No one expected that Zhao Zhen would suddenly propose in the court that he wanted to adopt an heir. This statement completely shocked all the ministers in the court.
Although Zhao Zhen's excuse was that the palace was cold, he wanted to bring a young heir into the palace and raise him by the queen's side to relieve his loneliness.
It didn't mention anything about Zhao Zongquan, but it still scared Zhao Zongquan to death.
After all, no matter how Zhao Zhen explains it, the reality is that as long as there is a second prince, Zhao Zongquan's position will become unstable.
Because now Zhao Zongquan is only an ordinary prince in name and does not have any title of prince.
Naturally, all the courtiers present could understand this superficial truth, so they all secretly speculated on Zhao Zhen's intention.
Of course, Zhao Zhen, who proposed this matter, did not expect that the matter would be passed at this court meeting. He was more testing to see the specific direction of the people in the court.
And Zhao Zhen also understands that if this thing is to be truly accomplished, there will be many problems that need to be solved.
After all, many people have invested in Zhao Zongquan in the past few years, making him full-fledged. Now if you want to move him, you have to have a suitable reason.
In fact, this was indeed the case. After a moment of silence in the court, the officials in the court began to express their opinions, and most of them did not agree with the matter.
Of course, there must be many of these people who are opposed only because they do not want the government to be unstable. After all, there is only one prince, so there will be no problems with this inheritance.
But if another real prince appears, then the inheritance rights will change. When the court is divided, someone will inevitably lean towards the new prince.
At that time, the imperial court will be divided into two factions, constantly attacking each other, just like the situation of King Yan and King Yong back then. This will only add some twists and turns to the court. Naturally, the officials have been stable for a long time, so Unwillingly.
Of course, it is not that no one agrees. Some people who have no intention of investing in Zhao Zongquan want to take advantage of this opportunity to speculate on his chances of success.
Therefore, for this matter, the two factions in the court were fighting fiercely. Although the numbers were not evenly matched, the intensity of the debate was unexpectedly strong.
However, even though the commotion in the court was fierce, the two prime ministers standing at the front, Han Qi and Ouyang Xiu, never expressed their opinions.
But it was obvious that Zhao Zhen had no intention of letting these two people go so easily, so after the court was over, he called them to Chui Gong Hall alone to talk.
At the same time, he also called Queen Cao to Chui Gong Hall, then took Queen Cao's hand and said to the two of them: "We husband and wife really have no relationship with children, unlike the two Qing families, who now have children and grandchildren around us. .
Over the years, I have had a total of 16 children, but now only three daughters are alive.
Now they are no longer in the palace, and the queen has no heirs.
So now we, as husband and wife, want to find a child to take care of and enjoy family happiness, isn’t it possible? "
Then Empress Cao also said: "Yes, ordinary people can have many descendants, but my life and that of the official family are really hard."
As they spoke, they began to sob. Han Qi and Ouyang Xiu didn't know what to say for a while.
I have to say that Zhao Zhen's move to show weakness to the enemy is indeed useful. After all, the people in front of Han Qi and Ouyang Xiu are the two most noble people in the world.
Then they put down their posture like this and play the emotional card like this. How can you let your ministers talk easily?
Moreover, Ouyang Xiu himself did not try to make any effort. Although Zhao Zhen was establishing a new prince, it might be unstable for the country.
But this is only possible, and not publishing this will definitely be a bad thing.
In this matter, the one who has the greatest impact should be Zhao Zongquan, so the people who should be most worried should be those related to Zhao Zongquan.
So he simply expressed comfort but remained silent on whether to establish the title of prince. Such silence was actually support in disguise, and the pressure was all on Han Qi's side.
At this time, Han Qi looked at Ouyang Xiu and thought to himself, you are an idiot and you can run pretty fast at critical moments.
But in terms of this matter, he couldn't be as free and easy as Ouyang Xiu. After all, he and Zhao Zongquan were already involved.
If he escapes at this time, let's not talk about his reputation, but if someone else takes the throne in the future, this incident will be a stain.
So I had to carefully edit my words in my mind, and then said: "I know the situation between the official family and the queen. The palace is cold and cold, and the prince is too old to be in the palace often.
But the prince's second son, Zhao Ceyong, is now three years old, and the officials can issue an order to bring him into the palace.
Zhao Ceyong can be regarded as the grandson of the official family and the empress, so he can naturally enjoy it at his knees. "
After hearing this, Zhao Zhen's face darkened, because he knew that Han Qi had made a choice and was prepared to protect Zhao Zongquan to the death.
Then there is nothing to talk about next, Zhao Zhen said: "The idea proposed by Mr. Han is a good one, I will discuss it with the Queen later.
You should retreat today. We will tell you when we have discussed it. "
Then Han Qi and Ouyang Xiu stood up to say goodbye and left. When they walked out of the palace, Han Qi directed his anger at Ouyang Xiu: "What the officials did just now, why didn't you stop them?"
Ouyang Xiu said: "The feeling of licking the calf is human nature, so how can it be easy to persuade.
And I don’t have your wit like the Grand Xianggong. I really can’t think of this method at the moment, otherwise I would say that the Grand Xianggong is very powerful. "
Han Qi said: "Uncle Yong, I know you have always had the country and the country in your heart. I hope you can uphold a public heart and serve the court and the people."
Ouyang Xiu said: "I am here to follow the teachings of the Grand Prime Minister. If this is the case, then I will return to the Privy Council as soon as possible to avoid disappointing the court and the people."
After saying this, he said goodbye to Han Qi and left first.
At this time, the news that Zhao Zhen intended to establish a prince had spread outside the palace.
For the many people watching the excitement, this is just a trivial matter. Anyway, it is common for people to adopt adopted children. As long as you are willing to do so, you can have as many children as you want.
But in the eyes of many officials, this revealed a problem with the direction of the wind.
Many people who were dissatisfied with Zhao Zongquan or had conflicts with officials who had taken refuge in Zhao Zongquan were preparing to add insult to injury.
And this is only the first wave. In the future, this news will spread to the ears of the clans outside, letting them know that there is still a chance.
Then you have to seize the opportunity crazily. When the time comes, Zhao Zongquan will be the best target to focus the fire on.
In fact, this was what Zhao Zongquan was most worried about at the beginning, but now it may become a reality.
As for Li Hao knowing the news, it was an hour after the dispersion of the dynasty, when Li Hao was listening to Sheng Hong's report.
The sun-salt method studied by Jean was indeed proven feasible after some experiments, but the initial efficiency was still too slow, so it is still being summarized and improved.
In addition, there has been progress in improving the environment of salt households, but in actual management, because managers are still supervised by the local government, many measures have not been fully implemented.
So they hoped to set up a team of their own to directly manage the salt farm and avoid local interference.
Li Hao naturally knew that this request was reasonable, but it was unrealistic.
Li Hao had no way to help the Salt and Iron Division obtain an exclusive soldier and horse. This matter would not be approved by the court at all.
While Li Hao was discussing these matters with Sheng Hong, someone came to pass the news and informed Zhao Zhen of his intention to establish a prince.
This made the two people's expressions change after hearing this, but Li Hao was somewhat mentally prepared. After all, Master Qin had said that Zhao Zongquan might change his position, so he could still accept it.
But Sheng Hong was really frightened, because this incident reminded him of the scene when he was detained in the palace on the day of the palace coup.
So he said to Li Hao: "This matter will not come to an end and turn into a confrontation between the two kings again."
Li Hao replied: "It shouldn't happen. The officials and the two great ministers experienced the rebellion of King Yan last time.
There is no way they would let something like this happen again, uncle was relieved. "
Sheng Hong said: "That's good. To be honest, the time I was detained in the palace really scared me. I really don't want to experience it again."
Li Hao said: "No, uncle can just make arrangements for the Salt and Iron Division with peace of mind. You have to trust the officials and the Grand Prime Minister."
After hearing this, Sheng Hong stopped refuting, but he thought in his heart: "I still believe them. Didn't the palace change happen under their noses, and didn't it mean that there was no news before.
Believe them, I'd better believe more in myself, and after returning home today, I have to tell my family to be careful. "
Anyway, regardless of Sheng Hong's thoughts, Li Hao also gave some warnings after returning home, asking his family to be careful during this time.
The other thing is to ask Zhao Guifen to help block a group of customers, except for a few very familiar ones.
When other people came to visit, they all said the same thing, saying that they were busy with official duties and neglected to rest and had contracted the cold, so they all closed the door and thanked the guests.
After hearing Li Hao's request, Zhang Guifen understood the meaning and said, "You want to avoid Zhao Ceying because you are worried that he will come to you for help."
Li Hao said: "You know me, madam, in fact, ever since he asked me to nominate an official to be crowned prince, but I have not taken any action, he rarely comes to me.
Of course, I have Prime Minister Han as my backer, and I have many officials under my command, so I'm afraid they don't care about me anymore.
It's just that in this situation, he always thought that I was very familiar with the official family, so he might come to me to inquire again.
But I have no intention of getting involved for the time being, so I can only ask Madam to help block it. "
Zhang Guifen also smiled and said: "Okay, then leave this matter to me. I promise not to let Zhao Ceying bother you."
After saying this, Zhang Guifen brought up another matter: "By the way, this year's imperial examination, Qi Heng of the Duke of Qi also passed the Jinshi examination. Their family is going to have a drink to celebrate, and they will also post a notice for our family. Do you want to come with us?"
Hearing this name suddenly, Li Hao was a little uncomfortable for a while. It seemed that since the palace coup, the Duke of Qi's mansion had become extremely low-key.
But Qi Heng was also harmed by Li Hao, because Zhao Zhen was not dead, and there was no new king to take over and benevolent to the world.
So Qi Heng had to wait for three years before taking part in the last imperial examination.
However, the results of the imperial examination did not change, and he still passed the exam.
What makes Li Hao strange is that the news that Gu Tingye is going to marry Minglan should have been spread a long time ago.
Why haven't I heard about Qi Heng going to the Sheng family to cause trouble? Is it possible that Qi Heng's brain can still figure it out on his own.
To say that this man couldn't help but talk about it, he just talked about Qi Heng, and then he saw Fu Deng running in and telling him that Qi Heng was visiting and was now outside the house.
Li Hao suddenly understood that what he had just thought was bullshit. The reason why Qi Heng came to him must be for Minglan.
This time he came here, most likely to raise an army to question the perpetrators.
Li Hao didn't want to talk to Qi Heng so much, so he said: "Fu Deng, go outside and tell Qi Heng, just tell him that every grievance has its owner and every debt has its owner, and ask him to go to Gu Tingye and tell him if he has any trouble. There is no need to come to me."
After finishing speaking, he asked Fu Deng to pass on the message.
After Fu Deng left, Zhang Guifen said curiously: "It seems that there is some problem between you and Qi Heng. Can you tell me about it?"
There was nothing to hide about this matter. Since Zhang Guifen wanted to know, Li Hao told it from beginning to end.
After listening, Zhang Guifen sighed with emotion: "I didn't expect that Minglan and Qi Heng still have this past. I had heard that Qi Heng had fought against the princess, but I didn't expect that it was for Minglan. He was quite infatuated." of."
Li Hao said: "It is not a good thing to be unilaterally moved by oneself. He cannot persuade his parents internally, and hesitant externally. His indecision is the root cause of all this.
So I was not optimistic about him from beginning to end, but I thought Gu Tingye would be more suitable. "
While Li Hao was talking, Fu Deng walked in again and said, "Young Master Qi refuses to leave. He said he must see you before he can leave. Otherwise, he will wait outside the door."
After hearing this, Li Hao laughed and said: "Oh, you are relying on me, so I will fight with him. Let him stand outside the door and see how long he can wait."
But Zhang Guifen said: "The visitor is a guest, and we don't even let people in through the door. This is not the way to treat guests.
It is better to welcome him in first and take him to the West Cross Courtyard to drink tea. This etiquette must be sufficient. "
After hearing Zhang Guifen's words, Li Hao thought this was fine, so he said to Fu Deng: "Didn't you hear what Madam said? Why don't you invite people in and serve them good tea and fruits?"
After hearing this, Fu Deng quickly took the order and left. According to Zhang Guifen's instructions, he brought the person in, served him tea and fruits, and served him well.
But Qi Heng didn't come here to drink tea. He wanted to ask Li Hao for answers.
After drinking two cups of tea, Li Hao still didn't show up. At this time, Qi Heng also understood that he must be avoiding him on purpose.
So he said to Fu Deng: "It seems that your young master does not intend to see me, but I will not give up.
I will come again tomorrow. If your young master is not there by then, I will come again the day after tomorrow. He will definitely meet me one day. "
After Li Hao learned this, he couldn't help but sigh: "I don't know about this guy Qi Heng, but he is good at messing around."
】
So Zhang Guifen said: "Then why don't you see him? It looks like he has to see you.
And now is the time when you want to close the door and keep guests away. It is always wrong to let him hang around in your house. "
Li Hao sighed and said, "Then let's meet tomorrow so that we can send him off early."
So the next day, when Qi Heng entered the house, Li Hao directly asked him to be brought to him.
