In today's Song Dynasty, Kou Zhun is probably the only one who can firmly suppress Kou Ji.
Lu Yijian suggested, "While the conflict between the officials and Kou Ji has not broken out, why don't we go to Kou Zhun first and talk about this matter."
Wang Zeng and Zhang Zhibai nodded together.
The conflict between Zhao Zhen and Kou Ji has not yet broken out. It is undoubtedly the most correct choice to talk to Kou Zhun in advance and let Kou Zhun come forward to nip the conflict in the cradle.
After all, once the conflict between Zhao Zhen and Kou Ji breaks out, if the two get angry, Kou Zhun may not be able to suppress it when the time comes.
The three of them made a plan and drove to Wenchang Academy.
When the three of them rushed to Wenchang Academy, it was when the students of Wenchang Academy were having morning classes.
The students sat in the school building, shaking their heads one by one and reading the classics of various scholars along with their teachers. The sound of reading aloud spread throughout the Wenchang Academy.
Lu Yijian and the other three sounded extremely comfortable.
Wang Zeng couldn't help but said: "The students are quite diligent..."
Zhang Zhibai smiled calmly and said: "With Kou Gong in charge, who dares to neglect his studies?"
Lu Yijian couldn't help but pour a basin of cold water on the side, "It's not a good thing for a school to be too dazzling. It's even worse for a private school to be more popular than the Imperial College and the Imperial College."
Wang Zeng glanced at Lu Yijian, curled his lips and said, "If you dare, say this in front of Brother Kou..."
Lu Yijian felt guilty, but said unforgivingly, "I dare to say this even in front of Kou Zhun."
Wang Zengsha laughed and pretended to believe Lu Yijian's lies.
Zhang Zhibai stared at the students studying in Wenchang Academy, thoughtfully.
After the three people ordered people to enter the academy and made a report, Kou Zhong appeared at the stone door of Wenchang Academy. After saluting, he led the three people to Kou Zhun's house.
Arriving in front of Kou Zhun's house.
The three of them saw two people dressed as old farmers, squatting in the flower field and tending to the flowers.
If you look carefully, one is Cao Wei and the other is Kou Zhun.
While Cao Wei transplanted a flower into a flower pot, he complained in a low voice, "This flower is delicate and cannot be planted with other flowers. It must be kept in a flower pot and placed in the house for easy care.
If I hadn't discovered it in time, you would have ruined a precious plant..."
Kou Zhun helped Cao Wei transplant flowers while listening to Cao Wei's teachings with an open mind.
Cao Wei's skill in growing flowers is passed down from his family.
Kou Zhun only became a monk halfway, so he had to learn many flower-growing skills from Cao Wei.
Before Cao Wei came to Wenchang Academy, Kou Zhun was left alone to figure it out.
After Cao Wei arrived at Wenchang Academy, Kou Zhun followed Cao Wei and learned how to grow flowers.
Kou Zhun has a strange temperament. With his status and the wealth of the Kou family, as long as he talks, countless top gardeners will follow him and be driven by him.
But he didn't hire a gardener, nor did he learn from a gardener.
Instead, I like to explore on my own and occasionally ask Cao Wei for advice.
Lu Yijian and the other three looked at Cao Wei. Kou Zhun and Kou Zhun were getting along very harmoniously with each other, and there was a bit of astonishment on their faces.
The relationship between the two in the court could not be said to be acrimonious, but it was not much better. When they met on weekdays, they basically only said two or three sentences. Most of the time, Kou Ji was scolding, and Cao Wei was listening, holding back his anger.
Now it's the other way around.
"Kou Gong..."
Lu Yijian stepped forward and bowed.
Wang Zeng and Zhang Zhibai were stunned when they saw this.
Zhang Zhibai curled his lips.
Wang Zeng also curled his lips in disdain.
When Lu Yijian was at the entrance of Wenchang Academy just now, he spoke with a strong voice.
Now when they saw Kou Zhun, his attitude was completely different. Naturally, the two of them looked contemptuous.
Out of contempt, the two of them also followed Lu Yijian and bowed.
Then Kou Zhun ignored them.
The three people suddenly felt a little uncomfortable. They all straightened up and stood there with stiff expressions on their faces. They did not speak again to ask for trouble.
After Kou Zhun accompanied Cao Wei to transplant the flowers, he stood up and washed his hands, and then said calmly to the three of them: "Come to the house with me to talk..."
The expressions of the three people softened a bit, and they followed Kou Zhun into the house.
After sitting down, Lu Yijian pursed her lips and said nothing.
Wang Zeng knew that Lu Yijian was unhappy and unwilling to speak because of what happened just now, so he took the initiative and asked, "Brother Kou, does he know what happened in the palace last night?"
Kou Zhun sat silently until Cao Wei put down the flower pot, washed up, and arrived with the things for making tea. While making tea with Cao Wei, he said lightly: "The palace was lit up with fire last night. It was a man.
Everyone can see it, is that prince the one who ordered the palace?"
Wang Zeng had a wry smile on his face and was about to speak when he heard Kou Zhun say to himself: "It's good to order it. It's just an opportunity to expand. I, the Song Dynasty, are now respected as the overlord of the world, guarding a small palace."
It is not honorable to entertain vassals."
Wang Zeng sighed and said helplessly: "Is there any prince in our Song Dynasty who dares to set fire to the palace?"
Kou Zhun cooked the tea and said with a dazed look on his face: "No?"
The bitter smile on Wang Zeng's face became even thicker.
Kou Zhun was obviously pretending to be deaf and dumb.
He probably doesn't want to get involved in palace affairs.
Wang Zeng glanced at Zhang Zhibai without any trace, Zhang Zhibai nodded secretly, looked at Kou Zhun and said: "Brother Kou, you stay away from the center. The three of us should not bother you with the affairs of the court.
But this time there was a fire in the palace, and your grandson was also involved.
So the three of us came here to tell you."
Kou Zhun washed the tea cup, sat in front of the coffee table, stared at Wang and Zeng and said: "Tell me carefully..."
Wang Zeng spoke again and told Kou Zhun what happened in the palace, Zhao Zhen's decrees, and even some secrets they had deduced after listening to Kou Ji's reminder.
After listening to Wang Zeng's story, Kou Zhun frowned.
Cao Wei couldn't help but said: "Is the Queen in the way?"
Lu Yijian and the others originally did not want to talk to Cao Wei, but considering that Cao Wei is now far away from the center and is just an idler, he will not have any differences or conflicts with them.
The three of them shook their heads and answered Cao Wei's words.
Seeing this, Cao Wei stopped paying attention to the matter.
As long as his niece is fine, Cao Wei really doesn't care at all about the life and death of other people in the palace.
Anyway, he had heard about all the troublesome things in the palace since he was a child, and he had long been tired of hearing about them.
He rose to power by virtue of his ability, not by nepotism. As long as his own family was fine, he didn't bother to pay attention to others.
Just because Cao Wei doesn't pay attention to this matter doesn't mean that Kou Zhun doesn't pay attention to it.
After Wang Zeng recounted everything that happened inside and outside the Communist Party, Kou Zhun realized the key to the problem.
Kou Zhun stared at Wang and Zeng with a slightly solemn expression and said, "Are you worried that Ji'er will conflict with the officials in order to protect Liu Heng?"
Wang and Zeng nodded solemnly.
Wang Zeng said in a deep voice: "Kou Xiaozi values friendship, Liu Heng is worthy of his brother, and they have a life-long friendship. If the officials really kill Liu Heng, Kou Xiaozi will definitely stand up to protect Liu Heng."
If the two of them get into a feud and start a fight, it will be a disaster for the Song Dynasty."
Everyone here knows that Kou Jijia attaches great importance to friendship.
Kou Ji and Liu Heng had a life-long friendship. If Liu Heng's life was in danger, Kou Ji would definitely come forward to defend him.
"You are looking for me because you want me to talk to Ji'er and make Ji'er give up interceding for Liu Heng, so as to avoid conflicts with the officials?"
Kou Zhun asked in a deep voice.
Wang and Zeng nodded slowly.
Kou Zhun sighed slightly and said: "Even if I come forward, I may not be able to persuade Ji'er. In our eyes, the word friendship is worthless, but in Ji'er's eyes, it is worth thousands of gold.
Let him watch the officials kill Liu Heng, he simply can't do it."
When Wang Zeng and the other three heard this, a look of worry appeared on their faces.
Kou Zhun continued: "But you three don't have to worry too much. Ji'er has always done things in a measured way. Although he will protect Liu Heng, he will never have a conflict with the official family because of Liu Heng. He will not just watch it.
Let me, Da Song, return to his previous appearance."
Wang Zeng smiled bitterly and said: "I'm afraid that Kou's head will get hot and he will lose his sense of proportion."
Kou Zhun pondered for a moment and said, "I will keep an eye on Ji'er. Once his head gets hot, I will definitely remind him."
Hearing this, Lu Yijian and the other three looked at each other and saluted Kou Zhun together.
"Then there's Mr. Lao Kou..."
Afterwards, Lu Yijian and the other two said nothing more.
Kou Zhun had some tea with them and then ordered Kou Zhong to send them down the mountain.
After Lu Yijian and the others left, Kou Zhun frowned and said to Cao Wei, "I will leave the flowers and plants in the garden to you for the time being. I will go back to my house to stay for a few days."
Cao Wei was taken aback for a moment and asked, "Didn't you just say that Kou Ji would know how to handle it? Why do you want to go back home?"
Kou Zhun sighed and said: "He will definitely have a good grasp of other things, but it's hard to say this."
Cao Wei looked at Kou Zhun suspiciously.
Kou Zhun whispered: "I once heard from an official that Ji'er promised him that he would help him create a powerful Song Dynasty."
Cao Wei was slightly stunned.
Kou Zhun added: "I also heard from the servants in the house that Ji'er once promised Liu Heng that if Liu Heng's life was in danger, he would risk his life."
Cao Wei's expression changed instantly.
"He really dares to go against the officials for Liu Heng?"
Kou Zhun sighed and shook his head: "Who knows..."
Speaking of this, Kou Zhun didn't say anything more and ordered Kou Zhong to pack some commonly used things and prepare to go back to his hometown.
Kou Zhun had something he didn't tell Cao Wei.
That is, he knew a long time ago that Kou Ji did not have much respect for the imperial power.
When Kou Ji first entered Bianjing, he was controlled by Liu E and Ding Wei. In order to help him fight for power, Kou Ji once proposed digging a dyke of the Yellow River and diverting water from the Yellow River to pour into Bianjing.
He even proposed that Zhu Neng cooperate with leading troops into Beijing, imitating the feat of Emperor Taizu Zhao Kuangyin and Chen Qiao's mutiny.
Although Kou Ji was just a joke at first, he judged from this joke that Kou Ji had no respect for the imperial power.
Since Kou Ji doesn't have much respect for the imperial power, don't expect him to obey the orders of the person sitting on the throne.
Now Kou Ji is helping Zhao Zhen and following Zhao Zhen, not because he is loyal to Zhao Zhen.
Just because he has a promise to Zhao Zhen, and he and Zhao Zhen have brotherhood.
The words "brotherhood" are a joke when placed in the court hall.
No one in the court would take it seriously.
But Kou Ji has always followed it.
Kou Zhun knew that Kou Ji was a gifted person, and a gifted person would inevitably have some unique habits.
It's just that Koji's idiosyncratic habit is really giving people a headache now.
…
Koufu Courtyard.
study.
Kou Jishang didn't know that Lu Yijian and the others had gone to Wenchang Academy and moved out of Kou Zhun, preparing to suppress him. He was listening to Lu Ming's report on the news in Bianjing City.
"The officials have issued an order to arrest people from the Liu, Chen, and Su clans and enter the capital..."
"Su's family?"
Kou Ji was slightly stunned. Among the culprits he traced, the royal maiden Su was not among them.
Did Zhao Zhen find out something wrong with the Su family and take the opportunity to deal with it, or did he push Su family out to confuse the public?
"Go check on the Queen Su and see if there is anything wrong with the Queen Su in the palace..."
Kou Ji ordered.
Lu Ming bowed, exited the study, and went to find out what was wrong with the imperial concubine Su.
Kou Ji sat alone in the study, thinking secretly, "The Liu family and the Chen family captured the Nine Clan. Although they did not have the intention to kill the Nine Clan, their intention to kill the Nine Clan was clearly revealed. The Yang family did not move. Could it be that they were thinking of it.
Did the Yang family’s nurturing grace spare the Yang family members?”
Kou Ji expressed doubts about this.
Although Yang was kind to Zhao Zhen in his upbringing.
But when Yang died, he was thinking about the people in the palace, not the people outside the palace.
Even if Zhao Zhen thought about Yang's upbringing and wanted to show kindness, he could not extend it to the Yang clan. He should extend his kindness to the maids and eunuchs in the palace who had followed Yang.
Now, Zhao Zhen set a fire in the palace and burned Yang's remains. Eighty percent of the people in Yang's palace were also buried.
Otherwise, it would obviously be unjustifiable that a fire broke out in Yang's palace and everyone except Yang was safe.
Since Zhao Zhen didn't let go of the people in the palace that Yang was concerned about, how could he let go of Yang's clan members.
"Is it because you suppressed this matter temporarily to deceive others, and then you will find an excuse to deal with the Yang clan members later?"
Kou Ji thinks this possibility is very high.
Because Zhao Zhen announced to the outside world that Concubine Yang was murdered. If he took action against the Yang clan at this time, wouldn't it be a slap in the face to himself.
Thinking of this, Kou Jicheng sighed and said: "Liu Heng's life is not safe. The officials didn't spare a hand to the Yang clan, so how could they spare a hand to Liu Heng?"
Before explaining the whole matter to the officials, I took the lead in interceding for Liu Heng, which was a mistake.
If the officials insist on killing Liu Heng.
If I speak out again, it will inevitably lead to conflicts with the officials.
One generation, two brothers.
I don’t want to leave anyone behind.”
Kou Ji sighed again and whispered: "If the officials really want to kill Liu Heng, they can only let Liu Heng follow Cao Li's example and fake his death to escape."
If it really comes to that point, Kou Ji can only use this method to save Liu Heng's life.
Kou Ji had an idea and thought no more.
He also did not send anyone to the northwest to conspire with Liu Heng.
If you really want to help Liu Heng fake his death and escape, he can't do it outside Bianjing City.
It can only be found in Bianjing City.
Cao Lili was able to fake his own death and escape outside Bianjing City because the eunuch who escorted Cao Lili had already been assigned the task of killing Cao Lili on the way. Kou Ji helped Cao Lili fake his death and escaped, which was just a matter of course.
After he helps Cao Li escape, he doesn't have to worry about the beginning or the end.
Because the eunuch who escorted Cao Yong would help him put everything in order.
Liu Heng is different.
Liu Heng was escorted back to Beijing. No matter what happened on the way back to Beijing, the court was bound to investigate.
If Kou Ji reveals even the slightest clue when he is acting, he will most likely be dug out.
Even if Kou Ji didn't reveal any clues, the government and the public would still suspect that it was him who did this.
Therefore, the only way to help Liu Heng escape is in Bianjing City.
For example, when the weather is dry and things are dry, a sudden fire breaks out in the prison of the Ministry of Punishment. That is a very common thing.
After all, there are countless illegal buildings in Bianjing City.
Because of this, fires often occur.
The court had no way to clean up those illegal buildings, so it could only prepare more water hoses to put out fires when the weather was dry.
Therefore, if a fire broke out in Bianjing City and killed one or two people, no one would suspect Kou Ji.
After Kou Ji thought it over, he walked out of the room and saw Xiang Yan holding her belly in her hands. With the support of the Xiang family's little sister, she reached the door of the study.
Seeing this, Kou Ji hurried forward to greet him.
"You are about to give birth. If you don't stay in the house, why did you come out?"
With the support of Xiang's younger sister and Kou Ji, Xiang Yan sat down in the study and said, "My lord, you have closed the door to thank the guests again. I come here to see what happened."
Kou Ji was slightly startled and glanced at Xiang's little sister.
Xiang's little sister pursed her lips and said nothing.
Xiang Yan said suspiciously: "What do you think my little sister is doing?"
Kou Ji smiled calmly and said, "My little sister has been in the palace for a long time. I want to ask her if she is still used to living in the house."
Xiang Yan glared and said, "Can I still wrong my little sister?"
Kou Ji laughed.
He looked at his little sister, which was just a subconscious move.
He thought that the younger sister of the Xiang family would tell Xiang Yan some things in the palace.
But now Xiang Yan found him and asked him what happened, which meant that the younger sister of the Xiang family was very tight-lipped and did not tell Xiang Yan what happened in the palace.
Xiang's little sister didn't say anything, so Kou Ji naturally wouldn't say much either.
"Please tell me quickly, what happened, why are you closing the door to thank guests again?"
Xiang Yan knew it.
Kou Ji usually does not close the door to thank guests. Once he closes the door to thank guests, something big must have happened.
Faced with Xiang Yan's question, Kou Ji slightly suppressed the smile on his face and told Xiang Yan what Chen Lin had told the officials.
After Xiang Yan heard this, her face changed slightly and she said in a deep voice: "The harem is really a den of tigers and wolves. Fortunately, my little sister escaped first."
Hearing this, the little sister of the Xiang family whispered: "Thanks to my brother-in-law for irradiation."
Kou Ji said calmly: "My family doesn't have to be polite."
Xiang Yan did not pay attention to the conversation between the two, but said solemnly: "Such a big thing happened in the palace, and the Queen may be implicated..."
As soon as these words came out.
Kou Ji was stunned for a moment and then understood the meaning of Xiang Yan's words.
Queen Cao is the Lord of the Sixth Palace. Such a big thing happened in the palace. As the Lord of the Sixth Palace, she has an unshirkable responsibility.
The hat of controlling the disadvantages of the harem was firmly placed on her head.
If Zhao Zhen really convicted Empress Cao for this, no one could stop him.
"This matter has little to do with Empress Cao. Even if the officials want to punish her, they will only be fined at most..."
Kou Ji said softly.
Kou Ji believed that if Zhao Zhen treated the matter rationally, Queen Cao would not be implicated.
Although Queen Cao is the Lord of the Sixth Palace, she has not been in the palace for a long time and her foundation is still shallow.
With Chen Lin and Mrs. Yang, two giants who have been operating in the palace for decades, it is difficult for her to control the affairs of the Sixth Palace as she pleases.
Therefore, Queen Cao's dereliction of duty is excusable.
But if Zhao Zhen treats this matter irrationally and insists on expressing his anger, it will be difficult to say.
But at most it was a punishment, and it probably wouldn't detract from Queen Cao's position.
After all, no matter how irrational Zhao Zhen is, he still has to consider the attitude of the Cao family behind Empress Cao.
Although Cao Wei withdrew from the center, it did not mean that the Cao family declined.
The current Cao family is actually more powerful than the previous Cao family.
When Zhao Zhen was cleaning up the imperial relatives and Wu Xun, the Cao family was also following the same example to clean up the cancer in the clan.
With the elimination of the cancer in the clan, the Cao family's strength has been significantly improved.
If you really want to make a fuss, you will be far more powerful than before.
The Cao family may not openly work with Zhao Zhen, but it is still okay to spread some rumors secretly and make some bets for Zhao Zhen.
Xiang Yan didn't think as much as Kou Ji. When she heard Kou Ji say that Empress Cao would be fine, she felt relieved for Empress Cao, "I hope the Queen is fine..."
Kou Ji laughed and said, "You still have time to worry about others, so you should just worry about yourself."
Xiang Yanxin did not give up because of this, but looked at Kou Ji with worry and hesitation.
Koji knew what she wanted to say.
Xiang Yan must want to ask about Liu Heng.
It's just that she was concerned about Kou Ji's mood and didn't know whether she should mention this matter and make Kou Ji upset.
Kou Ji laughed softly and said: "I will...do my best and obey fate...so you don't have to worry..."
Xiang Yan gritted her teeth and nodded slowly.
Although Kou Ji said that he would do his best and obey fate.
But Xiang Yan is still worried.
But she didn't speak.
Kou Ji accompanied Xiang Yan and talked about other topics for a while, and then asked the little sister of the Xiang family to help Xiang Yan back to her room.
After Xiang Yan left, Kou Ji sighed slightly.
Kou Ji knew what Xiang Yan was worried about.
It was just because he was worried that he would go head-to-head with Zhao Zhen for Liu Heng.
Kou Ji had no intention of confronting Zhao Zhen head-on, but there was no way he could explain to Xiang Yan what he wanted to do.
Kou Ji appeared outside the study again and saw Kou Zhong's old face.
Kou Ji was slightly stunned, "Why did Uncle Zhong come back home?"
Kou Zhong said in a deep voice: "The old man has also returned to his residence and is waiting for you in the main hall."
Kou Ji thought for a moment, looked at Kou Zhong and said, "Does my grandfather know everything about the palace?"
Kou Zhong whispered: "Lu Yijian and three others came to the door in person and reported the matter to the old man. It is difficult for the old man not to know."
Kou Ji said with a slight headache: "It will really cause trouble..."
Kou Ji probably guessed why Kou Zhun returned home, and Kou Zhun was obviously worried that Kou Ji would confront Zhao Zhen for Liu Heng.
"Why does everyone think that I will go head-to-head with officials? Am I the kind of brainless fool?"
Kou Ji cursed in his heart and followed Kou Zhong to the main hall.