Just before three quarters of the hour, Zhao Junchen arrived at Tianhai Tower in a sedan chair, where he held a banquet for Liang Fuchen tonight.
Originally, according to Zhao Junchen's idea, he just had to arrive before the agreed time. Liang Fuchen was a cabinet minister with the most distinguished status. During this time, he was busy with border defense matters. Although the time agreed by the two was It was three o'clock in the hour, but it would be good if Liang Fuchen could arrive at Tianhai Tower before Xu hour.
In the past, when Zhao Junchen had appointments with Huang Yourong, Shen Changmao, Zhou Shangjing and others, he always had to wait for a while. He was already accustomed to the belated arrival of ministers in the cabinet.
However, when Zhao Junchen got off the sedan, the shopkeeper of Tianhai Tower hurriedly ran to Zhao Junchen and said, "Master Zhao, you are here. Mr. Liang Ge is already waiting for you in the private room on the second floor."
Hearing this, Zhao Junchen couldn't help but be stunned.
Unexpectedly, Liang Fuchen not only attended the appointment on time, but also came early. This incident once again exceeded Zhao Junchen's expectations.
Therefore, Zhao Junchen did not dare to delay, and quickly entered the Tianhai Tower and arrived at the private room on the second floor. When he pushed the door open and entered, he saw Liang Fuchen holding a memorial book and reading it carefully. In Liang Fuchen's hand, There was also a thick stack of memorials, which surprised Zhao Junchen even more. He didn't expect that Liang Fuchen would review the memorials while waiting for him. He really didn't waste any time!
After being surprised, Zhao Junchen quickly walked up to Liang Fuchen, bowed and saluted: "Junior came late, and it is really a sin to keep senior Liang waiting for a long time."
Liang Fuchen watched the memorial in rapt attention. After hearing Zhao Junchen's words, he noticed Zhao Junchen's arrival. He raised his head and glanced at Zhao Junchen, then nodded slightly and said, "You are not late, it's just that I arrived early. Over the years, in San When dealing with military and political matters in Bianjun Town, we don’t dare to have any delays. We are used to completing them in advance, and we also prepare in advance when meeting people..."
Having said this, Liang Fuchen put down the memorial in his hand and said, "Master Zhao, please sit down."
After Zhao Junchen sat down, he glanced at the memorial in Liang Fuchen's hand and smiled: "Senior Liang did not forget to handle official duties and review the memorial when he was waiting for the younger generation. This diligence and dedication alone can be regarded as a model for ministers." Well, the juniors must learn from Senior Liang."
Hearing Zhao Junchen's compliment, Liang Fuchen did not feel proud at all. Instead, he shook his head and said: "I haven't returned to the imperial center for many years. I am no longer familiar with all kinds of government affairs. I don't understand the environment in the capital. Naturally, I have to hurry up." Use your time to make up for your homework, otherwise you will have to work hard in the cabinet."
Then, Liang Fuchen patted a pile of memorials at his hand and said: "However, these memorials are all related to Mr. Zhao! They are all memorials about agricultural rectification that Mr. Zhao recently submitted to the cabinet. Mr. Zhao has an appointment with me today. I am afraid that this is the reason why we met, so I want to understand Mr. Zhao’s thoughts in detail.”
Hearing what Liang Fuchen said, Zhao Junchen's eyes flashed with surprise.
Unexpectedly, Liang Fuchen could easily guess the purpose of Zhao Junchen's meeting with him.
So, Zhao Junchen asked: "How does Senior Liang know that Junior is meeting with Senior about agricultural rectification?"
Liang Fuchen glanced at Zhao Junchen and explained: "Isn't the agricultural rectification matter what Mr. Zhao is most concerned about now? The imperial court is currently in troubled times. In the future, there will be six Nanjing departments, border defense, and disaster relief matters that need to be further dealt with. If I If it were Mr. Zhao, he would solve the agricultural rectification matter as soon as possible. If it continues to be delayed, not only will this matter not be solved, but other things will also be in trouble. After all, Mr. Zhao's agricultural rectification plan has offended too many people. If this matter cannot be resolved as soon as possible, the officials will inevitably make things difficult for Mr. Zhao on other matters. This is something Mr. Zhao will never want to see... The most important thing is that the autumn planting period will soon be here. If Your Excellency's agricultural reform plan is not passed, it will be delayed until next year... In addition, I should be the only minister in the cabinet who will support Mr. Zhao's agricultural reform plan. Mr. Zhao has asked me to meet at this time. The purpose is self-evident.”
Hearing Liang Fuchen's explanation, Zhao Junchen felt a little wary and warned himself that he should never underestimate Liang Fuchen in the future. Liang Fuchen's vision and judgment were by no means inferior to Zhou Shangjing's. It would not be an exaggeration to say that he was a clairvoyant.
Some time ago, Zhao Junchen took advantage of the opportunity to support Shaanxi and Gansu with money and food, and secretly plotted against Liang Fuchen, causing Liang Fuchen to offend hundreds of officials. However, it was not that Zhao Junchen's little thoughts were hidden from Liang Fuchen, but that Liang Fuchen was willing to jump for the sake of the overall situation.
Falling into Zhao Junchen's trap, if Zhao Junchen thinks that Liang Fuchen is easy to fool because of this incident, he will definitely suffer big losses in the future.
While he was thinking secretly, Zhao Junchen's face was full of admiration and he said: "Senior Liang has a keen eye for fire and knows every detail. Naturally, this little thought of this junior cannot be hidden from Senior Liang's eyes."
Then, Zhao Junchen asked in a cautious tone: "I don't know, what does Senior Liang think of the junior's agricultural reform plan?"
Liang Fuchen expressed some appreciation and said: "I am not from Jiangnan, and I have not bought any land in Jiangnan. Naturally, I will not be disgusted with Mr. Zhao's agricultural reform plan. In fact, even if Mr. Zhao did not ask me to meet today,
I will also support Mr. Zhao. Food is the foundation for the stability of the country. Mr. Zhao's agricultural reform plan can reverse the court's food shortage dilemma, which is naturally a good thing... However, it offends the interests of too many people, I'm afraid.
It is difficult to pass. Your Majesty actually agrees with Lord Zhao's plan, but Your Majesty will not explicitly support Lord Zhao because it will affect the relationship between the monarch and his ministers. Therefore, even if I fully support Lord Zhao, this plan may not be passed.
.”
Zhao Junchen took out the memorandum he had prepared today, handed it to Liang Fuchen, and said: "Juniors also know that the previous agricultural reform plan violated the interests of too many people. Even if it can be passed, it will definitely be secretly obstructed, so
Based on the bottom line of the officials, I modified my proposal. This memorial is a new intensification of the younger generation. I would like to ask Senior Liang to review it and provide guidance."
Liang Fuchen took Zhao Junchen's memorial, read it carefully, then frowned slightly and said: "The officials will reluctantly accept this new plan, but the effect is far less than Master Zhao's last proposal. I'm afraid
It is not enough to reverse the court's food shortage dilemma."
Zhao Junchen nodded and admitted, saying: "It is true, but in order to pass the agricultural reform plan before the autumn planting, this is also a helpless matter! This kind of thing can only be done step by step! Nowadays, hundreds of officials are opposed to the younger generation's plan, and the reason is
It can be roughly classified into three categories. First, those who doubt the results and feasibility of the agricultural reform plan; second, those who believe that there is no precedent for this kind of thing; and finally, those who are worried that the younger generation’s agricultural reform plan will arouse public resentment and cause turmoil... and the younger generation’s new
If the agricultural reform plan is passed and successfully implemented, there will always be some achievements. At that time, the objections of the officials will be defeated, and the younger generation can further intensify efforts to carry out agricultural reform.
.”
Liang Fuchen thought for a moment and said slowly: "In this case, I will naturally give my full support to Mr. Zhao!"
After getting Liang Fuchen's promise, Zhao Junchen couldn't help but be overjoyed.
Although he had already guessed Liang Fuchen's position, Zhao Junchen was still quite surprised to get Liang Fuchen's promise so easily.
Then, Zhao Junchen took the opportunity to compliment Liang Fuchen a few words, praising Liang Fuchen for being selfless and a role model for others. However, Liang Fuchen still did not have much reaction to Zhao Junchen's compliment, but responded with a neither salty nor indifferent response.
During this period, the shopkeeper of Tianhailou led the staff to deliver drinks and dishes, and the banquet officially began.
It stands to reason that after the banquet begins, the atmosphere between Zhao Junchen and Liang Fuchen should gradually become warmer, but Liang Fuchen does not like formal talk and polite words, and does not drink on weekdays, and he also adheres to the principle of "eating without talking or sleeping without talking"
principle, so after the banquet started, the atmosphere became awkward and cold. Zhao Junchen tried to break the awkwardness several times, but Liang Fuchen barely responded, which made the atmosphere even more embarrassing.
In the end, Zhao Junchen gave up and just ate quietly like Liang Fuchen, so the two of them became full quickly.
After the waiters at Tianhai Tower cleared away the dishes and brought tea, Liang Fuchen finally spoke again.
"Actually, after returning to Beijing this time, my impression of Mr. Zhao has greatly changed!" Liang Fuchen looked at Zhao Junchen deeply, as if he wanted to see through Zhao Junchen, and said slowly: "In the past, I thought Mr. Zhao was just a surviving person.
He is just a conscientious corrupt official. Although he is greedy for money, he will do some things within his ability, but will never do anything that harms his own interests. However, during this period of time, Mr. Zhao did not hesitate to do anything to reverse the food shortage dilemma of the court.
After repeated confrontations with hundreds of officials, I was quite surprised to find that Mr. Zhao is not only a capable minister, but also a wise minister!"
He first evaluated Zhao Junchen as a corrupt official, and then praised Zhao Junchen as a virtuous official. This statement seemed full of contradictions, but in Liang Fuchen's view, whether an official is a virtuous or evil official does not depend on whether he is corrupt.
Accepting bribes depends on whether he has contributed to the overall situation of the court. Simply put, it is a result-based theory. From this aspect, Zhao Junchen is indeed a top-ranking virtuous minister in the court.
After hearing Liang Fuchen's comments, Zhao Junchen didn't know how to respond.
In front of Zhao Junchen, Zhao Junchen was evaluated as a corrupt official. Apart from Prince Zhu He, Liang Fuchen was probably the only one in front of him. However, Liang Fuchen also evaluated Zhao Junchen as a wise official, which made Zhao Junchen a little flattered.
.
After pondering for a moment, Zhao Junchen avoided the topic of corrupt officials and said: "Senior Liang has always been honest with this junior, so I will just tell you my true thoughts. If you call me a wise minister, I really don't deserve it. I think this junior
Senior Liang is the most virtuous minister in the imperial court. What Senior Liang has done over the years can be summed up in one sentence: "Never ask what the imperial court has done for you, only ask what you have done for the imperial court."
The realm of the younger generation is unreachable, let alone the younger generation, even those Qingliu people who claim to be loyal and good are also far out of reach. In the eyes of Qingliu, it is the imperial court that has always treated them badly, and they have always been aggrieved."
After a pause, Zhao Junchen continued: "As for what the juniors do, they are still selfish. In the eyes of the juniors, if an official wants to gain a foothold in the temple, he needs to prove his worth and let others
Most people can't live without themselves, but if so, it will only be a temporary foothold. After all, there are too many talents in the world, and no one is indispensable. Take the junior as an example. If the junior leaves the court one day
, the court's money and food turnover will inevitably be chaotic, but after three years at most and one year at least, the chaos will always end, and the court's money and food turnover will still continue, so the younger generation is not so indispensable...
Therefore, if you want to gain a long-term foothold, there is only one way to go, and that is to combine your own interests with the interests of the court. If the interests of the younger generation are harmed, the interests of the court will also be harmed. In this way, naturally,
It is deeply rooted and unbreakable. Now that this generation has established a firm foothold, it has begun to consider long-term matters. The younger generation wants to reverse the bad government of the court in order to combine itself with the interests of the court. It seems to be selfless, but
In fact, they are only superficially similar, but they are far inferior to Senior Liang's realm."
After listening to Zhao Junchen's explanation, Liang Fuchen took a deep look at Zhao Junchen again and said: "You can think of these things, which is already rare and valuable. Whether you are doing it for yourself or the court, as long as it benefits the court,
Then you can be considered a wise minister."
Then, Liang Fuchen thought about the task assigned to him by Emperor Deqing, which asked him to secretly watch Zhao Junchen's actions, but he made a decision.
Without waiting for Zhao Junchen to answer, Liang Fuchen added: "There are indeed many shortcomings in the imperial court at present, and I also want to change them. If you are still willing to work hard to reverse the shortcomings of the imperial court in the future, then I will advance and retreat with you together!"
After hearing what Liang Fuchen said, Zhao Junchen was stunned at first, and then he was happy!
In officialdom, a statement like this basically means an alliance between the two parties!
Zhao Junchen made an appointment with Liang Fuchen today. It was originally just for the agricultural reform plan and hoped that Liang Fuchen could support him. However, he did not expect that Liang Fuchen went one step further and directly proposed an alliance!
This is definitely an unexpected surprise!
Zhao Junchen also knew that the reason why Liang Fuchen suddenly proposed an alliance must not be that simple, but in any case, the advantages of this matter outweigh the disadvantages to Zhao Junchen!
So, Zhao Junchen immediately replied: "If this is the case, I dare not let Senior Liang down, and I will ask Senior Liang for more advice in the future!"
…
My daughter has been suffering from a low-grade fever for a while. I thought it would be cured by taking some medicine, but it happened again today. Worrying about an accident, Chongzi took her daughter to the hospital, which wasted a lot of time. So today's second update will be later. Everyone first.
Go to sleep and watch again tomorrow morning, sorry!
