Funing Hall

After Xunxiu, when he went to court, Zhao Cong appointed Zhao Cong as a minister of speech in front of everyone.

Although Ci ministers are all Jinshi, it is an enviable official position. After all, it is elegant, has a high salary, and often meets with His Majesty, and it is even more beautiful when it is said.Everyone respects it, and is even more proud of getting the pen and ink of the Cichen.But when a person like Zhao Shiqi is a Ci minister, everyone doesn't think so.

Zhao Shiqi is a son of the clan, so he is not short of envoys and has a high status, not to mention that he is His Majesty's most beloved nephew, and he doesn't need to rely on this official position to see His Majesty. He originally wanted to see him whenever he wanted.Even though he did not have the status of Jinshi, people were not only not jealous, but rather surprised that His Majesty ordered him to be a minister.They all thought that His Majesty wanted him to take an important position, but it turned out to be such a flashy position in the end.

It can be said that such a position is of no use to Zhao Shiqi.

Zhao Shiqi accepted the appointment happily and thanked him.He thanked him, and raised his head and smiled at Zhao Cong in an irregular manner.

She showed her small white teeth when she smiled, she was really good-looking, festive and cute.

At this moment, it was really like when he was only 11 years old.

Zhao Cong pinched his hands secretly, so that he in the high seat didn't laugh and kept his majesty.

Zhao Shiqi was appointed as an official in this way, and when he went to Huiwenguan the next day, Shangfeng did not make things difficult for him, and sent him an errand, which was not difficult at all, and ordered him to revise history books along with him.Because he often had to look up materials in the palace, the Zangshu Pavilion was very close to Funing Hall, so he simply lived in Funing Hall again.

He went to talk to Zhao Cong.

Zhao Cong was a little dazed, he didn't want to stay no matter what, saying he was afraid of gossip, now he's back?Are you not afraid now?

Zhao Shiqi said solemnly: "Your Majesty, it's the first time for me to run an errand seriously. I really want to get it done. Let me live in the palace for a few days. After a few days, I'm familiar with it. I'll live at home again." .”

Zhao Cong really thought that was his idea, and nodded in response. He also wanted to see Xiao Shiyi more.

This time, Zhao Cong was not as panicked as before. He felt that the two of them got along very comfortably.He has no sense of guilt, Zhao Shiqi is serious in his work, and he can't eat three meals a day, but he can always eat together.Zhao Shiqi occasionally asked him for advice humbly, and sometimes talked to make him laugh, all of which made him very useful.

In a daze, it seemed to go back to five years ago, Xiao Shiyi hadn't left yet, and he was still pretending to be stupid with everyone.

He actually misses and enjoys it very much.

While he was using it, he didn't know how much restraint Zhao Shiqi had made to maintain such a good distance.

In short, these days, Zhao Cong lived very comfortably.

Only waiting for the next ten-day break, he and Zhao Shiqi went to Luoyang to see flowers.

Just when he was comfortable, there was finally movement in the court.

Because the follow-up matters of the Huainan Salt Register have been almost handled, Lin Bai and Du Yu have no actual evidence of embezzling money or framing officials, so they cannot be convicted.

It's just that although it is impossible to convict, there must be punishment. The things that happened in Yancheng County and Yangzhou were all due to the negligence of Lin Bai, the transshipment envoy.Zhao Cong demoted Lin Bai to Rongshui County, Rongzhou, Guangnan West Road, as the county magistrate. Although Rongshui County is remote, it is also the seat of Rongzhou. Zhao Cong still has some expectations for Lin Bai.

As for Du Yu and Zhao Congzheng, they only fined him half a year's salary.

Everyone was convinced by Lin Bai's punishment, but some people were not convinced by Du Yu's fine and salary.

The first person to stand up was a censor named Du Cheng.

That's right, this Du Yushi was the same Du Yushi who was satirized by Zhao Cong back then, and was instructed by Empress Dowager Sun to frame Marquis Wu'an and accuse him of many crimes.

This Du Yushi is also Du Yu's nephew!dear nephew!

After Zhao Cong came to power, Du Yu kept his position as prime minister and his position as censor.Now at court, Du Yu almost couldn't hold the wat board firmly in his hand when he was suddenly intervened by his nephew.

Zhao Cong laughed in his heart, it was really interesting.

He lifted his chin and said with a smile, "Du Yushi said."

Du Cheng put on a righteous look, and listed eight crimes against his uncle just like the previous crimes against Marquis Wu'an.At the end, he excitedly shouted: "Your Majesty! Although Du Yu is the uncle of the official, even though he is connected with the official by blood, the official cannot ignore such dirty things for his own self-interest! Your Majesty! As the official said, Every word is true, Du Yu is the prime minister, but he does not act rightly. How can he lead hundreds of officials? How can he face Tianyan alone? Your Majesty, the ministers are not convinced! The ministers are officials, and they are for the people. Dissatisfied!"

The civil servants of the Song Dynasty were all eloquent and eloquent. After Zhao Cong came to power, he became much better. After all, Zhao Cong was strong.When the late emperor was still there, the civil servants were able to quarrel directly at the court, and the late emperor was still happy, and ordered the historian to write it down quickly, and he was proud of it.

Although Zhao Cong did not object to officials raising opinions, it would be ridiculous to raise them for the sake of raising them.Now Zhao Cong has changed the law, and civil servants can be killed.But you can't kill civil servants just because of this kind of thing, Du Cheng has the guts.Naturally, there were many people in the court who hated Du Yu. After hearing Du Cheng's words, less than half of them raised their wat boards to vote.

Zhao Cong also really admired that Du Cheng's eloquence was not worse than before, and his voice was even louder. He even used Du Yu's family to participate in the arrears of repair funds for the house.

But now, kneeling down on the ground, he really couldn't handle it.

He looked at Du Yu again, and asked softly, "Du Qing, do you have something to say?"

Du Yu is also a proud person, he will never admit to things he has not done.But he has no son, this nephew has lived in his home since he was a child, and he has always treated his nephew as his own son, but today he betrayed him, and his heart is cold.He knelt down, kowtowed politely, and said calmly: "Your Majesty, I have been an official for many years, and I dare not speak falsely. I can only say that I am worthy of Your Majesty, and even more worthy of the common people. I can stand up to Your Majesty's scrutiny!"

Du Cheng immediately shouted again: "Your Majesty's words are also the truth, Your Majesty is aware!"

But everyone wants him to see clearly.

Zhao Cong looked at the money merchant and other prime ministers again, and he thought, who is it?

No matter who it is, Du Yu is the prime minister.

But Zhao Cong didn't want him to be the prime minister at first, he had already thought out a place for Du Yu, and now he was going with the flow, he only said that Du Yu should rest at home temporarily.He planned to tell Du Yu's real whereabouts in a few days.If he speaks too simply, others can see that he has already made up his mind.

He needs the loyalty and obedience of the ministers, but he doesn't want their full jealousy, and he needs their frankness even more.

But only resting at home, Du Cheng was obviously dissatisfied, so he had to say more.

Zhao Cong smiled and said: "In addition, Du Cheng's black hat will be taken off, his reputation will be revoked, he will be expelled from Beijing, he will never be able to return to Tokyo, and the entire Du family will not be able to help him."

"..." Du Cheng was puzzled and looked up at him blankly.

Zhao Cong didn't explain.

Such a person, anyone can use it as a knife, and his uncle treated him like that, and he betrayed him as soon as he said it. It's really disgusting.When Du Cheng and Empress Dowager Sun framed Marquis Wu An, Zhao Cong hated him. If Du Yu hadn't tried his best to protect him, would he still have the ability to frame his uncle?

Zhao Cong had already forgotten who he was, but luckily he jumped out again.

After Zhao Cong finished speaking, he turned around and left.

Fulu shouted "Sanchao".

After His Majesty left, all the officials in the Chui Gong Palace were in various moods, but almost everyone avoided Du Yu.Qian Shang sighed and stepped forward to help Du Yu up, Du Yu smiled wryly.

Qian Shang wanted to persuade him a few more words, but Fu Lu came over and said respectfully, "Qian Xianggong, Your Majesty has called you to the Chongzheng Hall."

"Yes." Qian Shang patted Du Yu's shoulder again, "In a few days, I will go to your residence to have wine with you."

Du Yu smiled wryly and shook his head: "You go to His Majesty's place."

After a few words of persuasion, Qian Shang turned around and left with Fu Lu.

Fu Lu also sighed in his heart, the left minister and the right minister can get along so well, only their majesty can do it, but it's a pity that the left minister is not up to date.

Once Qian Shang and Fu Lu left, no one paid any attention to Du Yu.

Du Cheng knelt on the ground stupidly, and suddenly came back to his senses, thinking that he had nothing left, but his uncle just suspended his job and rested at home. His Majesty obviously believed in his uncle, not at all what those people said. His Majesty has long been dissatisfied with his uncle. !He knew he was being used as a knife!He immediately rushed over and hugged Du Yu's thigh, crying: "Uncle Daddy, my nephew didn't mean it, it's really—"

But Zheng Qiao came from the side and sighed: "Lord Du!" He interrupted Du Cheng.

Du Yu didn't care, he still smiled wryly: "Brother Zheng, stay away from me." He cupped his hands and left alone.

Zheng Qiao put on a worried face, until Du Yu walked away, he lowered his head inadvertently, and gave Du Cheng a threatening look.Du Cheng panicked and immediately lowered his head.

Zheng Qiao was unhappy.He was the right minister when the former Empress Dowager Sun was in charge of the government. After His Majesty took charge, he became the deputy prime minister.

He refused to accept it, he and Du Yu worked together for the Empress Dowager Sun, why was he demoted, but Du Yu was still the prime minister? !He has held back his breath for five years, and today he finally paid half of it!Originally, the matter of becoming a salt register could drag Du Yu into the water. It took more than a year of hard preparation, and he gained people's support. His Majesty finally ordered a test in Chuzhou, and everything was considered. In the end, the person who killed Yang Yuan made a mistake. , actually took the initiative to take the crime!

He hates it!

His Majesty fined Du Yu half a year's salary without pain, what's the use?

Fortunately, there is Du Cheng, a silly boy.

When he left the palace and returned to the mansion, several people in the study immediately stood up and said with a smile: "Congratulations to Mr. Zheng in advance!"

Zheng Qiao smiled: "Where, it's still early."

"No matter how hard it is for Du Yu to turn around this time, even if His Majesty favors him, so many people will see him as his own nephew. You!"

Although Zheng Qiao said it modestly, he really thought so in his heart.Regardless of seniority or age, if Du Yu goes down, the left side will naturally only be him!He has been waiting for five years!

He laughed heartily, and said to those few people: "Thank you, master, for your help."

The leaders of those people quickly complimented: "Where is it, our lord has always admired Mr. Zheng, and we will have to rely on Mr. Zheng to promote him in the future."

Zheng Qiao laughed loudly: "It's easy to say! As long as I, Zheng Qiao, will have one day in the future, your master will have no worries on the road to becoming an official! I will take care of you wholeheartedly!"

Several people expressed their thanks again.

Zheng Qiao proudly put his hands behind his back, gradually suppressed his smile, and said again: "Du Yu's nephew has been expelled from the capital by His Majesty, just in time..."

"Don't worry, my lord, this person won't live for three days, as soon as he leaves Tokyo—"

Zheng Qiao felt relieved with his last breath, and smiled triumphantly again.

Inside the Chongzheng Hall, Qian Shang thought that His Majesty wanted to discuss Du Yu's matter with him.

As soon as he raised his head, Zhao Cong waved his hand and said, "Sit down, Qian Qing, I know about Du Yu's matter, and what I want to talk about right now is another matter."

Qian Shang saluted and sat down, pretending to be listening attentively.

"Mingyi also knows that now Xixia and Liao's royal family are fighting each other."

"Exactly, His Majesty wants to intervene?"

He is Zhao Cong's half-father-in-law, and he is also a smart person, talking to him is very pleasant.Zhao Cong nodded: "What's your opinion?"

"Your Majesty, Xixia is not something to be afraid of. After the internal strife, it is even more disorganized. On the contrary, it is the Liao Kingdom...Does Your Majesty remember the Jurchen that I mentioned at the beginning?"

Zhao Cong naturally remembered, but he had an idea, and he didn't want to make it public for the time being. He couldn't trust everyone 100%.The money merchant has no dissatisfaction?Qian Shang's daughter is Qian Yuemo. He treats Qian Yuemo's family well, but he is not a fool. All the men in the Qian family have good jobs, so he naturally has to be careful.Qian Yuemo has never had a child, is he in a hurry?

Zhao Cong didn't want to be a suspicious emperor either, but he had to be careful about some things.

He didn't show it on his face, but said: "Of course I remember, it's just that five years have passed, Jurchen is not even as good as Xixia, and it is not a threat at all. If you help the Liao Kingdom fight it, isn't it helping the Liao Kingdom to remove all obstacles? What's more, Most of the horses in the Song Dynasty now come from Xixia, and the Liao Kingdom is not as important as it used to be in the Song Dynasty."

Qian Shang cupped his hands: "Yes. Five years ago, I never thought that I would be able to have today. Thanks to Your Majesty's intelligence, I was able to negotiate this deal with Xixia."

Zhao Cong just smiled, he knew that many people were wondering how he was able to negotiate such a deal.

It's actually very simple, Xiao Tang didn't eat wine in Wang Wuzheng's shop for nothing.Because Li Liang promised to meet him at that restaurant back then, he found it boring, so Xiao Tang stared at him for two full years.Later, he really caught sight of the Xixia envoy who came to the Great Song Dynasty on a business trip. Zhao Zongning immediately led someone to arrest him and would not let him go back to the country.

The Xixia envoy, dressed as a Han, was sneaky and had another token of Li Liangcheng on his body.

As long as Da Song handed him over to Xixia, would Li Liangcheng still be alive?

Li Liangcheng's elder brother could swallow him alive.

The Xixia envoy could only admit defeat, and went back and talked about the treaty of the Great Song Emperor. The eldest prince who was vying for the throne was not a capable master at first, so he signed it in a daze.

By the time you regret it, it's too late.

And the eldest prince only stared at the throne later, guarding against his younger brother, and didn't care about these anymore.By mistake, Zhao Cong negotiated the deal with Xixia.

It was also this matter that made Li Liangcheng admire him even more, and always wanted to get in touch with him, but he was too lazy to answer.

Zhao Cong didn't feel honored, so he didn't tell anyone about it.

He didn't say anything, and Qian Shang didn't ask. He thought carefully and said solemnly: "If your majesty is inquiring about the Western Xia affairs, which prince does your majesty support? If you are inquiring about the Liao Kingdom, does your majesty support the queen mother, the three-year-old emperor, or the prince?" Other princes?"

"How do you feel?"

"Each has its pros and cons. But according to Chen, I'm afraid it's right to support the Liao Kingdom. The Queen Mother, after all, is just the Queen Mother." Qian Shang said, looking up at him.

Zhao Cong knew what he meant, just like their Great Song Dynasty, the queen mother has always been dishonest, and the queen mother of Liao Kingdom will be kicked out one day.

"Your Majesty, if you support the prince of the Liao Kingdom, they will all be grateful to you in the future. Taking this opportunity, we can also sign a treaty beneficial to Song Dynasty."

"If it is Xixia?" Zhao Cong asked again.

"Your Majesty, Xixia is not in a good place. Even if we support them, how can we unite and resist the Liao Kingdom? Why not support the Liao Kingdom at the beginning."

Zhao Cong frowned slightly, Qian Shang's thinking was exactly the opposite of his.

He arranged the navy in Dengzhou, just waiting to start with the Jurchen and then run the Liao Kingdom.Moreover, there was a Yeluqin in the Liao Kingdom, and Gu Ci was very good at bluffing people.It would be good if the Queen Mother was in power in the Liao Kingdom. At that time, the three parties would move together and stir up chaos in the Liao Kingdom.

Let them be in chaos internally and externally, with the Jurchen in the east and the Song Dynasty in the south, which is already an attack from two sides.

Add another western Xixia, and it will all work together.

It is a serious matter for him to meddle in Xixia's affairs and win over Xixia.

But Qian Shang is a civil servant, so it makes sense to say what he said. His method is gentle, and it is best not to fight. If you can sign a treaty, you can get things done. Naturally, sign a treaty.

Zhao Cong knew that some battles had to be fought.If you don't beat people now, they will beat them in the future.

But people like Qian Shang will not change their ideas easily, and he has no intention of instilling them. After talking to Qian Shang, Zhao Cong let him go, and said to him: "Mingyi has not seen Concubine Shu for many days, right? Someone will take you to Xueliu Pavilion."

The money merchant refused, saying it was against the rules.

Zhao Cong smiled: "It's been five years, and Mingyi is still like this, you should let Madam come into the palace to see Concubine Shu more often. You can go."

The money merchant thanked him again and went out.

The money merchant went to the layman, and when he turned the corner on the palace road, he saw Zhao Shiqi who was going to Chongzheng Hall.Zhao Shiqi didn't see him, he strode gracefully, Qian Shang stopped, stared at him for a while, and then went to Xueliu Pavilion.