Chapter 97

On the way back to the Zhao residence, Zhao Junchen's expression seemed calm, with a faint smile lingering at the corners of his mouth. However, Xu Qingyan, who knew Zhao Junchen best, could detect a hint of coldness in his eyes, making even him hesitant to ask what had happened.

Silently sitting in the sedan chair, Zhao Junchen recalled the scene in the Yangxin Hall and sighed softly.

Before leaving the palace, in the Yangxin Hall, just as Zhao Junchen was about to depart, Emperor Deqing suddenly said, "Minister Zhao, there are still some matters I need to discuss with you."

Seeing the serious expression on Emperor Deqing's face, Zhao Junchen did not dare to be negligent and quickly replied, "Please, Your Majesty, give your instructions."

After a moment of contemplation, Emperor Deqing slowly said, "I have been seriously considering the significance of the southern tour that you mentioned a few days ago. My tour of the Jiangnan region aims to emphasize the presence of the emperor, spread the imperial majesty, and instill awe in local officials and elders, thereby stabilizing the empire and boosting morale and public sentiment. Your argument is indeed profound. However, although the southern tour was initially decided, due to the lack of funds in the national treasury, the entourage and ceremonial arrangements had to be kept simple. Such simplicity would hardly demonstrate my majesty. If it backfires, it might not only fail to showcase the imperial majesty but also be seen as a sign of weakness by the locals, making the southern tour counterproductive."

Hearing this, Zhao Junchen felt a chill and had a vague idea of Emperor Deqing's intentions. However, he maintained a respectful demeanor and asked, "What is Your Majesty's intention, then?"

Emperor Deqing's expression turned serious as he continued, "As the saying goes, times change, and so do circumstances. Now that the national treasury is well-funded, it is no longer appropriate to keep the southern tour so simple. My intention is that, without disturbing the people, the entourage, ceremonial arrangements, and scale of the southern tour can be as grand as possible. More ministers and palace concubines can also be brought along. After the southern tour, grand ceremonies can be held in Nanjing and Fengyang to honor our ancestors. In short, since the treasury is now well-funded, the southern tour should focus on spreading my majesty. What do you think, Minister Zhao?"

Although it was a question, Emperor Deqing's expression clearly showed that he had already made up his mind.

Zhao Junchen's face was full of admiration as he said, "Your Majesty's foresight is truly remarkable. These matters are beyond my comprehension. In my opinion, Your Majesty's words are indeed wise."

Emperor Deqing smiled and said, "Minister Zhao, there's no need to be modest. If it weren't for your words that day, I wouldn't have thought of these things."

After a moment of hesitation, Zhao Junchen asked, "Then, Your Majesty, will the local authorities be required to build temporary palaces during the southern tour?"

Emperor Deqing waved his hand and said, "Building temporary palaces would be a burden on the people, so it is unnecessary. I have already said I will stay at the Nan Yuan Garden, and my word is final."

After a pause, Emperor Deqing suddenly changed the subject and said, "However, your description of the beauty of the Jiangnan gardens has made me yearn to see them. Recently, someone presented me with a painting called 'Spoon Garden' depicting the scenery of the Jiangnan gardens. I was deeply impressed, just as you said. These gardens are like poetry, different from the grandeur of the imperial gardens, with their own unique charm. During the southern tour, I want you to pay attention and find suitable craftsmen for me. After we return to the capital, we can choose a scenic spot for a summer retreat and build a royal villa in the style of the Jiangnan gardens for me and my descendants. What do you think, Minister Zhao?"

A hint of surprise flashed across Zhao Junchen's face, but he nodded and said, "Even if Your Majesty hadn't mentioned it, I had already intended to do so. Your Majesty's wealth is vast, and the beauty of the Jiangnan gardens should not be enjoyed by the wealthy alone. Building a summer retreat for Your Majesty is only right."

Hearing this, Emperor Deqing's expression showed his trust in Zhao Junchen as he smiled and said, "Since that's the case, both matters will be handled by you, in collaboration with the Ministry of Works and the Ministry of Rites. The treasury is well-funded, so there are no restrictions. I trust you."

Zhao Junchen seemed flattered and said with evident excitement, "Thank you for Your Majesty's trust. I will do my utmost to ensure that I do not disappoint you!"

At that moment, the conversation between Zhao Junchen and Emperor Deqing was a model of loyalty and trust, with a harmonious relationship between the ruler and the minister.

Unfortunately, Zhao Junchen's expressions and words were all an act. And, as expected, Emperor Deqing's expressions and words were also an act.

The arrangements for the southern tour and the construction of the new palace were both entrusted to Zhao Junchen, and according to Emperor Deqing's instructions, there were no restrictions on expenses. This was a significant opportunity for personal gain, as even a small manipulation could bring in hundreds of thousands of silver taels, and with a bit more audacity, even a million taels was not impossible.

If it were the old Zhao Junchen, he would have assumed that Emperor Deqing's arrangement was a favor to his favored minister, allowing him to earn some "extra income."

However, the current Zhao Junchen could see the true intentions behind Emperor Deqing's arrangement.

Chilling intentions!

According to Emperor Deqing, the reason for expanding the southern tour was Zhao Junchen's argument that it aimed to spread the imperial majesty. The reason for building a new palace in the style of the Jiangnan gardens was Zhao Junchen's praise of their beauty. Both matters were to be handled by Zhao Junchen.

In this situation, how would the court and the people view Zhao Junchen? The charge of "misleading the emperor" would be inevitable. The disturbance to the people and the expenditure of national resources and silver during the southern tour and the construction of the new palace would all be blamed on Zhao Junchen.

In short, Emperor Deqing's actions would bring all the benefits to himself, achieving his grandiose goals, while all the blame and trouble would be pushed onto Zhao Junchen.

"What a clever calculation," Zhao Junchen shook his head and smiled bitterly in the sedan chair. "Unfortunately, after the disaster relief in Lu'an and the publication of 'The Record of Locust Eradication in Lu'an,' my reputation, which had just started to improve, will likely be ruined again, perhaps even worse. Your Majesty, can you not tolerate even a slight improvement in my reputation?"

"However, throughout history, it has been common for ministers and corrupt officials to take the blame for the emperor, a manifestation of imperial strategy. If my reputation improves, how can I take the blame? People like Qin Hui, He Shen, and Liu Jin, though their actions were detrimental to the country, were ultimately following the emperor's will. In the end, the emperor was unscathed, while they were disgraced and met tragic ends. 'The emperor is good, but he was misled by corrupt officials'—this has been the common sentiment of the court and the people throughout history..."

While Zhao Junchen was contemplating his response, his murmurs were heard by Xu Qingyan, who was walking beside the sedan chair. However, the voice was too low to be clearly understood, so Xu Qingyan quickly asked, "Young Master, do you have any instructions?"

After a moment of contemplation, Zhao Junchen said, "When you return to the residence, have someone select some expensive herbs like Cordyceps, ginseng, and Polygonum multiflorum and send them to the Seventh Prince. Don't be stingy; send the most valuable ones. Also, send some trusted people to gather all kinds of information about the Seventh Prince over the years, whether true or rumored, and bring it to me as soon as possible."

Although Xu Qingyan did not understand why Zhao Junchen suddenly took an interest in the obscure Prince Zhu Hejian, he quickly agreed.

In the sedan chair, a hint of darkness flashed in Zhao Junchen's eyes.

As Zhao Junchen had anticipated, the news of the expanded scale of the southern tour and Emperor Deqing's plan to build a new palace in the style of the Jiangnan gardens spread the next day, causing a stir in the court and the country.

At the same time, the rumor that "Emperor Deqing's plans were all due to Zhao Junchen's influence" spread widely. The Crown Prince, Zhu Heyu, looked at Zhao Junchen with increasing hatred. With the tacit approval of various factions in the court, the censors submitted a barrage of impeachment memorials to Emperor Deqing, but due to his deliberate protection, these impeachments did not affect Zhao Junchen.

Someone even calculated in an impeachment memorial that the expanded scale of the southern tour, the upgrade of the entourage, the grand ceremonies in Nanjing and Fengyang, the preparations by local authorities, and the construction of roads and canals would require more than twice the original budget, at least 600,000 silver taels!

As for the construction of the new palace, it would be an astronomical sum. Since it was to be built in the style of the Jiangnan gardens, the northern landscape and climate were inherently unsuitable. Just the creation of lakes, mountains, and scenery would require at least 500,000 silver taels. The construction of palaces, roads, and the cost of labor and materials would add up to an unknown total, and the time required for construction was also uncertain.

However, since Emperor Deqing's plans were funded by the private treasury, although there were objections from court ministers, especially from the Crown Prince's faction, they were ultimately ineffective. With Emperor Deqing's strong support and Zhao Junchen's reluctant backing, the two plans were eventually approved.

With the approval of these plans, Zhao Junchen's reputation as a "traitor" and "corrupt minister" spread throughout the land.

However, in the world, there are always gains and losses. These two major projects, both under Zhao Junchen's supervision, were significant opportunities for personal gain. The corrupt officials and parasites under Zhao Junchen's influence were overjoyed, eagerly preparing to take advantage of the situation, and their loyalty to Zhao Junchen increased. The factions of Zhou Shangjing, Shen Changmao, and Huang Yourong also had plans to share in the benefits, which was something Zhao Junchen had not anticipated.

When everything finally settled down and the noise subsided, Zhao Junchen, busy with political maneuvering and various responses, suddenly realized that the New Year had arrived.