Zhao Zhen is not Liu Che. He cannot embarrass his generals and soldiers for a few horses.
So when he understood the whole story, he almost didn't ask what was so special about the horses contributed by the Caotou King.
Instead, he only thought about his general.
After Yang Wenguang answered Zhao Zhen, he bowed again and walked out of the meeting hall.
As soon as Yang Wenguang left, only Zhao Zhen and Kou Ji were left in the meeting hall.
Zhao Zhen stood up, stretched a little, and said to Kou Ji with a smile: "Fourth brother, have you noticed that after the implementation of the new system, the number of memorials reviewed by you and me has dropped by almost 60-70%.
In the past, the two of you reviewed the memorials, and one review lasted a whole day.
Now it has been processed in just three hours.”
Kou Ji smiled and said: "Those who work hard govern others, and those who work hard govern others. As the first person in the Song Dynasty, there is no need for officials to put all matters on their desks and handle them personally.
Leave small matters to the people below, while the officials only need to deal with big matters.
Those who have merit will be rewarded, and those who have made mistakes will be punished.
Officials only need to know the nine chief and deputy officers of the Political Yuan, Zishi Yuan, and Privy Council.
Control the power of life and death, and grasp the promotion and dismissal of officials.
The Song Dynasty will naturally be firmly in the hands of the officials."
Zhao Zhen nodded in agreement.
Zhao Zhen in history was kind, uncertain and without perseverance.
Today's Zhao Zhen is generous, kind and domineering.
He had no objection at all to what Ko Ji said about leaving small tasks to the people below.
He did not think that this move was robbing him of his imperial power.
Instead, he felt that this move was helping him share the pressure.
Zhao Zhen was not worried whether the people below would use this to sway him.
The separation of the three powers in the Three-Three System essentially means that they restrict each other.
The three highest power offices in the court restrict each other.
There is still the possibility of collusion between the Political Affairs Yuan and the Political Affairs Yuan.
But the Privy Council will never collude with the Political Council and the Political Council.
They are natural enemies. From the moment they became aware of each other, they became natural enemies.
There is no possibility of reconciliation, and even if there is a temporary reconciliation, fighting will soon break out.
Therefore, no matter which one of the three powerful yamen is powerful, Zhao Zhen can support another yamen, or the other two yamen can deal with him.
Therefore, both his throne and the imperial power in his hands are stable, unprecedentedly stable.
So he was not worried at all about becoming a puppet emperor by sharing the imperial power.
Kou Ji always felt that kindness and domineering can be easily reflected in one person.
But kindness and domineering are perfectly reflected in Zhao Zhen.
The kindness cultivated by a woman's hands since childhood and the domineering temper trained by Kou Ji are a perfect fusion.
A new Zhao Zhen was born.
Zhao Zhen ordered Chen Lin to move out the recliners for himself and Kou Ji, and after clearing away the major office work, he ordered Chen Lin to go to the imperial dining room to deliver the food.
While the imperial chef in the imperial dining room was busy cooking the dishes that Kou Ji and Zhao Zhen liked, Zhao Zhen was lying next to Kou Ji and talking in a low voice.
"Fourth brother, tell me, Xu'er has been around for six or seven years and has become an old girl. If you don't find a husband for him, will your whole life be ruined?"
When Kou Ji heard what Zhao Zhen said, he was stunned for a moment and asked in confusion: "The official family didn't care about this matter in the past, why did it suddenly come up?"
Zhao Zhen let out a long sigh, "A few days ago, when I went to the Queen Mother's palace to perform my filial piety, I met Concubine Du. Concubine Du had already had white hair.
When I saw the old concubine, I thought of Xu'er.
I feel unhappy when I remember that Xuer has been married for a long time and is not married yet.
I am rich all over the world, but I cannot promise Xuer a happy marriage.
As my royal brother, I am somewhat incompetent at what I do."
Kou Ji pondered and said: "Xu'er may already have a sweetheart, but he just didn't reveal it..."
Zhao Zhen immediately sat up and asked: "Who is it? Why can't you point it out? Does the other party already have a wife? I ordered his death to satisfy Xu'er's thoughts."
The corner of Kou Ji's mouth twitched.
That's how imperial power is, if it says you die, you have to die, and it doesn't make sense at all.
Kou Ji said angrily: "What I said is maybe... not definitely..."
Hearing this, Zhao Zhen rolled his eyes, lay down again, and said: "That means that Xu'er has no sweetheart. Since Xu'er can't decide, then I will help him choose.
I will turn around and ask Chen Lin to compile a book of all the young talents in the government and the public and send it to Xuer for selection."
Kou Ji sighed in his heart and considered whether to tell Zhao Zhen about Bao Zheng and Zhao Xu's affair.
However.
As soon as Zhao Zhen said his next words, Kou Ji immediately gave up the idea.
"Fourth brother, what do you think about Bao Zheng, the envoy of the Criminal Justice Department, delivering the brochure for choosing a son-in-law?"
Zhao Zhen stared at Kou Ji and asked with a smile.
Kou Ji rolled his eyes.
Zhao Zhen obviously already knew that Bao Zheng had feelings for Zhao Xu, and Zhao Xu was not disgusted, so he said this.
Kou Ji said angrily: "Since you know this, why are you teasing me?"
Zhao Zhen curled his lips and said: "I have known about this a long time ago, when Bao Zheng wrote to Xu'er all day long, I knew about it.
After I am willing to come to Beijing for Bao Zheng, I will risk my life to find you, or I will ask me to marry Xu'er.
But after waiting and waiting, Bao Zheng could not wait until Bao Zheng asked to marry Xu'er.
I feel that Bao Zheng doesn’t look like a man.
There is no courage at all.”
Kou Ji said quietly: "In our Song Dynasty, marrying a princess is not a good thing."
Zhao Zhen patted the armrest of the recliner and sat up, shouting: "Who said that? I am the king of the Song Dynasty. Is it my decision whether marrying a princess is a good thing or not, or is it the gossip in the court that has the final say?"
Kou Ji said seriously: "We have a clear policy in the Song Dynasty that foreign relatives are not allowed to interfere in politics."
Zhao Zhen said disdainfully: "The harem has been involved in politics, but there are still few relatives involved in politics? It was not an iron rule for Taizu, Taizong, and the late emperor, but it became an iron rule for me?
Do you think I’m easy to bully?”
Kou Ji said bluntly: "After the official family eliminated the royal relatives and relatives in the court and established a rule that lasted for three generations, the government orders related to the emperor's relatives and relatives were naturally treated as iron laws by civil and military officials.
If the officials don't want to go back on their word and let the emperor's relatives resurface, they really shouldn't break this rule."
Zhao Zhen snorted coldly: "If I don't let Bao Zheng enter the jade plate of the genealogy, and don't let their heirs enter the jade plate of the genealogy, are they still considered relatives of the emperor?"
Kou Ji was stunned for a moment, then thought about it and said, "It's okay, but it's easy to be criticized."
Zhao Zhen frowned and said, "What do you think, fourth brother, so that you won't be criticized?"
Kou Ji sighed and said nothing.
Zhao Zhen seemed to have thought of something, and said with a somewhat ugly face: "Should Xu'er be expelled?"
Zhao Zhen said without any hesitation: "Impossible! It's already a grace for my sister to get rid of her. Do we need to expel her status first and then get rid of her?
When did the princess of the royal family become so mean?"
Zhao Zhen pointed to the outside of the meeting hall and said angrily: "My sister, one of the most noble people in the world, has to humble herself for a few gossips?
Then what kind of emperor should I be?"
Kou Ji said calmly: "After all, we have to follow Xu'er's ideas. The officials can't force Xu'er, right?"
Zhao Zhen gritted his teeth and finally suppressed the anger in his heart.
That is the deep love between brother and sister Zhao Zhen and Zhao Xu. If it were another princess, Zhao Zhen would never care about her thoughts.
It is even less possible to bring shame to the majesty of the royal family.
"Chen Lin?!"
"The slave is here!"
"Quickly draw up a list of son-in-laws and send it to the Criminal Justice Department. I want to see if Bao Zheng is responsible. If he is not responsible, he will never marry my sister.
My sister should marry an outstanding person, not an irresponsible rat."
"My slave obeys the order."
"..."
Kou Ji sighed: "Bao Zheng is pretty good..."
Zhao Zhen snorted coldly: "If he is responsible, I don't mind protecting him arrogantly. If future generations want to follow suit, they must first do something greater than me."
I will establish the ancestral system and warn future generations that the rules set by our ancestors can be changed.
But we must make achievements that are not inferior to those of our ancestors.”
Kou Ji hesitated for a moment and wanted to speak.
Zhao Zhen immediately added, "The ancestral system is the ancestral system, and the law is the law. I know it very well. I will distinguish them later.
I will re-draw the ancestral system later, and try to limit the scope of the ancestral system to the royal family.
Officials and people should be subject to the law, not the ancestral system.
I can see very clearly that the laws must be constantly supplemented and corrected in order for our Song Dynasty to continue to be strong.
Therefore, I will never let the ancestral system affect the law.
We will not give future generations of pedantic ministers the opportunity to use the ancestral system to block the revision of the law."
Zhao Zhen had said this. What else could Kou Ji say? He could only bow his hands and praise: "The officials are wise..."
Hearing this, Zhao Zhen lost half of his anger. He stared at Kou Ji and said, "Fourth brother, don't you think there are any omissions in my decision? What if there is anything in it that is detrimental to the Song Dynasty?"
Kou Ji said with a smile: "There must be a standard for a strong master to win over an ancestor. Otherwise, it would be too embarrassing for future generations to say that they have a strong master and win over their ancestors even if they make some insignificant achievements."
Zhao Zhen pondered for a moment, nodded in agreement and said: "It makes sense, I will think about this matter deeply..."
Zhao Zhen was deeply touched by Kou Ji's words.
For example, his father did not achieve any merit, so he was bewitched by treacherous ministers to grant sacrifices to the east and the west. As a result, the sealing of the east and the west was ruined.
It made him want to go to Mount Tai to become a Buddhist monk, but he was too embarrassed to speak to the officials.
If the descendants of future generations kill one or two petty thieves and claim that their powerful master is superior to their ancestors, then Zhao Zhenneng will be so angry that he crawls out of the mausoleum.
After Zhao Zhen and Kou Ji discussed the matter, they did not get entangled in it anymore.
Zhao Zhen sent someone to urge him, and the imperial meal prepared in the imperial dining room was delivered to the meeting hall.
Zhao Zhen and Kou Ji had a meal together and chatted for a while before Zhao Zhen let Kou Ji leave the palace.
After Kou Ji arrived at the bamboo courtyard in a carriage, he saw Bao Zheng standing alone in front of the bamboo courtyard.
Bao Zheng held a brochure in one hand and a brocade box in the other.
Kou Ji got off the carriage and called, "Bao Zheng?"
"gentlemen!"
"The student has met Mr."
Bao Zheng rushed to Kou Ji and bowed to salute.
Kou Ji nodded in response to Bao Zheng. His eyes fell on the booklet Bao Zheng was holding, and when he saw the royal pattern on it, he sighed: "Chen Lin does things really fast..."
Bao Zheng looked at Kou Ji seriously.
Kou Ji narrowed his eyes and sighed: "I never told the officials about you and Zhao Xu because the officials knew about it earlier than me.
It must have been the female official next to Zhao Xu who leaked the news."
When Bao Zheng heard this, he hurriedly bent down and said: "The student did not mean to be disrespectful to the gentleman. The student knows that this matter cannot be hidden from the officials. The student just wants to ask the gentleman to help the student."
Kou Ji sighed and said, "You want me to help you delay for a few more days until you make up your mind? You should understand that if I didn't stop the official order in front of me, it would be difficult to stop it later.
Although the official's move was a bit abrupt.
But neither you nor Zhao Xu are young.
Can't afford the delay.
I didn’t want you two to be delayed forever, so I didn’t stop it.”
When Bao Zheng heard this, he gritted his teeth slightly and said in a deep voice: "Even so, sir, please give the brocade box to Xu'er. The contents in the brocade box are Bao Zheng's wishes.
If Xu'er agrees, the students will come to the door tomorrow and ask the teacher and his wife to make decisions for the students.
If Xu'er doesn't agree, the student will come back in three days."
Kou Ji raised his eyebrows, "Decided?"
Bao Zheng nodded solemnly.
Kou Ji said seriously: "You have to think clearly. Once you make a decision, your career will most likely be gone."
Bao Zheng said in a deep voice: "Students can't let go, so even if they lose their official career, they have to admit it."
Kou Ji asked: "Don't you have no regrets?"
Bao Zheng smiled bitterly and said: "The student said that he has no regrets, does he believe it?"
Kou Ji shook his head.
Bao Zheng sighed and said: "Students are not greedy for power, students just want to do something for the people."
Kou Ji nodded and said: "I know what you are thinking. But you should not think about problems with ordinary people's ideas. If you don't make trouble in the court, it doesn't mean you can't do things for the people.
Developing a branch of knowledge and establishing a cultural context can not only contribute to the people, but also to future generations.
Its contribution is much greater than your ability to turn things around in the court.
Planting a crop and building a farm tool can benefit generations.
Everyone in the world thinks that only by standing in the court can you achieve great things and do great things, but this idea is somewhat refuted."
After listening to Kou Ji's words, Bao Zheng was enlightened.
Bao Zheng bowed deeply to Kou Ji, "Students understand..."
Kou Ji nodded with a smile and said, "Do you still have any complaints or regrets?"
Bao Zheng raised his head and said with a smile: "Being able to grow old with your true love, students will have no regrets."
Koji laughed loudly.
"Give me the stuff, go back and wait for news."
Bao Zheng handed the brocade box to Kou Ji, bowed and left.
Kou Ji looked at Bao Zheng's leaving figure and said with a smile: "Just from this alone, it can be seen that you are much better than that official fan Wen Yanbo."
After saying this, Kou Ji sighed with emotion: "Those who can serve as officials in the court can be called virtuous ministers, but they cannot be called great virtues. Those with great virtues can live in high places for the people, or they can humble themselves in the dirt for the people.
Those who can take up authority but cannot let it go will not be considered great virtues, even if they shine through the ages.
Those who can take up authority and let it go, even if there are only a few words in history books, are worthy of praise throughout the ages, and are even more qualified to be called a great virtue."
Just like those heroes in later generations who did not seek fame or fortune and have been silently contributing to national defense behind the scenes, there are only a few people with outstanding reputations.
Most of them remained unknown until their death.
Soon it will fade out of people's sight and even be forgotten.
All that is left are the achievements that have blessed tens of thousands of people.
Only in this way can one be considered a great virtue.
Kou Ji cannot become such a great virtue because he cannot achieve selfless dedication.
In everything he does, he must seek something, pursue rewards, and pursue fame and fortune.
Among his many students, Bao Zheng is probably the only one who can achieve selfless dedication.
So he felt that it was necessary for him to facilitate Bao Zheng's marriage so that Bao Zheng could find the one he loved and live together forever.
Kou Ji can also be regarded as Zhao Xu's husband. He knows what Zhao Xu wants and what Zhao Xu lacks.
So Kou Ji wanted to be a villain. He wanted to open Bao Zheng's brocade box and see if Zhao Xu was satisfied with what Bao Zheng had prepared.
Kou Ji entered the mansion with the brocade box. Instead of looking for Zhao Xu, he went to the side hall and opened the brocade box.
There is no lacquer seal on the brocade box, and Bao Zheng seems not to be afraid of people seeing it.
As Bao Zheng's husband and Bao Zheng's elder, it is reasonable for Kou Ji to help Bao Zheng check everything.
Kou Ji only glanced at it, with a happy smile on his face.
Inside the brocade box is a set of gold and jade jewelry. There is an inscription inside the box, which was made by everyone.
Worth a fortune.
"True love..."
Kou Ji admired sincerely.
If it weren't for true love, how could Bao Zheng give up his principles and spend such a huge price to purchase this set of valuable jewelry?
In the end, Bao Zheng gave in.
Although this thing is vulgar, it is a promise made by Bao Zheng to Zhao Xu.
Bao Zheng used this to tell Zhao Xu, 'Although I am frugal, I am willing to spend everything I have to support you.'
Kou Ji closed the brocade box, pursed his lips and said, "Bao Zheng has given in. Let's see if Zhao Xu is worthy of Bao Zheng's concession."
Kou Ji took the brocade box and went to the backyard to find Zhao Xu.
Zhao Xu looked suspicious when he saw Kou Ji holding a brocade box in his hand.
Kou Ji handed the brocade box to Zhao Xu, "Bao Zheng asked me to give it to you."
When Zhao Xu heard that it was a gift from Bao Zheng, the brocade box did not look like a bargain, and he felt mixed emotions.
Zhao Xu accepted the brocade box and stood there for a long time holding the brocade box.
Kou Ji stared at Zhao Xu calmly for a long time.
After a long time.
Zhao Xu slowly picked up the brocade box and said to Kou Ji with a bright smile: "Sir, this should be the last precious gift I receive in my life, right?"
Kou Ji was stunned and felt inexplicably uncomfortable.
Kou Ji understood what Zhao Xu said.
Bao Zheng chose to give in once and opened Zhao Xu's heart.
Zhao Xu chose to give in for the rest of his life.
Kou Ji hesitated for a moment and said, "You don't have to accept it..."
Zhao Xu chuckled softly and said: "Why don't you accept it? I like it very much. Although I was born in the royal family, I am not the kind of person who can't live a hard life.
I have lived a life of good food and clothing.
I'm used to eating simple meals."
Kou Ji suddenly felt a little upset. Just now he wanted to help Bao Zheng test Zhao Xu.
But Zhao Xu's words made him understand.
He seems to be a villain in vain.
Kou Ji whispered: "You have grown up..."
Zhao Xu said with a smile: "You know... Now when I go out, people start calling me old girl."
Kou Ji smiled and said: "Don't call me sir from now on, call me brother..."
Zhao Xu nodded heavily, with a bright smile on his face, but tears welled up in the corners of his eyes.
Everyone in the world thinks she is noble, but they don't know that her life is actually very difficult.
She is not afraid of hard times, she is afraid of heartache.
"Go back and wait while I go into the palace to see the officials."
Kou Ji waved his hand at Zhao Xu.
Zhao Xu stubbornly shook his head.
"Brother, let me enter the palace."
Kou Ji was stunned and said in a deep voice: "The officials will get angry!"
Zhao Xu smiled and shook his head, "I'm not afraid..."
Kou Ji sighed, shook his head and said with a smile, "That's all, it's up to you. Just do whatever you want. If the sky falls, my brother will help you carry it."
Zhao Xu nodded heavily, with more tears in his eyes.
Kou Ji waved his hand.
Zhao Xu carried the brocade box and left the bamboo courtyard.
Kou Ji looked at Zhao Xu's leaving figure and said through gritted teeth: "Zhao Heng, you are not a qualified emperor, nor a qualified father.
All the kind-hearted children have ended up in your home.
Why don't you treat them well?
Seal the East and worship the West?
Xiu Xian asked?"
Kou Ji took a deep breath and shouted, "It's your mother's fault!"
"master?"
Kou Ji shouted loudly, which naturally alarmed everyone in the house.
The first person to rush to Kou Ji's side was the housekeeper.
Seeing that Kou Ji seemed unhappy, the housekeeper called out in a low voice.
Kou Ji glared at the housekeeper and shouted: "Go to Bao Mansion and tell Bao Zheng to come over."
"Here..."
The housekeeper agreed and hurried out of the bamboo courtyard.
He did not ask anyone else in the house to deliver the message.
He felt that Kou Ji was angry, so he didn't want to offend Kou Ji, so he carried out Kou Ji's order without any compromise.
Although Kou Ji is very kind to the servants in his house, it does not mean that he can tolerate the servants challenging him.
Kou Ji returned to the study and waited for an hour.
Bao Zheng hurried into the study under the guidance of the housekeeper.
"gentlemen……"
Kou Ji glared at Bao Zheng fiercely, gritted his teeth and said, "If you betray her, I will kill you!"
Bao Zheng was obviously startled by Kou Ji's ferocity, and his body froze slightly.
After understanding the meaning of Kou Ji's words, he said to Kou Ji solemnly: "The heart of a student can be judged by the sun and the moon."
Kou Ji waved his sleeves and said, "Go back and prepare your things. I will take you into the palace tomorrow."
Bao Zheng bowed his hands and exited the study.
After Bao Zheng left, Kou Ji said to the housekeeper: "Go and tell Madam to go to Bao Mansion tomorrow and bring more people."
"The villain understands."
"..."
After Xiang Yan returned home from Tianci Bank, she heard the message from the housekeeper and rushed to Kou Ji's study. After learning the whole story, she immediately called the people at home to prepare.
Kou Ji sat quietly in the study, waiting for news.
When night falls.
A piece of news came from the palace.
The eldest princess, Zhao Xu, contradicted the officials and was deprived of her position. She was imprisoned in the palace except for the jade plate with the genealogy.
After the news came out, some people were confused, some were confused, some were sad, some had tears in their eyes, and some were indifferent.
After Kou Ji knew the news, he sighed quietly, "Silly girl, silly girl..."
Amid various complicated emotions, the people in Bianjing spent a difficult night.
Before dawn the next day, Bao Zheng appeared outside the bamboo courtyard with a pair of panda eyes.