From a son-in-law to a favorite of the empress

Chapter 421

Zhao Cheng is an outstanding politician. Even though he is only in Yangzhou, a small place, he knows the situation in the world very well.

After his analysis, Zhou Yuan's previous suspicions were all confirmed, and everything became clear.

"Doesn't Prince Fu know about this? Actually not."

Zhao Cheng said slowly: "Among the many princes of the previous emperor, the most talented one is Prince Jing, but unfortunately he is still lacking in political tactics."

"For the emperor, literary talent is not important at all, only political tactics are the most important. God has given the emperor the highest power, and political tactics can control power, and officials will naturally help with everything."

"And in terms of political tactics, the best is undoubtedly Prince Fu Chen Shou."

"He was one of the strong contenders for the throne at the time, but he was able to escape from that political storm and control the clan house until now, which itself explains a lot of problems."

"Our Queen is also the most cautious about him."

"It is precisely because of this tacit understanding that Prince Fu has always been very honest and has never Did not do it. "

"Nurhaci's serious illness changed the world's situation and gave him a chance."

Speaking of this, Zhao Cheng narrowed his eyes and said, "I even suspect that Empress Zhaojing was the architect of this assassination, and he was probably the collaborator. Of course, this is just a guess. Politics is sometimes not so idealistic, and all the variables are only in that moment."

"At least for now, Prince Fu has become the regent, giving himself a chance to reach the top."

"As for whether he can hold on to it, that's another story. At least he has been given the chance."

Zhou Yuan nodded and said, "No wonder Her Majesty must include me, because she knows that anyone can be given to Prince Fu, but not me."

"Because... according to my resume, I really have the possibility of helping Prince Fu to secure that position, and she will never There is no chance to come back. "

"And in order to secure that position, Prince Fu will definitely offer me a very high price. He will be willing to give me the title of either a county prince or a prince."

"Your Majesty knows very well that she can't give me that. She can only give me the title of Duke."

Zhao Cheng took a sip of tea and shouted to the outside: "Waiter, hurry up and serve the food and wine!"

After speaking, he put down the teacup and said with a smile: "You see, sometimes things are not complicated. You can figure it out if you sort it out. It's just that you are confused and your reaction will be slow."

"Now you see it, this game is a tacit understanding between the Queen and Prince Fu, and you must be the regicide, because the Queen will never let you go to Prince Fu. She wants to cut off all your involvement in the court before she withdraws."

"When Prince Fu loses and can't stand it anymore, Zong When the royal family and officials welcome the empress back to Beijing, she will restore your reputation and put all the blame on Prince Fu. "

"At that time, Prince Fu died, the royal family and civil officials were subdued, her position was as stable as Mount Tai, and then she began to clean up the mess. "

"Then it was your turn as the god of war to step in and help her to quell the enemies of the world, implement new laws, and revive the Jin Dynasty. "

Zhou Yuan sneered: "She thought well and took everything into account, but I almost lost my family!"

Zhao Cheng knocked on the table lightly and said slowly: "For the emperor, these few people in your family can compare with the throne? They did nothing wrong."

"And you... Ziyi, I see that the people who sent me the message all the way south seem to have been arranged in advance. You seem to have a lot of tricks up your sleeve, and you have bad intentions!"

He looked at the young man in front of him and asked in confusion: "I can understand that you are dissatisfied with His Majesty, but do you still have a rebellious heart? "

Zhou Yuan said: "Even rabbits bite when they are cornered, and clay figures still have a little temper. Father-in-law, if you were me, what would you choose?"

Zhao Cheng was stunned for a moment, then laughed and said: "I am a Confucian scholar, what would I choose? I will definitely make peace with Her Majesty and continue to assist her in completing the great cause of reviving the Jin Dynasty, leaving my name in history!"

"Whether as a Confucian scholar or as a court official, this is what I dream of. As for the grievances I have to endure for the overall situation, this is what a minister should do. I will choose to endure it even if I have complaints."

At this point, he changed the subject and said: "But you are not me. You have to choose your own way and walk it yourself. It's just that as a father-in-law, I must help you, do what I should do for you, and persuade you."

"So Ziyi, what are you going to do?"

Zhou Yuan thought for a long time before saying softly: "I am not a Confucian scholar, I am not that noble, I want to be more selfish. I will not give anyone the chance to hurt my family again. "

Zhao Cheng patted his shoulder and nodded: "You young people, and the ideas of my generation are still different after all. "

"But father-in-law supports you."

Zhou Yuan raised his head and said in surprise: "Support me? But this is my way, not your way..."

Zhao Cheng said with a "tsk", "What can I do? I only have Jianjia as my daughter."

"Zi Yi, father-in-law told you that you should be flexible and follow your heart when doing things. "

"Look up and be worthy of heaven, look down and be worthy of earth, be worthy of the king, be worthy of the people, and be worthy of your heart."

"You protected your family and friends during the Yunzhou riot, protected the country during the Liangjiang riot, protected the safety of His Majesty during the King Jing's rebellion, and protected the people after the recovery of the Central Plains..."

"You are worthy of everyone, so why worry, just do it! "

Zhou Yuan was really touched and couldn't help but said: "Old Taishan, your words are still soothing. To be honest, I've been in a very gloomy mood recently, just because of these trivial things."

Zhao Cheng said: "These trivial things are annoying, it's normal, but Ziyi, I still want to advise you, the so-called great way is thousands, the benevolent is invincible, you must not forget your original intention!"

"Some things, you are forced to do, not originally want to do those things."

"The order is very important, which directly determines the nature and your way."

Zhou Yuan took a deep breath and said solemnly: "I understand, thank you father-in-law for clearing up the confusion, before I was really angry."

Zhao Cheng said: "What about now?"

Zhou Yuan said: "I am more rational and clearer."

"That's good!"

Zhao Cheng rubbed his hands and smiled: "So let's get down to business! ”

Zhou Yuan was stunned: "Were we not talking about business just now? What else is business?"

Zhao Cheng said: "I just want to encourage you, what business is that? Business is eating. I have been waiting for you for a long time and I am already hungry."

"What business can compare to a drink between us? We haven't seen each other for more than a year."

After saying that, the door opened and the waiter came with the dishes.

Zhao Cheng picked up the chopsticks and started eating. While eating, he said: "Zi Yi, everything costs money. Do you have money?"

Zhou Yuan nodded and said: "Yes, at the beginning of the year, we cooperated with Shanxi merchants in many businesses, and now all of them are making money."

Zhao Cheng said: "Then you have a lot of money?"

Zhou Yuan said: "It's not a lot, but I don't worry about money for the time being."

"You stinky boy, you don't worry about money, so you never thought about whether your father-in-law is short of money! ”

Zhao Cheng glared and said, "You don't know how tight your mother-in-law has been recently. I don't have money to meet my friends and have a drink. Every time I have to apply to her, I have to say nice things to coax her. I am so tired."

Zhou Yuan was puzzled and said, "The Salt Inspector is a big fat post, with endless money. Father-in-law, you can't be so messed up!"

Zhao Cheng waved his hand and said helplessly, "Your father-in-law is the top scholar in the imperial examination. His Majesty personally took the palace examination. Don't you want to repay this kindness? How can you be a corrupt official?"

"No... What do you mean by saying so much? You don't want to be filial to me?"

Zhou Yuan quickly raised his glass and laughed dryly, "Father-in-law, how can I not be filial to you? Give me a number."

"One thousand taels!"

"Puff!"

Zhou Yuan sprayed out a glass of wine.

Zhao Cheng was puzzled and said, "Is this too much? "

Zhou Yuan said: "I thought you had a big appetite, but it turned out to be only one thousand taels. Father-in-law, you also..."

Zhao Cheng glared and said: "You think I want it, there were tens of thousands of taels of silver in the family, but your mother-in-law insisted that it had been spent. Later, I asked and found out that it seemed that she secretly gave it to Jianjia when you left Shenjing."

Zhou Yuan was embarrassed. This was true. Living in Shenjing was not easy. At that time, it was all supported by Jianjia who took out tens of thousands of taels of silver.

"No more, father-in-law!"

Zhou Yuan raised his glass again and said directly: "Ten thousand taels of silver! I will have someone send it to you in a few days!"

Zhao Cheng laughed immediately, clinked his glasses quickly, and couldn't help saying: "I admire your generous personality!"

"But Ziyi, I have to ask you about something more important!"

Zhou Yuan was stunned and asked in confusion: "Is there anything more important? "

Zhao Cheng blinked, glanced at him, and said: "Your mother-in-law said that Jianjia has never been able to get pregnant... Is it because of you that you can't do it?"