Chapter 35

"Your servant, Zhao Junchen, pays homage to Your Majesty. May Your Majesty live ten thousand years, ten thousand upon ten thousand years."

Emperor Deqing summoned Zhao Junchen in the Yangxin Hall.

After entering the Yangxin Hall and bowing, Zhao Junchen secretly glanced at Emperor Deqing.

Although Emperor Deqing was now fifty-four years old, he was in excellent health and looked no more than forty-five. His face was dignified, his eyes sharp, and his fine beard was quite noticeable. It was clear that in his youth, he had been a rare and handsome man.

When Zhao Junchen was paying his respects, Emperor Deqing was reviewing memorials, and his expression seemed somewhat displeased.

Seeing Zhao Junchen kneel and pay his respects, Emperor Deqing did not allow him to rise but instead scolded with a smile, "You actually still remember to come back. You've been gone for two months. If I hadn't sent someone to urge you, would you have continued to linger in Luanan Prefecture?"

Emperor Deqing's voice was deep and powerful, and he exuded authority.

However, seeing that Emperor Deqing had a smile on his face, Zhao Junchen knew he was just teasing, so he was not nervous. He recounted his experience in Luanan Prefecture, where he had organized the eradication of locusts, and then said with an innocent look, "So, Your Majesty, you can't blame me. As the Minister of Revenue, I am well aware of the financial difficulties the state has faced in recent years. If the locust plague had spread throughout Shanxi, where would we find the funds for relief? Your Majesty loves the people like children, and at that time, you would have been deeply worried. As your servant, how could I let you bear such a burden? Therefore, I had to stay in Luanan Prefecture to organize the eradication of locusts."

Based on the memories he had inherited, Zhao Junchen knew that Emperor Deqing's favor towards him was unparalleled. Therefore, when speaking to Emperor Deqing, he added a bit of jest and flattery, which not only did not cause displeasure but also made their relationship closer.

Hearing Zhao Junchen's words, Emperor Deqing grunted and said, "You make a good point. Rise."

After Zhao Junchen rose, Emperor Deqing sighed and said, "Your actions in Luanan Prefecture were already known to me. I am pleased that you understand the bigger picture. However, although your efforts in Luanan Prefecture were arduous, my situation here in the capital is not easy. You have heard about my intention to tour the south, haven't you?"

Zhao Junchen respectfully replied, "I have heard about it. It seems that Your Majesty intends to tour the south, but the ministers in the court are all opposed. The matter is now at an impasse."

Emperor Deqing grunted angrily and said, "Not just an impasse, these people are trying to force me to back down!"

In Zhao Junchen's view, Emperor Deqing was a strong-willed and proud man. His intention to tour the south might have been a sudden idea, but he did not expect all the ministers to oppose it. Feeling that his dignity had been compromised, he became stubborn and refused to yield.

However, although Emperor Deqing was the emperor, he could not go against the will of the people. Thus, the situation was at a stalemate.

"Even Chief Minister Zhou Ge is opposed?"

Zhao Junchen looked surprised.

Chief Minister Zhou Shangjing, although not as compliant as Zhao Junchen, had never openly opposed Emperor Deqing.

Hearing Zhao Junchen's question, Emperor Deqing's expression became even more displeased. He handed the memorials he had been reviewing to a eunuch and said, "These days, I have asked the ministers to submit memorials discussing the pros and cons of the southern tour. The result is that no one supports my tour. Take a look at these memorials."

As he spoke, the eunuch brought a thick stack of memorials to Zhao Junchen, who casually picked one up and began to read it.

As Emperor Deqing had said, all the memorials were from high-ranking officials, and without exception, they opposed the southern tour.

While Zhao Junchen was reading the memorials, Emperor Deqing said in a solemn voice, "I have made up my mind. No matter what difficulties arise, no matter how many people oppose it, I must tour the south. Throughout history, the struggle between imperial and ministerial power has never ceased. Either the east wind prevails over the west wind, or the west wind prevails over the east wind. If I back down this time, the affairs of the state will no longer be decided by me alone."

Hearing Emperor Deqing's words, Zhao Junchen was taken aback. He had thought that Emperor Deqing was just quarreling with his ministers, but he did not expect that there was another layer of consideration. The emperor's strategy was indeed different from that of ordinary people, and Zhao Junchen could not help but look at Emperor Deqing with greater respect.

Therefore, Zhao Junchen nodded in agreement and said, "Your Majesty is absolutely right. As the saying goes, one leads to two, and two lead to three. This time, we must not yield to the ministers."

The word "we" not only brought him closer to Emperor Deqing but also clearly showed Zhao Junchen's stance. As a result, Emperor Deqing's expression improved slightly.

When Zhao Junchen came to the memorial from the Crown Prince Zhu Heyu, he quickly thought of a way to test Emperor Deqing's intentions.

Zhao Junchen frowned and said, "The Crown Prince is also opposed to Your Majesty's southern tour? No wonder, in the past, the court has never seen such unanimous opposition from all officials. The Crown Prince is renowned for his virtue, and if he leads the opposition, the other ministers will naturally follow."

As he spoke, Zhao Junchen secretly glanced at Emperor Deqing.

Emperor Deqing did not respond, and his expression was unreadable, showing neither anger nor worry.

However, Emperor Deqing's silence more clearly revealed his thoughts.

Zhao Junchen continued, "However, the Crown Prince does not disappoint his reputation. This memorial is well-organized and considers the welfare of the people. All the views of the ministers can be found in it, but unfortunately..."

"Unfortunately what?"

Hearing Zhao Junchen praise Zhu Heyu, Emperor Deqing subconsciously frowned and asked.

Zhao Junchen sighed and said, "The Crown Prince's intentions are good, and he is devoted to the state. However, by doing this, he has gained the support of the ministers and the love of the people, but he has overlooked Your Majesty's situation. The current stalemate leaves Your Majesty in a difficult position. The Crown Prince has indeed been shortsighted."

Zhao Junchen's words almost explicitly stated that the Crown Prince Zhu Heyu was using the opportunity to oppose Emperor Deqing to gain popularity and support.

It was unclear whether Emperor Deqing understood Zhao Junchen's deeper meaning, but he grunted and asked, "Your meaning is that the Crown Prince's intention to stop me from touring the south is good, but my intention to insist on the tour is bad?"

Zhao Junchen hurriedly pleaded, "I dare not think so. I support Your Majesty's southern tour."

After a pause, Zhao Junchen continued, "I have read these memorials, and the reasons for the ministers' opposition to Your Majesty's southern tour can be summarized in four points: first, the southern tour has no practical significance and is unnecessary; second, the tour will disturb the people and require a large mobilization of resources; third, as the Son of Heaven, Your Majesty should remain in the capital and not leave lightly; fourth, the tour will be very expensive, and the Ministry of Revenue lacks the funds."

Hearing Zhao Junchen list the reasons, Emperor Deqing's expression turned sour. He had heard these reasons dozens of times in recent days and was already tired of them.

However, Zhao Junchen continued, "These reasons seem sufficient, but in my view, they are quite laughable or easily resolved. The ministers are using these as excuses to obstruct Your Majesty's southern tour, which only shows their incompetence."

Hearing Zhao Junchen's words, Emperor Deqing's eyes brightened, and he said, "Oh? Speak quickly!"

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PS: Third update today. Continued requests for recommendations, collections, and Three Rivers votes.

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