"Zhang Xinchen!" Looking at Zhang Quhua who was standing respectfully in front of him with interest, Liu Chengyou seemed to be surprised in his tone: "I heard that you have been at home for the past three years without leaving home, concentrating on studying. Now for reference, He is the number one scholar in high school and is famous in Tokyo. It seems that he has achieved a lot in his studies in the past few years!"
The emperor looked peaceful, and Zhang Quhua also looked calm. He cupped his hands and said, "I don't dare to say that I have achieved something. I just made some progress compared to when I was young and arrogant!"
It can be seen that Zhang Quhua is still very confident. Liu Chengyou swayed from side to side twice, thought for a moment, and said calmly: "At the beginning, I gave you a weapons supervisor's book, but you were unwilling to do it. Now I am the number one scholar in high school. If you are appointed as the Chief of Arms Superintendent, would you be able to do the job?"
Hearing this, Zhang Quhua's expression finally changed, and he looked at the emperor in astonishment, receiving a serious look. His face changed a bit, Zhang Quhua cupped his hands and said solemnly: "Thank you, Your Majesty, for the appointment!"
"For the dignified number one scholar to serve as the chief clerk in the military weapons department, is he overqualified and underutilized?" Liu Chengyou asked Dou Yi.
Dou Yi now had an old look on his face, looking at Zhang Quhua's slightly lonely back, thoughtfully, and then said: "This boy is very talented, and his reputation is widely spread, even higher than what he was in the past, but he lacks training. , still needs to be polished. Since he looked down upon the first director three years ago, then three years later, he will still be asked to start from now on. If he is not qualified for this task, it will be difficult for him to assume heavier responsibilities. Your Majesty has arranged it this way, I think it’s appropriate!”
With Dou Yi's approval, Liu Chengyou's mood improved. Liu Chengyou didn't have much ill feelings towards Zhang Quhua. As a young man, it was understandable that he was energetic and sharp.
Of course, Liu Chengyou's mentality has become more mature and majestic. If he dared to pretend like this in front of him ten years ago, even if he was not jealous, he would not have any good development in his official career.
Nowadays, he is willing to be more tolerant. If the opportunity for growth fails in the end, it will not be a pity. Today's Han Dynasty has no shortage of talents to govern the country, and Liu Chengyou does not need to recruit talents as eagerly as he did in the early days of the country.
In comparison, compared to most people, Zhang Quhua was very lucky. He came from a good background, had few talents, and was in the eyes of the emperor. Such a starting point was indeed not low.
Of course, he had to pay a price for his youth and vigour, and the price was not small. In three years, he still started as the director of weapons supervision. His willfulness and willpower back then had not changed at all, even though he was already the number one scholar.
A look, an attitude, or a word can determine the fate of a handsome man. The authority of the emperor is so intoxicating.
Compared with Zhang Quhua, Zhao Kuangyi, who is even younger, is much more magnanimous. When he stood in front of Liu Chengyou, his face showed a calmness that was not commensurate with his age. This is a man with a lot of political talent. people. In fact, people who have had contact with Zhao Kuangyi have high evaluations of his demeanor.
After looking at Zhao Kuangyi for a few times, Liu Chengyou now has a completely relaxed attitude towards these heroes with "imperial appearance". As for Zhao Kuangyi, he was more curious.
Due to the inherent impression in his mind, Liu Chengyou actually despised Song Taizong. Because he won the country unfairly, because he used civility to control military force, and because from his beginning, he planted a bitter fruit that caused the Han people of the Central Plains to endure hundreds of years of humiliation.
However, looking at things, after all, it is not good to be one-sided, especially after Liu Chengyou has been the emperor for so many years. The source of the chaos in the late Tang Dynasty and the Five Dynasties was that military generals were difficult to control. If the branches were weak and the branches were weak, the monarch's power would be even weaker.
As an emperor with a literary background, he did not have the military ability and prestige of Zhao Kuangyin. It was understandable that he wanted to suppress the generals, but it was just overkill.
In the chaotic decades of the early Song Dynasty, Zhao Kuangyi suffered several major military setbacks, his reputation as the "Donkey Cart War God" has been passed down through the ages, and various mistakes were made in foreign military decisions. There are too many things about Zhao Kuangyi that deserve to be despised by future generations.
However, it would not be fair to overgeneralize and completely deny him. Objectively speaking, under such circumstances, Zhao Kuangyi was still able to maintain the stability of the Song Dynasty, consolidate its rule, and stand firm amidst many chaos. He also controlled arrogant and powerful generals. To do this is beyond the reach of mediocre people.
Of course, Zhao Kuangyi had many things that were despicable due to his private conduct, such as being greedy, tampering with history, being overjoyed in his achievements, etc., but as an emperor, he was still qualified. Liu Chengyou only had a deep understanding of this point after he had been emperor for so many years, and he was able to understand some of Zhao Kuangyi's policies. At least at the time, they were in line with the national conditions.
Of course, his later actions, defending the inside and the outside, abandoning the Northern Expedition, and defending and counterattacking, and labeling the Han people of the Central Plains as "weak" since then, were also paying for the mistakes of his early military strategy and paying a large price.
Abandoning the insignificant personal emotional factors, as the emperor of the Han Dynasty, Liu Chengyou has an appreciative attitude towards Zhao Kuangyi. Perhaps under his command, Zhao Kuangyi can become a famous minister and prime minister?
"There is someone who will succeed Duke Zhao Guangyang!" With this mentality, Liu Chengyou's eyes became calmer when looking at Zhao Kuangyi, and his sighing tone showed appreciation.
After noticing the emperor's attitude, Zhao Kuangyi, who had not officially made his debut, was happy, but he did not show it. He said respectfully: "I have no merit and little moral character. However, I am deeply favored by the emperor and inherit my father's legacy. I have always been fearful and unbearable." His grace. Now, the only thing I can do is to imitate my father and brother, be loyal to Your Majesty, and serve the country!"
"It is extremely rare for our Tanhua Lang to have such an awakening! Just say this, Mr. Zhao Guangyang, there is someone who will succeed him!" Liu Chengyou was discussing with Dou Yi in front of Zhao Kuangyi this time.
Dou Yi obviously agreed with this. Among the noble descendants of the Han Dynasty, there were still not many people like Zhao Kuangyi. Obviously, Dou Yi also admires this young man.
Because Zhao Kuangyin's achievements and status in the current dynasty were much higher than Zhao Hongyin's, so after Zhao Hongyin's death, his title was inherited by Zhao Kuangyi. As for Zhao Kuangyin, he established his own line based on his own ability and merit. This is a great honor for the Zhao family. Of course, similar things are not an exception. There are still some fathers and sons serving as founding fathers together.
Turning his head, Liu Chengyou said to Zhao Kuangyi: "Since you feel that your virtue is not enough, then cheer up your spirit, give full play to your talents, govern the government and bring peace to the people, and make contributions to the country, so that you are worthy of this blessing!"
Zhao Kuangyi was slightly moved by Liu Chengyou's words of encouragement and immediately responded: "I will remember your Majesty's teachings!"
Looking at him, Liu Chengyou became interested again and asked: "Being a Jinshi is just the beginning of an official career. What position do you think should be given to you for your talents? There is no need to have any scruples. There is no harm in speaking out!"
In response to this, Zhao Kuangyi originally wanted to respond diplomatically, saying that he would listen to the court's arrangements. However, his mind moved quickly. He paid attention to Liu Chengyou's expression, guessed his psychology, and decided to take a gamble. He replied seriously: "Your Majesty, I would like to know a county, govern three thousand households, promote education, and encourage farmers to teach mulberry!"
According to the previous adjustment of state and county household registration by the Han Dynasty, households with less than 3,000 households were classified as lower counties. However, even lower counties were an excellent platform for a progressive official.
Liu Chengyou was not too surprised that he did not choose to stay in Beijing as an official, but hoped to serve as a local official, but he just looked at him more highly.
He directly ordered Dou Yi: "According to Tanhua Lang's request, if there is a vacancy, he will be posted outside!"
"Yes!" Dou Yi responded.
"Thank you, Your Majesty!" Zhao Kuangyi said quickly.
Although it is said to be a back-up job to fill in any gaps, but with Liu Chengyou's words and Dou Yi's appreciation for Zhao Kuangyi, it is basically certain that the staff will not be afraid of the implementation of the arrangements.
For Zhao Kuangyi, Liu Chengyou was already an exception. Otherwise, ordinary Jinshi would need a period of experience and then pass the assessment if they wanted to go out to work. However, it would be even more difficult to directly become the chief official of a county.
There is no way, even after so many years, Liu Chengyou is still inevitably affected by the "celebrity effect".
In addition to Zhang Quhua and Zhao Kuangyi, Liu Chengyou also encouraged Ma Shi, who was second in the list, but he obviously didn't pay as much attention to him as the first two. For this person, a place was also arranged, a good place, to take up a post in Kaifeng Mansion.
As for the others, there is no need for Liu Chengyou to consider them. They have their own arrangements made by the officials, and Liu Chengyou himself has no intention of getting involved. Even if there are indeed some people in this subject that interest Liu Chengyou, he would rather just watch these people. development of.
