Seeing that she was being targeted again, Li Qingzhao showed some anger in her eyes and tightened her hands on her blue official uniform. She was not someone who liked to hold back.
However, she was worried that speaking without authorization would affect Cao Bin, so she looked at him with questioning eyes.
Many times, an official's background determines his stance.
Even if he himself is unwilling to admit it, it is difficult to wash away other people's perception of him.
The same is true for Li Qingzhao. Whether she was recommended by Cao Bin to join the court or promoted as an exception, she naturally sided with Cao Bin.
Therefore, when courtiers attack her, they often really target Cao Bin. If Cao Bin falls, she will also be implicated.
In this case, she will instinctively feel a sense of belonging to Cao Bin who protects her.
Seeing Li Qingzhao's questioning look, Cao Bin shook his head slightly and gave her a reassuring look.
Since he dared to recruit Li Qingzhao as an official, he was naturally prepared and asked directly:
"I dare to ask Ambassador Kou, which law in the Song Dynasty prohibits women from serving as officials?"
Kou Zhun was stunned for a moment, not expecting that Cao Bin would take action on the law.
It’s just that in this era, it is difficult to separate the law from etiquette and folk customs:
"I think this is common sense and established practice!"
There are many women as generals in the court, so naturally there is no relevant legal text.
However, there are folk books such as "Female Commandments" to teach women the behavioral norms, and a consensus has been formed on women's lifestyle.
Li Qingzhao was the first person to break the norms, and of course Cao Bin's deception was indispensable.
After hearing Kou Zhun's words, Cao Bin shook his head and said:
"I don't want what you think, I want what I think!"
"There is no clear text about common sense. I think your common sense is wrong."
Kou Zhun almost choked and said angrily:
"Hou Zhongjing, don't force yourself to make excuses. The consequences of your unusual recruitment of Li's daughter are known to everyone."
"As an important minister of the country, you should have acted with caution."
"How can you be so careless just because of your own selfish desires?"
"What's wrong with this officer's suggestion of heavy punishment?"
Cao Bin didn't care what he said, he only bit down a bit and said:
"Kou Yushi has been talking for a long time, but there is still no law prohibiting women from serving as officials?"
Kou Zhun almost died of anger. I told you the rules, you told me the law, I told you the influence, and you still told me the law.
Don't forget that you are not an ordinary citizen, but an important official of the imperial court. Every move you make will have far-reaching consequences.
Kou Zhun had no intention of using this incident to bring down Cao Bin. Sima Guang's was just wishful thinking. Not to mention that this incident had not had a bad impact and it was difficult to shake Cao Bin's status as a lonely and important minister.
Even if everyone starts shouting about him, the Pan family will not watch him fall. They need Cao Bin to balance the pressure on Wang Yanling.
His so-called heavy punishment is nothing more than a demotion and a salary penalty to deter officials with erratic ideas.
I didn't expect that Cao Bin was so insecure. Did he really want to keep Li's daughter's official position?
He was about to do something cruel when he saw Cao Bin cupping his hands and saying:
"Queen Mother, I want to impeach Kou Zhun for slandering a minor minister."
"I recommend Madam Li as an official out of public motives. She is pure and innocent. How can she have selfish desires?"
Seeing Kou Zhun pouting, Cao Bin seemed to have been greatly wronged, and said righteously:
"As the saying goes, don't avoid relatives when doing good things internally, and don't avoid enemies when trying to avoid things externally."
“What’s wrong with ministers recruiting talents for the country?”
Everyone was speechless, saying that they didn't even believe it. Kou Zhun said with an even colder "hum":
"There are many talented people in the world, but Zhongjinghou wants to recruit a young woman. He knows this."
However, he was too lazy to argue with Cao Bin on the issue of innocence, and went straight to the core:
"This woman's talent may be useful, but it will also corrupt the atmosphere of the court."
"Have you ever thought about it, Marquis Zhongjing, is she worthy of the court paying such a price?"
Cao Bin sneered:
"There are so many talented people? Are there talented people like Sima Guang who ceded land to pay money?"
"Didn't Imperial Ambassador Kou ask me if it's worth it? I might as well tell you, it's worth it!"
"In Cao's opinion, Mrs. Li's talents may make her a high-ranking recluse in the opposition, but she can be a good prime minister in court."
"Also, Imperial Ambassador Kou, don't be alarmist."
"The Empress Dowager originally appreciated my hard work and wanted to gain merit. How can she ruin the atmosphere of the court by giving me a helping hand now?"
"Don't you think that everyone can gain the grace of the empress?"
In order to make it easier for him to be lazy in the future, Cao Bin also risked his face.
He didn't know if Li Qingzhao had the talent to be a prime minister, but with Guan Wan'er's inheritance, he might have.
Anyway, he can't let down his momentum and brag for Li Qingzhao. What's wrong?
Seeing Cao Bin speak so highly of himself in the court, Li Qingzhao blushed.
However, she herself didn't realize that she suddenly felt a close confidant to Cao Bin in her heart, and the look in her eyes changed when she looked at him.
Queen Mother Pan also understood what Cao Bin meant.
She had promised Cao Bin the post of Third Division Envoy for pardoning King Duan, but she didn't expect that he would give up the promotion for Li's daughter.
Could it be that that woman is really talented? He valued it so much.
She didn't understand Cao Bin's obsession with being lazy.
Moreover, San Siben was under his control, and he didn't care too much about whether he would be promoted to full rank or not.
Seeing his decision, Queen Mother Pan had nothing to say, so she just said:
"Okay, don't argue anymore."
"Cao Qing's family is right. Bu Gong once promised that if he could welcome the Empress Dowager back this time, he would be given the post of envoy of the Third Division."
"Since Cao Qing's family wants to change the gift, let's give it to him in advance."
Seeing that Kou Zhun was still arguing, Mrs. Pan's face suddenly darkened and she said:
"I've said it, just deal with it this way, don't say any more!"
Kou Zhun had no choice but to shut up.
Even Wang Yanling didn't side with him. He was alone and couldn't defeat Queen Mother Pan.
Later, Empress Dowager Pan found the female official in the palace and gave Li Qingzhao a title of ninth grade on the spot, which was regarded as transferring the establishment to the palace.
It's just that she is also on assignment from other countries, helping Cao Bin handle government affairs in the Third Division, which is a special gift from Empress Dowager Pan...
Later, Cao Bin brought up the matter of sending an envoy to Xixia.
There were no twists and turns this time. Others avoided him and no one would compete with him for this job.
After setting the time for the mission, Queen Mother Pan announced the dismissal of the court.
Seeing all the ministers walking away from the palace, Li Qingzhao quickly caught up with Cao Bin and said shyly:
"Master Hou, you just praised me too much."
Cao Bin looked her up and down for a moment, and seeing the faint recognition in her eyes, he shook his head seriously and said:
"I am telling the truth. Otherwise, why would I go all out to recruit Madam Li?"
Saying this, he threw out the "Shangguan Wan'er Heritage Card", which immediately blended into Li Qingzhao's body like flowing water.
Li Qingzhao shuddered involuntarily and said in surprise:
"Why do I feel something is wrong?"
Cao Bin was very happy to see this. He finally used the card and asked with a smile:
"You felt something."
Li Qingzhao shook his head and said:
"It seems that I have learned something, and it seems... forget it."
As she said that, she looked even more affectionate, looked at Cao Bin with a smile and said:
"I would like to go to the Marquis's house to ask for advice on some official matters. I wonder if..."
Seeing his daughter forgetting about him and following Cao Bin out of the Zichen Palace, Father Li rubbed his weak legs with a bitter look on his face.
My legs are still very weak. How should I get home?
