Kou Ji has said similar words to many people and countless times.
But few people can understand Kou Ji.
They have no sense of worry and cannot see what the world will be like after the Song Dynasty.
But Kou Ji knew.
Everything Kou Ji did was just to prevent Lingdingyang, where hundreds of thousands of people were buried, from appearing again.
Everything Kou Ji did was just to prevent the massacres involving hundreds of thousands of lives from happening again.
Generation after generation, our ancestors have used their flesh and blood to forge their iron-blooded souls for China. They should not succumb to the massacres one after another.
Even if future generations cannot make the iron-blooded soul stronger again, they should at least ensure that it does not suffer shame.
Although Fan Zhongyan could not understand Kou Ji, he could feel Kou Ji's emotions.
Fan Zhongyan stared at Kou Ji and asked hesitantly: "Why do you, sir, sound like your descendants are useless in your words?"
Kou Ji smiled and said: "Because I am always afraid that my descendants will be ineffective and unable to defend the huge flowery country, and let it become the enemy's paradise."
Fan Zhongyan said arrogantly: "Sir, you are overly worried. With the current military strength of our Song Dynasty, if you think whoever threatens our Song Dynasty, sir, just go and destroy them."
If we wipe them all out, they will not pose any threat to us, the Song Dynasty."
Kou Ji laughed loudly and said: "You are right, if we wipe them all out, there will be no threat in the future. However, we have to be strong ourselves. We must leave something for the younger generations so that they can always stand firm."
Straighten your spine and become a human being."
Hearing this, Fan Zhongyan said contemptuously: "If the younger generations can't even straighten their spines, then the students will have destroyed their spiritual cards, leaving them without the students as their ancestors."
Kou Ji was even more amused by Fan Zhongyan's words.
As a man in his forties, he tells jokes in a very precise manner, which is really unbearable.
Kou Ji smiled and told Fan Zhongyan some business tax and business law matters, and left the tax department.
After returning to Zhuyuan, Kou Ji summoned Liu Heng.
When Liu Heng entered Kou Ji's study, Kou Ji said straight to the point without saying any polite words: "I need you to go to Jiaozhi..."
Liu Heng was stunned.
Kou Ji continued: "After you go, tell Cao Yong that it's time to return Jiaozhi to the Song Dynasty. In view of his hard work and merits, I can allow him to put forward some conditions.
The Song Dynasty can grant him whatever territory he wants outside the Song Dynasty.
If he can't defeat him, Da Song can help him defeat him.
Both money and armor can provide him with some conveniences.
But there are two things you must remind him of.
Firearms, he couldn't even think about it.
My people are my people, don't worry about him.
It was impossible to separate the territory of the Song Dynasty to him.
He could not take away more than 100,000 people from the Song Dynasty.
But I allow him to send people to the Song Dynasty every year to collect some orphans and widows and take them away."
Liu Heng said in astonishment: "Cao Zhi defeated Jiaozhi with great difficulty. Can he agree?"
Kou Ji snorted coldly: "If I didn't provide him with the convenience, would he want to play Cochin? Playing his toes would be more like it. Not to mention that I saved the lives of his family."
Although he has helped me do a lot of things in recent years, he has also helped the court do a lot of things.
But he himself also made a lot of profits.
The profit he gained has divided me a lot, so I don't care about it with him.
It shouldn’t be too much to use a Jiaozhi to repay my life-saving grace for his family, right?”
Liu Heng hesitated and said, "Wouldn't it be bad to threaten someone with kindness?"
Kou Jicheng sighed and said: "I also know that it is not good, but if Cao Li dies, the friendship between me and his Cao family will probably be completely severed.
Don't coerce me now. If you want to coerce me later, you won't have a chance.
Besides, he has run many places overseas, and I have always turned a blind eye, which is considered worthy of him.
He secretly sent many people from the Song Dynasty overseas.
I didn't argue with him about this matter, so I was completely benevolent and righteous."
Liu Heng pondered without speaking.
Kou Ji continued: "After you go, just tell the truth. Cao Li will know the importance. If he agrees, everything will be fine.
If he doesn't agree, tell him.
The Song Dynasty will use troops and horses to capture Jiaozhi, and I, Kou Ji, will lead the troops.
As for how many troops I will lead there, I can't say for sure.
Anyway, the starting price will be 200,000.
Because I don’t want to stay in Cochin for too long.”
When Liu Heng heard Kou Ji's words, he was choked and speechless.
The starting price is 200,000.
Even if Cao Liang is made of iron, it will be melted into water.
With Kou Ji's temperament in leading troops, there probably wouldn't be anyone alive in the Cao family where Cao Yong was.
Only Kou Ji could make such a blatant threat.
Because others can only talk, but he really dares to say and do.
Liu Heng took a deep breath and said: "I will truthfully convey your words to Cao Lili. As for what Cao Lili will choose, I will send someone to inform you in time."
Kou Ji smiled and said: "As long as Cao Li is not stupid, he will never choose to go against me. Because the elite soldiers he uses in Jiaozhi are almost all my people.
My people have now withdrawn from Cochin and have taken away all the firearms.
The remaining miscellaneous troops cannot possibly be the opponent of the Song Dynasty's Imperial Army."
Liu Heng nodded and said: "I hope so..."
Kou Ji warned: "Without further delay, you can rush to Jiaozhi tomorrow. The officials will send a few people to wait for you at the post station outside Kaifeng Mansion. You can take them with you when you pass by.
Remember not to let them see Cao Li."
Liu Heng said in a deep voice: "I know the importance..."
After Kou Ji warned Liu Heng, he asked Liu Heng to go down and prepare his luggage.
When Liu Heng was going out, he suddenly stopped and turned back to Kou Ji: "Fourth brother, I can't protect you if I'm not in Bianjing City.
If you really encounter something, go to the Four Seasons Porters on the Bianhe Pier.
There are people there who can protect you and get you out of Bianjing City."
Kou Ji was stunned for a moment, then nodded with a bright smile.
When Liu Heng saw that Kou Ji had written it down, he stopped talking and left Kou Ji's study.
After Liu Heng left, Kou Ji shook his head in confusion, "My silly brother, do you really think that with all the people in the Kou family gone, my safety is not guaranteed?"
If the trump cards of our government are only the people in our government, then why should our government be called a wealthy family?
What qualifications do I, Kou Ji, have to intimidate the civil and military forces of the entire dynasty?
But I accept your kindness as a brother."
There is a saying that the cunning rabbit has three caves.
Liu Heng knew how to leave a way out.
How could Kou Ji not understand?
Kou Ji left far more escape routes than anyone thought.
Liu Heng returned to his residence to pack his things, and left Zhuyuan at dawn the next day.
The reason why I left so early was mainly to deceive others.
After Liu Heng left, Kou Ji fell into a state of having nothing to do.
Every day I teach Zhao Run and Kou Hui some knowledge, and spend some time with Xiang Yan.
Kou Ji is free.
Lu Yijian, the pawn, seemed even busier.
When heavy snow covered Bianjing City, Lu Yijian's men finally gathered the number of troops Zhao Zhen needed.
Lu Yijian took the documents and rushed into the palace.
In the palace.
Zhao Zhen was leaning on the soft couch, holding a hand stove and reading a book.
Ever since it was said that Emperor Taizong of the Song Dynasty, Zhao Guangyi, could not let go of his scrolls, reading has become an indispensable part of the royal family's leisure time.
Zhao Zhen was reading a book that was not very serious.
If you throw it out of the palace and are seen by those old masters, you will definitely be judged as a heretic.
Because Zhao Zhen was reading a book originating from Dashi.
It talks about some ways of doing business, as well as business laws customized by Western countries.
Zhao Zhen has never been in business and does not understand business.
It was impossible for the civil and military officials of the Manchu Dynasty to tell him about business.
He couldn't often ask Kou Ji for advice.
Therefore, he could only increase his knowledge in business through books.
Zhao Zhen initially just wanted to read books on business in the Song Dynasty.
However, after searching around, I finally found only three or five books on business.
Three or five business books that are no longer applicable to the Song Dynasty cannot give Zhao Zhen much business knowledge at all.
So Zhao Zhen could only focus on Dashi books.
Among the books sent by the Big Eater, there are as many as a hundred books related to business.
Zhao Zhen brought it over immediately.
When Lu Yijian entered the palace, Zhao Zhen had just turned a page.
Chen Lin carefully walked to the edge of Zhao Zhen's soft couch, flicked the charcoal fire that was a little too hot, came close to Zhao Zhen, and reported softly.
"The official family, Lu Yijian would like to see you..."
Zhao Zhen asked without raising his head, "What's the matter?"
Chen Lin bent down and said: "The number of soldiers should be recruited enough."
Zhao Zhen put down the book in his hand and pondered for a moment, "Are you here to claim credit from me?"
Chen Lin bent over and said nothing.
Zhao Zhen asked again: "How many soldiers and horses has he recruited?"
Chen Lin replied: "1.4 million..."
Zhao Zhen asked again, "Where are the people?"
Chen Lin hurriedly said: "There are no civilian husbands..."
Zhao Zhen glanced at his mouth and said with some dissatisfaction: "At the beginning, he vowed to help me recruit 600,000 more people and handle this matter beautifully for me.
I was happily waiting for him to help me make things happen, but I didn't expect it to end like this.
I shouldn’t expect too much from him.”
Chen Lin hesitated for a moment and said, "It's not easy for Lu Yijian to gather 1.4 million people."
Zhao Zhen looked sideways at Chen Lin and asked, "Are you speaking for him?"
Chen Lin smiled bitterly and said: "I have always been impartial. I just know that Lu Yijian lost a lot of family wealth in order to raise 1.4 million people, so I said one more thing."
Zhao Zhen sighed: "Are you trying to tell me that Lu Yijian had a very difficult time helping me with my errands?"
Chen Lin nodded.
Zhao Zhen asked: "Then what do you think would happen if the fourth brother stepped forward to handle this matter?"
Chen Lin hesitated for a moment and said frankly: "Not only can this be accomplished, but it can also bring back a batch of money for the imperial court."
Kou Ji has a knack for plucking hair.
But whether the people he has treated will survive or not is not yet known.
Family property must be confiscated first.
The Song Dynasty was as wealthy as it is today, and most of it was due to Kou Jimou.
Zhao Zhen tapped the armrest of the soft couch with the book in his hand and said with emotion: "This is the gap, this is the reason why I let the fourth brother replace Lu Yijian.
If there are incompetent people in the government and the public, I can only use Lu Yijian.
There are capable people in both the government and the public, so why should I use Lu Yijian?
Don’t I want to see the Song Dynasty prosper?”
Chen Lin smiled bitterly and said nothing.
Zhao Zhen said calmly: "Let him come in. It's been very cold outside."
Chen Lin agreed and trotted out of the palace.
Not long after.
Chen Lin took Lu Yijian into the palace.
Zhao Zhen put away the scroll after Lu Yijian entered the palace.
Lu Yijian walked up to Zhao Zhen and bowed solemnly, "I, Lu Yijian, come to see the official..."
Zhao Zhen waved his hand and said: "No courtesy..."
Lu Yi simply stood up, looked at the scroll in Kou Ji's hand, and said with a smile: "The official refused to let go of the scroll despite the heavy snow. He really has the style of Taizong..."
"Do you have the style of an imperial grandfather?"
Zhao Zhen murmured something, and said in a neutral tone: "Lu Aiqing is joking, how can I be compared with the emperor's grandfather?"
My imperial grandfather wiped out all the wealth of the Song Dynasty.
I have his own style, are you insulting me?
Zhao Zhen had never met Zhao Guangyi, so he could not be said to be very filial to Zhao Guangyi.
His understanding of Zhao Guangyi comes from daily life notes.
But that daily note really made him feel bad.
In Zhao Zhen's notes on daily life, the whole article is arrogant, arrogant and hypocritical.
If nothing else, just take the women in the harem.
Zhao Guangyi raised thousands of women in his harem for his own entertainment.
When facing hundreds of officials, he said simply that there were only a hundred or so women in his harem.
Then, after his father came to power, he decisively slapped him in the face.
He saved thousands of women in one go.
What else can Zhao Zhen say besides hehe?
Do you praise your grandfather for being strong and healthy, or do you praise your father for doing a great job?
It's really not easy for people to worry about how they all act as elders.
Can't you burn the living notes before you die?
Is it okay to make a forged copy?
The Alliance of the Golden Chamber has been created, but you still can’t create a daily life note?
When Lu Yijian saw that Zhao Zhen looked wrong, he realized that he had flattered the horse's leg.
Immediately, he coughed lightly and said: "This is to inform the officials. I have completed the errands assigned to me by the officials. Please give me a preview."
Zhao Zhen waved his hand and motioned for Chen Lin to present it.
Chen Lin took the document from Lu Yijian and quickly presented it to Zhao Zhen.
Zhao Zhen took the document, read it carefully, and said with a smile: "Two million soldiers and horses, it took more than half a year to finally get it together.
If I had known that Lu Aiqing was so capable, I should have given this job to you earlier."
Lu Yijian smiled and said: "The officials have given me a reward."
Zhao Zhen put away the documents and told Chen Lin: "Go and tell the imperial kitchen to prepare a table of wine and food. I will eat with Lu Aiqing today."
"Here..."
Lu Yijian said with a smile: "Thank you so much for the banquet..."
Zhao Zhen got off the dragon couch and took Lu Yijian to the dining room.
The two chatted and laughed and had a simple meal.
period.
Lu Yijian mentioned the names of several meritorious people, and Zhao Zhen commended one or two accordingly.
On the occasion of parting.
Zhao Zhen gave Lu Yijian a lot of gold and silver treasures and asked Lu Yijian to take them out of the palace.
Lu Yijian was naturally filled with joy.
Because since he submitted the paperwork, Zhao Zhen has been full of goodwill and favor towards him.
Lu Yijian felt that he could take this opportunity to petition Cai Qi to join the political affairs hall.
Lu Yijian left the palace and immediately sent someone to send a message to his confidants to prepare for Cai Qi's entry into the political hall.
After everything was ready, the grand meeting kicked off the next day.
On the Chui Gong Hall.
The civil and military personnel of the Manchu Dynasty were divided into classes.
As usual, Zhao Zhen stepped into the Chui Gong Hall. In the warmth of the fire dragon inside the Chui Gong Hall, he took off his fur and stepped onto the imperial steps.
"Go to court..."
"I will visit the official's house..."
Zhao Zhen glanced at the civil and military personnel in the hall, and said with a smile: "Everyone has arrived today. It seems that someone wants to do something big."
After Zhao Zhen made fun of him, he announced his innocence.
The civil and military officials of the Manchu Dynasty straightened up.
Zhao Zhen didn't wait for them to speak, but he took the lead and said: "Since there is a big event, let's start with the big event."
Zhao Zhen set the tone, and the civil and military officials of the Manchu Dynasty naturally had to follow it.
After Zhao Zhen finished speaking, Han Yang walked out of the train with the Chaohu in his arms, and said: "I'm going to tell the official family that the position of Counselor for Political Affairs has been vacant for a long time. I would like to invite the court to discuss the candidate for Counselor for Political Affairs?"
Zhao Zhen seemed to have expected that Han Yang was going to petition, so he did not show any surprise, but said very calmly: "Is there anyone to recommend?"
Han Yang said seriously: "I recommend Cai Qi, the censor and the prime minister!"
Zhao Zhen nodded and said: "Cai Aiqing was very diligent when he was the censor Zhongcheng. The documents reported by the censors from various places were never sent overnight. If anything happened, he would inform me as soon as possible.
Cai Aiqing is indeed a suitable candidate."
"I also recommend Cai Qi, the censor and the prime minister..."
"I second the proposal!"
"I second the proposal!"
"..."
In an instant, seven or eight civil servants stood out of the train and recommended Cai Qi.
Zhao Zhen smiled and said: "Cai Aiqing is really popular among the people."
Cai Qi, who was in his mid-forties, bowed and said sternly: "I dare not... The only people in the world who can win people's hearts are officials. I dare not go beyond that in the slightest."
Zhao Zhen nodded with satisfaction and said: "I remember that Cai Aiqing was the number one scholar in Dazhong Xiangfu for eight years. He held many positions and did many great things for the imperial court.
Finally he was promoted to Yushi Zhongcheng.
During Cai Aiqing's tenure, he was always diligent and never made any mistakes.
How could I have such a talented person like you?
I am very relieved."
Cai Qi bowed and said: "The officials have given me the reward..."
Zhao Zhen nodded and said: "But there are still people who recommend others. If there is no one, then there is no need for court discussion. I will directly appoint Cai Aiqing as the counselor of political affairs."
As soon as Zhao Zhen said these words, he didn't wait for others to speak.
Cai Qi was the first to speak, "In an official family, etiquette cannot be discarded..."
Cai Qi is a very interesting person
He is upright and honest, not afraid of powerful people, and has many plans and good judgments.
It's just a bit rigid.
He is not one of Lu Yijian's people.
He only had some friendship with Lu Yijian during his tenure as the magistrate of Yingtian Prefecture.
Lu Yijian was promoted to the position mainly because among the senior officials in the government today, there are almost no senior officials with higher qualifications and better reputation than him.
Lu Yijian was confident that he could use his past friendship to let Cai Qi speak for him.
Of course, more importantly, Cai Qi doesn't like Kou Ji very much.
It's not that the two have any personal grudges.
But Kou Ji's credit was too great and he had too many party members.
After becoming the king, he did not leave the capital.
Although the throne was passed down, his influence has not weakened at all.
A truly dangerous person.
As a censor, Cai Qi naturally had to keep an eye on Kou Ji and be on guard against him.
It is precisely because of this that Lu Yijian can be sure that if he pushed Cai Qi to the top, Cai Qi would definitely help him.
When Zhao Zhen heard Cai Qi's words, he laughed and said: "Others want to join the political hall and want to fight for it, but it's better for you to ask me to follow the rules.
That’s all, I’ll just follow you and follow the rules.”
After saying this, Zhao Zhen stared at Man Chao Wenwu Dao: "Is there anyone else who needs to be recommended?"
"Li Zhaoliang, Minister of the Ministry of War, recommended Kou Ji, the former privy envoy, to serve as counselor for political affairs..."
I thought no one would speak up.
But he didn't expect that after a few breaths of silence, Li Zhaoliang suddenly spoke.
A moment.
There was silence in the Chui Gong Hall.
Everyone knows that Zhao Zhen wanted Kou Ji to serve as Tong Zhongshu's subordinate.
At this time, Li Zhaoliang suddenly jumped out and recommended Kou Ji as a political advisor. What was his intention?
Was it Zhao Zhen’s tacit approval, Kou Ji’s instruction, or was it his own intention?
The civil servants were thinking secretly.
The military ministers were communicating with their eyes.
Basically, they were asking each other with their eyes, asking each other if they knew the inside story, and asking if Kou Ji meant what they were doing.
The military ministers made eye contact, and finally their eyes fell on Yang Wenguang.
Yang Wenguang was stared at by all the military officials, and he smiled bitterly in his heart.
What he is least good at is guessing people's thoughts.
Now he was asked to guess people's thoughts, which was really a bit difficult for him.
He subconsciously looked at Li Zhaoliang.
But he saw Li Zhaoliang staring intently at Zhao Zhen on the seat.
Yang Wenguang thought about it again and again, finally gritted his teeth and prepared to leave work.
When the civil servants saw this, their hearts skipped a beat.
When the military officials saw this, their eyes lit up.
However, as soon as it all started, it was suppressed by a light cough.
"cough……"
Zhao Zhen coughed softly, and Yang Wenguang immediately stood up.
For a moment, the faces of civil and military officials in the palace were very complicated.
Wang Zeng sighed in his heart.
From Zhao Zhen's reaction, he was 100% sure that Zhao Zhen was determined to let Kou Ji replace Lu Yijian.
Lu Yijian also noticed this, and his expression turned ugly.
He originally thought that he had done a good job and that Zhao Zhen would temporarily put aside his thoughts about letting Kou Ji enter the court, but now it seems that Zhao Zhen's thoughts will not be put out at all.
Zhao Zhen didn't pay attention to Lu Yijian's face. After stopping Yang Wenguang, he said to Li Zhaoliang without any cover-up: "No..."
After he said this, he didn't give Li Zhaoliang a chance to reply, and spoke again: "Is there any more candidates to recommend?"
The civil and military officials of the Manchu Dynasty looked at me and I looked at you. Finally, they all spoke and recommended three candidates.
Cai Qi, Chen Yaozuo, Wang Shu.
After selecting three candidates.
Voting begins.
After one round of voting.
In the end, the post of political advisor fell to Cai Qi.
After Cai Qi moved to the post of counselor for political affairs, another minister came out and asked Chen Yaozuo to be appointed as the censor Zhongcheng.
Zhao Zhen agreed on the spot.
Later, Han Yang became the Minister of Household Affairs.
Lu Gongzhu was appointed as the Minister of Household Affairs.
Since the military officials did not participate in the whole process, Li Zhaoliang and Wang Shu pretended to be deaf and dumb throughout the process.
So Lu Yijian got his wish and arranged his people to the positions he wanted.
After everything is discussed.
Zhao Zhen smiled.
"Now that the civil and military officials in the Manchu Dynasty are performing their respective duties, I feel very relieved. Previously, the DPRK lacked a counselor for political affairs, so the implementation of some government orders was very difficult. Now that the counselor for political affairs has been replaced, the implementation of administrative orders should be much smoother.
Even so, I will make a decree.
Recruit another one million troops! Leave this matter to Lu Aiqing!"