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Wenyuan Pavilion, located in the east of the Forbidden City, is not large in scale, and the decoration is also very simple, which does not look conspicuous.

However, this place is the core of power in the Ming Dynasty, and it is the place where the cabinet elders usually discuss and vote, and countless officials regard entering the Wenyuan Pavilion as the highest ambition in their lives.

Since Shen Changmao served as the first assistant of the cabinet, he has always liked to work and discuss politics in the Wenyuan Pavilion, always coming early and leaving the latest - he is very obsessed with this feeling of becoming the master of the Wenyuan Pavilion, which gives him the illusion that the situation in the world is under his control - whenever he presides over the discussion of the elders in the Wenyuan Pavilion, watching the decrees related to the fate of countless people drawn up by his own votes, watching Zhou Shangjing, who is in power leaning towards the government and the opposition, also needs to consult his own opinions on everything, and watching countless officials only look forward to themselves, Shen Changmao will get endless satisfaction, and indulge in this satisfaction and can't extricate himself.

As the saying goes, "a big husband can't be without power for a day", this is the temptation of power, and the effect is stronger than drug addiction.

Therefore, when the news of Zhao Junchen's assassination came, the cabinet was also quite shaken, Zhou Shangjing immediately left Wenyuan Pavilion and returned to his own mansion, Cheng Yuandao also left Wenyuan Pavilion and hurriedly went to the East Palace to report the news to the prince Zhu and Yu, but only Shen Changmao remained in Wenyuan Pavilion and was reluctant to leave, and Huang Yourong was now obedient to Shen Changmao, so he naturally stayed in Wenyuan Pavilion.

*

Wenyuan Pavilion is located in the palace, and it is inconvenient to spread the news, although Shen Changmao is also paying close attention to the assassination of Zhao Junchen, he will inevitably be one step later when he receives the news, and his reaction will be a beat slower.

"So, although Zhao Junchen was assassinated, he didn't lose his life, and he wasn't even injured?"

In the Wenyuan Pavilion, after Shen Changmao received the detailed news of Zhao Junchen's assassination, he learned that Zhao Junchen was safe and sound, and his expression couldn't help but flash a trace of disappointment.

On the side, Huang Yourong also had a similar expression.

After learning about Zhao Junchen's assassination, Shen Changmao and Huang Yourong were still a little excited at first, feeling that if Zhao Junchen died, they would have one less confidant, and they would be relieved of many obstacles in the future.

However, when Shaobao Zhao Zhenghe reported the details of Zhao Junchen's assassination to the two of them, they found that Zhao Junchen was unharmed, and Shen Changmao and Huang Yourong were naturally disappointed in their hearts, and only felt that "the disaster will be left for a thousand years".

After Zhao Zhenghe saw Shen Changmao's disappointed expression, he also sighed: "I heard that it was Cui Qianxue, the granddaughter of the old Cui Mian in the former cabinet, who blocked the fatal knife for Zhao Junchen, so Cui Qianxue's injuries are quite serious now, but Zhao Junchen is unscathed." ”

Huang Yourong snorted lightly and said: "Cui Mian, this old guy, has always been pretentious, I didn't expect his granddaughter to be entangled with people like Zhao Junchen, and even willing to block the knife for Zhao Junchen to die, I really don't know how Cui Mian educates his children and grandchildren on weekdays!" ”

Shen Changmao also shook his head: "Zhao Junchen is a big person, and he can escape after being assassinated alone, otherwise he will ......"

As he spoke, Shen Changmao's expression became more and more regretful.

Seeing that Shen Changmao and Huang Yourong were just blindly entangled in Zhao Junchen's life and death, but they didn't care about the details of this matter at all, and even didn't care about the identity of the murderer at all, Zhao Zhenghe couldn't help but be a little anxious, and hurriedly reminded: "Shen Shoufu, Huang Ge Lao, according to the lower officials, the focus of this matter is no longer Zhao Junchen's life and death, but a rumor that suddenly appeared in the market after Zhao Junchen's assassination!" ”

Seeing Zhao Zhenghe's solemn expression, Shen Changmao frowned and asked, "Oh?" What rumors? Why do you pay so much attention to it? ”

Zhao Zhenghe glanced up at Shen Changmao slightly, and then said in a cautious tone: "After Zhao Junchen's assassination, rumors suddenly spread everywhere in the capital, and they were said with noses and eyes, which caused a lot of discussion among the government and the public...... According to the rumors, the murderer who assassinated Zhao Junchen was instructed by Shen Shoufu because you had a political disagreement with Zhao Junchen, and yesterday you were deliberately humiliated by Zhao Junchen......

"What!?" After hearing Zhao Zhenghe's explanation, Shen Changmao suddenly stood up, and his face changed greatly.

This rumor is too vicious, if you let it spread around, then you really will be "yellow mud on your crotch, not but".

What's even more terrifying is that the content of this rumor is nine true and one false, which is quite confusing - Shen Changmao is indeed at odds with Zhao Junchen, and the two did have a conflict yesterday, and Shen Changmao's temperament is even more known to the world - I am afraid that many people will believe it!

However, if more and more people believe this rumor, then Shen Changmao's reputation will inevitably plummet, causing the hostility of hundreds of officials, and Emperor Deqing will also be suspicious, and at that time, Shen Changmao will have a hard time in the court.

On the side, Huang Yourong also hurriedly reminded: "Shen Shoufu, something must be done now, we must not let this kind of rumor spread everywhere, otherwise there will be endless troubles!" ”

Shen Changmao's expression was solemn, and after pondering for a while, he instructed Zhao Zhenghe: "Immediately, in the name of the cabinet, urge the Shuntian Mansion and the Three Law Divisions to make every effort to arrest the murderer and solve the case as soon as possible, and at the same time, let our people investigate the truth of the rumors with all their might, and we must find out who is behind the spread of the rumors......

After Zhao Zhenghe agreed, Shen Changmao hesitated again, but stood up again and said: "Also, Zhao Junchen is an important minister of the imperial court, after being assassinated, he must have palpitations, the old man, as the first assistant of the cabinet, should also go to visit and condole, and take the opportunity to take a stand and debunk the rumors with his own actions......

After speaking, Shen Changmao turned his head to look at Huang Yourong and asked, "Old Huang Ge wants to go with the old man?" ”

Huang Yourong knew that Shen Changmao couldn't pull his face down to see Zhao Junchen alone, so he had to accompany him.

To tell the truth, Huang Yourong hated Zhao Junchen extremely much, and he really didn't want to go to Zhao Junchen to condole with him, but he didn't dare to go against Shen Changmao's opinion now, so he hesitated for a moment, and finally nodded and said, "Naturally, we will go together!" ”

In this way, Shen Changmao finally left Wenyuan Pavilion, which made him reluctant to give up, and went to find Zhao Junchen.

*

At the same time that Shen Changmao and the others left Wenyuan Pavilion, in the Prince's East Palace, "Prince. The party "everyone is also discussing the assassination of Zhao Junchen.

"Prince. Party members have always flaunted fairness and pursued order, but when they encounter problems, they will inevitably pursue double standards.

For example, they have always despised the act of conspiracy and calculation, thinking that the court officials should be above board, and the conspiracy and calculation are the exclusive property of corrupt officials and ministers, however, during the southern tour of Emperor Deqing, after they got the help of Zhu Hejian, the seventh prince, they also carried out conspiracy and calculations, so that Huang Yourong was anxious and disappointed.

For another example, they have always prided themselves on being selfless and noble in character, believing that forming a party for personal gain and fighting for power and profit completely violates the way of courtiers, but when the party is attacking, they also do not back down and fight with each other everywhere, but they just put on a beautiful coat of "for the country and the people", thinking that their party and power struggle are for the benefit of the people, and other people's party and power struggle is a disaster for the country and the people.

Between the different criteria, "Prince. The party "changed so naturally that they never noticed anything wrong.

In fact, whether it is a conspiracy or a party to fight for power, it is just a means, and there is no difference between justice and evil, but since ancient times, because the Qingliu people are not good at this, in order to prevent others from using these methods, they have insisted on labeling these methods as evil, but they are not only rejecting contempt, but it is also difficult to get out of the mud without staining, and in order to justify themselves, they have to find many high-sounding excuses for themselves when using these means, which inevitably leads people to laugh.

The same is true today.

In broad daylight, the important ministers of the court were assassinated near the downtown at the feet of the Son of Heaven, and the nature of this kind of thing was extremely bad. "The party has long been filled with righteous indignation and can't wait to proclaim justice...... But if the assassin is the "prince. The party's political enemy, the notorious corrupt official Zhao Junchen, "the prince. The party's "crowd is in a different mood.

Therefore, after learning the details of Zhao Junchen's assassination, it was found that Zhao Junchen was unscathed after the assassination. The mood of the party's officials is somewhat similar to that of Shen Changmao and Huang Yourong, and they all think that God is not open, and it is really a great misfortune that a corrupt official like Zhao Junchen will escape!

It can be seen that Zhao Junchen, a corrupt official, is now the finger of Wanfu and the people's grievances, so there will be civil righteous people who want to eliminate harm for the people! It's a pity that it fell short, and in the end, Zhao Junchen escaped with his life, which makes people sigh! ”

While speaking, Lu Chunxiao's face was full of regret, but he couldn't wait to define Zhao Junchen's assassination.

As Lu Chunxiao's words fell, Pavilion Elder Cheng Yuandao also said: "Yes, if Zhao Junchen, a corrupt official, fails to escape this catastrophe and is assassinated and killed, then the situation in the court will inevitably be cleared, and we will be able to do things for the court and ask for the lives of the people in the future." ”

Chen Dongxiang sneered: "However, after Zhao Junchen goes through this incident, he will also see the resentment of the people against him, and he will definitely be frightened, and he will be terrified from now on." ”

After hearing Chen Dongxiang's speculation, "Prince. The party "everyone smiled, thinking of Zhao Junchen's worried and scared appearance, they all felt that the resentment in their hearts had been relieved.

However, hearing "Prince. After everyone's comments, Zhao Shancai on the side frowned.

After Zhao Shancai learned about Zhao Junchen's assassination, he was also surprised, he didn't expect that Zhao Junchen would encounter such a thing after separating from him.

However, Ren is Zhao Shancai's outstanding intelligence, but he would not have thought of the many coincidences in it, let alone know that Zhao Junchen had blocked a catastrophe for him, but he faintly felt that there was another secret in this matter.

Compare "Prince. The party's "people, Zhao Shancai's position is much more neutral and objective, hearing the "prince. After the party's comments, Zhao Shancai immediately noticed that something was wrong.

Originally, Zhao Shancai was just silent and did not interrupt, "Prince. party" everyone discussed excitedly, but when he saw that the crown prince Zhu and Yu also nodded in agreement, he finally couldn't bear it, got up and said: "His Royal Highness the prince, seniors, please listen to the student's words." ”

With Zhao Shancai's speech, everyone's eyes were focused on Zhao Shancai.

In the attention of everyone, Zhao Shancai's expression was serious, and he said slowly: "The student thinks that these words of the predecessors, just say it here, but you must not spread it around, after all, the imperial court has its own laws and disciplines, and we, as important ministers of the imperial court, should take the maintenance of the imperial court law and discipline as the primary task, and now there are murderers who assassinate the court officials, whether the court officials are loyal or treacherous, clean or greedy, such behaviors are all against the court law and discipline, we not only can not defend the murderers, but also act impartially and make every effort to maintain the court law and discipline." , in this way, we can reflect our public spirit, otherwise it will be difficult for us people to be convinced in the future, and it will even cause disgust from hundreds of officials! ”

While speaking, Zhao Shancai turned his gaze to the crown prince Zhu Heyu, and said: "Especially His Royal Highness the Prince, you are a half-monarch and half a minister, you are a courtier for Your Majesty, you are the future emperor for the hundred officials, and Zhao Junchen is your courtier, and now that the courtier has been assassinated, you must make your position and attitude clear, not only to severely condemn, but also to urge the relevant yamen to solve the case as soon as possible, so that the hundred officials will be convinced of His Highness, and His Majesty will be pleased to see His Highness's attitude." ”

After hearing Zhao Shancai's suggestion, Prince Zhu Heyu hesitated slightly, and finally nodded: "Mr. Zhao is right, although Zhao Junchen is a corrupt official, I can't forget the law and discipline of the court, and please rest assured, when it comes to tomorrow's morning, I will naturally act according to Mr.'s advice." ”

After all, although the crown prince Zhu Heyu is very hostile to Zhao Junchen, acting impartially and the law and discipline of the court are the basic bottom line of Zhu Heyu.

Seeing that the crown prince Zhu and Yu nodded in agreement, Zhao Shancai secretly breathed a sigh of relief in his heart, he was really worried, "Prince. "The party "will be excited and agitated to defend the murderer of Zhao Junchen tomorrow morning, if that is the case," the prince. The party is about to lose its foothold completely.

Then, Zhao Shan thought about it for a moment, but he didn't say anything more, just quietly stepped aside.

In Zhao Shancai's view, Zhao Junchen's assassination is full of weirdness and will have many far-reaching effects. "The party's current situation and strength are not suitable for too much participation, otherwise it will be easy to be taken advantage of."

However, in this matter, "the prince. The party "also has interests to be gained."

For example, the position of Suncheon Fu Yin!

This position is very important, if the crown prince Zhu and Yu want to ascend the throne smoothly, they must control this position in their hands, and now is a great opportunity.

It's just, "Prince. Once the party plots for the position of Shuntianfu Yin, it will inevitably be the enemy of Zhou Shangjing, and if it wants to seize this key position without a trace, it also needs time and preparation.

Therefore, although Zhao Shancai had many plans flashing in his heart, he did not explain it to everyone present, but secretly considered it in his heart.

*

In this way, after learning about the assassination of Zhao Junchen, all the forces in the DPRK and China have their own thoughts and plans, and they all have different plans.

However, in this matter, all forces subconsciously ignored Cui Qianxue, who was seriously injured.

After all, Cui Qianxue is not a member of the imperial court, and her injury will not affect the situation in the imperial court, in this incident, Cui Qianxue's injury is just an insignificant footnote.

However, in the eyes of the major forces in the imperial court, although Cui Qianxue is insignificant, in the eyes of Cui Qianxue's relatives, Cui Qianxue's injury is a big deal!

In particular, in order to expand the seriousness of his assassination, Zhao Junchen also deliberately exaggerated Cui Qianxue's injuries, and declared that Cui Qianxue is now dying.

After learning the details of Zhao Junchen's assassination, the mansion of Cui Mian, the former cabinet elder, was already in chaos.

Cui Mian's wife, Cui Guo, has always loved Cui Qianxue, a precious granddaughter, after Cui Mian kicked Cui Qianxue out of the house, Cui Guo's had a big quarrel with Cui Mian, and he has never given Cui Mian a good face.

On this day, after hearing the news that Cui Qianxue was seriously injured and her life was in danger, Cui Guoshi fainted on the spot, causing a rush in the Cui family.

And Cui Qianxue's uncles, aunts, brothers and sisters are also sad and secretly anxious.

As for Cui Mian, the old man in the former cabinet, after learning about Cui Qianxue's injury, he was also secretly worried and anxious!

Cui Mian's love for Cui Qianxue is no less than that of Cui Guo's, he was forced to kick Cui Qianxue out of the house for the sake of his family's reputation, but the pain, helplessness, and guilt in his heart are really difficult to express to others.

Now, after hearing the news that Cui Qianxue's life was in danger, Cui Mian's first reaction was to visit and accompany Cui Qianxue, but he personally drove Cui Qianxue out of the house, and the relationship between the two parties had been severed.

It's just that if he still abandons Cui Qianxue, he can't bear the worry and torture in his heart.

Therefore, after the news of Cui Qianxue's dying life came, Cui Mian kept locking himself in the study, full of contradictions, and didn't know how to choose.

In the end, thinking of Cui Qianxue's various encounters now, he also has a great responsibility, if he hesitates again, I am afraid that he will not even be able to see Cui Qianxue's last face, and he will regret it for the rest of his life, Cui Mian gritted his teeth and finally made up his mind!

I saw Cui Mian walking quickly outside the study, and called loudly: "Prepare a sedan chair immediately, the old man is going to Baoxing Pavilion!" ”

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PS: It's still a two-in-one big chapter, 5,000 words! The status is gradually recovering, and there will be more updates tomorrow!

…… (To be continued.) )