Zhao Zhen's eyes fell on Kou Ji beside him, and he said with a smile: "I always remember what the fourth brother said to me at the beginning, and I also firmly believe that the fourth brother can do it. But I didn't expect that the fourth brother could do it better than me.
Expected much better.”
Kou Ji smiled indifferently and said humbly: "The officials are joking. The fact that the Song Dynasty is what it is today is due to everyone's contribution."
“Everyone’s credit?”
Zhao Zhen smiled and said faintly: "If we count on them, we in the Song Dynasty will not be in the situation we are in today. I guess I can only live my life guarding the land of my ancestors."
Zhao Zhen knew clearly what the civil and military culture of the Song Dynasty was like.
When I read the daily notes of Taizu, Taizong, and his father, I can see it more clearly.
Kou Ji laughed and said: "According to the official's wishes, the success of the Song Dynasty today is due to the credit of just one person. I am self-aware.
I cannot create the Song Dynasty today by myself."
Although the Song Dynasty could be what it is today, Kou Ji’s contribution was indeed small.
But it is absolutely impossible for Kou Ji to take all the credit.
He alone cannot create the Song Dynasty today.
It can only be said that he single-handedly led the current prosperous age of the Song Dynasty.
Zhao Zhen smiled and did not continue to argue with Kou Ji on this issue. He hesitated and said: "Seeing that the prosperous age is approaching, wouldn't it be inappropriate for Kou Gong to leave now?"
Kou Ji was stunned for a moment, but before he could speak, Zhao Zhen continued: "Kou Gong has made outstanding contributions to our Song Dynasty. He has made great contributions to the success of our Song Dynasty.
Now that the prosperous age is approaching, doesn't he want to stay and see the prosperous age that he has built by adding bricks and tiles?"
When Kou Ji heard this, he couldn't laugh or cry and said: "Is the official family here to retain my grandfather?"
Zhao Zhen glanced at Kou Ji and sighed: "I am not a foolish king. How could I watch a sage leave me?"
Kou Ji said in a deep voice: "My grandfather just left Bianjing City, but he did not leave the Song Dynasty. Han Dynasty is now my territory of the Song Dynasty.
Although the official family granted the land of Han to the ministers.
But Korea is still the land of the Song Dynasty."
Zhao Zhen was stunned for a moment, "According to your opinion, I am being hypocritical?"
Kou Ji smiled and said nothing.
Zhao Zhen said with emotion: "I really can't bear to part with you..."
Kou Ji was silent for a moment, then sighed and said, "I can't bear to part with you either."
Zhao Zhen glanced at Kou Ji and questioned: "Then you still let Kou Gong leave?"
Kou Ji said dumbfounded: "My grandfather has made up his mind, who can stop him?"
Zhao Zhen said in a deep voice: "Is it because of your father and your brothers?"
Speaking of this, Zhao Zhen paused and added: "I know all the stupid things your brothers have done. The stupid things they did are not enough to make a sage leave me."
Kou Ji said frankly: "My grandfather has his own ideas, but I can't persuade him. Why don't you give it a try?"
Zhao Zhen was stunned for a moment, then shook his head with a wry smile, "Wang Zeng has already told me the reason why Mr. Kou is leaving. I just came here to see you to see if you can keep Mr. Kou.
Since you can't keep Kou Gong, then no one can keep Kou Gong.
I won’t touch that bad luck anymore.”
Zhao Zhen sighed: "Kou Gong has done a lot for my hard work in the Song Dynasty. He wants to leave the capital, so I have to reward him. I will give you more..."
Before Zhao Zhen could finish his words, Kou Ji said decisively: "The official grant to me, the Kou family, of a wealthy fiefdom is enough. No more rewards are needed.
If the officials really wanted to reward my grandfather, they might as well have someone copy some of the unique copies in the Longtu Pavilion and give them to my grandfather.
I believe that my grandfather would be happier when he saw those original copies than when he saw other things that were damaged by the officials."
Zhao Zhen thought about it for a moment, nodded and said: "Then it's settled. I will have someone make a copy of the unique collection in Longtu Pavilion as soon as possible."
Speaking of this, Zhao Zhen looked at Kou Jida and said, "Tianci and the prince of Xiyang County have been running to the Ministry of Works recently to check some files of the Ministry of Works. It's very tiring.
How about I order someone to make a copy of those files from the Ministry of Industry?"
Kou Ji smiled and said: "No need. They are still young and don't know how precious those things are. So they need to copy them by themselves to cherish those things."
Zhao Zhen said with emotion: "In the six ministries of the Central Government, you only let Tianci go to the Ministry of Works and copy things from the Ministry of Works. Fourth brother, you still value the Ministry of Works and craftsmanship so much."
Kou Ji sighed and said: "The world does not value craftsmanship and always feels that craftsmen are inferior. But they don't know that if a country wants to develop and become strong, it is absolutely inseparable from craftsmen.
Take me, Da Song, for example.
If the craftsmen had not made muskets and cannons, how could I, the Song Dynasty, have swept across the barbarians?
What are you using to suppress Siyi?
Although the craftsmen did not go to the battlefield to bleed.
But they used their skills to contribute to the Song Dynasty.
Master Song lost an unknown amount of blood.
It saved Da Song Dynasty an unknown amount of time.
Others can't see these things, but I can."
Speaking of this, Kou Ji stared at Zhao Zhen and said: "So the more skilled the craftsman is, the more he should be valued by the court."
Zhao Zhen pondered and nodded.
Zhao Zhen saw the changes that craftsmen brought to the Song Dynasty.
He also slowly began to pay attention to craftsmen.
It's just that the status of craftsmen in the inherent class hierarchy is not high.
Therefore, Zhao Zhen was unable to raise the treatment of craftsmen to a very high level in one go.
"When we restructure, we will find ways to increase the status of craftsmen..."
After Zhao Zhen pondered for a while, he slowly spoke.
Kou Ji smiled and said: "The reform of the cultural system will be much more troublesome than the reform of the military system."
Zhao Zhen solemnly said: "I believe that no matter how big the trouble is, we can solve it."
Kou Ji smiled and nodded, "As long as the officials have confidence."
Zhao Zhen looked at Kou Ji and said: "Speaking of trouble, I have encountered a trouble now. I sent people to recruit soldiers and horses in Jiangnan, Hedong and other places, but I did not recruit many people.
It seriously didn’t meet my expectations.
The people I sent sent me a report, but the local people were not enthusiastic."
Kou Ji was stunned for a moment, then thought about it and said, "The officials can put it off until winter and try again."
Zhao Zhen looked at Kou Ji suspiciously.
Kou Ji said with a smile: "Now is the busy time for farming, and those wealthy families can use the common people. So as long as the common people put in a little effort, they can get a ration of food.
If they are not hungry, they will not serve as soldiers just to hang their heads on their belts.
Wait until winter comes and the farming is idle.
Those wealthy families will naturally force the common people to serve as soldiers."
Zhao Zhen pondered: "What if those rich and powerful people change their gender?"
Kou Ji lamented: "If they change their gender, then they are no longer wealthy."
Zhao Zhen thought about it and said: "That's right... I just asked casually... After all, this recruitment is of great importance. We are not afraid of ten thousand, but just in case."
Kou Ji nodded and said, "I understand."
Zhao Zhen stared at Kou Ji and said: "When will the fourth brother come to the palace to help me? Without the fourth brother to advise me, I will not be able to do things smoothly."
Kou Ji smiled and said: "This matter depends on the officials, not the ministers."
Zhao Zhen was silent for a while and said: "When I return to the palace in a while, I will ask the people from the Qintian Prison to choose a date. Then I will issue an order for Tianci and Baoqing to get married."
When Zhao Zhen said this, he said with emotion: "In a blink of an eye, my Baoqing has grown up. I still remember the time when I was so angry about my heir."
Kou Ji smiled calmly and said, "The officials are reluctant to part with it?"
Zhao Zhen said angrily: "You are reluctant to let Kou Hui be the prince's concubine, how can I be willing to marry my daughter off."
Kou Ji said with a bright smile: "This marriage was decided by the official family yourself."
Zhao Zhen sighed, "I didn't expect that among my elder son and two daughters, Baoqing is the most worry-free."
Kou Ji pondered and said: "Listen to the official's wishes, Shouxing won't let you worry about it?"
Zhao Zhen said helplessly: "It's very noisy... A few days ago, there was even a fuss about marrying Mr. Lu."
Kou Ji was stunned and said hesitantly: "Mr. Lu is much older than Shou Qing."
Zhao Zhen looked at Kou Ji in astonishment.
Kou Ji was also stunned and realized that he had said the wrong thing.
In the Song Dynasty, if an older girl married a younger man, she would be criticized.
But it is very common for young girls to marry older men.
Kou Jiqian smiled and said: "How old is Shou Qing? Why do you want to marry Lu Gongzhu?"
Zhao Zhen smiled indifferently, "What else can I think of? Of course it is to pave the way for my younger brother..."
Kou Ji raised his eyebrows.
Zhao Zhen smiled and shook his head, signaling Kou Ji not to continue talking about this topic, as long as everyone knew it well.
Kou Ji sighed: "Even so, the officials entrusted King Shou to me, but they also implicated me in it."
Zhao Zhen sighed and said: "This is Cao Wei's dying wish, and I can't refuse it. If I refuse, Cao Wei may not be able to rest in peace.
Cao Wei almost shed all his blood for me in the Song Dynasty.
I can't let him leave with regrets."
Kou Ji praised: "The officials are benevolent and righteous..."
Zhao Zhen stood up slowly and said: "Okay, it's time for me to return to the palace. I've been away from the palace for a long time, who knows if there will be any gossip again."
When Kou Ji heard this, he did not try to persuade Zhao Zhen to stay.
When Zhao Zhen walked to the moon gate in the backyard.
Chen Lin didn't know when she had appeared outside the Moon Gate, bowing and waiting for Zhao Zhen.
After Zhao Zhen left, Kou Ji lay down on the rocking chair and rocked again and again.
"Sure enough... being an emperor is not a good thing..."
Before the youngest son has grown up, someone has already begun to pave the way for him.
In the future, we will inevitably have to fight for power and gain.
When the time comes, brothers will fight.
Zhao Zhen can endure it.
What's more important is that Zhao Zhen could clearly see it, but he couldn't eradicate it.
Because this matter is not something Zhao Zhen can stop if he wants to.
As the ruler of a country, it is impossible to stay with his son and keep an eye on him all the time.
And those people around his son influence him all the time.
So fights are inevitable.
However, Zhao Zhen still couldn't deal with the people around his son.
You can't just kill your son's mother and make your son hate him just to nip it in the bud, right?
That would be too inhumane.
It’s not like Zhao Zhen’s style either.
"Everyone has a big heart, but they don't think about how big the official family is. If you want to fight for power, you have to survive the official family. If you can't survive the official family, I'm afraid you will be thrown into a remote place in the future to become a vassal king.
The Song Dynasty was so big that it could be sealed.
If there is really no place to block, you can also grab a place."
"..."
Kou Ji muttered and fell asleep.
I slept until sunset.
Slowly awakening to Xiang Yan's call.
After waking up, he remembered that Kou Hui and Bao Qing were still studying silently in the study, and then hurried over.
After arriving at the study room, not even a single person was seen.
All I saw was the messy study room.
In the end, Xiang Yan laughed and left the study with regret.
"That girl is spoiled by you now. She is not afraid of anything. You will have a headache in the future..."
"If one is spoiled, give him another one!"
Kou Ji responded loudly, and then took Xiang Yan back to the room.
…
Three days later.
Chen Lin arrived at the Kou Mansion holding a volume of imperial edict in her hand.
Kou Ji led Xiang Yan, and Kou Tianci listened to the order.
Chen Lin unfolded the imperial edict and read out its contents.
Kou Tianci's wedding date was set.
July twenty-three.
"There are still fifteen days until the wedding..."
After Kou Ji ordered people to take Chen Lin down to rest, he turned his head and said something to Xiang Yan.
Xiang Yan pondered and said: "There are only fifteen days, and the time is a little tight... some relatives can't take care of..."
Kou Ji nodded and said: "It's true that I'm in a hurry and can't take care of everything. But since the officials have already issued the decree, there is no room for turning back."
After saying this, Kou Ji looked at Kou Tianci, who had been standing aside in a daze.
"What do you think?"
Kou Tianci slowly came to his senses and asked out of nowhere, "Are you going to give me a betrothal gift?"
Kou Ji and Xiang Yan were both stunned.
Xiang Yan covered her mouth and laughed.
Kou Ji said angrily: "When a princess gets married, that's called marrying the bride. Although the princess will go to Han with you, in name, you have entered the princess's mansion and become the consort.
It's like recruiting a son-in-law among the people.
So do you think we should give a bride price?"
Kou Tianci was stunned for a moment and said nothing.
Xiang Yan smiled and said: "You still have to give a betrothal gift. But you don't need to give too many things. You just need to maintain etiquette and prepare what the guests want to see."
Kou Ji nodded and said, "You, Taishan, are the richest man in the Song Dynasty. Do you still want to pretend to be wealthy in front of him?"
Kou Tianci smiled bitterly, "I just said it casually..."
When Kou Ji heard this, he no longer ridiculed Kou Tianci.
"Yan'er, go down and tell the people in the house to start preparations now."
Kou Ji gave instructions to Xiang Yan.
Xiang Yan agreed and went down to discuss it with the housekeeper.
After Kou Ji left Xiang Yan, he waved to Kou Tianci.
"Follow me to the study...I have something to tell you."
Kou Tianci followed Kou Ji to the study.
After the father and son sat down.
Kou Ji stared at Kou Tianci and asked seriously: "Are you ready?"
Kou Tianci rarely saw Kou Ji show a serious expression in front of him.
Suddenly seeing Kou Ji's serious face, he quickly corrected his attitude, stared at Kou Ji and said: "You have told me a long time ago that you will marry Bao Qing after returning to Bianjing City.
I am mentally prepared."
After a pause, Kou Tianci continued: "Bao Qing and I have decided to get married since we were young. So I have been mentally prepared for it a long time ago."
Kou Ji shook his head and said, "I'm asking you, are you ready to become a man, a man who can carry a family on one shoulder?"
Kou Tianci opened his mouth, wanting to shout, "I'm ready."
But after opening his mouth several times, no sound came out.
He didn't want to lie in front of Kou Ji, nor did he want to deceive Kou Ji.
The word man is a bit far away for him because he is still young.
Seeing this, Kou Ji waved to Kou Tianci.
Kou Tianci walked up to Kou Ji.
Kou Ji patted Kou Tianci on the shoulder and said, "You are still young, so it stands to reason that you are a little anxious to get married now. But now that things have come to a head, you have to marry Bao Qing early.
That girl Baoqing probably doesn't even understand what love is.
So there are two things that a father must remind you of.
First, if you are not ready to be a man who can support a family, don’t touch Baoqing.
Second, take good care of Baoqing.
Now that she has married you and gone to South Korea with you, it will be difficult for her to see her parents in the future.
Maybe we can only see you two or three times in a lifetime.
Her only support is you.
If you treat her badly, no one will treat her well."
"What do you mean don't touch?"
Kou Tianci asked a question.
Kou Ji said calmly: "The nuns in the palace will come and tell you in a few days, and you will know then."
Kou Tianci hesitated for a moment and nodded.
Kou Ji sighed: "If you want to ask, learn, or know anything these days, you can come to me in the study. Otherwise, after you leave Bianjing City, I may not have much time to teach you."
Kou Tianci nodded solemnly.
Seeing that Kou Tianci had no intention of continuing, Kou Ji let Kou Tianci go.
After Kou Tianci left, Kou Ji let out a long sigh.
It is indeed too early for Kou Tianci and Bao Qing to get married now.
There are two people, one is a half-grown doll and the other is a baby.
After getting married, you can do nothing but treat each other with respect.
"Why not let Tianci touch Baoqing?"
Chen Lin didn't know when she entered Kou Ji's study and stared at Kou Ji, her eyes full of questions.
Kou Ji glanced at Chen Lin and said in a neutral tone: "After you return to the palace, ask an imperial doctor and you will know."
Chen Lin was stunned for a moment and said in deep thought: "Is there any harm in losing one's virginity too early?"
Kou Ji glared at Chen Lin, "It's not harmful, it's very harmful."
Chen Lin nodded and said: "After our family returns to the palace, we will find the imperial doctor to confirm this matter."
Kou Ji was too lazy to continue discussing this issue with Chen Lin.
He said very rudely: "I'll have someone take you down to have a rest, let you drink some tea and then leave. Why are you still staying in my house?"
Chen Lin stood there in silence for a long time, then suddenly said, "The officials want to give Princess Baoqing three thousand soldiers."
Kou Ji was shocked, "What are the standards of the Kingsguard?"
Chen Lin nodded.
Kou Ji asked: "Are the officials afraid that Baoqing will be in danger when he arrives in Han?"
Chen Lin nodded and said: "It has been decided in Han Dynasty that no one knows whether those Korean captives will rebel at any time. The officials just want to leave a life-saving capital for Princess Baoqing."
"It's also a way to save Tianci's life..."
"It's good that you know..."
Kou Ji smiled and said, "The officials are really generous."
Chen Lin raised her head slightly, "Our Song Dynasty is now rich all over the world, with tens of millions of people. Princess Baoqing is the most favored princess of the official family, so the official family should naturally be more generous to Princess Baoqing."
Kou Ji pouted and said, "The officials just don't want to give other dowries. Do you think I don't know?"
Chen Lin glared at Kou Ji, "The official family is not short of money."
Kou Ji said calmly: "No matter how much money there is, it is not enough for the official family. Why is Princess Baoqing the most beloved princess of the official family? You are lying, right?"
Chen Lin gritted her teeth and said: "You are not short of money, what do you need so much money for?"
Kou Ji stared at Chen Lin and asked, "Who would think it's too much money?"
Chen Lin glared at Kou Ji fiercely and said: "Princess Baoqing is indeed the most beloved princess of the official family, and the official family has prepared a lot of dowry for Princess Baoqing.
I just got stopped."
"who?"
"Wang Zengbei is desperate for money, who else can he be?"
"..."
Kou Ji opened his mouth, not knowing what to say.
Chen Lin hummed and said: "The official handed over the gift list to the Ministry of Rites today. Before the Ministry of Rites could warm up, Wang Zeng saw it. After he read the official gift list, he immediately went to the official to argue.
He threatened that the Song Dynasty needs money everywhere now.
Money should be used wisely.
He also said that it would be better for Princess Baoqing to marry into Korea and give her soldiers than money.
Princess Baoqing has no place for giving money.
If you give soldiers, you can stay safe and protect your life."
Kou Ji pondered and said: "That's right. Nowadays, the land of Han is in ruins, and money is really not of much use. After taking it there, there is nothing you can do except hide it."
Kou Jike was more knowledgeable than the Song people.
Know that the purpose of money is to spend it, not to hide it.
Nowadays, everything in Korea is in dire straits, and every business has been completely destroyed.
After you bring the money, it won't have any effect for a long time.
Besides, it’s useless for Baoqing to bring so much money.
The Kou Mansion has nothing but a lot of money.
There is no use asking for more money.
Chen Lin didn't know what Kou Ji was thinking, so she stared at Kou Ji in astonishment and said, "Didn't you just keep saying that everyone doesn't love money?"
Kou Ji glanced at Chen Lin and said calmly: "Since the official family has decided to give soldiers and horses, does it matter whether I love money or not?"
Chen Lin was stunned and speechless.
Kou Ji pondered and said: "Even if you can't give me a large amount of gold, silver and jewelry as a dowry, you still have to give me money to support myself, right?"
Chen Lin heard this and said sternly: "Don't worry, the officials have already exchanged the food and princess mansion that they planned to give to Princess Baoqing into money.
I'll take it with her when she leaves.
In addition, the officials went back and issued orders.
You can leave half of every year's annual tribute in Han Dynasty to Princess Baoqing as her personal money."
Kou Ji was a little surprised and said: "For the sake of Bao Qing, the officials actually made a fuss about the annual tribute, and the prince didn't stop him?"
Chen Lin shook her head.
Kou Ji said with some curiosity: "How much dowry did the official family prepare for Bao Qing, so much so that the prince wanted to stop the dowry, even Sui Gong wanted to do it?
Even for the first time, the officials gave soldiers as soldiers?"
"Our family has calculated that the total of all the things is roughly equivalent to ten million guan."
Kou Ji's eyes widened little by little, and he sighed: "The Guan family is really wealthy... I now believe that Bao Qing is the Guan family's favorite princess.
No wonder the prince would rather give soldiers and soldiers than let the officials promise dowries."