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The next morning, after receiving the decree of Emperor Deqing, Zhao Junchen immediately asked to see Emperor Deqing and wanted to discuss with Emperor Deqing about the arrangements for returning to Beijing.

Of course, taking the opportunity to find out Emperor Deqing's next plan is also one of Zhao Junchen's purposes.

As a close favorite of Emperor Deqing, Zhao Junchen still has some privileges, such as when Zhao Junchen asked to see Emperor Deqing in the past, he was always summoned quickly.

But today's situation is a little different, when he came to the temporary imperial study of Emperor Deqing, after Zhao Junchen reported his intentions, he waited for nearly half an hour, but he still failed to be summoned by Emperor Deqing.

Obviously, Emperor Deqing was dealing with some important affairs and did not have time to summon Zhao Junchen.

In this regard, Zhao Junchen was naturally curious, but unfortunately there were no familiar eunuchs around, and Zhao Junchen had no way to inquire in detail.

Just when Zhao Junchen was gradually getting a little impatient, the door of the temporary imperial study finally opened, and he saw Hong Jin, the commander of Jinyiwei, Feng Desheng, the supervisor of Dongchang Factory, and other high-level factory guards coming out one by one, all of them with serious expressions and calm faces.

Seeing the appearance of these people, a trace of deep thought flashed in Zhao Junchen's eyes.

Zhao Junchen is not only the secretary of the household department, but also temporarily manages the West Factory, and is also one of the high-level leaders of the factory guard. However, when Emperor Deqing summoned the senior management of the factory guard, he actually omitted Zhao Junchen, which naturally made Zhao Junchen think more.

On the other side, after Hong Jin, Feng Desheng and others saw Zhao Junchen, they didn't show too much abnormality. Just nodded to Zhao Junchen one after another, and left in a hurry.

Seem. There's something important for them to deal with.

Looking at the backs of Hong Jin, Feng Desheng and others, Zhao Junchen frowned slightly. Constantly guessing the content of their conversation with Emperor Deqing.

Just as Zhao Junchen was thinking about it, a little eunuch came to Zhao Junchen's side and said to Zhao Junchen: "Lord Zhao, you can face the saint now." ”

Zhao Junchen nodded and said, "Got it." ”

Then, Zhao Junchen gathered his thoughts and turned around and entered the temporary imperial study.

*

After entering the temporary imperial study, Zhao Junchen looked up and couldn't help but be stunned again.

Just yesterday. Emperor Deqing can be said to be a disaster, first Shen Changmao exposed all kinds of evil deeds of the "Eight Kings Boat Line", and then the capital came to the crown prince Zhu and Yu to rectify the business tax, and finally Emperor Deqing's long-planned plan to overthrow Zhou Shangjing also suffered a complete failure......

It stands to reason that even if Emperor Deqing at this time was not angry, he should still be angry.

However, after Zhao Junchen secretly observed, he found that Emperor Deqing's expression at this time not only did not have anger, but also seemed very calm. It's just that his eyes are much darker than usual.

After seeing Emperor Deqing's expression, Zhao Junchen secretly admired in his heart - if Zhao Junchen himself suffered so many and such big setbacks one after another, he might not be able to control his emotions like Emperor Deqing.

In a way, Zhao Junchen used to underestimate Emperor Deqing.

But. Although Zhao Junchen was a little surprised in his heart, he did not move on the surface, and just respectfully saluted Emperor Deqing.

And then. Zhao Junchen lowered his head and said: "The minister has just received the holy decree and learned that Your Majesty has ended your southern tour. I am ready to drive back to Beijing, and I am trusted by Your Majesty. was responsible for many matters related to the southern tour, so he hurriedly drafted a notebook, listing all the arrangements and preparations on the way back to Beijing, and asked His Majesty to review it. ”

After speaking, Zhao Junchen took out a fold from his sleeve, handed it to the little eunuch on the side, and presented it to Emperor Deqing through the little eunuch.

After Emperor Deqing took the fold, he only took a cursory look at it, and then put it aside and said slowly: "Junchen, you understand my intentions!" According to your arrangement, I can rush back to the capital in the shortest possible time, yes, it is very suitable for me......"

Speaking of this, Emperor Deqing paused slightly, and suddenly asked, "However, the matter of my intention to return to Beijing can be said to have been without warning, but Junchen, not only did you not ask me about the reason, but also guessed my eagerness to return to Beijing...... Could it be that you already know the specific reason for my return to Beijing? “

Hearing Emperor Deqing's inquiry, Zhao Junchen was secretly shocked in his heart.

The reason why Emperor Deqing rushed back to Beijing was naturally to clean up the mess of the crown prince Zhu Heyu to rectify the commercial tax, and the person behind this matter was Zhao Junchen, so Zhao Junchen naturally knew it best in his heart.

However, in front of Emperor Deqing, Zhao Junchen must not show any traces, otherwise Zhao Junchen would not be able to explain his source at all, nor can he explain why he did not report to Emperor Deqing in time after learning the news.

So, Zhao Junchen hurriedly explained: "The minister doesn't know the specific reason for your majesty's return to Beijing, but Your Majesty suddenly promulgated the will to return to Beijing, and the minister thought that something big must have happened in the capital, so he dared to guess that Your Majesty must be eager to return to Beijing, so when the minister arranged the trip back to Beijing, it was mainly to save time." However, such a major matter must involve confidentiality, and since Your Majesty did not take the initiative to inform it, the minister did not dare to take the initiative to ask. After all, all major affairs in the court require the discretion of Your Majesty's Sacred Heart, and our courtiers only need to do their jobs well. ”

After receiving Zhao Junchen's reply, the doubts in Emperor Deqing's eyes slightly dissipated.

Then, after thinking about it for a while, Emperor Deqing finally told Zhao Junchen the truth.

After all, the news of the prince's rectification of commercial taxes could not be concealed for a long time, and Zhao Junchen would know it sooner or later, so Emperor Deqing did not intend to deliberately hide it from Zhao Junchen, otherwise it would only alienate the relationship between the two monarchs and ministers.

In addition, Prince Zhu and Yu's business tax rectification plan will inevitably cause a big turmoil, and in the end, Zhao Junchen's household department will need to help wipe his buttocks, so Zhao Junchen knew the news in advance and was able to prepare in advance.

So, Emperor Deqing took out a fold and handed it to Zhao Junchen through the eunuch beside him, and said: "This secret fold was sent by Huang Yourong. Take a look. ”

After Zhao Junchen got the secret fold, he immediately took a closer look.

A moment later. Zhao Junchen seemed to know about this, and showed a face full of shock. muttered: "Rectify the commercial tax?!" This, this...... His Royal Highness the Crown Prince is really reckless! ”

Emperor Deqing sighed softly, a trace of tiredness and helplessness flashed in his eyes, and said, "Now, do you know why I let Zhou Shangjing go and why I hurriedly returned to Beijing, right?" ”

Zhao Junchen closed the fold and nodded: "Your Majesty Shengming, the matter of commercial tax rectification will be carried out every year in our dynasty, but it is just a small fight, because the matter of commercial taxation is really sensitive. Once you dig deeper, it will inevitably cause chaos in the government and the opposition, and in this case, it is imperative for Your Majesty to rush back to the capital to stabilize the situation in the government and the opposition. ”

Emperor Deqing nodded, and then asked, "So, what do you think about the crown prince's rectification of commercial taxes?" ”

Zhao Junchen pondered for a moment and said, "Your Majesty." The minister believes that there are many doubts in this matter, and it may not be so simple. ”

There are some things, even if Zhao Junchen doesn't mention them, Emperor Deqing will think of them. So Zhao Junchen simply took the initiative to mention it.

Sure enough, after hearing Zhao Junchen's statement, Emperor Deqing was not surprised. Just said, "Oh? Tell me about it. ”

Zhao Junchen said slowly: "There are four doubts in total! First, the prince's heart has always been upright. After discovering the many drawbacks of the commercial tax, he wanted to rectify it. It is not surprising, but the timing of his rectification of commercial taxes is too coincidental, just when Your Majesty was about to bring down Zhou Shangjing, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince suddenly carried out the rectification of commercial taxes...... Perhaps, the reason why His Royal Highness the Crown Prince will rectify the commercial tax is that it has been used by some people. ”

The "certain people" in Zhao Junchen's mouth naturally alluded to Zhou Shangjing.

Although the cooperation between Zhao Junchen and Zhou Shangjing has just come to an end, there has never been a permanent ally in the temple, and Zhao Junchen did not hesitate to splash dirty water on Zhou Shangjing in order to alleviate his suspicion and divert the attention of Emperor Deqing.

Obviously, Emperor Deqing also had the same suspicions, and after hearing Zhao Junchen's speech, Emperor Deqing suddenly snorted coldly and said slowly: "What you said makes sense, but under the current situation, I can only stabilize the situation of the government and the opposition first, and then plan for the future...... As for those with ulterior motives, although I will not let them go, I can only settle accounts after the autumn! ”

"Your Majesty." After Zhao Junchen complimented him, he said: "The second suspicion is that Huang Yourong and Huang Ge Lao, who stayed in Beijing to assist the government!" With his means and influence, it was not difficult to stop the prince's actions, but the final result was completely opposite...... This is inevitably surprising, perhaps, someone is behind the scenes to help His Royal Highness the Crown Prince succeed. ”

Obviously, Zhao Junchen's words are still pouring dirty water on Zhou Shangjing.

With the foreshadowing in front, Emperor Deqing will only think of Zhou Shangjing at this time!

Zhao Junchen repeatedly poured dirty water on Zhou Shangjing, not because he had any hatred with Zhou Shangjing, in fact, among the top and bottom of the Manchu Dynasty and the civil and military officials, the person Zhao Junchen admired the most was Zhou Shangjing!

However, only when Emperor Deqing continued to hate Zhou Shangjing, continued to target Zhou Shangjing, and continued to focus most of his attention on Zhou Shangjing, Zhao Junchen would have the space and time to develop.

Therefore, Zhao Junchen can only frame Zhou Shangjing - in a way, Zhou Shangjing can be regarded as having a lot of debts.

In fact, in Zhao Junchen's plan to frame the crown prince Zhu and Yu, this is also one of the purposes!

On the other side, Emperor Deqing's face became more and more gloomy, and he just nodded and said, "You go on." ”

Zhao Junchen continued: "The third suspicion lies in the time when His Majesty received the news! According to Huang Yourong's statement, as early as twenty days ago, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince had already expressed his intention to rectify the commercial tax, and after two days, Huang Yourong saw that he could not stop His Royal Highness the Prince, so he presented the secret fold to Your Majesty, hoping that Your Majesty could stop His Royal Highness the Prince...... However, it was not until last evening that this letter was delivered to you, and the delay in the middle was too long, and it completely delayed the opportunity for you, Your Majesty, to stop His Royal Highness the Crown Prince. ”

After a pause, Zhao Junchen said again: "In addition, it's not just Huang Yourong's secret fold!" Rectifying commercial taxes is a top priority, although His Royal Highness the Crown Prince did not adjust the tax rate, but only abolished many private tax collection stations set up by the prefecture and county yamen, but it is still enough to shake the government and the opposition...... Could it be that apart from Huang Yourong, there are no other ministers to report the news to Your Majesty? It's impossible! The only explanation is that the messengers had accidents on the way, which caused your Majesty to cut off the news from the capital, so you have not been able to receive the news for a long time! ”

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…… (To be continued.) )