When Chai Zongqing heard Zhao Zhen's words, he shivered with fright and wailed in horror, "Princess...save my husband..."
The eldest princess of Deng State suddenly stared straight in her eyes, stood up with a ferocious expression, and looked at Zhao Zhen.
"Zhao Zhen! How dare you!"
"presumptuous!"
"shut up!"
"..."
Lu Yijian, Wang Zeng, Zhang Zhibai and other important ministers enthusiastically criticized the eldest princess of Deng State.
Wang Zeng stared at the eldest princess of the Deng Kingdom and said angrily: "Zhao Xuanci, you can also call the official by his official name. Do you still have human relations and a king in your eyes?"
The eldest princess of Deng State had red eyes and roared: "I am discussing family matters with the officials, so you have no right to speak."
Zhang Zhibai snorted coldly and shouted: "Family affairs? Where does the Tian family's family affairs come from? No matter how small the Tian family's affairs are, they are still state affairs. Zhao Xuanci, it is a serious crime for you to call the official by his official name without looking above the emperor."
According to the national law, some of the officials and titles should be dismissed and beheaded on the spot!"
It's okay to call Zhao Zhen by his first name if it's done in private.
After all, there are many people who call Zhao Zhen by his first name in private.
But calling Zhao Zhen by his first name in public is disrespectful, and he will be punished severely.
The eldest princess of Deng State gritted her teeth and said fiercely: "Even if I am at fault, only Zongzheng Temple can judge my sins, and the national law cannot control me."
Lu Yijian took a step forward, stared at the eldest princess of Deng State, and sneered: "The national law cannot control you, relatives of the emperor, who cause trouble everywhere, but the national law can control your crimes of deceiving the emperor and being disrespectful."
The eldest princess of Deng State realized that she could not defeat the three prime ministers with their bickering, so she targeted Zhao Zhen.
"The officials want to punish me for my crimes?"
Lu Yijian and others all looked at Zhao Zhen.
Whether the eldest princess of Deng State can be convicted depends on Zhao Zhen.
Even though the three of them could use national law to suppress the eldest princess of Deng State, they could not convict the eldest princess of Deng State.
Under the pressure of the eldest princess of Deng State, Zhao Zhen sighed and said: "I will not condemn you, but I will not spare Chai Zongqing either."
After hearing this, the eldest princess of Deng State was ready to further force Zhao Zhen, but she didn't wait until she spoke.
Zhao Zhen was the first to speak, "Chen Lin, send my two imperial aunts back to their residence to rest. Bring a team of guards over to guard the two imperial aunts, so that no evil person can harm them."
Chen Lin knew what Zhao Zhen was thinking, so after Zhao Zhen gave the order, she decisively led several eunuchs to the eldest princess of Deng State.
Seeing this, the eldest princess of Deng State roared angrily: "Who dares? Who dares to touch me, I will be killed in the palace."
The eldest princess of Deng State threatened to die, but Chen Lin was a little afraid to take action.
Zhao Zhen's face also looked a little ugly.
Lu Yijian and others frowned into the character "Sichuan".
After all, the eldest princess of Deng State is Zhao Zhen's biological aunt. If Zhao Zhen hurt her life, it would easily lead to a reputation of being unkind and unfilial.
When people sing about this incident, they don't care about the inner story.
They can only sing that Zhao Zhen hurt his own aunt in order to secure the throne, which was unkind and unfilial.
Zhao Zhen didn't want to have a reputation of being unkind and unfilial, and Lu Yijian and others also didn't want to see Zhao Zhen have a reputation of being unkind and unfilial.
Therefore, the eldest princess of Deng State fought to the death, and it was difficult for them to make a decision.
If the eldest princess of Deng State was Zhao Zhen's daughter, no one would say anything even if Zhao Zhen ordered her to die.
But it turns out that the eldest princess of Deng State is Zhao Zhen's elder and Zhao Zhen's biological aunt.
If Zhao Zhen was still as mediocre as before, Lu Yijian and others would definitely ask Zhao Zhen to kill the eldest princess of Deng without hesitation.
Anyway, Zhao Zhen has already taken on the reputation of being a foolish king and doing some bastard things is what he should do.
But Lu Yijian and the others discovered that Zhao Zhen was not stupid.
Zhao Zhen is still the same Zhao Zhen as before.
He has been acting foolishly in recent days. It seems that he has seen the great harm caused by the emperor's relatives to the Song Dynasty and brought great harm to the Song Dynasty, so he used clever tricks to lure the emperor's relatives and relatives to take the bait, and then deal with them all.
Since Zhao Zhen is not mediocre, they cannot let Zhao Zhen bear the reputation of being unkind.
The eldest princess of Deng State threatened to die, leaving Zhao Zhen in a deadlock in dealing with the emperor's relatives.
You could hear needles dropping in Chui Gong Hall, and no one knew how to deal with this deadlock.
If there were any elders from the clan, they could come forward to suppress the eldest princess of Deng State.
But now, Princess Deng is the eldest in the clan, and no one can suppress her.
The silent scene did not last long, and a voice sounded in the Chui Gong Hall.
"Please give me the Emperor's Sword!"
Kou Ji stepped into the palace and said something gentle or serious.
Lu Yijian and others were stunned when they heard this.
"The officials didn't take back your Emperor's Sword?"
Lu Yijian asked out of nowhere.
Kou Ji said calmly: "After I returned to Beijing, I spent most of my time recuperating from illness. I did not formally go to court, so naturally I did not return the Emperor's Sword to the officials."
Speaking of this, Kou Ji bowed to Zhao Zhen and said: "This matter is due to my negligence. Please ask the officials to punish me."
Zhao Zhen didn't know what Kou Ji was going to do, but he knew that Kou Ji summoned the Emperor's Sword at this moment to break the deadlock.
Kou Ji apologized in front of the civil and military officials of the court, and in such a scene, Zhao Zhen could not protect Kou Ji. He stared at Kou Ji and said in a deep voice: "While you were holding the Emperor's Sword, you did not do anything wrong, nor did you do anything wrong.
What a big mistake you have made, I will fine you a year's salary, do you agree?"
Kou Ji bowed and said, "I accept my punishment!"
With Kou Ji's current official position and title, his annual salary is a huge amount of money.
Zhao Zhen's punishment can be considered a severe punishment.
Although Kou Ji was not short of money, his salary was Kou Ji's salary for working for the court. If he was fined all at once, it would be equivalent to a year's work in vain, so it was naturally heavy.
At least this was true for the civil and military forces of the Manchu Dynasty.
The eldest princess of Deng State set her sights on Kou Ji when Kou Ji threatened to ask for the Emperor's Sword.
When Kou Ji finished talking to Zhao Zhen, the eldest princess of Deng State gritted her teeth and stared at Kou Ji: "Do you want to borrow the Emperor's Sword to commit murder against me?"
Kou Ji glanced at her but said nothing.
However, the eldest princess of Deng State chased Kou Ji reluctantly and said: "Is one sword enough? If it is not enough, I will send people to get you a few more swords."
Kou Ji narrowed his eyes but still said nothing.
Seeing this, the eldest princess of Deng State shouted angrily: "I am Taizu's niece, Taizong's daughter, the late emperor's sister, and the official's aunt. If you touch me, you are slapping all previous officials in the face."
.
Why do you still have the dignity to stand in the court of my Zhao family?"
Kou Ji still didn't speak, and seemed not to have heard what the eldest princess of Deng State said.
He knew clearly why the eldest princess of Deng State chased after him and asked questions relentlessly, and even brought up previous officials to suppress him.
The eldest princess of Deng State was afraid, afraid that he would actually commit murder.
If Kou Ji tried his best to pursue an official career and hurt her in the hall, it would be a serious injury.
Although Kou Ji would be dismissed from office afterwards, he might even be exiled.
But the deadlock in Chui Gong Hall will be resolved.
Once she was injured, Zhao Zhen had reason to ask someone to take her forcibly for treatment. During her recovery, she had no control over what Zhao Zhen would do with Chai Zongqing.
Seeing that Kou Ji was silent, the eldest princess of Deng State approached Kou Ji, grabbed Kou Ji's hand and shouted: "Come on! You can try to touch me!"
The eldest princess of Deng State knew in her heart what would happen to her if Kou Ji committed an attack, so she had to force Kou Ji back before the Emperor Sword was invited.
Now all the civil and military officials in the court dare not speak out under her pressure.
Kou Ji was the only one who dared to speak out. As long as Kou Ji was forced to retreat, her husband Chai Zongqing's mistakes would be over.
Kou Ji stood there calmly and allowed the eldest princess of Deng State to catch him and act recklessly.
It didn't take long.
A royal guard entered the Chui Gong Hall carrying the Emperor's Sword.
Kou Ji quickly pulled back his sleeves from the hands of the eldest princess of Deng State, and walked towards the imperial guard.
Seeing Kou Ji take the Emperor's Sword from the imperial guard, the eldest princess of Deng's eyes widened and screamed at Zhao Zhen: "Zhao Zhen, this is your good minister, he will be in my Zhao family
In the court, they committed murder against my Zhao family members!"
Zhao Zhen trusted Kou Ji, so he did not speak when faced with the roar of Princess Deng.
Lu Yijian, Wang Zeng, and Zhang Zhibai stared at Kou Ji, frowning.
If Kou Ji hurt the eldest princess of Deng State in the Chui Gong Hall, things would not end well today.
"Kou Ji..."
Wang Zeng hesitated for a moment and shouted in a deep voice, as if to remind Kou Ji not to move without permission.
But Kou Ji turned a deaf ear and went to the eldest princess of Deng State with his sword in hand.
Seeing this, the eldest princess of Deng State roared hysterically, "Zhao Zhen! Is this Song Dynasty's surname Zhao or..."
Before the eldest princess of Deng State could shout out the last word, Kou Ji had already drawn the Emperor's Sword and swung it out.
"Princess, save me..."
A pitiful cry for help spread throughout Chui Gong Hall.
The Emperor's Sword in Kou Ji's hand pierced Chai Zongqing's chest.
Chai Zongqing gushed out a few mouthfuls of blood, fell straight to the ground, and died.
As he fell, the Emperor's Sword also separated from his chest.
A stream of blood spurted out from his chest, covering Kou Ji's body all red.
Everyone in Chui Gong Hall stared at Kou Ji dumbly.
Kou Ji shook off the blood on the Emperor's Sword, put the Emperor's Sword back into its scabbard, bowed his hand to the eldest princess of Deng State, and said in a neither humble nor condescending manner: "As a minister of the Song Dynasty, I, Kou Ji, naturally dare not hurt the eldest princess of Deng State.
But as a privy envoy, I, Kou Ji, have the power to punish the prisoners under my command.
The official gave me the Emperor's Sword, which is of the third rank or lower. I can kill first and then play.
Chai Zongqing held two positions, Prince Consort, Commander-in-Chief, and Privy Councilor, both of whom were in the fifth rank.
I beheaded him, it was reasonable! Reasonable! Legal!"
After Kou Jichong finished speaking to the eldest princess of the Deng Kingdom, he held the Emperor's Sword above his head with both hands and said loudly to Zhao Zhen: "Your Majesty, Kou Ji, return the Emperor's Sword! During the time I held this sword, I only killed one person with this sword.
That's because he embezzled 2.4 million yuan of military pay, which caused the Zhuozhou mutiny. The privy councilors all agreed to Chai Zongqing!"
Kou Ji shouted loudly, waking up everyone who was immersed in shock.
Lu Yijian, Wang Zeng, and Zhang Zhibai cast admiring glances at Kou Ji almost without hesitation.
Yes, it’s a look of admiration.
In such a deadlock, Kou Ji was able to use this method to break the situation.
Not only did it resolve the impasse, it also kept itself out of trouble.
The eldest princess of the Deng Kingdom fought to the death to protect Chai Zongqing. Now that Kou Ji had killed Chai Zongqing, he was able to drain the fire under the fire and cut off the eldest princess of the Deng Kingdom's desperate thoughts.
Although the eldest princess of Deng State could continue to make trouble, Zhao Zhen could use the reason that the eldest princess of Deng State was grieving after the death of her consort, and sent someone to take her away forcibly.
If the eldest princess of Deng State threatens her with death again, then Zhao Zhen can use the reason that Chai Zongqing died and the eldest princess of Deng State lost her mind due to grief, and give her the title of a madman.
No matter what a lunatic does, no one will use common sense to judge him.
The reason why they admire Kou Ji is not because they admire Kou Ji's quick brain reaction, but because they admire Kou Ji's courage.
Kou Ji was the only one who dared to use weapons to kill people in the Chui Gong Hall in front of Zhao Zhen, in front of the civil and military officials of the court, and in front of the emperor's relatives. Since the founding of the Song Dynasty, Kou Ji was the only one.
"ah!"
After the eldest princess of Deng State came to her senses, she screamed and rushed towards Chai Zongqing in horror.
Seeing this, Lu Yijian, Wang Zeng, and Zhang Zhibai spoke without hesitation.
"The prince-in-law Chai Zongqing died. The eldest princess of the state of Deng is distraught and has lost her mind. Take the eldest princess of the state of Deng down quickly and hand her over to the imperial doctor for diagnosis and treatment.",
The three of them, Lu Yijian, knew in their hearts that the eldest princess of Deng State would never give up after seeing Chai Zongqing's death. So they took advantage of the eldest princess of Deng State to make trouble before they started to make trouble.
The signs were completely killed.
Chen Lin led people up without hesitation and captured the eldest princess of Deng State.
Since the eldest princess of Deng State has lost her mind.
Then if he and his people were to be rude in order to capture a person who lost his mind, others would understand.
After Chen Lin took the eldest princess of Deng Guo, she hit her acupuncture points heavily before the eldest princess of Deng Guo came back to her senses.
Princess Deng's vision blurred and she fainted.
Chen Lin quickly stood up and reported to Zhao Zhen: "The official family, the eldest princess of the Deng Kingdom saw the death of her consort, she was so sad that she fainted."
Zhao Zhen took a deep breath and said: "Take the Fourth Emperor's aunt down immediately and let the imperial doctor diagnose and treat her. If the Fourth Emperor's aunt does anything wrong, I will ask the imperial doctor about her crime."
"Here!"
Chen Lin agreed and led her eunuchs to carry Princess Deng out of the Chui Gong Hall.
After Chen Lin carried the eldest princess of Deng State out of Chui Gong Hall, Zhao Zhen took the Emperor's Sword from Kou Ji's hand, stared at Kou Ji and said: "You shouldn't see blood in Chui Gong Hall..."
When the civil and military officials of the Manchu Dynasty heard what Zhao Zhen said, they thought that Zhao Zhen was going to punish Kou Ji. However, they did not expect that what Zhao Zhen said next shocked the civil and military officials of the Manchu Dynasty.
Zhao Zhen stared at Kou Ji and said: "Since it was your first offense, I also fined you the minister's money, which is regarded as punishment. The reason why there are corrupt officials like Chai Zongqing under you is mainly because you were transferred from the Sixth Department to the Privy Council, and the arrogance of your subordinates
A strong soldier thinks that you are a civil servant who is easy to bully, so he develops a lazy heart and acts recklessly underneath.
From now on, I will allow you to wear swords and shoes in the palace to enhance your prestige.
You have to help me kill these corrupt officials who are undermining the foundation of our Song Dynasty."
When the civil and military officials in the court heard this, they felt very uneasy.
Some were cursing, and some felt sour in their stomachs.
To go to the palace with swords and shoes is a great trust and honor.
Since the founding of the Song Dynasty, the number of people who have been given swords and shoes to go to the palace can be counted on one hand.
The most important thing is that those who are given swords and shoes to go to the palace are all princes.
Lu Yijian, Wang Zeng, and Zhang Zhibai opened their mouths, wanting to say a few words of objection.
But in the end, he didn't say anything.
They were too lazy to object.
If you go to the palace with swords and shoes, go to the palace with swords and shoes.
It's just an honor, but it doesn't really allow Kou Ji to use his sword to kill people in Chui Gong Hall.
If they could stop him, Zhao Zhen would grant Kou Ji the qualification to go to the palace with his sword.
If Zhao Zhen casually gave the Emperor's Sword to Kou Ji, who knows whether Kou Ji would invite him out to scare others.
The three of them, Lu Yijian, didn't stop it, so naturally the others didn't dare to stop it.
Kou Ji is too fierce and cannot be offended.
The eldest princess of Deng State screamed in Chui Gong Hall for most of the day. She was very fierce, but compared to Kou Ji, she was not even a little bit worse.
Kou Ji didn't shout or shout.
He just kills without batting an eye.
The civil and military officials throughout the dynasty were so frightened that they did not dare to speak.
The royal family members were so frightened that they trembled.
They were different from the civil and military forces of the Manchu Dynasty. What they feared was not Kou Ji, but Zhao Zhen.
They felt that Zhao Zhen ordered Kou Ji to kill people in Chui Gong Hall.
Zhao Zhen is killing someone with a borrowed knife, Zhao Zhen really dares to kill the emperor's relatives.
Zhao Zhen and Kou Ji ignored the thoughts of the civil and military officials of the Manchu Dynasty and the emperor's relatives.
After hearing Zhao Zhen's words, Kou Ji bowed and said: "The officials are so kind and loving, and I feel ashamed to receive it."
Zhao Zhen said in a deep voice: "My golden words cannot be changed. If I give it to you, I will give it to you. You cannot refuse."
When Kou Ji heard this, he bowed and said, "I would like to thank the officials for their kindness."
Zhao Zhen nodded slowly, took the blood-stained Emperor's Sword, returned to the throne, and sat down slowly.
Chai Zongqing's body was lying in the Chui Gong Hall, but Zhao Zhen did not order anyone to clean it up.
He just wanted everyone to see that anyone who dug up the foundation of the Song Dynasty, no matter who they were, would die.
He was using Chai Zongqing's corpse to frighten everyone.
Zhao Zhen's eyes fell on the royal relatives and turned around, and finally landed on the eldest princess of the country of Hebei.
The eldest princess of the country of Hebei felt Zhao Zhen's gaze and said hurriedly: "I only want the safety of my family, and I don't ask for the rest."
Zhao Zhen heard this and said in a deep voice: "What did the Fifth Emperor say? I am not a tyrant, how can I hurt you?"
The eldest princess of the country of Ji quickly changed her words and said: "I made a mistake, and I am willing to ask the officials to punish me."
Zhao Zhen nodded slowly and said: "Wang Yiyong, the fifth prince-in-law, is self-denial, but Wang Daoqing, the envoy of Xishanggemen, relies on his royal status to do evil things outside.
I thought he did not harm anyone, so I will spare his life.
But I want to depose all his officials and titles, and at the same time, I want to confiscate the property he embezzled and put it into the national treasury.
The fifth prince-in-law, Wang Yiyong, was not strict in educating his son, which caused harm to the people. He dismissed his right-guard general, Xuanhui Nanyuan envoy, Chengde Army Jiedu envoy and other positions, and only retained his prince-in-law's position as captain.
As for the Five Emperors Aunt, I still retain your honorable position.
You are not young anymore, so don’t leave the house easily in the future."
The eldest princess of the country of Hebei was deeply saddened, and bowed deeply to Zhao Zhen, saying: "Here..."
After Zhao Zhen dealt with the eldest princess of the country of Hebei, he looked at the other relatives of the emperor who had already pleaded guilty.
"Since you have pleaded guilty, I will send people from the Criminal Department later to prosecute you according to the national law according to the mistakes you made."
The royal family members all lowered their heads sadly.
"Here..."
Zhao Zhen continued: "You are all royals. From now on, just stay in your house and enjoy your wealth in peace. Don't come out to cause harm to others."
The royal family and relatives once again responded in unison.
Zhao Zhen stared at them and continued: "I know that some of you still want to contribute to the imperial court, so I am ready to give you a chance. From now on, the emperor's relatives will be limited to three generations, and after three generations, they will be excluded from the list of jade butterflies.
Once you leave Yudie, you can participate in civil and military examinations like ordinary people in the Song Dynasty.
You can also be promoted step by step like an ordinary official.
As long as your descendants have the ability, it is not impossible to become a general or a general.
If you don’t have the ability and fail to pass the Chinese and martial arts exams, you will be able to become a rich man with the wealth accumulated by your three generations."
As soon as Zhao Zhen said these words, not only the emperor's relatives were dumbfounded in shock, but also the civil and military officials of the entire dynasty.
Zhao Zhen was so cruel that he shocked everyone.
Although Zhao Zhen did not kill on a large scale, his punishment was much harsher than the killing.
From now on, it will be impossible for people in the royal family to rely on their status to be rich and prosperous for generations.
After three generations, they must live like ordinary people.
Instead of relying on having royal ancestors to continue to be noble.
Zhao Zhen stared at the shocked relatives of the emperor and the civil and military officials of the court, and said calmly: "I know that you are not at peace in your heart, and I am not at peace in my heart either. But for the sake of the great Song Dynasty, I have to do this.
When the Song Dynasty was founded, how many people did the royal family have?
How many people are there now?
How many times has it doubled?
How many times will it double in the future?
Ten people, a hundred people, a thousand people, ten thousand people... maybe one day, there will be millions of people.
If everyone only wants to enjoy wealth and honor through the name of the royal family, but does not want to serve the court.
Sooner or later the imperial court will be brought down by you, and sooner or later it will be eaten up by you."
He was a relative of the emperor and a member of the civil and military dynasties. Even though he knew that what Zhao Zhen said was good, his expression was very ugly.
Seeing this, Zhao Zhen continued: "Don't worry, I don't want to raise you like sheep. If there is anyone among you who can serve the court and do things for the court.
You can report to me and let me, in addition to your status as a relative of the emperor, enter the court and work as a commoner.
If every three generations in your respective families can produce one person who will devote himself to the imperial court.
Even if you continue to be rich and noble for generations to come, I will accept it."
Upon hearing this, the royal relatives and the civil and military officials of the Manchu Dynasty all breathed a sigh of relief.
Although Zhao Zhen's move severely suppressed the royal family, it did not beat the royal family to death with a stick.
Some people who are enterprising and even think long-term even think that Zhao Zhen's move is definitely a first-class good governance.
Why?
Because even if Zhao Zhen did not implement the decree that only lasted for three generations, some of the emperor's relatives and relatives who were not enterprising would inevitably decline after three generations.
Zhao Zhen's move created a sense of crisis for those relatives of the emperor, forcing them to make progress and contribute to the imperial court.
Those who are capable and willing to contribute to the court will naturally stand out.
Those relatives of the emperor who have no ability but want to maintain wealth for generations will naturally spend a lot of money to train their descendants, let them serve as officials, and let them serve the court.