Kou Ji chatted with Zhu Neng and others for a long time. When the dusk drum sounded, everyone tidied up their clothes and rushed to the main hall of Xingqing Palace.
The main hall of Xingqing Palace was rearranged when Kou Ji and others went down to rest.
It's a little less heavy and a little more festive.
The civil and military officials of the dynasty, the emperor's relatives, and their relatives all entered the main hall with smiling faces. Under the guidance of the eunuchs and palace maids, they sat on the seats in the main hall of Xingqing Palace.
After the civil and military officials of the Manchu Dynasty and the emperor's relatives were seated, Zhao Zhen joined hands with Empress Cao and entered the main hall.
Zhao Zhen and Empress Cao both wore gorgeous clothes and looked very dazzling.
After they entered the palace hand in hand, the civil and military officials of the court and the royal family all stood up and bowed to greet them.
After the two of them sat down, the civil and military officials and relatives of the emperor and the emperor all saluted them one after another.
"I respectfully welcome the official family, and respectfully welcome the queen..."
Zhao Zhen said with a smile on his face: "You don't need to be polite... I'll give you a seat..."
After the civil and military officials and relatives of the emperor and the emperor took their seats, they sat down one after another.
Zhao Zhen ordered the eunuchs and palace maids to prepare some simple dry food and wine, and sent them to the civil and military officials of the court and the royal relatives for them to eat first.
Naturally, the civil and military officials of the Manchu Dynasty and the relatives of the emperor were not polite either.
One by one, they picked up the dry food and drinks on the table and started eating.
During this period there was a burst of singing and dancing.
After an hour, the singing and dancing stopped.
Zhao Zhen ordered people to remove the things from the tables of the emperor's relatives and the civil and military officials of the Manchu Dynasty.
The night banquet officially started at this time.
After Zhao Zhen preached something that he couldn't understand, he began to give money to relatives of the emperor and the civil and military personnel of the Manchu Dynasty.
The most important thing about the New Year's Eve banquet is that the king rewards the civil and military officials of the dynasty.
Give jewels and jade, gold and silver, houses, maids, officials, vegetables, and palace flowers.
It is somewhat similar to the year-end bonus in later generations.
The only difference in this year's New Year's Eve banquet is that Zhao Zhen did not confer an official title.
The civil and military officials of the Manchu Dynasty had no complaints about this.
On the contrary, the emperor's relatives had some criticisms.
But after Zhao Zhen glanced around with cold eyes, the royal family members obediently shut their mouths.
Zhao Zhen knew very well the bad things that the imperial relatives and relatives did in Bianjing City.
Zhao Zhen had already saved enough face for them by not taking action against them now.
Each and every one of the soldiers of the Song Dynasty did not help when they were fighting abroad. Instead, they kept holding them back. Zhao Zhen did not demote them to common people, which was considered a kindness.
How dare you make irresponsible remarks because Zhao Zhen did not promote some of them to official titles.
Each one of them has done nothing to contribute to the imperial court, yet they still want to be promoted to a higher position, which is a beautiful idea.
After Zhao Zhen shocked the emperor's relatives, he continued to give generous gifts to the civil and military officials of the Manchu Dynasty.
After a round of generous gifts, it was already the time when the moon was at its zenith.
Zhao Zhen ordered the eunuchs and concubines to bring formal meals and accompany the civil and military officials of the court to eat, drink and have fun.
The show lasted until late at night.
The civil and military officials of the Manchu Dynasty and the emperor's relatives took their families out of the palace gate and returned to their houses. After arranging for their families to sleep, they changed into sacrificial clothes one by one and rushed to the eastern suburbs outside Xingqing Mansion.
Today is the first day of the new year, which is also the first day of the Lunar New Year.
The Song Dynasty first conquered the Liao Kingdom and then the Xixia Kingdom, and made great achievements on both battlefields.
As an emperor, Zhao Zhen naturally had to go to heaven and his ancestors.
Since we are not in Bianjing City, we can only set up an altar in the eastern suburbs according to ancient rituals to offer sacrifices to our ancestors and to God.
The civil and military officials of the Manchu Dynasty and the royal relatives arrived in the eastern suburbs one by one, dressed solemnly.
An altar eighty-one feet high has been erected in the eastern suburbs. On the altar is a large cauldron, and at the four corners of the altar, braziers are burning.
The imperial guard wore black armor and stood guard around the altar.
Zhao Zhen, wearing a uniform, appeared in the eastern suburbs. Amidst the praises of the Ministry of Rites, he led the civil and military officials of the court to the location of the altar.
When he arrived at the bottom of the altar, Zhao Zhen stopped and waited for the civil and military officials of the Manchu Dynasty to stand still. Then he ordered Wang Yunsheng and Kou Ji to accompany him and went up to the altar.
Kou Ji is now the head of the military officials.
In the absence of Lu Yijian, Zhang Zhibai, and Wang Zeng, and when Kou Ji became a military official, Wang Yunsheng became the leader of the civil servants.
Zhao Zhen led Kou Ji and Wang Yunsheng to the altar. Under the cold wind, they paid homage to heaven and earth, paid homage to their ancestors, and burned the sacrificial inscriptions.
When the sacrificial text in the altar, carrying flames and swirling, rose into the sky.
Zhao Zhen stared at the sky and murmured: "Fourth brother, tell me, are there really gods in the sky? After the ancestors died, did I go to the Nine Heavens Tower?"
Kou Ji clicked his lips and sighed: "I don't know..."
Wang Yunsheng's heart was beating wildly as he listened to what the two of them said. He didn't dare to say a word. He stood there like a clay sculpture, not daring to say a word.
He was afraid that when Zhao Zhen and Kou Ji were struck by lightning later, he would be implicated.
Zhao Zhen and Kou Ji didn't know what Wang Yunsheng was thinking, so they both looked at the sky.
Zhao Zhen continued: "When my father was still alive, he always said that there were gods in the world, and he believed in this. But I don't believe it. If there are gods, why do they turn a blind eye to all the sufferings in the world? And why don't we create a unified world?
Let everyone in the world live a happy life?"
Kou Ji hesitated and said: "Why do the officials feel this way?"
Zhao Zhen said faintly: "My father has begged and respected the gods all his life, but no gods granted him immortality, let alone made the Song Dynasty bigger and stronger.
From the time I ascended the throne to now, in just a few short years, I have never paid any respect to gods.
But our Song Dynasty has become stronger than ever.
If worshiping gods cannot make Song Dynasty stronger, why should I respect him?
If there are really gods on the Nine Heavens Tower, they are just a bunch of blind gods.
When we respect them, they do not send blessings.
Even when we don't respect them, we can still bring blessings to the people of the world with our efforts."
Kou Ji did not rush to agree with Zhao Zhen's words, but said with a suspicious look on his face: "Why are the officials so emotional?"
Zhao Zhen put his hands behind his back and said calmly: "Because when I left the palace this morning, I bumped into a slanderous minister. He told me that if one hundred and eight Taoist temples and temples could be built in the world to worship gods,
All my ideas can be realized."
Kou Ji narrowed his eyes and asked in a low voice: "How did the officials deal with him?"
Zhao Zhen said calmly: "I sent him to guard the funeral of my father."
Kou Ji pondered: "The officials don't need to take a fool's stupid words seriously."
Zhao Zhen nodded and said: "Of course I won't take it seriously. If I took it seriously, I wouldn't send him to guard my father's funeral. I just think it's a coincidence that he suddenly appeared in front of my dragon."
Kou Ji was stunned for a moment and then said thoughtfully: "Do the officials think that someone wants to use the same trick as the late emperor to fool the officials?"
Zhao Zhen nodded again.
Kou Ji asked: "Who is it?"
Zhao Zhen glanced at Kou Ji and said calmly: "My two imperial aunts..."
Kou Ji slowly frowned.
"The two eldest princesses are..."
"I have some opinions about me..."
"A generous gift from the New Year's Eve banquet?"
Kou Ji questions.
Zhao Zhen nodded slowly.
Kou Ji hesitated and said, "What do the officials plan to do with them two?"
Zhao Zhen curled his lips and said: "I am too lazy to pay attention to them. I have already dispatched all their husbands and sons to serve in the army. You can just take care of them."
Kou Ji raised his eyebrows in surprise.
You don't want to take action against your own people, so you just put the trouble on me?
Zhao Zhen seemed to have read Kou Ji's thoughts, and said with a smile: "I have checked, and it is my two imperial aunts who instigated the Xiang family to threaten Mrs. Sister-in-law. I remember that the fourth brother and Mrs. Sister-in-law are sincerely in love.
There is no way I can watch my sister-in-law being wronged."
Kou Ji was stunned for a moment, rolled his eyes and said, "I'll take over this job."
Zhao Zhen nodded with satisfaction.
The monarch and his ministers chatted for a while before getting off the altar.
From beginning to end, Wang Yunsheng was like a foil, not saying a word.
The two of them ignored Wang Yunsheng and did not give Wang Yunsheng a gag order.
But Wang Yunsheng is self-aware and has decided to keep his mouth shut.
Zhao Zhen got off the altar and returned to Xingqing Palace with the civil and military officials and relatives of the emperor. After having a simple meal, he left.
The civil and military forces of the Manchu Dynasty have officially entered into the annual holiday.
Kou Ji returned to his house and worked hard for three to five days, receiving many visitors.
On the sixth day of the lunar month, an unexpected person walked into the Kou Mansion with a heavy gift.
Kou Ji received him in the exotic front hall.
In the front hall.
Kou Jigao sat at the top, and Zhong Shiheng sat at the bottom of Kou Jigao.
After Zhong Shiheng entered the front hall, he ordered the servants who came with him to put down their generous gifts and retreat.
Seeing this, Kou Ji also ordered the servants of Kou Mansion to retreat.
They were the only two people left in the front hall.
Zhong Shiheng said with a sad face: "Please Shangguan save me..."
Kou Ji stared at Zhong Shiheng and said with a smile: "Brother Zhong, why did you say this? Brother Zhong is now a first-class public, and he is sitting on Xiping Road. He has tens of thousands of soldiers and horses, and he has a high position. Who dares to do harm to Brother Zhong?
Why did you suddenly call for help?"
Zhong Shiheng smiled bitterly and said: "Although our friendship is shallow, we still have some friendship. Can't you see what kind of situation I am in?"
Kou Ji smiled and said nothing.
Seeing this, Zhong Shiheng could only take the initiative to raise the subject and said: "The officials had previously intended to call me to Beijing to report on my duties. Due to some selfish motives, I refused the officials' good intentions. Now the officials have put me on the line.
Many people in the civil and military circles of the Manchu Dynasty were waiting for them to impeach me.
After the restoration of the dynasty on the 15th day of the dynasty, I am afraid that memorials to impeach me will flow into the palace like snowflakes.
By that time, I had become the target of public criticism.
It’s hard to say whether one’s life can be saved.”
Kou Ji pretended to be surprised and said: "Today, the majesty of the official family has reached an unprecedented heyday. Even my grandfather had to obey orders in front of the official family. Brother Zhong actually dared to refuse the official's offer.
Good intentions, Brother Zhong is upright, I feel ashamed of myself."
When Zhong Shiheng heard this, his face became even more bitter, "Can't you help but ridicule me? Since I am traveling thousands of miles to help you in the battle in Xiliang City, how about you help me?"
Kou Ji stared at Zhong Shiheng and said in a neutral tone: "You rushed to help Hexi. That is a sacred mandate, not for anyone's sake. You are helping the court, not me.
The officials rewarded you generously afterwards and have repaid your merits.
Therefore, the battle in Xiliang City is just a business matter and does not involve any personal matters."
When Zhong Shiheng heard what Kou Ji said, he knew that Kou Ji would not help him unless he shed some blood. He could only grit his teeth and said, "Tell me, what do you need to do to help me?"
Kou Ji stared at Zhong Shiheng and said: "The Song Dynasty can have Zhong family generals, but there should not be Zhong family troops. The soldiers and horses in the Song Dynasty can only be named with one surname, and that is Zhao."
Zhong Shiheng stared in shock, looked at Kou Ji, and cried out: "You want me to hand over the Zhong family army?"
Kou Ji said calmly: "It's up to you whether to hand it over or not...but I must remind you that the Zhe family army is gone. The Zhong family army is a thorn in the side of the imperial court and a thorn in the flesh.
Everyone will be staring at the Zhong Family and the Zhong Family Army.
It is inevitable that you will become the target of public criticism.
When the time comes, your end of cultivating a family will probably be even more miserable than if you lose your family."
Zhong Shiheng's face changed again and again, and he stared at Kou Ji and said: "I personally selected the officers and soldiers of the Zhong Family Army one by one. They are all first-class good men. If they were handed over to the imperial court, they would be wasted.
"
Kou Ji said solemnly: "The imperial court will not ruin the Zhong family's army!"
Zhong Shiheng exclaimed: "How is that possible?"
Kou Ji stared at Zhong Shiheng and said, "Because I, Kou Ji, am now the Privy Councilor, I will never see the Song Dynasty's soldiers and horses abandoned."
Zhong Shiheng stared at Kou Ji, gritted his teeth and said, "How can I trust you?"
Kou Ji said in a deep voice: "You can only believe me!"
Zhong Shiheng gritted his teeth and said, "I need to think about this for a few more days."
Kou Ji nodded and did not force Zhong Shiheng to make a decision.
Zhong Shiheng left the Kou Mansion.
Three days later.
Zhong Shiheng arrived at the Kou Mansion again.
He stared at Kou Ji in despair and said, "I can hand over the Zhong Family Army..."
Kou Ji stared at Zhong Shiheng and said, "I thought it would take you more than ten days to make up your mind, but I didn't expect that you made up your mind in just three days."
Zhong Shiheng sighed and said nothing.
The Zhong Family Army was built by him, and he was not willing to hand it over at all, but the experiences in recent days forced him to hand over the Zhong Family Army.
It's the New Year's Day.
The civil and military officials in Xingqing Mansion visited each other, which was very lively.
But his mansion was deserted, and not a single person came to visit.
Every day, Zhong Shiheng looked at the banquet guests at Zhu's Mansion across the street, and then looked at the deserted scene in his own mansion, not to mention how uncomfortable he felt.
It’s New Year’s Eve every year.
The Zhong Mansion was full of guests, making it very lively.
Among them were civil servants and military ministers.
In the Song Dynasty, where civil and military forces were distinguished, it was a beautiful sight.
This Chinese New Year, civil and military officials did not visit his house. Why?
Is it because his status is not high and his identity is not obvious?
no.
It's because everyone felt that he was going to be cold, so they sought advantages and avoided disadvantages in advance to avoid being implicated by him.
The civil and military officials of the entire dynasty think you want to be cold, but you really want to be cold.
All civil and military officials in the dynasty felt that the Zhong family was going to be in trouble. If Zhong Shiheng did not use the official family to make a decision while Kou Ji was still in the northwest, it would be too late for him to make a decision after the two returned to Beijing.
If he really waits until the official and Kou Ji return to court, the civil and military voices in the court to impeach him will probably become a wave.
At that time, if he relents, it may not just be as simple as handing over the Zhong Family Army.
He is not Kou Ji, and there is no one to protect him.
The civil and military officials of the entire dynasty impeached him, and one impeachment was accurate.
"Why……"
Zhong Shiheng let out a long sigh and said, "I don't want to hand over to you, is that okay?"
Kou Ji glanced at Zhong Shiheng and said, "If you had handed over the Zhong Family Army earlier, maybe this position of Privy Council would be yours."
Zhong Shiheng laughed bitterly at himself.
Kou Ji stared at Zhong Shiheng and said: "I will tell the officials what you said later, and the officials will then send people to reorganize the Zhong Family Army. I will try my best to maintain the integrity of the Zhong Family Army.
But you also know the situation on the northwest roads.
The lands assigned to the officers and soldiers were all on different roads, so the officials would accommodate the officers and soldiers and relocate them to the places where the lands were assigned to them.
Therefore, some soldiers in the Zhong Family Army will still leave."
Zhong Shiheng sighed and said: "As long as the soldiers of the Zhong family army are not transferred to other places. Zhu Neng, Liu Heng, Wang Kai, Guo Yi and others are not people who treat soldiers harshly.
The soldiers of the Zhong family army followed them, so I felt relieved."
Zhu Neng and Liu Heng had a large amount of foreign income every year, but they looked down on the little food and salary for their soldiers and horses, so they never drank the blood of the soldiers. They always paid enough for their soldiers and horses, and occasionally took the soldiers with them.
They made a small fortune, so the soldiers and horses under them were the most prosperous in the Song Dynasty.
Although Wang Kai has not been leading troops for a long time, he has never drunk the blood of soldiers during his time, so his reputation is not bad.
Although Guo Yi's status is not prominent, he is a well-known kind person in the northwest.
Every one of the soldiers he led would give him a thumbs up.
Therefore, the officers and soldiers of the Zhong family army followed Guo Yi, and Zhong Shiheng was relieved.
Seeing that Zhong Shiheng was very satisfied with the arrangement between him and the officials, Kou Jixian nodded with satisfaction without any conditions.
After Kou Ji nodded, Zhong Shiheng asked: "The official family will probably transfer me away from Xiping Road? Who will be in charge of the remaining Zhong family army officers?"
Kou Ji was stunned for a moment and said with a smile: "You actually guessed that the official would transfer you away from Xiping Road?"
Zhong Shiheng rolled his eyes and said calmly: "Since I handed over the Zhong Family Army, the officials will naturally try their best to erase my traces in the Zhong Family Army and transfer me away. Isn't that right?"
Kou Ji burst into laughter and asked after a long time: "What do you think of Di Qing?"
Zhong Shiheng frowned slightly and said: "Di Qing, the commander-in-chief of the Tiger-Character Army? Di Qing did make some achievements on the Yanyun battlefield, and the officials granted him a title.
But can a person with a high position and command all the way be able to control it?"
Kou Ji looked at Zhong Shiheng and smiled and said: "You think that Di Qing is young, has little merit, and has a low status, so he is not qualified to be the commander-in-chief of the Xiping Road Ma Infantry Army, right?"
Zhong Shiheng didn't hide anything and nodded slowly.
Kou Ji said frankly: "It is indeed inappropriate for Di Qing to serve as the commander-in-chief of the Xipinglu Horse Infantry Army. But it is still possible to serve as the commander-in-chief of the First Army. You will still serve as the general manager of the Xipinglu Horse Infantry Army, but you have to return to Beijing to report on your duties."
It means that Zhong Shiheng has a false name and does not care about things.
Zhong Shiheng was a little surprised when he heard this, but he did not object. Instead, he asked: "Now there are no vacancies in the Privy Council and there are no vacancies in the Ministry of War. What position can I hold after I return to Beijing?"
Kou Ji smiled and said: "You can take charge of the third government office..."
Zhong Shiheng was slightly stunned and said in a deep voice: "Is the palace handsome?"
Zhong Shiheng looked at Kou Ji and said unexpectedly: "The officials want to touch those idle people in the third government office?"
Kou Ji nodded slowly and said: "They are in Sanya, and their corpses have been lying bare for a long time. All our soldiers and horses in the Song Dynasty have neglected to train and are weak in combat. They have a great responsibility.
In the past, our Song Dynasty had few soldiers, so we could let them do whatever they wanted in the three yamen.
Now that the Song Dynasty has mobilized more troops, naturally we can no longer let them do whatever they want."
Hearing this, Zhong Shiheng nodded slowly.
Although the position of the Palace Commander of the San Yamen is not as good as that of the Privy Councilor.
But it is higher than the Minister of War.
His appointment as the commander-in-chief of Sanya is worthy of his status and achievements.
Zhong Shiheng was quite satisfied with the court's arrangements. He stared at Kou Ji and said, "Then what should I do?"
Zhao Zhengang promoted Zhong Shiheng to the rank of First-Class Duke in front of the civil and military officials of the Manchu Dynasty.
It is naturally impossible to take it back without any reason.
Therefore, Zhong Shiheng needed to help Zhao Zhen create an excuse so that Zhao Zhen could demote him and change his rank to an official position.
Kou Ji thought for a moment and said with a smile: "I heard that the two imperial ladies have been very arrogant recently. Go and confront them."
Zhong Shiheng frowned subconsciously.
"Two eldest princesses? Those are two very domineering people. If we mess with them, I'm afraid there will be endless trouble."
Kou Ji smiled calmly and said: "What are you afraid of? When the late emperor was in power, they were favored by the late emperor, so they were naturally arrogant and domineering. But now that the late emperor has passed away, the officials do not show any disdain towards them.
They have long lost the capital to be arrogant and domineering.
They are now arrogant and domineering, which is just draining the remaining friendship in the hearts of the officials.
Once the remaining friendship in the hearts of officials is exhausted, it will be their time of misfortune."
Zhong Shiheng did not believe Kou Ji's temptation, and still frowned.
Kou Ji knew that Zhong Shiheng had concerns, so he spoke again: "The officials have sent their husbands and children to serve in the army. Later I will send one or two to Sanya and give them to you to control."
Hearing this, Zhong Shiheng raised his eyebrows.
He understood the deep meaning of Kou Ji's words.
It wasn't Kou Ji who instigated him to find trouble with the two eldest princesses.
But Zhao Zhen wants to cause trouble for the two eldest princesses.
Otherwise, it would be impossible for Zhao Zhen to deliver the husbands of the two eldest princesses to Kou Ji.
With Kou Ji's temperament, if the husbands, sons-in-law, and children of the two eldest princesses came under his control to show off their authority, and if they were arrogant and domineering, Kou Ji would probably hang them up and beat them.
If Zhao Zhen didn't want to cause trouble for the two eldest princesses, why would he send the husbands and children of the two eldest princesses to Kou Ji for torture.
Kou Ji probably knew what Zhao Zhen was thinking, so he asked him to trouble the two eldest princesses and add fuel to the fire.
As the saying goes, if God wants to destroy it, it must first make it crazy.
As a first-class prince, he provoked two eldest princesses, so Zhao Zhen demoted his title.
Chapter completed!