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Zhao Junchen could probably guess the mentality of Emperor Deqing.

My Wencheng martial arts are already so great...... But I'm still at the peak of spring and autumn, so I always have to find something to do for the rest of my life, right?

Still working hard and focusing on government affairs? However, there are still some things that can be done, such as recovering authority from the six departments in Nanjing and strengthening the centralization of power; For example, it weakened the privileges of the vassal kings and reduced the burden on the imperial court; Or continue to promote the reform of commercial taxes, the development of Sichuan salt, agricultural reform and other things, so as to consolidate the foundation of the country...... But most of these things are already on the right track, and they don't need to invest much energy.

Could it be that it is arrogant and lascivious, collecting more harem concubines, eating more delicacies, and enjoying the pleasures of the world? I'm a little interested, but I'm fifty or six...... Whether it is the stomach, spleen, kidneys or other body organs, they are already more than enough but not enough, but I am afraid that they will not be able to bear it.

In this case, Emperor Deqing was complacent, but also had a sense of loss of purpose in his heart.

The feudal emperors of all dynasties, no matter how wise and martial, often attached themselves to Buddhism, befriended monks, and sought immortality in such situations, and there are countless examples.

Emperor Deqing naturally will not be an exception.

Of course, it would take a while for Emperor Deqing to come to this point, but Zhao Junchen's dedication to auspiciousness and the absurd story made up by Zhao Junchen greatly accelerated the process of psychological change of Emperor Deqing, so that Emperor Deqing directly found the next goal - seeking immortal immortality.

Thinking about the change in Emperor Deqing's mentality, Zhao Junchen couldn't help but feel moved in his heart.

If Emperor Deqing began to turn his attention to the aspect of cultivation and immortality from now on, and no longer only thought about suppressing and calculating Zhao Junchen, it would naturally be a great thing.

Of course, under such circumstances, there will inevitably be some things that will cost the people and money and shake the country's foundation, but Zhao Junchen has always been selfish and unscrupulous, of course, he doesn't care much.

Moreover, Zhao Junchen also wished that Emperor Deqing would spend more silver, so that the treasury would still be in a state of barely maintaining a balance of payments, so as to ensure his indispensability.

What's more, Zhao Junchen believes that he is sure to minimize the disadvantages of this matter, and even turn disadvantages into advantages and disasters into blessings.

Thinking of this, Zhao Junchen had already made a decision in his heart.

However, Emperor Deqing is still only half-convinced of Zhao Junchen's story, if Zhao Junchen's sworn promise at this time is indeed true, it will focus on the traces and appear too eager, which will cause Emperor Deqing's suspicions.

If you want to convince Emperor Deqing, you must use some small means to guide Emperor Deqing's thinking - a person like Emperor Deqing who is suspicious by nature will never completely believe anyone's statement, only his own "inference".

So, after hearing Emperor Deqing's inquiry, Zhao Junchen deliberately did not hide his hesitation when he groaned in his heart.

*

Seeing Zhao Junchen's performance like this, Emperor Deqing couldn't help but be dissatisfied, and asked, "I just asked a simple question, why are you hesitating?" Could it be that there are still unspeakable things in this? ”

Zhao Junchen sighed, and finally replied: "Your Majesty, does it matter whether the story told by the minister is true or false?" Just like Han Gaozu killed the White Snake and Song Taizu was born when the house was full of red light, whether it is true or not, it will be recorded in the annals of history and passed on to future generations in the future, and everyone will understand Your Majesty's wisdom and martial arts because of this story, which is enough. ”

Zhao Junchen avoided talking about it, and Emperor Deqing first nodded lightly in agreement, but soon became more and more impatient, and asked again: "In other words, you made up this story?" ”

Zhao Junchen hesitated again, but nodded and admitted: "Your Majesty, you should treat it as if it was made up by a minister." ”

Emperor Deqing glanced at Zhao Junchen deeply, and suddenly sneered: "If you made up this story, then I will punish you for the crime of bullying the king!" ”

Zhao Junchen's face changed, his expression became more and more hesitant and hesitant, and said: "Your Majesty, the immortal saying is too absurd, you are the supreme in the world, you should focus on the government, why bother chasing this kind of thing, you must confirm the truth or falsehood?" ”

Emperor Deqing's sneer became heavier and heavier, and he said, "You want to spy on my mind?" I will ask you one last time, whether the story you told is true or false! …… I want you to tell the truth! ”

Zhao Junchen's face was full of helplessness, and he lowered his head and replied: "The details are a little different, but they are generally true!" ”

Emperor Deqing's face was happy, and his tone was a little eager, and he asked, "Is it really true?" Then I ask you again, what is the name of that old immortal? Where is the immortal dwelling? In addition to giving me a few fairy fruits, does he have any other explanation? By the way, can these fairy fruits be taken? What are the miraculous effects after taking it? ”

Zhao Junchen replied: "Your Majesty, the old immortal once said that these fairy fruits are just his congratulatory gifts, and they have no special miraculous effect, just to prolong life and refresh the body. ”

Emperor Deqing couldn't help but be disappointed, but in the blink of an eye, he found something strange.

Zhao Junchen's answer was not comprehensive, and many questions were still avoided.

So, Emperor Deqing looked at Zhao Junchen coldly and said slowly: "It seems that I am too tolerant of you!" Even if it is a great crime of deception, in your eyes, it is just ordinary? ”

Under the forced gaze of Emperor Deqing, Zhao Junchen raised his sleeves, wiped the cold sweat that did not exist on his forehead, and finally sighed again and said the "truth": "That old immortal, he claims to be the 'Three Sages of the South China Sea' He Zudao, but the minister has been searching for classics all this time, but he can't find the legend of this immortal no matter what......"

Emperor Deqing looked puzzled, and asked again: "The Three Sages of the South China Sea?" Could it be that there are three immortals? ”

Zhao Junchen explained: "There is only one immortal, and he also explained to the minister the reason for this title, on the one hand, because his cave is on the Three Holy Islands in the depths of the South China Sea, and on the other hand, because he thinks that he has the strengths of Confucianism, Taoism, and Buddhism, so he will call himself the 'Three Sages of the South China Sea'." ”

Speaking of this, Zhao Junchen secretly raised his eyes and secretly observed Emperor Deqing's complexion.

Because it was a temporary plan, Zhao Junchen's preparation was not sufficient, and the story became more and more absurd, would Emperor Deqing believe it?

Then, Zhao Junchen saw that Emperor Deqing's face was full of contemplation and fascination, but there was no doubt at all.

He really believed!

Emperor Deqing not only believed in Zhao Junchen's nonsense, but also thought that he had seen through Zhao Junchen's mind when it was linked to Zhao Junchen's performance.

"The Three Sages of the South China Sea, the Three Sages of the South China Sea, such a big name, but since they are immortals in the world, it is natural to have such a honorific title......" After sighing with emotion, Emperor Deqing's eyes turned to Zhao Junchen again, and reprimanded: "You have always wanted to hide it from me, do you think that after I know these things, I will waste state affairs, bent on seeking immortals, and even spend a lot of money to build a big ship, and send people out to sea to find the Three Holy Islands?" ”

Can't ask for it! I can't ask for it!

If Emperor Deqing is willing to spend financial and material resources to build a giant ship to go to sea, it is just right for the Ming Dynasty to catch up with the Age of Discovery!

But on the surface, Zhao Junchen admonished with a bitter conscience: "Your Majesty, the immortal is too ethereal, the immortal that the minister met at that time may be just a folk liar who can play tricks, how dare the minister report to Your Majesty in detail?" Moreover, the current state of money and food in the imperial court, Your Majesty, is also very clear, and there is indeed no spare energy to build ships and go to sea on a large scale! In the past, I also sent Zheng He to the West seven times, spending countless money and food, but what benefits did I have? How large was the fleet at that time? How vast is the range of navigation? But I haven't heard of any news of Immortal Island! Therefore, there is little hope for going to sea to find immortals, there are big disadvantages but no small benefits, which is really not a good thing for the imperial court......"

However, in this case, the more Zhao Junchen persuaded and opposed it, the more Emperor Deqing felt that this matter was promising, and he no longer suspected that Zhao Junchen's story was false.

Emperor Deqing reprimanded: "Whether he is a true immortal or a fake liar, you should report the matter to me clearly and leave it to me to decide personally, how can you hide it without permission?" Whether or not to send a fleet to the sea to search for immortals should also be decided by me, and how can you interfere with it? What's more, if you are a liar, how can you grow these natural fairy fruits?

Ha! I can see that you have worked in the household department for a long time, and you only know the way of money and food in your heart, and your eyes are only staring at the financial revenue and expenditure, so you can't see the overall gains and losses at all, and you completely ignore the long-term prospects. Rats' eyes! ”

At the time of the reprimand, Emperor Deqing did not explain what the overall gains and losses were, and what the long-term prospects were.

Of course, there is no need for Emperor Deqing to explain, Zhao Junchen can also understand that the so-called long-term and overall situation is Emperor Deqing's hope for immortal immortality!

Emperor Deqing also understands that seeking immortal immortality is not only illusory and hopeless, but also a waste of national strength, labor and money, but he is the emperor, everything in this world is his, as long as it can add the slightest hope of immortality to him, even if it costs more money, food and materials, it is completely worth it.

Of course, Emperor Deqing did not directly say his mentality, seeing that Zhao Junchen hung his head and listened to the training, he did not refute it at all, but he was still vaguely unconvinced, and Emperor Deqing's attitude softened a little.

After all, after finding a new goal, Emperor Deqing became more and more inseparable from Zhao Junchen's means of making money in a short period of time.

"Don't worry, I do have the heart to seek immortals, but I am not a dumb king, and I will not waste money and national strength because of this kind of thing, even if I take action, I will definitely do what I can! Moreover, I want to find immortals, but also for the sake of Jiangshan Sheji...... Think about it, after finding the immortals, if you can persuade the immortals to use immortal magic to benefit the people, our monarchs and ministers will be able to reduce a lot of hardships in the future...... Not to mention anything else, as long as the gods are willing to give a way to breed all things, you don't have to worry about the imperial court encountering a food shortage in the future......"

Speaking insincerely, Emperor Deqing comforted Zhao Junchen a little, and then changed his words and said: "Therefore, we still have to think of some ways to send some ships to the South China Sea to visit Xiandao if we can...... Zheng He didn't find the fairy island back then, but he was afraid that it was because he didn't have the opportunity, but now that there are immortals in the world who have given away the fairy fruit, and left a name and clues, I am afraid that if the opportunity comes, he may not return empty-handed...... Of course, this matter must not be spread, otherwise it will attract the strong opposition of the ministers, and it can only be done in private......"

Speaking of this, Emperor Deqing pondered for a moment and looked at Zhao Junchen thoughtfully.

Just like Emperor Deqing said, the matter of seeking immortals must not be spread, otherwise not only will the ministers oppose it, but if there is no result in the end, it will also affect the evaluation of Emperor Deqing's history books.

In this way, Emperor Deqing wants to find immortals, and there are not many candidates who can take on important tasks, except for Zhao Junchen, there are only those "imperial party" officials and eunuchs in the inner court.

Emperor Deqing originally wanted to hand over this matter to the eunuchs of the inner court, but he was really not at ease with the ability of the group of eunuchs, and Zheng He did not find any news about Xiandao at all when he went to the West seven times, so Emperor Deqing secretly suspected that the eunuchs were incomplete and their bodies were unclean, so they would let the immortals avoid seeing them.

In this way, Zhao Junchen is the best candidate! - The most important thing is that if Zhao Junchen is put in charge of this matter, he can also pull the household department and the internal money to share the money and food investment of going to sea to find immortals.

But Zhao Junchen was obviously against the matter of seeking immortals, so Emperor Deqing felt that he had to find a way to mobilize Zhao Junchen's enthusiasm.

So, after Emperor Deqing pondered for a moment, he said: "Junchen, I think it is safest for you to be responsible for this matter, and of course, I will also let the inner court fully assist you...... To put it mildly, I have always understood your thoughts, and you are always worried that you are too young and too powerful, and that you will be suspicious of the new emperor after a hundred years...... Have you ever thought about it, wouldn't it be a good thing for you if I really found the art of immortality? If I find the hope of immortality, you and your descendants will be rich and sustainable......"

Emperor Deqing's long-lost affectionate name "Junchen", his attitude seems to be a little sincere, and Zhao Junchen's body also moved slightly after hearing this, as if he had changed his mind.

After thinking for a moment, Zhao Junchen raised his head and said slowly: "The minister is naturally willing to serve His Majesty, but the current situation of the imperial court's money and food is really not good, and the minister can only do what he can!" ”

Emperor Deqing smiled with relief and nodded: "That's what I mean, naturally I won't force you!" ”

In this way, Emperor Deqing and Zhao Junchen reached an agreement, and both believed that their plan had succeeded.

In the eyes of Emperor Deqing, as long as Zhao Junchen agrees to come down now, there will naturally be a way to force Zhao Junchen to speed up the progress in the future, and then Zhao Junchen will not be able to refuse, and he can also let the treasury share the pressure of internal money, which can be said to be taking advantage.

In Zhao Junchen's view, using the reason of seeking immortals for Emperor Deqing, he will be able to carry out ocean trade in the future, and he can also take the opportunity to take out a sum of silver from Emperor Deqing's internal funds to fund shipping, but it is a lot of time and effort.

In the feudal dynasty, building ships and going to the ocean was regarded as a matter of labor and money, because the ancients always believed that the wealth of the world was constant, and the more resources invested in the construction of ships and oceans, the less resources were invested in the well-being of the people...... However, Zhao Junchen understands that the wealth of this world is fluid and increasing, and building ships and oceans can not only make a lot of money, but also benefit the people.

Therefore, in the future, there is no need for Emperor Deqing to deliberately urge and exert pressure, Zhao Junchen will also invest a lot of resources, which will definitely satisfy Emperor Deqing.

Of course, if Emperor Deqing could not perceive the staggering profits of ocean trade, Zhao Junchen would naturally have to thank him.

*

In the middle of the imperial palace, after the two monarchs and ministers discussed some things about building ships and going to the sea and searching for immortals, Emperor Deqing suddenly thought of something, and asked: "By the way, since before the southern tour last year, I said that I would build a palace annex that imitates the style of Jiangnan gardens, and this matter is also entrusted to you to be responsible, how is the current progress?" ”

"It's going well!" Zhao Junchen immediately replied: "The minister has ordered someone to find the best stone and wood from the Jiangnan region to build the rockery pond forest for the palace, and ordered someone to find the best craftsman to carve and pile up, and soon create a beautiful scene." ”

Since the beginning of this year, Emperor Deqing has always remembered his newly built palace, and will ask Zhao Junchen about the progress every once in a while.

For this new palace, Zhao Junchen did not invest too much energy, compared to the "go to sea to find immortals", this new palace is the real labor and money, and it has been delayed, but every time Emperor Deqing asked, Zhao Junchen's answer is "going well" and "the results are gratifying", but the completion time of the new palace is delayed again and again, and it may not be able to see the results after ten years.

A huge palace, the construction time was originally several years, Emperor Deqing has not yet noticed Zhao Junchen's delay, after hearing Zhao Junchen's answer, he also nodded with satisfaction, and said: "I think, in order to show my heart to the Tao, there should be another 'please Sendai' in this palace, if there is a real chance to find immortals in the future, I can also use it to entertain immortals, Aiqing, what do you think?" ”

Zhao Junchen pondered for a moment and replied: "If you want to build a pavilion that is enough to entertain immortals, the specifications must be very high, but I am afraid that the cost is not small. ”

Emperor Deqing said with a smile: "I believe in Aiqing's means, and naturally there is a way to solve it." ”

Zhao Junchen was helpless in his heart and replied: "Since this is the case, the minister will do his best." ”

Emperor Deqing nodded with satisfaction, and explained in detail his detailed requirements for this "please Sendai", each of which required tens of thousands of silver.

Zhao Junchen nodded in agreement again and again, and on the other hand, he made up his mind in his heart to delay.

And at this time, Emperor Deqing's imperial chariot suddenly stopped.

Then, the two monarchs and ministers in the car heard the report of the great eunuch Zhang De.

"Your Majesty, the mound has arrived, and the hundred officials have lined up and are waiting for you to preside over the ceremony of worshipping the heavens."

Hearing the report, Emperor Deqing hurriedly tidied up his clothes and walked out of the imperial palace under the service of Zhao Junchen.

And after the officials saw Emperor Deqing and Zhao Junchen walking out of the imperial chariot together, they couldn't help but feel shocked again under the unknown situation!

On the occasion of the ceremony of sacrificing to the sky, Emperor Deqing and Zhao Junchen were actually traveling in the same car, and the political meaning of this matter is too important!

Thinking of Emperor Deqing's gift to Zhao Junchen with a gold medal to avoid death, many officials suddenly had a reverie.

Noticing the gaze of the officials, Emperor Deqing couldn't help frowning, only to find that he was only thinking about the search for immortals, but he accidentally released a wrong political signal, and he couldn't help but regret it in his heart.

But at this time, Emperor Deqing had no chance to reverse it, so he could only make up for it afterwards, so he pretended not to notice the thoughts of the officials, and walked towards the Temple of Heaven.

And Zhao Junchen walked back to his position expressionlessly under the gaze of the officials.

Next, the ceremony officially began, and there were no surprises in the series of processes, and there was no need to mention more.

It's just that when Emperor Deqing stood on the Temple of Heaven and read aloud the article on worshipping the heavens, Zhao Junchen noticed something abnormal.

The second half of this article is neither gorgeous nor rigorous, it is obviously Emperor Deqing's on-the-spot play, and the content is all Emperor Deqing's awe of heaven and his yearning for immortal immortality, saying that he will build more temples and respect the gods and immortals in the future.

Listening to these contents, Zhao Junchen sighed softly, only feeling that his birthday gift to Emperor Deqing this year, as well as the absurd story of the impromptu play, made the situation in the Ming Dynasty completely deviate, and there was a vague feeling of being out of control.

And where the Ming Dynasty will go in the future, Zhao Junchen can't imagine it for a while, so he can only seize the opportunity to try his best to fight for his own benefits, accumulate strength, and then wait for the day when the overall situation changes.

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Using Emperor Deqing's heart to seek immortals to develop maritime affairs is indeed the established idea of the insect, but it was guessed by many friends in advance, which made the insect feel very frustrated, but after thinking about it, let's write it down like this.

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