Since the unfortunate death of the master of the plant, the Zhizheng Hall vacated the position of the left minister, this phase was eyed by many ministers, and the ministers who currently have the potential to compete include Fan Zongyin, the secretary of the Ministry of Rites, Li Hui, the secretary of the Privy Council, Zhu Shengfei, the secretary of the Ministry of Justice, Huang Qianshan, the head of the household department, Wang Boyan, the Taichangqing Du Chong and so on.

However, Zhao Gou, the Son of Heaven, did not appoint a new left minister for a long time, which caused some speculation in the imperial court, and several competitors also secretly competed, trying to drag the opponent back.

Previously, Zhao Goto Lu Yihao asked Li Yanqing's opinion, but Li Yanqing did not make a clear statement on this, as the imperial court gradually got on the right track, Li Yanqing's influence on the imperial court gradually weakened, at this time, Li Yanqing knew that any statement about Xiangguo would set up political enemies for himself in the imperial court.

However, the menacing attack of the Jin soldiers greatly distracted the attention of the court and the people, and the mind of Zhao Gou, the son of heaven, was completely occupied by the imminent flames of war, and he nervously inquired about the war readiness in various places every day, and seemed to have forgotten the appointment of Zuo Xiangguo.

In the evening of that day, a man in ragged clothes came to the mansion of Fan Zongyin, the secretary of the Ministry of Rites, and he bowed to the porter and said, "Please report to Fan Shangshu, just say that the old man Qin Hui wants to see!" ”

The porter saw that although he was in tattered clothes, he was knowledgeable and reasonable, and his temperament was quite elegant, but he didn't dare to despise him, so he hurriedly said: "You wait a while, I'll report to the housekeeper." ”

The porter hurriedly went, and after a while, a young man came out, this person was Fan Zongyin's eldest son Fan Qing, only fourteen years old, just entered Taixue at the beginning of the year, Qin Hui had served as Taixue Xuezheng, Fan Qing of course knew that he was the imperial history of the imperial court, and was taken away by the Jin soldiers.

Fan Qing looked at Qin Hui in surprise, "How did Qin Zhongcheng become so downcast?" ”

"Hey! It's hard to say, may I ask Ling Zun can be? ”

"My father is here, please follow me to bathe and change clothes first."

Half an hour later, Qin Hui took a bath and changed into new clothes, and ate a full meal, and then followed Fan Qing to the study.

"Please wait a while, I'll go in and report to my father."

Fan Qing walked into the study to report, Qin Hui was a little uneasy in his heart, after all, his reason was not very sufficient, now it depends on whether Fan Zongyin can help him, Fan Zongyin is Qin Hui's classmate and friend, Qin Hui was the year before when he was the middle of the imperial history, Fan Zongyin served as the imperial history, and he was Qin Hui's subordinate.

But the Jingkang Rebellion changed the fate of many people, Fan Zongyin because of his excellent personal relationship with King Kang Zhao Gou, and won the trust and reuse of Zhao Gou, after the southern crossing, he was promoted to four levels in a row, from the six-rank servant Yu Shi to the second-grade Ministry of Rites, even faster than Li Yanqing's promotion, and Wang Hao had to fight.

Now as an old superior, Qin Hui had to put down his shelves and beg his former subordinates.

After a while, Fan Qing came out and said, "Qin Zhongcheng, please come in!" ”

Qin Hui walked into the study, Fan Zongyin greeted him with a smile, held Qin Hui's hand and asked with concern, "Yes, why are you in Lin'an?" ”

Qin Hui sighed and said: "This time the Jin soldiers attacked the Central Plains, I was forcibly conscripted to Wanyan Zongwang's big tent to do paperwork, I was sent to Weizhou Liyang to count the grain and grass, and I found an opportunity to escape halfway, escaped all the way across the Yellow River, and came to Lin'an for food." ”

"I see, but Brother Qin went to Weizhou, didn't Jin Bing follow?"

"Of course there is, it was the four Jin soldiers who monitored me, I escaped at night while they were asleep, fortunately Liyang is very close to the Yellow River, otherwise I really wouldn't be able to escape the Yellow River."

"I see!"

Fan Zongyin invited Qin Hui to sit down, and let the maid serve tea, he took a sip of hot tea and said, "I don't know what Brother Qin's plans are in the future?" ”

"I didn't plan for the time being, I originally wanted to go home to visit my wife, but because I was burdened with a heavy responsibility, I rushed to Lin'an to meet the Son of Heaven first."

"What is Brother Qin's responsibility?"

Qin Hui lowered his voice and said: "It's a handwritten letter from the Emperor Taishang to the official family, I have been hiding by my side, my Emperor Tai's entrustment, I must see the official family this time!" ”

As he spoke, Qin Hui canceled his belt, put it on the table and said, "The oracle is hidden in the belt!" ”

.........

In the palace north pavilion, Zhao Gou trembled hands and opened his father's edict, his father's edict officially recognized him as the emperor, this edict is very ordinary, for any emperor, whether the throne is orthodox is related to the stability of his throne, Zhao Gou is no exception, although Zhao Gou ascended the throne by the queen mother and the support of hundreds of officials, but he still lacks a heritage, his father Emperor Taishang did not recognize him, his imperial brother did not officially abdicate, Zhao Gou has not experienced the prince consistently, in some form, His accession to the throne was not very legitimate.

If you think about it strictly, he should now belong to the nature of a regent, the imperial brother has not abdicated, he is just taking care of the affairs of the world on behalf of the imperial brother.

At this time, Qin Hui brought his father's edict agreeing to his ascension to the throne, which undoubtedly recognized the legitimacy of his ascension to the throne, which was very important to Zhao Gou, so Zhao Gou's hands trembled with excitement, and with this edict, he could sit on the emperor's throne with peace of mind.

"How is my father doing now?" Zhao Gou asked Qin Hui again.

Qin Hui knelt down and said with tears: "The Emperor Taishang lives in the courtyard of the groom, and the duty of the ministers is to serve the grooms of Dongning Palace, pour and urine for them, and also clean the stables. ”

Several ministers next to him looked at each other when they heard this, would the Emperor Taishang be so miserable?

Zhao Gou burst into tears, hid his face and cried bitterly: "I only hate that I can't suffer on behalf of my father, and I feel painful!" ”

The ministers hurriedly persuaded: "Your Majesty has preserved the Great Song Dynasty, which is also the greatest comfort to the Emperor Taishang, as long as Your Majesty works hard to defeat the Jin soldiers as soon as possible, you can welcome the Emperor Taishang back to the court." ”

Everyone persuaded each other, but Zhao Gou's heart was still like a knife, and he couldn't stop crying, and several important ministers glared at Qin Hui with hatred, what did this bastard do when he said these words?

At this time, Fan Zhixu asked coldly, "I don't know how Qin Zhongcheng came back?" ”

Qin Hui hurriedly told the story of his escape halfway, the civil official may not know very well, but Gao Shen has been in the army, he feels that there is a bit strange here, first of all, the north bank of the Yellow River is densely patrolled by the Jin soldiers, and the defense is tight, if Qin Hui can escape the Jin soldiers' patrol and is not controlled, then wouldn't the Song army scouts be able to break through the blockade more easily? Secondly, walking on the ice surface of the Yellow River, if there is no special cold protection, it will freeze to death, how did Qin Hui cross the ice surface of the Yellow River?

Gao Shen heard the flaw, so he asked, "Qin Zhongcheng, can you talk about it in detail, we want to know the details." ”

Qin Hui secretly complained in his heart, he knew that he was going to be exposed, at this time, Zhao Gou waved his hand, "Don't embarrass Qin Zhongcheng, he can bring back his father's edict, it is a great achievement, I believe that Qin Zhongcheng is concerned about the Great Song Dynasty, and he is never willing to die for Hu Lu!" ”

Qin Hui was grateful, and kowtowed with tears: "Your Majesty is wise, if the minister surrenders to the Jin Kingdom, he will not suffer so much, and his dignity will be trampled on." ”

Zhao Gou nodded and said to everyone: "Everyone Aiqing should step aside!" I want to talk to Qin Zhongcheng alone and learn about my father's situation. ”

Everyone saluted and retreated, and Zhao Gou carefully inquired about the situation of his father and brother, especially when he heard that his father was squatting in the corner and watching the ants fight, he couldn't help but burst into tears again.

"Qin Aiqing knows more about the situation in the Jin Kingdom, you might as well tell me, who are the Jin people most afraid of my Great Song Dynasty?"

Qin Hui thought for a while and said: "After listening to Yan Zongwang, Wei Chen said that the Jin people are most afraid of the three and a half people of the Great Song Dynasty, the first one is of course Your Majesty, Your Majesty will never compromise, and will lead the army and people of the world to resist Jin, so that the Great Song Dynasty has passed the most difficult moment, and the person who the Jin Kingdom is most afraid of is none other than Your Majesty." ”

Zhao Gou showed a knowing smile on his face, "It is my duty to defend the Great Song Society, but it is enough to make the Jin people afraid, and it is enough to make me happy, I don't know who the other two and a half people are?" ”

"The second is Li Taibao, the Jin soldiers have been defeated several times in the hands of Li Taibao, they hate Li Taibao from the bones, and they are also very afraid of him, the third is the Tao of the plant, the master is experienced, and the prestige in the army is very good, with him sitting in the Song Army, the Song Army is not disturbed, the Xianggong unfortunately died, the Jin people celebrate each other, and the other half is Du Chong."

"Du Chong?"

Zhao Gou was stunned, "How could it be him?" ”

"Wechen doesn't know very well, it was Wanyan Zongwang who personally said to Wechen, it should be Du Chong who has been an official in Hebei for many years, and his prestige in Hebei officialdom is very high, Jin Ren should be a little worried that Du Chong will affect Hebei officialdom and cause instability in the rear of Hebei, so Wanyan Zongwang is very afraid that he will appear on the front line."

"How can there be such a thing?" Zhao Gou was really puzzled.

"Wechen just said it casually, and I can't affect Your Majesty's decision-making, please don't take Wechen's words to heart."

"Of course I do!"

Zhao Gou smiled and nodded, "Qin Aiqing will go back to reunite with her family first, and then take care of her body, I will reuse it in the future." ”

Qin Hui was grateful, "Your Majesty is gracious, and Weichen is grateful!" ”

Qin Hui said goodbye and left, Zhao Gou paced back and forth in the room with his hands, he was still thinking about Du Chong, Zhao Gou knew that Qin Hui was right, Du Chong was indeed very well-connected in Hebei officialdom, and he appointed Du Chong as the pacification envoy of Kaifeng Mansion Yin and Jingxi Road, which was to take a fancy to Du Chong's influence in Hebei, but Du Chong and Zong Ze had a deep contradiction, and he transferred him back to Lin'an in order not to affect the overall situation of the anti-Jin.

Now it seems that it is not wise to transfer Du Chong back, Zong Ze is in charge of the military well, but politically weak, if Zong Ze and Du Chong can perform their duties and cooperate tacitly, they can really hit the Jin people militarily and politically.

This requires you to draw a clear line of power between the two people, so that the two do not interfere with each other, so that the two will not have conflicts again.

In fact, there is another important reason why Zhao Gou wants to transfer Du Chong out of Lin'an, that is, the dispute between the left minister, Zhao Gou has already thought about making Lu Yihao the left minister, and Fan Zongyin entering the Zhizheng Hall as the deputy minister, which is the best plan that Zhao Gou thinks.

But the problem is that Fan Zongyin is only thirty years old, and Xuanhe has only been a jinshi for three years, and his qualifications are too shallow, so others have not raised this question, but Du Chong just grasped this point and made Zhao Gou very passive, if Du Chong was transferred away, it would clear the way for Fan Zongyin to enter the phase.

After pondering for a long time, Zhao Gou decided to have a good talk with Du Chong, even if he was not transferred back to Kaifeng Mansion, but he also had to transfer Du Chong out of Lin'an, of course Zhao Gou knew what this meant, which meant that Du Chong was the first to go out in the battle for the left minister.