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When Zhao Junchen returned to the capital, there were only three or four days left before the end of the year.

After returning to the capital, Zhao Junchen did not delay and went directly to the palace to meet Emperor Deqing.

Emperor Deqing soon summoned Zhao Junchen in the imperial study, and Zhao Junchen reported the results of the negotiation in detail, and carefully analyzed the pros and cons of this agreement for Emperor Deqing.

For this negotiation agreement, Zhao Junchen was a little dissatisfied in his heart, and only felt that the Ming Dynasty had suffered a loss, but Emperor Deqing was very satisfied, and praised Zhao Junchen for his ability to do things well.

Then, out of his own public heart, Zhao Junchen focused on describing the scheming and vision of Xuanye, the great Khan of Jianzhou Jurchen, and believed that under the leadership of Xuanye, the Jianzhou Jurchen will definitely become a big problem for the Ming Dynasty in the future, and the threat will increase day by day.

"Your Majesty, after the minister saw Xuanye, the Great Khan of the Jianzhou Jurchen, he thought that this person was deep in the city and scheming, and his vision was far-sighted, and his methods were both rigid and soft, so he was really an extremely rare and powerful person...... The Jianzhou Jurchens have encountered a serious food shortage in recent years, and it is only a temporary predicament, but as long as the Jianzhou Jurchens are relieved, under the leadership of a figure like Xuan Ye, I am afraid that they will inevitably become a major problem for the imperial court in the future. ”

After hearing Zhao Junchen's report, Emperor Deqing did show some vigilance, but it was only some vigilance, and said slowly: "It is indeed necessary to take precautions, you did the right thing this time, limiting the number of caravans on both sides, and the caravan of the Jianzhou Jurchen must also report to the Hubu Yamen when it enters the territory of the Ming Dynasty, which can greatly limit the penetration and recovery of the Jianzhou Jurchen, and you can also use my Daming caravan to spy on the reality of the Jianzhou Jurchen in turn...... Well, this matter will be handed over to the factory guards to watch, and the household yamen will also help out, and after you go back, you will prepare a note and hand it to me, and explain the regulations of this matter to me in detail, and I will discuss it with the elders afterwards. ”

After a pause, Emperor Deqing's expression was a little more excited and expectant, but he changed the topic and said with a smile: "In addition, you have one more thing that you have done very well, that is, to use this opportunity to let Monan Mongolia and North Korea under the control of the Jianzhou Jurchens also pay tribute to me!"

Since the Jianzhou Jurchens became powerful, the imperial court gradually lost control of Monan Mongolia and Korea, and now these two parties have once again paid tribute to me, which is no less joyful than recovering the territory...... Five days later, on my birthday, it will be a grand event for all countries to come to the dynasty, and it will be just the same when the Han and Tang dynasties were in full bloom. Alas, it's just that the time is too rushed, and Monan Mongolia is better to say, but I don't know that North Korea's energy conservation can't catch up......"

Speaking of the back, Emperor Deqing began to suffer from gains and losses again.

Seeing that Emperor Deqing was just worried about the scenery on his birthday, and brought his warning over in a few words, Zhao Junchen couldn't help but be a little anxious, and said again: "Your Majesty, just relying on the household department and the factory guards, the strength is still a little insufficient, I am afraid that it is difficult to prevent the small actions of the Jianzhou Jurchen, that Xuan Ye's means cannot be underestimated, and if he does not deal with it enough, he will see the flaws!"

According to the minister's point of view, when the imperial court guards against the Jianzhou Jurchens, it must at least pull Liaodong Town, Xuanfu Town, and Jizhou Town to act together, after the caravan of the Jianzhou Jurchens enters the territory of the Ming Dynasty, the key scope of activities should be in the territory of Beizhili, so the local governments in Beizhili must also work together......"

Hearing Zhao Junchen mention Xuan Ye's threat again, Emperor Deqing's expression was a little impatient, and he waved his hand and said: "I know, you can explain these things clearly in the song, after I read your song, I will naturally discuss with the important ministers, you are also an auxiliary minister of the cabinet now, and there will naturally be an opportunity for you to express your position at that time." ”

"Your Majesty, the minister understands!"

Seeing Emperor Deqing's performance, Zhao Junchen also knew that his performance was a little urgent, so he didn't mention it anymore, but just sighed in his heart.

Now is the most glorious day in Emperor Deqing's life, and in such a situation, it is naturally difficult for him to listen to Zhao Junchen's kind words and persuasion.

After all, the performance of the Jianzhou Jurchens in recent years is quite peaceful, the repeated victories of the imperial army in the Shaanxi-Gansu trilateral and Hetao regions during this time, the civil and military officials have praised virtue, and the Jianzhou Jurchens and affiliated forces have taken the initiative to surrender, which has made Emperor Deqing a little carried away, thinking that his cultural and martial arts can be called a generation of heroes, and he no longer takes the Jianzhou Jurchens in his eyes.

In fact, when I heard Zhao Junchen "exaggerate" the threat of Jianzhou Jurchen, I repeatedly praised Aixin Jueluo. Xuan Ye's ability and means, Emperor Deqing's heart was still a little unhappy, and he only felt that Zhao Junchen's description meant that Xuan Ye was stronger than himself.

In the heart of Emperor Deqing, this is absolutely impossible! The strength of the Ming Dynasty was stronger than that of the Jianzhou Jurchens, and Emperor Deqing thought that he was also stronger than Aixin Jueluo. Xuan Ye, how could the Jianzhou Jurchens threaten the Daming Dynasty under such circumstances? Naturally, he thought that Zhao Junchen was exaggerating.

Seeing that Zhao Junchen didn't mention it more, Emperor Deqing hid the unhappiness in his expression, praised Zhao Junchen again for his ability, and then rewarded Zhao Junchen with a few treasures in the palace, and then let Zhao Junchen leave.

Accepting Emperor Deqing's "heavy reward", Zhao Junchen's expression was naturally flattered, but when Zhao Junchen withdrew from the imperial study, his original expression of infinite joy gradually became solemn, and then there was a long sigh.

"His power is still too small, although he has joined the cabinet to assist the government, but after all, he still has no final decision-making power...... Obviously, I saw a hidden danger in front of me, but I was helpless, I couldn't change too much, I just watched this hidden danger get bigger and bigger......"

While thinking in secret, Zhao Junchen's expression returned to normal again, but his eyes fluctuated faintly, but no one could guess what he was thinking at this moment.

*

After leaving the palace gate, Zhao Junchen returned to Zhao's mansion in a sedan chair.

On the way, Zhao Junchen lifted the curtains of the sedan chair and looked at the people on both sides of the road who were busy preparing for the New Year, and he was a little envious in his heart.

This envy is fraught with hypocrisy, but it does exist.

In recent years, the price of private food has risen, and the lives of the people have become increasingly difficult, but the people have no more choices, so they are very content, as long as they can eat enough every day and leave a little surplus wealth in their hands, they feel very happy.

Of course, such a seemingly small and insignificant goal is still unattainable for the vast majority of people, but they certainly do not want more.

Zhao Junchen is different, when he has more and more choices and strength, not only does he not feel satisfied, but he feels more and more an unbearable sense of restraint and depression!

Therefore, Zhao Junchen's ambitions are getting bigger and bigger.

When Zhao Junchen was still a household servant, he wanted to become a household secretary; When Zhao Junchen became the secretary of the household department, he wanted to fight against several powerful ministers in the court; When Zhao Junchen's power was enough to compete with several cabinet elders, he thought about joining the cabinet to assist the government and influencing the direction of the temple situation......

Today, Zhao Junchen has entered the cabinet and is an auxiliary minister, and his power and influence can gradually stand shoulder to shoulder with Zhou Shangjing...... Then, Zhao Junchen unsurprisingly discovered that he still wanted more, more.

Perhaps, from the beginning, when Zhao Junchen chose to take the initiative to get involved in the party struggle of the imperial court and exhaust his scheming to manage his own light and dark forces, his goal was never just for the word "self-preservation".

"Rushing day by day is only for hunger, so that you have food and clothing; put Aya Luo on her body, and looked up and thought the house was low; built tall buildings and buildings, but there were few beautiful wives in front of the bed; The wives and concubines are all married, and there is no horse to ride in front of the door; Buy the high-headed horse with money, and follow less before and after the horse; Dozens of domestic servants were recruited, and they were bullied if they were rich and powerless; Yiquan reached the county position, and said that the official was small and humble; climb to the old position, and think about ascending the throne every day; One day, he sat in the south of the world, and wanted the gods to play chess; Dongbin played chess with him, and asked where the ladder was; The ladder to the sky has not been made, and the king of Hades has issued cards and ghosts to urge; If it weren't for this person's big limit, it would be too low to go up the ladder......"

This poem "Ten Insufficiencies" was written by Zhu Zaiyu of the previous dynasty, and Zhao Junchen once read it by chance.

Perhaps because of the catchiness of this poem, Zhao Junchen remembered it in his heart on the spot and has not forgotten it to this day.

At this time, Zhao Junchen couldn't help reciting the song "Ten Insufficient" softly, repeating it several times.

In the end, he made up a little song by himself, patted his thighs, closed his eyes, and sang softly.

When the sedan chair arrived at Zhao's mansion, Zhao Junchen's performance had once again returned to normal.

After returning to Zhao's mansion, Zhao Junchen originally wanted to go to the back house first to meet his wives and concubines and report to them that they were safe.

However, as soon as Zhao Junchen stepped into the Zhao Mansion, he heard a report from the steward of the mansion, saying that it was several Hui merchant leaders, Lin Yunpu, Bai Mingyu, Dai Fengfu and others, who had arrived at the Zhao Mansion not long ago, and were now waiting for Zhao Junchen's reception in the Fuzhong Guest Hall.

After hearing the report, Zhao Junchen shook his head helplessly, and said: "These Hui businessmen are really well-informed, I have just returned to Beijing for an hour, and they have already received the news and rushed to the mansion to wait for me, and they will not let me rest for a while......

While complaining, Zhao Junchen also changed the direction of his footsteps and walked towards the guest hall of Zhao's mansion.

*

Although there were some complaints about the eagerness of the Hui merchants, when Zhao Junchen stepped into the Zhao Mansion guest hall, he had already changed into a smiling face, and took the lead in saying: "Everyone, forgive me!" After returning to Beijing, he first went to the palace to report to His Majesty about the surrender of the Jianzhou Jurchens, which delayed a lot of time, but it made the big bosses wait for a long time! ”

Seeing Zhao Junchen appear, Lin Yunpu, Bai Mingyu, and Dai Fengfu hurriedly got up and saluted.

The last time they saw Zhao Junchen was more than half a year ago, when the "United Boat Company" was formed, at that time Zhao Junchen was still a notorious household secretary, but now Zhao Junchen is already a cabinet assistant minister with great military achievements and a reputation all over the world, and his status can be said to be incomparable, so after these Hui businessmen saw Zhao Junchen, their attitude became more and more humble.

Lin Yunpu hurriedly said: "Zhao Gechen has a high position, he is the pillar of the country, naturally it is a good opportunity, I wait for a few people to wait for a long time, I am willing, as long as Zhao Gechen doesn't bother us!" ”

Bai Mingyu flattered and said: "We visited Zhao Gechen this time, mainly for the sake of Daoxi!" After hearing about Zhao Gechen's great military exploits on the three sides of Shaanxi and Gansu, and entering the cabinet to assist in government affairs, and being canonized by His Majesty as an immortal new uncle, I and other Hui businessmen were all overjoyed, and hurriedly rushed to the capital, wanting to congratulate Zhao Gechen in person! ”

Afterwards, Dai Fengfu took out a gift slip from his sleeve, held it in both hands and handed it to Zhao Junchen, and said with a smile: "This is a little bit of my heart from Hui businessmen, and I ask Zhao Gechen to accept it." ”

After Zhao Junchen let the three of them be exempted, he accepted the gift list and put it aside, as if he didn't care about the weight of the gift list, but his enthusiasm for these three people quietly became much more real.

Next, Zhao Junchen and the three Hui business leaders first chatted some gossip, Zhao Junchen told them some things about the Shaanxi and Gansu sides, so that the three of them were all amazed and took the opportunity to please, these three people also reported to Zhao Junchen the situation of the "United Ship Trip" in the past six months, which was also gratifying and profitable, so that Zhao Junchen couldn't help but nod and praise.

Subsequently, Lin Yunpu inadvertently mentioned that Zhao Junchen was about to promote the rectification of commercial taxes in the northern provinces, and seemed to want to participate in it.

Regarding Lin Yunpu's temptation, Zhao Junchen refused directly with the same smile.

The north is the sphere of influence of the Jin merchants, the south is the sphere of influence of the Hui merchants, when Zhao Junchen promoted the commercial tax rectification in the southern provinces, he did not let the Jin merchants participate, and now the northern provinces are about to promote the commercial tax rectification, Zhao Junchen will naturally not let the Hui merchants participate in it.

Just like Emperor Deqing would always balance the power of the various factions in the temple, Zhao Junchen also played with the power of mutual checks and balances between the Hui merchants and the Jin merchants, and would not let the power of either side be too strong, so that the financial resources and influence of the two sides would balance each other, and then Zhao Junchen would easily control them.

What's more, the commercial tax rectification plan of the northern provinces was not only for Zhao Junchen to enhance the financial revenue of the imperial court, but also for the Jin merchants, in order to divert the attention of the Jin merchants and make them no longer engage in smuggling business with the Jianzhou Jurchens and the Mongolian ministries.

Therefore, if the Hui merchants were also allowed to participate in the commercial tax rectification plan of the northern provinces, the Jin merchants would not only be dissatisfied, but their profits would also be reduced, and perhaps they would restart the business of smuggling and collaborating with the enemy, which Zhao Junchen absolutely could not tolerate.

Seeing Zhao Junchen's attitude, Lin Yunpu and the others were not too disappointed, this was something they had expected, they just wanted to test Zhao Junchen's attitude, and they didn't have much hope, after seeing Zhao Junchen's direct refusal, they didn't mention it anymore.

Then, these Hui businessmen began to talk about another matter—and this matter was the real purpose of their visit to Zhao Junchen.

I heard Bai Mingyu suddenly sigh and said, "Before I came to the capital to visit Zhao Gechen this time, I heard a piece of news...... It is said that the former cabinet chief assistant Shen Changmao collapsed because he used the Cao Yun Yamen's boat to smuggle things!

Alas, since the establishment of the 'United Ship Company', the commercial tax of the imperial court has been extremely low, Shen Changmao, as the first assistant of the dynasty, is still for small profits, risking the world's disapproval to smuggle and make profits, this matter is really undeserved, the most disgusted in his life is those tax evasion and smuggling, after hearing about this incident, he is also angry, no wonder His Majesty will remove him from his official position. ”

Before Bai Mingyu joined the "United Boat Company", he used to be the largest smuggler in the Jiangnan area, but at this time, he was righteous and awe-inspiring.

On the other hand, Dai Fengfu had an attitude of worrying about the country and the people, and immediately questioned: "The imperial court dismissed Shen Changmao as the first assistant, although it is very happy, but this time the Caoyun Yamen used public weapons for private use and lent the Cao boat to Shen Changmao for smuggling for profit, isn't there any fault?" According to the villain, Caoyun Yamen's fault is even greater than Shen Changmao's! But the imperial court only investigated Shen Changmao's guilt, but did not mention a word about the fault of the Caoyun Yamen, which is unfair! ”

Lin Yunpu also nodded solemnly and said: "Yes, the accumulation of disadvantages in the Caoyun Yamen is very great, and all the officials in the Yamen are also greedy and reckless, taking advantage of the convenience of the Caoyun boat, there are a large number of smuggling incidents every year, this time it is just that Shen Changmao has taken the bad luck of the east window, in fact, Shen Changmao's smuggling amount is only the tip of the iceberg for the Caoyun Yamen...... If the imperial court wants to completely crack down on the smuggling of the Beijing-Hangzhou Canal, it must not ignore the evil deeds of the Caoyun Yamen! ”

Bai Mingyu secretly looked at the change in Zhao Junchen's expression, and said: "Actually, as the scale of our 'United Ship Line' gets bigger and bigger, the power of this Caoyun Yamen is already a bit redundant!" The grain and silver that the imperial court transports to the center of the capital every year are certainly related to the national capital, but when the Caoyun Yamen transports the grain and silver every year, some moths will be made, which can be said to be twice the result and half the effort...... If you want me to say, the imperial court might as well hand over the matter of Caoyun directly to our 'United Shipping Company', with the strength of our 'United Shipping Company', after taking over the responsibility of Caoyun, not only the cost is lower, but it will not be like the Caoyun Yamen for private use and low efficiency, which is also a good thing for the imperial court! ”

Hearing the speeches of these Hui businessmen one after another, Zhao Junchen finally understood the true purpose of their visit to him this time.

It turns out that it is human nature to be greedy and insufficient!

As the scale of the "United Shipping Company" became larger and better, the ambitions of the Hui merchants were also getting stronger and stronger.

By now, they have seen the Caoyun Yamen obstructive, and even want to annex some of the rights and responsibilities of the Caoyun Yamen!

For such changes in the Hui businessmen, Zhao Junchen's heart is both relieved and vigilant!

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