Seeing the serious expressions of Niu Fude and Ouyang Bo, Zhao Junchen also became serious and asked: "You two came together, but what happened?"
Niu Fude said: "Sir, I just received news that because of your punishment of Guo Tang, Guo Tang united with many Qingliu officials from the Metropolitan Procuratorate to go to the East Palace this afternoon to seek support from the prince. Because of Guo Tang's instigation, 'Mr.
Everyone in the party is excited, and the prince cannot disobey the public opinion. Now he has agreed to Guo Tang's request and plans to protect Guo Tang."
On the other side, Ouyang Bo also said: "Just now, the Crown Prince sent people to Shuntian Mansion and the Imperial College, specifically asking about Shuntian Mansion's arrest of Guo Min and the Imperial College's removal of Guo Mingtai.
Attention, the attitude has already wavered. Among them, Mr. Huo Zhengyuan of Shuntian Prefecture is upholding justice, and his position is still firm. However, Zhang Bao, the Prime Minister of Shuntian Prefecture, has been secretly defending the Guo family. As for the Imperial College, there has been a tendency to retreat in the face of the battle and is reconsidering them.
Punishment of Guo Mingtai.”
After listening to Niu Fude and Ouyang Bo's explanations, a trace of surprise flashed across Zhao Junchen's face.
Although Zhao Junchen was behind the scenes in the arrest of Guo Min by Shuntian Prefecture and the expulsion of Guo Mingtai from the Imperial College, these two incidents were based on facts and were not regarded as unjust accusations against Guo Min and Guo Mingtai. However, Prince Zhu He
Yu's character has always been upright, he always handles business affairs, and he never shows favoritism. Zhao Junchen originally thought that Prince Zhu and Yu would never help Guo Tang after knowing the cause of the matter.
Therefore, when Zhao Junchen took action to punish Guo Tang this time, he was only targeting Guo Tang alone. He had no intention of fighting with Prince Zhu Heyu.
In fact, Zhao Junchen planned to bring down Guo Tang, and in a certain sense he was still helping Prince Zhu Heyu. Otherwise, with the existence of Guo Tang, the influence of Prince Zhu Heyu would gradually be replaced by the seventh prince Zhu Hejian!
But now it seems that Zhao Junchen misjudged two things.
First, Zhao Junchen underestimated Guo Tang's methods and did not expect that Guo Tang would use public opinion to force Prince Zhu Heyu to help him fight against Zhao Junchen.
Secondly, Zhao Junchen ignored the progress of Prince Zhu Heyu. Unexpectedly, Prince Zhu Heyu also learned to assess the situation, knew that it was difficult to go against the will of the public, and acted favoritistically to protect his own shortcomings. If he had followed the character of Prince Zhu Heyu in the past, this time he would definitely
The meeting was about business and would never protect Guo Tang in these matters. Obviously, Zhao Shancai's guidance and education to Prince Zhu Heyu during this period of time was still effective.
In fact, in Zhao Junchen's view, although "protecting one's shortcomings" is a derogatory term, it is also a necessary quality of a successful person. As a leader, only by learning how to protect one's shortcomings can you win over people's hearts and win the hearts of those around you.
On the contrary, words such as "selfless" and "killing relatives for justice" are certainly words of praise, and are even praised and praised by the world. However, such characters may seem noble, but they will only keep people around them at arm's length.
Dare to get close.
In the past, the failure of Prince Zhu Heyu was that he was too selfless and never understood the principle of showing favoritism to protect others. Therefore, he only received support from the Qingliu people, but none of the major factions in the court supported him.
mean.
It's a pity that Prince Zhu Heyu's progress came too late. Emperor Deqing has now made up his mind to depose him. Such a little progress may not shake Emperor Deqing's determination.
In addition, the timing of Prince Zhu Heyu's defense was also wrong. If he chose this time to protect his shortcomings, he would inevitably have to compete with Zhao Junchen. However, he was by no means Zhao Junchen's opponent. In the end, he would only be embarrassed because of his own shortcomings.
Your reputation will also suffer.
Maybe, Prince Zhu Heyu's favoritism to protect his young master Guo Tang will become one of the reasons for Emperor Deqing to depose him in the future...
Thinking of this, Zhao Junchen shook his head and sighed, and said: "It seems that I made a mistake in my judgment on this matter. I didn't expect that this matter would involve the prince. Guo Tang is smarter than I thought, and he actually knows how to use public opinion."
Forcing the prince to protect him... However, Guo Tang's approach may harm the prince because of his own selfishness!"
Zhao Junchen said "mistake", but his expression was still very relaxed, and he did not show any worry about Prince Zhu Heyu competing with him in the ring.
At the beginning, Prince Zhu Heyu had the secret support of Emperor Deqing and never got any advantage from Zhao Junchen. Now that Emperor Deqing has given up on Prince Zhu Heyu, he is no longer a match for Zhao Junchen.
However, Zhu Heyu was the crown prince after all, so Niu Fude and Ouyang Bo were still a little worried after receiving the news.
Therefore, Niu Fude couldn't help but remind: "Sir, if the prince protects Guo Tang, it may be difficult for you to punish Guo Tang, and there may be a fierce conflict with the 'Prince Party'.
It’s better to prepare for this matter in advance.”
On the other side, Ouyang Bo suggested: "Sir, do you want to send someone to inform Mr. Zuoge that Chen Shangshu and others know the news? When we go up to court tomorrow morning and compete with the 'Prince Party', our people can also
Be prepared.”
Zhao Junchen shook his head and said: "No need. Although I deliberately targeted Guo Tang in this matter, it is ultimately up to us! Even if His Majesty asks you tomorrow morning, we have nothing to worry about. As long as we do business in accordance with the court regulations
It will be done publicly! Once this matter gets serious, we will definitely not be the ones to suffer. At that time, we may still have the opportunity to severely attack those innocent people!"
Speaking of this, a trace of thought flashed in Zhao Junchen's eyes.
Relatively speaking, Zhao Junchen was actually more worried that Guo Tang would seek help from the seventh prince Zhu Hejian. Although the seventh prince Zhu Hejian had little influence in the previous dynasty, he had always been scheming and ruthless. If the seventh prince Zhu Hejian was determined to protect him,
As for Guo Tang, it would be difficult for anyone to guess what methods he would use.
However, the affairs of the Seventh Prince Zhu Hejian are still confidential. Zhao Junchen has not told several of his staff, so he will not make his worries clear at this time.
What's more, according to Zhao Junchen's understanding of the seventh prince Zhu Heyu, this person is a ruthless and unjust person, and he may not risk offending Zhao Junchen to help Guo Tang at this time. Once Guo Tang falls, the seventh prince Zhu He
Jianjian will certainly lose a lot of interests, and it will be much more difficult for him to get Qingliu's support in the future. But for the seventh prince Zhu Hejian, offending Zhao Junchen is something he is even more unwilling to accept. Now is the critical period for him to take over as the crown prince.
Zhu Hejian should not create any side issues.
On the other side, after hearing Zhao Junchen's explanation, Niu Fude and Ouyang Bo thought for a moment and both agreed with Zhao Junchen's judgment.
Then, after the two discussed some matters about "Beijing Cha" with Zhao Junchen, they all said goodbye and left.
However, Zhao Junchen's study was quite busy that day. Just as Niu Fude and Ouyang Bo left, Fang Ru entered the room again, holding a book of poems in her hand, her expression slightly excited.
