Seeing Kou Zhun, Kou Ji's ancestors and grandson kneeling in front of him, Zhao Zhen had tears in his eyes and was speechless.
Liu E, Wang Qinruo and others wanted to stop it, but they couldn't open their mouths.
Kou Zhun, a veteran of three dynasties, knelt down and asked to resign, clearly determined to leave.
Even if they tried to stop it, it would only delay it for a moment and a half.
As long as Kou Zhun, Kou Ji's ancestors and grandsons cannot afford to kneel down.
Zhao Zhen doesn't agree now, but he will agree in the future.
Because Kou Zhun's body bones were not strong enough to support Kou Zhun kneeling for a long time.
What if Kou Zhun fell to his knees and fainted in Yanfu Palace?
Then Zhao Zhen will inevitably have a reputation as a person who does not cherish his veterans.
Zhao Zhen saw that Kou Zhun had decided to leave and could not stop him, so he could only raise his head and look at Li Di, Wang Zeng and others for help.
Wang Zeng moved his lips and wanted to speak, but when the words came to his lips, he couldn't say anything.
Kou Zhun insisted on asking to go. For what reason, Wang Zeng probably guessed something.
Kou Zhun wielded power in both the government and the public, with one person under his command more than ten thousand people. He was not only followed by a large number of civil servants, but also by some military officials who controlled military power, such as Zhu Neng.
Kou Ji is extremely intelligent. After becoming an official, he has made many meritorious deeds. He has a Jiaozipu that cannot be ignored, a tiger-shaped army with powerful combat capabilities, a Ministry of Industry with many clever tricks, and is also the son-in-law of Xiangfu, who can be borrowed.
Xiang Minzhong had all the political resources in his hands, and had close contacts with top generals such as the Cao family, Li family, and Yang family, and hundreds of thousands of people were willing to die for him.
Grandfather and grandson hold almost half of the power of the court in their hands.
Money, power, people, grandparents and grandchildren have everything in their hands.
The power of the Kou government has far exceeded that of the ministers.
Grandfather and grandson have half a foot on the throne.
If you take another half step forward, everything will turn upside down.
As long as their grandfather and grandson have more power in their hands.
The followers behind them will not hesitate to surround them and sit on the throne.
When the time comes, no one will ask their grandparents if they are willing.
Kou Zhun asks to go now, it’s just right.
Not only has the righteousness of the monarch and his ministers been fulfilled, but also the signs of rebellion by those careerists and speculators have been eliminated.
A person who is a servant of others.
As it should be.
Wang Zeng took a step forward with a solemn expression, faced Kou Zhun, raised his hands in front of his chest, and bent down deeply.
Wang Zeng could think of it.
Of course Li Di could think of it.
Li Di was still wary of Kou Ji using Kou Zhun's power to cause trouble.
Now that I saw Kou Zhun's request, he was not greedy for power at all, and he suddenly felt guilty.
I feel that I am judging a gentleman with a villain's heart.
Li Di took a step forward with a guilty look on his face, and bowed deeply towards Kou Zhun.
Wang Zeng and Li Di took the lead.
Other civil servants came out of their duties one after another and bowed deeply to Kou Zhun respectfully.
One after another...
The civil servants all bowed down in the most respectful manner.
Among the military ministers.
Led by Cao Wei, all the military officials looked at Kou Zhun with complicated eyes.
For them, having great power means having great wealth.
Kou Zhun can let go of everything so easily.
They are not as good as that.
"Honor Kou Gong!"
Cao Wei took a step forward and bent down towards Kou Zhun.
The military officials followed Cao Wei and bent down together.
…
"Although such a sage is not from Liao, we should respect him..."
The Liao envoy sighed and bowed to salute.
…
"If there is such a person in Xixia, how could we be reduced to this..."
The Xixia envoy gritted his teeth, roared angrily, and bowed to salute.
…
Goryeo...
Dali...
Cochin...
Qingtang...
…
Envoys from various countries and countries all bowed and saluted.
They are all nobles from various countries, and they know how difficult it is for a person to let go of the power after he has taken control of the world.
Kou Zhun is so virtuous, let alone them.
Even their emperors, kings, and leaders were treated politely when they saw them.
When Liu E, Wang Qinruo and others saw this, their hearts were bleeding.
The general trend is the general trend.
Kou Zhun's resignation is irreversible.
even so.
Liu E still had to get up and expressed her respect to Kou Zhun with a sad face.
Wang Qinruo still had to stand up and bend down.
Seeing this, Zhao Zhen was trembling all over and couldn't say a word.
Queen Cao squeezed Zhao Zhen's hand tightly and let out a low cry.
"Official..."
Zhao Zhen slowly came to his senses, and Queen Cao's reminder seemed to give Zhao Zhen courage.
Zhao Zhen let go of the hand holding Kou Zhun and slowly straightened up.
In the eyes of Liu E, Wang Qinruo, Li Di, Wang Zeng and others, Kou Zhun's request to leave might have some political purpose.
But in Zhao Zhen's eyes, Kou Zhun's request to leave was as if an elder who had treated him kindly and helped him solve all kinds of troubles was leaving him.
Kou Zhun asked to go, whether he had other purposes, he would not think too much about it, nor was he willing to think about it.
He regarded Kou Zhun as the most affectionate elder.
That's all.
In the few years he has passed, he was the one who accompanied him the most and taught him the most.
Only Kou Zhun.
Even Zhao Heng, the father, is not as good as Kou Zhun.
When Zhao Heng was alive, Zhao Zhen was still young, and Zhao Heng rarely accompanied him. He would either put him in the harem and let Liu E and others take care of him, or leave him to Xiang Minzhong, Wang Zeng and others to teach him.
Although Chen Lin had been with him for a long time, she always regarded herself as a slave and acted in a slave manner.
There is no way to teach him through words and deeds like Kou Zhun, like an elder.
Letting a close elder pass away was a painful decision for Zhao Zhen, who had few relatives.
But even though his heart was cut by a knife, he had to make a painful decision.
Because he is an official.
He cannot be like a young man in an ordinary family, holding his elders in his arms, crying loudly, and begging them not to leave.
Crying loudly is a luxury for him.
Zhao Zhen stared at Kou Zhun with red eyes.
I asked sadly in my heart.
'Grand Master, is this your last teaching to me? Do you want to use this method to tell me that after all, I still need to shoulder the heavy responsibilities of the country?'
After Zhao Zhen asked sadly in his heart, he said with a cry in a low voice: "I... agreed..."
Kou Zhun took Kou Ji and thanked him immediately.
Zhao Zhen closed his eyes in pain and wailed: "The post of the Grand Master's Chief Regent will be cut off... The post of Ping Zhangshi under the command of the Grand Master and Zhongshu will be cut off... The Grand Master of the Jin Dynasty will be... the Duke of Zhen Guo...
The first-class duke... bestows a python robe, a jade belt, and a purple gold crown... bestows the emperor with three rituals, so that wherever he goes, it will be as if I were personally present... bestows a jade plaque, which is accessible to all throughout the Song Dynasty, including all the forbidden gardens of the imperial palace...
Give Shiyi..."
(Zhen Guogong first appeared in the late Northern Song Dynasty. It was Song Huizong Zhao Ji who conferred the title of Duke on his son Zhao Mo, ranking first among the dukes. I borrowed it here for use. If you don’t like it, don’t spray it.)
At the end of the sentence, Zhao Zhen couldn't say any more. He gritted his teeth and sucked in his breath and told Wang Zeng: "The matter of real estate will be discussed in the inner court... Kou Ji's reward will also be discussed in the inner court..."
Kou Zhun pulled Kou Ji and thanked him again.
"My lord, Kou Zhun, thank you for the generous gift from the officials."
After a deep bow.
Kou Zhun stood up and bowed to everyone in Yanfu Palace.
He took steps and walked outside Yanfu Palace.
Kou Ji quickly stood up and bowed his hands to Zhao Zhen, "My lord, Kou Ji, please retire first..."
After saluting, he followed Kou Zhun's footsteps and left.
With tears in his eyes, Zhao Zhen slowly raised his hand, "Send Kou Gong off..."
Everyone in Yanfu Palace saluted Kou Ji's back again.
"Farewell to Mr. Kou..."
"..."
A sage was born.
It's just that this sage is not as unworldly as those legendary sages.
When Kou Ji's figure appeared next to Kou Zhun, Kou Zhun kicked Kou Ji on the butt.
"Bang..."
Kou Ji smiled bitterly and let Kou Zhun kick him, saying: "Grandpa, I am doing this for your own good..."
"I know..."
Kou Zhun curled his lips and muttered unhappily.
Kou Ji said dissatisfied: "Then you still kick me?"
As Kou Zhun walked out of the palace, he glared at Kou Ji and said hummingly: "My official career is finally over. But you got a big advantage out of it. Can't I kick you out to take it out?"
Kou Ji couldn't laugh or cry and said: "I didn't get any big advantages, either? The officials gave me the power to reward me to the inner court. According to the temperaments of the prince and Li Gong, they will not give me too high a reward."
Kou Zhun paused and scolded: "You kid, you only know how to focus on your own one-third of an acre of land, and don't look at anything else? Don't you have any plans to figure out the ways in which I will reward you?"
Kou Ji raised his eyebrows, looking confused.
Kou Zhun glanced at Kou Ji and snorted coldly: "I gave him the python robe, jade belt, and purple gold crown... His title was also promoted to the highest level of being a courtier... Once I die, a prince will be indispensable...
By then, it won’t be your kid who enjoys all the wealth.
Can I climb out of the coffin and share my wealth with you?"
Kou Ji was stunned.
Just now, I was only looking at the ugly faces of Liu E, Wang Qinruo and others, and didn't pay attention to Kou Zhun's reward.
Now that I heard Kou Zhun mention it like this, it was really true.
Based on Kou Zhun's contribution to the Song Dynasty, whether he resigned from office or passed away, a reward was inevitable.
Now Zhao Zhen has promoted Kou Zhun's title to the highest level, and also given him the python robe and jade belt that only kings can wear.
Once Kou Zhun drives Hexi to the west, if he goes further, he will be Wang Jue.
As for whether something might change due to the change of throne, Kou Ji didn't have to worry.
According to historical records, Zhao Zhen lived for fifty-three years and reigned for forty-one years.
He can be regarded as the longest reigning emperor in the Song Dynasty.
Zhao Zhen was able to live to the age of fifty-three despite all kinds of poison.
Now that Kou Ji has helped him avoid all kinds of poison, he may be able to gain even longer.
But now is obviously not the time to care about this.
"Grandpa...you are not sad..."
Kou Ji carefully accompanied Kou Zhun and asked tentatively.
Kou Zhun pouted and said, "What are you sad about?"
"Not sad?"
"Sad...a little bit...the official family is sad because of my passing, and I feel quite uncomfortable."
"..."
Kou Ji was stunned for a moment, then tried again: "From now on, you are no longer the prime minister who is inferior to one person but superior to ten thousand people... Don't you feel anything in your heart?"
Kou Zhun looked at Kou Ji with disdain, "How should I feel? I'm so sad? I'm crying so hard that my heart is broken."
Seeing that Kou Zhun was indeed not sad about leaving the center of power, Kou Ji breathed a sigh of relief.
He was really afraid that Kou Zhun would become suffocated and fall ill because he had lost his phase.
Kou Ji smiled dryly: "I thought you would be very sad..."
Kou Zhun rolled his eyes and looked at Kou Ji as if he were an idiot, "What's so sad? It's true that I have left the center of power. But haven't you heard what the official family has given me?
.”
"What's the point?"
"Let's talk about it when we get back."
"..."
The grandfather and grandson left the palace in a hurry and returned to the Kou Mansion.
I ran all the way to the study room.
Kou Zhunping dismissed all the servants inside and outside the study. After leaving the maid, he said to Kou Ji in a faint voice: "Do you know what the most valuable thing was when the official granted me a title today?"
Kou Ji sat opposite Kou Zhun and muttered: "The Duke of Zhenguo?"
Kou Zhun rolled his eyes and said in a serious tone: "It's the Emperor's Three Instruments, and that jade plaque. The Emperor's Three Instruments, that's the Emperor's guard of honor. In other words, wherever I go, my status is the same as that of an official.
That jade sign can be passed anywhere in the Song Dynasty.
That means I can go anywhere I want."
Kou Ji asked in confusion: "Is there any explanation?"
Kou Zhun glared at Kou Ji and hummed: "Wherever the emperor goes, do you think there is room for others to speak?"
Kou Ji opened his mouth in confusion, "You have so much power, is it fake?"
Kou Zhun snorted coldly: "Ignorant and incompetent... How can something be faked if it is given by an official without any other restrictions? In the past, the imperial court gave the king's order flag, and that person was put on it before receiving the flag.
Many constraints.
Although he could borrow some of the emperor's power, he still had to abide by many restrictions.
But do you see that the officials have any restraint on me?"
Kou Ji took a breath of cold air.
"Wouldn't that mean we are on par with the official family? That's great..."
Kou Zhun hummed and said, "This is also the reason why I was neither sad nor sad after I resigned. Because I discovered that after I resigned, my power became even greater than before."
Kou Ji said in disbelief: "Then why didn't I see the civil and military forces of the Manchu Dynasty stop you? Logically speaking, if the government wants to give you such great power, the civil and military officials of the Manchu Dynasty should come forward to stop it.
The Queen Mother, Wang Qinruo and others shouldn't remain indifferent?"
Kou Zhun turned away from Kou Ji and said, "That's because you only see the benefits, but not the disadvantages. Although I have gained greater power, it is difficult for me to show my authority in front of others.
If you want to use your power to interfere in government affairs, you must more or less ask for instructions from the officials, or submit documents to the inner court.
Moreover, one should not frequently interfere in government affairs, otherwise it would lead to impeachment by both civil and military officials.
The official family has given me greater power, but I cannot be arrogant and use my power to the extreme.
This is the way to be a minister, you must learn it well."
Kou Ji thought for a moment and said in a deep voice: "There is also such a statement... I was negligent... I just wanted to ask you to resign, so as to avoid the calculations of the Queen Mother and others, and to gain the greatest power.
But I didn’t expect there would be such a big restriction.”
Kou Zhun glanced at Kou Ji and suddenly grinned, "It's rare that you miscalculated, so I won't scare you, and I will tell you the truth."