Kou Ji did not discuss the more important issue of Liu Heng and Zhao Zhen with Chen Lin, and ordered Chen Lin to be sent away from the Kou mansion.
When Chen Lin left, she left with a dark face. Before leaving, she also threatened that she would never come to the Kou Mansion to suffer anger again.
Kou Ji pretended not to hear what he said.
After Chen Lin left, Kou Ji thought about Zhao Zhen's unusual behavior.
I just thought about it for a long time and couldn't come up with a clue.
Chen Lin felt that Zhao Zhen's behavior was abnormal and that there might be something wrong with his brain.
Kou Ji felt that there was something wrong with Chen Lin's brain.
If Zhao Zhen really had something wrong with his brain, it would be absolutely impossible for him to attack Yushitai.
It is even less possible to take the opportunity to steal his son's daughter-in-law.
Although he has no son now.
Kou Ji dared to conclude that Zhao Zhen's actions definitely had a deep meaning, but the purpose was not revealed now, so no one could guess the deep meaning of what he did.
"If we carefully calculate the time, the people who went to capture Liu Heng should have arrived in the northwest. It will be a long time before Liu Heng is escorted back to Bianjing City. Before that, the officials will not stop."
Kou Ji couldn't guess Zhao Zhen's thoughts, so he didn't guess any more.
Kou Ji believes that it won't be long before Zhao Zhen's purpose will be revealed.
He just had to wait for the answer.
Kou Ji whispered and returned to the backyard to look after Xiang Yan.
Some time later, a major case occurred, which confirmed Kou Ji's guess.
Concubine Yang's brothers and others took advantage of the late Concubine Yang's influence to get many lucrative jobs. Among them, Concubine Yang's younger brother Yang Zhixin got the most lucrative jobs.
Haizhou Prefecture Military Yamen Staff General, and Haizhou Salt Affairs Department Envoy.
Haizhou Prefecture Military Yamen's Chief of Staff is just a sinecure.
But Haizhou Salt Affairs Secretary is definitely a very generous job.
There are three major salt fields in Haizhou, Banpu, Huize, and Luoyao. They produce 500,000 tons of salt every year, almost all of which are high-quality table salt, and their value is much higher than ordinary table salt.
Since Salt and Iron was run by the government, the Haizhou Salt Farm generated a large amount of money for the court every year.
Yang Zhixin served as the Secretary of Salt Affairs and took charge of the Haizhou Salt Farm. He could eat as much as he wanted with just a little move of his fingers.
Some businessmen who made their fortune from salt also wanted to fawn over him.
So when he was ordered to go south, merchants from the Jianghuai area came upon hearing the news and gave him generous gifts and hosted a banquet in his honor.
What is surprising is that among the businessmen who entertained Yang Zhixin, there was a businessman named Shang, who was the uncle of the concubine Shang in the palace.
During the banquet.
Everyone was a little drunk, and a businessman named Shang, for some reason, brought the topic to the issue of the official's heirs.
As everyone chatted, they came to the question of how the throne should be passed down if the official family had no children.
Then, someone said that if the official family has no son to inherit the throne, the throne should be returned to the lineage of Taizu.
After this matter spread, this sentence fell on Yang Zhixin's head.
Rumors spread throughout the Jianghuai area overnight.
Rumor has it that Yang Zhixin said that if an official family has no son to inherit the throne, or has a son after old age, the throne should be returned to Taizu's lineage.
(Don’t think anyone would be stupid enough to say such a thing. Someone has said such a thing in history books, and it happened when Zhao Zhen was in power.)
This news reached Bianjing City, and Zhao Zhen was furious.
Before Yang Zhixin arrived in Haizhou to take up his post, he was dismissed from office and escorted back to Beijing.
Also arrested were others from the Yang family.
Although Zhao Zhen did not order anyone to capture his nine clans, all members of the Yang clan were captured and brought back to Bianjing City.
After the Yang family members were escorted back to Bianjing City.
Zhao Zhen decisively issued the order to behead.
Surprisingly, no one in the court complained about the Yang family.
After careful observation, I realized that nine out of ten people from Yushitai who were usually the first to speak were now gone, and the rest stood trembling in front of Zhao Zhen, how could they dare to disobey Zhao Zhen.
Zhao Zhen just smoothly sent the Yang family to the guillotine.
During this period, no one helped the Yang family to complain, and no one stood up to say that Zhao Zhen's actions were unkind, and no one used filial piety as an excuse.
With the Yang family being beheaded, Zhao Zhen's previous actions now make sense.
The purpose of deposing the people at the Yushitai was just to silence the opposing voices in the court.
Without any opposition, Zhao Zhen could kill the Yang family without any bad reputation.
The sudden promotion to the Shang family was because Zhao Zhen wanted to use the Shang family's people to lure the Yang family's people into the urn.
What's more important is that after finishing this matter, Zhao Zhen is not afraid of anyone turning up old scores.
Zhao Zhen would have reason to doubt whoever wanted to stand up for justice after the incident, and he also had the intention of letting Zhao Zhen return the throne to Taizu's lineage.
Even if Zhao Zhen killed him, no one would jump out and say that Zhao Zhen did something wrong.
"Almost perfect..."
After Kou Ji knew the whole story, he sincerely praised him.
But a few days after Kou Ji praised Zhao Zhen, Zhao Zhen did something unusual again.
When Liu Heng was not escorted back to Beijing, he sent the members of the nine Liu clans to the guillotine.
"No reason?"
When Lu Ming told Kou Ji about this, Kou Ji looked confused.
Lu Ming stood aside politely and said nothing.
Kou Ji groped his chin and paced back and forth in the study.
After thinking for a long time, Kou Ji said to Lu Ming: "Go and check and see where Liu Heng was escorted."
Lu Ming agreed and exited the study.
Kou Ji stood in the study and continued to think.
After thinking about it for a long time, the disciple suddenly came to report that Chen Lin was visiting.
Kou Ji asked his disciples to lead Chen Lin to the study.
As soon as Chen Lin walked in, Kou Ji curled his lips and mocked: "I remember that the last time someone left the Kou Mansion, he threatened that he would never come to the Kou Mansion again."
"Our family is not in the mood to joke with you right now."
Chen Lin entered Kou Ji's study with a straight face and said in a deep voice.
Kou Ji was startled, stared at Chen Lin and said, "What happened?"
Chen Lin stared into Kou Ji's eyes and said seriously: "When Liu Heng was escorted back to Beijing, the Yellow River flooded, the boat was washed away, and Liu Heng disappeared."
Kou Ji's expression changed, and there was a hint of brightness in his eyes, "You killed Liu Heng?!"
Chen Lin gritted her teeth and said: "Life or death is unknown!"
Kou Ji approached Chen Lin and said with an angry face: "I haven't heard any news about flooding in the upper reaches of the Yellow River!"
Chen Lin stared and said, "Don't yell at our family!"
Chen Lin took out a roll of yellow silk from her arms and handed it to Kou Ji, "Sign it and everything will be revealed."
Kou Ji's eyes were cold, "Do you think I'm in the mood to sign this thing now?"
Chen Lin gritted her teeth and said angrily: "If you don't sign, our family guarantees you that Liu Heng will definitely be found intact and escorted to Bianjing City."
Kou Ji's expression changed again and again.
"What do you mean?"
Chen Lin snorted coldly and did not speak. She just held the yellow silk in her hand closer to Kou Ji's eyes.
Kou Ji had countless questions in his mind, but seeing that Chen Lin had no intention of speaking, he suppressed the questions in his mind and took the yellow silk in Chen Lin's hand. After a quick glance, Kou Ji understood what Chen Lin was saying.
meaning.
Liu Heng is not dead.
The Yellow River flooded, the ships were washed away, and Liu Heng's life and death were unknown. This was just an excuse.
Zhao Zhen finally fulfilled his promise and let Liu Heng go.
But there are conditions.
The condition is what Kou Ji has in hand.
A marriage certificate.
One party is Kou Tianci and the other party is Princess Baoqing.
Kou Ji didn't know who Princess Baoqing was and had no time to ask this question.
He held the marriage certificate, stared at Chen Lin, and said with some disbelief: "The official family really..."
Chen Lin snorted and said: "The official said that you don't want to embarrass him. You didn't plead for Liu Heng again and again. He doesn't want to embarrass you and create a gap between you and him. He doesn't want to meet you in the future. I have nothing to say.
It can be said.
Liu Heng's life was just one, which was insignificant to him.
Even if he killed Liu Heng, he wouldn't be able to relieve much of his hatred.
Although that bitch Chen committed a heinous crime, she also made contributions to the Song Dynasty.
If that bitch Chen hadn't been confused for a moment, she would have lured Liu Congmei.
I'm afraid Liu Congmei will continue to hide in the palace.
By then, he will lose more royal heirs.
Now that Liu Congmei has been dug out, the harem has been thoroughly cleaned up, and the future safety of the emperor's heirs has been guaranteed.
Chen's death was well deserved, and the rest deserved their punishment.
Liu Heng can survive."
After a pause, Chen Lin imitated Zhao Zhen's tone and said: "Oral message: Liu Heng has made great contributions to our Song Dynasty. I spare his life and feel good about it. Unfortunately, Liu Heng's time in office was too short and his contribution to the establishment was not great enough. If he
If you can help me conquer the sixteen states of Yanyun, I can redeem its nine tribes.
Now, let him completely disappear from the eyes of everyone and be lost in the vast sea of people."
When Chen Lin said this, she paused again. Kou Ji was moved and was about to thank him when he heard Chen Lin speak again.
"But I still feel a little unhappy in my heart. Fourth brother, just hand over Kou Tianci happily and act as my consort so that I can vent my anger. You are my brother, you have to let me go."
Finally, Chen Lin added, "The official's oral instructions are over."
Kou Ji opened his mouth, not knowing what to say.
It must be very touching.
Although Zhao Zhen gave various reasons, in the final analysis, he spared Liu Heng's death because of his face.
How could Kou Ji not be moved by Zhao Zhen's unprecedented generosity?
It was just Zhao Zhen's last words that made him dumbfounded.
Kou Ji faced the direction of the palace and bowed deeply, "My lord, Kou Ji, thank you for your kindness."
Chen Lin stared at Kou Ji and shouted: "Sign it quickly, our family is still waiting to return to the palace."
Kou Jichang sighed, "After all, the officials succeeded..."
Chen Lin stared and said, "Do you think the royal family is not worthy of marrying your Kou family?"
Kou Ji glanced at Chen Lin and said very against his will: "Our Song Dynasty has a system, and relatives are not allowed to get involved in politics. If I get married to an official, I will not be able to help the official in the future."
Chen Lin curled her lips disdainfully, "Are you under the control of the clan?"
Kou Ji was slightly stunned.
Chen Lin hummed and said: "The officials just issued a decree that from now on the Zongren Mansion will only take care of the relatives of the emperor who are on the list. It also stipulates that the relatives of the emperor can only be included in the list once. Those who are not on the list are not counted as relatives of the emperor.
You cannot enjoy the courtesy of a relative of the emperor, and you cannot act recklessly on the basis of your status as a relative of the emperor.
When Young Master Tianci was adopted as a godson by the official family in his early years, he had already entered the Jade Plate.
As the consort, he does not need to register his name again.
Naturally, you can't register your name along with it.
If you want to be a relative of the emperor, you will have no chance to be named unless you marry your daughter into the palace."
The corners of Kou Ji's mouth twitched and he said, "Can the civil and military officials of the Manchu Dynasty agree?"
"them?"
A sarcastic smile appeared on Chen Lin's lips, "As soon as the official opened his mouth, they couldn't wait to have the official write it down."
Kou Ji opened his mouth, not knowing what to say.
The reason why the civil and military officials of the Manchu Dynasty couldn't wait to implement the systems proposed by Zhao Zhen after Zhao Zhen proposed the system of reforming the imperial family was to prevent the emperor's relatives from becoming powerful again and causing trouble everywhere.
Among them, the emperor's relatives only had one chance to register their names, which was the key to the Manchu Dynasty's civil and military officials eager to write it down.
In the past, when the emperor's relatives suffered disasters, as long as they did not die, they would always recover.
But Zhao Zhen set such a rule that once the emperor's relatives suffered disaster, they lost the possibility of recovery.
After this rule was implemented, the civil and military officials of the Manchu Dynasty no longer had to worry about the emperor's relatives becoming powerful, nor were they afraid of the emperor's relatives, let alone the emperor's relatives who would take revenge after moving to the emperor's relatives.
This rule can be seen as an advanced version of Zhao Zhen's three-generation decree.
Once the royal relatives are removed from the treasure book, they cannot recover, which will be very harmful to them.
But there are also benefits.
Once the royal relatives and relatives are separated from their status as royal relatives, they can act like normal people and take up various important positions in the court.
Going out and entering the phase is no longer something that can only be expected.
The civil and military officials of the Manchu Dynasty were attracted by this rule and had no idea that Zhao Zhen did this to open an opening for Kou Ji.
Maybe it's not just for Kou Ji, but maybe also for myself.
After all, this move is also beneficial to Zhao Zhen.
If Zhao Zhen wanted to reuse a certain imperial relative, he could first kick him out of the imperial family and then transfer him to an important position.
Although this rule has some harm to the court.
But as long as Zhao Zhen implemented the decree that lasted for three generations to the entire court, including civil and military officials.
All the harm will then cease to exist.
"Son, the officials are determined to get married to our family. For this reason, they have dealt with all the excuses. My father can't stop me. For your uncle Liu family, you have to work hard.
Bar.
You won’t suffer anyway…”
Kou Ji sighed and muttered in his heart.
Zhao Zhen mentioned the matter of getting married again and again, and now he was talking about Liu Heng. It was obvious that he had to get married.
He can stop it once, but not many times.
After all, the son of the Kou family marries a daughter of the Zhao family. After getting married, he can still eat from his old Zhao family, drink from his old Zhao family, live in his old Zhao family, and bully his old Zhao family's daughter.
My son doesn't suffer any loss either.
Although I lost the opportunity to love freely.
But what kind of free love is there these days?
Isn’t it natural for parents to arrange marriages?
Although I have lost the opportunity to show my talents in the officialdom, wouldn't it be nice to live a stable and wealthy life?
Your great-grandfather was only half a step away from the throne, and your father and I are probably about the same.
If you enter the court, if you behave like us, then the Song Dynasty will really have to change its dynasty.
Zhao Zhen treats your father well, so just go ahead and become the consort.
Kou Ji convinced himself with countless reasons, stared at Chen Lin and said: "The marriage contract can be signed, but before signing, I must first know which princess Baoqing is?"
Chen Lin heard this and said seriously: "The official family has canonized the princess born to Zhang Xiurong as Princess Shouqing, and the princess born to Zhang Jieyu as Princess Baoqing."
Da Zhang’s daughter?
She is actually not the most favored daughter of the little Zhang family.
Not only did Da Zhang know how to shower her with favors through her sister, but she also knew how to choose a family to marry, which was quite impressive.
Kou Ji had an impression of the little Zhang family, but not the big Zhang family.
"Did the officials decide on the marriage, or did Zhang Jieyu take the initiative?"
Chen Lin was stunned for a moment, and roughly guessed the purpose of Kou Ji's inquiry about this matter. She immediately said seriously: "This matter was brought forward by the officials on their own initiative. The officials hesitated and recruited the Tianci young master as Princess Shouqing's consort.
When she was still the consort of Princess Baoqing, Zhang Xiurong declined, and Zhang Jieyu agreed. The empress smiled bitterly and said that she missed a good in-law, and Zhang Jieyu took the lead."
"The Queen is here too?"
"Um……"
Kou Ji pouted and said, "Zhang Xiurong looks down on me."
Chen Lin hesitated for a moment and whispered: "She just wants to wait for the price."
Kou Ji was stunned for a moment and understood the meaning of Chen Lin's words.
Zhang Xiurong probably felt that just because Kou Ji was favored now, it did not mean that Kou Ji would always be favored, so he was not in a hurry to choose a family for himself.
She is waiting for her daughter to grow up to see who is favored the most, and then choose her as her in-laws.
"The Zhang sisters are amazing."
Kou Ji couldn't help but sigh.
Chen Lin curled her lips disdainfully and said: "No matter how powerful I am, what's the use if I don't live up to expectations. If they can give birth to a prince and think about it again, they will be called powerful."
Kou Ji pondered for a moment and nodded slowly.
If you don't give birth to a prince, no matter how powerful the in-laws you choose are, it will be useless.
Liu E is the best example. She came from a humble background and did not have any powerful relatives. She did not have any powerful relatives. Just because she took Zhao Zhen as her son, she firmly sat in the back seat.
After Kou Ji nodded, Chen Lin reminded Kou Ji: "Our family hasn't said anything, so don't go out and talk nonsense."
Kou Ji looked at Chen Lin doubtfully.
Chen Lin spread her hands and said: "Chenghui...ten thousand guan..."
Kou Ji raised his eyebrows in astonishment, "Are you actually selling information?"
Chen Lin was Zhao Zhen's loyalist, and she actually sold the palace information for money. Kou Ji couldn't believe it.
Chen Lin said helplessly: "Our family can only sell information to you."
Kou Ji instantly understood what Chen Lin meant.
Chen Lin was short of money, but he didn't want to embezzle Zhao Zhen's money, nor use his position to make money, nor did he want to sell the palace's information, so he could only exchange the information with him for money.
Because Chen Lin knew that it was impossible for him to leak the secrets of the palace.
Moreover, the information Chen Lin told him was only useful to him and of no use to others.
"How many godsons have you raised? Or have you found a few wives who are equal to each other?"
Kou Ji couldn't help but ask.
Chen Lin glared at Kou Ji and gritted her teeth and said: "In order to completely eliminate the evil spirits in the palace, our family also kicked out some old eunuchs and old palace ladies who had friendship with them.
They left the palace and were helpless.
Our family can’t just watch and ignore it.”
"How about you leave it to me to raise?"
“What a beautiful thought!”
The old eunuchs and old concubines in the palace knew many secrets in the palace.
Chen Lin would never let them fall into the hands of outsiders.
Kou Ji smiled dryly and said: "I just said casually, you don't need to get angry. If you are short of money, just go to the accounting office of Kou Mansion to get it. If not, I will deposit some money for you at Yizijiaozi Shop.
There is no need to sell palace news."
Chen Lin snorted, "Don't even think about buying our family. Our family is not greedy for money. Otherwise, our family can make money with any amount of money at our fingertips."
Hearing this, Kou Ji didn't say anything more. He picked up the marriage certificate, signed it, and returned it to Chen Lin. He also wrote a note withdrawing 10,000 yuan and gave it to Chen Lin.
Chen Lin took the things, turned around and left.
Kou Ji looked at Chen Lin's leaving figure and sighed.
Chen Lin is definitely the one loyal servant in a million.
He guards Zhao Zhen's small treasury and a large number of people who can help him make money.
When I was short of money, I didn't have any evil thoughts.
It's really rare.
More importantly, even if he didn't tell Kou Ji the news he told Kou Ji, Kou Ji would know it from Queen Cao.
He just told the news in advance and exchanged money.
Basically, what he sells is not news, but time.
After Chen Lin left.
Kou Ji breathed a sigh of relief.
The problems that had been bothering him were completely solved, and he finally no longer had to worry about Liu Heng's life or death.
Zhao Zhen was so generous, which really surprised him.
While he was thanking Zhao Zhen in his heart, he began to think about where Zhao Zhen sent Liu Heng.
Although Liu Heng's life was saved, Liu Heng's whereabouts became a mystery to him.
Kou Ji was not worried at all whether Zhao Zhen would lie to him.
Zhao Zhen is an emperor, and it is impossible to lie to him about such things.
"How will the officials arrange Liu Heng?"
Kou Ji held his chin and thought carefully.
It doesn't matter if you don't think about it carefully. When you think about it carefully, Kou Ji's face changes.
Kou Ji suddenly yelled, "Zhao Zhen! Damn you! You are not kind!"
After Kou Ji thought about it for a long time, he realized that he had been tricked by Zhao Zhen.
Zhao Zhen was determined to get married to him, and it was not just one marriage, but two marriages.
Zhao Zhen not only missed his son, but also his daughter.
Kou Tianci was recruited as the consort, which was just the beginning and a test.
Zhao Zhen used this to test him and test whether he was determined not to marry the royal family.
Now that the test had come to fruition, he relented.
Zhao Zhen used Liu Heng's life and death to take away his son to be his consort, and then he would use Liu Heng's whereabouts to take away his daughter to become the prince's concubine.
If Liu Heng's whereabouts were not important enough, Zhao Zhen would definitely add others.
In short, Zhao Zhen has his eyes on his children and is not going to let go.
Kou Ji didn't care at all. If he really gave up the marriage of his two children for Liu Heng, Zhao Zhen would suspect that he valued Liu Heng more than himself.
"If fourth brother is really willing to send his children to my royal family for Liu Heng, I will laugh out of my dreams..."
In the palace, Zhao Zhen smiled brightly after receiving the marriage certificate.
Chen Lin casually asked how Zhao Zhen would feel if Kou Ji really sacrificed the marriage of his two children for Liu Heng.
Zhao Zhen gave the answer without thinking.
Chen Lin looked confused.
Zhao Zhen laughed loudly and said: "Liu Heng, that fellow, fought hard for the fourth brother, and the fourth brother fought hard for my country. So, do we still need to compare?"
Before Chen Lin could speak, Zhao Zhen asked and answered himself: "There is no need to compare, because the word "brother" is really worth a thousand pieces of gold in the heart of the fourth brother.