Since Zhong Shidao unfortunately passed away, Zhizhengtang has been vacant as the left prime minister. This prime minister has been eyed by many ministers. The ministers who currently have the potential to compete for include Fan Zongyin, the Minister of Rites, Li Hui, the Minister of the Secretariat, Zhu Shengfei, the Minister of Personnel, Huang Qianshan, the Minister of Revenue, Wang Boyan, the Minister of Revenue, Du Chong, etc.

However, Emperor Zhao Gou has not appointed a new left prime minister for a long time, causing speculation within the court, and several competitors have also secretly competed, trying to drag their opponents back.

Previously, Zhao Gou asked Lv Yihao to seek Li Yanqing's opinions, but Li Yanqing did not make a clear statement on this. As the court gradually got on the right track, Li Yanqing's influence on the court gradually weakened. At this time, Li Yanqing knew that any statement about the prime minister would establish a political enemy in the court.

However, the fierce attack of the Jin soldiers greatly dispersed the attention of the court and the people, and the emperor Zhao Gou's mind was completely occupied by the war fires that were about to be ignited. He was nervously asking about the combat readiness of various places every day, and seemed to have forgotten the appointment of the Left Prime Minister.

On the evening of that day, a man in rags came to the mansion of Fan Zongyin, the Minister of Rites. He stepped forward and bowed to the doorman and said, "Please report to Shangshu Fan, and say that his old friend Qin Hui is asking for a meeting!"

Seeing that although he was dressed in a torn manner, he was well-educated and elegant, he did not dare to look down on him, the concise officer quickly said, "Wait for a moment, I will report to the butler."

The gatekeeper hurried away, and soon a young man came out. The man was Fan Zongyin's eldest son Fan Qing, who was only fourteen years old. He had just entered the Imperial Academy at the beginning of the year. Qin Hui had served as the Imperial Academy Xuezheng. Fan Qing certainly knew that he was the imperial censor Central Commander and was abducted by the Jin soldiers.

Fan Qing looked at Qin Hui in surprise, "How come Qin Zhongcheng became so down-and-out?"

"Hey! It's hard to describe it. Can you please tell me?"

"My father is here, please follow me to take a shower and change my clothes first."

Half an hour later, Qin Hui changed into a new dress after taking a shower, had a full meal, and then followed Fan Qing to the study.

"Please wait for a moment, and I will go in and report to my father."

Fan Qing walked into the study to report, and Qin Hui felt a little uneasy. After all, his reasons were not sufficient. Now it depends on whether Fan Zongyin can help him. Fan Zongyin was a classmate and friend of Qin Hui. When Qin Hui was appointed as the chief censor the year before yesterday, Fan Zongyin served as the attendant censor and was a subordinate of Qin Hui.

However, the Jingkang Rebellion changed the fate of many people. Fan Zongyin was trusted and valued by Zhao Gou because of his excellent personal relationship with King Kang Zhao Gou. After moving south, he was promoted to four levels in a row, from a sixth-rank attendant censor to a second-rank minister of the Ministry of Rites. He was even faster than Li Yanqing's promotion, and was comparable to Wang Fu.

Now as an old superior, Qin Hui has to put down his airs and ask for his former subordinates.

After a moment, 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: "Heizhi, why are you in Lin'an?"

Qin Hui sighed and said, "This time the Jin army attacked the Central Plains, I was forced to recruit Wanyan Zongwang's tent as a documentary. I was sent to Liyang, Weizhou to count the food and grass. I found an opportunity to escape halfway, escaped all the way across the Yellow River, and came to Lin'an to beg for food."

"So that's it, but Brother Qin went to Weizhou, wouldn't there be any Jin soldiers following him?"

"Of course, there are four Jin soldiers who monitored me. I escaped while they were sleeping well at night. Fortunately, Liyang is very close to the Yellow River, otherwise I really couldn't escape the Yellow River."

"I see!"

Fan Zongyin asked Qin Hui to sit down and asked the maid to serve tea again. He took a sip of the hot tea ceremony and said, "I wonder what Brother Qin has to plan in the future?"

"I have no plans yet. I originally wanted to go home to visit my wife, but because I have a heavy responsibility, I came to Lin'an to meet the emperor first."

"What heavy responsibilities does Brother Qin bear?"

Qin Hui lowered his voice and said, "It was a handwritten letter from the Supreme Emperor to the official family. I have always been hiding by my Supreme Emperor. My Supreme Emperor's instructions must meet the official family this time!"

As he said that, Qin Hui canceled the belt and placed it on the table and said, "The handwriting is hidden in the belt!"

Looking north in the palace, Zhao Gou opened his father's handwriting with trembling hands. The father's handwriting formally recognized his ascension to the throne. This handwriting is very ordinary. For any emperor, whether the ascension to the throne is orthodox, and Zhao Gou is no exception. Although Zhao Gou ascended the throne was recognized by the empress dowager and supported by all officials, he still lacks a inheritance. His father, the Supreme Emperor, did not recognize him, and his royal brother did not formally abdicate. Zhao Gou had never experienced the same state as the crown prince. In some form, his ascension to the throne was not very legal.

If we take it seriously, he should be the Regent now. The emperor's brother has not abdicated yet, so he is just taking care of the world on behalf of the emperor's brother.

At this time, Qin Hui brought the handwritten order that his father agreed to his ascension to the throne. This was undoubtedly acknowledging the legitimacy of his ascension to the throne and was crucial to Zhao Gou. Therefore, Zhao Gou was so excited that his hands trembled. With this handwritten order, he could sit on the throne with peace of mind.

"What's the situation of my father now?" Zhao Gou asked Qin Hui again.

Qin Hui knelt down and said with tears in his eyes: "The Supreme Emperor lives in the groom's courtyard. The duty of the Wei minister is to serve the grooms in the Dongning Palace, pour shit and urine for them, and also clean the stables. At first, the Jin people planned to let the emperor feed the horses. Chen and others firmly opposed it. They would rather go all the things before they could be humiliated. Later, the Jin people changed their minds and put the emperor under house arrest in the groom's courtyard, and were not allowed to go out for a step. Only Chen and others went to see the emperor by chance and talk to him."

Several ministers next to him looked at each other with all eyes. Will the Supreme Emperor be so miserable?

Zhao Gou cried like rain, covered his face and cried bitterly: "I just regret that I cannot suffer for my father, and I am heartbroken!"

The ministers quickly advised: "Your Majesty has saved the country of the Song Dynasty, which is also the greatest comfort to the Supreme Emperor. As long as your Majesty works hard to govern and defeat the Jin soldiers as soon as possible, he will welcome the Supreme Emperor to return to the court."

Everyone advised each other, but Zhao Gou was still heartbroken and cried bitterly. Several important officials glared at Qin Hui with hatred. What did this bastard say these words?

At this time, Fan Zhixu asked coldly: "I wonder how Qin Zhongcheng came back?"

Qin Hui hurriedly told the story of his escape halfway again. The civil servants may not know much, but Gao Shen stayed in the army. He felt something was strange here. First of all, the Jin soldiers were covered with patrols on the north bank of the Yellow River and were very strict in defense. If Qin Hui could escape the Jin soldiers' patrols and was not controlled, wouldn't the Song army scouts break through the blockade more easily? Secondly, if you walk on the ice of the Yellow River, if you don't have special cold protection, you will freeze to death. How did Qin Hui cross the ice of the Yellow River?

Gao Shen heard the flaw and asked, "Can Qin Zhongcheng say more? 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 make things difficult for Qin Zhongcheng. He can bring back his father's orders to make great contributions. I believe that Qin Zhongcheng is concerned about the Song Dynasty and will never be willing to work hard for the captives!"

Qin Hui was extremely grateful and kowtowed with tears in his eyes: "Your Majesty is wise. If I surrender to the Jin Kingdom, I would not suffer so much and my dignity would be trampled upon."

Zhao Gou nodded and said to everyone: "Dear friends, please step down! I want to chat with Qin Zhongcheng alone to learn about my father's situation."

Everyone bowed and retreated one after another. Zhao Gou carefully asked about 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 is quite familiar with the situation in the Jin Kingdom. You might as well talk about it. Who are the people in the Jin people most afraid of me in the Song Dynasty?"

Qin Hui thought for a while and said, "I heard from Wanyan Zongwang that the Jin people are most afraid of the three and a half people in the Song Dynasty. The first one is of course Your Majesty. Your Majesty will never compromise and lead the world's army and civilians to fight against the Jin Dynasty, so that the Song Dynasty can survive the most difficult time. The person that the Jin Kingdom fears the most is Your Majesty."

Zhao Gou showed a knowing smile on his face, "It is my duty to defend the country of the Song Dynasty, but it is enough to make the Jin people afraid, which is enough to make me feel relieved. I wonder who the other two and a half are?"

"The second is Li Taibao. The Jin soldiers suffered several defeats in the hands of Li Taibao. They hated Li Taibao from the bottom of their hearts and were also very afraid of him. The third is Zhong Shidao. Zhong Shidao has rich experience and has a great prestige in the army. With him in charge of the Song army, the Song army was unshakable, and the husband Zhong unfortunately died of illness. The Jin people celebrated their marriage, and the other half was Du Chong."

"Du Chong?"

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

"I am not very clear about it. It was Wanyan Zongwang who personally told me that it should be Du Chong who has been an official in Hebei for many years and has a high prestige in the Hebei officialdom. The Jin people should be a little worried that Du Chong will affect the Hebei officialdom and cause unstable in the rear of Hebei, so Wanyan Zongwang is very afraid that he will appear on the front line."

"Is this kind of thing still there?" Zhao Gou was really confused.

"I am just talking casually and cannot affect Your Majesty's decisions. Please do not take your words to your heart."

"Of course I understand!"

Zhao Gou nodded with a smile, "Qin Aiqing first goes back to reunite with his family, and then takes good care of his health. I will use it well in the future."

Qin Hui was so grateful, "Your Majesty is very kind, I am so grateful!"

Qin Hui said goodbye and left. Zhao Gou walked back and forth in the room with his hands behind his back. He was still thinking about Du Chong. Zhao Gou knew that Qin Hui was right. Du Chong was indeed very connected in the officialdom of Hebei. When he appointed Du Chong as the prefect of Kaifeng and the pacification envoy of the two routes in Beijing and western China, he was attracted by Du Chong's influence in Hebei. However, Du Chong and Zong Ze had a deep conflict. In order not to affect the overall situation of the anti-Jin situation, he transferred him back to Lin'an.

Now it seems that it is not wise to transfer Du Chong back. Zong Ze is good at military administration, but is politically weak. If Zong Ze and Du Chong can perform their duties and cooperate tacitly, they can really attack the Jin people from a military and political manner.

This requires you to draw a clear power boundary for the two of you so that they do not interfere with each other, so that the two will not conflict again.

There was actually another important reason for Zhao Gou to transfer Du Chong from Lin'an, that is, the dispute over the left prime minister. Zhao Gou had already thought that Lu Yihao would be the left prime minister and Fan Zongyin would be the deputy prime minister in Zhizhengtang. This was the best solution Zhao Gou thought.

But the problem is that Fan Zongyin was only 30 years old, and only passed the Jinshi in Xuanhe for three years. He had too little qualifications and others did not raise this question. But Du Chong just grasped this point and made Zhao Gou very passive. If Du Chong was transferred, it would clear the obstacles for Fan Zongyin to become the prime minister.
Chapter completed!