In the Chongzheng Palace, Gonggong Feng took out a small copper kettle with a thick handkerchief wrapped in a thick handkerchief in the copper incense burner, added a few pieces of sandalwood to the furnace, and covered the incense burner lid. Only then did he carry the copper kettle and pour a cup of warm water into the purple sand cup.

Zhao Zhen took the water cup and said, "In the future, this incense burner will also be removed." I shouldn't have to go through so much trouble to drink some water. ”

Gonggong Feng's shrill voice floated by, "Master, this water is taken from Baotu Spring, and with this immortal furnace refining, drinking it can make the master live longer......"

Zhao Zhen smiled: "Could it be that if I drink this water, can I not die?" ”

Gonggong Feng immediately knelt down and bowed to the ground, "My emperor is blessed with the sky, shining with the stars and the moon, long live, long live......"

"Okay, okay, don't talk about the empty ones." Zhao Zhen said, "There is no one in the world who can not die, not even me. The key to my longevity depends on whether the heavens are satisfied with my rule. What kind of water is from Baotu Spring, don't send 800 li to send it over, it's a waste of manpower and material resources. ”

Gonggong Feng immediately knelt down and said, "Shengming is no better than the master. The master, Tongping Zhangshi Yan Shu, the privy envoy Pang Ji, the secretary of the Ministry of Shangshu Chen Zhizhong, and the three envoys Yao Zhongsun asked to see. ”

Song Renzong looked at the moonlight outside the window, and said a little tiredly: "These virtuous ministers, they really don't let me be at peace for a moment. What is it? ”

Gonggong Feng raised his head and said, "It seems to be a matter assigned by Jinshi." ”

Song Renzong was a little impatient, "Such a trivial matter, do you need these ministers to come to the court in the starry night?" ”

Gonggong Feng said, "Master, these ministers said that this matter is very urgent, and the list will be released tomorrow." They hesitated, hoping for an explanation. ”

"Then let them in."

In the Chongzheng Palace, Song Renzong listened to the report of Chen Zhizhong, the secretary of the ministry, and said with a smile: "That Wang Anshi and Liu Ming are also ambitious, and they are not willing to enter the Hanlin to use their pens, but they want to go out for exercise." ”

Chen Zhizhong bowed and said, "Your Majesty, this time the two Jinshi asked for release at the same time. The minister felt that the matter was very important, and invited several ministers to come and negotiate together. ”

Zhao Zhen said playfully on the dragon chair: "The two Jinshi have attracted the attention of so many first-class masters, it's not simple." ”

Under the dragon chair, Yan Shu, Pang Ji and Yao Zhongsun all turned pale when they heard this.

"You officials and high-ranking officials are actually undecided about the future of the two jinshi." Zhao Zhen raised his head and said, "I thought this matter was quite strange. Come, Yao Aiqing, you talk about it first. ”

The third envoy Yao Zhongsun hesitated, he secretly glanced at Pang Ji, then looked at Yan Shu, and hesitated: "Your Majesty, Weichen is in charge of this iron money and grain, and he is quite unfamiliar with the distribution of Jinshi. Cough...... Weichen believes that the distribution of Jinshi is responsible for the two provinces under the Zhongshu Gate, and it is better for Prime Minister Yan to discuss first. ”

Zhao Zhen thought to himself, this person in charge of money is really an old slippery head. He smiled slightly, didn't break it, and pointed at Yan Shu and said, "Yan Xiang, you can talk about it." ”

Yan Shu was short, thin and thin, with a clear appearance, and took a step forward and said, "Your Majesty." Weichen read Wang Anshi and Liu Ming's articles. In Weichen's humble opinion, although Wang Anshi's article is radical and lacks practical experience, it can be observed that this Jinshi has a proud backbone. In time, they will become the pillars of a generation. Liu Ming's article is stable and witty, and it can dig out some new ideas, but it is also inseparable. ”

After listening to it, Song Renzong waved his hand: "Wang Anshi's article, there is no need to talk about it. The cruelty of being an official and a politician is something that these young scholars still don't understand. Young people, there are more people who are anxious for quick success. I always want to be able to get past you old ministers and make an earth-shattering achievement. If the development is not good, it will bring disaster to the country and the people......"

"Your Majesty......" Yan Shu wanted to say something, but swallowed back the words under Song Renzong's gaze.

"Of course...... In this palace examination, there are still talents. Song Renzong said in a soothing tone, "That Liu Ming, I can polish it when I look at it." ”

Yan Shu loves talents very much, and seeing that Wang Anshi still has no play, he has to protect this Fan Zhongyan's protégé Liu Ming. He raised his head and said aloud, "Your Majesty Shengming." This Liu Ming is a person who connects the three elements, which is extremely rare since the founding of the Great Song Dynasty. In my opinion, his request for release this time shows his pragmatic attitude. Weichen had the courage to ask him to be granted the post of governor of Xuanzhou on Jiangnan East Road. ”

"Oh......" Zhao Zhen responded, "you think so?" ”

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Zhao Zhen turned his head to look at Pang Ji, and said in a harmonious voice, "What is Pang Guogong's attitude?" ”

Pang Ji shook the Golden Palace: "Your Majesty, Weichen thinks that this matter is very impossible. ”

This Pang nationality was originally a soldier for a lifetime, and the general was born, and his words were sonorous and powerful, and he was extremely majestic, which frightened the palace maid beside Zhao Zhen so much that his face changed.

Zhao Zhen smiled bitterly, "Guogong, if you can't, you can't." Speak softly, this is not a battlefield. ”

"Yes, Your Majesty." Pang Ji glanced at Yan Shu and said, "Although Weichen has never entered Hanlin, he is also a Jinshi and a first. In this northern battlefield, the horse fights for a lifetime. In the army, if you want to be a general, you can't do it overnight, you must start as a soldier. This Liu Ming, who had just entered the rank and ranked, was awarded the Wupin Zhizhou, which was really inappropriate. ”

Yan Shu sneered at each other: "Pang Guogong, this Liu Ming is a person who connects the three elements and is an example for scholars in the world. At the beginning of the founding of the country, Emperor Taizu Taizong wanted to replace the gate lord clan of the old Tang Dynasty with the imperial examination. Emperor Zhenzong spared no effort to recruit talents from all over the world to join our court with "Yan Ruyu in the book and a golden house in the book". Now, Liu Minglian is in the middle of the three yuan, which is an auspicious omen. It is also reasonable for His Majesty to give special awards. ”

Pang Ji smiled coldly and said, "Even if you are in the middle of the three yuan, you must follow the Song law." Song Law has an order, if the Jinshi is released, Qipin Zhixian has become the highest position. Does Lord Yan want to make his own decisions? ”

Seeing that Pang Ji and Yan Shu were fighting so hard, Chen Zhizhong and Yao Zhongsun on the side glanced at each other, and both of them understood, what kind of argument is this for the distribution of Jinshi? This is clearly a struggle between the Pang Party and the Fan Party.

And Zhao Zhen on the dragon chair did not have the slightest intention of persuading, but watched the two quarrel happily.

And under the dragon chair, Yan Shu also showed no weakness and said: "There is a way to reduce talents without sticking to one pattern." Weiqing of the Western Han Dynasty, originally a cavalry slave, was promoted by Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty to be the general of the whole army, repelled the Xiongnu, and made great contributions. ”

Pang Ji snorted lightly, "Then Liu Ming, is it Wei Qing?" Is it Huo Qu's disease? ”

Yan Shu's diminutive stature stood up, "Yes or no, it will take time to prove." But at the moment, Lianzhong Sanyuan is the best example. ”

After the two finished speaking, their faces were extremely stiff, and each of them stopped speaking.

"Chen Aiqing, as the secretary of the Ministry of Rites, you are in charge of the affairs of the Shangshu Mansion. What do you think? Zhao Zhen's eyes lit up.

Chen Zhixin shook in the center, thinking that I just couldn't pay attention, so I dragged Pang Guogong and Yan Xiang off the horse. The Holy One doesn't express his opinion, how do I know what to say? He leaned forward and said, "This ...... This, Weichen believes that Yan is related to the eclectic reduction of talents, which is reasonable...... Pang Guogong is not wrong in order to maintain the discipline of the imperial court. The essential...... It is still up to His Majesty to decide. ”

Song Renzong pointed at Chen Zhizhong with his finger: "I said that you Chen Zhizhong has been a secretary of the ministry for so many years, standing in the wind and rain, it turns out that this slippery head has the ability." ”

Chen Zhizhong knelt down and said: "The talent of the minister's rotten wood will not be abandoned by the emperor, and he will be awarded the post of secretary of the ministry......"

Zhao Zhen adjusted the sitting posture on the dragon chair, looked at Yan Shu and Pang Ji, closed his eyes and said, "Liu Ming is connected to the three yuan, this is indeed good." However, as Pang Guogong said, the imperial court has its own discipline and law, and a jinshi has just arrived at the local government as an official, and he has become a five-grade governor, so what will the other magistrates and governors who have been doing it for so many years think? In this way, since he is willing, give him a Qipinzhi County to do, and transfer him to Beizhou, Hebei West Road. ”

Yan Shu said with a hesitant face: "Your Majesty, this Beizhou is facing the border of Liao, and it is turbulent......"

"Afraid that he will suffer?" Zhao Zhen responded, "A person who is in the middle of the three elements, if he can't survive in the border area and doesn't experience some wind and rain, how can he be up to the task?" The congenital worries are worried, and the world is happy and happy. To hone such a majestic strategy, one must first go through hardships and suffering. ”

Yan Shu guessed that this was Zhao Zhen's intention to sharpen the champion, he knew that this was the final decision at this moment, and said, "Your Majesty Shengming, Weichen understands." ”

"Alright." Zhao Zhen supported his forehead with his hand and said, "Today's matter, that's it." ”

Yan Shu Chen Zhi and the others immediately said in unison, "Weichen retreats." ”

"By the way, Pang Guogong, you can stay for a while." Zhao Zhen said with his eyes slightly closed.

Waiting for everyone to retreat, Zhao Zhen said, "Bring a chair to Pang Guogong." ”

The two eunuchs next to him immediately brought a mahogany chair and placed a layer of fluffy cushions, inviting Pang Ji to sit down.

"Thank you, Your Majesty." Pang Ji lifted his placket and sat down slowly.

"How is Guogong doing lately?" Zhao Zhen asked.

"It's a piece of rotten wood, and my waist and legs are not very sensitive, so it's useless." Pang Ji pounded his waist.

"Pay attention to your body, I can hand over the whole country to you." Zhao Zhen said meaningfully.

Pang Ji immediately stood up, bowed down and said, "Under the whole world, it is not the king's land. On the shore of the land, it is not the king's minister. The old minister is only in charge of the affairs of the court in place of His Majesty...... Don't dare to think about it in the slightest......"

Zhao Zhen waved his hand, "Guogong doesn't have to be humble. He changed the subject and said, "I heard that the public is full of people, and visitors come to the door every day. It seems that even the capital envoys of that place are difficult to see the side of the prince......"

Pang Ji's face moved slightly, and he responded: "Your Majesty...... The minister is in charge of the Privy Council, and important military affairs, large and small, need to be interrogated by the minister. The old minister went back to tell his family that the visitor should come directly to the Privy Council to discuss something, so as not to affect the bad ......"

"Hey...... It doesn't have to be. Zhao Zhen said magnanimously, "Guogong is old, and the energy of the Privy Council is inevitably exhausted, so it is better to talk in the house." This is also what the queen strongly advocates. ”

Pang Ji bowed slightly on the chair: "Old minister, thank Your Majesty for your kindness, and thank Empress for your understanding." ”

The Chongzheng Hall was immersed in a piece of moonlight at this time, and the two eunuchs bowed down and waited in front of the steps in front of the hall. Renzong and Pang Ji, the most powerful courtiers of the Song Dynasty, sat opposite each other.

"I just said that you have 3,000 customers, and even the envoys may not be able to see you. I'm just curious, why does this small Jinshi assignment also need to bother your Guogong? Zhao Zhen smiled unintentionally.

Pang Ji paused for a moment and said: "This batch of Jinshi is to replenish fresh blood for the court, and the minister thinks ...... It does matter. ”

Zhao Zhen smiled noncommittally, and said half-jokingly: "However, Guogong doesn't seem to agree with Yan Xiang's proposal, and insists on not letting Fan Zhongyan's student become the governor." ”

Pang Jiwu stood up again and said, "Your Majesty, the old minister has no such intentions. Lao Chen believes that if Liu Ming is really a talent as Yan Shu said, then he must be sent to a difficult area for training first. The ancients suffered their minds and starved their bodies. If he is really a pillar of the country, this situation will help him. ”

Yuehua appeared, and the silver moonlight poured onto Zhao Zhen's face through the window lattice of Chongzhen Palace, he tapped his fingers and said thoughtfully, "Guogong's words are also very reasonable. Let's see if that Liu Ming can be up to the task. ”