Zhao Zhen frowned slightly, thought for a moment and said, "In your opinion, how should we deal with it?"
Zhang Yaozuo said: "I think that we should cut the knot quickly. After destroying the Liao Dynasty, we should turn around and destroy the Xia Kingdom. If Master Su hadn't tried hard to stop it, all the ministers in the court would have passed the court resolution, and I would have known that raising tigers would be a problem."
, It’s a pity that Mr. Su stopped this matter, so we don’t have this worry today.”
Concubine Zhang interjected: "This Su Jin is real. Isn't it because he is related to Xia Guo? One of his two wives is the daughter of Li Yuanhao and the other is the niece of Yeli Dulan. How can he not care about them?"
?He has failed the emperor’s favor towards him.”
Zhao Zhen frowned and shouted: "What are you talking about about national affairs?"
Concubine Zhang Guifei said in a low voice: "That's right. Who doesn't know that Su Jin has a good relationship with Xia Guo. He helped Yeli Dulan gain power at the beginning. They kept Xia Guo to leave a way out for themselves." [
Zhao Zhen shouted: "Shut up."
Zhang Yaozuo hurriedly said: "Your Majesty, I'll be honest, your concerns are not unreasonable. As an important minister of the Song Dynasty, with such deep entanglements with other countries, it will inevitably arouse people's imagination. Not only do you think so, but many ministers in the court may also think so."
Such thoughts."
Zhao Zhen shook his head and said: "Su Aiqing would not be like this. He has dedicated his whole life to our Song Dynasty over the years. Su Jin has made great contributions to our Song Dynasty. I don't allow you to say this."
Han Jiang, who had been silent until now, suddenly said: "Because the credit is so great, the people in the world probably only know Mr. Su and not the emperor."
Zhao Zhen said angrily: "You are bold, Han Jiang, and openly sow discord in front of me. I will punish you severely."
Han Jiang quickly knelt down on the ground and kowtowed: "Your Majesty, it doesn't matter if you kill me. I came here today with the intention of admonishing you to death. I can no longer stand what Mr. Su has done. Even if it is you."
If you want to kill me, you must also allow me to finish my words."
Zhao Zhen said angrily: "Death remonstrance? What is there in the Song Dynasty today that is worthy of your death remonstrance?"
Han Jiang kowtowed and said: "Today's Song Dynasty seems to be prosperous and prosperous, but in the eyes of the ministers, it is an undercurrent. In today's world, there is no distinction between officials and civilians, and the people are extravagant and indulge in pleasure; the principles of sages have been corrupted, and the morality of
The business was corrupted, merchants were higher than the scholars, and women were exposed; Su Jinxing's policies seemed to enrich the country, but in fact they were corrupting the foundation of the Song Dynasty. Did you know that he ordered the schools not to teach the sages and principles, but to teach some
Side sects advocate the argument that being an official does not necessarily mean honoring one's ancestors, and that one can be the number one scholar in any profession, which makes the common people no longer feel proud to study and serve as officials and serve the court. Instead, they all take pride in being in other sects. This way it goes on.
, How can there be a great Confucian in the imperial court, and how can there be a pillar to succeed the country? I really can’t stand it anymore.”
Zhao Zhen looked horrified and twisted his beard in silence.
Han Jiang continued boldly: "Many of Su Jin's deeds have been implicated in crimes. His purpose in opening the Pearl Newspaper was to influence people's hearts. Everyone knew about the Pearl Newspaper but not about the Imperial Court Newspaper. He built market entrances and dug roads and ditches.
Although it is beneficial to us, the Song Dynasty, for him personally, he is using the favor of the court to win people's hearts; there is a folk nursery rhyme that goes: The sun is shining over the mountains, the moon is rising in the middle of the night, the orioles are singing in the green willows, and only the eagles are flying in the wind...
…Then the day is you, the bright moon is Su Jin, the oriole is you, and the eagle is Su Jin; this is a mockery of the decline of your imperial power and allowing Su Jin to do whatever you want."
Zhao Zhen turned pale with anger, pointed at Han Jiang and angrily yelled: "You...you are so brave, you actually dare to talk nonsense and sow discord between my monarch and my ministers. If I don't punish you severely, how can I be upright? Come on."
, dragged him out and beat him to death with sticks."
The chamberlain came in from outside the curtain and dragged Han Jiang out. Zhang Yaozuo hurriedly knelt down and begged: "Your Majesty, Your Majesty, please calm down. Mr. Han is also loyal to your Majesty. Has anyone ever told the Emperor what he said?"
If the emperor doesn't allow him to tell the truth to the emperor, who will dare to tell the truth to the emperor in the future?"
Concubine Zhang also knelt down and begged: "Yes, Your Majesty, since Han Jiang is a loyal minister, three generations of his family have been loyal to our court. There may be some truth in what he said. The Emperor cannot kill him with a stick in a fit of anger."
, if it comes true later, wouldn’t you regret it? Nowadays, the court is full of people who have the same tone as Su Jin. It is rare for someone to dare to say discordant words. How do you know that what he said is false praise? "
Zhao Zhen took a few deep breaths, waved his hands, sat down and said, "That's all."
The chamberlain put down Han Jiang and exited the door. Han Jiang calmed down for a moment and lay on the ground with her butt sticking out and crying sadly. Zhao Zhen frowned and said, "Get up. You are never allowed to say such words again in the future. Su Jin is my great Song Dynasty Dongliang.
Song Nengyou is inseparable from him today, and I respect him deeply. How can you make irresponsible remarks about him? Even if he has some faults, I believe that he is at fault. If I remind him, he will
He can correct himself, he is a smart man."
Zhang Yaozuo said hurriedly: "Your Majesty, please don't remind me of this matter. This will arouse Su Jin's wariness. Besides, he knows people but not his heart. The emperor treats him with all his heart. How could he know that he also treats the emperor wholeheartedly? Su Jin is concerned about the country.
If he has meritorious service, it is also due to the favor of the emperor. I think he was just a merchant at the beginning, and the emperor had a sharp eye and knew him well. Otherwise, how would he be today? Everything he had was given by the emperor. His meritorious service to the Song Dynasty was also a reward to the emperor.
, This is a matter of course; as a ruler, how can you have any thoughts of personal friendship? All your thoughts must be based on the overall situation of the society."
Zhao Zhen did not blame Zhang Yaozuo for exceeding the admonishment. These words seemed familiar to him. When he was in power, the old queen mother also said the same words to him. As the emperor, his personal emotions can only be put aside forever.
Think about the problem based on the premise of the country and the country; in the early days of the Han and Tang dynasties, it was not surprising that rabbits died, dogs cooked, birds were cooked, and all the bows were hidden. In the final analysis, it was to ensure the continuation of the country and the stability of the imperial power. These words stand in the ordinary people's eyes.
Naturally, the angle seems excessive, but from the position of the emperor, it is perfectly reasonable.
"Don't mention this matter again. I don't want to hear such words anymore."
"I don't mind mentioning it, but I have to say one thing. One thing can tell whether Su Jin is wholeheartedly serving the Song Dynasty and whether he is sincere to the emperor." [
"What's up?"
"Your Majesty, this is a matter for the Xia Kingdom. I propose that while the situation between the Xia Kingdom and the Uyghurs and Tubos is not yet settled, we should get rid of all the worries in one fell swoop. The Xia Kingdom, living in the northwest, has long been a thorn in the back of the Song Dynasty. It should be removed as soon as possible.
It will be settled in the morning. Tomorrow morning, I propose to send troops to the Xia Kingdom. If Su Jin agrees, it is for the sake of the Song Dynasty. If he does not agree, I can only say that he is at least selfish, and at worst harbors evil intentions."
Concubine Zhang said: "He will definitely not agree. That is his escape route. Maybe he has transferred a large amount of money and materials to the Xia Kingdom. Is he willing to kill his relatives out of justice? I don't believe it."
Zhao Zhen breathed a sigh of relief, his brows twitching and said: "If...if he really doesn't agree, what should we do?"
Zhang Yaozuo said softly: "If he doesn't agree, he will put our Song Dynasty in danger. The emperor will have to be careful when the time comes. I dare not speak nonsense, but how can the imperial power decline? It is about whether Su Jin has any wrongdoing."
Mind you, the Emperor cannot condone him on this matter; it is up to the Emperor to either achieve eternal greatness or sit back and watch chaos arise, and I am on the Emperor's side anyway."
"I am also on the Emperor's side and will defend the Emperor's majesty to the death." Han Jiang quickly expressed his stance.
Zhao Zhen frowned and said after a long while: "Let me think about it. Don't force me. Let me think about it carefully."
Zhang Yaozuo and Han Jiang looked at each other and said in unison: "I will not disturb the emperor. I will leave."
Zhao Zhen waved his hands, and the two of them bowed and exited.
The sky gradually darkened, and the room in the royal study also became dark. Zhao Zhen refused to let the servants hold the lamps, and drove everyone out. He sat there alone. The Baoshan Xiangbake in the brazier had burned out, and the temperature in the room dropped suddenly.
The colder it got, the cold Zhao Zhen curled up on the dragon couch and shivered.
This is not the first time that someone has spoken ill of Su Jin. In the past six months, various people such as Yan Wanqing, the admonisher, Huang Zhongfu, the Yushitai, Lao Zhichen, the governor of the Privy Council, have come to tell me secretly about Su Jin.
Some said that Su Jin was amassing money, some said that he was raising private soldiers, and some said that Su Jin had deployed his own people in all key departments. Upon closer inspection, it was not completely unfounded.
Zhao Zhen thought about it carefully, most of the generals in charge of the Song Dynasty were from the Northwest Army Su Jin's subordinates, and even part of the Imperial Guard was controlled by Su Jin's family slaves Dynasty Ma Han and others. If Su Jin really had different intentions,
He is indeed in great danger; and in the court, from the Political Hall to the Privy Council to the Sansi Yamen, Su Jin's people are not in control. This is very different from the previous situation where the two parties competed for arbitration. Many times, Su Jin proposed
I couldn't refuse the petition because there were so many people who supported it.
But Zhao Zhen could also see that Su Jin had no suspicious behavior. At least, all his actions on the surface were trying to make the Song Dynasty stronger and richer. Even Zhao Zhen was impressed by many of his measures. If
If he doubts and suppresses him because his achievements exceed his own, wouldn't he become a fool? Moreover, no matter how he thinks he understands Su Jin, he still thinks that Su Jin is a mystery and he wants to use him.
But he has to be on guard against him, a person whom he cannot control, and his danger will always exist.
Zhao Zhen warned himself not to act too hastily. He needed to test it step by step and not to anger Su Jin. He had to let Su Jin understand quietly who was the supreme authority in the Song Dynasty and whose hands controlled Su Jin's fate.