……

……

After hearing Shen Changmao's weird laughter, not only Huo Zhengyuan, but also Lin Wei and Zhang Cheng gradually felt that something was wrong.

Just now, Huo Zhengyuan suddenly mentioned Huang Yourong in order to test Shen Changmao's true intentions.

However, Shen Changmao didn't care about Huo Zhengyuan's temptation, and seemed to have acquiesced in his idea of wanting to annex the "Yellow Party", and was not worried about Huang Yourong's revenge afterwards.

For a while, the three of them were suspicious, but they were also a little at a loss, not knowing how to deal with Shen Changmao.

On the other side, after seeing that Huo Zhengyuan, Lin Wei and Zhang Cheng all had doubts on their faces, Shen Changmao finally got to the point: "The three adults suddenly came to find the old man today, I'm afraid it's to find out the reason why His Majesty suddenly drove back to Beijing, right?" ”

After Zhang Cheng, Lin Wei, and Huo Zhengyuan glanced at each other, it was still Zhang Cheng who spoke: "Lord Shoufu, you are aware of everything, and the three of us are indeed here for this, and I hope that Lord Shoufu can give us some guidance." ”

Shen Changmao nodded, sighed contrivedly, and said slowly: "Speaking of which, this matter is very important, and it is also closely related to the three of you, and the old man should indeed tell you the details...... About 20 days ago, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince took advantage of His Majesty's departure from Beijing to the south, and despite the efforts of Huang Ge Lao to stop him, he actually forcibly passed a resolution to drastically rectify commercial taxes, crack down on non-governmental smuggling, and also abolish the tax collection stations privately set up by local governments and counties, military towns and imperial villages, and even the six central departments......"

Then, a look of schadenfreude flashed in Shen Changmao's eyes, and he continued: "The three adults also know. My courtiers are like bottomless muddy waters, and it is easy to drown. It must not be easily touched, and everyone knows the chaos of business and taxation in our dynasty. There will be a routine rectification in the imperial court every year, but there is no such serious rectification as the crown prince, for no other reason, that is, for fear of causing chaos and backlash from the government and the opposition...... Whether it is the local government and county, the military town Huangzhuang, or the six central departments, a large amount of silver will be obtained through the tax collection station every year, or used to fill the shortfall, or used to seek personal gain, or used to buy people's hearts, socializing, for the officials, this silver is indispensable. His Royal Highness the Crown Prince's decision can be described as a big stab, the government and the opposition must be in turmoil, His Majesty hurried back to the capital, just to stabilize the situation......"

Speaking of this, Shen Changmao shook his head with regret and sighed: "It's a pity that although this big basket was stabbed by His Royal Highness the Prince, the Prince is the prince and the future emperor. His Majesty will never give up on him easily, so after His Majesty returns to Beijing, in order to stabilize the situation, he can only find an unlucky scapegoat to calm the anger of the public. And this scapegoat must also have enough weight...... In this way, Huang Gelao, as the auxiliary minister of Beijing during His Majesty's southern tour, may be unlucky. No one can save him......"

"What!?"

"The Yellow Pavilion is in danger!"

"How so!?"

For a time, Zhang Cheng, Lin Wei, and Huo Zhengyuan were three. All of them changed their expressions and exclaimed.

As high-ranking officials of the imperial court, they can naturally understand the seriousness of this matter!

Lin Wei couldn't help but beg for help. Said: "Lord Shoufu, you are now the head of the cabinet, it can be said that you are above 10,000 people under one person, and Huang Ge Lao is your most important ally, you must save my Huang Ge Lao!" ”

Shen Changmao still shook his head and said: "The old man and the old Huang Ge have been ministers in the same dynasty for more than 20 years, and they have been cooperating happily recently, so naturally they will not die without help...... But it's a pity that in the current situation, even the old man can't save him! Do the three adults know why His Majesty suddenly let Zhou Shangjing go? This is because His Majesty and Zhou Shangjing have reached a secret agreement, and in the next period of time, His Majesty will no longer pursue the matter of the Suzhou Wokou, and Zhou Shangjing will fully cooperate with His Majesty to stabilize the situation in the government and the opposition...... Therefore, after we return to the capital, not only will Your Majesty make Huang Ge Lao a scapegoat, but Zhou Shangjing will also let Huang Ge Lao carry the black cauldron, although the old man is the first assistant of the cabinet, it is impossible to go against the common will of His Majesty and Zhou Shangjing at the same time, it can be said that Huang Ge Lao is now destined to step down! ”

After listening to Shen Changmao's words, Zhang Cheng, Lin Wei, and Huo Zhengyuan had even more panicked expressions and pale faces.

Indeed, the Manchu Dynasty, only Emperor Deqing can deal with Zhou Shangjing, and only Zhou Shangjing can deal with Emperor Deqing, if Emperor Deqing and Zhou Shangjing join forces, it is impossible for anyone to go against their will!

On the other side, Shen Changmao suddenly changed his words and said: "However, Huang Ge is an important ally of the old man, and the old man and him have always cherished each other for many years, so although the old man can't save him, he won't do nothing, and he still has to do his best where he should try...... For example, if the three adults are willing, they can take refuge in the old man, as long as you are protected by the old man, even if Huang Yourong falls, you will definitely not be implicated, you are still the young masters, scholars, and scholars of the imperial court, maybe you can go further! In short, for the sake of the face of the old Huang Ge, the old man will definitely regard you as a cronie, and he will never treat you badly, and after the old man gets your assistance, he is also like a tiger with wings, and our momentum will never be reduced much because of the fall of the old Huang Ge! ”

After speaking, Shen Changmao looked at the three of them with a smile and asked, "The old man's intentions are very sincere, but I don't know what the three adults think?" ”

At this moment, Shen Changmao finally saw the dagger, tore off the mask of fake sympathy, and exposed his true attempt to take the opportunity to annex the "Yellow Party"!

After hearing Shen Changmao's solicitation, Huo Zhengyuan's expression moved, and his heart was a little shaken - since the fall of Huang Yourong was inevitable, then changing to Shen Changmao's disciple was also a matter that could be considered.

However, before Huo Zhengyuan could speak, Zhang Cheng already got up angrily and accused: "Shen Changmao! I didn't expect you to be so shameless! Huang Ge Lao is your ally in the DPRK and China, when your allies are in danger, not only do you not think about help, but you ******** want to annex the forces of your allies, you are so treacherous, are you not afraid of being spurned? ”

At the same time, Lin Wei also snorted coldly, although he didn't speak, he also glared at Shen Changmao angrily, obviously his attitude was completely consistent with Zhang Cheng.

Unlike Huo Zhengyuan, Zhang Cheng and Huang Yourong are fellow villagers, classmates, and fellow scholars, and the relationship between Lin Wei and Huang Yourong is even more in-laws, the two have a close relationship with Huang Yourong, and they are also loyal to Huang Yourong, unless Huang Yourong is indeed completely out of power, they will never easily turn their backs on Huang Yourong.

On the other side, after hearing Zhang Cheng's accusation, Shen Changmao's expression gradually became cold, and he returned to his previous stern countenance: "Oh? Do you say that the old man is shameless and treacherous? Hum! As Huang Yourong's cronies, don't you know about Huang Yourong's small actions in the capital a few days ago? Taking advantage of the opportunity of the old man's southern tour, is there less Huang Yourong secretly infiltrating, buying, and suppressing the old man's family? Do you really think that the old man doesn't know Huang Yourong's careful thoughts and small actions? As Huang Yourong's cronies, you still have the face to talk about the old man? ”

Hearing Shen Changmao's sarcasm, Zhang Cheng and Lin Wei were speechless.

As Huang Yourong's cronies, they naturally knew Huang Yourong's plan to annex the "Shen Party", but they could not refute it.

In a way, Huang Yourong and Shen Changmao are worthy of being a pair of allies, and what the two of them do is also the same thing, not to mention the second brother.

So, Zhang Cheng didn't answer, but said coldly: "The Tao is different, it's not a matter of strategy!" Although Shen Ge Lao was reluctant to help, the three of us and the other three of us have been deeply favored by the Huang Ge Boss for many years, but we can't turn a blind eye and turn our backs on the old master! Even if His Majesty and Zhou Shangjing join forces to suppress Huang Ge Lao, we will never be arrested! Farewell! ”

After speaking, Zhang Cheng turned around and left resolutely.

At the same time, Lin Wei also got up and followed.

Although Huo Zhengyuan had some different thoughts in his heart, after hesitating for a while, he finally left with Zhang Cheng and Lin Wei, and did not say anything more.

On the other side, Shen Changmao looked at the backs of the three of them leaving, and his eyes were cold.

Unexpectedly, his plan to annex the "Yellow Party" turned out to be off to an unfavorable start.

However, Shen Changmao is not in a hurry, in his opinion, if he wants to annex the "Yellow Party" forces, the most critical place is not Zhang Cheng, Lin Wei, and Huo Zhengyuan, but Huang Yourong, who is about to fall!

As long as Huang Yourong is willing to transfer all his power, connections, authority, etc. to Shen Changmao, then Zhang Cheng, Lin Wei, and Huo Zhengyuan can only obediently take refuge in themselves.

Moreover, Shen Changmao believes that Huang Yourong will definitely do this.

After all, Shen Changmao and Huang Yourong are still allies, and the two sides have not officially torn their faces, and Shen Changmao is now the head of the cabinet, and his status is not normal! Huang Yourong only chooses this way, so he won't lose too badly!

Therefore, Shen Changmao is not in a hurry.

However, what Shen Changmao didn't know was that he was not the only one who planned to take the opportunity to pry Huang Yourong's corner.

In secret, as the real mastermind who directly contributed to the downfall of Huang Yourong, Zhao Junchen has been sharpening his knife and waiting for a long time!

……

…… (To be continued.) )