"But those officials are all over the government offices of all the states in the Song Dynasty. They cannot be promoted. Even if the county officials below them have outstanding political achievements, they cannot be promoted. If their superiors are promoted, they will have no one to restrain them.
So they can't get promoted, and the officials above and below them can't get promoted either.
The imperial court can't let officials such as transfer envoys and pacification envoys from various states leave their posts, and then send a group of Jinshi who have just entered the official career to take their places, right?"
Kou Ji said helplessly.
The civil and military officials of the entire dynasty felt the urge to hit a wall.
Even the most stupid people understand that they were plotted by Kou Ji and Zhao Zhen together.
But even though they knew this, they couldn't impeach Kou Ji and Zhao Zhen.
Because Kou Ji and Zhao Zhen just designated a place for them and gave them hoes.
They dug the hole themselves.
If Zhao Zhen is wrong in criticizing Kou Ji, then they are also wrong.
What's more important is that Kou Ji stood in the dark when he plotted against them. Even if they wanted to accuse Kou Ji, they couldn't come up with a defensible explanation.
Zhao Zhen stood in the open, but their accusations against Zhao Zhen were of no use.
Can they still force Zhao Zhen to abdicate?
If they really dared to do this, Kou Zhun could pluck off all their heads and hang them at the city gate.
"Shilang Kou...a good trick..."
All civil and military officials in the court stared at Kou Ji with complicated expressions and sighed.
Kou Ji said seriously: "This matter has nothing to do with me."
The civil and military officials in Manchao just gave a complicated smile but did not say much.
Amidst the complicated expressions of the civil and military officials of the Manchu Dynasty, Li Zhen, the envoy of the third division, took a step forward, walked out of the train, and loudly said: "I have my original intention to play."
At this critical juncture, Li Zhen, the envoy of the Third Secretary, came out to make an announcement, which naturally attracted the attention of the civil and military officials of the court.
All civil and military officials in the court looked at him.
Zhao Zhen asked with a straight face: "What does Aiqing want to do?"
Li Zhen, the envoy of the Third Division, cupped his hands and said: "Kou Ji, the powerful official Cao Shilang, has made countless meritorious deeds since he became an official. Just because he is young and has repeatedly made meritorious deeds, he has not been promoted. I think this is inappropriate.
I think that because of Kou Shilang's contribution to the imperial court, he should be promoted to a minister."
As soon as these words came out, the whole court was shocked.
How old is Kou Ji this year to serve as a minister?
Are you kidding me?
Kou Zhun, Wang Zeng, and Li Di all frowned when they heard this.
Manchao Wenwu thought about it carefully and instantly understood Li Shen's intention.
Kou Ji stared at Li Shen in astonishment.
He had no relationship with Li Shen, and he had never offended Li Shen. Why did Li Shen want to harm him?
That's right, I want to harm him.
Li Shen seemed to be fighting for Kou Ji, but in fact he was plotting against Kou Ji.
The method used by Kou Ji was the same as before.
Kou Ji once used this method to deal with Zhang Lun.
Now Li Shen is using the same method to deal with him.
It's just that Kou Ji's purpose at that time was to transfer Zhang Lun away and to isolate Zhang Lun.
Li Zhen, on the other hand, wanted to flatter and kill Kou Ji.
He clearly knew that suppressing Kou Ji would not go on.
Because none of the powerful people in the imperial court would agree.
Since we can't suppress it, we might as well just praise it and kill it.
As long as Kou Ji's official position is raised to a high place and dazzled enough.
Once Kou Zhun dies, Kou Ji's death will also come.
Because by that time, no one will care how Kou Ji got promoted.
No one can compare how much Kou Ji contributed to the imperial court.
Those officials who ruthlessly tried to kill Kou Ji would only tell the people that the reason why Kou Ji was promoted so quickly was because he had a powerful grandfather.
By then, not only will Kou Ji die, but Kou Zhun's reputation will also be ruined.
The only happy person in Chui Gong Hall was probably Zhao Zhen.
He had wanted to promote Kou Ji for a long time, but he had never found the opportunity.
Now Li Zhen proposed to promote Kou Ji, which coincided with his wishes, so he was naturally happy.
Just as he was about to open his mouth to cater to Li Shen's words, he heard Kou Zhun say in a dull voice: "No!"
Zhao Zhen heard the displeasure in Kou Zhun's words.
Although he didn't guess Li Shen's intentions, he could sense something wrong in Kou Zhun's words.
It seems that Li Zhenzou's invitation to promote Kou Ji was a bit malicious.
When he thought of this, he didn't speak.
Wang Qinruo took a step forward and said loudly: "I also think that Kou Ji's contribution to the court should be regarded as a minister."
"I second the proposal!"
"I second the proposal!"
"I second the proposal!"
"..."
Nearly 60% of the civil servants stood up in an instant and petitioned to promote Kou Ji.
In doing so, they were catering to Li Shen.
But their ideas were different from Li Shen's.
Li Zhen wanted to kill Kou Ji.
But all the officials wanted to transfer Kou Ji out of the official department.
Kou Ji stayed in the Ministry of Personnel for less than half a year, and managed to achieve such a good result that only a hundred people were promoted.
If Kou Ji stayed in the Ministry of Personnel for a year, who knows what kind of trouble he would make?
Kou Zhun's face was terrifyingly gloomy.
Li Di and Wang Zeng also looked bad.
When the officials saw Kou Zhun's gloomy face, they were also beating their hearts out.
They were afraid that Kou Zhun would go crazy and take it out on a few people.
Just when Kou Zhun was about to question the officials.
Gao Chugong suddenly left his post and asked: "I also think that Kou Ji can be appointed as a minister."
As Gao Chugong opened his mouth, other Wu Xun also spoke one after another.
At the end, Zhao Yuanyan also rarely spoke out: "Xiao Wang also thought that Kou Ji should be appointed as a minister. Currently, the three ministers of the Ministry of Husbandry, the Ministry of Punishment, and the Ministry of Industry are still vacant.
It doesn’t hurt to let Kou Ji try it.”
Although Zhao Yuanyan seems to have no real power in his hands, his status and weight are sufficient.
He also secretly attracted many officials, and as he spoke, some officials also followed suit.
Kou Zhun was about to get angry.
Li Di took the lead and said, "Are you making fun of the important affairs of the imperial court?"
Li Di pointed at Kou Jida and said, "You can tell how talented Kou Ji is to serve as a minister. Let's not talk about Kou Ji's achievements. His experience alone is not enough to control a minister.
I give you a chance to take back your stupid words.
Otherwise, I will definitely punish you for lying."
Li Zhen bowed his hands and said righteously: "Everything I say comes from the bottom of my heart, how can I make such nonsense?"
"I also speak from the bottom of my heart."
"..."
Kou Zhun stood up suddenly and his eyes widened.
However, before he could speak, Kou Ji took the lead and stepped forward and said: "Officials, Grand Master, since it is difficult to refuse the great courtesy of the civil and military officials of the dynasty, I will accept it."
Upon hearing this, the civil and military officials of the entire dynasty made a sudden move.
Kou Zhun, Li Di, and Wang Zeng all frowned.
Kou Zhun shouted in court: "Kou Ji, do you know what you are talking about?"
Kou Ji bowed his hands and said, "Of course I know."
Kou Zhun said angrily: "You know how dare you talk nonsense here."
Kou Ji smiled and said: "Xiaguan is not talking nonsense. The civil and military officials of the Manchu Dynasty asked for an official position on behalf of him. This is something that no one else would envy. Why didn't Xiaguan agree?"
When Kou Zhun heard this, he didn't care about the civil and military policies of the court. He reminded him with a gloomy face: "Do you know how powerful this is?"
Kou Ji smiled calmly and said: "Not only do I know it, but I know it very clearly. It is precisely because of the knowledge that I agreed to serve as a minister."
Kou Ji bowed solemnly and said, "I ask the Grand Master to trust me."
"Believe it or not!"
Kou Zhun was completely annoyed and cursed loudly without caring about court etiquette.
He stared at the civil and military officials of the Manchu Dynasty and said angrily: "This matter goes against the promotion system of the imperial court and I won't allow it. You don't want to mention this matter."
"Grand Master..."
Li Zhen opened his mouth to speak.
Kou Zhun roared angrily: "Whoever mentions it again, I will punish him for disturbing the court order!"
In the past, when Kou Zhun said this, the civil and military officials in the court would stop talking.
But today is different.
When Kou Zhun shouted these words.
Li Zhen raised his head and straightened his chest, walked straight to the imperial steps, stared at Kou Zhun, and said loudly: "The minister discussed the matter and never disturbed the imperial court. On the contrary, it was the grand master who blocked Kou Shilang from entering the official position many times. Could it be that he was
What's the plan behind it?"
Kou Zhun glared and said angrily: "I am loyal to the government and have no second thoughts. On the contrary, it is you. I have already issued a silence order, but you are still talking nonsense here. Is it just a decoration for me to be the regent of the country?"
"Where are the guards in front of the palace?"
"exist!"
"Fork out!"
"Wait!"
Just when the palace guards were preparing to carry Li Shen away.
Wang Qinruo stepped forward and said loudly: "If the Grand Master punishes someone because of his blunt advice, then please punish him together with me."
Zhao Yuanyan slowly stepped out of the queue and said: "Xiao Wang also thinks that it would be too much for the Grand Master to punish someone because of his blunt advice. If the Grand Master really wants to punish someone, he should punish Xiao Wang together."
As Zhao Yuanyan spoke, dozens of officials from the court followed him.
Kou Zhun gritted his teeth in anger under the pressure of these people.
But he no longer asked anyone to take Li Zhen out.
Li Shen, Wang Qinruo, and even the dozens of officials who spoke together were not enough in Kou Zhun's eyes.
If Kou Zhun had a darker heart, there would be countless reasons to turn them into sycophants and corrupt officials, and push them to Caishikou and behead them.
But with the addition of Zhao Yuanyan, the situation is different.
In the absence of Zhao Yuanzuo, Zhao Yuanyan acted vaguely as the head of the clan.
His attitude not only represents him, but also represents the Zhao clan.
Kou Zhun's current status makes it impossible for him to go against the Zhao clan.
If he attacks the Zhao clan, he will be labeled as having evil intentions.
If he has other intentions, now is the best opportunity to take action.
But he had no dissent. Not only did he not have any dissent, but he was also loyal to Zhao Zhen.
Since he is so loyal, he cannot do anything that crosses the line.
He knows better than anyone that the higher the status, the harder it is to cross the line.
Because once he crosses the line, it is equivalent to giving a signal to those loyal officials.
A signal to usurp the throne.
When the time comes, he doesn't need to do anything. Those officials who are loyal to him will help him get everything done properly.
For example, Zhu Neng stood guard at the entrance of the palace and smiled at everyone he saw.
If he had gotten the idea that Kou Zhun wanted to usurp the throne, he would have led his troops into the palace of Zhao Zhen, Liu E and others without hesitation and sent them to see the late emperor.
Then he respectfully helped Kou Zhun to his position.
When Kou Zhun dies, he will respectfully send Kou Ji off to the throne.
Precisely because he knew the consequences of crossing the line, he had been following the duty of a courtier and did not dare to cross the line.
Now that Zhao Yuanyan was forcing him to neither advance nor retreat, he felt very uncomfortable.
If he were not the chief regent of the country, he wouldn't need to feel so uncomfortable.
It’s not like Zhao Yuanyan, a relative of the Zhao family, has never been taught a lesson.
As early as the reign of Emperor Taizong, he stopped the prince's carriage on the street and took the prince to the Chui Gong Hall to discuss matters with Zhao Guangyi.
The final result was that the prince was beaten, but nothing happened to him.
Li Di seemed to see Kou Zhun's dilemma. He took a step forward, stared at Zhao Yuanyan, and shouted: "Zhao Yuanyan, get back. Although you are classified as the clan's chief minister, you have no actual duties and are not allowed to interfere in the government affairs."
Li Di was also very domineering, pointing at Zhao Yuanyan's nose and scolding him.
Zhao Yuanyan smiled brightly and said: "Little Wang did not interfere in the government affairs, he just discussed the matter."
Wang Qinruo said with a sinister smile on the side: "The Grand Master's actions are unfair and he leaves a talented person like Kou Shilang unused. Why don't we let the civil and military officials of the court discuss it? We can still discuss the official's mistakes, so why does the Grand Master just do it?"
no?
Could it be that the Grand Master is already above the official family?"
As soon as these words came out, the expressions of all civil and military officials in the court changed.
Wang Qinruo's words were a bit harsh, implying that Kou Zhun wanted to usurp the throne.
Li Di was annoyed for a moment.
Wang Zeng was also annoyed.
Li Di raised his hand and threw the wat at it.
Wang Qinruo was frightened and hurriedly dodged, but in the end he only hit the floor tiles under Wang Qinruo's feet.
Wang Zeng stared at Wang Qinruo and roared: "Wang Qinruo, you are an important minister in the court, how dare you talk nonsense in Chui Gong Hall?"
Wang Zeng clasped his fists at Kou Zhun and Zhao Zhen, and roared at Wang Qinruo: "During the period when the Grand Master was in charge of government, he worked diligently and did not dare to slack off. He dealt with government affairs every day and was busy from morning to night.
After handling the government affairs, we still have to teach the officials how to manage the government, which often lasts until late at night.
I am so busy every day that I cannot go back to my home, and I have children and grandchildren by my knees, but I cannot enjoy my family life.”
When Zhao Zhen heard what Wang Zeng said, he nodded seriously and said, "I can testify."
Wang Zeng took three steps forward, approached Wang Qinruo, and said in a cold voice: "The grand master has worked so hard for the country and the people, how can you casually slander him?"
When Wang Qinruo saw Wang Zeng step forward, he thought Wang Zeng was also going to take action, so he took a step back in fright.
Seeing that Wang Zeng had no intention of taking action, he bit the bullet and said: "Everyone knows that you and Li Di have a close personal relationship with the Grand Master. Now you are helping the Grand Master to speak..."
"shut up!"
Wang Zeng roared and shouted: "If you dare to say one more thing, I will show you what a dead remonstrance is!"
Wang Qinruo opened his mouth.
Wang Zeng narrowed his eyes.
When Wang Qinruo saw that Wang Zeng was not trying to scare him, he was so frightened that he did not dare to say a word.
What is the death penalty?
Is the death remonstrance a joke?
Death remonstrance was the most cruel remonstrance in the Song Dynasty.
Important ministers of the second rank and above take death as a warning and give advice to the officials.
As long as the current officials are not asked to abdicate or take the life of an important official in the court, no matter what advice is given, the current officials must accept it.
Wang Zengruo died to remonstrate with the officials, and Wang Qinruo was demoted to a commoner.
Wang Qinruo could only become a commoner.
With Wang Zeng's prestige among the people, the people were able to beat Wang Qinruo to death on the second day after he was demoted to a commoner.