On the way into the palace following Ouyang Xiu, Li Hao asked: "Uncle, do you think it is a good thing or a bad thing that the officials summoned me today."
Ouyang Xiu said angrily: "You made such a big fuss, maybe you still want the officials to reward you."
Li Hao explained: "That's not true. I'm just a low-ranking official from the sixth rank. If the officials really want to deal with it, there is no need to let me enter the palace. Just let my uncle punish me directly.
Even if I was so angry that I really wanted to handle it personally, it was just a matter of will, so there was no need for me to enter the palace.
But if it is a good thing, it really doesn't make sense, so shouldn't I ask my uncle? "
After hearing this, Ouyang Xiu said: "There is nothing wrong with what you just said. The officials summoned you to the palace today probably not to deal with you, but I don't know the specific purpose.
But remember, when you meet the official, remember to answer what you ask, and don't say anything irrelevant. "
Li Hao naturally agreed to this. He understood the principle that those who understand current affairs are heroes. In the feudal era, Li Hao did not want to offend the emperor when he offended anyone.
After a while, the two of them arrived at the Chui Gong Hall. The chamberlain guarding the door came in to inform them, and the two of them waited outside the hall for the official summons.
At this time, Li Hao looked at the plaque on the hanging arch hall and thought that the origin of its name was taken from "Shang Shu Wucheng": "Believe in the clear righteousness, respect virtue and reward merit, and the world will be governed by hanging the arch."
Its original meaning is to rule by hanging down the arch and bring peace to the world. It praises the emperors for "ruling by doing nothing." However, in the Song Dynasty, some emperors may have done it by doing nothing, but the time for peace in the world was too little.
Just as he was thinking about it, a chamberlain came to announce that the two of them had entered to see the official family.
After entering the palace gate, Zhao Zhen was sitting on the chair behind the desk, looking at the memorial on the desk. Li Hao glanced at him a few times. Speaking of which, this was the third time Li Hao saw Zhao Zhen. The first time was during the imperial examination and the second time was at the Qionglin Banquet.
However, I didn't dare to take a closer look the first two times, and today I discovered that this famous benevolent emperor in history looked really old.
After the two people approached, they bowed to Zhao Zhen and saluted, and Zhao Zhen put down the memorial and asked the two to exempt themselves from the ceremony. Then he gave Ouyang Xiu a seat, and Li Hao could only stand next to Ouyang Xiu and wait for questions.
After Ouyang Xiu sat down, Zhao Zhen and Ouyang Xiu talked about Kaifeng Mansion, as if Li Hao was not here.
After Ouyang Xiu finished talking about the affairs of Kaifeng Mansion, Li Hao thought it was his turn, but Zhao Zhen suddenly asked Ouyang Xiu for his opinion on the matter of establishing the heir apparent.
When Li Hao heard this, he was really glad that he had no sense of existence just now, for fear that Zhao Zhen would ask him questions later.
After all, he was a lowly official now, and he was not suitable to get involved in this muddy water, especially since neither King Yan nor King Yong was a reliable leader, and Zhao Zongquan, who finally succeeded to the throne, was not even qualified to be nominated at this time.
But I can't say that I won't establish a crown prince for the time being, because it is politically correct to establish a crown prince as soon as possible now, and I can't go against the civil and military officials.
So it is best not to express an opinion at this time.
But after all, it is good but not bad. After listening to Ouyang Xiu's opinion, Zhao Zhen asked: "Li Qing's family, what do you think about establishing a heir apparent?"
Li Hao was helpless after hearing this, so he had to refine what Minglan said before and repeat it: "I am a minister of the official family, and all I want is to serve the official family, and I have no opinion on the fact of establishing a prince.
The officials were wise and wise, and they would be able to select a suitable successor for the Song Dynasty, while the ministers could only do their duty for the officials and fulfill their duties loyally. "
After hearing this, Zhao Zhen said: "You are very naughty at a young age. It turns out that Sheng Qing's family also said similar things to me. I heard that you and he are still relatives."
Li Hao replied: "Yes, Chen's aunt once married into the Sheng Mansion, and she does have some relatives."
Zhao Zhen smiled after hearing this, but Li Hao didn't know what he meant.
But Zhao Zhen then changed the subject and asked: "Ouyang Qing's family once told us that you wanted to organize a league, saying that it was to improve public security in Bianjing and improve the current culture of emphasizing civility over martial arts among nobles.
He also said that he wanted my support. At that time, I also promised to give you inscriptions and gifts. How is this matter going now? "
Li Hao was a little confused after hearing this, because he really didn't believe that Zhao Zhenhui didn't even know about the current situation. You must know that the Imperial City Division of the Song Dynasty was not just for free. But if Zhao Zhen knows, then why is he asking this today.
Li Hao's mind suddenly changed and he wanted to ask Ouyang Xiu what was going on, but he obviously couldn't do this in front of officials. So I had no choice but to answer first: "After hearing that the officials were paying attention to this matter, the noble families in Bianjing City were very enthusiastic and participated one after another.
After a large number of nobles stopped making trouble in Bianjing, the security situation in Bianjing city has indeed improved a lot. "
After hearing this, Zhao Zhen smiled and said: "Yes, that is indeed good. It means that what you thought at the time was right, but the first point is done. So does the second point seem to be effective now?"
After hearing this, Li Hao vaguely guessed what Zhao Zhen wanted to hear, so he tentatively said: "This second point is also effective. Recently, there are rumors that the government will reorganize the Forbidden Army. Suitable candidates will be selected from the winners of the competition to join.
Although it is impossible to tell whether the rumors are true or false, the nobles participated even more enthusiastically after hearing the news, which is enough to prove that there are many sons and daughters of the nobles who are loyal to the emperor and serve the country and are willing to serve the army. This shows how quickly the atmosphere has changed. "
After hearing this, Zhao Zhen said: "It's a good thing that this is the case, but the fact that the Forbidden Army has been rectified is completely false. How can we keep this trend alive? Does the Qing family have any ideas?"
After hearing this, Li Hao muttered to himself, what ideas can I have? These dandy boys want to get promoted and make a fortune, what else can they get excited about besides this.
But at least now, Li Hao knew that he was right. Emperor Renzong really wanted to change the atmosphere. Li Hao even suspected that the news about the rectification of the Forbidden Army might have been spread intentionally by the palace.
Thinking of this, Li Hao suddenly had an idea and said, "I have an idea. It may be a little inappropriate. I don't know whether to say it or not."
After hearing this, Zhao Zhen said: "Since I asked you to say it, just say it boldly. Even if you say it wrong, it doesn't matter."
Li Hao then said: "Actually, all the sons of various lords want to join the army and serve in the army. It doesn't matter whether they are the Imperial Guards in Beijing or other armies.
Since the Forbidden Army in Beijing is difficult to mobilize, why not form another army with the winners of this competition? After forming the army, why not first transfer it to the south to suppress the rebellion and eliminate the bandits, and then transfer it back to Bianjing? "
After hearing this, Zhao Zhen became interested and asked: "Why do you have such an idea? You might as well tell me in detail."
Li Hao explained: "I think so. This can preserve the courage of the noble sons to dare to fight well and satisfy their determination to serve the country. Furthermore, the rebels in the south are a plague of moss boils after all. They can not only serve as It's just for sharpening, but not too dangerous.
Secondly, I feel that there are endless public security problems in Bianjing. A big reason is that there are many dandies in the Lord's family, and ordinary officials are unable to punish according to the law due to various relationships, which has led to the current situation.
After they return from quelling the rebellion, they can be included in the Forbidden Forces to take charge of public security in the capital, and let them deal with themselves. Those who know the law and break the law can be dealt with severely. In this way, I believe that the security in the capital will be much better. . "
After hearing this, Zhao Zhen thought for a while and said, "What you said makes sense, but if this is really done, who is suitable to lead this army?"
Li Hao replied: "Of course the generals in the army should be appointed by the officials themselves, and I don't know anyone in the army, so I really can't make any suggestions."
Then Zhao Zhen was silent for a while, and then discussed the feasibility of this matter with Ouyang Xiu.
