After Kou Ji arrived, Xiang Yan relaxed.

After Kou Ji gave salutes to Zhao Zhen and Empress Cao, he sighed to Zhao Zhen: "Don't spoil him......"

Zhao Zhen glanced at Kou Ji, stared at Kou Tianci lovingly, and said, "How old is he, do you know what a pet is?" And how can you be spoiled? ”

Kou Ji was a little helpless about Zhao Zhen, an official who took other people's sons as his own sons.

Zhao Zhen teased Kou Tianci for a long time, forced Kou Tianci to call the 'father' for a long time, and waited until Kou Tianci yawned sleepily before letting him go.

After Zhao Zhen ordered someone to return Kou Tianci to Xiang Yan, he glanced at Empress Cao.

Empress Cao understood, found an excuse, and left the main hall of Xingqing Mansion with Xiang Yan and Kou Tianci.

After Empress Cao and Xiang Yan left.

Zhao Zhen instructed Chen Lin to move a chair for Kou Ji, and after Kou Ji sat down, he said to Kou Ji: "Fourth brother, after thinking about it several times, I decided to set Zhu Neng's title as second-class. ”

Zhao Zhen's words were expected by Kou Ji.

Kou Ji heard Zhao Zhen's words and muttered, "The official family plans to appoint Zhu Neng as the deputy privy envoy. ”

Zhao Zhen nodded slowly.

Zhu Neng has the merit of breaking the city, and it is impossible for Zhao Zhen not to reward him, but if he is named a first-class duke, it is a little inappropriate.

It's not because Zhao Zhen is stingy.

It's because most of the people who are knighted and awarded the title are princes or important ministers who have died of old age.

Because of the first-class duke, there is only half a step away from the king.

To paraphrase the saying, it is a person who is only half a step away from the master of the high merit to be eligible for the title.

But if a courtier is awarded a first-class duke, he can only resign from the old man.

Zhu Neng is not old yet, and he can still do many things for the Great Song Dynasty, and it is a little inappropriate to let Zhu Neng say goodbye to old age now.

Zhao Zhen said frankly to Kou Ji: "Cao Wei fought in the land of Yanyun, although he failed to take back the sixteen states of Yanyun in one fell swoop, but he also helped me get the land of the five states in the Great Song Dynasty. After Cao Wei returned to the court, I would inevitably have to crown him as a first-class duke.

I have already told the queen about this, and asked him to mention Cao Wei afterwards, so that Cao Wei can tell the old man.

As soon as Cao Wei went, there was no leader among the military ministers.

You and I will then move many decrees and laws of the Great Song Dynasty, so the people who are the leaders of the military ministers cannot choose people who are born in Wuxun.

Zhu Neng was born in the last few years, and he can achieve today's achievements thanks to Kou Gong, me, and your support.

With him as the privy deputy, he will help us deter the military ministers, and the pressure on you and me will be much less. ”

Kou Ji stared at Zhao Zhen and said with a smile: "Now there are many people in the court, and the impeachment minister controls the words of the minister. If Zhu Neng is appointed as the privy deputy, then they will impeach the ministers for controlling the civil and military power in the court. ”

Zhao Zhen smiled and said: "Do you have a way to control your words, I know it in my heart." I don't care, what do you care. ”

Kou Ji said frankly: "After all, Zhu Neng was promoted by my grandfather, and Zhu Neng is also filial to my grandfather. ”

Zhao Zhen put away his smiling face and said solemnly: "I won't believe it......"

Kou Ji said with a smile: "The ministers naturally know that the officials don't believe it, but whether the people will believe it or not, you and I can't say for sure." ”

Zhao Zhen was slightly stunned and sighed: "Can't I use Zhu Neng?" ”

Kou Ji continued to laugh and said: "If the official family wants to use Zhu Neng, it just needs to be used." The minister went back to discuss with his grandfather, and broke off his relationship with Zhu Neng. ”

Zhao Zhen frowned.

Kou Ji comforted: "The official family doesn't have to feel uncomfortable about this. Everything is for the Great Song Dynasty and for the people. ”

Zhao Zhen sighed, "The mouth of the people is worse than the Sichuan, the river collapses, and there will be many injuries, and the people will be the same." It is the one who is the Sichuan, and the one who decides to guide; For the people, the words of the proclamation ......"

Zhao Zhen is speaking of a passage in "Chinese Zhou Yu Shang".

Roughly speaking, the harm of preventing the people from speaking is greater than the harm of clogging the river.

Even if Zhao Zhen and Kou Ji Junchen are now in power, they still have to care about the thoughts, sayings, and feelings of the people.

When the people's condemnation formed a wave, no matter how powerful Zhao Zhen and Kou Ji were, they had to give in to the people.

If you don't accept it, the biggest possibility is that wolf smoke is everywhere and beacons are everywhere.

But all the holy kings and virtuous ministers know where the foundation of the country and society is.

After Zhao Zhen sighed, he looked at Kou Ji and said, "So you have to wronged Zhu Neng......

Kou Ji said in a deep voice: "The minister will go to Zhu Neng to talk about it, I believe Zhu Neng can understand." ”

Zhao Zhen nodded slowly and said: "After Zhu Neng agrees, you send someone to inform me, and I will immediately draft an edict to seal Zhu Neng as the privy deputy envoy." ”

Kou Ji nodded and asked, "Privy Counsellor, who is the envoy?" ”

Zhao Zhen rubbed his eyebrows and said, "I'm having a headache about this matter." ”

Kou Ji looked puzzled.

Zhao Zhen said frankly: "I originally wanted to let Chong Shiheng serve as the privy envoy. Chong Shiheng was born in a scholarly family, and he served as a privy envoy, and the ministers would not object.

Chong Shiheng had the merit of subduing Li Deming, and he served as a privy envoy, and it was difficult for the military ministers to object. ”

Kou Ji stared at Zhao Zhen and didn't speak, because he knew that what Zhao Zhen said was not the point.

Sure enough, Zhao Zhen sighed, and said with an incomprehensible expression: "But Chong Shiheng himself seems to be a little unwilling." He seemed to want to guard his one-third of an acre of land, and didn't want to move a step. ”

Kou Ji was silent for a moment and asked, "Have the official family talked to Chong Shiheng?" ”

Zhao Zhen nodded slowly, "After chatting for a few words, before I could mention this matter, he politely refused." ”

Kou Ji pondered: "Are there any other candidates in the official family?" ”

Zhao Zhen didn't speak, his eyes fell on Kou Ji.

Kou Ji was slightly stunned for a moment, and hesitated: "Minister? ”

Zhao Zhen nodded seriously and said: "In terms of background, you are also from a scholarly family, or an official family, and your grandfather is a living sage, which is one level higher than Chong Shiheng."

In terms of merit, the credit you can count is far more than that of Chong Shiheng.

Chong Shiheng just won a few battles and subdued Li Deming.

But you helped me to recapture Hexi, defend the northwest, and conquer Western Xia.

Therefore, your appointment as a privy envoy is far more tenable than Chong Shiheng. ”

Kou Ji pursed his lips and did not speak.

Zhao Zhen said earnestly: "I know what concerns the fourth brother has in his heart, but he just feels that the court's ministers are pressing the military ministers, and standing at the head of the military ministers, far from standing at the head of the civil ministers.

But in the court, is it the civil and military forces that suppress the military, or the military forces in the Manchu Dynasty? ”

Kou Ji was slightly stunned and understood the meaning of Zhao Zhen's words.

Emphasizing literature and suppressing military force was not a national policy set in the deliberations of the Manchu Dynasty's civil and military affairs.

It is the national policy set by the Emperor Zhao in order to prevent the military rebellion.

Therefore, whether to re-write or re-martial depends on the Zhao Emperor, not the Manchu Dynasty.

Wuchen has been suppressed by the three dynasties of Taizu, Taizong, and Zhenzong, and has been weakened to a certain point.

However, as the Great Song Dynasty continued to expand its territory, a large number of new military ministers emerged again.

If the new and old military ministers put aside their prejudices and fight with Wenchen, they will also have the strength to fight.

If Zhao Zhen is biased towards the military ministers, and the military ministers can take advantage of the situation to rise and suppress the civil ministers, then it can also be done.

Kou Ji used to want to be among the civil ministers, because he knew the national policy of the Great Song Dynasty, knew that the Great Song Dynasty emphasized literature and suppressed martial arts, and the mixed military ministers had no future, and sooner or later they would be pressed and beaten by the Wenchens.

But today's Great Song Dynasty has already undergone earth-shaking changes.

Who is pressing whom, it is not the national policy that looks at it, but Zhao Zhen's thoughts.

When the forces of Wenchen and Wuchen can fight separately, whoever Zhao Zhen favors will be able to occupy an advantage in the court.

More critically.

Whether it is a privy envoy or a regular chapter under the door of the same book.

All of them are for the service of Jiangshan Sheji.

In the same book, you can discuss military affairs and express opinions on military affairs.

Privy councillors may also discuss civil affairs and express their opinions on civil affairs.

That is to say, whether it is a Tongzhongshu subordinate or a privy envoy, he can participate in the discussion of all political affairs in the imperial court.

The only difference is that when it is really time to make a decision, the same Zhongshu can replace the official family as the master, but the privy envoy cannot.

"The official family needs the minister to be the privy envoy, and the minister is the privy envoy. The minister is the courtier of the official family, so he naturally has to obey the orders of the official family. ”

Kou Ji said with a smile.

Although Kou Ji was reluctant to serve as a privy envoy, Zhao Zhen needed it, and Kou Ji supported it, after all, the two had a common purpose.

It's just that I have served as a privy envoy, so why do you want Zhu Neng to be a privy deputy envoy?

Kou Ji asked in his heart.

Zhao Zhen didn't know Kou Ji's thoughts, he saw that Kou Ji agreed, and said with a smile: "Then the fourth brother will be wronged to sit in the position of privy envoy for a few years, and when the fourth brother steps down as the privy envoy, it will be the time when the fourth brother will serve as the Pingzhang matter under the Tongzhong Shumen." ”

Kou Ji smiled and said, "Is the official family making a promise?" ”

Zhao Zhen smiled: "Am I not qualified to promise?" ”

Kou Ji said with a smile: "The official family is naturally qualified to promise, but the minister remembers that the person who serves as the privy envoy cannot serve as the Pingzhang of the Tongzhong Shumen." ”

Zhao Zhen laughed and said, "Who said that? Is there a national law to follow, or is there an ancestral record? The rules set by the Manchu Dynasty civil and military themselves, I have to follow? Who is the privy envoy, who is the same as the middle secretary, is it I who has the final say, or are they the final say? ”

Kou Ji laughed along.

Zhao Zhen was right.

Some small rules in the court were tacitly set by the courtiers and the previous kings, or tacitly set by the courtiers themselves.

There is no written record, and there is no proclamation to the world.

Zhao Zhen, as the master of the Great Song Dynasty, can also be treated as if they do not exist.

When Kou Zhun once admonished Kou Ji to study, he told Kou Ji that there was a rule in the Great Song Dynasty, that is, 'you can't punish a doctor'.

But is there a great Song Dynasty now?

No.

If anyone shouts 'can't punish the doctor', it is estimated that people will die of laughter.

If anyone were serious, the doctors who died under Kou Ji's prison would probably cry to death.

After laughing.

Zhao Zhen said to Kou Ji: "Since the fourth brother agreed, then I will draft an edict when I go back and appoint the fourth brother as a privy envoy." ”

Kou Ji arched his hand and said, "Thank you for the love of the official family." ”

Zhao Zhen waved his hand and said, "I remember that when I ascended the throne, I was still very young, and I always had the idea of giving the fourth brother a big official, but I didn't expect it to come true in just a few years. ”

Kou Ji said with a smile: "The civil and military forces of the Manchu Dynasty didn't take it seriously at that time. ”

Zhao Zhen smiled: "They don't know my determination, nor do they know the talent of the fourth brother. ”

Kou Ji smiled and didn't speak.

After Zhao Zhen laughed for a long time, he suddenly spoke: "Chong Shiheng has the merit of subduing Li Deming, should I make him a first-class duke?" ”

Kou Ji was stunned for a moment, "If the official family doesn't summon him to return to the court, he will probably be scared day and night." ”

Zhao Zhen put away the smile on his face and said lightly: "I just want to scare him." Now that the Zhe family has been removed, I don't want a second feudal town in the Great Song Dynasty. Even if there is, it can only be outside my Great Song Dynasty. ”

Kou Ji nodded slowly.

He could understand Zhao Zhen's thoughts.

But any emperor with ambition will find it difficult to tolerate the existence of a feudal town, even if you are loyal, even if you are full of loyalty.

The whole world is not the king's land, and the shore of the land is not the king's minister.

This is not just a casual statement.

Since he is in the territory of the king's land, as a minister of the king's courtiers, there is no reason to listen to the tune and not listen to the proclamation.

If everyone in charge of the army in the world follows suit, won't it be overnight back to the era of dividing the princes?

Kou Ji smiled at Zhao Zhen and said, "Chong Shiheng is also a talented person, and he can't be wasted." The minister turned back to him and talked to him to see if he could return to Bianjing to take up his post. ”

Zhao Zhen thought for a moment and said, "The fourth brother can be persuaded, but he doesn't have to be deliberate. If he really doesn't want to, then stay in Qingjian City forever. ”

Kou Ji nodded slowly, sighing in his heart.

In the past, there was a folding family in front, and Chong Shiheng regarded Qingjian City as his own land, so it was not so conspicuous.

Now the Zhe family has handed over the military power and has become an ordinary wealthy family in the Great Song Dynasty.

If Chong Shiheng occupies Qingjian City as his own land, it will naturally be particularly dazzling.

The dazzling made Zhao Zhen a little unbearable.

Kou Ji accompanied Zhao Zhen to discuss other people's rewards, and then left Xingqing Palace with his wife and children.

A family of three walked out of Xingqing Palace, got into a carriage, and stopped in front of a gorgeous mansion after a stick of incense.

The house is an annex given by Zhao Zhen to Kou Mansion after Xingqing Mansion was settled.

It used to be the place where a royal family of Western Xia lived.

It's not that flashy, but it's big enough.

After Kou Zhun arrived at Xingqing Mansion from Xiazhou, he moved in with Kou Ji.

Zhao Zhen sent someone to clean it, so the inside was clean.

Previously, there were only Kou Zhun and Kou Ji, as well as some guards who followed Kou Zhun and Kou Ji, which seemed a little deserted.

After Xiang Yan brought the servants in Bianjing City, it became lively.

Kou Ji and Xiang Yan have just arrived at the house.

Kou Zhun couldn't wait to rush out, snatched Kou Tianci, who was asleep again, from Xiang Yan's hand, and carried him into the house.

Xiang Yan and Kou Ji glanced at each other, smiled bitterly, and both stepped into the mansion.

After a brief wash, the two went into the bedroom.

On the big kang in the bedroom, we chatted all night about homely things.

The nobles of Western Xia did not like beds like the nobles of Bianjing.

They prefer a solid and durable kang.

The bed has the advantage of a bed, and the kang also has the advantage of a kang.

Especially in winter, the advantages of kang are even more obvious.

Counting nine cold days, the kang is warm, and it is extremely comfortable to lie on it.

Covered with a soft quilt, people can nest in the quilt for a day.

Kou Ji was only on the kang for an extra hour, and he was woken up by Kou Zhun sending someone to urge him three times and ask him to wake up.

After Kou Ji woke up, he woke up Xiang Yan, washed up together, and rushed to the main hall to give Kou Zhun a salute.

After arriving at the main hall, I saw Kou Zhun sitting on the chair with a golden knife, playing with Kou Tianci in his arms, and after seeing Kou Ji and Xiang Yan, he didn't wait for them to salute, so he said: "When will you add another great-grandson to the old man?" ”

Kou Zhun held Kou Tianci in his left hand, hugged him weakly with his right hand, and said dissatisfiedly: "The old man still wants to hold a great-grandson in his left and right hands, and then wrap three or five more around his knees." ”

Xiang Yan blushed and glared at Kou Ji without a trace.

Kou Ji was cheeky and saluted Kou Zhun, "Grandfather is well......

Kou Zhun didn't let him go, and continued: "The old man heard that when you were in Hexi, you gave Li Di a bad idea, so that those homeless women in Hexi had a bunch of cubs with those people.

When he was in the month, Li Di wrote to the old man and said that Hexi had added more than 20,000 female dolls and more than 30,000 male dolls this year.

Why are you so concerned about other people's dolls, and when it comes to yourself, you are so unconcerned?

Are you worried that I won't be able to raise it? ”

Without waiting for Kou Ji to reply, Kou Zhun said heroically: "Even if you give birth to a hundred, my Kou Mansion can afford to raise them." ”

Xiang Yan couldn't raise her head in shame, but Kou Ji smiled very brightly: "I want to have a few more, but I'm afraid that I will give birth to a girl and be asked by the official family to be the princess." ”

When Kou Zhun heard this, he was slightly stunned, and said in a deep voice: "What you said is also right, the royal family is a nest of nothing. No matter how good a girl is when she enters the royal family, she will also be ruined.

We don't need to seek wealth through our daughters. ”

Kou Ji nodded solemnly.

Kou Ji thought that Kou Zhun would let himself go now, but he didn't expect Kou Zhun to say righteously: "If you are afraid that your daughter will be robbed by the official family, then give birth to a few more sons." ”

When Kou Ji heard this, he couldn't laugh or cry.

Kou Zhun was a little unreasonable when he said this.

Kou Zhun is not the kind of person who is quite unreasonable, eighty percent of it is deliberate.

just wanted to urge him to have a few more.

Xiang Yan couldn't stay at all, and frequently asked Kou Ji for help with his eyes.

Kou Ji coughed dryly and said to Xiang Yan: "You take Tianci'er down to eat first, I have some things to discuss with my grandfather." ”

Xiang Yanru was pardoned, and after bowing to Kou Zhun, he picked up Kou Tianci and escaped from the main hall.

Without Kou Tianci in his arms, Kou Zhun said to Kou Ji with some lack of interest: "Say, if there is anything important, I have to discuss it privately with the old man." ”

Kou Ji said frankly: "The official family intends to let me be a privy envoy, and it is not easy to refuse. ”

Kou Zhun was stunned when he heard this, his face was a little solemn, and he sat silently thinking about it.

After a long time, the solemn color on Kou Zhun's face dissipated, he glanced at Kou Ji, and said lightly: "The privy envoy is very good, his status is equal to Wang Zeng and Zhang Zhibai, and you can be regarded as one step to the sky." ”

Kou Ji said in a deep voice: "But I am appointed as a privy envoy, I am afraid that I will not have the opportunity to enter the inner court in the future." ”

Kou Zhun glanced at Kou Ji and snorted coldly, "Are you telling jokes to the old man?" ”

Kou Ji was stunned for a moment, and asked, "Why did grandfather say this?" ”

Kou Zhun said disdainfully: "In a few years, it will not be your monarchs and ministers who have the final say in the court, and even if you merge the Privy Council and the Inner Court into one place, who will be able to say a word?"

When the time comes, will there be a difference between the privy envoy and the Pingzhang matter under the door of the same book? ”

Kou Zhun seemed to feel that his words were not heavy enough, and glanced at Kou Ji again, "You have already made a decision in your heart, so why do you bother to ask the old man?" If you really don't want to be this privy envoy, can the official really force you? ”

Kou Ji's lie was exposed, and he smiled dryly, "I just don't know the bottom of my heart, so I'll ask my grandfather for advice." ”

Kou Zhun was stunned for a moment, and said with a smile: "You two boys are going to do big things?" ”

Kou Zhun suddenly became interested, waved his hand at Kou Ji and said, "Don't say it yet, let the old man guess." ”

Kou Zhun stroked his beard, guessed for a long time, and stared at Kou Ji with a smile, "You two boys want to touch the meat on the plates of all dignitaries." If you touch the meat on their plates, they will rise up and resist.

You don't know the bottom of your heart, because you are afraid of sitting in the position of a privy envoy, not having enough authority, being brought down by others, and having to take your life if you don't do well.

Is the old man right? ”

When Kou Ji heard this, he sighed with emotion: "Grandfather is really as wise as a torch. ”

"Fart!"

Kou Zhun scolded and said, "The old man guessed it by his brain, not by his eyes. ”

Kou Ji couldn't laugh or cry.

Kou Zhun scolded and scolded: "You have no bottom in your heart, and the old man has no bottom." ”

Kou Zhun knew that Kou Ji was a God-given person.

The people of God all felt that they had no bottom in their hearts, how could he, a mortal man, help Kou Ji to take care of it, or give Kou Ji a stable advice.

Kou Ji smiled and said: "As the saying goes, there is an old man in the family, if there is a treasure." With your grandfather and your old officialdom, I naturally have to ask for advice or two. ”

Kou Zhun snorted twice, lowered his head and pondered.

Although he was teasing Kou Ji from beginning to end, when it came to the idea, he was absolutely unambiguous.

The big thing Kou Ji wants to do is what he wants to do but doesn't dare to do.

Kou Ji is helping him deal with the government affairs that he can't handle, and he naturally needs to contribute.

After thinking about it for a long time, Kou Zhun suddenly raised his head, stared at Kou Ji and said, "Your appointment as a privy envoy is a wonderful move. ”

Kou Ji stared at Kou Zhun and didn't speak, waiting for the next step.

Kou Zhun continued: "Since you have become a privy envoy, let's start with military affairs first. Now that most of the new military ministers are promoted by you, you are kind to them, so if you damage some of their interests, they will not oppose you.

They haven't become entrenched gatekeepers yet, so they're not so greedy.

As long as you don't push them into a corner, they will not only not oppose you, but will help you.

With them to help you, plus the Manchu courtiers, it will be much easier for you to deal with the army. ”

Kou Ji nodded slowly.

Kou Zhun's words were very useful to him.

Kou Zhun said again: "When dealing with military affairs, it is best for you and the official family to grasp the control of the soldiers and horses in your hands. ”

When Kou Zhun said this, he didn't say more.

Kou Ji was slightly stunned for a moment, and asked, "And then?" ”

Kou Zhun glanced at Kou Ji, "What else?" ”

Kou Ji hurriedly said, "How to deal with the gentry?" ”

Kou Zhun rolled his eyes, "Kill." ”

Kou Ji's eyes narrowed in astonishment.

Can the problem of the gentry be solved by killing?

Kou Zhun pouted and said, "Let go of the killing of your hands and feet, anyway, there is no good thing." After the killing, you and the official family will carry all the infamy, you resign, and the official family will abdicate. ”

Kou Ji was stunned and said, "Isn't the world chaotic?" ”

Kou Zhun looked at Kou Ji and said, "So you have to persuade the official family to let him give birth to a son quickly." After you have done everything you want to do, let the officials follow the example of the sages and pass on the throne to the prince.

When the time comes, the new emperor will succeed to the throne and grant amnesty to the world, which will naturally appease everyone.

The soldiers and horses are in the hands of you and the officials, and even if the people of the world really want to make trouble, they can't make a fuss.

After the new emperor succeeds to the throne, a little appeasement can appease people's hearts.

When the time comes, you will be infamy, and the new emperor will sit back and enjoy the success. ”

The corners of Kou Ji's mouth twitched: "What if it can't be appeased?" ”

Kou Zhun sneered: "You really should rebel so easily? Since the founding of our country, there have been countless rebels, why hasn't any one succeeded? ”

Koji didn't speak.

Kou Zhun snorted coldly: "That's because we have enough soldiers and horses. Wherever there is a disturbance, the army of the imperial court can quickly pass over and pacify it.

Your purpose is ultimately to gain the benefit of the people.

At first the people may be encouraged to rebel against others, but in the end, when they know your good government and feel your good government, who will go into trouble?

Without the support of regular soldiers and horses, without the help of the common people, what can a group of gentry do?

In addition to being shot to death by you, I can only surrender to you. ”

Kou Ji frowned, still not speaking.

He felt that Kou Zhun's method was too risky.

One of the biggest risks is the problem of Zhao Zhen giving birth to a son.