The next day, when Mao hour was approaching, when Zhao Junchen arrived outside the Meridian Gate in a sedan, many officials looked at Zhao Junchen with obvious awe in their eyes, and their attitude towards Zhao Junchen became more respectful.
Obviously, they all heard about Zhao Junchen's action to punish Guo Tang yesterday, and Zhao Junchen's purpose of establishing prestige had achieved its effect.
Interestingly, even many "Zhao Party" officials looked at Zhao Junchen with more awe.
You must know that when it came to rectifying Guo Tang, Zhao Junchen basically did not do it himself. He only controlled the situation behind the scenes. All specific matters were handled by the "Zhao Party" officials. But even so, after seeing Guo Tang's fate,
Officials of the "Zhao Party" were also frightened.
Zhao Junchen was able to punish Guo Tang so miserably without taking action personally, so what if Zhao Junchen did it himself?
After all, Guo Tang was the young master of the dynasty and had a distinguished status, but he had no power to fight back in front of Zhao Junchen. What if it were someone else?
If Zhao Junchen used to give people the impression that "you can get a lot of benefits by taking refuge in him," then because of Guo Tang's incident, Zhao Junchen's impression has changed to "you can get a lot of benefits by taking refuge in him.
If you offend him, you will die miserably."
It can make people reach the sky in one step, but it can also make people fall into hell. This is what the so-called "turning the wind and clouds over and causing the rain to fall" is about this.
First, he spread his kindness, and then he killed the chicken to scare the monkeys. Until this day, Zhao Junchen finally established the prestige that matched his power!
But he said that after Zhao Junchen stepped off the sedan, several core officials of the "Zhao Party" quickly came to meet Zhao Junchen.
After hurriedly saluting Zhao Junchen and saying hello, Huo Zhengyuan looked serious and reported to Zhao Junchen: "Master Zhao, something is not good. Prince Zhu He has already planned to stand up to support Guo Tang. Due to the prince's intervention, Shuntian Mansion
I can no longer interrogate Guo Min and the others at Sitong Shipbuilding at will..."
Then, Zhan Shanchang also looked a little anxious and said: "There is also a problem at the Imperial College. Because of the pressure exerted by the prince, the Imperial College has planned to withdraw the punishment against Guo Mingtai."
Then, Chen Dongxiang also frowned and said: "After seeing the prince's statement, the censors in the Metropolitan Procuratorate who favored us also backed down a little. It seems that they do not intend to impeach Guo Tang in court this morning."
After all, Zhu He was the crown prince and future emperor, and the effect of his actions was extraordinary. Zhao Junchen's several plans to punish Guo Tang all encountered obstacles, big or small.
After everyone in the "Zhao Party" saw Zhu He supporting Guo Tang, they all felt pressure.
"If the prince had known how to use the power and influence in his hands earlier, I'm afraid he wouldn't be in the situation he is in now. Unfortunately, he understood it too late..."
After hearing the report from the "Zhao Party" people, Zhao Junchen secretly sighed in his heart.
At the same time, Zhao Junchen's expression remained calm and he said: "About this matter, I received the news last night. The matter is not that serious, and you adults don't need to worry."
Zhan Shanchang asked quickly: "Oh? Mr. Zhao, do you have any countermeasures in mind?"
"Countermeasures?" Zhao Junchen asked back: "What other countermeasures are needed? Naturally, just do whatever you want! In the past, it was always the princes and Qingliu who wanted to investigate us, but we secretly blocked them, and then they would make things worse.
It often makes us unable to get off the stage. Now that the situation has changed, we want to investigate Guo Tang, but are blocked by the prince, so naturally we can also make things worse! Sometimes, the Qingliu people can also learn from their methods!
After things get serious, I want to see how the prince and Qingliu will step down!"
Having said this, Zhao Junchen turned to Huo Zhengyuan and said: "Master Huo, you are now the Governor of Shuntian, and everything in the capital is under your jurisdiction. Now the 'Sitong Commercial Bank' is evading taxes, bullying the market, and bribing officials."
Within your scope of authority, if someone obstructs your administration in accordance with the law, how can you sit back and ignore it? Naturally, you have to report it to His Majesty and let His Majesty make the decision for you!"
Then, Zhao Junchen said to Zhan Shanchang and Chen Dongxiang: "If the Imperial College dares to withdraw the punishment they imposed on Guo Mingtai, it will be ignoring the facts and illegally practicing favoritism! If the censors encounter something and turn a deaf ear to it, they will be doing nothing and doing nothing! Master Zhan
As colleagues in the imperial court with Mr. Chen, I should naturally give them a warning and explain to them the errors and disadvantages of this approach!"
Then, Zhao Junchen said in a righteous tone: "Everyone, the laws of the court must be implemented, and the justice of the world must be upheld. Since we have discovered the various crimes of Guo Tang and his people, we should boldly expose them.
There must be no scruples in conducting a strict trial, let alone shrinking from the battle because of pressure from certain people, otherwise what is the use of the imperial court supporting us?"
After hearing these words of Zhao Junchen, all the "Zhao Party" officials were stunned and some could not react.
Because, these words of Zhao Junchen sound too much like the daily remarks of Qingliu people.
They have long been accustomed to being chased and scolded by the Qingliu people. When encountering problems, they are also used to minimizing the big issues, compromising with each other, and solving them in the dark. Now they see that Zhao Junchen actually wants to make a big deal out of punishing Guo Tang.
With such righteous words again, everyone is a little at a loss.
In the end, it was Huo Zhengyuan who was the first to react, stroking his hands and saying: "What Mr. Zhao said is reasonable. This time we are the ones who are right. It is also the prince and Qingliu who are seeking selfishness to protect their own shortcomings. We have a clear conscience, so why should we be afraid of them? So we finally
It is best to adjust your mentality in time. This matter is not an ordinary party dispute, but we are maintaining the laws and disciplines of the court, and we are not afraid of things getting serious."
After hearing Huo Zhengyuan's further explanation, everyone in the "Zhao Party" reacted one after another.
Moreover, they also wanted to understand the deeper meaning of Zhao Junchen's words. This incident was a great opportunity for them to attack Qingliu's reputation.
After setting the tone, everyone in the "Zhao Party" became excited again. After saluting Zhao Junchen, they dispersed and went to prepare.
Soon, the bell on the Meridian Gate rang.
After midnight, Zhao Junchen and hundreds of officials lined up to enter the Huangji Hall, and then Emperor Deqing arrived. Today's morning dynasty finally began.
It stands to reason that the focus of the meeting this morning should be the "Beijing Chao" matter. However, as soon as the meeting began, the "Princeling Party" and the "Zhao Party" started fighting over the Guo Tang matter, attracting everyone's attention.
.
As the chief eunuch Zhang De said, "If something happens, I'll report it early." Young Master Guo Tang rushed out of the queue first, lay down on the main hall, and cried loudly.
"Your Majesty, you must make the decision for me!" Guo Tang's cry was extremely fierce and he said loudly: "Since my minister impeached Zhao Junchen, the Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, yesterday morning, he has been secretly retaliated by Zhao Junchen. First, the veteran
My brother Guo Min was arrested by Shuntian Mansion for no reason, and then my grandson Guo Mingtai was expelled from the Imperial College. In accordance with His Majesty's order, I went to Zhao Junchen's house to apologize, and was deliberately humiliated by Zhao Junchen...
…”
At this point, Guo Tang's expression became more and more grief-stricken, and he kowtowed to Emperor Deqing repeatedly: "Your Majesty! Zhao Junchen is looking down on the country, harboring evil intentions, reversing the rules and regulations, and doing whatever he wants. Since ancient times, the treachery of ministers has never been done.
It’s as bad as Zhao Junchen! I hope your majesty will severely punish Zhao Junchen and uphold justice for the old minister!”
Upon hearing Guo Tang's cry and impeachment, Emperor Deqing couldn't help but be startled and turned his eyes to Zhao Junchen.
Yesterday, he was focused on the affairs of the Seventh Prince Zhu Hejian, and somewhat ignored the trends in the capital. It was only now that he learned about Guo Tang.
Therefore, Emperor Deqing looked a little unhappy and asked Zhao Junchen: "Zhao Junchen, are you really taking revenge on Mr. Guo? I have obviously punished Mr. Guo, are you still not satisfied?"
Seeing that Guo Tang was the first to make a statement and take the initiative to impeach himself, Zhao Junchen was a little surprised.
However, Zhao Junchen thought about it and understood Guo Tang's thoughts.
Since Emperor Deqing had already punished Guo Tang in court yesterday morning, this matter should be over. If Zhao Junchen continues to retaliate against Guo Tang, he will be disobeying Emperor Deqing's decision and violating Emperor Deqing's holy will.
, will naturally cause Emperor Deqing's displeasure, and Emperor Deqing will be more biased towards Guo Tang in this matter.
In comparison, if Guo Tang impeached Shuntian Prefecture or Imperial College, it would not have this effect.
I have to say that Guo Tang is indeed a little clever.
But compared to Guo Tang, who was crying and crying and grief-stricken, Zhao Junchen's expression was calm and calm. After hearing Emperor Deqing's question, he just walked out of the queue calmly and replied:
"Your Majesty, none of you know about Mr. Guo's accusations, and none of you acknowledge them!"
After a pause, Zhao Junchen continued: "Guo Min's arrest is a matter of Shuntian Mansion, and Guo Mingtai's expulsion is a matter of the Imperial College. I don't know why Mr. Guo wants to involve these things on me, making baseless speculations.
It is the minister who is taking revenge on him. As the Minister of the Ministry of Household Affairs, I have always been responsible for money and food matters. I have no control over Shuntian Mansion, and I have no right to interfere with the Imperial Academy. It is really a big joke for Guo Shaofu to involve these matters on my minister.
, Is it possible that Mr. Guo has a bad stomach after eating two days apart, and he should blame it on me?"
After hearing Zhao Junchen's words, Emperor Deqing pondered for a moment, and then asked: "Where are Shuntian Mansion and Imperial College?"
As Emperor Deqing finished speaking, Huo Zhengyuan, the Yin of Shuntian Prefecture, and Li Zi, the Imperial Academy's sacrificial wine, stepped out of the queue and kowtowed one after another: "I am here."
Emperor Deqing frowned and asked: "Did Shuntian Prefecture arrest Guo Min, Guo Shaofu's brother? Did the Imperial College remove Guo Shaofu's grandson Guo Mingtai? What happened to these two things? Were you instructed by Zhao Junchen?
"
Naturally, Huo Zhengyuan would not be frightened at this time, and replied loudly: "Your Majesty, I received a report yesterday that the 'Sitong Trading Company' in the capital has committed tax evasion, bullying, defrauding customers and other crimes, and the evidence is conclusive.
As the governor of Shuntian Prefecture, I naturally did not dare to sit idly by, so I sent people to seal up the "Sitong Trading Company". At that time, I did not know that the owner of the "Sitong Trading Company" was Guo Shaofu's brother Guo Min. It was not until afterwards that I found out
Knowing this, the arrest of Guo Min by Shuntian Prefecture is definitely not to target Mr. Guo, and it has nothing to do with Mr. Zhao. I hope your Majesty will learn from it!"
Compared with Huo Zhengyuan's firm stance, Imperial College Jiu Li Zi was hesitant.
From yesterday evening to today's morning meeting, he had been sandwiched between Prince Zhu He and Zhao Junchen. He was under joint pressure from both sides. Now he doesn't know whether he should favor Prince Zhu He or Zhao Junchen.
In the end, after hesitating for a moment, Li Zi chose to wait and see what happened. He did not offend either side. At the same time, he also clarified his relationship and reported to Emperor Deqing: "Your Majesty, I have indeed heard about Guo Mingtai's expulsion from the Imperial College, but the Imperial College
On weekdays, the management of the prison students has always been the specific responsibility of Hu Zhen, the Prime Minister of the Imperial Academy. The removal of Guo Mingtai was also Master Hu's decision, because it happened yesterday, and I haven't had time to understand the details."
The imperial minister held a fourth-grade official position, so he was naturally qualified to be in the imperial class. However, the imperial minister only had an eighth-grade official position and was not qualified to participate in the imperial meeting. However, if Hu Zhen heard what Li Zi said, she would definitely secretly
He scolded Li Zi for being shameless and blaming everything on himself.
On the other side, after hearing what Huo Zhengyuan and Li Zi said, Emperor Deqing looked serious and was about to say something else.
But at this moment, Prince Zhu He strode out and said: "Father, I have something to say about this matter!"
