Ming Dynasty man

Chapter 198
Wang Chengen is very smart, but he hides his secrets. Zhu Youjian has been taken care of by him since he was a child. Later, when Zhu Youjian opened the mansion, Wang Chengen served as the eunuch in charge of the Xinwang Mansion. When Wei Zhongxian was in power, he was also a member of the eunuch party. Monitor Zhu Youjian.

There are two explanations for Wang Chengen's defection to the eunuch party. One is that Wang Chengen is cowardly and fearful of death and seeks refuge with Wei Zhongxian, and the other is that Wang Chengen entered the eunuch party as an undercover agent.

It should be said that the latter explanation is more reasonable.

You must know that although Wang Chengen is also greedy for money and eager to seize power, Wang Chengen's loyalty to Zhu Youjian is beyond doubt.

Wang Chengen was loyal to Chongzhen. In history, Zhu Youjian finally hanged himself on Meishan Mountain, and only Wang Chengen accompanied him to the national calamity.

Therefore, Wang Chengen is greedy for life and afraid of death, and it is unlikely that he will turn to Wei Zhongxian. It is very likely that Zhu Youjian arranged for Wang Chengen to join Wei Zhongxian's internal affairs and investigate Wei Zhongxian's actions.

Because the trustworthy king Zhu Youjian acted cautiously and would not let Wei Zhongxian and his like catch any pigtails, Wang Chengen reported to Wei Zhongxian what Zhu Youjian did was irrelevant.

In addition, Zhu Youxiao, the Emperor of Tianqi, valued family affection very much. When Zhu Youxiao, the Emperor of Tianqi, was in good health, no matter how brave Wei Zhongxian was, he would not dare to touch Zhu Youjian. Wei Zhongxian dared to attack Zhu Youjian unless he was impatient. .

Of course, under the circumstances at that time, Zhu Youjian did not pose any threat to Wei Zhongxian.

Only when Emperor Qi's health failed, Zhu Youjian, the trustworthy king, became Wei Zhongxian's biggest threat.

Because Zhu Youxiao has no son, the emperor's legal heir is King Xin.

At this time, the power of Wang Chengen's undercover agent was revealed. Through Wang Chengen and Wei Zhongxian, he learned that Zhu Youjian had no malice towards him, so he relaxed his vigilance.

When Zhu Youxiao passed away, with the efforts of Queen Zhang Yan and British Duke Zhang Weiying, and because of Wang Chengen's confusion, Wei Zhongxian agreed to Zhu Youjian as emperor.

It was also because of Wang Chengen's pawn that Wei Zhongxian didn't realize that Zhu Youjian had already hidden murderous intentions towards him, and was eventually overthrown by Zhu Youjian.

It can be said that Zhu Youjian was able to become the emperor and finally eradicate Wei Zhongxian, and Wang Chengen made great contributions.

This is also the reason why Wang Chengen can be reused by Zhu Youjian.

When Ma Wuchu first came to the capital, he didn't know anyone, so he had to throw money everywhere to find a way.

At that time, Wang Chengen, who was still working as an errand in Xinwang's mansion, had a high status, but he had no power, no job, and no money. It happened that Ma Wu was looking for someone to do things. After all, Wang Chengen was born in the palace. Ma Wu's money helped Ma Wu open several stores in the capital, and the two got to know each other like this.

Ma Wu got to know Wang Chengen, so he inevitably wanted to bribe him with money, but he didn't ask Wang Chengen to help him with anything. This also made Wang Chengen feel at ease with Ma Wu, and the relationship between the two was maintained like this.

When Zhu Youjian later became the emperor and took down Wei Zhongxian, Wang Chengen's status became more and more prominent, and Ma Wu's contacts with Wang Chengen began to intensify.

Until the guard commander of Zhangde Mansion was transferred away, and Li Jing ordered Ma Wu to operate Sun Meng as the commander, Ma Wu finally found Wang Chengen.At that time, Wang Chengen had already taken a lot of benefits from Ma Wu, but he didn't help Ma Wu with anything. He always felt a little embarrassed, so he agreed.

Ma Wu's generosity also surprised Wang Chengen. In order to operate this matter, Ma Wuyi gave a total of 5 taels of silver to Wang Chengen for management.

Although Ma Wu showed a lot of filial piety to Wang Chengen, he seldom approached Wang Chengen to do business. He was looking for him to chat and connect with him in his free time. Ma Wu acted generously and cautiously, which made Wang Chengen feel at ease.

At first Wang Chengen thought that Ma Wu might be fishing for big fish with a long line, but Wang Chengen waited for many years and did not see Ma Wu asking him to do anything, until some time ago, Ma Wu came to him to complain, saying that the Qin Tianjian gang did not give face, Ask Wang Chengen if he can find a way to drive Xu Guangqi back to his hometown.

The little brother who had been bullied for many years was suddenly a little angry. At that time, he rolled up his sleeves and rolled up his arms, and promised to help Ma Wu out. After returning, he found a group of officials to impeach Xu Guangqi. Soon Xu Guangqi wrote a letter to complain of illness, and then Xu Guangqi resigned from office. up.

Today's dinner was actually Ma Wu thanking Wang Chengen for helping him vent his anger, but after Wang Chengen came, Ma Wu didn't say a word about this, and Wang Chengen admired Ma Wu even more in his heart.

Sometimes, many things are tacit, and it is meaningless to speak out.

To tell the truth, Wang Chengen was full of curiosity about Ma Wu, a businessman. He was not like a businessman at all, but like an old oily man who had been immersed in officialdom for many years.

Wang Chengen also used his subordinates to investigate Ma Wu, but the result of the investigation was that Ma Wu was a businessman, and he was just a shopkeeper who was hired by others. As for who the big boss behind Ma Wu was, he couldn't find out no matter how hard he tried. arrive.

Sometimes Wang Cheng'en secretly lamented that after Wei Zhongxian's death, the Donglin Party rose up and the Eunuch Party was purged. Although Dongchang existed, its power was no longer as powerful as before. Even Dongchang couldn't find out some things in the capital.

As for Jin Yiwei, it was not as good as Dongchang before. After Luo Yangxing took over as the commander, although he did no great evil, he did nothing, and Jin Yiwei was even worse.

Although Ma Wu is just a businessman, dealing with such a person is undoubtedly reassuring.

After thinking about it, Wang Chengen decided to stay and have a meal with Ma Wu.

After a while, the food and wine were ready, and Ma Wu poured Wang Chengen a full glass of wine, filled it up for himself, and then raised his glass and said, "My lord, Ma Wu respectfully wishes you to be promoted and prosperous in the coming year, and everything goes well."

After Ma Wu finished speaking, he raised his glass and drank it down.

Wang Chengen raised his glass to accompany him, and after Ma Wu filled it up for him, Wang Chengen said with a smile: "It is still possible to be promoted, but it is difficult to make a fortune."

Ma Wuqi said: "Why is this? Does anyone dare to block the father-in-law's way of making money?"

Wang Chengen shook his head, sighed and said, "Master Ma, you and our family have known each other for many years, and our family will not hide it from you, and the emperor has no money. Some time ago, our family made most of the money and gave it to you." The emperor is here, the emperor is in trouble!"

Hearing that Wang Chengen actually handed over the money obtained from bribery to the emperor, Ma Wu couldn't help being in awe. In fact, Ma Wu knew that the emperor had no money, but he didn't expect that Wang Chengen would use this method to help the emperor collect money.

This is to take the initiative to help the emperor take the blame, and he alone bears the blame. If something happens, the emperor can chop off his head as a scapegoat. It has nothing to do with the emperor's half a dime. Such loyalty is really admirable.

Thinking that if Li Jing asked him to take the blame, he would not hesitate to recite it, and for a while Ma Wu felt a sense of confidant towards Wang Chengen.

Ma Wu raised his glass and drank it all, and said: "The prince is so sincere to the emperor, Ma Wu admires it in his heart, I respect you, and everything is in the wine."

After Wang Chengen took a sip of the wine, Ma Wu asked, "It's just that Ma Wu doesn't understand, the emperor is rich all over the world, how can he have no money?"

In fact, through many signs, Ma Wu knew that the emperor had no money, but he had to ask this question, because no normal person would believe that the emperor had no money. If Ma Wu disagreed, it would be very strange.

Moreover, it seems that Ma Wu doesn't work with Wang Chengen, but just makes friends with him, but Ma Wu's task is to inquire about the news of the court, and looking for Wang Chengen to do business is just an excuse to connect, and the real work is all in these casual conversations.

Real intelligence personnel will never deliberately inquire about information. On the contrary, the more casual they are, the more inside information they can get.

Wang Chengen also liked Ma Wu's point of view. He didn't have any scruples about talking with Ma Wu if he didn't inquire about the affairs of the court.

In fact, no matter how strict Wang Chengen's tone is, as long as he talks about the court affairs with Ma Wu, some news will always be revealed.

If Wang Chengen listened to Ma Wu's question, he smiled wryly and said: "After the emperor ascended the throne, there was not much money in the house, and the tax money collected by the household department was not enough to pay the military salary of Liaodong. Sometimes the emperor had to subsidize it. , the bandits made trouble, and the money was spent like water, the emperor's internal funds have long been empty."

After a pause, Wang Chengen continued: "You haven't seen the reported memorials, they are all asking for money and food. The emperor now has a headache when he sees those memorials."

Ma Wu shook his head, sighed, and said, "I don't understand what Wang Gonggong told me. I'm just a small businessman. Thanks to my father-in-law, I don't think Ma Wu is vulgar. Ma Wu doesn't think so. Report, if the father-in-law is useful to Ma Wu, just speak up."

Wang Chengen nodded, thought for a while and then said: "Shopkeeper Ma, you have been in business for many years, don't you have any friends who want to be officials? As long as you are talented and willing to contribute some money, the elder brother will help you."

After hearing this, Ma Wu scolded in his heart, isn't this a blatant betrayal of an official?

After thinking about it, Ma Wu shook his head and said with a smile: "I really haven't thought about it, and no one has looked for me. You know, although I have known my father-in-law for many years, I have never mentioned to outsiders that we know each other. Thing. My friends only know that I am doing business in the capital, how could they think that I know such a big man as you?"

Hearing that Ma Wu never mentioned knowing himself to outsiders, Wang Chengen couldn't help but nodded silently, thinking: "This Ma Wu is really cautious in doing things, no wonder his boss dares to entrust so many properties to him."

In addition, Ma Wu flattered him in a small way, and Wang Chengen was very helpful when he heard it.

Wang Chengen took a sip from his wine glass, and then smiled through his wine: "Brother Ma! Our family always calls you Ma Treasurer, so we should call you brother. From now on, don't call me father-in-law shortly. brother!"

Hearing that Wang Chengen called him brother and brother, Ma Wu was shocked and hurriedly said that he didn't dare.

Wang Chengen smiled, and naturally thought that Ma Wutui was just putting on a show. Just imagine who in this capital would not want to call Wang Chengen his brother?But who has the qualifications to call him brother and brother?There are still officials above the third rank in the court who want to recognize him as his father.

(End of this chapter)