When they heard that the new top scholar was awarded Zhilong Tuge, everyone in the civil and military dynasties was stunned.
Lu Yijian immediately came out and said: "Officials, according to the custom, new scholars should be awarded Dali Temple judges. Why was the sentence changed to Zhilong Tuge this year?"
In the past, a new Jinshi would not only be awarded the title of judge of Dali Temple, but also be appointed as a supervisor.
Only the general and other yamen have been abolished.
Therefore, the only positions that the new Jinshi could be awarded were Dali Temple judges, local judges, and county magistrates.
After Lu Yijian finished speaking, Zhao Zhen had not yet spoken, but Wang Zeng was the first to speak. He saluted Zhao Zhen doubtfully: "Does the official want to repair books?"
Lu Yijian reacted after hearing this.
Zhao Zhen suddenly packed the new scholars into Longtuge. Apart from repairing books, they could not think of anything else.
Under the gaze of Lu Yijian, Wang Zeng, and the civil and military officials of the Manchu Dynasty, Zhao Zhen nodded slowly, "Yes, I want to repair the book."
Wang Zeng hurriedly asked, "But the history of Tang Dynasty?"
With a smile on his face, Zhao Zhen gave a very vague answer, "Probably..."
When Wang Zeng heard this, the corner of his mouth twitched.
What is probably?
Besides Tang History, what else can you revise?
As soon as you opened your mouth, everyone guessed the answer, so why are you trying to keep it secret?
The new scholars all looked at Kou Ji with strange expressions.
It's obviously something that everyone can guess if you tell it, but you still keep it secret?
We are your disciples, and we are considered a family in the court.
Is it really okay for you to hide something so obvious from us?
Kou Ji could tell what the new scholars were thinking through their eyes, and he just smiled meaningfully.
Lu Yijian and others had no intention of paying attention to the reactions of those new scholars.
Their attention is on revising the annals of history.
Revising the annals of history is definitely a great achievement.
If you revise it well, it will become a celebrity in history.
When future generations read history, their names will inevitably be mentioned frequently, and they naturally don't want to miss this incident.
When the imperial court revises the annals of history, in addition to sending a group of new scholars to help, it will also send two important ministers, one chief and one assistant, to take charge of the matter.
They are keeping an eye on this matter, naturally for the position of one master and one assistant.
New scholars who participate in the revision of historical records will make great contributions.
As a chief and auxiliary officer, his credit is naturally greater.
Chen Yaozuo, the Minister of Rites, came out and said without hesitation: "In the official family, I wonder who will be the chief official of this history revision?"
When Chen Yaozuo spoke, the civil and military officials in the court pricked up their ears.
As soon as these words came out, the crowd became excited.
"How can Kou Ji, a military minister, be the chief official in compiling history?"
Fan Xi, the left minister of household affairs, spoke without hesitation.
Other civil servants also nodded in agreement.
When the military officials heard this, they were naturally unhappy.
Zhu Neng left the office and said unhappily: "Privilege Kou was also a civil servant before. The officials appointed him as a counselor in political affairs and ordered him to preside over the imperial examination. Although he is among the military ministers now, all he can do is the civil servant's work.
Why can’t he be the chief official in compiling history?”
Fan Xi snorted coldly and said unceremoniously: "Revising the annals of history requires a knowledgeable person, not an ignorant person."
Zhong Shiheng frowned when he heard Fan Xi's words.
He felt that what Fan Xi said was a bit excessive.
Zhong Shiheng came out of the class and said: "Shilang Fan is really arrogant. Privy Kou is ignorant and has no skills. It is just a joke among the people. How can he say it in the court?"
Privy Councilor Kou has admitted before that he is uneducated and incompetent, but that is just self-effacing."
Speaking of this, Zhong Shiheng said in a heavy voice: "My uncle once said that truly smart people will never advertise their intelligence. Only fools will be complacent because of some small cleverness.
I thought Privy Kou was a truly smart person.
Since Privy Kou did not study the classics, some people thought that Privy Kou was uneducated and incompetent.
Privy Kou also regarded himself as uneducated and incompetent.
But is Privy Kou really ignorant and incompetent?
Privy Council Kou is the youngest Privy Councilor in the Song Dynasty.
He was able to serve as Privy Councilor because of his many merits.
Rather than coming for no reason."
When Zhong Shiheng said this, he snorted coldly and said unceremoniously: "What if an ignorant person took away the position of Privy Councilor in front of a group of people like you who are well-read in poetry and books?
You should feel ashamed and ashamed, instead of bragging about it.
Now that Privy Councilor Kou occupies the position of Privy Councilor, everyone in the army is convinced, and no one in the court thinks it is inappropriate.
This shows that everyone in the government and the public feels that Privy Councilor Kou's talent, wisdom, and knowledge are sufficient for the position of Privy Councilor.
In this case, who dares to say that Privy Kou is ignorant and incompetent?
Before you say this, you should think carefully about what Privy Councilor Kou will do after he becomes an official."
Zhong Shiheng's words were like thunder, exploding on the Chui Gong Hall.
The officials stared at him with horrified faces.
He dared to say it when he was shocked, and he dared to say it when he was afraid.
Zhong Shiheng's words were undoubtedly a slap in the face of those civil servants who thought Kou Ji was unlearned and unskilled.
Zhong Shiheng dared to slap him in the face in front of the civil and military officials of the court, almost offending him to death.
After listening to Zhong Shiheng's words, Fan Xi's old face turned red.
Some civil servants who also believed that Kou Ji was uneducated and incompetent immediately came out and said: "If you don't study the classics, you are uneducated and incompetent!"
Zhong Shiheng sneered when he heard this. Just as he was about to speak, Lu Yijian turned around and shouted at the civil servant who spoke: "That's enough!"
Zhong Shiheng said calmly: "You are well-read in poetry and books, but like Privy Council Kou, you have made great contributions to the imperial court? What the imperial court needs are scholars who can stabilize the country, not a group of people who can only chew books.
Corrupt Confucianism.
Why do you study the books of sages?
It is for self-cultivation, family order, country governance, and world peace.
Nowadays, you only remember poems and books, but you don’t remember how to cultivate yourself, manage your family, govern your country, and bring peace to the world.
What book did you read?"
As soon as Zhong Shiheng said these words, there was an uproar in Chui Gong Hall.
The brows of Lu Yijian, Wang Zeng, and Zhang Zhibai almost formed a frown.
Zhong Shiheng's words were not only directed at Fan Xi, but also at other civil servants.
Lu Yijian frowned and said in a deep voice: "Zhong Shiheng, don't forget, you are also a scholar."
Zhong Shiheng showed no fear when facing Lu Yijian. He said unceremoniously: "I want to become a useful scholar."
Lu Yijian frowned even more when he heard this.
"Zhong Shiheng, are you saying that we are useless people?"
Fan Xi spoke angrily.
Before Zhong Shiheng could speak, Lu Yijian glared at Fan Xi fiercely.
He had already scolded Fan Xi and others, but Fan Xi and others still spoke unscrupulously without giving him any face.
Fan Xi had a good personal relationship with Li Di. When Li Di left Beijing, he recommended Fan Xi to be the left minister of the household department.
Fan Xi stayed in the position of left minister of household affairs for several years.
During his tenure, he was quite satisfactory, with no great achievements and no major mistakes.
For Li Di's sake, Lv Yijian and the others asked him to stay in the court.
Lu Yijian originally thought that Fan Xi would mediocrely stay in the position of left minister of the Ministry of Household Affairs until the day he resigned.
But he didn't expect that Fan Xi would suddenly speak out today and get into trouble with Kou Ji.
Lu Yijian had promised Kou Ji not to let the civil servants cause trouble to Kou Ji again.
Now that Fan Xi's behavior had broken Lu Yijian's promise to Kou Ji, Lu Yijian was naturally unhappy.
Lu Yijian wanted to stand in Fan Xie's ear and roar at Fan Xie loudly.
"Is your brain defective? Are you looking for trouble with that evil star? If you talk, the evil star will not be harmed at all, but if the evil star starts talking, the entire civil and military forces of the dynasty will suffer.
Aren’t the lessons of the Suburban Festival enough?”
It's a pity that Lu Yi simply couldn't say these words.
Because now in the Chui Gong Hall, as the head of civil servants, he has to observe some etiquette and cannot act recklessly.
Lu Yijian glared at Fan Xi. Zhong Shiheng saw it but didn't care.
Zhong Shiheng said calmly: "Who is a useful person and who is a useless person in the Chui Gong Hall? It is obvious after opening the files of the Ministry of Personnel. You don't have to rush to admit it. I didn't name anyone."
They say you are useless."
Fan Xi was furious when he heard what Zhong Shiheng said. His face turned red and he roared at Zhong Shiheng, "Zhong Shiheng, you are going too far."
Zhong Shiheng glanced at Fan Xi up and down, and sneered: "Are you worthy?"
The implication is that Fan Xi is not even qualified to be bullied by him.
Fan Xi was overwhelmed by anger, lost his mind, and shouted something that moved everyone.
"Zhong Shiheng, you Koumen lackey!!"
As soon as these words came out, the expressions of everyone in the Chui Gong Hall changed drastically.
Lu Yijian's eyes widened and she looked at Fan Xi in horror.
Zhong Shiheng's eyes became very cold, looking at Fan Xi as if he were looking at a dead person.
The smile on Kou Ji's face gradually faded, and he narrowed his eyes and looked at Fan Xi.
The expressions on the faces of the other civil and military officials were similar to those of the three of them.
The one who had the biggest reaction was Zhao Zhen.
Zhao Zhen was originally watching the bickering between Fan Xi and Zhong Shiheng with great interest, but when Fan Xi said these words without hesitation, the fire in Zhao Zhen's heart suddenly burst out.
"Bang!"
Zhao Zhen stood up suddenly while taking pictures of the dragon case.
Along with the sound of slapping the table, there were also some ping-ping-pong-pong sounds.
Zhao Zhen photographed the dragon case too hard, causing the dragon case to tremble, and some of the things placed on the dragon case were shaken to the ground.
"presumptuous!"
Zhao Zhen roared angrily, which shocked the ears of the civil and military officials.
Some officials heard Zhao Zhen's angry voice, and their calves trembled subconsciously.
Zhao Zhen roared, awakening the demented Fan Xi.
Fan Xi realized that he had said something very stupid, and his face turned pale in an instant.
Zhao Zhen stared at Fan Xi and said through gritted teeth: "Since I came to the throne, I have seen countless fools, but they are all far behind you."
"Chen Lin?!"
"The slave is here!"
"Take off the official hat, take off the official uniform, remove all official titles, demote to common people, and will not be able to serve in official positions for three generations!"
When Fan Xi heard this, he collapsed on the ground in fear.
In the civil and military circles of the entire dynasty, no one interceded for Fan Xi.
What Fan Xi said was so stupid that people couldn't help but plead for him.
Is the Commander-in-Chief of the Third Government Office a lackey of Koumen?
So who is Kou Ji?
To hold the emperor hostage to order the powerful ministers of the princes?
Who is Zhao Zhen?
A cowardly and incompetent emperor, a puppet emperor?
More importantly, Kou Ji now really has the strength to be a powerful minister.
If Fan Xi's words caused Zhao Zhen and Kou Jijunchen to become suspicious of each other, then the Song Dynasty would most likely fall into a major turmoil.
Therefore, Zhao Zhen severely punished Fan Xi, and no one interceded on his behalf.
Even if Zhao Zhen had his entire family executed, no one would intercede on his behalf.
Chen Lin heard Zhao Zhen's instructions, led the eunuchs forward, took off Fan Xi's official hat and official uniform, and dragged him out of Chui Gong Hall.
After Fan Xi was dragged out of the Chui Gong Hall, Zhao Zhen stared at the civil and military officials of the Manchu Dynasty and said coldly: "I regard you as the pillars of the country, so I will discuss everything with you when I encounter problems.
But what about you?
Talk nonsense and talk nonsense.
From today on, I will no longer discuss with you when I employ people to do things.
Just listen to me."
"Official!"
Lu Yijian shouted urgently.
Zhao Zhen ignored him, instead rolled up his sleeves and left Chui Gong Hall.
After Zhao Zhen left, Lu Yijian cried out: "Fan Xi, you deserve to die."
If it weren't for Fan Xi talking nonsense.
Zhao Zhen would not take the opportunity to take away the power of officials to discuss the appointment of officials.
Consulting on the appointment of officials is one of the important powers of the officials.
Now that Zhao Zhen has seized this power from officials, the influence of officials on major court affairs will be reduced by most.
The faces of all civil and military officials in the court were not good-looking.
Kou Ji, who had been silent all this time, glanced at the ministers lightly and said, "Fan Xi really deserves to die."
Lu Yijian's expression changed slightly and she said nothing.
Wang Zeng closed his eyes and sighed.
Fan Xi was now demoted to a commoner by Zhao Zhen. If Kou Ji's words "Fan Xi really deserves to die" spread, someone would take Fan Xi's life for Kou Ji.
The common people, in order to protect Kou Ji, will definitely denounce Fan Xi.
If Fan Xi could not withstand the condemnation of the people, he would probably hang himself.
The officials and minor officials who dealt with Fan Xi might also take action secretly in order to curry favor with Kou Ji.
All in all, Fan Xi is bound to die.
An ordinary court meeting ended with Fan Xi being demoted to a commoner.
The expressions on the faces of all the civil and military officials in the court were not good-looking, and they quietly left the palace one by one.
After Kou Ji left the palace, he stopped Zhong Shiheng's carriage.
The two of them settled in the Imperial City, found a tavern, and sat in.
After sitting down, Kou Ji stared at Zhong Shiheng and said: "Speaking of which, you are also a scholar, the Zhong family is a heirloom of poetry and calligraphy, and your uncle's reputation in the scholarly community is also at its peak.
If you help me open my eyes today, aren't you afraid that the scholars will attack you and ruin the reputation of the Zhong family's poetry and calligraphy family, and your uncle's reputation?"
Zhong Shiheng was speechless after listening to Kou Ji's words. He waited until the waiter in the tavern brought the food and wine, then slowly opened his mouth while holding the wine glass.
"Bullshit reputation...it's just what others are touting. Do you really think I care about you?"
Zhong Shiheng took a sip of wine and curled his lips disdainfully.
Kou Ji was stunned.
"Zhong doesn't care about reputation?"
Zhong Shiheng said calmly: "The Zhong family's reputation as a heirloom of poetry and calligraphy originated from my uncle.
My uncle was smart since he was a child. He learned literature and martial arts much faster than the average person.
At first, others only thought that my uncle was a child prodigy, so they spread his reputation as a child prodigy.
When my uncle grew up, some people praised him for his knowledge, which was comparable to that of a great Confucian scholar, and that he was a scholar.
Some people were dissatisfied and came to ask for advice.
There were so many people asking for advice that my uncle got tired of it and went to the homes of those scholars himself to ask for advice from them.
Those gentlemen all lost to my uncle, so my uncle became a great scholar."
When Kou Ji heard this, he said quietly: "They lost to your uncle, but they were unwilling to admit that their knowledge was low, so they praised your uncle to protect their own reputation."
Zhong Shiheng nodded and said: "That's right... In fact, my uncle never cares about the reputation of great scholars..."
Speaking of this, Zhong Shiheng sighed slightly and said: "In my uncle's eyes, the so-called great Confucian status is not as important as the Huangjing he used to make elixirs."
Kou Ji raised his eyebrows slightly.
Zhong Shiheng smiled bitterly and said: "My uncle considers himself an outsider and behaves in the same way as an outsider.
How can you care about fame and fortune?"
Most of the real outsiders have no desires or desires.
They spend their whole lives pursuing the path in their hearts.
I don't care about other things at all.
They are far from comparable to the Taoist officials that the imperial court had previously abolished.
Kou Ji never cared about illusory things.
But Kou Jique agreed with Zhong Shiheng's words.
Zhong Shiheng stared at Kou Ji and said: "My uncle doesn't care about reputation, and it won't be of much use if we do.
Although I am a scholar, I rarely write or write. Instead, I often use my fists.
Therefore, I don’t care about the reputation of the heir of poetry and calligraphy.
In the past, I kept this reputation to protect myself.
Because in the past, if a military man did not serve as an official with the reputation of a Confucian general, he would be suppressed by civil servants and unable to hold his head high.
Now that we warriors have entrusted the suppression of civil servants, why do we need to act based on the faces of civil servants?
Why should we continue to follow the wishes of civil servants and be someone other than ourselves?
This time I came forward to help you clear your mind. On the one hand, Fan Xi's words were too unpleasant, and on the other hand, it was also for my own sake."
"oh?"
"I also have a temper! A group of civil servants blocked me at the entrance of Sanyamen for more than half a month, causing me to lose face in front of my subordinates.
Now that I have the opportunity to show off to them, I certainly won't miss it.
We are not animals, we can’t keep getting beaten without fighting back, right?”
When Kou Ji heard this, he couldn't laugh or cry and said, "You are quite free and easy."
Zhong Shiheng curled his lips and said: "They can't beat me, they can't scold me, they can't embarrass me, why should I be afraid of them?
They should be afraid of me."
Kou Ji smiled bitterly and shook his head.
Now that the power of the Privy Council has been strengthened, the three Yamen will soon be merged into the Privy Council.
The Privy Council already has enough power to compete with the inner court.
Zhong Shiheng will soon join the Privy Council as the third-in-command.
There is really no need to fear the three prime ministers of the inner court.
It is impossible for the three chief ministers of the inner court to stumbling him in political matters.
Because the Privy Council now only controls the Forbidden Army, and the inner court cannot interfere in the military affairs of the Forbidden Army.
Zhong Shiheng can both beat and scold, so civil servants should really have a headache.
Kou Ji pondered for a moment and said: "There are indeed some civil servants who deserve to be scolded.
However, Lu Gong and the others should not be provoked easily, as this could easily lead to civil and military disputes in the court.
Lu Gong and the other three are now considered to be officials, and so are we.
So there is no need to tit for tat.”
Kou Ji warned Zhong Shiheng because he was afraid that Zhong Shiheng and Lu Yijian would conflict.
Given their status, if a conflict arises, it is not a minor conflict.
The officials, disciples, old friends and confidants behind the scenes will all be involved.
When a large group of civil and military officials get into a fight and get angry, it can easily lead to a civil-military war between the government and the public.
Civil and military wars were definitely not a good thing for the Song Dynasty.
No matter which side of them was damaged, it was a huge loss to the Song Dynasty.
If both sides suffered losses, the Song Dynasty would also suffer heavy internal injuries.
Today's Song Dynasty is the time to work hard and move forward, but it does not dare to suffer from internal friction.
Zhong Shiheng heard Kou Ji's words and said: "I know what's appropriate..."
After a pause, Zhong Shiheng said: "You, Zhu Neng, and I are now one.
Although Zhu Neng was smart, he was clumsy and could not defeat those civil servants.
As an envoy to the Privy Council and the head of a court, you cannot do everything shirtless.
This will make people look down upon my Privy Council.
So I can only go out and quarrel with the civil servants."
When Kou Ji heard this, he took a deep look at Zhong Shiheng.
Sure enough, no one who can reach the decision-making level is a fool.
Zhu Neng previously said in front of Kou Ji that Zhong Shiheng did not know how to act stupid and was impeached every day.
I feel that Zhong Shiheng cannot see through the situation in the court.
Kou Ji, misled by Zhu Neng, also thought that Zhong Shiheng could not see through the situation.
But from what Zhong Shiheng said today, Kou Ji could tell that Zhong Shiheng saw more than Zhu Neng could.
He stood in front of people and was impeached in order to attract fire.
It is also to help the Privy Council establish its prestige.
What if Zhu Neng and Zhong Shiheng both pretended to be deaf and dumb in the court?
Kou Ji took charge of all matters big and small. Over time, who would still be afraid of Kou Ji and who would be afraid of the Privy Council?
Zhong Shiheng is confessing to Kou Ji now because he wants to tell Kou Ji that from now on, we are just grasshoppers on the same boat. I go out to argue with people because of the three of us. If something really happens, you two will have to
protect me.
Kou Ji understood Zhong Shiheng's thoughts and said, "Just deal with those civil servants with peace of mind.
When it comes to a critical moment, Zhu Neng and I will never sit idly by."
Speaking of this, Kou Ji said with a puzzled face: "There is one thing I don't quite understand..."
Zhong Shiheng was stunned for a moment, and seemed to have guessed what Kou Ji wanted to ask. He smiled bitterly and said, "Do you want to ask why I am so stupid in Xingqing Mansion?"
Kou Ji nodded slowly.
Zhong Shiheng smiled bitterly and said: "I'm not stupid, I really can't bear it.
Are you willing to hand over all the wealth that you have worked so hard to accumulate for most of your life to others?"
Kou Ji opened his mouth, but found that he had nothing to say.
If something like this really happened to him, he would definitely fight to the death without hesitation.
The two sat in silence in the tavern for a while, then bowed their hands to each other and went home.
Everything that needs to be said has been said, so there is no need to continue chatting together.
Not long after Kou Ji returned to his residence, Zhao Zhen's decree was delivered to Kou's residence.
The matter of repairing the book finally fell on Kou Ji.
In order to facilitate Kou Ji's writing, Zhao Zhen not only gave Kou Ji a secluded place to stay, but also provided a large amount of financial support.
Zhao Zhen sent someone to deliver the money to Ruishengyuan, and Kou Ji sent Fan Zhongyan to check it out.
After Kou Ji became the chief official of book revision, he appointed Fan Zhongyan to assist him.
With a stroke of Zhao Zhen's pen, Fan Zhongyan became one of the auxiliary officials who compiled the book.