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Hearing Emperor Deqing's inquiry, Zhao Junchen couldn't help but be stunned.

Although Zhao Junchen is now a second-class member of the imperial court, and is deeply favored by Emperor Deqing, the affairs of the cabinet are big and far-reaching, and they are the core topics of the imperial court, and it seems that it is not his turn to comment.

For a while, Zhao Junchen couldn't guess the true intentions of Emperor Deqing, so he cautiously asked, "Cabinet?" I don't understand what you mean, Your Majesty. ”

Emperor Deqing smiled and explained further, "I would like to hear your opinion on the elders of the cabinet. ”

After speaking, seeing that Zhao Junchen's face was embarrassed, and he seemed to be about to push, Emperor Deqing added: "Don't be perfunctory to me, there are only you and me here, and I don't mean anything else, I just want to know what you really think." ”

As he spoke, Emperor Deqing's expression was serious, his eyes were fixed on Zhao Junchen, waiting for Zhao Junchen's reply.

Seeing Emperor Deqing like this, Zhao Junchen hesitated slightly, and finally replied: "The four elders in the cabinet are all respected seniors, and the minister, as a junior, should not judge them at will, but since His Majesty asked, the minister took the liberty to say a few words, but the minister's knowledge is shallow, if there is any absurdity, I hope Your Majesty will forgive me." ”

After Emperor Deqing nodded slightly, Zhao Junchen continued: "The four elders in the cabinet today are Zhou Shangjing, Zhou Shoufu, Huang Yourong, Huang Ge Lao, Shen Changmao, Shen Ge Lao, and Cheng Yuandao Cheng Ge Lao. Among them, Cheng Yuandao Cheng Ge has been in the cabinet for the shortest time, but half a year, and his qualifications are slightly shallow. But his learning and prestige were the highest among the elders, although his moral essays were well written. But his ability to do things is a little worse, and his personality is also a little pedantic. It can be described as a fly in the ointment. However, today, people's hearts are not ancient, and there are fewer and fewer people with pedantic temperaments, and from this aspect, Cheng Gelao's pedantic temperament is not necessarily a shortcoming. ”

Hearing Zhao Junchen's point of view, Emperor Deqing nodded again, thinking that Zhao Junchen's words were fair, so he motioned for Zhao Junchen to continue.

After Zhao Junchen pondered for a moment, he said, "As for Huang Yourong Huang Ge Lao. But it is very extraordinary, not only is it experienced, keen-eyed, but also very sleek, and many tricky things are handed over to the old Huang Ge to do, which has the effect of spring breeze and rain...... However, the word 'sleek' is both Huang Ge Lao's advantage and Huang Ge Lao's disadvantage, and his courage is inevitably insufficient, when he deals with things. It often treats the symptoms rather than the root cause, and only temporarily compromises the interests of all parties...... In addition, Huang Ge Lao is still a little greedy for power, and it is inevitable that he is not beautiful.

As for Shen Changmao, Shen Ge Lao. The minister had the least contact with him, and he didn't know him very well, and he only felt that the advantages and disadvantages of him and Huang Ge Lao were just the opposite. Although he was full of courage, his methods were too intense. Always vowing not to give up until the goal is achieved, which often causes a lot of turmoil and panic. Your Majesty, you rarely let Shen Ge Lao preside over the overall situation alone, presumably because of this concern...... However, it is precisely because of this that the officials of the DPRK and China are very in awe of the existence of Shen Ge Lao, and the center has added a lot of majesty as this, and in this regard, a strong and resolute figure like Shen Ge Lao is also indispensable to the cabinet. ”

Zhao Junchen's words, although he had reservations, were also telling the truth.

On the other hand, after hearing Zhao Junchen's comments, Emperor Deqing still nodded in agreement.

However, when it came to this, Zhao Junchen suddenly fell silent.

After waiting for a while, Emperor Deqing saw that Zhao Junchen had no intention of continuing to speak, and frowned: "What? Why did you suddenly stop talking? Of the four elders, you only evaluated three of them, right? Zhou Shangjing, as the head of the cabinet, why don't you have any evaluation? ”

Zhao Junchen shook his head and said: "With the minister's insight and seniority, he is not qualified to evaluate Zhou Shoufu. ”

Emperor Deqing regarded Zhou Shangjing as an old rival, with both hostility and admiration, in this case, Zhao Junchen's evaluation of Zhou Shangjing, whether good or bad, may cause Emperor Deqing's disgust, so after careful consideration, Zhao Junchen decided to avoid this topic and try to push it off.

However, Emperor Deqing did not like Zhao Junchen's pushing.

I saw Emperor Deqing's brows furrowed slightly, his tone was unhappy, and he said: "But I just want to know your true thoughts now, do you want to be perfunctory in front of me?" ”

Zhao Junchen was quite helpless, and after a moment of silence, he finally said: "The minister's evaluation of Zhou Shoufu is probably only eight words, that is, it has a mixed reputation and is indispensable!" ”

This eight-character summary is indeed Zhao Junchen's true thoughts.

In Zhao Junchen's view, among the hundred officials in the imperial court, only Zhou Shangjing is enough to preside over the overall situation, if there is no Zhou Shangjing, the situation in the imperial court will inevitably be in chaos! Since Emperor Deqing ascended the throne, the situation of the government and the opposition has been stable, and there have been occasional natural and man-made disasters, and there has never been a major chaos.

At the same time, coercing power, excluding dissidents, embezzlement and bribery, abuse of power for personal gain, etc., Zhou Shangjing is also all lacking, if it were not for Zhou Shangjing's power and oppression, the talents who can be used in the court would never be so scarce, if it were not for Zhou Shangjing's "leading by example", today's court atmosphere would never be so unbearable.

"Mixed reputation, indispensable...... Emperor Deqing After repeating Zhao Junchen's evaluation softly, he suddenly laughed and said: "These eight words are also fair!" However, although Zhou Shangjing is indispensable, it is a pity that he is more than seventy years old, and his energy will inevitably be a little lacking, although he can still preside over the political situation, but I don't know how many years he can last, but as you said before, the rest of the cabinet elders have their own shortcomings, and after Zhou Shangjing leaves, they are afraid that it will be difficult to replace Zhou Shangjing's role. ”

Speaking of this, Emperor Deqing sighed lightly, as if he was very worried.

On the other hand, hearing Emperor Deqing's words, Zhao Junchen became more and more unable to guess Emperor Deqing's true intentions.

Emperor Deqing's southern tour was obviously to deal with Zhou Shangjing, why did he suddenly start emphasizing the indispensability of Zhou Shangjing?

Just when Zhao Junchen was puzzled, Emperor Deqing said again: "However, the advantages and disadvantages of Huang Yourong and Shen Changmao complement each other, if they cooperate tacitly, they can also be reused, or they can make a smooth transition...... However, in recent days, the relationship between the two of them has become closer and closer, and I am a little worried that if the cabinet is handed over to the two of them, the center will become a hall of voice for the two of them, but if I listen to both of them, I will be clear, and if I listen to them, I will be dark, and in order to prevent trouble, I plan to find an important minister with different political views from them to join the cabinet......"

Speaking of this, Emperor Deqing seemed to feel that he had taken the topic away, and shook his head again: "A few days ago, I came to play against Zhou Shangjing, and when I saw that Zhou Shangjing's energy was quite poor, I felt emotional, and I inevitably thought farther. However, if there is a personnel change in the cabinet, it will be a matter after Zhou Shangjing, but fortunately, Zhou Shangjing has no intention of giving him a head now, and it seems that he can hold on for a few years, so I don't need to be too anxious about these ideas. ”

While speaking, Emperor Deqing looked at Zhao Junchen meaningfully.

And Zhao Junchen's complexion changed because of Emperor Deqing's words.

Tempt! Emperor Deqing is nakedly tempting Zhao Junchen!

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…… (To be continued......)