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Although Cao Wenbin's status is far inferior to Zhao Junchen, and he is also afraid of Zhao Junchen's power, but in the face of Zhao Junchen's "bullying", Cao Wenbin cannot be indifferent and have no resistance, otherwise once this matter spreads, the impact on Cao Wenbin will be immeasurable.

So, when everyone was silent, Cao Wenbin said expressionlessly: "Lord Zhao, Boss Wu is my brother-in-law, although the recent situation of 'Rongfa Boat Travel' is not very good, I will naturally find a way to help him solve it, so I don't have to worry about Lord Zhao." ”

Cao Wenbin's tone was not good, but Zhao Junchen didn't care, he just smiled: "Lord Cao seems to have misunderstood, I don't want to take the lead and overstep the way, I just want to help Boss Wu...... In fact, my kindness is not only for Boss Wu, if Lord Cao is willing to accept it, I will also help. ”

Cao Wenbin's expression moved, and he vaguely sensed Zhao Junchen's thoughts, and the dissatisfaction in his heart suddenly dissipated a lot, but because of some concerns, he became more cautious and vigilant, and asked, "Oh? Lord Zhao's meaning, the lower officials didn't understand. ”

Zhao Junchen sighed and said: "Although the major yamen in Nanjing, although their power is not small, they are only a place of old-age care and exile in the officialdom, just like a pool of stagnant water, and there is no hope of promotion at all...... In addition, Nanjing is not as full of factions as the capital, and it is a place far away from the Tiangao Emperor, so the scholars of the six departments of Nanjing are not constrained, and they all have some monopoly power, so the remaining officials are naturally suppressed, and they do not have much autonomy, so they are inevitably in an embarrassing situation......"

After a pause, Zhao Junchen raised his head and looked directly at Cao Wenbin. Accentuated his tone, he continued, "I've always thought. With the talent of Lord Cao, he has not only been trapped in Nanjing for many years. And just serving as the head of the household in Nanjing, it is really a bit condescending, if Lord Cao is willing, I can recommend Lord Cao to His Majesty, so that Lord Cao can take on a more important official position. ”

Having said this, Zhao Junchen's acceptance of Cao Wenbin and his intention to envelop him can be said to be obvious.

Although, Zhao Junchen met Cao Wenbin this time only because of a coincidence. But Zhao Junchen's desire to recruit Cao Wenbin for his own use was not a temporary idea.

Long before the southern tour, in order to deal with Tang Zhen, the secretary of the household department in Nanjing, Zhao Junchen had carefully studied the background of all the important officials in the Nanjing officialdom, and the Nanjing household servant Cao Wenbin in front of him - he was not Tang Zhen's sworn friend, and he had been suppressed by Tang Zhen, and he had no background and backing, and he also knew the situation of the household department in Nanjing - was the key candidate for Zhao Junchen's bribery and recruitment.

So, at the time of "Joy Place". Although Zhao Junchen only needs to identify himself, Wu Rongde will definitely retreat in the face of difficulties, but Zhao Junchen took the initiative to back down, and it was not until afterwards that he sent a famous post to the Wu family, so that Wu Youzhen could understand who his son had provoked. This qiē is precisely to lure Cao Wenbin out, and take the opportunity to envelop and recruit!

As Zhao Junchen said, although Cao Wenbin is a member of the imperial court. It seems to be a noble status, but it's just an empty shelf. His life in Nanjing was not satisfactory, and he could only live a chaotic life. From this point of view, taking refuge in Zhao Junchen is also a good choice!

However, in the face of Zhao Junchen's encirclement and recruitment, although Cao Wenbin was a little moved, he was still hesitant because of some concerns, and did not respond to Zhao Junchen's hints, but was silent and did not speak.

According to Zhao Junchen, Cao Wenbin's talents, scheming, and means are all ordinary, although he is not a mediocre and incompetent person, but he is not much stronger, if it is not for the purpose of dealing with Tang Zhen, the head of the household department in Nanjing, Zhao Junchen may not look down on him, let alone take the initiative to recruit.

Now, Zhao Junchen said so many words sincerely, but Cao Wenbin was still hesitant, Zhao Junchen couldn't help frowning slightly, feeling that Cao Wenbin was a little ignorant.

So, Zhao Junchen said slowly: "Since we met today, Lord Cao's attitude towards me has always been lukewarm and respectful, but I don't know if Lord Cao is worried about anything? Or did Zhao inadvertently offend Lord Cao? Or does Lord Cao have any prejudice against Zhao? ”

In Zhao Junchen's view, Cao Wenbin's cold reaction is nothing more than three reasons: or he thinks that Zhao Junchen is a big corrupt official and is hostile to the prince Zhu and Yu, so he is not optimistic about Zhao Junchen's prospects; or Zhao Junchen once inadvertently offended Cao Wenbin; Or Cao Wenbin is unwilling to get involved in the party dispute between Zhao Junchen and Tang Zhen.

Therefore, seeing that Cao Wenbin was silent, Zhao Junchen asked straight to the point in order to dispel Cao Wenbin's concerns.

However, Cao Wenbin's explanation was unexpected by Zhao Junchen.

After Cao Wenbin was silent for a moment, he suddenly raised his head and asked: "Lord Zhao also said just now that Nanjing officialdom is a place of retirement and exile, so does Lord Zhao know why Xia Guan is an official in Nanjing?" ”

Zhao Junchen nodded and replied: "As far as I know, Lord Cao once offended the former pavilion elder Wen Guanliang, and was excluded and suppressed by Wen Guanliang, so he was transferred to Nanjing as a household servant, and it has been eight years now. ”

This is also one of the reasons why Zhao Junchen is confident that he can recruit Cao Wenbin, because Wen Guanliang was brought down by Zhao Junchen, and in a way, Zhao Junchen can be regarded as helping Cao Wenbin avenge him.

However, Cao Wenbin shook his head and said with a wry smile: "It seems that Xia Guan has been an official in Nanjing for many years, and the world has completely forgotten the true background of Xia Guan, and now even Lord Zhao is wrong......

Hearing Cao Wenbin say this, a trace of surprise flashed in Zhao Junchen's eyes, and he subconsciously raised his eyebrows, and said slowly: "Oh? I would like to hear about it. ”

"Xiaguan and Wen Ge are fellow villagers, and since they entered the officialdom, they have been repeatedly promoted by Wen Ge Lao, so Xia Guan is actually Wen Ge Lao's disciple." Cao Wenbin said slowly: "Don't hide it from Lord Zhao, the reason why Xia Guan is an official in Nanjing is not that he is excluded and belittled, but that the Nanjing Household Department has great power, and controls nearly half of the tax grain of our dynasty, and is also responsible for the collection and management of Cao Yun, salt introduction and survey, and the collection and management of the Yellow Book. But under the false rumors, the people of the world actually thought that the lower officials had been squeezed out by Wen Gelao. Naturally, it's Damiu. ”

Hearing Cao Wenbin's explanation, Zhao Junchen became more and more surprised.

Because. After Zhao Junchen overthrew Wen Guanliang, he also took over most of Wen Guanliang's political assets, and Wen Guanliang's disciples in the past also changed their faces and took refuge in Zhao Junchen's disciples, if Cao Wenbin used to be Wen Guanliang's disciple, then Zhao Junchen should at least know the news.

In fact, when receiving Wen Guanliang's political legacy, neither Zuo Lanshan nor Zhan Shanchang mentioned Cao Wenbin's survival. Otherwise, Zhao Junchen would have already accepted Cao Wenbin into the door!

Between the groans, Zhao Junchen asked: "I see, so the reason why Lord Cao respects Zhao is because Zhao once had a grudge with Wen Ge Lao?" ”

However, Cao Wenbin shook his head again and said, "That's not the case, Xia Guan is not stupid and loyal to Elder Wen Ge...... What's more, although Elder Wen Ge has the grace to promote the lower officials, he also owes the lower officials...... At that time, the veteran Wen Pavilion arranged for the subordinate officials to be sent to the household department in Nanjing. It was to compete for power with Tang Zhen, the head of the household department in Nanjing, but Xia Guan was not Tang Zhen's opponent, and he had been suppressed by Tang Zhen all these years, so Wen Ge Lao thought that Xia Guan was incompetent. He abandoned his subordinates in the Nanjing officialdom and never paid attention to them again......"

As he spoke, Cao Wenbin shook his head and smiled bitterly. continued: "The concerns of the lower officials are not the kindness of Elder Wen Ge. It's someone close to you, Lord Zhao...... Although Xia Guan was an official in Nanjing, he was also aware of the situation in the capital. Knowing that Zuo Lanshan, the secretary of the Ministry of Works, was already under the disciple of Lord Zhao, when he was working for Wen Gelao, he was at odds with Lord Zuo...... Speaking of which, the reason why Wen Ge Lao abandoned his subordinates back then was probably because of Lord Zuo. ”

Originally, Cao Wenbin's tone was still a little hesitant, but when he said this, he was much firmer, and said: "Lord Zhao's kindness, the lower official understands it, and I am grateful for Lord Zhao's kind invitation, but if the lower official takes refuge in Lord Zhao, I am afraid that he will have another dispute with Zuo Lanshan, and then Lord Zhao will also be in a dilemma, so the lower official is not unwilling to take refuge, but he does not dare to take refuge." ”

Like Zhao Junchen, Cao Wenbin also made his concerns straightforward.

Originally, in Cao Wenbin's view, Zuo Lanshan was the second-in-command of Zhao Junchen's faction, and he could be described as Zhao Junchen's right-hand man, Zhao Junchen was never willing to offend Zuo Lanshan for himself, as long as he made things clear, Zhao Junchen would not be entangled anymore.

However, after hearing Cao Wenbin's explanation, the doubts in Zhao Junchen's heart dissipated, but there was a hint of surprise in his eyes!

According to Zhao Junchen's plan, after the end of the southern tour, Huang Yourong, the current cabinet elder and assistant to Beijing, should step down, and the cabinet will vacate a position, but Zhao Junchen's own qualifications and prestige are insufficient, so he can only fight for Zuo Lanshan's position in the cabinet, but in this way, Zuo Lanshan's status will surpass Zhao Junchen, and the words of the "Zhao Party" may change at that time.

Out of this consideration, Zhao Junchen has been taking precautions for a rainy day during this period of time, using various means to isolate Zuo Lanshan and weaken Zuo Lanshan's influence in the "Zhao Party", for example, some time ago, when he was alerting Li Lide, Zhao Junchen asked Zuo Lanshan to play the role of a black face, which was out of this consideration.

Now, it is a good thing to include a member of the Sanpin who has contradictions with Zuo Lanshan into the "Zhao Party", which will greatly benefit Zhao Junchen's plan.

In fact, even if there is no such consideration, Zhao Junchen will also recruit Cao Wenbin for his own use - only after there is a contradiction between the subordinates, can the importance of the superior be reflected, if the subordinates work together, then the superior will be in danger of being hollowed out - Zhao Junchen is not worried that his subordinates have contradictions, if they are like brothers and sisters, and unite as one, Zhao Junchen will be worried!

Therefore, after hearing Cao Wenbin's concerns, Zhao Junchen smiled and said: "If Lord Cao's concerns are only these, then Lord Cao doesn't have to worry, I am here to assure Lord Cao that as long as Lord Cao is united with me in the future, then I will do my best to promote the relationship between Lord Cao and Lord Zuo, even if I can't promote peace, I will definitely be impartial in the future, and never let Lord Cao suffer...... Unlike Wen Ge Lao, I am not only generous to those close to me, but I will never abandon them, and Lord Cao should have heard of this. ”

It's just that although Zhao Junchen swore a promise, he still couldn't dispel Cao Wenbin's concerns.

After Cao Wenbin hesitated for a moment, he once again politely rejected Zhao Junchen's offer, and said, "The next official is because of what happened back then." Over the years, he has been a little discouraged, but he is unwilling to get involved in the party struggle in the court again. Therefore, Lord Zhao's kindness, Xia Guan can only refuse. Please forgive me as well. ”

Zhao Junchen sighed lightly, his expression was very regretful, but there was not much disappointment in his heart.

It is not an easy task to accept a third-grade member of the imperial court as a disciple, not to mention that this third-grade member has some concerns in his heart.

However, Zhao Junchen believes that when the times change, Cao Wenbin will definitely change his mind.

At least, as the crown prince Zhu and Yu began to reform the Ming Dynasty's commercial tax system. Whether it's Cao Wenbin or Wu Youzhen, their troubles have just begun! At that time, they could only turn to Zhao Junchen for help!

In fact, with Cao Wenbin's refusal, Wu Youzhen on the side already showed obvious regret, obviously he hoped that Cao Wenbin would take refuge in Zhao Junchen, so that the Wu family's "Rongfa Boat Company" could also change the current half-dead situation. It's just that under such circumstances, Wu Youzhen couldn't express his opinion, but just sighed softly.

Each has his own thoughts. After Zhao Junchen sighed, he smiled again: "Since this is the case, then I will no longer force it, but my mind has not changed." In the future, if Lord Cao or Boss Wu change their minds, they can contact me at any time, and my kindness to the two of them will always remain. ”

Next. Zhao Junchen deliberately changed the topic and talked about some idle things with Cao Wenbin and Wu Youzhen. It's just that although Zhao Junchen's expression is very indifferent, Cao Wenbin and Wu Youzhen politely rejected Zhao Junchen. But they all felt embarrassed and a little restless.

So, just a moment later, Cao Wenbin and Wu Youzhen had already gotten up to say goodbye to Zhao Junchen, and Zhao Junchen did not continue to stay.

It's just that before leaving, Wu Youzhen took over the two mahogany boxes from Wu Rongde's hands, put the two wooden boxes in front of Zhao Junchen, and said: "Lord Zhao, today's dispute between the dog and you is all because of these two pieces of crystal pancreas, this matter is naturally the wrong of the dog, these two pieces of crystal pancreas are now all returned, please accept it!" ”

After a pause, Wu Youzhen continued: "In addition, I see that Lord Zhao seems to like this kind of crystal clear ingenious thing, it just so happens that the grass people inadvertently got two natural spars many years ago, these two natural spars are pure and transparent, dazzling, and extremely hard, can cut gold and crack jade, it is rare to see, the grass people think that Lord Zhao you may like it, so I will also give it to you, which is a gift from the Wu family to you." ”

Originally, after claiming the two pieces of "crystal pancreas" back, Zhao Junchen did not plan to accept Wu Youzhen's "atonement gift" again.

However, after hearing Wu Youzhen's introduction, Zhao Junchen was slightly stunned at first, and then changed his attention.

In front of Wu Youzhen and Cao Wenbin, Zhao Junchen opened the two wooden boxes, and then looked down carefully, only to see that in the slightly larger wooden box, there were two pieces of "crystal pancreas", and in the other slightly smaller wooden box, there were two crystal clear natural spars!

These two spars are dazzling and shining in the sun, which can be described as beautiful, and there is a sense of beauty that makes people indulge in it, although it has not been cut and polished, but combined with Wu Youzhen's introduction, Zhao Junchen is very sure that the thing in front of him is a diamond that symbolizes love and loyalty in the future!

"It's really a diamond!?"

Zhao Junchen muttered to himself, with some thoughts in his tone that no one could guess.

Without him, after seeing these two diamonds, Zhao Junchen's first reaction in his heart was not how precious these two diamonds were, but another rumored use of diamonds - poisoning!

This is a saying that Zhao Junchen saw by chance in later generations - although Zhao Junchen is not sure of the authenticity of this statement - diamond has hydrophobic and lipophilic properties, when humans eat diamond powder, diamond powder will stick to the stomach wall, after long-term friction, it will make people get stomach ulcers, if not treated in time, will die of gastric bleeding, is a chronic poison that is difficult to guard against.

Legend has it that during the Western Renaissance, chronic poisons made from diamond powder were popular among the Italian magnates.

What interests Zhao Junchen the most is that if this statement is true, then after poisoning with diamond powder, with the medical conditions of the Ming Dynasty, it is not only difficult for people to be wary, but also after poisoning people to death, the post-mortem examination will not be able to detect the traces of poisoning!

All in all, I don't know why, after Zhao Junchen saw these two diamonds, his first reaction was its harmful use.

And, after thinking of this usage, the more Zhao Junchen thought about it, the more he was!

Above officialdom and between party struggles, the elimination of the flesh is always the lowest means, but it must be admitted that this method is very effective!

For Zhao Junchen, at some critical moments, for some enemies who are powerless to resist, inferior means such as poisoning are also acceptable!

So, Zhao Junchen thought secretly: "Since I saw it and thought of it, then take it, and maybe I can use ......it in the future."

Although, Zhao Junchen is still not sure where he wants to use it.

All kinds of thoughts are just a matter of a moment, Zhao Junchen has quickly closed the box again, and his expression is calm, no one can guess the harmful thoughts that have turned in Zhao Junchen's heart!

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PS: Today's first update! 2-in-1 big chapter!

…… (To be continued......) I1292