Outside Tokyo.
On this day, Wang Zeng had already prepared wine in a pavilion outside the city. At this time, there was no one around him except his family servants.
Today is the day when Kou Xiang returns to Beijing.
In fact, there were originally more people here today, but those people were persuaded to leave by Wang Zeng.
Nowadays, the clouds in the court hall are treacherous, and no one knows what the Queen Mother has in mind.
Kou Xiang's return to Beijing does not mean that Kou Xiang can return to the throne of Zhongshu. Maybe the Queen Mother just wants Kou Xiang to come back and retire.
By the way, he used the intimidation of Kou Prime Minister to remind Ding Wei and other southerners not to be too presumptuous.
Therefore, Wang Zeng did not let anyone else come.
He alone is enough.
Not long after, an ox cart slowly came into Wang Zeng's field of vision. When the ox cart got closer, Wang Zeng saw the driver clearly and immediately moved.
The driver is an old servant of Prime Minister Kou!
Kou Xiang is back!
In the distance, Kou Zhun opened the curtain. When he saw Wang Zeng, he burst into laughter.
Capital!
He is finally back again!
Last time, he did so many things against his will in order to return to the capital. He didn't believe in heavenly books or auspiciousness.
The irony is that it was these things that he relied on to come back last time. Those things that he originally scorned turned out to be the driving force for his return to Beijing.
So, in the end, he compromised, he chose to believe, and then he returned to the capital.
This time, it was because he offended the Queen, no, the Queen Mother. Now that the Queen Mother had lowered her curtain, he thought he would never have a chance to return to Beijing.
Who would have thought that he would receive an edict on the way to Leizhou.
The edict to return to Beijing!
After careful calculation, he is already sixty-one this year, and he doesn't know what will be waiting for him this time.
When the bullock cart stopped outside the pavilion, Wang Zeng waved his sleeves, walked down the steps, bowed slightly, and made a disciple's salute to the bullock cart.
"Prime Minister Kou, welcome back to the capital!"
"Ha ha."
Before Kou Zhun got out of the car, laughter reached Wang Zeng's ears.
"Xian Xiao, why are you so polite?"
…
…
…
Funing Hall.
"Mao Ze, is today the day when Prime Minister Kou returns to the capital?"
After Lei Yungong surrendered, Li Jie was no longer blind, and he became much better informed inside and outside the court.
"yes."
Zhang Mao replied in a low voice: "Not long ago, we were informed that Prime Minister Kou has arrived at the ancient pavilion ten miles away from the capital, and Prime Minister Wang is welcoming him there."
"Only the Prime Minister?"
"Yes, only Wang Xiang is alone."
Hearing this, Li Jie paused slightly and stopped writing.
This is kind of interesting.
Kou Zhun was a very pompous person. When he was in charge, he often took his subordinates to drink and held banquets from time to time.
It was impossible for Wang Zeng not to know this, but he still chose to pick up Kou Zhun alone.
Does this move represent some of Wang Zeng's thoughts?
Is it admonishment?
Or is it an internal split?
Kou Zhun was the leader of the northern scholars. Once he left, the officials from the north suddenly lost their backbone and began to surround Wang Zeng.
Although there is no clear document, Wang Zeng seems to have become the leader of the resistance to the southern scholars.
No one likes to have a 'Top Emperor' above their head.
Although Kou Zhun was Wang Zeng's best friend on his way forward, probably only he knew what Wang Zeng was thinking.
After thinking for a moment, Li Jie continued to write the teaching manual.
No matter what Wang Zeng thought, it would not affect his plan.
It was an unexpected surprise that Kou Zhun could come back.
From now on, Ding Wei and Liu E will probably have a headache.
With Kou Zhun's temperament, it won't take long for Liu E to experience the feeling of "shooting a rock and hitting himself in the foot."
The scene at that time must have been interesting.
Kou Zhun has gone through three dynasties and experienced ups and downs several times. Even though he was originally upright, he should have learned the routine now.
I hope Kou Zhun will not disappoint himself.
Ding Mansion.
backyard.
Ding Wei was always paying attention to Kou Zhun's movements, as was Lin Te, who was sitting opposite him. The two of them were in roughly the same mood now.
fear.
However, although Lin Te was very worried, as a subordinate, he naturally had to choose something nice to say.
"Ding Xiang, I think even if Kou Zhun comes back, it will be insignificant."
"An old minister has offended the Queen Mother again, how can he have a chance to cause trouble?"
During the conversation, Lin Te's tone was full of contempt.
"Shiqi, I'm not worried about that old guy Kou Zhun. I'm worried about the Queen Mother."
Ding Wei was able to climb to where he is today, how can he look down on the situation?
The Queen Mother's recall of Kou Zhun was nothing more than taking advantage of the situation.
He understands.
But if you understand, you still have to accept the constraints that should be accepted.
This is an honest conspiracy!
In the future, if he continues to monopolize power, the only thing waiting for him may be his resignation.
Kou Zhun is not in Zhongshu, but he is staying in Xijing and can definitely impress a large number of people, just waiting for him to hold a few banquets and use his words.
The officials are just afraid that they will take action if they hear the news.
At that time, public opinion will change, and even if he is the prime minister, he will have to keep his tail between his legs.
But is Ding Wei willing to delegate power like this?
That must be unwilling.
Everyone has something in common. If you want to spit out something you have eaten, it is simply more uncomfortable than starving to death.
"Prime Minister Ding, please listen to me."
Lin Te pondered for a moment and said: "Kou Zhun has always been a good drinker. Even if he comes back this time, even if he has some scruples, it won't be long before his old ways will sprout up again."
"We only need to bribe one person secretly, and then take advantage of the drunkenness to bring the topic to the official. With Kou Zhun's temperament, there will definitely be a lot of complaints."
"At that time, if we push this matter forward, Kou Zhun's coming and going will be under the control of the prime minister, right?"
Ding Wei's eyes lit up when he heard this. The old thief Kou was addicted to alcohol, so Lin Te's plan had room for maneuver.
The relationship between the old thief Kou and the Queen Mother was not good in the first place. The Queen Mother summoning the old thief Kou back this time was just a temporary measure.
As long as you add a little water into it, this hot oil pan will definitely fry immediately.
"Let's see."
A slight smile appeared on Ding Wei's face: "Shiqi, you have to put more thought into this matter. What should you do? You..."
"Don't worry, Mr. Ding."
Lin Te quickly stood up and said: "This matter must be foolproof."
As the number one general under Ding Wei, Lin Te had to deal with things like this.
Of course, with his current level, he no longer needs to do it himself, he has people rushing to do it.
…
…
…
Bao Ci Hall.
Liu E also received news from outside the palace that Kou Zhun was taken to his home by Wang Zeng, and a banquet seemed to be held in the evening.
However, Wang Zeng was also a smart man and did not invite the ministers of the court to the dinner.
Most of the people attending the banquet were scholars in the field. Wang Zeng had a stable temperament. With him watching, there would be no trouble.
So, very good.
Liu E didn't have a good impression of Kou Zhun at all.
If Kou Zhun can stay in Xijing honestly, Liu E will not be incompetent. In consideration of his past achievements, he will be given a chance to spend his old age in peace.
But if Kou Zhun was restless, Liu E wouldn't mind demoting him again.
