Morning.

Since Zhao Xu announced his illness, the courtiers naturally understood a lot, and if he didn't come to the court or was late, everyone could understand it. However, today's Zhao Xu is very punctual every day, courteous in asking about politics, and never procrastinating in handling things. This is a strong contrast compared to the first few years of his pro-government.

Under the leadership of the emperor, the enthusiasm of the courtiers was also mobilized, and everyone also changed their previous lazy style, and they were dressed neatly one by one.

Zhao Xu came to the court early, and looked at the trembling ministers below, his face was as cold as ice. After coughing a few times, he suddenly said: Rank Aiqing, I have been thinking about a question for the past few days!

The entire Wende Hall was unusually quiet. The ministers all listened to Zhao Xu's words with bated breath, for fear of missing a word, because every word of what Zhao Xu said now was likely to be related to the prince. Everyone hopes that they can get a glimpse of the heavens as soon as possible, so that they can support the next prince according to Zhao Xu's wishes, so that they can not only get Zhao Xu's appreciation, but also sit on the dragon's merits, which can be described as killing two birds with one stone.

The question is whether loyalty and righteousness can be both. If you can't have both, which aspect do you have to worry about first! All of you Aiqing are all erudite and Confucian scholars, and their attainments in Confucianism are profound, how do you view this issue?

The ministers looked at each other, and the emperor didn't talk about business in the early days, but talked about these principles of doing things, which was really a bit confusing. Although everyone has thought about the question raised by Zhao Xu and has an answer in their own minds, everyone does not dare to answer rashly, lest their answers not match Zhao Xu's mind and cause unnecessary trouble.

Zhao Xu looked around, and saw that no one in the entire hall got up to answer, so he smiled and said: All of you Aiqingqi have chosen to be silent, why is this. Is it difficult to answer my words? In that case, I will answer by any person! He pointed to Zhang Dun, who was at the forefront of the Eastern Class, and said: The prime minister is a civil official, so you should give everyone a head first!

Zhang Dian had no choice but to come out and say: Since Your Majesty has a will, then Weichen will throw bricks and lead jade. The minister felt that since the word loyalty was placed in front of the word righteousness, it should naturally be loyal first. If it is difficult to achieve both loyalty and righteousness, it is natural that we should abandon righteousness and retain loyalty.

In fact, if Zhao Xu ordered other people, the result should be similar to this. After all, it is in front of the royal driver, and there are so many colleagues around him, even if some people feel that righteousness is more important than loyalty, they can't say that. Otherwise, where would you have placed the emperor? The reason why people are reluctant to answer this question is that they just think that the question seems too simple, too simple to be true, as if there is a deeper conspiracy hidden in it.

Everyone heard the simplest and most natural answer from Zhang's mouth, and they were all amazed. Although Zhang Xuan is the emperor's confidant, otherwise he can't live alone for so many years, Zhao Xu has a lot of things, which are discussed with him in private before being brought to the court, or simply said it directly through Zhang Dan's mouth. Therefore, everyone hopes to hear some clues from Zhang's mouth, but what Zhangdun said is the most common words, which makes everyone quite surprised.

Zhao Xu nodded noncommittally, and then turned to the crowd: What do you think about this?

A thoughtful look flashed in Xu Jiang's eyes. He knew very well about Zhao Xu's situation these days, and even what Zhao Xu wanted to do at this time was very clear.

At that moment, he stood up and said: Your Majesty, above the court, everything you talk about is loyalty to the court, to the community, and to Your Majesty. Since ancient times, all those who give handouts have often had bad intentions. All the outlaws who dared to rebel and usurp, rob homes and houses, kill people and set fires, all relied on this one righteous word. Therefore, instead of being widely promoted, the so-called righteousness should be appropriately suppressed, and it is even more incomparable to compare it with the word loyalty.

Zhao Xu nodded slightly, but did not answer.

Zhao Tingzhi in the back saw Xu Jiang speak, and remembered that Xu Jiang was his competitor, and what Xu Jiang said, Zhao Tingzhi's first head was to oppose. At that moment, he stood up, held the wat board high, and said: Your Majesty, it is difficult for the minister to agree with what the official department said.

Zhao Xu was interested, his eyebrows rose slightly, and said, "Oh, Zhao Aiqing can congratulate Gaojian?"

Zhao Tingzhi said proudly: I don't dare to see it, but the minister has a little shallow opinion. Your Majesty, righteousness is an important bond that binds people together. If there is no righteousness in the world, there will be no loyalty. Because in the end, loyalty is also an important righteousness, but loyalty is righteousness to the court and society, to Your Majesty, and to the people of the world. Just as if a room is not swept, how can the world be swept away, if a person can't even do righteousness, then how can he talk about loyalty?

Zhao Ting said on his face, glancing at General Xu from time to time with the afterglow of his eyes. His voice was impassioned, and it made people feel like he was teaching the world in Lunyin at the highest peak of moral ethics.

To Zhao Tingzhi's disappointment, Xu Jiang didn't react to his generous statement, don't say it to refute it, even if he didn't react at all, it was as if he hadn't heard it.

However, Zhao Xu nodded again and again when he heard it, and suddenly said: Aiqing is righteous and awe-inspiring, and I am very relieved. However, I have a question for me. He paused and continued: "Suppose, do I mean that if a friend of Aiqing's commits a mortal crime and he comes to protect you, do you hide him and prevent the government from showing up, or do you personally tie him up and hand him over to the government to bring him to justice?"

Zhao Tingzhi was stunned, and said loudly: After thinking about this, he still decided to bet on it, and said: The minister thinks that this friend should be handed over to the official government, as the minister said, loyalty is the righteousness.

Zhao Xu nodded, and said: "But what if this criminal is not your friend, but your brother, or even your parents?"

The cold sweat on Zhao Tingzhi's head was about to burst out, and he snorted: Your Majesty, the minister's family members are all law-abiding people, and they will definitely not do anything that violates the law and discipline, let alone commit heinous crimes

Zhao Xu stretched out his hand to stop him with some displeasure, and said: How did Aiqing forget what I just said, what I said was if, if so, what should Aiqing do?

Zhao Tingzhi is really in a dilemma about this issue. If he chooses loyalty, others may say that he ignores righteousness and exterminates human nature; if he chooses righteousness, Zhao Xu will say that he has two ambitions and does not reuse himself. It's so difficult.

In the end, he could only grit his teeth and say: Your Majesty, this kind of thing has never been experienced by the minister, let alone imagined, it is really difficult to answer, please forgive me, Your Majesty! Although he knew that this answer would make Zhao Xu uncomfortable, he was even more unwilling to choose the wrong one, which made Zhao Xu despised.

Zhao Xu didn't criticize him, just turned his head and asked General Xu again: What does Xu Aiqing think?

General Xu said very simply: The law is ruthless, if a minister's brother or friend commits an unforgivable sin, the minister would rather take the infamy of betraying his friend for glory, but also personally tie him to the yamen, and then teach his children with all his heart to prevent them from repeating the mistakes of the past.

If the courtier's father sits down in such a thing, the courtier is willing to share the blame with him, but he will never help him hide his sin!

Zhao Xu looked at General Xu deeply. Xu Jiang's eyes were calm, and there was no hint of uneasiness. Zhao Xu didn't say anything more, and asked the same question to Zhang Dan.

Zhang Dian thought for a moment and said: What the official said in the book, the minister quite agreed.

Zhao Xu seemed to breathe a sigh of relief, withdrew his gaze, and said to the ministers: Do you know why I suddenly asked such a strange question? He suddenly stood up and said sharply: Because I have encountered such a question now. I am also a human being, and there are times when I am confused, so I have to ask you for advice. Among the three Aiqing who said it, the attitude of the two of them is very clear, that is, they must put the word loyalty first, and no matter who is trying to do wrong, they must be brought to justice. This makes me feel very ashamed! I once thought of giving extrajudicial favors and erasing this matter, but now it seems that it will not work!

The ministers became more and more frightened when they heard this, and when they heard the meaning of Zhao Xu's words, it seemed that someone in the royal family was plotting against him and wanted to usurp Zhao Xu's throne. This kind of royal family battle for succession often causes many people to die, how can everyone not be shocked.

Zhang Dian hurriedly asked: I don't know who this person with bad intentions that His Majesty said, but who is it?

Zhao Xu took out a letter from his arms and handed it to the palace official, saying: Aiqing take a look for herself!

The palace official hurriedly handed the letter to Zhang Dian's hand. When Zhang Dian saw it, his face changed greatly, he never expected that this was actually evidence of King Jian's rebellion. He hurriedly knelt down and said: Your Majesty, a mere letter is not enough to prove the facts, maybe someone framed it, please Your Majesty to investigate!

Zhang Dian didn't particularly like Zhao. It's just that Zhao seems to go. Among the remaining royal brothers, Shenwang Zhao Ji is highly short-sighted, and it is a problem for him to walk, and it is impossible to succeed to the throne. Especially the Queen Mother also likes Duanwang very much, which is no secret.

And Zhang Dun, but very optimistic about Zhao Ji, he felt that this person was too frivolous, working in articles and poems, but he did not have the ability to govern the world, and he must not be allowed to become the emperor, otherwise the century-old society of the Great Song Dynasty would be destroyed in his hands. This is the reason why although he is not very optimistic about Zhao, he strongly supports him.