Chapter 0199 Xiang Minzhong wants to compete for the position of political counselor?
The grandfather and grandson chatted for a while before Kou Jicai left the hall.
After leaving the hall, Kou Ji glanced at the Sijun Garden, clicked his lips, and said with emotion: "Thankfully, my father was still cautious, for fear that my grandfather would get angry, but he didn't know that in the eyes of my grandfather, he took concubines.
, it’s not as important as the dumb tiger being angry.”
Sijunyuan was occupied by Kou Li, and Kou Ji had no intention of going back.
He chose a secluded courtyard in his house, asked Kou Zhong to find someone to tidy it up, and moved in.
However, after Kou Zhong had tidied up the yard and before he could move in, he heard a message from his disciples that he had sent a greeting card to the government.
Kou Ji took the greeting card from Xiang Mansion and was a little confused. After thinking about it carefully, he felt that it might be related to his recommendation of Xiang Minzhong as the political counselor.
Immediately, Kou Ji left the courtyard and went to the front hall, where he saw the people who came to Xiangfu to deliver greeting cards.
When people from Xiangfu saw Kou Ji, they hurriedly came up to him, bowed and saluted, and said, "Master Kou, my old lady would like to ask you to come over and have a chat with me."
Kou Ji nodded and said, "Just wait here, I'll change my clothes and come back."
The people in Xiangfu nodded in agreement.
Kou Ji returned to the courtyard and asked someone to go to the Sijun Garden to get some clothes. After changing them, he followed the people from the Xiang Mansion out the door.
After going round and round all the way, we arrived at Xiang Mansion.
There was someone from Xiangfu leading the way, so there was no need to pass the message and we went directly into the gate of Xiangfu.
People from the Xiang Mansion took Kou Ji to the hall, and Xiang Minzhong and Xiang Chuanzheng were already waiting inside.
After Kou Ji entered the door, he bowed and saluted, "I've seen Grandpa Xiang, I've seen Uncle Xiang."
Xiang Chuanzheng smiled and nodded, and Xiang Minzhong said cheerfully: "No need to be polite, just take a seat quickly."
After Kou Ji sat down, he greeted Minzhong: "Butler, serve the wine and food."
When Kou Ji heard this, he smiled and said, "It's getting late now. Grandpa Xiang, are you planning to keep me here for a long chat?"
Xiang Minzhong laughed loudly and said, "Why not? There are many guest rooms in my house. I can keep you here for the rest of your life."
Kou Ji said with a smile: "I was joking to grandpa."
The butler of Xiang Mansion quickly brought wine and food. The dishes were quite rich, even luxurious, with a total of thirty-six dishes.
And most of them are rare treasures that Kou Ji has never seen before.
Kou Ji looked at the food and wine on the table and said with emotion: "I'm going to invite you to dinner with grandpa. I've spent such a huge sum of money on it. I deserve it."
Xiang Minzhong said happily: "Home-cooked food, home-cooked food, it's not worth mentioning, it's not worth mentioning."
Kou Ji shook his head and said with a smile: "It's not easy to gather such a table in this winter."
When Xiang Minzhong heard this, his smile was a little dry. He quickly picked up the wine cup and changed the subject: "Try this wine. It's pear blossom white that has been hidden for twenty years."
Kou Ji said unexpectedly: "If I remember correctly, Lihuabai is a tribute wine from the Liao Kingdom. It is rare among the people. Lihuabai that has been hidden for twenty years is even more rare."
Xiang Minzhong fumbled for the wine bottle and said with a smile: "When I was on my mission to the Liao Kingdom, the late Queen Mother of the Liao Kingdom gave it to me. If it wasn't for entertaining you, I wouldn't have taken it out."
The late empress dowager of the Liao Kingdom mentioned by Xiang Minzhong was the empress dowager Xiao Xiao Chuo, nicknamed Xiao Yanyan, who was famous in history.
She is also the biological mother of the current Liao Emperor Yelu Longxu.
He is also a man of great influence.
If he hadn't already been dead, Kou Ji would still have looked for a chance to catch a glimpse of him.
Kou Ji looked at the wine bottle in Xiang Minzhong's hand and sighed: "Such a precious wine is wasted if it is used to entertain the boy?"
Xiang Minzhong shook his head and whispered: "No waste, no waste."
If this thing falls into the hands of a true wine lover, he will naturally keep it as a treasure.
But it fell into Xiang Minzhong's hands and was destined to serve politics.
Xiang Minzhong was so eager. If Kou Ji couldn't guess his intention, there would be no need to stay in Bianjing anymore.
It must have been that Kou Ji elected Xiang Minzhong as the Councilor for Political Affairs in Chui Gong Hall today, which made Xiang Minzhong think about it.
Xiang Laoguan has been hanging around in the court for many years, and now he has become so involved in blocking his son's future that he has long wanted to quit.
He repeatedly wrote to beg for bones, but the late emperor did not agree. Not only did he not agree, he also gave him many false titles.
Now that Zhao Zhen has succeeded to the throne, he has not yet cultivated his confidants and has not been in charge of the government, so naturally he will not agree to Xiang Minzhong's resignation.
Xiang Minzhong needs to stay and set an example for the veterans in the court.
Let them all see that although the emperor has changed, the court is still very generous to the old ministers, so as to reassure people.
Xiang Minzhong cannot retreat.
If you don't want to wait for death, you can only go further.
Going further to the center of power, not only can he hold the power and stir up the storm, but he can also use it to promote his own son.
He didn't have the chance before, so he could only wait at home.
Now that Kou Ji had recommended him to serve as a counselor for political affairs, it gave him an opportunity and gave him hope, so naturally he was not willing to miss it.
Originally he wanted to plan it by himself, but after careful reasoning with his son, he found that the disciples under his disciples were not enough to push him to the position of participating in political affairs.
His old disciples, after he left the center for many years, either took refuge with Ding Wei or relied on Kou Zhun. Whether they can be his help or not, it is open to question.
This time, the selection of candidates for political office has become a competition between one party and one party.
Whoever wins will have more say in the court.
Two behemoths holding great power are competing. If Xiang Minzhong intervenes, not only will he not be able to seize power, but he may be squeezed to death.
If Xiang Minzhong wants to safely take the position of political advisor between the two behemoths, he needs help.
And the person who can help him is Kou Ji.
There were three reasons why he chose Kou Ji.
First, Kou Zhun did not show a strong desire to compete for the election of political candidates. Xiang Minzhong could probably guess what Kou Zhun was thinking.
That is, anyone can enter, except Liu E’s people.
It is precisely because of this that Xiang Minzhong's competition for the position of participating in political affairs does not conflict with Kou Zhun.
Secondly, Xiang Minzhong took a fancy to Kou Ji's methods. He was responsible for Kou Ji's transfer to the Sixth Division. He also knew that Kou Ji was planning the Sixth Division. As Kou Ji submitted a letter to dismiss the Sixth Division, he then transferred to the Sixth Division.
Xing Si, and finally dismissed Ti Xing Si. He saw all this series of methods.
Others thought this was Kou Zhun's plan, but Xiang Min knew clearly that it was Kou Ji's plan.
It is precisely because of this that Xiang Minzhong believed that if he asked Kou Ji for help, Kou Ji would be able to help him get into the position of participating in political affairs.
Thirdly, it was Kou Ji who recommended Xiang Minzhong to serve as political advisor. If Kou Ji could be consistent, Xiang Minzhong would not need to find anyone to help him cheer for him.
It was precisely because of these three reasons that Xiang Minzhong invited Kou Ji to visit him and entertained Kou Ji with fine wine and food for the first time.
Xiang Minzhong fumbled with the wine bottle in his hand for a while, then handed the wine bottle to Xiang Chuanzheng.
Xiang Chuanzheng personally poured wine for Kou Ji. Kou Ji was flattered and held the wine glass and said, "Why bother Uncle Xiang to pour wine for me? I'm so embarrassed."
Xiang Chuanzheng smiled and said nothing. After helping Kou Ji pour the wine, he helped Xiang Minzhong pour another glass and then sat down.
Xiang Minzhong held the wine glass and said with a smile: "Kou boy, let's try this pear white that has been hidden for twenty years."
Kou Ji held the wine glass, smelled the aroma of the wine in the glass, and said with a smile: "This wine is indeed fragrant and very precious. I really want to take a sip, but I really don't dare to drink it unless I explain it clearly."
Xiang Minzhong put down his wine glass, pointed at Kou Ji and sighed: "You are still so smart. Before I opened my mouth, you should have already guessed my intention of inviting you over, right?"
Kou Ji smiled and said nothing, acquiescing to Xiang Minzhong's statement.
Xiang Minzhong sighed: "I originally wanted to use the strength of the wine to tell you the truth. Now that you have seen my intention, I won't hide it anymore.
I invited you here because I want you to be consistent and help me get into the position of political advisor."
Kou Ji said with a smile: "I have resigned from my post many times to Grandpa Xiang. Haven't I long since given up on officialdom? Why do I still want to fight for the position of political advisor?"
Xiang Minzhong glanced at Kou Ji, and said with a chuckle: "I didn't originally want to compete for the position of participating in political affairs. But your kid suddenly recommended me in the court. If I don't fight for it, I'm sorry for you in the court.
Those words.”
This old man was begging for help in such an awkward way, it seemed more like Kou Ji was begging him than he was begging Kou Ji.
Kou Ji laughed and said: "If Grandpa Xiang really wants to fight for the position of political counselor because of what I said in the court, then there is no need. The kid just doesn't want to see Lu Yijian sit in the position of political counselor, so he
I moved Grandpa Xiang out casually to cause trouble for them, Grandpa Xiang shouldn’t take it seriously.”
When Xiang Minzhong heard this, his face darkened, and he said angrily: "Do you really have to tear me apart and make me speak clearly?"
Kou Ji grinned and said, "Don't be upset with Grandpa Xiang. I'm just testing it to see how determined I am to fight for Grandpa Xiang's position as a political advisor."
Xiang Minzhong glared at Kou Ji and said angrily: "It's very big! It's so big that even if you are not involved in political affairs, it is not enough to calm my determination."
Kou Ji nodded slowly, "It would be great if Grandpa Xiang could be so ambitious."
After a pause, Kou Ji said seriously: "Grandpa Xiang has such ambitions, so I can help you plan. But before I can help you plan, there are two conditions that you need to agree to."
Xiang Minzhong's expression changed, and he said in a low voice: "Boy, if I serve as a political counselor, I will never follow your grandfather's lead. If your conditions are this, then I would rather not be a political counselor."
Kou Ji smiled calmly and said: "Grandpa Xiang, I misunderstood you. With Grandpa Xiang's status, naturally you don't need to rely on anyone. I will never dare to humiliate you with this condition."
When Xiang Minzhong heard this, his expression softened a bit and asked: "Then what are your conditions?"
Kou Ji said frankly: "First of all, if Grandpa Xiang and my grandfather have different political views, and if I ask for help from Grandpa Xiang, I hope Grandpa Xiang can take a step back."
Xiang Minzhong frowned slightly, pondered for a moment, and nodded.
Kou Ji added: "Secondly, if the Liao Kingdom goes to war with Xixia, if my grandfather advocates sending troops, I hope he can support it."
Upon hearing this, Xiang Minzhong stood up, his eyes widened, and he said in shock: "The Liao Kingdom is going to fight Xixia? Is it true? Why didn't I hear the slightest news?"
Xiang Chuan was standing aside, looking at Kou Ji in disbelief.
Kou Ji nodded and said: "We are inseparable!"
Xiang Minzhong quickly rushed to Kou Ji's side and asked, "Where did you hear the news?"
Kou Ji said frankly: "I guessed it myself."
When Xiang Minzhong heard this, the shock on his face disappeared and was replaced by an angry look, "Are you kidding me?"
Kou Ji shook his head and said: "This kid is not making groundless speculations. I just caught some clues and came up with this inference."
Lieutenant General Xiang Min said doubtfully: "What's the sign?"
Kou Ji told Xiang Minzhong the signs he had discovered and his speculations in detail.
After hearing this, Xiang Minzhong knitted his brows and said in a deep voice: "According to what you said, the Liao Kingdom really has a tendency to attack Xixia. I have been an official for many years and have often dealt with the Liao people. What is the nature of the Liao people?
, I know far better than the average person.
When the Liao people arrived in the Song Dynasty, they were always arrogant and domineering.
If you were facing off against the Liao people this time, if it were normal, the Liao people would definitely chase the court and ask for an explanation. They would not let you go so easily.
Nowadays, the Liao people are uncharacteristically not interested in getting to the bottom of the matter. Instead, they want to make peace with me, the Song Dynasty, and show their goodwill to the Song Dynasty. They really have the intention to appease the Song Dynasty.
There are not many things that can make the Liao people appease the Song Dynasty.
The Liao people's invasion of Xixia was one of them."
As soon as Xiang Minzhong finished speaking, he said to himself: "It's just that your words have no evidence and are just speculations based on some symptoms. It will be difficult to be convincing when presented to the court."
Kou Ji nodded slowly and said, "My grandfather said so too."
Xiang Minzhong mused: "If I were your grandfather, I would definitely ask the imperial spies to pay close attention to the movements of the Liao Kingdom. Once the Liao Kingdom has signs of launching troops against Xixia, we must make early preparations."
Kou Ji nodded again and said, "My grandfather did the same thing."
Xiang Minzhong looked at Kou Ji and said in a deep voice: "This is a great opportunity. If we, the Song Dynasty, can take this opportunity to bite off a piece of meat from Xixia or Liao, it will definitely increase our national prestige and wipe out our empire."
The decline of the Song Dynasty for many years."
Xiang Minzhong said loudly: "I agree to this condition. Even if you can't help me sit in the position of political advisor, I will agree to you."
Kou Ji cupped his hands and said, "Be righteous to grandpa."
Xiang Minzhong waved his hand and said: "Don't put a high hat on me..."
He stared at the door and said quietly: "As long as anyone has experienced the fiasco at Gaolianghe and the Tanyuan Alliance, no one will hesitate on this kind of thing."
"That means..."
Kou Ji had just finished speaking when he saw Xiang Minzhong blowing his beard and glaring: "I and others are actually comparable to those of Ding said."
Kou Ji laughed out loud, cupped his hands and said, "It's the boy Meng Lang."