Zhou Zhen looked at the officials below with a livid face, and actually felt happy in his heart.
Fortunately, Zhao Feng handed over a memorial before leaving, which reminded Zhou Zhen of what happened before. If they not only had to recognize the achievements of the second prince Zhou Wei, they would also allow more officials to be attracted by Zhou Wei. .
Forming cliques in the court for personal gain is a very serious matter. The reason why it is said to be serious is because these officials colluded with each other because of the second prince, and they would put aside some conflicts with each other. On the surface, they were supporting the second prince to seize power. The position of the prince, but if the surrounding people cannot suppress them, they will easily cause trouble in the government.
Under such circumstances, if these officials really colluded together and behaved blatantly, then they would have to stand up for themselves as the emperor. Even if they didn't want Zhou Wei to be the prince, this would be the only way.
Sometimes the emperor is not omnipotent. Although he can keep his word, there are many times when he must give a reasonable reason. For example, Zhao Feng's memorial just gave Zhou Zhen a reason.
Seeing the trembling looks of the officials below, Zhou Zhen said with a cold hum.
"You don't know the secret behind this, and I don't blame you, but if you dare to ask me for credit for the second prince again, I will definitely punish you severely!"
"After all, the second prince defeated the Huns this time, and it didn't cause any serious consequences, so it's more than enough."
As Zhou Zhen said this, the officials below wiped the cold sweat from their foreheads.
If Zhou Zhen really wants to pursue this matter, not only Zhou Wei will be punished, but even those officials who support Zhou Wei will be implicated.
Now it can be said to be the best result, so these officials respectfully agreed.
Zhou Zhen saw the appearance of these officials and wanted to give them a beating, so he said directly.
"And there seems to be some news coming from the palace recently, which makes you all a little impatient, right?"
"I tell you, I have already decided on the heir to the throne of the prince. You should just do your job in a down-to-earth manner!"
Hearing this, the officials below nodded quickly, but they couldn't help but think in their hearts.
If Zhou Zhen has really considered the candidate for the crown prince, then who is the successor Zhou Zhen wants?
At this moment, some officials already felt something and said with their hands.
"Your Majesty, since the reduction of the Xiongnu's combat power this time and the invisible weakening of the Xiongnu's power are all due to the Li family, how about your Majesty rewarding them?"
After hearing the official's words, Zhou Zhen pretended to think, and then shook his head.
"There is no need for a reward. The Li family is just a businessman after all, so just keep it for now to see the effects!"
After hearing this, the officials below were a little confused. Some of the policies during this period were very friendly to businessmen. After all, businessmen have now become the mainstream of tax payers, and their status has also slowed down. Slowly rising.
But this time, the Li family obviously made such a big contribution, why didn't Zhou Zhen reward them?
Zhou Zhen didn't say anything more, but announced his withdrawal from the court.
After retiring from the court, the fourth prince Zhou Kang, who learned the news, immediately came to the residence of the eldest prince Zhou Rui.
"Brother, you really made me laugh to death this time. Fortunately, the second brother thought that he could definitely get the crown prince position this time!"
"I don't know how he reacted after hearing the news. I guess his face turned the color of pig liver!"
After hearing Zhou Kang's words, Zhou Rui smiled slightly and said directly.
"I heard Mr. Zhao mention this matter before, but I didn't expect that they would actually implement it."
Zhou Kang was filled with emotion. He did not expect that although Zhao Feng was not in the court and had not even been to the border, he could use a piece of salt to weaken the Xiongnu to this point.
Who would have thought that when the salt was sold to the Xiongnu, many people were still opposed to it, but Zhou Zhen overcame all objections and directly agreed. It turned out that he was planning for today's events.
In the past, the Huns were extremely powerful. Not only were the cavalry very powerful, but also the Huns were all soldiers. However, after the scourge of these poisonous edible salts, the Huns became frail and sick, and they were no longer the invincible cavalry on the grasslands!
Zhou Rui also learned a lot from this incident. Originally, the Huns were a worry for the Zhou Dynasty. Everyone wanted to solve the problem of the Huns before, but no one thought that Zhao Feng could achieve surrender without fighting through business. The effect of human soldiers.
Recalling what Zhao Feng said before about business communication being important, Zhou Rui finally believed it now.
"Wait a minute, I suddenly understood something!"
Zhou Rui's eyes lit up and he immediately said to Zhou Kang.
"You still remember the girl from the Li family before? I asked my father to grant me a marriage, but he refused. Mr. Zhao said that the time has not come yet, so I am afraid he is waiting for this!"
Zhou Kang also understood and said in shock.
"Is this what Mr. Zhao means?"
Zhou Rui became excited, nodded vigorously and said.
"Mr. Zhao must have meant this, otherwise why didn't Father reward the Li family?"
"I'm afraid Mr. Zhao has reached some kind of agreement with his father. This time the Li family has made such a great achievement, even the ministers in the court will no longer object to this matter."
"At the same time, if I marry the head of the Li family, I will be considered a match. After all, this is a hero of the Zhou Dynasty!"
When Zhou Kang heard this, he became happy for Zhou Rui and immediately persuaded him.
"Brother, what are you waiting for? Hurry up and ask your father for a marriage!"
"This is the road that my father and Mr. Zhao have already paved a long time ago, so that you lovers can finally get married!"
Zhou Rui smiled, shook his head and said.
"Let's wait a little longer. Although my father will agree to my proposal now and the civil and military officials of the court won't object, there won't be much benefit in doing so."
"It's better to wait for a while, when those ministers attack me again and want me to be crowned king before talking about this matter!"
When Zhou Kang heard this, he looked at Zhou Rui in shock, with a hint of confusion deep in his eyes.
But then, Zhou Kang seemed to have thought of something, and couldn't help but sigh softly in his heart, then shook his head, cupped his hands and said.
"Eldest brother has a plan in mind, so as my younger brother, there is no need to say more. I will go back first and say goodbye."
Zhou Rui waved his hand, Zhou Kang turned his head, and there was a trace of disappointment deep in his eyes.
Zhou Kang suddenly felt that Zhou Rui's scheming and city were so deep that even he couldn't figure it out!
