddenly spoke.
"Since it is a bet, there must be a bet, and I will decide the bet. If Zhao Aiqing can increase the income of two hundred thousand taels of silver for the household department in one month, then his financial management skills will naturally be far superior to those of his peers.
In addition, Lu'an Prefecture's meritorious service in disaster relief can be promoted to the position of Minister of the Ministry of Household Affairs, and the original Secretary of the Ministry of Household Affairs, Li Chengru, will be moved to another position. If Zhao Aiqing cannot increase the revenue of 200,000 taels for the Ministry of Household Affairs within one month, it will be regarded as Zhao Aiqing's loss.
According to the words of the prince, it is the crime of deceiving the emperor. Prince, Zhao Aiqing, what do you think of this?"
"Since your Majesty said so, I should accept the order."
Zhao Junchen bowed and said.
Both Emperor Deqing and Zhao Junchen were confident about collecting two hundred thousand taels of silver within a month. Zhejiang and Huizhou merchants had agents in the capital, and through them, Emperor Deqing
It was revealed that he was interested in staying in Jiangnan Garden during his southern tour. In order to win the qualification for Emperor Deqing to stay in his own garden, hundreds of thousands of taels of silver were naturally obtained.
However, to the surprise of Zhao Junchen and Emperor Deqing, Zhu Heyu suddenly said: "Father, I heard that someone wanted to use your Majesty's qualifications to stay in various gardens during his southern tour to ask for bribes from the merchants in Jiangnan.
In my opinion, such an approach is disrespectful to the court and is absolutely not feasible! In addition, Minister Zhao’s family is quite rich and he can easily hand over 200,000 taels of silver to the Ministry of Household Affairs. In this way, if he
Therefore, if you win the bet, wouldn't it be equivalent to buying the official position of Minister of the Ministry of Revenue with two hundred thousand taels of silver?"
Hearing what Zhu Heyu said, Emperor Deqing and Zhao Junchen were both shocked!
The fact that Zhu Heyu could say this proved that he already knew the secret plan of their monarch and his ministers!
Zhu Heyu continued: "So, in my opinion, the bet is okay, and my father's bet is also feasible, but even if Zhao Junchen can get 200,000 taels of silver for the Ministry of Household Affairs within one month, he still has to explain
Regarding the origin of the money, you cannot misappropriate the money from the household, you cannot use your own money, you cannot increase taxes and apportion it, and you cannot ask for it from the private sector. It must come from a legitimate source."
Hearing what Zhu Heyu said, Emperor Deqing couldn't help but regret it.
Although he had great confidence in Zhao Junchen's financial management skills, he did not believe that Zhao Junchen could obtain two hundred thousand taels of silver in one month using "proper means."
This bet was originally a way for Emperor Deqing to take the opportunity to promote Zhao Junchen, but now it was impossible to make the bet.
However, Jun Wuxi couldn't tolerate him going back on his word. He just looked at Zhao Junchen, hoping that Zhao Junchen could find a reason to turn down the bet.
However, Zhao Junchen was not worried and instead said to Emperor Deqing: "The prince's words are reasonable. In one month, I will not only collect an additional 200,000 taels of silver for the household department, but also explain the origin and origin of the silver. Where does it go?"
At that time, if anyone says that the two hundred thousand taels of silver came from an improper source, I will consider it a defeat and leave it to your Majesty's disposal."
Having said this, Zhao Junchen asked Zhu Heyu again: "However, Your Majesty, if I come up with two hundred thousand taels of silver when the time comes, and the silver comes from a legitimate source, there will be no problem if Your Majesty wants to tour the south again."
Alright?"
Zhu Heyu was stunned for a moment and then said: "That's it!"
Hearing Zhao Junchen's words, Emperor Deqing was moved. At this time, Zhao Junchen was still concerned about his southern tour!
There is probably no other loyal minister like this in the whole court, right?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
PS: The first update today is a 5,000-word chapter. There will be another update before midnight. Please continue to ask for recommendations! Please add it to your favorites!
