Cao Qian came to Li Zhaoshu's residence under the pretext of visiting her cousin. He specifically chose a time when Li Zhaoshu was in office, and also brought his cousin, Cao Danshu, Cao Qi's daughter.
Mrs. Cao was very happy when she saw her younger brothers and sisters coming to visit her.
Although they both live in the capital, she is married to another woman and does not go back to her parents' home that often.
And even if you go back to your parents' home, except for major holidays, the whole family can't get together.
After all, the Cao family is a big family with a large population. It is indeed not easy to get them together.
Li Zhai.
backyard.
Cao Qian and Mr. Cao were sitting in the pavilion, eating snacks and communicating intermittently. Occasionally, a little girl's laughter could be heard in their ears.
Looking at her little cousin playing on the grass, Cao's eyes showed a trace of reminiscence.
She was like this before.
"Seventh sister, how is the seventh brother-in-law doing lately?"
Ms. Cao looked away and said in surprise: "Why did you ask about your seventh brother-in-law?"
Cao Qian smiled slightly, he did not hide his intention.
"Seventh sister, remember to introduce me to the seventh brother-in-law when you have time. I, no, to be precise, I have something to do with the Cao family and I want to ask the seventh brother-in-law for help."
Upon hearing this, Ms. Cao was stunned for a moment, then quickly waved her hand.
"If it's a matter of war horses, your seventh brother-in-law can't help."
Although Cao Qiniang was born in the Zhending Cao family, she is now married, and her first consideration is her husband's affairs.
Then, there is the Cao family.
If there is a conflict between the two, she will most likely side with Li Zhaoshu.
The reason why Cao Qiniang made it clear that she could not help with the war horses was because Li Zhaoshu was now the judge of Qun Mu.
Qunmu, or Qunmu Department, was the agency in charge of horse administration in the Northern Song Dynasty.
Horses are not only a means of transportation, but also important military supplies and ceremonial equipment.
Most of the nomadic people's fierce fighting power comes from their war horses.
The number of war horses directly affects national defense security.
During the Taizu period, the institutions responsible for horse administration were Zuo Feilongyuan and Youfeilongyuan. During the Taizong period, horse administration was expanded, and four new stables were established outside Jingyang Gate, named Tiansijian, with two on the left and two on the left.
Take it.
During the Zhenzong period, Emperor Zhenzong of the Song Dynasty changed the Zhuzhou Mulongfang (local horse-breeding institution) into prisons, with a total of fourteen departments, headed by the Qunmu Division.
The top leader of the Qun Mu Department is the Qun Mu Envoy, who is usually concurrently held by the chief of the Privy Council. Today, the Qun Mu Envoy is concurrently held by the Privy Council Envoy Cao Yong.
Under the Qun Mu Envoy, a Qun Mu Department was established for the purpose of organizing activities. This post was usually held by an eunuch.
Under the Qunmu Department, the Qunmu Judge was established, and this position was usually held by officials (civil servants) from the Beijing Dynasty.
As we all know, the Song Dynasty won the country unfairly, and the monarchs in the early days of the country were extremely insecure, fearing that something would escape the emperor's control.
Therefore, Zhenzong of the Song Dynasty clearly proposed the policy of conflicting opinions with each other. This policy was to allow the people below to restrain each other and strengthen the monarchy.
Confusion of different opinions is also the source of party strife.
The prosperity of party strife in the Song Dynasty was also due to this policy.
The official design of the Qunmu Division is just a microcosm of the times.
The Qunmu envoys, the Qunmu division, and the Qunmu magistrates belong to the three parties. The important ministers of the Privy Council, the eunuchs, and the officials in the capital check and balance each other.
Checks and balances will inevitably reduce efficiency.
But compared to efficiency, the Song emperor obviously preferred stability.
It doesn't matter if the efficiency is lower, as long as the regime is stable, that's enough!
This is stability that trumps everything else!
Precisely because of her understanding, Cao Qiniang blocked requests such as recruiting war horses without even thinking about it.
Li Zhaoshu, as the judge of the herdsmen, could do small-scale recruitment, but it would inevitably fail to satisfy the population.
War horses are an important strategic resource, and the Zhending Cao clan has been a general for many generations. How can this kind of excuse fall into the mouths of others?
A few years ago, my fourth uncle worked well in the border areas. Why was he recalled to the DPRK?
Aren't you afraid that the Cao family will support themselves with troops?
"Seventh sister, you are mistaken."
Cao Qian immediately laughed when she heard this and explained quickly.
"I'm not looking for the seventh brother-in-law for war horses, but for something else."
"for what?"
Cao Qiniang asked this question. Obviously, she did not completely believe Cao Qian's words.
Hearing this, Cao Qian deliberately glanced at the servants near the pavilion.
Cao Qiniang understood this and waved her hand, asking the servants on the side to step back a little.
After a while, seeing the servants pushing him a dozen steps away, Cao Qian whispered.
"Seventh sister, you must have heard of the news that has been spreading in Beijing recently, right?"
"What's up?"
Cao Qiniang looked confused. She hadn't even left the house in recent days, so she didn't know the news outside.
Seeing this, Cao Qian also looked surprised.
"Li Shiheng has become an official. The new Third Secretary is Shi Heng, an in-law of the Li family. Doesn't Seventh Sister know this news?"
"he?"
Cao Qiniang thought for a while and said in surprise.
"His qualifications shouldn't be enough, right?"
The Zu family and the Li family have been family friends for a long time. When Zu Shiheng came to his generation, he even married Li Zhaoshu's cousin. Cao Qiniang naturally knew about Zu Shiheng.
It was precisely because she knew that she was surprised.
In addition, since Zu Shiheng joined Ding Wei's family, Li Zhaoshu never mentioned Zu Shiheng at home again.
"No, you don't want your seventh brother-in-law to help you make connections and get to know Uncle Ping (Zu Shiheng's nickname), right?"
"I'm afraid this won't be possible."
"It's not like you don't know what kind of character your seventh brother-in-law is. As early as the moment Uncle Ping changed families, he cut off his sworn relationship with Uncle Ping."
"I'm afraid you're going the wrong way."
Cao Qian naturally knows what Cao Qiniang said, but times have changed, and interpersonal relationships will also change all the time.
In the past, Li Zhaoshu and Zu Shiheng broke off diplomatic relations, which did not mean that the two would never interact with each other.
"Seventh sister, I can't tell you the reason why. You just need to arrange a meeting between me and my seventh brother-in-law."
"At that time, I will explain the pros and cons to my seventh brother-in-law."
As Cao Qian spoke, he observed Cao Qiniang's expression. Seeing that there was still hesitation in Cao Qiniang's eyes, he couldn't help but express his righteousness.
"Seventh sister, this matter is not a matter for me or my family, but a major matter involving thousands of Cao family members."
Upon seeing Cao Qian move out of the clan, Cao Qiniang immediately put away her other expressions and nodded solemnly.
"Okay, I understand. I will arrange this as soon as possible. You will be waiting for news from me in the next few days."
Cao Qian cupped her hands and said, "Sorry to trouble Seventh Sister!"
Cao Qiniang smiled slightly: "No need to be polite, I am also a member of the Cao clan after all. If I can help, I will naturally help."
Cao Qian also smiled when she saw this, as if she had forgotten Cao Qiniang's previous evasive behavior.
After all, this is not important. What is important is that the seventh sister is willing to introduce him.
In fact, Cao Qian and Li Zhaoshu also knew each other. Even without Cao Qiniang's recommendation, he could make an appointment with Li Zhaoshu.
But the matter was so important that if Cao Qiniang, the person beside him, introduced him and made an appointment alone, the effect would definitely be different.