Zhou Zhen couldn't help but chuckle when he heard what those officials said.
"To say that the ones who have made the greatest contribution this time are the bandits who were recruited before."
"Not only did they dare to fight, but they also used some tactics that the Huns soldiers had never seen before. I have decided to reward them according to their merits. Do you have any objections?"
The officials below couldn't help but be stunned for a moment, and soon officials from the Ministry of Rites came out to object.
"Your Majesty, these bandits certainly contributed a lot to defeating the Huns this time, but they were all bandits before. If they were used in an unusual way, wouldn't it make all the people with lofty ideals feel chilled?"
"Yes, Your Majesty, these bandits are bandits after all. Letting them serve in the army without pursuing them for death penalty is already extremely merciful."
"How can these bandits be reused?"
Hearing the objections from the officials below, Zhou Zhen narrowed his eyes slightly, but didn't say much.
Feng Shen stood there with the presence of the old god, and did not stand up to speak at all, because he knew that the civil servants under him would definitely stand up and object.
As the prime minister, Feng Shen would not express too many opinions easily, but naturally someone would express his opinions for him.
After all, the Zhou Dynasty was dominated by civil servants, and the most important thing for these civil servants was to be polite. Even if the bandits made great contributions to repelling the Xiongnu, they would still be criticized because of their identities.
At this moment, Zhou Zhen said coldly.
"I remember that the person who asked the court to recruit these bandits and arrange for them to lead troops to attack the Xiongnu should be the governor of Qingzhou, right?"
The Minister of War nodded and then continued.
"Your Majesty, the one who really told this plan should be a prefect of Qingzhou!"
The Minister of Staff also immediately stood up.
"Your Majesty, the prefect Zhao Feng is waiting for orders outside the palace. His political achievements this year are very interesting."
After hearing Wang Shi's words, Zhou Zhen immediately followed him with a snake beating stick and pretended to be a little surprised.
"Oh, is it so?"
"Then let him come in. I want to hear carefully what he, the prefect who was promoted out of the ordinary, has done?"
Upon hearing this, the eunuch outside immediately told Zhao Feng that he could go to court.
Zhao Feng walked in calmly and walked all the way to the front of the civil and military officials before lowering his head and saluting very respectfully.
"I see you, Your Majesty, long live my emperor!"
"No need to pay tribute."
"Long live thanks!"
As he sang and harmonized, Zhao Feng slowly stood up straight, and the civil and military officials around him immediately looked over with curiosity.
Seeing that Zhao Feng was so young, the officials couldn't help but be surprised.
Zhou Zhen looked down at Zhao Feng. This was also the first time he and Zhao Feng had met. Seeing Zhao Feng's calm and effortless look, Zhou Zhen was very satisfied.
As expected of the person Zhou Kang recommended to him, he not only solved so many things in just one year, but also judging from his magnanimity, it can be concluded that his future achievements will be considerable.
As the emperor of the Zhou Dynasty, Zhou Zhen had met quite a few people before, and some of them knelt down and had humble expressions on their faces when they saw him.
There are also some who pretend to be noble, but actually want to get high-ranking officials and generous salaries.
Only Zhao Feng's eyes were extremely clean. Although his attitude seemed to be very respectful, Zhou Zhen could feel that Zhao Feng had an attitude that was neither humble nor arrogant.
Zhou Zhen nodded with satisfaction, and then said with a smile.
"Zhao Feng, as the prefect of Huaigu Fucheng, I heard that you have made many political achievements."
"Why don't you tell me what you have done in front of all the civil and military officials today!"
Zhao Feng nodded, raised his hands respectfully and said.
"Then please forgive me for having the courage to show my shame, Your Majesty."
Zhou Zhen nodded slightly, Zhao Feng opened the memorial in his hand and read in a loud voice.
"Thanks to the Holy Grace, I was transferred to Zhao County Magistrate at the beginning of the year to encourage mulberry farming and increase the number of acres of farmland. I was also ordered by the State Shepherd to help suppress bandits. I was promoted to Magistrate for my merits. In gratitude to the Holy Grace, I repay the people under my rule by making them live and work in peace and contentment. Your Majesty’s grace of appreciation!”
After Zhao Feng said this, he slowly closed the memorial.
When the other civil and military officials heard this, they all froze in confusion.
Wang Shi couldn't help being stunned for a moment, and turned his head to look at Zhao Feng in disbelief.
Zhou Zhen was also stunned. He had laid the groundwork so much just so that Zhao Feng could tell everything he had done openly, but he didn't expect that Zhao Feng would just finish talking?
If Zhao Feng really only did these things, let alone coming to the court and reporting his work in front of all the civil and military officials, even having him personally received by the Minister of Civil Affairs would be considered a compliment to him.
Did he carefully set up such a situation for Zhao Feng, but in the end, Zhao Feng ruined all his hard work?
At this moment, Zhou Zhen clenched his fists instantly, feeling that Zhao Feng was really a bit too unpleasant.
But if you think about it carefully, the memorials sent by other officials were all about boasting to the sky about the things they had done. Even if it was a trivial matter, they would write a long speech.
Thinking about it this way, Zhou Zhen felt that Zhao Feng seemed a little too indifferent to fame and fortune!
Wang Shi was still there in a daze, and Prime Minister Feng Shen laughed, turned to Wang Shi and asked.
"Wang Shangshu, this is what you said, are achievements interesting?"
"I am so stupid that I really don't see what is so remarkable about these political achievements!"
Wang Shitou broke into cold sweat. He looked at Zhou Zhen as if asking for help, but to his surprise, Zhou Zhen sold him directly.
"Yes, Wang Shangshu, this official's political performance seems to be very mediocre!"
"I don't know what else he did. Why don't you tell me about it!"
When Wang Shi heard this, he immediately understood that Zhou Zhen was stepping down for himself and asking him to make amends for Zhao Feng.
In fact, this matter was originally arranged by Zhou Zhen, but he didn't expect that Zhao Feng came over and briefly talked about what he had done, but it hurt both Wang Shi and Zhou Zhen.
So Wang Shi quickly took the memorial from Zhao Feng's hand and said with a smile.
"Your Majesty, this is the first time that Governor Zhao has come to Beijing to report on his duties this year, so there are many things that he still doesn't understand, which will inevitably make all his colleagues laugh."
"Actually, what Governor Zhao said was not wrong. Last year, because he served as the treasurer of Huaigu Fucheng, he used the public-private cement factory to collect tax revenue in just a few months and ease the government's financial situation. pressure."
"The key is that cement is something that benefits the country and the people, so the officials will transfer him to the county magistrate as appropriate. I hope he can give full play to his talents!"
