Although Zhao Junchen wanted to win over Huang Yourong, he did not completely trust Huang Yourong.≈
Therefore, after Huang Yourong was appointed as the Imperial Envoy, Zhao Junchen also arranged for Gu Quan to go to Nanzhili with him, both for assistance and for surveillance. In addition, Zhao Junchen also needed Gu Quan to help him deal with some matters in Nanzhili that were not convenient for Huang Yourong to know.
matter.
In this way, Huang Yourong did not attend the luncheon in the Zhao Mansion, but it played into Zhao Junchen's hands. Zhao Junchen could also take advantage of the luncheon to give some instructions to Gu Quan.
Compared with his wealth, Zhao Junchen's lunch was a bit shabby. It was just ordinary home-cooked dishes, a total of five dishes and one soup. A small square table could fit it all. This was because there were guests today, and Zhao Junchen usually
Junchen's diet is even simpler.
However, although the dishes were simple, Gu Quan's expression was still a little excited when he sat down.
You should know that even the core figures of the "Zhao Party" such as Ge Lao Zuo Lanshan, Bachelor Huo Zhengyuan, and Minister of Household Affairs Zhan Shanchang rarely have the opportunity to dine alone with Zhao Junchen. Gu Quan is in the "Zhao Party"
The status is only in the second tier, so opportunities like this are not common.
For Gu Quan, this is a great opportunity. If he can take the opportunity to get Zhao Junchen's praise, then his future will be bright. With Zhao Junchen's current powerful position, as long as he is willing, it is really difficult to support an official.
It couldn't be simpler. You only need to look at Chen Dongxiang, who is now very proud of himself.
However, it was precisely because he was so excited that Gu Quan behaved a little bit badly when dining with Zhao Junchen. His eyes were only focused on the changes in Zhao Junchen's demeanor, and his buttocks were only lightly touching the chair, waiting for Zhao Junchen at any time.
While giving lectures, my mind was not on eating at all, and the chopsticks used to pick up vegetables were almost inserted into my nose.
After the banquet started, Zhao Junchen had just taken two bites of food when he saw Gu Quan like this. He sighed softly in his heart and decided not to delay anymore and directly give instructions to Gu Quan, otherwise he would not be able to enjoy the meal at ease.
I saw Zhao Junchen put down the chopsticks in his hands and said to Gu Quan: "The food is a bit simple, which makes Mr. Gu laugh. But I have always disliked extravagance and waste, and I have never been very particular about food. This is what I eat on weekdays."
He looks like this, so I think it’s good as long as he can take care of himself. But Mr. Gu is a guest today, but he can’t serve him poorly. If Mr. Gu doesn’t like it, I can also ask the cook to add a few more dishes."
On the other side, Gu Quan also quickly put down his chopsticks, looked upright and said with a smile: "Master Zhao, if you are there, it is already a great honor for me to accompany you to the meal. I dare not ask for anything else. Besides,
These few dishes are enough, and adding more would be a waste. In fact, I still need to learn from you, sir, and try to avoid extravagance and waste in the future."
Zhao Junchen smiled and nodded, no longer beating around the bush, and said directly: "I have arranged for you to go to Nanzhili with Huang Yourong, but there are some things I want you to do. After all, Huang Yourong is not one of us, and you cannot rely on him for many things.
Only when you let your own people handle it can you feel at ease."
Seeing Zhao Junchen mentioning the word "one of our own" several times in a row, with a sincere expression, Gu Quan felt flattered and said quickly: "I will do my best, sir. Just ask me."
Zhao Junchen did not speak immediately, but picked up the wine pot and poured a glass of wine for Gu Quan with his own hands. Gu Quan quickly held the wine glass with both hands to greet him. Then Zhao Junchen filled his own wine glass again, and then said casually
He continued in a tone of voice: "First of all, it is of course Su Changzhen's problem. According to my estimation, he has been corrupt and bribed over the years, and has been amassing money crazily. His property savings are about three million taels of silver. This stolen money will be used in the future.
There are many matters in the imperial court that require this money, so you must be more careful and careful when interrogating and searching your home, and you must not let Su Changzhen conceal the true number."
After hearing Zhao Junchen's instructions, Gu Quan couldn't help but be stunned.
Su Changzhen's qualifications are very old. He has been in officialdom for more than 30 years. In recent years, he has been serving as governor of Nanzhili, the richest city. He himself is greedy and addicted to amassing money. For such a corrupt official, his property
The savings are more than three million taels of silver? It would not be surprising even if this number doubled again!
It was impossible for Zhao Junchen not to know this, but he was confused and miscalculated the amount of Su Changzhen's property. This made Gu Quan a little confused about how he should answer. Was he to remind Zhao Junchen that he had made a mistake? Or should he pretend to be
Don’t you know Zhao Junchen’s mistake?
On the other side, seeing Gu Quan's expression, Zhao Junchen sighed softly in his heart.
Obviously, Gu Quan completely failed to understand his true intention.
Therefore, Zhao Junchen increased his tone and said again: "So, these three million taels of stolen silver must be handed over to the court in full, and there must not be any shortage. Do you understand?"
As he spoke, Zhao Junchen's tone was particularly strong on the word "full amount".
This time, after hearing Zhao Junchen's reminder again, Gu Quan finally understood Zhao Junchen's true intention belatedly!
Zhao Junchen's words clearly meant "the three million taels of stolen silver must be handed over to the court in full", but the actual meaning is probably "Su Changzhen's stolen silver only needs to be handed over to the court."
Three million taels is enough." As for what to do with the remaining silver, Gu Quan naturally didn't need Zhao Junchen to remind him again, so he kept it secret, then gave part to Huang Yourong, took some for himself, and took all the remaining silver.
Leave it in the hands of Zhao Junchen!
So, Gu Quan nodded quickly and said: "Don't worry, sir, I understand. I will definitely escort all of Su Changzhen's stolen silver to the capital. It is about three million taels of silver. I will remember this number. I will never do it."
There is a huge gap.”
Seeing that Gu Quan finally understood his true intention, Zhao Junchen nodded with satisfaction.
Then, Zhao Junchen ordered: "Also, the imperial court is very determined to investigate Su Changzhen this time, so many of Su Changzhen's accomplices and remnants of the party will definitely be involved in the trial... It's just that
However, Su Changzhen has been operating in Nanzhili for many years, and there must be many accomplices. If all these people are arrested by the court, I am afraid that there will be great chaos and shock in the officialdom of Nanzhili. By then, the implications will be far-reaching and everyone will be in danger.
, even most of the officials were convicted and imprisoned, which is not good for the country and the country, and it is not good for the reputation of the court, so I hope you can pay attention to your discretion when the time comes. Of course, none of those officials who are heinous and have great public anger can't
Let it go, but if the crime is not particularly serious for officials, as long as they show enough remorse, they can turn a blind eye. We can't just kill all the officials in Nanzhili, right?"
After the last experience, Gu Quan quickly understood Zhao Junchen's hint this time.
I am afraid that Zhao Junchen wanted to use Su Changzhen's case to recruit some local officials from Southern Zhili for his own use.
After all, although the "Zhao Party" is now gaining momentum, its influence is mainly concentrated in the center of the imperial court and does not have a particularly large influence outside the capital. As long as it can take the opportunity to recruit some of Su Changzhen's cronies this time, then "
Zhao Dang" can spread his influence to southern Zhili.
