After more than twenty years, Zhao Xin finally saw Gan Zhaoji again. However, Gan Zhaoji today is still very young, with handsome features, neat body, clean robes, and looks very energetic.
He prostrated on the ground, and under the leadership of Zhang Weiji, he kowtowed three times and bowed nine times to Zhao Xin, who was sitting on the bed, and performed the great courtesy of the emperor and his ministers.
After the ceremony, Zhao Xin smiled and said: "Zhang Douzhi, Gan Chongban, please get up and speak first..."
Zhang Weiji then pulled Gan Zhaoji to stand up. The two of them hunched over and stood sideways in front of Zhao Xin's bed, bowing their heads to listen to Zhao Xin's instructions and instructions.
"In Chunfang, everything is complicated and there are many people with mixed eyes. During these days, Liu Aiqing has been working hard day and night, staying up and down on guard... He can really be called the lonely Secretary Liu!"
Liu Yongnian, who had been standing behind the screen, hurriedly bowed and said, "I am so frightened that I dare not praise the Duke! Let alone compare myself with the sages!"
But I feel happy in my heart, it’s sweeter than drinking honey!
There was no other way. The ministers and servants of the imperial city of the Song Dynasty were all vying for the honor of being called "a certain secretary" by the king.
At that time, the great eunuch Lan Jizong served as a political envoy and became the highest-ranking minister in the Song Dynasty.
But every time he went to the palace to pay a visit to the Empress Dowager Zhang Xianmingsu, he would be overjoyed and dance when the Empress Dowager Liu called him 'Lan Secretary'.
I felt relieved, thinking that I had done something wrong somewhere.
Because the title "Secretary" was originally used by Empress Dowager Zhaoxian Du to address King Zhao Pu of Han.
Initially, Zhao Pu served Taizu as a secretary, handling official affairs and serving his family.
Therefore, even after Taizu ascended the throne as emperor, and the Han royal family paid homage to the prime minister, Empress Dowager Zhaoxian Du still addressed her as "Secretary Zhao" every time she met Zhao Pu, and even said in front of Taizu:
"My son has never done anything wrong, Secretary Zhao is doing his best," he said without any hesitation, treating Zhao Pu as one of his own family members.
As a result, the ministers, close servants and distinguished officials of the Song Dynasty competed to be honored by being called "a certain secretary" for important members of the official family or the royal family.
Many great eunuchs, even if they do it well, know that this is the case.
It's a pity that Zhao officials know that kindness should not be taken lightly.
Throughout the dynasties, the number of ministers and attendants they call "a certain secretary" has always been limited to five fingers.
When Zhenzong was still alive, only a few people such as Lan Jizong, Xia Shou, and Liu Mei were called this by him.
Now that Liu Yongnian had received such an honor, he was so happy that he almost forgot his last name.
However, Zhao Xin looked at Gan Zhaoji and ordered: "Now that Gan Qing has arrived, he should share Liu Qing's worries and take charge of the affairs of Chunfang, the palace officials, and the top and bottom..."
"And Liu Qing is in charge of outside Chunfang, checking in and out, registering transactions..."
"The two dear friends should give each other advice and cooperate with each other to straighten out the internal and external affairs for the orphan, avoid hidden dangers, and prevent the orphan from having trouble sleeping in bed!"
This is to divide Liu Yongnian's power, and change his original control of internal and external affairs, and control everything, to only external affairs but not internal affairs, only access, security inspections, and exchanges, instead of allowing Liu Yongnian to control both internal and external affairs.
This move is somewhat similar to the one used by Emperor Taizu of the Song Dynasty, Zhao Kuangyin, to release his military power over a cup of wine.
However, neither Liu Yongnian nor Gan Zhaoji felt there was anything wrong.
It even feels reasonable.
Because this is the reality of the Song Dynasty.
No matter where or when, no one can decide with one word!
No one would dare to monopolize a certain official office or a certain function by a single person.
Because everyone who attempts or dares to do this will definitely die a good death!
So, both of them obeyed the leader's order: "I would like to obey the virtue of virtue!"
Zhao Xin then stood up from the bed, smiled at Zhang Weiji who had been beside him, and said, "Today, I will tell you everything I have to do..."
He immediately turned to Gan Zhaoji and ordered: "Gan Qing, please select a few pieces of silk from the inner treasury of Chunfang for me. I will reward you..."
"You all know how cold it is in early spring, so take it home and make some clothes for the children to wear!"
When Zhang Weiji heard this, he immediately knelt down and kowtowed in gratitude: "The Duke of the country is so kind, and the humble ministers are so grateful that they shed tears of gratitude!"
He is well known to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, so he is already qualified to adopt an adopted son.
Therefore, in the past two years, several young Huangmen who had just entered the palace were adopted one after another as heirs, and they were raised as if they were their own children.
In the Northern Song Dynasty, eunuchs could choose to hand over their achievements and rewards to their adopted sons to inherit them, just like normal families would pass on and offer sacrifices.
This is also grace.
Therefore, the great eunuchs of the Northern Song Dynasty not only lacked the feminine spirit of the eunuchs of the Ming and Qing Dynasties in later generations.
On the contrary, there are many people who are more masculine than real men!
Opening up territories, imposing punishments for officials, and even appeasing the refugees and settling the people.
What these people do is no worse than ordinary scholar-bureaucrats.
Just like Zhang Douzhi's adopted son, there was a fierce general named Zhang Ruoshui.
In Zhao Xin's previous life, this great eunuch first conquered Nong Zhigao and then conquered Xixia. He served as a walking horse and took over official affairs, and was appointed as the governor of Huanqing Road three times.
This king likes to take the lead in battles, and is famous for his unstoppable bravery and perfect accuracy.
Zhang Ruoshui can even operate heavy weapons like the Divine Arm Bow by himself and pull them apart!
Gan Zhaoji was sent away to see Zhang Weiji off.
Zhao Xin waved to Liu Yongnian, called him to his side, and asked in a low voice: "Is there anything new in the imperial city?"
When Liu Yongnian heard this, he knew what the Duke wanted to ask.
So, he leaned close to Zhao Xin's ear and whispered: "My lord, I heard that yesterday the wife of the Jiangning Jiedu Envoy came to the palace to pay homage to the queen and other talented people..."
"Oh..." The corners of Zhao Xin's mouth turned up slightly: "Youxian County Lord is really leisurely and elegant..."
"How many times has the county prince entered the palace this month?"
"Reporting to the Duke, it is said that Zhang Niangniang likes the handkerchiefs woven by the county monarch very much, so she often asks the county monarch to enter the palace..." Liu Yongnian reported in a low voice: "This month, I heard that there seemed to be three people who summoned Zhang Cairen alone.
Four times..."
Zhao Xin then laughed, which made Liu Yongnian's scalp numb and his heart skipping a beat.
Who doesn't know that the talented man from Ninghua Palace orders his clan brothers and uncles to go to Daxiangguo Temple to offer incense every year, and each time they receive hundreds of thousands of dollars in sesame oil money.
The abbot of Daxiangguo Temple smiled crookedly when he saw the Zhang family.
By burning so much incense, is Empress Zhang just praying for blessings?
It's just that some things really can't be forced.
The empress begged for several years, but in the end she could only give birth to a princess. However, the Miao Cai people of Baoqing Palace gave birth to an imperial heir for the official family without doing anything.
Now, this imperial heir has the appearance of a young holy king, and has won the admiration and admiration of both the government and the public.
So, don’t say that Empress Zhang can’t give birth to an heir.
Even if she gives birth to an imperial heir soon, I'm afraid she won't be able to compete with this one.
The officials, courtiers and people in the world will not agree.
Didn’t you see that the ministers of the two governments are now working hard and overtime to promote the title of meritorious official for the Duke?
That is, the ministers of the two governments are eager to determine the identity of monarch and minister, so that there will be no dispute at all about this matter.
Therefore, it is completely understandable that the empress was worried about this.
So it made sense that the empress suddenly fell in love with embroidery.
People, you have to find something for yourself to do to pass the time!
Queen Cao could farm and raise silkworms in Jiaofang, but what happened to Zhang Cairen's embroidery and handkerchiefs?
