Chapter 63 The Current Situation
After Wang Zhen left, Zhu Yuhuan turned back to the palace with an expressionless face. She lit the incense that had been sent to her some time ago and briefly explained the Luchuan incident to Huai En. Then she said, "Your Majesty asked Wang Zhen to ask for my opinion. In fact, he has already agreed with the method proposed by Wang Zhen. He just wants further evidence from me. Seeing how he is running around, if you don't know him, you would think he really cares about his country and the world."
Zhu Yuhuan was the person Zhu Qizhen could trust who had a better understanding of military, agricultural and government affairs. She also had a background in business. Zhu Qizhen naturally wanted to get Zhu Yuhuan's affirmation to ensure that his decisions as the emperor would not go wrong and to maintain the image of a "wise" emperor.
As for whether Wang Zhen would deceive both sides, Zhu Yuhuan was sure he didn't have the guts to do so. After all, Zhu Qizhen and Zhu Yuhuan met every day, and with just a little time, they would be able to expose Wang Zhen's lies. In addition, this matter did not appear to be a bad thing on the surface. Only concrete actions could change the nature of the matter. Wang Zhen really had no need to deceive both sides.
Huai En understood Zhu Yuhuan's intention and said, "Wang Zhen is so proactive, I believe he has the opportunity to profit from it... Seeking personal gain in state affairs is probably detrimental to the overall situation. Your Highness, what do you think...?"
According to his speculation, Wang Zhen proposed to trade with the Oirat under the pretext of conquering Luchuan, which was somewhat intended to aid the enemy. He might have been connected with officials on the border and had private dealings with the Oirat people, which was a good opportunity for him to profit from it. On the surface, it seemed like he was contributing to the country, and he might even gain some reputation.
Zhu Yuhuan looked at the thin curls of smoke, chin in hand, and said, "As long as Your Majesty needs it, if we kill Wang Zhen today, there will be Li Zhen and Song Zhen tomorrow. We will never be able to kill them all. Besides, he is at the peak of his powers now. It is too early to settle the score later."
Ultimately, what Zhu Qizhen needed was a dog who was loyal to him and could take the blame at the right time. If it wasn't Wang Zhen, there would be someone else. It wouldn't be difficult for Zhu Yuhuan to get rid of Wang Zhen, but if the one who replaced him was not even as good as Wang Zhen, Zhu Yuhuan would only be more upset.
At least Wang Zhen is still the obedient one, and he is not at the stage of doing anything reckless and dangerous.
Thinking of this, Zhu Yuhuan turned his head slightly to look at Huai En, and said with a smile: "Huai En, what do you think is better, a smart enemy or a stupid enemy?"
Huai En looked at her and saw a hint of coldness in her eyes, which were as clear as ever. He replied, "Huai En understands."
"By the way, send a letter to Shi Heng. I have something to ask him about the eunuch guarding the garrison."
Huai'en immediately understood that Zhu Yuhuan suspected that the eunuchs guarding the city were colluding with Wang Zhen and were secretly plotting for personal gain.
Zhu Yuhuan sighed and said, "It seems I can't stay in the capital anymore."
Huai En was stunned at first, but then he quickly understood Zhu Yuhuan's intention and said, "Wang Zhen is worried that Your Highness will expose him, so he wants to 'drive' Your Highness out of the capital?"
"Yeah..." Zhu Yuhuan rubbed his temples and said, "After finally sending Grandma away, Wang Zhen should definitely turn his attention to me. He doesn't have the courage of the Sun family to take direct action, so he can only use some indirect means to make me leave Beijing."
Huai En replied, "The expedition to Luchuan is the best opportunity. Your Highness already has experience supervising the army, and the Emperor does not trust officials enough, and it is inconvenient for him to go to the battle himself. Naturally, he will appoint a trustworthy person to accompany the army."
Zhu Yuhuan smiled slightly and said, "It's just the situation."
In other words, Wang Zhen had no other ability to drive Zhu Yuhuan away, but now he happened to encounter the expedition to Luchuan, so he could take advantage of the situation to "drive" Zhu Yuhuan out of the capital to facilitate his own actions.
After all, although Zhu Yuhuan was not as respected as Empress Dowager Zhang, he was a non-threatening blood relative of Zhu Qizhen like her, and the most useful tool in the world. Even a eunuch like Wang Zhen, who tried his best to serve Zhu Qizhen, had to be relegated to the back of Zhu Qizhen's trust list when he met Zhu Yuhuan, his "opponent".
If there had been no Battle of Luchuan, Wang Zhen's only option would probably have been to promise Zhu Yuhuan that he would share part of his own personal gains with Zhu Yuhuan in exchange for Zhu Yuhuan's support.
But he himself probably doesn't have the courage to do so. After all, Zhu Yuhuan is not short of money and has a good reputation. There is no need for him to take such a big risk for a little money and power.
Huai En hesitated and said, "Your Highness will not expose Wang Zhen's plan, but the expedition to Luchuan is indeed dangerous, and the military examination is about to begin. Your Highness, are you really not going to stay in the capital?"
Although there are not many ordinary people among the people selected in the martial arts examination, and none of them can immediately become successful and command heavy troops, if one or two can be won over, it can be considered a help. It would be a pity to let them go.
Zhu Yuhuan chuckled when he heard this, raised his eyes to look at Huai En, and said: "The people selected by the martial arts examination are the ones that His Majesty wants to use. It is better for us not to interfere in such matters."
After all, even as her elder sister, there will always be a day when she will be guarded against, especially since Zhu Qizhen is getting older and his suspicion will probably grow. It is unknown how long he can stay in the position of regent. It is better not to interfere in matters related to Zhu Qizhen's actual interests.
Besides, the military examination has just been implemented, and most of the candidates are children of nobles. Their quality is likely to be mixed, so there is no need for Zhu Yuhuan to take action too early.
"Wynn understands."
Zhu Yuhuan smiled at him and said, "Come out of the palace with me tomorrow. We will live outside the palace for the next few days. We will come back to the palace during the court meeting."
"Yes." After Huai En responded, he asked Zhu Yuhuan, "Does Your Highness want to see Lady Zhou again? She didn't see Your Highness today and said she wanted to see you."
Zhu Yuhuan shook his head and said, "No need. Tell her to flatter Empress Dowager Sun as much as possible. After all, the Empress Dowager is your Majesty's biological mother. It won't go wrong to please her more."
Zhou Yingying was straightforward, but not careless. She even had some similarities to Zhu Qizhen, with a simple mind and a good memory. After she had been repeatedly rejected by Empress Dowager Sun, and with the presence of the maids in Empress Dowager Sun's palace who were to be concubines, Zhu Yuhuan didn't need to say much, and Zhou Yingying would naturally draw a line between herself and Empress Dowager Sun.
Who would like to be treated coldly all day long, let alone set up a few invisible "opponents" for themselves.
Zhu Yuhuan had no other requirements for Zhou Yingying, his only request was that she should not get too close to Empress Dowager Sun.
She wasn't afraid of trouble, but she was afraid of stupid trouble, let alone two of them.
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