Chapter 6

Before the穿越 (穿越 means "穿越" which can be translated as "穿越" or "穿越" in this context, but it is better to use "transmigration" or "reincarnation" for a more natural English translation), Zhao Gang was just an ordinary person, with his greatest characteristic being his love for reading. Although he worked in the government, he was just an unremarkable civil servant, and he always kept a distance from the political intrigues and power struggles.

However, this does not mean that Zhao Gang would be at a loss when faced with difficulties.

According to the evaluations he had received since childhood, Zhao Gang was good at planning but lacked quick wit.

Therefore, when Zhao Gang faced a car suddenly crashing into him, he would be startled and his body would react a bit slower. When he realized he had transmigrated, his mind would go blank, and he would feel somewhat at a loss.

In short, when faced with sudden accidents, Zhao Gang's performance would not be better than that of an ordinary person.

However, once Zhao Gang calmed down and was given some time, no matter how difficult the situation, he would excel and rarely make mistakes. This might be because Zhao Gang was good at analysis. No matter how complex the matter, he could remain calm and systematically analyze it, identify his strengths and weaknesses, and formulate targeted strategies accordingly.

Just like what Zhao Gang is doing now.

Although his name is now Zhao Junchen.

...

(From this point on, the first-person perspective of the book changes to Zhao Junchen.)

...

"From today on, I am no longer Zhao Gang, but Zhao Junchen," Zhao Junchen thought to himself.

"My current situation, although it may seem advantageous for now, ultimately seems to be a dead end. Although my position is temporarily secure due to Emperor Deqing's favor, Emperor Deqing is already fifty-four years old. People in this era do not live long, and even emperors rarely live past sixty. How many more years can Emperor Deqing protect me? Once he passes away, given my current reputation and the many enemies I have, it is easy to imagine what kind of fate awaits me."

There is a saying, "When everyone points at you, you will die without illness." Due to the widespread propaganda by the opposing ministers, although Zhao Junchen's reputation may be somewhat exaggerated, it fits this situation.

Throughout history, there have been many corrupt officials who met good ends, but this is because these corrupt officials were good at "face projects" and were skilled at maintaining appearances. They were corrupt, but few people knew about it, and they might even appear to be upright officials praised and respected by the people. In fact, the saying "Three years as a clean prefect, ten thousand taels of silver" may be somewhat cynical and overly critical of all officials, but it also shows that in this feudal society, there were not many truly upright officials. The threshold for what the people considered an "upright official" was very low.

As long as you can ensure the people have food to eat, you are considered an upright official.

However, corrupt officials like Zhao Junchen, who are shamelessly greedy and known to all, no matter how much they are favored by the emperor or how much power they have, have never had good endings. Li Linfu, Qin Hui, Yan Song, and others, all had immense power and were deeply favored, but none of them had good endings. Even if they could die peacefully, their descendants would suffer.

Why? Because your reputation is too bad, threatening the stability of the state and tarnishing the reputation of the court. If the foundation of the state is shaken, what will the royal family rule? How will the upright officials achieve their ambitions? How will the corrupt officials continue to embezzle? You can embezzle and take bribes, but you cannot block everyone's path.

Therefore, corrupt officials with such bad reputations will not only be hated and killed by the upright officials but also by the emperor who once favored them. Other corrupt officials, to distance themselves, to continue embezzling, and to eliminate evidence, will also want to kill you.

When everyone in the world is thinking of killing you, how can you not die? It is only your fault that you do not even know how to embezzle properly, making it known to everyone!

Based on Zhao Junchen's actions over the past few years, although he is far from the likes of Li Linfu, Qin Hui, and Yan Song, in terms of his bad reputation, he is already on par with them. If nothing changes, even if he is really Emperor Deqing's illegitimate son, his fate will not be much better.

Fortunately, Zhao Junchen's current reputation and actions have not yet reached the point of threatening the stability of the state. Although the opposing ministers, especially the clean officials, have been actively spreading propaganda, Zhao Junchen has only been in office for five years, which is a short time. His image as a corrupt official, although known to all, has not yet taken deep root in people's hearts.

"Fortunately, there is still room for redemption..."

After calming down and accepting the fact of his transmigration, Zhao Junchen now has only one thought—living a good life.

...

The reason why Zhao Junchen is currently notorious in both the court and the country but still holds a secure position is that he is good at managing finances and is favored by Emperor Deqing.

Of course, it is not impossible that he is Emperor Deqing's illegitimate son, but this is actually not important and may even be more of a disadvantage.

Among the many fragmented memories he inherited, the most vivid and profound are his growth experiences since childhood, the amount of silver he embezzled, and Emperor Deqing's character, as well as the situation of the Ministry of Revenue and the Inner Transport Treasury over the years.

It seems that the original Zhao Junchen worked hard to curry favor with Emperor Deqing and to improve the financial situation of the Ming Dynasty, leaving such a deep impression.

In short, Emperor Deqing not only likes Zhao Junchen but also cannot do without him.

Emperor Deqing is a person who likes grand achievements. Yesterday, he wanted to renovate the palace, today he wants to tour the south, and tomorrow he might send troops to pacify the border. All of this requires money, and the emperor is also short of money.

It can be said that if it were not for Emperor Deqing, the financial difficulties of the Ming Dynasty would not be so severe.

Before Zhao Junchen appeared, whenever Emperor Deqing wanted to do something, he was often troubled by the lack of funds in the Ministry of Revenue and the Inner Treasury. He had many ideas, but few could be realized. After Zhao Junchen appeared, he always found ways to squeeze out silver to satisfy Emperor Deqing's various desires.

Moreover, Zhao Junchen has a deep understanding of Emperor Deqing's likes and dislikes and is skilled at reading his mind. Often, before Emperor Deqing even wants to do something, Zhao Junchen has already prepared everything in advance. His every word and action is designed to satisfy and please Emperor Deqing.

Therefore, in a sense, people say that the former Zhao Junchen was not only a corrupt official but also a court jester, and this is not wrong at all.

The former Zhao Junchen was indeed like that.

And now, with a new soul, the new Zhao Junchen will naturally continue to do so without hesitation.

Not only will he continue to do so, but he will do it even better.

Because after analyzing, Zhao Junchen found that his only reliance in the short term is Emperor Deqing's favor.

Through the fragmented memories, the new Zhao Junchen has inherited Emperor Deqing's likes and habits. Although he may not be able to flatter and curry favor without showing any effort, he can still easily please Emperor Deqing.

As for managing finances, it mainly involves increasing revenue and reducing expenses. The methods and experience of the former Zhao Junchen in managing finances have been inherited by the new Zhao Junchen. With the knowledge of several hundred years from the future, the new Zhao Junchen is confident that he can do it better.

Yes, better than the former Zhao Junchen, making Emperor Deqing unable to do without him, is the most effective way to ensure his survival in the short term.

But this is not enough.

If one does not think ahead, there will be immediate worries. Now, compared to the advantages, the disadvantages for Zhao Junchen are more numerous and more serious!