"Because of this, we will not only not be hostile to Wen Guanliang, but also help him escape and return to his hometown as soon as possible. Otherwise, if this delay continues, everyone here will probably be in trouble. Now I have Xiang Shen, Huang and Wen, the three pavilion elders, have sent their names. They will gather with the three of them at Tianhai Tower tonight to try to alleviate the problem, but there is no guarantee of success. If it is the last resort, we can only confront them in the temple, but no matter what , but also to ensure that you are not involved."
While Zhao Junchen was speaking, in the main hall of the Zhao Mansion, there were Zuo Lanshan, Minister of the Ministry of Industry, Tong Huan, Minister of General Affairs, Zhan Shanchang, Minister of the Ministry of Household Affairs, Li Lide, a powerful figure in the Ministry of Punishment, Chen Dongxiang, Minister of the Ministry of Industry, Gu Quan, the right deputy governor of the Supervisory Council, and others. The core members of Zhao Junchen's faction, except Liu Changan who was on his way to Beijing, all gathered together.
At this time, Zhao Junchen was analyzing to everyone the adverse impact Wen Guanliang's situation would have on them.
After hearing Zhao Junchen's analysis, everyone present had ugly expressions. Among them, the timid ones like Zuo Lanshan and Gu Quan were even more pale, looked panicked, and were sweating profusely.
They know better than anyone how many things they have done under Wen Guanliang that violate court laws and regulations over the years. If these things come out one by one because of Wen Guanliang's drag, I am afraid that all of them will die badly, even if they are Confiscation of one's home and execution is only a minor matter.
Therefore, as Zhao Junchen's words fell, Zuo Lanshan, the leader of the crowd, was frightened and hurriedly stood up and saluted Zhao Junchen: "I will entrust everything to you. I hope you will be merciful and protect me." I am careful, and whether I live or die depends entirely on you."
The rest of the people also stood up in a hurry, saluted Zhao Junchen and said, "I hope you will have mercy."
During the salute, everyone's demeanor was much more respectful and humble than usual.
At this time, they could only put their hope in Zhao Junchen. After all, even Zuo Lanshan, as a second-rank minister, was not qualified to talk directly to the elders.
"You are too polite." Zhao Junchen looked unhappy at the salutes of Zuo Lanshan and others, and waved his hands: "Since the time you made friends with me, I have promised you that when I My disciples, as long as you are sincere and loyal, I will never treat you badly, let alone let you suffer. It is only natural to protect you at this time. Do you still think that I will break my promise? How can such an internal matter be worthy of such a great gift from you all?"
After a pause, Zhao Junchen said again: "Although the matter is serious, you don't have to worry. If Shen and Huang, the two cabinet ministers, still refuse to let Wen Guanliang go, the worst I can do is to break up with them. As long as we can keep it." Everyone is safe, so what if we are hostile to both of them at the same time? With your help and your Majesty’s trust, can we still be afraid of them?"
Although these words were just to protect corrupt officials, Zhao Junchen's tone was quite upright.
After hearing these words, Zuo Lanshan and others looked at Zhao Junchen with gratitude, and their originally panicked and pale expressions became a little more stable. Their sense of belonging to Zhao Junchen's group could not help but increase greatly. .
Compared with Wen Guanliang's original practice of abandoning the blame for his subordinates when something happened, Zhao Junchen took over the responsibility and protected them, and made judgments from above, which made all the officials present feel that they had not surrendered. Wrong person.
In fact, Zhao Junchen already had a plan on how to persuade Shen Changmao and Huang Yourong, and he was very confident. However, he deliberately made the matter very serious just for this effect.
Noticing the gratitude and recognition on everyone's faces, Zhao Junchen nodded with satisfaction and said: "No matter what, you can do whatever you have to do next, don't panic, I have the final say in everything, and I will never let anything happen to you. That's it. However, the reason why I invite you all to come here today is not only for ventilation, but also for the matters of 'Yue Rongfang'."
While speaking, Zhao Junchen nodded to Xu Qingyan.
As Xu Qingyan clapped his hands, a group of servants from the Zhao family filed in, each holding an account book and presented it to the officials present.
When everyone was flipping through the account books, Zhao Junchen concluded: "After more than a month, our 'Yerongfang' has opened all over the prefectures and counties in North Zhili, with a total of 37 branches. This business Well, it's all pretty good. Excluding the cost, the total profit is more than 280,000 taels. Everyone here is a shareholder. The shares range from three points to two points, and everyone can get a dividend of nine thousand to six thousand taels. No. Of course, the money is a little less, because many branches have been open for less than a month, and only half a month's income has been handed over. Considering that the new year is approaching, most people are preparing New Year's goods, and next month's income will be, It is estimated that it can increase by another 60% to 70%.”
After hearing Zhao Junchen's introduction and looking at the accounts in their hands, everyone present was stunned, with expressions of disbelief on their faces.
The temptation of the money was so great that each of them forgot their previous panic. After confirming the number in Zhao Junchen's mouth again, they all couldn't help but feel happy.
Nine thousand taels to six thousand taels may seem like an ordinary number, but you must know that this is only one month’s income, and it is still clean money, and there will be more and more in the future!
Although everyone here knew that the business of "Yue Rong Fang" was booming, no one expected that "Yue Rong Fang" would make so much money!
Zhao Junchen guarded the Ministry of Household Affairs, and Emperor Deqing repeatedly handed over to him the rich and powerful jobs in the court. He may have looked down upon this small amount of money, but it was completely different for others.
A few months ago, when Zhan Shanchang sought refuge with Zhao Junchen, he wanted to hand over all his family property to Zhao Junchen in exchange for Zhao Junchen's protection, but it was only two to three hundred thousand taels. Although the Rites Department was just a Qingshui Yamen, it was not as good as the Punishment Department of the Ministry of Works. It was so rich and rich, and Zhan Shanchang's time as an official was short, but we can also speculate what this amount of money meant to the officials present.
Seeing the surprise on the faces of the officials present, Zhao Junchen smiled and said: "Next, our 'Yue Rong Fang' business will only get bigger and bigger, we will open more branches, and we will make more money." , I would like to ask everyone here, do you plan to receive this month’s dividend money now, or invest in the construction of branches to continue to maintain the number of shares?”
“Of course, keep investing!”
As soon as Zhao Junchen finished speaking, Zuo Lanshan said without hesitation.
"Master Zuo is right. How can we delay the expansion of our 'Yue Rongfang' just because of a small profit? Of course we will continue to invest!"
Zhan Shanchang also nodded repeatedly.
"Yes, the expansion of 'Yue Rongfang' will definitely require a lot of money. We will advance and retreat together with you, sir, how can we let you bear the burden?"
Gu Quan was indeed a royal censor, and his expression when he spoke was even more upright and upright than Zhao Junchen's.
Others such as Li Lide, Tong Huan, Chen Dongxiang and others also agreed.
Looking at the enthusiastic expressions of the officials present, Zhao Junchen smiled softly, with a meaningful flash in his eyes.
What happened to Wen Guanliang just now demonstrated Zhao Junchen's responsibility and kindness. Solving Wen Guanliang's matter next will allow everyone to see Zhao Junchen's methods and abilities, and the benefits of "Yue Rongfang" also show Zhao Junchen's responsibility and kindness.
The benefits and prospects that Junchen can bring to them... As everyone here continues to put their dividend money into "Yue Rongfang" to maintain their shares, their interest relationship with Zhao Junchen is only getting tighter and tighter.
If this continues, Zuo Lanshan and others will not only become more and more loyal to Zhao Junchen, but more importantly, bound by interests, they will become increasingly inseparable from Zhao Junchen. Even if they intend to betray him in the future, they will no longer be able to do it.
I just can't stop.
And Zhao Junchen's integration of officials from his factions has not really come to an end until today.
... Next, Zhao Junchen chatted with everyone again. Seeing that it was getting late, he thought that Zhao Junchen was going to Tianhai Tower to meet with the three elders Shen, Huang and Wen. All the officials said goodbye knowingly.
Already.
However, just as everyone was saying goodbye, Zhao Junchen suddenly said: "Master Chen, please stay."
After hearing Zhao Junchen's instructions, Chen Dongxiang, who was leaving with everyone, changed his face slightly, but he did not dare to disobey. He stopped as he was told and asked Zhao Junchen: "I wonder what you have to say, sir?"
Zhao Junchen looked relaxed and casual, and chuckled: "I don't have anything else to do, but I am going to the Tianhai Tower next, and I happen to be on the way with Mr. Chen. If you and I are in the same car, we can keep in touch on the way.
I wonder what Mr. Chen thinks of the friendship between you and me?"
Chen Dongxiang's expression changed again, but in the end he nodded and said, "Since my Lord ordered me, how dare I disobey my order?"
On the other side, after hearing this conversation, Zuo Lanshan, Zhan Shanchang and others looked at each other meaningfully, but no one stopped for a moment and left one after another.
.........After Zuo Lanshan and others left, Zhao Junchen also took Chen Dongxiang with him in a carriage and walked towards Tianhai Tower.
On the road, in the carriage, Zhao Junchen looked at Chen Dongxiang in front of him with a smile, but his eyes were thoughtful.
Except for Liu Chang'an and Jiang Qian, almost all the important officials in Zhao Junchen's faction came from Wen Guanliang's disciples. Because of the same background and experience, these people are now gradually showing a tendency to stick together, most of them just subconsciously.
It's instinctive, but there are also people who do it intentionally and push it deliberately.
This person is Chen Dongxiang!
After collecting information during this period of time, Zhao Junchen has a relatively good understanding of Chen Dongxiang. He is capable and visionary, but he is unkind and unjust. After betraying Wen Guanliang, among Zhao Junchen's disciples, he was the most hostile to Wen Guanliang.
One is Zhan Shanchang and the other is Chen Dongxiang.
If Zhan Shanchang's hostility to Wen Guanliang is excusable, then Chen Dongxiang's treatment of his old master can only show that there is something wrong with his character.
When Chen Dongxiang was inciting a rebellion against the Ministry of Industry, he even mentioned the words "If a man does not do it for himself, he will be punished by heaven and the earth" many times during his speech, this also shows his character.
After switching to Zhao Junchen's sect, this person kept making small moves. The former officials under Wen Guanliang gradually had a tendency to form a group. Zhao Junchen had been prepared for this, but the speed of the grouping was beyond Zhao Junchen's expectation. Secretly,
After further investigation, it was discovered that Chen Dongxiang played a key role in it.
The reason why Zhao Junchen asked Chen Dongxiang to accompany him was because he wanted to take the opportunity to have a good fight!...
